Wilfully Obscure

Jet Black - Escape Measures (2011) - A brief overview

2012-02-12T16:56:00.000-08:00

Perhaps I was too hasty in assembling my top albums list for 2011 this past New Years day. It never ceases to amaze me that I find some of my favorite albums of any given year, the January of February after, and I'm more than happy to have Quebec's Jet Black fill that belated void this time. The amped-out swath cut out by this co-ed quartet isn't wholly innovative, but is startlingly visceral at times.

Austere, but not brooding, and slyly angular without alienating, Jet Black's debut Escape Measures packs some serious musculature. Muscle I might add, that's carefully allocated to mesh with the bittersweet melodicism of the scintillating opener "6 AM" and a little further in "Daydreamer" and "Archives." Coincidentally or not, much of this album exudes the finer aptitudes and facets of so many of my personal favorite '90s underdogs including Sprinkler, Skiploader, Monsterland and Failure. In fact, I never thought I'd see the day where I could use even one of the aforementioned as a comparison, let alone all four in one fell swoop, but this is the kind of indulgence Escape Measures delivers, yet Jet Black's aesthetic strikes me as far too advanced to be deemed as a mere throwback.

Between all the gritty and gauzy guitar grandeur, the record offers some quieter respites in the form of "Engine Up" and "Elevator," but in toto, Escape... is a sparks-flying corker, blistering and beautiful. Many happy returns. You can sample "Daydreamer" and "Control" via the link below. A limited vinyl edition run is available through Jet Black's website, but if you're looking for more instant gratification, iTunes, Emusic and Amazon have you covered.

https://rapidshare.com/files/2026259796/jetblack_2songs.rar

Singles Going Single #198 - Tanger "Landmine" 7" (1996, Springbox)

2012-02-12T11:33:00.000-08:00

Residing on the aggro end of the post-hardcore continuum, Colorado's Tanger undeniably put the "power" in power trio, with roiling, barreling delivery bearing all the subtlety of a steamroller. These guys owed a huge sonic debt to the likes Hoover, Thumbnail, Helmet, and to a lesser extent Jawbox. By and large the two numbers on this wax speak for themselves, but there's a bona fide technical finesse to them that shouldn't be overlooked either. The back cover lists three songs: A. Landmine, B. Gary, AZ & C. Balance, but only the latter two occupy this record, with "Landmine" functioning as the single's encompassing title. Confused the hell out of me at first. In 2000 Tanger released a self-titled album on Owned & Operated Records.

B. Gary, AZ
C. Balance

https://rapidshare.com/files/59474971/tanger7.rar

Bender - tape (1993)

2012-02-10T19:39:00.000-08:00

Thought this would be a fitting follow-up to Pollen. Bender were from Toronto. They had some singles and a full length, Funny Kar, out on Ringing Ear Records, but this preceded those releases from what I can recount. Chunky, no frills riff-pop along the lines of their more famous neighbors to the east, the Doughboys, but Bender had some jammy inclinations too. Two thirds of these catchy cuts would be rerecorded for their one and only album (to my knowledge), the previously mentioned Funny Kar. These guys were almost indispensable to me back in the day, but in retrospect they strike me as merely satisfactory. Not that I'm complaining. Enjoy (or not).

01. Certain Circles
02. Spend Some Time
03. Go-Kart
04. Don't Say No
05. Slumber Party
06. Stooched

https://rapidshare.com/files/3863711086/bender_tape.rar

Pollen - Bluette (1994, Grass)

2012-02-09T18:19:00.000-08:00

With more than a wink and a nod to renown pop-punks All, Pollen unleashed their debut, Bluette onto an unsuspecting, and a seemingly indifferent public in 1994. The profile of this Pennsylvania five-piece (who later in their career migrated to Tempe, AZ) would improve in years to come, but not by leaps and bounds. Bluette (evidently a play on the word "brunette") is a commendable start with some fairly stimulating flashes of brilliance: "Couch," "Scared Kid," and "Paper." The momentum trails off as the album wears on, but not enough to blunt it's overarching effect. Speaking of All, the Pollen crew would have the honor with working with the dream team of Stephen Egerton and Bill Stevenson on their next two records, 1995's Crescent and the thoroughly excellent, Peach Tree from 1997, the latter of which I shared several years ago and is still available by accessing the above hyperlink. I'd also recommend Pollen for fans of early Gameface and G-Whiz. BTW, if anyone wants to hear the Pollen split CD with Co-Ed make yourself heard in the comments.

01. Gumdrop
02. Scared Kid
03. Crest
04. Pocket
05. Couch
06. Duster
07. Bait
08. Paper
09. Paint Some Size
10. Back to Nothing
11. Brass
12. Nope

https://rapidshare.com/files/1936271784/pollen_bluette.rar

Here Kitty Kitty - Kiss Me You Fool ep (1994, Iteration/Dutch East India)

2012-02-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

Speaking in terms of the '90s "popcore" circuit, for my time, effort and money, I really don't think I could have done much better than The Wynona Riders, a visionary San Francisco treat that concocted some of the smartest and most substantive pop-punk of their era, and who for all intents and purposes really have no obvious parallel in 2012. I shared some singles a couple years ago, and even delved into a pair of WR spinoff bands, Toyboat and Latter Day Saints, and today I'm hereby offering the final piece of the equation (that I know of anyway). Here Kitty Kitty featured Riders frontman Skip and bassist Richie Bucher, along with drummer Krieg. Eschewing much of the Riders nervy angst and slicing power chords, Here Kitty Kitty opted for a demonstrably more subtle tack, offering bittersweet and lamentable sentiments that were fortunately devoid of navel-gazing ennui. The six-song Kiss Me You Fool is a grower, but is ultimately as engaging as anything Skip did with Riders, and that's saying a lot. It also represents the entirety of Kitty's released output, which according to the Wynona Riders Wikipedia page the trio toured behind in 1994. BTW, sorry about that damn hole punch adorning the cover.

01. Secret Goldfish
02. N Judah
03. Empty Gestures
04. Hold
05. Sleeping Dogs
06. Rain Formula

https://rapidshare.com/files/1837931686/herekittykitty.rar

Otis and the Elevators - Cross the Bridge (1989, Smoking Munchkin)

2012-02-06T18:02:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty certain I received an email request for this disk after I posted Otis and the Elevators first album, Some Career last summer. If I didn't seem overly enthusiastic about that record, you can just about triple my reticence for Cross the Bridge, an album which kicks things off spaghetti western style with a brisk hoedown of sorts "The President Stumbled." For better or worse, Otis and the Elevators' Americana bent ebbs and flows for the remainder of side one. The flipside offers the reggae-lite morsel "Dominate," reprised from the first album in almost identical form and intonation. "Hole in the Jungle" is CSN&Y by way of Dream Syndicate, and "One Woman One Man" throbs with a certain fervor that ideally would have cropped up elsewhere, but Cross the Bridge is far from a total loss.

01. The President Stumbled
02. To Touch the Sky
03. I Got What I Deserve
04. Escape
05. Hole in the Jungle
06. One Woman One Man
07. Dominate
08. Desperation and Chains

https://rapidshare.com/files/1488279974/otiselev_bridge.rar

Stew and the Negro Problem - Making It (2012) - A brief overview

2012-02-05T14:13:00.000-08:00

It's been ten years since we've seen an album bearing The Negro Problem moniker and for good reason I suppose, considering prime movers Stew (aka Mark Stewart) and seemingly permanent collaborator Heidi Rodewald wrapped themselves up in all things Broadway for a sizable chunk of the '00s, by virtue of Stew's semi-autobiographical Passing Strange rock musical (which btw earned a Tony). Much like that less than ballyhooed stage production, TNP/Stew have yet to approach anything resembling a household name, and quite frankly that's to the loss of an unarguably fickle music industry and it's wilfully slavish patrons. I guess that means more for us, and Making It is a welcome return. It's a record that sounds as if it was constructed in a new era, because quite frankly it's the product of a new era.

TNP's initial salvos, namely 1997's Post Minstrel Syndrome and Joys & Concerns, which followed two years later, were wondrous troves of pocket symphony and slyly baroque power pop. While those are still the records to start with for folks not acquainted with Stew's universe, Making It is many times over sonically advanced. Boasting a lucid, I-can-hear-a-pin-drop fidelity and bright, streamlined execution, this is a record that sounds like the logical halfway point between TNP's nascent ethos and Stew's increasingly refined solo ventures.

There are few concurrent threads needling their way through Making It, rather we're treated to a pastiche of styles and themes, starting with the cacophonous instrumental opener bearing the same title as the album. This eventually leads into carefully measured, ballad-esque pieces like "Curse" and "Leave Believe" the latter of this pair bearing a particularly confessional tone with a recently split up Stew and Heidi trading verses. If it's Stew's colorful couplets and witty wordplay that you've come to know and revere, "Black Men Ski" fits the bill to a fault, while the methamphetamine concerned "Speed" escalates to a robust quasi-anthem by song's end, incorporating shades of his late '90s orchestral leanings that endeared me over a decade ago. And on the lusciously tuneful "Therapy Only Works When You Tell the Truth," our man is posed the question as to when he first noticed his relationship was on the rocks. In typical fashion, Stew responds "When she left." I shan't give away anything else, save for two songs you can sample below. Making It is available from Amazon and the usual digital retailers.

https://rapidshare.com/files/2275434424/stew_tnp_-_2_songs.rar

Singles Going Single #197 - Gleaming Spires 7" (1982, Posh Boy)

2012-02-04T20:56:00.000-08:00

Meeting somewhere at the nexus of Todd Rundgren and The Tubes, Los Angeles' Gleaming Spires featured two guys who were moonlight from their gig as the rhythm section of the much more celebrated Sparks. And speaking of all things celebratory, their 1983 platter, Walk on Well Lighted Streets, possessed a jubilant air to it that shook my usually austere foundations (case in point, the rousing "A Christian Girl's Problems."). I thought I'd do a little backtracking with this 1982 single when I happened upon it for a song on Ebay last year. "How to Get Girls..." (which also appeared on their '80 debut LP, Songs of the Spires) is vaguely tongue-in-cheek synth pop with a strong singer/songwriter bent, and a vocal performance by Leslie Bohem that approaches Freddie Mercury at points. "Walk Right," an exclusive b-side offering an equally acerbic, but an even more sophisticated arrangement, that probably would have been better without the offbeat little juxtaposition towards the end.

A. How To Get Girls Thru Hypnotism
B. Walk Right

https://rapidshare.com/files/1795794055/gleamingspires7.rar

The Trypes - demos (198?)

2012-02-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

Word on the streets has it that Acute Records is in the process of assembling an anthology release of sorts from The Trypes under the tentative title, Music For Neighbors. The Trypes were a mid '80s New Jersey start up that featured The Feelies Glenn Mercer and Bill Million, but weren't actually founded by that pair. In fact, the Trypes primary period of activity was situated during the six year layover between the Feelies Crazy Rhythms and The Good Earth albums. As fate would have it, Glenn and Bill would absorb two members of the Trypes, Brenda Sauter and Stan Demeski for the long belated second Feelies LP, The Good Earth. The Trypes lineup, generally speaking, mutated into the group Speed the Plough by the late '80s, with a string of albums (including two recent ones) to show for themselves. The Trypes have caught the reunion bug, performing in 2011, but in their initial lifespan they only issued one record, the four song Explorer's Hold ep in 1984, which can be read about here.

As for the nine hissy demos comprising this collection I'm offering, I am unaware if they will make any appearance at all on the forthcoming Trypes reissue (though the entirety of Explorer's Hold will). The Trypes aren't far removed from the Feelies, but with a decidedly more pronounced psychedelic inflection, and a tendency to noodle around with woodwinds and other sundry noises when it struck their fancy. A cover of the Beatles "The Inner Light" provides a reasonable indication of where they were coming from. These songs may only be available here temporarily, so don't sleep. I'm missing song titles for three of them, btw.

1. A Plan Revised
2. The Inner Light (Beatles)
3. ?
4. Return to Zion
5. Eternal Ice
6. ?
7. ?
8. The Obedient Atom
9. When Company Comes

https://rapidshare.com/files/4133790704/trypes_demos.rar

Singles Going Single #196 - Connections 7" (1981, Guza)

2012-01-31T18:23:00.000-08:00

From a cosmetic standpoint, the rather iconic pose and garb of choice Seattle's Connections sport on this record sleeve leads one to believe this combo would be prime contenders for a slot on a Killed By Death or Teenline compilation. As it turns out, that observation isn't far off the mark, at least as far as aesthetic is concerned. "Tug of War" is Television styled "punk," with a more acute semblance of melody. Good, but a notch or two shy of time capsule worthiness. "Give Me the Knife," belted out by the lone female (no name provided) in this septet, takes a more aggro tack, packing punchy chords and a heaping dollop of sass that goes a long way in defining it's three potent minutes.

A. Tug of War
B. Give Me the Knife

https://rapidshare.com/files/2384442517/connections7.rar

Singles Going Single #195 - Kashmir 7" (1984)

2012-01-30T18:08:00.000-08:00

Never mind the mullets...here's Kashmir. Okay, so let's not ignore the elephant in the room. In short, if you can get past the sleeve of this 45, which is gratuitously seeped in the '80s as you could ever possibly get (not that you'd want to...right?), the proceedings within the grooves are surprisingly flattering. Don't let their moniker fool you, there's not a shred of Led Zeppelin homage occupying a stitch of these songs, rather a straightforward new wave motif reigns here. The sublime "Outside" packs a hook far more devastating than any of their mainstream competition could muster, thankfullyy deriving more from U2 and the 415 Records crop than say, Duran. "Boy" is a bit darker, but no less approachable. I have not a shred of info to pass along regarding Kashmir, save for their whereabouts, potentially in the Portland, OR area, which is where this single was cut.

A. Outside
B. Boy

https://rapidshare.com/files/243423700/kashmir7.rar

Alarming Trends - You Make Me Live in a Trailer (1987, Scorched Earth)

2012-01-29T17:29:00.000-08:00

Details are a bit sketchy, but starting life in the mid-80s, Denver's Alarming Trends, helmed by Rebecca Watson released this album three years into their career and recorded sporadically thereafter. The most revealing piece info I have to offer on this coed quartet is that a cult-classic movie of the same name was directed by guitarist Ronnie Cramer in 1987, which naturally featured the band. You Make Me Live in a Trailer kicks off in almost disarming fashion with "What Does Your Heart Say," a relatively conventional pop tune before launching into a cornucopia of songs that range from surly no-wave to icy post punk with modest goth overtones, not to mention intermittent, avant excursions. The frantic, punky "Mangled Never Center" stands out vividly among Trailer's comparatively calmer environs, making me long for more selections in a similar vein. I think I need to live with this record more before reaching a definitive conclusion, and luckily enough you have the luxury of partaking in such endeavors at your leisure. Alarming Trends continued to churn out music as late as 2001, and have two additional albums available through CD Baby. Ronnie Cramer has a robust selection of solo albums to his credit, as well as low-budget films, which from the looks of his website is more than just a casual hobby. This rip was taken from a very static-laden slice of vinyl, so don't say I didn't warn you.

01. What Does Your Heart Say
02. Out at Night
03. Without You Fine
04. Echoes in the Dark
05. Mangled Nerve Center
06. X-15
07. White Cross
08. Some People
09. I Wonder Why
10. Fever Dreams
11. Rude Seduction
12. Fabrications

https://rapidshare.com/files/2604375206/alarmingtrends.rar

Various - Blackbox compilation (1992)

2012-01-26T18:19:00.000-08:00

Punk rock. Blackbox Records, based out of Germany I believe, released a spate of punk/pop/grunge type records in the early '90s, and this CD compilation manages to gather up nearly 20 songs, many of which had only existed on vinyl prior to. Some fairly renown American outfits are present and accounted for: Samiam who contribute an acoustic take of their 1990-era chestnut, "Home Sweet Home," Big Drill Car's live rendering of Billy Joel's "Big Shot" is phenomenal, and the Doughboys take on Kiss' "Stole Your Love" live in the flesh. As for the other Yanks that appear on Blackbox, there's in-concert Big Chief goodness, Nova Mob's "Evergreen Memorial Drive" is a tuneful pop reprieve from this disks overall mayhem, and Bone Club and The Heretics who never got their due on either side of the pond, round up the US contingent.

The most prominent of the European participants, Leatherface contribute a pair of songs from the Mush-era (or thereabouts). Probably worth the price of admission alone for more than a few of you. Spoon (track four) are not the Austin indie idols of the same moniker. The Speed Niggs assault our collective senses with their version of Murphy's Law's "Secret Agent S.K.I.N," and the Big Drill Car indebted Thud! pose the musical question, "What is comfort when you're dead?" Indeed.

01. Big Chief - Jungle Jam (live)
02. Nova Mob - Evergreen Memorial Drive
03. Samiam - Sky Flying By
04. Spoon - Fearless
05. EA 80 - Wo steht die Uhr?
06. Heretics - Gotta Go
07. Boxhamsters - Auf Wiedersehen
08. Leatherface - Eagle
09. Bone Club - With Me
10. Thud! - What is Comfort...
11. The Nozems - Psycho
12. Maximum Bob - Way 2 B
13. Speed Niggs - Secret Agent S.K.I.N.
14. Big Drill Car - Big Shot (live)
15. Doughboys - Stole Yer Love (live)
16. Leatherface - Dreaming
17. Heretics - Straight On
18. Bone Club - Time of Day
19. Thud! - If I die...

https://rapidshare.com/files/486868496/va_blackbox.rar

I thought that you had asked me an all-important question…

2012-01-25T17:16:00.000-08:00

Upon sharing Lustre's album and single a few days ago, it was brought to my attention that there was yet another single kicking around from these unlikely Chapel Hill, NC denizens. Actually, make that an ep, a promotional one at that, supplied to radio stations and the like in support of the "emphasis track," "Kalifornia." I've gone on about how utterly addictive Lustre's melodious riffola is (which you can peruse my testaments to via the links above), so I'll get right down to the disk at hand and point out that the Kalifornia ep features two really excellent b-sides, "Great" and "Drag" that so far as I know appear exclusively. Things close out with a slightly edited version of "Nice Overalls" which can be found on the Lustre record, as well as the Empire Records soundtrack. Unless some demos or outtakes surface this is likely to be the final words on Lustre, so far as these pages are concerned anyway. Cheers.

