Swami John Reis & Co. - Don't Believe In Yourself 7" (/500)

 

Swami (2026)

This latest Swami John Reis 7" is something of a precursor to the next Swami John Reis LP, Navajo White, that is due out in August.  I say 'something of' as neither of the songs on this 7" are destined to be part of that record, they're exclusive to this 7" that was only available from the Swami web store.  It was limited to 500 copies and sold out alarmingly fast when it was put on sale a couple of weeks ago.  I'm just relieved that I was able to secure one.

Keen-eyed readers will note the "& Co." suffix after Swami John Reis this time out.  In this case the Co. is Gar Wood, Ben Moore,  Glen Galloway, J Sinclair K and Rick Froberg on the A side with Ben and J also appearing on the B side.  The A side is "Even the Lobsters Can Sing and with the Hot Snakes lineup +2, musically this feels like Automatic Midnight era Snakes with it's repetitive, yet melodic, rolling bass, coupled with a big guitar crunch what veers off into unique chord progressions.  Rick is on guitar only on this track with Swami John handling the vocals.  It's a truly incredible song and the highlight of the 7" for me.

Not that "Bad Lightning" over on the B side is any slouch, but it is different.  This one has a thunderous, galloping drum beat with a clangy, somewhat unusual guitar riff.  It's really wild sounding and while I wouldn't go so far as to say it's metal sounding (because it isn't), it has a higher pitched, piercing tone than stands out as unique in the Swami canon.  It results in two songs that are not similar, but work together by the sheer will of the Swami and his ability to put a signature stamp on anything he creates, no matter where he takes the song to.

You'd be hard pressed to find a bigger fan of John Reis' work than me, I am absolutely predisposed to like it and carry around that bias with me.  But, these are two incredible songs.  John is not rehashing the same Swami John Reis album over and over.  Each time out he brings something new to the party while still always sounding like him,  I cannot wait to hear what he has in store for the LP next month.

 

Mrs. Magician - Spiritual Hangover LP - Black Vinyl (/250)

 
Swami (2026)

I have been talking about Mrs. Magician since the moment I acquired some of their early 7"s.  I really dug those singles, but I was not prepared for their debut full length in 2012, Strange Heaven.  It instantly became an all timer for me and I often mention it as my favorite record of the last however many years (though at this point, that however is getting to be a pretty big number).  Their 2016 follow up Bermuda was also my album of that year.  But then we didn't hear a whole lot from Mrs. Magician.  For about a decade.

Spiritual Hangover is the 2026 return of Mrs. Magician, though this time Jacob Turnbloom is collaborating with a new crew that make up the band.  I would be lying if I said this didn't give me pause when I first heard that.  The main reason being that during Mrs. Magician downtimes there were some very good Jacob Turnbloom solo records, but they were different from Mrs. Magician.  I wanted this record to feel like the others.  Luckily, any worries I had evaporated almost immediately as Spiritual Hangover is exactly what I need from a Mrs. Magician record.

If you like Mrs. Magician already, you go in with a certain set of expectations.  You want the reverb tinged, surf hooks.  You want interesting chord progressions that break down into side quests, but come right back where they're supposed to be.  And then you expect to be popped in the jaw with a picture perfect hook.  All the while, you've got lyrics that demand repeated listens to try to catch every one of the nuggets that are thrown out there.  I've always sort have found the lyrics to be humorously depressing or having a feeling of resigned optimism.  There's crappy stuff out there and a Mrs. Magician record will point those things out, but in a way that makes you begrudging laugh and realize you've got to keep pushing through even if some things seem kind of hopeless.

Every time I've listened to this record I just dig it more and more. To the point where I think it's even better than Bermuda.  I love the scrappy production that while still sounding clean and warm, manages to have those fuzzy elements that keeps it feeling real and not over produced.  This is a band with a near flawless catalog and I am so happy whenever I get to hear something new.  I just wish these records would come out more often. Ten years is way too long to wait!

(PS - I am pretty sure the black vinyl was limited to 250 copies, but I can't find where I thought I read that.  I'll update that info if it's wrong.)

Mrs. Magician - Spiritual Hangover:

https://mrsmagician.bandcamp.com/album/spiritual-hangover

Swami John Reis - Turn On You 7" (/250)

 
Swami (2026)

Swami John Reis kicks off his 2026 with a 7" of two new songs.  If I remember the listing on the Swami shop page correctly, I think these were from the same sessions that produced the last full length.  Though I am not positive about that as the page for this on the site is now gone, likely because the 250 copies of this record that were pressed disappeared pretty quickly.

On the A side we have "Turn On You."  This one is a medium tempo chugger with lots of good downstroking in the verse.  But the guitar really shines through said chugging as it has a bright tone with just a hint of jangle. We blast into the expectedly big chorus that also has some nice keyboard flourishes.  It's a fun one.

