Darts - Across America

Name: Darts
Album: Across America
Year: 1981
Style: Oldies, Doo-Wop
Similar Bands: That band that played your uncle's wedding, Pipettes, Martha & the Vandellas
"One-Word" Review: Grandpa's Youth Revisited
Based Out Of: Brighton England
Label: Magnet Records, Kat Family Records, CBS Records

Cover & Record

Back & Record

Across America (1981)

1. Think 2:36 (The Five Royals cover)
2. Reach Out, I'll Be There 3:24 (Four Tops cover)
3. Peaches 2:33 (Ikettes Cover)
4. Speedo 2:39 (Cadillacs cover)
5. Cover to Cover 2:47 / 
6. Sad & Lonely 3:17
7. Let's Hang On 3:13 (Manhattan Transfer cover)
8. False Alarm 1:42 (Re-Vels cover)
9. Hit & Run 2:26
10. Show Me / Do You Love Me 1:54 (Joe Tex & Contours Cover)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:
Russell Shaw - Liner Notes
Tommy Boyce - Producer
Richard Hartley - Producer
Phil Chapman - Producer
Bob London - Mgmt
Doc Field - Kat Family PR
Mike McCarty - Art Direction
Simon Fowler - Photography
Kenny Andrews - Vox (Dave Kelly)
Nigel Trubridge/Horatio Hornblower (Rocky Sharpe, Razors)
Ian Collier/Griff Fender (Charly Bacher, Rocky Sharpe, Razors)
Rita Ray/Lydia Sowa (Mint Juleps, Rocky Sharpe, Razors)
Rob Davis (B-Real, Breakneck, Golden, Movement 98, Mud, Rob & Ray, Roly, Roy Peters & Friends, Stuntmasterz, Sweet Connection, Tak Tix, The Escort Agency, The Speech, Young Guns)
Henry Colclugh

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the Darts. Looking at the cover, it has the feel of a pub rock band...posing as well dressed travelers, and the art quality has an old-timey or hazy feel. The back offers a write up of doo-wop and a melting pot of many styles of music, so not sure what to think

Album Review: The majority of songs are 50's oldies and doo-wop covers. The band members and what they do is not listed anywhere (maybe i'm missing the sleeve). The back cover does not list the songs in the correct order,  It really feels like a wedding band, where each person  in the band is at ready with a different genre specialty, like a Swiss army knife of music. The write up speaks of their stage show being amazing energy and mostly sold out, which may or may not be artistic exaggeration. Their original Hit & Run combines the Sesame Street theme + Martha & the Vandellas Heatwave

Stand Out Track: Hit & Run

Links:
Discogs
Rob Davis WIki
Darts Wiki
Facebook page
Sound on Sound - Rob Davis inrterview
Louder than War
Darts official Charts
God is in the TV

Cryin' Out Loud - Live It Up

Name: Cryin' Out Loud
Album: Live It Up
Year: 1985
Style: Reggae influenced New Wave
Similar Bands: Police, English Beat, Specials
"One-Word" Review: Brassless Powerpop Ska
Based Out Of: Hoboken, NJ
Label: Golda Bowlfish Records

Cover & Record

Record & Back

Live it Up (1985)

1. The Distance 2:53
2. Live It Up 4:20 /
3. Fire 4:30
4. Pounding Heart 4:26

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Don Brody - Guitar, Vox, Words & Music (Screaming Urge, the Marys, Connie Sharar)
• Todd Novak - Lead Guitar
• Christopher Johns - Drums, Backing Vox
• Dan Acker - Bass, Backing Vox (the Dragsters)
• Glenn M. Taylor - Engineering, Producer
• Charles Evelyn - Album Design
• Jeffrey Kane - Photography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but they also (like the Philisteens) look like a typical new Wave Band, however, there is a chance that they could be more jangley college pop, since it is a 1985 record, and markered over as a radio station's copy.

Album Review: They are a very Police inspired reggae-new Wave band. All of their songs have the repetitive & rhythmically strummed chords/ They do not have quite the energy of ska, and there is no brass. But they are considered to be part of the NYC Ska contingent, with their own variation on the genre. Singer Don Brody was a survivor of polio in his youth, and learned to play guitar while bedridden. He passed away at 44 in his sleep in Dec'97.

Stand Out Track: The Distance

Links:
Discogs
Tribute
Marco on the Bass
Tone & Wave
PSU article from '86
Don Brody rememberance 

Black Stalin - Moving Up

Name: Black Stalin
Album: Moving Up
Year: 1988
Style: Calypso, Soca
Similar Bands: Mighty Sparrow, Blue Boy
"One-Word" Review: Island Second Line Parade
Based Out Of: San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago
Label: B's Records

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

Moving Up (1988)

1. We Can Make It 7:30
2. No Way 5:48 /
3. We Ready 6:31
4. Think Well 7:35
5. We Ready Club Mix 6:17

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Arnold "Sly" Prunette - Guitar (Marcia Miranda, Easlyn Orr)
• Haynes Durity - Piano 
• Wayne Kirton - Synth (Elmer Hawkes, Mighty Sparrow, Melody, Blue Boy)
• Beaver Henderson - Synth (Lord Shorty, Gene Lawrence, Explainer, Fire Flight, Denyse Plummer, Kitch, Shadow, Marcia Miranda)
• Albert "Bushe" Junior - Bass (Blue Boy, Tambu, Swamp Dogg, Charlie Roots, Pan Assembly, David Rudder, Swamp Dogg)
• Joey Samuel - Drums (Red Plastic Bag)
• George Victory - Percussion, Backing Vox  (Errol Ince, Fatback Band, Shadow,Swallow, becket, Fire Flight, Arrow)
• Errol Ince - Trumpet Solos (Cyril Diaz & Orch. Red Plastic Bag, Swallow, Sparrow, Blueboy)
• Roy Cape - Sax Solos (Mighty Sparrow, Explainer, Lord Shorty)
• Glenda Ifill - Backing Vox (Blueboy, Becket, Winston Soso)
• Janet Alleyne - Backing Vox (Sparrow, Explainer, Becket)
• Leroy "Black Stalin" Calliste - Vox, Compositions, Producer
• Emanuel Ector - Arrangement & Direction
• Michael Gould - Exec Producer
• Eric Michaud - Engineer
• John Grossbard - Engineer
• Julian McBrown - Mixing
• Mike Theodore - Mixing
• Errol Dopwell - Cover Design & Graphics

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this artist, but I assume it will be reggae or calypso based on the info & colors on the back, perhaps mixed with hip-hop based on the cover artwork. I also love that there are adverts on the back for B's Records Restaurants (2 in NYC) and their "ultimate" nightclub.

Album Review: This is a great example of Calypso, Black Stalin's vocals are unique; piercing & sharp, and really pop in the production. The music is fun (as is most Calypso), reminding me of walking a second line in New Orleans. He is firmly against European colonization, and many of his songs reflect that. He's been singing since 1959, and has won the Calyoso Monarch crown 5 times (79,85,87,91,95).

