Swell Maps - Let's Build A Car (1979) (7")

This unnerving beast is quite delicious indeed. It's the first release by England's experimental punkers Swell Maps to really get my goat. And boy did it get my goat. Mind you, I'm a fan of most of their stuff now, but this is still the one that gets the most play. A quick but significant beauty, it completely throttled me the first time around. Specifically the song Let's Build A Car. It's like Simply Saucer and The Buzzcocks kicking the shit out of Sonic Youth in a bar room blitz. I wish I had a vinyl rip 'cuz the piano is way down in this mix, and the piano is amazing. Too bad. After that the album drops the Cocks in favour of a more brooding attire, savage and punchy, finally closing with a brief but slow going groan. Dig it sweet babes, by the gallon!

"... at least know what you're waiting for!"

Essential Logic - Beat Rhythm News - Waddle Ya Play ? (1979)

Essential Logic are a queer and somewhat misleading offshoot project courtesy of saxophonist Lora Logic (X-Ray Spex). With frantic grooves bouncing about, between rather tame head bobbers, Logic's Meredith Monk-style squeals and yelps, though ocassionally jarring, are refreshingly enthusiastic. This isn't your typical punk record, but it's impossible to deny a connection. With it's subtle aggression and abstract licks, Beat Rhythm News is reminiscent of a Gang Of Four/Bow Wow Wow crossed with early Swell Maps, and a pretencious dancy "art star" sort of thing, though I don't think the pretention maintains any momentum here. I'm not entirely sure that what I'm saying is valid or builds any interest at all, so perhaps you should grab it and figure it out for yourself. Fav song, Albert.

Beat it!

ESG - Come Away With ESG (1983)

Come Away With ESG is one of those records that everyone should have a copy of. Regardless of your interest in dance music it will cause bones to wiggle and limbs to flail. Originally made up of three sisters and two friends, ESG were very influencial in the early New York hip-hop and post-punk world. With their primitive yet complex polyrhythms and thick walking bass lines, their fusion of disco dance and a punk rock ethos created a sound all their own. In my opinion they are pioneers of the "mutant disco" sound, though not normally associated with it, and this is one of the funnest records around. So dig on it sweet sweeties, there's gold in them there hills!

"You make... you make no sense at all..."

Beat Happening - Dreamy (1991)

There is a list, oh yes... a list, and it is a list I frequently mention. It refers to great moments in rock n roll history and it contains the best of the best. If you look way up at the top of this list, amongst other such greats as Buddy Holly, The Jesus And Mary Chain, The Cramps, or The Velvets, to name a few, you'll see Beat Happening. Combining 50's Americana with an iconoclastic wit, their artless soul and lo-fi D.I.Y. brand of bubblegum and apple pie rock n roll is for gleamy eyed teenagers who just want to dance and have fun. It bears an unquantifiable honesty that I find people generally appreciate or scoff at. If you're the latter I feel sorry for you, you are missing out on some of the greatest music ever made. It's "evil spy hide n seek love songs for haunted house groove parties" rock n roll, so dig it long and hard sweeties!

"I hit the road to give it a try, got a girl in Reno just to watch her cry..."

The Jesus And Mary Chain - Upside Down/Vegetable Man (1984) (7")

The Jesus And Mary Chain are quite simply one of the greatest things to happen in rock and roll music, period. It's a crying shame that more people don't shout from their rooftops an undying devotion and appreciation for something so remarkable. This, their epochal debut, is worth ten thousand kisses I assure you. If you're already a fan then you've probably heard the lead track, Upside Down, but you may be unfamiliar with the somewhat flippant and equally hostile sounds of Vegetable Man. Both tracks are incredible and a good indication of things to come on Psychocandy, their first album. So hop on it, rock and roll it, and burn your other records for being so ridiculous in comparison.

"My turquoise waistcoat is quite out of sight, but oh oh my haircut looks so bad..."

The Users - Sick Of You/(I'm) In Love With Today (1977) (7")

Here's some motor revin punk rock to rattle yr bones, from Cambridge no less. Sounding a lot like an MC5/Stooges/Dolls emporium of rock, The Users will throttle your sad pathetic day into fun times and unabashed recklessness. With such fantastically astute lines as "people always talk about the money saved away, I just wanna spend it I'm in love with today" you'll want to go and get yourself a jug 'o beer and spit on all the stupid people you know. Yes these are words to live by my friends, this is how punk rock is suppose to taste. So drink it down and enjoy.

