50 Things I Love About Comics

Though I usually devote this blog to rock music geekery rather than comic book geekery I happened across a pair of top 50 lists at The Savage Critics and got inspired.

What can I say? It was a slow day at work.

1 Buddy Bradley
2 Getting excited when a friend is reading Watchmen for the first time
3 Bendis/Maleev's dialog-free issue of Daredevil
4 Miss Misery, the epitome of the "that gal is trouble" archetype used in what seems like all of Ed Brubaker's stories
5 Batman vs Superman fight in the Justice League New Frontier Special
6 Gotham Central
7 Smax explaining that a vision of a three-headed woman with a serpent's tale holding a flaming sword and a human heart is not sign that he's supposed to go on a quest but an "atmospheric phenomena"
8 Spider-Man trapped under heavy machinery
9 Astro City
10 The repeated humiliation/mutilation of Herr Starr
11 Joe Matt's pornography woes
12 Warpsmiths
13 David Mazzucchelli
14 Sensual Santa
15 The opening sequence to the first issue of Suicide Squad wherein super villains really fuck shit up for once
16 The Eltingville Comic-Book, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Role-Playing Club
17 The before and after "yearbook photos" in Black Hole
18 The brightly colored but eerie psychedelic landscape of Jim Woodring's Frank
19 The Amazing Screw-On Head
20 The predestination paradox denouement of the "Story of the Year" arc in Supreme
21 The repulsive yet somehow adorable recurring characters in Kaz's Underworld
22 That the Acme Novelty Library is so formally and aesthetically stunning and evocative that I keep coming back for more even though I find it invariably depressing
23 Ivan Brunetti's "humor" comics
24 Henry Hotchkiss
25 This "What If Harvey Pekar got super powers?" web comic by Gregg Schigiel
26 Jim Steranko's pop art-inspired work for Marvel in the 60s
27 "You don't get it, boy. This isn't a mudhole. It's an operating table. And I'm the surgeon."
28 Darkseid's cameo on the last page of each issue of the original Ambush Bug mini-series accompanied by the (unfulfilled) promise that the following issue would be "When Titans Clash!"
29 Jules Feiffer
30 Drew Friedman's caricatures
31 Concrete's neuroses
32 Why I Hate Saturn
33 Seeing Jen Grunwald's name when I open a Marvel book (Hi Jen!)
34 Continuity bean counters loitering in any given comic shop
35 J. Jonah Jameson
36 Mike Carey's Crossing Midnight
37 Adam Warlock stealing the soul of his future self using the vampiric soul gem on his forehead (don't ask)
38 The insane Mr Fantastic pastiche talking to his "invisible" wife in Marshall Law Takes Manhattan
39 The Green Lantern Oath
40 Peter Bagge's under appreciated Sweatshop
41 Reading old Life in Hell strips and marveling that a mind that irreverent could create one of the biggest institutions in popular culture
42 Shamrock Squid
43 Chester Brown's The Playboy
44 The fact that I know anyone with a decal of Calvin peeing on something is going straight to hell
45 Dennis Eichhorn
46 Wimbledon Green
47 Pictopia!
48 Douglas Wolk and Scott McCloud discussing the medium intelligently
49 Back issues of Weirdo on sale for the original cover price
50 Knowing that the artist for The New Yorker's post-9/11 cover and the creator of Garbage Pail Kids are the same person

(Editor's Note: I just noticed that aside from the Sensual Santa there is nary a mention of Daniel Clowes here and do I love Daniel Clowes. Maybe he should remind me how much I love him by, oh I don't know, PUTTING OUT ANOTHER COMIC BOOK!)

This Moment in Slack History: Morsels from the Last Great Era of the 7 Inch Record

"This Moment in Slack History" collects songs from 90s indie 7 inches. For further explanation, please see my original post here.



King Loser "Stairway to Heaven"

Most 90s band name ever? That's debatable but it takes some chutzpah to call a song "Stairway to Heaven." If only King Loser had succeeded in freeing us from the tyranny of the song we've heard ad nauseam for the past 40 or so years. Twas not to be. Auckland, New Zealand's King Loser released a pair of albums and a handful of singles from 1993 through 1997. This song is taken from their 1994 debut for the illustrious Flying Nun label and is probably their finest moment. It seems the band reunited for a one-off show earlier this year and even has a myspace page attesting to this.

