REVIEWS January 15 2013
AAA THE NEW MEMPHIS LEGS - S/t LP (Goner)
Back in the early 00’s I was
dying to hear this band. All you could get was one track on a split 7” from a
magazine called Pinball if I remeber correctly. To have James Arthur (then
ex-Fireworks, Necesarry Evils), Eric Oblivian (well, you know) and Forrest
Hewes (Neckbones) in the same band was something that could not go wrong to me.
Why these recordings never came out at the time I have no idea because this is
great stuff. Reminds me a bit of the Bad Times LP (Eric, Jay and Louie) but
with a notch better (and just perfect) fidelity. They cover some Australian
garage punkers but they mix well with the originals. Didn’t realise I miss this
kind of music but I do. Raw, noisey garage punk without bass of course! Also really like the format of nine
tracks on a 45 rpm LP. It’s just enough for a band like the Legs and it makes
it real loud. Great sleeve too. Definitely one you should get. (Martin)
A BURNING BUS - Anti b/w Paranoia
Paradise 7” (Harvest)
Don (Bassholes,
Gibson Bros) Howland’s back with a new version of his old outfit Burning Bush
and man is he inspired. “Anti” is a scuzzfest that doesn’t let up for 5 minutes
and “Paranoia Paradise” (written by Wayne County) is a fast punker that fits
the band perfectly. Hightly recommended! (Thomas)
AMERICAN SUN - American Sun/Poor
Girl
b/w Indian Morning 7” (Self-released)
Bought this from
SS Records some time ago and I figured a self-released 7” like this needs any
exposure it can get. Forgot to listen to it for a while but now that it’s back
at my turntable I realise it’s pretty great. Slow and moody garage rock
indebted to Dead Moon with a bit of a 90’s alternative feel as well. They seem
to be from New York. Great sound. (Martin)
BARBARAS - 2006-2008 LP
(Goner)
Shortlived Memphis all-star band whose members
went on to be in Jay Reatard's band, the Magic Kids and the Boston Chinks. They
only did one 7", which is included here, and which is prolly their best
but this whole album is nice and it's nice to finally have it out. Great
garagepop, some great songs some okay stuff but overall a really nice alb. I
really dig it. (Thomas)
BLACK LIPS - Live at Third Man LP (Third Man)
Lots of new songs off their latest, and pretty good, album in really nice
livesound. If you’ve seen the Black Lips live you know how they sound and this
is pretty close to being there, you can just pretend they’re playing in another
room. Anyways, they’re a great liveband and of course they should have some
livealbums out. Wouldn’t say this is necessary but it’s nice. (Thomas)
CHEATER SLICKS - Reality Is a Grape LP
(Columbus Discount)
Oomph! What a way to knock it out of the park,
record of the year? I think it might be.. At least songs of the year in “Hold
On to Your Soul” which really struck home with me, and “Current Reflection”.
Thank you! (Thomas)
DANCER - S/t 7” (Daggerman Records)
Good thing I didn’t hold my breath waiting for
something new from any ex-Box Elders cause that sure took it’s time, but here’s
a lifesign in the form of Jeremiah and Dancer. Hits all the right notes from
start to finish, especially “On the Run”. Don’t sleep on this! (Thomas)
DANNY and the DARLEANS - Don’t Ask The Qustion b/w
You’re Driving Me Insane 7” (Nero’s Neptune)
Hup! It’s Dan Kroha of the Gories
and Demolition Doll Rods!! New records by Cheater Slicks, Don Howland, Dan
Kroha and soon the Oblivians… What’s going on?! Mr Kroha’s new outfit is a real
nice garage trio with bass, guitar and drums. Two covers on this one. A-side’s
by someone named Powell (tried to google it but only got hits on Collin
Powell!) and b-sides’s a pre-Velvets Lou Reed number. Danny’s got his snotty
nasal voice intact and the Darleans dish out som danceable garage rhythms. It’s
good. (Martin)
DRUID PERFUME - S/t LP (Urinal Cake Records)
This has been out for long time now but I just think this
band is so overlooked I’m gonna review it anyway. Unfortunately I think this is
their last release and that they already called it quits. Druid Perfume are
from the Detroit area and feature ex-members of the Pirahnas and this is their
third LP. They play jazz-punk, sax-punk or we might just as well call it
skronk-punk. A lot of saxophone and twisted rhythms that are definitely jazz
influenced. Captain Beefheart, I would guess, is a heavy influence for this
band but it’s definitely punk in feel. Once you make it through all the
skronkiness it’s also damn catchy. The overall sound of this and especially the
vocals is definitely an aquired taste but if you make it through to the other
side there’s a great reward for you! Would have been great to see them live.
(Martin)
EX-CULT - S/t LP (Goner Records)
Very nice, the a-side’s blowing me away but
kudos to a pretty good b-side too. These guys didn’t surprise me this much live
or on previous releases (as Sex Cult). Can’t wait to give them another shot
live! Good work Ty Segall on production! (Thomas)
FIGURES OF LIGHT - Drop Dead CD (Norton Records)
The world found out about the
Figures Of Light a few years ago when Norton reissued their debut 7” from 1972.
