Straight Up Hood Rich

Mesopotamia

For as bad as a wrap as the B-52’s receive for hits such as “Loveshack”, the band’s brilliance may be witnessed on their 1982 EP Mesopotamia. Produced by David Byrne, Mesopotamia was originally intended as a full length album. Recording sessions stopped after disagreements between the band and Byrne. As a whole, the album is solid with the real gem being the title track, Mesopotamia. Byrne’s influence can be seen in the manner in which the rhythm section plays out more like a beat than a rock group.

Disco Dracula

Some amazing horror-themed disco LP from Germany, Hot Blood is some crazy shit.

Hot Blood – Soul Dracula

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Hot Blood – Terror on The Dance Floor

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(Thanks Pip!)

Crate-Diggers, Ep. 3

Holiday season is upon us, which means it’s time to buy some shit for some people that you love, some people that you like, and some people that you kind of know, but will get angry if they don’t get a gift. What better time is there for an extravagant Crate-Diggers episode?

That’s right, this week we’re pulling all the punches. Rarities that you need to find for your loved ones and spend a fuck load of money on. Buy them for yourselves, buy them for your folks, but don’t buy them for somebody that won’t want them.

I know those tricks. You buy a gift for somebody that you actually want, hoping they’ll say they have no use for it and they’ll give it back to you. That will not work with a record. Why? Because they are inherently cool. That person will keep it, even if they don’t own a record player or like the band. So don’t fucking do it. On to the picks. Continue reading…

Crate-Diggers, Ep. 2

A weekly space where I, Casey, let you all know which records you should spend your Saturday hunting for.

It’s good weather out here in Pittsburgh, particularly for November. Many people are calling it Indian summer. Not me. I think that’s just plain racist. I’m not sure what the weather’s like in other parts of the country, so forgive me for gloating. I don’t watch the Weather Channel. My dad had a friend in college who just smoked weed and watched the Weather Channel. Why would you do that? That sounds the worst thing you could possibly do while stoned.

But, the weather does have me in a good mood. So, this weekend, I’ll probably be searching for some music to help that mood along. I suggest you do the same.

Continue reading…

Crate-Diggers, EP1

A weekly space where I, Casey, let you all know which records you should spend your Saturday hunting for.

Season’s changing. Leaves are dead, skies are gray, your feet are fucking freezing. Yup, it’s November, which means we only have a few more weeks until the holiday freaks come out of the woodwork and force you to smile, lest you be viewed as a cynical, antisocial cretin. With that in mind, remember that these are the last few weeks for us to be openly miserable without somebody questioning our civility.

Well, fuck it. If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. Pick these records up, throw them on, get yourself a carton of cigarettes and a bottle of bourbon, and revel in the frowns of passersby on the sidewalk below.

Continue reading…