Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start - ~s/t EP & *Girls Names EP

Name: Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start
Album: s/t EP~, Girls Names*
Year: 1999~, 2006
Style: Emo, Math Rock
Similar Bands: Math the Band, Sunny Day Real Estate, Fire Theft, Dismemberment Plan
"One-Word" Review: Plucky Complexly Calculated DIY'ers
Based Out Of: Philadelphia
Label: Papermade Records~, self-released*

~Cover, Back, CDR

*Promo Cover, Back

*Promo Liner Notes, CD

~Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start (1999)

1. Song Competition 2:49
2. Working Title 3:38
3. I'm Holding Hands With Me 1:39
4. Action 4:08
5. Walked Out This Season 3:52
6. Real Philosophers Vs. The Lovers of Sights and Sounds 3:24

*Girls Names (2006)

1. Janet Bateman 1:52
2. Melanie Flury 2:13
3. Rachel Strayer 0:56
4. Robyn Fleshman 1:53

Album Rating (1-10):~7.0

*6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Steve Poponi - Vox, Bass~ Guitar* (The Jazz June, Cabana Wear, The Progress, Young Statues, Fight Amp)
• Scott Rumble - Drums~
• Jeff Mott - Guitar, Vox~ (Hands of Despair, Thrawnsunblat)
• Dave Damm - Bass* 
• Dave Dunn - Drums*
• Dave Downham - Guitar* (The Secession Movement, Kill Verona, The Progress, Cabana Wear)
• Evan Weiss - Guitar* (Damiera, Into It. Over It, Map the Growth, Pet Symmetry, Stay Ahead of the Weather, The Progress, Their/They're/There, CSTVT, Moving Mountains, Koji, The Jazz June, You Blew It!, Pacemaker, Evan Myall, Castevet, Noumenon, Chris Farren, Sincere Engineer, Lana Del Rey)
• Brian Mietz - Artwork*

Unknown-ness: I had heard the name before, but never really heard them. This goes back to the early 00's when i found a CDR of their first EP at AKA records here in Philly. Always kinda associated them with Math Rock/Emo scene, but again, couldn't say for sure, aside from other bands they were mentioned in conjunction with. So not a pure unknown band, but enough that i don't know what it's going to sound like, exactly, and if i'll enjoy it. The black EP was found out in LA at Amoeba, and was a promotional CD, produced just for journals or airplay...otherwise, it could be downloaded for free, as an internet-only release.

Album Review: Blending the concentrated Math Rock/Prog elements with emo almost needs not be separated, but they are the elements that go into the first EP. Calculated guitars that go from loud to melodic to quiet and reserved, overlayed by vocals that drone and shout like a ride on Space Mountain; where you don't know if you're going for a drop or a turn. I get a lot of the mid 90's alt-emo band influence like Sunny Day & Dismemberment Plan in the guitar work and overall production (Dis Plan & Hail Social in the lead vocals). The Girls Names EP is quite short, the songs averaging less than 105 seconds each.

It goes without saying, to most folks with even a passing interest in the band, that they take their name from the infamous Konami cheat code to score extra lives in their Nintendo games. In the spirit of "free" and "extra," both of these EPs took advantage of the internet age, where all the songs were available for free, legal download from the artist's recording studio website. Most of the band's life span between these two eps, as their career started with the self titled CDR, and their end coming less than 2 years after Girl's Names. Though it all was Steve Poponi, who still works with Gradwell House recording studio in Jersey producing albums for bands with a similar mindset, like Beach Slang (at least Downham has worked on their albums).

Stand Out Track: ~Working Title 

*Robyn Fleshman

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

Chicago Reader - reunion show 2016

Bandcamp

Facebook

Gradwell House Studio

Rate Your Music

Sputnik Music

First EP on Youtube

United States of Electronica - s/t

Name: United States of Electronica
Album: s/t
Year: 2004
Style:  Electronic, Dance, Disco
Similar Bands: Basement Jaxx, Junior Senior, Andrew WK, Daft Punk, Parry Grip
"One-Word" Review: Non Stop Automated Party Rock
Based Out Of: Seattle, Washington
Label: Manaheim, Sonic Boom Recordings

CD & Inner Case

Front & Back

United States of Electronica (2004)

1. It Is On 4:40 (single - Japan)
2. Emerald City 4:05 (single)
3. Climb the Walls (Umbrella of Love) 4:36
4. All Sounds & All People 0:45
5. Open Your Eyes 3:35
6. Takin' It All the Way 5:14
7. ...City of Stars 1:04
8. Night Shift 4:58
9. There's Always Music 4:33
10. Vamos A La Playa 4:43
11. ...the Chase 0:39
12. La Discoteca 4:20

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Jason Holstrom - Guitar, Vox, Recording, Mastering (Wonderful, Aqueduct, Dolour, Bobby Karate)
• Jon E. Rock - Drums, Vox (Wonderful, Dolour)
• Peter Sali - Guitar, Vox (Wonderful, The Kalendar Band)
• Noah Star Weaver - Keys, Vocoder  (Wonderful, Shane Tutmarc & Travelling Mercies, Rosie Thomas, Dolour)
• Derek Chan - Bass
• Carly Nicklaus - Vox (The Catch, Bruno Pronsato, Michael Vermillion)
• Amanda Okonek - Vox
• PJ Ramey - Additional Performance
• Phil Peterson - Additional Performance (Portugal. The Man, The Bluebird, Sherri Youngward, Pedro the Lion, Rivulets & Violets, Nevada Bachelors, Sarah Shannon, Dear John Letters, Holly Figueroa, Kutless, Demon Hunter, Rosie Thomas, Late Tuesday, Holland, David LaMotte, Leroy M Bell, Wonderful, Dead Poetic, Seven Places. Ken Stringfello, Jeremy Camp, Mastodon, Verona, Lashes, Kutless, Harvey Danger, Acceptance, Brandi Carlile, J. Tillman, Ruth, Owl City, Posies, John Totten, Wavves, Maroon 5, Deniz Tek, Vance Joy, Benny Blanco, Rose Blossom Punch)
• Shane Tutmarc - Additional Performance (Dolour, Gatsbys American Dream, Traveling Mercies, Star Anna)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Picked up the CD in a bin, probably based on the word Electronica in the name. I'm hoping this is a fun rock-electronic hybrid album that's catchy but not too much into the techno genre, even if the cover looks like a spray-painted template of a rave.

Album Review: The band formed as an experimental joke, part joke, part way to express a more fun musical environment, and when it was received well by the audience, the band Wonderful decided to start the side project. They only had this one album for a while, self released & funded, and eventually picked up & distributed. It performed well in Japan, and eventually released a follow up in 2009. Apparently they played a one-off reunion show in 2019, but the members still have side projects they work on.

The album is more mainstream acceptable with elements of pop rock and standard catchy party songs  than other full-on electronic bands, and the atmosphere they create is a care free fun world. It falls somewhere between Daft Punk ("Emerald City" borrows from "Around the World's" vocoder melody) and the amusing tongue in cheek silly songs of Parry Gripp, with a little Vengaboys + dicso thrown in. It starts strong and falters toward the end, whether it be out of tedium or a stronger, padded front.

