Nineteen Ninety-One! (FB)

[Posted 11/25/2011] It's true. 1991 was a banner year for great music. And not just because I was 21, with unrestricted access to rock clubs - oh, no! On the serious tip. Can't wait to do the Top 10, 20, or 50 albums for this one!



Two years later, Sebadoh would be #7 of 1993. An often-amazingly great band...



"The Freed Pig" by Sebadoh, from Sebadoh III (1991)

[9/26/2011] It was twenty years ago this month... Wow! 1991, right? Gonna throw a few out here for awhile. First up, first off Sebadoh III:



"Gimme Indie Rock" by Sebadoh, from Gimme Indie Rock 7" (1991)

This great single was also put out the same year - banner!! Not on III, it just about says it ALL.



The new style(s) is birthed!



"Good Morning, Captain" by Slint, from Spiderland (1991)

[9/27/2011] How long since you listened to the entirety of Spiderland? Welp, that's too long... It's 1991! it's Slint!



"Breadcrumb Trail" by Slint, from Spiderland (1991)

Stunning opener! If you like that style of video, they have the album's worth on playlist, and these other guys did vids for at least "Don Aman" and "Washer."



Talk Talk? For reals??



"New Grass" by Talk Talk, from Laughing Stock (1991)

[9/28/2011] Another 20th re-issue coming soon: 1st US vinyl release of Talk Talk's jazzy, edgy, off-kilter avant-pop meisterwerk Laughing Stock. Videos blocked America-wise, but embedded in this recent Quietus reappraisal...



"Ascension Day" by Talk Talk, from Laughing Stock (1991)

Well, my iPad couldn't access any of these videos, but my super-powered computer can. So you get 2 tunes and the original article - bonus(es)!!

Hilarity Ensues: Phil Hartman

Today's the birthday of Phil Hartman (1948-1998).


Phil Hartman did a lot of stuff, but it all came together on Saturday Night Live. That late-'80s/early-'90s era was a true heyday. Second only with respect to the original Not Ready For Prime Time Players, maybe. I'd say Hartman lead the way. He did a lot of impressions (Reagan and Clinton), but how many people could make a sketch like Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer funny? Maybe no-one else, most certainly no-one on SNL these days. I don't use the word genius lightly. But if such a thing exists, Phil Hartman was a sketch comedy genius.

From The Pee-Wee Herman Show, to NewsRadio and The Simpsons, he was always a low-key, second-line standout. From all accounts, as both a performer and writer. Anyway... for my money, the pinnacle of Phil Hartman is The Sinatra Group. This was the day we attacked Iraq, and Sting played a song instead of doing a monologue. He's great as Billy Idol, it's got Jan Hooks, Chris Rock, Mike Myers... Maybe it's because I already watched The McLaughlin Group weekly, and thought it was already hilarious. But this one gets my vote for Best SNL Sketch - Ever! A tour de force.

[Click to see at Hulu (sorry) - where it's not so tiny.]


Also, it's deeply satisfying that Joe Piscopo does. not. approve.