Jack Johnson and Friends – Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the film Curious George (2006)purchase this album I’ve developed sort of a reputation around my house for hating Jack Johnson’s music,…
Jeff Giles
2 Min Read
The Veronicas – The Secret Life Of… (2006) purchase this album There was this girl when I was in high school — I forget her name, but it was probably…
Jeff Giles
10 Min Read
[jefito’s note: You see those two guys up there? That’s Ken from Gaper’s Blog and his old pal Jeff, otherwise known as the people responsible for today’s Smiths Guide. I’m…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Got an e-mail from Matt at Wiredset Records, announcing the label’s impending Stateside release of Colin MacIntyre’s This Is Hope. The album’s been out in other parts of the world…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Got an e-mail from Matt at Wiredset Records, announcing the label’s impending Stateside release of Colin MacIntyre‘s This Is Hope. The album’s been out in other parts of the world…
Jeff Giles
2 Min Read
As some of you know, in a former life, I was a recording “artist”/label owner. From 1994 to 2001, I sat waist-deep in Grab Bag Records, whose tiny stable included…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
Another band Melbourne from punk’s ashes, Hunters & Collectors began life in 1981 as a raucous, horn-fueled live act, feeding off audience participation and feel more than songwriting. Over the…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Marilynne Robinson, Gilead (2004) purchase this book I’d never have believed I’d see a wife of mine doting on a child of mine. It still amazes me every time I…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Marilynne Robinson, Gilead (2004)purchase this book I’d never have believed I’d see a wife of mine doting on a child of mine. It still amazes me every time I think…
Darren Robbins
1 Min Read
When you talk about woefully obscure bands, arguably, the “Most Obscure Major Label Band of All Time Award” just may go to Canada’s The Deserters. I would be willing to…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Good morning, friends, and welcome back to Bootleg City! Today’s visit takes us to The Other Side, a collection of live and unreleased tracks from a Mister John Hiatt. I…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Good morning, friends, and welcome back to Bootleg City! Today’s visit takes us to The Other Side, a collection of live and unreleased tracks from a Mister John Hiatt. I…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
Originally presented on April 28, 2005. Another Lost in the “Ëœ80s oddity”¦there’s not much biographical info or background floating around about The Other Ones, a Scandinavian-ish group who put out…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
So. When I was getting ready for my two weeks away from here, doing all that pre-writing and post-dating and whatnot, I guess it didn’t occur to me that I’d…
John C. Hughes
2 Min Read
Originally presented on May 4, 2005. Turn on any local “Hits of the “Ëœ80s, “Ëœ90s and Today!” radio station, and within an hour, I guarantee you will hear either of…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
Originally presented on December 13, 2005. “Rollercoaster” was the b-side of the Bunnymen’s most aggressive stab for a U.S. hit, the immortal “Lips Like Sugar”. While the a-side was an…
Jeff Giles
7 Min Read
Don’t Explain (1990)purchase this album Robert Palmer plus Steve Stevens plus Teo Macero equals Don’t Explain, eighteen tracks that nobody knew quite what to make of in 1990 — a…
John C. Hughes
3 Min Read
Originally presented on Feb. 24, 2005. Once upon a time, Bob Geldof was an asshole, and infinitely more interesting. I’m using the term “asshole” in the most complimentary, and admittedly,…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
Lost in the 80s is one year old this week! In one short year, I’ve seen my little hobby and obsession with 80s emphemra grow from about 10-15 visitors a…
Darren Robbins
2 Min Read
Each Friday brings us a hodge-podge of out-of-print gems. The Tourists Week DaysRound Round BluesAngels And Demons Before there was Eurythmics, Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox were part of a…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
This is going to be a brief post, my friends”¦as those of you who read this space with a fine-toothed comb may already know, I’ve been out of town since…
Jeff Giles
2 Min Read
Robbie Nevil – Day 1purchase this album Question for the ages: What the hell happened to Robbie Nevil? I don’t mean “happened” in a where-is-he-now sort of way — anyone…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
When they both hit the Top 40 in 1983, it was a common debate: Who was better, Madonna or Cyndi Lauper? While Madonna had the sex appeal, looks and dance…
Jeff Giles
4 Min Read
Toto – Falling In Between (2006) purchase this album You know, I’ve written an awful lot of stuff here over the past few years. Some posts I sweat over and…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Rosanne Cash – Black Cadillac (2006) purchase this album It’s about the attempt to connect the dots. It’s about how relationships go on even after a person dies. How when…
Jeff Giles
2 Min Read
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Long Walk to Freedom (2006)purchase this album Believe it or not, people of my generation, but this marks the 20th anniversary of Paul Simon’s Graceland album…
Jeff Giles
7 Min Read
So. When last we left Robert Palmer, he was in the process of tricking out and slicking up his world-beat soul sound, sending his music in a more contemporary (and…
Darren Robbins
1 Min Read
In homage to the band who penned the song from which this blog takes its name, we are making available the rough mixes of Cheap Trick’s 2003 studio re-recording of…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Welcome back to Wilbury Way, my fellow bootleggin’ fanatics, for our fond look back at Volume Three, A.K.A. the second Traveling Wilburys album. Actually, if you want to know the…
Jeff Giles
3 Min Read
Paul Carrack – Groove Approved (1989)purchase this album There is a certain group of musicians whose names elicit knowing grins from music nerds, and quizzical shrugs from everybody else. They’re…