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This band quite literally changed my life (as opposed to a "Garden State" faux-changed my life scenario).
Later in life, I got to know guitarist Peter Buck (we were both living in Portland at the time and I now own one of his Rickenbacker 12-string guitars a result, ha) and came to appreciate their status as the Bartleby, the Scriveners of rock (you should Google the reference: “I would prefer not to”). I told Peter I began playing guitar because of “Chronic Town” and eschewed wanky dumbass solos because that is how he and Johnny Marr both played. It left a mark, in the most positive way possible.
The first chapter is entitled “The Things They Wouldn't Do” and perfectly captures the essence of a group who did it their way or no way at all, including walking away at the peak of fame and never looking back as a way to both preserve their friendships AND not slide into the trap of making music for cash that was a notch below their very best. And their very best is, to be clear, among the best music made by any pop artist at any time.
Nov 27, 2024
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It's no secret that I'm Power-Pop-pilled.
and Real Heads already know this, but the Perfectly Imperfect spray logo is uhh... heavily inspired...by an obscure archival Teenage Fanclub t-shirt from the early 90s. That being said, I'm new to The Toms & this album, I'm just happy to have discovered it. Isn't the best when an artists comes out the gate with a debut that already feels like a Greatest Hits compilation? Unfortunately none of these songs ended up being hits, but they damn well sound have been.
This becomes even cooler when you consider that The Toms (which is really just a dude named Tom from Jersey) recorded all 32 songs in his garage over just 3 days. Legend shit for real.
My favorites are "Other Boys Do," "I Did The Wrong Thing," and "Passport to Heaven," but if I'm being honest I truly love every track on here. i LOVE this album.
@tyler
STAFF
An epic journey from start to finish.
One of those rare albums I can’t just take bites from - it’s all or nothing for me.
Isn’t that the definition of “great album?”
I’m not sure it ever got better for Perry & Co. than their debut.
And this track - “Summertime Rolls” - may be the single greatest song about the joyous, spacious , airy rush of new love and/or drugs ever recorded. Eric Avery’s heartbeat bass is featured all over this record and I am HERE for it.
Apr 30, 2025
this band may be problematic but Peter Steele is dead and I am still alive
this album and it’s melodic vocals, medieval references and environmental soundscapes embody a duality of joy and ecstasy, but also of madness and frenzy just like the god bacchus
released 5 years after the end of the Cold War, political sentiments mixed with classical orchestral instruments, organs straight out of the 70s, and a classic late 90s grunge nihilistic attitude, this album has become a psychedelic time machine placebo
this album sounds like how the sun feels on your skin and makes you overwhelmingly aware of the shadows you cast on the pavement
Mar 28, 2025
Top Recs from @coreydubrowa
The man responsible for dozens of Teenage Symphonies to God
"Sad songs about happy things" (the first time, as a kid, I can recall the sweet/sour combo of melodies that could make you cry attached to songs about endless, bottomless love)
I've long since lost track of how many weddings and funerals I've attended that have featured this song; suffice it to say, "a lot."
God only knows what we'd been without him 🙏🏻
3d ago
May 22, 2025
Hey tyler hopefully this doesn’t violate some PI.FYI golden rule
But after nearly two years of writing, editing and arguing, my book about the EP is coming out in May and can be preordered here:
https://hozacrecords.com/product/aifl/
The book is about the origins, history and cultural impact of the EP since these little objects first started coming out in the 50s.
Over 50 of my music biz friends then helped me shape the list and review the top 200 ever released, according to us (ha).
For those of you who are into this kind of geekery/snobbery, I can’t wait to hear what you think. A labor of love, as all books are! ❤️
Mar 27, 2024