Underground Communique (2013)
Winepress is a band that I first heard of due to another band covering a Winepress song. A wonderful old band from the 90's called Walker covered Winepress' 'Revenge Of The Nerds' on their split 7" with a band called Back of Dave. That led me to Winepress, a band that only put out a handful of 7"s, but managed to churn out quite the little pile of awesome songs.
This is a band that is absolutely a product of their time. Fast, fun midwest pop punk. Good hooks, good lyrics, the whole package. This collection compiles all of their songs onto 1 LP, though this same compilation did come out on CD back in 2001.
The version that I have is a limited to 100 copies record release version sold at a recent reunion performance the band played. The leftovers were sold on the Underground Communique website. Amazingly, I just checked and it looks like they still have some left if you're in the market for a copy. I don't think any other version of this LP exists at this time, though I imagine it is likely it will get a full pressing from the label at some point.
Winepress - The Complete Recordings (Full album stream):
undercomm.bandcamp.com/album/the-complete-recordings
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Winepress - The Complete Recordings LP - Record Release Version (/100)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The Muppet Movie Original Soundtrack Recording LP
Atlantic (1979)
One of the most enduring childhood memories that I have is my fascination with the Muppets. I always watched the show when it was on, I loved the movies and I simply adored this soundtrack. I had it as a kid and quite simply wore it out. I remember it so vividly that I can tell you the spots where my original copy skipped. 'Rainbow Connection,' 'Movin Right Along' and my absolute favorite 'Can You Picture That' just jumped out of my speakers and really helped show me how important music was at a very, very young age.
I picked up this new copy in the botched trade I mentioned when writing about the George Harrison album Cloud 9 a few weeks ago. In fact, this was the record whose condition led me to call off the trade and just buy the records outright. While certainly not unlistenable, there are quite a few scuff marks on the vinyl and they really come through when the songs hit their crescendos, resulting in staticy fuzzed out moments.
For the price I paid, not a deal breaker, but I would certainly prefer to pick up a fresher copy at some point. It's a classic record for me and that red & green Atlantic label on the vinyl just makes me smile.
The Muppets - Can You Picture That:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoKFBjd5-F8
The Muppets - Movin' Right Along:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMR5JVo21wQ
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The Night Marchers - Allez Allez LP
Swami (2013)
It's no secret to the world that I am one of the biggest fans that John 'Speedo' Reis could have created. From Rocket From The Crypt to Drive Like Jehu to The Sultans to Hot Snakes, I've been with him every step of the way. His bands never disappoint, his albums always become soundtracks to a specific time frame for me. With The Night Marchers, things haven't changed a bit.
After a 5 year layoff, Night Marchers hit with their 2nd full length Allez Allez. An album that builds off of the foundations of all his previous bands but still manages to be fresh and exciting. From the dueling guitar interplay of 'Tropical Depression' to the straight up pop of 'Pain' to the fascinatingly horn-tinged-Rocket-From-The-Crypt-esque 'Big In Germany,' this man knows how to write a song. 'All Hits" as it were.
I'd have to say this is even better than the band's debut, See You In Magic. It's one of the best things you could possibly pick up right now and a surefire album of the year contender (though honestly, very few others are really going to be able to vie for the top spot).
The one thing that I will say that I find odd is that the track order between the CD and LP is different. On the CD, 'Fisting The Fanbase' closes the album. On the LP, that song is the last on Side A. I'm sure it was rearranged on the LP for timing issues, but I have to say, for me that song is the natural album closer. It just kind of sums up the energy of the entire album and beats you in the face with it for 5 minutes. After which, the only thing left to do is start that record all over again...
Night Marchers - All Hits:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Wg_jqy-P8
Night Marchers - (Wasting Time In) Javalinaville:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9HyEn4eZuc
Night Marchers - Fisting The Fanbase (Live):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8uDAyQQ0mE
Monday, February 25, 2013
Superdrag - Regretfully Yours LP
Side One Dummy (2013)
It was a crazy scene back in the 90's. If there was a band and that band made music with guitars, there was a better than average chance that at some point, some label would want to release their records. Provided they were any good or had even a small following. Superdrag ended up on Elektra. They managed to give the label a hit single with the song Sucked Out and the 90's rolled on. I remember this sort of thing well, but you sure don't really see it anymore.
Regretfully Yours is such a strong debut record. The band plays glossy, but punchy guitar pop that really stood out back in 1996. They're not too dissimilar from the kind of pop that Fountains Of Wayne were championing, but Superdrag had a bit more oomph and were a rougher around the edges, which was a-OK by me.
This record never came out on vinyl when originally released. Side One Dummy steps up to the plate all these years later and did a great job. They pressed the record on 180g vinyl and everything sounds quite nice.
I also need to take a moment to commend the Side One Dummy mailorder folks. When I received my copy there was a gigantic scratch that cut through the last 2 songs on the album. I took a picture, emailed the label and the next day they sent me an email apologizing and sent me the tracking number for a new copy that was already on its way to me. The 2nd copy was perfect and I just wanted to say thank you to them again. I'm hopeful to be able to give them more money when they release the next few Superdrag records on vinyl as well.
Superdrag - Sucked Out:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhVr5rRRTM0
Superdrag - What If You Don't Fly:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch533Zn55Cg
Friday, February 22, 2013
The Yolks - Introducing The Yolks 7"
Randy (2007)
First 7" by The Yolks who put out one of my Favorite LPs of 2009. I hope they put together another album someday as I really dig these guys. The first 7" is similar to the LP as it is full on ramshackle pop songs with a retro vibe and fidelity challenged production. Much like the LP it just sounds like it's bursting with energy, a quality more bands probably wish they could capture on their recordings.
I'm not entirely positive what version of this 7" that I have, but I suspect it's a fairly recent repress. It's numbered #14/100 and the label on the record itself is hand drawn with shiny silver ink. Regardless of the version, I'm pleased to finally add this 7" to the stacks. And again, Yolks folks, put out another record, OK?
The Yolks - Introducing The Yolks:
theyolks.bandcamp.com/album/introducing-the-yolks
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Something Fierce / Occult Detective Club - Split 10" - Red Vinyl (/200)
Something Fierce / Occult Detective Club - Split 10" - Red Vinyl (/200), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.
Dirtnap (2012)
My wife said something about me recently that really stuck out. I know exactly how she meant it and I know it wasn't meant as a slight. She said "Tim doesn't like change." And she's right, for the stuff I like, I don't want things to change. I don't like that someone else is running the show Community. I don't like that cereal boxes only have enough cereal for about 3 bowls now. I don't like how someone having an MP3 of a record has replaced actually buying them. I don't like that you can't buy a big square car anymore. I'm old and set in my ways for a lot of things.