"Meme Bitch" holds down the B side and is much faster with perhaps double the downstrokes per minute. It kicks off with a relatively straightforward verse with a chord progression that feels very Swami, even though it probably would seem unusual for many songwriters.  I, however, am not a songwriter, so I probably don't know the technical name for this part of a song, but there's a bridge/transition/breakdown thing right before the before the chorus that has a a strong Hot Snakes feel to me, but without the big crunch of guitars that is synonymous with that band.  RIt's great.  The chorus is a cathartic shout along and The whole shebang wraps up pretty quick. 

The Swami can do no wrong by me and this 7" is just another excellent record to add to the collection.  I feel like the amount of new Swami music is definitely on the uptick these last couple of years and I hope that continues to be the case.  I always want more.

Mrs. Magician - High Resolution 7"

 
Swami (2026)

It seems both inconceivable and ridiculous that it's been ten years since the last Mrs. Magician record came out.  This is a band responsible for two incredible albums, the first of which is easily in my top 10 records that have come out in the 2000s (probably top five, honestly - but I don't have time to check and do the math right now).  This two song 7" marks their return in 2026, leading up to a new album next month.  Which coincidently includes both of the songs on this 7".

Now, I must remind people that I have an aversion to listening to songs from un upcoming album outside of the context of the full album.  I find that it makes me hear those songs differently than the rest.  In the past I have overplayed advance singles and I've learned that it does the album no favors, so I avoid that now.  I bring this up because I'm writing about this 7" only having listened to it once, with no plans to listen again until I can hear these songs with the rest of the full record.

I did write down some notes while I listened, knowing that I wouldn't be back for a little bit.  A side "High Resolution" is a driving pop song with a big guitar riff doing the heavy lifting in the verse.  There's some nice surfy secondary guitar sprinkled in and a great hook for the chorus.  The song is very good and as I listened to it I was getting pretty excited to hear the new album when suddenly at about the minute forty-five mark or so, the song veers into an incredibly catchy bridge or breakdown or whatever you want to call it.  It's just bonkers and makes the song even better than I already thought it was.  What a ride.

On the B side, "Dead Alive" starts off with that scrappy, early, reverb heavy Mrs. Magician sound before cleaning itself up when the main thrust of the song kicks in. I hope we get a little more of that fuzzy aesthetic on the rest of the record as I really dig that.  But again, this is another cracking good song with crunchy guitars and some really nice vocal interplay between Jacob and Tiffany Turnbloom where there's a back and forth before coming together into a harmony.  

Like I said, I only listened to this once, but I definitely liked what I heard.  What it really does (and I do believe this is the point of singles, I'm sure it's in a book somewhere) is make me excited to finally hear the full length.  I am counting down the days and doing finger exercises to ensure I can preorder the vinyl as quickly as possible once it shows up in the Swami shop.

Mrs. Magician - "High Resolution":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C55h4t9BF-I

Mrs. Magician - "Dead Alive":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPapZ7Y4laU

Plosivs - Yell At Cloud LP - Black Vinyl (/500) & Clear w/ Splatter Vinyl (/2000)

Swami (2025)

Back in 2022, Plosivs released their debut album and it is still the best record I've heard since then.  To say that I have been eagerly anticipating this release is perhaps the understatement of the year, especially because it's been looming on the horizon since 2022.  The bulk of these recordings were started very soon after the first album was recorded, but for a litany of tawdry reasons that you can read about on far more reputable websites than this one, it is just now being released.

And unsurprisingly, it is great.  Now, I didn't find it as immediate as the first Plosivs record.  That one was a whirlwind of in-your-face hooks and I was completely floored the very first time I listened to it. Yell At Cloud has definitely been more of a grower for me.  I'm not one to throw around music writer terms all willy nilly, but if there's one that comes to mind when I listen to this record, it's tension.  There's a lot of pent up tension in this record and it builds in each of the songs, sometimes getting a satisfying, catchy release in the chorus, but other times not so much.

It's a record that rewards multiple listens and each time it plays, I find myself picking up on something new.  A hidden melody here, and overlooked riff there.  It's darker than the first, without sacrificing any of the inherent optimism in Rob Crow's vocals.  In general the songs are longer this time out (the shortest clocking in at just under three and a half minutes) instead of the many under three minute pop smashes of the last one.

I'm definitely doing that annoying thing where I'm focusing too much on comparing this album to the last one, and while it's different, it is every bit as wonderful.  Few people wield a guitar as iconically as John Reis does.  While his myriad of bands all have different sounds, there's always that thread that ties each of them together.  You're unlikely to mistake his guitar playing for someone else's as it has an instantly identifiable style, not matter what sort of song he's playing on.  When you add Rob Crow to the mix, it's a guitar combination that's unique, but familiar.  And those vocals. Sheesh, you'd be hard pressed to find someone better suited to turn songs like this into something so inherently hummable in the back recesses of your head.

Plain and simple, I love this record.  I think it's every bit as good as the last, while being different enough from it to not just be the same thing again (which for the record, I also would have been totally fine with).  As usual with Swami affiliated releases, I picked up both versions.  The main retail version is on splatter vinyl and there were 2000 of those pressed.  As usual for Swami releases, the black vinyl is the scarcer of the two versions and there were 500 of those, available from the Swami web store.