"I'm sick of everything..."

Acid Eater - Black Fuzz On Wheels (2010)

It's time to get the fuck on yr flame-engulfed moped and cruise down the block, taunting and antagonizing all in sight! It's pure chaos, fuzzed out, psychedelic, swamp walkin, ball blastin, shit meltin, rubber burnin, blood boilin, trash talkin rock and roll for the soul brothers and sisters! Never fear, Acid Eater is here! They come to destroy all that ails ya, shout it out loud! From the great Masonna comes Black Fuzz On Wheels (a name that says it all), the second release by this incredibly powerful rock and roll spasm of a band. Get it and groove on to the sun mother fuckers!

Dig the distorted realms, reaching out beyond space and time!

LiLiPUT - Kleenex/LiLiPUT (2001)

From deep within the Swiss Alps (they're actually just Swiss, I made the Alps part up) comes one of the greatest, purest, most sensational punk bands of all time! Formed in 1978 under the name Kleenex, LiLiPUT combined raunchy post-punk with a blunt vocal style, both in English and German, and a spirited naiveté reminiscent of The Raincoats, Black Flag, and Bush Tetras, with a twist of Dolly Mixture's pop aesthetic. Bashing out enchanted anthems with a sober pride they'll make you want to stand up and shout! This double disc anthology of never-ending greatness is highly recommended to anyone interested in punk music, period!

Eep! Eeek! (Disc 1) / Eep! Eek! (Disc 2)

DNA - A Taste Of DNA (1980)

As per request, a re-up of this seminal debut
Part of the short lived New York no wave scene, DNA's music sounds like stiff contorted jerks and howls, spilling out randomly and with great intensity. I've seen Arto Lindsay being quoted as saying (and i'm paraphrasing) he "never wanted to have an actual chord played in any of [his] songs". Instead he simply plays rhythmic patterns by slapping, smashing, twisting, and pounding his guitar. Though not alike musically, I can't help but draw similarities between the voice of Arto Lindsay and Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo), Arto being much more chaotic and fierce. This album is fantastic, and far too short, so get it and listen to it three times!

- LINK REMOVED -

The Pandoras - It's About Time (1984) (LP)

Holy fucking motor oil, it's alive! Right off the bat this album spin kicks you in the jaw, shouts "Fuuuuuck youu", and then continues to pummel for thirty five glorious minutes. It has practically everything to offer one in the kingdom of rock and roll; from the bark 'n wail garage rock of Tav Falco (I Want Him/High On A Cloud), to the killer grooves of The Stones (I'm Here I'm Gone/It Just Ain't True), to the dreamy 60's psych-pop of early Jefferson Airplane (He's Not Far/You Lie), and almost everything in between. If you don't dig this record pretty babies then quite simply you don't dig rock and roll. So get on it and shuffle up, 'cuz The Pandoras are the real deal!

Kick out the hams mother hubbard!

Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Press Color (1979)

Some amazing worldbeat infused no wave dance funk, aka mutant disco, for all you lovely bunnies! I first got into french singer Lizzy Mercier Descloux through her no wave punk band Rosa Yemen, and have enjoyed pretty well everything I've heard thus far. This, her debut record released on ZE, is a fantastic romp through all sorts of genre bending fun. Save the Mission Impossible cover I loved every song, though the definite stand-out is the opener, Fire. This is a great fucking record that you need to hear, so dig on to it and groove for hours!

"Ewwww, I think I'm getting a tumor..."

The Gris Gris - The Gris Gris (2004)

If you've never experienced the brilliance that is The Gris Gris, then by god you're in for a treat. One of the quintessential moments in psychedelic rock, The Gris Gris' self titled debut is a stunning feat beyond comparison. The albums opener, Raygun, is a haunting, rolling howl which ascends to a flat out stomping blast of rock and roll; easily one of the highlights for me, though the album stays consistent the whole way through. All I can think to say in all seriousness is its a super fucking rad record, and if you haven't dug it then it's time to get on up. Other fav moments include Mary #38, Me Queda Um Bejou, and the organ solo in Everytime. Enjoy it yocals!

"Rather waste my education honey..."

