Speaking Canaries: Get Out Alive: The Last Type Story [2003] Further evidence that this is just not an album band. Killer opening track, though (I Wear Glasses in the Most Brutal Sport Ever Invented). And no, I did not/will not listen to the long version.
Speaking Canaries: Life-Like Homes (EP) [1998] Really like this one. Did my taxes while listening and it kept me bouncing and in a good mood. Speaking Canaries may be an EP band - LPs may be asking too much, but four rambling, ambitious tracks? Chef's kiss.
Speaking Canaries: The Opponents (EP) [1996] Brief and fun. Several weird vocal mix touches - one of which made me jump as if someone was behind me - indicates much screwing around in the studio, which I enjoyed.
Speaking Canaries: Songs for the Terrestrially Challenged [1995] Much more listenable than the first record. I could even see myself revisiting this one someday in the right mood. But: Damon Che is not a gifted vocalist or lyricist.
Speaking Canaries: The Joy of Wine [1993] I had a lot of CDs like this in college. You listen and listen hoping you didn’t waste $15, but you did. A few decent tracks but largely a tough listen.
Now for the related bands. First up The Speaking Canaries.
Punkgasm [2008] Vocals? What the hell? Who invited melodies to the party? GTFO
World Class Listening Problem [2006] Without Ian Williams on guitar, this just isn’t as interesting. Whoever the new guys are try to hide that they grew up learning Mick Mars riffs, but I can smell the Dr. Feelgood.
American Don [2000] Still stylistically ping-pongy, but with more musicality and less jarring transitions for their own sake. Less aggro, bur still aggressive. Really good.
What Burns Never Returns (1998). You know when HBO supercuts bits of its upcoming shows? And they hang together in a way that gets you excited despite the bizarre mashup of tones? This record is like that, in a good way. Feels like a refinement of form, likely to be followed by a departure from it.
Next: Don Caballero 2 (1995). Has big "let's explore the studio" energy. Still very good, but not as cohesive as For Respect, and likely intentionally so. Sometimes confrontational ambition is the vibe I want, but the mood will have to be right for this album. Reminds me of Horse Lords, who rule.
Up first: Don Caballero's For Respect (1993). Pretty flawless debut album. Perfect for entertaining my subconscious mind without occupying my conscious mind. I have certain albums I turn to when I'm in deep writing mode, and this may join them.
The first discography dive of 2026 begins today. Listening to Don Caballero on hard mode (i.e. all studio albums by Don Caballero and the following related groups: Speaking Canaries, Bellini, Storm & Stress, and Battles).
Hard mode indeed! I'll start with my list and see where my stamina stands when I'm done. Will report along the way.
I was going to omit Battles since I know them well, but why not listen to records I know are awesome?
December got away from me, but I’m ready to dive into Don Cab+. Does this serve as a fairly comprehensive extended universe?
Truer words, truer words.
I KNEW this would be the first reply.
Looking for my next discography listen. Candidates include Sleater-Kinney, De La Soul, and Don Caballero, or a compelling suggestion. Will post album reviews in thread. Any votes or nominations?
From time to time, I decide to listen through an entire artist's discography in order. Past subjects include Led Zeppelin (great stuff past the obvious), PJ Harvey (fuck yes, except for White Teeth, which didn't land for me), and Pulp (plus solo-Jarvis, love it all).
I saved Latin. What did you ever do, Charlie Brown?
That’s a beaut.
Wall-sized black and white photograph of Robert Redford in character as the Sundance Kid with a red vase containing yellow forsythia on a table in front of it.
Happy trails, Sundance.
I believe in Ronnie Lane, which amounts to the same thing.
They might be a little too late to qualify as British Invasion, but I ride hard for The Faces.
Belonged to Jay Kayvius Jamiromaximus
My wife - an avid collector of used children's books - keeps a hair dryer in our office for the sole purpose of removing price stickers.
Nothing will engender institutional support for preservation better than making collection materials a reliable source of caffeine.
We could use his espresso machine in the lounge.
