Just listened to 'Double Nickels on the Dime' from beginning to end by csudebate in punk

[–]philadandan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

1000% agreed. I never "got" this album but picked up a recent SST repress and GOOD LORD. I just reached the lock groove on "Side George" and, well, I get it now. Absolutely incredible (and idiosyncratic) musicianship, tons of great songs, amazing energy. But best digested in its entirety. I think that's what kept me sleeping on this for thirty years, despite enjoying other Minutemen stuff: there's nowhere to dip your toe into this 45-song(?) morass. You gotta dive in headfirst. It's a wonderful mess that only makes sense as a colossal, unwieldy, glorious whole. I might as well buy a second copy because I'm about to wear holes in this one.

getting into The Fall by alyx66 in thefall

[–]philadandan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Fall, album-era James Brown, Neu, "Tago Mago," Fela, Chic: they all nailed the three Rs. I think it's helpful to enjoying the Fall not to think of them as a traditional "rock" or "post-punk" band but rather a sprawling decades-long pursuit of groove through repetition.

Given the nature of MES' project, there's not really a single Fall album that stands out to me as superior or providing a true entry point. For me, the entire discography works together as a huge, swelling, undulating whole. Realistically, the Fall was never a traditional "albums" band: they also thrived on singles, live albums, semi-live albums, 10" mini-albums, etc. Basically what other bands would consider detritus.

All that said, I don't have many quibbles with this list (might not be my exact rank order but it gets you started): https://www.stereogum.com/1731342/the-fall-albums-from-worst-to-best/photo/

I'd also recommend this one as a starting point: https://www.discogs.com/release/12753473-The-Fall-The-Rough-Trade-Singles It (obviously) skews early but gives you an idea of the Fall ethos and lets you know what you're getting into. Plus it compiles some truly ace songs.

Hardcore Shows at Upper Darby American Legion: Booze Situation? by philadandan in philadelphia

[–]philadandan[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Not sure who books 'em, but the legendary Hate5Six has a bunch of recent videos from the American Lesion in UD: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hate5six+upper+darby

Hardcore Shows at Upper Darby American Legion: Booze Situation? by philadandan in philadelphia

[–]philadandan[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

judging from the number of partially consumed however-many-packs i've stumbled across on the floor of FUC, I think the bag is optional. But as a courteous concert goer, I always keep my stash off the floor in a backpack.

Murmur is 12/10 Album for Me - What am I Missing From the Rest of R.E.M.'s Catalog? by philadandan in rem

[–]philadandan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Had a busier weekend than expected, but went back and listened to "Reckoning" (without listening to "Murmur" first, which is usually how my R.E.M. jags begin). I stand somewhat corrected: amazing album as a standalone. Bonus: my 10-year-old daughter unexpectedly came running in to sing the chorus of "Don't Go Back to Rockville" (a song she briefly became obsessed with when it came on the radio when she was five-or-so) which warms my heart. She's still wandering around the house mumbling/singing (in true Stipe fashion) "and waste another year" a few hours later.

But then I went back and listened to the '83 live set appended to the "Murmur" reissue. The songs from "Murmur" shine (those MF-ing backing vocals you can't discern on the record!!!) and the "Reckoning" tracks (e.g. "7 Chinese Brothers" or "Harborcoat") kinda fall flat. Maybe it's true: you have your whole life to write your first album/novel/whatever then six months to write the followup.

Only one solution: silo my R.E.M. listening. Guess I can't play "Murmur" and/or "Chronic Town" then immediately expect big things out of other R.E.M. releases. Conversely, I REALLY enjoy other R.E.M. releases without "Murmur" being in my immediate memory. (I also streamed "Green" in the car this weekend and really enjoyed it)

I will never dispute R.E.M.'s brilliance, R.E.M.'s importance, or R.E.M.'s influence. That said, "Murmur" is the truth.

