On the turntable this Easter Sunday...The Unforgettable Fire

The Unforgettable Fire is the fourth studio album by Irish rock band U2. It was released in October 1984. The band wanted a different musical direction following the harder-hitting rock of their 1983 album War. They employed Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois to produce and assist them experiment with a more ambient and abstract sound. The resulting change in direction was at the time the band's most dramatic.

Recording began in May 1984 at Slane Castle, where the band lived, wrote, and recorded to find new inspiration. The album was completed in August 1984 at Windmill Lane Studios. It features atmospheric sounds and lyrics that lead vocalist Bono describes as "sketches". Two songs feature lyrical tributes to Martin Luther King Jr. The Unforgettable Fire received generally favorable reviews from critics and produced the band's biggest hit at the time, "Pride (In the Name of Love)", as well as the live favorite "Bad", a song about heroin addiction. A 25th Anniversary edition of the album was released in October 2009.

The title is a reference to "The Unforgettable Fire"—an art exhibit about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The band saw the exhibit in November 1983 in Japan while on the War Tour.

"We knew the world was ready to receive the heirs to The Who. All we had to do was to keep doing what we were doing and we would become the biggest band since Led Zeppelin, without a doubt. But something just didn't feel right. We felt we had more dimension than just the next big anything, we had something unique to offer. The innovation was what would suffer if we went down the standard rock route. We were looking for another feeling." —Bono, on The Unforgettable Fire's new direction.

Track listing:

All lyrics written by Bono, all music composed by U2.

No. Title Length 

1. "A Sort of Homecoming"   5:28

2. "Pride (In the Name of Love)"   3:48

3. "Wire"   4:19

4. "The Unforgettable Fire"   4:55

5. "Promenade"   2:35

6. "4th of July"   2:12

7. "Bad"   6:09

8. "Indian Summer Sky"   4:17

9. "Elvis Presley and America"   6:23

10. "MLK"   2:31

Total length: 42:38 

In 1995, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab re-mastered the album and released it as a special gold CD. This edition has slightly different running times, most notably an extended 2:39 version of the instrumental "4th of July".

In 1985, the band also released the supplementary Wide Awake in America EP, which offers live performances of "Bad" and "A Sort of Homecoming" along with two B-sides (previously unavailable in North America).

Pink Floyd: Journey to the Dark Side

Read the excellent article from the Rolling Stone archives on why the fragile collaboration behind Pink Floyd's masterpiece was doomed to fail.  

ZZ Top Announce 2013 North American Tour

Follow the link to read more about ZZ Top's announcement to tour in support of their new studio album, La Futura.

The Black Crowes Return

Please follow the link to read more about The Black Crowes reunion tour which began on Sunday in Manchester, England.  

Top 10 Cars Songs (Ultimate Classic Rock)

As the weather starts to finally begin to warm in Knoxville, (okay, it's been snowing here this week) the Cars always seem to find their way onto the soundtrack of my spring and summer listening.  Follow the link to see Ultimate Classic Rock's top 10 list of Cars songs.

-Will Fisher, The Showbiz Kids

Album Review: The Strokes-Comedown Machine

With minimal press and virtually no involvement from the band to promote their new music, The Strokes return with their fifth album, Comedown Machine, available today.  Even the album artwork is sparse, with only a retro-looking RCA Demo cover for packaging, but regardless, the lack of artwork is fitting as the ten songs channel several New Wave and synthpop influences from the eighties. 

In many ways, the Comedown Machine bookmarks the end of an era for the Strokes, as this album fulfills their contractual agreement with RCA Records and in many ways, it is.  Purists hoping for a ‘return to form’ since Room On Fire will barely recognize the music on Comedown Machine as The Strokes.  Julian Casablancas utilizes his upper register on this album more than on any previous release combined. 

“Tap Out” recalls the same qualities that made “Machu Picchu” one of the most memorable tracks on their last release, Angles.  “Chances” sounds like a song that the Cars forgot to record and “Welcome to Japan” is a perfect melding of The Strokes and Talking Heads.  The one true ‘Strokes-sounding tune’ is the excellent first single from Comedown Machine,  “All the Time.”

Other highlights on Comedown Machine include “Slow Animals,” “Happy Ending,” and the eighties throwback “One Way Trigger.”  One of the strangest album closers and most bizarre track in The Strokes catalogue is “Call It Fate, Call It Karma.”  

All in all, The Strokes sound like they are at least enjoying being The Strokes on Comedown Machine, compared to the auto-pilot mode they were in on Angles and the results are quite enjoyable. 

