Dollar Records: Growing Up in Public & Other Delights
12 Nov
A while ago, I bought Lou Reed’s Growing Up in Public, probably for 3 bucks somewhere. That’s not a dollar, but it’s cheap, and I keep coming back to this much maligned 1980 work. Two years before a critical comeback with The Blue Mask, Lou puts together a hot musicians’ band whose sonic texture lies somewhere between The E Street Band and Toto. That might seem a tad inappropriate for an alleged Godfather of Punk, but Lou seems to throw himself into this record with vigor, conviction, and humor.
The opener, “How Do You Speak To An Angel,” has the empathy and musical adventure of a Carole King classic, wrapped up in a wild, hard-driving new-wave radio-rock treatment. Reed emotes vocally as never before, the result being at moments hilarious. Such is the case with “So Alone,” a surprisingly undated look at the battle of the sexes, acted out by Lou and a self-loathing, neurotic, intellectual muse. There’s no fake gutter swagger bullshit, no junkie/homosexual posturing, not even an anthem on the power of rock-n-roll. It’s just Lou singing about the goodness and horror in love, alcohol, and family, backed by a killer band who attack these songs with sophisticated bombast. An elaborate, entertaining, forgotten gem.
The Groove (Five Points, East Nashville) has stocked its 99 cent bin with goodies. I picked up this 50′s 10-inch…
…and a few others for 99 cents each. As of 4pm today, they still have ten or so. Thick vinyl! Standard period middle-of-the-road background music loaded with kitsch appeal! Beautiful covers suitable for framing! Check it out:
I also spied John Denver’s Christmas with the Muppets for a buck in the children section. Hit that before Chris Crofton does.
