Weekend Music Roundup

Another week and another list that seems to make no sense to me. Looking at the selection of albums I've picked to review this week, there is seemingly no connection. In fact, I would venture to guess that I'm the only person in the world with all of these specific albums in their collection. Not that there aren't lots of people with equally, if not more diverse taste than me, but for some reason this list feels really random to me. That's okay though. I like random. Random is good. Random is your friend. Enjoy.

 

Scratch Acid - Scratch Acid: This is the 1984 debut EP from the Texas band that would become extremely influential to the late '80s Seattle sound. Featuring David Yow (later of Jesus Lizard) on vocals, this band pioneered the unhinged heavy punk sound that would lead to Tad, The Melvins, and Nirvana. The songs are more conventional and straight-forward than Jesus Lizard yet equally as manic. Yow has a way of tapping into some energetic dark waters and swimming around in them is certainly an experience that I enjoy. A side note: this is the 4000th album cataloged in my collection...it never should have taken me that long to get to it.

Stonehouse - Stonehouse Creek: This 1971 album is the only release this hard rock UK outfit ever put out. It's the kind of album that falls into the transition period from blues/country rock into the harder rock of bands like Thin Lizzy. For some, this could be considered one of those lost gems, but that's always been a label I'm weary of. Often I find 'lost gems' to have been lost for a reason. Many of those albums, though interesting, are very flawed and become forgotten for that reason. I feel this album falls into that category. There are some decent tunes on here, "Nightmare" and "Cheater" being the best, which are also the heaviest songs. Much of the rest of the record sounds like a Creedence Clearwater Revial imitation.

The Thermals - Now We Can See: Released in 2009, this is the Portland band's fourth album. It's the same brand of power indie rock that they have been known for since their debut, but there seems to be a greater sense of structure on this album. The punk attitude and spirit is still there, as well as the intelligent observations, but they are placed within a tighter context, making this a slightly stronger album in my opinion. For the first time, they are beginning to remind me of Built to Spill in that regard. A solid album.

The Future Primitives - This Here's The Future Primitives: As I type this, I just literally finished listening to this brief 8 song debut from the Cape Town, South Africa band. It's an explosive psychedelic garage rock album. From the first song to the last, it keeps an intense pace. It reminds me of early Black Lips or Harlem. Good stuff. You can find it for free on their bandcamp page here. (Special thanks to the dANIMAL for the heads-up on this one.)

Olivia Tremor Control - Black Foliage [Deluxe Edition]: Originally released in 1999, this masterpiece has remained a favorite of mine every since. Part of the Elephant 6 collective, OTC is one of the most ambitious bands of the group, combining experimental soundscapes with beautiful pop harmonies. Last year, this landmark album was given a deluxe reissue on vinyl with an entire album of extras. Most of the extras consist mainly of instrumental noise compositions which fit nicely with the original release. Some live versions of the album's stand-out tracks are also a much welcomed addition. The album is a definite essential. The deluxe edition though is probably only for real fans.

Jean Grae - Jean Grae's Home for Gifted Dragons: This mix tape is a collection of different hip-hop artists from the Philly area which, for some reason, also features a few of Jean Grae verses. Some of her verses are also on Jean's 2011 mixtape Cookies or Comas. Like most compilations of this type, it's pretty uneven, but there is much raw hip-hop here to appreciate. Philly has always been an underrated hip-hop city, which is a shame. It's general style is similar to the Brooklyn down and dirty, hard hitting style. Available on DatPiff.com, this real hip-hop worth listening to. 

Weekend Music Roundup

What better way to spend the holiday than talking about music? Actually, what better way is there to spend pretty much any day? This week I was still catching up with music that has been given to me, as well as the last round of vinyl I purchased. But I've also been exploring old albums of mine in preparation of revamping my iPod for an upcoming road trip. It makes for quite an interesting list and hopefully there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Joose Keskitalo - Joose Keskitalo ja Kolmas Maailmanpalo: This 2008 album is the first I've heard from the Finish singer songwriter, but I'm sure it won't be the last. This album is absolutely beautiful. The songs are very simple, yet haunting. It's folk music with usually just an acoustic guitar to accompany the voice. Though I can't understand the language, I can sense the emotion in the songs. It's sad and desperate and uplifting at the same time.