Stand Out Track: Emerald City

Links:

Spotify
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Website

Facebook

Bandcamp

Pitchfork

Rate Your Music

Reader - Chicago

Robert Christgau

Snow & Voices - s/t

Name: Snow & Voices
Album: s/t
Year: 2005
Style: Singer Songwriter Pop, Dreampop
Similar Bands: Neko Case, Portishead, Cowboy Junkies, Fiona Apple, Mazzy Star, Isobel Campbell, Luscious Jackson
"One-Word" Review:
Based Out Of: LA
Label: Bird Song Records

Cover, Tray Artwork

Back, Lyrics, CD

Snow & Voices (2005)

1. Carry Us Home 4:07
2. Nothing Certain 4:41
3. A Dream of Happiness 3:36
4. In Pieces Through the Door 3:08
5. Goodnight New York 3:28
6. Like a Flower to the Sun3:45
7. Ordinary Girl 4:01
8. No Regrets 4:18
9. Go Your Own Way 4:00 (Fleetwood Mac cover)
10. You Are Beside Me 3:43

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Lauri Kranz - Lyrics, Vox
• Jebin Bruni - Lyrics, Piano, Prohet V, Organ, Bass, Chamberlin, Celeste, Arp Pro, Nord, Guitar, Harmonium, Bass Pedals, Producer
• Greg Leisz - Lyrics, Guitar, Pedal Steel, Producer
• Buddy Judge - Guitar, Bass, Keys, Backing Vox, Producer
• Ric Menck - Drums
• Jennifer Condos - Bass
• Darrell Thorp - Piano Strings, Producer, Engineer, Mixing,
• Jeffery Cain - Guitar
• Jay Bellerose - Drums
• Mike Lazer - Mastering
• Cyndi Finkel - Photos
• Mike Weihs - Album Design (Heroes &Villains)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Snow & Voices, so based on the artwork, color scheme and liner notes, i'm guessing this will be slow, folksy pop, with lots of space in the songs. Perhaps it will be more chamber music and dreamy, floating songs. The band seems like it is just Lauri Kranz and friends.

Album Review: Light and dreamy definitely describe this piano pop. "A Dream of Happiness" sounds like a slowed down, floating Imperial Teen track. "In Pieces Through the Door" has a distorted and Alt-90's Garbage + Portishead + Luscious Jackson sound to it, with a delightful catchy & building music box interlude. While it is not representative of the album, it is the most unique and complex track. "Goodnight NY." "Go Your Own Way." & "Ordinary Girl" are intimate, delicate lullabies where you can hear all the clicks and percussive elements of her turn of phrase as she sings with a slight cavernous echo. Flower to the Sun is a good, straight forward pop song, with a touch of country folk.

The band had three albums in 5 years, this being their first. There is more posted about their last 2010 album than this one, She had a career shift after that, and started a company called Edible Gardens LA, which she is still working with today.

Stand Out Track: In Pieces Through the Door

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic
Baeble Music

cover me songs
Rate Your Music
Anti Music
Xumo
KCRW-1
soundcloud
Interview with Lauri: We Are Bird

Edible Gardens LA insta
Edible Gardens LA
Ijamming

Sardina - Presents

Name: Sardina 
Album: Presents
Year: 1995
Style: Indie Pop, Psych Rock, 
Similar Bands: Spinanes, Ass Ponys, Velocity Girl, Edie Brickell, Shins, Of Montreal (early)
"One-Word" Review: incense and underground coffee house pop
Based Out Of: Indianapolis, IN
Label: HitIt! Recordings

Cover & Back, Promo Sticker

CD, CD Back, Liner Notes

Presents (1995)

1. Ding Dong, The Liberty Horse 2:45
2. I'll Be Around 2:49
3. Pickled Frogs 4:08
4. He's On Drugs Again 4:26
5. Cockadoodledoo 4:29
6. The Formula 2:09
7. Hey 3:32
8. Travel And Tourism 3:17
9. Big Man 4:57
10. Antelopes 5:15
11. Wagon Wheel 5:02
12. Messy Moe 4:52

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Michelle Marchesseault - Vox, Guitar (the Gerunds)
• Marty Green - Guitar, Vox, Organ, Clarinet, Clavioline, Casiotone, Piano, Percussion, Record Player, Water Bottle
• P.J. Christine - Bass, Organ, Trumpet, Vox, Percussion (The Gerunds)
• Lonpaul Ellrich - Drums, Vox, Piano, Harmonica, Concertmate, DX7, Loops, Percussion, Record Player, Water Bottle (The Gerunds, Marmoset, United States Three)
• Vess Ruhtenberg - Slide Guitar (United States Three)
• Kent Jolly - Guitar
• George Sarikos - Accordion
• Ken Waagner - Producer
• Chris Shepard - Recording, Mixing
• Gus Mossler - Recording
• Dan Stout - Editing
• Roger Seibel - Mastering
• Bob Plant - Cover Concept
• Al Brandtner - Realization
• Gary Hannabarger - Photography
  

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but will it be classic rock, like the obvious cover & album name riffing on Led Zeppelin's Presence,  even going so far as to credit "Bob" Plant with the cover concept in the liner notes. Probably not. I'm guessing from the creative tribute and the band members, (assuming they are in the cover photo), it will be solid indie pop with a touch of punk sensibility. The promo sticker on the cover, claims hooks, chanting and psychedelia, and the members cover a bunch of instruments, per the liner notes, so this should/could be a complex sonic sound.

Album Review: The album starts out strong, with great pop tracks with hints of garage psych, and even a smattering of country- these are songs that could have been recorded today, and still sound as relevant, fresh, and not dated. But the album slows down as it reaches the conclusion, piling on the slow 4-5 minute methodical foot draggers to put you to bed. While Marchesseault is the focused singer, everyone contributes their voice to the album, giving it a depth of diversity that continues to keep it interesting. The opening track has a Ween meets Mosquitos quality to it. Pickled Frogs has a little bit of a New Pornographers sound. But I wouldn't say any of those bands typifies this band.

From the ashes of The Gerunds, most of the members came back together, auditioned friend & guitarist Marty Green, and founded Sardina. They were on the verge of big things, as evident by the competence and clear sound on their one and only album,  moved to Chicago to pursue stardom, only to have Green quit, leading to the rest band's collapse; all over a 4 year span. Their parody/tribute cover & name even got them an article in People mag, which may have been as much a negative type-cast critique of the band as it could have been a benefit from big-time press.

Stand Out Track: Pickled Frogs

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

Music Family Tree
Facebook
Willfully Obscure
Balkans via Bohemia
Rate Your Music
Tiny Idols
Junk Magnet

Chicago Reader review

Sandwiches (the) - Rock On Scubatron

Name: The Sandwiches
Album: Rock On, Scubatron
Year: 1998
Style: Twee Pop, Indie Pop, Geek Pop
Similar Bands: Belle & Sebastian, Ed's Redeeming Qualities, Mosquitoes, Imperial Teen, Soul Coughing, Rentals, Lincoln, Bicycle, They Might Be Giants
"One-Word" Review: Cutsey Juvenile Care Free Pop
Based Out Of: Minneapolis, MN
Label: Edible Records

Cover, Fold Our & Tray

Back, CD, Phots & Liner Notes

Rock On, Scubatron (1998)

1. Good Morning (Alright) 3:25
2. Get Down 3:32
3. Lucy Vittucci 4:19
4. Mermaid 4:51
5. Panic Girls 2:42
6. G-Spot Lamar 4:54
7. Horizontal 3:51
8. To Be Mine 1:52
9. Sonnet 29 3:41
10. Big Mouth 2:25
11. Get With You '98 3:42
12. Rockstar Sportscar 7:43 (Bonus tracks: Sandwiches / Glen the Ape)