Stand Out Track: We Can Make It

Links:
Wiki
Discogs
People Pill
Allmusic
Trinidad Express
Rate your Music

Philisteens - Turn Up The Music

Name: Philisteens
Album: Turn Up The Music
Year: 1982
Style: New Wave
Similar Bands: Devo, Marshall Crenshaw, Buddy Holly, Knack, Cars, David Byrne
"One-Word" Review: That Nervous New-Wave Sound
Based Out Of: Albuquerque, NM
Label: Radio Free America Records

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Turn Up The Music (1982)

1. Turn Up the Music 3:43
2. She's Got You 3:30 / 
3. She Tells Me Nothing 3:55
4. Dead And Gone 5:04

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Larry Otis - Guitar, Vox (Crawling Walls, High Inergy, Leiahdorus, Born Again)
• Mike Glover - Drums, Vox (Bright Blue Gorilla)
• Roger Neil - Bass, Vox, Synth Pedals (V.V.S.I)
• Kenneth A Pushkin - Exec Producer
• Craig Leon - Producer & Engineer
• Tom Bee - Coordinator

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but they look like the perfect slice of new Wave or power-pop-pub rock. Lots of energy in their frame, even for a black & white pic. And I like their logo.

Album Review: They live up to their design very well...perfect oldies incorporated new wave rock with nervous jittery vocals, and energetic music. "She Tells Me Nothing" sounds like Devo. They seem to have had a big following around the ABQ-NM area, and had one full length out aside from this EP.

Stand Out Track: Turn Up The Music

Links:
Discogs
Rate your music
Trouser Press
Wilfully Obscure

Zebras / E=MC Hammer - Parasitic Clones Under the Strong Arm of the Robotic Machine / Hurns (the First)

Name: ~Zebras / *E=MC Hammer
Album: ~Parasitic Clones Under the Strong Arm of the Robotic Machine / *Hurns (the First)
Year: 2009
Style: ~Post Punk, Math Rock, *Sludge-Metal, Prog
Similar Bands: ~Celebration, Braniac, Vexers, Sleater-Kinney*Melvins, Ceremony, Secret Chiefs 3, Evil Sword
"One-Word" Review: ~Future Neurotic Space Synth,
Based Out Of: ~Madison, WI / *Milwaukee WI
Label: Secret Records, FTAM, Sector 5 Records

Cover, Record, Insert

Back, Record, Insert

Parasitic Clones Under the Strong Arm of the Robotic Machine (2009)

1. The Machine 0:56
2. Me You God 3:10
3. Parasites 2:05
4. Eat Your Eyes 1:58
5. Tubes 2:12
6. The Spell 1:56
7. Robot Machine 2:54

Hurns (the First)

1. You In Checkers 6:14
2. United States of a Miracle 4:22
3. Operah for Poperah 5:00

Album Rating (1-10): ~8.5 / *6.0

Members & Other Bands:
~ Vincent Presley - Guitar, Vox, Synth (Window Smashers, Housecat-Sized Fennec, Logan 5, Those Poor Bastards)
~Lacey Smith - Vox, Moog (Window Smashers)
~Shawn Pierce - Drums
~Jacob Rust - Bass (Window Smashers)
~Shane Hochstetler - Recording
~Steve Somers - Cover Art
~KK Umhoefer - Graphic Design
~Daniella Maria - Photos
*P-Jaxxx (Peter Woods) - Bass, Vox (Bridges of Konigsberg, Galactic Cannibal, LOT, Phoned Nil Trio, xALLxFORxTHISx, SWWS, Raperies (Like Draperies), Mountain Language, Direct Hit! Coelacanth)
*D-Haxxx (Danny Friedman) - Drums, Zil-Bells, recording (Coelacanth)
*Trevor Sadler - Mastering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of either artist on this split record. I imagine it to be punky indie music, maybe a little noise and arty lo-fi production.

Album Review: The Zebras side is fun, energetic synth punk that drives fast and frantically with jittery nervous vocals, there is some math-rock bass and guitar. The E=MC Hammer side is sludgy, thick heavy plodding prog, occasionally with a lot of space. It is almost jazz-like, as the instruments create the mood and tones to paint the soundscape. Vocals take on personalities of different monsters: from that of a heavy, deep giant to yelling to screaming, whenever the mood dictates. Definitely some elements of Mr. Bungle, as the bandcamp page suggest.

Stand Out Track: ~ Me You God, *You In Checkers (2nd half) 

Links:
Discogs
Bandcamp Zebras music
Secret Records
Zebras Bandcamp
Shepherd Express article
Tone Madison
Adornments of the King interview
GetSongBPM
Record Release party post - Fanbelt
e=mchammer myspace

R.L. Stein - This Cover Was Left Intentionally Blank

Name: R.L. Stein
Album: This Cover Was Left Intentionally Blank
Year: 2004
Style: Improv Noise
Similar Bands: 90's Internet modem log-on sound
"One-Word" Review: Noisey Space Feedback
Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA
Label: Breathmint

Cover, Insert, Record

Back, Record

This Cover Was Left Intentionally Blank (2004)

1. Untitled A1 3:29
2. Untitled A2 7:09
3. Untitled A3 3:40 / 
4. Untitled B1 6:23
5. Untitled B2 8:37

Album Rating (1-10): 2.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Matt Bacon (Broke Box, Cock E.S.P)
• Sarah Bernat (16 Bitch Pile-Up, Bad News, Work)
• Jared Burak (Distressed Signal, Sanguine Piss, Sanguine Vessel, Seekers of the Claw, The GTC, The Sound of Failure)
• Frank Falestra (Frankenstein Drag Queens from Planet 13, Laundry Room Squelchers, To Live & Shave in LA)
• Carlos Gonzalez
• E.W. (Emil)Hagstrom - Layout (Cock E.S.P, Coward Electronics, Hagony, New port, Origami Genitalia, Origami Republika, Paekong Mae's Integer & Real Fathom Band, The Amputease, Wrong)
• Valerie Martino (Unocorn Hard-On, Salt Swan, Russian Tsarcasm, Leslie Keffer)
• Andy Ortmann - Abstructum, Behold! The Living Corpse, Contradiction, Fashion Dictator, Glass Bath, O/W, Panicsville, Plastic Crimewave Sound, Pound of Flesh)
• Mat Rademan - Guitars, Electronics, Layout (Micronauts, Antler Piss, Chapter 9, Desiccant, FUN, Lotus, Milton, Sanguine Piss, Sanguine Vessel, Seekers of the Claw, Newton)
• Mike Schauwitzer (Mildew, Milton, Peter J Woods Free Jazz Ensemble, Slow Owls, SWWS)
• Ren Schofield - Drums (Dynasty, Form a Log, Gang Wizard, Mercy Light, Pool, Rods of God, Japanese Karaoke Afterlife Experiment, Container)
• Jason Verjagen (Cock E.S.P)
• Steve Albini - Recording
• Chris Pottinger - Drawing
• Ian Lynne - Dedecation

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, Breathmints. But it is a beautifully, creative and mysterious product, as there is really no information about the band at all except a few names printed on a clear plastic insert, like you'd use on an overhead projector. The picture disc itself is beautiful, with an insane MTV's The Head looking drawing on the "JAM" side, and the studio tracking/order sheet of this album's recording on the shark/ladybird side. No idea what the content is, since 2004, it could be anything. leaning toward arty indie rock.

