The Smiths – Unreleased Demos and Instrumentals (Bootleg)
Double LP bootleg of sixteen rare Smiths recordings on blue vinyl. Surely this has to be a sign that 2011 is going to be a great year. Plenty of real surprises here, even for seasoned collectors and die hard Moz nerds including John Porter’s mix of “Sheila”, the first take of “Ask” in June 86 and an early extended outtake of “The Queen is Dead”. Also, there are two unreleased instrumentals, one called “I Miss You” from 84 and one untitled (likely an early sketch of “The Draize Train”) from the “Strangeways” session in 1987.
Electric Wizard – Black Masses (Rise Above Records)
In my mind, doom and stoner rock rarely lives up to it’s potential. The elaborate packages and pentagram shaped picture discs do little to convince me that the music is more than watered down Blue Cheer or recycled Sleep riffs. So I almost passed on this. Which was stupid, because like a lot of stereotypes, it isn’t true. This record is almost perfect. The band uses layered guitars and tape echo vocals on top of a genuinely heavy rhythm section (not just a de-tuned set of processed effects) to completely disorient the listener. Similar to Black Sabbath’s Volume 4, most of the songs were written around the lead vocals, which in this case serve to show off the vocal range of singer and guitarist Jus Oborn. Intricate and surprisingly melodic. The real deal, assuming you like 8 minute songs about black suns, satyrs and evil curses.
Soft Moon – s/t LP (Captured Tracks)
Kraut rock meets electro post-punk. Heavily driven by percussion, for fans of early Modern English, Crispy Ambulance and Joy Division. Some interesting songs and experimental sounds, although it can get a bit wobbly at times. This debut LP shows songwriter Luis Vasquez achieving a delicate balance between the world of the synth and the world of guitars and drums.
Fungi Girls – Turquoise Hotel (Hozac)
Two song EP, impressive songs and a great recording. Overloaded with fuzzed out guitars and loud drums, love the vocal arrangements. Hoping to catch them live soon.
Young Identities – Positive Thinking 7” (540 Records)
KBD punk from Australia, recorded in 1979, reissued on 540 Records. Messy, loud and weird. The last song sounds so strained, it seems as if the song is going to fall apart at any moment, a strange accomplishment for a song that is only a minute and ten seconds long.
The Clash – s/t (Legacy Records)
180 gram vinyl reissue of the 1979 American version of the record, with the American track listing. Comes with a bonus 7” that has “Gates of the West” and “Groovy Times”. If you find yourself at a record store this week with $25, this is probably the best way to spend it.
Brian Eno – Small Craft On A Milk Sea (Warp)
Finally got the chance to sit down and listen to this all the way through on headphones. Well worth the wait. But there were some moments where my sanity was tested.
Sonic Youth – Evol (Original Recordings Group)
180 gram vinyl reissue, 500 made on pink. Easily my favorite Sonic Youth LP, an amazing recording as well as a cohesive assembly of their individual talents. When I want to hear Sonic Youth I usually reach for this record. It’s unpolished and loose, but it’s also deliberately raw and melodic. Originally released on SST Records.
Sonic Youth – Sister (Original Recordings Group)
Reissue of their 1987 LP, 180 gram vinyl reissue, 500 on purple. Definitely regarded as their modern classic, more expansive and experimental than their earlier work. This is the record where they discovered a new way to balance their songs with their need to destroy. And where feedback was harnessed as a tool, it was no longer just a layer of noise in the background. Also features the best Crime cover ever recorded.
Senator Flux – Spectacles, Testicles, Wallet & Watch (Resonance)
1988 LP from this Washington DC band that went through many different incarnations in a short period of time. This record features Jeff Turner from Gray Matter and Jeff Nelson from Minor Threat. Not quite up to par with the three records they did with Charles Bennington that came after this period, but still a decent look at their early material.