01. Kalifornia
02. Great
03. Drag
04. Nice Overalls (edit)

https://rapidshare.com/files/346922762/lustre_kalifornia.rar

Dimestore Darlings - What is My? What is Mo? tape (1994, Forged)

2012-01-24T17:31:00.000-08:00

The curiously titled What is My? What is Mo? is one of a handful of demo eps recorded by the Dimestore Darlings, a spirited New York bunch who possessed the nonchalant moxie and charisma of some of their key inspirations which thankfully included Dramarama, the Replacements and Soul Asylum. A familiar recipe, but one that's aged nicely since these four cuts were committed to tape the better part of two decades ago. The Darlings are what the Hold Steady could have amounted to if their singer ever attempted to carry a tune (harsh, I know). Turns out these guys have a Tumblr page with streaming audio of these tunes and about eight more, plus a super thorough and entertaining bio. Highly recommened. I've plucked a paragraph from that bio which specifically addresses this tape. Enjoy (or not). But you will.

We emerged 30 hours later with the second EP in hand: What Is My, What Is Mo?—the title the result of a Justin and Steve misread of Gene Simmons asking the musical question “What is my charisma?” It was heavy on the kick drum, frenetic, and a strong move forward. Justin’s “Sometimes It’s Me” and “Damage” were both genuinely surprising with their lyrical depth, and the grooves themselves had a dizzying, reckless feel, a kind of walloping gait that left no room for instrumental niceties, but were still both interesting and accessible, particularly “Damage,” which had a rough-hewn Keith Richards vibe and a drunken nose-sung vocal that worked perfectly. It’s a great song. In all, What Is My, What Is Mo? was an adrenaline-fueled, determined sound of a band blasting off, which Jay nailed when he yelled “I’m stressing out” in the second track, his “Waste of Time.” And Aaron plays the living hell out of his kit throughout. A fun time had by one and all: Imagine the Keystone Kops, loaded, making a record against an insane deadline and you get the idea—fun but exhausting.

01. Sometimes It's Me
02. Waste of Time
03. Summary
04. Damage

https://rapidshare.com/files/1423594807/dimestoredarlings.rar

Graham Repulski - My Color is Red 7" ep - (2011, Big School) - A brief overview

2012-01-23T19:40:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd give everyone a heads up on this one, as the physical edition of this title is limited to a mere 200 copies. If you're already a Graham Repulski convert you're likely to be a completist, and since this fella is on the creative tear that he is (six releases in roughly two years) I wouldn't sleep on this.

For those of you who can recall your first encounter with Guided By Voices 1994 magnum opus, Bee Thousand, experiencing any given record by this New Jersey progidy is bound to induce déjà vu all over again. Graham has all the classic Pollard-ian earmarks set to “stun” in an enjoyably slavish fashion, including but not limited to: a doggedly lo-fidelity recording ethic, slightly manipulated vocals, esoteric and oblique scripture, and a doctrine that screams, “if the song exceeds the two minute mark, time to hit erase" Truth is, Graham has virtually picked up where Mr. Pollard left off in say 1999, doleing out melodicly rich colossus' namley the title track, and "Mommy's Dreaming" (which in all fairness exceeds the 120-second threshold).

Among his other four-track forarys 2011's Into an Animal Together is the bona fide full length, racking up 24 songs, but if that strikes you as too imposing for your virgin pallete, My Collar is Red, by comparison tallies up a mere four and serves as equally a convincing introduction. For those going the clear red vinyl route, head over to Big School Records, or if the streaming/downloading method gets you through the night, head over to Bandcamp, and please check out more of this gentleman's surprisingly fresh back catalog.

Parade - Love and War (1987, Dangerous Rhythm)

2012-01-22T19:23:00.000-08:00

It was nearly three years ago that I shared a scarce slice of wax by Concord, CA's Parade, titled Circle of Deception. Still got that one in your ipod? Yeah, I thought so. It wasn't until I was browsing at Jerry's Records in Pittsburgh that I discovered there was a second Parade album, which I'm featuring today. Turns out they were up to their same old tricks on Love and War, copping a pint or two from the 'Mats/Magnolias/Junk Monkeys wet bar. Ringing guitars and punchy, high strung exuberance all around, with a number of comparatively refined ballads on side two. If any of you can offer some details on Pariah, Parade's precursor band. The singer/bassist is Ray Lujan, and I have to wonder if he's the same Ray Lujan who writes for Maximum Rock 'N Roll. I suppose I'll keep wondering 'til someone confirms that suspicion.

01. Flowers For Pretty
02. True to Life
03. Heaven Help Us
04. One Step Closer to Home
05. Torn in Two
06. The Forgotten Man
07. Love and War
08. When Hope Walks By
09. Time Won't Stop for Us
10. Prisoners of Our Dreams
11. How Can You Win?
12. Dignity

https://rapidshare.com/files/3390270371/parade_loveandwar.rar

Graig Markel - Graig Markel (2012, Recovery) - A brief overview

2012-01-21T21:32:00.000-08:00

Upon discovering his Seattle noise-pop trio New Sweet Breath back in 1995, via their first full length, Supersound Speedway, my appreciation for Graig Markel's music grew and grew with each successive record that he had any involvement with, whether it be more outings with NSB, his electronic offshoot Animals at Night, and not the least of which solo recordings. By my count, 2012's brand new self-titled platter is his sixth under his own name, following up 2007's Via Novella. Hardly spending the last four years slaving over an ornate, orchestral rock tour de force, a la Brian Wilson in the late '60s, Markel instead returns to the table with a refreshingly lucid batch of ten acoustic songs, tracked straight to analog tape in his domicile studio.

Far from a wordsmith in league with the likes of Waits, Westerberg, or Pollard, Graig Markel's isn't an erudite or arty scribe, rather it's the voice that sinks in so indelibly. His sparse, no-frills arrangements lend a purity to this collection, perfectly befitting it's melancholic tenor, that wisely eschews any wrought or maudlin transgressions. Par exemple, "My Last Words," as it's title implies, mines a mournful vein, but no more so than Nick Drake's Pink Moon, a classic he's apparently taken to heart. Economical yet thoroughly substantive, Markel's balled-esque soliloquies are undeniably straightfoward, but soothingly uplifting. Graig Markel is available from CD Baby, and on white vinyl through his website, but if you need any further convincing embrace the sound on his Soundcoud page.

Cherry Blades - In-Dependance (1990, Imaginary)

2012-01-20T11:06:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what the UK music press had to say about the Cherry Blades at the time In-Dependace made its way into the shops, but in all likelihood it wasn't very concise. Why? Judging from these eight songs, the Blades were serial genre-hoppers, sounding like a different band on damn near each one, making any sort of broad stroke review all but impossible. Some of the tangents explored include patently trippy pysche revival ("Happy Families"), ragged indie guitar excursions ("Everyday is Extreme" and "Face #1") to relatively linear Britpop ("Everything Is Extreme"), with plenty of halfway points in between. Some of the heavier cuts belie faint dream-pop undercurrents, blending in seamlessly. Though they were unlikely deliberate in doing so, the Cherry Blades assembled an album delivering a makeshift microcosm of where British indie music was headed at the dawning of the '90s. To my knowledge, the band had at least one more record to their credit, an ep titled Imperial.

01. 7-12-12
02. Happy Families
03. Everyday is Extreme
04. Everything Is
05. Down #1
06. Face #1
07. Soul
08. Morphine Waves

https://rapidshare.com/files/2972551205/cherryblades.rar

The Jet Age - Domestic Disturbances (2012) - A brief overview

2012-01-19T16:09:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's the hypocritical cynic in me but even with all the technological advances that make obtaining (and for that matter learning about) any given piece of music so instantaneous, I still yearn for, dare I say 'a more complicated' era when fanzines, 120 Minutes, college radio, and last but not least, word-of-mouth was the delivery system for virtually any and all exposure for new and exciting new zounds. Maryland's Jet Age don't necessarily brandish the same musical motifs of my nascent discovery years (late '80s/early '90s) but the essence of Domestic Disturbances is more then than now. Ironically, their encompassing sonic foundation is constructed on one that's a little more current, say firmly in the realm of Ted Leo, and to a lesser extent The Thermals.

As with most musically inclined trios, economy is key, and the Jet Age don't fritter away one iota of it, endeavoring in the stripe of sharp, rhythm-centric post-punk that employs an abundance of clipped, clangy chords, heavy-goes-it snare drums, and occasional plumes of static, executed as only a lean, hungry skeleton crew can. Disturbances is one of those rare records that's as lovingly roughewn as it is painstakingly tight. Most bands operating under such similar premises would likely convey themselves as insular, even dry, but in their case the Jet Age write songs that are thoroughly heartfelt. "Hey, Captain" is searingly soulful in that Stonesy Some Girls kind of way, "Left for Dead" boasts hefty swells of distortion, with a dash of tremolo tossed in, "Home" unfurls guitar god solo's amidst an engulfing echoing stew, and on "I Want to Touch You Again," the guys manage to seize Gang of Four's metronome for an infectious four minutes. And that little synopsis covers only one third of the album. As an aside, mouthpiece Eric Tischler possesses a vocal timbre very much on par with Joel Plaskett (who you might know from bygone Halifax rawkers Thrush Hermit). In any event, live with two of the tracks I mentioned above, and if you're as chuffed and heartened as I am, put a little Jet Age in your life and order Domestic Disturbances here, or go the digital route via Bandcamp.

https://rapidshare.com/files/3943838171/jetage_2songs.rar

Sunnychar 7" ep (1994, Shredder)

2012-01-17T18:00:00.000-08:00

I'm not about to purport to have any firsthand knowledge, or even a rudimentary awareness of Japanese indie rock and/or so called "J-Pop" in general. In fact, my only entry for a Japanese artist, The Playmates, stretches all the way back to 2008 for their stupefyingly impressive Short Wave album. It's not so much a matter of prejudice, rather utter lack of exposure that would point to a deficit of music from the nation with that nice, plump red dot on their flag. Sunnychar were a coed five-piece from Tokyo, whose chipper punk-pop conveniently brings to mind one of the only Japanese acts I am notably familiar with, Shonen Knife. On what is presumably their only stateside release, Sunnychar ooze vivacious charm and vigor, decked out in harmonies and cutesy pizazz that only a female-fronted combo from the Land of the Rising Sun could so capably deliver, particularly on the leadoff cut, "You're My Battery." Two more originals ensue, as does a cover of Yoko Ono's "Sisters O Sisters."

01. You're My Battery
02. My Little Girl
03. Sisters O Sisters
04. La-vi La-vi

https://rapidshare.com/files/3714812245/sunnychar7.rar

The Well Wishers - Dreaming of the West Coast (2012) - a brief overview

2012-01-16T19:44:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in my critique of their 2010's Post Modern Romantic album, I became acquainted with The Well Wishers after feasting on the back catalog of frontman Jeff Shelton's previous outfit The Spinning Jennies. The Jennies, who's run lasted the better part of the '90s (and a slightly beyond) were one of the quintessential power pop purveyors of their era. Problem was I only caught wind of them by their last record, 2002's Stratosphere. Shelton wasn't one to stay idle, and almost immediately in the Spinning Jennies absence The Well Wishers came to light, and they're already up to their half-dozenth platter, Dreaming of the West Coast.

Stylistically, Dreaming... isn't a dramatic departure from Post Modern Romantic, but it is varied, with the Well Wishers breaking away from their usual aesthetic to indulge in the arcing, sparking punk free-for-all "All I Got," and jack knifes a 180 on the markedly more genteel acoustic ballad "Truth Is Coming Home." As for the aforementioned "usual aesthetic" there's gobs of Merseybeat flirtations, and Shelton's familiar Ricken-pop jangle and strum. Suggested destinations? "Escape the Lights" is the Posies gone paisley (minus the dayglo aftertaste) and "Here Comes Love" is linear yet luminous. On past WW outing's The Chameleons and The Nils have been the recipients of the cover treatment, and in the case of Dreaming it's an uber-obscuro Nuggets era nugget (pun intended), "Have Some More Tea" originally performed in 1967 by The Smoke.

Now for the nitty gritty. Virtual copies of Dreaming of the West Coast can be obtained from Bandcamp...now, while the physical edition becomes available on January 24. Lay your ears on "Escape the Light" below.

https://rapidshare.com/files/1734966842/ww_escapethelight.rar

Marshal Fields - s/t ep (1986)

2012-01-15T17:42:00.000-08:00

I wish I had some pertinent details to offer on Marshal Fields, a long retired Bay Area five-piece but fortunately the music can stand on it's own. Omitting one "L" from "Marshall," for fairly obvious reasons, this combo delivers a flawless record of rich, resonant power pop that occasionally skews slightly right of the dial. Ringleaders Eric von Radics and John McClellan, whether consciously or not, seemed to subscribe to the same modus operandi and stringent quality control of Tommy Keene and Todd Rundgren among other top shelf singer/songwriters, without being derivative of them. Immediately winsome hooks and deftly crafted arrangements make every moment count. Bloody good stuff. Incidentally, Matt Wallace has an early engineering credit on this disk.

01. Come a Little Closer
02. Shouldn't We
03. Just Another Day
04. Changing It Again
05. Malaria Moon
06. Hurry Home
07. If It's You

https://rapidshare.com/files/1039781922/marshalfields.rar

Pollyanna - Hello Halo FLAC (1997, Mushroom)

2012-01-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

Until I have a chance to rip more vinyl (should be another day or two) I thought I'd offer everyone an upgrade in FLAC (aka lossless audio) to one of the most popular albums I've featured on Wilfully Obscure to date. Pollyanna's third LP, Hello Halo never saw proper release in North America, but despite it remaining an endearing favorite in their native Australia, it managed to go out of print roughly a decade ago. Since I shared ...Halo nearly four years ago, I've received numerous requests from several of you to fill in the gaps, and post Pollyanna's other albums and singles (the latter of which I still have to attend to), yet despite their fairly robust body of work, it's these fourteen songs that I retreat to time and time again.

In my original entry I remarked that this wasn't album one could easily genre-lize, so to speak, rather there were a plethora of facets running the gamut from power-pop to emo to more traditional alt-rock. In that respect, Hello Halo is just as elusive today as it was when I discovered it in the late '90s. Truthfully, I opt to indulge in this album's post-adolescent ruminations, cautionary themes, and bittersweet, empathetic ethos rather than it's underlying sonic constructs (which I have to admit are impressive in themselves). For every visceral, gut-reactive surge ("Cinnamon Lip" and "Pulling Teeth" to name a couple), Halo turns on it's head in a markedly sobering and contemplative direction ("Cooling Your Heels," "Velocette"), with plenty of arresting offerings that fall somewhere in the middle. Will Pollyanna's moxie work it's way into your psyche as it has mine? Only one way to find out, and if you're feeling a little less committal and don't want to absorb 300 mb of hard drive space, the MP3 version is at your disposal here.

01. Peachy Keen

02. Frosted Over
03. Hilltop Green
04. Cooling Your Heels
05. Effervesence
06. A Beginner's Guide to Under Achievement
07. Brittle Than Broken
08. Butterman
09. Forgetting How to Feel
10. Cinnamon Lip
11. Pulling Teeth
12. Velocette
13. Rat in the Ranks
14. Tank

https://rapidshare.com/files/2434231935/pollyanna_helloflac.rar

Lustre - s/t (1996)

2012-01-12T17:58:00.000-08:00

Holy cow. I forgot what a damn good album this was, until I played it for the first time this week in probably close to a decade. Last Thursday I featured a single from Lustre, an unlikely entry in the Chapel Hill, NC indie rawk sweepstakes from fifteen years or so ago. Actually, they really couldn't boast much of an indie pedigree at all, considering this self titled platter was delivered by A&M. Proving just how much fun three chords could be, Lustre's penchant for muscular, guitar crunch and penetrating hooks put them in league with Sugar, Fig Dish, Head Candy, and other such saccharine laden riff brokers. A dash of '90s AOR didn't do Lustre much harm (or good) but even with every lick in place they failed to make a pronounced dent at lamestream radio. I mentioned in my original Lustre post that the group's closest claim to fame, "Nice Overalls" turned up on the Empire Records soundtrack, and for the love of straight-to-video, it's also on the album. As a final thought, copies of Lustre are pretty scarce to find without a gold promo stamp marring the cover. In addition to the track list and d/l link, you can also watch the video for "Kalifornia" below.

01. Musta Been Cool
02. Shining
03. Fifteen
04. Wasting Time
05. Stay (How Long?)
06. Nice Overalls
07. Kalifornia
08. Sheer
09. Watermelon
10. Still Seems There

https://rapidshare.com/files/3807445739/lustre.rar

Mrs. Svenson - Flood sessions (1995)

2012-01-11T18:52:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many of ya'll were paying attention this past summer when I shared a cassette demo of a long defunct Regina, Saskatchewan outfit that went by the name of Mrs. Svenson, but in my write up, I alluded that more recordings were said to exist, particularly a CD, Flood. As it would come to pass, Flood would never see the opening of it's proverbial gates. An albums worth of songs was recorded, but never issued due to the band's dissatisfaction with the material. In any event, I've been given clearance to share them with the public, and considering how stoked I was with that six song tape I consider it something of an honor.

Mrs. Svenson, having culled their moniker from a random search in their local white pages, had been active since the late '80s and had gone through a myriad of lineups, with drummer/vocalist Mark Fleischhaker being the group's only constant presence. Those aforementioned half dozen "demos" (please refer to the tracklist in the original post linked above) were to carry over into Flood in the same incarnations, save for a remix of "Fall." An additional six songs were to encompass the full Flood experience, which are presented here as well. Also included are alternate versions of a couple songs.

In my original Mrs. Svenson article I mentioned that the band took some more than discernible cues from Canadian contemporaries the Doughboys. That comparison is particularly warranted on such melodically indelible slammers as "June," "Fall," and "Shoes," leading me to believe that the 'Boys Crush album was vying for some serious playing time on Svenson's collective boom boxes and in-dashes. While not wall-to-wall perfection, Flood exudes more than it's fair share of magic, and hinted of even greater things that should/could have been in the offing had the band's luck panned out a little better. Speaking of which, I'll have more Mrs. Svenson coming your way in the not too distant future. A big, big thanks goes out to Oxy for stringing this altogether for me, and creating some spiffy sleeve art to boot!