Album Review: So this is an orchestrated noise record. Songs had general ideas, and the hired hands played improv-style noise through grit and feedback. They got insanely popular Steve Albini to engineer the album, What's interesting is that most of the tracks are isolated on the album. That is, when a track ends, the record spins in an infinite loop, and a needle re-drop is needed to advance. As the mystery far exceeds the music, I feel it is necessary to copy this anecdote from Mat Rademans hand (on the discogs page): "Approx, spring 2004 plans start being set into motion to record R.L. Stein's 1st LP.  At this point, the band was a duo of Ren Schofield on drums, myself on guitar/electronics & guest players depending on the city we were playing in. So talks between Ren & I began, who was gonna play on it with us? who was gonna record it? should we even really do this? After a few "uhhhs" & "mmmmm's" i basically said "fuck it, let's get Albini to record it, we'll get some rad people to play on it, get it pressed to picture disc, & i'll slave away on overtime at work the next few months & pay for it all!" Ren i believe responded with something like "cool.", delivered in a very monotone voice.So there it began....I had been running my mouth for years about wanting to record a record with Steve Albini. I can honestly remember calling Steve on the phone as far back as when i was in the Mirconauts to set up a session with him. I have been a long time fan of his work, & loved the sound he got on tape. So i got in touch with him and set up a date that worked best for all involved.Next to assemble the additional players, which ended up being a massive group of Breathmint's inner circle & other pals close to the heart.Matt Bacon Sarah Bernat Jared Burak Frank Falestra Carlos Gonzalez E.W. Hagstrom Valerie Martino Andy Ortmann Mike Schauwitzer Jason VerhagenI booked the Newton "Cruel Summer" tour around the session, and off we went.So on August 19th, 2004 A.D., the 12 of us met that for breakfast and i presented the "gameplan", a loose structure of "songs" & a list of who would be playing with Ren & I on what track. Then over to Electrical Audio ( a two-studio complex located in Chicago, Illinois and owned by Steve Albini) to record & mix this LP." - Mat Rademan June 13th, 2008

Stand Out Track:

Links:
Discogs
Breathmints
Steve Albini WIki
Mat Raderman Discogs

Pinchers With Pliers - s/t

Name: Pinchers with Pliers
Album: s/t
Year: 1988
Style: Reggae
Similar Bands: Marley, Black Stalin, Peter Tosh
"One-Word" Review: Smooth Breezy Relaxation
Based Out Of: Kingston, Jamaica
Label: Black Scorpio Records, VP Records

Cover & Record

Back & Record

Pinchers with Pliers (1988)

1. Increase Your Knowledge 3:36 (listed as track 2)
2. The Sun is Shining in My Life 3:36
3. Rise and Fall 3:48 (listed as track 5)
4. Crazy 3:35 (listed as track 3)
5.  Here I Come Again 3:31  (listed as track 4)/ 
6. Sweet Sweet 3:30
7. Who's There 3:56
8. Whispers in the Dark 3:51
9. Love Up Mi Bonify 3:46
10. Bias Them Bias 3:09

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Pinchers (Delroy Thompson)- Vox (Sly & Robbie, Jackie Mittoo, Robbie Lyn)
• Pliers (Everton -Bonner) - Vox (Chaka Demus, Blues Melody)
• Jack Scorpio
• Maurice Johnson - Arranged and Produced
• Clieve Brownie - Rhythm Tracks, Drums, Bass (Steely & Clevie, The In Crowd, The Music Works Crew)
• Winston Wright - Bass, Drums (many) 
• Steele (Wycliffe Johnson) - Bass (many)
• Dwight Pinkney - Lead Guitar (Gifted Roots band, Singers & Players, Ring Craft Posse, Roots Radics, Sharks, Yardbeat, Zap Pow)
• Lascelles Beckford - Guitar (Gregory Isaacs, General Trees)
• Asher (Tony Brissett) - Synth (Hi-Times Band/Players)
• Robbie Lyn - Synth (Sound Dimension, Music Works Crew, Now Generation, Ring Craft Posse, Word, Sound & Power)
• Scully (Noel Simms) - Percussion (many)
• Sky Juice (Christopher Blake) - Percussion (Channel One All Stars, Roots Radics)
• Junior - Engineer
• Mikey Riley - Engineer
• Chris - Engineer
• Mervin - Engineer
• Bagga Case - Design & Art

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but i am guessing it is going to be some reggae / calypso based on the pics  and addresses on the back.

Album Review: So this is basically a Reggae split, with Pinchers on the A side, and Pliers on the B side. Neither artist had huge success, but this is a nice, relaxing & pleasant record.

Stand Out Track: Here I Come Again - Pinchers
Love Up Mi Bonify - Pliers

Links:
Discogs
Pinchers WIKI
Pliers WIKI

Blue Boy - Superman

Name:Blue Boy
Album: Superman
Year: 1982
Style: Reggae, Calypso, Funk , Soca
Similar Bands: Mighty Sparrow, Pinchers & Pliers, Lord Shorty
"One-Word" Review: Funky Reggae Party Music
Based Out Of: Trinidad
Label: Charlie's Records, Charles

Cover & Record

Back & Record

Superman (1982)

1. Superman 6:54
2. Pan in the Air 4:42
3. Rebecca 5:57 / 
4. Swing 5:08
5. Party 6:39
6. Slavation 5:52

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Austin Lyons Blue Boy - Composition (Apple Stars Steel Orch., Explainer)
• Pelham Goddard - Arrangement & Conducted, Keys (Ed Watson & the Brass Circle, Mighty Kinger, Lord Shorty, Brother Mudada, Mighty Swallow, Mighty Sparrow)
• Rawlston Charles - Producer
• Colin Stephen - Congas Percussion (Pied Pipers, Charlie's Roots, David Rudder)
• Vernon Headley - Drums (Charlies Roots, Red Plastic bag, David Rudder, Swamp Dogg)
• Emanuel Ector - Bass (Swallow, Pan Assembly)
• Anthony Voison - Guitar (Charlies Roots,Tambu, David Rudder, Inspector, Arrow, Calypso Rose)
• Junior Wharwood - Guitar (Charlies Roots, Lord Shorty, Arrow, David Rudder, Explainer)
• Len Boogsia Sharpe - Pan (Monty Alexander's Ivory Steel, Lord Shorty, PM Dawn, Swamp Dogg, 
• Clyde Mitchell - 1st Trumpet (Ed Watson & The Brass Circle, Lord Shorty, Charlie's Roots, Arrow, Explainer, Black Stalin, Baron)
• David Pilgrim - 2nd Trumpet (Bunny Mack, Jewel Ackah, Harry Panday)
• Skel - Tenor Sax
• Jamesie - Trombone
• Akili Walker - Engineer
• Kevin Burke - Photographer
• Hollis King - Art Direction
• Jon Fausty - Engineer
• Charmaine Yates - Vox (Becket, Winston Soso)
• Glenda Ifill - Vox (Becket, Winston Soso, Black Stalin)
• Valerie Brewster - Vox (Melody, Brigo, Brother Resistance)
• Jenifer Pequerra - Vox

