The Collection: Ep. 84 – November 2025 Wrap-Up (including RSD Black Friday)

November is done and we are now inching towards Christmas. First, it is time for the monthly wrap-up so lets see what 2 Loud 2 Old Music added to the collection this month. This is the November 2025 Wrap-Up and we have a bunch of vinyl and a whole lot of CDs to get through. This month I hit Noble Records & Repo Records as well as ordered from Discogs and Amazon. So much to go through including a handful of new Rock Candy CDs in the collection, Kiss and a Box Set rolled into one plus a selection of items from Black Friday Record Store Day. Lots of great new and old stuff to go through and show for this month so I hope you enjoy the show!!

So go check it out as it is live right now on YouTube. Thanks for stopping by and please click “Like” and hit “Subscribe” as it helps out the site when you do.

Continue reading “The Collection: Ep. 84 – November 2025 Wrap-Up (including RSD Black Friday)”

Friday New Releases – November 28, 2025 (RSD – Black Friday)

Happy Friday, we have a few releases for you today, but the bulk is coming from Record Store Day Black Friday. I wouldn’t mind the Creed live album, the Billy Idol 12″ or the Ratt 12″, but not sure I’m going to go wait in line. Take a look and let me know what you want to get out of this bunch. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

  • Dream Theater – Quarantieme: Live a Paris – (Ytse James / InsideOutMusic)
  • Alice Cooper – Welcome to My Nightmare: Live at the Forum, Los Angeles 6/17.75 – (Rhino / Warner Records)
  • Madonna – Bedtime Stories: The Untold Chapter – (Warner Records)
  • Jessie J – Don’t Tease Me With A Good Time – (D.A.P.)
  • Neil Young – Tonight’s The NIght (50th Anniversary) – (Warner Records)
  • Lynch Mob – Dancing With The Devil – (Rat Pack Records)
  • Equilibrium – Equinox – (Nuclear Blast)
  • Blut aus Nord – Ethereal Horizons – (Debemur Morti Productions)
  • Excide – Bastard Hymns – (Sharptone)
  • Avdagata – The Apocalyptic Aeon – (At Dawn Records)
  • Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter – Forever, I’ve Been Being Born – (Southern Land)
  • Will O’Dusk – The Long Lasting Dusk – (Will O’Dusk)
  • Brutus – Live in Brussels – (Hassle Records)
  • Treaty Oak Revival – West Texas Degenerate – (TOR Records)
  • Romeo Santos – New Album – (Sony Music / I Love Amiguta Inc.)

RECORD STORE DAY – BLACK FRIDAY 2025:

