Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother's Milk

In my ever-so-humble opinion, this is the Chilis' masterwork despite the presence of two cover tunes, albeit The Uplift Mofo Party Plan gives it a major run and Freaky Styley is likewise a good contender. This is also the tour I saw the Chilis on and it remains the greatest rock spectacle I've ever seen. Don't know or don't care what instigated that fireball energy from their relentless performance, but wowzers...

If I remember right from Anthony Keidis' autobiography Scar Tissue, the model on this cover was none too pleased being plastered on the album. Somewhere out there an uncensored print (sans rose, of course) exists, which I'm sure would really piss the poor lass off if confronted by it. It's erotic, yes, but tastefully so, although you can't be an even judge in this girl's shoes.

Nevertheless, this is a groovy cool psychedelic image from a band in the final wake of their one-time renowned slapdash funk-punk before they mellowed out thereafter. Nothing has been the same since Mother's Milk, though I'm sure for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the jacked-up sales since Blood Sugar Sex Magik more than compensates in their eyes.

Suicidal Tendencies-s/t

Back when these guys were good which lasted for uh, yeah this album. Maybe Mike Muir stayed in this position too long and that would explain their other albums.

ZZ Top, Tejas

It's hard not to like early ZZ Top, the classic music of the group from the 1970s.

The band's distinct brand of blues-rock stayed true to its roots during this decade while steadily adding new elements. Sure, like most artists who lost their way in the '80s, the Top later put out "Sleeping Bag" and other such schlock ... but over the course of several '70s albums the three coolest guys in Texas were reliable producers of cool guitar groove. This album is just one example.

Sadly, the artwork looks more appropriate for a Jimmy Buffett or Seals and Crofts album. Like many other featured covers on this site, it's better to hide this one away and just enjoy the music.

Egg Hunt

This 7 inch was recorded back in 1986 with former Minor Threat members Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson. According to the Dischord records site the name was chosen since it was recorded over Easter weekend. I had always thought it they derived the name from the fact that Ian MacKaye's head was shaped like an egg, but I guess I was wrong.