A deeper look at the grooves pressed into the Wheeltappers and Shunters LP by Clinic. Speaking as a father, I can tell you that a lot of things can change in seven years – in fact, it’s entirely possible that the whole world will will look completely different from one side of that duration to the other. It’s for that reason Clinic reappearing after seven years with an album of new music – seemingly without warning (other than appearing with...
A deeper look at the grooves pressed into the Serfs Up! LP by Fat White Family. While I can safely say that I did enjoy Fat White Family’s sophomore album (Songs For Our Mothers) when I reviewed it in 2016, it proved to be for the wrong reasons. I liked it, but I missed the point (or at least I think I did); it wasn’t until I sunk a stylus into Serfs Up! – the London-based band’s third album –...
Buzzcocks Singles Going Steady (2019 Remaster – Domino Records)photo: turntablelab.com The Buzzcocks belong up there with the Clash and the Sex Pistols for contributing the most to the punk rock of the 70s. Sure the Damned belong there also, but they were never Buzzcocks-calibur in my book. And the Sex Pistols are the Sex Pistols but there’s no denying what a similarly overrated and underrated album Nevermind the Bollocks is. And the Clash? They’re just untouchable. There can be no...
They Live – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack LP by John Carpenter There was a time where I regretted being a late bloomer for pop culture. It seemed like whenever I discovered a movie series, or writer, or band, or TV show that had been revered at one point or another I would beat myself up for not knowing about it sooner. Chalk it up to having high standards. But as I get older I’m starting to cherish those moments when...
AnacondaMill Creek Entertainment What is it about 90s bad movies that make them so watchable? Well, let’s look at Anaconda and see if we can decipher this mystery. And before you mock it, know that it was HUGE blockbuster hit, making 130 million on its 30 million budget. I know I thought the movie was amazing when it came out. OK, NOW you can mock it. For starters, Anaconda features some heavy hitters like Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, and...
While the novelty of The Ramoms’ existence is impossible to ignore (at first glance, the band looks like an obvious answer to the question of what happens when Riot Grrls reach the age when they become soccer moms), it’s also impossible to deny the inherent possibility of a group of women reimagining Ramones music with a fresh approach that isn’t too far off of the original, but is different enough that it feels fresh and exciting. Simply stated, the Problem...
Jurassic Park Original Soundtrack by John Williams We enjoy the art of the soundtrack here at Ground Control and few soundtracks are as seminal as Jurassic Park’s. As I’ve always said, “Does any other soundtrack really matter?” Well, of course the Jaws soundtrack does but the same people are behind both these movies. I digress. It’s truly such a joy to be talking about the music of Jurassic Park. The word gets thrown around a lot but that first Jurassic...
“Is the Turk a White Man?” Race and Modernity in the Making of Turkish Identity by Murat Ergin It’s important to note that the title “Is the Turk a White Man?” is a reference to an article the New York Times published in 1909 and isn’t actually the question addressed in this book. That’s why it’s in quotation marks. Ergin simply uses it as a reference for the genesis of when Turkish identity was being explored in Western culture. The...
Elliott Smith Figure 8(photo: turntablelab.com) We’ve all had bands thrusted upon us. It happens all the times and is a totally viable way of getting into music. Sometimes it’s a band we’re tried to avoid for some reason like the Beatles who I never bothered with because I thought I was too busy with other music. But of course, the Beatles are the kind of music you have to play subconsciously in your head as a reference. My girlfriend at...
Talib Kweli Gravitas (photos: turntablelab.com) Thank God for Talib Kweli. It’s not just that the man is phenomenal at his craft, but that he’s maybe the highest profile rapper doing something with actual meaning. He cares about art and isn’t a megalomaniac. Spend some time with a Talib Kweli album and you’ll find, instead of bravado, money, and elitism, music that’s actually trying to elevate others. Kweli is a rapper for the people, in that sense. After all, this is...