Review Revue - My Dad Is Dead . . . and He's Not Gonna Take It Anymore

My Dad Is Dead is one of those band names that might just sound like a one-liner or an attempt to grab your attention, but in the case of Mark Edwards's solo recording project, legend has it that the music on this debut LP was in fact created in direct response to the loss of his father. With so much music - particularly the indie rock of the '80s - being built around abstraction, metaphor, and absurdity, the simple, direct honesty of that moniker is both refreshing and heartbreaking. You can almost imagine Edwards sitting down and saying "My dad is dead. Now what?" before beginning the recording career that would span three decades and over a dozen full-length albums. (MDID is no more, but Edwards continues making music with newish band Secular Joy.)

Speaking of people who aren't gonna take it anymore (awesome segue alert!), these comments serve as a good reminder to Give the Music Director a Break! Sometimes you might not agree with their calls on rotation, and you should absolutely feel free to express your own opinions, but there's no reason to resort to rudeness and threatening language. Of course with the benefit of hindsight it's clear that . . . and He's Not Gonna Take It Anymore should have made it up to Medium rotation, but poor Pete was doing the best he could.

"David Byrne snorts lots of Drano? Silly or inspired, you decide." [Why can't it be both?]

"Why am I languishing in 'L'? Please, promote me."

"Really, Pete, you boofed on this one. Up this to M if you know what's good for you."

"Christ! I listen to a gob of LPs each week and this just sounded a bit bland after listening to a few really exceptional discs. Anyway, don't bitch at me... P.S. I still think this is of moderate quality."

"Good. M at least cheez. Good photo, too."

"It's all fucking subjective anyway, give Pete a break - he works hard."

"Aahh, shove off!"

"C'mon, My Dad... deserves 'M' still."