8/1/2026

The Grateful Dead- Reckoning (1981) ****

The Lovin' Spoonful- Everything Playing: MONO (1967) ***

The 3 Sounds- Moods (1960) ****

Peter Tosh- Legalize It (1976) ****

Rush- Hold Your Fire (1987) ****

Rainbow- Rising (1976) ***1/2

The Grateful Dead- Dead Set (1981) ***1/2

Rush- Moving Pictures: Side One (1981) ****

The Soft Boys- Underwater Moonlight (1980) ****

Flamin' Groovies- Shake Some Action (1976) ***

Michael Monroe- Outerstellar (2026) ****

• "Reckoning" is a great first play of the day. It's a record I imagine might even be enjoyed by those who aren't really Dead fans. Good way to celebrate JG's b'day.

• Just released on Sony Legacy, a 50th Anniversary gold edition of the Peter Tosh classic "Legalize It," and it's both excellent sounding and inexpensive. I don't like colored vinyl as a rule, but this gold LP is pretty snazzy.

• Speaking of possibly liking a record even if you're not a fan of the artist (see GD above), "Hold Your Fire" might be Rush's poppiest and most musical record. Maybe it suffers just a bit with the 80's production, but the songs are very accessible and the playing is great, of course. And Aimee Mann is on it!

• Here's a Rush lagniappe, my attempt at a mix of songs that might appeal to those who aren't fans of the band. It's here, if you dare.

• I think the "Shake Some Action" album might be a tad overrated. 

 

7/31/2026

Fairport Convention- Unhalfbricking (1969) ****

Twin Temple- God Is Dead (2023) ****

The Cleaners From Venus- Beryl & Rush Go Shopping (2026) **1/2

Rush- 2112 (1976) ***1/2

Paul Weller- Sonik Kicks (2012) ****

10cc- The Original Soundtrack (1975) ****

Rush- Counterparts (1993) ****

The Kinks- Soap Opera (1975) ****

Aerosmith- S/T: 2024 Mix (1973/2026) ****

David Bowie- Cracked Actor: Live Los Angeles '74 (2017) ****

 

 

 

• I'd been reading about Twin Temple, Satan worshippers who got kicked off the Charley Crockett tour for their occult imagery but then were invited by Jack White to open for him. I hadn't heard any of their music until Ken D tipped me off. What a great surprise! Think The Ronettes, The Crystals and Lesley Gore singing about the devil. It works! 

• Saw Rush at Madison Square Garden last night, so there will be another Rush mini-binge this weekend. A fantastic show, by the way. Anika Nilles is the real deal.

• As for "Counterparts," I always thought this was a solid rock album, but loses its way in the middle. I removed "Nobody's Hero," "Alien Shores" and "Speed Of Love," and man did it sound good and tight. 

• "Soap Opera" gets my vote for The Kinks' most underrated record.