TITLEARTISTLABELFORMATRELEASE TYPEQUANTITY
“In My Arms/Refuge”IlleniumRepublic Records7″ Picture DiscRSD Exclusive3000
Take on Me (40th Anniversary EPA-HaRhinoRSD Exclusive3000
Guidance / Sun/SonJhene AikoDef Jam7″ VinylRSD Exclusive1500
Hearts-50th AnniversaryAmericaFriday MusicLP‘RSD First’1500
Asking AlexandriaAsking AlexandriaSumerian Records2 x LP‘RSD First’1700
Europe 1964 (Box Set)Albert Ayler & Don CherryORG MUSIC4 x LP‘RSD First’1250
Wild PlanetThe B-52’sRhinoLP Picture DiscRSD Exclusive5000
Live at the Bayou: Washington D.C. July 14, 1980 / March 15, 1981Bad BrainsTime Traveler Recordings2 x LPRSD Exclusive2500
JerichoThe BandBFD2 x LP‘RSD First’1000
Chaos and The CalmJames BayMercury/Republic RecordsLPRSD Exclusive2000
Get Sunk At Union Chapel: LiveMatt BerningerConcord Records10″ EPRSD Exclusive1900
TogetherRay BarrettoCraft RecordingsLPRSD Exclusive1800
Sister SweetlyBig Head Todd and the MonstersReal Gone MusicLP‘RSD First’2400
Partie Traumatic (Deluxe Edition)Black KidsEcho BaseLPRSD Exclusive3000
Bluey the Album – 5th Birthday Zoetrope EditionBlueyDemon Records2 x LPRSD Exclusive4500
PulseBenson BooneWarner RecordsRSD Exclusive6000
The Real Janelle & The Peel SessionBratmobileKill Rock StarsLP‘RSD First’1100
CharmerBreather ResistJade TreeLP‘RSD First’950
The Very Best of Eric Burdon & WarEric Burdon & WarRhino2 x LPRSD Exclusive2500
Live From The Vic In ChicagoCage The ElephantLegacy Recordings2 x LPRSD Exclusive4500
Rockology: The Liquid Vinyl Numbered EditionEric Carr from KISSCulture Factory USALPRSD Exclusive2000
Unfinished Business: The Liquid Vinyl Numbered EditionEric Carr from KISSCulture Factory USALPRSD Exclusive2000
12″ersPhil CollinsRhinoRSD Exclusive3500
Welcome To My Nightmare Live From the Forum 6/17/75Alice CooperRhino2 x LPRSD Exclusive3500
Riviera ’76Larry Coryell & The Eleventh HouseCulture Factory USALPRSD Exclusive2000
Live In San Antonio (11/14/1999)CreedCraft Recordings2 x LPRSD Exclusive3000
Pilot Talk IICurren$yJet Life Recordings / Pilot TalkLP‘RSD First’2000
Written By Ronnie D’AddarioRonnie D’AddarioOmnivore RecordingsLP‘RSD First’1400
Live at the Plugged Nickel: December 23, 1965 – Second SetMiles DavisLegacy Recordings2 x LPRSD Exclusive5900
Big Lizard in My Backyard (40th Anniversary)The Dead MilkmenThe Giving Groove2 x LP‘RSD First’3000
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water (10th Anniversary Edition)John DebneyVarese SarabandeLP Picture DiscRSD Exclusive2000
The Very Best of Deee-LiteDeee-LiteRhino2 x LPRSD Exclusive3000
Deltron 3030: 25th AnniversaryDeltron 3030Deltron Partners2 x LPRSD Exclusive3000
Deltron 3030: 25th AnniversaryDeltron 3030Deltron PartnersCassetteRSD Exclusive1200
Merry Something To YouDevoRhino12″ Picture DiscRSD Exclusive4000
“Under The Running Board”The Dillinger Escape PlanRelapse Records7″ VinylRSD Exclusive1600
The Singles, Vol. 2DisclosureCapitol Records‘RSD First’2500
The Last VoyageDoctor WhoDemon Records2 x LPRSD Exclusive1200
Live in Copenhagen, 1968The DoorsRhino2 x LPRSD Exclusive5300
Compton (A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre) (Instrumental Edition)Dr. DreInterscope2 x LP‘RSD First’3500
“Into The Cesspool”Dying FetusRelapse RecordsRSD Exclusive1000
Masters Of War (Live in Alan Lomax’s Apartment)Bob DylanLegacy Recordings7″ 45RSD Exclusive3900
The Original Freewheelin’ Bob DylanBob DylanLegacy RecordingsLPRSD Exclusive13000
LiveBillie EilishInterscope10″ EP‘RSD First’20000
Big Top Pee-Wee (The Original Soundtrack Album)Danny ElfmanLegacy RecordingsLP Picture DiscRSD Exclusive4500