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Super Blueboy, but i love the cover of the artist in a Superman-Like outfit, flying in the sky, carrying a blue record. All hints on the back suggest this is Reggae / Calypso, so I have no reason to doubt it

Album Review: So on top of Calypso, there is a little funk & R&B element added into the production,. giving a little more dimension to the genre. Which is a genre all it's own called Soca, or Sokah, which is short for the Soul of Calypso, reinvigorating traditional Calypso with Funk, Soul, Jazz to make a new genre that kept Calypso relevant. Blue Boy/Superblue/Austin Lyons is an award winnng and groundbreaking musician that was the first winner & double winner of the Soca Monarch award, first calypso performer on Sesame Street and the first calypso performer at London's Wembley Convention Center in '91.

Stand Out Track: Pan in the Air

Links:
Discogs
Wiki
Pan on the net
Caribbean Beat
Caribbean HOF
When Steel Talks

Pheromones (the) - Collateral Damage

Name: The Pheromones
Album: Collateral Damage
Year: 1988
Style: Comedic Pop, Novelty, Folk, Electronic
Similar Bands: Weird Al, Frank De Lima & Na Kolohe
"One-Word" Review: Embarrassing eclectic joke-songs
Based Out Of: Washington DC
Label: Skyclad

 Cover & Record

Record & Back

Collateral Damage (1988)

1. Attaboy 3:08
2. Too Smart to Have Fun 2:56
3. Closet Skeleton 4:02
4. Hey Look Around You 2:37
5. Campaign '88 3:06
6. If I Were Your Prezident  3:15 /
7. Galactic Funny Farm 4:11
8. Space in the World 1:37
9. Ancient One 4:45
10. Mad Elaine 2:44
11. Come & Unite Me Tonight 3:41
12. Yuppie Drone II 3:27
13. Tiki Goes Mad 1:14

Album Rating (1-10): 3.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Jimmy (Patterson) Pheromone -Writing & Programming
• Alvis (Johnson) Pheromone - Writing & Performance
• Mary Von Klotz
• Melcor Shaazendis - Producer
• J.B. Daws - Engineer
• Hank Rand -Arrangements
• Alan Sonneman - Cover Art
• Elliott Landy - Back Photo
• New Age Graphics - Design & Graphics
• Letterforms - Typography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but I like the pink & black color scheme, and the font of the album title gives a little of a punk/alternative vibe.

Album Review: This album is terrible. Very awkward and embarrassing style attempts with cringe-worthy lyrics and dated jests. The one stand out track "Too Smart to Have Fun" has a good melody, and is not a horrible song, and the Campaign-Prezident (ugh, the "z") suite has some interesting ideas and concepts about running & voting for a 3rd party candidate. Those two points gave the album an extra point on its rating. The synth / drum machine effects on Attaboy and Yuppie Drone are just horrendous Devo and rap style parodies respectively (although "Attaboy" has a solid They Might Be Giants worthy lyric "Here at the "department of redundancy" department). The worst Weird Al songs are leagues ahead of anything on this album. Makes a little more sense that they were on Dr. Demento.

Stand Out Track: Too Smart to Have Fun

Links:
Discogs
Get Hip re-release label
rate your music
Washington Post article '88

Joe "King" Carrasco & the Crowns - s/t

Name: Joe "King" Carrasco & the Crowns
Album: s/t
Year:1980
Style: Tex-Mex, New Wave, Oldies
Similar Bands: Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Werner Thomas, Buddy Holly, Fabulous Fondas, ? & the Mysterians, El Vez
"One-Word" Review: Chicken Dance New Wave
Based Out Of: Dumas/Austin TX
Label: Hannibal Records, Antilles Communications, Island Records

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Joe "King" Carrasco & the Crowns (1980)

1. Houston el Mover 2:00
2. One More Time 2:19
3. Caca de Vaca 2:45
4. Let's Get Pretty 3:03
5. Bad Bad Girls 2:13
6. Don't Bug Me Baby 3:12
7. Federales 2:43 /
8. Buena 3:12
9. Nervoused Out 2:36
10. Betty's World 3:20
11. I Get My Kicks on You 3:29
12. Party Doll 2:30
13. Gimme Sody, Judy 3:25

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:
Brad Kizer - Bass
Mike Navarro - Drums (Dino Lee, Hand of Glory)
Kris Cummings - Keys (Johnny Reno & Sax Maniacs, LeRoi Bros)
Joe 'King' Carrasco - Guitar, Vox (BP Fallon, Texas Tornados)
Eddie Solan - Engineer
John Wood - Engineer & Producer
Joe Nick Patoski - Executive Producer
Worthless Willy - Talent Co-Coordinator
Gretchen Barber - Talent Co-Coordinator
Huey P. Meaux - Talent Co-Coordinator
Karel Steiner - Cover Photo
Waring Abbot - Back Photos
John Morthland - Liner Notes
M&Co. NY - Design

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band. But between all the collaged advertisement artwork, i imagine this to be some wacky country-ish music.

Album Review: Although the "file under" note at the top right corner states Nuevo Wavo & Instrumental: Farfisa, the result is like a snotty Tex-Mex new wave playing their songs through a chicken dance effects pedal. There is the Farfisa organ, so there is a little Elvis Costello feel to some of the songs, but it is very light, and lacks any kind of punch most new wave acts possess. Labeled as new Wave Pop mixed with Latin Rhythms, the songs translate much better live with dance focused emphasis than on a record. They were one of the first american bands to be signed to the Stiff Records and guested on SNL on 1/24/81

Stand Out Track: Houston el Mover

Links:
Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Austin Chronicle
CD Baby
IMDB
Robert Christgau
website
Recovery Recordings

Stanky Brown Group (the) - If The Lights Don't Get You the Helots Will

Name: The Stanky Brown Group
Album: If The Lights Don't Get You the Helots Will
Year:1977
Style: Light Rock
Similar Bands: Kavaret, Kinks, Eagles
"One-Word" Review: Folksy Rock
Based Out Of: New Jersey
Label: Sire / ABC Records

Cover, Lyrics, Record

Back, Liner Notes, Record

If The Lights Don't Get You the Helots Will (1977)

1. Coal Tow 3:20
2. Life Beyond 4:04
3. Woman Don't Let it Slip Away 3:25
4. Confident Man 3:14
5. Faith in the Family 3:53 /
6. Alone Tonight 3:11
7. Good to Me 3:00
8. As a Lover I'm a Loser 2:32
9. Stop In The Name of Love 3:06 (Supremes Cover)
10. Free and Easy 5:03

