Systems Officer - s/t

Name: Systems Officer
Album: s/t
Year: 2004
Style: Indie, Light Math Rock, 
Similar Bands: Hail Social, Shins, Pixies, Janes Addiction (acoustic), The Walkmen
"One-Word" Review: Wispy Meandering Rainy Day Pop
Based Out Of: Encinitas, California
Label: Ace Fu

Cover & Back

Lyrics, CD, CD Back

Systems Officer (2004)

1. Forever This Cyanide 4:03
2. Systems Officer 4:42
3. Signature Red 5:10
4. Desert / Sea 3:57
5. Hael 4:06

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Armistead Burwell (Zach) Smith IV - Written, Performing, Recording, Layout Design (Pinback, White Lion, Three Mile Pilot, Neighborhood Watch, Zach and Robb Show)
• Tom Zinser - Drum Ideas (Neighborhood Watch, Pinback, Physics, Three Mile Pilot, Tit Wrench United, Liz Janes)
• Ryan Bromley - Live Performer (Pinback)
• Jack Reynolds - Live Performer
• Donny Van Zandt - Live Performer, Layout Design (Pinback)
• Sara Bee - CD Art Design (bettetthansnacks.com)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the artist/band, but i picked it up from a thrift store because liked the artwork pattern, which looked to me like a 70's big collar polyester shirt,. but upon closer inspection, resembles stops along a subway map. Just a nice, simple piece of art with a DIY font. I imagine the music will be pretty stripped down, perhaps bedroom folky pop, just from the liner notes dedicating one person performing the songs.

Album Review: While the songs are simple, almost demo-like, they do present fully realized songs, occasionally reminding me of a lighter, happier Hail Social or less power-poppy Shins. Maybe a little Perry Farrell in the tinny vocals, and a lot like the Walkmen overall.

As this is the solo name for the bass player of Pinback & Three Mile Pilot, it has similarities to his bands. But this is a project he can focus on as 100% his, and he played 100% of the instruments on this.

Stand Out Track: Forever This Cyanide

Links:

Bandcamp
Spotify
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
Sandiego Reader
Facebook
Oh My Rockness

Temporary Residence
Daily Aztec 2011 show listing

Gallien-Kruegar

Bottom of the Hill 2015 show listing

Supernova - Ages 3 and Up

Name: Supernova
Album: Ages 3 and Up
Year: 1995
Style: Punk
Similar Bands: Ramones, Dead Milkmen, Devo, Sleater-Kinney, Buzzcocks, The Presidents of the USA, Aquabats, Tom Verlaine, Man or Astro-Man?
"One-Word" Review: Wacky, Silly Punk
Based Out Of: Costa Mesa, CA
Label: Amphetamine Reptile Records, Atlantic

Cover & Back

Liner Notes, CD Back, CD

Ages 3 & Up (1995)

1. Vitamins 2:07 (single)
2. Oreo 1:35
3. Harry Gato 2:18
4. Up & Down 2:16
5. Mechanical 3:01
6. Gum Fighter 2:15 (single B-Side)
7. Wabbit 1:58
8. Invasion 2:14
9. Best Coast 2:09
10. Drool 1:14
11. Hippy 0:12
12. Sea Stunt 1:54
13. Daredevil 3:04
14. Math 2:18
15. Mentos 0:31
16. Boo! 2:16
17. Our Way 0:49
18. Electric Man 3:21 (single)
19. Supersong 3:00
20. Close Encounters 1:04

Album Rating (1-10): 9.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Art (Mitchell) - Bass (Gum Fighters)
• Dave (Collins) - Drums (Gum Fighters)
• Jo(dey Lawrence) - Guitar
• Tiim Mac - Producer, Recording
• Andrea Collins - Toy Piano
• Tim Connolly - Affirmations, Synth, Backups (Delicious Mind Garden)
• Haze XXL - Design
• Corrigan - Photos

Unknown-ness: Picked this up because it looked wacky. Like Presidents of the US- but in space wacky. Like somewhere between Dead Milkmen and They Might Be Giants wacky. Like so energetic you think it's cocaine, but it's really just too much Tang and Pixy Stix wacky. They are van-traveling-in-space, 20 tracks with 3 under a minute,  and weird haircut in space suits, which is wacky. The promo sticker on the front doesn't promote any "single," but instead, apologizes for language used in a 12 second song called "Hippy." 

Album Review: Right off the bat, the song Vitamins speeds through with some fuzzy, rockabilly punk guitars and sarcastic propaganda. The general sound is speedy punk with some juvenile imagery and silly lyrics. "Harry Gato" oddly sounds like Sleater-Kinney. "Mechanical" sounds like Tom Verlaine on acid. Live, the band tends to employ a sci-fi / space theme, with astronaut suits, like a punk version of surf rock Man or Astro-man? In fact, their original singer/guitarist (Hayden Thais) left Supernova right before this album was made to join Man or Astro-man? Their origin story is also similar: aliens from Cynot 3 who escaped a supernova that engulfed their planet. They landed in So-Cal and ask for folks to come to their shows bearing tin foil...not too far from what Man or Astro-Man or Peelander Z did for that matter.

Their song Up & Down, which sounds like any a solid, jittery/nervous early 80's new wave song, was performed on Yo Gabba Gabba in 2007, and their song from the previous album, Chewbacca (Chewy/What A Wookiee), was on the Clerks Soundtrack. Even though this was their first full length for a major label, they had previous released a bunch of singles (grouped together in the early years comp Pop as a Weapon in 2001). This record helped get them on the initial Vans Warped Tour in 1995. They enacted legal trouble for CBS in 2006, where the network produced a show called Rock Star, where contestants battled to become lead singer of a band, they called Supernova. The show knew of the other band's existence but ignored them and stole the name anyway. In the end, the original Supernova won, and the tv band was renamed Rock Star Supernova.