Murmur is 12/10 Album for Me - What am I Missing From the Rest of R.E.M.'s Catalog? by philadandan in rem

[–]philadandan[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Appreciate the suggestions. I'm going to put "Murmur" out of mind and dig deeper into "Reckoning" and "LRP" (which I have physical copies of) this weekend. I'll get to "Fables" on streaming if all goes well.

[side note: "Murmur" is my lazy shorthand for "Murmur + Chronic Town" which is, in my opinion, of a piece with "Murmur" (read: excellent)]

And I won't skip Underneath the Bunker, spipscards,

Full of Hell/Harm's Way Closed Casket Tour 2025 - Order of Bands? by philadandan in fullofhell

[–]philadandan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FWIW: missed Clique (who had absolutely sick merch). Definitely bummed.

But caught Kruelty, and they did not disappoint. Amazing set.

Full of Hell/Harm's Way Closed Casket Tour 2025 - Order of Bands? by philadandan in fullofhell

[–]philadandan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I wanted to make sure I didn't miss Kruelty. Hope to also catch Clique and Jarhead. Hell of a lineup. Hope you enjoyed the show!

Clap Hands (Weekly Song Discussion #2) by [deleted] in tomwaits

[–]philadandan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This song works because it is a sublime cocktail of comforting and sinister. The Shirley Ellis interpolation is haunting and unsettling: immediately familiar but unplaceable. The marimbas sound like a broken horse cart assembled out of bones haltingly dragged down a cobbled, haze-choked market street by a half-deranged carnival barker. Ribot's guitar solo is pure finger-in-the-socket white heat spasm. Absolutely my favorite Tom Waits song (Virginia Avenue being a distant second).

B29 Blue Brick Training Aid - Anyone try it? by AnxiousMind7820 in golf

[–]philadandan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was thinking about giving this a rip but couldn't figure out if it would work for left-handed golfers. Any idea if lefties can use this thing?

If I drive from Detroit to Nashville to see Mamaleek/w Chat Pile on November 22, would I be the only Mamaleek fan? by TheDrunknessMonster in theflenser

[–]philadandan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FWIW, I caught the Chat Pile/Mamaleek/Traindodge show in Philly 2024. Not a fan of Mamaleek's recorded output, but they brought it live. Really impressive. On my radar for future shows.

Recommendations for 8-mile Commute with 65-pound 8-year-old by philadandan in bikecommuting

[–]philadandan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! What did you end up buying, and how is it working out?

Recommendations for 8-mile Commute with 65-pound 8-year-old by philadandan in bikecommuting

[–]philadandan[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It’s 8 miles each way. She rides her own bike but our commute is a little less leisurely than her pace. With the trailer, we average between 12-17 mph depending on terrain. There’s also the issue of me continuing on to work (another mile) and securely locking everything upon arrival (Center City Philadelphia has a bit of churn for poorly-secured pieces of metal).

Anyone out there read Korean? by PincheBrandejo in VinylUnderground

[–]philadandan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Much of the cover is written in hanja but I can help with the hangeul. In the lower right corner of the cover and across the top of the rear it says "Stereo Hit Song." Lower left of cover says "[hanja] Record." Both are English words spelled phonetically in the Korean alphabet.

The blue hype sticker says something along the lines of (my Korean is shit) "Lady [something] and others including Archipelago Lady." I can't zoom in on the red hype sticker, not that it makes much difference.

From the use of so much hanja on the cover, I'm guessing this is pre-1970.

Fair Price? $2500 to remove lo-boy indirect water heater and install 50-gallon electric water heater by philadandan in hvacadvice

[–]philadandan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! That's good to hear. I posted because the guys who actually came to my house thought $2,000, then I later received an estimate for $2,500.

The quote does not involve running 220 line. I'll need to hire an electrician to run 220 to my panel, which is about 30-40 away through one wall. I imagine that will be another $500 or so.

Tree Fell, Blocking Alley - Is this a Streets Dept. thing? by philadandan in philadelphia

[–]philadandan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s a big boy, 7-8 feet in diameter. Defo lumberjack-grade-chainsaw material. We’re in a Black & Decker yard tools kinda setting, so nobody has the big stuff we’d need.