The Ledge #557: 1998

It's always shocking when you stumble upon tweets or articles noting the anniversary of beloved albums. You can't help but wonder how something that seems like it came out yesterday is actually...well, old!

That's the case with tonight's show. Every single song you hear is 25 years old. It's just insane to me that some of my favorite Americana (Son Volt, Golden Smog, Drive-By Truckers), power pop (Sloan, Tommy Keene, Nada Surf), singer/songwriter (Elliott Smith, Silver Jews), and punk (Fugazi, Screeching Weasel, Bad Religion) records have hit this milestone. It just doesn't feel like nostalgia

As for the "52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks" entry, I've got a fabulous rarity. 1998 saw the release of Scandal Controvery and Romance, the classic debut record by The Prissteens. To celebrate the 45th birthday of their A&R rep, Howard Thompson, the pressed up 45 copies of a tribute song called "Oh Howard!". The b-side of this single was their Undertones cover that featured a few lyrical changes and retitled "Teenage Dicks". (Both of these tracks were eventually reissued on 2020's The Hound collection of rarities and demos.)

Once again, I'm always actively looking for new covers of "Teenage Kicks". Please don't hesitate to create your own personal spin on one of the greatest songs of all time. Contact me at paulisded@gmail.com if you have a version to submit or if you have any questions regarding this project.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE SHOW!

1. The Pristeens, Teenage Dicks

2. The Pristeens, (I'd Go The) Whole Wide World

3. Liz Phair, Polyester Bride

4. Hole, Heaven Tonight

5. Sonic Youth, Sunday

6. Son Volt, Medicine Hat

7. Billy Bragg & Wilco, Hoodoo Voodoo

8. Golden Smog, Until You Came Along

9. Drive-By Truckers, Buttholeville

10. Cracker, Seven Days

11. Elliott Smith, Waltz #2 (Xo)

12. The Halo Benders, Your Asterisk

13. Grant Lee Buffalo, Truly, Truly

14. Silver Jews, Honk If You're Lonely

15. Tommy Keene, Long Time Missing

16. You Am I, The Cream And The Crock

17. Sloan, Iggy & Angus

18. Nada Surf, Hyperspace

19. The Jesus & Mary Chain, I Love Rock 'n' Roll

20. Bob Mould, New #1

21. Frank Black & The Catholics, Do You Feel Bad About It?

22. The Fleshtones, I Wanna Feel Something Now

23. Reverend Horton Heat, Lie Detector

24. Nashville Pussy, Go Motherfucker Go

25. Rocket From The Crypt, I Know

26. Archers Of Loaf, Perfect Time

27. The Mr. T Experience, I Just Want to Have Something to Do

28. Screeching Weasel, Beat on the Brat

29. The Vindictives, Suzy Is A Headbanger

30. Fugazi, Place Position

31. Bad Religion, All Fantastic Images

32. Jets To Brazil, Resistance Is Futile

33. Rancid, Hoover Street