Stand Out Track: Up & Down

Links:
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Discogs

Allmusic

Punk News

10 Things Zine

Famous Fix

Super Friendz (the) - Mock Up, Scale Down

Name: The Super Friendz
Album: Mock Up, Scale Down
Year: 1995
Style: Jangly Pop
Similar Bands: Sloan, Gin Blossoms, Replacements, Thrush Hermit, Posies, Big Star, Bicycles, Young Guv
"One-Word" Review: Preppy-Rock
Based Out Of: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Label: Murderecords, MCA

Cover & Back

Liner Notes, CD Back, CD

Mock Up, Scale Down (1995)

1. 10 Lbs 3:41 (single)
2. Karate Man 3:05 (single)
3. Undertow 3:06
4. Down In Flames 3:20
5. Dear Old Ireland 3:13
6. Restricted 3:18
7. Come Clean 2:39
8. Rescue Us From Boredom 4:09 (single)
9. Fireflies 3:10
10. Kiss the Land 4:21
11. Stone Alone 2:57
12. Better Call 2:33
13. When They Paid Me 3:38
14. One Day 3:22
15. Length of Heart (bonus track) 3:37

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Brenndan McGuire - Producer (Jale, Thrush Hermit, Sloan)
• Drew Yamada - Guitar, Vox (Neuseiland, Mike O'Neill, Rhinoplasty, Yoneda)
• Charles Austin - Bass, Vox (Neuseiland, Buck 65, Matt Mays, Joel Plaskett, Garrett Mason, Rhinoplasty, Al Tuck, Aqua Alta, Fantasy Eye, Iron Egg, Psychic Fair, Savant Garde, Skreech, The Entity, The Lodge, Menotti, Matt Reid, Play Guitar, David R. Elliot, Tanya Davis, Leonard Conan, Mike O'Neill, Jean Schwarz, Graven, Bontempi, General Electrics, Jon Epworth, David Myles, Norma MacDonald,  Jenny MacDonald, Ruth Minnikin, Jenn Grant, Jim Cameron, Isador, Walrus, Dennis Ellsworth, Matthew Grimson)
• Matt Murphy - Guitar, Vox (The Flashing Lights, City Field, Cookie Duster, TUNS, Deluxe Boys. Ink Stains, Blackpool, Al Tuck, All Good Children, City Field, Leonard Conan, Certain Someones, The Forum, To The Power of Three, Snob Shop, Neko Case & Her Boyfriends, Mike O'Neill, The Heat, Matt Murphy, Dave Marsh, Matthew Grimson, Skreech, Inbreds, The Vees, The American Flag, Hershel Savage, Jonathan Andrews, David Myles)
• Dave Marsh - Drums (No Damn Fears, Blackpool, Joel Plaskett, True love Rules, Cheticamp, The Flashing Lights, Matt Mays, Matt Murphy, Erin Costelo, Graven, Yoneda, Mo Kenney, Dennis Ellsworth, Leanne Hoffman)
• Catherine Stockhausen - Artwork, Photos
• Chris Mueller - Artwork
• Colin Mackenzie - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Not sure why i picked up this CD from the discount bin back in the late 90s...don't specifically remember the name or any of the songs. But it looks like something i'd be into... it has a poppy rock, DIY feel to it, including the band photo. So i'm going to guess it's along the lines of The Rentals or Fountains of Wayne.

Album Review: The music is on the lighter, jangly pop side, like the Posies, but it is catchy with clean hooks. Most of the songs bound forth with a happy bouncy demeanor, with a tinge of slacker delivery. "Rescue Us From Boredom" has a little of a Dismemberment Plan feel to its driving progression. "Stone Alone" has some slide guitar, giving it a little of an alt-country rock sound. "One Day" has a twee, jangly power pop sound, with a little psych.

This record was nominated for Juno's Alt record of the year up in Canada in 96, and was released on Sloan's murderecords label. The album was apparently re-released in the US as "Sticktoitiveness," so i'm guessing this is the original Canadian version. They did not remain a band for very long, only recording from 1994 - 1997, releasing a couple other EPs and a follow-up full length in that time. The band reformed a bunch of times in 2002, 2006, 2009, 2012, and made a third record in 2003. 

Stand Out Track: Karate Man

Links:
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Superette - Tiger

Name: Superette
Album: Tiger
Year: 1996
Style: Brit-Pop, Shoegaze, Alternative
Similar Bands: Oasis, Love & Rockets, Sonic Youth, Flick, Pixies, Birdland, Mudhoney, Garbage
"One-Word" Review: Grimy Floor Rock with Dimension.
Based Out Of: Auckland, NZ
Label: Flying Nun

Cover, Liner Notes

Liner Notes, CD Back, CD

Supetette - Tiger (1996)

1. Kiss Someone 3:11 (single)
2. Touch Me 2:50 (Single)
3. Ugly Things 3:56
4. Saskatchewan 5:31
5. Bye Bye 3:41
6. Felo De Se 4:20
7. Cannibal 2:58
8. I Got Clean 3:26
9. Taiwan 3:17
10. Funny Weather 1:46
11. Killer Clown 3:48 (single)
12. Waves 3:22

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Greta Anderson - Drums, Vox (Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, Ben+Greta, Blue Marbles, The Pencils )
• Dave Mulcahy - Guitar, Vox, Piano, Photos (Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, MEDal, Mulchzoid, Kimo, Sexy Animals, Snakedog, Spider, Eskimo)
• Ben Howe - Bass, Vox, Guitar, Photos (Fang, Kimo,Ben+Greta, Blue Marbles, White Swan Black Swan, Smoothy, The Flinch, Every Person Must Unite)
• Nick Roughan - Engineer, Producer
• Rex Visible - Mastering
• Becky Nunes - Band Portrait

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Another unknown CD I picked up in a London Oxfam. Looks like they are a female drummer fronted band from New Zealand. I enjoy the jarring collection of styles on the cover with the dueling fonts of band name and album and a tiger in leaping action against a teal background. Seems like it will have a fun energy. The photos of the band in their recording/practice space gives the impression that they worked hard on the album, so I also assume it to be a high quality product.

Album Review: The music is heavy, fuzzy shoegazing brit pop, and vocal duties are shared, with the guys singing more than Greta. "Taiwan" has a definite Pixies feel. And "I Got Clean" oozes Sonic Youth. A couple of slower tracks also give them a depth as more than just a fuzzy alt band.

Seeing as I got this the same time I got the Stereobus album in a thrift store, it makes sense that they were donated together, as the previous owner must have been a fan of Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, since both bands formed after. They only had this album and an earlier EP (aside from numerous compilation appearances). They have gotten back together in the aughts to play again, and the album was reissued and expanded in 2018

Stand Out Track: Touch Me

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Music Net NZ
Elsewhere NZ - reissue
Flying Nun
Flying Out

Sunday Runners - s/t

Name: Sunday Runners
Album: s/t
Year: 2005
Style: Powerpop, Light Rock
Similar Bands: Keane, The Verve, Travis, Muse, Ours, Lincoln, Pixies, Beatles, Fountains of Wayne, Grandaddy, Doves
"One-Word" Review: Cultured Power Pop
Based Out Of: Chicago
Label: Machine Records

Cover & Back

CD, Inner Note, CD Tray

Sunday Runners (2005)

1. Elected 3:51
2. Memories Left at Sea 3:34
3. Everlasting Sun 2:54
4. Half My Height 3:03
5. Into Your Head 4:02
6. 1993 3:58
7. Finally 3:19
8. Lip Biter 3:07
9. Flying Saucers 3:27
10. Evolver 4:36
11. Floor Toms Fall Away / Hide (hidden track) 10:32

