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The Cribs – Ignore The Ignorant (Warner Bros)
Somehow this slipped past my radar when it came out. Indie rock with three brothers from West Yorkshire and Johnny Marr. Incredibly well written songs. Is Johnny Marr just going to join every band that is half his age? That capitalizes on HIS trademark jangle? I certainly hope so.
Stimulators – Loud Fast Rules (ROIR)
This is a full length live recording made in Raleigh, North Carolina, NOT the 7” EP with the same title. 14 songs, available for the first time on vinyl. The Stimulators were one of the few bands to cross the bridge of New York punk rock from the 70’s into the 80’s, and they did so with 11 year old Harley Flanagan on drums. I have always suspected that if this band continued with another record, it would have been incredible. But things didn’t work out that way. Terrific recording, great tunes. I only wish there was more of it.
Stalag 13 – In Control (Dr. Strange)
One of my favorite punk records. Uh, excuse me, Nardcore records. Intelligent lyrics, crushing guitar riffs and an outstanding rhythm section that is focused solely on breaking windows and loosening bolts. For the uninitiated, Nardcore is a portmanteau of the words hardcore and Oxnard (as in the LA suburb) and is really more of a description of their ethos, not their sound. Anyway. None of that matters. Buy this record and try to imagine a world where The Offspring and Sublime never existed.
Samiam – Orphan Works (No Idea)
This CD compiles a bunch of radio shows and outtakes from their 1994 to 1999 period. A lot of amazing songs, a lot of questions to ponder surrounding their demise. Samiam was a band that constantly tried to evolve past their punk roots, but seemed to get bogged down by production issues and serious missteps. But I feel confident saying that this is how they deserve to be remembered, at their peak! Before any ill-conceived reunion records were even considered. No Idea did a tremendous job putting this together. Two thumbs up.
Slowdive – Blue Day (Creation)
Double LP reissue limited to 350 copies. Originally released in 1992, this is a must-have if you have any interest in shoegaze or post-rock. This isn’t my favorite release by them, but it’s super interesting to pick over their early work, a lot of which was untamed and heavily influenced by psychedelica. In fact one of the bonus cuts is a Syd Barrett cover, “Golden Hair”, from his 1970 solo record, Mad Cap Laughs.
Serena Maneesh – No 2: Abyss In B Minor (4AD)
Interesting slowgaze / post-rock that manages to avoid the typical traps and pitfalls of shoegaze. Wears a little thin, but I can definitely hear a dam about to burst. This record sounds incredible – tons of noise, wild phase shifting and muted vocals. Excellent recording.
The Posies – Blood/Candy (Rykodisc)
I haven’t fully digested this, so it won’t be fair to pick it apart. Blood/Candy is their first release in five years, and it shows the band experimenting with their power pop / indie sound, focusing on evolving their writing process into something more fluid than on their last few records. Impressive to say the least.
Yuppicide – Anthology: ’88-‘98 (Dead City)
Let’s face it, you either hated this band or you loved them. I still have no idea how they managed to write and record so much material in ten years. The first time I heard this band was on the Look At All The Children Now compilation, and that song, “Ourselves” (which also appears here) still rips. Not a lot of New York HC bands were doing anything melodic at this time, except for maybe Abombanation and Token Entry. If that’s your bag, you will love this.
Saint Vitus – Thirsty & Miserable (SST)
Three song 12” with two originals and a Black Flag cover. Needs to be heard to be believed.
Negative Approach – Friends Of No One (Taang!)
I can’t think of anything that has come out in the last few years that sounds this terrible. Sounds like it was mastered from an old decaying cassette. But, it’s NA, so you have to disregard that. Six songs including a Stooges cover, recorded in 1984. Definitely NOT anywhere near as good as their 7”, in fact it’s not even close. But it’s important to note that after recording their “Tied Down” LP, they reverted back to playing fast and short songs again before self destructing.
