Let me tell you something about myself, dear reader; when the first word that comes to mind when I hear a band is “zany,” I reach for my revolver. And such is the case with Oingo Boingo, the New Wave band who turned “wacky” into an aesthetic and in so doing charmed the skinny neckties off a whole lot of people back in the 1980s.
Under the leadership of Danny “I Make Soundtracks Now” Elfman, Oingo Boingo created a very skewed ska- and world music-tinged New Wave that put the emphasis on whiplash, herky-jerky tempos, quirky arrangements, and nonconventional scales and harmony. If your tastes run to the off-kilter and you like a vocalist who does his level best to annoy, I recommend Oingo Boingo wholeheartedly.
Rock critic Robert Christgau dismissed Oingo Boingo with the words, “These guys combine the worst of Sparks with the worst of the Circle Jerks.” Me, what I hear when I listen to 1989’s The Best of Oingo Boingo: Skeletons in the Closet is an admittedly mischievous mashup of other, better bands. The Cars, Devo, Wall of Voodoo, Sparks, The English Beat and a whole slew of other New Wave outfits I never cared very much for to begin with all come to mind. All of which probably means I’m not the fairest judge of the merits of the album under review, but hey–I get paid big bucks to listen to records and proffer my opinion on them, and I guess it’s just Oingo Boingo’s lucky day.
Skeletons in the Closet collects 12 songs from the three LPs Oingo Boingo recorded during their tenure with A&M from 1981 to 1983, and makes as helpful an introduction to the ostensible charms of the band’s early work as any of the aforementioned studio LPs. I’m listening to it on free Spotify, and it’s hardly an auspicious sign that I find myself looking forward to the commercials.
Adelaide: Record Store Day will see the city spinning out over vinyl: For lovers of vinyl, Saturday is bigger than Christmas. Music collectors will be lining up across Adelaide to get their hands on rare re-issues and special releases being dropped as part of the global Record Store Day. The event, which began in 2008 to support independent music retailers, has been embraced by record labels and grows bigger every year as more people return to vinyl. For Matt Horvath, owner of Clarity Records on Pulteney St, Record Store Day will run for 24 hours from midnight Friday. If history repeats, Mr Horvath expects a line down the street as he prepares to open. “There’s 
This Saturday is WMG’s Record Store Day Record Store Crawl: Audiophiles, record enthusiasts, and music lovers are invited to join Warner Music Group’s third annual series of official Record Store Crawls, happening over the next few months in various cities in the U.S. and – for the very first time – Europe. The first of this year’s Crawls will take place in both New York City and Berlin on Record Store Day, April 21st, while the remainder of the Crawls will take place from May through October. This year, Record Store Crawl will release exclusive vinyl to coincide with the Crawls. Attendees will be among the first to have access to the limited-edition releases, which will hit shelves at indie retailers across the U.S. during each Crawl. Participants will be escorted by bus to some of each city’s best record stores, with performances from various artists along the way. Tickets can be purchased at www.recordstorecrawl.com.
NEW RELEASE PICKS: V/A, ACLU Benefit Compilation (Wharf Cat) As the annual RSD blitz nears, it’s important to keep things in context. That limited color vinyl 45 is cool, but the time in which we are living is, in numerous ways, quite uncool. Vital in the fight against fascism, racism, sexism, etc. has been the American Civil Liberties Union, and this 2LP is designed to aid them in continuing their heroic efforts. Featuring 22 tracks from a lineup including The Men, Alice Cohen, Palberta, Pop 1280, Merchandise, Profligate, and an outstanding piece for solo sax by Kate Mohanty (fittingly titled “Priorities”), the gist is contempo underground focused but with plenty of variety to be had. If you’re at all inclined to the scene, please make some idealistic young lawyers happy for the future of the planet. A-
Lloyd Green & Jay Dee Maness, Journey to the Beginning: A Steel Guitar Tribute to the Byrds (Coastal Bend Music) Folks who are understandably bonkers for Sweetheart of the Rodeo will likely know that Green and Maness contributed pedal steel to that album, the former an established Nashville scene guy and the latter a younger but studio-seasoned cat from L.A. For the album’s 50th birthday, the pair have gotten together to cut an instrumental tribute, and it’s a beauty. Rhythm, mandolin, and occasional fiddle adds richness in support, but it’s always Green and Maness’ show, and they hold the spotlight with grace and an obvious affection for the project. For the close, Jim Lauderdale, Herb Pedersen, Richie Furay, and Jeff Hanna deliver a swell vocal version of “You Ain’t Going Nowhere.” A-
REISSUE/ARCHIVAL PICKS: The Mekons, “Never Been in a Riot” & “Where Were You?” (Superior Viaduct) I’ve observed before that if, at this late date, you really want to find a punk record that matches the frequently lofted genre descriptors of “barely competent” or “attitude over technique,” then head straight for the 3-song ’78 debut by The Mekons, a disc that seems constantly on the verge of falling apart, at least until they arrive at the urban tribal chant of “Heart and Soul.” But it’s not an accident, it’s a conscious approach, and that’s part of what’s so thrilling. Now, if you want to hear growth from this foundation that doesn’t result in or even predict a betrayal of principles, and adds a violin for good measure, then that’s “Where Were You?” Two of the best punk-era singles ever waxed. A/ A
Willie Colón, Wanted by the FBI for the Big Break – La Gran Fuga (Get on Down) Colón’s reputation as one of the greats in the field of salsa is fully deserved. On this ’70 album, the trombonist-bandleader’s sixth for Fania (the label’s name a mark of quality), and with the crucial input of singer Héctor Lavoe, Colón does much to advance the style beyond its root as a dance-party music. Primarily through changes of tempo and tone, but also in the employment of space, this broadening is perceptible even to a casual salsa listener such as myself. Along with dual ‘bones in the lineup and Lavoe leading the vocal charge, rhythm is still king, but the bongos, congas, and timbales are handled with flair that transcends the maintenance of groove. The personal standout element is the piano of “Professor Joe” Torres. A
Your guide to Record Store Day Chicago 2018: Put the needle down and let the music flow: It’s time for the 2018 Record Store Day (RSD), held on Saturday April 21. RedEye has your guide for events at 
Savannah: Record Store Day 2018–Celebrate indie business and music with some major retail therapy: Record Store Day, the occasion when vinyl collectors rush their local music shops in search of limited edition treasures, is upon us once more. In lieu of Black Friday roughhousing—wouldn’t want to shatter a jackalope antler at Graveface or crack a KISS bobble head at Rody’s—lies friendly competition and communing between musically-minded Savannahians. Best of all, Record Store Day, which was created in 2007 by a group of independent record store owners, literally exists to support small, local businesses and communities. It’s a way to celebrate the way music brings folks together through special events, rare picks, and killer sales. Among the pickers at this year’s participating locations, you’re sure to rub elbows with Savannah’s listening elite: the DJs of WRUU 107.5, Savannah Soundings Community Radio. We asked the station’s spinners to share 
