The Criminally Out of Print

Why are there so many quality recordings out of print?

I owned them once either on vinyl, cassette, or even CD's that I have since misplaced. Filling these holes in my music collection have proven to be more than difficult.

Sure I guess I could scour the used CD sites, but there's something exciting about walking into record store and finding somehting you haven't been able to find in years. Unfortunately those moments are few and far between.

Anyone reading this could surely come up with 5 records they need but can't find.

Here's mine:
The Neighborhoods The High Hard One
Gang Green - Any of the ep's, earlysingles, or full lengths (I'd even settle for a Best of)
The Connells - Fun and Games & Boylan Heights
Volcano Suns- Career In Rock
The Outlets- Whole New World

So now you know two things about me I'm in my late 30's and I like my late 80's Boston rock.

This weekend is brought to you by Wilco and your Dad

Weather you'll be in the crowd when Wilco takes the stage at the Bank of America Pavilion on June 28th or not the band will be spoiling it's fans once again with a Live stream of tonight's showhttp://wilcoworld.net/ from Indianapolis. As if that wasn't enough there set from this weekends Bonaroo Festival can be seen and heard viahttp://bonnaroo.com/. You might as well go for a Wilco trifecta and go ahead check out there show from London's Sheppard's Bush Empire in the roadcase section of wilcoweb.

Be sure to take care of your Pops this weekend as I know you will.

Bring him a cold one and his remote control.

Happy Fathers Day.

Music News That I Stole from Others

According to Paste Magazine, Merge Records, the Strong Lions e-mail group and countless other sources Robert Pollard is scheduled to release two new albums simultaneously on October9th. Coast to Coast Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions will be released by Merge. If you can't wait until the fall for some new uncle Bob tunes check out his new EP Silverfish Trivia released on his Prom is Coming Label.

Post-Rock kingpins Tortoise kick off their tour tonight with show in Columbus, OH before hitting the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, for not one but two shows on July 5th.

Boston's own Hallelujah The Hills will be holding a CD Release Party for there excellent debut Collective Psychosis Begone at Great Scott in Alston. I can't stop myself from spinning this disc at least once a day. Go to the show and buy the record to find out why critics and fans alike are falling all over themselves to tell you about this band.

http://www.hallelujahthehills.com/

The New Pornographers are set to release album#4 Challengers on August 21st. Matador has been streaming the track My Rights Versus Yours and if you haven't already already go get a hint at what is sure to be another gem from Carl Newman and Co. My Rights Versus Yours can be heard here: http://www.matadorrecords.com/the_new_pornographers/

Back From Saturn X

I always swore that this would be about my rabid fandom and not personal. After a few set backs over the last 6 months or so, I am happy to re-launch the Ash Gray Proclamation.
Hey has anyone else totally fallen in love with Boxer from The National? Now that's a record worth gushing over.

To skip the details would be wrong. I faced some personal and professional challenges recently and I am happy say I think I'm all that much better for it. Thanks for letting me give a vague explanation of my absence.

Power Blessings,

Evil Speakers

Pitchfork Media Releases there Top 50

This is one list I look forward to every year. I don't always agree but they always do a bang up job. They list there 50 records of 2006 plus some other lists including staff picks.

www.pitchforkmedia.com

Rolling Stone Release There List

To be fair Rolling Stone was the 1st music magazine I subscribed to while I was a wee lad, but over the years it hasn't offered me much in way of insight, but everyone gets a crack at these year end lists.

Wow I feel like I'm being hard on the old magazine, ah well here's the list: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/12800635/the_top_50_albums_of_2006

The List of Lists

The holiday season has arrived and with that the yearly onslaught of year end list. What journalists consider the best releases of the last 12 months. I realize that the professional journalists have some insight to share but there's something special about the everyman chiming in. I put more weight into what the record buyer thinks as opposed to what the journalists thinks.

For the last 4 or 5 years I've been compiling a list along with my like minded music loving brethren and wanna be rock scribes. If you would like to share send your list along to bryanhamill@yahoo.com.

The first list of the year comes from across the pond courtesy of the much loved and hated New Musical Express.