The Showbiz Kids Rating:

8 out of a possible 10,  “Pretty Good”

-Will Fisher, The Showbiz Kids

Anthrax, ‘Smokin” (Boston Cover) – Exclusive Song Premiere

Follow the link to hear Ultimate Classic Rock's exclusive premiere of Anthrax's cover of Boston's classic track, 'Smokin."

On the turntable this Sunday...One Of These Nights

One of These Nights is the fourth studio album by the Eagles, released in 1975. The record's title song became the group's second #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, in July of that year. The album released three Top 10 singles, "One of These Nights", "Lyin' Eyes", and "Take It To The Limit".

Those singles reached #1, #2, and #4 respectively. The album became the band's first album to top the charts. The album sold 4 million copies and won the band its first Grammy for "Lyin' Eyes". "Take It To The Limit" became the band's first gold single and the album was nominated for album of the year. The album also features the live concert staple and ballad "After The Thrill Is Gone".

One of These Nights is the last Eagles album to feature Bernie Leadon. Leadon would leave the band after the One Of These Nights Tour. The seventh track, "Visions", is the only Eagles song on which Don Felder sang lead vocals. The album would become the band's breakthrough album, transforming them to international superstars and establishing them as America's number one band. The band would go on a worldwide tour to promote the album; Fleetwood Mac opened for the band during the tour.

Track listing

Side one

1."One of These Nights" (Don Henley, Glenn Frey) – 4:51

Lead vocals by Don Henley, lead guitar by Don Felder

2."Too Many Hands" (Randy Meisner, Don Felder) – 4:43

Lead vocal by Randy Meisner, lead guitar by Don Felder, ending dual guitar solos by Don Felder and Glenn Frey, tablas by Don Henley

3."Hollywood Waltz" (Bernie Leadon, Tom Leadon, Henley, Frey) – 4:04

Lead vocal by Don Henley, mandolin and pedal steel guitar by Bernie Leadon, harmonium by Glenn Frey, synthesizer by Albhy Galuten

4."Journey of the Sorcerer" (B. Leadon) – 6:40

Instrumental; banjo by Bernie Leadon, fiddles by David Bromberg, string by the Royal Martian Orchestra, recorded "in root"

 Side two

1."Lyin' Eyes" (Henley, Frey) – 6:22

Lead vocal by Glenn Frey, lead guitar by Bernie Leadon, piano by Jim Ed Norman

2."Take It to the Limit" (Meisner, Henley, Frey) – 4:49

Lead vocal by Randy Meisner, piano by Jim Ed Norman

3."Visions" (Felder, Henley) – 3:58

Lead vocal and lead guitar by Don Felder

4."After the Thrill Is Gone" (Henley, Frey) – 3:56

Lead vocals by Glenn Frey and Don Henley, lead guitar by Don Felder

5."I Wish You Peace" (Patti Davis, B. Leadon) – 3:45

Lead vocal and lead guitar by Bernie Leadon

Watch Dave Grohl's Keynote Address at SXSW

Follow the link to view Dave Grohl's recent keynote address at the South By Southwest festival.

Trey Anastasio in the New York Times : "At the Corner of Broadway and Phish"

Follow the link to read more about Trey Anastasio's latest project, the Broadway musical, Hands on a Hardbody.

Record Store Day 2013 List of Exclusives

Please follow the link to check out the exclaim.ca listing of Record Store Day 2013 exclusives coming our way on April 20th.  

History of the Eagles

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the 'History of the Eagles' on Showtime when you have the chance.  Easily one of the better music documentaries I have ever watched!  Follow the link to read more on Ultimate Classic Rock. 

-Will Fisher, The Showbiz Kids

Buy these albums NOW!!!

Here are a few of the best newly-released albums that I have enjoyed so far this year....go to your local record store and pick up a copy of each, TODAY! 

-Will Fisher, The Showbiz Kids

Foals-Holy Fire

Local Natives-Hummingbird

Atoms for Peace-Amok

David Bowie-The Next Day

Wild Honey Records is moving into Sequoyah Hills neighborhood in Knoxville

Moving update

Wild Honey Records is moving their record shop into the Sequoyah Hills neighborhood in Knoxville (only 2 miles from the current Homberg Drive location). They are super-excited about the future spot and can’t wait for everyone to see it.

