Hi all I know I said I'd be around more, but this time I mean it! I've been slammed with work and that will level out a bit, but the main point is that I am digitizing some rare material to share & post for you right now!
To kick it off I have a special album for you: J. Geils Band's last album from 1984 "You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd"! This album has never been released on CD except for a RARE, ultra-expensive Japanese version, so I digitized it from a brand new audio cassette.
I love the J. Geils Band, they were in some ways kinda considered the American version of the Rolling Stones, yet still way different. They have many albums from the '70s which I still need to get. Yet, they hit their global success in 1980 which was my generation as a little kid! Of course you all know the classics: "Love Stinks", "Freeze Frame", "Centerfold", etc. I think the J. Geils Band really found the perfect mix of power, pop. hip, riffs, humor, hooks, synthesizer, effects, and overall ripping & fun rock n' roll with the 1980 album "Love Stinks". Of course it just got even better with the next 1981 album "Freeze Frame", when keyboard/synthesizer wizard Seth Justman supplied the hits & nearly all of the material at that point. Each member of the band is a classic character & they all shred hard and contribute their own special flair. They still always have that unique blend of an OLDIES sound in the tunes no matter how the style is - what band gives you that?!
Unfortunately in 1983, the band's beloved frontman Peter Wolf left the group over artistic disagreements. Even though Peter Wolf rules and it sucks that he left, the genius of Seth Justman (way ahead of his time) kept the band alive for their final 1984 release "You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd". Seth took over the lead vocals, and he and the rest of the band had always produced really awesome background vocals & melodies on every album anyway. I knew that Justman must have filled in admirably because he is the lead singer on their epic 1985 soundtrack theme from one of my top favorite movies of all time "FRIGHT NIGHT"!
So also, I had read some reviews that said their last album would have been a smash hit if Peter Wolf was still the frontman, and they were right! It builds on the sound that Justman had delved into on "Freeze Frame" - more elaborate synths, time signatures, creativity, and overall heightened sound & production. They broke up in 1985, and I guess that being without your main frontman can take some great bands down even if they still rule and have all of the other original members (they have reunited for some shows in the last few years so that's cool!). But "You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd" was a kickass swan song and is just as good as anything else! Check out the song title "Californicatin' ", sound familiar? I just digitzed this album this weekend so I'm excited to share it with all of you being it's still so new to me! Search for the hidden download link and enjoy my friends! PLAY IT LOUD!
Track listing:
1. Concealed Weapons
2. Heavy Petting
3. Wasted Youth
4. Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe
5. Tell 'Em, Jonesy
6. You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd
7. The Bite from Inside
8. Californicatin'
9. I Will Carry You Home
