Water All Around

"Water all around...never learn how to swim now." This site is devoted to great alternative music. Like "Swingin' Party" by the Replacements from which the aforementioned lyrics hail. These posts are intended to introduce visitors to bands that I believe deserve greater attention. If you wish to have an MP3 removed, email me at zotzedwriter@yahoo.com.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Songs about the Mats

Even if you’re here strictly to snatch songs and not to read my scintillating prose (that’s only like one or two of you, right?), you’ve likely detected my affinity for the Replacements. Well, it seems my affinity is shared by many who’ve actually taken up instruments and formed bands.

In addition to countless covers of Mats tunes (click here for a recent tribute disc), several groups have written songs about the ramshackle Minneapolis rockers. Indeed, even the Mats have written songs about the Mats (see the two songs below that Paul and Chris penned about deceased guitarist Bob Stinson – as well as the Mats songs “Treatment Bound” and “Someone Take the Wheel” which cover, respectively, the early and late part of their touring years). I’ve even read that the Mats song “Never Mind” inspired the title of Nirvana’s 1991 breakthrough disc. As a final song, I’ve included “Misery” by Green Day because it gives a cameo role to the title character from the Mats tune “Mr. Whirly.”

[MP3] They Might Be Giants – "We’re the Replacements" EXPIRED
[MP3] Tommy Womack – "The Replacements" EXPIRED
[MP3] The Cigarettes – "Paul Westerberg" EXPIRED
[MP3] Paul Westerberg – "Good Day" (his song about Mats guitarist Bob Stinson) EXPIRED
[MP3] Chris Mars – "It’s a Long Life" (Chris’s song about Bob) EXPIRED
[MP3] The Replacements – "Treatment Bound" EXPIRED
[MP3] The Replacements – "Someone Take the Wheel" EXPIRED
[MP3] The Replacements – "Never Mind" (the song that inspired the title of the 1991 Nirvana disc) EXPIRED
[MP3] Green Day – "Misery" EXPIRED

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Against Me!

Okay, I don’t agree with much of their politics. And the exclamation point in their name is downright silly. But the Florida-based rockers Against Me! are making some of the most interesting punk I’ve heard in years.

Now I realize that in today’s world, you don’t often want to see the term “interesting” used to describe any heartfelt personal endeavor. For example, when you spend the greater part of an October weekend trudging from store to store in search of the perfect skirt-and-blouse ensemble to give your wife as a anniversary gift, you don’t want to have her open the box, stare at the contents for several longs seconds, and say, “Hmm, this is interesting.” (Not that such a thing has ever happened to me.)

But in the case of Against Me!, I’m using “interesting” in its more traditional sense. Their music – which sounds kinda like a punked-up Billy Bragg – sparks true intellectual curiosity and pleasure. From the diverse (and surprisingly accessible) instrumentation to the impassioned vocals to the socially conscious (and frequently leftist) lyrics, their songs challenge your sensibilities at the same time they have you tapping your toes.

Below is a sampling from three of their releases. Apparently, they have a new live album that’s been getting good press but I have not yet heard it myself.

From As the Eternal Cowboy:
[MP3] Against Me! – Cliché Guevara EXPIRED
From Reinventing Axl Rose:
[MP3] Against Me! – Baby, I’m an Anarchist EXPIRED
From Searching for a Former Clarity:
[MP3] Against Me! – From Her Lips to God’s Ear (The Energizer) EXPIRED
[MP3] Against Me! – Don’t Lose Touch EXPIRED

By music by Against Me!

Monday, August 21, 2006

Pointed Sticks

Here’s yet another of my eMusic discoveries: the Pointed Sticks.

[QUICK AND UNRECOMPENSED COMMERCIAL ENDORSEMENT: If you haven’t yet tried eMusic, you really should. It’s the closest thing we alt-music lovers got to outright stealing crap from blogs like this one. eMusic has several plans, but I paid about $100 up front for a year subscription and get 65 downloads a month. That’s … let’s see … I’ll do the math in my head … um, 780 downloads a year … at $100, that equals (okay, I’m using my computer calculator now) about 13 cents a download … or approximately (back to the calculator) $1.95 for a 15-song CD. So whaddaya waiting for? Click here for a free, no-obligation eMusic trial that gives you 25 complimentary downloads. The site has music from every imaginable genre and all of it is from independent labels. I can’t recommend eMusic enough. (Jeeze, maybe I should get recompensed for this.)]

