Spinal Tap Get the Last Laugh in Mockumentary Sequel

Posted in Comedy with tags , , , , on 08/02/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
(L-R) Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer)

We thought another Spinal Tap reunion would never happen. Well, we were pretty sure. Whatever the case, such reckless reasoning should’ve confined us to an inescapable Hell Hole for the rest of our wretched lives. Lives that cnly experience a brief respite from ceaseless, agonizing misery when a mischievous sprite throws on This Is Spinal Tap before the firebreathing sentries catch wind of it.

Anyone even tangentially familiar with dry, British wit should’ve seen from a few kilometers away that Nigel, David and Derek – all Americans, let the record show – could maybe muster yet one more victory lap (their fifth, by our count), despite their their brittle bones. (Guest and McKean are 77 years old, while Shearer is four years their senior.)

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Tool’s 68 Songs, Ranked From ‘Invincible’ to ‘Disgustipated’

Posted in Lists, Reviews with tags , , , on 08/01/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

Because I said so. Order never subject to change.

1. “The Grudge”

2. “Invincible”

3. “The Patient”

4. “Sober”

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Dozer’s ‘Rewind to Return – Rarities, Singles and B-Sides’: Two Cent Review

Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags on 08/01/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

With the release of Dozer’s meaty collection of singles and obscure tracks, the heavy-go-lucky band of sweet Swedes give those who’ve slept on the band – this writer not included – a chance to redeem themselves. Hop over to Veil of Sound for my review of an album that acrobatically appeals to Dozer diehards and those getting a whiff of their sound (and pot smoke) for the first time.

The Armed’s ‘The Future Is Here and Everything Needs to Be Destroyed’: Two Cent Review

Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags on 08/01/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

The Armed’s sixth album is a consistent, melodic post-hardcore assault, maintaining a relentless pummeling in defiance to the system as much as it is to their recent pop streak. Read my full review of the Detroit punks’ new record on FLOOD.

Best New Music Videos (July 2025): Spinal Tap, Deftones, Ozzy Osbourne Tribute, Kayo Dot

Posted in Lists, Videos with tags , , , , , on 07/31/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

Reading is such a bummer, man. Supposedly it leads to blurred vision and other maladies. Rock videos, on the other hand, are so much more fun – and, according to America’s beloved and revered Secretary of Health and Human Services, actually regenerate eyesight instead of damaging it. With that in mind, here’s a test-pilot of a potentially recurring series on The Bad Penny: The 10 most entertaining, hilarious and depraved videos of the month. Here are the ones that captivated us most in July:

1. Spinal Tap’s “Stonehenge” (feat. Elton John)

2. Orbit Culture’s “Hydra”

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Pet Sounds #58: Sally Anne Morgan’s ‘Circle’ of Friends Includes Sheep, Chickens, Cats

Posted in Interviews with tags on 07/31/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

Anyone silly enough to believe that artists only live in cities in the U.S., we bring you Exhibit A in refutation of that erroneous claim: exceptional music talent Sally Anne Morgan. The thoroughly relatable musician and artist refers to her music as “psychedelic Appalachian folk drone,” which might seem tough to understand – until the moment she begins to play.

Signed to one of the most respected indie labels of the past 30 years, Morgan has a home at Thrill Jockey Records that is almost as comfortable as the 3-acre pasture she shares with her husband in North Carolina. While it’s true that The Bad Penny has mostly interviewed urban-dwelling artists about their animals for our ongoing Pet Sounds series, we had the pleasure of learning how a musician surrounded by animals at all times finds their creations inevitably impacted by nature and the creatures that dwell in it.

Earlier this year, we caught up with Morgan ahead of the release of her tranquil, meditative and soothing new album Second Circle the Horizon before it came out late last month. What follows is a condensed version of our invigorating conversation.

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Far Caspian Guru Admits: ‘I Wish I’d Called the Band Something Else’

Posted in Interviews with tags on 07/31/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

With his latest LP Autofiction out now, Far Caspian’s Joel Johnston discusses the headspace he was in as the project came together—as well as when he initiated the project in 2014. Read my interview with him via FLOOD.

Hollywood Vampires’ 17 Songs, Ranked

Posted in Comedy, Lists with tags , , , , , , on 07/31/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

Congratulations to Alice Cooper for cranking out the first album in a half-century with the original lineup of his band last week! As expected, The Revenge of Alice Cooper is a rollicking (or should we say “ROlliCKing”?!) good time. Album highlights include “Crap That Gets in the Way of Your Dreams” and “Intergalactic Vagabond Blues.”

But, sadly, the reunited band’s got nothing on the crowning achievement in Coop’s career (which, fun fact, got rolling in 1964, three years before Ozzy’s). That feat of cosmic — oops, “intergalactic” — magnificence is, of course, Hollywood Vampires.

In case you’ve been living in a cave, or better yet a mansion, Hollywood Vampires co-stars Johnny Depp and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry along with studio musician Tommy Henriksen, the guy who, of course, famously played bass for German power-metal band Warlock from 1987 to 1988). The “supergroup” — and, honest to God, has that term ever been used more loosely? — assembled in 2012. In what must be a shock to the “King of Shock Rock” himself, they’ve never broken up.

In honor of … I dunno, whatever … here’s a list of all the original songs Hollywood Vampires have composed in their 13 years of existence, over the course of two studio albums, ranked below from “best” to “worst.”

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Rock ‘N’ Roll Rebus #4

Posted in Fun And Games with tags , on 07/30/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

Find the solution here, in the opening of the first sentence.

For previous rebuses (rebi? Reba?), give these a go:

Rock ‘N’ Roll Rebus #3
Rock ‘N’ Roll Rebus #2
Rock ‘N’ Roll Rebus #1

Exclusive Video Premieres: Moonpool’s ‘Like You Do,’ ‘Aim’

Posted in Exclusives, Videos with tags on 07/30/2025 by Kurt Orzeck

Fresh off two special performances late last week at Fridays on the Plaza festival in Cheyenne, Wyoming and the Underground Music Showcase festival in their hometown of Denver, Moonpool are busting out two brand-new videos exclusively on The Bad Penny. The clips are for the two songs featured on Syzygy, a new EP the alt-rock/post-punk band released exactly one week ago.

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