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William S. Repsher's Top Ten Albums of 2000
by William S. Repsher

published 1/1/01

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William Repsher is a LeisureSuit.net staff writer based in Queens.



MOST RECENT YAK ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:

Subj: Cotton Candy
William,

I read that you found a copy of Cotton Candy on ebay. I would love to trade for a DVD or VHS
copy. I'll pay or I have loads of 70's crime drama tv shows to trade if that
interests you.

pookooks@yahoo.c a

-- Darren aka Corky Macpherson
Apr 16, 2005 at 3:52AM

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My list simply comes down to this: Top 40 sucks dead donkey dick, big time, and I want no part of it, nor the fiendishly stupid and degrading trends that go with it. That’s nothing new for me, and I’m hoping not for you, too. But it seems like the more I listen to music, and the more I see how the business behind it operates, the more paranoid and sick I feel about the whole thing. If you don’t like my choices or even know what the hell they are – good, go check them out, see if I’m full of shit, which I may very well be, and call me out on it. I’ll gladly afford you the same opportunity, as I’m always looking for something good.

10. The Gourds, Bolsa de Agua -- Now that they have a hit on Napster with their cover of “Gin and Juice” and a new, solid American record label, I was hoping this would be the album to put The Gourds over the top. But is isn’t, and it’s partially their fault. “Bolsa de Agua” is their weakest effort. Please understand, their weakest effort is a far better album than most bands could ever hope to make. The album has all the elements – Kevin Russell’s stark vocals, Jimmy Smith’s rollicking nature, fiddles, accordions, fucked-up lyrics, etc. It just doesn’t pack the punch of earlier albums, especially last year’s “Ghosts of Hallelujah.” Jimmy Smith also put out a solo album this year under the pseudonym Dusty Slosinger called “Clocker Redbury.” If you take the best material from that and throw it into the “Bolsa de Agua” mix, you do have one solid album. The Gourds are my favorite American band, which is why I always anticipate brilliance from them, as opposed to solid efforts. I’m certain they’ll be back next year. Read James Ruchala's original review.

9. The Beautiful South, Painting it Red -- It’s been a lean year for faggy Brit pop, one of my favorite types of music. Travis was last year and, frankly, a bit over-rated. Belle and Sebastian clocked in with a reasonably good album, but nothing like their earlier triumphs. Pulp kept working on a follow-up to their masterpiece, “This Is Hardcore.” Blur marked time with a greatest hits package. So leave it to The Beautiful South, after all these years, to put out possibly their best album. For those unfamiliar, the band formed in the late 80s from the ashes of The Housemartins, just another obscure jangly British socialist pop band, and the BS sound was more soulful, jazzy and relaxed. But with the sort of biting, twisted lyrics that would have done Oscar Wilde and Morrissey proud. “Painting It Red” is the same formula, only with more high points. “Tupperware Queen” is a brilliantly scathing ballad about a faded beauty who still gets a kick out of reigning over her man – all to a sweeping melody that wouldn’t sound out of place at a prom. The whole album has that smooth, polished veneer masking caustic sentiments best expressed in the voice of leader Paul Heaton, who sounds like an angel ... the one ruling in hell.

Pumpkin head Corgan makes Repsher's list
8. Smashing Pumpkins, machina II: friends and enemies of modern music -- Scandal of the year -– Billy Corgan floats what would have been the Smashing Pumpkins last official album on Virgin to the internet, allowing all 25 songs to be downloaded for free by fans. Virgin’s response: complete silence. Do they not give a shit that one of their largest-selling artists has just screwed them, hard, and he most likely won’t be coming back? I don’t know the exact story, but I’d surmise that since they haven’t brought any legal action, or even made any official comment on the situation, that Virgin most likely didn’t want this album. And I can’t see why -– it’s good stuff in that floaty/crunchy Pumpkins way. Corgan can be a bit too precious –- witness the lower-case spelling of the album’s title –- but he’s also talented. “If There Is a God” and “Let Me Give the World to You” could easily be hit singles. Again, it’s another sickly sign of the state of the recording industry that music this worthwhile is considered expendable, while worthless shit is cynically marketed to kids, like cigarettes and soda pop, depending upon how far along they are on the junior-high food chain.

