Iggy Pop - Choice Cuts: notation

Contains one side of The Idiot and one side of Lust for Life. No purpose for this in the digital age, obviously, although perhaps an interest relic.

Various - A Taste of the Indestructible Beat of Soweto: 8.5 (high A-)

B.B. King - The Best of B.B. King Volume One: X (X)

Christgau lists this twice, [Ace, 1986] and [Flair/Virgin, 1991]. These appear to be the exact same album, cover art and all (while the Flair/Virgin appears to have one more track, that's just because one track is now split into its original two parts). I have the Flair/Virgin, but nowhere does it say it's dated 1991. In fact, the copyright notice says Ace 1986. Ie, it's just a remastered domestic reissue of the 1986 Ace album, which he also lists as an import, even though it was also issued domestically.

In an earlier book, he also recommends 16 Greatest Hits on Galaxy. Five of the songs on that are on here, which means it's about 70% original, so I may pick up a copy. I feel like I don't have enough B.B.

Various - The Indestructible Beat of Soweto: 9 (A)

I know I also had The Kings and Queens of Township Jive: Modern Roots of the Indestructible Beat of Soweto [Earthworks, 1991] during the 1990's but sold it off. Might have been a mistake, but there's nowhere to stream it to re-evaluate, 30 years later. Oh well. Grades of other titles in this particular series to come.

Robert Wyatt - Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard: 8 (A-)

Meat Puppets - Monsters: 8 (A-)

Meat Puppets - Huevos: 8 (A-)

Various - Wall of Sound: The Very Best of Phil Spector 1961-1966: X (X)

I'm not going to try to grade this, because, for sheer listening enjoyment, I know I'd have to give it less than the 9 (A) I know it deserves. I can't find a cover image without those disgusting spots. [Filed under "Spector"]

The Feelies - Rewind: 7.5 (high B+)

Possibly docked a notch semi-subconsciously for being an artisanally-priced, short (9 tracks, 29 minutes) release consisting of previously-released cover versions. # [covers]

Tool - Opiate [EP]: 8 (A-)

Upped a notch for being a metal EP. Not enough of those.

Various - The Rough Guide to the Music of Hungary [2012]: 7.5 (high B+)

Four out of seventeen tracks not on Spotify. I did not listen to the bonus disc. # [Roma]

Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts - Talkin to the Trees: 7 (B+)

Music is a 7.5 (high B+), lyrics are like a C-, which I don't have as a grade. I only dropped it to 7 (B+) for that though, because he's a pathetic ex-legend whose daughter won't even talk to him, and he can't seem to take any responsibility for that. And I can comment on this, because it's in the lyrics, so he made it public. I actually feel sorry for him, and despite his stardom and having the power of a king, he's had a hard life in a lot of ways, and I appreciate how he keeps trying artistically.

Diblo Dibala - Pas Moi: liked

Almost got to 7 (B+), because of the guitar playing obviously, but the songs just aren't there in my estimation. Basically unavailable for anything approaching a reasonable price anyway. Still, if you are a fan of Diblo, you will enjoy it if you give it a few plays.

Slutever - Almost Famous [EP]: liked

Cassette-only idiocy anyway.

New York Dolls - Personality Crisis [EP]: 7 (B+)

I'm not sure whether to consider this an "official" Dolls release, but it's close enough anyway that I thought I ought to have a copy. Plus, it's an EP, which I favor (and issued in a slim case), so I got one. UK demos recorded in October 1972 at Escape Studios in Kent. These are the same demos appearing on the split compilation with the Sex Pistols called After the Storm. Maybe I should have picked that up instead, because those Pistols demos are not too bad, but they're not that great, so I'll leave it here. Anyway, these Dolls demos are better than the Mercer Street ones, although nowhere near the Planet Studios demos from 1973.

Various - Wild About My Lovin': Beale Street Blues 1928-1930 [RCA, 1991]: X (X)

# [blues]

En Vogue - Runaway Love [EP]: 8 (A-)

I'm a sucker for the "Specially Priced EP."

Michelle Shocked - Short Sharp Shocked: placeholder

I'm pretty much boycotting this album, since this artist has made her music so difficult to even sample. The prices people are asking are ridiculous, not surprisingly, since the music is effectively her little secret. But I would definitely give it some fair listens if I ever found a way to do that without paying ridiculous prices used for something unheard, especially since I'm not a huge fan of the genre and suspect it would be 7.5 (high B+) and # [folk; alt-folk] to me. This is based on Christgau's effective 8.5 (high A-) and Hull's A-.

Langa Langa Stars et Choc Stars – Verckys Presente Langa Langa Stars et Choc Stars: 8 (A-)

On my wantlist. I doubt a copy will ever come up at the right price though.

Various: South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture): 8 (A-)

It's all in the parenthetical - soundtrack songs plus music inspired by the movie. I could not believe that Christgau gave this an 8 (A-), possibly an 8.5 (high A-), but, as always, disregard him at your peril. It grows on you. I don't even like the series/movie, but the songs are undeniably funny. Even the old lady laughed at some of them.

Ike & Tina Turner - Proud Mary: The Best of Ike and Tina Turner: X (X)

Outside my comfort zone for grading. On pure listening enjoyment, I’d give this a 7.5 (high B+) at best, but I know that can’t be right. I will also try their Greatest Hits [United Artists, 1976]. Maybe in smaller doses. # [r&b]

Various - Tokyo Invasion, Volume I: Cosmic Kurushi Monsters: [8 (A-)]

I actually need to listen to this one more time before officially grading it, but I have it, and don't want to lose this thought, which is simplistic, but I'm getting old. Everyone needs some Japanese noise rock in their collection, and I can't imagine a better way to satisfy that need. Saw Melt Banana once live. They were opening for someone, maybe Sonic Youth?

Various - MTV's Amp 2: 8 (A-)

Thomas Jefferson Kaye - Thomas Jefferson Kaye: 7.5 (high B+)

I've got this on my wantlist. Hope it shows up for a reasonable price one day (at this grade, about $20 shipped).

Lyres - AHS 1005: liked

:-)