As baseball fans turn their attention to the World Series, Jim and Greg are eager to step up to the plate. They share their favorite examples of musical Grand Slams: four knockout albums in a row. Then they review the new record from Detroitpost-punk band Protomartyr.
With Chicagobaseball trying to keep their heads up during this World Series, we thought we'd inject a little joyous noise into this baseball season. Jim and Greg team up with Len Kasper, TV voice of the Chicago Cubs, to pay homage to their version of a Grand Slam. We all know how this works in baseball (though sports-phobe Jim DeRogatis is still getting the hang of the rules). A batter hits a home run with bases loaded, sending four players to home plate. In music, Jim and Greg define a grand slam as four masterpiece albums in a row. Which artists have achieved this rarest of rock feats? Jim and Greg sit down to compare stats.
Greg
Jim
The Agent IntellectProtomartyr
Detroitpost-punk band and former Sound Opinions guestsProtomartyr earned a lot of notice for its second album Under Color of Official Right. It also placed high on Greg's Best of 2014 list. Now they've returned with a new record titled The Agent Intellect. Jim lauds vocalist Joe Casey's ability to write very smart yet moving lyrics, powerfully exploring his mother's battle with Alzheimer’s. The band's musical approach, which reflects both the bleakness and the pride of contemporary Detroit, places them among the all-time great bands of the Motor City. Jim particularly points toward the propulsive yet sleek drumming of Alex Leonard. Greg agrees, saying that against expectations, Protomartyr improves with each album. Casey's lyrics fall in the literary tradition of a Nelson Algren or Charles Bukowski, but are filled with emotion rather than pretention. The band doesn't waste any notes, instead delivering precise jabs. Greg even goes so far as to call Protomartyr one of the "Great American Bands" who are resurrecting the entire art form. Both critics give The Agent Intellect an enthusiastic Buy It.
Stevie Wonder, "Jesus Children of America," Innervisions, Tamla, 1973
Stevie Wonder, "Living for the City," Innervisions, Tamla, 1973
Led Zeppelin, "When the Levee Breaks," Untitled (Led Zeppelin IV), Atlantic, 1971
Led Zeppelin, "Thank You," Led Zeppelin II, Atlantic, 1969
Sleater-Kinney, "Call the Doctor," Call the Doctor, Chainsaw Records, 1996
Sleater-Kinney, "All Hands on the Bad One," All Hands on the Bad One, Kill Rock Stars, 2000
Sleater-Kinney, "Dig Me Out," Dig Me Out, Kill Rock Stars, 1997
The Baseball Project, "Past Time," Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails, Yep Rock, 2008
Blur, "Chemical World," Modern Life is Rubbish, Parlophone UK, 1993
Blur, "Song 2," Blur, Parlophone UK, 1998
Blur, "Tracy Jacks," Parklife, Food, 1994
Kanye West, "Jesus Walks," The College Dropout, Roc-A-Fella, 2004
Kanye West, "Heartless," 808s and Heartbreak, Roc-A-Fella, 2008
Kanye West, "Roses," Late Registration, Roc-A-Fella, 2005
XTC, "Dear God," Skylarking, Geffen, 1985
XTC, "Generals and Majors," Black Sea, Geffen, 1980
Husker Du, "Sorry Somehow," Candy Apple Grey, Warner Bros., 1986
Husker Du, "The Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill," New Day Rising, SST, 1985
The Velvet Underground, "The Black Angel's Death Song," The Velvet Underground & Nico, Polydor, 1967
The Velvet Underground, "I Heard Her Call My Name," White Light/White Heat, Polydor, 1968
Billy Bragg and Wilco, "Joe DiMaggio Done It Again," Mermaid Avenue, Vol. 2, Elektra, 2000
1.Protomartyr, "Ellen," The Agent Intellect, Hardly Art, 2015
Protomartyr, "The Devil in His Youth," The Agent Intellect, Hardly Art, 2015
Count Basie and His Orchestra, "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?," Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball? (single), RCA Victor, 1949
The Vaughan Brothers, "Telephone Song," Family Style, Epic, 1990
Brian Eno & David Byrne, "The Jezebel Spirit," My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, Sire, 1981
Dio, "Holy Diver," Holy Diver, Warner Bros., 1983
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, "Up Jumped the Devil," Tender Prey, Mute, 1988
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