That brings me to Something Fierce. I recognize that the songs on this 10" are very good. I mean that, these are killer songs. Catchy as all hell. Melodies for days. If this record came out and everything was exactly the same and just had a different band name on it, I'd love it. My problem is Something Fierce changed. Many would argue they got better. I would never say they got worse. I just missed the loud crunchy noisy assault of their record There Are No Answers. That's the Something Fierce I want, and I know I can't have them back. I'm just being selfish.
Occult Detective Club, however, does satisfy my need for loud. They play brash punk rock full of hooks, piss & vinegar. I have an older record of theirs that was really good, but the songs on this 10" blow away everything on that album. I can't wait to hear more from these guys. I know they have a new 7" out on Dirtcult that I need to pick up next time I order from them.
Something Fierce / Occult Detective Club - Split:
somethingfierce.bandcamp.com/album/split-10
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Big Eyes / Mean Jeans - Split 7" - Red Vinyl (/200)
Dirtnap (2013)
Split 7" by a band I'm familiar with and one, not so much. Mean Jeans have been slowly winning me over these past few years with their Ramonesy, at time nonsensical, pop punk. They turn in one of the best songs I've heard from them on this 7", I Miss Outer Space. A sugared up blast of sing along choruses and lyrics about having an alien heart and missing a black hole . The 2nd song, Since You Left, is a Big Eyes cover and it's another burner, though I'm admittedly not familiar with the original, so I can't make a fair comparison between the two.
Big Eyes is a female fronted punk band, who are definitely taking cues from 90's bands like The Muffs, but who don't really tie it all together for me. At least on the 2 songs on this 7". They're not bad and if you miss some of those old 90's bands, this might be more up your alley than mine. As usual for Dirtnap, the 1st 200 are on colored vinyl, and you know I have to keep up on my Dirtnap releases. Just about the best label going these days.
Big Eyes Side:
bigeyes.bandcamp.com/album/big-eyes-mean-jeans-split
Mean Jeans Side:
meanjeans.bandcamp.com/album/big-eyes-split
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Warm Soda - S/T LP - Translucent Blue w/ Rainbow Splatter Vinyl (/250)
Warm Soda - S/T LP - Translucent Blue w/ Rainbow Splatter Vinyl (/250), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.
Castle Face (2013)
A band recommended to me by my fellow brethren in Speedo's Army, Warm Soda couldn't actually be farther from the tried and true sonic assault of a Rocket From The Crypt or Hot Snakes. Warm Soda is a band that specializes in building choruses, slick guitar and breathy vocals.
Too be completely honest, if these songs weren't as good as they are (and they are really, really good) the production on the vocals would probably drive me insane. It's an echo-y, breathy effect that really could not possibly work for anyone else, but on this album, it does actually work. Carried on the pure strength of the songwriting, Warm Soda's debut is easily one of the best records I've heard in 2013, and let's give credit where it's due, 2013 has been a beast of a year so far and we're only in mid February.
The colored vinyl option was limited to 250 copies and was only sold on the Castle Face Records website. From what I gather it has already sold out, but it's one of the prettier splatter's I've seen.
Warm Soda - Waiting For Your Call:
soundcloud.com/castle-face-1/warm-soda-waiting-for-your
Monday, February 18, 2013
Mother's Children - See The Other Guy 7" - Clear Vinyl, Alternate Cover(/100)
Mother's Children - See The Other Guy 7" - Clear Vinyl, Alternate Cover (/100), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.
I've been meaning to get around to this 7" for quite a while now and I couldn't even give a good reason as to why it's taken so long. Mother's Children put out a 7" in 2009, one of my favorite records of 2010, a killer 12" EP in 2011 and this 7" in 2012. I'm hopeful that we'll see another LP this year as the band just consistently releases such great, great songs.
To compare Mother's Children to another band, I almost always put them in the same category as someone else that garner's heavy play around here; Marvelous Darlings. They both have a glammy edge to their power pop and both write some of the catchiest hooks you're going to find. The record you see above is the Ptrash Club Version, on clear vinyl with different artwork from the regular release. I think I actually prefer the art to the normal version, but there's just something that makes it impossible for me not to have the more rare of the two. It's a sickness.
Mother's Children - See the Other Guy 7":
motherschildren.bandcamp.com/album/see-the-other-guy-ep
Friday, February 15, 2013
Windian Records Subscription Series #1 7" Box Set (/200)
It was only a couple of days ago that I expressed my love of 7" singles series, and here is another example of a label doing it perfectly. In addition to being able to subscribe to a 7" series featuring for sure 2 bands that I love (Barreracudas & Heavy Times), getting to hear 3 other bands I wasn't particularly familiar with and a very affordable price; this series also came as a fancy box set with a big booklet and a pin. The art of the whole set is fantastic and I absolutely love the zigzag sleeves of the individual records.
Music-wise, I knew going in that Barreracudas and Heavy Times were great bands, and neither disappoint, delivering stellar songs for their 7"s. Of the 3 new bands I think the one I liked the least was Static Eyes. Though certainly not bad by any stretch of the imagination; the vocals are a little scuzzier & shouty than I typically prefer. Suns of Guns serve up swampy, lead guitar driven stomp-punk songs that sound like they could derail at any possible second. And I mean that in the best possible way.
The big winner here for me is the last band, Terry Malts. A band I had never even heard of before, but a band that really impressed me with their contributions. Fast and catchy punk with a singer that reminds me a bit of a less bass-y Calvin Johnson. Just a great set of records and Windian is even nicer than a lot of labels and if you want to buy just individual records, they'll let you do that too. But do yourself a favor and pick up the box set, amazingly it looks like they actually still have some left in their store.
Windian Records Subscription Series #1 7" Box Set:
soundcloud.com/windian-records/sets/windian-subscription-...
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Peach Kelli Pop - S/T LP (#2) - Blue Vinyl (/300)
This is the 2nd Peach Kelli Pop album, following up on her debut that came out on Going Gaga a couple years ago. This time out she's on Burger Records who have a limited version on blue vinyl, limited to 300 copies.
Peach Kelli Pop plays an uptempo, breezy pop that, in the hands of someone less skilled, would not typically be my cup of tea. She manages to take elements of bands like Cub and mesh them with hints of The White Wires (a band Allie is also a part of) to create a fun, 60's style party. More than anything, when I listen to this record it really reminds me of the band The Shitbirds, and boy were they great. Maybe Peach Kelli Pop will write some songs about Ren & Stimpy on her next album too...
Peach Kelli Pop - Dreamphone:
soundcloud.com/burgerrecords/peach-kelli-pop-dreamphone
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Jack White - Live At Third Man Records 2xLP - Blue/Black Split ColorVinyl
Jack White - Live At Third Man Records 2xLP - Blue/Black Split Color Vinyl, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.
