Gang Starr - Step in the Arena: 3.5 stars

It's hard to parse their 1991-1994 three-album run. I'm opting for Daily Operation and then Full Clip (the collection), although Hard to Earn is a hair better than this and might even be an A minus. And I'm keeping Moment of Truth because I got into it when it came out (unlike the three album run, which somehow passed me by at the time).

Alan Vega - Alan Vega: 7 (B+)

Ridiculously overpriced. It would be nice to have Rev's solo debut and Vega's also, both on new vinyl, but I'm going to opt for Saturn Strip by Vega, which I think is a better album than this. Maybe they will reissue this one day.

The Jam - This Is the Modern World: neutral

:-|

The Jam - All Mod Cons: 7 (B+)

# [power pop]

Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga - Virunga Roots Volume 1: 3.5 stars

Not much stands out here, plus no reasonably-priced physicals, so not shelving this one.

Les Bantous de la Capitale - 1963/1969: 7 (B+)

A little too on the "oldies" side for me, especially for Congolese rumba, so I'll pass. Physicals almost non-existent anyway.

The Stooges - The Weirdness

😐

Various Artists - American Epic: The Collection [5-CD]: X (X)

I did listen to all of this 3 times, but will abstain from grading it. I like the Harry Smith anthology way more, for pure listening, but this is generally regarded as a modern update, done beautifully, so perhaps I will keep my eye out for a nice used copy. I can't help but think a 2-CD collection would have been a good option. A distillation of this, in other words, which is an hour longer than even Harry Smith. They have this, and a 1-LP set that is vinyl-only. Stupid. Instead, the Rough Guide series seems to have come closer to what seems called-for, with The Rough Guide to Country Blues. If there is a better modern single- or double-disc collection of definitive country blues, I cannot find it. By modern, I mean post-2015. I know about Yazoo's 2003 The Best There Ever Was [de-shelved in 2022] and have played it at least four times, but won't be posting separately about it. Somewhat weird that there is a good 2-CD collection of white country blues (White Country Blues (1926-1938): A Lighter Shade of Blue - see separate post), but not country blues in general.

Randy Newman - Dark Matter: 7 (B+)

Many, many listens, trying to hear what some others hear in this. Update (November 2025): Finally, after almost a decade of trying, I did hear into this a little bit, after re-examining yet again Christgau's "Dean's List" for the 2010s (where it placed sixth). So I upped it from "liked" and was able to snag a beautiful copy for a reasonable price. Still not crazy about it, but I like it, and now have all his straight studio albums.

Fat Boys - Fat Boys: 7 (B+)

This was reissued on unremastered CD in 1987. I generally will not buy those, or even the used vinyl in that case, unless they are somewhat contemporaneous issues during the early years of the CD era. While this is in that category, it's too expensive in any format at this grade.

The Fall - Totally Wired: The Rough Trade Anthology: liked

Contains tracks from Grotesque, Slates [EP], Perverted, etc.

Wenge Musica - Kala-Yi-Boeing: 8 (A-)

Got wind of this from the Gary Stewart book Rumba on the River (highly recommended). It's somewhat marred by cheesy keybs, but the guitar is spectacular. Anyway, physicals are way too expensive. [Found a nice copy for a reasonable price in autumn 2024 and upped to 7.5 (high B+), then upped it to 8 (A-)]

Dead Boys - Young Loud and Snotty: 7.5 (high B+)

Tim Buckley - Starsailor: neutral

Neutral at best. Pitchfork's #50 album of the 1970s?

Steely Dan - Gaucho: neutral

:-|

Steely Dan - The Royal Scam: neutral

:-|

Milan Hlavsa - Silenstvi: 4 stars

Devo - Freedom of Choice: liked

At least six plays

Saint Etienne - Home Counties: 7 (B+)

#indiepop/import

Stooges - Ready to Die: 7 (B+)

I'm sticking as a matter of principle with the first three by this band, although I agree with what appears to be the critical and popular consensus that this is better than The Weirdness.

Prophets of Rage - Prophets of Rage: 4 stars

Moreno and L'Orch First Moja-One - Sister Pili + 2: 4 stars

Moreno and L'Orch First Moja-One - Vol. 2 More Pili: 3.5 stars

Digital only. Nowadays, I would not physicalize this given the grade, but Sisili (track #5) is so outstanding I'm inclined to do it just for that. Plus it was one of the first digital-only releases I bought, back when I was printing up nice jackets and whatnot, so I'll keep it for the shelves.

David Bowie - Live Santa Monica '72: 7 (B+)

Somewhat spotty; often grating guitar; essentially a bootleg. #live

Deer Tick - Vol. 2

:-|