Plosivs - Yell At Cloud:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kcnCrNO6-HYWs5OOva6iJ863pwmRbMwdU

Sultans - Shipwrecked LP - Black Vinyl (/350) & White w/ Splatter (/1600)

Swami (2025, Reissue)

Long one of the records at the tippy top of my 'never released on vinyl' want list has been the second Sultans long player, Shipwrecked.  When this was originally scheduled to be released in 2004, I was pretty excited, having enjoyed the stripped down, garage blasts of their first album.  In no way was I prepared for the fairly dramatic departure that Shipwrecked was.  Gone was the impenetrable wall of fuzz from Ghost Ship and in its place were jangly guitars that flirted with power pop sensibilities.  

When John Reis, errr...I mean Slasher, is playing guitar, his sound is always going to come through in some capacity, though these tones and arrangements weren't something that was as familiar in his work up to that point.  Shipwrecked wades into raucous pop with bright, shiny guitar chords that are still anchored in the sound that is recognizable to fans of Rocket From the Crypt, Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, etc.  It was something of a harbinger to the later Night Marchers records, but was also parked a little more firmly in a throwback to the 70s.

I have loved this record since the moment it first came out and I've been desperately hoping for a vinyl release for decades.  The Swami finally came through with this reissue.  The entire album sounds fantastic and it's clear there's been some sprucing up in terms of sound quality.  Everything sounds a little richer and clearer.  In addition to the album tracks we've got four bonuses.  "Permission to Bored and "Blow Up" from the Walk Of Shame 7" are included along with "Empty Hole" from the Swami Southwest Seance compilation 7".

To make things even better, there's a previously unreleased song, "Out Of Focus."  With it's jagged guitar riff and booming chorus, it fits in perfectly with the rest of the songs and makes this absolutely the definitive version of Shipwrecked.  Thank the Swami I can finally play this on my turntable, the way it was always meant to be listened to.

Swami John Reis - Time To Let You Down LP - Black Vinyl (/500), Yellow Swirl Vinyl (/1500) & Mystery Wax 7" (/136)

Swami (2025)

As the years have gone by and more music by John Reis has entered the world, I've found that I've had an increasingly difficult time writing about new records and finding ways to describe said music accurately or interestingly.  His bands have been such a gigantic part of my life for over 30 years now, and the sounds that he crafts are in a way part of the lifeblood that keeps me functioning day to day.  I realize that sounds a little heavy handed and perhaps kind of stupid, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that if there's a soundtrack to my life, John is absolutely one of its main composers.

Time To Let You Down is is third record as Swami John Reis including a one album detour as Swami & The Bed Of Nails.  Of the the three, this one is my favorite.  The first album, Ride The Wild Night,  was build on top of a lot of acoustic guitar and piano.  The second, All Of This Awaits You, was more electric with a focus on tight, economical songs. This third one probably has more in common with All Of This Awaits you sonically, but with a more diverse array of song styles.  There's tight, hook filled pop songs like "Prince of the Parade" right along side of slower, more deliberate songs with noisier guitar bursts like "Fed to the Dogs." 

There's so much to love here and it's definitely the record that has gotten the most repeated listens for me so far this year.  There's even a cover of the Kamen Rider theme song.  He'll be in NJ next week and I'm really looking forward to hearing these new songs live. 

Regarding the different versions released, the main release that's in stores is a limited to 1500 copies pressing on yellow swirl vinyl.  There are an additional 500 copies that are limited on black vinyl.  300 of these were sold via the Swami webstore and the remaining 200 copies are being sold on the upcoming tour dates.  And if you want to hunt even more, 136 random orders from the Swami webshop also received a Swami Mystery Wax 7".  These are 7"s that the Swami has affixed a label onto so that you don't know what it is until played.  These are typically older 45s and my copy ended up being "My Meloncholy Baby" b/w "Really Need Your Love by The Marcels.  A fun little bonus.

Swami John Reis - Time To Let You Down:
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=uOIpCbqDL-w

Swami & The Bed of Nails - All Of This Awaits You... LP

Swami (2024)

Swami & The Bed Of Nails is the latest incarnation of John Reis' "solo" endeavor.  "Solo" is in quotes because this isn't a solo, singer-songwriter exercise.  It's a full band experience, but there's something of a rotating cast of characters helping out release to release, song to song.  The last time he put out a record like this it was released under the name Swami John Reis.  No matter what this band or any other band of his is called, I've been one of the world's biggest John Reis fans ever since first hearing Rocket From The Crypt in the 90s.  For me the Bed Of Nails is just another great band to add to his catalog.

The thing that strikes me most about All Of This Awaits You.. is that it's fun and joyful.  The songs are upbeat and catchy.  Even the songs that have negative lyrics (like hating a hardware store) are done with an exuberance that still makes it feel like a positive song.  I'm not going to pretend to be smart enough to dig down for deep meanings in most songs.  It's possible there's something about the lyrics of these songs that I'm missing belying a motive I can't see.  But for me, I'm typically happy enjoying things at the surface level most times and boy do I enjoy this record.