Guided by Voices - Under the Bushes Under the Stars: Following up 1994's Bee Thousand and 1995's Alien Lanes is a near impossible feet, but the Dayton indie band has never been shy about releasing material. Robert Pollard has a seemingly unending well of songs to fetch when needed and this 1996 album is proof of that. When other songwriters might be feeling bankrupt, he churns out another 24 lo-fi gems on this record. Sure, some of it sounds repetitive but the when the formula is good, the repetition sails along easily and enjoyably.

Rush - Caress of Steel: My journey through Rush's catalog continued with their third album, and second one released in 1975. Given that it came out the same year, understandably this album differs very little from Fly By Night. However, this does feel a little heavier. Like the previous album, there are moments when Rush soars and moments where they falter. I'm greatly looking forward to the next album, the 1976 masterpiece 2112. 

Metallica - ...And Justice for All: The 1988 thrash metal masterpiece has been in my collection since, surprise, 1988, when it rocked 7th grade like few other albums could. I pulled this CD out recently and have been listening to it for nearly every car ride since. This is the holy grail of thrash/ speed metal and nothing has really topped it in the genre since it came out. Hearing it again, I also noticed how there are moments where it also helps invent what is now known as melodic folk metal. It is unbelievably fast and best heard extremely LOUD. Too many great songs to name here, but "One" is definitely one of my favorite songs of all time.

Judas Priest - Killing Machine (aka Hell Bent for Leather): The British metal band's fifth album, released in 1979, falls right in the heart of their blistering hey day. By this time they've perfected duel guitar attack that defined the sound of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Every song on this record rocks, from the relentless opener "Delivering the Goods" to the end of Side B, it never lets up. This was given to me on vinyl and has been in heavy rotation ever since.

Pink Floyd - Amazing Pudding in Bath 1970: Any regular reader of the Roundup knows I'm a huge fan of this Floyd era, the time between Syd's leaving and the band finding their new direction that came in '73 with Dark Side of the Moon. I have many bootlegged concerts from this period, most consist of the same set list. This one is slightly different. Included are era staples "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun," "Careful with that Axe, Eugene," and "A Saucerful of Secrets," but this set also includes "Green is the Colour," a brilliant gem from the More album as well as song they introduce as "The Amazing Pudding," which would later become "Atom Heart Mother." The recording quality is a little suspect as always with these concerts, but this one holds up a little better than most and is easily one of the best from the dozen live recordings I've heard from '69-'70.

Babyshambles - Royalty Songs: This Japanese bootleg contains demos from sessions for the band's 2005 debut album Down in Albion. Produced by Mick Jones of The Clash, these versions are messier and more raw than the already messy ones on the album, but that sound has always suited this band. There are many bootleg sessions of theirs and they rank among my favorite output of the band. Pete is just entering the height of his artistic production, and sadly also the height of his drug troubles here...but the two combine to create amazing tales of modern helplessness and wandering. Truly a great addition to the all too limited Babyshambles catalog.

Weekend Music Roundup

In the few years of doing the Roundup, this week might be a first. All the albums on this week's list were given to me by friends. Typically there are a lot of albums given to me by friends. I have several musical soul siblings who I routinely swap with, but I don't think I've ever made an entire week of albums consisting only of given music. There's quite a spectrum of tastes on here, but all are pretty amazing. Enjoy.

Tim Buckley - Lorca: I've been on a huge Tim Buckley kick lately. With each album I hear, I'm even more in awe of his talent and the range of emotion and mood in his records. This 1970 album is his fifth, released only four years after his debut. So far it's the darkest of all of his records I've heard, which really makes it stand out for me. I've been listening to it pretty much every day this week and it continues to blow me away. Truly brilliant.