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Lord Ludicrous (Bryan Loften) - Vox, Guitar, Trombone
• D, - Trombone, Emcee
• Lila Karash Guitar, Guiboard, Vox (Chinch Bugs, 13 Hertz)
• Abraham Lincoln - Trumpet
• The Sexman (Jim Sexton) - Drums, Vox, Coronet (Chinch Bugs)
• Flavia Medeiros - Vox, Percussion 
• Louise (Sherman) Rocks - Bass, Vox (Chinch Bugs)
• Joey Molland - Guitar (Badfinger, Natural Gas, John Palumbo, John & Mary, John Lennon Plastic Ono Band, George Harrison, Chinch Bugs, Alias Smith & Jones, Eric Clapton)
• Bob Davis - Shakespeare
• DJ Scubatron (Christian Fritz) - Skratching
• Amy Olinger - Flute
• Jenny Loop (Loupe) - Oboe (Chinch Bugs)
• Abers - Sandwich Security
• Terry - Honz the Clown
• Glenn - Glenn the Ape
• Jeff - Chicken Man
• Bahama Donna - Sugar Momma
• Pak - Webmaster
• Eck - Loan Shark
• Mar(k)s Healey - Engineering, Mixing
• Doug Wild - Mastering
• Steve La Bore - Design, Illustration, Lay-Out
• Chris Hansen  - Design, Illustration, Lay-Out
• Jeff L Johnson - Design, Illustration, Lay-Out
• Amy Winning - Manufacturing Consultant

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but they look like a bunch of fun, lovable goofs, from the costumed headshots and names in the liner notes. From the name and artwork, i'm guessing it will be nerdy, Beatle-y pop. The notes suggest there can be big production with non-standard instruments and the band photos number 7, so as much as I feel it will be stripped down and personal lo-fi, i have to imagine the sound is bigger & catchier.

Album Review: They are a diverse band within the catchy pop genre, where the first track has a Belle & Sebastian sound, the second track has a Soul Coughing / Rentals vibe. Overall it's a quite nerdy, happy-go-lucky pop style of music (with some record scratching), in a dad-jokes, cleverly embarrassing way. Best comparison I can get is something between Imperial Teen and They Might Be Giants. But with some teenage-like sexual frustration/exploration.

They apparently had a fun, entertaining and randomly chaotic live show, where they wore costumes and would hand out sandwiches to the audience. 

Stand Out Track: Good Morning (Alright)

Links:
Spotify

Discogs

Allmusic
Face Book
SC Times

SC Times #2
Youtube - full album

Rate Your Music
Jaxsta

Lil Pocketknife - Pants Control

Name: Lil Pockeknife
Album: Pants Control
Year: 2004
Style: Pop, Hip Hop
Similar Bands: Cibo Matto, The Go! Team, Le Tigre, Gravy Train!!!!, bis
"One-Word" Review: lo-fi geek-hop
Based Out Of: San Francisco
Label: Narnack Records

Cover

Back, Case Back, CD

Pants Control (2004)

1. Disco Dancer 2:41
2. East Coast / West Coast 2:09
3. Red Hott 2:36
4. 5'2" - 2:24
5. A.D.D. 3:03

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Lil Pocket Knife (Kristy Geschwandtner) - Vox
• No Skills (Lynae Burns) - Drums
• George (Patterson) - Keytar (Knodel)
• Keren Richter - Artwork

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this artist/band. Just from the chosen artwork, who is given just about as much info as the band, i'd imagine the music will be whimsical, energetic pop, with a little darkness, thanks to the name. The artwork is a little reminiscent of  Of Montreal, and perhaps just because of the shared word knife in the name, i am also imaging a bit of a Shonen Knife sound.

Album Review: Lo-fi 8-bit keytar sounds and rhythms and a solid drum beat create a minimal, and sparse musical backing to Lil's rapping, sometimes harmonically layered. The themes on the record are mostly non-stereotypically hip-hop; rapping about disco, short but powerful height, A.D.D., Dungeons and Dragons, and astronomy. The one "rap-themed" song about East Coast / West Coast combines a polka accordion and weird synth blips all swirled together and even name drops the Atari. 5'2" steps up the 8-bit sounds with a synthesized vocal introduction to Lil Pocketknife. But the production feels empty, and the songs fall flat.

This San Fran band apparently offers a fun energetic live show, but that doesn't quite come across on the recording, which sounds more like a bedroom recorded project.  San Fran transplant from New Jersey, Lil Pocketknife was named so by bandmate No Skills, by saying "Kristy can cut like a knife, but not very deeply, and she is very practical like a toothpick and crafty like a pair of scissors." After playing the San Fran party venue circuit, they recorded this one and only album. Another one was planned for 2004 after this Ep was picked up by the label, but nothing materialized

Stand Out Track: East Coast / West Coast

Links:
Dragon Slayer Live performance Youtube
Discogs
Allmusic
Modern Fix Interview
Punk News.org
Rate Your Music
Pandora

Forty-Fives (the) - Get it Together

Name:(the) Forty Fives
Album: Get It Together
Year: 2000
Style: Garage, Psych, Detroit Rock
Similar Bands: MC5, Who, Jon Spencer's Blues Explosion, Southern Culture on the Skids, The Hives, Makers,  Revern Horton Heat, Flaming Sideburns, Electric Six, Realistics, 
"One-Word" Review: Energetic Western Psych Garage Rock 
Based Out Of: Atlanta, GA
Label: Ng Records, Artemis Records

Cover, Back, Case Back

Liner Notes, Inner Tray, CD

Get It Together (2000)

1. Get Out 3:36
2. Without Love 2:28
3. More Than Ever 2:07
4. Drive All Night 3:25
5. Undercover Man 3:12
6. Drinkin' With No. 3 2:50
7. King of Mexico 1:53
8. Get It Together 3:18
9. All Now 3:13
10. Anytime at All 2:03
11. Ain't That Lovin' You 2:52 (Jimmy Reed cover)
12. Don't Wanna Be the One 3:10
13. When You least Expect It 3:32

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Bryan G Malone - Guitar, Vox (The Pinx, Bad Spell, The Coathangers)
• Mark McMurtry - Bass, Vox (Every Mother's Nightmare)
• Adam Renshaw - Drums, Vox (Anna Kramer & The Lost Cause, Inverted Nipples, Dirtbombs, Dan Sartain, Black to Comm)
• Trey Tidwell - Organ (Myssouri)
• Matt Chiaravalle - Recording, Mixing, Slide Guitar
• Phil Painson - Asst Mixing
• Greg Calbi - Mastering
• Frank Mullen - Inner Photo
• Robert C Lee - Artwork

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but i feel like there have been a billion bands like them...so i'm guessing they sound like something between the Old 97's and Hives / Electric Six. Part of the retro rock scene, with one foot in oldies garage rock and one foot in high energy sweaty Mooney Suzuki style rock.

Album Review: The album is a fine balance of garage guitar wankery and psych revival organ with a little bluesy western vibe thrown in. The presentation is not in your face, but presents its case as here if you want it. They take power pop and spin it through a 50's greaser lense to make their own style of Detroit Rock, just down in Atlanta. The only song that doesn't quite fit the mold they've created is "King of Mexico," which is a simple & playful track in a campy, humorous way, reminding me of Gringo Star.

With three albums to their credit between 1999 - 2004, the band started out in 1998 as a three piece, and brought in Tidwell & his Hammond organ out of the audience from one of their early shows. It quickly became an important part of their sound, which feels duely dated- in a good way- as both a 2000's gritty rock revival, and as an 1960's garage psych outfit.

