High Fidelity
“BUZZ” Newspaper Article Jun-Jul 2012 (#16-P)
“Good Evening ! Welcome To Our Show …”
I am often curious “Who” actually reads this stuff I write, and what do they think of it when they do?
Any one who knows me, will know there is a movie out, that mirrors my life very closely.
It is “High Fidelity” 2000 Touchstone
From my first official film review, I thought I would tackle the “Real Life” Story of Me !!!
“Championship Vinyl” would be ‘Mr. Zero’s’. I would be Rob Gordon. Laura would be someone we shall call “Kay” Charlie would be someone we will refer to as “Naomi”, Dick would be a person we will call “Scooter” and Barry would be “Funzie”
This story takes place in a record-shop as the owner Rob recalls, his Top 5 failed relationships and why they happened. Though the film takes place in Chicago (me: St. Paul) the book was written by a British Novelist: Nick Hornby in 1995. Rob like many people Used To… well, gets through life, love & pain though music. It’s a very realistic look at the people who work in this environment as well as shop in these now dying breed, type shops. Rob likes to make lists and alphabetize and categorize things, music, books, dreams and so forth. I recently showed this film to my now “EX-GF” and explained this is a documentary on “What not to do, not an instructional video on how to do” I don’t think she understood my meaning.
Rob takes us through a musical journey through his life and current goings on. The soundtrack to this film is really good too: stand out tracks are: “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone” ’13th Floor Elevators’ & “I’m Wrong about Everything” ‘John Wesley Harding’ & “I Believe” by ‘Stevie Wonder’ Many of the events in this film Actually Mirror My Very Own Life, you can ask “Kay” she can verify this. There are some incredibly memorable scenes like what Rob does, when he finds out has a 9% chance of getting back with Laura. Rob’s very logical reaction to Charlie when he was left standing in the rain. When Ray comes to resolve the conflict between he, Laura & Rob (note: watch for the flying teeth) When Dick finds Anna Moss. Rob explaining how to make a great “Mix Tape” for the one you love…
For those of us who were or still are in the business, this is a roller coaster of emotions. Another really cool thing about this film is it’s cool & funny enough for guys yet enough emotion for the ladies too….I have heard one person say it’s about “Fear of commitment” and most recently “About an Audiophile, obsessive compulsive personality” so I find different people come away with different things
In my book a must see…..MrZero (1968 Keith Relf/Yardbirds)
So this time ’round I would like to cover my Top 20 Favorite Albums in order of release:
1. (Meet) The Monkees: 1966 Colgems
I loved this record from the very 1st time my Uncle John played “Last Train to Clarksville” for me about 1968 I would guess. Though basically it’s a “Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart” Record with Micky Dolenz & David Jones Vocals over their music it is an unsurpassed ‘Pop’ Record from it’s time. My favorites tracks are: “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day” “Sweet Young Thing” & “This Just Doesn’t Seem To Be My Day”
2. The Beatles: “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hart’s Club Band” 1967 Capitol
Probably the Greatest Recording of all time. Did you know it is predominantly a Paul McCartney Production? What do I say about this one, that hasn’t already been said, except here’s my favorites. “Fixing A Hole” “A Day In The Life” & “Within You With Out You”
3. Jimi Hendrix: “Smash Hits” 1969 Reprise/Track
Although it is a Hits/Best Album several songs were not on his other 3 LPs. I love this album from the cover to the rare poster that once came with the original pressings. There was no one greater than Jimi. My favorite tracks here are: “All Along The Watchtower” “Stone Free” & “Hey Joe” Also the UK version contains a song not found on any other LP. “The Stars That Play With Laughing Sam’s Dice”
4. Steppenwolf: “7” 1970 Dunhill
When I was a kid in Sioux City, my Dad Bill drove a 60’s VW White Beetle with an 8Track Player, he owned 3 tapes and this is one of them. However this is a fantastic LP through and through. This lineup of the band only recorded this 1 LP which is too bad, as I always wonder what a follow up would have been like. My favorites from this one are: “Foggy Mental Breakdown” “Hippo Stomp” & “Renegade”
5. Partridge Family: “Sound Magazine” 1971 Bell
This one really gives my age away and I guess it’s now time to embrace it. This album came out at the right time for me, after the Monkees but before Black Sabbath & KISS. You may not realize as The Monkees project was winding down ‘the powers that be’ shifted 60% of the musicians & writers from The Monkees to The Partridge Family, they just substituted Micky Dolenz’s voice for David Cassidy’s voice !!! My top choices here “Summer Days” “Rainmaker” & “I’m On My Way Back Home” by former Monkees’ writer Bobby Hart.