As with yesterday's 7", this live 2xLP was a part of the Third Man Vault series, and was the reason I signed up. At the best of times I'm not a huge fan of live albums, so why did I buy this? To be truthful, I was primarily sold on the lenticular cover. Lenticular things are like those old cracker jack prizes, where if you look at the image from one angle, you see something, but if you look at it from another angle, the image changes. This album cover has 2 different images of Jack White that go back and forth as you adjust how you're holding the cover. I tried to take a picture right in the middle of the 2 images, but not sure I really captured it well.
As for the record, it's pretty good. Solid live recording, White plays solo tracks, White Stripes songs and covers. It's a fun show and he's obviously having a good time playing. He plays in front of 2 different backing bands, the Peacocks on sides 1 and 2 and the Buzzards on 3 and 4. Frankly, I can't really tell the difference. Though I don't imagine this will get tons of heavy play from me in the future, it is a really good live show and the packaging is just off the charts cool.
Jack White - Dead Leaves & The Dirty Ground:
soundcloud.com/thirdmanrecords/dead-leaves-and-the-dirty-1
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Jack White - Freedom At 21 Demo 7" - Blunderblue Vinyl
First off, let me get this out of the way right off the bat; the label is referring to this color as blunderblue, not me. It looks like light blue to me. Anyway, this 7" comes from Third Man Records Vault series, where you have to sign up in advance and you get a handful of records. As I am far from a Jack White superfan, I had never joined for a vault package before, but the 2xLP Live album (which I'll be posting tomorrow) was enough to make me give it a whirl. Also in this package was this 7" of demos from Jack White's latest album.
Frankly, it's a waste of wax. 3 really short acoustic demos of partial songs. I suppose diehards would appreciate the glimpse into the Jack White songwriting process. Me, I listened to it and thought "when they hell am I ever going to listen to half songs again?" I'm sure I could stick this on eBay and do pretty well with it, but I do want to keep my vault set all together. Can't find these demos streaming anywhere online, but again, you're not missing anything.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Big In Japan - Destroy The New Rock LP
I was such a huge fan of the band Zoinks. When Zac left that band, it was indeed a sad day. They managed to sputter through a lackluster LP without him, but the writing was on the wall. Zac briefly appeared in the band Crushstory, but his full on return came with Big In Japan. When this record came out I was just completely disappointed with it. Not only did I not pick up the vinyl, but the CD I got for free didn't even survive one of my prunings many years ago. When the Vinyl Junkie distro closed up and they had their mega-sale, this was one of the records on the list and for $4, I decided to give it another shot.
What a difference a decade makes. This album is so much better than I remember it being. Sure, it's missing some of the punch and speed that made Zoinks so great, but in slowing down the tempo a bit the lyrics and melodies really stand out. As I was going through the album, I just kept wondering why I didn't like this when it first came out. Sure there's a couple of stinkers, but literally a couple; 2 bad songs on the whole record. I am so glad I gave this album another shot. I guess you can't call it a throwback when it's already 12 years old, but it certainly took me back.
Big In Japan - Dig That Stupid Sound:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayu6RKcxwv4
Friday, February 8, 2013
Timeshares / Dividers - Split 7" - Red Vinyl (/100)
I am an absolute sucker for 7" singles series. I just love the idea of fronting a bunch of money and then being surprised to get something fun in the mail every so often. I'm currently enrolled in several and almost always welcome the opportunity to join more. All In Vinyl demonstrates one of the big reasons I like this sort of thing. This is the 3rd year in a row I've subscribed to their series. You can buy these 7"s on their own, but if you are one of the 100 subscribers to the whole set you get an exclusive vinyl color. Later on in the year, The Steve Adamyk Band is putting out a 7" in this club, so there was no way I wasn't going to subscribe.
The 2 bands on this 7" are both new to me. Though I've heard of Timeshares I'd never actually heard any of their songs. I really enjoyed their contributions, mixing gruff but melodic vocals to Tom Petty inspired guitar riffs. I felt a kinship between them and bands like Nude Beach or Unwelcome Guests; it's really good.
Dividers are a band I'd never heard of before and although the songs are good, playing a somewhat shouty punk rock that reminds me of Iron Chic. I can't say that they are the sort of songs that I'd go back to over and over again, but both of these bands highlight why I love 7" clubs. I never would have bought this record on its own, but now I've been introduced to 2 really good bands all because I wanted a variant 7" of a band coming down the road.
Timeshares - Split 7":
timeshares.bandcamp.com/album/split-w-dividers
Dividers - Split 7"
dividers.bandcamp.com/album/timeshares-dividers-split
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Heavy Times - I'm Single 7" - Gold Vinyl (/200)
HoZac (2012)
While I was a pretty big fan of the recent Heavy Times full length Jacker; I'm pretty floored by how great this 7" is. I was certainly expecting it to be good, but I was not prepared for just how darn catchy these 3 songs are. This 7" really highlights Heavy Times' abilities to craft a perfect 2-3 minute long pop song.
Lead guitar riffs hold down the melody complimented by a sturdy rhythm section driving the songs along. If this is the direction the band is heading, I am A-OK with that. As always HoZac presses the first 200 copies of their records on gold vinyl, so you know that I need to get in on that first pressing.
Heavy Times - I'm Single:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EFBHx8iu2c
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
George Harrison - Cloud 9 LP
Dark Horse (1987)
Never let it be said that I also don't appreciate the classics. Growing up I dove into 60's rock and Stax and all manner of wonderful tunes. Of course I love the Beatles, I feel like most people do. I watched a fascinating documentary about George Harrison on HBO a year or so ago. What a great man. He's got a lot of pretty fantastic records, but my favorite was always Cloud 9. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that in 1987 I was 11 years old; old enough to know that this record came out. It's part of my childhood as I heard it often at my dad's house. I think it had staying power with me because of the Jeff Lynne production. I do love ELO.
Anyway, although this CD has been in my collection for a while, I got this record as part of a trade gone awry. The records that were traded to me weren't in the condition I was expecting (we've got some pretty roughed up corners on this LP and some scratches on some of the other ones I received), but I ended up working out a deal with the other guy and just paid him for the records rather than send them back. Worked out well for everyone.
George Harrison - When We Was Fab:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxr3tV-ieyY
George Harrison - Devil's Radio:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBGPMWFvJ-U
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Plow United - Act Like It 7" - White Vinyl (/100)
Of all the bands from the 90's that decided to get back together, I really never thought one of them would have been Plow United. Having cut my teeth on punk rock shows in NJ during the 90's, I couldn't even tell you how many times I saw Plow United playing with other bands. They always put on an amazing show and very specifically, I just remember being in awe of how fast the drummer played. I always thought of them as a local phenomenon and when they split I was bummed. I didn't really know there was demand for them to get back together, but I'm glad to be wrong.