NME's top 50 albums of 2006 are:
1. Arctic Monkeys - 'Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not'
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - 'Show Your Bones'
3. Muse - 'Black Holes And Revelations'
4. Hot Chip - 'The Warning'
5. CSS - 'Cansei De Ser Sexi'
6. Gnarls Barkley - 'St Elsewhere'
7. Long Blondes - 'Someone To Drive You Home'
8. The Strokes - 'First Impressions Of Earth'
9. Kasabian - 'Empire'
10. My Chemical Romance - 'The Black Parade'
11. Howling Bells - 'Howling Bells'
12. The Killers - 'Sam's Town'
13. Panic! At The Disco - 'A Fever You Can't Sweat Out'
14. TV On The Radio - 'Return To Cookie Moutain'
15. Thom Yorke - 'The Eraser'
16. Amy Winehouse - 'Back To Black'
17. The Futureheads - 'News And Tributes'
18. The Rapture - 'Pieces Of The People We Love'
19. The Longcut - 'A Call And Response'
20. The Streets - 'The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living'
21. The Raconteurs - 'Broken Boy Soldiers'
22. The Flaming Lips - 'At War With The Mystics'
23. The Knife - 'Silent Shout'
24. The Secret Machines - 'Ten Silver Drops'
25. Mogwai - 'Mr Beast'
26. Jarvis - 'Jarvis'
27. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - 'Clap Your Hands Say Yeah'
28. Morrissey - 'Ringleader Of The Tormentors'
29. The Spinto Band - 'Nice And Nicely Done'
30. Cat Power - 'The Greatest'
31. The Sunshine Underground - 'Raise The Alarm'
32. Lily Allen - 'Alright, Still'
33. The Bronx - 'The Bronx'
34. Albert Hammond Jr - 'Yours To Keep'
35. Forward Russia - 'Give Me A Wall'
36. Datarock - 'Datarock'
37. Be Your Own Pet - 'Be Your Own Pet'
38. Metric - 'Live It Out'
39. The Young Knives - 'Voices Of Animals And Men'
40. Midlake - 'The Trials Of Van Occupanther'
41. The Gossip - 'Standing In The Way Of Control'
42. The Automatic - 'Not Accepted Anywhere'
43. Beck - 'The Information'
44. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - 'Ballad Of The Broken Seas'
45. Bob Dylan - 'Modern Times'
46. Semi Finalists - 'Semi Finalists'
47. Wolfmother - 'Wolfmother'
48. Get Cape Wear Cape Fly - 'The Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager'
49. Absentee - 'Schmotime'
50. The Kooks - 'Inside In/Inside Out'

Bad News For Blowfish and Strong Lions





I'm back after a crazy couple of weeks and unfortunately I don't have good news to share. This news sucks plain and simple, Robert Pollard has decided to stop touring indefinitely. After injuring himself on his most recent tour he's decided to take a break from playing shows. If you've seen him with GBV or with The Ascending Masters you know that he will be missed on the national touring circuit. That being said he has 7 new albums planned for release in the near future so there is a bit a good news to share. At 49 and the amount of time that he has spend on the road I knew that things would come to an end eventually. He hasn't ruled out playing Live again but as of now he will be close to home in Dayton, OH doing what's he's been doing for what seems like forever, recording and releasing pop/prog/rock magic.


The full story can be found here:


http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003466526

Robert Pollard Tour Cancellation Part II

This might seem like overkill but when you look forward to show the way I look forward to seeing Bob. After all this here blog is the namesake of a Pollard tune, OK I'm a fan boy I'm not ashamed to admit it. I can't help but feel a little disappointed about this cancellation. However that disappointment quickly gives way to wishes of a speedy recovery. I never should have looked at a recent set list, in the words of Bob this set list will make you shit.

I can only hope that Bob gets back to Boston in early 2007 and by all means if anyone has a lead on any recordings from this tour please let me know. On Tuesday Bob & The Ascending Masters played a show for WXPN's The World Cafe http://www.xpn.org/ that should be posted shortly. As soon as I get any information on that I'll post it here.

Bad News and Torn Muscles

According to my friends at Disarm the Settlers, Strong Lions, and Rich Turiel webmaster/tour manager for Robert Pollard the last 3 dates of the Robert Pollard and Ascending Masters tour have been cancelled due to Bob tearing his calf muscle. The dated effected are as follows Baltimore, Boston, and Northhampton.

Here wishing Bob a speedy recovery and power blessings.

literal Rock with Electric Guitars



I've been spending some time loading up the iPod with some new music. The Decemberists latest The Crane Wife has been getting a lot of play lately. I will admit when I first heard it I was taken back a bit. Not that it's drastically different than there other releases but it is different. The beautiful instrumentation is still there but they've turned up the sonics a bit. Big loud guitars take position front and center on a handful of tracks but after a few spins it works nicely. It's a grower there's no arguing that but with after a few spins this album grabs you and rewards you hansomely. The Decemberists play Boston's Orpheum Theatre on Saturday November 4th.