01. Home
02. Life Lesson
03. Stone (mono)
04. Fall
05. June (mono)
06. Flood
07. Waxed
08. Never (mono)
09. All Along
10. Shoes
11. Book of Truth (mono)
12. Glass (mono)
13. Our Situation (mono)
14. Flood (mono alternate version)
15. Never (mono alternate version)

https://rapidshare.com/files/825153824/mrssvenson_flood.rar

The Wild Giraffes - Right Now (1981, Neck)

2012-01-09T18:23:00.000-08:00

Funny how such a great record from such a crucial era can go virtually unheralded for all these years. Even in powerpop/KBD corners Mentor, OH's Wild Giraffes have flown under the radar all this time, as has this record. Granted, Right Now saw the light of day on the local indie imprint Neck Records (possibly the band's in-house label), but nonetheless, far scarcer records have enjoyed more visible reputations, albeit posthumously I should add. Hovering somewhere between a more advanced Flamin' Groovies and Cheap Trick, Wild Giraffe's rootsy undercurrents rubbed elbows with faint, post-punk chord wrangling a la Roger Miller of Mission of Burma. If the Figgs had started their career, say a decade early, they would probably have approximated a solid cross section of this album's content, which by the way hosts no less than three classic covers: "Good Times" (Easybeats), "Burning Love" (popularized by Elvis), and "Move It On Over" (Del Shannon). isksp blog is hosting a Wild Giraffes single from 1978, "Ensemble and Majorettes," which is just as stimulating as Right Now, and worth significantly more money from what I understand.

01. Right Now
02. Good Times
03. In and Out
04. The Real Things
05. I Got You
06. Burning Love
07. I Can't Make It
08. She Do Rock
09. Weather Girl
10. I Don't Know About You
11. We'll Never Know
12. Move it on Over

https://rapidshare.com/files/3398308054/wildgiraffes_rightnow.rar

Polo - s/t ep (1986, D&C)

2012-01-08T19:51:00.000-08:00

Might as well get my annual token "new romantic" post out of the way for 2012. Truth be told, I don't know the first thing about Polo (the band or the game). I purchased this record in a bundle on Ebay sometime ago. Really liked the sleeve, but anyway. In case anyone is wondering what type of music I cut my teeth on back in the early '80s, this record is fairly representative. Polo were an androgynous as all-get-out bunch of guys with hair teased to the heavens, and would've slotted in just fine with Duran, ABC, Living in a Box, and lesser knows like Tictoc. Thoroughly competent if anything else. Oddly enough, "We Can Work It Out" isn't the Beatles tune. Go figure. A fanclub address on the back sleeve indicates that they were products of Claremont, CA, or thereabouts. Enjoy, and comment as you see fit.

01. Living in a Promised Land
02. After the Love (single mix)
03. We Can Work it Out
04. After the Love (dance mix)

https://rapidshare.com/files/3568576951/polo.rar

Cinderblock - Greatest Hits (1992, Restless)

2012-01-06T17:16:00.000-08:00

Thought this would be an appropriate follow-up to my Lustre entry from yesterday, not that the two groups share any sort of relation, but who sonically speaking are cut from almost identical sackcloth. There's no readily available info to be had regarding Cinderblock, a three-piece San Francisco treat whose Greatest Hits album is almost certainly titled in jest, given there doesn't appear to be any releases preceding (and in fact, following) it. Nothing particularly fancy, in fact a bit anti-climactic as far as rugged, power-chord fortified rock goes. Despite some spicy axe squalls from leadman Jason Apodaca, Cinderblock strike me as a wee bit sedated on the John Strohm produced Hits, leaving me to wonder what demo or rehearsal takes of the relatively stimulating "Leaves" and "Bed and Shower" would have done for this pair or ears. The material here occasionally brings to mind the Pedaljets, albeit with more of an AOR tilt. Furthermore, I have big reservations for the two concluding clunkers, "This is Me" and "Everything," but don't be sad, eight out of ten ain't bad.

01. Ins and Outs
02. Leaves
03. Fall Into Place
04. Never
05. Bed and Shower
06. Crush
07. Everything On You
08. Lie
09. This is Me
10. Everything

https://rapidshare.com/files/3773925549/cinderblock.rar

Singles Going Single #195 - Lustre 7" (1995, Cargo/Headhunter)

2012-01-05T03:40:00.000-08:00

Ahh. I love the smell of post-grunge in the morning. "Alternative" by virtue of the Seattle tsunami of '91, Lustre delivered hulking, Collective Soul-sized riffs, within the confines of a demonstrably more credible package, a la Sugar or Head Candy, if that means anything to you. Lustre emerged from Chapel Hill, NC of all places, which you'd never guess in a bazillion years from any of their recorded output. A commendable full length followed in 1996, that frankly went nowhere, but the LP track "Nice Overalls" made an appearance on the reasonably successful Empire Records soundtrack. These guys were sticklers when it came to melody, and good on 'em for that I might add. Assuming their album hasn't been given away elsewhere I can share it if anyone's interested. Both of these songs aren't on it, so chomp away on this lil' stogie and enjoy.

A. The Perfect Cigar
B. Sexy Yard Raker

https://rapidshare.com/files/3285357272/lustre7.rar

Singles Going Single #194 - Polara - Monongahela 7" (1995, Generator)

2012-01-04T17:03:00.000-08:00

I never really paid attention to Polara during the nineties, despite working at college radio and seeing so many of their CDs in used bins (I don't mean that as a dig). In fact, it wasn't until a couple years ago that I put two and two together when I learned that Polara head honcho Ed Ackerson had previously fronted Minneapolis's 27 Various, a combo I've featured twice on these pages in about as many years.

I've only experienced one Polara full length in it's entirety, and that would be their self titled debut which dropped the same year that this dandy 45 did. My impression is that Polara was a far more idiosyncratic animal than the comparatively straightforward psyche-addled guitar rock of 27 Various, and I suppose that notion would be in keeping with this single, featuring three songs with each mining it's own disparate terrain. Maybe I should break it down track by track. Yeah.

A1. "Scorched Youth Policy" - An august, two-minute burst of dream-pop, cum Wire's '80s electro fixation (heck, Ackerson recalls Colin Newman big time on this one)! Sounds like a little phaser was tossed into the blender as well, with the overall effect being none-too-dissimilar from what overseas contemporaries Rollerskate Skinny were churning out. Beats anything on the Polara album.

A2. "Puffy (Buzzcrusher '95)" - Strummy, acoustic, and a little navel gazey as well. Appealing, but hardly a game changer

B. "Attrition" - A bittersweet slice of indie guitar rock that agilely splits the difference between Pavement and Teenage Fanclub, buttressed by a devastating hook.

https://rapidshare.com/files/171328606/polara7.rar

Verichrome Tulips - Le Lac Leman (1987, Syndicate)

2012-01-02T17:43:00.000-08:00

Translated from French, Le Lac Leman, means "Lake Leman," which is an actual lake in Switzerland. For better or worse, that specific body of water doesn't encroach at all into the themes expressed on the Verichrome Tulips' presumably one and only album, recorded by the co-ed German quartet. This is merely an educated guess, but their roster might have boasted British and/or American origins, given there isn't a foreign accent in sight on this wax. A Myspace bio (linked above) mentions that the songs comprising Le Lac Leman were inspired by the sensation of "being unhappy in love." Simon Steiner's, copious saxophone work lends an often strident and upbeat panache to the Tulips prevailing tenor that's inclined to Roxy Music, as much as say the Psychedelic Furs, the Teardrop Explodes, and occasionally The Fall. Leman's sonic wanderlust is all over the map, not to mention a bit unruly in spots, so prepare yourself for the unexpected. A few additional songs can be experienced on their aforementioned Myspace page.

01. Talk to Me
02. Letter Box
03. Thinking Of You
04. Someone New
05. Special
06. Day One
07. Badcave Romance
08. Boat Goes By
09. October Frustration
10. I Follow You
11. Hampstead Sunset

https://rapidshare.com/files/3166900887/verichrometulips.rar

There is hope for the hopeless now. 2011: The year in rear view, Top 25 albums, plus: Best of the Blog mix for the year past

2012-01-01T17:40:00.000-08:00

To anyone who espouses the notion that my musical persuasions are solely relegated to the past (specifically the '80s and '90s) you're right...and wrong. The emphasis on Wilfully Obscure is and will likely remain retro, but I'm still enthused about new music from both emerging and classic artists. I thought I'd run down twenty-five of my favorite releases of 2011, not only as a way to catalog them for my own remembrance (in the event senility sets in later in life) but for your amusement and recommendation as well. 2011 was not a banner year for music, but in fact slightly superior to 2010 which I conveniently summarized. On the proverbial one-to-ten scale, there were in fact no tens, or nines, or even eight and a halves (save for maybe my top pick). Nonetheless there was plenty to pique my interest and maintain my curiosity, thanks to a clutch of inspired newbies. A little synopsis follows each title on my hallowed and coveted album list. Bear firmly in mind that your results may very.

In addition there are short lists (in no particular order) for honorable album mentions, and some of my favorite reissues of 2011. Towards the end of this lengthy diatribe, I've also included a link where you can download a "Best of the Blog" compilation featuring songs from twenty of my most cherished blog entries and retro discoveries for the year, including a handful of songs from albums not previously featured. A huge thanks goes out to anyone who has contributed in any small way to Wilfully Obscure over the past year. You have sincerely made this a more robust and substantive site.

Top 25 albums of 2011:

01. Farewell Continental – ¡Hey Hey Pioneers! (Paper and Plastick) - Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack goes the co-ed route with Kari Gray turning in the most neurotic and endearing rock album of the year. Bravo.
02. Maritime – Human Hearts (Dangerbird)- Ex-Promise Ring frontman Davey von Bohlen follows up 2007’s Heresy and the Hotel Choir with a record that’s nearly as visceral and inspired.
03. Doleful Lions - Let's Break Bobby Beausoleil Out Of Prison! - Space age hooks paired with an often surreal indie rock stride. Many happy returns.
04. Parachute Musical – Kill It Cut It Down - Probably my favorite singer/songwriter album of year. Piano rock bliss.
05. Yuck – s/t (Fat Possum) - Everything you've heard about them is 200% true and then some.
06. Ringo Deathstarr – Colour Trip (Sonic Unyon)- Delirious, engulfing dream-pop revisionism that virtually none of their ‘90s forebears had the smarts to come up with on their own.
07. Tim and Jean – Like What - Passion Pit-inspired techo pop from this prodigious and infectious Australia duo. Too bad it didn't see the light of day in North America.

08. Street Chant – Means (Arch Hill) - This sucker picks up where Dinosaur Jr.’s Bug left off, and furthermore, is indicative of the trajectory Sonic Youth should have charted in following up Goo. Nearly as revelatory as Yuck, and that’s saying quite a bit.

09. Pocket Genius – Nordic - Wasn't expecting something this potent after a decade hiatus. Pocket Genius bear the charismatic nonchalance and zesty reverb of The Replacements, Doughboys and Soul Asylum, in an oddly unique context.

10. Neon Indian - Era Extraña - True blue innovators. In the electronica venue, they are currently without peer.

11. Saves the Day – Daybreak (Razor & Tie) - This was my most anticipated album of 2011, and even though it didn’t quite live up to my lofty expectations, Chris Conley is still the consummate melody weaver.
12. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light - A milestone for Dave Grohl and Co. The Foo Fighters are the only arena band whose concerts I’m not embarrassed about attending.

13. Shy Mirrors – Sailed Blanks (Big School) - The Superchunk and Weezer (blue album-era) aesthetic is alive and kicking up a storm.
14. The Strokes – Angles (RCA) - Returning a few years late, and IMO a song or two short, Justin Casablancas and Albert Hammond Jr’s inspired recent solo endeavors spilled over into their fourth platter, giving the Strokes the shot in the arm they were overdue for.
15. Under Electric Light - Waiting for the Rain to Fall - A sublime fusion of shoegazer headiness, suave keyboard-enhancements and breezy melodies. Thoroughly transporting songs.
16. Male Bonding – Endless Now (Sub Pop)- Not as wall-to-wall bonkers as they were on 2010’s static laden Endless Now, but still plenty nervy and voracious.
17. Patrick Stump - Soul Punk - Soul? A few notches shy. Punk? Not a trace. Savvy? Like you wouldn’t believe.
18. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Belong (Slumblerland) - The not-so-difficult second album. Irresistible.
19. Foster the People – Torches - 2011's soundtrack to summer
20. Joey Cape – Doesn’t Play Well With Others - Another devastating helping of acoustic missives from the brainchild of Lagwagon and Bad Astronaut
21. Office of Future Plans – s/t (Dischord) - Burning Airlines with a little cello thrown in? Works for me. Welcome back Jay.
22. The Drums - Portamento (French Kiss) - Doesn't match last years debut, but strives to anyway.
23. Sea Lions – Everything You Always Wanted to Know... (Slumberland) - A stirring update of classic C86-era Brit Pop with a bevy of old school hipster influences to die for.
24. Wire – Red Barked Tree (Pink Flag) - Still on the cutting edge after all these years, delivering a record that distills many of the key sonic attributes of their five-decade long run.
25. Lunch - s/t ep - fuzzy indie rock newbies drawing on a cornucopia of '90s influences. Check out their song "Turn Around" streaming on a number of websites.

Runners up:

Rival Schools – Pedals

Graham Repulski – Into an Animal Together

Iron & Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean

Sway – This Was Tomorrow

Samiam – Trips

Stuyvesant – Fret Sounds

The Forms – Derealization ep

Sloan – The Double Cross

The Cars – Move Like This

The Active Set – 11

Real Estate – Days

Dot Dash - Spark>Flame>Embers>Ash

Janes Addiction – The Great Escape Artist

High Tension Wires – Welcome New Machine

The Feelies - Here Before

Fountains of Wayne - Sky Full of Holes
Muler - Hope You Found a Home
The Raveonettes - Raven in the Grave

Recommended reissues and compilations:

Nirvana - Nevermind super deluxe edition

Jesus and Marcy Chain - discography reissue series (Edsel)

Bitch Magnet - three CD discography (Temporary Residence)

Radio Dept - Passive Aggressive, Singles 2002-2010

Lagwagon - Putting Music in It's Place box set (Fat)

Ben Folds - The Best Imitation of Myself - 3 cd deluxe edition

Jayhawks - Tomorrow the Green Grass deluxe

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Tape Club (Polyvinyl)

Sebadoh - Bakesale deluxe (Sub Pop)

The Modulators - Tomorrow's Coming (Kool Kat)

Although it's well out of my price range (and I've only heard the main album portion), it's a safe bet to say that the Beach Boys Smile Sessions box takes the cake in terms of deluxe reissues for 2011.

Finally, here's the tracklist and link to our 2011 best of the blog mix:

01. Humidifier - Nicotine
02. Slumber - Valliat

03. Dissonant Blue - Practical Harmony

04. Beauty Constant - It's One Life (demo)
05. Beat Clinic - Brenda on the Big Bed

06. Rhythm Corps (Method) - Solidarity (1984 vers)

07. Alter Boys - Piles

08. Ups and Downs - Painted Sad

09. Pedaljets - Sensual Cardboard Event

10. Reaction Formation - Galesburg Bound

11. The Spliffs - Merry-Go-Round

12. Not Shakespeare - Turnaround

13. Blanket of Secrecy - Love Me Too

14. Five Cool What - Rescue Me

15. Brave Tears - Flippin' Through

16. Delusions of Grandeur - Carousel

17. 100 Flowers - Roof Tops

18. Naomi's Hair - Tilt-a-Whirl

19. Trusty - Bus Stop

20. I-Rails - Sticks and Stones

https://rapidshare.com/files/4106042542/VA_2011blogmix.rar

Various - 'Oly Cow! - the letter "O" folder mix

2011-12-31T08:37:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks like you'll have to wait another day for me to get off my lazy duff and compile my best-ofs album list for 2011. In the meantime I hope this self-curated mix will tide you over. Adhering to the same theme as my "H" and "P" folder mixes from a few months back, this sixteen song collection of disparate artists have only one thing in common - the first letter of their respective monikers. For almost every complete album I have by an artist on my hard drive, I store just as many random one-off songs by artists I don't have a dedicated folder to. These random one-offs have been corralled into "letter folders" A through Z. As was the case with the two previous entries I'm not going to publish the track list, but I will give away a few spoilers.

Often the letter folders are heavy on cover versions, and there are no less six in this set, including okgo's live take on Elvis Costello's "Oliver's Army," an acoustic rendition of Weezer's cult classic "Across the Sea" by Ozma, and the Ohio State University Marching Band tackling "The Final Countdown." There are Love and Beach Boys covers in there as well, but I shan't give away who does those. You'll also find my favorite Optiganally Yours tune, a rarity from ON (Ken Andrews post-Failure project), a keeper from jangly, post-punk revivalists The Oranges Band, Sloan incognito (you guess the song!), and even a vintage 1982 interview with Ozzy Osbourne, circa the "bat" incident. Enjoy (or not).

https://rapidshare.com/files/2907466630/va_o-mix.rar

Ruggedy Annes - Jagged Thoughts ep (1985, Tabb)

2011-12-29T16:43:00.000-08:00

Had a very recent request for this one. The Ruggedy Annes were a fearsome, femme four-piece from Winnipeg, Manitoba whose slash and burn punk rumblings were likely to conjure up fairly obvious comparisons to their predecessors due south, The Avengers and X. The Annes packed an extra heavy wallop IMO, exhibiting the thrust and musculature of the Zero Boys among other American hardcore-leaning punksters. Jagged Thoughts goes a little slack on "Dead & Gone," but the remaining five titles (including all of side one) are thoroughly bracing, packing maximum rock and roll firepower into their respective two-minute lifespans. Fairly wordy lyrics to boot.

01. Jagged Thoughts
02. Autumn
03. G.I. Joe
04. Dead & Gone
05. Casual Design
06. Hollow Heros

https://rapidshare.com/files/361011072/ruggedyannes.rar

I-Rails - Valentino Says tape (1986)

2011-12-28T19:08:00.000-08:00

This is the fourth and final leg in our tour of I-Rails cassette albums, with the last stop culminating with Valentino Says, which is actually their first release (ironic, but not when you consider I've been presenting them in reverse order). I've already dedicated space to the three full lengths that followed-up Valentino Says (1987's Unfocused, '89s Nine Songs From Nowhere, and their 1990 parting shot Panharmonium). Being that the case, if you've already absorbed Unfocused, you might recognize two songs which actually debuted in different incarnations on Valentino, specifically "There Goes Another" and "Mercury Don't Understand."