Pradada - Slow Waltz In Empty Horror (2009)

Based out of Montreal, Pradada is a small but important part of the ever growing empire known as Hobo Cult Records. As a burgeoning label they have a lot to offer in the way of great artwork, prolific bands, and interesting music, and I suggest if you haven't been paying attention you start. And what better place to start than with this incredibly groovy explosion of a dance record. It makes me want to doze on and daze out; it makes me want to scream hellfire; it makes me want to dance in the shower of flickering neon lights, bobbing off the ceiling of a very tall room, wind-a-blowing, slow mo-a-flowing, incandescent skin-a-glowing! Dig on to these smooth vibrations, y'hear?!

"Purple Pussy Sprinkles"

Religious Knives - Resin (2008)

This album was quite a surprise for me. I was binging on drone and grabbed it in a lot of countless other bands. To my surprise it wasn't a drone album at all. Though indeed "droney", it has much more to offer in the way of song. Drawing influences perhaps not aesthetically but emotionally from a Bad Moon Rising era Sonic Youth (In The Back) and a dazed out contemporary Doors (The Sun), Religious Knives' breed of unearthly tribal grooves will leave you feverish and wanting more. I really like the consistent ups and downs presented. Right away it grabs you with a raucous pulse that winds around a distant chant, only to halt and dwell in a jingly sleep that slowly evolves into a peaceful trudge. It continues like this throughout. Favourite track is probably the Ennio infused Everything Happens Twice. Dig on it sweet sweeties!

Trip out and freak yr freak ya fabled fools!

SFHHH - SFHHH (2009) (Cass.)

I'm not entirely sure how I got into these guys or where I got this tape, but I think I was just clicking around on myspace (check it out!) and got sucked in. Regardless, this tape is full of good sounds. Reminiscent of an eerier post-punk, with a twist of no wave revivalist fervor, it'll get you moving quickly and aggressively. It also reminds me a bit of early 2000's Toronto based bands (see Sick Lipstick), if that means anything to you. I don't really know anything about the band or the release, aside from the fact that I dig their artwork, but I'm sure you can find something if you try.

Chew the fat ya fugly barfs!

Merzbow - 13 Japanese Birds Vol. 1: Suzume (2009)

Vol. 1 of 13, this almost callous assault could possibly leave you beaten and winded if you're not prepared. I actually fell asleep listening to it for this review, a rather peaceful experience, but have enjoyed it immensely on previous occasions. The first track is a twenty minute blast of fierce fuzz patiently forming a pulse, torn to shreds by rolling drum spasms. The second bit is more a wall of fuzz clatter, and on a smaller scale it clocks in at just under six minutes. I'm not big on the third track, though in no way do I find it offensive. I'm thrown off slightly by the prominence of drums right off the bat and overall it just comes off as somewhat bored. Finally, the closer; a punishing opus of scattered drums, buzzing squeals, and throbbing cacophony. At first I felt similar to this as with the third track, but throughout the entire last third I was in awe of the encompassing howl it presented. This is Merzbow, for better or worse.

Bleed it out and clot sweet babies!

Mayyors - Marines Dot Com (2008) (7")

Mayyors are an onslaught of feral rock and roll madness. With a driving, savage groove locked in at all times, they're like an insane mixture of Sabbath and Black Flag mashed up with Motorhead (only waaay waay better than that). Throw in some kick-ass, reverb-smothered, slightly delayed guttural battering and it's a fucking massacre! I first heard 'em just under a year ago on some online cartoon about a motorcycle gang without motorcycles, only too perfect, called Forest City Rockers Motorcycle Club. The music instantly grabbed me and the hunt began. With virtually no online presence it took some doing, but nonetheless here they are. At just over seven minutes these two tracks will totally melt your balls, so get in on this fucking rad rock and roll lunacy now! I'll post more soon.

Dig it!

Pere Ubu - New Picnic Time (1979)

Always enjoyable and always unexpected, Pere Ubu really serve it up on this their third album. With one of the greatest opening lines ever, they instantly crash the party they weren't invited to, and thank god they had the initiative to say "fuck you!" to the host. "It's me again!" David Thomas bellows with a clueless enchantment, "hey.... hey.... hey it's me again". Indeed, there is an earnest and youthful wonder about Pere Ubu that you have to love, or hate I suppose. They're just one of those bands, there is no middle ground. So hopefully you'll enjoy this incredible album full of fun experimentation and groovy rocks and jams. Pay attention to One Less Worry, one of my fav's.