And now, back to the Pointed Sticks. These guys were a late 70s/early 80s Canadian band that produced a poppy New Wave sound mildly reminiscent of Squeeze. Nothing they did altered the history of rock ‘n’ roll. However, their music possesses a cool catchiness that sends you right back to 1981 when the combination of skinny leather ties, ultra-tight pants, and Converse high-tops was presumed by many young males to be the essence of hip. Some even donned funky-colored socks, although I myself felt that was going a step too far.

While I downloaded the second and third songs below from eMusic, the first one – “Lies” – hails from the highly recommend blog Killed By Death Records. If you’ve never gone to this site, you should. In fact, you can just click here. They post loads of old 7-inchers in MP3 format. (Sorry, another commercial endorsement).

From Lies 7”:
[MP3] Pointed Sticks – Lies EXPIRED
From Out of Luck EP:
[MP3] Pointed Sticks – What Do You Want Me to Do? EXPIRED
From Perfect Youth LP:
[MP3] Pointed Sticks – Marching Song EXPIRED

Buy Pointed Sticks (though you should get ‘em at eMusic!)

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Rare Mats Tune

The bad thing about work is that they make you work. Lately, I haven’t had any spare time to devote to Water. So in the little time I have today, I’m gonna post a little-heard Replacements tune – “Lookin’ for Ya.”

I happened upon this somewhere in the blogosphere (wish I could remember where and give credit, but I’m at a loss). “Lookin’ for Ya” apparently appeared on some promo disc for a local Minneapolis radio station back in ‘82. A year later, the music from this song would be used in “Lovelines” on the Hootenanny album.

Here’s both tunes so you can compare notes (so to speak).

Okay, gotta get back to work.

[MP3] Replacements – Lookin’ for Ya EXPIRED
[MP3] Replacements – Lovelines EXPIRED

Buy Hootenanny

Friday, August 11, 2006

Tommy Stinson

I just learned that Tommy Stinson – the former Replacements bassist who was too young (13) when the band started to play shows where liquor was served – has been playing bass for Soul Asylum (he's on the left in the photo above from a recent Soul Asylum show). Apparently, he appears on their new album, the Silver Lining. This is in addition to his long-time stint as bassist for Guns N Roses.

What the hell – if Tommy’s gonna be the bassist for old, has-been bands, why not the Replacements? I’ve heard that he’s been shunning Westerberg’s overtures to get the Mats back together for a tour and to record a new disc.

Come on, Tommy. Be a Replacement – not a replacement!

In other Replacements news, a new tribute disc is due out soon, We'll Inherit the Earth. Here’s a track list:

1. The Ergs - I'm in Trouble
2. Hi Ho Six Shooter - If Only You Were Lonely
3. Basement Black - Raised in the City
4. Drunken Boat - Kids Don't Follow
5. Off With Their Heads - Goddamn Job
6. Blotto - Color Me Impressed
7. Modern Machines - Mr. Whirly
8. Bay of Pigs - Favorite Thing
9. The Tim Version - Nowhere Is My Home
10. The Queers - Unsatisfied
11. Tiltwheel - Skyway
12. Whiskey Sunday - Can't Hardly Wait
13. North Lincoln - On The Bus
14. The Obsoletes - Waitress In The Sky
15. Against Me! - Bastards of Young (I really want to hear this)
16. J. Page - Left of the Dial
17. The Draft - Little Mascara
18. Thomas Barnett & Rob Huddleston - Here Comes a Regular
19. Jason White - Torture
20. The Urchin - Rock'n'Roll Ghost
21. This is My Fist - Beer For Breakfast
22. Drag The River - Portland
23. Almighty Do Me a Favor - Treatment Bound

You can order the disc here.