The Act Like it 7" contains the first new Plow songs in ages. They're starting the run up to a brand new Plow United full length that should be coming out soon I imagine. Now the songs, how do they compare to the old gems? These 2 are quite good. The band sounds older, to be sure, but I don't know that you can call them more 'mature' as a lot of bands get labeled as they get older. These sound like Plow songs to me. Maybe not quite as fast, maybe the production is a bit fuller. Act Like It, in particular, has a really strong and catchy hook.
Long time fans may be looking for something to complain about as these songs are not carbon copies of the bands earlier work, but if you enjoyed Plow United 15 years ago, I'd be really surprised if you couldn't enjoy these songs as well. I, for one, can't wait for the full length to come out.
Plow United - Act Like It:
kissofdeathrecords.bandcamp.com/album/plow-united-act-lik...
Monday, February 4, 2013
Shy Mirrors - Negative Collector LP (/150)
Low Culture may have been the first great record of 2013, but not too far behind was the newest from Shy Mirrors, timeline wise, the 2nd great record of 2013. Shy Mirrors play a fuzzed out style of Superchunk-esque pop. I'm not sure what recording changes the band has made since their last album, but the songs sound fuller this time out. The increased low end gives the band a more fleshed out feeling and really gives the album a more dynamic and cohesive sound. The way Shy Mirrors just barrel through the tracks on their newest effort Negative Collector is just something to see. Channeling the energy of some of my favorite pop bands of the 90's with amazingly catchy choruses, this is a band that should far exceed the popularity of this limited to 150 copies record.
Big School records has pressed 150 copies, provided screened, hand numbered artwork (I'm number 13 if you're curious) and sealed everything up in a picture disc sleeve. Though I typically frown on LP artwork with no visible spine, there's something really nice about the construction paper aesthetic this artwork has. Again, super limited so if your interested in this record; best grab it quick.
Shy Mirrors - Negative Collector (Full Album Stream):
shymirrors.bandcamp.com/album/negative-collector
Friday, February 1, 2013
Dog Piss - Eine Klein Punkmusik LP
Honest Dons (1999)
Another pickup from the Vinyl Junkie going out of business sale. I believe I paid $4 for this record and it was brand new, still sealed. The music on the record isn't new for me, as I've had this on CD since the day it came out, but just never got around to picking up the LP of it.
Dog Piss was a vehicle for Jools from Guns N Wankers to release music into the world. On many of the songs on this record he was also joined by Duncan from Snuff/Guns N Wankers. No matter what you think of the band name or the artwork; don't let that prejudice you against this album. If you are even the slightest fan of Snuff, Guns N Wankers or really any of the 90's UK punk scene, I'd be pretty shocked if you didn't like this record as well.
Dogpiss - Red Eye:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS_FbAKjU1Y
Dogpiss - The Smoking Song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbZJGZzSbUA
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Flop - Anne 7" - Clear Vinyl
Frontier / Insipid (1993)
Finally, the last Flop 7" that i needed to complete my collection. Been looking for this for a while, but only ever seemed to see it selling for $25+. Seemed a bit much to me. Wouldn't you know that of all the places I ended up finding it, I wound up grabbing it directly from Frontier records, who still had copies all these years later. Crazy.
Flop play stellar early 90's pop music. Huge hooks, huge melodies, just a great band. I won't say too much about them here, I'll just provide a song link below. I'll save the warm praise for the band's collection picture which I will be posting in the next few weeks. Always an amazing feeling to wrap up a band's discography.
Flop - Anne:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=flV6rYe-Edg
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Cold Warps - Slimer 7" - Green Slime Vinyl
Fundog (2012)
The is the last Cold Warps record that I know of, following me writing about the bands Demo LP & prior 7". Slimer sees the band once again dipping into the treasure trove of treble heavy power pop. Cold Warps are in heavy rotation these past few months as a band that has this much skill writing a hook will always find favor with me.
I believe this record is sold out and I wasn't able to find any pressing information other than the fact that the cover comes in different colors other than what is pictured above. I just bought this pretty recently however, so if you are interested you should probably start scouring distros now before it gets really scarce. Hopefully Cold Warps will have something else new for me to listen to soon.
Cold Warps - Slimer 7":
fundog.bandcamp.com/album/slimer-7
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Mil Mascaras - Fuzz 7" - Gold Vinyl (/200)
HoZac (2012)
I don't actually have a lot to say about this record. I was very excited to hear it based on the fact that I typically like the bulk of the records HoZac puts out, plus the band was named after a pro wrestler. A sure sign for success. Sadly, not for me. Mil Mascaras play an aggressive, 80's sounding style of punk with very powerful lead vocals. Though they do it well, it's not really the kind of thing that gets me going. I need more hooks. For those that like this sort of thing, you could do worse than Mil Mascaras, that's for sure.
Mil Mascaras - Fuzz:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc0zBM6D8C0
Monday, January 28, 2013
Masked Intruder - S/T LP - Green Vinyl
This album actually came out as a CD only in 2012, which is why I counted it on my year end list for 2012 and won't be counting it this year. Masked Intruder play straight up pop punk, perhaps a bit too saccharine for the tastes of some, but right now, along with the Capitalist Kids, Masked Intruder are one of the best pure pop punk bands around.
They are tackling a similar subject matter as a slew of other bands have, love, heartbreak, etc.; but they are adding a petty thief gimmick to the proceedings. At times, it colors up the songs nicely; at times it doesn't really add or take away from the music. All in it's a very good record. It takes a lot for plain old pop punk to impress me these days and Masked Intruder are one of the few bands that can actually do it.
As far as the record itself goes, what I have on display is the Green Vinyl version. It's come to light that Fat Wreck also pressed this on Blue, Red & Yellow vinyl as well. Quantities haven't been released yet, but it's created a real scramble with people trying to get all 4 variants. As I sold my 4x7" Masked Intruder box set, I'm out of the variant game for this band, as long as I have 1 of the colored versions I'm happy. But if you want to have your mind blown, go check out what this LP is doing on eBay right now. Crazy times.
Masked Intruder - S/T (3 Tracks):
maskedintruder.bandcamp.com/album/masked-intruder
Friday, January 25, 2013
Broccoli - Found & Crocodile God Split - Double 7" Pack (/50)
There are few bands in this world that I love as much as I love the band Broccoli. Their album Home is one of my top 5 favorite records of all time. One of the most prized records in my entire collection is the Broccoli / Muppet Mule Split 7". The affection I have for this band's music can only be rivaled by the likes of Rocket From The Crypt, Snuff or Leatherface. So yeah, what I'm saying is I really like this band.