Rainy Days and Coloring Books

It's a rain drenched Saturday here in Plymouth, MA today as we get hit with a noreaster. The kids are sprawled out on the floor with crayons and coloring books and we're all locked in the house for the day so I thought I'd take a minute to write. I guess if I had some outdoor activity I might mind but every once in a while I enjoy a rainy day just to hang out and relax.

Smashed pumpkins

Why is this looked at by the little bastards who live in my neighborhood as fun or even necessary? Don't get me wrong I was no angel I've thrown and egg of two in my youth, but its October 23rd and this is the 3rd time In a week that I've seen pumpkins smashed all over my street.

I realize I seem like the cranky old guy and that's ok. Most of the people in my neighborhood are families with young children and as a rule children love Halloween and they love pumpkins. We have a couple of small pumpkins that my wife has placed inside our home, however we always put pumpkins out on our doorstep to dress up our front door for trick or treaters. Where was I headed with this post? Nowhere really just to say that I may need some help with my idea. I'm thinking of boobytraping my pumpkins with some kind of sticky substance or electricity. Do not mess with the Evil Speakers and his children's pumpkins.

(Disclaimer: I will not use electricity or anything that may cause injury. Just let the pumpkins be.)

37

It's been a great week and I thought it was time to get off my ass and share. On Tuesday I celebrated my birthday with My wife and my two boys. Can I just say it rocked, because it did. It was exactly what I wanted, a nice dinner at home, a gift or two and some cake. It's amazing to me that the older I get the less I need in terms celebrations. I remember when I turned 30 my wife planned a surprise party which was great don't get me wrong, but for some reason this year trumped all others.

Now that I got the sentimental crap out the way lets talk gifts. I received a 30GB iPod. I've been using a non-Apple mp3 player for the past 3 years or so and thought I knew what was up with digital music players. Nope not even close. I'm like a little kid on Christmas with a favorite new toy.


So naturally I needed some new music for this occasion so off to Newbury Comics I went. I knew what I wanted as I've been waiting for the release of new records from The Hold Steady, The Decemberists, and Pernice Brothers. I was in and out before I could do too much damage. As my family and friends can attest to leaving me alone in record/music store can result in sever debt. All 3 of these albums are worth your time and need your attention, but I'd be liar if I told you they've all been getting equal playing time. I just can't get enough of the new album from The Hold Steady this should be required listening for anyone from ages 16 to 50.

(R)October

Forgive the classic rock radio title, but what else can describe the month of new releases coming our way in October. I may need to start collecting cans or at least scrap metals to finance my music habit this month.
Here's just a quick look at some my anticipated releases.



The Hold Steady-Boys and Girls in America
The 3rd release from Craig Finn & Co. set to be release on October 3rd. Based on some of the tracks I've heard this could be the bands finest hour.



The Decemberists- The Crane Wife
Another installment of literal rock and songs of ancient mariners.
ok to be honest I have no idea what the songs about because I have yet to hear a note, but it's a safe bet. The Decemberists never disappoint and I expect this to rival last years fantastic Picturesque.


Robert Pollard- Normal Happiness
The 2nd full length of 2006 on Merge not to mention the 3 side project that Bob's released this year. This is far and away my most anticipated release of the fall. With assistance from producer/multi-instrumentalist Todd Tobias Normal Happiness finds Bob charging through a concise yet stellar song cycle that fulfills all expectations. These songs will stick to your brain like rubber cement.
Yes that's a good thing.

Listen hereNormal Happiness Stream

You would expect that would be enough to keep me going, but no.
There also new records coming in October from The Pernice Brothers, The Dears, Portastatic, and Califone. People drive me nuts when they complain of the lack of quality music being released. I have friends that claim that people don't make good records anymore or there's nothing new worth listening to. To that I will respond especially after this onslaught of fall releases, are you out of your fucking mind?

The Mats are back (at least I hope so)

Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson appeared togetgher on stage for the 1st time in 15 years at last night's Open Season Premiere in LA. They performed 2 tracks from the Westerberg penned Open Season Soundtrack and one old Replacements classic I.O.U. Hell yeah they did. I hope this Westerberg and Stinson reunion goes further than animated childrens films.

Set List:
Right To Arm Bears
Love You In The Fall
I.O.U.

You can get more information on this stroy here:
Paul's Page

3 Thank You's

1st off thanks to Brad for heads up on the Atlanta band Snowden and there Jade Tree debut album Anti-Anti. Check out Brad's blog here:
bradley
He's always got some great stuff on there. ok back to Snowden, Anti-Anti is fantastic!


Thank You to David Ortiz for being the only beacon in an otherwise dreadful Red Sox season with last night's two home runs against the twins. He has hit more home runs in a single season than anyone that has ever played for our beloved team. More than Ted, more than Yaz, more than anyone.