Born To SingEn VogueGet On DownLPRSD Exclusive1700
The Beat at The BBCThe English BeatRhino2 x LPRSD Exclusive4000
Portraits At The Penthouse: Live in SeattleBill EvansResonance RecordsLPRSD Exclusive4000
Trail of FlowersSierra FerrellRounder RecordsLP Picture DiscRSD Exclusive2000
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots – Live at the Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, August 30, 2024The Flaming LipsRhino2 x LPRSD Exclusive4000
Fleetwood Mac: Live 1975Fleetwood MacRhino2 x LPRSD Exclusive5000
Took A While/Stay Strong Play LongNeil FrancesNettwerk2 x LP‘RSD First’1500
Actual Life Piano Live (20th November 2024) IRL003Fred AgainÂ…Atlantic RecordsLPRSD Exclusive2000
Actual Life 2 Piano Live (20th March, 2022) IRL004Fred AgainÂ…Atlantic RecordsLPRSD Exclusive2000
Actual Life 3 Piano Live (22nd December 2022) IRL005Fred again..Atlantic RecordsLPRSD Exclusive2000
Fortifiedghost-noteMixto RecordsLPRSD Exclusive1500
SkeletaGhostLoma Vista RecordingsLP Picture DiscRSD Exclusive5000
Ehhthang EhhthangGloRillaInterscope2 x LP‘RSD First’5000
Good Kid 1 2 3 4Good KidMany Hats Distribution2 x LP‘RSD First’1700
The Warfield, San Francisco, CA Oct 4 & 6, 1980Grateful DeadRhino2 x LPRSD Exclusive6000
The Warfield, San Francisco, CA Oct 4 & 6, 1980Grateful DeadRhino2 x CDRSD Exclusive4500
On A Back Porch Vol 2Grateful DeadRhinoLPRSD Exclusive4300
A Charlie Brown Christmas (60th Anniversary) Pop-Up Gatefold LPVince Guaraldi TrioCraft RecordingsLPRSD Exclusive4000
Live At The Jazz Record MartCharlie HadenDelmark Records LLCLP‘RSD First’1000
Living In The Material WorldGeorge HarrisonDark Horse RecordsLPRSD Exclusive5500
Ghosts In The MachineryThe Head And The HeartVerve12″ Vinyl EPRSD Exclusive2500
Chill Out (30th Anniversary)John Lee HookerBMGLPRSD Exclusive1500
I Love It (Feat. Charli XCX)Icona PopRhinoEPRSD Exclusive4400
77Billy IdolBMG / Dark Horse Records12″ Picture DiscRSD Exclusive1500
Breathing Fire – In Flames Live 2024In FlamesNuclear BlastLP Picture DiscRSD Exclusive2250
Live From Royal Albert Hall, London, 1986INXSRhinoLPRSD Exclusive3000
Jazz Sabbath LiveJazz SabbathBlacklake‘RSD First’2750
Beautifully Broken (Pickin’ Up The Pieces)Jelly RollRepublic RecordsLPRSD Exclusive8000
Live From Long IslandBilly JoelLegacy Recordings3 x LPRSD Exclusive1500
David Johansen And The Harry SmithsDavid Johansen and the Harry SmithsChesky RecordsLPRSD Exclusive1500
David Johansen And The Harry SmithsDavid Johansen and the Harry SmithsChesky Records‘RSD First’1000
Who Believes In Angels? Live At The London PalladiumElton John & Brandi CarlileInterscope2 x LPRSD Exclusive4000
Life Is Beautiful (Chopped Not Slopped)Larry June, 2 Chainz & The AlchemistThe Freeminded Records / 2 Chainz / ALC / EMPIRELPRSD Exclusive1200
Been Gettin’ Money (The Get Money 30th Anniversary 12″)Junior M.A.F.I.A.RhinoRSD Exclusive3000
The Tick OSTDoug KatsarosTerror Vision2 x LPRSD Exclusive2000
Wabash AvenueJorma KaukonenCulture Factory USA2 x LPRSD Exclusive2000
Wabash AvenueJorma KaukonenCulture Factory USACDRSD Exclusive1000
Holiday RoadKeshaKesha Records7″ VinylRSD Exclusive1750
Broadcasting The Blues: Live From Germany and SwedenB.B. KingTime Traveler Recordings2 x LPRSD Exclusive2500
No Room For BlueMarcus KingRepublic RecordsRSD Exclusive3500
Live in 24′King Gizzard & The Lizard WizardHaving Fun‘RSD First’1500
Vibrations In The Village: Live At The Village GateRahsaan Roland KirkResonance Records2 x LPRSD Exclusive1200