"This one is alright!"

The Frogs - My Daughter The Broad (1996)

A surrealist romp through naive fairy tales and swooning rock and roll balladry, this is a fantastically comical and thoroughly honest album of free improvisation and child like rambling. With such classics as I'm Evil, Jack, I'm Sad The Goat Just Died Today, I'm Hungry (possibly one of the greatest songs ever recorded), and one of my personal favourites I Love U (You Know I Don't) this album exudes a puerile yet innocent enthusiasm rarely captured with such humility (you can literally hear them snicker at several points). Dennis, the one with the dying old man voice, is a fucking genius. Jimmy I could do without for the most part, though he has his moments (Lifeguard Of Love/God Is Gay). Strange music by two very strange if not novel brothers. The Frogs are where it's at!

Chew the cuddly fat fodder you beefy feebs!

Red Transistor - Not Bite/We're Not Crazy (1990) (7")

One hundred and ten percent metallic cringe! This is primal and brute and completely necessary! I wish there were more recordings from this noisey New York cult of killers, I want them to tear my ears to bits. With intrepid chants like "We're not crazy!" Red Transistor bang on through sprawling drones of wailing noise and crushing drum rolls. I would recommend them to anyone interested in the New York no wave scene, though if you're into that sort of thing you've probably already heard 'em. Apart from a couple comps, this 7" is their only actual release so get on it. NOW!

"No no no no no no no no no no!"

Red Shark - Le Fin (1986) (Cass.)

This is such a ridiculously great tape. It's really quite a shame there isn't more info out there on it, and no other releases by the band either. Combining elements of early 80's rock with eastern jams and sloppy 70's new york punk, occasionally riffing on early 60's surf rock, this sounds informed yet altogether new. I think the description on Mutant Sounds, where I found the tape about two years ago, does a good job of summing it up;

"DIY experimentalism, with floating psych atmospheres and eastern influences... in part reminds me of early TV Personalities, early Jesus and Mary Chain and even some Fall elements. All those blended with ultra stoned eastern elements and Velvet Underground influences..."

So here it is, enjoy the sweet jams, especially I Saw The Devil, which I've wanted to cover since the first time I heard it.

Dig on it sweet babies!

Thanks to Mutant Sounds for the original post!

The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms (1980)

I'll never forget the first time I heard The Feelies' Crazy Rhythms. I was probably 19 or 20, it was winter, and I had just been given 10 or 12 burnt CD's from a good friend. I put this on not knowing what to expect and I must say I was very taken aback. I sort of lied in bed drifting in and out of sleep just grooving on the droned out jams. To this day I will often stop what I'm doing and just lay there when this album comes on. Very powerful new wave punk rock with a heavy early 80's kiwi vibe, combined with the sloppy guitar strums of The Velvet Underground. This is way up there on my all-time favourites list! If you haven't heard it then do yourself the favour and dig on to the sweet vibrations!
"You remind me of a TV show, that's alright I watch it anyway."

- LINK REMOVED -

Devo - Duty Now For The Future (1979) (LP)

This is a fantastic and often under-appreciated album, full of spunk and zeal. As far as Devo goes there are a few camps to reside in; a) you've only heard their radio hits and you think of them as sort of a joke-pop electro band (fuck you!), b) you've heard Q: Are We Not Men?... and you kinda dig 'em but aren't that familiar, c) you've heard Hardcore Devo (Vol. I or II) and you think Devo is fucking awesome! If you don't fit into any of these three categories then you don't exist. Regardless of where you stand, if you're in the mood to expand I highly recommend this album. It's got the attitude and haste of the early demos on Hardcore, plus the pop sense and quality of recording on later Devo. A great record from an absurdly great band who always seem to get the shit end of the "cred" stick. Enjoy tossers, or else!

BUY IT

The Flying Lizards - The Flying Lizards (1979)

Way back when I was a spry twenty year old, full of piss and vinegar, this changed my life. Perhaps a slight exaggeration but the album is nonetheless divine. I spent a surprisingly long time trying to acquire a vinyl copy of it, and finally did, but its actually not that hard to find if you keep yr eyes peeled. I remember hearing The Flying Lizards for the first time and thinking "Oh it's those guys who did 'Money'... neat" but on the whole this is so incredibly much more than that. Formed by the great David Cunningham, they represent a collective of avant-garde artists and musicians in London at the time. So saddle up and enjoy it scuzz mops, this is the real deal!