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Randy Diderrich - Vox, Guitars, Keys, Writing, Lyrics, Album Art Design, Producer, Remixing (Mas Optica, Front of Truck, Tobin Sprout, Kevin Tihista's Red Terror)
• Todd Bowie - Slide Guitar, Backing Vox, Producer, Remixing, Engineering (Martha Berner, The Karlz, Toiz)
• Mason Brown - Guitar, Bass, Backing Vox, Writing (Tobin Sprout)
• Derek Crawford - Drums, Percussion (Verve Pipe, Kiss Me Luna, All Rectangle, Dick Prall, Tenniscourts, Clip Art)
• Robin Crawford - Cello 
• Rick Diderrich - Bass (Renegade)
• Chad Kovac - Drums, Keys (Kevin Tihista's Red Terror)
• Dan Reinholt - Drums
• Gary Vermillion - Drums (Tobin Sprout, Kevin Tihista's Red Terror)
• Steve Vermillion - Bass (Tobin Sprout, Kevin Tihista's Red Terror)
• Brad Towell - Album Art Design
• Chris Butterman - Exec Producer, Mgmt
• Trevor Sadler - Mastering
• Warren Pieschalia - Photos
• Tony Bonyata - Photos, Promo & Publicity
• Matt Monsoor - Video
• Win Jones - Cover Painting

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of the band. From both the lazy idea of a Sunday runner, to the cold, frozen art work and aerial photography, i'm guessing this is a high-brow indie band, with a lot of the sound tied to folksy, log cabin pop, similar to #2-4 album Belle & Sebastian. Maybe there is more energy than I currently think, though, only because the band's contributor list is pretty long...although slide guitar and cello make me thing wispy folksy pop is still their sound.

Album Review: The album is overflowing with harmonies, held notes a little like Ours' Jimmy Gnecco, some light indie coffee house pop and some straight up Fountains of Wayne Powerpop. The mix of songs is refreshing, pushes away boredom (aside from the blank space before the hidden track) and keeps you guessing with a nice slice of catchy, non-threatening radio-ready pop. The album was mostly the project of frontman Randy Diderrich, with support from labelmates and friends.

They had a song on the OC (Memories Left at Sea), and had some good press about the album, which opened some doors for the Chicago band. Originally from Southern Wisconsin, Randy moved himself and the band back home for their second album, after being cured from melanoma and having a kid. The second album is more of a collaboration of the full band, with a reportedly more cohesive 70's glam sound. 

Stand Out Track: Half My Height

Links:
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Discogs

Allmusic

On Milwaukee

On Milwaukee tour date

Mitch Schneider Org
Concert Live Wire show review

amazon

Stereo Bus (the) - s/t

Name: The Stereo Bus
Album: s/t
Year: 1997
Style: Bedroom Pop, Lo-Fi, Shoegaze, Atmospheric Pop
Similar Bands: Imperial Teen, Game Theory, Track Star, Beat Happening, Belle & Sebastain
"One-Word" Review: self-proclaimed "Sissy-Pop"
Based Out Of: Christchurch, New Zealand
Label: Beats Bodega Records, Festival Records

Fold Out, Tray Art, CD

Cover, Back, CD Back

The Stereo Bus (1997)

1. Shallow 4:21
2. Don't Open Your Eyes 5:09
3. Wash Away 2:34
4. Mirror 3:00
5. Be A Girl 3:49 (single)
6. Tell 4:03
7. Lie in the Arms 4:09
8. Waste of Time 3:19
9. Bright Lights 1:45
10. Fade 4:49
11. God's Fingers 3:34
12. Far Away 3:44

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• David Yetton - Vox, Guitar (Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, Jay Clarkson)
• Alan Gregg - Bass, Piano (The Mutton Birds, Dribbling Darts, Remarkables, Three Leaning Men, Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Allyson Seconds)
• Ross Burge - Drums (The Mutton Birds, Spines, Rodger Fox Big Band, Dennis O'Brien, Jon Stevens, Midge Marsden band, Eddie O'Strange, Two Armed Men, Sahara, Jodi Vaughn, David Feehan, John Niland, Nick Swan, Bill Lake & Living Daylights, Happening Thang, Dave Dobbyn, Marshmallow, Finn Brothers, Don McGlashan, Hera, Pie Warmer, The Bend)
• Gary Sullivan - Drums (JPS Experience, Solid Gold Hell, Dimmer, Chug, Breathing Cage, Graeme jefferies, Jay Clarkson, Punches, Stano, Shayne P Carter)
• Sonya Waters - Backing Vox (Fang, Orange, The Broken Heartbreakers, Instigators, White Swan Black Swan, This Way Out, The Rosemarys, Smoothy, 
• Janet Holborow - Strings (Radha Sahar, Rhian Sheehan)
• David Pine - Bass (Sneaky Feelings, Death Ray Cafe, Bleeding Allstars, The Moas)
• Phil Knight - Engineer
• Max - Engineer
• Bruno - Engineer
• Rex Vizible - Mastering
• Rebecca Lovell-Smith - Sleeve Design

Unknown-ness: Picked this up at an Oxfam on a trip to the UK. Like the biohazard and day glow orange and pink artwork that screams manic energy, and I assume it will be wacky, fun pop music from New Zealand. First impression is that this will be in the realm of Presidents of the USA or Nerf Herder

Album Review:  First reaction is the opening chords sound like the Gin Blossoms, and when the lyrics begin, it shifts to Imperial Teen. Not manic at all, rather, the complete opposite; calculated, medicated, and reserved. On the whole, the vocals are an intimate, quiet whisper with light, production.