Play or Download King Loser "Stairway to Heaven"

Paleontology for Dullards: Special All Creep Edition!

"Paleontology for Dullards" rates records I've found in used LP bins by assigning them a cash value. For further explanation, please see my original post here.

KISS Double Platinum
Let's forget for a moment everything imminently abhorrent about KISS, namely the grandiosely stupid spectacle, the unsurpassed greed and sleaziness of Mr Chaim Witz, and their influence on a generation of misguided cock-rockers. (You didn't think the Poisons and Warrants of the world were really into Sabbath, did you?) The music of KISS in their prime is basically a dumbed down variation of the dumber branch of British glam i.e. Slade, Sweet, et al. This isn't an entirely bad thing as the group could spit out worthy bits of hard rock from time to time. Enough to justify a 30 plus year career? Not really. Enough to justify this double LP sampler of their glory years? Almost. You would think a band with legions of devoted (for reasons that continue to bemuse me) fans could distill their first six(!) albums into an all-killer, no-filler collection. Songs like "Deuce," the Faces-sound-a-like "Hard Luck Woman" and even the "disco" remake of "Strutter" pack genuine wallop but too often KISS grins when they should growl. Case in point, title-track from Hotter Than Hell starts with a nasty riff but moves into a total limp-dick chorus lacking any impact whatsoever. I know the music is only part of the KISS experience but Alice Cooper managed to have the theatrics and the tunes. Double Platinum is probably as much KISS music as I, or anyone else with a degree of taste, will ever need. Wait... no "Plaster Caster?" Dammit!
Price paid: $8 Rating: 37.5%

David Crosby If I Could Only Remember My Name
1971 debut solo album from the crack-smoking, menage-a-trios-endorsing, Crazy-Horse-hating, gun-toting, Roseanne-guest-starring, liver-stealing, sperm-donating, beautifully-harmonizing former Byrd and CSNY member. Crosby is backed by what seems like the entire state of California circa 1970 including members of Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead as well as Nash and Young. (No Stills though.) Man, the drugs at this session must've been good. The ambiance is that of doing enough coke to keep the jams going all night long but smoking enough grass to keep the vibe sufficiently mellow. It almost feels Skip Spence's Oar except played by pros instead of a crackpot. Songs like "Laughing" are engrossing darkly mellow psych and others like "Traction in the Rain" succeed on the strengths of Crosby's vocal and compositional skills. There are times when the vapid hippie sentiment is a bit stomach-turning ("Music Is Love?" Whatever you say, David) but mostly the music and particularly the harmonies and strong enough to power through it. And nothing here is quite as egregious as "Mind Gardens."
Price paid: $8 Rating: 62.5%

Graham Parker and the Rumor Squeezing Out Sparks
Not so much an creep as a crabby jerk, I've always found Graham Parker to have a conservative streak when compared to his pub-rock-gone-new-wave contemporaries. While other members of the new wave pushed boundaries, Parker is happy to offer traditionalist R&B-based rock. There's nothing on Squeezing Out Sparks that would sound particularly out of place on a Springsteen album. While that isn't exactly as formally exciting as say, Desperate Bicycles, it's hard to complain when Parker writes a set of songs as potent as this. Capably backed by pub rock vets the Rumor, Parker rocks out with abandon on the first three cuts, delivering hooks that are catchy and memorable without blunting his sardonic edge. After that is what might be Parker's most controversial song, the abortion ballad "You Can't Be Too Strong." While it deals with the personal rather than political, it's unlikely to be a big favorite with the pro-choice crowd. Still, it's inarguably affecting. Side 1 is capped with the forceful "Passion is No Ordinary Word" and while side 2 doesn't scale the heights of the first half it's still a solid set of tunes. If only he didn't wear those stupid sunglasses. Nothing worse than a square that's trying too hard.
Price paid: $0.70 Rating: 100%

The Unblinking Ear Podcast: Detox Blues

I created this week's podcast during the first day of my detox regimen. So if while back announcing the songs I sound hungry, weak, irritable, or like I'm about to have an unpleasant bowel movement, that's why.