Stand Out Track: King of Mexico, Anytime At All

Links:

Website
Spotify

Discogs

Facebook
All Music
Band Camp
Oldies . com
Pop Matters

yep rock
Rate Your Music

Warren, Paul & Explorer - One of the Kids

Name: Paul Warren & Explorer
Album: One of the Kids
Year: 1980
Style: Powerpop, Oldies
Similar Bands: Beatles, Marshall Crenshaw, Steve Forbert, Pezband, Shoes, Records
"One-Word" Review: Good & Plenty Pop
Based Out Of: Detroit, MI, Los Angeles, CA
Label: RSO, Polygram

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

One of the Kids (1980)

1. One of the Kids 3:04
2. Takin' Her Back 4:01 (single)
3. The Others 2:29
4. A and R Man 3:06
5. Suzanne 3:59/
6. You Can't Touch Her 3:25
7. Kiss Me Chrissy 2:56
8. Faded Glory 4:30
9. For the Love of a Girl 3:07
10. Hats Off to Winners 2:50

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Peter Coleman - Producer
• Paul Warren - Vox, Guitar (Rod Stewart, Rare Earth, Pacific Gas & Electric, Explorer, Jack Wagner, Robin Trower, Neil Norman, Bobby Sexton, Richard Marx, Ventures, Temptations, Undisputed Truth, Funkadelic, Elkie Brooks, Prism, Tina Turner, USA for Africa, Richard Marx, Tamara Champlin, Eros Ramazzotti, Alessandro Mara, Joe Cocker, Her Name is Death, ABC, Actual Russian Brides, Nite City)
• Steve Gornall - Guitar, Vox (Carl Stewart)
• Jimmy Hunter - Drums (Nite City, Nick Gilder, Hilary Laddin, David London, Gabriele Morgan, POOK Family All Star Line Up Band, Fortune, Bobby Barth, Bobby Alexander, Greg Ginn. Beckley)
• Dene Jordan - Bass, Vox 
• Doug Schwartz - Engineer Asst
• Steve Hall - Mastering
• Charles Weinberger - Mgmt
• Greg McCutcheon - Mgmt
• Glenn Ross - Art Direction
• Tim Owens - Design
• Moshe Brakha - Photos
• Rachel Guinan - Cover Kid
• Andy Owens - Cover Kid

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but the mixed message of Warren smoking in front of the kids, yet declaring himself as one of the kids in the title is a shame. The kids, obviously from the future sport the 80's new wave business clothes with Geordie La Forge glasses. There was a big drive in the early 80's to mark yourself as new wave with the Red, Black & White color scheme, and this fits in with the red lines across the title and back of album. So the only question is how nerdy or power poppy will this record be...no mention of keys on the member list, so my guess is that it most likely won't be the bouncy neurotic powerpop, and will lean on the more pub rock sound.

Album Review: The album is full of singer/songwriter powerpop, lots of Beatles influence in the simple melodies, and basic, catchy song structures. The only difference, and quite shockingly so, is the driving metal anxiousness of "For the Love of a Girl."

Last June, I added a record from his band, Nite City, that preceded this album. Starting in the early 70's, Warren was a session guitarist for Motown Records (recorded The Temptations' "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"), as he was discovered in the area at 17. He moved with the label when they relocated to LA. After this one album and a bankrupt RSO label, he began his stint as a guitar for hire, before he ended up as touring guitarist for Richard Marx in 1987 - 1994 and Rod Stewart 1999 - 2013.

Stand Out Track: For the Love of a Girl

Links:

Youtube album + 1 extra track
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Rate Your Music

Down Underground

This Is Powerpop
Local Show 2010

Blowfly - Rappin', Dancin', and Laughin'

Name: Blowfly
Album: Rappin', Dancin', and Laughin'
Year:1980
Style: Rap / Hip Hop
Similar Bands: Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow, Two Live Crew, Afroman, Sugarhill Gang, Kool Keith, ODB
"One-Word" Review: vulgar old school rap
Based Out Of: Georgia / West Palm Beach, FL
Label: TK Productions, Weird World

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Rappin', Dancin', and Laughin' (1980)

1. Convoy 7:15
2. Blowfly Vs. Darth Vader 7:40
3. Cricka 5:00 /
4. The Incredible Fulk 8:40 (single)
5. The Word Game 6:00
6. The Insects Theme 4:00

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Blowfly/Clarence Reid - Writer, Producer, Vox (Clarence Reid & the Delmiras, Betty Wright, Sam & Dave, Bobby Byrd and KC & Sunshine Band, Helene Smith, Paul Kelly, Gwen McRae, Flea, 2 Live Crew, Deep City Band, Palmerforce Two, Funky Party Band, Miami, Le Coffret Ideal Blaxploitation, many)
• Freedy Stonewall - Recording, Mixing
• Marc Vaughn - Cover Photo
• Rob Vaugn - Art Direction

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Blowfly. Although most of what seemed envelope pushing in the 80's would seem more common place, the hype behind the sexually tinged name and the "X-Rated" classification on the cover & back make me think this is going to be some juvenile, suggestive hip hop music with basic beats and lots of lyrics about the singer himself. Especially interested to see the take on Blowfly vs. Darth Vader...is he posing as the hero, up against the villain? 

Album Review: The album is 80's old-school hip hop with familiar, laid back bass lines and guitar hooks and more talking in skits rather than straight up rapping over the music. But the lyrics are quite vulgar and raunchy; talking about dick size and hard sex, with "fuck" used ad nauseum. Unfortunately, there are no parodies of popular tunes here, as that is what Blowfly made his name for.

His nickname was earned from his grandmom, called him "worse than a blowfly" when he'd sing explicit parodies of radio hits like "Come on baby, and suck my dick (do the twist)" for money on a farm where he worked. He had natural musical skills, as he was an accomplished, renown song writer in his day job as a staff songwriter at TK Records, working with Betty Wright, Sam & Dave, Bobby Byrd and KC & Sunshine band. His mixed style of soul, funk & Caribbean helped coin the term "The Miami Sound." He was also a pioneer in "Soul Talking," the direct predecessor to rap, and might have self-pressed the first rap record in 1964 with a rough version of "Blowfly's Rapp" . Because of that, had to use the stage name Blowfly to protect his integrity. He was one of the first musicians to perform masked, and his gross parodies earned him legal trouble and record store bans (first artist ever?), which eventually led to him selling all his rights to his music in 2003. But in 2005, he signed to Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles label. His later career saw a couple more albums and international tours and even had a documentary "The Weird World of Blowfly" in 2010. But his career was a huge influence to many rap and hip hop stars on top of his material being highly sampled. in He passed away in Jan 2016, just before his final album came out. On a side note, his daughter, Tracy Reid played in the WNBA.

Stand Out Track: Convoy

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Saustex website

Facebook

rollingstone obit

NPR obit

NYTimes obit
Rate your music
Reggieslive
Vulture

Ponderosa Stomp

Brooklyn Vegan obit

Taperecorder - Just Ramble & Think of Ghosts

Name: Taperecorder 
Album: Just Ramble & Think of Ghosts
Year: 2010
Style: Indie, House, Lo-fi
Similar Bands: Fatboy Slim, Tricky, Portishead, The Blow
"One-Word" Review: homespun indie lo-fi glitch danceloops
Based Out Of: Montreal Quebec
Label: Galactique Recordings

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Just Ramble & Think of Ghosts (2010)

1. Gatineau 3:23
2. Cold Spring 3:06
3. Evergreen 2:27
4. Denmark 3:53 /
5. Meet Me In Montauk 3:59
6. Don't Forget to Write 2:12
7. Alight / Alone 4:43
8. On the Wall 3:57 (Jesus & Mary Chain cover)

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Marc Francis - Writer, Producer, Guitar, Beats, Electronics, Layout (Intergalactic Faerie Funk, Mossyrock)
• Bethany Spires - Vox (My Epiphany, Mossyrock, Honeychurch)
• Jeffro Richards - Bass, Mixing, Mastering (Intergalactic Faerie Funk)
• James Apollo - Banjo 
• Todd Degooyer - Guitar
• Toof (Trey D'Amico) - Keys (Mossyrock)
• Jessica Mailas - Writer
• Loren Erdrich - Artwork

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but by the nostalgic namesake, indie design and minimal liner notes, i'm guessing this is some bedroom recorded indie pop/rock. Probably quite fey and feel-good-y (or maybe the exact opposite, dark and depressing) either way, minimal production is my guess.