A proto-punk garage gem that had been hidden from the world for ages. Then the
band released a whole LP with material including that first 7”, some other
vintage recordings mixed with new
stuff. I’m sure there were more people than me who didn’t believe the new stuff
would cut it but it actually sounded great and not at all different from the
70’s recordings. So now, here’s the first album with all new recordings and
it’s definitely a more cohesive record than the first one. Produced by Mick
Collins (Gories, Dirtbombs) and the band is backed up by Collins och guitar,
Miriam Linna (Cramps, A-bones) on drums and Marcus ”The Carcass” Natale on bass. The team crank out some
really cool primitive garage punk. Mick Collins gets the sound just right and
his guitar really lift the songs. The Figures Of Light really know what was
good about their music in the first place and don’t try to complicate things
that are best left simple and primal. The stanout track to me is definitely
”World Of Pain” where they get a nasty repetitious Cheater Slicks vibe going.
My only complaints is that sometimes the songs tend to drag out for a bit too
long and they could have easily skipped a couple of tracks to get a more solid
whole I think. That’s just small stuff though because it’s a really good album and
people who dig that primal garage thud should definitely check it out. (Martin)
THE HAPPY THOUGHTS - S/t LP (HoZac Records)
This is about half a year old by
now but it’s good enough to remind you about it. The Happy Thoughts used to be
Eric and the Happy Thoughts and released some 7”s and tapes and these songs
were on those releases albeit in different recordings I think. The Happy
Thoughts play minimalist pop music in a garage setting. Drums, bass, a cheesy
and scrappy japanese-sounding guitar and witty, smart down-to-earth lyrics.
That’s all they need because they write great songs and the fragility of the
whole thing just adds to the charm. It’s really no point in picking out any
certain songs because it’s pretty much like a collection of hits. When I got it
I played it for a week straight and then totally forgot about it for a while
but everytime I put it on it makes me happy. Just like a great pop record.
(Martin)
LAMPS - Under the Ground, Under the Water LP
(In the
Red Records)
What a party these guys throw! Been waiting a
while for this, their 3rd LP and it’s gotta be their best yet.
Fucking dangerous and loud and wild and just lovable! Shit, this thing is
unbelievable! Get this! (Thomas)
PUFFY AREOLAS - 1982: Dishonorable Discharge
LP (HoZac)
Puffy Areolas are back and
this time on HoZac out of Chicago (last one was on Siltbreeze). They’ve also
got a new drummer which is one of my favorite drummers Bim Thomas (Bassholes,
Obnox). His trademark style is all over this LP! The Areolas choice of punk sound
like a noisey take on early harcore mixed with garage noise and stomped in a
repetitive hazy fury. Yes, a bit of psychedelics thrown in as well as some
Stooges ”Funhouse” somewhere. It might be an aquired taste but i really like
it. Love the saxophone skronk on ”Funk Your Head Up”. This album is really
cohesive and a great buy so if you think you might like it go out and get it!
(Martin)
REISSUES
PSYCHOSURGEONS - Horizontal Action 7” (Crypt Records)
Great to see Crypt jumping on the 70’s punk
reissue train, especially when it’s this great. Like Razar this is a mush have
so just make sure to get it! Sweet, amazing punkrock from down under. (Thomas)
RAZAR - Stamp Out Disco 7” (Sing Sing Records)
It’s been a great year for reissues where Sing
Sing sure did their part, now if we could only get more stuff like this and
less powerpop. Razar is essential listening! Great fucking punkrock! (Thomas)
THE SCIENTISTS - E.P. (Agitated)
Agitated Records is sneaking up
from behind and they’re putting out some cool reissues. This time it’s the
second 7” from Australias the Scientists (they also did their first but it’s
out of print) and it’s an EP with four songs. This was before the Scientists
went into the swamp when they did raw, poppy and catchy garage-music. Maybe a bit
like the Real Kids with the sound of the Saints but there’s also som
Thunders-sounds as well as a bit of an 80s garage feel. Originally it came out
in 1979 and has been reissued on other formats a few times. I love this! ”Last
Night” starts the EP and it’s a super catchy number which is followed by the
stonsey ”Bet Ya Lyin”. ”It’s For Real” and ”Pissed On Another Planet” on the
flip are equally great while maybe not as instant. Yay! (Martin)
V/A - JUKEBOX MAMBO DBL LP (Jazzman Records)
Rhythm & blues infused by latin and rumba
flavour. Not bad if I may say so! Had a couple of the cuts on here but most of
them are new to me and the ones I did have are put into a new context making
them even better. Great compilation and it comes with a great, hefty booklet
explaining and contextualizing the whole latin r&b movement. Think Jungle
Exotica or the Lavender Jungle taking on regular rhythm & blues and the
result would maybe be something like this. Do the rumba! (Thomas)