The LP is a very economical nine songs long, with three of the songs having appeared on 7"s leading up to the full length.  I think it raises the bar higher than the previous Swami John Reis album, Ride The Wild Night, though there are similarities to that record on here.  There are also times I hear echoes of the Night Marchers and Rocket.  Ultimately, it's a tight, fun record that whizzes by pretty quick, but also never fails to engage me.  

I really dig the aforementioned hardware store song "Harbor Freight."  "Ketchup, Mustard and Relish" is an unexpected entry into the "_______, _______ & _______" song title pantheon that the Swami has been contributing to over the years.  "Lost In Bermondsey" hits even harder than the version played on cardboard instruments that's been floating around on YouTube for a bit.  All in all, I just really like listening to this record.  It puts me in a good mood and if I have anything resembling a complaint it's just that I want more and wish it was longer.

Swami & The Bed of Nails - All Of This Awaits You...:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kMQmWp8SuqpiOBLIwY5LzpG0c-STNyR3M

And yes, I got the bundle with the T shirt...

Swami and the Bed of Nails - How Are You Peeling? 7"

Swami (2024)

Following up on Monday's Shock and Awe 7", this one is the one that is being sold exclusively at Swami and the Bed of Nails shows.  I picked it up last week when I saw the band play in Philadelphia at a venue that I have never been to before, but one that was in a part of town where it seems to have car shaped statues lining their streets that don't move or offer any opportunities to park a car that you happen to be driving.  We found a spot eventually, got to see a great show and pick up this record.

Like the  Shock and Awe 7", the A side on this one, "How Are You Peeling?," is slated to be part of the upcoming Bed of Nails full length.  This song has some big, Swami style riffage to it and, to me, sounds very familiar in a Night Marchers sort of way.  If there was a third Night Marchers record, I wouldn't have a hard time seeing this song slide into that track list.

The B side on this 7" is exclusive to this release and won't be on the full length.  It's called "Honesty" and while it also gives me some Night Marchers vibes, it's a very different beast than "How Are You Peeling?"  "Honesty" feels a bit more epic, with piano being a big part of the overall song structure.  There are guitar chords that ring out and a catchy, chorus that certainly lends it self to a bit of singing along.  It kind of makes me think of the song "Panthers in Crime" a little bit, but only because it has a slightly similar feel.  It doesn't sound like that song at all and it's not as slow, tempo-wise, but there's something about it that makes me feel like the two songs are kindred spirits to an extent.

Two great songs, four if you count the other 7", that are making me very anxious to hear this new Bed of Nails record.  I'm hopeful that 2024 will feature a deluge of Swami related material as I'm also eagerly awaiting the second Plosivs record that had been discussed a couple of years ago.

Swami and the Bed of Nails - Shock and Awe 7"

Swami (2024)

Last week I had the pleasure of seeing Swami and the Bed of Nails for the first time.  Made up of John Reis of every great band that has existed fame and other luminaries, they ripped through a set of songs from the last Swami John Reis album, new tunes from a forthcoming Swami and the Bed of Nails album, a Sultans song and a Night Marchers song for good measure,  They also were selling a tour only 7", but that's not this one.

This 7" went for sale on the Swami Records website a few weeks ago.  It sold out pretty quick and is the first official salvo from the Bed of Nails moniker.  The A side, "Shock and Awe," is billed as being from the upcoming full length.  It's a piano heavy rocker with an acoustic guitar foundation and a big, shout along chorus.  It wouldn't have been out of place on the last Swami LP, but also feels like it takes the musicianship up a notch.

The B side, "I Don't Hate Everything," is said to be exclusive to this fine 7".  It's more of straight up rocker and is built off a riff that has a lot in common with "Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones.  For me, everything John touches tends to be gold.  I like some of his bands more than others, if I'm raking them, but in general I like everything.  Hell, I just preordered a Me First and the Gimme Gimmes record because hes on it and that's not something I was ever expecting to do.  Point is, Swami and the Bed of Nails is just another in a fine line of bands that I can always get down with.  They were great live, and I dig this 7" a lot too.  

I'll post a bit about the tour only 7" on Friday.

Meat Wave - Malign Hex LP

Swami (2022)

Well, it's happened again and I'm scrambling to write about several records from this year that I haven't gotten to yet.  I like to try to get just about everything covered before I do my end of the year list, but it seems like I'm always struggling through December with too much to do and not enough time to do it.  Enter Meat Wave.

I saw Meat Wave open up for Plosivs in Philadelphia earlier this year.  Plosivs were other-worldly, just so damn great.  Meat Wave didn't really stand out to me at the show.  They were fine, even enjoyable at times, but nothing about them really clicked on a high level with me for whatever reason.  Though part of that might have been the fact that it was my first show since the pandemic had started and I'm not sure I was really in the game yet.