The Stereo Bus started as a side project for Yetton, member of Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, who experimented with the moody, atmospheric tracks as parts of mini set's he'd head off with the band as they wound down their shows. This is one of two albums, the second record grew The Stereo Bus into a full band project with a modest profile- something that began to feel like too much work for Yetton, and he let his project wind down as well. Since then. he's produced a solo record, and reimagined The Stereo Bus for a small tour with 4 new tracks in 2011

Stand Out Track: Washaway

Links:

Spotify
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

AudioCulture
Dunedin Sound Tapes
Rate Your Music
Music. NZ
Off the Tracks

NZ Music
Stuff.Co Yetton Interview

Stereo 360 - Enjoy Your Life Poolside

Name: Stereo 360
Album: Enjoy Your Life Poolside
Year: 2003
Style: Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Rentals, Presidents of the USA, Fountains of Wayne, Lit, Under the Influence of Giants Nerf Herder, Rooney, Ultimate Fakebook, Zebrahead
"One-Word" Review: Generic Radio Rock
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: Baby Pea Records

Cover, Inner Back

Liner Notes, CD Tray

Back, CD, Lyrics

Enjoy Your Life Poolside (2003)

1. Superstar 2:42 (single)
2. Automatic 3:32
3. Plastecine 3:09
4. California 3:13
5. Vasoline Mouth 2:55 (Single)
6. Radio Parade 3:02
7. Don't Belong 3:58
8. Original 3:44
9. Restaurant 3:29
10. Sick of You 2:59
11. Beautiful 4:00

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Shad Hills - Guitar, Vox (Cool for August)
• Luis Galdames - Guitar (Illapu, Sign of the Fox, Felix da Housecat, Zaturno, Pablo Milanes)
• Trevor Zimmerman Bass
• Moon Hills - Drums
• Arlan Schierbaum- Pianos, Keys, Moog, Accordion (Heaven & Earth, BJ Sharp, Meredith Brooks, Kris Wiley, Richie Kotzen, B-Side Players, Kelly Moneymaker, Mandrill, Brian Setzer, David Winoground, Cherry Bluestorms, Janiva Magness, Son of Skooshny, Nikki Lane, John Hiatt, Beth Hart, Joe Bonamassa, Rival Sons, Coronet Blue, Goldspot, Jimmy Barnes, Joey Sykes, Janey Street, Suitable Victims)
• Ryan Greene - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
• Tina Allen - BPR International
• John Krishack - Mgmt
• Geoffrey Hautvas - European Booking
• Jason Schmidt - Photos
• Tangle - CD package, Design, Art, Concept, Layout
• Jonathan Levin - Legal
• Gary Dollinger - Web Programming & Mgmt
• Brad Vance - Mastering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. The artwork has a very warm/hot temperature feel to it, and reminds me of 311, although i don't think they will sound like that...but it will be somewhat close to brash, frat-boy rock, half way to Fuel (but not as hard).

Album Review: Here's the deal...not bad, but not that interesting. Some times they strive for Fountains of Wayne pop melodies and harmonies, and semi-heavy chugging guitars layer over, with one foot trying to fit into pop-punk shoes. This is generic radio friendly rock built for frat parties and background music while playing Golden Eye. The right energy to keep you awake and moving, but nothing upsetting or off-putting - or experimental (with the most basic use of the word). But, perhaps that would all change upon multiple listens. California and Vasoline Mouth are not bad pop songs, but their lyrics about getting jumped for no reason & i can touch you any way you think i should are kinda cringe-y & embarrassing. Don't Belong sounds straight up like a FOW power ballad.

Not much on the net about them. just a couple sentence review saying they play LA power pop influenced by Nirvana, Cars, Cheap Trick, & Split Enz in a press kit.

Stand Out Track: Superstar (only because there is a weirdly cropped video for the song)

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

Rate Your Music
Dert Online
Spotify

Betsy Spivak - Belly Sweet

 Name: Betsy Spivak
Album: Belly Sweet
Year: 2000
Style: Folk, Singer / Songwriter, Acoustic
Similar Bands: Jefferson Airplane, Fleetwood Mac, Melissa Ethridge
"One-Word" Review: Floatsy Folksy
Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA / Los Angeles CA
Label: Covergirl Records

Cover, Fold Out Notes, CD Tray Artwork

Back, CD, Liner Notes/Lyrics

Belly Sweet (2000)

1. Twiggy Blue Sky 3:06
2. 222 Ray Street 3:59
3. The Same 3:57
4. Altar Boy & the Female Form 3:56
5. Hundred Dollar Bet 4:15
6. Sally 4:22
7. Me for a Day 6:46

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Betsy Spivak - Writer, Vox, Piano, Guitar, Producer, Arrangements, Mixing, Art Direction, Artwork
• Anthony King - Guitars, Producer, Arrangements, Recording, Art Direction
• Bruce Witkin - Producer, Recording, Mixing
• Raymond Pitts - Clarinet, Arrangements
• Ethan Phillips - Bass
• George Kaurtis - Drums
• Jack Lees - Percussion
  Diana Bridges - Backing Vox
• Dave Schultz - Mastering
• Marguerite Gaffney - Belly, Insert Photos
• Doug Nahary - Art Direction (dZm Design)anthony king
• Peter Creelman - Photos
• Bill Parker - Photos

Unknown-ness: I believe i had heard of Betsy Spivak before I bought this in a used bin, just curious if the word of mouth recognition was worth the music. I can't remember what it was like...my mind is set that this will be flowery, folksy Lilith Fair / Indigo Girls singer-songwriter style of music.

Album Review: Betsy has a very light, folky singer/songwriter storyteller vibe, with mostly acoustic performances, and a little country slide guitar. Nothing stood out to me, apart from the sexual exploring charged lyrics of Alter Boy/Female Form, but 222 Ray St is an enjoyable, straight forward song.

Betsy's father is the cofounder of the old Electric factory in Philly, and she studied classical music at Temple, also in Philly. Her early years were spent half in her native Philly, and half in LA. Even when moving back to Philly, he stuff did not follow her for a bit, as she felt part of both worlds. But the LA life opened her up creatively, writing in traffic, and finding her voice

Stand Out Track: 222 Ray St

Links:

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Allmusic

Rate Your Music

2006 City Paper

Sparklers - Fall Apart Heart

Name: Sparklers
Album: Fall Apart Heart
Year: 2001
Style: Pub Rock, Americana Rock, 
Similar Bands: Replacements, Superchunk, GBV, Gin Blossoms, Cracker, Soul Asylum
"One-Word" Review: Smoky Dive Bar Rock
Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA
Label: Radioball Records

Cover - sealed

Back - sealed

Fall Apart Heart (2001)

1. Forever and a Day 2:11
2. Midnight All the Time 2:45
3. Goodmorning, Etc. 4:02
4. Heart in Advance 2:51
5. Highball 2:37
6. Home Away from Away 3:13

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Brian McCracken - Vox, Guitar (454)
• Joel Breen - Bass (Labia)
• Frank - Drums
• Chris DiPinto - Mandolin, Violin (Creem Circus, O Mighty Isis, Jim & Jennie & the Pine Barons, The Three 4 Tens)
• Andy Shahan - Backing Vox (Hogan's Goat)
• Paul Smith - Recording, Production, Engineer
• John Douglas Smith - Cover Design, Layout

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, outside of somehow, at sometime, getting this CD, BUT, never listening to it. I'm just guessing it's going to be some good old early aughts garage/indie rock, maybe leaning away from gritty to the lighter power pop side, just based on the artwork. The band name adds energy, while the album, or EP title adds a depth of darkness, sadness and emo.