Please see note from Wild Honey Records website:

Why? It’s recently come to our attention that the property we've been renting on Homberg will be re-developed. It’ll make us very sad to see this cozy little oasis of 1920s Bearden history just vanish in favor of some condos, etc., but in the words of Francis Albert Sinatra — “that’s life.” This place felt really magical to us. We hope you might remember it that way, too. But we refuse to get all down in the dumps, and that’s because we have more great records than we know what to do with — 40,000+ records that have yet to reach the racks!

 Stay tuned for more info about the upcoming opening of our new place!

On The turntable this Sunday...Rat in the Kitchen

Rat in the Kitchen is the seventh album by UB40 released in July 1986. This album contained two UK hits, "Sing Our Own Song" (UK #5 in 1986) and "Rat in Mi Kitchen" (UK #12 in 1987).

Track listing:

All tracks composed by UB40

1."All I Want to Do" - 5:33

2."You Could Meet Somebody" - 4:52

3."Tell It Like It Is" - 3:36

4."The Elevator" - 3:25

5."Watchdogs" - 4:18

6."Rat in Mi Kitchen" - 6:58

7."Looking Down at My Reflection" - 3:27

8."Don't Blame Me" - 3:36

9."Sing Our Own Song" - 7:21

Personnel:

The guest vocalists who appeared on the album were Mo Birch, Jaki Graham & Ruby Turner

Herb Alpert (co-founder of A&M Records) played trumpet on "Rat in Mi Kitchen"

Rolling Stone Readers' Poll: The 10 Best Soundtrack Songs

Rolling Stone has compiled a new readers' poll; this one is a list of the 10 best soundtrack songs.  Read more here.

Wilco to Perform All-Request Show at Solid Sound Festival

Follow the link to read more about Wilco's upcoming 'all-request' show at the Solid Sound Festival. 

40 Years Ago: Pink Floyd Release ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’

Pink Floyd's iconic Dark Side of the Moon was released forty years ago this week.  Read more at Ultimate Classic Rock. 

Trey Anastasio Profile on CBS Sunday Morning

Here’s a look at Trey Anastasio’s appearance on CBS Sunday Morning anticipating the premiere of Hands On A Hardbody.

Win a $2,400 Stevie Ray Vaughan Signature Model Fender Stratocaster (UCR)

Read more about your chance to win a Stevie Ray Vaughan signature model Fender Stratocaster to celebrate the 30th anniversary re-release of Texas Flood.  Read more here. 

Rolling Stone's List of the 10 Messiest Band Breakups

Read more at Rolling Stone.

On the turntable this Sunday...OK Computer

OK Computer is the third studio album by the English alternative rock band Radiohead, released in 1997 on Parlophone and Capitol Records. OK Computer was the first self-produced Radiohead album, with assistance from Nigel Godrich. Radiohead recorded the album in Oxfordshire and Bath between 1996 and early 1997, with most of the recording completed in the historic mansion St. Catherine's Court. The band made a deliberate attempt to distance themselves from the guitar-oriented, lyrically introspective style of their previous album, The Bends. OK Computer's abstract lyrics, densely layered sound and wide range of influences laid the groundwork for Radiohead's later, more experimental work.

Upon the album's delivery to Capitol, label representatives lowered their sales estimates, deeming the record uncommercial. Nevertheless, OK Computer reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and became the band's highest album entry on the American charts at the time, debuting at number 21 on the Billboard 200. Three songs from the album—"Paranoid Android", "Karma Police" and "No Surprises"—were released as promotional singles. The album expanded Radiohead's worldwide popularity and has sold over three million copies to date.

OK Computer received considerable acclaim upon release. Prominent British and American rock critics predicted the album would have far-reaching cultural impact. In subsequent years, the album has been frequently cited by listeners, critics and musicians as one of the greatest of its time. OK Computer initiated a shift away from the popular Britpop genre of the time to the more melancholic and atmospheric style of alternative rock that would be prevalent in the next decade. Critics and fans often comment on the underlying themes found in the lyrics and artwork, emphasizing Radiohead's views on rampant consumerism, social alienation and political malaise; in this capacity, OK Computer is often interpreted as having prescient insight into the mood of 21st century life.

Read more at Wikipedia.

The Black Crowes Cover Bob Dylan on Forthcoming Album (Relix)

The Black Crowes are set to begin their "Lay Down With Number 13" reunion tour on March 24th.  Before the tour begins, the band will release a new live recording, Wiser For The Time.  Read more at Relix.