When the record was released via the Swami webstore (which is where the more limited black vinyl version is from, though I assume Meat Wave has or had the black version at shows as well) I picked up a copy.  Mostly because that's just what I do.  I support and buy everything that Swami puts out.  I haven't loved everything, but I've certainly discovered some incredible bands as well.  But I can't say I had super high expectations going into my first listen.

I probably set the bar too low, because this is a pretty great record.  I can't say I love the first song, "Disney."  It's kind of slow and feels like an odd album opener to me, but once we get to the second song, "Honest Living," the record takes off and soars for the entire time.  There's definitely something of a Hot Snakes vibe to some songs, particularly in the way the guitar riffs flow, so Swami fans should appreciate the album.  

For me, I think the Meat Wave has the most in common with the band Survival Knife (and by proxy to Unwound.). On a songs like "Complaint" and "Waveless" the searing guitar work overtop a positively rumbling rhythm section has such energy and potency.  Justin Trosper would be very proud of these guys.

Again, I wasn't expecting to like this album as much as do.  I was anticipating a solid record, but what I got was gut punch and a kick in the face on the way down.  Great stuff.

Meat Wave - Malign Hex:
https://meatwavechicago.bandcamp.com/album/malign-hex

Swami John Reis & Creepxotica - Shelter Island 7"

Swami (2022)

This is a collaborative 7" featuring the skills of Swami John Reis and Creepxotica.  It was first sold at an event at the Bali Hai restaurant and then the leftovers were sold on the Swami website.  I was not able to go to Bali Hai, being on the wrong side of the country and all, so I was glad to have been able to wrangle one from the website.

Both songs are instrumental surf tunes, though they are dramatically different from the Swami John Reis and the Blind Shake team up.  That was was louder and more aggressive.  These songs are more in line with traditional surf music ala The Ventures.

Side A is the mellower of the two with "Shelter Island" being a pleasant mid tempo number that feels like the soundtrack to a sunset on a slightly breezy day.  I don't know exactly what that means and if you want to call bullshit on it as a description, that's fine.  But that's the vibe I get from it more than anything, it conjures a vision in my head of a relaxing evening.

On the B side we have "1 Mai Tai... 2 Mai Tai... 3 Mai Tai... Floor!"  This one is a little faster and it's built around a person ordering mai tais.  As they order their first, the music starts up.  When they get the the second, things start getting a little louder and looser.  This continues until the end when the fourth mai tai hits the floor.  A neat concept.  Even though I can't say this 7" hits me as hard as the Blind Shake LP, I still really enjoy it and would really like to hear more from this partnership.

Swami John Reis & Creepxotica - "Shelter Island" (This is a live version from the show that the 7" was sold at, the one on the record is a studio version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhd1XBQuUK4&ab_

PLOSIVS - PLOSIVS - Red Vinyl & Black Vinyl (/200)

Swami (2022)

Before I get into this wonderful, wonderful album, I just wanted to mention that as the release date of the record approached, I tried to read some reviews on it to see what others thought.  The sheer amount of awful websites that copy and paste the press release and pass that off as a review is staggering to me.  It makes me wonder if any of them even bothered to listen to it.  

It's very easy to write that John Reis is also in Rocket From The Crypt, Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, Night Marchers, Sultans and more while pointing out the Rob Crow has history in Pinback, Thingy, Heavy Vegetable and others.  Throw out that Atom Willard used to drum for Rocket From The Crypt and has spent time in Against Me, Special Goodness, Offspring, etc.  And Maybe Jordan Clark will get a mention for his work in Mrs. Magician and The Soaks.  Maybe.  

Look at that.  I just filled up an entire paragraph without actually saying anything.  I'm not going to pretend that I'm a great writer with anything particularly useful to say.  Anyone who reads this dumb website knows I just blather on about records and often I write more about my relationship to said record than any intricacy of what the record sounds like or is trying to convey.  But I'll be damned if I just copy a press release and pretend I wrote it.

Diatribe aside, what you need to know about this PLOSIVS record is that it is unbelievably great.  Mind-melting perfection.  I have been a Swami devotee since about 1994, when I first got my hands on a borrowed copy of Circa: Now.  Since then I have joyfully followed John to every band he has been a part of, loving every single thing he's ever touched.  There's always been something about the way his songs come out that really connect to my ears.  But even with all of that history and the insanely lofty expectations that come along with it, I was shocked by just how completely, ridiculously amazing this PLOSIVS record is.

You've got some of John's familiar aesthetic here for sure.  The chugging guitar riffs that drive the songs and the intricate breakdowns that crop up and veer off into unexpected territory that miraculously makes perfect sense when it reconnects back to the main song structure.  But as familiar as you might be with the tricks of John's trade, adding Rob Crow to the mix just blows up everything you thought you knew.  Rob's complete mastery of vocal melodies and innate ability to cram a hook into a song that maybe wasn't expecting one elevates PLOSIVS into mythical territory.

I could go on and on and on about how much I adore Hot Snakes and Night Marchers and everything that John has been involved in, but this truly is one of the best records that has his name on it.  Sure, Rocket will always be my favorite band he's done, but I'll put this PLOSIVS record up against anything he's done in the past, I don't know, twenty years?  And that's twenty years filled with some of the greatest albums I've ever heard in my entire life.