Album Review: So the bedroom project of Marc Francis relies on more of a trance/rave/house vibe than straight rock, (self-explained as "dancefloor shoegaze") but there are elements of indie in his work. From Quebec, now in Brooklyn. The album has beat breaks and glitchy skips or loops, infused with banjo and other homespun folky elements. The couple songs with female vocals are intimate and light and airy with some hopscotching electronic and guitar samples filling the background. Cold Spring is a solid indie pop song that musically feels like it is a stripped down demo for a Fat Boy Slim song.

Stand Out Track: Cold Spring

Links:
Discogs
Bandcamp
Soundcloud
Short book on how to build a home studio

Keith Sykes - I'm Not Strange I'm Just Like You

Name: Keith Sikes
Album: I'm Not Strange I'm Just Like You
Year: 1980
Style: Americana, Oldies Rock, Roots Rock
Similar Bands: Fabulous Thunderbirds, Walter Egan, Marshall Crenshaw, Steve Forbert, Blasters
"One-Word" Review: Buddy Holly Updated
Based Out Of: Memphis, Tenn.
Label: Backstreet Records, MCA Distribution

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics & Credits, Record

I'm Not Strange I'm Just Like You (1980)

1. B.I.G. T.I.M.E 3:09
2. Love to Ride 4:15
3. Smack Dab in the Middle 2:38 (Charlie Calhoun cover)
4. Ain't That Some Lovin' 4:31
5. 928 2:07 /
6. I'm On A Roll 2:45
7. Maybe I'm a Mockingbird 3:58
8. Makin' It Before They Got Married 3:37
9. When My Work Is Done 2:57
10. I'm Not Strange (I'm Just Like You) 3:12

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Keith Sykes - Writer, Vox, Lead & Rhythm Guitars (Jimmy Buffett, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, John Prine, Billy Prine, )
• John Hampton - Drums, Backing Vox, Percussion, Engineer (Todd Rundgren, Hard Rain, Todd Agnew, Mylon Fefevre, Tommy Keene,  many more)
• Mike Brighardello - Bass, Backing Vox, Percussion (Giant, Steven Curtis, Lydia Miller, Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, Imperials,Glen Campbell, Jummy Swaggert, Alabama, Kenny Rogers, Anne Murray, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Travis Tritt, Oak Ridge Boys, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emmylou Harris, Shania Twain, BJ Thomas, Jeff Foxworthy, Barry Manilow, Corey Hart, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Eddie Rabbitt, Lee Ann Womack, Clint Black, Van Zandt, Faith Hill  many more)
• Mike Crews - Guitar, Backing Vox
• Joe Hardy - Bass, Backing Vox, Engineer (Alice Cooper, ZZ Top, Ry Cooder, Georgia Satellites, Replacements, Jim Corcoran, Mylon LeFevre, Deborah Conway, CJ Chenier, Degarmo & Key. Siniestro Total, Marie Wilson, Cross Canadian Ragween, Loud Machine, Damn Quailes, Billy Gibbons, Tommy Keene, Tom Cochran, Jeff Healy Band,   many more)
• Ed Degarmo - Organ, Engineer (Degarmo & Key, The Cause)
• Jerene Sykes - Producer
• Greg Ladonyi - Mixing
• BACKING VOX/AUDIENCE ON TITLE TRACK: Terry Dane Adney, Redbeard & Sandy, Walter Dawson, Suzanne Phelps, Kay King, Trish Mitchell, John Kilzer, Stacey Parks, Bobby Grace, Harry Chittenden, Jamie Chittenden, Bobby Lane, Sky King, Jody McCarthy, Bobby Maupin, Lynn Yates, Luis Scholes, Robert Donahue, Mark & Debbie Jowers, Gerry Haas, Mary Tillerson, Tommy Jackson, White Heart, Steve Camp, Ace Cannon, Stacie Orrico many more)
• Doug Sax - Mastering
• Mike Reese - Mastering
• Tom Corcoran - Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this singer/songwriter. I'm guessing he's gonna be your average storyteller, unpretentious singer, that is part bar room open miker (miller lite can), part musician's musician (photo on back in the studio) trying to break the mold (based on the album title) but won't.

Album Review: The album is part Americana, Roots rock, and part revival of the style of Buddy Holly- pretty much the formula of any singer song writer trying to sound different. The only stand-outish track- and not really for good- is the album ending title track. It features what sounds like a live audience of folks with background conversational ambiance to a Blasters-like song with some yelps, whistles and claps. The audience also does a bit of  call and response with the chorus, reminding me of Chuck Berry's My Ding-a-ling live recording.

Sykes has had a long career in the music industry rollercoastering between performing and writing. He has performed solom accompanied many famous musicians, and was even in Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefers. He has also written many songs recorded by others like The Judds, John Prine, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rosanna Cash, Guy Clark, George Thorogood, Sissy Spacek, Mitch Ryder Rodney Crowell, and he co-wrote Volcano with Jimmy Buffett. He started out in 1968 after hitchhiking to the Newport Music Festival and was inspired by Arlo Guthie's perfomance of "Alice's Restaurant Massacree." He even performed the single B.I.G. T.I.M.E on SNL in 1980, in support of this album, which was released on Tom Petty's record label.

Stand Out Track: B.I.G. T.I.M.E

Links:

Youtube (9/10 tracks, missing Mockingbird)
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

website

facebook

second hand songs

about KS

Trop Rockin

American Songwriter

707 - s/t

Name: 707
Album: s/t
Year: 1980
Style: Power Pop, Light Rock
Similar Bands: Hawks, Producers, Shoes, Journey, Styx, Kansas, Nick Gilder, Foreigner, Ben Folds
"One-Word" Review: Piano Heavy Harmonic Pop
Based Out Of: LA, CA & Detroit, MI
Label: Casablanca Record & Filmworks Inc.

Cover & Record

Back & Record

707 (1980)

1. I Could Be Good For You 4:46 (single #52 BB Hot 100)
2. Let Me Live My Life 2:46
3. One Way Highway 4:17
4. Save Me 2:49
5. You Who Needs To Know 4:59 /
6. Slow Down 3:19
7. Feel This Way 3:49
8. Waste of Time 4:51
9. Whole Lot Better 6:37

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Phil Bryant - Bass, Lead & Backing Vox (Sax Maniacs)
• Jim McClarty - Drums, Percussion 
• Duke McFadden - Keys, Lead & Backign Vox, Acoustic Guitar (Chi Coltrane)
• Kevin Russell - Guitars, Lead & Backing Vox (Brian & the Sensations, Rick Derringer, Clarence Clemons, Whitesnake, Phantom-Rocker&Slick, Kokomo, NYC, Taxxi, Frank Marino, Leslie West, Jimmy Dillon, Ted Nugent, Stu Blank, F Machine Sea Hags, Nils Lofgren, Rod & The Shotgun Blues, Ruminators)
• David Carr - Piano, Arrangements (Simeon, Janine Maunder, Rich Mountain Tower, London, Tim Steen, Judty McComb, Kyle Vincent, Sarah Sarah, Paul Colman, Acetylene, Antiskeptic, Naked Raven, Steph Atkins, Guy Sebastian, Cilla Jane, Solicitors, Joe Cannon)
• Norman Ratner - Producer
• Fred Ruppert - Executive Producer
• Bob Stringer - Engineer, Mixing
• Steve DeGennaro - Production Assistant
• Bess Gilbert - Production Assistant
• Russell Schmitt - Asst. Engineer
• Dan Everhart - Asst. Engineer
• Mike Saunders - Asst Mixing Engineer
• Ed Schreyer - Mastering
• Ross Warren - Album Design & Execution
• Gribbitt - Graphics

Unknown-ness: Never heard of 707. On one hand, they look like a power pop band, but i've also seen where this sort of album design means they are a jazz fusion band. The liner notes on the back do suggest there are three singers, so most likely not a jazz band, and their photographs on the band steer them clear from any sort of new wave act.