Cream to Release Live Triple Vinyl Set for Record Store Day

Cream are the latest band to announce their plans to release an exclusive LP to celebrate Record Store Day on April 20th.  Read more here. 

David Bowie - The Next Day (NME)

Follow the link to read NME review of David Bowie's The Next Day, available next week.

Tom Petty Plans to Release New Album in 2013

Read more about Tom Petty's plans to release a new album later this year at Ultimate Classic Rock.  

Jimi Hendrix and Bastille lead new album releases (NME)

Follow the link to read more about new releases from Jimi Hendrix, Bastille and Thurston Moore's new band-Chelsea Light Moving. 

Bob Dylan's Record Store Day 2013 Release

Bob Dylan will release "Wigwam"on April 20th for Record Store Day 2013. The track first appeared on Bob Dylan’s 1970 album Self Portrait. Dylan will offer a 7” vinyl single demo of the tune for Record Store Day 2013 and the B-side will feature a previously unreleased version of “Thirsty Boots” from the forthcoming Bootleg Series Vol. 10. 

On the turntable this Sunday...This Is Big Audio Dynamite

This Is Big Audio Dynamite was the debut album by Big Audio Dynamite, led by former Clash band member Mick Jones. It was released in 1985, and reached #27 in the UK and #103 in the U.S.

Track listing:

(All songs written by Jones/Letts except as indicated)

Side one 

1. "Medicine Show"   6:29

2. "Sony"   4:30

3. "E=MC²"   5:54

4. "The Bottom Line" (written by Mick Jones) 4:35

Side two 

5. "A Party"   6:40

6. "Sudden Impact!"   5:03

7. "Stone Thames"   4:05

8. "BAD"   5:54

Legacy Edition bonus tracks 

1. "Medicine Show (12-inch Remix)"   7:10

2. "Sony Dub"   4:15

3. "E=MC2 (12-Inch Remix)"   6:31

4. "The Bottom Line (12-inch Remix, Edit Version)"   7:20

5. "A Party Dub"   7:01

6. "Sudden Impact (12-Inch Mix)"   6:07

7. "Stone Thames (12-Inch Mix)"   6:18

8. "BAD (Vocoder Version)"   6:28

9. "Electric Vandal"   3:22

10. "Albert Einstein Meets The Human Beatbox"   5:35

11. "BAD (US-12-Inch Remix)"   6:16

12. "This Is Big Audio Dynamite" (7-Inch Non LP B-Side) 3:44

Personnel:

Mick Jones - vocals, guitar

Don Letts - sound effects, vocals

Dan Donovan - keyboards, photos

Leo Williams - bass, vocals

Greg Roberts - drums, vocals

Samples used on the album

Medicine Show

Sampled liberally throughout this song are sound bites from four motion pictures, three of them spaghetti westerns. This list is based on order of appearance.

"Get three coffins ready." (Clint Eastwood from A Fistful of Dollars)

"Who the hell is that? One bastard goes in and another comes out....I'm innocent of everything!" (Eli Wallach from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly)

"You makin' some kinda joke?" (A Fistful of Dollars)

"I don't think it's nice, you laughin'." (Eastwood from A Fistful of Dollars)

"Wanted in fourteen counties of this State, the condemned is found guilty of crimes of murder, armed robbery of citizens, state banks and post offices, the theft of sacred objects, arson in a state prison, perjury, bigamy, deserting his wife and children, inciting prostitution, kidnapping, extortion, receiving stolen goods, selling stolen goods, passing counterfeit money, and contrary to the laws of this State, the condemned is guilty of using marked cards...Therefore, according to the powers vested in us, we sentence the accused before us, Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez ('Known as The Rat') and any other aliases he might have, to hang by the neck until dead. May God have mercy on his soul. Proceed." (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; "Known as The Rat" was uttered by Eastwood.)

Ennio Morricone's main theme to The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

"Duck, you sucker!" (James Coburn from Duck, You Sucker!)

"I don't have to show you any stinkin' badges!" (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre)

Laughter from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

Sony

Joe Strummer crowing from The Clash song "London Calling"

E=MC²

Several samples from the cult film Performance directed by Donald Cammell & Nicolas Roeg

The 30 Greatest Rock & Roll Movie Moments (Rolling Stone)

Please follow the link to read Rolling Stone magazine's 30 Greatest Rock & Roll Movie Moments. 

New ‘Bonhamizer’ Site Adds Led Zeppelin Drummer to Any Song

Check out the new Bonhamizer web site that allows you to add John Bonham's drumming to any song! Read more here.