Songs like this make me crazy. It’s only 3 minutes long. I wish it was at least twice that. The title cut of their second album defines The Police at their best. The playing is immaculate, with each member shining equally. And, it proves that there was only one band like The Police – instantly identifiable, especially with Stewart Copeland’s phenomenal opening. That’s not to say that Sting and Andy Summers don’t deliver the goods. In fact, it is such a team effort, it’s one of the very few Police songs with all three members getting a writing credit. It even won a Grammy® for “Best Rock Instrumental Performance.” It’s pretty close to perfection. If only they hadn’t faded it so darn early…
Rocking it up today is Triumph.The Canadian rockers give you “Lay It On The Line” and that’s what the power trio does.Known for the incendiary guitar of Rik Emmett, the incredibly melodic harmonies and the hard rocking rhythm section of Mike Levine and Gil Moore, Triumph has given us all that throughout their career.This is just one of many great tunes from their catalog that get us through our days.Thanks Triumph!
Got a case of the Monday blues?Well DFD has just the thing you need.“Oh Pretty Woman” is a tasty number by John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers.The song was originally recorded by Albert King, but Mayall does this track justice with his fiery guitar licks and a grooving horn section.One listen to this track and it’s no surprise that his work has been influential on musicians like Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor.
Here’s one for a hot summer day.Hailing from San Francisco, The Aqua Velvets, lead by Miles Corbin, are one of the current surf/exotica revival bands that have carried the instrumental rock flag into the new millennium.“Guitar Noire” has a relaxed feel that makes the mysterious sounds of The Aqua Velvets all the more enjoyable.The track is off their fourth album, Guitar Noir, released in ’97.So wipe your brow and check to see if that mirage in front of you is real.
Formed by Steve Wilson in 1987, Porcupine Tree is a prog rock band from Hertfordshire England.This band pulls from a number of styles including trance, psychedelic rock, and progressive metal to name a few.Today’s song comes from their 1999 album Stupid Dream.“Stranger By The Minute” and its delightfully atmospheric tone is the perfect way to close out the week and kick off the weekend.
It’s a well known fact that Allan Sherman was not a fan of rock & roll.He snubbed The Beatles and all things rock/hippie in many of his songs.With all that said, Rat Fink actually rocks for its time.Yes, it sounds like it came from a sitcom of that era, but that’s not exactly a bad thing.So rock out with your bobby sox out!
Today we bring you a super jam by British prog rock band, Yes.“Yours Is No Disgrace” is the opening track of the 1971 release The Yes Album.This is one of the band’s first experiments with longer songs, which would become a staple trademark for the band in years to come.Today’s selection is also the first song to feature Steve Howe on guitar.However, the song contains vital contributions from all band members including an instrumental duet between organist Tony Kaye and bassist Chris Squire, and even an a capella piece by Jon Anderson.
Joyeux le quatorze juillet!!Today is France’s Independence Day and we here at DFD are celebrating La Fête Nationale with the lead off track from Rush’s 1975 album Caress Of Steel.For those of you used to the more glossy and polished sound from their early ‘80s hits, this rawer, more hard-hitting approach was characteristic of the young band and their early singles, like “Fly By Night,”and albums like 2112.“Bastille Day” was not part of one of their prog rock concept songs that they were known for, but stood on its own, giving drummer/lyricist Neil Pert’s impression of what happened during that fateful time in Paris.
Now indelibly etched in my mind as the tone setting tune for the genre-bending Robert Rodriquez directed bloodfest, From Dusk Till Dawn, “Dark Night” comes out rockin’ like no other Blasters song had up to that point.Dave Alvin’s screaming guitar took the roots based band into new territory.It might have been too little, too late, but there’s no denying that this is one smokin’ track.So wipe the summer sweat from your brow, crack a cold one and let The Blasters take you on a ride into the “Dark Night.”
This is the song that was prefaced by Arlo Guthrie’s historic observation, “Lotta freaks,” when he took the stage at Woodstock and found himself facing a crowd of “half a million strong.” It was one of the best-loved songs of that “helicopter day,” or, at least, from the movie that documented it, concerning a spaced-out dope smuggler flying into LAX during the golden era of air and psychedelic travel. He’s too high to really care if his bags are searched at customs or not. It’s just one concern swirling amid a welter of other impressions. He’s just as interested in observing his fellow passengers: a businessman ogling a hippie chick, “Thinking that he’s already made her” (whatever that means), and a Mexican Lone Ranger. Teeming with giddy logic, this song captures the excitement of travel, hallucinogenic or otherwise.