My original expectation was that as I went backwards with the I-Rails discography, I would encounter a rawer, more savage aesthetic that the band would eventually curtail and fine tune on each subsequent release. If anything it was the opposite way around, with Valentino striking me as the most approachable of their four mini reel-to-reels. In fact, the bulk of this one inadvertently fortels the mid-tempo power pop tack that the Gin Blossoms would corner the market with in the early nineties. Song for song Valentino Says cuts the mustard, but the I-Rails would tilt in a grittier direction on their next three albums (and a 1988 7") to even more satisfying effect. Unfortunately I have no artwork to offer for this one, although from what I understand original copies did have a cassette sleeve. The audio quality on a couple tracks is slightly dodgy, but tolerable.

For a (slightly) more thorough backgrounder on the I-Rails, point your cursor to the hyperlinks in this article. A very hearty thanks to the gentlemen who digitized these tracks and sent them in my direction!

01. Thrust
02. There Goes Another
03. Mercury Don't Understand
04. Oh God
05. The Man I Gave a Ride
06. Poets Wear Black
07. Waiting for the Sun
08. Let Me Go
09. I Thought You Were My Friend
10. Adventures in the Rain

https://rapidshare.com/files/938739076/irails_valentinosays.rar

Creeper Lagoon - live and rare, 1998 and beyond

2011-12-27T18:11:00.000-08:00

It only took me about half a decade to get around to dedicating an entry to Creeper Lagoon, so I thought I'd make it count. For whatever the reason, their first album, I Become Small and Go has beckoned of late, and as utterly compelling as that record is, I'm not one to turn down the invitation.  At all stages of their tenure, Creeper, or more specifically ringleader Ian Sefchick invited a certain curiosity, but none more so than their early endeavors.

Preceded by a series of lo-fi, sub rosa cassettes bearing titles such as Shasta Complex and Slabco, 1998's I Become Small... was a quantum leap, even by the standards of a well financed ep that dropped one year prior.   Bountiful in it's unfolding textures, wherein woozy flanged guitar lines dovetailed with a bevy of surreal keyboard treatments and incidental accouterments, I Become... nonetheless hinged on Sefchick's subtle melodies and those of his co-conspirator Sharky Laguana. Luckily, those hooks were not in short supply. That album is the most ideal jumping off point for those who have yet to make their acquaintance with C/L, but assuming you've already taken the plunge, I submit to you a live soundboard document from the same era. There is a twist however. The band didn't select the set list, rather Matt Gentling from Archers of Loaf whom Creeper were opening for that October 29, 1998 evening in Boise, ID. By and large, the choicest morsels from I Become... are nicely represented...with the exception of my favorite, "Tracy."  Some more words on that song in just a moment.

As a great Creeper fansite makes mention of in their thorough discography, the band has a number of unreleased recordings and demos, many of which were four-tracked by Sefchick. I've been able to cobble together a dozen such tracks including compilation appearances like "Garden" from a 2002 Noise Pop commemorative disk, and "The Fountain" which originally saw the light of day on the Emusic Care for Kosovo album.  Amidst those two numbers are demos and early incarnations of "Dear Deadly" and the aforementioned pop jewel "Tracy." More demo madness ensues, including Creeper's take on the Beatles "Because," and a somewhat unorthodox tweaking of My Bloody Valentine's "Lose My Breath." I won't give away anything else about the remainder, but per the discography on the fansite, if anyone has any of the long lost C/L songs being hosted on the old MP3.com site please give me a shout out.

Since the band dissolution in the mid-00s, Ian Sefchick has moved onto Ghost Baby. Captain Killjoy said that it was true...

Live, Boise, ID 10/29/98
01) Claustrophobia
02) Dreaming Again
03) Wonderful Love
04) Empty Ships
05) Drop Your Head
06) Black Hole
07) Dear Deadly
08) Instrumental Jam (?)
09) Another Day
10) Centipede Eyes
11) Keep From Moving

rarities
Because (demo)
Centipede Eyes (demo)
Chain Smoker (orig demo)
Dear Deadly (original)
Don't Forget Me (Ghost Baby demo)
Garden
Keep From Moving (coda) + Dear Deadly (live)
Lose My Breath
The Fountain
There's a New Girl (credited to We Never Landed on the Moon)
Tracy (original)
untitled demo

Live, Boise 10/29/11: https://rapidshare.com/files/677946099/creeperlagoon_boise98.rar
rarities: https://rapidshare.com/files/1200849264/creeperlagoon_rare.rar

Hüsker Dü - Zen Arcade - demos, outtakes, rehearsals (1983) & Psychepowerpopapunk live (1985)

2011-12-24T10:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. Now that I've covered all the bases, time to present you with my end of year, BFD upload, with 2011's entry coming in the form of a three disk boot of Hüsker Dü's seminal, 1984 tour-de-force, double LP, Zen Arcade....and a bootleg live CD. Save for a couple of tribute albums, I've featured next to no Hüsker material on Wilfully Obscure, due in part to SST and WB for keeping their catalog in print, and to a handful of bloggers who've assembled b-sides compilations. Nonetheless, I firmly believe that music fans could do no better in the '80s than this storied Minneapolis power trio, who fused riff-roaring punk with some of the finest and most innovative melodic structures ever. I hold the opinion that Bob Mould, Grant Hart, and Greg Norton's halcyon era commenced in earnest with the release of 1983's Metal Circus ep. Back then, as the case is still largely today, it takes a full fledged album to really reign in ears en masse. Though Hüsker Dü's first proper studio album, Everything Falls Apart dropped in 1982, Zen Arcade was the record that jettisoned the band into the limelight, for lack of a better word.

There is no universal agreement as to which Hüsker record is the most representative, or for that matter, timeless, but the trio's most ambitious recordings ever committed to vinyl fall squarely in the realm of this auspicious concept album. Those "concepts," which are somewhat malleable in interpretation, involves a pained childhood, teen angst, and runaway scenarios among other related themes. What sprang out in that angst-laden aftermath was some of Hüsker Dü's most sophisticated and cathartic song arrangements, setting up something of a template for Zen Arcade's successor albums, particularly New Day Rising, and to a lesser extent Flip Your Wig. Many, many Hüsker classics reside among Zen's four hallowed sides: "Chartered Trips," "What's Going On," "Pink Turns to Blue," "Turn on the News," and "Something I Learned Today" to roll call a few.

The collection of 57 tracks I'm offering today consist of alternate versions of just about every song on the album, including rough mixes, demos, and even a handful of rehearsal recordings that were recorded via an idling stylus in the studio. You'll find several instrumental takes here too, including a vocal-less version of "Eight Miles High," a rather incendiary rendition of the Byrds classic that eventually found it's way onto a single that same year. As for any obvious revelations, it might be wise to temper your expectations, since the variances between these versions and the finished products are slight in some cases. One particular number that stood out for me was the fourteen minute plus "Reoccurring Dreams" which leads off disk two in expansive and howling fashion. For a complete breakdown of which tracks are "rough mixes" vs "demos" etc, the info file found in the folder for disk one does a good job of differentiating and cataloging everything. Special thanks to the generous and anonymous individual who arranged and digitized this collection, made available as a bit torrent last year. I'll consider offering a flac (lossless) version of this should there be enough interest expressed.

To sweeten the holiday pot, we've also got a silver disk live bootleg, bearing the title Psychepowerpopapunk. Eighteen cuts from a 1985 performance in Minneapolis (the actual date is not revealed in the CD booklet). It's quite possible that the entire show is not represented here, but from what my ears are able to discern, this is a soundboard recording, which by the way features a Buddy Holly cover, "You're So Square" sung by Mr. Hart. Track ten, listed as "Sons of Bitches" on the CD tray card is actually "Celebrated Summer." The booklet includes an interview wih Bob, which I've scanned in for your reading leisure. Bon appetit.

Zen Arcade sessions, Disk 1

Something I Learned Today/Broken Home, Broken Heart/Chartered Trips/Hare Krsna/Indecision Time/I’ll Never Forget You/Beyond the Threshold/The Biggest Lie/Pride/What’s Going On/Masochism World/Standing By the Sea/Somewhere/Pink Turns to Blue/Dozen Beats Eleven/Turn on the News/Newest Industry/Whatever/Eight Miles High/The Tooth Fairy and the Princess

Zen Arcade sessions, Disk 2

Reoccurring Dreams/Chartered Trips/Hare Krsna/One Step at a Time/Monday Will Never Be the Same/untitled (aka Granted)/ Never Talking to You Again/Somewhere/One Step at a Time/Punk Turns to Blue/Newest Industry/Monday Will Never Be the Same/Whatever/Something I Learned Today/Broken Home, Broken Heart/Chartered Trips/Indecision Time/I’ll Never Forget You/Beyond the Threshold/The Biggest Lie/Pride

Zen Arcade sessions, Disk 3

What’s Going On/Masochism World/Standing By the Sea/Somewhere/One Step at a Time/Pink Turns to Blue/Some Kind of Fun/Turn on the News/Newest Industry/Monday Will Never Be the Same/Whatever/Eight Miles High
Rehearsals: Whatever/Indecision Time/Somewhere/Dozen Beats Eleven

Psychepowerpopapunk (live Minneapolis 1985)

The Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill/Every Everything/Makes No Sense at All/Don’t Want to Know/I Don’t Know For Sure/Terms of Psychic Warfare/Hardly Getting Over It/Sorry Somehow/You Are So Square/Celebrated Summer/Green Eyes/Divide and Conquer/All Work and No Play/Powerline/Books About UFOs/Flip Your Wig/I Apologize/If I Told You

Zen Arcade sessions, disk 1: https://rapidshare.com/files/892515140/huskerdu_zen1.rar
Zen Arcade sessions, disk 2: https://rapidshare.com/files/2245836376/huskerdu_zen2.rar
Zen Arcade sessions, disk 3: https://rapidshare.com/files/3432543632/huskerdu_zen3.rar
Psychepowerpopapunk live 1985: https://rapidshare.com/files/3057986829/huskerdu_psychepowerpopapunk.rar

Five Gears in Reverse - Merry X-mas Distant Planet tape (1997, Montesano) + new Active Set Christmas song

2011-12-22T18:29:00.000-08:00

Two months ago I introduced you to Bellingham, WA's Five Gears in Reverse, a staggeringly talented guitar pop aggregation that neither recalled the Elvis Costello song they usurped their namesake from, or for that matter were content to imbibe the trail of crumbs laid out by their hometown's boys done good, The Posies. In my article I mentioned that in addition to the Trailer cassette ep that I was featuring, I also had an original copy of a six-song Christmas tape that was released one year prior in 1997. Voila. I actually played Merry X-mas Distant Planet for the first time last week, and was pleased with what I heard for a variety of reasons: a) there were no overtly religious overtones in the lyrics, b) the songs were all original 5GR compositions, and c) the quality of said songs were worthy of sharing, even bragging about no less.

The title track serves as the opening salvo, and features a dialog concerning a parallel universe of sorts where the birthday of a Jesus-like figure (Zogen) is observed in much the same light that Christmas is celebrated on our own Terra firma. This silly little motif doesn't carry over into any of the subsequent tracks however, and that's perfectly alright with me considering that "On Every Christmas Day" harkens back to Teenage Fanclub's Big Star homage, circa 1992. Elsewhere, "Happy Birthday Jesus Christ" and "Underneath the Mistletoe" are squarely in league with their criminally overlooked contemporaries to the north, Zumpano. And once again, these are original songs, unlike She and Him's insipid plundering of moldy, done-to-death carols. Speaking of which, wtf is up with shit? As usual, I digress...

While I'm in the holiday frame of mind, remember that review I did of the Active Set's new album 11? Turns out they've penned a Yule-tune of their own, "Making Out (Is the Best Part of Christmas)" which is the kind of sentiment I could go for year round. Check it out via YouTube.

01. Merry X-mas Distant Planet
02. Happy Birthday Jesus Christ
03. Underneath the Mistletoe
04. On Every Christmas Day
05. Tannenbaum and Holly Leaves
06. Silver Sheets

https://rapidshare.com/files/2300508977/fivegearsinreverse_xmas.rar

Tall Tales & True - "Hold On" 12" (1989, rooArt) & Superstition Highway ep (1990, rooArt)

2011-12-21T17:39:00.000-08:00

Considering that one of the most ardent fans of this blog was nice enough to send me not one, not two, but FIVE Tall Tales & True 12" records for me as a Christmas gift, I probably should have shared all of them a full year after the fact, but I'm a bit of a procrastinator. Since I'm right at the one year mark of receiving that extremely generous present, I submit to you the last two records in my series of TT&T eps. "Hold On" is a less than vigorous ballad-cum-rocker culled from this Aussie rock trio's first legit full length, Shiver. If that song isn't particularly representative in of itself, it's two b-sides lag even further behind. "Dark Messenger" is a stark acoustic piece with some cocktail piano arriving by songs end, and sadly, I'm unmoved. The second b-side, "Lullaby #1" is all ivories, featuring guest vocalist Jane Bryant. Pretty much Tall Tales & True in name only, so needless to say this maxi single is hardly the band's finest showing.

Boasting an expanded roster on the 1990 Superstition Highway ep, TT&T not only get things moving in the proper direction, adjunct guitarist SGR McComb lends a heftier tack to the Tales rootsy fervor. The title track and "Nothing Without You" tilt loosely in the direction of some of INXS' better mid-80s ideas, minus the posturing, front-man maneuvers. The remaining tunes aren't half bad either. Along with Shiver (linked above) you can feast on Tall Tale's 1986 debut ep here, and two additional short form records here.

Hold On ep

A. Hold On

B1. Dark Messenger

B2. Lullaby #1

Superstition Highway ep

01. Superstition Highway

02. 3 Tired Words

03. Blackwood

04. Nothing Without You

05. untitled

Hold On ep: https://rapidshare.com/files/211883189/tt_t_holdon.rar

Superstition Highway ep: https://rapidshare.com/files/941986131/tt_t_superstition.rar

Thumbs - s/t (1979, Ramona)

2011-12-19T19:02:00.000-08:00

Well wouldn't you know it, just when I was expecting all things punk/power-pop from this quartet, presumably from Lawrence, KS, I actually wound up with a group subscribing more to the ethos of the Velvets and Television, albeit in a far more economic and organic fashion. Unlike that groundbreaking pair, the Thumbs weren't particularly innovative (or as long winded), but no worse off for it, pumping out nearly a dozen unvarnished, no-frills songs informed by the relatively fresh enlightenment of the proto-punk epoch. The man on the mic, Steve Wilson, occasionally gravitates into a Dylan-esque drawl, though not exaggerated. There's some pretty sweet six-string and organ interplay going on here as well, furthering Thumbs inherently warm tenor. If anyone can offer any vital stats on this crew, comment as you see fit.

01. Sweet & Wild
02. In the Family
03. Is It Asking Too Much?
04. 4th of July
05. Still Bound to You
06. Inch or Two
07. Straight to the Heart
08. Frame of Mind
09. Moonlight
10. Rags to Rags
11. Art History

https://rapidshare.com/files/3174377777/thumbs.rar

Singles Going Single #193 - Bring Back Dad 7" (Science Project, 1994)

2011-12-18T17:24:00.000-08:00

In doing my research on Albuquerque's assumably long put to pasture Bring Back Dad, I was reminded that I already covered them, via their contribution to a 7" covers comp called Been There, Done That, minted on the same label that released this wax. Judging by their originals, Bring Back Dad brought the rawk big time, possessing the crooked, bludgeon-pop assault of contemps Archers of Loaf and New Sweet Breath. Plump, hernia-inducing power chords and ear bleeding harmonies are full tilt go on "Al Capone," and are all the more ferocious on the aptly titled "Upset." Regarding Science Project Records, the label also released a split single with Scared of Chaka and Flake Music, the latter of those two bands rechristened themselves as The Shins and enjoyed modest success shortly thereafter.

A. Al Capone
B. Upset

https://rapidshare.com/files/2007764228/bringbackdad.rar

Half String - A Fascination With Heights (1996, Independent Project)

2011-12-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

It's a wonder I didn't latch onto Half String when they were still going in the '90s, but then again a lot of stuff was vying for my attention during that bustling era of music and such. Inspired into action by woozy, across-the-pond exports Ride and Lush, this Tempe, AZ unit opted for a less-drowsy formula that was more in tune with Springhouse, and proto-shoegazers Pale Saints. A Fascination With Heights boasts a wide array of glistening, echoey guitar fills with some faint downer sensibilities, perfect for when you're craving a 'sad soundtrack' that doesn't skimp on sophistication and musicianship. This album was preceded by a collection of eps, Eclipse * Oval * Hue, which is available for the taking here, along with a healthy dose of text relating to Half String.

01. shell life
02. backstroke
03. hurrah?
04. ...
05. departures
06. a fascination with heights
07. momentum
08. lolligag
09. the apathy parade
10. numbers and fingers

https://rapidshare.com/files/1744335734/halfstring_fascination.rar

Big Troubles - Romantic Comedy & Sea Lions Everything You Ever Wanted to Know... (2011, Slumberland) - The reviews are in!

2011-12-14T19:33:00.000-08:00

Retro as this little ol' blog may be, I'm still wont to inform ya'll of worthy new releases coming down the pike, and late this year Slumberland Records gave me all the motivation I needed with the arrival of Big Troubles and Sea Lions latest records.

For the handful of you who are acquainted with Big Troubles via 2010's incendiary debut, Worry, Romantic Comedy isn't quite a 180, but a relatively radical departure, considering the group (originally a duo, now a quartet) graduated from a four-track machine to Mitch Easter as production guru for their latest. While they were at it, they eschewed just about all of the distortion-saturated, effects-heavy electro rock of Worry favoring a demonstrably more lucid modus operandi lending way more breathing room to Alex Craig's and Ian Drennan's fully realized pop songs. Comedy exudes a breezy, nonchalant stride, and as for the general "aesthetic" of this disk is concerned, try Hawthorne by the way of Silver Lake. "Make It Worse" is strummy and sublime guitar pop indulgence (without an iota of guilt), "Time Bomb" amps up the ante a couple notches into Stoned and Dethroned-era J&MC terrain, while the would-be emphasis track, "Sad Girls" marries a relentless hook to semi-hushed vocals, yielding a special pizazz all it's own. In case you were wondering, the producer had a not-so-heavy hand in the construction of this ten-song set. In fact, you'd never guess Mitch was even occupying the same room.