Album Review: The band had success with their lead off song from this album, and after two more albums, one recorded in 1981, but never released until 2004, they left their label and recorded their biggest record Megaforce, who's title track was the theme for the film of the same name in 1982. For that album, their new label wanted one single front man, instead of a shared mix of various leading vocalist. McFadden passed away in 2005, and Russell tried to continue in the spirit of 707 with new material which fell apart to the degree he is now just leaving it in the past. The name 707 was considered a catchy name, and was also Russell's birthdate. This record is mostly light power pop, lots of harmonies and piano support that reminds me of Ben Folds at times. 

Stand Out Track: Let Me Live My Life 

Links:

full album spotify
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

metal storm

facebook

wikivisually

spirit of metal

oldies .com

website

heavy harmonies

a guitar forum

School of Fish - s/t

Name: School of Fish
Album: s/t
Year: 1991
Style: Jangle Pop, College Rock
Similar Bands: REM, Redd Kross, Dillon Fence, James, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Collective Soul
"One-Word" Review: Slacker Pop
Based Out Of: LA, CA 
Label: Capitol

Cover, Lyrics, Tape

Lyrics, Notes, Tape

School of Fish (1991)

1. Intro 1:42
2. 3 Strange Days 5:12 (single)
3. Talk Like Strangers 3:37
4. Deep End 4:53
5. King of the Dollar 2:47 (promo single b-side)
6. Speechless 4:56 /
7. Wrong 4:28 (promo single)
8. Rose Colored Glasses 3:43
9. Under the Microscope 4:34
10. Fell 2:50
11. Euphoria 5:45

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• John Porter - Producer
• Dave "Death" Pine - Engineer
• Ken Paulakovich - 2nd Engineer
• Lee Manning 2nd Engineer
• Alison Donald - A&R Direction
• Valerie Pack - A&R Coordination
• Jon Blaufarb - Legal Representation, Spiritual Guidance
• Sandy Tanaka - Mgmt
• Josh Clayton-Felt - Lead Vox, Guitars, Drum Box (Francis X and the Bushmen, Twig, Jewel)
• Michael Ward - Lead Guitars, Vox, Drum Box (John Hiatt, Wallflowers, Ben Harper, Innocent Criminals, Francis X and the Bushmen, Gogol Bordello, Guilty Dogs, Stripsearch, Harry Connick Jr, Lenny Laks, Mad Buffalo, Joel Simpson Quartet, Pinetop Perkins, Duck See Goose, Bo Dollis & Wild Magnolias, Jesse Johnson, Jude, Shawn Mullins, Jessica Riddle, Fastball, David Maxwell, Stripsearch, Gavin DeGraw, Eric Bibb, Avril Lavigne, Tracy Bonham, Shelby Lynne, Nerina Pallot, Five for Fighting, Anna Tsuchiya, Shannon Noll, Mikal Blue, Tom Freund, Kris Allen, Vanessa Da Mata, Glen Campbell, Sara Bareilles,  Cuntz, Sabrina Carpenter)
• Dominic Nardini - Bass
• Michael Petrak - Drums (Samiam)
• Tommy Steele - Art Direction
• Heather Van Haaften - Design
• Dennis Kelley - Photographer

Unknown-ness: I got this cassette back in High School at some point, but i don't remember why or what they sound like. Probably heard a song of theirs on Post Modern PST or 103.9 WDRE, and saw their cassette in a cheap bin, alas, i don't know what's on it. From the muddled guitar smashing image, wacky "Shadowy Men" sorta font, i'm going to guess this is meandering jangle pop.

Album Review: So as soon as I saw the name of the second track, and it started playing I at least remember the song 3 Strange Days very well. It did, in fact, make its way onto a mix tape when i was in high school. The rest of the album falls in line with what was popular for early 90's college radio pop. Half classic rock, half power pop, with a little psychedelic, drawn out musical support, and a lot of loopy, meandering melodies that come off as more slacker rock than pure, clean pop. Singer Clayton-Felt was diagnosed with Cancer and passed away in 2000. King of the Dollar breaks down into the lyric and guitar riff of "I Can't Get No Satisfaction."

Stand Out Track: 3 Strange Days

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

LA Times 2000 article

3 Strange Days Facts

2nd 1st look

sputnik music

Chicago Tribune On the Road '91 article

Riff Raff - Clayton-Felt article

Josh Clayton-Felt website

Road (the) - s/t

Name: The Road
Album: s/t
Year: 1970
Style: Psych Oldies & Bubblegum Pop, Funk, R&B
Similar Bands: Bee Gees, Stones, Beatles, Tom Jones, Zombies, Hollies, 
"One-Word" Review: 60's Wedding Cover Band on drugs
Based Out Of: Buffalo, NY
Label: Kama Sutra, Buddah Records , Viewlex Inc

Cover, Promo Sleeve, Record

Back, Promo Sleeve, Record

The Road (1970)

1. She's Not There 3:43 (single, Zombies Cover)
2. Love Is All 3:21
3. Love It Is 4:42 (J. Geils cover)
4. A Taste of Honey 2:32 (Ric Marlow cover)
5. I Can Only Give You Everything 2:47 (single b-side, Them cover)/
6. Dance To The Music 5:29 (Sly & Family Stone cover)
7. Never Gonna Give You Up 3:11 (Jerry Butler cover)
8. Mr. Soul 2:40 (single, Neil Young cover)
9. In Love 1:55 (single b-side)
10. See You There 2:12
11. Rock N Roll Woman 2:52 (Stephen Stills cover) 
12. The Grass Looks Greener on the Other Side 2:31 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Hal Wheeler - Arrange, Conducted
• Bill Radice - Engineer
• J. Pinto / Joey Reynolds / Rencore - Producer
• Jerry Hudson -Lead Vox (Madmen, 6 Pact, Mellow Brick Rode)
• Phil Hudson - Lead Vox (6 Pact, Mellow Brick Rode)
• Joseph Hesse - Bass (Mellow Brick Rode, Just Us 5)
• Jim Hesse - Organ (Mellow Brick Rode, Just Us Five, Caesar & The Romans)
• Ralph Parker - Lead Guitar (Madmen, 6 Pact, Mellow Brick Rode)
• Nick Distefano - Drums (Mellow Brick Road, Just Us 5, Marie Osmond, Billy Joe Royal, Janie Frickie, Johnny Rodriguez, David Loggins, Marshall Chapman, Wheetstone Bridge)
• James S. Bush Jr - Cover Photo
• Silver & Morris - Prepared
• Frank Iannello - Album Design
• Gordon James - Photography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but from the logo/font, hairstyles and their clothes, plus being on Buddah Records, I imagine it will be some Psych/Bublegum Pop

Album Review: The Road, as shortened / updated form of their previous name Mellow Brick Rode, was a band of solid musicians who made their own arrangements on other people's songs for the most part (3 tracks are written by band members). Their arrangement of the Zombie's "She's Not There" was their biggest hit, making top 40 lists in and around their home of Buffalo NY. They never toured further than Massachusetts, per direction from their management, but their reach was across the country. The were comfortable being an ever-present act in the Buffalo area. They had one more album after this one for Kama Sutra records, and after that were then were not a band for many years like an on/off light switch with a revolving door of members. There is brass present on this record, but no mention of who played on it with a credit(s).