7. Steve Earle, Transcendental Blues -- Now that he’s forsaken heroin for the Little Debbie section of his supermarket, Earle seems to have an increasingly clearer grasp of what he’s capable of. This album is a great mix of country, celtic and pop influences. His best, as far as I’m concerned. My problem with most country music, even the small percentage of good stuff, is that it sounds sterile. Classic country just has soul –- usually it’s in the echo of the vocals and the starkness of the production values, which were simply what was available at the time. Earle seems to understand the emotional immediacy those great old records have in their sound. And now he’s starting to recognize the connections between celtic, bluegrass, country and rock, which makes for a sweet sound when songs like “Steve’s Last Ramble” and “Galway Girl” seamlessly combine all four. There’s a ton of great young country bands out there not many people are hearing, which is a shame. But Earle should serve as some sort of godfather to the scene, as he started out good and seems to get nothing but better.

6. Shannon Worrell, The Moviegoer. September 67 was Shannon Worrell and Kristin Asbury, and their one album, 1996’s “Lucky Shoe” was a great album –- warm, folky but with a feminine edge less brittle than, say, that of an Ani DiFranco. For reasons I don’t know, the duo broke up, and their label, Enclave, folded at a very bad time in the music business, leaving a lot of great artistically-inclined bands with niche audiences (World Party was another) floating like turds in a swimming pool. It sounds like Worrell has picked up where September 67 left off with an album just as good in terms of melody and feel. A song like “Your Own Wilderness” is just as beautiful and hit-worthy as Sarah MacLachlan’s “Adia” –- but the days of Lilith have passed. Lord knows, I couldn’t stand that shit when it was around, but when I see the rank garbage that has replaced it and realize it means artists as good as Worrell won’t make it on that level anymore, it makes me sad.

5. Starlight Mints, The Dream That Stuff Was Made Of -- I’ve seen Children of the Corn, and I’m starting to think the kids of those freaky demon redneck kids picked up guitars, so now you have bands like the Starlight Mints. This is the most enjoyable pop album of the year, as the Mints’ sound is all over the place, with string sections, loud guitars, weird time signatures, abrupt endings and the feeling that anything could happen in one of their songs. I’m hearing a lot of Bowie, Pixies and Pavement in their sound, but they do manage to come off as completely original and, more importantly, unpredictable, which is why I’m luke warm on a lot of today’s indie pop, as you can often hear their riffs and chord changes coming from a mile away. Not so with the Starlight Mints, as it sounds like they know exactly what they’re doing, on a debut album no less. Read Jordan Hoffman's original review.

4. Shelby Lynne, I Am Shelby Lynne -- This is the best soul album of 2000 –- and will never be acknowledged as such for a few reasons, even though it’s just as good as Lauryn Hill’s wildly successful debut album. One, Shelby Lynne is a white girl from Alabama; two, she’s been kicking around the country music scene for over a decade now and three; it would take a marketing genius to get across a genre-hopping album this good to any kind of recognizable audience. I haven’t heard any of her earlier stuff, and something tells me I’d be let down, as this album sounds like a breakthrough for her in a number of ways. The album kicks off with “Your Eyes” which sounds like Patsy Cline fronting ELO. Aside from one glaring mis-step (the awful country stomper “Life Is Bad”) the rest of the album is a subtle mix of soul, jazz and country –- a lot like Dusty Springfield’s legendary “Dusty in Memphis” album. “Black Light Blue” closes the album with a sweet Billie Holiday touch –- with one song that should have been a b-side, “I Am Shelby Lynne” does it all in just over half an hour.