 

Electrelane - The Power Out:  This 2004 album is the experimental indie band's second album, but the only one I've heard of their four. Their sound is certainly unique and very different from other British bands of the era, or even of today. There is a spooky element to the songs, but also an excitement as each song seems to pick up, evolving into stellar expanses with a good rhythm behind them. With each listen, the album grows more intense. I can't wait to hear their other work.

Black Lace - Get It While It's Hot: Visiting the dANIMAL last week, he'd put aside some metal records he'd gotten for me, knowing how I like the metal. Despite the horrible cover, I decided to give this one a shot, mainly because the one band member is wearing a Clockwork Orange shirt in the photo on the back. It was surprisingly not a bad record. It came out in 1985 and the UK band plays straight forward New Wave of British Heavy Metal, obviously inspired by Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. The songs rock hard enough, even if they aren't at all original. 

Bob Dylan & George Harrison - Session at Columbia Studio: This bootleg consists of a session from 1970 where the two legends got together and jammed on a series of covers and some Dylan songs. Dylan signing "Yesterday" is a revelation. The cover of "Cupid" is also amazing. A really great relaxed set where they are just having fun. Wonderful pick-up if you find it.

Aimee Mann - Smilers: After seeing Aimee Mann play several weeks back, I've been listening to her albums relentlessly. This 2008 album is her latest to date, but I'd never picked it up, mostly because her previous album, The Forgotten Arm, never really stuck with me. But I'd been wanting to hear this one for weeks now and finally did. I'm happy to say it ranks right up there with her best work from the early part of the decade. She has such a knack for storytelling in her songs and for writing sunny California melodies to lift her tales of desperation. Another great record, can't wait for her new one later this year.

Hidur Gudnadottir - Without Sinking: Released in 2009, this is the Icelandic musician's debut. It's an instrumental, neo-folk ambient album that makes great use of dramatic arrangements to recreate the swirling howl of the arctic north. I always find albums like this to be nice soundscapes to listen to as I write. Both moody and beautiful.

Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost: The San Fran band's second album, which came out last fall, is one of those records that really grew on me. On first listen, I thought it was okay. After the third listen, I was addicted. It's a low-key indie rock record with so many different angles that it remains compelling throughout. "Just a Song" is completely brilliant. 

Weekend Music Roundup

It was a sweltering week around these parts, another testament to my absolute hatred of summer. This is the kind of weather where one wishes they could remove their skin and leave it in a cold tub of water to be fresh for the next time you have to put it on. Thankfully it was also a great week for new music. There were a few things I'd been looking forward to for some time that did not disappoint. There were also some surprises and an album I had no idea existed. I've also included two bootlegs from the Oasis brothers because there's something about summer that just gets me in the mood for Oasis. Then again, every season feels like Oasis season in my world. Enjoy.

Portugal. The Man - In the Mountain in the Cloud: Over the past few years, this neo-psychedelic outfit has become one of my favorite bands of all time, delivering amazing album after amazing album. Released this week, this new album continues the trend. Though I find it almost indistinguishable from their last two efforts The Majestic Majesty and American Ghetto, that's quite okay with me because those are wonderful albums. More psychedelic indie rock with falsetto beauty swirling all around, easily one of the best albums of the year so far.

Sparrow and the Workshop - Spitting Daggers: This Glasgow trio's debut album, Crystals Fall, was on my best of list last year and I was thrilled that they put out another album so quickly. Jill O'Sullivan's voice is pretty phenomenal and it shines once again on this album. Whereas the last album was a little more folk, this one is a touch faster but it serves them well. If the first one felt like the heartbreak from a bad relationship, this one possesses the anger that follows. A very good indie rock album.

Wu-Tang Clan - Legendary Weapons: Officially out next week, this is easily the best Wu release in years. It's the usual cast of characters spitting in their usual flow, but it's the production that seems to return more to the classic Wu sound. That said, it's not a copy of old RZA sword fighting beats. It uses that style, but with an influx of some of the styles that the newer Wu side projects have incorporated. It still doesn't hold a candle to prime time Wu, but still smacks most of what is out there. U-God pretty much nails every one of his verses and AZ delivers another fantastic guest rhyme. Definitely worthwhile.