Speedowax put out 2 (sort of) new Broccoli 7"s last year. The first was called Found and included some of the band's original demos. The 2nd was a split 7" with Crocodile God, though these songs were also previously released. To be totally honest, I'm not entirely sure where these songs came from, the Found 7" isn't a straight up vinyl release of the band's first demo tape because the track listing is different, but then again so was the Broccoli Demo 7" that Speedowax put out back in the 90's. I think that the songs from the Croc split are the same versions of the songs that came out on a 7" that Friendly Fire Records put out in the 90's, but again, I'm not entirely positive.
This specific record that you are looking at contains both of the 7"s, double packed with a new sleeve, limited to 50 copies. Although my copy is numbered out of 25, the Speedowax website says there are 50 and some are lettered a - z as opposed to numbered. I love Broccoli, I love the label Speedowax and I love Rich, the guy that runs the label. But, Speedowax has the most fucking confusing discography in the history of music. Make it easy on a fan, could you?
I can't really complain too much, Rich has always gone out of his way to make sure that I have a chance to pick up all of the weirdo variants, and for that I am very grateful. I just wish I could keep track of what was being pressed over there. I'm still convinced I somehow missed pink sleeved versions of both of the single 7" pressings of these records!
Broccoli - Neglect It (Sorry to send you to MySpace, but I can't find their songs streaming anywhere else. Trust me, it's worth the listen):
www.myspace.com/broccoliuk/music/songs/neglect-it-53443023
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Low Culture - Screens LP - Blue Vinyl (/200)
I was pretty excited about the Low Culture 7" that came out last year. It was a solid record with a handful of great songs on it. I figured their full length would be a sure shot good record. I was incorrect, because I simply did not see a record this great coming. I'm blown away with how fantastic Screens is.
The band is channeling the same sort of super catchy, fast punked out pop that made me love The Marked Men (who incidentally share a member with Low Culture, who incidentally went to the same high school as my wife - wacky!). The guitar riffs are great, always taking the songs into unexpected places. The band has a real knack for a hook and the non-stop energy makes this a record that just begs to be played again when it's over.
Every year I make a list keeping track of my favorite records of the year and every year I wait for that first record to knock me on my ass. That's always the sign that it's time to start the best of the year list. I didn't have to wait long this year, the first record I have in my hands in 2013 worthy of the list is Low Culture.
Low Culture - Screens (Full Album Stream):
www.punknews.org/bands/lowculture
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Fuzz - This Time I Got A Reason 7" - Blue Vinyl (/500)
Fuzz is a band featuring Ty Segall & Charlie Moonheart. This 7" is part of the Trouble In Mind series and was limited to 500 copies initially. The 7" sold out immediately , the label scrambled to get a repress going and this 7", overnight, was selling for upwards of $80 on eBay. A crazy turn of events. As a dedicated follower of the Trouble In Mind 7"s, I was lucky and grabbed this right away. I have a complete collection of their 7"s on colored vinyl and I would have been supremely bummed to miss one. I also really like the new sleeves they're using for the series. Thicker stock & a nice design. All thumbs up.
Then you get to the music and I just cannot get into this record. It's a slab of sludgy, fuzzed out 70's sounding stoner rock. The song just plods through a fog of this distortion and it simply doesn't go anywhere. I know folks love Ty Segall, but I'm 0-3 with records of his I've checked out. It just might be one of those things I'll never get. Trouble In Mind is always hit and miss for me with their 7"s though the good far outweighs the bad. I'm still very happy to be able to keep the 7" collection complete, paying $80 for this record would have been a nightmare.
Fuzz - This Time I Got A Reason:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ist-fcXsU1g
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Toyboat - S/T LP
What Else (1996)
An online distro that I liked quite a bit called Vinyl Junkie closed up shop a few weeks back. During the last days they had a huge sale and pretty much gutted their entire inventory for next to nothing. I went through their gigantic list of new and used records and picked up quite a few things for next to nothing, price wise. One of the items picked up was this 1996 Toyboat LP.
Toyboat was a band formed from the ashes of the Wynona Riders, an upbeat pop punk band that called Lookout Records home. If for a moment you were expecting this to sound anything like Wynona Riders, you are in for a surprise. Toyboat is an all around much more dour affair. The songs are downtrodden, at times gloomy and just sound so old.
There are records from the 80's and 90's that still sound as exciting and vibrant as ever. Then there are bands (I'm looking at you Promise Ring) that were so much a product of their time that when you go back with 15-20 years of hindsight, they sound like they were recorded 1000 years ago. This Toyboat LP is one of those records. Perhaps I would have liked it a bit more back in the 90's, but in 2013, it's just not doing it for me.
Still, it was a very inexpensive risk, and there record isn't terrible, it's just not something I see myself spinning to often. I was unable to find any of these songs streaming online, so if you want to check it out, you'll have to take a chance as well.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Dr. Frank / Kepi Ghoulie - Split 7" - Red Vinyl (/100)
Surfin Ki Records (2012)
I've always had an affinity for split 7"s. I think a lot of that is due to just how many were released back in the 90's and how that led me to discovering so many new bands. You buy the 7" because of the band you like, you end up with new songs from a band you never heard if. It was a cool way to take risks back before it was so easy to hear most things online. This split 7" pairs one of my all time favorites, Dr. Frank of the Mr. T Experience with the front man of a band I just never clicked with, The Groovie Ghoulies.
The Kepi Ghoulie side is a cover of the MTX classic Two Minute itch from their Milk Milk Lemonade record. It's primarily acoustic with Dr. Frank lending in some backing vocals. The Dr. Frank side is a also a mostly acoustic cover of a song called My Computer Said Kill, which I'd never heard before, so I can't compare it to the original. Supposedly both were recorded together in 1 sitting and it kind of sounds like that. Both seem rushed and the recording quality of the vocals is pretty rough. The record belongs in the collection due to having to keep the Dr. Frank/Mr. T Experience collection complete, but I was kind of disappointed with the actual songs on this guy.
Unfortunately, I just can't find either of these songs streaming online anywhere. So I guess ignore my earlier comment about being able to listen to most things online before you take a chance on them.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Games - S/T LP - Gold Vinyl (/200)
HoZac (2012)
The Games LP is one that I wish I had an opportunity to spend more time with before I made by best of 2012 list. That's always the risk that is run when an album comes out so late in the year, you're up against records that people have had the chance to get comfortable with. I'm just hopeful that folks don't overlook this Games LP, because it's a hell of a record.
Games play guitar pop not too dissimilar from Gentleman Jesse or bands like the Wrong Words. Glimmering guitar, heavy on hooks and a real 50's & 60's laid back vibe. The songs are catchy without sounding sappy and it's the sort of record that becomes more rewarding with repeated listens. I had high hopes going in as I loved the band's 7" that came out on Rob's House records and I was not let down. An excellent guitar pop record.