3. Bright Eyes, Fever and Mirrors -- Bright Eyes is Connor Oberst, from Nebraska, who must be around 20 by now. He got his start at 14, with his first band, Commander Venus, and has been putting out albums regularly since. There’s something about Oberst that perfectly nails being in one’s late teens –- a dramatic, fatalistic take on life that rings true, as he has no greater emotional experience to measure it against, save childhood memories, which won’t start making much sense until he gets out of his 20s, i.e., a long time away for Oberst. Cross that with a beautiful songwriting style that ranges from flat-out punk to Donovan-style balladry, and you have one of America’s best and unheralded recording artists. His songwriting voice has the same kind of emotional intensity and melodic craft as that of Thom Yorke, only with a more home-made, raw feel. This kid sounds like an open chest wound. I should worry about him committing suicide, but it sounds like he draws strength from his emotional pain, which is good, in small doses. I hope he hangs around a lot longer, as he’s just approaching legal adulthood and already has a stunning body of work behind him.

2. The White Stripes, De Stijl -- Man, these freaks rock. The best thing to come out of Detroit in years –- forget about jokers like Kid Rock and Eminem, who will hopefully be washed away with whatever new tide rolls in over the next few years. The White Stripes are Jack and Meg White, the guitarist/lead singer and drummer. You can see them on the album cover looking like siblings, which is what they’ve been telling the press -– turns out they were married! And that’s not banjo music you’re hearing in the background -– it’s a howling slide guitar, played right, by a kid who is amazingly smart, prescient and talented for his years. “Garage blues” is about the only thing I can think to call the White Stripes. They play with all the rawness of Iggy and the Stooges, yet throw in a blues feel that recalls early Zeppelin and the Stones on “Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out.” And that’s a great combination. Songs like “Hello Operator” and “Death Letter” are just the kind of ass-kicking rock that the world needs now. Sometimes Jack White sounds exactly like Robert Plant, but forget about half-baked hippie lyrics –- he writes about stuff like the auto industry “killing his baby” or a blues about being the new kid in school and wanting a pretty girl to sit next to him on the bus. If you like this album, seek out their eponymously titled debut from last year. Their cover of Robert Johnson’s “Stop Breaking Down” does the impossible and rivals the Stones’ version.

1. The Plastics Hi-Fi, Home Brewed -- Put an asterisk by this one. It’s my favorite CD-R of the year –- the 11-track album itself is pretty good. But with the addition of four free MP3s the band has floating around the internet, it becomes a great pop album. These guys are from Chicago and apparently home-recorded the album, which is amazing, as they have layered harmony vocals, blasts of Brian May-style guitar and production values that suggest long and intricate studio work. What separates them from most pop bands is their Beatlesque sense of melody -– which comes in snatches, a background vocal line or guitar riff, rather than overwhelming their general sound. Actually, for some odd reason, the album feels (although does not sound) a lot like George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” album, meaning textured, but also organic. A beautiful piece of work – and I can only wonder how many other people know about it, as the only way I did was flippantly picking up their cardboard demo from the shit bin of promo’s at the NYPress editorial offices. These guys deserve better.


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Name: Darren aka Corky Macpherson
Subject: Cotton Candy
-- Apr 16, 2005 at 3:52AM
William,

I read that you found a copy of Cotton Candy on ebay. I would love to trade for a DVD or VHS
copy. I'll pay or I have loads of 70's crime drama tv shows to trade if that
interests you.

pookooks@yahoo.c a

Name: Robert Repsher
Subject: White Stripes
-- Nov 23, 2002 at 5:15PM
Hey Cuz......love this group myself. Cool sound.

Name: William S. Repsher Responds
Subject: Re: The White Stripes
-- Apr 23, 2002 at 9:57PM
Dick Clark is eatings my brains on the Lifetime Network while an audience of middle-aged women howl in laughter -- right now!