The White Stripes - Signed D.C./ I've Been Loving You Too Long: Another surprise release in Third Man Record's From the Vault series, this time unearthing two previously unheard White Stripes songs. Both are covers, and both fall in the "Truth Doesn't Make a Noise" style White Stripes numbers; slower, more blues influenced garage. This a band known for covers in their live shows, there's around fifty or so covers that I know through various bootlegs, but not these two songs. Any week to hear new White Stripes material (another all time favorite band of mine) is a good week, especially considering this very well may be the last of the unheard songs. Thanks guys.

Beady Eye - KEXP 2011 Live Session: I've had this radio show waiting for its review since March, but had overloaded the Roundup with Beady Eye/ Oasis material at the time, so I held back. This is a four song and interview show they did featuring four of the best songs from the album, including "The Roller" and "Three Ring Circus". The band, having essentially been together now for a decade if you include the time with Oasis, sounds tight. They've always been a live band of sorts, so there is definitely an energy to it. This is available online and I highly recommend it for those who have been skeptical of the band. Liam also provides a few good laughs in the interview as usual.

Noel Gallagher - Where I Belong: I can't leave Noel out if I'm talking about the guys in his old band. It just doesn't feel right and besides, this is a good time to review this in anticipation of his new single debuting online tomorrow. This bootleg has been waiting since January for it's review which is actually a crime on my part because it's phenomenal. A collection of rarer Noel solo performances from various sources over many years, it's a great album. Along with acoustic versions of Oasis songs, it includes covers of "Help" and "Eleanor Rigby" which completely transform the originals. There's also a great cover of "Bittersweet Symphony". Can't wait for solo album.

Brian Harnetty & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Silent City: It was only last week that I discovered that this 2009 album existed and simply had to have it. I talked about my love for Will Oldham (Bonnie) last week, but Brian Harnetty is also an interesting figure. As far as I know, his only other album is 2007's American Winter which is one only about 150 albums I've given a 5 star rating and it sat in my rotation stack for almost two years. He's known for doing field recordings and capturing this out of time americana music and sound. Listening to his work is like finding artifacts of brilliance. Add Bonnie Prince Billy singing over it in places and you've got a haunting record. Not as stunning as American Winter, but still amazing.

Olivia Tremor Control - Dusk at Cubist Castle: Pulling one from my own vault here, this is an album I first heard in 1997. It was in heavy rotation in the St. Mark's apartment I shared with the dANIMAL that summer. This week, I've been reading the Aeroplane Over the Sea book in the great 33 1/3 series and it discusses a lot of Elephant 6 records including this one. Having not listened to it in probably six or seven years, I pulled it off the shelf to give it a go. Well, I ended up giving it more than a go. I've listened to it every day this week (and twice one day). It's the perfect summer kind of album of sunshine indie pop, but also so much more than that. Twenty-seven songs that all run into each other and never lose a beat, it's an epic groove that I invite everyone to tune into if you've never taken the trip to the Cubist Castle. And if you have...maybe it's time to check back in for a visit.

Weekend Music Roundup

Summer has been beating down the door, melting the windows and cooking me from the inside out over the past week. For some reason that meant folk in the morning and rock or hip hop in the evening. In between was spent listening to old sunshine classics and mood music. Luckily it was a good week for some unexpected releases in each of these genres. I also included one old album that I dusted off and have been loving all week long. Enjoy.

Jean Grae - Cookies or Comas: This new mixtape came out a few weeks ago and I finally got it this week. For those who don't know, Brooklyn's Jean Grae is probably the best underground rap slinger around and deserves mainstream acclaim. On these songs, she once again demonstrates her exceptional lyrical skill with one intelligent rhyme after another. Ranging from laid back rap to straight up hardcore, this album is pretty fresh and reminds me of Digable Planets' Blowout Comb without the jazzy elements. Talib Kweli (of Black Star) appears on a few tracks and the two flow together very well. Not as amazing as The Evil Jeanius, but damned good.

