I was very much the target audience for this. It was my gateway as well. That said, it’s funny to me that we’re still trotting out the tired “they’re not real metal!” arguments 35 years later. Labels are meaningless. Is this my favorite album? No. Do I think it’s catchy and fun? Yes. Did it pave the way for me to get…

Eighth Grade. Fuck all that other noise.

Hells yes. And Phipps, Rabin, and even Pierce before he blew it. I’m sure there are others I’m forgetting.

I’m a slow reader, so I’m usually about 3-5 years behind the curve, but I’m finally getting around to Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded by Jason Heller (who used to do killer metal reviews for this very site). After that, it’s The One: The Life and Music of James Brown by RJ Smith.

I’ve always liked her and wished they’d use her more, but now I’m officially a Melissa Monster.

I have two tween daughters. I know who Halsey is. Just as she mentioned in the monologue, I think that information is the key.

He was a damn delight in Corman’s World (the Roger Corman documentary where Jack Nicholson gets choked up talking about Roger Corman, for chrissakes—the whole movie is great). He’s one of the few “celebrities” I would ever have considered writing a fan letter to. I suck, because I never did.

TIL: Terry Crews doesn’t have a butthole.

Heh heh. More like “Rusty Poot”.

Big Black was my introduction to Kraftwerk. It’s funny how we end up in various places.

I almost nominated this until I thought up my Furs choice.

I taped it off the radio. Cassette tapes! Radios! Lead paint! Oh, we had it all.
My dad had “Self Control” on 45, so that one’s closer to my heart. My record collection is full of “no, not that one; the 2nd not as popular hit”.

2nd for “Overkill”. Great song.

This comment is for The Bird. Don’t you know that Gigolos Get Lonely Too?

I was going to, but strangely, my phone’s camera quit working as soon as I was ready to snap the picture. Then the whole thing flew out of my hands, as if guided by some mysterious force. When I looked back up, they were gone!

I love reading this list every year and seeing if I recognize any names. It’s fun!

Here’s a good thing about that movie: The Master’s cape was pretty sweet. Sorry; I should have said here’s the good thing about that movie.

The inset picture just below the header (with the letter grade) is a nicely-framed crotch shot. Um, thanks?

“whose easy report with each other” Shouldn’t that be rapport? Sorry, I tried to let it go, but I just couldn’t.

Ditto, plus the fact that Dessa only appears once renders this whole site invalid.