Now, back to Tommy. In addition to his bass work for Guns N Roses and Soul Asylum, he’s formed two bands of his own since his Replacements days – Bash & Pop and Perfect – and has also recorded a solo disc. Of all the post-Mats work by the various members, Tommy’s is the rockingest and most Mats-like. Tommy’s vocal limitations aside, his discs are well worth some ear. Here’s a sampling:

By Bash & Pop:
[MP3] Friday Night (Is Killing Me)
[MP3] Loose Ends

By Perfect:
[MP3] Little Drum
[MP3] Making of an Asshole

By Tommy Stinson:
[MP3] Motivation
[MP3] Moment Too Soon

Buy Tommy Stinson discs
Visit Tommy’s website

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Still More Child's Plays

[MP3] Ramones – Surfin’ Bird
[MP3] Ramones – Needles and Pins
[MP3] Replacements – All He Wants to Do Is Fish
[MP3] Joe Strummer – Johnny Appleseed
[MP3] Sugar – If I Can’t Change Your Mind
[MP3] Talking Heads – Burning Down the House
[MP3] U2 – “40”
[MP3] Paul Westerberg – Mr. Rabbit
[MP3] White Stripes – Hotel Yorba
[MP3] White Stripes – We’re Going to Be Friends
[MP3] XTC – Stupidly Happy
[MP3] Young Fresh Fellows – Swiftly But Gently

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

More Child's Plays

Here are more alt tunes that induce my kids to forgo Kelly Clarkson, Daniel Powter, and others of that Top 40 ilk. (I know, I know. Some of these are Top 40 too – but at least they're good Top 40.)

Read the original entry on Child’s Plays here.

[MP3] Blondie – Dreaming
[MP3] Camper Van Beethoven – Take the Skinheads Bowling
[MP3] Devo – Whip It
[MP3] Fountains of Wayne – Radiation Vibe
[MP3] Gorillaz – Feel Good, Inc.
[MP3] Green Day – Castaway
[MP3] Rhett Miller – Four-Eyed Girl
[MP3] Old 97s – Coahula
[MP3] The Police – Message in a Bottle
[MP3] The Police – Walking on the Moon
[MP3] The Police – Roxanne

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Chris Mars

Paul was the sensitive singer/songwriter with the prankish, self-effacing wit. Bob was the drunk ‘n’ disorderly guitarist who’d moon an audience as readily as he’d don a woman’s skirt. Tommy was the impish, underage bassist whose natty attire and wild, flowing locks lent him heartthrob status. And Chris was the drummer who…well, drummed.

Of the four original Replacements, Chris Mars was the least colorful and the least known. It’s fitting that, as drummer, he took a seat behind the band because he also took a seat behind them in the public and press. You certainly wouldn’t expect Chris to kick out the first and best solo disc after the band broke up. But this is just what he did.

1992’s Horseshoes and Hand Grenades is darn near brilliant. Indeed, it made you wonder if Chris had more input than originally thought into the “songwriting genius” that was attributed to Westerberg (and Westerberg’s so-so solo efforts only help fuel this speculation). Chris’ three follow-ups – 75% Less Fat (a playful jab at his former band mates), Tenterhooks, and Anonymous Botch – don’t shine as brightly as Horseshoes. They find Chris delving into stranger and more experimental territory, but certain songs are still worth checking out (particularly Anonymous Botch’s “It’s a Long Life” which he wrote about Bob Stinson after Stinson’s death from a drug overdose).

Today, Chris seems to have abandoned music. His last disc came out a decade ago and he has refused Westerberg’s overtures to rejoin the Replacements for a reunion tour. Instead, he devotes his time to his art (one of his works is shown above), and he apparently makes a nice living off of it. Good for him, bad for those of us who dug his music.

From Horseshoes and Hand Grenades:
[MP3] Chris Mars – Reverse Status
[MP3] Chris Mars – Before It Began (a song about Westerberg?)
[MP3] Chris Mars – Happy Disconnections

From Anonymous Botch:
[MP3] It’s a Long Life

Buy Horseshoes and Hand Grenades
Check out Chris Mars’ artwork