As for Oxnard, Cali's Sea Lions, they must have spent their collective lunch money and then some on scads of British imports, the kind with Creation and Postcard Records logos adorning the back sleeves. Lunging a very outstretched arm to the C86 days of yore (can you say Primal Scream circa Crystal Crescent?) they're also ostensibly enamored with one of their antecedent Slumblerland labelmates, Black Tambourine. Even more of a throwback to DIY Anglophile jangle pop than Pains of Being Pure at Heart were Close Lobsters protégés, Sea Lions are endowed with a retro-fitted sonic motif that's hard to come by in 2011, though I'm sure many of their contemporaries have attempted a similar feat with less than sterling results. I'm also picking up traces of Beat Happening, likely due in part to Adrian Pillado's pipes, which infrequently alternate in pitch, though I say that in the most flattering way possible. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sea Lions But Were Afraid to Ask is a wisp of an LP, with the average song length dipping just shy of the two minute mark. Nonetheless, there's ample texture amidst these fifteen numbers, and the galloping rhythms and chiming leads taking up residence in "Rainfall" and "A Cloud" sound like a template for future Sea Lions bliss. This is nothing short of a major find.

For your vinyl and CD fix, head over to Slumberland's store, and if digital is your bag, iTunes should be able to accomodate you, as well as Emusic and Amazon. You can sample one song from each album below.

https://rapidshare.com/files/4100034193/bigtroubles_sealions.rar

100 Flowers - 21st Guessing (1989, DTK)

2011-12-12T18:40:00.000-08:00

It would probably be smart to eliminate any confusion by mentioning up front that this is not the same 100 Flowers that were the spinoff of minimalist, L.A. punks The Urinals who recorded for Happy Squid Records. Heck, that explanation took quicker than I anticipated, but as usual, I digress. No, these 100 Flowers blossomed in Canada, possibly from Nova Scotia, yet they utterly ooze the aura of Midwest American indie combos like The Libertines, The Embarrassment, The Service, and by default, I guess it would be apt to point a finger at the Replacements too (though frontman Stephen Moore doesn't have a thing on Westerberg in the vocals department). 21st Guessing's most impressive moments, including "Roof tops" and "Pam" make a solid case for 100 Flowers being a lost artifact from the American heartland circa the late '80s, but this five-piece hailed from environs north, difficult as that may be to believe upon listening.

There's little to nothing web-wise to unearth on this intriguing bouquet, but videos for "Pam" and "Haunted" are available on YouTube. Since I have been unable to obtain an affordable vinyl copy of 21st Guessing, this rip was taken straight from an original cassette. BTW, can anybody confirm if this came out on CD? If anyone in/associated with the Flowers sees this, feel free to drop a line.

01. Coming Up for Air
02. Pam
03. He and She
04. Nothing is Hard
05. Roof tops
06. The Best Status Symbol
07. Haunted
08. 21st Guessing
09. Darkness
10. The Naught
11. We're Waiting

https://rapidshare.com/files/1112869496/100flowers_21stguessing.rar

Sprinkler - "Marble" 7" (1992, Tim Kerr) & "Peerless" 7" (1993, Sub Pop)

2011-12-11T19:31:00.000-08:00

Of all the '90s Portland, OR bands that never quite "made it" - Heatmiser, Pond, Hazel, Skiploader, and Crackerbash, I always thought the case of Sprinkler was the most unfortunate. Not because anyone in the group died tragically or anything, rather when I consider that overlooked vanguard, Sprinkler had the leanest discography to show for it, and even sadder, the most potential. Fans of this Oregonian quartet are immensely hard to come by. In fact, in almost twenty years of admiration of Sprinkler I have yet to meet anyone with an affinity, or for that matter just plain familiarization with their name and/or music. In addition to these singles, they cut a phenomenal album for Sub Pop Records in 1992, More Boy, Less Friend. What that record lacked in terms of a desperately needed lyric sheet, it made up for in pummeling riffs, brooding melancholia, and songs to die for. Accept no imitations. As for the singles presented here, "Marble" b/w a pre-More Boy incarnation of "Landlord" saw the light of day on Tim Kerr Records, shortly before the album. Love the swooping guitar line running through "Landlord," and "Marble" is even more melodic and vital. Before splitting up, they cut one last record for Sub Pop, tracks three and four listed below. That 45 was also available as a European import with two extra tracks though I have yet to come across a copy. If you like what you're about to hear, More Boy, Less Friend is still relatively findable, digitally and otherwise.

Post-Sprinkler, singer Chris Slusarenko went on to front the similarly unheard of but satisfying Svelt. More recently, Chris has dabbled in music journalism, and has been a longtime collaborator with Robert Pollard, involved in such post-GBV projects as Boston Spaceships and the Takeovers.

01. Marble

02. Landlord

03. Peerless

04. Kent

1 & 2 from Tim Kerr 7"

3 & 4 from Sub Pop 7"

https://rapidshare.com/files/1893898317/sprinkler.rar

Breaking Circus - The Ice Machine (1986) & Smokers' Paradise ep (1987) + bonus 7" in FLAC

2011-12-10T20:36:00.000-08:00

Last week I was inspired by the request of another blogger to rip Breaking Circus' 1985 ep The Very Long Fuse to the lossless FLAC format as opposed to my usual MP3s. Today I present submit to you the remainder of the B/C oeuvre, starting with their only bona fide full length, The Ice Machine, a Homestead Records product dating back a quarter century ago. Pound for pound, I regard The Very Long Fuse as their strongest record, but Ice Machine comes in at a very, very close second, featuring some of their most pummeling selections, namely "Took a Hammering" and "Swept Blood," both of which are profoundly induced with a solid dose of Big Black. Something tells me that Steve Björklund and Co. had a few collective go arounds with Atomizer before tracking this baby.

The Circus' third and final 12" Smokers' Paradise trails it's two predecessors by a good distance, but is markedly more diverse, with prominent keyboard presence on the title cut, and pop flirtations elsewhere. I have to concede that "Eat Lead" and "Emperor Calvin" are as hard boiled as anything in their catalog.

I'm a bit confused regarding Breaking Circus' final salvo, a 1989 45 which is essentially a Björklund solo venture featuring electro-pop renderings of Naked Raygun's "Home of the Brave," and a UK Subs song, "Warhead" on the b-side. My confusion lies in the fact that supposedly it came bundled with a fanzine with no picture sleeve, but my copy has an accompanying sleeve, a bright yellow one at that (depicted below). Was my version only available separately from the zine? No bigee. I got mine, and that's what counts. Anyway, enjoy the "hammer" records in glorious, FLAC-o-phonic sound.'

The Ice Machine

01. Song of the South

02. Ancient Axes

03. Daylight

04. Caskets & Clocks

05. Deadly China Doll

06. Laid so Low

07. Took a Hammering

08. Walter

09. Swept Blood

10. Where

11. Gun Shy

12. Evil Last Night

Smokers' Paradise ep

01. Smokers Paradise

02. Three Cool Cats

03. ShockHammer Thirteen

04. Emperor Calvin

05. Medicine Lake

06. Eat Lead

1989 7"

A. Home of the Brave

B. Warhead

The Ice Machine: https://rapidshare.com/files/3389811355/breakingcircus_icemachine_flac_.rar

Smokers' Paradise ep & 7": https://rapidshare.com/files/1659293522/breakingcircus_smokers_7.rar

The Active Set - 11 (2011, Chisel Pixel) - A brief overview

2011-12-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

Right out of 11's starting gate, "Let the Games Begin" exudes the type of warm syncopation and dexterous, instrumental reciprocity that goes a long way in defining the overarching tenor of The Active Set's seemingly auspicious debut album. Oh yeah, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that these gentlemen know a thing or two about fusing such agile playing with rock solid hooks, the kind that yield a startling, visceral response as evidenced on "Gas Wars" and "Famous for Dying." From a purely musical standpoint, the Active Set originate from the same savvy terrain as Brendan Benson, Rogue Wave, and to a lesser extent Phantom Planet and Creeper Lagoon. Putting aside their plush, arpeggio-happy arrangements for a moment, what helps usher them into a field of their own is frontman/songsmith Matthew Stolarz, a budding popmeister whose wry takes on romance, sex, ambition, and even the open road are relatable, if not amusing. In fact, I have to wonder how Stolarz would employ the Occupy Movement as songwriting fodder, but I digress. "Counting Out Your Life" and "Best Summer Ever" are as lyrically considered as they are sonically intoxicating, and so goes much of the remainder of the album, enabling it to stimulate as consistently as it does. Not exactly one louder, 11 is still pretty golden, but don't be surprised if the Active Set surpass it in years to come. Listen to "Let the Games Begin" and "Valley Born" below, or better yet, buy 11 in it's entirety here.

https://rapidshare.com/files/2466576989/activeset.rar

Singles Going Single #192 - The Marnies 7" (1989)

2011-12-08T19:16:00.000-08:00

Australia's Marnies didn't leave much of a discography, or moreover a footprint. That's a shame, because back in the late '80s, while most of their home-country contemporaries had one foot in the garage, this quartet were taking cues from one of Oz's grandest anomalies of the era, The Church. "Electric Wires" bristles with robust reverb, clangy fretwork, and a driving hook, wasting not one of it's precious 150 seconds. Platinum grade indie pop if there ever was such a thing. The flip, "Watch the Clock" features a different vocalist, slotting well within the ballad realm. No info on the group is to be had save for the record label itself, listing the Marnies roster, recording details, and a North Fitzroy correspondence address. The lineup includes Patrick McArdle on guitar and vocals, Terrance Vella also on guitar, Anthony Camm singing and plucking the fat strings, and Damien Tesoriero gently applying repeated blows to the percussion. Extra crackly surface noise on this one. Should any of you care to unravel this mysterious outfit, comment as you see fit.

A. Electric Wires
B. Watch the Clock

https://rapidshare.com/files/3078608159/marnies7.rar

Attachments - s/t ep (1983, Art & Economix)

2011-12-06T17:51:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or does the jacket of this disk conjure up a pack of cigarettes? Just checking. Attachments were a female fronted six-piece from Seattle, whose seductive, new-wavey exploits often packed an unabashed dance floor-savvy punch. A through-and-through product of their era, there isn't an abundant amount of innovation afoot in these grooves, though I should note that Sally Schlosstein's pipes crack some ungodly high registers on "Why Don't You Come Back & See Me." Make of Attachments what you will.

01. Why Don't You Come Back & See Me
02. All I Need From You
03. Red Lines
04. Had to Bridge a Gap

https://rapidshare.com/files/2473566135/attachments.rar

Billy James - Sixes and Sevens (1988, Twilight)

2011-12-05T18:55:00.000-08:00

Billy James was no solo act, rather a co-ed four piece from Athens, GA. Produced by REM's Mike Mills, Sixes and Sevens is a jangly affair, delving the listener into a myriad of tempos and moods, with fervent harmonies running throughout. The breezy lilt of "Withering" and "Stormy Weather" bring to mind the warm, but immensely robust guitar pop of an unrelated group that would arise in the '90s, called The Rooks that I would heartily suggest if you Sixes to your liking. There's not much info to be unearthed on Billy James, so don't be a stranger if you have any pertinent details to share.

01. Blind
02. Dead Mans Hand
03. Cold and Crazy
04. See Thru Shades
05. Withering
06. Circular Motion
07. Honeymoon
08. Stormy Weather

https://rapidshare.com/files/1942266829/billyjames.rar

Breaking Circus - The Very Long Fuse + 1 (1985, Homestead) in FLAC!

2011-12-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

The cry went out roughly a week ago when one of our fellow music bloggers requested some difficult-ish to locate vinyl from a handful of Midwest-corridor, indie castaways from the '80s, one of whom was none other than Breaking Circus. I've long owned copies of their catalog: The Very Long Fuse, Smokers' Paradise, and their only legitimate full length, The Ice Machine, but other net scribes had pretty much beaten me to the punch in making these available. Going back to that request I initially mentioned, it was brought to my attention that heretofore Breaking Circus had only been accorded the MP3 treatment, and given that their records never saw the light of day on CD (and are likely to stay that way) someone with relatively clean vinyl copies might be compelled to provide the world at large with lossless (aka: FLAC) versions of said back catalog. I'm happy to announce that I'm here to fill that void, starting with their 1985 debut, The Very Long Fuse.

For a band who never made it into the digital era, Breaking Circus' vital stats have been crunched on several websites and blogs. The short story is that ex-hardcore guy Steve Björklund, formally of Strike Under and the even lesser noted Terminal Beach, branched out into the post-punk arena with the Circus, garnering a modicum of notoriety before the curtain closed in the late 1980s. Taking root in Chicago, before eventually transplanting to Minneapolis, Breaking Circus indigenous forte combined Björklund's deadpan vox with offbeat topical material, and driving, metronome-perfect delivery (due in no small part to a trusty drum machine). Their could've/should've been "signature" song was a no brainer - "Driving the Dynamite Truck," but it doesn't materialize on any of their proper albums, rather a 1986 compilation that is going to remain unnamed, at least on these pages. So marvelous is that song, I'm including it as a bonus here, and although Björklund doesn't sing so much as talk, "...Dynamite Truck" features a deliriously drony yet melodic guitar lead that is likely to make a lifelong impact, if you're as lucky as me that is. Remember, this rip is in FLAC, so the files sizes are about three/four times the size of the 256 kbps MP3s I normally share, but they should work with most audio playback applications. More Breaking Circus to follow...

01. Precision
02. (Knife in the) Marathon
03. Lady in the Lake
04. Soul of Japan
05. The Imperial Clawmaster's Theme
06. Monsters Sanctuary
07. Christian Soldiers
08. Morning
plus: Driving the Dynamite Truck

https://rapidshare.com/files/3847078909/breakingcircus_verylongfuse_flac_.rar

The Remedy Session - s/t (2002, Redemption)

2011-12-01T17:11:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd use the review I did for Big Takeover magazine (I wanna say in 2002/03) as my write up for Remedy Session's lone album. For some reason I seem to sound much more eloquent back then than I possibly could today if I were to start from scratch. This co-ed Florida trio has been defunct for several years. Too bad, because evidenced by these ten songs they had talent to burn. Was looking forward to seeing them in Buffalo around the time of this disk's release but the gig was canceled. More text can be read in a lengthy feature article archived at the Broward/Palm Beach New Times website. On to the review:

It wouldn’t be unreasonable to dismiss Ft. Lauderdale’s Remedy Session as the logical offspring of the ever-expanding crop of current emo/pop-punk aggregations, some of whom have already graduated to household-name status. It’s also pretty much indisputable that the Session haven’t been immune to the cross-pollination of these two genres, particularly acts like Hey Mercedes, Anniversary, and the now defunct Jejune. In fact this trio can also claim male and female vocalists suspiciously similar to the Anniversary’s set-up. So what makes The Remedy Session just as effective if not more so? Chalk this up to a subtly cerebral bent with a keen awareness of post-hardcore originators like Jawbox and Friction. A-plus harmonies, and a roiling mid-tempo thrust splendidly propel cuts like “The Final Failure” and “All Circuits Down“ to a higher plateau than the more pedantic output of their contemporaries. Simply put, The Remedy Session stand out.

01. The Final Failure
02. April 25th
03. Rescue
04. Starting Over
05. Shotgun
06. Recovery
07. All Circuits Down
08. Instrument
09. Seven Year Divide
10. Over-rated

https://rapidshare.com/files/2538442529/remedysession.rar

Pivot - Oscillator 7" ep (1993, Eating Blur)

2011-11-30T17:45:00.000-08:00

I picked this bad boy up during my Maximum Rock n Roll days circa the mid-90s. I have no significant background info to offer on Pivot, other than the correspondence address on the inner sleeve which points to Vacaville, CA, a town in between San Francisco and Sacramento. Post-hardcore punk was their speciality, the stripe that hadn't intermingled with emo, at least not on these four tracks. Some faint socio/political themes crop up intermittently, but truthfully, you won't feel a thing. The commencing "Drain" churns out a sturdy, Helmet-like grind. Gots to love those taught, lockstep riffs. Pivoting to side two (sorry, couldn't resist), the Oscillator ep hits a more tuneful, not to mention speedier stride on "Pawn to Shell" and "She." Enjoy (or not).

01. Drain
02. 60 Clicks
03. Pawn to Shell
04. She

https://rapidshare.com/files/2435995880/pivot.rar

Various - Vehicle 7" (1995, Shute)

2011-11-29T18:18:00.000-08:00

Given my affinity for half of the bands occupying this wax (Edsel and Trusty) it's a wonder I didn't share this comp ep ages ago, which features four not-so-prominent D.C. area indie hopefuls. Whoever at Shute Records sequenced this record had the right idea, pairing the more abrasive Holy Rollers and Corm on one side, and the aforementioned much more palatable duo on the other. I never had much of an inclination to the Rollers and that goes double for their contribution, "Sunshine" a botched grunge experiment so to speak. Corm are pretty unremarkable as well - think Unwound by way of some of the lower rung AmRep acts of the period. I've had no shortage of praise to heap on Edsel over the years, and "Suits Me Fine" is cause for even more - a hazy, tremolo-kissed pop nugget that bears all the idiosyncratic trademarks, evidenced on their Everlasting Belt Co. album from two years prior. Trusty close things out with one of their finest moments. "Bus Stop" isn't the Hollies song of the same name, rather a deftly crafted punk-pop composition of their own creation, bearing a sly juxtaposition or two. Listening back to my rip of side two, I'm hearing some excessive vinyl noise that I might be able to correct should I ever get the motivation to re-digitize Vehicle at some point.

