Thursday 31 March 2011

Chrome - The Visitation (1976)



The 1st Chrome album is a blend of psych-punk,
art-rock space weirdness.

Later albums would see them become part of
the "No Wave" New York scene but this is a bit
of a schizo beast!

Vocal delivery is yelped out - very much like
David Thomas from Pere Ubu.

Kraut rhythms start songs only for Carlos
Santana solos to be played over the top of
them, making them evolve in space rock
epics.

70's classic rock structures are on show,
reminding me of Be Bop Deluxe songs,
including Bill Nelson solos but then it
takes another turn and sounds live very
early Devo.

Post-punk almost(before the term ever existed)
with a healthy nod to funk - as the Gang of Four
would so skillfully use.

Sorry to compare to so many bands but this a
very hard one to describe. Why not just - Listen

Wednesday 30 March 2011

Residual Echoes - California (2006)



Lots of guitar solos on this laidback/psych/rock album.

Saxaphone, flutes, bells, the odd female backing vocal
and lots of accoustic struming which slowly warps into
luxuriant six string workouts.

This has 4 long songs that allow plenty of time for
the listener to get into the grooves that are being
skillfully played for you.

This is a tribute to their home state and this does
give you a blissed out California groove but with a
welcome fuzzed out guitar worship to stop things
becoming too mellow.

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Crystal Antlers - Live (2010)



While I wait for one of the best bands on the planet
to get off their arses and make a new album, here
is a live recording from the Piano B venue in
Portugal (20-01-2010).

Not bad sound, they do a Bob Dylan cover and
there are about 3/4 songs I do not know.

They may be new - they may be ones I do not know!

I cannot remember where I got this from - the blog
made a great cover for it - whoever you are, thanks.

Get in touch and I will put your links up.

Friday 25 March 2011

Rangda - False Flag (2010)



Some nice sonic improv on show here.

Bursts of dense slabs of noise with all instruments
set to stun - think Comets on Fire at full flow - ease
off into shamanistic guitar riffs going into quieter
passages.

This combination of light and shade make for the
tension that is evident on this album.

Hypnotic slow tracks build up with thunderous
drumming until distorted guitar start to wail
with wonderful psych exploration.

A fine example of how to be heavy without having
some sort of "core" added to your description!

Thursday 24 March 2011

Led Zeppelin - Fillmore West 1969



Playing support to Country Joe & The Fish at the
Fillmore West on 01/11/1969, this is supposed to
be the very 1st Zepp soundboard recording.

This is a real raw recording with the band really
going for it. Plant is mixed up a bit too high for
my liking but you can get the feel of them playing
at a smallish venue before the huge arenas kicked in.

Only 5 songs but what a track listing!

I Can't Quit You
Dazed & Confused
You Shook Me
How Many More Times
Communication Breakdown

Sound quality is pretty good but nothing will
ever compare to the fantastic, powerful sound of
"The Song Remains The Same" - which sounds even
better since they released the rest of the tracks that
were left off the album!


Wednesday 23 March 2011

The Flying Luttenbachers - Cataclysm (2006)



More crazy fuckers with guitars.

These instrumental tracks have two distorted
guitars coming from every angle, twinned with
aggressive bass and drums.

A crazed metallic sound, combining math-rock
with primitive punk - jazz type fret workouts.
If you want some easy listening - leave now!

Dense, solid songs assault the ears and the brain
starts to overload with the intricate note patterns
that are being played.

This is accomplished shit and needs to be played
at a huge volume.

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Touche Amore - To The Beat of a Dead Horse (2010)



This came out about the same time as albums by
Let Live and Chariot.

Those 2 releases are a great sharp shock of Hardcore
but stick pretty much to the formula everyone knows.

Touche Amore have screamed/shouted vocals but
the music is much more varied which puts it more
into post-hardcore territory.

Whilst never losing their power or drive, the guitars
drop in and out, switching between heavy distortion
and cleanly picked riffs giving the songs an identity
that is sometimes lacking in todays saturated hardcore
scene.

This delivers like a kick in the teeth but in a good way!

Monday 21 March 2011

Pink Fairies - Kings of Oblivion (1973)



While not being a stone cold classic album, this
mix of hard rock, proto-punk and early metal still
can deliver a satisfying listening experience.

Recorded in 1973, this sounds like a 1977 album
that slipped under the radar.

Sneery, deadpan singing sits alongside speedy and
lengthy soloing, while the song compositions could
of been used for Eddie & The Hot Rods 2nd album.

With a big two fingers aimed at the excess of prog,
this stripped down rock release was a ripple that would
spread out to '76/'77.

Back to Normal



Well now my court case is over, which I lost -
I can get back to a more regular posting schedule.

Not that anyone cares but it seems that according
to English Law, I am not allowed to have a girlfriend!