Album Review: Raspy vocals and driving, blue collar pub rock categorize this album as Punk Americana. Power pop leanings and jangley guitar support driving tempos. But there are a couple softer, calculate mellow tracks showing their full array,

Proudly based out of South Philly, the trio has evolved as a band, with McCracken at the helm the whole time, away from their blue collar rock, adding more elements of Alt-Country and twang into their later albums (3 total). Their band website is still active (2021) so i assume they are still together putting material together, still out of South Philly.

Stand Out Track: Forever and a Day

Links:

Spotify

Website
Bandcamp

Discogs

Reverb Nation
Facebook
Adobe & Teardrops review
Nine Bullets

Spacetruck - Night Rider

Name: Spacetruck
Album: Night Rider
Year: 2003
Style: Indie-Psych
Similar Bands: Redd Kross, French Kicks, Pavement, Soul Asylum
"One-Word" Review: slacker psych rock
Based Out Of: Austin TX
Label: Brachiator Records

Cover & Back

Gatefold, CD Case Back, CD 

Night Rider (2003)

1. The Descent 6:00
2. The Destroyer 3:48
3. Ballad of Sadie Pryor 4:18
4. Pop Queen 4:56
5. Inner St8 5:06
6. New York City Day Dream 4:30
7. Don't Lie to Jesus 6:17
8. Odessa 1:16
9. Rollaway 9:32

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5 

Members & Other Bands:

• Chris "Frenchy" Smith - Producer, Keys, Piano, Mixing, Engineer (Sixteen Deluxe, Young Heart Attack, Dumptruck, Adrenaline Factor, Jet, Speak, The Answer, ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Neal Mehta, Graveltooth, Li'l Cap'n Travis, Mankin, Beth Hart, The Pocket Symponies, Lower Crass Brats, Ringo Deathstarr, Meat Puppets, Thrill Theory, Jackie Venson) 
• Chris Howard - Bass, Vox (Big Breakfast ATX)
• Kyle Hunt - Guitar, Keys, Lap, Steel (The Black Angels, 1986, Ghost of the Russian Empire, Roky Erickson, My Jerusalem)
• Will Rhodes - Guitar, Vox, Keys ('Til We're Blue of Destroy, Andrew Duplantis & Unfaithfuls, Big Breakfast ATX, Sounds Del Mar, Heartless Bastards)
• Cam Rogers - Drums, Vox (Big Breakfast ATX)
• Saxman Ran (Randal Sanden Jr) - Sax (Big Breakfast ATX)
• Tyler Van Aken - Engineer
• Alex Lyon - Asst Engineer
• Jimmy Burdine - Mastering
• Allen Crider - Mastering
• Factor 27 - Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. But with the truck name & imagery, year, track names, and recording in Austin TX, i'm going to predict this to be basic bro-y college rock with the influence of country throughout the album.

Album Review: The music feels accomplished: not simply indie garage band fodder that's forgotton a couple years in the future. There are psychedelic & organ tones balanced with some high kicking Detroit RnR. Even "Pop Queen" is trying to sound like Lou Reed / Velvet Underground. They throw some sax and slow the tempo down for "NYC Day Dream" to add some depth to a song with a fun chorus. The short Odessa is also slow, but is much more a country instrumental than anything else on the record.

Not much about this band out there...a couple supporting tours to major acts like Wilco and Tragically Hip right before this record came out. There is enough depth to the album to show they had promise. Most famous from the group is the producer & multi-faceted Chris Frenchy Smith, who produced some big name aughts bands (Toadies, And You Will Know Us By.., Built to Spill, Meat Puppets).

Stand Out Track: Destroyer

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

iheart page

Rate Your Music

Spotify

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

Skyline Drive (the) - Get It Together

Name: The Skyline Drive
Album: Get It Together
Year: 2003
Style: Emo Pop-Punk
Similar Bands: Jimmy Eat World, The Fray, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, blink-182, 
"One-Word" Review: derivative spikey-haired, shiny shirt, chain dangling pop-punk
Based Out Of: Reading, PA
Label: Kadns, DRP Records

Cover & Tray Photo

Liner Notes, Back & CD

Get It Together (2003)

1. Now 2:47
2. This Is 3:07
3. Beautiful Disaster 3:21
4. Coming Around Again 3:34
5. Gimme Something 2:36
6. Alrite, Tonite 3:57
7. Delusions of Brando 3:11
8. Cool 3:59
9. Prittykill 2:56
10. A Day in the Death of...5:13

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Jared Piccone - Drums (Thirteen Over Eight. Innerpartysystem, Since the Fall, Black Caviar)
• Justin Judd Brunda - Bass, Vox (Dysphoria)
• Hans Schloesser - Guitar (Mushmouth, Out To Win)
• Dave Lord - Vox, Guitar, Mixing (Tidewater Gain)
• Eric - Drums
• Mike Radka - Recording
• Tom Volpicelli - Mastering
• Jim Altieri - Artwork
• Dave Causa - Tray Photo
• Steve Lord - Group Photo 

Unknown-ness: never heard of this band, but i'm guessing they're from Central PA  and play a specific brand of Emo Pop-Punk.

Album Review: The content of the album sounds like basic pop-punk, with a few powerpop harmonies and some dual harmonic melody/ emo scream vocalists on a couple tracks. The main vocals are never really aggressive, but they are driving, as is the music: mostly three-chord fuzzed out progression. The song Prittykill sounds like Blink-182 covering Nirvana. This band made efficient, easy to swallow, catchy songs.

Not much out there about them, save the stereokiller site that explains how the members came from different bands to form The Skyline Drive. Unusually difficult to look up, it seems there are multiple bands with the same name or slight variations. But a defunct Myspace page at least offers Reading PA as their hometown. I assume they got local opening slots for bands like Jimmy Eat World, Lit, blink-182 or any one of those carbon copy bands.