01. Holy Rollers - Sunshine
02. Corm - Seven Days
03. Edsel - Suits Me Fine
04. Trusty - Bus Stop

https://rapidshare.com/files/4035156384/va_vehicle.rar

Defenestration ep (1984, Slow Iguana)

2011-11-27T17:51:00.000-08:00

It was almost two years ago that I did an entry on Defenestration's proper full length, Dali Does Windows, so I suppose it's about time that I dedicate some space to their self-titled ep, which preceded Dali by a good three years. Even if the group's prime mover Tyson Meade didn't go onto to greater success with his subsequent outfit, the Chainsaw Kittens, it would still be worth the namecheck, as his singular vocal pastiche goes much further in defining Defenestration's overall shtick than his backing mates do. While still plenty left of center, the band hadn't quite achieved the heftier velocity that would inform the proceedings of Dali Does Windows, and furthermore the Kittens, but they were getting there. "Lovers Grow in the Park" and "Feminism on Television" exude some really sweet jangly moments, and in spite of the violent sleeve art, it's strangely comforting to know that Meade is a pop-smith at heart. A much more thorough, song by song dissertation of the record can be absorbed here.

01. Cut Your Soul in Half
02. Nothing Lasts
03. Feminism on Television
04. Slaughterville
05. Lovers Grow in the Park
06. Heart-throb
07. Happy Cadillacs

https://rapidshare.com/files/258469270/defenestration_ep.rar

Shy Mirrors - Sailed Blanks (2011, Big School) - a brief overview

2011-11-26T21:35:00.000-08:00

Though I've never broached the topic of them on these pages, Champaign, IL's Wolfie were a perennial favorite of mine circa the late '90s. Frontman Joel Ziemba and co-vocalist/keyboard pumper Amanda Lyons comprised the nuclei of that quartet, but it was guitarist Mike Downey that provided the "crunch" needed to offset the group's twee overtones, heavy handed as they sometimes were. Mike departed in 2000 with Wolfie folding not long after that, leaving him to pursue his predominantly solo endeavor, The National Splits. Shy Mirrors is his latest, and IMO greatest post-Wolfie pursuit.

Furthermore, Sailed Blanks is perhaps the finest LP of 2011's late-breaking releases. That being said, it's an album that won't present itself as a sonic revelation to anyone that was weened on Superchunk's No Pocky for Kitty and On the Mouth, but for listeners possessing an appreciation of that indie-punk caliber will nonetheless relish the unremitting, power chord maelstrom of uber medodic stunners like "Face Paint" and "Lake Placid Flyer." Things get even fiercer on "I'm Not Around" which recalls the barreling firepower brought on by the likes of the Marked Men and Exploding Hearts. In general, Sailed Blanks suggests what Weezer would have emerged with on the Blue Album had Rivers & Co. been given the option to commit it to four-track. I'd be remiss if I failed to note that that a fresh-outta-the garage, lo-fi aesthetic dominates the eleven songs housed within, lending a whole lot of charm to this affair as well. Two minute songs, a total blast, and an out-an-out winner. You can sample a pair of songs below, and when you're ready to lay some coin down you can do so either through Big School Records for the gnarly transparent vinyl edition, or digitally at Bandcamp.

https://rapidshare.com/files/245208912/shymirrors.rar

Brilliant Orange - Happy Man ep (1985, Zulu)

2011-11-25T19:47:00.000-08:00

Recently had a request for Brilliant Orange which I'm more than happy to fulfill. The work of a Vancouverite quartet, the Happy Man ep appears to be the group's one and only vinyl missive, supposedly issued a scant four months following their 1985 gestation. While not terribly distinguishable from the myriad of hard-strummed, indie guitar conglomerations of their era, a bevy of astute pop chops no doubt behooved Brilliant Orange. The concluding "Shotguns, Cacti and Vengeance," a sharp, cowpunk send-up, caught me slightly off guard. The video for the title song can be viewed below following the tracklist.

01. Happy Man
02. I'll Walk Away
03. Secure
04. Shotguns, Cacti and Vengeance

Brilliant Orange - Happy Man from Stokely on Vimeo.

https://rapidshare.com/files/2007211682/brilliantorange_ep.rar

Clay Idols - Falling Down Backwards (1990, Genius)

2011-11-23T21:23:00.000-08:00

This artifact isn't exactly in keeping with the theme of Thanksgiving...but what are you gonna do about it? From the looks of their Myspace page, the Clay Idols called Los Angeles home, and at one time featured future Bad Religion drummer Bobby Schayer in their lineup. In fact, Bobby's brother Steven fronted the Idols, yet they couldn't be further removed from that aforementioned hardcore juggernaut. Nope, this quartet's flavor of choice was acoustic-laden alterna-pop, all contemplative and such. Falling Down Backwards exudes a certain weariness hinting that the band were wont to pluck a page or two from Bob Mould's Workbook, without resorting to anything totally derivative. Coincidentally, Steven Schayer's timbre bears a strong resemblance to Lotion's Tony Zajkowski, but only would someone with a lot of time to listen to obscure indie rock would draw that parallel. Falling... was available on CD, but this rip was taken from wax.

01. This House's River
02. Flower Thief
03. Bells Are Ringing
04. It Can Only Get Colder
05. Speechless
06. Another Bad Day
07. Straight Line to a Clear Head
08. Best Part of Bad Weather
09. Fortune In a Wishing Well
10. Freedom Bridge
11. outro

https://rapidshare.com/files/3790591429/clayidols.rar

The Sugarplastic - Primitive Plastic: Demos and B-sides (2001, Air Mail)

2011-11-20T17:17:00.000-08:00

At first blush, my deduction of Sugarplastic's wide-scale release, 1996's Bang, The Earth is Round, was that a trio of prodigiously smart Los Angeles wunderkinds were operating on the same bandwidth as XTC, albeit with more fey and esoteric inflections. In fact, I thought it was a bit absurd that a major label (Geffen) would wrap one of their tentacles around a project so devoid of typical, mainstream pop-star trappings. After becoming acquainted with the rest of the 'Plastics catalog, especially their debut Radio Jejune, I realized there was much more than abject Andy Partridge/Colin Moulding-homage afoot. Boasting their own eccentric songwriting duo of Ben Eshbach and Kiara Geller, Sugarplastic's indigenous sense of whimsy encompassed more than
off-kilter pop tunes, but also wry allegorical themes, and sonically speaking, infectiously jagged rhythms.

The Japanese-only Primitive Plastic: Demos and B-sides is precisely what it's title purports it to be, with Eshbach imparting in the album's liner notes, "We were just kids, here are some of our baby pictures." Four of the fifteen selections technically saw the light of day prior to Primitive Plastic's release, albeit in exceedingly limited quantities in some instances. Case in point would be "Superball," which was derived from a DIY single limited to a scant 200 copies. There's also "Dover," culled from a the Ottawa Bonesaw 7" box set, "All Way Down" from the Closet Pop Freak compilation, and the ever so quintessential "Liar Over Winchester," originally featured on a Minty Fresh Records 45. As for the demos quotient, most of the selections are keepers, including "Euripides the Jaguar," which is noted as the very first song the Sugarplastic took to task upon gracing a recording studio. At the time of this release it was said that the band had over fifty unreleased tracks under their belt, but whether we'll ever have the chance to indulge in them is anyone's guess. A very thorough discography can be referenced here.

01. Liar Over Winchester
02. Dover
03. All Way Down
04. Ode to Home
05. Set Me Up Eleven
06. Pineapple Lilly
07. Abigail
08. Superball
09. Stephanie
10. Marsha
11. Euripides the Jaguar
12. Wundergeisel
13. untitled demo
14. Where Have You Been?
15. Mumbletypeg

https://rapidshare.com/files/2858918181/sugarplastic_primplast.rar

Rain Parade - 6/28/86, Vic Theater, Chicago, IL

2011-11-19T20:12:00.000-08:00

Why a random Rain Parade live set from 1986? Why not? It's only been three and a half years since I last dedicated an entry to L.A.'s unwitting princes of the Paisley Strip. This is an audience tape of a Chicago stop when Rain Parade were touring behind their Crashing Dream album. According to the brief notes that accompanied this recording, Plasticland were the openers. Fitting. Also fitting is the fact that the set is heavily derived from said Crashing Dream, which as fate would have turned out to be the quartet's studio finale. Their first and far more lauded LP, Emergency Third Rail Power Trip isn't particularly represented at this gig, however 80% of the 1984 Explosions in the Glass Palace ep is. The encore features two covers, Cream's classic rock standard "White Room," and the far less common "Cheap Wine" originally done by Green On Red." Track 12 "Only Business" is omitted due to a recording/digital transfer mishap of some sort, and the beginning of "Home" is cut off, most likely due to a cassette flip by the taper. If it's more (and better intact) live Rain Parade you're hankering for, Big Plans for Everybody blog has got you covered.

01 No Easy Way Down
02 This Can't Be Today
03 Don't Feel Bad
04 Prisoners
05 Shoot Down The Railroad Man
06 Blue
07 Depending On You
08 Gone West
09 Remember
10 You Are My Friend
11 Home
13 White Room
14 Cheap Wine

https://rapidshare.com/files/831273642/rainparade062686.rar

Singles Going Single #191 - Swizzle 7" (199?, Cassiel)

2011-11-18T20:25:00.000-08:00

Got some more mystery indie rock goodness to share with you. Purchased this single many, many moons ago, and upon bringing it home discovered that it was sans an inner sleeve, and for that matter an insert with any useful information regarding the record in question. I'm afraid all I have to go by is a Cambridge, MA address on the rear of the sleeve - not even the year of release on the physical record labels or nuthin.' Highly inconvenient on my end of the stick, because with such a ubiquitous moniker as Swizzle, a search engine query yields zilch in terms of pertinent details. That means we're left with *gulp* just the music itself. Luckily Swizzle's fuzzy strain of left-of-the-dial guitar pop is of sizable, not to mention winsome merit. Side A delivers a pair of buoyant, rhythmically conscious jewels, doled out with seemingly effortless agility. The lone B-side composition, "Tricycle" is considerably more subdued and pensive, before peaking to a dissonant crescendo roughly half-way in. I'm not going to draw any comparisons here. For a change, I think I'll leave that up to you.

A1. Bliss
A2. Who's That Lady
B. Tricycle

https://rapidshare.com/files/4096127092/swizzle7.rar

Bad Thing - Candy From a Stranger ep (1989, Fuel/Big Money)

2011-11-17T18:47:00.000-08:00

With all due respect to Minneapolis' grand '80s trifecta (Husker Du, The Replacements, and Soul Asylum) there were more than a few Twin Cities denizens that looked beyond their fabled backyard for inspiration. Described in a 1990 band bio as "fast urban electric loudness," Bad Thing's distillation of lead foot rawk 'n roll steered more in the direction of Drivin' 'n Cryin,' Snatches of Pink, and judging from Candy From a Stranger's pounding, leadoff salvo, "Scarlet Red," the Georgia Satellites as well. No frills, no laptops...not a bad thing at all. The band is also survived by a 1990 7" which you can read quite a bit about here.

01. Scarlet Red
02. More Than This
03. Western Sky
04. Long White Cadillac

https://rapidshare.com/files/2361117218/badthing_candy.rar

The Welcome Mat - Gram (1993, Festival)

2011-11-15T18:41:00.000-08:00

An Australian indie rock act worth their collective weight in gold who opened shop in 1990, and I just found caught wind of them...last week? Then again, I live in North America, so maybe I shouldn't be too hard on myself. Somewhere in blogtopia I heard "All or Nothing (More)" and was flabbergasted with The Welcome Mat's ability to fuse the melodic prowess of Geffen-era Teenage Fanclub and Posies with the frenetic axe squalls of Dinosaur Jr. Talk about a corker. Per Ian McFarlane's Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop:

Sydney band The Welcome Mat started out as a chirpy, jangly guitar outfit before heading in a tougher, though still melodic and harmony-laced power pop direction...

I hear more of the latter on Gram, their debut album which was preceded by a number of singles/eps, but I gather this was still something of a transitional record for the quartet. I use the comparison almost to the point of abuse on here, but I'm honing in a lot of parallels to some of the Doughboys later platters, specifically their Crush album, which I believe was also a '93 release. Certain planets must have been in alignment that year, but I digress. You can peruse The Welcome Mats full discography on this graying fanpage. BTW, WM co-founder Wayne Connolly went on to form the equally gratifying Knievel.

01. Flying End
02. Everyone's Gone
03. Hell Hoping
04. Arrive in Time
05. Play Me
06. Leap of Faith
07. All or Nothing
08. Deathbag
09. People Changing
10. Gram
11. Junkmail
12. Blew

https://rapidshare.com/files/907987163/welcomemat_gram.rar

Oversoul Seven - Fool Revelation mLP (1987, Edge)

2011-11-13T18:18:00.000-08:00

This is a follow-up to my share of Oversoul Seven's self-titled long player which I posted all the way back in January. Since Fool Revelation preceded that album by about a year, I had anticipated it would possess a rawer, unbridled ethos, but I suppose that was wishful thinking on my part. Turns out that Fool Revelation isn't so much of an engrossing revelation after all, but it does find the young Vancouver trio churning out clean, competent guitar pop, just not as roughhewn or DIY as it's oblique jacket art might suggest. If there was anything on here that approached the brash musculature I was anticipating, the punchy "Over Mountain" was pretty much what the doctor ordered. See my write-up for the second record (linked above), and for that matter the comments section. One of our readers mentioned that Revelation was funded by Oversoul Seven's winnings in a band competition. True story.

01. Beginning
02. Shoulders
03. Over Mountain
04. Saint Lee Lights
05. Roses
06. All the Say
07. Somebody Said
08. Catfight at Crepuscle

https://rapidshare.com/files/2527705569/oversoul_foolrev.rar

Gift of Tongues - s/t tape (1990)

2011-11-12T20:16:00.000-08:00

Cyberspace hasn't been kind to this ostensibly long defunct combo from Omaha, NE, but for a no-name find, Gift of Tongues are so to speak...a gift. The introductory "Playin' With Matches" cops a few random tricks from Nine Inch Nails bag 'o treats, which are soon intertwined into Gift's minimalist post-punk web. I should emphasize that the lite industrial traces infiltrating this cassette never dominate, instead serving as ancillary ambiance. The throbbing bump 'n grind of "Let Me Take Your Picture" is tantamount to early-INXS cum Big Black, but oddly enough, it's an equation that adds up by song's end. "I Was Blind" benefits from disarmingly sweet, minor-chord clangyness, bearing a compelling sonic motif that points to early New Order. A solid dose of gritty fidelity ups the charm factor exponentially I might add. I do however take massive exception with the concluding “Bones,” a slinky, creepy slow-jam that kills a valuable five minutes. Even though the proceedings don't end with a bang, don't be sad, three out of four ain't bad. If anyone can shed a little more light on Gift of Tongues comment to your heart's content.

01. Playin' With Matches
02. Let Me Take Your Picture
03. I Was Blind
04. Bones

https://rapidshare.com/files/599566882/giftoftongues.rar

Spatula - Even the Thorny Acacia (1994, Jesus Christ)

2011-11-10T17:26:00.000-08:00

Spatula rarely receive a mention when folks recount the burgeoning '90s heyday of the band's legendary locale of choice, Chapel Hill, NC. Not least of which I'm sure was due to limited distribution of their debut, Even the Thorny Acacia, and three more platters that followed later in the decade, all doomed to a similar fate. Nor could Spatula boast the moderately pop-friendly persuasion of figureheads Superchunk and Archers of Loaf. Were you to stack up Chuck Johnson & Co. with any of their hometown brethren the closest approximation you could come up with is Polvo, most evidently on Acacia's string-mangling "Yoohoo." Truthfully, I don't have a solid handle on the bulk of the Spatula oeuvre, but as of 1994, they (merely a duo on this record, I might add) were cautiously gravitating to post-rock environs, melding dissonance with mathy considerations, tracing a wildly uneven line between Seam, Slint, and a myriad of period artists in between. The sharpest hook, or perhaps more appropriately, 'thorn' amidst the dynamic clamor of Acacia, is "Thinking Like a Statue," which might pass for a thoughtful Pavement outtake, circa '94.

As of this writing, Chuck is touring the eastern seaboard in support of his recent solo endeavor, A Struggle Not a Thought. You can delve into a 2010 interview with the man over at Pitchfork. As for Spatula proper, two subsequent albums, Despina By Land and Under the Veil of Health are available from Squealer Music.

01. Minute Hand
02. Yoohoo
03. Jules and the Termites
04. Salus
05. Kuskus
06. True-life
07. untitled
08. Laughing Like a Statue
09. Confessional Tutor
10. Even the Thorny Acacia
11. Pachinko
12. Algae

https://rapidshare.com/files/4193710758/spatula_acacia.rar

The Psychedelic Furs - Interchords interview LP (1981)

2011-11-08T17:33:00.000-08:00

Here's one that's pretty self explanatory (for a change). This promotional interview record was issued in conjunction with the Furs 1981 Talk Talk Talk album, arguably their creative apex (or damn close to it anyway). The conversation is conducted with frontman of frontmen Richard Butler, and the saxophone wielding Duncan Kilburn. The interrogation is regrettably standard fare as far as topical matter is concerned, but hearing someone pick at Richard's brain is a rare treat nonetheless. This is my first Psychedelic Furs related entry. I have a few live shows from the Talk era and beyond, but the band has kept a pretty tight lid on studio demos and such, which is what would intrigue me most. As for this particular record, is there any music intermingled with the interview? I dunno. Can't never tell. On second thought, maybe you can by investigating below.

https://rapidshare.com/files/3806954517/psychfurs_interchords.rar

Psi Com - Gila Monster Jamboree, CA 1-5-85

2011-11-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

I had a request for some live Psi Com material recently, and this is one of two shows by the pre-Janes Addiction Perry Farrell lead group that I have to offer. This particular concert (which you can read more about here) took place at a venue situated in the Mojave Desert, which also featured Redd Kross and Sonic Youth among others. That huge, expanse of virtually barren terrain is a fitting setting for Psi-Com's penchant for billowy, atmospheric post-punk, sonically limitless in scope it would seem. Perry's warble/yodel stylings are a bit heavy-handed at times, but he at least got it out of his system before Jane's. Psi Com got tagged as "goth" at the time, and you might understand why after you treat your ears to these seven long-winded cuts.

