I bought this on CD back in 1995 after seeing a live performance of Mike Watt featuring Eddie Vedder and Dave Grohl performing “Big Train” on John Stewart’s late night show.  Remember that show?

Ball-Hog Or Tugboat? is anything but consistent as its detractors will undoubtedly raise as it’s main flaw.  Yes, it’s Mike Watt showcasing his incredible cast of musical friends.  But, you can’t argue with songs like Piss-Bottle Man (featuring vocals by Evan Dando),  Chinese Firedrill (featuring vocals by Frank Black), and the jazzed out “E-Ticket Ride” (featuring Mike D. and Flea).

I finally stumbled upon a vinyl copy over the weekend and it’s been money well spent.  Other guests include: Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth, Henry Rollins, Nels Cline, and Chris and Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets.  Plus, you need to hear J. Mascis shred it up on Funkadelic’s “Maggot Brain.”

Buy: Mike Watt – Ball-Hog Or Tugboat?

A list of our favorite albums of 2011. Below you’ll find the records that meant the most to me this year. A smaller list than in previous years which is a result of these records remaining in heavy rotation all year combined with an equal amount of time spent listening to records not released this year. [Note: this list does not include releases from the artists I work with directly]

Bon Iver | Bon Iver (buy )
MP3: Bon Iver – “Holocene”
MP3: Bon Iver – “Calgary”

Josh T. Pearson | Last Of The Country Gentlemen (buy )
Video: Josh T. Pearson – “Sweetheart I Ain’t Your Christ”

Feist | Metals (buy )
MP3: Feist – “How Come You Never Go There”

Wye Oak | Civilian (buy )
MP3: Wye Oak – “Civilian”

Conrad Plymouth | Comrade Pylmouth (buy)
Free Download: Conrad Plymouth – Comrade Pylmouth

Jessica Lea Mayfield | Tell Me (buy )
Video: Jessica Lea Mayfield – “Our Hears Are Wrong” (David Letterman)
Video: Jessica Lea Mayfield – “Sometimes At Night”

Nurses | Dracula (buy )
MP3: Nurses – “Trying To Reach You”
MP3: Nurses – “Fever Dreams”

Caveman – CoCo Beware (buy )
MP3: Caveman – “Old Friend”

EMA | Past Life Martyred Saints (buy )
MP3: EMA – “The Grey Ship”

James Blake | James Blake (buy )
Video: James Blake – “Limit To Your Love”
Video: James Blake – “The Wilhelm Scream”

Other Lives | Tamer Animals (buy )
MP3: Other Lives – “For 12″

Above is one of my favorite songs of the year. James Blake absolutely nails this song, originally penned by Joni Mitchell. Watch the video above and then give the original a listen here.

Buy: James Blake – Enough Thunder

Words: Steven Spoerl | Photo: Dan Huiting

It was Monday night, December 12th. The excitement was more than palpable. A banner was strewn over the doors announcing a town