Shop our Big Takeover store for back issues, t-shirts & CDs
Follow The Big Takeover
New releases! Mid-July 2011!
James Pants – s/t (Stones Throw)
James is sometimes described as “left-field electro”, (whatever the hell that means) but he uses elements of kraut rock, post-punk, dance, psych and just about every other genre under the sun on this LP, his fifth for Stones Throw. Each record is consistently better than the last and I have no idea how he is able to make that happen. This one is certainly no exception.
Negative Degree – Demo (self released)
Hardcore punk from Denver, 7 song demo. Features former and current members of The Nervous, Guns N’ Rosa Parks, City Is The Tower, Los Sobrios Emputados. At their first show and on this tape it’s pretty clear that this band is destined for great things, not just because of singer CJ Quiñones’ over-the-top vocals, but because they have completely dialed in the unhinged, pre-distortion pedal sound of hardcore circa 1981. Highly recommended. Playing with Iceage (Denmark), Hot White and Ego Complex at Rhinoceropolis on Aug 10th. Download
Lali Puna – Our Inventions (Morr)
Organic, experimental electro-pop from Germany. Vocalist Valerie Trebeljahr has an incredible voice that has to be heard to be believed. Phenomenal recording to boot.
Chalk Circle – Reflection (PPM / Mississippi)
Early eighties all female post-punk from Washington, DC. Having only read about this band in books and fanzines, it was great to finally hear what they sounded like. “The Look” could have easily fit in on side B of the Let Them Eat Jellybeans compilation. “The Slap” and “Scrambled” would have fit in nicely on Flex Your Head. But, having said that, I would still rather have this LP than have them exist only as some footnote on a hardcore record. Love the original and experimental vocal arrangements and high energy drums.
Bad Brains – Pay To Cum 7” (ROIR)
Reissued with a slightly new sleeve. The record that started it all, a complete game changer for people on all sides of reggae, punk, dub and hardcore. Originally recorded in 1979 at Dots studio in New York City. Until I heard this record, I had no idea that any band could play this fast AND sound this melodic at the same time. And that’s just side A.
Kira Roessler Q & A
Interesting but brief Q & A with former Black Flag bassist and current Dos bassist over at The Village Voice
The Soviettes – II (Kiss of Death)
Reissue of their 2004 LP. Female fronted punk rock from Minneapolis. A mixed bag of upbeat tunes, three different singers keep the momentum going. Saw these guys a few times in and around the Twin Cities, they were always great live. Still haven’t heard their III LP, psyched to check that out next.
Washed Out – Within and Without (Sub Pop)
One man electro-band, fronted by Ernest Greene. Only got a chance to hear this once all the way through, but I liked it. Seems like a huge progression from the 2009 Life of Leisure EP in terms of songwriting and technique.
Mind Over Mirrors – The Voice Rolling (Digitalis Recordings)
Jackie-O Motherfucker – Earth Sound System (Fire)
