Hot Wax ’24

Hot Wax officially kicks off here in 2024.

The idea is to return to the time before playlists as it pertains to listening to music… first we had vinyl, play side one, then flip the record over and listen to side two… that was the sweet spot I think… cassettes dovetailed into vinyl with the same two-sided experience… then came CD’s where you would listen to an entire album in its entirety… all three of these mediums lent themselves to artists ‘sequencing’ albums in a start to finish manner that became the presentation for that collection of songs… but with the advent and now complete proliferation of streaming, playlists became the thing… the equivalent of what we used to call the ‘mixtape’… although mixtapes were much more labor intensive to put together, so there weren’t that many of them relatively speaking… but playlists, ultimately just collections of favorite songs… supplanted the act of listeners enjoying albums as a whole, in sequence, as the artist intended for them to be heard… so in my life, I’m making a concerted effort to listen to complete albums again… usually while I’m exercising, one or two a day… the following is the albums I’ve listened to this year, it updates about every two weeks.

Additionally, this project led me to Robert Dimery’s book ‘1001 Albums to Hear Before You Die’… I bought a used copy as it’s now out-of-print… and I started going through the authors choices… as it turns out, I only agree with about half of them… while musical taste is subjective, I’ve always been extremely wide-minded when it came to musical consumption… from psychedelic to hip hop, funk to metal, mid-60’s to the current day… I’ll listen to it all… which is why at this point, about 5 months into the project, I’ve decided to compile my own list of 1001 albums to hear before you die… so as time rolls on here you’ll see me starting to rank albums as a way to sort them into the top 1001… but as always, I go on and on… to the list…

Unlimited Love – Red Hot Chili Peppers (2022)

Unlimited Love finds the life force of John Frusciante’s creativity and imagination back in the fold, along with producer and honorary fifth Chili Pepper Rick Rubin behind the board once again after sitting out 2016’s The Getaway. The origin story for this record finds the four band members heading to Kauai with Rubin on a song writing retreat that gets unexpectedly extended due to the Covid-19 lockdowns. Singer Anthony Kiedis describes it as no one leaving, no one coming, six months of being in the land that time forgot. It was here the Peppers fell into a rhythm of almost daily work that ultimately led to this record.

Rush – Rush (1974)
Fly By Night – Rush (1975)
Caress of Steel – Rush (1975)
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin (1969)
Cure for Sanity – Pop Will Eat Itself (1991) (•)
Mezzanine – Massive Attack (1998) (•)
Feedback – Rush (2004)
What Now – Brittany Howard (2024)
2112 – Rush (1976)
Stinky Grooves – Limbomaniacs (1990) (•)
Dan Reed Network – Dan Reed Network (1988)
A Farewell to Kings – Rush (1977)
4:44 – Jay-Z (2017)
Heavy Heavy – Young Fathers (2023)
Guts – Olivia Rodrigo (2023)
Hemispheres – Rush (1978)
Permanent Waves – Rush (1980)
Moving Pictures – Rush (1981) (•)
Signals – Rush (1982)
Grace Under Pressure – Rush (1984)
Power Windows – Rush (1985)
Hold Your Fire – Rush (1987)
Presto – Rush (1989)
Breakfast in America – Supertramp (1979)
Roll the Bones – Rush (1991)
Counterparts – Rush (1993)
Wither Blister Burn + Peel – Stabbing Westward (1996)
Spring Session M – Missing Persons (1982) (•)
Test for Echo – Rush (1996)
Vapor Trails – Rush (2002)
Vivid – Living Colour (1988)
Eat ’em and Smile – David Lee Roth (1986)
Dig Your Own Hole – The Chemical Brothers (1997)
Tomorrow’s Coffee – Jimmy Montague (2024)
NakedSelf – The The (2000) (36)

The Collective – Kim Gordon (2024)

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Snakes & Arrows – Rush (2007)
Clockwork Angels – Rush (2012)
Death by Rock and Roll – The Pretty Reckless (2021)
Bring That Beat Back – Public Enemy (2006)
Prelude to Ecstasy – The Last Dinner Party (2024)
Rid of Me – PJ Harvey (1993)
The Business of Punishment – Consolidated (1994)
The Uplift Mofo Party Plan – Red Hot Chili Peppers (1987)
The Reality of My Surroundings – Fishbone (1991)
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – Midnight Oil (1982)
Dirty Word – Dumpstaphunk (2013)
Chocolate City – Parliament (1975)
The Sickness – Disturbed (2000)
One Hot Minute – Red Hot Chili Peppers (1995) (51)

Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa (2020)

