Rowland S. Howard – Teenage Snuff Film (Cooking Vinyl)
The guitarist and other major songwriter from The Birthday Party. For some reason, Nick Cave gets all the attention while Rowland remains in relative obscurity, though, as the dense, personal songs on this album display, he is far superior to his former band mate.
FT (The Shadow Government) – The Black and White Album (Modern Radio)
I was blown away by The Shadow Government’s performances in the Keep the Fuzz off My Buzz CD/DVD and I’m completely obliterated by this, their sophomore album. I definitely need to find and own their first LP, Guns of August.
Skullflower – IIIrd Gatekeeper (Crucial Blast)
Quite possibly one of the best reissues I’ve ever seen and heard. I can hear drummer Stuart Dennison’s vocals for the first time, though I still can’t tell what he’s saying. Excellent remastering, with a beautiful gatefold sleeve package to boot!
James Chance & the Contortions – Buy (ZE)
One of the first things I downloaded from Emusic – I had been wanting this album since I first heard it in 2000 when I was working at Aron’s Records in Hollywood. It’s like a very American, and very New York, version of The Fall with a heavy Albert Ayler influence. Contort yourself!
Lolita Storm – Girls F****ing S*** Up (DHR)
Another album I’d wanted for years. They’re a cross between The Slits, Crass, and Atari Teenage Riot, though they’re much more listener-friendly than ATR and the other Digital Hardcore groups. I think M.I.A. liked this album a lot, too. What happened to them?
The Joneses – Keeping up with the Joneses (Full Breach Kicks)
L.A.’s take on the New York Dolls/*Heartbreakers* thing and a damn good job of it, too. Guitarist/Vocalist Jeff Drake is the older brother of Scott Drake from The Humpers.
Libyan Hit Squad – LHS…The First Album (LHS)
Orlando, FL band that mixes the hardcore of Black Flag, the insane musicianship of The Minutemen, the passion of Love, and the rip-roarin’ of The Sonics into a unified idea and makes it work.
Lydia Lunch – Teenage Jesus and the Jerks (Atavistic) and Honeymoon In Red (Atavistic)
Before she was the Queen of Siam, she was the Queen of Noise. Teenage Jesus (her first band) made creepy no wave noise rock that brings to mind back alleys full of garbage, rats, drunks and junkies. Honeymoon In Red is a collaboration with The Birthday Party that was shelved for years until Jim Thirlwell of Foetus dug it up and mixed it.
Landed – “Dirty Bomb” 12” (Corleone)
Very odd Rhode Island band that’s like a collaboration between Throbbing Gristle and Chrome with booming drums. Members of Six Finger Satellite are known to sit in on recordings.
The Screamin’ Mee-Mees – Plastic Hong Kong Door Bell Finger (Gulcher)
Remember “Hot Sody” from the Killed by Death comps? Well, they’re much older, much sillier, and they still haven’t learned how to play any better – in fact, they may be a little worse. This album made me laugh so hard that I almost fell on the floor. The White Stripes ain’t got nothin’ on this duo from Nowheresville.
