The Suburbs: Credit In Heaven (Twin/Tone Records/1981)

The Suburbs were one of the greatest bands to come from Minneapolis in the 1980's. Originally a jumped-up, noisy new wave quintet, and later evolving into a more moody, danceable outfit. The band's first record in 1978, was also the first ever released on the Twin/Tone label (later home to Soul Asylum and The Replacements) and would serve as the band's label until 1983. In that time they released two albums, two EP's and three singles.

The second of those albums was Credit In Heaven. An ambitious double-album platter, with a nice and varied track selection and clear production via Paul Stark (who would later produce The Replacements' Hootenanny album). The album's lone single “Music For Boys” reached number 66 on Billboard's Dance Music/Club Play singles chart. And it became something of a new wave club staple.

While there is a singularly originality to The Suburbs and their material; a few points of references are Roxy Music, Talking Heads and David Bowie. Beej Chaney's vocals point to Iggy Pop, while Chan Polling's voice recalls Bryan Ferry. “Cigarette In Backwards” sounds like a boozy Roxy Music. “Drinking With An Angel” sounds like Iggy Pop fronting Talking Heads. “Idiot Voodoo” and “Dish It Up” sound like absolute new wave dance classics, while “Tape Your Wife To The Ceiling” and “Spring Came” sound like they should be alternative radio classics. Being that it is a double-album there are a few lesser tracks (namely “Macho Drunk”, “Postcard” and “Girlache”). But even those tracks don't detract from the overall cohesiveness and general effectiveness of the album.

The band's playing is tight and the arrangements accentuate the excellently understated rhythm section of bassist Michael Halliday and drummer Hugo Klaers. Lead guitarist the late Bruce C. Allen is shown to be an original player and effective foil to Chaney's spare, quirky parts. And Polling is an a master at knowing what to piano parts to play and what not to play. There is a shared sense of understatement which is common to all.

A highly recommended album.  

Here's the video review:

Special thanks to: Doug Mashkow of New Music Scene and CD Island.

No Alternative (2013/1993 Legacy/Arista Records)

No Alternative is a compilation album that was released in the Autumn of 1993 by Arista Records and was funded by the Red Hot Organization. The Red Hot Organization is a non-profit organization that has released over a dozen album and raised over 10 million dollars towards AIDS-research. No Alternative is a various artists compilation of several leading lights of the mid 90's alternative pop movement. This was the age of  MTV's 120 Minutes and Alternative Nation, when clueless major labels signed any and everything vaguely “alternative”. This made for an interesting time as bands who weren't given the time of day (before Nevermind by Nirvana introduced Modern Rock and Alternative to those who'd otherwise had never been exposed to it) were suddenly given the keys to the kingdom.

In tandem to the record's release, MTV produced and hour-long No Alternative special which was later released on home video. To celebrate it's twentieth anniversary, it was reissued on 180 gram vinyl and was issued on RECORD STORE DAY in 2013. Like other alternative comps of the day (i.e. DGC Rarities Volume One, Born To Choose and the Singles OMPS) No Alternative was something of a staple of the Alternative Music Lover's collection and thus has something of a 90's relic status.

The inherent problem with compilations like these, is that no one artist ends of bringing their best material to the table. There are several live versions of songs and covers as well. Stars of the day include Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins and an unlisted track by Nirvana. Established acts like Bob Mould, Sonic Youth, Beastie Boys, Jonathan Richman and the legendary Patti Smith. Bands on the cusp of their stardom like Matthew Sweet, Goo Goo Dolls, Sarah McLachlan and Soul Asylum. And indie stars like Pavement, Uncle Tupelo, Buffalo Tom and The Breeders.

Obviously there's going to be plenty of hit-and-miss per individual listener. But my personal favorite tracks are “Superdeformed” by Matthew Sweet featuring the fantastic Ivan Julian of the Voidoids and the Outsets on lead guitar and the legendary Nicky Hopkins on piano, “For All To See” by Buffalo Tom, “Can't Fight It” by Bob Mould (recorded just before his stint with Sugar) and “Unseen Power Of The Picket Fence” by Pavement. That's not to say that the Goo Goo Dolls cover of The Rolling Stones' “Bitch” isn't amusing as it features the late Buffalo lounge singer The Incredible Lance Diamond on lead vocals or Sonic Youth's take on their early track “Burning Spear” isn't worth an precarious listen or the Beastie Boys live take of “It's The New Style” isn't flat-out great.

That's for you to decide.

Here's The Video Review:

Dedicated to: The Incredible Lance Diamond