| UNCLE DAN BRINGS YOU... MORE DELETE DELIGHTS AND CUTOUT CLASSICS! |
| There is nothing more beautiful to the financially strapped, musically addicted maniac than a really good cut out bin, closeout sale, or ebay score. I've been fortunate enough over the past couple of years to hit upon the ultimate in two of these scenarios--first, via the regional chain store's annual "spring cleaning" used/cut out CD sale, and also through a chain store who went under in my hometown and had their overstock sold off at stupidly low prices. What follows are some of the gems culled from those scoring sessions, along with some ebay doozies. I assure you, the prices paid for these are not embellished for effect--I was/am too broke to afford much more. Here is an EXTREMELY brief list of the best stuff from the past two years of cut out/bargain bin surfing. Consider this a follow up to Jake's cut out piece from awhile back: Jerry McCain--That's What They Want (The Best of Jerry McCain) The reason I started with this is because I consider it possibly my greatest ever cut out/bargain bin find. This one was scored at one of the "spring cleaning" sales I mentioned in the intro. What this CD amounts to is a ton of stuff Jerry McCain cut for Excello Records, as well as some demo material recorded in his living room circa 1955. The Excello stuff is killer but the demo material is some of the sickest, rawest, vintage rock and roll bashing I have ever heard in my life. This is particularly true of "A Cutie Named Judy" which is so crude, I can't imagine anything ever topping it. The cymbal crashes sound BRUTAL on this and Jerry is COMPLETELY unhinged. One of the greatest things I've ever laid ears on, front to back. Scored sealed (no cut out marks) with a sticker price of $0.49. T. Rex—Tanx When I saw this one in the cheap bin, I jumped about two feet in the air and cussed out loud. You see, this is Edsel's extended remaster of the Tanx album, featuring 7 bonus tracks. Marc Bolan lays it out in grand fashion, as always. Every track on this CD is pure legendary genius. If you ain' hip to the band and are expecting everything to be rocked out a la "20th Century Boy" (which is included in the bonus tracks) on this album, you're wrong. A lot of this stuff is very folky but it all rules, rules, rules. Stone mint, no cut out marks, excellent sound, righteous bonus tracks--all for the measly price of $0.49. Again, scored at one of the "spring cleaning" deals. Mythic--Mourning In The Winter Solstice For me, this little gem remains one of the nicest surprises ever in a bargain bin score. Released via Relapse in 1993 as a part of their "Underground Series," Mythic were an all female band featuring Dana Duffey (later of Demonic Christ) and Mary Bielich (who has done time in November's Doom, as well as Penance). They play some of the most killer doom/death you will ever hear in your life. This CD sounds so massive, I can't believe they didn't become better known—especially considering it was a trio creating this sick-as-hell wall of brutality. It's a shame they didn't continue on because this is some of the best extreme metal ever. Scored from a normal bargain bin, sealed once again for $0.49. Anathema--Seranades + The Crestfallen EP While we're talking about doom/death, how about this all-time classic of that genre? There really isn't much to say about this one that hasn't been said before--it's an amazing album, back from when this band actually played metal. In terms of doom/death styled music, it's hard to get it better than this--especially when you're scoring it sealed for $0.49. Regular bargain bin on this one, too. Earl Slick Band--Razor Sharp A lot of times at those "spring cleaning" deals, you have to buy a certain number of CDs to get them for $0.50--like a "10-for-$5" thing. Well, this one particular outing, I had amassed quite a stack but still needed a disc or two to get the deal. So, I sifted through the stuff till I happened upon this Earl Slick CD. I had basically culled anything of worth out of there already and, based on the fact Earl Slick joined Little Caesar for their last album, I decided this would be the best final choice. How grateful I am fate dealt that hand! This CD is PRIMO 70's hard rock--kind of like a Ted Nugent album without the Derek St. Holmes fronted tunes to wimp things down. This is a remaster of the '76 Capitol album issued by Metal Blade in 1991. If you dig the Nuge or Ace Frehley's AWESOME '79 solo album, this will kill you! Scored sealed, though with a cut out notch, for $0.49 The Dogs D'Amour--More Uncharted Heights Of Disgrace I found this one during "spring cleaning" one year, at a location that didn't have much of a bin to pick through. I almost didn't go through that pitiful little bunch of stuff but am I ever glad I did! This is a later Dogs D'Amour album and it is INCREDIBLE!!! The Dogs got lumped in with the "hair bands" during their "Dynamite Jet Saloon"-era, but they always rocked more than that lot, despite a glammed out look. On this album, it is clear that Tyla has evolved into a gutter poet of the highest regard. This stuff is absolutely