Seek & Listen: Live At The PenthouseRahsaan Roland KirkResonance Records2 x LPRSD Exclusive1200
Extra! Extra!La LuzSub PopRSD Exclusive1000
NightlifeLadytronNettwerk2 x LP‘RSD First’2500
Golden Flower: Live in SwedenYusef LateefElemental Music Records2 x LP‘RSD First’1750
“Trampled Under Foot”Led ZeppelinSwan Song7″ VinylRSD Exclusive6100
The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe – A Spirit Speaks (DELUXE EDITION)Bill LeeStrata-East RecordsLP‘RSD First’1500
The Minstrel Show: 20th Anniversary Deluxe EditionLittle BrotherImagine Nation Music2 x LPRSD Exclusive1500
The Complete Elektra AlbumsLoveRhino5 x LPRSD Exclusive2000
Ode to R.L. BoyceG. Love & Special SauceGL RecordsLP‘RSD First’4000
Hit ParadeMadnessThe state51 ConspiracyLPRSD Exclusive3000
Apache-Inca (Deluxe Box Set)Maitreya Kali (Craig Smith)Flatiron Recordings2 x LPRSD Limited Run / Regional Focus400
Long BedPost MaloneMercury/Republic RecordsLPRSD Exclusive5000
Briston Maroney – Live At Red RocksBriston MaroneyAtlantic Records2 x LPRSD Exclusive2500
It’s Better If You Don’t UnderstandBruno MarsAtlantic RecordsEPRSD Exclusive13000
Mad Season (Live 2001)Matchbox Twenty2 x LPRSD Exclusive3500
Curtis (Rhino Reserve)Curtis MayfieldRhinoLPRSD Exclusive2700
Dream A Little Dream of MeMister RomanticEternal Magic Recordings7″ VinylRSD Exclusive
Rolling Thunder RevueJoni MitchellRhinoLPRSD Exclusive5500
Live 1973-KSAN Radio SessionMontrose/Sammy HagarFriday MusicLP‘RSD First’1500
Home Sweet HomeMotley CrueBMG12″ Picture DiscRSD Exclusive2500
Live at Brixton ’87MotörheadBMGLPRSD Exclusive2500
We Will FallLarry Mullins & Mike WattORG MUSICLPRSD Limited Run / Regional Focus500
Massive AggressiveMunicipal WasteEarache RecordsLPRSD Exclusive1000
Tokyo Gore PoliceKoh NakagawaRecently DeceasedRSD Limited Run / Regional Focus900
Trouble in Paradise: DemosRandy NewmanRhinoLPRSD Exclusive3500
Xanadu – Live & RemixedOlivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John7″ Vinyl‘RSD First’2000
Live in Reims Cathedral, 1974NicoCulture Factory USALPRSD Exclusive2000
Big Poppa (Remix)The Notorious B.I.G.RhinoRSD Exclusive3500
Live From Madison Square GardenO.A.R.ATO Records3 x LPRSD Exclusive2000
Shimmy Shimmy Ya / Brooklyn ZooOl’ Dirty BastardRhino12″ SingleRSD Exclusive3000
Live at Sonoma State – 11/4/73Old & In The WayRound Records2 x LP‘RSD First’5500
Sweaty PoolOTTTOORG MUSICRSD Limited Run / Regional Focus500
Longineu ParsonsLongineu ParsonsUbiquity RecordsLPRSD Exclusive1500
The Father of Delta Blues: Selections from Paramount Recordings, Vol. 2Charley PattonORG MUSICLPRSD Exclusive1500
What We All Come To Need & EphemeralPelicanSouthern Lord3 x LPRSD Exclusive1600
In FlightLinda PerryKill Rock Stars‘RSD First’1100
Live Anthology Album Art TeeTom Petty & The HeartbreakersWarner RecordsRSD Limited Run / Regional Focus800
The Live Anthology – From The Vaults Vol. 1Tom Petty & The HeartbreakersWarner Records2 x LP‘RSD First’7500
Around The World in A DayPrince & The RevolutionLegacy RecordingsRSD Exclusive1985
Live at CBGB, 1977RamonesRhinoLPRSD Exclusive6000
Invasion of Your Privacy (40th Anniversary)RattBMGRSD Exclusive2000
You Must Ask The Heart (30th Anniversary Edition)Jonathan RichmanCraft RecordingsLPRSD Exclusive1600
The Subway/The GiverChappell RoanIsland7″ VinylRSD Exclusive30000
Filmworks: InsomniaRobbie RobertsonOmnivore RecordingsLP‘RSD First’1800
Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye)Role ModelInterscope2 x LPRSD Exclusive3000
Their Satanic Majesties RequestThe Rolling StonesABKCO‘RSD First’6000
