Pour Some Sugar(s) On Me

So which do you guys like better: the original album cut of Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me" or the remix (which I believe was used in the video) that has since become the "official" version (this version is the one appearing on the latest greatest hits compilations)?

Led Zeppelin I

You don't have to be a genius to know that FM radio sucks. When we all last talked about it (I think on Rich's blog), there was the mention of hearing the same 4 Led Zeppelin songs ad nauseum. And this is the beauty of not listening to the radio... I haven't heard any Zeppelin in a long time. So after years of searching for the next Jellyfish (something I still do) and last summer's progressive metal marathons (thanks to Porcupine Tree and a new Dream Theater album) I figured I'd take some time to revisit the first band to make me think twice about my allegiance to the Top 40 of the Mighty Six-Ninety and KIIS-FM 102.7 (in L.A.).

Let's start with the first album. When I think about that one, it doesn't pop into my head as a great album. It's definitely one of the least listened to Zep albums for me. But when I just revisited it the other day (and rated each track in Media Monkey), I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. Here's the breakdown (this uses a five point scale where half-points are allowed and zero is allowed for the ultimate in suck). I'd be curious to see how you guys would rate each track in the comments section.

#	Title	Rating
1	Good Times Bad Times	5
2	Babe I'm Gonna Leave You	4.5
3	You Shook Me	3.5
4	Dazed And Confused	5
5	Your Time Is Gonna Come	4.5
6	Black Mountain Side	5
7	Communication Breakdown	5
8	I Can't Quit You Baby	4
9	How Many More Times	4.5

Puffy Ami Yumi covers Jellyfish

So one of my wife's good friends from high school is a director on the Cartoon Network show Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi which is based on a real life J-pop girl group called Puffy Ami Yumi. The last time I had a chance to visit with my wife's friend, I grilled her for information on Andy Sturmer who produces the band's music and, I correctly assumed, was involved to a certain extent with the music on the show. But, at the time she had only been with the show a short while and didn't really know too much about Sturmer. Anyway, it's been a while since I've seen her which you will notice by the fact that this news is already more than a year old, but it's new to me. Thanks for the info, Shelley! Not! :-)

Anyway, go to the band's web site and click on "Video" to see the video of their cover of Jellyfish's "Joining A Fanclub". Don't let the opening keep you from getting to the "rock out" part near the end. It rocks well. Not as well as Jellyfish, of course, but quite well.

The song can be had on the soundtrack CD for the show.

Splitsville’s First Spin-off

Brandt Huseman, of Splitsville and The Greenberry Woods fame, has put out a new album with a few friends. The new band name is called The Pale Stars, and they have a slightly more folky sound than Splitsville. Certainly worth a purchase! Support the boys from Splitsville and maybe we'll see them back in California before we die.

Check it out on Not Lame!

Operation Mindcrime 2?

Just read that Queensryche is reeasing a sequel concept album to Operation Mindcrime early next year. The story from the original album is revisited but now it's 20 years later and Nikki is getting out of prison and looking for answers. Can't say that I'm thrilled with the idea of trying to capitalize off of an album I really enjoy but I'm going to give it a chance. Here's an excerpt from the article.

QUEENSRŸCHE returned to the studio this summer to record the long-anticipated sequel to 1988's acclaimed concept album "Operation: Mindcrime". Praised by critics and certified platinum, the original remained on Billboard's album chart for more than a year and its dynamic music and powerful message still resonate today. Rhino Records helps unravel the mysteries of the original with "Operation: Mindcrime II". The album is available March 14 at regular physical and digital retail outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $18.98.

Click here to read the whole article

Rick Gives Gift

Just went by the Yes website and got a beleted birthday present. Turns out that on my birthday, September 10th, Rick made an official announcment to stop some rumors.

He said, "I am NOT leaving Yes."

Falkner at the Troubadour

Two of us Frequalites (Gordon and me) went to see Jason Falkner on Saturday night at the Troubadour in West Hollywood last Saturday night (Nov. 26th). He played a GREAT show to a full house and debuted (they were new to us anyway) a bunch of new tunes. The only things he played from his LPs were Honey, Holiday, My Lucky Day, Miss Understanding, and Goodnight Sweet Night. He played The Neighbor and They Put Her in the Movies off of his EP Bliss Descending. So that leaves a bunch of songs we'd never heard before. Most of which sounded amazing. New York, Time, and Stephanie Says (not sure o the title of that one) stood out. He played for about an hours and half and did one encore. Closed the show with Miss Understanding. Great stuff!

News of the next album is up in the air still. The way he was talking it sounds like it's done, but he didn't have a label for it. But he said he'd do everyhing he can to get it out next year. From what we heard, I'm buyin.

jasonfalkner.net is a great resource for Jason related news.