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Disappears – Era (Kranky)
Six song LP. Rhythmic and jilted post-rock from Chicago.
C.R.A.S.H. – War On All Fronts (Post Present Medium )
Brooks Headley from Born Against, * Skull Kontrol*, Universal Order Of Armageddon new project. Five song EP. War On All Fronts is fast and loose, kinda like The Saints or Kraut but written around powerful, structured rhythm sections.
Wharton Tiers Ensemble – Freedom Now! (Fun City)
Latest record from WTE which, as the name implies, is fronted by No Wave performer, producer and audio engineer Wharton Tiers. Freedom Now is a nine song LP, impeccably timed and sharp instrumental post rock. The songs are well focused, especially “Last Train Out” and “The Randomness of Insects”. Underpinning this record is that experimental torch of Tiers earlier works such as “Brighter Than Life”. That spark is found all over this record, but especially on the last song, “The Seventh Dimension Of Love”, which is a seven minute freakout.
Mrs. Magician – B-Sides (Swami Records)
Seventeen song collection of early material and demos from this San Diego band. Reverb heavy beach rock for dope smoking Brian Wilson worshippers. Love their lyrics, which include hot-button issues such as pizza, lazy girls and shitty friends. Favorites include “Fuck You Aunt Gloria” and “All My Friends Are Dying.”
Raime – Quarter Turns Over A Living Line (Blackest Ever Black)
UK only Double LP. Dark ambient noise. Kinda gave up this genre for awhile, things got way too scratchy and glitchy. Was pleased to discover this blast of mystery noise though. It’s painstakingly recorded, kind of an achievement on it’s own in terms of sound. There’s a lot happening in between the layers, enough to keep you guessing. Could be the soundtrack to a David Lynch film. Great traveling music. Favorites “Your Cast Will Tire”, “Passed Over Trail” and “The Walker in Blast and Bottle”.
The Manxx – Cassette (self released)
Female fronted Denver indie rock, seven song cassette. Not sure who put this out, but I know they have two or three other tapes. This tape has a pink cover with what appears to be some kind of delicious meatloaf. Really into the stomping “Broke Yr Spell” and the last song, “In My Cups.”
The Flies – Get Wise LP (Homestead)
Post-punk power pop from Boston, circa 1984. Fronted by Nat Freedberg from Upper Crust. Pretty good for what it is. Reminds me of early 80’s Boston rock ala Classic Ruins, Del Fuegos, etc but with a slight Hüsker Dü and rockabilly slant. Also picked their 7” EP called “Get Burned” which came out a year after this. Liked “Zombie Burger” and “Put All That Behind Me Now”.
Disappears – Kone 12” (self released)
12” single, contains two version of the song “Kone”, one is the full sixteen minute version and the other is the eleven minute edited version. Has a bonus track, a krautrock steamroller called “Kontakt”.
The Del-Byzanteens – Lies To Live By (Don’t Fall Off The Mountain)
Finally found a copy of this. Still trying to process what I’ve heard. Unique and spastic underground rock from the early 80’s.
Konk – The Sound Of Konk – Tales Of The New York Underground 1981-88 (Soul Jazz)
Compilation CD of obscure Konk recordings, a leftfield No Wave disco outfit. Up until now I’d only heard two songs from this band, “Baby Dee” from the New York Noise Compilation and “Love Attack” from the Anti NY Compilation so I didn’t quite know what to expect. Not sure what to make of their later LP’s, but I like their singles. For fans of ESG, Kid Creole And The Coconuts and Liquid Liquid.