Stand Out Track: Prittykill

Links:

spotify

Allmusic

stereokiller
Powerpop Overdose

Myspace

Sinister Dane - s/t

Name: Sinister Dane
Album: s/t
Year: 1994
Style: Hard Alt Rock, Funk Metal
Similar Bands: Korn, System of a Down, Animal Bag, Dave Matthews, Faith No More, Living Colour
"One-Word" Review: Dave Matthews No More
Based Out Of: St. Louis, MO
Label: Columbia, Sony

Cover & Back

Liner Note & Case Front & Back

Lyrics & CD

Lyrics, Liner Notes

Sinister Dane (1994)

1. 48 Months 3:38
2. Stained Glass 3:23
3. Odalisque 4:19
4. Ugly Thing 2:30
5. Absense of Angels 5:12
6. Where's My Parade 3:54 (single)
7. Vented 3:56
8. Hate Crops 4:46
9. Safe 6:01
10. Thanks For The Show 3:37

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Donald Duck Williams - Bass, Illustration
• Joe Sears - Vox
• Jay Summers - Guitar
  
• Charles Sutton - Lyrics, Mgmt
• M Caroselli - Lyrics
• Matt Martin - Drums
• David Bianco - Producer, Engineer
• John Jackson - Asst Production & Engineer
• David Kahne - Mixing
• Howie Weinberg - Mastering
• Pablo Mathiason - A&R
• Jim de Barros - Artisit
• Tim Manteau - Artist
• Danny Clinch - Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. The solid color, black plastic CD case + the logo font make me think this will be some bad Nu Metal or Hard Ska. The year is 1994, so there was a harder edge to Alt music being put out that might have been back-catalogued as early Nu Metal, since the major labels like Columbia/Sony threw money at what they hoped would be the next thing. Not expecting anything good here, but maybe the low bar will make for a surprising enjoyment.

Album Review: While the album starts with a reggae refrain of the band name, the rest of the album is of the hard alt rock and some funk metal genres. Driving bass and drums mix in with flourishes of funky guitar rhythms and some jazzy vocals to keep the listener guessing. Seems like Dave Matthews fronting a poor man's version of Faith No More.

Bass & Drums were what held the band together. After a tour with Living Colour, the guitar and vocalist left, and Sears & Summers joined, eventually signing to Columbia & putting this, their second full length out. They only survived for 2 more years, a total of 8.

Stand Out Track: Hate Crops

Links:

Youtube full album
Youtube Where's My Parade video

Discogs

Allmusic

Facebook
Last FM
Iowa State Digital Repository
Rate Your Music

Soundcloud

Spotify
flickr

Shapes and Sizes - s/t

Name: Shapes and Sizes
Album: s/t
Year: 2006
Style: Indie
Similar Bands: Shins, Mates of State, Deerhoof, Immaculate Machine, Aldous Harding, High Llamas, Pavement, Mirah
"One-Word" Review: gently jagged soundscape pop
Based Out Of: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Label: Asthmatic Kitty Records

Cover, Tray Artwork

Liner Notes, CD, Promo Sticker, Back

Shapes and Sizes (2006)

1. Island's Gone Bad 4:44
2. Weekends at a Time 4:13
3. I Am Cold 4:34
4. Northern Lights 3:51
5. Wilderness 3:29
6. Goldenhead 3:39
7. Topsy Turvey 3:38
8. Oh, No, Oh Boy 3:46
9. Rory's Bleeding 3:34
10. Boy, You Shouldn't Have 5:32

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Rory Seydel - Guitar, Ukelele, Vox (the Weird Weeds, Project Pablo)
• Caila Thompson-Hannant - Guitar, Keys, Piano, Vox (Miracle Fortress, Parakeets, Think About Life, The Weird Weeds, TOPS)
• Nathan Gage - Bass, Keys, Vox (Elfin Saddle, Lee Hutzulak, Clues, Bry Webb, Hidden Words, Michae; Feuerstack)
• Jon Crellin - Drums, Vibes (Galen Hartley, Tamara Sandor)
• Caity Gallupel - Artwork
• Darren Bennett - Layouts
• Tolan McNeil - Recording, Pedal, Lap Steel Guitars (Onionhouse, Carolyn Mark, Hank Pine, Lily Fawn, Himalayan Bear, Dayglo Abortions, Daddy's Hands, Amy Honey, Eugene Chadbourne, Dave Lang, Frog Eyes, Tom Holliston, Leeroy Stagger, Pink Mountaintops, Budokan)
• Brooke Maxwell - Tenor Sax (Rachelle Van Zanten, Lester Quitzau)
• Mike Mazza - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
• Mieka Kohut - Viola

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but with their artwork + duct tape, it is definitely going to be some Indie music with experimental tendencies and intriguing melodies, perhaps organic and naturally inspired +  noise...i'm thinking Need New Body / Man Man, perhaps (hoping). 

Album Review: Overall, the album has a light, quiet soundscape feel to it, although there are some broken moments, beeps and brass peppered in throughout. If there is any way to *feel* like a band who typifies the Canadian landscape, they feel it. But for a group with two sets of distinct vocals and a handful of instruments, the album does not resonate with anything very memorable.

Three albums decorate the band's discography, as do three locations, including Vancouver and Montreal. They signed to Sufjan Stevens' label based on a demo sent his way & a breakfast that followed.

Stand Out Track: Island's Gone Bad

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
Exclaim! Sufjan's label signing
Asthmatic Kitty Records
Pitchfork
Impose magazine
Rate Your Music

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

Stargard - The Changing of the Gard

Name: Stargard
Album: The Changing of the Gard
Year: 1979
Style: Disco, R&B, Funk
Similar Bands: Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, A Taste of Honey, Supremes, Pattie Labell, Pointer Sisters, Rose Royce
"One-Word" Review: Playful funky while light rn'b
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: Warner Bros

Cover, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

The Changing of the Gard (1979)

1. Wear it Out 5:17 (single)
2. (Once In A Lifetime) Dream Come True 4:45
3. Footstompin' Music 4:31
4. Take Me Back 4:37 /
5. Runnin' From the Law 4:41
6. Bedtime Story 0:15
7. I Just Imagined You 4:29
8. Put On Your Rollerskates 4:04
9. Lowdown Dancing 4:11
10. Flashback 0:28