Enjoy!

Play or Download The Unblinking Ear Podcast

Great Moments in Film History Part II

From Living in Oblivion:



In case you're wondering, part one was this.

The Unblinking Ear Podcast: Firsties!!

Last night as I was unsuccessfully battling another bout of Sunday night insomnia, I clicked over to the Onion AV Club's TV Club's review of last night's Adult Swim lineup (which was pretty awesome, by the way.) As I finished reading the article I noticed that there were zero comments.

I could have posted first! Oh glory of glories! Oh frabjous day!

Well, probably not as in the time it took me to actually, you know, read the article, I'm sure some lonely soul skipped right down to the end to get the first comment in. Still, I was weirdly tempted. Perhaps I identify with the firsties. Perhaps I too have a hole in my soul I need to fill by anonymously and needlessly irritating others.

Question: When a website starts getting firsts on their comments section does that mean the website is officially successful? Subquestion: Is success in the new millennium defined by people who have absolutely nothing to say?

I have yet to get a first on this blog. So the first person to do that will be the first first. That's like extra first.

Play or Download The Unblinking Ear Podcast

Dull, Pitchfork-Sanctioned Music to be Replaced by Cooling, Clear Liquid

From the NY Times (thanks to Maura for the link):

For three years rock ’n’ roll has had a great summer romance at McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn.

Instant I-was-there concerts in the big, empty pool basin by M.I.A., Blonde Redhead and TV on the Radio. Packed free shows on blazing Sunday afternoons. The thrift-store couture, the human mural of tattoos, piercings, sunburns and hair dye. Every other midriff drenched from a Pete Rose dive down the Slip ’N Slide.

Like every sweet summer fling, though, this one is destined to end. According to a city plan, McCarren, on the border between Williamsburg and Greenpoint, will soon quit its current state — a combination performance space, hula hoop and dodge-ball playground, alt-fashion catwalk and reclaimed ruin — and revert to its original purpose as a public swimming pool.

Built by Robert Moses in 1936 with money from the Works Progress Administration, the 50,000-square-foot pool fell into decrepit condition and was closed in 1984, its steep brick archway a gravestone to the fun once had there. Now, after two decades of political stalemate, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has pledged $50 million to its renovation. The plan is to go before the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission this month; if approved, shovels could be in the ground by spring, and the new pool could open in 2011. The last scheduled concert is Sonic Youth on Aug. 30.

“It was a good run,” said Emmy Tiderington, a 27-year-old Williamsburger with a tattoo snaking down her right shoulder. “Nothing lasts,” she added.

I know many are lamenting the impending absence of a place for adults to use a Slip in Slide or hide a decomposing corpse but look on the bright side. On a hot summer day what would rather have: a nice dip in a pool or Feist? Either way you can still to do a couple of bumps at Enid's afterwards.

This Moment in Slack History: Morsels from the Last Great Era of the 7 Inch Record

"This Moment in Slack History" collects songs from 90s indie 7 inches. For further explanation, please see my original post here.



Odes "Honey Gets Hard"

In between playing bass for NYC uber-hipster outfit Love Child and founding gURL.com, Rebecca Odes had herself a little solo project which released this single and an 8-song mini-LP, both on Merge, in the mid-90s. The A-side of this 7 inch, "Meltaway" is a nice little slice of dream pop but the B-side is the real winner. It's pretty sexy and suggestive for a song about frigidity. And take a look at that back cover.


Hubba hubba.

I don't know know what Odes is up to musically nowdays but it seems as though since leaving gURL.com, she's gotten married, started a family and written a few books. If you want to remember how she was back then, this 7 inch is still available from Merge for three and a half bucks.

Play or Download Odes "Honey Gets Hard"

Best headline of the week

Courtesy of MTV's Splash Page:


Tell that to anyone who's seen Sweet November.