Games - Put Down That Gun:
soundcloud.com/hozac-records/games-put-down-that-gun
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Cold Warps - Don't Haunt Me, OK? 7"
Noyes (2012)
A wonderful 2 song 7" from Canada's Cold Warps. It's a slight departure from their Demos LP I wrote about a few weeks ago. The pace of these 2 being much more mid tempo than the blazing fast songs of the demos, but the band still maintains that energetic Yolks-esque sound that I'm just a sucker for. Treble heavy fuzzy guitar and heaps of harmonies. It's a great little record, and I'm anxious to hear what the band can string together for their first proper full length.
This was limited to 300 copies overall, but I missed out on getting the limited to 100 on white vinyl version. I'd love to get my hands on that at some point, but for now I'm content with being able to listen to these great tunes.
Cold Warps - Don't Haunt Me, OK?:
coldwarps.bandcamp.com/album/dont-haunt-me-ok-7inch
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Trusty - The Fourth Wise Man LP
Dischord (1996)
Unlike a lot of records from the 90's you'll see me write something about these days, The Fourth Wise Man is not an album I overlooked back when it came out. In fact, I likely bought the CD of this the day it came out, having been such a huge fan of their prior record, Goodbye Dr. Fate. For one reason or another I just never grabbed this album on vinyl. When I recently picked up the 2 Burning Airlines reissues from Dischord, I figured it was time to add this LP to the fold, since it is still in print.
Trusty is a band playing uptempo jangle heavy guitar pop. The high pitch vocals and background harmonies always made them stand out from the pack to me. I always thought they were a slightly odd pick for Dischord. Though geographically it made sense, I found the rest of their roster to be a bit more downtrodden, compared to the more upbeat songs Trusty was dishing out. Sadly, this album was to be the last for this great band, but The Fourth Wise Man and Goodbye Dr. Fate are absolutely essential records to have on hand.
Trusty - The Fourth Wise Man (I couldn't find any of these songs streaming anywhere aside from a Last.fm page with snippets of each song):
www.last.fm/music/Trusty/The+Fourth+Wise+Man
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Sedatives - Teenage Runaway 7" - Red Vinyl (/100)
I believe what is contained on this 7" are the very last Sedatives songs that never saw the light of day. I cannot comprehend how these songs were held off until the last release. Just as strong as anything on the Sedatives LP, Teenage Runaway and the flip side Facists are 2 short and sweet pop songs, leaning heavily on the dark guitar tones and keyboards that are the Sedatives calling card. It would be sad if we never heard from Sedatives again, though it did spawn 2 seriously great bands in The White Wires and The Steve Adamyk band.
The copy I have is the Ptrash Club version from Germany, limited to 100 copies and pressed on red vinyl. There are other versions of the 7" released on Erste Theke Tonträger & Red Lounge records, but I'm content to stick with the coolest and most limited of the bunch.
Sedatives - Teenage Runaway:
sedatives.bandcamp.com/album/teenage-runaway-ep
Monday, January 14, 2013
Burning Airlines - Identikit LP - White w/ Gold Vinyl (/250)
The follow up to Friday's Mission Control LP, Identikit further cements my status as an idiot for taking so long to listen to this band. From the opening moments of the first song Outside The Aviary, it's apparent that I've made a huge mistake. Just like on Mission Control! Burning Airlines manage to weave the melodic side of punk rock with dynamic guitar work and songwriting in a way that I'm kicking myself for missing out on all these years. Great band, great record.
As far as this reissue goes, as I picked up a distro copy from Dischord, I wasn't able to choose the color of vinyl that I would receive and ended up with the White with Gold streaks version. I would have preferred the red vinyl personally, to better match the artwork, but this still looks pretty snazzy.
Arctic Rodeo has done a great job with the art, as the LP sleeve replicates the CD version with all of the folding panels. However, increasing the size of the artwork to fit an LP has made handling the sleeve a bit unruly. Be careful putting it in and taking it out of the plastic sleeve, one false move and you might be ripping one of those flaps clean off.
Burning Airlines - Outside The Aviary:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMtdfGEZD4U
Burning Airlines - Earthbound:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-Em6x3t0gs
Friday, January 11, 2013
Burning Airlines - Mission Control! LP - Orange Vinyl (/250)
So this is going to be one of those reviews were I disclose information that makes most folks cringe. I was never into Jawbox. When I was a kid, they just didn't do anything for me, so I never picked up any of their records. When Burning Airlines came around, I honestly never really even listened to them, content to assume they probably just sounded like Jawbox. My life went on.
Having gotten married and been more exposed to my wife's taste in music, in particular her love for Shiner, I've come to realize that my taste in music has expanded as I've gotten older. When Arctic Rodeo announced these records coming out on vinyl for the first time, I decided to give this band another shot. I'm really glad I did.
Burning Airlines creates passionate, driving rock with super crunchy guitars and strong vocals & lyrics. I guess in my head I thought they were more shouty and not as melodic as they actually are. I still can't speak for Jawbox, but I have every intention of giving them another shot.
Arctic Rodeo did a great job with the vinyl version of this, especially as far as the artwork goes. The cover is thick paper and the little airplane logo thing in the middle is actually die cut out of the record, with the blue color being from the insert. Such an amazingly high quality job. The collector geek in me is a little regretful for not buying all 3 versions of the record as each of the colors are pretty great, but luckily for me, I did get the color that I wanted most. Oh and a hint, those in the US can get this from Dischord and save $$$ on overseas postage.
Burning Airlines - Wheaton Calling:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTVMIQwoKyw
Burning Airlines - Escape Engine:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNgqH7rCFQM
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Fountains Of Wayne - Utopia Parkway LP
We had the S/T Fountains Of Wayne reissue yesterday, and today we have the follow up, Utopia Parkway. I'm not sure if I am in the minority or majority with this opinion, but I was even more excited to finally have the chance to own this record on vinyl than I was the first one. I have always preferred Utopia Parkway (not that I'm saying ANYTHING bad about S/T, I love that record too) and really think that it is Fountains Of Wayne's finest moment.
It's probably in part to the inclusion of the song Red Dragon Tattoo, which I think is simply outstanding. It could probably be counted as one of the all time greatest pop songs ever written. Utopia Parkway isn't a one trick pony, however. Hit after hit like Denise, Amity Gardens, Lost In Space, It Must Be Summer and the title track just elicit head nodding and toe tapping. A real masterpiece if you ask me.
Like S/T, the Yep Rock vinyl version sounds spectacular. This is the first time this album has ever been available on vinyl and it's release has been handle in fantastic fashion. I really can't say enough good things about this record, I'm just so thrilled to have the chance to walk into my living room, pop this guy on the turntable, lay down on the couch and just enjoy.