6. Black Sabbath: “Vol.4” 1972 Warner Bros.
I was a kid when my Uncle John played the albums “Paranoid” & “Masters of Reality” for me, now while I was blown away by “War Pigs” “Iron Man” & “After Forever” it wasn’t till the blissful sounds of “Vol.4” (also know as “Snowblind”) that solidified me as a ‘Black Sabbath’ Fan !!!! The epitome here “Supernaut” “Snowblind” & “Wheels Of Confusion/the straightener”
7. Deep Purple: “Who Do We Think We Are” 1973 Warner Bros.
When I was going to East Jr. (Ardvark) “Jesus Christ Superstar” was everywhere, Ian Gillian had played ‘Jesus’ in the musical, therefore, “Who Do We Think We Are” this one is often over looked as it was the last one with Gillian & Roger Glover (until 9 years later) but I think it is their finest hour (yes even over the Tommy Bolin one) highlights “Smooth Dancer” “Rat Bat Blue” & “Super Trooper”
9. Alphonse Mouzon (& Tommy Bolin): “Mind Transplant” 1975 Blue Note
I am not a true ‘Jazz’ guy nor do I care much for Instrumentals, however I can listen to this LP every day and never tire of it. I loved this LP so much we used in it a “Mr. Zero’s” commercial (w/ My EX. Dy M.) and almost got in trouble with Mouzon himself (I was actually flattered Alphonse contacted me over this). My favorite tracks are “Mind Transplant” “Snow bound” & “Carbon Dioxide”
9. Rush: “2112” 1976 Mercury
When my Aunt Cat first played this record for me, I thought “What’s up with this guys voice?” then I read the lyrics … I was hooked. I began reading Ayn Rand (me being of Soviet decent didn’t hurt either) for English literature right there and then, and a writer was born … ME !!! (whether you like my stuff or not). Based on Rand’s “Anthem” what a masterpiece. My favorites “Side #1” “Something for Nothing” & “Lessons”
10. Tommy Bolin: “Private Eyes” 1976 Columbia
Tommy Bolin … well what can I say he didn’t do too bad for a talented kid from the ‘North Side’ of Sioux City, Iowa. A true inspiration to all of us kids from Sioux City. As you may or may not know I am writing a book on Tommy with his Drummer & Brother Johnnie Bolin “Post Toastee” due out in Aug 2013. My favorites here: “Sweet Burgundy” “Someday Will Bring Our Love Home” & “Hello Again”
11. KISS: “Rock N Roll Over” 1976 Casablanca
I remember seeing the commercial for this album on TV when I was a kid at Brandon Jr. High in Jackson, MS. I thought “Oh, my God, the look the music the art … This IS the Band For ME!!!” I still get chills whenever I hear Gene sing from that time period !!! I thought when I 1st heard “See You In Your Dreams” this song is so good we will see it again on another LP, and sure nuff just 2 years later we did. A true band collaboration, as all 4 members played on all 10 tracks and 3 of the members wrote songs for this LP. (excluding Ace, as he had just gotten married and was on a Honeymoon then sick during the per-production) there is only 1 out-take that I know of a $immon$ song “Queen For A Day” the backing tracks were recorded with the intention of Ace singing his 1st Lead Vocal on record. My favorites: “Baby Driver” “Love Em And Leave Em” & “Makin Love”
12. Cheap Trick: “All Shook Up” 1980 Epic
Well in “hIGH CruEL” I was not a ‘Cheap Trick’ fan. What I had heard was all kind of Pop Trash, until one of my best friends Brett ‘Strat’ R. played this album for me. oh man did that change my mind !!! With tracks like “Stop This Game’ “Love Comes A Tumblin Down” & Baby Loves To Rock” also this LP was produced by The Beatles George Martin. You just can Not go wrong.
