Iggy & The Stooges - Raw Power (1997 Iggy Remix)

Yet again, another CD I threw away in my mad fits. Objectionable cover again. Being used to the tinny Bowie mix for ages, this remix is a revelation. Blistering and overamped, this is one classy glam-punk record. Noteworthy stuff - the celeste on "Penetration" is so friggin' clear. Iggy's vocals are also totally in your face, sucka. It's the repetitive two or three chord songs that benefits most from the 11-on-the-amp mix - "Shake Appeal", "Raw Power". Makes you never want to go back to the original mix.

The Replacements - Hootenanny

After the awesome train wreck hardcore of the first two albums, this one just sounds unfocussed and all over the place. Perhaps their only experimental album, some shit hits the fan, some not. The ones on my comp are still the best recipes -"Colour me Impressed" and "Within Your Reach". Still has one or two hardcore songs. I only like "Treatment Bound" and "Lovelines' but not that much. Bonus tracks are also a bit hit and miss.

The Replacements - Tim

Their first Sire release is, however, solid alternative rock. Some snide remarks abour air stewardesses, some in-jokes about druggie roadies and voila! a blueprint for pre-Nirvana off-the-beaten path rock. Obviously nothing here touches the majesty of "Androgynous" on "Let it Be" but why bother anyway? This is your basic meat and potatoes. Could do without so many versions of "Can't Hardly Wait", though.

The Replacements - Pleased to Meet Me

I'm basically buying their entire back catalogue. Again, solid 4/4 alternative rock but nothing anthemic as of yet. The "hit" songs are not as good as the ones on "Tim" but it's all good.

lambchop - Aw C'Mon/No You C'Mon

Looking for some blue-eyed Americana and what do I get? Some weird hybrid of Philly Soul, disco strings and country. The Barry White-meets-Levon Helm vocals takes some getting used to, but the instrumentals are whopping great. 2 discs for the price of one.

Prefab Sprout - Two Wheels Good (Steve McQueen)

Mainly got this on Herman's rec. As it is, it's miles ahead of the debut, Swoon, which has a dearth of catchy melodies or interesting backdrops. Still a bit unpolished at parts. "Faron Young" is a prety nice piece of work and rattles along nicely. Psyched me enuff to wanna get its companion, "Protest Songs".