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Hank Medress - Producer, Mixing
• Dave Appell - Producer, Mixing
• James Brown - Keys, Vox, Arrangements (David Duke)
• Jeffrey Leynor - Guitars, Vox (David Duke)
• Richard Bunkiewicz - Bass (David Duke)
• Jerry M Cordasco - Drums, Percussion, Vox
• Jimmy Miller - Guitar
• Frank Greene - Lyrics
• Elliot Randall - Guitar (Randall's Island, Sh Na Na, Steely Dan, Loudon Wainwright III)
• Jimmy Maelen - Conga (Ambergris, Shobizz, Hollywood Vampires, Latin Dimension, Peter Gabriel)
• Werner Fritzsching - Guitar (Riff Raff, Pierce Arrow, Cactus)
• David Lasley - Backing Vox
• Lynn Pitney  - Backing Vox
• Arnold McCuller - Backing Vox
• Billy Radice - Engineer, Mixing
• Michael Getlin - Asst. Engineer
• Bob Ludwig - Mastering
• Chris Dedrick - Strings & Horns
• Artie Kaplan - NYC String & Horn Contractor
• John Gillespie - Art Direction
• Moshe Brakha - Photography
• Steven Bartel - Album Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but by the toilet humor name and cover album photo in front of the Statue of Liberty, I imagine this to be a southern bluesy rock band like Lynyrd Skynyrd or something.

Album Review: This is a 70's folksy AOR band with a little more bite. Some fun southern bluesy elements incorporated to power pop and classic rock songs. Not much about them out there on the internet...perhaps the most is on the comments section of a youtube video. Not quite as silly as the name would indicate.

Stand Out Track: Coal Town

Links:
allmusic
discogs
rate your music
Facebook
Robert Christgau
coal town video

Blue Mink - s/t

Name: Blue Mink
Album: s/t
Year: 1973
Style: Classic Rock, Folk Pop
Similar Bands: Cold Blood, Jefferson Airplane, Partridge Family, Cowsills
"One-Word" Review: Folky Flower-Pop Soul
Based Out Of: UK
Label: MCA Records

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

Blue Mink (1973)

1. Watch Out 2:44
2. Randy 3:12
3. Another Day Without You 3:44
4. Daughter of Someone 3:50
5. God Only Knows 3:10 (Beach Boys cover)
6. Together 4:04 /
7. By The Devil I Was Tempted 3:38
8. You Are the Sunshine of My Life (Stevie Wonder cover)
9. Harlem 2:41 (Bill Withers Cover)
10. Loneliness 3:47
11. Harmony 3:12
12. Where Did They Go 4:03

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• David MacKay - Producer
• Madeline Bell - Vox (Joe Cocker, Dusty Springfield, David & Jonathan, Elton John, Freedom Road Cast, New London Chorale, Orchester James Last, Space, Bradford Singers, Midnite Ladies, Power & Glory)
• Roger Cook - Vox (David & Jonathan, Elton John, Currant Kraze, CCW, Cook-Greenway, Jon and Julie, Kestrels, White Plains)
• Barry Morgan - Drums (many bands)
• Herbie Flowers - Bass (Sky, Lou Reed, Bounty, Frog, Ginger Baker & Friends, Hungry Wolf, NY Trouble, Rumplestiltskin, T.Rex, Magic Music Co, Philarmonics, Ugly Custard, Tony Visconti Orch.)
• Alan Parker - Guitar (The Congregation, Bounty, bullet, CCS, Congregation, Frog, Hungry Wolf, Jon Watts, Les Reed & his Orch. Mike Batt & Friends, Mike Cox, Rumplestiltskin, David Lindup Big Band, Phiarmonics, Rhythm Section, Troll, Ugly Custard)
• Roger Coulam - Keys (Jimmy Nicol & Shubdubs, Roger Coulam Quartet, Ugly Custard)
• Ann O'Dell - Keys, orchestral Arrangements (Chopyn, Roger Glover & Guests, Sphincter Ensemble, Shawn Phillips, Bryan Ferry, Andrew Lloyd Webber)
• Ray Cooper - Percussion (Elton John, Eric Clapton, Les Reed, Mike Batt, AllStar Band, House Band, Philarmonics, Singing Rebels Band)
• Martin Levan - Engineer
• Paul Tregurtha - Engineer
• Barry Authors - Personal Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Blue Mink. But they look like a folky, southern bluesy band, like CCR or Allman Brothers with their denim band pict on the cover, and the beardy dude with the straw hat.

Album Review: The album, full with multiple covers, has a flower child, Woodstockian Hair feel to the majority of the album, They were originally designed to be a studio only instrumental band, but those layers slowly peeled away to where they just became a band. Apparently, this record came out at the peak, and begin of their downfall as a band, touring the US & adding members, and a shifting music culture as the blame. It was called Only When I Laugh on other versions, but is just self titled on this MCA-US release.

Stand Out Track: Randy

Links:
Discogs
Wiki
Allmusic
Rate your music
Daily Mail song banned
Nostalgia Central
IMDB

Allan Clarke - I've Got Time

Name: Allan Clarke
Album: I've Got Time
Year:1976
Style: Singer / Songwriter Covers, Easy Listening
Similar Bands: 70's version of the Hitmaker Cover bar bands
"One-Word" Review: Wispy-Soft-Musak-Familiars
Based Out Of: Salford, Lancashire, England
Label: Asylum Records, Elektra, Nonesuch, Pasha Music Org

 Cover, Record

Back, Record

I've Got Time (1976)

1. Blinded By the Light 4:37
2. Light A Light 4:16
3. We've got Time 3:53
4. Stand By Me 3:26
5. The Long Way 4:20 / 
6. Hallelujah Freedom 3:40
7. If Your Think You Know How to Love Me 4:11
8. If You Walked Away 4:18
9. Sunrise 4:18
10. Living In Love 3:30
11. Finale 4:05

Album Rating (1-10): 5.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Allan Clarke- Vox (Hollies, Clarke-Hicks-Nash, Fourtones, Deltas)
• Spencer Proffer - Producer, Arrangement
• Jimmie Haskell - Arrangement: Strings, Horns, Finale, Conductor
• Ron Malo - Engineering & Sound
• David Apps- Management Direction
• Glen Christensen - Art Direction
• John Van Hammersveld - Design
• Norman Seeff - Photography

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this singer/songwriter, but he looks weathered, and confident, so my guess is the tracks will be thoughtful countrified (cowboy hat) versions of hit songs.

Album Review: I did not know he was the famous hall of fame lead singer of the Hollies and childhood friend/bandmate with Graham Nash. The songs are light, almost like a band that would play for a 40th wedding anniversary or retirement party. But Clarke is still recording, despite taking time off from medical problems with his vocal chords, but he released a new album in 2019.

