TROUBLE - ONE FOR THE ROAD [EP] (1994)

Rick Rubin gets a lot of credit for his work with Johnny Cash, Glenn Danzig and countless others, though he's rarely mentioned as the lummox that dropped the ball with FLIPPER, UNIDA and, of course, the legendary TROUBLE. One for the Road was a post-American Recordings EP sold on tour in Europe. I probably wouldn't call this particular release essential, but if you're like me, you want all the TROUBLE you can get your hands on. It's kinda cool hearing earlier (and rougher) versions of "Another Day" and the classic "Requiem". G.O.M.E.'s all-time most downloaded album is TROUBLE's Manic Frustration, so I know the band is well-liked on the 13th floor. With that it mind, I recommend it.

1. Goin' Home
2. Window Pain
3. Requiem
4. Another Day
5. Doom Box

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LID - IN THE MUSHROOM (1997)

LID was the legendary Eric Wagner's first post-TROUBLE project, also featuring ANATHEMA guitarist Danny Cavanagh. Truth be told, I've often tried to appreciate this album, and it never stays in heavy rotation. There's definitely some great stuff here. My primary beef is that the record too often veers toward mainstream metal (which, come to think of it, is a complaint I've applied to TROUBLE more than a time or two). The fantastic production might actually hinder the quality of the record, in that it just screams "ARENA METAL" in all its shiny pristine brilliance. If you're too young to have thrown up in your mouth upon hearing TSOL's Strange Love for the first time, then simply rewind to 1997, and imagine what PEARL JAM fans were listening to when they really wanted to "kick some ass". Still, that's not to say there isn't a lot to like here. "Rx" is among Wagner's absolute finest work, and while I'll always be a little creeped-out by his obsession with THE MONKEES, Wagner's Bowie-esque take on "Randy Scouse Git" actually works. Of course, speaking of Wagner's obsessions, THE BEATLES must be mentioned. That influence is prevalent throughout the album (probably more so than on any TROUBLE album, thanks to Cavanagh), but culminates in a cover of "Don't Let Me Down".

1. Lid
2. Mary Agnes
3. The Dream Is Over
4. In the Mushroom
5. Window Pain
6. Rx
7. You Are Here
8. Randy Scouse Git
9. Alive
10. For All My Life
11. Don't Let Me Down

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TROUBLE - SIMPLE MIND CONDITION (2007)

I was very excited about the release of Simple Mind Condition, despite its hefty price-tag in the US. While I was a little disappointed at first, I soon realized that my expectations were unrealistic (12 years is a long time between albums), and grew to embrace the album for what it is: if not a triumphant return, then at the very least a solid rock album. Manic Frustration (the most downloaded album in G.O.M.E. history) was 16 years ago! A lot can change in that time. The first two tracks here, "Goin' Home" & "Mindbender", will satisfy all Rubin-era TROUBLE fans. Unfortunately they're followed by two boring rockers and an embarrassingly bad ballad. The album does regain its steam with "Trouble Maker" and "Arthur Brown's Whiskey Bar" before falling flat again with the title track. The unexpected piano ballad closer, "The Beginning of Sorrows", is fantastic...even if it makes you wonder how a rock band from Chicago ended up sounding like a cross between BAUHAUS and PORCUPINE TREE. All in all, there are some big winners here, but also some real stinkers. I still recommend it to the G.O.M.E. faithful, though, because you'll want a few of these tracks on your next "BEST OF TROUBLE" mix CD.

1. Goin' Home
2. Mindbender
3. Seven
4. Pictures of Life
5. After the Rain
6. Trouble Maker
7. Arthur Brown's Whiskey Bar
8. Simple Mind Condition
9. Ride in the Sky
10. If I Only Had a Reason
11. The Beginning of Sorrows

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