Wugazi - 13 Chambers: When I saw this new mashup of Fugazi and Wu Tang, I nearly burst a gasket. Conceptually, it sounds like it could be brilliant. In actuality, it has very mixed results. When it succeeds, it achieves what every good mashup should, making both sound new. "Last Chance for the Clientele Kid", "Nowhere to Wait" and "Killa Hill" are perfect examples of mixing the right songs together. Where it fails is typically when a slower Fugazi song is used and it slows down the Wu Tang intensity. Definitely worth checking out, even if you end up slimming it down eight or nine chambers.

Beirut - The Rip Tide: The third full album, and first since 2007, from Brooklyn's Zach Condon sees the songwriter venturing ever farther into the chamber pop sound which has developed out the more chaotic genre bending earlier efforts. Though I miss a little of the messy adventure of the earlier albums, I very much enjoyed this album. It has a bit of an Andrew Bird style to it and it's a great album to wake up to in the morning.

The Raveonettes - Raven in the Grave: I've followed this Danish band since their fist album back in 2003. With this, their fifth album, the band has progressed from earlier more garage rock sound into much more of a dreamy shoegazer band. It suits them well and I've seemed to enjoy each album a little more than the previous. There's also a bit of Pat Benatar vibe on some of the songs that truly works well. A nice airy sound that's good for summer because it has the power to create an imaginary breeze.

Josh T. Pearson - Last of the Country Gentlemen: I picked this up on the insistence of the dANIMAL and was not disappointed. This is a very bare bones singer songwriter album with minimal music and salvation type vocals from Pearson who sounds like a wandering preacher. It's reminds me very much of J. Tillman. Another wonderful and heartbreaking album to listen to in the morning before the sun ruins everything.

Kaizers Orchestra - Violeta, Violeta Vol. 1: I've been a huge fan of this Norwegian band since their debut in 2001. They play a frantic variation of indie rock, with the same dark edge as their other great countrymen Madrugada. This album is a little more gypsy punk than indie rock, but somehow doesn't feel as fiery as earlier albums. Still it's quite good. Volume 2 is due out soon, with Volume 3 set to follow next year. I'll withhold final judgment until all three are released, but so far the project is off to a decent start.

Volcano Suns - The Bright Orange Years: I first heard the Volcano Suns when I was 15 after buying a 7" of their based on the cover. I then bought an album of theirs, which I didn't care for. After listening to the 7" again a few months ago, I decided to check out more of their work. This is the Boston band's 1985 debut and it's quite a bit better than their 1989 album which I used to own. This has that post-punk sound that inspired early grunge. You can hear the influence this had on early Mudhoney songs such as "Touch Me I'm Sick". This is raw rock n roll done right.

Alice in Chains - Unplugged: This is the old album that made it into a fresh review after listening to it pretty much every day. Highly underrated, this is easily my second favorite MTV Unplugged album after Nirvana. Layne Staley, well into the junkie oblivion that would claim his life six years later, is barely able to sit upright during the performance, but still sounds incredible. Like someone singing with one foot in the grave, his voice haunts these originally hard rock songs, transforming them into spiritual epics. Each song is phenomenal. Just a super evening album to listening to as the sun is setting.

The Marsupial Strut

Sprinkle it on.

Sprinkle it on.

Alligator...was a quater.

My marsupial strut.

(c) ben burdick 1994

This Story Time Tuesday memory is brought to you by the insanity of the south tower resting on the corner of 11th Street and Third Avenue. A piece of paranoia folklore kept alive with retellings over time. One perfect stanza and then no more, but one I will always enjoy.

Weekend Music Roundup

Another week has passed and I've come another step closer to autumn. The leaves up here in the mountains change rapidly. Over the past week, the scenery crossed the threshold to looking more like Fall than Summer. As a result, my music tastes are beginning to change again. I find myself once more drawn to the moodier pieces and nostalgic listening. A good number of reviews in the next few weeks will be from my recent vinyl splurging as well as from the box records recently unearthed by parents. But as always, I will try always throw in some new things for the indie kids.