I am a pretty big Pinback fan, I have all of the records and listen to them regularly (especially Summer In Abaddon), but PLOSIVS is probably the best thing Rob Crow has ever released in my humble opinion.  There's an energy and a propulsion that I think is bringing out the best in him.  I know that Atom is an incredible drummer and hearing him with John again is rekindling a magical connection.  Pairing Atom with Jordan on bass gives these songs a depth and a vigor that reminds me a little bit of how Mark Trombino and Mike Kennedy created something really special in Drive Like Jehu.  PLOSIVS has a completely different vibe than Jehu, but a killer rhythm section making songs magical is something they very much have in common. 

There are two versions of the LP.  The red vinyl is the regular edition that you can get at your local record store or online retailer of your choice.  Once again a Swami related band has the black vinyl as the more limited version.  So far it has only been available directly from the band at shows.  I got my copy when I saw them play in Philadelphia.  An unsurprisingly wonderful show.  I am not positive that the black vinyl is limited to 200 copies, but if the quantities of other limited Swami releases are an indicator, I'm going to make an educated guess and just come back and correct it if I find out other information.

I don't know who is still reading at this point.  If you come to this website, you probably are naturally inclined to like something like PLOSIVS.  I don't know that anything I write is going to make you listen to this record if you weren't already planning to.  But what I can say is that this is hands down the best album of 2022.  It's probably the best record I've heard in the last ten years and I'm saying this with only about a month of listening to it.  It's kind of crazy just how completely I've connected with this record.  I love every second of it and can only wait, hoping for more.  I have read that they've already recorded a lot of their second LP already.  I would be happy to get two PLOSIVS records in a year.  I'll take that every year.

PLOSIVS - PLOSIVS:
https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC2XGi1rWjD3eUL-HtChZziA

Swami John Reis - Ride The Wild Night LP - Green Vinyl & Black Vinyl (/200)

Swami (2022)

I think you can be a casual or occasional reader of this website and still ascertain pretty quickly that I'm moderately obsessed with every band that John Reis has been involved in over the years.  From Rocket From The Crypt to Drive Like Jehu to Hot Snakes to Sultans to Night Marchers to Pitchfork to Plosivs and every weirdo one-off done in between, I collect them all and I listen to them pretty constantly.  I've said recently that his music has simply made my life better and I'm grateful for all of the noise he's put out into the world.

This record is somewhat different.  It's the first time he's released an album exclusively under his own name (there were other projects with Blind Shake and Metz, but those band names were part of the titles for those releases).  I can't imagine that anyone who likes John's other bands wouldn't like this.  There's definitely similarities in song structure and feel.  But it's also different in that the bones of these songs are mostly built around an acoustic guitar and piano. 

That doesn't mean that John has gone troubadour and has made a quiet singer-songwriter record.  The acoustics provide the foundation, but there's electric guitar, some synth and an upbeat rhythm section that keeps everything definitely in the same punk-adjacent wheelhouse that most of John's other work also resides.  He has a sound that's really distinct and I can always hear the common thread from band to band even when the singers change and the tangents veer into different directions.

There are two versions of the record.  The standard version available in stores is on green vinyl.  The limited version is the one on black vinyl, in this case limited to 200 copies and only sold via the Swami webstore.  This isn't the first time the black one is the limited one.  It's funny to me since usually people put the premium on the colored vinyl, but I always enjoy the chase.

No surprise, but I love this record.  In particular the title track, "When I Kicked Him In The Face" and "Days Of Auld Lang Syne" are the songs that stand out the most to me as being stupendously catchy and where I would recommend folks start if they want to sample these wares.  But really, at this point do you need to sample?  If you bother reading my dumb website, you should see John's name and just know that record should be part of your collections.

Swami John Reis - Ride The Wild Night:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nXej11afJ1d2xZpXMlpQk6NgInfLHKGAM

Night Marchers - Live at Bar Pink - Pink Vinyl

Swami (2021)

Every time I write about a live album (which, admittedly isn't very often) I always add in the disclaimer that I really don't like live albums.  I'm not sure what it is exactly about them, but I never really have the urge to listen to them.  There are, of course, some exceptions.  But in general, I buy them, file them next to the other records by the same artist and there they stay for all eternity.  I don't think this Night Marchers LP will suffer that fate.

In the pantheon of great live albums like Leatherface's Live in Oslo and Bum's Shake Town Live, you can now add Live at Bar Pink.  I'm not sure exactly why this particular record is hitting me harder than live albums traditionally do.  Maybe it's the fact that I haven't been to a show in over two years.  Maybe I'm just predisposed to love anything the Swami releases.  Or maybe it's because they managed to capture a hell of a set.

Most of my Night Marchers favorites are represented.  "Branded," "All Hits," "Scene Report" and other fantastic selections from the two full lengths the band put out are all here.  There's not as much banter as you'd expect from a Swami show and there are places where it sounds like there may have been cuts made to excise some of that from the album.  The songs, however, sound unbelievably great and really show what a potent live band they were.  That's not really a surprise since all of the Swami bands are known for their killer live shows, but something special was captured on this night.

