Under The Covers
March 19, 2009 by Andrew Ryff
Filed under Musical Musings
I must admit, I’ve been a bit pedestrian in my choice of postings for my ‘musical musings’ thus far. To date, I’ve toiled over the best bands of all time, the best singers in history and now, my top ten favorite album covers. A bit trite and unimaginative I know, but it really stems from discussions between me and my buddy Scott, which we actually stole from one of our favorite movies, High Fidelity. The conversation would typically start something like this:
Scott – “Top five guitarists of all time….go!
Andy – “Dude, a challenge would be nice. Starting at five, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Jimmy Page.
Scott – “How sadly predictable, but I’d expect that from someone who still listens to David Cassidy records.”
Andy – “Who’d I miss then you %#@$?”
Scott – “Your mom for one, but also perhaps Mark Knopfler you #$@$#$@&.”
Andy – “Who?”
Scott – “Get the hell out of my office.”
And so it would go, day after day, list after list. So it should come as no surprise that some of the first topics up for discussion would be items I’m familiar with and reminisce about so fondly. Also, because I can speak my mind in this forum and not be called names. So, without further delay, here are my top ten favorite album covers of all time!
 #10 – The Beatles – The White AlbumI guess when your music is commonly described with terms like, legendary, epic, life altering, peed myself, etc. you can pretty much do whatever you want to do (or not do) with your album covers. I can just imagine the marketing team unveiling the album cover to the record executives for the first time. Priceless. It’s brash, it’s bold, it’s number ten. |
 #9 – The Who – Who’s Next
In as much as it was possible, I tried not to let my love for the music influence my selection of album covers but with tunes like “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” how could I not be persuaded to include this classic. Besides, if you love the music on the album you’re bound to love the album cover because you likely slept with it under your pillow at some point. |
 #8 – The Rolling Stones – Forty Licks
I lost count of how many t-shirts I saw that logo displayed on in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The earliest version, the big red mouth with its protruding tongue, has been the official logo of the Stones since 1971 and it may be one of the most recognizable logos ever for a rock band. |
 #7 – Nirvana – Nevermind
I never actually owned this in traditional “album” format. I’d purchased the CD when it came out in 1991. The second album for the band, the music was groundbreaking but the album cover completely unnerving. I remember thinking, “can they actually do that?” For obvious reasons, this CD was never at the front of the stack but I always thought it was crazy awesome. |
 #6 – Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced
Foxy Lady, Red House, and Fire are just a few of the classic tracks included on this album. I remember being completely in awe of Hendrix’s style, both in music and fashion. I mean what kind of dude can pull off a red velvet jacket, a tie dye shirt and lizard skin boots? Jimi can, that’s who. Me, not so much. |
 #5 – Boston – Boston
I remember thinking Boston’s debut album cover was aptly inked because I thought they had to be from another planet. The intro on Foreplay/Long Time was absolutely sick and I pulled the album out of its sleeve so many times that the edges began to tear after the first week. Awesome album, brilliant cover. |
 #4 – The Eagles – Hotel California
It can be stated without hesitation that my pops provided the influence that laid the groundwork for most all of the music I listen to today. Throughout my childhood, my pops was always cranking out the tunes, whether it was in the car, the basement, or his favorite hiding spot, the garage. The first time I saw this album cover, was on an eight-track in a Dodge Dart (Spirit of 76) that my pops owned. I must have listened to this album 9,000 times and it never got old. |
 #3 – Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV
The only person that came remotely close to pops in terms of musical influence was my older brother Bryan who introduced me to Led Zeppelin. I will forever be indebted. Why this album cover over Physical Graffitti, Houses of the Holy or In Through the Out Door? Because this is the greatest album ever made…but not the greatest album cover. |
 #2 – The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Two things pain me about this selection. First, that it’s the second time a Beatles album cover has graced the list. Second, that it took top billing over Led Zeppelin. For the sake of credibility however, I had to disregard the music (and the fact that the guys in Zeppelin could actually play instruments) and give the album cover its due. Can’t argue it, it’s pretty damn cool and you could examine it for hours and still keep finding new things. |
 #1 – Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon
Arguably, the most recognizable album cover in rock history. Jon (Remedy’s resident Bassmaster) will give me mad props and Dionne (Remedy’s resident Sally) will grimace in pain. Love the band or hate them, there’s no denying this is a unique and memorable cover. Incredibly simplistic but amazingly iconic and powerful. |
Well, there you have it. Another list that can be, well, crossed off the list. Now I’ll just wait for my buddy Scott to visit the site, stumble across the article and tell me what a $#%&@ I am.
The Tim Briscoe Experience
March 2, 2009 by Andrew Ryff
Filed under New Songs
Grab the head band, the feather boa and the lighter fluid; the Remedy Band has decided to add “Voodoo Child” by Jimi Hendrix to the repertoire. Made famous by Hendrix but perfected by Stevie Ray Vaughn (as Tim will attest), Voodoo Child features that unmistakable ‘wah wah’ sound at the beginning of the tune that sends chills up your spine when you hear it because you know it’s quickly going to build to a thunderous crescendo when the drums and bass enter the picture. The high hat on the drums provides the perfect little stop in between the wah’s, with its crisp snap, bringing the guitar to a halt until the next set of wah’s.
Those of you who know the tune know exactly what I’m describing and those who have yet to experience it will understand as soon as they hear it. Go ahead and click on the link below to see what I mean but make sure you turn your volume up to a point where your neighbors exterior walls shake a bit.
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See! It’s one of the best intros to a song I’ve ever heard, which is why automakers, wrestlers and film-makers have been ripping it off for years.
Nevertheless, I’m really excited about playing it at gigs because I think it’s one of those songs people immediately identify when they hear the opening guitar licks, which will most assuredly be followed by some type of comment like, “they aren’t seriously going to try that are they?”
I’d like to clearly state now for the record now, yes we are. And wait until you hear how Tim tears it up!