Name: Derrick
Subject: The White Stripes
-- Apr 23, 2002 at 8:27PM
I'm feelin like an idiot because only one other person took the time to enjoy the sound of the White Stripes. (My compliments to Dancika for her rockin' observation) The songs "I Fell inLove with a Girl" rocks my socks off. They sound like The Pixies meet the Stones meets Lou Reed. I suppose the biggest compliment I can give them is that they sound like themselves.
Derrick

Name: Danicka
Subject: The White Stripes
-- Apr 23, 2002 at 8:18PM
The white Stripes are so ecclectic and beautiful. I wish them many years of fame and fortune. I feel safe with them on the scene to rock the mic for many more. Cheers,
Danicka San Jose,CA see ya in SF


Name: Danicka
Subject: The White Stripes
-- Apr 23, 2002 at 8:18PM
The white Stripes are so ecclectic and beautiful. I wish them many years of fame and fortune. I feel safe with them on the scene to rock the mic for many more. Cheers,
Danicka San Jose,CA see ya in SF


Name: Andy P.
Subject: "Over the Edge"
-- Feb 5, 2002 at 5:23PM
E-group for "OVer the Edge" fans:

http://groups.ya hoo.com/group/OverTh eEdge7/

Name: William S. Repsher Responds
Subject: Re: WSR
-- Dec 14, 2001 at 5:48PM
Butch, you're making a big mistake not calling me a flaming asshole! But thanks for the kind words. Aside from Leisure Suit, I do a lot of work for a publication called NYPress -- a Manhattan weekly newspaper. If you go to Nypress.com and do a search on my last name, you should come across a bunch of stuff as I've been writing like a madman lately. Speaking of the NYPress, I plan on getting hammered at their Christmas party tomorrow down in the Village. Hope no one smashes a pint glass over my had for my opinion on the Neil Young song.

Name: Bill Lewullis
Subject: WSR
-- Dec 14, 2001 at 3:45PM
This might not be the best time or place to put this message but I enjoy your writing style. Not just the reviews, but the other articles you wrote. So far everything of yours that I have read has come from Leisuresuit.net. Do you write anything else for anybody else? Keep up the great job and I look forward to more of your writings.

Name: William S. Repsher Responds
Subject: Re: WSR
-- Dec 12, 2001 at 5:54PM
Now, there's a "real" man! Owen Gidlow from ?, North Carolina.

As I told the previous broken-arrow.net loser, Mr. Gidlow, you're posting this stuff to the wrong place. Please go to Nypress.com -- you can post a response there -- where the article appeared, which I would welcome. Your chosing to post it in this forum seems a little suspect and strange to me -- you have the website -- go there and post a letter to the editor.

But, I take it you might be too busy whipping the boys on the road crew, you macho, macho man. Spare me your bullshit, Owen -- you don't know a thing about me or the strong working-class history I have -- working for a road crew would be a fucking piece of cake compared to some of the thing I've done.

Now, shush along little Owen, back to afterthegoldrush.org to grovel with your other normal internet weirdoes -- glad to see you loathe critics who "think" -- they're the worst kind. Your way -- thoughtlessness, blind hero worship and pathetic pseudo-working class chest beating that makes absolutely no sense, is so much better.

Can't you lonely internet nutjobs come up with anything better than this?

Name: Owen Gidlow
Subject: WSR
-- Dec 12, 2001 at 2:17PM
By the way, if you think you have the balls to get a REAL job, come down to NC....I'll put you to work surveying for some nice new roads down here....oh, I forgot, everything you do is on paper....and it "ain't worth the print!"

Name: Owen Gidlow
Subject: "Critics" in general, and WSR's review of "Let's Roll" by Neil Young
-- Dec 12, 2001 at 12:50PM
Mr. Repsher,

I've never heard of you, so I don't really know your credentials. I loathe critics who "think". "I think", is all empowering to those who have an outlet, and from what I've seen from your vitriolic reviews (only a couple) I think that you don't desrve the right to be considered a critic, let alone a published reporter. Be thankful that there is fan worship on the internet, for I fear without it, you would be out of a job.