Of all of the bands that Swami/Speedo/Slasher John Reis has been in, I really think that Night Marchers is the band that has been most overlooked.  They cranked out some pretty flawless songs.  Even if the band doesn't play again, they've left a heck of a legacy behind.  Live at Bar Pink just gives me one more way to listen to these great songs.

Night Marchers - Wot's Da Use 7" (/530)

Swami (2021)

Hey it's 2021 and there are two new Night Marchers songs to listen to.  These were both recorded during the Allez Allez session and more than anything, it makes me wonder what else might be lurking in the dark recesses of the Swami archives.  These are both great songs and further cements my opinion that Night Marchers are easily the most overlooked and under-appreciated band that Swami John has been a part of.

A side "Wot's Da Use?" is a a slower tempo song with a beat that reminds me a little bit of "Big In Germany."  It has a scratchy production vibe with a straightforward verse/chorus set up.  What really elevates this song for me are the over the top "Na na na na na na nahs" that punctuate the chorus.  It's gratuitously poppy and catchy but is done in a way that just makes me happy that they are there.

On the B side we have "Dosed."  This one is faster and has main guitar riff that harkens back to the straightforward blasts of some of Reis' work in The Sultans.  But when the chorus hits, it's unmistakably the Night Marchers with the guitar jangle that leads into a pounding punch of guitar and killer backing vocals.  

In a perfect world, I would have Swami John juggling all of his bands, alternating releases every month between Rocket, Hot Snakes, Jehu, Sultans, Night Marchers and his upcoming solo work.  There's no reason for any of these bands to play 'side project' to any of the others.  They're all great and I want more music from all of them.

Night Marchers - Wot's Da Use 7" (YouTube Music full 7" stream):
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nPwUM1oa_tZ95qgeFr7sshn2tmRYOThQQ

Swami John Reis - Ride The Wild Night 7"

Swami (2020)

While Swami John Reis has released music under his own name in conjunction with The Blind Shake and Metz, this two song 7" marks the first release where he's not working with another established band. With John having been responsible for some of my favorite records ever released, I was interested to see how this 7" would differ from say Rocket From The Crypt, Hot Snakes or Night Marchers.

A Side "Ride The Wild Night" is built off of a fast paced acoustic guitar riff that reminds me a little bit of the Rocket cover of "Love Is Lies."  It's not as obviously pop as that cover song is, but it has a similar feel with John & co using that riff as a foundation to layer on the electrics and blast into a chorus that I can't wait to scream at the top of my lungs once shows are a thing again.

On the B side we have "I Hate My Neighbors in the Yellow House."  It starts off with a heavy synth riff and that caused me concern for a brief moment as I am not typically interested in 80s synth sounds.  But, the synth is just the backbone that all of the the guitars and rhythms are constructed around.  It's the noisier of the two songs and I don't think it would have been too out of place on the second Night Marchers LP.

These two songs are from an upcoming full length album.  Said album was supposed have been released this year with a supporting tour, but of course 2020 must be consistently terrible.  I'm looking forward to hearing more from this and I hope the album doesn't get pushed too far into 2021.

Swami John Reis - Ride The Wild Night 7" (YouTube Music full album playlist)

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lGQLD0EuOZw4quq73f81TFRiEkfwupkLY

Rocket From The Crypt - Return To Monkey Island 7" - Picture Disc

Self Released (2017)

Towards the end of last year the greatest band on the planet, Rocket From The Crypt, went on the UK tour.  They brought with them this two song 7" that was only available at those shows.  So far, that has held true.  This record hasn't been sold anywhere else and has become one of the harder to find releases in the Rocket catalog.  For whatever reason I figured they'd have some of these leftover and would sell them stateside, but that hasn't been the case yet.  Perhaps it's because of less Rocket shows with Hot Snakes taking the spotlight currently, but I do hope these are released to some more folks that desperately want them.

I'm lucky.  I had a friend pick me up a copy at one of the UK shows.  So, I'll take this opportunity to say thank you, and I highly encourage everyone to buy as many records from Drunken Sailor as possible.  Though that's a cheap plug, I do mean it and would say that even if the juice man hadn't picked this up for me.

On this 7" we have two brand spanking new Rocket FromThe Crypt songs.  The first is "Waiting for the Shoe to Fall."  It starts off with a simple guitar riff that reminds me a little bit of the Sultans, but the song just grows from there.  The hook on this thing is unreal.  I don't think the Speedo John gets nearly enough credit for how god damn catchy his songs can be.  The punk rock bonafides can never be questioned, but the dude can write a hook.  Once the chorus kicks in, the horns swell and stay involved for the duration of the song, elevating everything.  If this is a taste of what we could hear on a future rocket album, sign me up.