Fountains Of Wayne - Red Dragon Tattoo:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp9i3zm_64A
Fountains Of Wayne - Amity Gardens:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB-Dg9NdpJM
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Fountains Of Wayne - S/T LP
Continuing on this week of nothing but reissues; we have the first Fountains Of Wayne album. Though this was actually pressed by Atlantic when the album originally came out, the vinyl version wasn't in my collection. I've been keeping my eye on this for a while as the original pressing tends to sell for a fairly absurd price.
I first heard rumblings about this reissue a few years ago when it popped up as a pre-order on Amazon. Of course, the date of the release came and went and news disappeared once again. Earlier this year, another pre-order went up. Then it popped up on a few other sites and finally it was found on Yep Roc's site (though kind of hidden). Even though it did get pushed back 3 more times this year, I did finally have a package that came in the mail.
It sounds really great. Yep Roc did a fantastic job with this reissue and the sound quality, vinyl & artwork are all top notch. The record has been one of my very favorites and despite the fact that they certainly don't blow me away live, I feel like I can always go back the this record and be completely impressed. Maybe to me, Fountains Of Wayne today aren't quite the band of their first 2 records, but man those first 2 records are still pretty wonderful.
Fountains Of Wayne - Radiation Vibe:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmqswLKKYyU
Fountains Of Wayne - Sink To The Bottom:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgLZMvnWxRU
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Weezer - The Blue Album - Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab LP
Mobile Fidelity (2012)
Another birthday gift, this one from @alanrappa. Not much to say about the album itself. It's fantastic. One of the best. The odds of you not having owned it at some point are probably pretty slim if you are of a certain age. I still think the songs sound as great as they did when I was in high school.
As far as this Mobile Fidelity version goes, I only have 1 word...wow. This record has never sounded better. Heck, Weezer has never sounded better. Mobile Fidelity just crushed this release, everything sounds so warm, so rocking. It's really a hear it to believe it sort of thing and it really sounds so much better than the old pressing of The Blue Album that I have. If you were considering the upgrade, do it. If you don't have this on vinyl because that first pressing was always selling for $60 on eBay, now you can get a version twice as good for half the price.
Weezer - Say It Ain't So:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENXvZ9YRjbo
Weezer - No One Else:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFek8QzAQwM
Weezer - Holiday:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwDadBnqyVg
Monday, January 7, 2013
Beck - Sea Change - Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab 2xLP - Pink Vinyl (/1000)
Beck - Sea Change - Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab 2xLP - Pink Vinyl (/1000), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (2012)
This was actually a birthday present from my wife, but I really wanted to spend some time with it before writing anything about it. Then the mad scramble at the end of the year made me bump it back a bit. But today I'm going to kick off a week of nothing but reissues, several of which I got over the holidays. First up is Beck.
Sea Change is one of my favorite Beck albums. I have always preferred his acoustic offerings more than anything else he's released. It also came at the perfect time, coming out three years after the simply terrible Midnight Vultures. Midnight Vultures made me question if I would ever like any Beck records ever again, but my faith was renewed with Sea Change. Gone was the stupidity and in its place were serious, well written songs. Truly great.
The Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab version of this sounds unreal. You can hear every tiny layered nuance of this record. The guitars sound crisp and clean. The orchestral elements just wash over the songs. Everything about it wounds perfect. This is how Sea Change was made to be listened to. Plus they did a limited run on 1000 on pink vinyl. Though that doesn't seem to be all that limited compared to most record pressings, for Beck, I guess it's pretty limited as they seem to have sold out at most online stores. I'm very lucky that my wife was able to grab me one when she did and am thrilled to have this record in the collection.
Beck - Little One:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJuab9USetk
Beck - Sunday Sun:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0KjMK0F6b8
Friday, January 4, 2013
Dan Padilla - Sports Fan LP - Orange Vinyl
I first checked out Dan Padilla because Davey from Tiltwheel was in the band. I have several of their records and they always deliver a good album. Sports Fan is the best of the bunch. It's the strongest set of songs they've released so far mixing a gruff Leatherface style punk with a more rootsy rock, perhaps somewhat similar to Social Distortion (but the handful of good Social Distortion songs, not the endless pile of crap ones). While it didn't make the top 30 in my list of top records of the year, Sports Fan is a really good album that has been in frequent rotation since the MP3s were sent my way.
Speaking of the MP3s, that's where the Orange vinyl version originates. If you bought the digital version of the album on Bandcamp a few months ago, that was also ordering you the limited colored vinyl version of the record. Turned out to be a great deal. I'm not entirely positive how many were pressed on orange (I want to say 100), but as always, I need that limited version!
Dan Padilla - Sports Fan (Full Album Stream):
dirtcultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/sports-fans
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Hospital Job - Downer Downer Downer LP - Orange Vinyl & Purple VinylTest Pressing (/50)
Hospital Job - Downer Downer Downer LP - Orange Vinyl & Purple Vinyl Test Pressing (/50), a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.
I'm a pretty crazy record collector, but even I'm not crazy enough to actively collect test pressings. Sure I have a handful of them, but that's mostly PopKid ones (and a few Snuff ones). The need to try to hunt down a test pressing to consider a collection complete is one of those things that I never quite understood. However, in the case of this Hospital Job LP; with 50 test pressings made and the fact that they were sold to the general public as the first press when the record was pre-ordered...I'm going to count that as a totally separate variant. And that's what we have here. I pre-ordered this record and in addition to getting a copy of the "test pressing" version, the label also sent along the regular edition vinyl. So that's pretty cool for a $10 pre-order.
As far as the tunes go, Hospital Job play a somewhat 90's style alternative pop. There's hints of great bands like Superdrag and Fig Dish and the record really feel like it belongs on one of those sham indie labels that major labels used to set up in the 90's when they were trying to pretend they had street cred. There's a couple of minor instances where the record strays a bit too close to a Blink 182-ish straight up pop punk, but the band really shines when they'ye layering melodies and building up a huge downstroke heavy chorus.
Even though I am only now getting a chance to write up this album for the website, Downer Downer Downer was one of the better releases on 2012, and I did have them on my Absolute Best Records of 2012 list. Definitely worth a purchase, test pressing included or not.
Hospital Job - Downer Downer Downer (2 Songs):
hospitaljob.bandcamp.com/
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Toys That Kill - Fambly 42 LP
Merry New Year. Hope everyone had a good holiday season this year. I had a long break from work and am feeling pretty relaxed about things. As far as this website goes, I'm going to be spending most of January trying to catch up on records that I got at the end of 2012. I have quite a few, some of which appeared on my Absolute Best Records of 2012 list. We'll start 2013 off with Toys That Kill.