Name: William S. Repsher Responds
Subject: Re: Let's Roll
-- Dec 12, 2001 at 8:37AM
Well, wherever he/she/it is from, I suggest the anonymous internet coward choose the right forum -- a letter to the editor to the NYPress -- and share his/her/its wonderful prose with the readers of that publication, as opposed to playing internet reindeer games. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's anonymous internet cowardice and people like this who think it's a valid form of criticism, when it's just a glaring example of what I was criticizing in the original article, re: fan worship on the internet. Save that stuff for powderfinger.org.

Name: The Editors Respond
Subject: Re: Let's Roll
-- Dec 12, 2001 at 12:42AM
We think he more than likely came from Trans.gov

Name: William S. Repsher Responds
Subject: Re: Let's Roll
-- Dec 11, 2001 at 8:01PM
I don't mean to be rude to you, anonymous internet putz, but, er, uh, why are you posting this here?

Suggestion: recognize that when you pull the patented "must dissect article line by line for commentary," you are playing that classic internet dweeb game, i.e., you can't admit how much you love the writer. I've seen it a thousand times -- it's hilarious!

No point in answering any of your swill -- it has nothing to do with anything I've written -- your perceptions are all off, bringing excess baggage that has nothing to do with anything, save whatever you and all the other wankers on, what Rustneversleeps.com (or something) have to whine about in your cocooned internet world of weirdness.

You want to comment on this? Take it to the NYPress -- I'd love the chance to sink my teeth in via a print newspaper -- you have my blessing, write a letter-to-the-editor for the NYPress and let me have a crack at you in that forum, you anonymous internet coward/refugee from Comesatime.org. God, you internet creeps are so embarrasingly unaware of just how creepy you are!

Name: stupid girl
Subject: Let's Roll
-- Dec 11, 2001 at 5:46PM
>>which must have made thousands of white guys >>cruising the Valley in their muscle cars
>> exclaim, "Dude, this is so rad."

You have a deranged and stereotypical view of Southern California. You're writing a New York story; stick to New York metaphors. You know, like thousands of pimps cruising Harlem in their purple Cadillacs. And what do all these Valley and Harlem cruisers have in common? They all think Neil Young is RAD, dude! GMAFB.

>>As if his core audience were looting and burning >>stores in East L.A.

Make up your mind--are you writing a pro-New York story or an anti-LA story? If you're talking about the 92 riots, FYI they took place in south central, not East LA. You know East LA--that's where thousands of Mexican guys in low riders drive around listening to Neil Young because they think he is so "radico." GMAFB.

>> Young's song starts with a ringing cellphone, which
>> put me in the mind of a millennium version of C.W. >> McCall's 1975 tribute to CB radio, "Convoy."

Yeah, that's most people's reaction. You really have your thumb on the ole pulse! Or were you just reading all 8,913 messages on our Convoy thread? GMAFB.

>> Unfortunately, the song moves at a snail's pace,

Uh, four minutes and some-odd seconds, not as long as it took me to read your lightning prose, Quickstuff. Take as much time as you like making your points. Obviously this topic requires a speed-metal tune. GMAFB

>> conveying none of the
>> urgency of such a situation.

It wasn't a terrorist attack, it was a head-banger's ball! That plane took 75 minutes to go down but a four-minute song is too long! GMAFB

>>from what I've heard of Beamer's voice from the
>> call recording, he sounded strong and hopeful,

He was actually dancing in the aisle to AC/DC on his headphones. For those about to storm the cockpit, WE SAAAALUUUUUUUUUUUTE YOU!!! GMAFB

>>not like Roger Waters gazing at his navel for the >>umpteenth time.

So far you are the first to identify Neil Young's navel in the song, and its similarity to Roger Waters' navel. Everyone else has missed this. Geeee, are you, like, one of those ... genius guys???? GMAFB

>>This song made me just sit there and think, "What in >>the hell was that?"

Have you tried Finnegan's Wake by James Joyce? Since you like to wonder about hard stuff... I'm sure one of those muscle guys cruising around the Valley could explain this song to you--and then go on to explain another muscle-car fave, "Goin' Back." What does it all meeeeeeeaaaaaan??? GMAFB

>>The song barely has a melody, Young snarls the >>lyrics and, worst of all, a song like this
>>doesn't rock.