Today’s selection comes from Dramarama, best known for their all-time most requested KROQ radio hit “Anything, Anything.”The band’s fifth release(and first major label debut), Vinyl, spawned some choice cuts including “Haven’t Got a Clue.”Singer John Easdale and Bassist Chris Carter once had an infamous record store in Wayne, NJ called Looney Tunez where they hada Mick Ronson and Ian Hunter signing. Tom Petty’s keyboardist Benmont Tench is a guest artist on thisrecord and Blondie drummer Clem Burke joined the band shortly after this recording.
Around the time Merle Haggard was flaying war protesters and nonconformists in “Okie From Muskogee,” Bakersfield’s other country king was confounding fans and copping hip moves from pop with this adventurous track. Buck probably never inhaled, but the deliberate use of the g-word—and the song’s unconventional folk-rock flavor, fuzz guitar, and quirky waltz-time arrangement—seemed more than a passing nod to a world that was rapidly changing in 1969. In the ’70s, Hee Haw made him the premier ambassador of corn, but cuts like this prove that Owens was always more imaginative than many of his contemporaries and cooler than most.
Today’s selection is the perfect segway into the upcoming holiday weekend. Dave Edmunds’ “Here Comes The Weekend” is a toe tapping diddy loaded with catchy lyrics and a fire cracker of a guitar solo. Edmund’s signature touch is his ’50s and ’60s rock & roll style, as heard on today’s song and throughout a majority of his musical career. This particular cut is from his album I Hear You Rockin’, recorded live in ‘87.
Yes, THAT The Knack. Sadly, by the time their brilliant 3rd album was released, their career had been “knuked” and everyone missed out on one of the decade’s best and most diverse offerings. The album was indeed a “trip” – though their trademark power-pop to psychedelia to country waltzes to pure experimentation on tracks like “Africa”. Was it jazz? Was it prog? It was certainly a look into the band’s exceptional talent. The playing is immaculate, the production (from Jack Douglas – fresh off John & Yoko’s Double Fantasy) stellar, and it’s just another leg of the Round Trip you all should take. A bit of interesting trivia regarding the song – The Knack was in talks with an up & coming pair of video directors to shoot a clip for “Africa”, but the band broke up before it could happen. Those directors? Godley & Creme.
A beautiful jangly pop song, “Carry The Torch” comes from Fire Town’s first album, In the Heart of the Country.Producer extraordinaire, Butch Vig, drums on both of their albums long before he produces the game changing album Nevermind by Nirvana.Sounding nothing like his previous band, Spooner, or his later band, Garbage, Fire Town comes on like a retro pop band with ’80s flourishes.If you’re into that sound, both Fire Town albums are worth checking out.“Carry The Torch” just sounds like a great summer song, so put the top down and cruise…
Straight Shooter, the sophomore effortfrom Swan Song super group Bad Company, featured a handful of FM staple songs. Buried among those hits is a musical gem you may have missed. Side two’s opener “Deal with the Preacher” was always a favorite of mine because it features one of the best vocal performances Paul Rogers ever laid down on tape. While there are plenty of songs about a deal with the devil, today’s selection is about a deal with a preacher. But don’t be fooled, “Deal with the Preacher” is anything but religious, in fact this is a burning love song of the first degree. Shortly afterStraight Shooterwas released, the band would embark upon their first US tour.
Only in the US would a genius like Marc Bolan and his band T. Rex be known as a one hit wonder. The single released after the massive “Bang A Gong (Get It On)” was “Jeepster” – which failed to chart. And, those who didn’t get the LP not only missed out on “Jeepster”, but its flip side, the album closing “Rip Off”. It’s Marc rocking out but keeping it groovy like only the boa wearing, guitar hero he was could. It’s almost punk-rock before it existed and the perfect finale to the ride that is Electric Warrior. Some folks who “got it” were the members of alternative super group Dim Stars, which featured Richard Hell, Don Fleming and Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore & Steve Shelley. They covered “Rip Off” on their classic 1st EP.
Rock ‘n’ roll & heavy metal have never known a voice the likes of Ronnie James Dio.A scrapper & a journeyman, he rose through the ranks of bands like Elf, Rainbow & Black Sabbath, eventually unleashing his own band, Dio, in the ‘80s.Throughout these years & changes, he became one of the most emblematic and beloved stars in rock.His recent reunion with the members of Black Sabbath (under the moniker Heaven & Hell) once again brought joy to audiences around the world.Today’s song, “Eat Your Heart Out” exemplifies the swagger, confidence & passion that Dio brought to the table day in & day out.We miss ya, RJD.
