Suze's Spin

2006-03-02T10:46:00.000-08:00

My Top 5 CD's for this week.
Week one of March 2006

1. The Giraffes
I know i've already mentioned them recently but I can't help it. I love this band. They are playing tomorrow night at 14 below then again next week with Von Iva at Cinespace in LA. I'm looking forward to seeing them again.

2. Sabrosa Purr - Music from the Violet Room

Sabrosa Purr have been my favorite for quite awhile. They each have this amazing talent that works well with each other. Everytime I see them they seem to impress me even more. This band is everything that I enjoy about music. They Jam, they play and write great songs, they are catchy in a good way not in an annoying way, they are metal at times, straight up rock most other times and they have the drones and screams down! I can't help but smile as I type this. fucking fabulous, I tell ya!

3. Peter Walker - new 4 song ep for young gravity

I recently saw Peter Walker at Spaceland and it was a great show. He is a really good singer songwriter. I enjoyed listening to him play. He's got a blues rock 'n roll style. It's not as boring as It may sound. I'm sorry I just can't describe him. Check his website out and listen to him on myspace. You can find anyone on myspace these days, it's a good thing.

4. Rhett Miller - The Believer
I'm sorry to have to report this but this CD sucks! Rhett is beautiful and seems like a nice guy but this just sounds like it was thrown together without much thought. I take that back because that would mean it was raw and most of the times raw is good. This just isn't good. Some of the songs are just okay. Others sound like he just changed the words and kept the melody from some old 97's songs. (he did!, listen for yourself) they put some songs on there that were previously released but maybe did a slightly different way or something and the worst track is a Jon Brion song which he just butchered. It's so awful I can't even listen to it all the way through. It's not because I've heard Jon do it live about a million times it would be awful if i'd never heard the original. I was surprised at how much I dislike this CD because the last time I saw him live at the Largo I heard him play some new songs that were more "Bowie-ish" and thought the new CD would be cool like that, but nope. Anyone wanna buy a CD? Did I mention how pretty Rhett is?

5. Joy Division - Substance I've been on a Joy Division kick for a little while. I bought Substance awhile back and I feel that it doesn't really start to punk out (I mean that in a good way) until about the 9th or 10th song. That's the sorta punk rock that I love. I never got into New Order, to me that just wasn't my cup of tea - it was kinda pussy music, i don't know I just didn't like it. I borrowed the box set of Joy Division called Heart and Soul from my friend and have yet to listen to it. The story about Ian Curtis is a sad one. I can't believe it's been over 25 years since his death. The music still holds up. If you've never seen the movie called 24 hour party people then I suggest you watch it. I was never really hardcore into the kind of music in the movie at the time it was popular but I really appreciate it. The movie was fantastic, funny and sad all at the same time.

2006-01-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

My Top 5 CD's for this week.
Week two January 13, 2006

1. Jeff Klein – The Hustler
I forgot how I came to hear of Jeff Klein but I'm glad that I did. Greg Dulli helped to produce it. Jeff reminds me of a few people. He's kinda got the Pete Yorn feel with a touch of Luther Russell. It feels like a warm summer night.

2. Almost Famous Soundtrack
I've been listening to this on and off for the last month or so. I love to listen to this and think about the different parts of the movie. who doesn't love this movie! I can't help but laugh when ever 'fever dog' comes on. I can just see Jason lee (swoon) making that face and scratching his hand in the air. Jason Lee is so awesome in that movie!

3. The Giraffes
Heavy man HEAVY!
It's better then a jam band but I can hear how they would be considered as such. I love this shit! I've only seen them once, at the CMJ music fest in New York. I was very much impressed with the whole performance.

4. Swervedriver - Raise Down
The CD gives me so much listening pleasure, I can't even begin to explain it. So many wonderful memories when this CD came out.
I remember seeing them at the Roxy during the Raise Down tour, It was breathtaking to watch them on stage with the lights down low and all the colorful spotlights on them. Not many people have heard of them which is a shame.

5. I've also been listening to The Section Quartet. They play at the Largo every once in awhile and they are amazing! Right now I'm listening to them do the full on Radiohead Tribute. wow! As I'm listening to this I can see each member playing their viola's.

2006-01-04T08:41:00.000-08:00

My Top 5 CD's for this week.
Week one January 6, 2006

1. Green Day – American Idiot
Someone burned me a copy when this first came out and i'm just now getting around to listening to it. I didn't really think that I would like it as much as I do. Sometimes 'dumb rock' is good! This reminds me of the days when it was cool to listen to a band like The Descendents (I don't want to grow up). They were great!

The first and only time i've ever seen Green Day was at the Virgin Megastore when they did an in store for one of their first cd's. I was working there at the time and didn't care to much about them but wanted to take photos anyhow. This was when they all had like only 1 or 2 tattoo's each and pre eye liner days.