Rated R – Queens of the Stone Age (2000)
The Chronic – Dr. Dre (1992)
The Grand Illusion – Styx (1977)
Sports – Huey Lewis and the News (1983)
Sonic Temple – The Cult (1989)
Ill Communication – Beastie Boys (1994)
Vision Thing – Sisters of Mercy (1985)
Badmotorfinger – Soundgarden (1991)
Temple of the Dog – Temple of the Dog (1991)
Nevermind – Nirvana (1991)
Short Bus – Filter (1995)
Gish – Smashing Pumpkins (1991)
Apple – Mother Love Bone (1990)
All Shook Up – Cheap Trick (1980)
Angel Dust – Faith No More (1992)
Streetcore – Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros (2003)
Reggatta De Blanc – The Police (1979)
Scary Monsters (& Super Creeps) – David Bowie (1980)
California – Mr. Bungle (1999)
Strays – Jane’s Addiction (2003)
Cowboy Carter – Beyonce (2024)
Hesitation Marks – Nine Inch Nails (2013)
Fire – Ohio Players (1974)
Love & Rockets – Love & Rockets (1989)
If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power – Halsey (2021)
Irresistible Bliss – Soul Coughing (1996)
La Futura – ZZ Top (2012)
Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morrisette (1995)
Automatic – The Jesus and Mary Chain (1989)
Sg. Peppers Live – Cheap Trick (2009)
Welcome to the Pleasuredome – Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1984)
Sexplosion! – My Life With The Thrill Kill Cult (1991)
Elemental – Tears For Fears (1993)
The Swing – INXS (1984)
They Say I’m Different – Betty Davis (1974)
Fever In Fever Out – Luscious Jackson (1996)
Dear Science – TV on the Radio (2008)
Innervisions – Stevie Wonder (1973)
Comfort Eagle – CAKE (2001)
Peggy Suicide – Julian Cope (1991)
Woodface – Crowded House (1991)
Aliens Ate My Buick – Thomas Dolby (1988)
Most of My Heroes Don’t Appear on No Stamp – Public Enemy (2012)
Dark Matter – Pearl Jam (2024)
Mixed Up – The Cure (1990)
Holy Smoke – Peter Murphy (1992)
Blowout Comb – Digable Planets (1994)
Purple Rain – Prince (1984)
True Stories – Talking Heads (1986)
Dream Police – Cheap Trick (1979) (102)

Sailing the Seas of Cheese – Primus (1991)

Mind Bomb – Mind Bomb (1993)
All Born Screaming – St. Vincent (2024)
St. Vincent – St. Vincent (2014)
Ege Bamyasi – Can (1972)
St. Julian – St. Julian (1987)
Extraordinary Machine – Fiona Apple (2005)
Ride the Lightning – Metallica (1984)
Ki – Devin Townsend Project (2009)
Spectres – Blue Oyster Cult (1977)
Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers (1999)
Goodbye Jumbo – World Party (1990)
Dirt – Alice In Chains (1992)
Bring On The Night (Live) – Sting (1986)
Lateralus – Tool (2001)
Freak Out! – The Mothers of Invention (1966)
Swordfishtrombones – Tom Waits (1983)
White Jesus Black Problems – Fantastic Negrito (2022)
Brothers In Arms – Dire Straits (1985)
N.E.W.S – Prince (2003)
Trench – twenty one pilots (2018)
White Blood Cells – The White Stripes (2001) (124)

Document – R.E.M. (1987)

Neurotic Outsiders – Neurotic Outsiders (1996)
Where We’ve Been, Where We Go From Here – Friko (2024)
Basic Minimum Skills Test – The Nth Power (2013)
Jailbreak – Thin Lizzy (1976)
There’s a Riot Goin’ On – Sly & The Family Stone (1971)
Further Down the Spiral – Nine Inch Nails (1995)
Touch – Eurhythmics (1983)
Ready to Die – The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)
Lemonade – Beyonce (2016)
Rocka Rolla – Judas Priest (1974)
Beta – Peter Cat Recording Co. (2024)
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? – Billie Eilish (2019)
Last Chance to Learn the Twist – Graham Parker (2023)
Love Me To Death – Queen Kwong (2018)
No Name – Jack White (2024)
Power In Numbers – Jurassic 5 (2002)
American Thighs – Veruca Salt (1994)

Big Mess – Danny Elfman (2021)

Listening to as many records as I do, all those listens are on the hunt for a record such as this one. Big Mess is a fusion, equal parts Oingo Boingo song structures and the orchestral style in all of Elfman’s soundtrack work… and last but not least, some sprinklings of Nine Inch Nails influence throughout to give the whole composition some edge, some kick… Danny Elfman has had a distinct career. Different periods, different bodies of work, but intrinsically tied together by what makes Elfman Elfman. The macabre, the sinister… right alongside moments of pure string orchestrations with syncopations that make the hair on my arms stand up and take notice… this record began with Elfman preparing for a career-spanning live performance at the 2020 Coachella, a set that would combine his film work with reimagined versions of Oingo Boingo songs. Also, new chamber pop compositions written for a live rock band… but then the pandemic hit. Elfman kept writing through the lock down however bringing in help from Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails, Guns N’ Roses), Josh Freeze (Weezer, DEVO), Stu Brooks (Lady Gaga, Dub Trio) and acclaimed guitarist Nili Brosh (Steve Vai, Cirque du Soleil) to create Big Mess… which sounds like nothing Danny Elfman has created before. That said, it’s still Danny Elfman… if you have ever been a fan of anything he’s done, you’re gonna love this record. 18 songs, 72 minutes, it’s basically a double-album. Give it a spin, not to be missed.

