I reviewed this. After Kissathon II, I cleaned up my Kiss collection and The Box Set in my library no longer contains all the songs I have elsewhere - because I don't need to have a copy of Black Diamond on every album. I also removed all the Wicked Lester demos and all the other garbage. So now I have what equates to a single-disc compilation of Kiss rarities. And except for one or two songs, is basically limited to the original line-up. So this is now good times!
Highlights: It's My Life [Original Version], Got to Choose [MTV Unplugged], Strutter [Demo]
Highlights: It's My Life [Original Version], Got to Choose [MTV Unplugged], Strutter [Demo]
7/10
A Boy From Tupelo: The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings [Disc 1] - Elvis Presley
The birth of Rock'n Roll! Admittedly, the earliest recordings are pretty forgettable - they are just Elvis on guitar and singing, although his voice is very lovely. Once he hooks up with Scotty Moore and Bill Black, however, it is time for history making music. And in all honesty, some of it is such serious good times. And it is actually amazing how good it can sound for 70 year-old recordings. Essential listening.
Highlights: That's All Right, Blue Moon of Kentucky, Just Because, Mystery Train, Tryin' to Get to You
7/10
A Boy From Tupelo: The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings [Disc 2] - Elvis Presley
This is all the outtakes from Disc 1. Which is amazing, really; why on Earth would anyone have thought to have kept these all those years ago? This was a time when music and film companies had no issue dumping works in the gawdam river to save them some storage space. Think about that. Some of these are just little fragments and clearly they've salvaged anything they can from wherever they can, but it is amazing there is anything at all. So I really shouldn't be complaining about 9 takes of Blue Moon...
Highlights: That's All Right (Takes 1-3), Blue Moon of Kentucky (Alternate Take), I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine (Takes 1-3/M)
6/10
A Boy From Tupelo: The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings [Disc 3] - Elvis Presley
This is every recorded live performance during the period. Again, how any of this even exists is pretty amazing. It's not like every home had a tape recorder or anything. Some of it is not exactly all that listenable - sounds like someone couldn't tune their radio properly. Elvis's dialogue between songs is often hilarious. You can get a photo of Elvis for $0.25. Get in quick before they sell out! And avoid Bob Neal so he doesn't make you buy him a hot dog...
Highlights: Blue Moon of Kentucky (Live), Shake Rattle & Roll (Live), Maybelline (Live)
6/10
A Boy Named Goo - Goo Goo Dolls
I used to really like Goo Goo Dolls. Name was this quintessential 90s alt. rock emo acoustic song, but Long Way Down is just a super rockin' awesome track. What I will say now is that John Rzeznik writes some great lyrics. What is easily forgotten, given their transition to full-on commercial pop/rock on the next album, is how much of an alt. rock band these cats were. This album is totally 1995 and I dig it. Even Robby Takac is not nearly as annoying as I used to find him.
Highlights: Long Way Down, Naked, Name
7/10
BOYS WILL BE BOYS - INKYMAP
Another fast-paced E.P. from the coolest punk rock band this side of ELLEGARDEN. Good times.
Highlights: Traveller, 光の射す部屋, Boys Will Be Boys
7.5/10
"Albums" listened to so far: 230
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