2. Hi Fidelity Soundtrack
I've also been listening to this over and over again. I know that if most of these songs weren't already packaged up onto this really cool soundtrack for this brilliant movie then I probably would not have liked them so much. John Cusack had a lot to do with putting together the music to follow along with the book. After reading the book by Nick Hornby first a long time ago, my first thought was wow, this would be so great on the big screen. Sure enough a few years later there it was and I was so excited to see it. I loved the music that was referenced in the book much more then in the movie, though the soundtrack does rock. A friend of mine actually made me an extended soundtrack to the movie and I think he covered 98 percent of it (thanks again Dave!) I believe it came out to be like 3 discs altogether. After listening to the original soundtrack I always seem to get John Wesley Harding's "I'm wrong about everything" stuck in my head, either that or Smog's "cold blooded old times". Sucha great GREAT soundtrack. And and excellent movie.

2005-12-13T14:16:00.000-08:00

My Top 5 CD's for this week.
Week five December 9 & 16, 2005

1. The Vacation – Band from world war zero
It's been awhile since I've seen these guys live. They put on a great show. Twin brothers, Ben and Steve (singer and guitar player) then Dutch (bass player) and Denni (drummer).
The songs are very catchy, in a good way and they know how to entertain. They have a cross between Iggy Pop and The Rolling Stones in their blood. Check their website as well as myspace. They have this really cool video that you can see called "Destitute Prostitutes". Their next gig is this Saturday Dec. 17th at Spaceland in Silverlake (Hollywood).

2. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Orange

This past Saturday our crazy drunk friend Paula insisted that we take off Sirus Radio and put this CD on. It brought back good 'ol times with all of us 'Bogarts in Long Beach' regulars. Jon is always a good front man no matter what he does.

3. Big Star – # 1 Record - Radio City
One of the best bands EVER!

3 is all I have for the past 2 weeks and that's not even what I was listening to really. I've been listening to crappy radio in my rented car for the past 4 weeks actually. It sucks! Sometimes Indie 103.1 plays great stuff but I can only take Jonseys voice for so long. He is annoying to say the least! Classic rock now is stuff that I was listening to as a teenager, it's all so depressing. Am I finally one of those people who say things like "When I was your age" or "I remember seeing Nirvana back in the 90's way before you were even born"....... soo depressing.

I'm sure this will be a better weekly thing just as soon as I get my life straightened out (jeep, apartment, b/f) Just thought I'd throw in the b/f for good measure.

2005-12-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

My Top 5 CD's for this week.
Week five December 2, 2005

1. Afghan Whigs – Black Love
I guess you can say I'm just a huge fan of Afghan Whigs, I've mentioned them more then a few times on my blogs. They all have the same kind of "feel" to them. I always picture Greg Duli as an amazingly nice gentlemen (no pun intended), possibly good in bed too. He's so calm and passionate on stage but yet has this sexy glow about him.

2. Queens of the Stoneage - Songs for the Deaf
I love the QOTSA! This particular CD was my introduction to them and it fully rocks from song one all the way through to the end. I love to rock! I can't help it when I hear some of these amazing guitar riffs and bass lines! Wow!
I've only seen them once and I was really disapointed. I was a fan of Mark Lanagan and The Screaming Trees back in the 90's and was happy to see that he was sorta in the band. Perhaps it was the sound system at the El Rey, I don't know. I just remember not being impressed so much. Josh Homme reminded me of Eric Stoltz when I recently saw them on .... was it Saturday Night Live? Enough said, they just fucking ROCK!!

3. Beck – Guero (this is hilarious)
I love Beck, always have.... even when he was on Flipsides label doing songs like "i'm a loser baby, so why don't you kill me....". Beck has always been ahead of his time. I love that he has basically done what he feels like doing and didn't seem to care what the labels wanted. He's been asked by Jon Spencer to be on their album and that's cool in my book. Sure Beck has taken from other artists, part of his style and dance moves (chuck berry, elvis, Jon Spencer, Old dead blues guys) but who hasn't.
The first time I heard the song Guero, I could not stop laughing. I played that song over and over again until I was sick of it. Good Times indeed.

4. The Dirtbombs – Dangerous Magical Noise
What a fitting title to this CD! The Dirtbombs are magically amazing live. They are noisey as some bands are meant to be. They even seem a little "dangerous" at times, when you see them live. I love a band with 2 drummers. One of the drummers is Ben Blackwell. He is also an original "helper/roadie type job" for the White Stripes. This guy gets crazy at the shows. I love him!
Mick Collins, the singer and guitarist from Detroit was in a band called The Gories back in the day (even before "my day")
He was also in The Screws (with red aunts leading lady Terri Wahl) and also Blacktop (with a blonde beauty on stand up drums) I got to see them once at Jabberjaw in the late 90's.
Anyway, I am so excited that they are coming to town in a couple of months. It's a "MUST SEE" live, folks! Don't miss it, you won't be sorry. It's so much fun.