The Early YearsLinda RonstadtIconic Artists Group2 x LP‘RSD First’1000
A CapellaTodd RundgrenRhinoLPRSD Exclusive2500
Greatest HitsSeals & CroftsRhinoLPRSD Exclusive3000
In A Perfect WorldSeason To RiskSpartan RecordsLPRSD Exclusive1500
The Back To The Future TrilogyAlan SilvestriVarese SarabandeLPRSD Exclusive1900
TreatsSleigh BellsMom+PopLP‘RSD First’1500
Amusing The AmazingSlo BurnORG MUSICRSD Exclusive1500
Trace (30th Anniversary)Son VoltRhino2 x LPRSD Exclusive3000
Ruby Vroom RemixesSoul CoughingRound HillLPRSD Exclusive1000
The End Continues [RSD Excl. Vinyl]Spinal TapInterscopeLPRSD Exclusive2000
Rattus Norvegicus (2025 Remaster)The StranglersRhinoLPRSD Exclusive2400
Copper Blue: The Singles CollectionSugarBMG4 x 12″ VinylRSD Exclusive1500
Forever, I’ve Been Being BornJesse Sykes & The Sweet HereafterSouthern LordLP‘RSD First’1300
Tentative Decisions: Demos & LiveTalking HeadsRhinoRSD Exclusive7500
Live at Place des Arts, Montreal – April 10, 1977Tangerine DreamCulture Factory USA3 x LPRSD Exclusive1500
Live From The Ash GroveSonny Terry and Brownie McGheeLiberation HallLPRSD Exclusive1200
Radio RetaliationThievery CorporationThievery Corporation2 x LPRSD Exclusive3000
Chasing Brightness: The Complete BBC Sessions 2011-2025Touche AmoreBMG2 x LPRSD Exclusive1800
T.R.U. REALigion (Anniversary Edition)2 Chainz2 Chainz2 x LP‘RSD First’1750
Flowers In the Afternoon: Late 1960’s SunshineVarious ArtistsCraft RecordingsLPRSD Exclusive1600
Jazz Dispensary: Green BulletsVarious ArtistsCraft RecordingsLPRSD Exclusive4100
Metal Machine Music: Power to Consume, Vol. 1Various ArtistsLegacy Recordings2 x LPRSD Exclusive2100
Punk Goes AcousticVarious ArtistsCraft RecordingsLPRSD Exclusive1700
Rent: Original Motion Picture SoundtrackVarious ArtistsRhino2 x LPRSD Exclusive4500
Rock The Plaza: Concert To Save The Historic Plaza Theatre In Palm SpringsVarious ArtistsOmnivore Recordings2 x LP‘RSD First’1200
What’s This World Coming To: Garage Rock From The Sun Records VaultVarious ArtistsSun Records‘RSD First’1500
Watchmen (Music From The Motion Picture)Various ArtistsRhinoLP Picture DiscRSD Exclusive3500
Wicked For Good: The SoundtrackVarious ArtistsRepublic Records2 x LP Picture DiscRSD Exclusive15000
Live at Wembley 1995Van HalenRhinoLPRSD Exclusive6000
Lost Machine – LiveVoivodLimited Run Vinyl/Brutal Planet Records2 x LPRSD Exclusive900
The Party Is Over (last call)Morgan WadeSony Music NashvilleLPRSD Exclusive1000
T-Bone Blues (Expanded)T-Bone WalkerRhinoRSD Exclusive3000
Shinola, Vol. 1WeenRhinoLPRSD Exclusive6000
If I Could Fly/Barbarella (Live)Scott WeilandScott Weiland7″ VinylRSD Exclusive2000
CR8005F-PW Pink Wicked Cruiser TurntableWickedCrosleyTurntableRSD Exclusive2500
CR8005F-EW Emerald Wicked Cruiser TurntableWickedCrosleyTurntableRSD Exclusive2500
dBpm 15Wilco/Jeff Tweedy/Daniel JohnstondBpmLPRSD Exclusive3400
Fool’s RideWitchNow-Again RecordsLP‘RSD First’1400
Live in LondonBobby WomackPrestige Elite2 x LPRSD Exclusive2000
Live in LondonBobby WomackPrestige Elite2 x CDRSD Limited Run / Regional Focus300
And Then I WroteÂ… The First Three Albums Of The ’90sDwight YoakamRhino4 x LPRSD Exclusive2745
LoftYoung Fresh FellowsYep Roc RecordsLPRSD Limited Run / Regional Focus750
Lester Leaps In: Live At Birdland 1951 – 1952Lester YoungLiberation HallLP‘RSD First’1500
Epilogue: Live At The Edmonton Folk Music FestivalWarren ZevonOmnivore Recordings2 x LPRSD Exclusive2200
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water (Music From The Animated Series)Jeremy ZuckermanRepublic Records2 x LPRSD Exclusive5000

