Author Archives: jk

Happy/ Merry, Team! It must be a good sign that I found the time to re-post my seasonal hits, right? Well, here they are in all their ancient, weirdly mixed and overstuffed glory. Are all begging for quality re-recording? Sure, but such are the fruits of my earlier and less well-formed musical efforts. Enjoy everyContinue reading “Happy Goddarned XMas, then!”

Boy do I not know much about the Bevis Frond: English band; going for bout 30 years; run and sometimes solely consisting of Nick Saloman (who seems like an affable, shambling dude); sort of in a fuzzy, psychedelic Dino Jr vein. As probably is the case for some others, the Bevs(?)…. Bevos(?)… Frondos(?)… popped upContinue reading ““He’d Be a Diamond” b/w “Lights Are Changing” (The Bevis Frond)”

When David Crosby moved on from his complicated life, almost exactly a year ago, I’d hoped to knock out a quick few covers in tribute. Turns out this process would take a while, huh? Croz is never far from the rotation up in Harpswell holler, whether via the first Byrds records, CSN(&Y), his maligned (byContinue reading “Dave Crosby via the Byrds, CSN&Y”

From RKBS Industries, 2021… Happy Independence Day, all. Keep swinging for the fences!

Sure, it might be a little dark and muddy and unloved compared to the few releases that came prior and afterwards but I have forever had a soft spot for “Fables of the Reconstruction”, their 3rd LP, from 1985. It’s certainly one of the most “them”… I’d been without a vinyl copy but landed oneContinue reading “R.E.M.: Covers of the “Fables” of the Covers…”

I love the first Son Volt record but something about the 1997 follow-up, “Straightaways” connected with me even more. It was anticipated in our (very) little circle for so long, with a live “Cemetery Savior” here and “Caryatid Easy” there. And it landed with me just a tad brighter and varied and a bit outContinue reading “Son Volt covers: “Straightaways” here we come”

We’ll there’s not much to say about the impact that R.E.M. had in driving the college rock/ alternative music/ jangle pop situation back in the early-mid 80’s, and their influence on my own musical development is nearly unsurpassed (easily making my foundational top 5). Yeah, mostly the Rickenbacker chime and chop but also the sneakyContinue reading “E.P.: R.E.M., early years”

The Pixies’ post-resurrection afterlife has really made a mess of my mind at times. People love to go to their respective corners regarding the bass slot moves but, much as I love Kim Deal, I figure that with Charles and Joey and David still doing what they do, the band should be as valid withContinue reading “E.P.: Pixies”

Keeping things short and sweet, I love me some Replacements. Sure, particularly the early stuff but I thought it’d be fun to pick a couple of the later “hits” to do a remote session with Dillo and Roady. “Can’t Hardly Wait”, true, was a transitional release but we couldn’t refuse, it being one of theirContinue reading “EP: Replacements b/w Bash & Pop”

Both from the milestone “Electr-O-Pura”, 1995. Usually my fave Yo La LP, just edging out its bookends “I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One” and “Painful”. After all these years, I aspire and continually fall short on both the serene melody and the feedback/ skronk that Ira, Georgia and James can generate. Not evenContinue reading ““Pablo and Andrea” b/w “Tom Courtenay” (Yo La Tengo)”