5. Elliott Smith - roman candle
RIP Elliott. I really do miss this man! He was a great singer song writer. He always put out amazing records (all of them!)
There is still a lot of confusion surrounding his death. I, for one couldn't believe that he killed himself. I was lucky enough to have seem him a few times live. I will say that the many times I've seen him just hanging out at a club he seems very shy and perhaps a little "messed up" but that was years before his death. He was all cleaned up by the time someone stabbed him.
This cd is one of my first favorites thats been on my ipod lately. It's beautiful and melodic just like Elliott. My other all time favorite is "Figure 8" that one is simply amazing.

2005-12-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

My Top 5 CD's for this week.
Week four November 25, 2005

Skipping because I didn’t listen to much this week.mostly radio – classic rock stuff

2005-11-18T10:42:00.000-08:00

My Top 5 CD's for this week.
Week three November 18, 2005

1) U2 – All that you can't leave behind
This weather that we’ve been having reminds me of U2 for some reason. ‘dry yet comfortable-blowing wind’. I love the feeling in the air around this time of year.
U2 isn’t one of my ultra favorite bands ever but I dig this album at certain times.

2) Detroit Cobras – Baby
Rachel is a doll. The Detroit Cobras are a really fun band to see live. This CD was produced by none other then Mr. Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound). With songs like ‘ I wanna holler (but the towns to small)’ and ‘ cha cha twist’, you just can’t go wrong.

3) Shout out louds – Howl Howl, Gaff Gaff
I was recently turned onto this band by a friend and haven’t taken it out of my CD changer since. I listen to it all the time. Granted their sound isn’t really new per say but who is these day’s. I’ve pretty much given up in finding a new sound that has never been heard before. It’s ALL been done. And that’s okay. I like the old music. SOL sounds like Grandaddy with a touch of The Thrills and Rooney. So If you like any of these bands than you’re bound to love SOL. They have catchy songs.

4) Geraldine Fibbers – Butch
This is a really good CD to listen to if you got your jeep stolen. It’s aggressive and calm at the same time, but mostly aggressive. Her voice is beautiful and covers the fact that the words are fast, angry and aggressive. One of my favorite songs is “Seven or in 10” and “Toybox”.

5) Flamin’ Groovies – Absolutely the Best
This just rocks in a 60’s groovy sort of way. I can just picture the cool 60’s shuffle dancing as I’m listening to this. …….. the best things in life are free – but you can give them to the birds and bees!

2005-11-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

My Top 5 CD's for this week .
Week two November 11, 2005.

1. Interpol – turn on the bright lights
When I listen to this it makes me bop my head to the beat. It has so many catchy drum beats and guitar riffs. The songs are really easy to get caught in your head. I remember when I saw them on this tour, as I walked outside the Fonda Theatre I had part of ‘obstacle 1’ in my head and I actually heard someone singing out loud as we were walking outside exactly what I was thinking “you go stabbing yourself in the neck……” I think it’s a keeper, something I’ll still be listening to in 10 years.

2. Jeff Buckley – live a l’Olympia
When I listen to this I feel very spiritual and amazing. It’s not his guitar playing, It’s the passion in his voice. Grace is one of my top 5 all time records of all time. This one ‘live a l’Olympia’ is all live and it captures his playful side as well as his ‘rockin’ side. I regret not to have seen him, granted I had a chance but didn’t show enough interest to go with my ‘then’ boyfriend. I kick myself ever time I hear Jeff Buckley. I recommend all of his CD’s starting with Grace, of course. ‘Sketches of my sweetheart the drunk’ is an excellent CD that he didn’t get a chance to finish but still came out wonderful. I didn’t like it at first, feeling that it was to ‘noisy’ ha! How can anything be to noisy? I sold it but soon after bought it back. Now I listen to it all the time and feel really guilty for ever selling it back.

3. Sabrosa Purr – Music from the violet room
I’ve been listening to this for at least a month now but haven’t taken it from my CD player all week. This just screams ‘listen to me’. It’s so rockin’. It really does have that Nirvana feel to it. I think the guitars and other noises are a little more refined and thought out. These guys are very talented (words/screams, guitars and most defiantly drums).
They have been compared to both Pink Floyd and Nirvana.