The Unblinking Ear Podcast: Back With a Bang!

The Unblinking Ear Podcast is back! After a few weeks of computer difficulties (and totally unrelated but nonetheless bothersome checking account difficulties) I an once again able to assemble a podcast. Please note: the above image should not be taken as an endorsement of white power. It should, however, be noted that Skrewdriver's pre-racist malarkey records are pretty outstanding. However, none are included in this podcast (though may be in the future).

Play or Download The Unblinking Ear Podcast

Paleontology for Dullards: A Consumer's Guide

"Paleontology for Dullards" rates records I've found in used LP bins by assigning them a cash value. For further explanation, please see my original post here.

Secret Affair Glory Boys
You know what's funny about the mod revival of the late 70s? (Besides the clothes and haircuts, I mean.) Aside from the Jam, who actually predated and catalyzed the movement, I can't think of worthy band the genre produced. Weller and co. may have infused punk recklessness with 60s pop hooks but I'm hard pressed to think of another band that did the same as well, if at all. Case in point: Secret Affair. Probably the movement's second biggest act, SA exhibit none of The Jam's songwriting or playing chops and certainly have nothing on the Who, Small Faces, or Creation. Much of Glory Boys sounds like the most overblown moments of Quadrophenia married to awkward interpretations of 60's soul but without much, you know, soul. Their cover of the Miracles' "Going to a Go Go" might be the whitest thing I've ever heard. Some tunes like "Time for Action" and "Don't Look Down" display a certain bubblegum catchiness but the arrangements, particularly the flatulent horns and ubiquitous bombastic drum sound, undercut any chance of rock n roll fun. And since the disc was produced by the band themselves it's hard to assign blame elsewhere. Misguided and flaccid, Glory Boys is about as explosive as wet match. May have anticipated Dexy's Midnight Runners but that's no huge compliment.
Price paid: $5 Rating: 10%

David Bowie Low
Sometimes life is good. The other day I was looking through my David Bowie LPs, satisfied that I had nearly all of the man's essential work, i.e. pretty much everything from The Man Who Sold the World through Scary Monsters. One record I was missing though was Low. I stumbled across it in used LP bins a few times before but balked at the price, usually in the $15-$20 range. This same day I decided to head over the Staten Island's favorite cult-run cafe/second hand shop, mainly because my home computer was kaput and I could check my e-mail on their computer for the price of a dollar every ten minutes. I decided to take a look through their used LP bin which tends to contain Lionel Richie and Barbara Streisand records. They also price their records using the Goldmine price guide so on the rare occasion that they do have anything worth buying it's usually overpriced. Anyway, yes, they had a copy of Low in their "To be priced" bin. The cute hippie girl behind the counter let me have for three bucks. I didn't get her number or anything but I figured that was enough good luck for one day.

And how is the album anyway? Well, it's quite good. I don't know if it's the best record of the 1970s (actually that's not true, I'm sure it isn't) but if you told me it was Bowie's best album after Hunky Dory, I probably wouldn't debate you.

I also found a copy of Mick Farren's book The Feelies for $3 at the thrift store the same day. I haven't read it yet but if it's half as good as "Let's Loot the Supermarket Again Like We Did Last Summer" it will be well worth the price.
Price paid: $3 Rating: 100%

Pearls Before Swine One Nation Underground
Psych-folk from the legendary ESP-Disk label and apparently their biggest seller. Pearls Before Swine were not as provocative as their labelmates the Fugs or the Godz but where still legitimately an underground outfit. There's no mistaking them for hippie exploitation pop ala Strawberry Alarm Clock. To my ears, they most recall Moby Grape or Hackmore Brick, offering many druggy-sounding, acoustic-based songs but also rocking out on occasion. The quieter tunes are just a bit prosaic for my tastes though are objectively quite lovely. Things do get nicely weird on their rock songs though which sound at times like they're channeling the Thirteenth Floor Elevators. They even offer up Silver Apples-esque skewed keyboards on a few cuts. One Nation Underground is a neat little artyfact from the psychedelic sixties. Lyrics like "Did you follow the Crystal Swan?/Did you see yourself/Deep inside the Velvet Pond?" may be vapid flower-power nonsense but, believe me, I've heard worse.
Price paid: $5 Rating: 80%

