I was watching that Simpsons episode where Lisa cross-dresses so she can get into the boys' math class (good episode), and someone, probably a super-hip chick or a feminist dude, decided it'd be a good idea to play a song clearly entitled "I Know What Boys Like" while Lisa outwardly becomes a boy. (it definitely was a good idea)
So naturally I find the song and see that it's from a 1982 album called "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?" by a band called The Waitresses, brainchild of Chris Butler, with Patty Donahue, a waitress/pro-am vocalist on the pro side here, as frontwoman:
Every critic and reviewer laments likewise: "They're so much more than their singles; why the obscurity??"
There is a reason for this. There are a few misses here and there, but there is no weak track, and no clear winner (although there is a clear single). Much like buying London Calling for the apocalyptic title track and realizing a collection of gorgeous, lively-if-lyrically-striking pop gems makes for a much better album, here you find the single (youtube), with its ennui & snarl, is much unlike the rest of the bouncy, supremely catchy, feminist tracks.
Buy it and shove its greatness in every friend & acquaintance's face.
i have yet to get into London Calling because of the title track.
ReplyDeletewoahhhh.......
ReplyDeleteok, just pick it up like this: call the closing two tracks of side 1 a single, a double a-side "hateful / rudie can't fail." call the opening two tracks of side 3 another double a-side of a different sort, "wrong 'em boyo / death or glory." pair up london calling with the only other minor track, the closer of side 2, "the guns of brixton." there you've got three singles which would make up one of the greatest EPs of all time.
i trust, too, that you already love 'train in vain' but if not tack it on at the end.