Thank you for The Return to Cookie Mountain. When an album has been talked about and written about as much as the second full length from TV on the Radio it's bound to disapoint right? Wrong, with this record TVOTR prove that sometimes buzz or hype is actually worth the paper it's printed on and then some. The Return to Cookie Mountain could easily be the best album of 2006. Don't take me word for it listen for yourself. One spin and you'll be a believer.

Apple Picking and the Bathroom Emergency (album title)

I've wrestled with the idea of posting this inside my head for the past day or so.
So here we go. Yesterday I wake up to find the sun shining on what appears to be a beautiful day and the wife says lets take the boys apple picking. Sure sounds good to me. So we head out around 11 and get to C.N. Smith's Farm located about 30 miles from our home about an hour later. Now wait it takes an hour to drive 30 miles? No I got lost I'm sure Mrs. Speakers would be happy to tell you all about it on
her blog:www. Imarriedanidiot/blogspot.com

The idea of picking your own apples does not sound terribly exciting but my boys get a kick out of it and to see them running around grabbing, twisting, and devouring apples is worth the price of admission.

Now comes the drama. We decided to stop for some lunch and we manage to eat up without too many "would you please eat" or "stop screaming please". However pretty much the second after we pull out of the parking lot towards home it hits me like a knife in the gut I have to go and we're not talking about the kind I do standing up.
I realize there is no way I'll make it all the way home. I look over at my wife as she is behind the wheel and tell her we need to stop and explain the issue. She promply responds, Ok how about this coffee shop? No! The pain is getting bad I'm having images of the bathroom scene in Trainspotting and then suddenly there is an old gas station and I yell pull over. Before we even park I'm out and I ask the attendant if they have a bathroom. He directs me to one of the dirtiest bathrooms I've ever been in. At this point I could care less but I notice there's no doornob on the door nevermind a lock. Just my luck. There's nothing I can do this is an emergency. Once I've taken care of the expulsion I notice that this bathroom has no toilet paper, oh shit this is not happening. I look over at the paper towel dispenser it's completely empty. It's like that split second that your car door is about to shut with the locks down and the keys inside. I look down at my feet and what do I see but a pair of nice white socks on my feet. Socks it is. I'm already laughing by the time I exit the bathroom and climb back into the car with my waiting family. I expected my wife to notice but she didn't. I have a huge smile on my face for some demented reason I have to tell her. Within seconds she's laughing and telling the boys, everyone has a good laugh at my expense. Just then I feel something in my shorts pocket. I reach in and pull out about 5 or 6 tissues that I had put in there hours earlier for runny noses.

The moral of this story: Always check your pockets before you wipe your butt with your socks.

Band of Horses Live at The Paradise
Friday September 8th





For one of the most blogged about and critically acclaimed bands of the year Band of Horses first show in Boston was greeted with great expectation.

Ben Birdwell is now the only original member after the recent departure of Mat Brooke. So after associating those two men as the creative force that turned out the stunning debut album Everything All The Time. I was wondering if the performance would suffer at all from the line-up change and those high expectations.

The band hit The Paradise stage at 11:30 to clapping hands of a sold out crowd. As the other members took there positions on stage Birdwell took his seat in front of his lap Steel rig and with a quick greeting he took the band into Monsters. This is a building track on the album but Live it's epic. The set drew almost entirely from the debut album with three new tracks as well as few well chosen covers. The one issue that band had was soundman related during the first 3 or 4 songs the vocals would often get buried in the mix or the vocals were just too loud. However this never distracted from the bands grasp on the audience. In fact about midset the band really settled into a nice groove and unveiled some solid new tracks as well as an off kilter bluesy cover of ELO's Showdown and some of Everything's best tracks like Our Swords witch just paired down the band to Birdwell on Bass and drummer Creighton Barrett as well as their indie hit The Funeral.

For a band that only has 36 minutes of recorded output Band of Horses not only lived up to the buzz they surpassed it with a memorable mix of new tracks,covers, and material from there debut album. I don't think I've read a review of this band where My Morning Jacket and The Shins don't get mentioned. I won't deny the similarities to both those bands but with there set at The Paradise Friday night Band of Horses proved that they're a breed all there own.

Random Rules

Touch & Go Records celebrates 25 years this weekend in Chicago with line up that will make you shit! Seriously it will. 1 word Shellac 2 more Big Black!

Well I can't be there and stay married so I'll be relying on fellow blogger
Bradley for his reports from the event.

on a more local front Seattle's Band of Horses perform at The Paradise tonight in support of there stunning debut album Everything All The Time. I for one will be front, center and accounted for. I'll post a review to this here blog sometime over the weekend.