If you happen to stumble on another copy, maybe you could send it my way?

Of course. It turns up from time to time, and I think way undervalued. Lord knows I've heard berjillions of Not Lame pop comps that weren't half as tuneful or fun.

This is interesting...Jon, are you familiar with Yuji Oniki?

On Orange, his Future Farmer debut, Yuji Oniki is backed by members of his band — including Beulah drummer Steve St. Cin — and ex-Guided by Voices/Cobra Verde guitarist Doug Gillard, who reportedly became a fan of the Oakland, CA-based multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter/arranger after hearing his self-released Shonen Blue album. Oniki's songs reveal he's been absorbing a mix of styles and influences over the years, including sunny, '70s soft pop (Bread), jangly '80s indie rock (Matthew Sweet, R.E.M., etc.), and the polished chamber pop of groups like Apples in Stereo, Cloud Eleven, or Elliott Smith. Like each of the aforementioned artists, Oniki seems to favor dreamy and often slightly too charming melodies drenched in ringing guitars and backing harmonies that lean toward the simplistic, occasionally accented by a "Penny Lane"-ish trumpet (courtesy of Beulah's Bill Swan, another longtime associate) braying away sadly in the distance. Oniki's pleasant voice (whose vocal timbre, at times, recalls Elliott Smith) falls just this side of being too twee, though he gets extra bonus points for bilingually alternating between English and Japanese; on the opening track and its closing refrain, "Tokyo Clover," Oniki alternates between both languages. Overall, the production here is fairly sparse, with just a hint of reverb, but it seems to be the perfect formula for Oniki's winsome and oft-bittersweet paens, which seem generally reflective of a kindler, gentler world. — Bryan Thomas

I actually met Yuji (through Judith Beeman) and got his Shonen Blue LP. I didn't know Doug Gillard was a fan - we could've talked about that.

Don't know Yuji.

polished chamber pop of groups like Apples in Stereo

Wha-huh?

not Jon, but I've heard of Yuji Oniki through connections with Scott Miller. They've played together a few times - also see Anton Barbeau & Bradley Skaught (Belle da Gama).

Speaking of Scott Miller connections, I see Shalini Chatterjee & Mitch Easter have a new CD out: Metal Corner , inspired by 70's acts e.g. AC/DC. For sale now at Parasol & 125.

125 has a couple MP3s for download.

Speaking of Scott Miller connections, I see Shalini Chatterjee & Mitch Easter have a new CD out: Metal Corner , inspired by 70's acts e.g. AC/DC. For sale now at Parasol & 125.

Heh. Shalini/Mitch/Scott Miller - the great alternapop love triangle.

tina, it's in the mail. Should be there by Friday.

Nigel Tufnel might have been based on Jeff Beck, & a little Fender Rhodes goes a long way, but "Diamond Dust" just popped up on my mp3 player & I gotta say I love Blow by Blow. And I love Truth (Jeff Beck Group featuring Rod Stewart) and his Yardbirds stuff, too, esp. "Mister You're a Better Man Than I" & "Train Kept a-Rollin'".

And "Red Right Ankle"? Solo, acoustic? Almost broke me.

I love that song. So much.

I think Jeff Beck was clearly the best (most talented, most musical, most innovative) guitarist of the Yardbirds triad. I think Clapton and Page would say so as well. I'd rate him over just about any living rock guitarist for talent, though I'll always rather listen to Johnny Thunders or Billy Zoom. I think you can make a case for Tom Verlaine or Richard Thompson (I know Hayden can), but Jeff Beck gets my vote.

tina, it's in the mail. Should be there by Friday.

yay.

It turns up from time to time, and I think way undervalued. Lord knows I've heard berjillions of Not Lame pop comps that weren't half as tuneful or fun.

I am so excited to hear this. Thanks again, Hec.

I just woke up from the longest afternoon nap in nap history. Being unemployed rocks kinda. (for now).

Hmm - seeing as you both like the Young People CD I think I might get it despite its skronky directionlessness. I just missed them playing in Lawrence night before last damnit.

I just found out my computer won't download iTunes because I have Win 98. I won three songs -- does anyone want the codes?

First person to respond gets 'em in email.