01. Them
02. Cat
03. unknown
04. Silhoutte
05. 14th Floor
06. Psi Com Theme
07. Karuna

https://rapidshare.com/files/2975569867/psicom_010585.rar

Beatnik Flies - From Parts Unknown (1986, New Rose)

2011-11-04T15:11:00.000-07:00

From parts unknown, really? Only if you qualify the metro D.C. area as some far flung outpost I suppose. In actuality, this record really finds The Beatnik Flies stuck somewhere between Nuggets-esque power pop and conventional garage rock, and much like hell, it ain't a bad place to be. If that doesn't give you enough of a clue, think an updated Flamin' Groovies tuning in some faint Radio Birdman frequencies. Something about Parts Unknown feels utterly seeped in the Australian, indie bar-rock circuit of the mid 80s but again, the Flies hail from Washington (heck, they even name check local yokels the Slickee Boys in "Everybody's Dancin'"). Occasionally inconsistent, From Points Unknown's more stimulating moments - "Black Diamond Halo," "TV Star," "Hitchhike" and then some compensate for the infrequent slack. There's a nice write up for this platter, including some additional biographical details, over at Lost in Tyme blog. This rip comes straight from my own copy.

01. Everybody's Dancin'
02. Umbali Wali Sleep
03. Be a Man/Brain Waves
04. Hitchhike
05. Message From the Underground
06. Black Diamond Halo
07. Luxury Dreamride
08. Beatnik Fly Theme
09. I Found Out
10. TV Star
11. Wombat Voodoo

https://rapidshare.com/files/169330853/beatnikflies.rar

Shirk Circus - This Band Will Destroy Your Life (2011, Dromedary) - A brief overview

2011-11-02T18:48:00.000-07:00

The passing of Shirk Circus frontman Josh Silverman in February of this year is not likely to go down as the biggest music casualty of 2011 - not by a longshot in fact, but for those in his inner circle, and the countless others who were aficionados of this unheralded New Jersey power trio who were predominantly a mid-1990s proposition, I'm sure his loss is intense nonetheless. Despite having reformed for some reunion shows in 2010, Shirk Circus hadn't been on my radar since the release of their 1994 debut Words to Say. Back then, if an album failed to illicit an almost visceral response with yours truly, I didn't necessarily denounce it or sell it back to the store, rather I relegated it to the back burner, or in the case of Words to Say, let it sit dormant for a good many years. Upon revisiting it recently (i.e. as recent as this weekend, in fact) I found it's allure much more irresistible that at first blush from seventeen years prior. That album could have easily been the product of the north Midwest indie corridor, or for that matter Chapel Hill, NC with it's raw, sinewy guitar fills and Josh's nonchalant indie aesthetic that was so prevalent during that era. My loss that I failed to pay more attention to it when it was current.

Fast forward to 2007 when Shirk Circus decided to revisit and complete an album's worth of basic tracks laid down in 1996, for what was apparently to be their third album. That record, eleven years in the making (ok, so there was just a slight hiatus in between those years) has finally surfaced. Sonically, This Band Will Destroy Your Life hardly sounds like a fifteen year-old artifact. You can chalk much of that up to the band's overall proficiency, and ever so gradual maturity. Ironically, they were charting a very similar trajectory to two of their Clinton-era contemporaries, Fig Dish and Small 23. Just as those less-than-household recognizable power chord merchants were on the verge of calling it a day, so were Shirk Circus. This Band... sports a leaner, cleaner modus operandi than it's predecessor albums, without kicking any significant amount of spunk or momentum to the curb. You can check out "Understanding" and "Desperate Time" for all the proof you need via the link below. This Band Will Destroy Your Life is available wherever records and tapes are sold...but I'd get it direct from Dromedary Records.

https://rapidshare.com/files/3770976533/shirkcircus.rar

Singles Going Single #190 - Brave Tears 7" (1984)

2011-11-01T17:41:00.000-07:00

This single is a follow up to Brave Tears 1985 Silver in the Darkness ep that I unleashed on an unsuspecting blogosphere a few weeks ago. These two records, helmed by the brothers McLay (Bret and Mark) are the summation of Brave Tears shatteringly slim discography. "Mystery Boy" is a strong harbinger of what was to follow on that forthcoming ep, boasting an indelible synth line that thoughtfully doesn't mire the song in the more pedantic 'wave' trappings so prevalent during this Huntington Beach outfit's years of operation. The flip, "The Last Good Time" is a conventional, yet effective singer/songwriter ballad colored with flourishes of piano. Fair to say they don't make 'em like these anymore.

A. Mystery Boy
B. The Last Good Time (There She Goes)

https://rapidshare.com/files/3808609736/bravetears7.rar

The Animated - 4 Song EP (1981, Play)

2011-10-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

The Animated, presumably from the environs of Los Angeles, kick their 1981 ep off with "Edith C. Sharp," a wondrous synthesis of The Dickies, Mission of Burma and Polyrock (remember them)? They don't particularly adhere to that recipe for the remainder of the record, but their quirky spin on all the essential facets that made the golden age of punk/power-pop as much fun and adventurous as it was is truly appreciated and warrants your attention. Just four fleeting tunes hovering around the two minute mark is all we're treated to, which doubly stings when you consider this was pressed as a 33 instead of the sonically preferable 45 rpm that it painlessly could have been (for crying out loud, they had a full 12" to work with). My copy has a slight warp in it, which seems to create some excess surface noise, but without marring the audio quality of the songs themselves.

01. Edith C. Sharp
02. Plastic Heaven
03. High School
04. Looking at You

https://rapidshare.com/files/4003738286/animated_ep.rar

WANTED!

2011-10-30T18:54:00.000-07:00

Well, this entry has been a long time in coming. Given the volume of material I've shared over the past four years some of you are apt to think that with a sizable music library such as mine that I'm already in possession of every release that I've ever possibly wanted. No, I don't think so. In reality, my ducks are not all in a row, and in fact I have some pretty important gaps I've been striving to fill for years now. Below is a list of my top-tier wants - the stuff I look weekly for on Ebay. That rare cassette demo or scarce 7" that I've never seen let alone been able to listen to. You get the idea. All these years you've enlisted me, now I enlist you! Are you up for the challenge? The holy grails are as follows:

Big Drill Car – live on WFMU, NJ 10/25/89 (bootleg)*

Wolfie – Necessary Sailing tape (1997, ltd to 50 copies – yikes!)

Porcelain Boys – Fetish for Female & Plunge It tapes* (late ‘80s, self released)

Flag of Convenience (F.O.C. Steve Diggle) – The Big Secret tape (poss bootleg)*

Tsunami – Cow Arcade tape (1991, Simple Machines)*

Papas Fritas – any official demo tapes*

The Love In – s/t ep (1987, LC Records)
Desperate Hours – s/t ep (1986, March Records –Long Beach, CA band)*
Teeze s/t ep (1982)*
Five Graves to Cairo – Call to Prayer ep (1984, Sartoris)*
The Blases “All Night Long” 7” (1984)*
Ultra Cindy 7” (199? – will hopefully have more details on this soon, but I think there’s
only one U/C single out there)*
Soup – Cruel and Unusual 7” ep (1989, probably released by Very Small Recs)*
The Badgers - In Formation 7”*
Junk Monkeys – Live Follies CD (poss bootleg)*
The Leonards – Blister CD ep (1993, Red Planet)*

Here's where there's something cool in it for you. Should any of you be in a position to sell me these titles outright, I will be as generous and reasonable on the price. For anyone that can merely help me find my way, I'll reward you (e.g. purchase something you'd like on Amazon, Insound, or elsewhere - perhaps furnish you with an online gift certificate to the store of your choice).

I'm seeking original, physical copies of everything. The titles marked with an asterisk denote that I'm more than happy to settle for a cd-r or mp3s. I should note that the first item on my list, a recording of Big Drill Car's performance on WFMU radio from 1989 is strictly a bootleg. This was never an official release, but exists purely as a tape passed around a meager number of traders.

A few of these titles are available on Ebay and from sellers through GEMM and Musicstack. Unless you come across any of these at a reasonable price (say $30-$40 or less) please don't point me in their direction, as I'm not one to capitulate to exorbitant, collector scum prices. Even though I'm lacking the aforementioned titles I do have pictures of several of them (mostly from Ebay listings I was tragically outbid on). A few are depicted in this post but the rest are in a folder that you can download below. Thanks for your help folks! Please leave a comment or send me an email (in my profile).

https://rapidshare.com/files/813350013/wantlistpix.rar

Exploding Boy - New Generation (1992, Beyond)

2011-10-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share this until I get the chance to rip more vinyl. Boy, I knew just what I was in for by a quick glance at the cover art. Rochester's Exploding Boy dealt in the most polished, spit-shined strain of "modern rock" that was going on at the time. Think a vaguely more AOR Rembrandts, Toad the Wet Sprocket, or even Crowded House and The Ocean Blue if that pair possessed a stronger pedestrian slant. Not terribly far removed from the I-Rails tapes I've recently shared, but Exploding Boy's commercial aspirations are painfully evident and utterly impossible to downplay no matter how you care to slice New Generation. Yeah, this entry is going to be something of a credibility killer, but that being said, some of the zestier rockers like "Charity," "Cry Out" and the title track cut the mustard quite capably. If anything else, these guys dole out a steady stream of plush hooks, an abundance of which call for repeat listens. Just don't get your hopes up for the Bowie cover.

01. New Generation
02. Charity
03. Close to Me
04. Flashpoint
05. Ziggy Stardust
06. I Want to Be Where You Are
07. Do You Believe
08. Blue Sky
09. Cry Out
10. Forever

https://rapidshare.com/files/2423767277/explodingboy.rar

Two Helens - Reflections in Red (Sharko 2, 1986)

2011-10-27T17:56:00.000-07:00

Here's one of my more recent after-the-fact-finds. Twenty-five years late better than never. Scotland's Two Helens strike me as the kind of band that so many of my fellow bloggers would likely to typecast "darkwave." More post-punk than all else if you ask me, demonstrably evidenced by "Heaven and Hell's" chilly, throbbing pulse, a la early Siouxsie (though it's a male singer here). Things get even better mid-album thanks to the doubly more enticing "The Curve," sheering a layer or two of fuzz off The Jesus and Mary Chain's Pyschocandy to sublime effect, with "Write This Letter" inching not too far behind. The first eight tracks comprise the Reflections in Red album proper, with the remainder apparently taken from a follow-up single. The biographical blurb below was culled from the notes of a T/H YouTube clip. My sincere thanks to whomever posted it.

The Band was initially formed by Ian Murray, who recruited Alan Whyte, Mark Dickson and Robert Greenaway. Extensive gigging throughout Scotland led to B.B.C. Radio Scotland play, which in turn led to a deal with local label, Sharko 2. Their debut album, "Reflections In Red" was released in 1986, followed by a single "Silver & Gold" in 1987. The band supported Flesh For Lulu on some Scottish dates. Played by John Peel on his show and also on BBC World Service, the band flourished. For a while things looked superb after charting at home and in Europe. After more exposure and press, the band were offered a Scandinavian tour. However, due to promotional difficulties the tour fell through... a month later, the band split. In 2003, Ian, Mark and Alan decided to reform the band, as a trio. Further experiments by the band as a trio turned out to prove a potent sound, as big as it ever was. RELEASES: "Reflections In Red" (vinyl album, Sharko 2, 1986) "Silver & Gold" (7 inch vinyl, Sharko 2, 1987).

01. Heaven and Hell

02. The Top of a Tall Tree

03. Reflections in Red

04. Cold and Blind

05. The Curve

06. All the Money

07. Spiritual Thing

08. Write This Letter

09. Silver and Gold

10. 15 Rhythm

11. Gun

https://rapidshare.com/files/671289822/twohelens_refinred.rar

Dot Dash - Spark>Flame>Ember>Ash (2011, The Beautiful Music) - A brief overview

2011-10-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

The relentless volley of clangy chords and mid-fi propensity coursing through D.C.-based Dot Dash's premiere outing, Spark>Flame>Ember>Ash will ring gleefully to anyone within ear-shot who's ever had a taste for organic, Anglophile indie-pop. Opening a new chapter for alumni of Tree Fort Angst, Julie Ocean, Modest Proposal, and in the case of drummer Danny Ingram, Swervedriver (!) Dot Dash, ironically tend not to stray into the incendiary post-punk neighborhood of Wire, of whom they copped their moniker from by way of that band's jagged 1978 single of the same name. That doesn't mean that Dot Dash haven't taken a keen gaze across to the other side of the pond, evident by the hefty, walloping guitar surge of "The Color and the Sound," "Alright, Alright," and "No Reverie," rooted in the sonic aplomb of late '80s Wedding Present, and Tony Blair-era hopefuls Boyracer and Beatnik Filmstars. Ringleader Terry Banks has the vocal panache, not to mention precisely the right range to imbue Spark's fourteen selections with an integrity and spontaneity (the whole album, btw, was tracked in just three days) that bleeds through even to the most jaded of Pitchfork-addled hipsters. Too updated to be deemed a throwback, Spark>Flame>Ember>Ash exudes the stripe of revisionist dexterity and passion that many of Dot Dash's contemporaries would do well to take note off...plus it's simply a great fucking collection of nervy, angular pop tunes. You can listen to a couple of them ("Alright, Alright" & "There and Back Again Lane") via the link below, and better yet, buy the whole shebang here.

https://rapidshare.com/files/771871725/dotdash.rar

The Soft Boys "I Wanna Destroy You" - an appreciation of, plus 13 interpretations.

2011-10-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

...And you won't have a single atom left, to call your own...

It kinda went like this. Back in 1990 me and my Father were on a road trip, driving around Niagara Falls (NY) on a weekend afternoon. As I would normally do when roaming around new environs, I commandeered the radio dial while Dad concentrated on driving. Back then was when I began gravitating towards college radio stations. To cut to the chase, on some left of the dial outlet with less than adequate reception came this song - brash and clamorous, yet equally melodic and compelling. With the station fading in and out I was concerned we would be out of it's reception area entirely in a matter of minutes, if not seconds, and I was determined to hear the name of it from the DJ. I successfully persuaded Dad to pull into a parking lot for a few minutes, much to his annoyance, but before long I had the vital stats I needed. It would be another two years or so until I would hear The Soft Boys "I Wanna Destroy You" again, specifically on Rykodisc's expanded reissue of the band's tour-de-force Underwater Moonlight LP.

A blistering anti-war screed. Musical catharsis. Incendiary. A bona fide, alt-rock anthem. "I Wanna Destroy You" is all of the aforementioned and then some. To address the "then some" quotient" consider that the song in question gets to it's rousing chorus before the first word of the first verse is even uttered. Such "disorder" would likely be an abomination to traditional songwriters, but Robyn Hitchcock's gamble paid off in ways that few songs before or since have. Without parsing the lyrics line-by-line (now really, do you think I have that much time on my hands?) it can be tricky to definitively decipher whether "I Wanna Destroy You" aims at encouraging passive resistance, or if throwing something a little more aggressive into the mix is also necessary to yield desired results. Like so many anti-war/anti-violence songs, the specific conflict isn't mentioned, leaving much to the imagination, conveniently allowing the tune to be employed when an applicable scenario comes to light. I'm sure we can all think of our fair share of such motifs in say, the last fifty years, or for that matter just ten, but I digress.

A powerful melody, gut-wrenching delivery, and an undeniably dense, sonic fortitude make "...Destroy..." as eminently intense and anthemic as it is. Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks so, as this classic Soft Boys calling card has been taken to task by many artists over the thirty-plus years since it's 1980 inception. Amongst the thirteen versions I'm including in this cobbled together collection is unfortunately the Circle Jerks notably butchered rendering (which in case you didn't know features Debbie Gibson on backing vocals). Relatively straightforward readings by Yo La Tengo, Comast Angels, The Laureates and Mood Six all compensate enormously. There are live takes as well, by such not-familiar players as the Surrenders and Australia's Eastern Dark. As for a couple names you just might recognize, The Replacements recalibrate the lyrics to their liking (or perhaps inebriation) while Coffee Creek (members of Uncle Tupelo and Bottle Rockets) twang-ify the song as they see fit. Finally, I'm tossing in a live 1980 performance by the Soft Boys themselves, and a legendary 1989 take by Nigel & the Crosses (a conglomeration of Robyn Hitchcock, Peter Buck, Glenn Tilbrook and Billy Bragg).

https://rapidshare.com/files/2772392559/va_iwannadestroyyou.rar

Singles Going Single #189 - Blind Dates "Radio" 7" (1984, Savage)

2011-10-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

It's not often that I'm enamoured by a band that's so slavishly groomed for Top-40 playlists, but I'm going to make a big exception for Blind Dates if only by virtue of the notion that Top-40 radio in their day was tolerable, if not occasionally enjoyable. Fittingly enough, a song titled "Radio" occupies one half of this single, sounding like a subtler variation of Hipsway's "The Honeythief" (or maybe it's the other way around considering this single preceded "The Honeythief" by a good three years). The flip, "Second Hand" is a bit more fleshed out, and incessantly catchy to boot. Outright great in fact. From the sound of this wax, Blind Dates had just about everything in their musical arsenal to compete with the likes of Duran and ABC…. though a major recording contract would have probably helped. You can bone up on the Dates here, and AZ Local blog has a few words to say about the Rhode Island quartet's previous single (though it appears the zshare link is kaput).

A. Radio
B. Second Hand

https://rapidshare.com/files/294774471/blinddates7.rar

I-Rails - Unfocused (1987)

2011-10-21T18:36:00.000-07:00

By popular demand, I'm here to serve up another helping of vintage I-Rails recordings. Heading on the backwards trajectory I set into motion in March with the band's "Same Old Me" 45, we're dialing the Wayback Machine to 1987 for the band's second cassette album, Unfocused, which by the way was transferred from analog to ones and zeroes by some close associates to the band. Without their generosity, time and consideration I wouldn't be able to bring this music to you, so once again, thanks.

If you've been curious enough to lend an ear to the I-Rails third album, Nine Songs From Nowhere, the ten tracks comprising Unfocused should ring familiar. For the uninitiated, the I-Rails were the unlikely precursor to '90s one-hit wunderkinds Primitive Radio Gods. Click on the first hyperlink in this article for more text on the background of this criminally overlooked power-pop trio, or if you'd like a shortcut blurb on the way they rolled, think Toad the Wet Sprocket...with balls. As for Unfocused itself, it doesn't disappoint, yielding some of the Rails best including the high-strung "No Matter" and "Mercury Don't Understand." Perfecto. Enjoy, and bear in mind there's one more tape to come...