Fambly 42 is a record that I really had to grow into. Honestly, I didn't really have much experience with the band prior to this album and the only reason I gave it a whirl was because so many people whose musical taste I trust had been raving about the record. Turns out they were right and Toys That Kill are way better than I had figured. Fambly 42 is, at its core, a record full of pop songs. Some are obvious, some are hidden, but you can always feel that hook coming through.
Since I delayed picking up this record for so long, it actually ended up being a Christmas gift from my wife, which was a real treat finding under the tree. I did get a few albums for Christmas, so they will probably be featured next, it's always nice when your loved ones help to stoke the fire of your hobby,
Toys That Kill - Fambly 42 (full album stream):
www.punknews.org/bands/toysthatkill
Friday, December 28, 2012
The Absolute Best Records Of 2012
One thing that could never be changed is Mrs. Magician as the number 1 record of the year. In my initial write up about the record I really don't think I gave it the glowing praise that it deserved. Not only was it far and away the absolute best record of 2012; lyrically it is probably one of the best records I've heard in YEARS. I can't possible say enough great things about the band and about this record. If you like anything at all on this list, I urge you to check out Mrs. Magician, because no matter what record you pick, Strange Heaven was better.
Not saying others on this list weren't also fantastic. The Sonic Avenues record just kills and they also put on the best live show I saw this year. Snuff really returned to top form and the Gentleman Jesse and Bob Mould records were just ridiculously good. Even way down the list in the 20's are records that in other years would probably be ranked even higher. If 2013 is anywhere near as good as this past year, I'm going to have an awful lot of great records to take pictures of.
Lastly, thanks to everyone that has visited this website, sent me an email or a tweet. When I started this little site up last year, I never imagined the amount of people that would visit, so again thank you and happy new year!
01. Mrs. Magician - Strange Heaven - Swami
02. Sonic Avenues - Television Youth - Dirtnap
03. Snuff - 5-4-3-2-1 Perhaps - Inyaface/Fat Wreck
04. Gentleman Jesse - Leaving Atlanta - Douchemaster
05. Bob Mould - Silver Age - Merge
06. Uranium Comeback - Uranium Comeback - Ptrash
07. Pinback - Information Retrieved - Temporary Residence
08. What-A-Night's - What-A-Night's - Self Released
09. Glow Kit - Glow Kit - Ptrash
10. Legendary Wings - Making Paper Roses - Dirtnap
11. Needles // Pins - 12:34 - Mammoth Cave
12. Capitalist Kids - Lessons on Love, Sharing And Hygiene - Toxic Pop
13. Outtacontroller - Don't Play Dumb - Ptrash
14. Chomp - Buddha Jabba Momma - Exit Stencil
15. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Meat And Bone - Mom & Pop
16. Dan Sartain - Too Tough To Live - One Little Indian
17. Duncan Redmonds - HonkyPingPongSeijinAttack - PingPong
18. Hospital Job - Downer, Downer, Downer - Insubordination
19. Nude Beach - II - Nude Beach Records
20. Wide Angles - Smile More - Dead Broke/Dirtcult
21. White Wires - WWIII - Dirtnap
22. Masked Intruder - Masked Intruder - Red Scare
23. Crusaders Of Love - Take It Easy...But Take It - FDH
24. And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Lost Sounds - Superball
25. Sloane Peterson - Why Go Out - Dirtcult
26. Gleam Garden - Brilliant Nightmare - Perfect Music
27. Toys That Kill - Fambly 42 - Recess
28. Sick Sick Birds - Gates Of Home - Toxic Pop
29. Karl Hendricks Trio - The Adult Section - Comedy Minus One
30. The Men - Open Your Heart - Sacred Bones
Other records I bought & enjoyed this year:
Atom Age - The Hottest Thing That's Cool - Asian Man
Audacity - Mellow Cruisers - Recess
Billy No Mates - Duck Duck Goose - No idea
Brat Farrar - Brat Farrar - Ptrash
Budokan - Spin A Little Gold - Northern Electric
The Cry! - The Cry! - SP
Dan Padilla - Sports Fan
Delay - Rushing Ceremony
Dunebuggy - Dunebuggy - Little Black Cloud
Fear Of Lipstick - Seasons - Ptrash
Forgetters - Forgetters - Too Small To Fail
Games - Games - Hozac
Golden Boys - Dirty Fingernails - 12xu
Jaill - Traps - Sub Pop
Jealous Sound - A Gentle Reminder - Burnt Toast
Magnificent - Bad Lucky - Dirtcult
Manix - Neighborhood Wildlife - It's Alive
Mean Jeans - Mean Jeans On Mars - Dirtnap
Mindspiders - Meltdown - Dirtnap
Mojomatics - You Are The Reason For My Troubles
Revolvo - The End Starts Here - Ovlover
Songs For Snakes - Charcoal Heather - Self Released
Spider Fever - Spider Fever - Windian
Sundials - When I Couldn't Breathe - Asian Man
Treasure Fleet - Future Ways - Recess
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Snuff - 5-4-3-2-1-Perhaps? LP - Green Vinyl (/100) & Purple w/ GreenHaze Vinyl (/407) & Black Vinyl
Snuff - 5-4-3-2-1-Perhaps? LP - Green Vinyl (/100) & Purple w/ Green Haze Vinyl (/407) & Black Vinyl, a photo by Tim PopKid on Flickr.
Fat Wreck (2012)
While I wrote a good amount about the new Snuff record when I posted a picture of the Japanese CD version, I want to state for the record once again how completely amazing 5-4-3-2-1-Perhaps? is. If you've ever liked Snuff, I just can't fathom you not loving this record. The guitars, keyboards, trombone, vocals...they're all just perfect. It's unbelievable that a band that has been one of my absolute favorites for nearly 20 years (and they had been kicking around for a while when I first heard of them) can still pull off such a great, great record. Couldn't be happier.
Now, on to the nerdy vinyl specs. There are 3 versions of this record on vinyl. There's the standard black vinyl. There's the mailorder only, limited to 407 copies Purple with Green Haze vinyl (which just looks so cool!). Lastly there is a solid Green vinyl version.
This one on Green vinyl is especially tricky as it was only sold to people at the Fat Wreck "store" in San Francisco. From what I gather, they open up a part of their warehouse to the public and let them shop direct. Also, they upset record nerds everywhere by offering exclusive store versions. Well, the Snuff Store version was limited to 100 copies and it would not be in my collection if not for the kindness of @andrewrhickey. A great man who really helped save me a ton of money by not having to resort to eBay to get this variant. Thank you kindly sir.
Basically, it's silly for you to be sitting around reading my website when you could be using this time to run out and buy the new Snuff album. It's great, the variants are cool and you would be hard pressed to find a better band out there.
Snuff - In The Stocks:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IyH8So62E
Snuff - EFL:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPxV4OOjlBA
Snuff - From Underneath The Ice:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmv9Y5YcrHk