The Adventurers Club

Crappy Records - Have a Crappy Summer

Compilation albums can be hit and miss, and we'll often buy them for just a handful of songs, but this one is the exception to the rule.

"Have a Crappy Summer" comes from the Crappy Records label which is a label that was created by Linus of Hollywood and Jaret Reddick. Jaret is of course the front man for Bowling for Soup and he may be the hardest working man in music.

Crappy Records - Have a Crappy Summer

I picked up this record because we wanted the new tracks from BFS, The Dollyrots, Linus of Hollywood (with Brett Anderson of the Donnas) and People on Vacation.

I was pleasantly surprised on my first play-through when I loved every song included.

Just a few Highlights:

Summer Fling - Linus of Hollywood and Brett Anderson (The Donnas lead vocalist)

This is an amazing track. Kudos to Linus for including Brett on this duet. It's a perfect summer pop song and Linus and Brett sound great together.

Super Mega Ultraviolet - The Dollyrots

Anyone that follows this blog knows we love The Dollyrots. This is a great rockin' song with super cool lyrics. It's also the first track that Alicia Warrington takes over on the drums from Chris Black. 

Malibu Classic - Erik Chandler

I've been fortunate enough to see one of Erik's solo shows while he was living in Columbia, South Carolina. I knew his solo stuff was going to be good, but this blew me away. This has hit written all over it, and in a real world where radio played good songs, not just mass-produced schlock, this would be a smash.

Summer Camp Love (It's so in Tents) - MC Lars

I don't like rap, that's pretty well established. Despite that, MC Lars hooked me with this tune. It's a fun look at love while away at summer camp, and might just bring back some pretty good memories for ya. A lot of rap has a real negative vibe, but this is bright, sunny, and extremely positive. It also sent me looking for other songs by MC Lars. That's the sign of a good comp. Nice background vocals from Linus and Jaret.

Why's it so Hot? - Jarinus

A project from Jaret Reddick and Linus of Hollywood. I supported the Kickstarter for their first CD, and I've heard the songs they posted on Soundcloud, but I still wasn't prepared for how great this song would be. It's a kick-ass rock song with a touch of humor thrown in that you should play with the volume all the way up while you cruise the beach this summer. After this I absolutely can't wait for the Jarinus CD to be released. Nice bonus is a ripping guitar solo from Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big. Linus and Jaret have some amazing friends.

I can't recommend this CD enough. Head over to the Crappy Records website and GET THIS NOW!

To see how the cover art was created check out the blog from artist Steven Ray Brown. Steven also did the art for Bowling for Soup's "Fishing for Woos" album.

Have a Crappy Summer - Art by Steven Ray Brown

'til the Crappy Records Winter Comp

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom

Jan and Dean - Honolulu Lulu

We're way behind, but here's a Summer Record of the Week as we work to catch up.

We listen to a lot of surf music during the summer here at the Adventurers Club and Jan and Dean make pretty frequent appearances in that playlist.

Honolulu Lulu is a song that Dean isn't very fond of, but it was a big hit for Jan and Dean, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Jan and Dean - Honolulu Lulu

A lot of people consider Jan and Dean just another Beach Boys clone, but the truth is they were having hits long before Brian and the gang. That's not to say that Jan and Dean didn't benefit from their relationship with the Beach Boys, because they did. After all, it was Brian Wilson that wrote Jan and Dean's only number one record, Surf City.

Of course in a unique twist Jan and Dean returned the favor. After walking out of a Jan and Dean session he didn't like, Dean Torrance went down the hall to where the Beach Boys were recording the "Party" album and sat in on the recording of Barbara Ann. That's Dean singing the high part, and the lead, on the track which would peak at number two and become one of the Beach Boys biggest hits.

Now you know.

'til Summer Ends

Keep the Adventure Alive,

@Adventuretom