Stand Out Track: Blinded By The Light

Links:
Wiki
Allmusic
Discogs
facebook
telegraph - hollies
best classic bands
Noise 11
website

Charlie Ainley - s/t

Name: Charlie Ainley
Album: Bang Your Door
Year: 1978
Style: Pub Rock, Disco, Country, Rockabilly, Blues
Similar Bands: Steve Forbet, Lou Reed, Marshall Crenshaw
"One-Word" Review: Randomized Bar Jukebox Singer
Based Out Of: Cornwall, UK
Label: Nemperor Records, CBS Records

 Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Bang Your Door (1978)

1. Bang Your Door 3:05
2. Angry 3:28
3. Try to Be a Good One 4:15
4. Pig Farm Blues 2:50
5. I Don't Need No Doctor 4:00 / (Ashford & Simpson cover)
6. Deed I Do 3:15
7. New York, New York 3:41
8. Heat of the Night 3:18
9. The Whistler 3:55
10. R.U. 1 3:05

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Charlie Ainley - Writer, Vox (Charlie & the Wide Boys, Shakin' Stevens)
• Tony Ashton - Producer, Organ, Tubular Bells (Ashton & Lord, Gardner & Dyke, Broken Glass, Chicken Shack, Family, Green Bullfrog, Roger Glover & Guests,  Remo Four, Wizard's Convention)
• Stuart Elliot - Drums, Percussion (Cockney Rebel, Keats, Steve Harley, Al Stewart, Alan Parsons)
• Chas Hodges - Bass, Backing Vox (Chas & Dave, Black Claw, Cliff Bennett & Rebel Rousers, Green Bullfrog, Heads Hands & Feet, Heinz & the Wild Boys, House Band, Oily Rags, Ritchie Blackmore Orchaestra, Rockers, Soul Survival, Outlaws, Sessions and more)
• Richard Worthy - Guitar (Charlie & the Wide Boys)
• Pete Wingfield - Bosendorfer, Keys (Band of Gold, Jellybread, Olympic Runners, Hollies, Keef Hartley Band, Dexys Midnight Runners, Olivia Newton-John)
• The Misdemeanors - Backing Vox
• Howie Casey - Brass (Howie Casey & the Seniors, Rockestra, Tony Sheridan & the Beat Brothers)
• Martin Frith - Brass (National yo9uth Jazz Orch. Ian Gillian Band, Herb Miller Orch.)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this singer/songwriter, but I expect a general slacker meets hipster songsmith.

Album Review: This record jumps all around the styles from pub rock to disco to country. The vocals don't sound like they're the same person on any one track, which might have been a goal, but this feels like a genre compilation more than a solidified album. He sounds like Zappa, Lou Reed, generic honky-tonk, or Robert Plant at any one time. Not positive, but I suspect the album title and first track is a veiled references to asking for anal sex.

Stand Out Track: Bang Your Door

Links:
Discogs
Robert Christgau
Punk Music Catalogue
facebook
allmusic
rate your music
website

Shirts (the) - s/t

Name: The Shirts
Album: s/t
Year: 1978
Style: Folk-Rock
Similar Bands: Jefferson Airplane, Mamas & Papas, 10 Wheel Drive, Janis Joplin, Cold Blood
"One-Word" Review: Jangley Hippy Rock
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Capitol

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

The Shirts (1978)

1. Reduced to a Whisper 3:28
2. Tell Me Your Plans 3:10
3. Empty Ever After 3:52
4. Teenage Crutch 3:00
5. Tenth Floor Clown 4:42 / 
6. The Story Goes 4:00
7. Lonely Android 3:55
8. Running Through the Night 3:46
9. They Say the Sun Shines 3:22
10. Poe 3:47

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Arthur La Monica - Guitar, Vox, Keys (Rome 56, Ex Norwegian)
• Robert Racioppo - Bass, Vox (Bob of the Shirts, Rome 56)
• John "Zeek" Criscione - Drums, Vox, Percussion (Bob of the Shirts, Rome 56)
• Ronald Ardito - Guitar, Vox, Keys (Fred Schneider & the Shake Society)
• Annie Golden - Vox (Hair, Orange is the New Black, Jing)
• John Piccolo - Keys, Guitar, Vox (Idle Chatter)
• Mike Thorne - Producer
• Gary Edwards - Engineering
• Roger Bechirian - Engineering
• Pat Stapley - Engineering
• Paul Hardiman - Mixing
• Ken Perry - Cutting
• Roy Kohara - Art Direction
• Ken Anderson - Design
• Larry Racioppo - Shirts Logo
• Ebet Roberts - Liner Photo

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the Shirts. Like the simple still life with assumed action cover art, and the sizable 6-person band on the back looks like Dexy's Midnight Runners, so I'm guessing this might be a folky, jazzy pop sort of record.

Album Review: The album has a folky, late 60's Woodstock vibe to it mixed in with a little theatrical / musical elements. It feels kinda bland like a lot of introspective jangley college rock records, save the songs Teenage Crutch and Lonely Android, which have a faster, vibrant feel that i could see being played at CBGBs: the club they got their big start opening for acts like Television and Talking Heads. Nowadays, the (ex) member most recognizable is singer Annie Golden, who recently appeared as the silent inmate on Orange is the New Black. She has been a more prolific actor through out her career, also appearing in Hair, Cheers, and 12 Monkeys as well.

Stand Out Track: Teenage Crutch

Links:
Youtube full album
Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Rate Your Music
Website
Stereo Society
Annie's IMDB

John Wetton - Caught in the Crossfire

Name: John Wetton
Album: Caught in the Crossfire
Year:1980
Style: Powerpop, Arena Rock
Similar Bands: Europe, Foriegner, ELO Steely Dan
"One-Word" Review: Singer/Songwriter Arena Rocker
Based Out Of: England
Label: EG Music, BMI, JEM

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

Caught in the Crossfire (1980)

1. Turn on the Radio 3:47
2. Baby Come Back 3:24
3. When Will You Realize? 4:34
4. Cold is the Night 5:22
5. Paper Talk 4:00 /
6. Get Away 4:30
7. Caught in the Crossfire 5:03
8. Get What You Want 3:18
9. I'll Be There 3:33
10. Woman 4:33

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• John Wetton - Producer, Vox, Guitar, Bass, Keys (Asia, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Brian Eno, Uriah Heep, Edward Hand, Family, The Human Experience, Jack-Knife, Mogul Thrash, Qango, Renaissance, U.K., Wishbone Ash, Ultimate Zero, Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Atoll)
• John Punter - Producer, Engineer
• Simon Kirke - Drums, Percussion (Bad Company, Black Cat Bones, Free, Kossoff, Krike, Tetsu & Rabbit, Lonerider, Ringo Star & his All Starr Band, Wildlife)
• Malcolm Duncan - Sax (Average White Band, Mogul Thrash, Pumping Spumona Horns, Buddy Guy)
• Martin Barre - Guitar (Fat Mattress, Jethro Tull, Penny Peeps, VCF Band)
• Martin Moss - Engineer
• Richard Mason - Engineer
• Nigel Walker - Engineer
• Tex Read - Equipment

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this artist, but he looks like a simple Americana singer songwriter

Album Review: The album takes Power Pop to the arena rock level, some echos, some power chords, and lots of opportunity for mainstream rocking and ELO Steely Dan harmonies. And obviously i don't know my Prog bands very well, or i'd probably have know Wetton's name as associated with Asia or King Crimson, or any other number of popular bands listed above. He has had a very long and superstar life, which gives reason to his arena rock sound as a solo artist. He passed away in 2017.