Classic Ruins Lassie Eats Chickens
A bar band in the best sense of the word, I first heard the Classic Ruins via the Boston scene volume of Rhino's DIY series (a seminal influence on my taste in music during my teen years.) Their song on that comp "1+1<2" was taken from a 1980 single on the Ace of Hearts label and has long been a favorite in this household. For whatever reason, the Classic Ruins didn't get around to recording their debut album until 6 years later, this time for Chuck Warner's Throbbing Lobster label. Nothing here matches the brilliance of that early single but Lassie Eats Chickens is a lot of fun regardless. Classic Ruins recall other Boston fixtures like the Lyres (who covered the Ruins' "Geraldine, I Need Money"), the Real Kids (whose Billy Borgioli guests of 5 of the 9 songs here) or even the Cars, albeit with a raunchier, rawer version of their sound. Or perhaps they sound like what the E Street Band would sound like if they had a sense of humor instead of bombast. I can't imagine the Boss singing a song with a title like "I Can't Spell Romance." Or if he were to write a song about an alcoholic Canadian mountie like the Ruins did in "Labatt's," it would probably be a portrait of working class struggles and wouldn't contain lines like "He changes his shirt about once a year to take the empties into town." Unpretentious rock n roll played with a knowing smirk, Lassie Eats Chickens will get more than a few spins on my turntable. And I think Chuck might still have a few copies left if you want to pick up one for yourself.
Price paid: $5 Rating: 100%

Ghost in the Machine: The Unblinking Ear on Temporary Hiatus

About one week ago my home computer went kaput. Further examination yielded the knowledge that my motherboard was "fried." Thus, until I get myself a new machine (hopefully, sometime next week) the only place I have computer access is from my workplace. Since they generally don't take too kindly to me posting nonsense on my blog when I should be working, you probably won't see any updates from me for a little while.

To temporarily satiate your desire for new bloggin's from yours truly, here's my personal take on something that's been making the rounds of late:
List your favorite record from every year you’ve been alive.

This was a bit harder than I thought it would be.

Some years had several strong candidates. (Slates, Fire of Love, A Minute to Pray a Second to Die all in the same year?!?!)

Others had precious few. (1994 had Bee Thousand, Bakesale and at least two of three other contenders. 95? Not so much.)

Some had records I listened to constantly at the time but have rarely dropped the needle on since. (Sugar's Copper Blue, anyone?)

And, of course, there were a few years there were my personal qualification as a living human was shaky at best.

Anyway, here's the list. Feel free to call into question my taste or sincerity on any of the below selections:

1977 Wire Pink Flag
78 The Saints Eternally Yours
79 The Clash London Calling
80 The Feelies Crazy Rhythms
81 The Fall Slates
82 Angry Samoans Back From Samoa
83 The Embarrassment Death Travels West
84 The Minutemen Double Nickels on the Dime
85 Hüsker Dü New Day Rising
86 Tommy Keene Songs From the Film
87 The Clean Compilation (sort of cheating, but as their first US release I feel it qualifies)
88 Sonic Youth Daydream Nation
89 Barbara Manning Lately I Keep Scissors
90 Yo La Tengo Fakebook
91 Nirvana Nevermind
92 Sebadoh Smash Your Head on the Punk Rock
93 Prisonshake The Roaring Third
94 Guided By Voices Bee Thousand
95 Railroad Jerk One Track Mind
96 Silkworm Firewater
97 Yo La Tengo I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One
98 Cat Power Moon Pix
99 Sleater-Kinney The Hot Rock
2000 The White Stripes De Stijl
01 The Dirtbombs Ultraglide in Black
02 Reigning Sound Time Bomb High School
03 Sally Crewe and the Sudden Moves Drive It Like You Stole It
04 The Futureheads s/t
05 Ponys Celebration Castle
06 Jay Reatard Blood Visions
07 Tyvek Fast Metabolism
08 Thomas Function Celebration