The Collection: Ep. 71 – August 2025 Wrap-Up

We are now into September, so it is time for the monthly wrap-up so lets see what 2 Loud 2 Old Music added to the collection this month. This is the August 2025 Wrap-Up and we have a little vinyl, a whole lot of CDs, a DVD and even some 8-Tracks. Plus, I finally obtained a Holy Grail item I’ve been searching for a very long time. So much to go through including a couple new Rock Candy CDs in the collection, some Kiss and even a couple Box Sets. Lots of great new and old stuff to go through and show for this month so I hope you enjoy the show!!

So go check it out as it will be live tonight, September 1, 2025 at 7pm. Thanks for stopping by and please click “Like” and hit “Subscribe” as it helps out the site when you do.

And here is everything…

Friday New Releases – May 9, 2025

Welcome back to Friday New Releases and we got another handful for you this week. There are a couple I’m interested in and they are the new Kaleo album (his last two were fantastic) and the 40th Anniversary Edition of the INXS album Listen Like Thieves. Outside of that I’m good and still catching up on the things I’ve bought over the last few weeks. What do you want to hear this week or what did we miss? Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

  • Kaleo – Mixed Emotions – (Atlantic Records)
  • INXS – Listen Like Thieves (40th Anniversary Edition) – (Atlantic Records)
  • Maren Morris – Dreamsicle – (Columbia Records / Sony Music)
  • Behemoth – The Shit Ov God – (Nuclear Blast)
  • Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia – (RCA Records)
  • Candlemass – Black Star E.P. – (Napalm Records)
  • Arcade Fire – Pink Elephant – (Arcade Fire Music)
Continue reading “Friday New Releases – May 9, 2025”

My Sunday Song – “Scratch” by INXS

For My Sunday Song #390, we are to the final song chosen by Tim Durling of Tim’s Vinyl Confessions. The song we will go out on is a B-Side for the band INXS called “Scratch”. The song was the B-Side to the song “Just Keep Walking” off their debut, self-titled, album from 1980. The single was released in October 1980 and became the band’s first Top 40 hit in their home country of Australia. This song was never on any album, well, until their 2002 compilation album Stay Young 1979–1982.

The song seems to be about a guy who is pining for a girl. He wants her to listen to his heart as it beats for her. He knows she feels the same way and she has an itch for him too. He wants her to scratch that itch baby!! He even wrote a letter to the Sunday paper telling them of his love for her, but they don’t care.