Stand Out Track:Turn on the Radio

Links:
youtube full album
Website
Discogs
Allmusic
Wiki
Rolling Stone Obit 2017
Prog Archives
Rate Your Music

Yellow Magic Orchestra - s/t

Name: Yellow Magic Orchestra
Album: s/t
Year: 1979
Style: Chip Music, Electronic Pop, Techno
Similar Bands: Hot Butter, Chromolodeon, The Advantage, Ghostwriters, Bruce Haack, Cornelius, Kraftwerk
"One-Word" Review: Atari Disco
Based Out Of: Tokyo Japan
Label: Horizon, A&M, ALFA Records

 Cover, Record

Back, Record

Yellow Magic Orchestra (1979)

1. Computer Game "Theme from the Circus" 6:38
2. Firecracker 0:02
3. Simoon 6:28
4. Cosmic Surfin' 4:27
5. Computer Game "Theme From Invader" 1:00 /
6. Yellow Magic (Tong Poo) 6:20
7. La Femme Chinoise 6:05
8. Bridge Over Troubled Music 1:00
9. Mad Pierrot 4:22

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Harry Hosono - Producer
• Kunihiko Murai - Executive Producer
• Tommy Li Puma - Supervisor
• Ryuichu Sakamoto - Keys, Electronics, Percussion, Orchestration, Happy End, others)
• Yukihiro Takahashi - Drums, Percussion, Electronics, Vox (Sadistic Mika Band, others)
• Haruomi Hosono - Bass, Electronics, Keys, Arrangements (Happy End, Yosui Inoue, Osamu Kitajima many  more)
• Hideki Matstake - Micro Computer Programmer (Isao Tomita, Akhihabara Electric Circus, Beat Musik, NML: No More Landmine, Oriental mechanic Band, Purple Project)
• Shunichi Hashimoto - Vox (Izumi Kobayashi)
• Masayoshi Takanaka - Electric Guitar (Bacco, Brush!?, Flied Egg, Sadistic Mika Band, Sadistics)
• Tomoko Nunoi - Sexy Vox
• Nori Yoshizawa - Engineer
• Atsushi Saito - Engineer
• Al Schmidt - Mixing
• Mike Reese - Mastering
• Shunsuke Miyazumi - Recording Coordinator
• Roland Young - Art Direction
• Amy Nagasawa - Design
• Chuck Beeson - Design
• Lou Beach - Cover Art
• Masayoshi Sukita - Back Cover

Unknown-ness: At the time of buying this record, i had not heard of them. The image looks like it is going to be Asian computer sci-fi: with the wires pouring out of the sunglasses-laden Geisha's head. From a PC standpoint, the name seems to be a little racist, amplified by the yellow highlighted suits on the back of the record. But what do I know?

Album Review: So YMO is one of the first bands to include the electronic noised from what sound like Atari games into modern music, which leans disco for the time. Today, it's referred to chip music: folks that include 8 bit sound into their compositions. Their pioneering expands beyond that into J-Pop, Electro-Pop, SynthWave and techno. Their name is apparently satire of Japan's obsession with Black magic in the late 70's. The idea was to fuse oriental exotica with modern electronics. A section of Simoon sounds a lot like Ween's Mexican instrumental Fiesta.

Stand Out Track: Computer Game "Theme from the Circus", Firecracker

Links:
Wiki
Spotify
Discogs
Allmusic
Website
Vice
Facebook
Moog Music
Fact Mag

Nowherefast - s/t

Name: Nowherefast
Album: s/t
Year: 1982
Style: Power Pop, New Wave, Hair Rock
Similar Bands: Def Leppard, Walkmen, Scorpions, Cheap Trick, Journey, Kansas, Thomas Dolby
"One-Word" Review: Melodic Hair Wave
Based Out Of: California
Label: Scotti Brothers, CBS Records

 Cover, Record

Back Record

Nowhere Fast (1982)

1. First Time 3:32
2. Sometimes I Wonder 7:08
3. Feeling Better 4:35
4. Strange Reason 3:39 /
5. Nowhere to Run 3:07
6. View Through a Tear 3:23
7. As I Am 4:26
8. No One With Nothing 3:36
9. Feelin' Like Loving You 3:47

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Jimmy Hansen - Drums, Percussion (Mark Hoffman & the Rabble, Dan Havens & the Missisippi Mudcats)
• Bob Fredrickson - Guitar, Bass, Vox (Robin Miller)
• Jeff Naideau - Keys, Guitars, Vox (Life by Night, House of Lords, Eyes)
• Steve Bock - Bass, Vox (Truth & Janey)
• Bill Walker - Exec Producer
• Sol Saffian - Exec. Producer
• Al Vaides - Exec Producer
• Mark Woldson - Engineer
• Jamey Dell - Engineer
• Tony Papa - Mixing
• Tom Drennon - Design
• John Exley - Photography
• Frank Gargani - 112 degrees Desert Rat-Pack Film Drew
• Peter Haskell - 112 degrees Desert Rat-Pack Film Drew
• Diane Duarte - Model
• Bill Nicholas - 365-GTB/4

Unknown-ness: Never heard of ths band, but the artwork reminds me of the Producers, so i assume it will be some sort of Powerpop. But the story laid out by the artwork of gearheads taking apart a model's car might project a little greasier, harder edge.

Album Review: With higher raspy Def Leppard like vocals, this hair power pop band puts out their melodic rock with an edge. They had 3 songs appear in an 1981 movie Prowler, with View Through a Tear being the only album track. The first track as an odd vocal melody- in a good way- that sounds like something from either Thomas Dolby or the Walkmen. A bit of that Walkmen sound is also on the second track's chorus.

Stand Out Track: First Time

Links:
Melodic Hard Rock
Memorable Musical Horror Performances #5
IMDB
Discogs
allmusic
Rate Your Music

Original Mirrors - s/t

Name: Original Mirrors
Album: s/t
Year: 1980
Style: New Wave
Similar Bands: Haircut 100, Flock of Seagulls
"One-Word" Review: Flat New Wave Let Down
Based Out Of: Liverpool, England
Label: Artista

 Cover, Lyrics Record

Back, Lyrics Record

Original Mirrors (1980)

1. Panic in the Night 3:18
2. Sharp Words 4:28
3. Could This Be Heaven 5:10
4. Boys Cry 2:35
5. Chains of Love 4:02 /
6. Night of the Angels 3:38
7. Reflections 4:09 (Supremes cover)
8. The Boys the Boys 3:28
9. Flying 4:04
10. Feel Like a Train 4:40

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Steve Allen - Writer, Producer, Vox (Deaf School, Hot Club, Perils of Plastic, Clive Langer * the Boxes)
• Ian Broudie - Writer, Producer, Guitar (Lightning Seeds, Care, Big in Japan, Bette Bright & the Illuminations, Ellery Bop, Wild Swans, Icicle Works, Shack, SSHH)
• Alan Winstanley - Producer, Remix (Madness)
• Bill Nelson - Producer 
• Pete Kircher - Drums (Status Quo)
• Jonathan Perkins - Keys (XTC, Stadium Dogs, Dave Stewart & Spiritual Cowboys, JC-001, Roger taylor, Murray Lachlan Young, Miss World )
• Phil Spalding - Bass (Bernie Torme, Bop, Cockney N Westerns, Eat this, GTR, Mirrors, Dirty Strangers, The Hard, the Managment, The Rowdies, Toyah, Right Said Fred, Tashan)
• Kevin Ward - Writer

Unknown-ness: As I have a strong love for the Lightning Seeds, I knew this project was one that Ian Broudie was part of before the Seeds (as well as  Big in Japan). So I figure it will be some nice, smooth catchy brit-pop.