Roxy Music was famous for placing provocative models on their covers throughout the 70’s. Playboy’s playmate of the year Marilyn Cole graced Stranded, the band’s third release (the first without art rocker Brian Eno). The record went #1 in the UK and included the top twenty single “Street Life.” This track opens the album with a building cascade of sound and features a jazzy piano interlude. The band would have to wait another few years to break in the US with “Love is the Drug.”
I first discovered Oh No Oh My a couple of years ago while editing a commercial reel that included some of their music. A quartet from Austin, TX, Oh No Oh My plays indie rock that stays on the right side of the line between quirky and precious. The band had previously been known as The Jolly Rogers, so it makes perfect sense that the final song on their 2007 Dim Mak E.P. Between The Devil And The Sea is “A Pirate’s Anthem.” I just love its chorus; the high harmonies and airy piano riff give the song a wide-open feel as though you were hundreds of miles from dry land. Beyond that, it’s pretty un-pirate-like (until the end, when a sort of sea shanty starts up in the background).’ But that’s fine by me; I’d much rather sail with these mates than your usual Caribbean brigands.
You probably heard today’s pick in the early ’80s and never really knew who it was by. “The Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide” is a true one hit wonder in the U.S. taken from The Kings’ debut album The Kings Are Here. These wild and wacky Canadians had a party attitude (also check out “Partyitis” from the same debut) and were perfect for the ’80s. Unfortunately, with no other exposure or hit singles, The Kings faded quickly from the music scene but reformed again in the mid-’90s to release one more studio album. Here’s to starting the week off with a bang.
While most of the Cars’ hits were bouncy and bubbly (save for “Drive”), Ric Ocasek demonstrated a virtual Roxy Music fixation when he sang the ballads like “I’m Not the One” from Shake It Up.Not that it’s a bad thing, and the Boston boys certainly had way more penetration than Ferry’s London art gang. With more hooks than a deep sea fishing line, this catchy little number has the near baroque keyboards and extended outro chorus that inform lots of Roxy, right down to the “going round and round” lyrics.All that’s missing is the audio gleam.
Fresh from the success of Bowie’s magic dust on “All The Young Dudes,” Mott The Hoople regrouped, shook the glitter off and got back to their Dylan inspired signature sound for 1973’s Mott. A stand out track from this record was the sing-along bar stool ditty “Honaloochie Boogie,” a hit single that climbed to #12 on the UK charts. The band has recently reformed for a series of shows in London, but there is no word as to whether or not they will bring their act back to the states. Us yanks could only be so lucky.
Is saloon piano playing the first thing that jumps to mind when you hear the name Husker Du? Not if you’re at all familiar with the alternative rock scene of the 1980s, of which this Minnesota trio was a leading light. Walls of guitar buzz and frenetic rhythms were more the stock-in-trade for axeman Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart, which is why “Books About UFOs” stands out so memorably on their 1985 SST classic New Day Rising. Here tinkling keyboards balance the Huskers’ trademark fuzzy fretwork, as the charming tale of a girl’s fascination with extraterrestrial visitors unfolds at a loping pace. Though I’m not privy to Hart’s writing process here, the song’s keen eye for lyrical detail suggests it could be based on a real person. And am I just hearing things or is the melody reminiscent of The Beach Boys’ “Help Me, Rhonda” in places?
RATT’s multi-platinum debut LP, Out Of The Cellar, spawned a multitude of radio and MTV smash singles and made the band worldwide rockstars overnight. However, the album also contains a number of solid deep tracks that hold their own, including today’s Damn Fine Day pick: “You’re In Trouble”. Rightfully sequenced at # 2 on the album’s tracklisting, sandwiched between the monster hits “Wanted Man” and “Round And Round”, this fan favorite could easily have been released as a single. Starting off with a long intro of bass and drums pounding out a jungle-like vibe (surely inspired by Van Halen’s “Everybody Wants Some”) that extends through the first verse, the song suddenly explodes into a super catchy chorus. This is where we finally get to hear RATT’s trademark dual buzzsaw guitars (Robin Crosby and Warren DeMartini’s tone and style personify early 80’s metal here). This song simply exudes the hairspray, lipstick, and spandex glory days of when RATT ‘N ROLL ruled the Sunset Strip and beyond.