This is early INXS when the New Wave movement was getting going. It is short at just over two minutes, but it has so much to offer in that short time. Some great guitar riffs that race through with an immediate urgency. The drum beat is his heart pounding for the girl. Micheal’s vocals, man they sound so young, but he takes full command and he sounds great. His annunciation isn’t the best, but damn he is so engaging and has so much charm in those vocals. A high energy, almost punk sound on this one and I hate I am just now hearing this one.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Scratch” by INXS”

Rock Star: Music From the Motion Picture – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

Who would have thought that in 1991 while doing backing vocals for Stryper’s album ‘Against the Law’, that would lead to Jeff Scott Soto doing the singing vocals for a movie in 2001 called ‘Rock Star’ starring Mark Wahlberg That is what happened. The producer on the Stryper album was Tom Werman and Tom brought Jeff in for a ton of albums he worked on after Stryper’s album and when ‘Rock Star’ came up, he had Jeff come in and audition.

He originally auditioned for the singing voice of Mark Wahlberg’s character, but the producers of the movie thought his voice was too good actually. They wanted a less seasoned voice, but one that could rip in those 80’s styles so they brought in Miljenko ‘Mike’ Matijevic another Tom vocal favorite. Mike is the lead singer of the band Steelheart and man does he have some pipes as well. Jeff actually did backing vocals on Steelheart’s debut album as well.

The movie ‘Rock Star’ was inspired by what went on with Judas Priest after Rob Halford left the band. They brought in a Judas Priest Tribute band singer by the name of Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens. Mark Wahlberg’s character, Chris Cole, is a massive Steel Dragon fan and was in a tribute band called ‘Blood Pollution’. When the lead singer of Steel Dragon, Bobby Beers, quit (sung by Jeff Scott Soto), Chris Cole was hired (sung by Ike Matijevic) and then the movie chronicles the ups and downs of Chris Cole’s life as a result of this move.

Continue reading “Rock Star: Music From the Motion Picture – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)”

My Sunday Song – “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS

For My Sunday Song #250, we are going to discuss the song “Never Tear Us Apart” by the band INXS. The song was released on August 8, 1988 and was off the bands 1987 album ‘Kick’. It was the fourth single off an album that has now sold over 20,000,000 albums worldwide. Their biggest selling album and one of the greatest songs they have ever written. It was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence.

The song is about two people that find an instant connection. A very passionate and lifelong connection. I guess you could say it is about love at first site. I always believed that when you saw the person you were supposed to spend the rest of your life with you would know it. I know I did with my wife so I guess that is why this song always had connected with me. No matter what is thrown at you, that bond won’t be broken. I wonder for Michael, if this was something he was looking for or if it was something he never found. He never did marry, but he did love deeply.

What I found interesting about the song is that Andrew wrote the music which was originally more a blues number. I believe when he got the lyrics, he turned it in to this very seductive ballad. It’s tempo is very much like a waltz and it glides like a dance as it flows through you ears, your heart and your consciousness. The synthesizers layered in helps with the glamorous textures of the song. One of the highlights in Kirk Pengilly and the beautiful, sexy, saxophone that he plays near the end of the song. Michael, well, he sings the song in such a sultry voice and you can feel the love and the passion in his delivery. It is stellar all around.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS”

My Sunday Song – “Listen Like Thieves” by INXS

For My Sunday Song #249 and the site’s 1,500th post, we are talking about the song “Listen Like Thieves” by INXS. The song is the title track to the album ‘Listen Like Thieves which was released on October 14, 1985. The album went to #11 in the U.S. and sold over 2 million thanks to songs like this one. This song was the final single off the album and went to #54 on the Billboard Hot 100 just missing the Top 40 in large part due to a lack of a video which I am not sure why one wasn’t done as these guys were quite a hit with the ladies and a video would’ve helped immensely.