Grinderman – Grinderman (2007)
Cage the Elephant – Cage the Elephant (2008)
Paradise State of Mind – Foster the People (2024)
Piñata – Freddie Gibbs & Madlib (2014)
Once Upon a Time – Simple Minds (1985)
Where’s My Utopia? – Yard Act (2024)
The Myth of Rock – Consolidated (1990)
The Blurred Crusade – The Church (1982)
Led Zeppelin III – Led Zeppelin (1970)
American Idiot – Green Day (2004)
No More Shall We Part – Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds (2011)
Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish (2024)
Artpop – Lady Gaga (2013)
Parallel Lines – Blondie (1978)
Nihilistic Death Drive – Nihilistic Death Drive (2024)
Ensoulment – The The (2024)
Now For a Feast! – Pop Will Eat Itself (1988)
Standing on the Verge of Getting It On – Funkadelic (1974)
Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School – Warren Zevon (1980)
Papercuts (Greatest Hits) – LINKIN PARK (2024)
Nothing Shocking – Jane’s Addiction (1988) (164)

Fear Inoculum – TOOL (2019)

TOOL is a band like no other… and it’s safe to say you probably won’t hear them on the radio… their sound is primarily alt-prog-metal, but there’s always a ton of soft, melodic, even atmospheric interludes throughout. To my ear, it’s symphonies that they write… each song, multiple sections, multiple time signatures, things seem to always be building toward crescendo… the drumming on this record courtesy of Danny Carey is absolutely phenomenal, so technical, so tribal… For the best example of this, give ‘Chocolate Chip Trip’ a spin… Guitarist Adam Jones is back at it as well, so many jams, so many solos… the 15-minute opus ‘7empest’ would be a great representation of the guitar work here. This record clocks in at 86 minutes for 10 songs, so that gives you an idea, of Tool’s 5 albums, this one is the longest… and in my opinion, the most complex with the highest level of musicianship… Fear Inoculum will not disappoint.

A Space in Time – Ten Years After (1971)
Papercuts – Linkin Park (2024)
Exile in Guyville – Liz Phair (1993)
Get A Witness – Queen Kwong (2015)
It’s My Life – Talk Talk (1984)
In The Court of the Crimson King – King Crimson (1969)
Pod – The Breeders (1990)
Rid of Me – PJ Harvey (1993)
3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days In the Life Of – Arrested Development (1992)
Garbage – Garbage (1995)
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn – Pink Floyd (1967)
Galore (The Singles 1987-1997) – The Cure (1997)
London Calling – The Clash (1979)
I Am – Earth, Wind & Fire (1979)
Loveless – my bloody valentine (1991)
Violator – Depeche Mode (1990)
Stankonia – Outkast (2000)
Throb Throb – Naked Raygun (1984)
good kid, m.A.A.d. city – Kendrick Lamar (2012)
Sweet Exorcist – Curtis Mayfield (1974)
Upstairs at Eric’s – Yaz (1982)
Since I Left You – The Avalanches (2000)
Sad Wings of Destiny – Judas Priest (1976)
Sin After Sin – Judas Priest (1977)
Back to Black – Amy Winehouse (2007)
Sound of Silver – LCD Soundsystem (2007)
On Record – April Wine (1972)
The Queen Is Dead – The Smiths (1986)
Run the Jewels 2 – Run the Jewels (2014)
Bohemian Rhapsody (Soundtrack) – Queen (2018)
Adult Contemporary – Chromeo (2024)
Plastic Beach – Gorillaz (2010)
Broken – Nine Inch Nails (1992)
To Bring You My Love – PJ Harvey (1995)
Powertrip – Monster Magnet (1998)
The Lonesome Crowded West – Modest Mouse (1997)
Unknown Pleasures – Joy Division (1979)
Peggy Suicide – Julian Cope (1991)
What’s Wrong With New York? – The Dare (2024)
Excitable Boy – Warren Zevon (1978)
3 Feet High and Rising – De La Soul (1989)
Abbey Road – The Beatles (1969)
Acid Star – Peel (2024)
Aftermath – The Rolling Stones (1966)
Dark Matter – Pearl Jam (2024)
Ramones – Ramones (1976)
Pretty Hate Machine – Nine Inch Nails (1989)
Maps – billy woods & Kenny Segal (2023)
Beyond Good and Evil – The Cult (2001)
Bug Harvest – Sweaty Nipples (2009)
Let England Shake – PJ Harvey (2011)
Mind Bomb – The The (1989)
Copper Blue – Sugar (1992)
The Autobiography of Mista Chuck – Chuck D (1996)
It’s Been a Long Day – Smoking Popes (2010) (220)