It seems that texting and emailing over 300 messages a
day is not "just keeping in touch" but being an "obsessive".

Sending naked pictures of myself is not "keeping our
love alive" but being "a sex pest".

Breaking into her house and stealing nail clippings,
strands of hair and any other waste products from
the human body is not "keeping a snapshot of our passion"
but being a "pervert".

Standing naked in her garden all night singing Tainted Love
over and over until my throat bleeds is not "pouring out my
love in a pleasing melodic manner" but is "being a public menace
and breaking many privacy laws".

And most amazing of all, "following her everywhere she goes to
make sure of her safety" is now called "stalking".

All I am doing is falling in love and being penalised by some
outdated laws.

Any way, the upshot is that I cannot come within 10 miles of Kylie
and when she comes to London I will have to wear an electronic ankle
tag!

The judge told me her sister is fair game but I cannot be bothered
anymore.

Should have more time for posting though!

Thursday 17 March 2011

Shellac - At Action Park (1994)



Steve Albini in yet another band that delivers
heavy songs without using cliched chugging
borrowed from hardcore or metal.

As always, his guitar is razor sharp in its
delivery, every note counts with a venom
that is reflected in the abrasive tone used.

Vocal wise is as you would expect and the
drumming is almost machine like in the
execution of the math like riffs.

This has a very minimal sound but it
still rocks like a bastard. Less noise rock
than Big Black but to be investigated if you
have run out of new Jesus Lizard to listen to!

Monday 14 March 2011

Frank Zappa - The Lost Solos (2003)



Another release along the same line of "Trance-Fusion"
or "Shut Up'n'Play Yer Guitar"

All culled from live performances, the track is just the Zappa
solo.

Sounds mad and quite jarring as the songs are different
styles and tempo but if you just wanna just marvel at his
guitar madness - Listen

Posts will be slow this week but normal service should
be resumed soon.

Thursday 10 March 2011

Big Black Cloud - Dark Age (2010)



A huge sounding album full of garage punk played
with fuzz box set to kill.

Lots 0f noise rock thrown in - think Jesus Lizard
type groovy ridden riffs - and like David Yow, the
singer sounds slightly unhinged!

Lots of feedback and a hint of heavy psych - they
also have an infectious, almost rockabilly feel
to some of the songs - much like the standout
tracks from the Eighties Matchbox B-Line.

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Suicidal Tendencies- Lights...Camera...Revolution! (1990)



Ahhh, the perfect mix of Hardcore and Thrash to
set your ears alight.

Mike Muir rants along as always, accompanied with
lightning fast soloing, tuneful-as-hell riffs and an
album worth of cranked up songs.

This is good shit and really , any of the four previous
albums would be essential listening if you like this
sort of thing but today, this is the record I am playing.

Monday 7 March 2011

Massive Attack vs Mad Professor (1995)



The Mad Professor does his thing on the "No
Protection" album and gives a radical kicking
to the original songs.

A much thicker and heavier sound is his starting
point with vocals reverbing like fuck, samples
flying around and a great - of course - bass heavy
end, trip-hop beats fading in and out.

This is real earphone candy as the stereo seperations
are abused and layers of sound effects bounce around.

I actually prefer this to the "proper" album.

Friday 4 March 2011

How I Became a Guitar God



Are you Jimmy Page or Jimmy Nail?
Frank Zappa or Frank Spencer?

We know your ego is huge - that’s why you want to be a guitarist. We know you can count over 4 - that’s why you’re not a drummer! But have you got what it takes to be a Guitar Hero?

Try this easy quiz to find out.

1) Time to choose your instrument. This is the first important decision to becoming a star. Do you...

a) Read all the guitar magazines before making a choice based on price and sturdy workmanship?
b) Buy a guitar just like your Idols? It’s good enough for them, so go ahead!
c) Walk into a music shop, pick one that looks cool... and in black!... check out how it looks in the reflection of a window and buy it without even hearing how it sounds!

2) Now you must hone those musical skills until your fingers bleed. Do you...

a) Buy some books and practice chords. Yesterday by The Beatles is good - 7 different chords to learn.
b) Bung on a copy of the MC5’s Kick out the Jams and play along with it the best you can?
c) Join two guitar straps together so your six string razor can be slung stupidly low, jump around, throwing classic rock’n’roll shapes and only when you feel you look great, think about learning to play?

3) Now, a chance to impose your authority on the band. The bass player has a song idea to try out! Do you...

a) Try it out! After all, it’s not just you in the band and the song might sound great.
b) Agree to try it out in the knowledge that his songs are never as good as yours but don’t want to hurt his feelings!
c) Laugh like a drain! Bass players don’t write songs!! They can’t even play a guitar with 6 strings. Even with 4 strings, the bass player only seems to use the fat one anyway. Soon they’ll be wanting to turn up as loud as you. Put a stop to this right from the start.

