Random listening of late.
This is a bunch of stuff I either bought or downloaded from Emusic – except for the DJ Bonebrake album, which was generously donated by Wondercap Records.
Secret Machines – Secret Machines (World’s Fair/TSM)
They got dropped from Reprise and released their best album to date. The guitarist is different, but I can’t tell. The Secret Machines have now officially usurped The Walkmen’s position as my favorite band of the new millenium.
Oasis – Dig Out Your Soul (Big Brother/Reprise)
I never liked Oasis, but after watching the video for “The Shock of the Lightning,” I ran out and bought the album. Unfortunately, the entire album isn’t the throbbing, psychedelic headiness of the single, but it’s still loud and rockin’ – a far cry from “Wonderwall,” that’s for sure.
The Dictators – Every Day Is Saturday (Norton)
Everybody has their favorite New York band. Mine’s The Dictators. This is a collection of demos and radio spots, that’s actually pretty essential. The rough recordings on the songs make them sound all the more “punk,” a la Killed by Death. There are even a few great songs that never made it to an album, like “Backseat Boogie.”
ESG – Come Away with ESG (Soul Jazz)
About ten years ago, I read about this trio of girls from the South Bronx in Roni Sarig’s The Secret History of Rock and I’ve wanted to hear them ever since. Post-punk hip-hop – who woulda thunk?
DJ Bonebrake Trio – The Other Outside (Wondercap)
Yes, this is the drummer from LA’s X in his debut as jazz band leader. Bonebrake on vibraphone and marimba, Paul Eckman on bass and Danny Frankel on drums. The result is dark jazz noir that conjures small, smoke-filled basement clubs packed with
black turtlenecks and berets. It could be the soundtrack to some lost French New Wave film.
Various – Disco Not Disco: Post Punk, Electro & Leftfield Disco Classic 1974-1986 (Strut)
The title says it all! Actually, this is a great comp if you’re into this type of stuff. Look for it!
The Walkmen – You & Me (Gigantic)
The Walkmen are still a great band, but their albums after Bows & Arrows have grabbed me less and less. You & Me isn’t bad by any means, and it’s a lot better than most of the other tripe out there, it’s just…I don’t know. They seem to be stuck in one place or something. They haven’t really moved forward, just sideways.
Kate Perry – “I Kissed a Girl (Sun Kidz Bootleg Mix)”
I heard this in Avenue A Sushi in Manhattan before I ever heard the original. I far prefer this unofficial version from Raper Discoteque Style Vol. 132. The thumping house beat actually adds to the song, believe it or not.
Glenn Branca – Songs ‘77-’79 (Atavistic)
Before Glenn Branca became known for his ultra-pretentious modern classical music (hey, I like some of it, but it’s really pretentious), he was in some no wave bands around New York. The first three songs on this short (eight songs) collection are some great no wave skronk, but then there’s a positively awful solo recording called “Jill” and the rest kinda goes downhill after that.
Krohm – Slayer of Lost Martyrs/Crown of the Ancients & A World Through Dead Eyes (Maxo)
Manic depressive occultist black metal in the vein of Xasthur or Leviathan. Pretty nasty and miserable, which is a compliment when discussing black metal.
