"Schoolboys in Disgrace" by The Kinks (released 1975)
Leader Ray Davies had spent the previous few years crafting ornate rock theatre pieces such as the "Preservation" trilogy of releases and "Soap Opera" to ever dwindling results. "Schoolboys in Disgrace" would be the final and most enjoyable of his concept albums. The songs have more energy, the story never flags and Dave Davies' guitar is unleashed in all it's slashingly tuneful glory! Ray's observations are in turn biting and insightful (as usual) while revisiting these formative years. The introductory nostalgic ballad "Schooldays" nicely sets the stage for all that follows from the revenge of the nerds comic zaniness of "Jack the Idiot Dunce" to the reprise of "Finale". "Education" is an epic seven minute suite whose lyrics brilliantly paint an oral history of organized instruction from cavemen to the present while the music builds from a slow burn to a careening frantic finish. At the heart of the story our protagonist gets a girl pregnant "I'm in Disgrace" is sent to the "Headmaster" and faces the music "The Hard Way". These three snarling rockers are showcases for Dave's searing guitar solos and razor sharp rhythm playing, often recalling vintage Stones-era Mick Taylor at his best! "No More Looking Back" serves up a banquet of hooks and melody exposing the folly of living in the past "Yesterday's gone, that's a fact. Now there's no more looking back." This underrated album would help usher in a second wave of popularity for the Kinks (especially in America) and would be followed by the terrific LP "Sleepwalker". God save the Kinks!
"Root For Ruin' by Les Savy Fav (released 2010)
Les Savy Fav sprang to life in the mid 90s when five students at the Rhode Island School of Design began performing a mix of hardcore/post-punk/noise rock. If you are a fan of the Pixies you will love this music! They have refined their sound over the years with "Root for Ruin" standing as their most accessible and enjoyable album. They are led by burly frontman Tim Harrington who is known for appearing in outrageous costumes (anything from his tightie whities to being covered head to toe in silver paint) while wading throughout the crowd and venues at live shows. This is guitarcentric, powerful, noisily melodic stuff (right up my alley)! The Choppy punch of "Appetites" kicks the album off in roaring style followed by the dark and driving intensity of "Dirty Knails". Harrington's Johnny Rotten-tinged vocals float on top of the mix but the songs are carried by the angular guitars of founding member Seth Jabour and newcomer Andrew Reuland. Next is the pretty swirling echo of "Sleepless in Silverlake" and then the urgent hook-filled single "Let's Get Out of Here". From the frenetic "Lips N' Stuff" to the sighing guitars of "High and Unhinged" and the tremolo dripping "Dear Crutches" there is not a weak moment on this record. This remains the latest release by Les Savy Fav and I hope it won't be the last but if it is, what a finish!