4. Reigning Sound – Time bomb high school
Greg Cartwright is amazing in my eyes. He can make the ugliest song sound good. This is one of my favorite albums by Reigning Sound. They do an excellent cover to The Rolling Stones “I’d much rather be with the boys”. Every Reigning Sound CD is great. And you can’t go wrong with any of them. The first time I saw them was opening for The Hives a few years back along with International Noise Conspiracy. I’d already had the CD and new all the songs. I was more excited to see them then the other bands. The Hives singer is a huge fan also, he was standing behind me rocking out as well.

5. Stereophonics – You gotta go there to come back
This band is most defiantly underrated. They remind me a lot like the old Black Crowes. The guys voice has that grainy whiskey cigarette thing going on that I love so much. It’s not quite country and not quite heavy rock. It does have a good groove to it. That’s it! It’s Groovy! They do this song called ‘maybe tomorrow’ that I absolutely love. It’s very mellow but it has this ‘sade’ type fucking groove to it. Then there is the song called 'you stole my money honey' that really gets me too.

2005-11-04T13:13:00.000-08:00

My Top 5 CD's for this week.
Week One - November 4th, 2005

1. Afghan Whigs - 'gentlemen'

This CD is by far one of the most moving cd's I've ever experienced. This album came out in the early 90's. I don't know if it's because I've seen them live so many times in the past and it brings back memories or the fact that it's just brilliant, heartfelt songwritting at it's finest. Whatever the case may be, listening to this cd gives me moments of clarity, a kick in the heart type sadness yet sometimes fills me with joy. I found myself almost in tears walking around my building on my break today while listening to this then later I was smiling. It pulls on my heartstrings. All and all The Afghan Whigs were an amazing band widely known within the underground scene in the early to mid 90's. Greg Dulli, the amazing theatrical lead singer, has had a couple other projects; Greg Dulli's Amber Headlights, The Twilight Singers, and The Uptown Lights.
If you ever see Greg on stage you will know it is him if he has a cigarette in one hand and a whisky glass in the other. I have taken a couple of really cool photos of him from back in the 90's that I'm really proud of.

2. The Dandy Warhols - ' come down'
This album will always put me in a good mood. It came out in the late 90's and still holds up.
It's mellow, It Rocks and is just incredible. The drone of the guitars obviously reminds me of The Jesus and Mary Chain and also Brian Jonestown massacre. It's hard to say which are my favorite songs on this particular CD. Listening to the whole CD is the best experience. Some say it's just stoner-phase out type music and they are right but I love stoner-phase out music! If you aren't stoned you can actually "listen" to it really good. It's diverse by way of how the songs are sung; for instance track 3 - Minnesoter sounds totally different then track 5-I love you. Actually track 3 is totally different sounding then any of the other songs on the cd. These are probably my favorite tracks for some reason. Could be the words, could be the music and the way the guitar sounds. PS. Dig is a great movie, very informative about The Dandys and Brian Jonestown Massacre.

3. The Delta 72 - ' The R&B of membership'
This CD was released in the late 90's and it also still holds up. I don't mean to have a theme of only 90's music here.
How can you go wrong with an organ and slide guitar? I love this sound! Other cool bands that derived from The Delta 72 is: Mule and The Hot Snakes. Then the list goes on with bands like: Rocket from the Crypt, Tanner, Drive like Jehu and Beehive and the Barracudas. They are all very good bands.

4. Eels - 'beautiful freak'
This is just a great CD all around. I mean all of his CD's have that sad feel to it. I love this sound at certain times. The words are what mostly get me with the Eels. The first time I was introduced to his music was when I was working at the Virgin Megastore in Costa Mesa, I helped to open the store back in '92 or '93. E was touring for one of his solo albums, either ' a man called E' or 'broken toyshop'. I wasn't a huge fan at the time but I watched him play at our store and I may have taken a few photos. I didn't really appreciate 'E' or 'The Eels" until beautiful freak came out in 1996 and what do you know Mr. Jon Brion produced it. Perhaps this is why I started seeing Jon Brion at the Largo every Friday starting his first year of '96.
E has been though so much and if you listen to 'electro-shock blues' from '98, you will understand. His whole family died within months of each other that year and it's all in that record. E has this way of telling a story which reels you in and makes you feel like you are watching a movie and you can follow along through his music. I love that. Not ready yet is my favorite track. It has this deep down dark feeling in the pit of my stomach. I've also heard Jon do this live a number of times at the Largo. fucking amazing!!

5. Marilyn Manson - 'mechanical animals'
What do you know, this came out in the late 90's also. 1998 to be exact.
I didn't get it until a few years ago. I forgot why I got it in the first place other then it's a great album. I love everything about it. One of my favorite songs is called 'user friendly' it just rocks! I mostly listen to this on my ipod when i'm at the gym. It's a great up tempo-get's ya' going type CD. Plus I have a crush on him. I find him strangely beautiful.