The song was written by the whole band…or at least they whole band got credit for this one. The lyrics were written by Michael Hutchence as he was learning quickly how the press were shaping his and the band’s image. He new what the media was good for, but he also didn’t trust them. It doesn’t look like he mistrusted them for the band’s image, but it was more along the lines of how the media interpreted the world events. He saw that they shaped a certain narrative and this was back in 1985. Imagine what he would think about the media today. The song is basically a warning that we need to “really” listen to the media don’t trust everything you hear. Question everything. If you listen like thieves then you are stealing what the media is telling you and making that what you actually believe without doing your own research and coming to the conclusion for yourself. It is basically a call to people to stop being sheep. Stop following other people, stealing their thoughts as your own. Be your own self. Your future is yours and that it is all in your hands. No one is going to do it for you. You are all you need to make things happen. Get off your ass and do it for yourself.

Musically, the song is pop/new wave perfection. Opening with a quick guitar riff from Tim Farriss and then Jon Farris does a barrage of drum hits and then song immediately kicks in to gear. It is happy, uplifting tempo and sound that gets you moving with a driving beat throughout. The keyboards from Andrew Farriss are used sparingly for added effect and impact. Michael Hutchence on vocals, sings with a charm and swagger that will make the ladies swoon and the guys jealous. The song is an example of a band that was up and coming and finding their voice both literally and figuratively.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Listen Like Thieves” by INXS”

My Sunday Song – “Suicide Blonde” by INXS

For My Sunday Song #248, we are tackling the song “Suicide Blonde” off the band’s 1990 album ‘X’. The follow-up album to the very successful ‘Kick’ saw the band willing to stretch themselves even more and push the limits. The first single off the album went to #9 in the U.S. and #11 in the U.K., but it did go to #1 in Canada…way to go Canucks!!. The song was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence as usual as they were the primary writers for the band.

The song title was inspired by Kylie Minogue who was dating Michael at the time. She told him she was going to dye her hair “suicide blonde” for a movie and all that means was that was she was going to color her hair herself. Michael loved the saying and turned it in to this wonderful pop tune. The song is not about suicide so you can get that out of your mind quickly. The only I can figure is the song is about their relationship and let me tell you that was an odd pair has Michael was a little wild and Kylie’s image was pretty squeaky clean.

Musically, the song sees the band push a little more to the electronic sounds. There is a great blues harmonica that was played by Charlie Musselwhite, but he didn’t play it live for the song. He played it and then they sampled it through Andrew’s synthesizer. Jon Farriss’ drums took on a more electronic dance beat almost acid house style. I love the fearlessness they had in willing to try new things. Michael is amazing as usual and makes the song as exciting as the beat tells you it should be. I always want to get up and start dancing when I hear this one. And let me tell you, I can’t dance.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Suicide Blonde” by INXS”

My Sunday Song – “Devil Inside” by INXS

For My Sunday Song #247, we are going to dive in to “Devil Inside” by INXS. Another track off the fantastic album ‘Kick” from 1987. The song was a massive success for INXS going all the way to #2 on the US Charts. INXS was exploding in the States and I was gladly jumping on board at the time as this is one of my favorite albums from the 80’s. The song was written by Andrew Farriss and the late Michael Hutchence.

The song is about excess, but it is also about the battle of good and evil in us all. We have a good side and we definitely have a dark side. The side that wants to come out and be really bad. When we start to wonder how the other half lives and jealousy starts rearing her ugly head, when we want the taste of flesh or lust…either of these things are lying it wait at the tip of our minds ready to explode out and let the dark side take over.

For me, the best part of the song is not the lyrics, but the opening guitar riff by Tim Farriss. It is simple and short, but so recognizable and for a band that always has some cool riffs in their songs, this is one of their best. Also, the other thing I love is the sexiness of Hutchence and they way he delivers those lyrics. The sultriness of the way they roll of his tongue it turns this pop/rock song into a sexy beast…roar!! Okay that was over-the-top, sorry. This album saw a band gel together and become so tight and this song is a perfect example, every guitar note, every keyboard strike and every bass thump and every pounding drum beat came together in a perfect combination to bring us this masterful pop song.

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