This long overdue playlist accompanies my reviews for BT 77, out now.
- Motörhead – “Thunder & Lightning”
Lemmy left us at the end of last year to explore the eternal MotorHawk infinity of beyond, but not before delivering one final raspy statement of triumph in the face of adversity. This thrasher recalls the excellence of Ace of Spades and Iron Fist in its breakneck speed and sneering, bitter lyrics. Hopefully, Lemmy finally has the peace he sought all his life. From Bad Magic on UDR/Motörhead.
- Public Image Ltd. – “Spice of Choice”
Who would have thought that when PiL got back together they’d be any good? John Lydon strikes again with good music and insightful words. It’s nice when your heroes triumph, so here’s a song with a very Roxy Music “Love Is the Drug” vibe, showing just how versatile Lydon & Co. truly are. From What the World Needs Now on PiL Official.
- Pere Ubu – “(Pa) Ubu Dance Party”
Most of you already know this, but for those who don’t, there was a band in mid-70s Cleveland, OH called Rocket from the Tombs that split up as soon as they formed. The hard rockers went on to The Dead Boys and the artists formed Pere Ubu. This irresistible oddity from their second album is just a lot of fun. From Elitism for the People 1975-1978 on Fire.
- Digital Leather – “Moron Embrace”
Shawn Foree has had his highs and lows, but he fully hit his mark with his new album of non-stop pumping Tubeway Army-esque synth punk. Here, he celebrates MDMA and drug use, and why not?…I mean, drugs are bad, kids! From All Faded on FDH.
- Spray Paint – “Day of the Rope”
Austin, TX’s Spray Paint nod to ’90s noise rock while completely being of this era. Where else will you find a song like this wide-eyed manifesto, which creeps somewhere between Big Black and ESG? From Punters on a Barge on Homeless.
- Damian Anache – “Paisaje Artificial” [Excerpt]
NOTE: The review I wrote for BT 75 was cut from the issue, so I’ll put it here:
For his first solo recording, Argentine composer Damián Anache turns space and mathematics into instruments, creating sparse, airy soundscapes that constantly flow like the passing of time. The first section of “Paisaje Primero” sets the stage as the core composition on which the remaining tracks are based. A guitar strums, a piano resounds, bells ring and feedback reverberates, creating a three-dimensional sonic atmosphere. Anache then fed this score into a computer program, which assembled an algorithm of random choices based on the initial model to complete the piece, as well as the other tracks, which focus on his voice, synthesized sounds and water, respectively. It’s an intriguing work of modern composition that uses the computer as an asset, rather than a cage. Sit back, relax, and listen.
From Capturas Del Único Camino on Concepto Cero/Inkilino.
- Mueller_Roedelius – “Origami”
Krautrock pioneer, Hans-Joachim Roedelius continues to release compelling music, whether in the new incarnation of Qluster or any of his many excursions. A collaboration with Christoph H. Müller of Touch el Arab & Gotan Project blended Roedelius’ beloved piano with electronics for a soothing Germanic meditation, as embodied here. From Imagori on Grönland.
- Harmonia – “Sonnenschein”
So, back in the ’70s, Neu!’s Michael Rother teamed up with Cluster (see above) to record heady electronic music in the German country side. They went on to collaborate with Brian Eno, but this pulsing track from their first album exudes psychedelia. From Complete Works on Grönland.
- The Orb – “Moon Scapes 2703 BC”
The Orb have been producing trance-inducing EDM for a quarter of a century, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon. After all, moon colonization doesn’t just happen overnight. From Moonbuilding 2703 AD on Kompakt.
- Exek – “The Theme from Judge Judy”
Australian darkness, kind of Scratch Acid dub. Good stuff. From the split 7” with Spray Paint (see above) on Homeless.
- Loop – “Aphelion”
Twenty-five years ago, Loop recorded some truly heady music before founder Robert Hampson called it quits to pursue other projects, most notably Main. A surprise reformation of his old band, however, found him combining elements of his more experimental work into his signature spacey drone for an even better Loop. From Array 1 EP on ATP.
- Terminal Cheesecake – “Poultice”
Terminal Cheesecake defined London’s stoner psych in the ’90s, but left a lot of dazed heads when they stopped mid-decade. Recently, they got back together (kind of a theme, isn’t it?) and released a powerful live document featuring their best material. Yeah. From Cheese Brain Fondue: Live in Marseilles on Artificial Head.
- Conway Twitty – “That’s When She Started to Stop Loving You”
Mr. Twitty deserves to be remembered as more than a Family Guy gag. His songs were soulful and passionate, and his voice reeked emotion, as in this twangy little ditty of self-reflection. From I Love You More Today/To See My Angel Cry… on Poker/Cherry Red.
- Gélou – “Ils Croient À Leur Danse”
French rock’n‘roll circa 1959 was completely insane! Just check out this frenzied rampage and try to sit still. From Vive Le Rock’N’Roll: The Unruly World of French Rock’N’Roll 1956-1962 on RPM International/Cherry Red.
- Drop Outs – “Don’t Know”
Twenty years ago, a nomad named Jamie Paul Lamb roved the country, formed bands, recorded them, and moved on. An excellent Killed by Death-style compilation documents just how great this unheard music was. This song, from a Long Beach, CA-based outfit, has a snarling punk attitude and a cool riff. From We’re Loud: 90s Cassette Punk Unknowns on Slovenly/Black Gladiator.
- PF Commando – “Failed Abortion”
Early punks weren’t known for high-brow etiquette, and Sweden’s first were no exception. Here is a lunk-headed classic of safety pins and leather. From Manipulerade Mongon on Ugly Pop.
- Merzbow/Thurston Moore/Mats Gustafsson/Balazs Pandi – “divided by steel. falling gracefully” [EXCERPT]
And you were expecting something melodious? From cuts of guilt, cuts deeper on RareNoise.
NOTE: As always, tracks are not ordered by preference, but rather organized for aesthetic value.
