Gin Blossoms "Dusted" (1989)

Wait a sec... Gin Blossoms had a first album?? Wait.. hold the phone.. Both "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You" were originally from a 1989 album called Dusted? Since when??? Well... I suppose that's fun. It's always nice to hear familiar songs from a fresh perspective. These 2 versions sound way more like The Replacements than the (apparent) re-recordings found on New Miserable Experience, especially "Found Out About You," which up until now I always assumed was trying to combine R.E.M. with The Byrds. Turns out they were lovin' the Westerberg all along.



I trying to find time to finish the 90's Jams list. It's happening soon.

80s Jams #44: The Replacements "Bastards Of Young" (1985)

With "Bastards of Young," the Replacements' Paul Westerberg finally delivered the rock & roll anthem he'd always threatened -- a rallying cry for a generation of misfits and ne'er-do-wells raised on false hopes and dim aspirations, it's less about thwarting fate than accepting it, a celebration of resignation and defeat in the absence of anything else worth clinging to. It's frustratingly appropriate that much of "Bastards of Young" is unintelligible, the poignancy and sensitivity of Westerberg's lyrics obscured by his deliberately half-assed diction -- even the final, acerbic cries of "Take it, it's yours" blur together as the song crashes and burns. Also noteworthy is the "Bastards of Young" video clip -- comprised of a single black-and-white take of a stereo blasting out the song, its utter contempt for the music video medium and the culture which spawned it is so hilariously palpable that in its own unique way, it's one of the landmarks of the form. -- Allmusic http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:aifixqtdldhe

80s Jams #52: The Replacements "Kiss Me On The Bus" (1985)

A romantic love song, "Kiss Me on the Bus" offers an urgent plea from the smitten narrator for his crush to loosen up and join him in a spontaneous and public show of affection: "Your tongue, your transfer/Your hand, your answer/On the bus/Watch our reflection/On the bus/I can't stand no rejection...ooh if you knew how I felt now/You wouldn't act so adult now/Hurry, hurry, here comes my stop." With handclaps, sleigh bells, and a Chuck Berry-like guitar solo, the song -- from the college-radio classic Tim (1985) -- is an effervescent piece of pop from a band at the top of their game; the performances seem effortless and ebullient. -- Allmusic http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:0ifuxqtdldhe

I have to admit, this entry was supposed to be for "Unsatisfied" but I couldn't find any videos of it on Youtube, and so instead, "Kiss Me On The Bus..." Great performance regardless...

80's Jams #73: The Replacements "Alex Chilton" (1987)

A homage to Paul Westerberg's underdog songwriting hero, "Alex Chilton" succinctly captures Big Star fans' feelings about that band's music with one simple line: "I'm in love with that song." As with Westerberg's other subjects and protagonists, Chilton serves as the ultimate outsider. In the view of Westerberg and other fans, Chilton's intelligent power pop anthems and gorgeous ballads should have resulted in rock stardom for him and his band, where those "millions" did flock to see him. The beauty of the writing is that the author can create such a wishful scenario, even if it is only imagined. Alas, the similarly influential Replacements also enjoyed precious little commercial success and, like Big Star, never really graduated beyond cult-band status, while those directly influenced by them reaped far more rewards. Obviously, this is one reason Westerberg identified with Chilton. "I never travel far/Without a little Big Star." -- Allmusic http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:hifoxqtdldhe

It was either the album cover or some random dude playing Rock Band... I chose the album cover...