4) The gig! You all arrive for the soundcheck. Do you...

a) Introduce yourself to the other bands... we are all here to play music.
b) Give the bands a curt nod but don’t get too chummy. Tonight you’re gonna blow them off stage.
c) Ignore them. You’re not here to make friends but to show them up for the limp-wristed pathetic excuses they really are!

5) One of the guitarists comes over and asks if he can borrow an amp. Do you...

a) Let him use it. What’s the harm?
b) Reluctantly agree but with a warning of violence if it’s harmed in any way!
c) Tell him to FUCK OFF!! What kind of guitarist doesn’t have an amp? You don’t get Nigel Mansell turning up to a race without his car! It’s taken you two years to get the perfect sound and you won’t let anyone get their grubby little hands on it?

6)The other band have just finished the souncheck. Do you...

a) Give them a round of applause... Hey, nice one lads.
b) Discuss with the rest of the band how good/bad they were.
c) Just as they finish, let out a hollow laugh! They will never know if you were laughing at them or something else. It’ll prey on their minds all night.

8) Let’s play. The lights are dimmed, the sparse audience are standing as far away from the stage as they can get... Hey,Ho, Let’s go! Do you...

a)Try and play just like you would at rehearsals - let’s try and keep together people.
b) Get carried away with excitement and play every song much faster than normal!
c) Play at twice the intended speed barely keeping time with each other, turn every amp up full - causing the audience to wince in pain at the aural assault, extend every guitar solo to three times the length and generally prance around like a St. Vitus Dance victim?

9) The night is over and more rock’n’nroll dreams have been lived. Do you...

a) Joke around with the other bands - Hey, what a great night!
b) Ignore the other bands, basking in the knowledge of your own excellence.
c) Ignore the other bands, ignore your own band, stuff the guitar case with bottles of stolen beer, drink until you puke in the drummers snare case, drink some more, go outside, snort some drugs from a beautiful girls naked backside ( which next day turns out to be a tramp passed out in the alleyway ), wee through a letterbox, go back into the pub, drink some more, tell the band that they are just talentless cretins without you, punch the vocalist ( he’s always annoyed you!), go home, wake up in the morning, recollecting nothing from the night before apart from being almost Oscar Wildeish in your rapier quick wit.

... And something about someone being sacked?

oops ... and a policeman!

Finished? Now see if you scored mostly A’s, B’s or C’s and check the results below to see what your future is in the heady atmoshere of rock.

Mostly A’s

You disgust me. Your greatest wish is that Haircut 100 reform so you can join them... even your Mum thinks you suck!!

Mostly B’s

You Rock! Whilst not being selfish enough to go to the very top, a fine future awaits you, should you be bold enough to grasp it!

Mostly C’s ....Yep, I have done all of these!

You are a true Guitar Hero! You stride the musical world like a giant, legs akimbo and eyes aflame, you eat through the sound of reason, you are one watt above darkness, you create a sonic cathedral of aural anticipation and worship at the altar of feedback... you will be dead of an overdose in 7 months!!

Thursday 3 March 2011

Mona De Bo - Nekavejies (2010)



Mona De Bo are from Latvia and play a mix of
drone/slowcore/psych/experimental.

Very thick tones are given a different slant with
the addition of organ, french horn, trombone
and double bass.

This is kinda like Earth trying to play cover
versions by The Kilimanjaro Doomjazz Ensemble.

Dynamic and different, this has a great slowburn
quality to it which ends in Sonic Youth type noise.

Link removed by request

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Seditius - Carne da Macello (2011)



Got this as a request from an Italian DIY record
label - Rancore Records.

Seditius play some great hardcore - think Coliseum
but with some rock/stoner influenced riffing going
on.

Rather than just thrashing out chords, they throw in
fantastic varied tunes - guitar runs, clean breaks,
solos, along with bass sound that would not sound
out of place on the 1st Motorhead album.

The vocals are pissed off and as raw as you would
like. The whole album is like being kicked in the head -
but in a good way!

This is good shit.

If you want to stream the whole album or buy,
get band info, go - Here

I have an EP with some of the album tracks - Listen

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Live Skull - Bringing Home the Bait (1985)



Inspired in no small part by Sonic Youth, Live
Skull took the New York scene movement as
a starting point but instead of going down the
noise rock route like Scratch Acid/Melvins etc,
they took the abrasive elements and joined them
up with distinctive, arty song arrangements that
had hints of white noise but overlaid with clean
picked guitars and spoken vocals.

They still got dark and made a lovely distorted
racket but always showed restraint amongst the
angular tunes.

So, give this a go if you fancy some S. Youth type
stuff as opposed to Jesus Lizard.


Oh yeah, over the weekend all the S. Youth posts
got taken down which rather put a dent into my
project of reviewing all the albums up to "Daydream
Nation!"