Album Review: So the album has a much more pub rock / new wave feel than the playful music i was anticipating, knowing the Lightning Seeds...mostly because Broudie is a co-writer, and just plays guitar without singing. So the output is a much more straightforward new wave sound. Even the aid of ex XTC's keyboard player can't bring this above mediocre pop.

Stand Out Track: Sharp Words

Links:
youtube full album
Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Rate Your Music
Past Daily
themes from great cities

Mic Holwin - Starting to Remember

Name: Mic Holwin
Album: Starting to Remember
Year: 1986
Style: Electronic, Instrumental, New Age
Similar Bands: Tangerine Dream, Ghostwriters
"One-Word" Review: 80's Drama-Horror Soundtrack for Film
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Lifestyle, Moss Music Group

Cover & Record

Back & Record

Starting to Remember (1986)

1. Brujo 3:22
2. The Hunt 3:58
3. Aligning the Warlock 3:32
4. This Close 4:06
5. Gray 3:14
6. Amon Ra 3:11
7. Being Swum 3:16 /
8. Abandon 3:08
9. The Bridge 3:56
10. Burning Beyond 3:38
11. Unbound 5:58
12. Shaon 3:01
13. Aviatar 4:43

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Mic Holwin - Writer, Performer, Programmer, Producer, Asst Engineer (Brujo)
• Paul Zinman - Associate Producer, Engineer, Digital Editing, Additional DX Timbres
• Niko Joel Anducich - Lifestyle Exec. Producer
• Glascock - Cover
• David Meieran - Additional DX Timbres
• Vinnie Fusco - Manager

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this artist, and I keep wanting to call him Mic Howlin' but the L & W are transposed. I like the VHS-quality scanline cover art, and simple artwork & angular font. Not sure what to expect with this one, as it could be really anything from a singer songwriter to future rock. I do anticipate some sort of synth element.

Album Review: Well, this is all synth element. 100% synth done on at least 5 different synthesizers, creating strange and elegant new-agey B-movie background themes. Apparently, the Mic in her name refers to the method she writes music that is visible: "synesthesia'

Stand Out Track: Amon Ra

Links:
Youtube full album
Discogs
Paul Zinman's Soundbyte productions
Fade 2 grey
Rate Your Music
Allmusic

Spikes (the) - 6 Sharp Cuts

Name: The Spikes
Album: 6 Sharp Cuts
Year: 1985
Style: Blusey Garage Psych Rock
Similar Bands: Doors, Black Rebel Motor Cycle, Animal Bag, Guided By Voices
"One-Word" Review: Stumbley Acid Rock
Based Out Of: Australia
Label: Big Time Records, Greasy Pop Records

 Cover, Record

Back, Record

6 Sharp Cuts (1985)

1. Flashback to Acid Beach 5:29
2. Ain't No Friend of Mine 2:48
3. Bloodmud 4:54 /
4. Romance 3:14
5. Scars & Angels 3:45
6. Hollywood 6:58

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Ian List - Vox, Guitar, Bass (The Assassins, Dagoes, The UV's)
• Greg Swanborough - Drums, Harmonies
• Doug Thomas - Guitar, Casualty Vox (The Dagoes, The Assassins, The UVs, Contrapunctus, Vinyl)
• James Tizard - Bass, Lead Guitar
• Bob Allan - Producer
• Gayle Hutchison - Cover Concept & Art

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but I love the artwork, the color scheme, the patterns and angles. It just looks like it is going to be a great slice of new wave / art rock.

Album Review: This Australian band takes inspiration from classic psych rock and the Doors, but I'm not into their result, as it feels to fall flat...its fair to say this is not my go to genre, either. They were an important band in Australian Music Culture, if nothing more for the fact that Doug Thomas ran a the Greasy Pop record label that put their section of South Australia (Adelaide) on the map, particularly with a compilation called "An Oasis in a Desert of Noise".

Stand Out Track: Ain't No Friend of Mine

Links:
Discogs
Adelaide Music
Greasy pop Records Wiki
South Aus. Memory
Rate Your Music
Facebook
Adelaide Review: Greasy Pop

Pleasureboaters - ¡Gross!

Name: Pleasureboaters
Album:¡Gross!
Year: 2007
Style: Hard Rock, Emo, Metal, Scream-o, Math Rock
Similar Bands: Primus, Rage Against the Machine, Braniac, Liars
"One-Word" Review: Complex Shouty Emo-Prog
Based Out Of: Seattle, WA
Label: Don't Stop Believin' Records

 Cover, Fold Out, Record

Back, Info Card, Record

¡Gross! (2008)

1. State of the Union 4:04
2. Elliptical Realism 2:50
3. Andalou 3:32
4. Cigarette Song 3:56
5. Deckhand Paterson 1:54
6. Rockpaperscissors 2:10
7. Unrivaled Subjectivity 2:55/
8. Scramble 2:42
9. D'jeff 3:38
10. Leopard Print babyware 4:27
11. Cockhair 2:26
12. Alt Tuning 3:33

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Ricky Claudon - Lyrics, Vox, Guitar
• Dustin Musik - Lyrics
• Tim Cady - Drums (the Beats)
• Erik Baldwin -  Bass (the Beats, Wildcat Choir, Valley Fair)
• Austin Thomason - Producer, Recording, Mixing
• Chris Hanzsek - Mastering
• Will Crakes - Photos & Design

Unknown-ness: I never heard of this band. But I like the artwork that looks like a socket wrench size chart. Simple b/w with the white vinyl was very appealing, and there is minimal info about them, so its hard to imagine their style, but I'd have to guess some sort of indie rock.

Album Review: The shouty vocals remind me of something between Rage Against the Machine and Braniac. Musically, it has some prog bass, catchy guitars, and bombastic drums, in line with a straight forward melodic emo band. They were known `for their energetic live shows and lo-fi sound, comparable to Fugazi and Black Flag.

Stand Out Track: Elliptical Realism

Links:
bandcamp
Discogs
DSB Records
Rate Your Music
Pop Matters
Berkley Place
Three Imaginary Girls
Myspace
Where have they been?