It's yet another ridiculously snowy day here in New Hampshire but I was fearless in my determination to get to the local music retailer this morning. I made two purchases, each for $9.99, and had two very different reactions (hence the subject line).

I purchased my first Butch Walker CD. Now I had never listened to him before but given that he just produced the new Frank Turner album, I figured he might be worth a listen. I'm more than a little disappointed. See, I feel that if you're in rock and roll, and your name is Butch, and you see fit to cover yourself with tattoos (and make an effort to display them to the world), and you have Ryan Adams produce your album, well, your music should have some friggin energy and oomph. Insipid is the word that comes to mind. There's even a song titled Chrissie Hynde that is utterly lifeless. No song named after that gal should be less than amped up, and passionately delivered. A real disservice to a woman who was never a musical pretender if you know what I mean.

On the other hand, I finally picked up Love's "Forever Changes" 2 CD reissue. It contains the original mix, an alternate mix, and a boatload of rarities. To me, 1967 used to mean "hello first grade" as well as the year the Boston Red Sox lost in the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals. That year now means the year that Forever Changes was released. There are a million and one sounds and images that burst forth from this Arthur Lee written and sung album. You should own it!

Here are two of my favorites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNcXFy8QTC4

https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=qInF7WKOz4c

If you like it, the entire album can be heard on Youtube.

Peter T.

Now I best find my shovel!