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Verdine White - Producer, Writer, Bass (Earth Wind & Fire, Ramsey Lewis, Craze, The Emotions, James Vincent, Gene Harris, Deniece Williams, Harvey Mason, Deodate, Jennifer Lopez, Audio Caviar, Solange, Chicago, Flo Rida, Kelly Clarkson, Carmine Appice,  more)
• Robert Wright - Producer, Writer, Keys (Moon Martin, Michael Wycoff, Fonzi Thornton, Jones Girls, Dalton & Dubarri, Tramaine, Genobia Jeter, Main Ingredient Feat. Cuba Gooding, more)
• Walter Ainsworth - Exec Producer
• F. Byron Clark - Remix Engineer, Recording Engineer
• Charles Fearing - Writer
• Debra Anderson - Vox (Junior Walker, Spyder Turner)
• Rochelle Runnells - Writer, Vox, Keys (Junior Walker, Candi Station, Checkmates Ltd, Arthur Wayne, Raydio, Spyder Turner, Candi Station)
• Janice C Williams - Writer, Vox (Junior Walker, Arthur Wayne, Checkmates Ltd, Spyder Turner, Raydio, Anderson Temple, Pryme)
• Robert E Carpenter - Writer
• Dean Gant - Writer, Keys  (Don Kinsey, Chosen Ones, Invisible Man's Band, Stargard, Linda Clifford, Spinners, Stephanie Mills, Larry Graham, Jones Girls, Madonna, Keni Burke, Anita Baker, Outkast, Peabo Bryson, Sunfire more)
• Allen Zent - Mastering
• Brian Gardner - Mastering Engineer
• Butch Lynch - Recording Engineer
• Serge Reyes - Recording Engineer
• Bruce Grayson - Recording Engineer
• Richard Seireeni - Art Director
• Robert Elias - Photos
• Alexis Caydam - Hair & Makeup
• Keiko - Costumes
• Keni Burke - Bass (Five Stairsteps, Peabo Bryson, Ca$hflow, Andy Lewis, Smoove, Preston Glass, Billy Preston, DJ Rogers, Bill Withers, Gladys Knight & Pips, Stargard, Linda Clifford, Dusty Springfield, Spyder Turner, Leroy Hutson, Les McCann, Emotions, Narada Michael Walden, Eugen Record, Terry Callier, Sly & Family Stone, Undisputed Truth, Clifford Coulter, Ramsey Lewis, Curtis Mayfield, Chocolate Milk, Ahmad Jamal, Smokey Robinson, Thelma Houston, Brenda Holloway, Natalie Cole, Cameo, more)
• Butch Azevedo - Drums, Percussion (Undisputed Truth, Sonald Byrd, Skool Boyz, Band AKA, The Dr's, Jay Gordon, Phillip Walker)
• Larry "Fatback" Talbert - Drums (Raydio, Barrett Strong, Bill Withers, Karen Pree, Edna Wright, Greg Perry, Jack Ashford, Dominic Frontiere, SofTouch, Bill Champlin, Phylliss Bailey, Maxine Nightingale, Shadee, Tom Jones, Jeffree, Thelma Houston, Dream Express, Lani Hall, Sir John Roberts, Jerry Knight, Ray Parker Jr, Menage A Trois, Mary Wells, Cheryl Lynn, Epo, Natalie Cole, Greg Perry)
• Joseph Baker - Guitar (Sly & Family Stone, Josephine Baker)
• Charles Fearing - Guitar (Raydio, Deniece Williams, High Inergy, Dusty Springfield, Edwin Starr, Jimmy Cliff, Ray Parker Jr, Tavares, Peaches & Herb, Bloodstone, Jeffrey Osborne, DeBarge, Dazz Band, Smokey Robinson, Sister Sledge, Teena Marie, Herb Alpert, Sam Harris, New Edition, Tina Turner, Bobby Womack, Four Tops, Lionel Richie, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Barry White, Kurtis Blow, Nancy Wilson, Joan Baez, Temptations, Johnny Gill, Melba Moore, Ralph Tresvant, Celine Dion, Ce Ce Peniston, Teddy Pendergrass, SWV, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Enrique Iglesias, Ray Charles, more)
• Robert Palmer - Guitar (Booty People, Chaka Khan, General Caine, Halloween, Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson, Luther Rabb, Garry Glenn, Robbie Dupree, Mary Wells, Band AKA, Syreeta, Gift of Dreams, LJ Reynolds, Danny Lugo, Destination, Bobby Womack, Billy Griffin, Fizzy Qwick, Billy Preston, Glenn Medeiros, Sheena Easton, Taja Secelle, Pepsi & Shirlie, Smokey Robinson, Starleana, Lionel Richie, i5, 2bd)
• Mark Davis - Keys, Recording (Starlight Express, Minnie Riperton, Rotary Connection, Curtis Mayfield, Calvin Carter, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Earth Wind & Fire, Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, David Ruffin, Undisputed Truth, Rose Royce, Natalie Cole, Sly & the Family Stone, Andrew Lloyd Webber, many)
• Eddie "Bongo" Brown - Percussion (Brass Fever, Funk Brothers, John Handy, Finished Touch, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett, Undisputed Truth, Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, Bob Seger, Jimmy Ruffin, Carly Simon, Miracles, Quincy Jones, BB King, The Pips, Blackbyrds, Donnie Osmond, Commodores, Ben E King, 5th Dimension, Grease sndtk, Tower of Power, Deniece Williams, Billy Preston, Tavares, Peaches & Herb, La Toya Jackson, Gloria Gaynor, Kenny Rogers, High Inergy, Herb Alpert, Ray Parker Jr, Johnny Mathis more)
• Paulinho da Costa - Percussion (Baby'o, Fuse One, Patrick Williams, Samba 4, Sergio Mendes, The Bridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Sat. Night Fever sndtk, toto, Madonna, Ella Fitzgerals, Sarah Vaugn, Diana Krall, Claus Ogerman, many more)
• Donald Myrick - Horns, Musical Contractor (Phenix Choir/Horns, Philip Cochran, Artistic Heritage Ensemble, Sky, Intentions, Pharaohs, Salty Peppers, Phil Collins, Howlin' Wolf, Earth Wind and Fire, Ramsey Lewis, Chi-Lites, Emotions, Deniece Williams, Blue Magic, Valerie Carter, Twennynine, Gap Band, Pockets, Invisible Man's Band, La Toya Jackson, Pointer Sisters, Whispers, Dells, Bloodstone, Heaven 17, Philip Bailey, David Byrne, Bobby Womack, Jacksons more)
• Louis Satterfield - Horns (Phenix Choir/Horns, Philip Cohran & Artistic Heritage Ensemble, Sky, Intentions, Pharaohs, Salty Peppers, Phil Collins, Fontella Bass, James Cotton, BB King, Jack McDuff, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Okie Duke, The Dells, Shel Silverstein, Mighty Joe Young, Earth Wind & Fire, Emotions, ChiLites, Staples, Denise Williams, Ronnie Laws, Gap Band, Tavares, Invisible Mans Band, Upchurch more)
• Raheem Lee Michael Davis - Horns
• Fred Jackson - Horns (Bobby Hutcherson, Horace Silver, Jimmy Smith, Carole King, Frank Zappa, Maria Muldaur, Bill Cosby, Terry Callier, Joe Sample, The Whispers, Solomon Burke, Dianne Schuur, Earth Wind & Fire, Boz Scaggs, Ramsey Lewis, Ry Cooder, Alice Coltrane, BB King, Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson, Gap Band, Rick James, LaToya Jackson, Con Funk Shun, Tavares, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Sheena Easton, Quincy Jones, Boz Scaggs, Dee Dee Bridgewater, more)
• Oscar Brashear - Horns (Bird Memorial Quintet, Brass Fever, Count basie Orch, Gerald Wilson Orch of the 80's/90's, Henry Mancini & His Orch,Hubert Laws Group, Karma, Master Fleet, Teddy Edwards Brasstring Ensemble, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orch, more )
• Jerome Richardson - Horns (All Star Big Band, Cal Tjader, Cannonball Adderley, Charles Mingus, Charlie Shavers, Earl Fatha Hines, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Four Flutes, Gene Ammons, Gerald Wilson, Henry mancini, Jerome Richardson, Jim Tyler, Jimmy Cleveland, Kenny Clarke, Lalo Schifrin, Larry Vuckovich, Lionel Hampton, Manny Albam, Milt Jackson, Nat Adderley, Oliver Nelson, Oscar Pettiford, Per Husby, Quincy Jones, Ray Brown, Tadd Damerson, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Blue Mitchell Orch, Clifford Jordan, Creed taylor, Ernie Wilkins, Gary McFarland, Gene Page, Hines Varieties, Kenny Burrell, Michael Coldin, Prestige All Stars, Sextet of Orchaestra USA many)
• Garnett Brown - Horns (Crusaders, Herbie Hancock, Lionel Hampton, Billy Cobham, Dizzy Gillespie, Brass Fever, Charles Mingus, George Russell, Gerald Wilson, Gil Evans, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Booker Ervin, Buddy Collette, Chico Hamilton, Duke Pearson, Gene Harris, Thomas Tedesco more)
• Beverly Ashby - Harp 
• Benjamin Wright - Orch Direction
• June Gatlin - Spiritual Adviser

