Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday D. Boon Edition

The Minutemen were one of the greatest American rock bands ever, but their time together was all too short. This was due to D. Boon’s tragic death in a van accident right around the time of the release of The Minutemen’s wonderful Three Way Tie (For Last) album. In their relatively brief time together, Boon, with best friend Mike Watt and drummer George Hurley, melded together punk, post-punk, funk, jazz and classic rock influences and intelligent lyrics about politics and social problems into an invigorating and innovative sound. Boon was a big man with a big heart, an enthusiastic singer and performer and a terrific guitarist, fronting a band that, for all they achieved, seemed to have only scratched the surface of their considerable potential. Let’s pay tribute to Mr. Boon by grabbing your iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle, and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.

1. Stevie Wonder — Golden Lady (Innervisions): During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama told Rolling Stone that Stevie Wonder’s five-album run, culminating in 1976’s Songs In The Key of Life, may have been the best sequence of albums ever. Whatever you think of Obama’s policies now, his acumen as a music critic is unassailable. Innervisions was part of that run, full of amazing songs. This is one of Wonder’s sublime romantic songs, bursting with joy, as Wonder’s melody effortlessly envelopes the ears. One of Wonder’s many deep cuts that could have been a smash hit.
2. Kaiser Chiefs — Caroline, Yes (Employment): The title is a clever nod to The Beach Boys’ song from Pet Sounds. However, the song has no resemblance to the Brian Wilson composition. Well, maybe a bit, as there is a sad or wistful feeling to the verses, but it all builds to a big chorus tailor made for punters in football stadiums to sing along with. Nothing wrong with that, by the way. This is a band that is so consistent, they are easy to take for granted. Don’t.
3. The Kinks — Skin And Bones (Muswell Hillbillies): This album is anamoly in The Kinks’ catalog, coming between the amazing run of Britpop classics that ended with Lola Versus…. and before the mediocre concepts that filled their dance card in the first half of the ’70s. This is the rustic Kinks, with a bluesier orientation, and even a bit of country seeping in. Yet the songs are unmistakably Ray Davies. This song sounds like it could have come from the Village Green era, but for the slide guitars and the performance.
4. Madness — Sweetest Girl (Mad Not Mad): This Scritti Politti tune was perfectly suited for the urbane music hall approach of the Nutty Boys at the tail end of their original run. The original was Scritti Politti’s first break from agitprop post-punk into actual pop territory, but the recording was still a bit raw. Madness smooths all this out, with one of Suggs’ best vocals. An awesome song and a fine performance.
5. The Beach Boys — Summer Means New Love (Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)): A somewhat cheesy guitar instrumental. The Beach Boys kicked out a lot of albums back then, so there was some filler. At least this filler, with lush string accompaniment, gives some insight to where Brian Wilson was heading to with Pet Sounds, albeit not as Muzak-y as this track, for which we should be thankful.
6. Paul McCartney — Ever Present Past (Memory Almost Full): If you’ve been paying attention, recent television appearances by Paul McCartney have revealed that his amazing voice is finally weathering a lot. It is evident on this solid pop track from his last album. The flair for melody is still there, but as his voice declines, it gets squeakier, and future records may be tougher listens.
7. Ram Jam — Wanna Find Love (Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Ram): The story of Ram Jam is pretty amazing. They were originally founded by the original lead guitarist for the bubblegum band The Lemon Pipers, Bruce Barlett. His previous Ohio-based group had splintered after having a regional hit with Ledbetter’s “Black Betty”. Barlett took that recording and called his new band Ram Jam, and musicians were hired to fill out the band, who recorded an album which featured that eventual Top 10 smash. A whole new group of musicians were recruited for the second album, and Barlett was effectively pushed out. Both Ram Jam albums are full of solid hard rock, and I really like the second album, which hits on everything from boogie to proto-metal. This is chooglin’ rock number that would have done any bar band proud.
8. Smoking Popes — Welcome To Janesville (Stay Down): Despite the success of their intial post-reunion concerts, people wondered if the Popes could generate good new material. The opening track from the band’s first post-reunion album made that evident, as it is wonderful loping power pop number, that seems to throw in a little Michael Nesmith/Monkees (think “What Am I Doin’ Hangin’ ‘Round”) with Josh Caterer’s strong sense of melody. This song was strong evidence of a total return to form.
9. Sea-Ders — Thanks a Lot (The Freakbeat Scene): A slightly psychedelic ’60s beat number from an obscure British band with a terrible name. The song has a nice guitar line and would be a solid tune for a current garage band to play, as it could use some extra punch.
10. The Rolling Stones — Neighbours (Tattoo You): A fun throw away track from perhaps the last terrific Stones album. While I have a lot of Stones albums, I’m not as hep to their history, but apparently, Tattoo You was put together from a mish-mash of tracks the band had been working on over the years, which cohered into a fine full length. This is simply a peppy mid-tempo track with a great energy and a fun Mick Jagger vocal — the composition may have been tossed off, but they are clearly enjoying themselves.