On the B side we have "Too Dangerous."  This one has some guitar work that at first, makes me thing about one of the shorter, more straightforward Night Marchers songs.  But like on the A side, once the horns hit and the chorus revs up, it is unmistakably Rocket From The Crypt.  Like "Waiting For The Shoe To Fall," "Too Dangerous" is a short powerful blast of Rocket energy in the verse and the sort of chorus that I can just imagine myself jumping up and down to surrounded by my Swami family.  If it's not obvious, I love both of these. 

It still feels surreal to have new Rocket From The Crypt songs.  Greedily I just wish we had more.  I love Hot Snakes and could not possible be more thrilled that they have a new record and are touring.  But if I'm being honest, Rocket From The Crypt is my favorite band in the whole wide world.  Once this batch of Hot Snakes shows wrap up, I really hope Rocket gets down to the task of a new album.  I can't think of anything more exciting than a possibility of a dozen or so new songs by the mighty RFTC.

Rocket From The Crypt - Don't Drop The Baby 7" - 2 Versions

Swami (2016)

So this is pretty momentous, a new record by Rocket From The Crypt.  What's even more exciting is that unless this is a really obscure cover song that I can't find any information about, this is the first proper new Rocket song since the band got back together a couple of years ago.  I could not be more excited about this, if the world needs one thing right now, it's new Rocket From The Crypt music.

The story of this 7" is a little convoluted. Originally, the intent was to only have this available at the ill fated Drive Like Jehu curated All Tomorrow's Party.  When that festival shit the bed, this turned into a record that was being sold at some recent Rocket From The Crypt shows.  It started out in Denver Colorado and was sold as a one sided 7" with only the hand stamped artwork.  A good friend picked up a copy for me and I am forever grateful to him.

A few weeks later this 7" reappeared at the band's Chicago shows and then made the rounds on the East coast, stopping at New York City, Asbury Park and Boston.  This time around, in addition to the hand stamped cover, the blank B-side was replaced with the fancy screen printing that you see on the right.  This did two things.  First, it made the 7" about seventy three percent cooler than it already was.  But the second thing it did was create a rarer version without the screen print that seems to have been only sold at the Denver show.  Kind of neat and definitely keeps in line with Rocket From The Crypt's sprawling and complicated discography.  One of the toughest bands in the world to collect, I assure you.

Oh, and on top of everything else, the song is a sure fire hit single.  Chugging start/stop guitars, huge backing vocals and to sort of big hook that only Speedo can dish out.  It's a great song and leaves me thirsting for more.  All I can do is hope that this 7" is part of some sort of master plan to bring a new Rocket album into the world.  The fact that they are working on new material at all is cause for celebration, I just hope it leads to more.

Can't seem to find this song online anywhere at the moment, aside from as part of a radio show on WFMU, that also has a Rocket live set, so it's worth a listen:

http://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/67758

Mrs. Magician - Bermuda LP - Green Vinyl

Swami (2016)

I have been waiting for this record for a very, very long time.  My expectations were set so unrealistically high, it would not have been difficult for Mrs. Magician to let me down with Bermuda.  Despite the fact that they were trying to follow up my favorite record of the past ten years, Mrs. Magician still knocked it out of the park and delivered an instant classic of a second album.

Sure, if pressed I'll say that I don't like this album as much as I like their prior, Strange Heaven.  But I also don't like Scream Dracula Scream as much as I like Circa: Now.  That doesn't mean Scream isn't a ridiculously amazing record, it just means Circa is one of those transcendent classics.  I feel similarly with the two Mrs. Magician albums.  I can't fathom a time in the future where I won't think Strange Heaven is one of the best album's I have ever heard in my entire life, but Bermuda is so, so great in its own right.

The album starts out with the blazing surfed up lead guitar of "Phantoms."  It immediately draws you in and gets you ready for the ride ahead.  After that it's just hit after hit of dark pop perfection.  One of the things I love about Mrs. Magician is how incredible the lyrics are and their ability to paint a picture in my head.  This ability is on display again on Bermuda.  Just fire up my favorite song on the album, "Tear Drops."  "Life sucks/Tough shit/You wanna get real/get used to it/whoa-whoa-oh-oh."  And then that sets the stage for the biggest hook on the album and maybe one of the most powerful choruses in the band's entire catalog.

To list off all of the great songs on this album you would essentially just have to reprint the tracklist.  I will give special mention to the closing three songs on the album as they are so unbelievably good it just makes me angry the album is over.  Let's also point out another batch of killer lyrics on "No More Tears."  "Gonna set my, my alarm clock/just to tell my boss to fuck off." Goddamn that's great stuff and Bermuda is just packed to the gills with genius like this.

Hands down, far and away, this is the best record I have heard so far in 2016.  I cannot possibly recommend it highly enough.  While I absolutely think Bermuda was worth the four year wait since Strange Heaven, these guys better not take that long again for album number three.  Also, don't break up again.  I'll freak out.  Lastly, I just saw Mrs. Magician this past weekend when they came through town.  They were beyond description and you are a fool if you don't see them if they play by you.  Go buy this record now.

Mrs. Magician - Bermuda:

https://mrsmagician.bandcamp.com/album/bermuda