The Smiths: The Boy With The Thorn In His Side (Warner Brothers/2017)

The Smiths haven’t really issued any really noteworthy product in many, many years. Johnny Marr remastered the four Smiths studio albums (and four compilation/live albums) in 2012. And The Sound Of The Smiths compilation in 2008. This year marks the first real year that The Smiths have a reissue campaign that will entice all Smiths fans alike.

Later this year the band will reissue The Queen Is Dead package that will include three CDs and one DVD. Earlier this Summer the title track was issued as a 12” and 7” single. And for Record Store Day The Boy With The Thorn In It's Side was released in a limited pressing of 12,000 copies. It's a teaser for the forthcoming box set. The A-Side is a “Demo Mix” of the well-known studio version. And isn't too different. The B-Side “Rubber Ring” is an “Early Drone Studios Version”, which was recorded at Drone Studios and very string-heavy.

Overall a very nice release. Cover star Albert Finney makes yet another appearance in the Smiths cannon. The truly noteworthy thing about this record is the political message that reads; “Trump Will Kill America”, which is etched in the runout groove of side A.

All in all, a wonderful release.

Here's the video review:

Special thanks to: Laurel.

Shriekback: Oil And Gold (Island Records/1985)

Shriekback's third album finds ex-XTC keyboardist Barry Andrews, ex-Gang Of Four bassist Dave Allen and ex-Out On Blue Six guitarist Carl Marsh's collectively greatest vinyl moment. Oil And Gold is the perfect transition from quirky outsider minimalist funk band to alternative commercial band. The album is perhaps their most diverse offering. It contains their most well-known hit in “Nemesis”, which is something of a mid 80's classic. “Fish Below The Ice” is also a fairly-successful single.

“Faded Flowers”, “Only Thing That Shines”, The Big Hush” and “Coelcanth” form something of a quiet calm suite. “Malaria” (which came this close to being issued as a single) and “Everything That Rises Must Converge” are both winning songs.

This was the last album to feature Marsh as lead vocalist, before the role was taken by creative leader Andrews. His whispering vocals are effective within the context of the bands inner logic.

This is a very good album and something of a forgotten mini-classic.

Here's the video review:

Corey Feldman & The Angels: The Korova, San Antonio, TX (5/26/2017)

Self-proclaimed legend/child actor Corey Feldman dazzled his fans at the Korova with a set of his original material. The man who starred in The Goonies, Stand By Me and License To Drive has been making music of questionable merit for over thirty-years now. He has released about five albums too.

He was in town to make an appearance at Alamo City Comic Con earlier that day. His twenty-song set lasted about two-hours and felt even longer. Many of those songs were from his newest album, Angelic 2 The Core. His band, The Angels, five females all dressed in angel wings and halos, were a serviceable band. Corey, despite having been up since 6 AM, had a remarkable amount of energy. Corey took a few short breaks every few songs, for a costume change as the Angels played on.

Also making an appearance at Comic Con was fellow Goonie star Jonathan Ke Quan (aka Data!!).
Ke Quan also hopped onstage with Corey and they (with significant support from The Angels) treated us to a rousing rendition of "The Goonies R Good Enough" by Cyndi Lauper. I have to admit, it was pretty special, not to mention surreal, seeing this all happen before my very eyes. This was basically the (mid) show-stopper. Corey also covered The Beatles' "Why Don't We Do It In The Road", with Mr. Feldman himself on drums and vocals. He pulled this off quite well. Who knew he could play the drums?

If this wasn't enough. I got to meet the man himself at a meet and greet in the basement of the venue a good hour after the show ended. Corey was perfectly gracious and nice. He signed a few things and took a photo with me as well.

Come to think of it, the guy really IS a legend.