Guns N' Roses - Patience: This is a recording of an acoustic gig the band did at CBGB's in 1988 where they are debuting songs from their then upcoming EP "GNR Lies". I've had this bootleg for years, but around two years ago, my disc stopped playing. Thankfully, the recording showed up again last week and I've been listening to it a lot ever since. This may be the most relaxed this band has ever sounded. The performances of both "One in A Million" and "Patience" are only the second time the band every played the songs and they both outstanding. "Move to the City" (on of the inspirations for my novel Tomorrow, Maybe by the way) is crazy good too. This isn't just for die-hards, this is a must have for even any casual fan of America's greatest rock n roll band.

Sir - The Night I Met My Second Wife: This album dates back to 2000 and is from the relatively unknown Australian band Sir. This was given to me by a friend as I'd never heard of it either. More people definitely should hear it though. There's a darkness to this album that is like the sound of ghosts whispering over a slowcore dreamscape. Not unsurprisingly, there is a lot of Nick Cave influence (as everything from Down Under seems to be either Nick Cave or AC/DC inspired), but it sounds like early Nick Cave wondering through a twisted Wonderland.

The Delta Sisters - Music from the Old Timey Hotel: It must be known that I'm sucker for "old timey" music and had to give this a listen when it popped up. This 1981 album is good piece fiddle americana. Another interesting thing is that a number of the songs are in French. Who would have thought French and American old timey folk would mix well? It's fun album if you're into this sort of thing. A nice find.

Nina Nastasia - Dogs: Another lost gem from 2000 given to me by the same friend (thanks Dan). On the surface this is just another singer songwriter acoustic folk album, but when you really listen to it, it's quite remarkable. It's easy to compare it with Elliot Smith's more lo-fi albums, telling the same sort of observed stories of being lost and confused. But there's also an anger in some of her observations, making some songs sound to me what Courtney Love might sound like making folk songs. All in all, quite exceptional.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre - thank god for mental illness: This 1996 album for me is the band at its absolute peak. Coming right after their other masterpiece Their Satanic Majesty's Second Request, everything is clicking for the band at this point. It's perfect blend of the weirdest period Beatles and Stones, taking that psychedelic madness and interpreting it into the chaos of L.A. in the '90s. Absolutely great.

Pat Benatar - Live From Earth: I've been on a Pat Benatar kick ever since I watched the "Love is a Battlefield" video on VH1 Classics On Demand a few weeks ago. When I was digging through my parents' box of found albums, I snatched this one and it's really quite good. Listening to it, it still sounds very NYC and you can hear the influence she still has on NYC indie bands. It's a clever mix of new wave pop and something heavier with the Judas Priest like riffs on "Heartbreaker". Guilty pleasure? Maybe, but I don't think so. I think it's one of the few lasting sounds from an era of forgettable albums.

Those Poor Bastards - Hellfire Hymns: The Madison, WI band's 2007 second album falls between the two I already have and is just as good as those. Along with O' Death, Those Poor Bastards are the standard bearer for gothic country / death folk. This album reads like tales of damnation and grief. In many ways, this is the natural progression of Johnny Cash into the modern age. If you don't know this band, I highly recommend checking them out.

Alice Cooper - Easy Action: Over the last year, I've grown to love Alice Cooper's early catalog and when I saw this on vinyl at a recent record sale, I had to have it. It's the band's second album dating from 1970 and sounds very much like their 1970 Detroit contemporaries, The Stooges. It's straight up garage acid rock and a little more experimental than the stellar albums that follow. Side A is simple fantastic. Side B is a little messy.

Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida: Of course I know the title track inside and out, any child that grew up listening to classic rock radio does. But I'd never bothered to check out an entire album until the other day. It opens weakly with two hippy pop tracks, but then gets considerably stronger. The rest of the album is a solid Cream impression that makes for a decent psychedelic classic rock album.

Janis Ian - Between the Lines: Another album rescued from my parents that I was about to leave until my mom told me it was one of her favorites. I decided it was worth a listen. As soon as I put it on, I realized that I knew every song from my childhood. It's a contemporary folk album from 1975 that is very reminiscent of Carol King's Tapestry. "Seventeen" is the big hit song on here and it's still a great emotional pop song. Other stand-outs are "From Me to You" and "In the Winter."