Shelf Dusting (for the week of 6/22 - 6/28)

Here we remind you of old albums that might have gotten lost in the clutter or have slipped from your mind along the way. So take these records down from the shelf, blow the dust off of them, turn the stereo up, and just push play.

Tom Waits

Closing Time (1973)

Almost without argument, possibly the greatest late night drinking album ever, is contained within the grooves of Waits' debut album. Brooding and miserable, detached and distraught, Tom sings this collection of songs like the saddest lounge lizard in a lounge filled with lizards. You can almost hear the whiskey over his gullet and the empty glass being returned to the piano top as these songs work their way through every intoxicated emotion on Waits' sleeve. This is a record that solely exists on that blurry line between late nights and early mornings.

Rediscover these songs: "Ol' 55", "I Hope I Don't Fall In Love With You", "Old Shoes (& Picture Postcards)", "Midnight Lullaby", "Ice Cream Man", "Little Trip to Heaven (on the wings of your love)", "Grapefruit Moon"

The Lemonheads
Come On Feel The Lemonheads (1993)



The Lemonheads might very well be one of the most under appreciated bands in the recent history. And with that said Come On Feel The Lemonheads might be one of the most overlooked albums in recent history. Usually these guys only get mentioned in the same breath with their defining album, the incendiary 29 minute opus: It's a Shame About Ray. This is the follow-up to Ray and I think is superior in a lot of ways; however it's hard for this album to get out from under it's predecessor's shadow. On Come On Feel The Lemonheads the band is no longer looking at the world as jaded youthful miscreants - now they're just looking at it as jaded miscreants. Also, Evan Dando's voice feels sadder here and there seems to be more emotional complexity throughout the framework of the songs; but this wouldn't be a Lemonheads album if their good sense of humor had evaporated entirely. It's a fine album everyone would benefit giving another spin to.

Rediscover these songs: "Into My Arms", "It's About Time", "Down About It", "Big Gay Heart", "Dawn Can't Decide", "I'll Do It Anyway", "You Can't Take It With You"