Stand Out Track: She's Not There

Links:

Spotify full album
Wiki

Discogs

Rate Your Music

top shelf oldies

Buffalo Music HoF

Jerry Hudson 2019 obit

Listening Post song of the day

Western NY Music

Q-Tips - s/t

Name: Q-Tips
Album: s/t
Year: 1980
Style: Big Band, Jazzy New Wave, Blue Eyed Soul
Similar Bands: Joe Jackson, Rod Stewart, Jackson Browne, Creedence Clearwater Revival, J Geils Band, Sha-Na-Na
"One-Word" Review: Big Band Oldie Pop Party
Based Out Of: England
Label: Chrysalis, EMI, Warner Bros

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Q-Tips (1980)

1. Some Kinda Wonderful 3:42 (John Ellison cover)
2. Tracks of My Tears 3:25 (Smokey Robinson cover) (Single)
3. Please Don't Stay Home 3:20
4. You Are the Life Inside Me 4:33
5. The In Crowd 3:20 (Dobie Gray / Ramsey Lewis cover)
6. (Now I'm Left With A) Beautiful Memory 3:07 /
7. SYSLJFM (The Letter Song) 2:41 (Joe Tex cover) (Single)
8. A Man Can't Lose (What He Don't Have) 6:07 (Single)
9. Uncle Willy 3:14 (single)
10. Different World 3:36
11. Keep Your Shoes On 3:35

Album Rating (1-10):7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Bob Sargeant - Producer
• Norman (Dingo Blue) Mighell - Engineer
• Mark Dearnley - Engineer
• Nigel Mills - Assist Engineer
• Nick Rogers - Assist Engineer
• John Gifford - Guitar (Streetband, Dmascus Road, Undermind, Street & Rock, Mary Tomaselli)
• Ged Doherty - Mgmt
• Roz Fleetwood - Q-Tips Info
• Paul Young - Vox (Streetbandm, Kat Kool and the Kool Kats, Band Aid, Los Pacaminos, Squeeze, Johnny Logan, Barbara Dickson, Bobby Womack, Il Novecento, Clannad, Vangelis, Zucchero, SAS Band, Robbie McIntosh Band, Small Faces All Star Charity Band, Chicane, Steve Fowler, Cherokee, Music Relief 94, Sharkweek, Sulo)
• Barry Watts - Drums (Adam Ant, John Foxx)
• Mick Pearl - Bass (Streetband, Faraway Stars, Argus, The Monos!)
• Garth Watt-Roy - Guitar, Backing Vox (The Greatest Show on Earth, East of Eden, Marmalade, Adam Ant, Fuzzy Duck, Ossie Laine, Steamhammer, Living Daylights, Limey, David McWilliams, London Symphony Orch, BA Robertson, Bonnie Tyler, Navah)
• Ian (The Rev) Kew (Kewley)- Keys (Samson, Limey. Strider, Royal Family, Wishbone Ash, Jack Lee, The Alarm, Jacqui Brookes, David Gilmour, Squeeze, Stan Webb's Chicken Shack, Mango, Manic Street Preachers, Johnny Hallyday, Gerry McAvoy, National Flag )
• Tony Hughes - Trumpet (Adam Ant, Stiff Little Fingers, Angelic Upstarts)
• Steve (Fix-It) Farr - Baritone Sax, Backing Vox (Adam Ant, Status Quo, Stiff Little Fingers)
• (Oscar) Stewart Blandamer - Alto Sax, Backing Vox (Adam Ant, Status Quo, Stiff Little Fingers)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of them, but with the bright primary colors, matching outfits, they reminded me of Squeeze or Joe Jackson (not Madness with the similar poses, however) to me when i bought it at an Oxfam charity shop in London, so I'm guessing this will be Catchy New Wave.

Album Review: They have big band character, but often settle for power pop tunes, often reminding me of the little i know of Jackson Brown and sometimes sounding like John Fogerty / CCR. Not much new wave here, except their songs are short swinging pop songs that have a lot of brass, and could be swept into a Joe Jackson camp. I was not aware this is a Paul Young band after his former Streetband. I only know Young was a singer because of his solo album i reviewed a while ago, but he does add a little Blue Eye Soul to the tracks here and there. They were a reportedly very fun and popular live act in the early 80s. At the very least, Paul Young is still actively playing out live (2020). This record was reissued in 2013 with live & bonus tracks. 

Stand Out Track: Please Don't Stay At Home (live version)

Links:

Spotify full album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

paul young website

the second disc

rate your music

dervswerve

Klaus Winningers Beat

steve hoffman forums

whizzband 1698

celeb access on tour

Pet Clams (the) - s/t

Name: Pet Clams
Album: Pet Clams
Year: 1981
Style: Pub Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Dire Straits, Bruce Springsteen, Kurt Vile, Tom Robinson Band, A's, Laughing Dogs, Daddy Licks, Cars
"One-Word" Review: Americana Pub Rock
Based Out Of: Asbury Park, NJ
Label: Handshake Records and Tapes

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Pet Clams (1981)

1. Riding in My Car 3:09 (single)
2. Revisions of Johanna 3:36
3. Don't Get So Upset 3:03 (single)
4. Something Happened Late Last Night 2:58
5. Jerusalem 3:58
6. Suicide Note 3:28 /
7. Count your Saturday Nights 3:40
8. Things Keep on Changing 4:12
9. Ain't No Worryin 5:16
10. Generations 4:50
11. Gonna get Fooled Again 3:42 (single b-side)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Hilly Kristal - Producer, Direction, Personal Mgmt
• Glenn Kolotikin - Producer, Engineer
• Scott Powers - Asst. Engineer
• Rich Gelbstien - Writer, Vox, Keys (The Deacons, The Pets)
• Garry Applegate - Writer, Bass (Notorious Grit Bros., Alright Brothers Band, Sons of Alexander, Wildfire, Rockaday Johnny and the Blue Suede Shows, Magpie, The Pets)
• Dave Anderson - Writer, Guitar (Alright Brothers Band, Sons of Alexander, Blues Arc, Crabtree, Magpie, The Pets)
• Al Spero - Drums (Alright Brothers Band, The Pets)
• Peter Corriston - Art Direction & Design
• Hubert Kretzchmar - Illustration

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the Pet Clams, but i bet it's gonna be wacky, juvenile humor intensive. The sexual innuendo and metaphor presented by their name and imagery is heavy handed, and they double down by censoring the lady licking a clam on the back cover with a black box..whether they were forced to do that or emphasized the nature of her action by choice is another matter completely. 

Album Review: So although the cover says THE Pet Clams, and the record just as them listed as Pet Clams, it turns out their full name is "The Big Fat Pet Clams From Outer Space." Still a wacky name, even if the sexual nature is not as apparent. But the music is not obviously wacky or juvenile. It is basic pub rock in a genuine and straightforward style. "Gonna Get Fooled Again" has a catchy hook with a little Cars vibe. "Suicide Note" has an Elvis Costello "Radio Radio" or "No Action" feel. "Don't Get So Upset" & "Jerusalem" have a reggae / twin tone style putting them between the Police and Specials.Their clunky website tells the story of the Clams in true light, and they follow in the tragic steps of A&R men, wrong place at the wrong time, record label unkept promises, internal turmoil leading to stardom fame collapse. They did have some popularity in NYC's CBGBs, more than their home town club Stone Pony. Variations of the band have been kicking around for years since this album's release (up to 2017), and their website has scattered unreleased demos and live takes all over the site. 