Unknown-ness: I had never heard of this band. From the cover, I'm hoping it will be some solid poppy girl RnB, like Seduction, Vanity 6, of En Vogue. I fear it is a little early for that, and is smack dab in the middle of disco, so i won't be surprised if it tackles that genre.

Album Review: The album is just straight disco, there are some elements of funk involved (Wear it Out, Footstompin' Music, Put On Your Rollerskates). It is also not all light rn'b (Dreams Come True, Take Me Back, I Just Imagined You) with smooth Supremes-like harmonies. "Runnin' From the Law" and "Lowdown Dancing" are solid poppy funk with horns that remind me of Oingo Boingo, oddly enough.

Accoring to IMDB, they were the Diamonds in the 1978 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band movie and recorded the theme song to the 1977 Richard Pryor film "Which Way is Up." This is their third album, first on WB's after departing MCA. As a band, the lasted for two more records (as a duo, minus Anderson) and broke up in 1983. 

Stand Out Track: Runnin' From the Law

Links:
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Blinded By Sound Deep Soul
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In Da Mix Worldwide

States - Picture Me With You

Name: States
Album: Picture Me With You
Year: 1981
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Hawks, Loverboy, Pezband, Records, Shoes, Sparks
"One-Word" Review: Pure Harmonic Powerpop
Based Out Of: Norfolk / Hampton Roads,VA
Label: Boardwalk Records/Entertainment Co.

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Picture Me With You (1981)

1. Picture Me With You (single) 3:00
2. Angel of the Morning 4:39
3. Saturday Night (single) 2:50
4. Love on the Line 4:27
5. Tell Me It's Love 3:27 /
6. Love You Girl (single) 3:11
7. Let's Roll 3:42
8. Jenny 3:00
9. Just A Dream 2:30
10. Get It 4:28

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Dominic "Butch" Germano - Bass 
• Morgan Hampton - Vox, Drums, Percussion (Mason, Vandy)
• Barry Scott - Vox, Guitar (The Barrys)
• Jimmy McDonnell - Vox (Zooch)
• Robert Schindler - Keys (Zooch)
• Steve Chandler - Guitars, Backing Vox 
• John Ryan - Producer
• Bill Drescher - Recording & Mixing
• Tori Swenson - Asst. Engineer
• Nicky Hopkins - Grand Piano (Zooch, Cliff Bennett, Rebel Rousers, Climax Blues Band, Cyril Davies, Jeff Beck Group, Lord Sutch & Heavy Friends, Neil Christian & Crusaders, Night Quicksilver Messenger Service, Screaming Lord Sutch & Savages, Soul Survival, Sweet Thursday, Terry & the Pirates, Immediate All-Stars, Jerry Garcia Band, Sessions, NH Caravan, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Easybeats, Steve Miller Band, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver, The Who, John Lennon, Jerry Williams, Nilsson, John & Yoko, Carly Simon, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Cheece & Chong, Donovan, Andy Williams, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Strawbs, Mark Almond, Martha Reeves, Joe Cocker, Peter Frampton, David Soul, Art Garfunkel, Rod Stewart, Bay City Rollers, Eddie Money, Badfinger, Pointer Sisters, Graham Parker, Meat Loaf, Marc Bolan, Nils Lofgren, Pure Prarie League more)
• Jerry Jurmonville - Sax (Delaney&Bonnie&Friends, Les Getrex & Creole Cooking, Dr. John, Ry Cooder, Duane Allman, Doobie Brothers, Maria Muldaur, Mike Bloomfield, Dave Mason, Bonnie Raitt, Iron Butterfly, Rod Stewart, Gap Band, Van Morrison, Johnny Rivers, Dusty Springfield, David Soul, Little Feat, Leo Sayer, Brooklyn Dreams, Albert Lee, Bette Midler, Harry Nilsson, Doobie Brothers, Ringo Starr, Jules and the Polar Bears, Eikichi Yazawa, Tommy Tutone, Michael Bolton, Smokey Robinson, Captain Beefheart,   some more)
• Doug Thaler - Mgmt, Direction
• Mickey Watts - Crew
• Eddie Zapata - Crew
• David Harwood - Crew
• Tommy Steele - Design
• Jeff Fey - Design
• Phil Fewsmith - Photos
• Ron Larson - Hand Coloring
• Mike Donaldson - Hand Coloring

Unknown-ness: Never heard of States. I get a sense of easy listening yacht rock from the coloring choices, mixed with 70's power pop, based on their ages, hair and style

Album Review: It is definitely pure powerpop. They take turns with lead vocals, and it looks like there are a bunch of covers, as many of the songs have writing credits that are not the members. At least im familiar with "Angel of the Morning." And "Get It" has a harmony similar to Difford/Tilbrook of Squeeze. "Jenny" feels like it belongs somewhere Meatloaf's Rocky Horror Picture Show songs and Buddy Holly, with an 80's power pop update in production.

They were a locally popular band in the Virginia Beach nightclub scene in the late 70's early 80's, with their biggest moment coming as an opener for Hall & Oates (aside from their first album being on a major label: Chrysalis). Only recorded this and a previous self titled album in their 7 year career 77-84.

Stand Out Track: Jenny

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic
Rate Your Music
Spirit of Metal
Butch Memorial
Forgotton 80's Podcast
F-Measure