Warning: excessive use of the word "fucking" as an adjective.

After spending another hour and a half in the basement of Cheapo, I emerged with six more albums to add to my stellar collection.

JOURNEY: FRONTIERS.

I love Journey so fucking much that it's hard to put it into a tangible phrase. When I saw a bunch of Journey albums in the bargain bin at Cheapo, I limited myself to buying just one, so I picked Frontiers. Why? Well... honestly, the art on the sleeve. Five individual shots of the guys ready to go skydiving. Fucking cheesy-ass eighties. I love it. So the album, right? It's good, for sure. Journey (well, Steve Perry's Journey, anyway) doesn't make bad albums. What am I trying to say? Okay. Every time I listen to it, I wish I was listening to Evolution. Don't get me wrong, I like the album. "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" is a killer song, and... well, "Faithfully" knocks it out of the park every time. It's an enjoyable time, no doubt. Frontiers is great, but Evolution is just... fucking awesome. God I love Steve Perry.

BILLY JOEL: 52ND STREET.

I fucking love this album. It's unlike anything I expected it to be (with the exception of "My Life," which I actually dislike). On one rotation I zoned out and thought I was listening to Steely Dan during "Zanzibar." I'm starting to realize that Billy Joel is one of those musicians that if you take his singles out of the context of the album, he becomes a completely different artist. Fuck. Get this album.

THE POLICE: SYNCHRONICITY.

Oh shit. Remember when Sting was motherfucking punk rock? Their foray into synth and electronica is fucking classic. My two favorite Police songs are credited to this album ("Synchronicity I" and "Murder By Numbers"), along with one of the weirdest songs ever that has nothing to do with Primus but sounds like it should ("Mother"). I was pretty bummed out when I got it home and found out that "Murder By Numbers" was not included in the original LP. I was also unaware how many times Sting uses the "Do I have to tell the story of a thousand rainy days since we first met..." lyric. A lot. But even so, it serves its purpose. Brilliant, brilliant album. I forgot how much I fucking love The Police.

U2: THE JOSHUA TREE.

I don't know what can actually be said about this album. If you didn't know, I am a fucking huge U2 fan. Judge me for it. This album is so, so good. It was so awesome to hear "Running To Stand Still" blaring through my speakers. Jesus. Anytime I get a little annoyed with U2 (yes, it happens, even to the biggest fan), I go to Achtung Baby (which I'm going to buy when I find one in the right condition) and The Joshua Tree and it immediately reminds me why I'm such a big fan. This shit is incredible.

CHARLES MINGUS: JAZZ PORTRIATS - CHARLES MINGUS JAZZ WORKSHOP.

I'm just a baby when it comes to being a Charles Mingus fan. I discovered The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady and I felt born again. I was keen on getting some Mingus on vinyl, and I picked this one because "Alice in Wonderland" is on there, which is one of my very favorite jazz tunes. It's so... sweet. Melodic. Beautiful. Some jazz can kind of wear on me, but everything I've heard by Mingus has been exceptional. To be honest, I have not listened to it yet (seriously stuck on 52nd Street) but I'm pretty damn excited to get there. I need the right atmosphere. [edit:] Well I've listened to it now and feel like an idiot, because it's not "Alice in Wonderland." It's "Alice's Wonderland." Two completely different songs. Wow. I was waiting for that hook, and it never came. Balls. It's still a stellar album, and I can actually say that with all certainty this time.

TOM WAITS: ALICE.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Tom Waits. On vinyl. Alice on vinyl. Alice by Tom Waits. On vinyl. Oh my god it's perfect. PERFECT. I don't know what else to say.


ALBUM NOT PURCHASED, BUT CONSIDERED FOR LONGER THAN NECESSARY:



I spent way more money this time around because both the Mingus and Waits albums were brand new and full price, but so so so worth every penny. Why the fuck would you buy a CD when you can get vinyl? I'll never, ever, ever buy a CD ever again.


(I don't think I really planned on it anyway, but.. you know.)