Now Playing: "Like a Prayer"

It's not often that artists are able to realize their full potential, let alone mainstream pop stars. It's seems that more often than not, we get an early period full of promise and potential that transitions into a more mature period that lacks the energy and immediacy of the early period, but here we get everything that is great about Madonna in the '80s and '90s in one song.

"Like a Prayer" is easily the peak of Madonna's career, combining her conventions in perfect doses. The funky, dance-inducing synth bassline is present, but it makes way for softer, more ballad-like verses. The chorus is catchy and repeated heavily, but builds over time, allowing the choir to take it to new heights. We get a touch of the shock value used heavily elsewhere in her career, but here the comparison of sexual passion and religious passion comes off as more observational and tasteful than the more overtly provocative stages of her career. There's more to the song than an attempt to spark controversy or an attempt to make you want to dance, but it does a pretty good job of making you want to dance.

I can listen to "Like a Prayer" every day, multiple times a day, multiple times in a row. What a great song.

But, man, is that video ever cheesy. What is going on?

On the b-side: "Act of Contrition" (this song is scary)

Awesome Picture Sleeves: "Ebony and Ivory"

Jukebox Heroes: Paul Simon

Paul Simon may not be a name that comes to mind when you think of a "Jukebox Hero," but around our house he most certainly is.

We have acquired a great deal of his singles and they have all outlasted many of Simon's more hard rocking peers. "Kodachrome" has been in Jolene since we got her and "You Can Call Me Al" is just one of the greatest things ever. There is just no arguing that. For a more mellow mood, we have the always amazing "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover." Who can resist that killer snare intro?

So despite his easy listening reputation, Paul Simon is in fact a Jukebox Hero.

Double A Sides: London Calling/Train in Vain (Stand By Me)

Jukebox Heroes: Prince

I was never really a big Prince fan. In fact, I kind of hated "When Doves Cry" when I was growing up. I was always more into Michael Jackson as a suburban youngster, but, man, does Prince ever kick the crap out of Jackson in Jolene. "Billie Jean" will sit in the rotation for days without a play, and Prince, who always has at least two singles loaded up, will get multiple plays every day.

It's probably due to our Twin Cities locale that we come across so many Prince singles in our shopping, and they're always pretty cheap. This is one of the few benefits of our region's taste (where are all the hip-hop 45s, midwest?). We've managed to pick up just about every major single from the local hero, and each really manages to hold its own in the rotation.

"Raspberry Beret" is funky and fun. "Little Red Corvette" has a melancholy urgency. "When Doves Cry" is the most aggressive dance song we own. "I Would Die 4 U" is an unstoppable looping groove. "Let's Go Crazy" is a great way to kick off an impromptu kitchen dance party. "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" is a great little pop nugget, and "Kiss" will always make you drop what you're doing and nod your head (and usually break into a falsetto that is better kept as a secret shame).

Prince has easily earned his way on the list of artists always represented in any assortment of records loaded into Jolene.

Jolene's Most Wanted: Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)

If you or anyone you know has seen "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) by Squeeze, contact us immediately.

UPDATE: obtained!

Double A Sides: All That She Wants/Don't Turn Around

Awesome Picture Sleeves: "Pressure"

Adventures in Record Shopping: Mr. Zero's

We found an interesting little place yesterday called Mr. Zero's. They had memorabilia of all kinds, quite a few records, cds, video games, vhs, and assorted pop culture doodads.

They've only been at their current location for two months and have yet to get permanent record shelves installed, so browsing was a little involved, but their stock was diverse and worth digging through. The assortment of merchandise was very eclectic, from Simpsons action figures to Arcade machines, and in a completely non-jukebox related aside, I managed to buy a couple unopened packs of Marvel Comics trading cards from 1994, the same year I used to be really into Marvel trading cards.

The loot:
• Chad and Jeremy: Yesterday's Gone LP (although we apparently already owned this)

• The Beach Boys: All Summer Long LP

• Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell: Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing/If I Could Build My Whole World Around You 7"

• Joe Jackson: Steppin' Out/Chinatown 7" (but warped! always check the condition, kids)

• Bill Withers: Ain't No Sunshine/Lean on Me 7"

• E.T. The Extra Terrestrial VHS (with green plastic, just like I remembered)

• 1 pack Marvel Masterpieces '94 trading cards

• 1 pack '94 Flair Marvel Universe trading cards


Here's a video from inside Mr. Zero's:


Overall, a pretty fun store with a very eclectic stock. It works almost as a walk-in time capsule. We'll definitely keep checking this place out as they get more settled into their new location.

Now Playing: "He's a Rebel" by The Crystals

One of my absolute favorites. I play it at least once a day. It is the perfect example of Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" and it never fails to get me dancing.

On the B side: "I Love You Eddie"

Jolene Comes Home

On October 31, 2009, less than a month after being married, we welcomed a new member to our family. We named our little bundle of joy Jolene.

Jolene is a 1984 Rowe R-88 Jukebox we found listed on Craigslist. It had been a dream of mine for nearly a decade to have a jukebox of my own. I even went so far as to bid on a couple of ebay auctions. Ultimately, apartment living and financial responsibilities kept me from this dream.

Jolene had been posted a few times on Craigslist, and over time, the asking price kept dropping. We had been keeping our eyes on the listing, but we were about to be married, and money was tight. After the listing had been posted multiple times in a single day with the price dropping down to $200, the postings stopped for several days. We figured we had missed our chance.

Soon, though, Jolene popped back up on Craigslist, and I contacted the seller immediately.

I went to check out Jolene that night, and it was love at first sight. She was already loaded up with an impressive if inconsistent set of records, and she sounded great. After arranging to have my father-in-law come into town with his truck, we went to pick her up a few days later.

Jolene is the heaviest thing I have ever moved in my life. The included service manual states that she weighs about 375 pounds, but I feel like she might have put on a little weight. With the extra help of the seller, we loaded her into the pickup bed easily, but lowering her down at our place was a little scarier with only two of us on the job.

Pushing her down the walk to the front door, her wheels dug into the lawn, and getting her up the front steps was quite an effort.

It was all worth it, though, because now our pride and joy sits next to our fridge, emitting a warm glow all through the night. Jolene had found her new home.