Popol Vuh – Hosianna Mantra (SPV)
Jukebox Zeros – “City of Bother and Loathe” EP (Rankoutsider)
The second Jukebox Zeros release on former Lazy Cowgirls frontman Pat Todd‘s Rankoutsider label is a corker. Following on the heels of last year’s Rock and Roll Ronin EP, this one’s even better. There are 3 excellent originals full of punk and roll and a cover of The Testors‘ “Let’s Get Zooed Out”. Oh and the title track’s so good and in many ways appropriate that it should be Philadelphia’s own anthem. My copy’s also on nice grey swirly vinyl, too!
Jawbox – 1990 demo (self-released)
This is Jawbox’s 8 song demo tape from 1990. Five of these track were released as the cassette version of their 1st EP on Slamdek, but the rest have ever been officially released. Later, most of them were re-recorded for their debut album Grippe. You can find it here along with some other Jawbox rarities but if you just want the demo, you can also find it here.
Bad Religion – The Dissent of Man (Epitaph)
Hallogallo -“Blinkgurtel” EP (Vampire Blues)
Roky Erickson – Love to See You Bleed (Swordfish)
These are high quality alternate studio recordings (many with just Roky’s voice accompanied by his acoustic guitar) along with some live recordings and if you’re a fan, they’re well worth seeking out. The CD is, unfortunately, long out-of-print, but you can find it if you’re industrious enough. Oh and the title track is just Roky’s spoken word and it’s one of the creepiest recordings I’ve ever heard.
Dead Boys – Younger, Louder, Snottier (Bomp!)
I’m not one of those folks who generally thinks that alternate/demo versions of albums are superior to the more well-known article and as far as that sort of stuff goes, this one’s no exception. In any form, though, this is one of the best punk albums ever made and if anything, this is a fine accompaniment to (though by means superior to) Young, Loud and Snotty.
Greg Sage – Straight Ahead (Enigma)
When fans talk about Greg Sage’s recorded legacy, many tend to focus on the first three Wipers albums. And while all of those records are incredible, sometimes the Wipers’ later records and Greg Sage’s solo efforts get ignored. Take this 1985 album as a case in point. Much more contemplative and mellow than most Wipers releases, Sage dialed back the aggression on this and made an introspective, dark, post-punk album in the vein of slower Wipers tracks like “No One Wants an Alien” or “The Lonely One” (both on 1983’s incredible Over the Edge).
Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields (Not Rated)
This new documentary focuses heavily on the relationship between Stephin Merritt and Magnetic Fields pianist/vocalist and manager Claudia Gonson, starting with their high school days and going all the way up to the present day with Merritt’s recent move to LA taking center stage. All the while, it serves as a de facto Magnetic Fields history even while it chronicles Merritt’s other projects (The 6ths, The Gothic Archies, Future Bible Heroes, etc.) and his work composing for films as well.
OFF! – 1st EP (Vice)