I just put all of my Dylan and Leonard Cohen CDs in the trash. And the muscle guys in boss cars will soon be doing the same with all of their Dylan and Cohen CDs. As soon as they're done reading your insightful article on their Palm Pilots. GMAFB

>>And this is supposedly rock music.

"Just Like a Woman" sux, dude! Hey, are you sure you don't drive a muscle car yourself, Mr New York Press Writer? GMAFB

>>I don't care if the message is "got my daddy's >>car/gonna' have a party"

You are obsessed with the American automobile, kid. What happened, you finally pop your cherry in the backseat last weekend? GMAFB

>>electric guitars, big beat, this is rock
>> 'n' roll,

I'm so glad to hear that all of you New York intellectuals prefer Metallica whereas these muscle guys cruising around the Valley keep listening to that funky Neil Young street music. We'z ull gangstas outhere. GMAFB

>>not a Wall Street Journal editorial, and it must >>reach the listener on this [rock] level.

That's what I admire most about the New York music scene--the way entire clubs full of people actually DANCE to WSJ editorials! Man, you peeps is da groove! GMAFB

>>Major recording artists of the boomer generation, >>from Dylan to the Stones to Young himself, have >>always been viewed as moral guides.

Uhm, excuse me, but some of us muscle-car drivers prefer Thomas Aquinas. GMAFB

>>I hope we're no longer at that age where we shush a >>love interest to point out just how deep this line by
>> Dylan is, man,

Are you kidding, muscle-dude? Listening to Let's Roll made me want to get down with my babe! The first time I heard it, I thought he was growling "Let's Roll Around." Jet fuel burns at 800 degrees--omigod--mus ic like this makes me so fuggin hot!!! What the world needs is a good terrorist-commentary song you can dance to, get drunk to, get LAID to!!! GMAFB

>>the childish hero worship to be found
>> on fan websites all over the Internet.

Those kids on the head-banger sites you obviously prefer are, like, sooooooooooooooo mature, dude! GMAFB

>> Sept. 11? I'll never forget the sound of jet
>> fighters flying overhead and nearly being trampled >> by dozens of screaming people

Now THAT'S something you can dance to! THAT'S rock n roll, man! Let

Name: William S. Repsher Responds
Subject: Re: fuckin idiot
-- Aug 20, 2001 at 6:41AM
Chris, like your mother, Radiohead blows dead donkey dick. Why don't you join her in this altruistic endeavor instead of listening to over-rated bands playing shit "music" -- although I'm not sure what Radiohead has done on the past two albums qualifies as such.

Name: chris Mckinney
Subject: fuckin idiot
-- Aug 20, 2001 at 12:36AM
Hey dick head you picked shit albums except for smashing pumpkins. How about a little band named Radiohead?

Name: The D
Subject: The Hi Fi
-- Jun 11, 2001 at 10:25AM
Do your best to get ahold of "Sonic Vacation" -- the band's first. You won't believe "in Stereo"

Name: josh
Subject: praise & suggestions
-- Jun 1, 2001 at 2:48AM
i don't think that it would of been possible for the pumpkins to finish with a more brilliant album. bright eyes is quite simply The Greatest Song Writer of All Time - bold statement, yah...but it's true.
if you like electric guitars, and lyrical non-sense, check out john frusciante's solo work.