"I think I'll go to Russia 'cause I don't like porn or cocoa!"

Kraftwerk - Trans-Europe Express (1977)

This is a band that took me a while to get into. I enjoyed a few songs here and there on comps people had given me, but for the most part went as far as to say I didn't like them for years. It wasn't until hearing Autobahn a few times, as well as developing a love affair with Neu!, that I realized just how much I actually did like Kraftwerk. Then I heard this, Trans-Europe Express, along with The Man-Machine, and I totally fell in love. More albums followed and I quickly realized that they were something far more significant than I had initially given credit for. If you're at all in the same boat then get this, my personal favourite of their albums. It's simple, patient, warm, and fluent. We are showroom dummies!

- LINK REMOVED -

La Düsseldorf - Individuellos (1980)

Individuellos is a grand affair indeed. There are moments of absolute clarity, far beyond anything the band produced prior. Beautiful keys and warm fuzzy synths, combined with guitar licks that would make even Eno blush, vocal chants to dance, inspired production, soothing field recordings, all scattered between symphonic pop hooks that cant help but make you bop. This is now my favorite Düsseldorf album, undoubtedly (though the last song does kinda drop it). Pay attention to Fleshback all you morphodites, and dig on to the sweet sunshine!

Harmoniously seeking the great new dawn!

Chico Magnetic Band - Chico Magnetic Band (1971)

This is such a great fucking record! Super chaos acid fuzz freak out from the soul dimension, this is fucking psychedelic squeal babies! If you've ever wondered what it would be like to drive through the dessert at 1,000 miles per hour, high on as many uppers and hallucinogens as you can find, warding off evil spirits and cannibal zombies from hell, making love to your baby, tearing off flesh with hooks, only to free your soul and let it join the earth mother in an eternal festival of love and death, sex and violence, then this album is definitely for you. If the song Lots of Things doesnt get you hard then I don't know what will. Sounding like a Hendrix infused Sabbath, this will destroy your bad mood and fill your dwelling with good vibes, excitement, and love!

Howl out to the stone magic sweet creations!

Bill Cosby - Badfoot Brown & The Bunions Bradford Funeral & Marching Band (1971)

I've always had a weird love affair with Bill Cosby. I thought he'd be a great dad to have. I loved his obsession with jazz, and the way he danced on his show. Recently this album was brought to my attention, and after hearing it for the first time all I could think was, "I knew I loved Bill Cosby for a reason". It's not so much a surprise as it is a huge sigh of relief, I knew that he should be a part of something like this. Featured on the keys, Cosby brings us an incredible instrumental freak out jazz experiment. It's a very dark and contemplative work. At points just hanging on the edge of a beat, then cruising back in with all of the spirit and passion one band can muster, with a tribute to the late Martin Luther King Jr., this album is very powerful. Enjoy!

Cruise on it little babies!

More Info: Wikipedia.com

La Düsseldorf - Viva (1978)

Viva La Düsseldorf! Featuring Klaus Dinger (Kraftwerk/Neu!) as well as occasional Neu! contributors Thomas Dinger and Hans Lampe, La Düsseldorf are somewhat hard to define really. They've got all of the pulse and vigor of Neu! and Kraftwerk (obviously) combined with the pop aesthetic and hook of an Eno-era Roxy Music? I like the sound of that. I find Viva to be a more poppier excursion then their self-titled debut, though perhaps unjustly. Regardless, it's very catchy and very good and if you like anything about any of the bands I've mentioned then grab it please! A superb album by a superb band! Enjoy.

"Make love, make love, make love, make love, not war!"

Leon Redbone - Champagne Charlie (1978)

I bought this record several years ago based on a rumour I'd heard implying Leon Redbone was the alter-ego of one Frank Zappa. I had heard only a few songs by Redbone and had never seen a picture of him until hearing this rumour. I remember being totally shocked to find he wasn't a withered old blues man, bred on the delta of the '20's and '30's, and he instantly became more curious to me. I got this record soon after and it promptly became one of my all-time favourites. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in delta blues, jazz, ragtime, or curiosities and weirdos. Very little is known about Leon Redbone, hence the strange rumours of his identity and elusive past, which makes him all the more interesting. Dig this and swoon bellied babies!

"You go your way, I'll go mine..."