01. In Babylon
02. Slings and Arrows
03. Mercury Don't Understand
04. The Worst Song About Jane
05. Still Invisible
06. There Goes Another
07. Beyond the Obvious
08. Stuck in Between
09. No Matter
10. Two Arms

https://rapidshare.com/files/2422585678/irails_unfocused.rar

Papa Sprain - Flying to Vegas ep (1991, H.ark!)

2011-10-20T19:41:00.000-07:00

For all intents and purposes, Belfast native Gary McKendry was Papa Sprain, a little known post-pretty-much-everything combo that were taken under the wing of AR Kane's H.ark! Records imprint. Bubblegum Cage III and Blackened Air blogs had written Papa Sprain up fairly thoroughly in 2009, so this entry isn't going to serve as much of a primer considering most of the legwork has been done, surely by more capable hands then my own. Came across this one in the used bin at Other Music last year and was struck by the sleeve and doubly more so by the songs it encased. Since a convenient catch-all description won't suffice for a record bearing such disparate textures and flavors I decided to break Flying to Vegas down track by track below. Not a huge task given there's only four. The two blogs linked above are worth visiting, especially Blackened Air which is hosting some other Papa Sprain recordings, including a clutch of demos that are even more enticing than this ep. All files shared herein were culled from my own rip.

1. "Flying to Vegas" - Our flight kicks off with three minutes+ of quasi-rapped vocals atop sweet, chiming Cocteau Twins guitar. An offbeat amalgam that actually flows quite well.
2. "Fizz" - A noise-endowed, yet somewhat non-descript stab at what some might liken to "ambient" or "post-rock." Less than crucial.
3. "Spout" - A dark, foreboding hinterland where icy fret squalls bump up against sheets of sinewy feedback. A two way tie with "Vegas" as my favorite moment on this record.
4. "Rich" - We come in for a smooth landing, converging with steady finger snaps and an assortment of ancillary effects, propelled by a mild, bass-laden rhythm track.

https://rapidshare.com/files/415744442/papasprain_vegas.rar

The Mommyheads - Delicate Friction (2011, Dromedary) - A brief overview

2011-10-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

When I was compiling my write up for two Mommyheads reissues this spring (the retrospective Finest Specimens, and an expanded version of their 1994 fan favorite, Flying Suit) I was completely ignorant to the fact that they were recording a new record, their second since their 2008 (or thereabouts) reunion. Up until those reissues I had nothing invested in the Mommyheads, but encountering their back catalog revealed that yours truly overlooked a veritable indie pop treasure for the better part of two decades. Frankly, I found myself posing the rather obvious question, "Where had 'mommy' been all these years?"

The 'Heads struck their creative peak mid-90s, boasting lucid, uncluttered sonic motifs with a measured dollop of quirky panache, a la contemporaries the Sugarplastic, and predating what the Shins would be bringing down the pike in a few years to come. Delicate to a fault the, Mommyheads in the Twenty-first Century are an even cleaner and leaner trio of pop troubadours than past endeavors suggested. Delicate Friction is still very much the brainchild of the Mommyheads of yore, with an emphasis steeped in the casual ebb and flow of Turin Brakes, thirty-something Sloan, and the more ballad-esque persuasions of Fountains of Wayne. In short, the boys are maturing and mellowing out just like the rest of us, and even if you're a longtime fan there's nothing to be alarmed about. The trick will be whether the Mommyheads can lure in a few new sets of ears that have a taste for their ever-increasing refinement. Three live tracks are bonus-sized, including "Saints Preserve Us" from their aforementioned Flying Suit album. Delicate Friction is available now from Dromedary, and I've made a two song taster available below.

https://rapidshare.com/files/2460775782/wheresmommy.rar

Slaughterhouse 5 - Wide Open (1993, IRS)

2011-10-18T18:28:00.000-07:00

Where was this album back in the early '90s when I couldn't get my fill of the Senseless Things and Ned's? Sure, I had heard of Slaughterhouse 5 in passing at the time, but an obvious opportunity to investigate them failed to present itself, and I didn't give them a second thought until I spotted a very affordable used copy of Wide Open at a local flea market. Dare I say this thick-accented UK quartet shambolically slotted in as that missing link between the Buzzcocks and Supergrass (then again, some might argue that gap wasn't particularly expansive from the get go). There's a uniquely jovial flair emanating throughout Wide Open that sets the S/5 apart from the crowded flock of UK punk-pop outfits that were trying to make a dent in the Britpop sweepstakes. A familiar approach, but with a flavor moxie all their own. I shan't give anything else away about this disk, but I should mention that the band is selling Wide Open on their website (though the purchase link isn't operational at the moment). That being the case I plan to leave this once it's available for purchase! If the Rapidshare link is gone by the time your eyes wander over this, you know what to do - show your love and support the band!

01. This is Not Love
02. Inconvenience
03. Right Next to Her
04. Don't Go All Funny On Me
05. If You Don't Love Me
06. Sometimes So Close
07. If She Leaves Me Again
08. Things She Did
09. Pathetic Girlfriend
10. Only to Have You
11. You're Not So Beautiful
12. Don't You Know?
13. The Stupid Ones
14. No More Mr. Nice Guy

https://rapidshare.com/files/3030874585/slaughter5_wideopen.rar

Kinetics - Snake Dance (1987, Etiquette)

2011-10-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

Considering that it's received a hair over one hundred downloads, I'm surprised no one left a comment regarding the Kinetics single that graced these pages a year and a half ago. Suit yourselves, but I couldn't get enough of that 45, and was promptly on my way to securing this album. I was downright gonzo for the mild 2 Tone undercurrent that informed the songs occupying that 7" ("Hey La La Lee" and "Take a Train," both of which are repeated here). Snake Dance doesn't overemphasize that pop-ska motif, and in fact it's eschewed altogether on several tracks that would mesh perfectly with say, a 1982-era MTV playlist. Alas, the Kinetics were far from brash innovators (an accusation to which they would almost certainly attest) but so long as you can get past their rather traditional tack, Snake Dance is a record you'll be returning to more than you might imagine.

01. Snake Dance
02. Shake
03. Cool Water
04. Curtis Walker
05. She's Lost the Beat
06. Big City
07. Tired of Waiting
08. Let Her Go
09. Hey La La Lee
10. Take a Train

https://rapidshare.com/files/1260369963/kinetics_snakedance.rar

Five Gears in Reverse - Trailer cassette (1998, Montesano)

2011-10-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

Back in the late '90s when the Four Dots compilation graced my cd player for what seemed like months, one of the unknown quantities on that disk, Five Gears in Reverse, took up five minutes of glorious space in the shape of their contribution "Apathetic Regimen." Around that time, I learned they had several cassette releases under their belt, but alas, I was too lazy and/or cash strapped to mailorder them. Conveniently for me, someone was selling a couple of their tapes on EBay earlier this year and I was in luck. Despite calling Bellingham, WA home base, Five Gears didn't exude any resemblance to the Posies, or hometown boys done good, Death Cab for Cutie. Nonetheless, they operated squarely in indie pop confines, penning whip smart lyrical observations couple with hooks to die for. No hipster smokescreen to boot I might add. If you're looking for a RIYL shortlist, Five Gears would be in excellent company with Zumpano, Thrush Hermit, Pond and even Blue album-era Weezer, judging by the colossal guitar crunch infiltrating "Menage a Trois." A full length cd, You're Not Asking the Right Questions, materialized in 2000. In addition to Trailer I also have a 5GIR cassette of Christmas songs, but I know there's at least one or two more tapes out there, so if any of you have a line on them please get in touch.

01. Spinning Ellipses
02. About Sound
03. Menage a Trois
04. Dakota
05. Apathetic Regimen
06. Eyesight

https://rapidshare.com/files/1126117414/5ivegears_trailer.rar

Singles Going Single #188 - Hushpad 7" (1997, Goodbye Virginia)

2011-10-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

Issued in 1997, but not arriving on my radar until thirteen years after the fact, Hushpad's sophomore 45 (that would be this one) was a pleasant surprise, albeit grossly belated. I'm still trying to figure out the "pad" quotient of this co-ed Illinois duo's moniker, but the "hush" utterly imbues these two tranquil spins. "Dear Jenny's" lilting acoustic persuasion recalls Nick Drake's plucked-to-perfection fretwork, by way of Unrest's ballad-esque "Isabel." "Goodbye Virginia" tinkers with a subtle bossa nova rhythm amidst a motif that's equally as lucid and serene as it's flipside. In doing my research on Hushpad I learned that they recently made available on Bandcamp an album recorded in 1997, heretofore unreleased, titled For Kites and String, that can be downloaded for a nominal fee. The a-side to this wax, "Dear Jenny" appears on there, but the remainder of the album features considerably more robust arrangements. You can acquaint yourself with Hushpad's first single over at Shelflife Records blog.

A. Dear Jenny
B. Goodbye Virginia

https://rapidshare.com/files/4259325323/hushpad7.rar

Singles Going Single #187 - Bust 7" (1996, Radiopaque)

2011-10-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

Not a shred of info to be found online regarding Bust, a D.C. area trio whose record came courtesy of the same imprint that brought us the Starry Eyes ep (Sarah Shannon/Velocity Girl), and the Guided By Voices/Girls vs. Boys split ep. Joyce M. Raskin fronts the band with brother Stephen manning the guitar, and a bloke named Silas Green rounding things out on percussion. From the sound of both sides of this wax, Bust had a firm indie modus operandi, boasting the edgy pop accessibility of Fuzzy, and to a lesser extent Kim Deal. Throw in a modicum of post-riot grrrl musculature for added effect and you've got a real keeper on your hands. More irresistible with each listen.

A. Spin Up!
B. I'm Better

https://rapidshare.com/files/2718366446/bust7.rar

Jason Falkner - Rarer Than Rare outtakes, etc

2011-10-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

I would really like to say that I was the one that assembled this collection... but afraid it was obtained it via filesharing many years ago from an anonymous trader. I owe a sincere debt of gratitude to the original compiler, so if you're reading this please leave a comment! From what I'm able to surmise, this "bootleg" of outtakes, alternate versions, and covers hasn't been well circulated, and if any of these particular versions have surfaced elsewhere they've appeared on other boots, not sanctioned releases. I'm sure there's more than just these ten cuts kicking around in Jason's back pocket that have yet to see the light of day, but what is here is pretty excellent, including the Author Unknown version of what should have been the title track (ironically, "Author Unknown" wound up on his second album, Can You Still Feel?, akin to how Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy" didn't appear on the LP of the same name, rather it's follow-up Physical Graffiti). Elsewhere, Jason takes to task a relatively obscure Soft Boys song, and a not so obscure Left Banke signature song (though I like the Dickies remake a lot more). As far as true blue outtakes go, we're treated to the taut, tuneful "To Love a Hero," and the notably more riff rammin' "Behind These Eyes." In short, if you have any level of appreciation of the man's '90s solo goldmine, you're about to exclaim "Eureka!"

01. The Invitation (full version)
02. Author Unkown (first album version)
03. Love Poisoning (Soft Boys cover)
04. Clumsy Grace (unreleased 1991)
05. To Love a Hero (unreleased 1991)
06. Behind These Eyes (unreleased 1992)
07. Crap Out
08. The Hard Way (Author Unknown version)
09. This Will Be Our Year (Zombies cover)
10. Pretty Ballerina (first attempt)

https://rapidshare.com/files/649152515/jasonfalknerrare.rar

Brave Tears - Silver in the Darkness ep (1985)

2011-10-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

Tracking this down proved to be something of a challenge. Then again, I suppose the same goes for just about any limited private pressing that's a quarter century old or older. Speaking purely in terms of artistic approach and sonic demeanor, Brave Tears' Silver in the Darkness ep is no revelation - not by a long shot in fact. Quite simply, I'm enamored by the tunes. Unlike so much of the retro fare I'm wont to indulge in, there's really nothing post-punk, post-modern, or post any damn thing about this long decommissioned Anaheim five-piece. Granted, Brave Tears skirt around the periphery of several indie guitar pop aggregations of their day, and to a lesser extent, '70s AM radio fare, but there's not an iota of "agenda" occupying any of these five grooves, from "Flippin' Through's" buoyant, jangly lilt, to the driving panache of "Jenny's Dyin'" or "The Wait." I'm flattered to finally have this record in my clutches, and I hope you'll be motivated to give it a whirl at your leisure. Mark McLay, half of the vocal presence in Brave Tears, has since pursued this endeavor, which I also thoroughly endorse.

01. The Wait
02. Flippin' Through
03. Jenny's Dyin'
04. Shadow Fades Away
05. Baby's Got a Lover

https://rapidshare.com/files/440086201/bravetears_silver.rar

The Hippycrickets - Inconceivable!!! (1997, No Tomorrow)

2011-10-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

Not quite as chipper as their namesake might imply (check out the relatively brooding opener "Matter of Time") Atlanta's Hippycrickets turned in this sturdy chunk 'o power pop, circa 1997. Comparisons to the Beatles, Smithereens and Plimsouls have all been leveled at the feet of this now ostensibly dissolved outfit, and while the depth and breadth of Inconceivable!!! isn't as lofty as any of the aforementioned, The Hippycrickets were if anything else competent and consistent to a fault. The group's cobwebbed Angelfire (remember them?) page notes that as of 2000 a follow-up album was in the offing, but I don't think any pertinent updates have made since then, You may remember the Hippycrickets contribution ("Margaret Says") to the Paul Collins curated Pop Matters compilation. That track also surfaces on here in a slightly altered incarnation.

01. Matter of Time
02. How Can I?
03. Just Friends
04. Margaret Sez
05. It's Over
06. Fall Again
07. Calling Colleen
08. I'll Try
09. Don't Bother Me
10. I Guess You'll Never Know

https://rapidshare.com/files/3964534463/hippycrickets.rar

Deserters - s/t (1981, Capitol)

2011-10-06T18:46:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't be surprised if this one's been blogged already, but hey it's my rip, and so far as I can tell, woefully out of print. Starting life out as The Suspects, the Deserters were scooped out by Capitol/EMI Canada in the early '80s, as that label's entry into the wave/power pop sweepstakes. Commercially, it was a ticket that didn't quite pan out, though it should have been given the trio's approximation of Tommy Tutone and The A's (though the A's hardly hit it big either come to think of it). At any rate, that general vibe was firmly in place on this debut. I also give them kudos for pre-dating Thomas Dolby's pedestrian sci-fi motifs, at least by a year or two anyway. Deserters is actually a rock solid venture, offering some edgy keepers like "No Time for Talking" and "Raining Over France." Elsewhere, "Thought Police" inadvertently name checks a more famous trio they were perhaps drawing a little too much creative inspiration from, at least on that particular track. These grooves may ring a bit "routine" in hindsight, I certainly don't lay the blame on these guys, what with so many other knock-offs following suit throughout the remainder of the decade. The Deserters sophomore effort, Siberian Nightlife followed in 1983, and despite some concerted promotional muscle behind it, the group (at that point a quartet) would soon sign off. The Canadian Pop Encyclopedia (aka Jam/Canoe) has a brief but excellent account of their tenure, that even drops a few hints regarding the Deserters precursor and spinoff projects (speaking of which, you may want to check out Wanka while you're at it).

01. Alien

02. Present Life

03. Americans

04. No Time for Talking

05. A.W.O.L.

06. Innervisions

07. Boys in Berlin

08. Protection

09. Raining Over France

10. Thought Police

11. Take It Away

12. A.W.O.L.

https://rapidshare.com/files/2531625392/deserters.rar

Preston School of Industry - Live in Chicago 2002 (Monsoon bonus disk)

2011-10-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

A reader kindly reminded me that in my 2009 entry for two Preston School of Industry eps, I tentatively planned to post the live bonus CD from their 2004 Monsoon album (make that the Australian import version of Monsoon to be exact). At long last, voila. PSoI's main claim to fame was the inclusion of Pavement guitarist "Spiral Stairs" (aka Scott Kannberg) in their lineup. This 2002 set (apparently an audience tape with audio quality that falls just short of a soundboard recording) was tracked while the band was touring behind their debut, All This Sounds Gas. Not surprisingly, no songs from the ensuing Monsoon LP made it to the set list, however I did find it a bit odd that ATSG's highlight of highlights "Whalebones" is notably absent. Spiral and Co. at least compensate with the equally melodic "Falling Away," plus they even toss in "Western Homes," one of his contributions to Pavement's Wowee Zowee record. Overall a nice set if you were moved by the first Preston album.

01. Monkey Heart And the Horses Leg
02. Encyclopedic Knowledge of
03. Somethings Happen Always
04. A Treasure @ Silver Bank
05. Western Homes
06. Falling Away
07. Idea of Fires
08. Take a Stand
09. To FF

https://rapidshare.com/files/1644211081/psoi_livechicago02.rar

Various - Potential H-Bomb - The Letter "H" folder mix

2011-10-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

This is a follow up to a clever (at least my idea thereof) various artists mix I put together last month with artists sharing nothing more in common than the letter "P" as the first letter of their respective monikers. I explained that on my overloaded hard drive, for almost every complete album I have by an artist, I store just as many random one-off songs by artists I don't have a dedicated folder to. These random one-offs have been corralled into "letter folders" A through Z. I often forget these particular folders exist, that is unless I feel the urge to hear a specific track. Occasionally, when my MP3 player has available space, I'll drag one of these 26 letter folders on there to play at work. Despite the disparate genres that run into each under this first-letter alphabetic scheme, I'm invariably treated to a fun and eclectic listen. Today I'm going with letter #8. Currently, the "H" folder residing on my hard drive stores 124 files, but for your amusement, dear reader, I have whittled that down to 15.

As was the case with the "P" mix from September, I'm not going to spoil the fun with a full track list, but here a few items waiting in the wings, should you opt to take the plunge: A pair of Nick Lowe/Rockpile covers, a few words of wisdom imparted by Howard Zinn, a choice Hanoi Rocks outtake, Muzak-ed Hey Mercedes, a milf cover, and an offbeat Japanese pop nugget. By the way, if anyone can give me a lead on the Hope Chest song I've included, please give me a shout out, as I'm way eager to hear more.

https://rapidshare.com/files/3407544149/va_h-mix.rar