Letter to Self – SPRINTS (2024)

Every January 1st I start a new playlist intended to house newly released albums of note. These are obviously subjective, but that said, after listening to 100+ such albums this year to date, this is only the third that I’ve added to that playlist… we’ll call this one alt-rock with bursts of noise-punk and grunge, and while not making a direct comparison, it often reminded me of Concrete Blonde in their heyday. An extremely dynamic record, the oscillation between quiet moments and straight up chaos is what has provoked me to 5 complete listens in the 3 days since I found it. Out of Ireland, this band formed in 2019 and took 5 years to get to their first full-length album. Some singles and EP’s first as they built up to it I guess, but this is a great record. Far, few and in-between these days this sort of sound in modern day music. So I’m happy to have found it. Happy listening… and if you wear a watch that alerts you when it believes your environment is too LOUD, prepare to tap the ‘dismiss’ button a few times.

Couples Only – Queen Kwong (0000)
Stakes Is High – De La Soul (1996)
Dry – PJ Harvey (1992)
Concrete Blonde – Concrete Blonde (1986)
Black Love – The Afghan Whigs (2016)
SHINBANGUMI – Ginger Root (2024)
Pleasure to Meet You – Dead Sara (2015)
Love – The Cult (1985)
CHROMAKOPIA – Tyler, The Creator (2024)
Eroica – Wendy & Lisa (1990)
Electra Heart – Marina and The Diamonds (2012)
Wild God – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2024)
In Utero – Nirvana (1993)
The Great Impersonator – Halsey (2024)
Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine (1992)
JPEG RAW – Gary Clark Jr. (2024)
Sweet Oblivion – Screaming Trees (1992)
One Step Ahead of the Spider – MC 900 Ft. Jesus (1994)
A Bit More of Me – David McCallum (1967)
Last of the Independents – Pretenders (1994)
Live Through This – Hole (1994)
I Used to Know Her – H.E.R. (2019)
Little Monsters – Holland (1985)
From Zero – LINKIN PARK (2024)
Ocean Rain – Echo & The Bunnymen (1984)
Le Treme Carnaval – Glen David Andrews (2023)
In Through The Out Door – Led Zeppelin (1979)
Korn – Korn (1994)
What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye (1971)
Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd – Lana Del Rey (2023)
Take No Prisoners (Live) – Lou Reed (1978)
Romance – Fontaines D.C. (2024)
Power – illumination hotties (2024)
Last Splash – The Breeders (1993)
Better Girl – Prinze George (2024)
SOUR – Olivia Rodrigo (2021)
Pork Soda – Primus (1993)
Siamese Dream – Smashing Pumpkins (1993)
GNX – Kendrick Lamar (2024)
Strange Angels – Laurie Anderson (1989)
Axis : Bold As Love – Jimi Hendrix (1967)
Vitalogy – Pearl Jam (1994)
Fetch The Bold Cutters – Fiona Apple (2020)
Fear of a Black Planet – Public Enemy (1990)
Tell My Therapist I’m Fine – Bishop Briggs (2024)
Van Halen II – Van Halen (1979)
Aladdin Sane – David Bowie (1973)
The Plague That Makes Your Booty Move – Infectious Grooves (1991)
Hesitation Mark – Nine Inch Nails (x2) (2013)
The Raw & the Cooked – Fine Young Cannibals (1989)
Missionary – Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre (2024)
Around the World in a Day – Prince (1985)
The Getaway – Red Hot Chili Peppers (2016)
Storm the Studio – Meat Beat Manifesto (1989)
Songs of Faith and Devotion – Depeche Mode (1993)
Highway to Hell – AC/DC (1979)
BREAD – Sofi Tucker (2024)
A Thing Called Divine Fits – Divine Fits (2012)
This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway – Lola Young (2024)
World Clique – Deee-Lite (1990)
Wiseguys & Racketeers – Bruce Maginnis, Douglass Kean & Louis Green (2023)
Cheat Codes – Black Thought & Danger Mouse (2022)
Out of the Cellar – Rate (1984)
Elastica – Elastica (1995)
Jool’s Diary – Jool & Jewel Timo (2005)
Tin Machine – Tin Machine (1989) (287)

Updated : Wednesday, 12/31 @ 21:12

Unlimited Love – Red Hot Chili Peppers (2022)