Name: faithful fan
Subject: plastics hi fi live
-- May 29, 2001 at 4:40PM
06.23.01 SAT. Chicago, IL -- Martyrs
MOBfest show with Box-O-Car, National Drag and Johnny Polonski
3855 N. Lincoln Ave.
$8 tickets
21 & Over -- showtime 9 pm, PHF 3rd of 4
tel (773) 404-9494, http://www.martyrsli ve.com

BUY TICKETS FOR THIS SHOW:
https://shop.mus ictoday.com/Ticketin g/InstantNew.asp?EP= 2&AType=V&Re fID=2612
7&show_id=45 8604

06.29.01 FRI. Chicago, IL -- Hideout
with David Singer and Clyde Federal
1354 W. Wabansia
21 & Over-- showtime 10 pm -- showtime 9 pm, PHF 2nd of 3
tel (773) 227.4433, http://www.hideoutch icago.com

Name: Erik
Subject: Plastics Hi-Fi
-- May 29, 2001 at 4:00PM
If you love their album, you will be blown away by them live. They are incredible.

Name: Adam Jaffe
Subject: The Hi Fi
-- May 22, 2001 at 3:56PM
Bill,

I just heard the band's new material. Apparently they are looking for a record deal. I can't get the song "Daddy's got a new corvette" out of my head.
I can't wait until a label picks them up so they can go on tour full time.

Check out www.plasticshifi.com

Name: melissa foster
Subject: Plastics Hi Fi
-- May 20, 2001 at 8:14PM
I completely agree - and I LOVE Plastics Hi Fi!!!!! I have seen them many times live and think that they are even stronger in person. Thanks for giving them the praise they deserve.

Name: William S. Repsher Responds
Subject: Re: I like your style
-- Jan 7, 2001 at 8:43PM
Wendy, I've realized that the problem with writing for newspapers is the style is very confined, as is the subject matter/content. One thing I realized about a decade ago is if I'm going to write, I'm going to write exactly what I want to.

Of course, now that I've signed on with Leisure Suit, and Jordan Hoffman has left his brimstone-smelling hoofprint on the contract, I live lavishly in Queens -- wealthy, snorting blow off pop divas' bare backs, jetting off to Rio at the drop of a hat, etc. Dreams really do come true on Leisure Suit.net.

Take the Editors' advice -- if you got some shit to let out, do it here, if only to have a place to let it out. We can use freaks like you -- anyone who's up on the White Stripes is all right by me.

Name: The Editors Respond
Subject: Re: I like your style
-- Jan 7, 2001 at 7:43PM
Wendy--
Any fan of Repsher's musical picks is okay with us. Feel free to send a Submission to Submissions@LeisureSuit.net

Name: wendy case
Subject: I like your style
-- Jan 7, 2001 at 7:11PM
William,
I stumbled upon leisuresuit , and your work, while trying to find "Heavy Metal Parking Lot" on the internet.
I still haven't seen it (it appears that Kulik's website is down) but I read your review and LOVED it. You have a smart, no-bullshit writing style and I understand your humor deeply. I'm also very impressed that The White Sripes made it into your top 10.
I write about music and entertainment for The Detroit News. While I'm grateful for the work, I spend plenty of time fantasizing about a gig where I can write with some balls and wit. It's nice to read excellent work that speaks my language.
best,
Wendy Case, Detroit

Name: William S. Repsher Responds
Subject: Re: machina II
-- Jan 2, 2001 at 7:32PM
I think Virgin looked at his last album, saw that it didn't do so well commercially, heard this one, realized that it wasn't that much different from his old sound, and would rather make him feel stupid by insinuating that the same would happen to this album, whereas the truth is someone way up at the label is either too lazy or stupid to find a way to sell the album, which wouldn't be hard at all, but obviously one of those "brainstorming" meetings occurred, and they must have decided Billy was no longer worth it.

But I wouldn't look for this to make that many top 10 lists -- it was never really an album, and it took effort to download it, get the proper track listing, burn it on a CD, etc. Most critics are lazy assholes who have practically everything they listen to sent to them for free. God forbid they take the time and commitment to track down this album one piece at a time, like all his fans did. Most of these clowns wouldn't even deign to call a publicist to hustle a free copy. More wonderful truths about the world of critics!

Name: ed
Subject: machina II
-- Jan 2, 2001 at 4:59PM
thank god someone finally realizes this was one of the best albums of 2000. what the hell was virgin records thinking when they passed on this???


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