beautiful. The vox is very Springsteen-esque but not irksome like "The Boss" is. I hesitate to even bring up that guy's name when speaking of Tyla because what he wrote on this album deserves a Phil Lynott comparison, above all else. Yes, this CD is that amazing and moving. Another $0.49 goldmine unsealed, but mint. Earth, Wind & Fire--The Need Of Love This one was an obvious no-brainer--an earlier Earth, Wind & Fire CD. What blew me away was getting this thing home and actually hearing what it contained. This is some psychedelic soul music which borders on space rock. Awesome in every conceivable way, I have played the tar out of this one since the day it was scored. Normal bargain bin, clipped corner on the booklet, disc like new--still only $0.49. The Lee Harvey Oswald Band--A Taste Of Prison Being that this is getting written for Jake's site, I had to share this one since it's seemingly up his alley. Before this chain store ever had the "spring cleaning" promotions, there was one location that was always putting out crazy deals on deleted titles. One day, I'm at that store with a friend and find this Lee Harvey Oswald Band CD. In case you don't know, Rick Simms from the Didgits/Gaza Strippers/Supersuckers was in this group, which should give you a sense of what this is about, if you're familiar with those outfits. However, this is a MILLION times more warped than any of his other bands. This is the rock and roll equivalent of listening to the Burning Witch CD--it leaves your brain a pool of mush and grateful to have survived the experience (I mean this in the best way possible--for both albums). Disturbing stuff indeed! Also has their first EP as bonus cuts. Scored sealed, for $0.49. Hawkwind--Year 2000 (Codename Hawkwind, Vol.1) I've gone on so much about the $0.49 scores; I'm not going to have much room for the "store closing" loads—maybe another time. This happened to be on top of a stack I'm currently listening to, so I figured this would get the spotlight. What's going here is a beautifully packaged 2CD set of remastered Hawkwind shows from '72. The first disc is absolutely the best sounding live Hawkwind I've ever heard from the early days. The second disc, not so much, but it's still vintage Hawkwind and, of course, is excellent (though the sound quality IS less than stellar). See, during this overstock sell off, there were so many titles in the bunch, and it was very hard to pick up on everything. I went through the bins twice and, on the third time, spotted this weird plastic CD case without any spine information. Out of curiosity, I picked it up and started laughing out loud so hard when I saw what it was, everyone around me just stopped and watched me go through the bins solo for the next ten minutes, till I was finished--I must've had 50 or more CDs in a stack by the time it was said and done. At a final cost of $0.99 per CD, this outing made 2001 the best bargain bin year of my life (again, everything was brand new store stock and at least half of it had just been released in the past month). So, bottom line, this 2CD set averaged out to--$0.50 a disc, still sealed. 13th Floor Elevators--Out Of Order This is a recent ebay score. It's a live 13th Floor Elevators show from '66 and it SMOKES!!! Killer sound quality, covers of "You Really Got Me" and "The Word"--this CD is listening heaven. If you don't know about this band get on the ball because this is the absolute tops for psych. Scored sealed with a final bid of $1. Last Chapter--The Living Waters Another ebay score, here. This one is pretty common to score so cheap but if you aren't familiar with it you need to be. Last Chapter play flawless epic doom in the vein of Candlemass. As a bonus, Robert Lowe of Solitude Aeturnus handles all the lead vocals on this CD. If you have any question about whether or not this CD is essential, read all that again-- An incredible album that somehow fell through the cracks. A sealed copy attained for the final bid of $0.99. King Crimson--In The Court Of The Crimson King This is the 30th anniversary remastered version, packaged in the limited mini-gatefold sleeve. Besides the incredible packaging, this album is a complete and total classic--one of the best albums ever, in spite of what the effin' Pope might tell you. Beautiful, dynamic--a must have. Psych doesn't get much better than this-- scored via the normal bin, in brand new condition for $4. With that, I'll bring this little trip down memory lane to a close. PLEASE, check out the aforementioned bands if you ever have a chance because all of these CDs deserved better than to be scored for the measly amount they were. Beyond that, if you don't get anything else out of this, remember two things: One, just because it's a bargain doesn't mean it sucks. Also, and maybe most importantly, if you need music like a junkie needs a fix, regardless of your financial circumstances, nourishment can be had for next to nothing--if you're willing to dig for it a bit. Yes, God is good, and bargain/cut out bins are often yet another clear sign of that fact. -- Uncle Dan |
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