Stand Out Track: Suicide Note

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

website

rate your music

facebook

radio indy

Other Ones (the) - s/t

Name: The Other Ones
Album: s/t
Year: 1987
Style: Light Rock, Pop
Similar Bands: Sonic the Hedgehog sndtk, Thomas Dolby, Eurogliders, a-ha, Howard Jones, Eurythmics, ABC, Spandau Ballet, Animotion
"One-Word" Review: Overproduced 1-D pop
Based Out Of: Berlin, Germany
Label: Virgin, WEA, Atlantic

Cover, Record

Record, Back

The Other Ones (1987)

1. Holiday 3:32 (single)
2. Stay With Me (It's Not Forever) 3:28
3. We Are What We Are 4:25 (single)
4. Losing It 2:59
5. Moments 5:06 (single b-side) /
6. He's A Man 3:43
7. All That Love 3:15 (single)
8. All Day, All Night 5:07
9. It Makes Me Higher 3:38 (b-side single)
10. Stranger 3:47 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Christopher Neil - Producer
• Simon Hurrel - Engineer
• Alf Klimek - Lead Vox (You Pretty Thing, Spliff, Alphaville, Klaus Baumagrt)
• Johnny Klimek - Bass (You Pretty Thing, Reinhold Heil, 030, Babyloon, Clemek, Effective Force, Holy Language, Pale 3, System 01, Nina Hagen Band, Franka Potente, Tykwer, Matador, Alphaville, Sir Simon Rattle)
• Uwe Hoffmann - Drums (Ca Lingo, King Kong, La Loora, Rockin' G & the G-Letters, White Russia, Zebra Zebra, Die Arzte, Silly, Nina Schultz, Wire, Wiglaf Droste & Bela B, Terrorgruppe, the Twins)
• Stephan Gottwald - Keys (Albert & the Heart of Gold, Zebra Zebra, Marian Gold, D Base 5, Spiro, Bobo in White Wooden Houses, Alphaville, 
• Andreas Schwarz-Ruszczynski - Guitar (Alphaville, Marian Gold, You Pretty Thing, Boy George, Trevor Horn, Klaus Schulze, Pet Shop Boys, Steve Lipson, Julian Mendelsen, Jack White, UKW, Albert & The Heart of Gold, Martin de Vries, Atlantic Popes, Andreas Feidbaumer)
• Jayney Klimex - Lead Vox (Alphaville, Marian, Bankstatement, Tony Banks, Tangerine Dream, Paul van Dyk, XII Alfonso, Terranova, You Pretty Thing, System 01, Simon Bonney, Johnny Logan, Atlantic Popes, Anita Lane, Xaver Von Treyer)
• Greg Fulginiti - Mastering
• Mike Schmidt - Cover
• Dieter Eikelpoth - Photos
• Margo Chase - Logo

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Their outfits (over-sized jackets with broad shoulders and fluffy mullets) scream mid-80's renaissance/jazz, and i'm getting a Shriekback vibe from the black & white photo. So i imagine this to be some weird overproduced chamber pop music or something.

Album Review: So the album is in fact quite overproduced in an ultra smooth synth way, but the record is very listenable compared to much of this era. It has enough catchy and lively song melodies buried beneath the extraneous guitar solos and synth sounds that don't quite sound like any instrument they are intending to mimic. The band consists of 3 Australian siblings and three German musicians who met after the Aussie family moved to Berlin in search of a European music break. They only have 2 albums and their big hit Holiday reached 29 on the US Billboard hot 100. Internationally, it was 22 in Switzerland, 13 in Austria, 10 in New Zealand and 4 in Germany. Johnny has made a career working in film and tv soundtrack composing, amassing credits for Run Lola Run, Cloud Atlas, Sense8, Deadwood, One Hour Photo, and Land of the Dead.

Stand Out Track: It Makes Me Higher

Links:

Spotify full album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

forever young 80s

tampa bay lost & found

Cosmic Meadows

Mountain - Flowers of Evil

Name: Mountain
Album: Flowers of Evil
Year: 1971
Style: Prog, Southern Bluesy Rock, Classic Rock
Similar Bands: Black Sabbath, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Bloodrock
"One-Word" Review: Mystical jam-band metal.
Based Out Of:  Long Island, NYC
Label: Windfall, Bell Records, Columbia Pictures

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Flowers of Evil (1971)

1. Flowers of Evil 4:53
2. King's Chorale 1:04 (instrumental)
3. One Last Cold Kiss 3:45
4. Crossroader 4:47
5. Pride and Passion 7:05 /
6. Dream Sequence (live Fillmore East 1971) 24:27
1. Guitar Solo
2. Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Berry cover)
3. Variations
4. Swan Theme
7. Mississippi Queen (live Fillmore East 1971) 3:53

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Leslie West - Guitar, Vox (Vagrants, West Bruce and Laing, David Rea, Dana Valery, Joe Bonamassa, John Entwhistle Band, Clutch, Michael Schenker Group, Voices of Classic Rock, Todd Wolfe & Under the Radar, Jolliver Arkansaw, Mylon, Felix Cavaliere, Deadly Nightshade, Bo Diddley, Dion, Gillian, Billy Joel, Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus, The Who, Joe Lynn Turner, Randy Coven, Don Nix, Ozzy Osbourne, Hotshot, Ian Gillan, Johnny Winter, Eli Cook)
• Felix Pappalardi - Bass, Vox, Producer (Cream, Pompeii, Devil's Anvil, The Flock, The Realists, Jack Bruce, David Rea, Natural Gas, Jesse Colin Young, Creation, Gasolin', Dead Boys', Casey Anderson, Vince Martin, Fred Neil, Tom Paxton, Richard & Mimi Farina, Tom Rush, Ian & Sylvia, Spider John Koerner, Tim Rose, Bo Grumpus, Kensignton Market, Bunky & Jake, Jolliver Arkansaw, Mylon, John Sebastian, Eric Clapton, Bedlam, Back Door, Eddie Mottau, Sierra, Tim hardin, Vagrants, Tom Paxton)
• Corky Laing - Drums (West Bruce and Laing, Energy, Bartholomew Plus Three, Cork, Pompeii, The B+3, Leslie West Band, The Mix, Jason Hartless, David Rea, Mylon, Dana Valery, Mahogany Rush, Bo Diddley, Tony Wilson, Charlie Karp & Name Droppers, Men Without Hats, Lost & Profound,  JD Blackfoot, David Grahame, Visitors From Bellatrix)
• Steve Knight - Keys (Devil's Anvil, Wings, Feenjon Group, Herbie Mann, George Mgrdichian Ensemble, Andrea Glass, Yacov Dan)
• Gail Collins Pappalardi - Writer, Lyrics
• Bob d'Orleans - Engineer
• Judy Szekely - Asst. Engineer
• Gail Collins - Cover
• Bud Prager - Exec. Producer
• Music Agency - Graphics Coordination

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Mountain. I picked this up in a Goodwill Thrift record stack along side a Mothers of Invention album, so I assume this is going to be similar: odd, avant garde pop. Their band name artwork looks a little spiritual/renaissance/baroque/new agey, so it might go that direction, too.

Album Review: The album's studio side has a theatrical, rock opera, concept theme going on (about drug abuse in Vietnam), perhaps a little like some of early Ween's classic rock, face melting songs, even if this record is not that face melting. Side B is recorded live at the Fillmore East in 1971. The first "track" is a 24 min 30 sec medley that has Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" mixed in. Leslie West was the main artist behind Mountain, as the band name is taken from West's first solo album, which refers to his large size and stature. They were a unique sound, blending elements that they were able to fit together very naturally. They soared at Woodstock's Saturday Night stage, only the band's fourth every live performance. After that, they released their first proper album, featuring the classic rock and cowbell hit Mississippi Queen, featured on here as a gritty, filthy live version. Pappalardi was shot & killed by his wife in 1983, and she served about a year in jail. With him gone, West and Laing have regrouped and recorded Mountain albums off an on into the aughts. Some verison of Mountain will still perform today with West & Laing composing the core.

Stand Out Track: One Last Cold Kiss

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

goldmine

i95 rock

ultimate classic rock

classic rock history

website

Bethel Woods Center - Woodstock site

rate your music