Welcome to Review Revue, where every Thursday I dig through the KEXP stacks to share DJ reviews and comments written on the covers of LPs (and occasionally CDs) in the ’80s and ’90s, when the station was called KCMU, the DJs were volunteers, and people shared their opinions on little white labels instead of the internet.
The World Wide Web has changed a lot in the decade-plus since I first started writing this blog series (for instance, back then it was okay to have something called a "blog"), but it hasn't all become terrible and soul-crushing just yet. For instance, I can find an interesting record cover at KEXP by an artist I've never heard of, type her name into the search engine of my choice, and find myself looking at her personal artist web site, complete with a detailed bio and discography. Then I can find her Twitter account, and learn that she has a brand-new album coming out any moment — and available for pre-order now!
Besides, as we'll be reminded below, some of the worst things about the internet have really been around for as long as people (okay, men) have felt free to express their opinion on any topic (especially a woman's appearance), at any time, with complete impunity. On, say, little white labels on record covers, even?
All that said, I still have yet to listen to a note of Addie Brik's music, but I am intrigued enough by what I've seen so far to check out both Wattsland and her new album I Have a Doctor On Board as soon as it's available.
"Addie's from L.A. and has all sorts of people on her record - from What Is This [I believe this is a reference to Hillel Slovak. His other band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, released their debut album just a few weeks before this one joined the KCMU collection.], Wall of Voodoo, and the Fibonnacci's [sic]. Very rhythmic, and almost minimalistic funk."
"B - solid, 'Wattsland.'"
"She's cute, nice lips and eyes. (I know! 'Sexist.' It's not sexist to say someone is attractive.)" [Can you believe we've been dealing with ding-dongs like this for this damn long?]
"But is this a record or Vogue magazine???"
"Get real!!"
"Freedom of speech prevails. [Thank goodness nobody passed a law forbidding sexist jerks from making stupid comments on album covers at college radio stations!] I like this, it's really OK."
This week's Review Revue spotlights the album Fear of God by The Bats. See what the KCMU DJs thought back in the day.
This week's Review Revue spotlights the album Kiss the Lips of Life, by Brilliant. See what the KCMU DJs thought back in the day.
This week's Review Revue spotlights the album Sharp as a Needle by The Barmy Army. See what KCMU DJs thought back in the day.
