(September 2021) Episode 359 is BOB MARLEY and the Wailers. Is there any artist whose music is so universally enjoyed and adored? You can’t not feel chill and happy. Even though we have been over-saturated by his hits, they still get you humming and toe-tapping.
Favorite album: Burnin’
Favorite song: Three Little Birds
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: a greatest hits compilation will satisfy
(September 2021) Episode 357 is THE SLITS. Started out as a formative female UK punk band but soon transitioned to a wild-sounding post-punk, new wave sound with a strong dub substrate sung in a Nico* accent.
Favourite album: Cut
Favourite song: Shoplifting
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: An acquired taste, but a must-have if you’re into the UK punk/new wave thing.
* They covered “Femme Fatale” in a live recording, with (German-born) Ari Up pronouncing “clown” as “clonn” just as Nico did.
(September 2020) Episode 285 is BAD BRAINS. Ground-breaking and iconic, a D.C. original. Who would think of combining punk and reggae? Not surprisingly, I like the early punk material best, and the reggae is good, but the metal phase is a mixed affair (for which I find H.R.’s voice ill-fitting, not unlike Dave Mustaine with Megadeth).
Favorite album: Bad Brains (Black Dots, the collection of early singles, is the best, but I can’t count it as it’s a compilation)
Favorite song: Don’t Bother Me
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 