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New releases & reissues Oct 2012
Orca Team – Restraint (Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records)
Reverb drenched post punk with surf guitars and heavy rhythm section. On record they remind me of early Cure, but with all kinds of layered dynamics. The band is a three piece that sounds like a five piece, they look and sound like they belong on tour with The Who in 1966, complete with pointed shoes and the treble-friendly bass. Currently they are on tour, finding their way back to Seattle after a 3 month national drive that included shows with Laetitia Sadier from Sterelab. If you haven’t seen them yet, they are definitely worth checking out.
Tame Impala – Lonerism (Modular)
Tame Impala are incredible and this record will melt your face. That’s all you need to know. Their last LP, “Innerspeaker” was mind blowing, so I’ve been playing this in very limited quantities because I don’t want to spoil it too soon. In terms of sound, try to imagine a lost George Harrison record from the mid 70’s (maybe between Dark Horse and Extra Texture) being played by a modern rock band with all the trimmings and all the gravy still intact. Singer Kevin Parker kind of sounds like Harrison, but without the sad guff or the obsession with guru mysticism. It really works for them, and they can play too. Apparently this was recorded in “studios, planes, hotels and homes around the world” as the band toured last year, which only makes it more incredible to think that they made it without really planning it. Already in the running for my top ten of 2012.
AM Pleasure Assassins – Fossil Fuel (AMPA)
5 song EP from this band from Fort Collins, Colorado who are also the current house band at the GNU Experience Gallery. I think this is their first release, seen them live a few times and they are really expansive and unpredictable which makes for a great show. There’s a lot happening on the EP, it’s definitely exciting to see a young band NOT give a shit about fitting in to some pre-formulated genre because it allows for all kinds of off the cuff moments, both in lyrics and in wandering harmonies. And those moments really come out on this EP. But like I mentioned, they are a formidable live band that gets people out of their seats, I’ve seen them play 10 minute epic drones that turn into Bad Religion covers. Always excited to hear more from these guys.
Sickoids – LP (Residue)
Demented punk from Philadelphia with Die Kreuzen leads, crazy melodic parts ala Wipers and massive choruses. Ex-members of Witch Hunt, Government Warning and Direct Control. They came through Denver this summer, played at a house show that I unfortunately had to miss. Bummertown for me. But this LP rips, great stuff. Can’t wait to hear more.
Quicksand – Slip (Shop Radio Cast)
Remastered LP on 180 gram vinyl, now with gatefold cover and bonus tracks. Practically everything about this record is great, Walter’s vocals still sound fresh and inspiring. Overall I would say this LP has aged gracefully. Let’s be honest, you can’t say that about a lot of records from 1994. Really psyched that they are back together with the original lineup, I know a lot of people are guessing what happens next. Not sure if this reunion will culminate in any new recordings or tours, but I’ve got my fingers crossed. Features powerhouse drummer Alan Cage from Beyond & Burn, bassist Sergio Vega from the short-lived NYHC fusion band Collapse, Walter from Gorilla Biscuits, Warzone, Youth of Today and later Rival Schools et al. And of course on guitar is Tom Capone (TC3!) from Bold and Beyond. Let’s not mince words about “Slip” – this may be the dizzying height of American post-hardcore, those warnings about “coded messages in slowed down songs” became relics of history as these four young men turned and spilled the entire genre on it’s head.
US Maple – The Wanderer (Rococo)
Great post-rock from Chicago, don’t know too much about them but this really grew on me. Kind of ambient rock, kind of dreamy in a very good way.
The Drones – Temptations Of A White Collar Worker EP (OHMS)
4 song EP from 1977, UK style punk. Simple songs, really catchy stuff. KBD punk is the weirdest genre because there seems to be a never-ending pool of obscure bands that you happen upon, this is just my latest find. Turns out they also did a session with John Peel in December of 77, which is also commercially available. “Lookalikes” is a great tune, something like Slaughter & The Dogs or a rawer version of 999.
Saint Vitus – 7” EP (Volcom)
Live 5 song EP with the newest lineup. “White Magic/Black Magic” sounds better than ever. Slightly confused about who released this. Did a shoe company put this out or am I crazy? If not, then what the hell is happening?
The Stranglers – The Raven (United Artists)
1979 LP, their 4th studio record. A huge step forward from “Black & White”, some really interesting songs and new recording techniques. At times it’s kind of synth heavy and plodding, but it also has a few up tempo flashes of their post-punk beginnings.
Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour Box Set (Capitol)
A hundred dollar box set with remastered tracks. Also has a DVD, Blu-Ray, 7” 6-track EP, and a 60-page booklet. Still in love with this record, it might be the only time they perfectly balanced their waning interest in heavy rock with their introspective, psychedelic self-interest songs that dominated the band from 1968 and onward. I can remember hearing this on Mono as a kid, think my mom had a scratched up copy of it amongst her Karen Carpenter and Abba records. Psyched to see the movie again, even if it does fall short of expectations. I’ve always wondered about the song Magical Mystery itself, everything about it is pretty much great. It may contain the first “breakdown” in a rock song also. Listen to Ringo at 1:25, he’s doing a Muddy Waters-type rhythmic stall where maybe it didn’t belong and it sounds incredible. Now. Hopefully Capitol gets moving on reissuing Let it Be the movie and the rooftop concert.