13. The Kinks: “Give The People What They Want” 1981 Arista
Now I was already a ‘Kinks’ fan from way back when “You Really Got Me” etc. but then a funny thing happened, their song “Destroyer” came out and it was new and retro and at the exact same time. I Loved it. So when I got the LP from my friend Kevin S. I was blown away with tracks like “Add It Up” “Back To Front” & “Yo Yo”. I defiantly feel their strongest effort overall.
14. Thin Lizzy: “Renegade” 1981 Warner Bros.
Being Irish I was a ‘Thin Lizzy’ fan but I learned about this LP from the local band ‘DVC’ with my long time friends John Bartle & Johnnie Bolin, I saw them perform “Hollywood” one night, so I went and picked up the album, what a surprise !!! With other stand outs like “Mexican Blood” “Angel Of Death” & “No One Told Him” and the follow up to this one was almost as great !!!
15. Hanoi Rocks: “Two Steps From The Move” 1984 Epic
When my buddy Eric D. were getting my 2nd band together in 1982 I was describing what I wanted to do and he said “Oh, yea like Hanoi Rocks” so I checked them out and he was correct !!! From this their finest LP “I Can’t Get It” “Cutting Corners” & Underwater World” however the title track was left off (there are 2 out-take versions) and that song too, is equally as great !!!
16. Faster Pussycat: “Wake Me When It’s Over” 1989 Electra
Unfortunately billed as “Electra’s” ‘GnR’ these guys never quite got a fair shake. They did 3 studio LPs while originally together, and I am proud to say (and Matt M. will back me up on this one) I followed These Cats from “Day One” although the 2nd album is by far their best with “Ain’t No Way Around It” “Little Dove” & “Where There’s A Whip There’s A Way” I did an ‘In Store’ with these Cats in S. Des Moines, Iowa in Jun 90 and it was the 2nd largest turn out they had outside of L.A. their hometown.
17. Skid Row: (1st) 1989 Atlantic
I was turned onto this band by a co-worker Racheal. I wasn’t sold on them at first, then I heard the track “Piece Of Me” a few times, more, as well as “Here I Am” along with “Rattlesnake Shake” outstanding. I saw these guys on their 1st major tour in 1990. I also meet and interviewed Sebastian, Scottie Hill & Snake Sabo, But that’s for another article.
18. Type O Negative: “October Rust” 1996 Roadrunner
Absolutely the best New band to emerge out of the 90s, I first saw them open for ‘Marilyn Manson’ I was hooked, I told my gal at the time (Kay) “I love these guys” she said “Yea, me too, I love music that when it’s done, I want to go kill myself …” with gems like “Love you To Death” “Haunted” & “Wolf Moon” I saw them many times over the years and was able to interview them too, again another day for this one too.
19. Madonna: “Ray Of Light” 1998 Maverick/WB
I first heard this one while opening a “DiscJockey” Store in Columbia, MO. I was already a Madonna fan, but I always thought how can she top the “True Blue” LP. Well she did with this one “Frozen” “Power Of Goodbye” & “Nothing Really Matters” and the out-take “Beautiful Stranger” unsurpassed !!!
20. Tori Amos: “Scarlet’s Walk” 2002 Atlantic
I hate to keep repeating myself but here again I was already a Tori fan. Then one cold day fall of 2002 Tori dropped this bomb on me. Oh, man … “Crazy” “Sorta Fairytale” & “Pancake” I really feel her finest work yet.
So there you have it, my “Top 20” Now I invite you to make your own “Top 20” and let me know why, Email me at Rik@MrZeros.Com and, I know you’re all saying “What about band’s like LZ, PF, FZ, MJ & N, ???”
Well, it’s just this simple, If I did not mention them … I do Not Like Them, Sam I Am.
Until the next time … See you on the flipside!
RLSchwinden aka; MrZero
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