Wynona Riders (The) - Artificial Intelligence

Name: Wynona Riders (the)

Album: Artificial Intelligence
Year: 1997
Style: Punk
Similar Bands: Low Budgets, Dead Milkmen, Generation X, Clash
"One-Word" Review: Catchy Slacker Punk
Based Out Of: San Fran, CA
Label: LookOut! Records #162

Cover, Back, CD Tray, CD

Liner Notes & Lyrics, CD Back

Artificial Intelligence (1997)

1. Good Luck Bison 3:24
2. Sprang 3:45
3. Bang Bang Orangutan 3:29
4. Corrupted To Hell 3:16
5. Masquerade 4:26

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Dave EC (Henwood) - Drums & Outrage (Vagrants, Pot Valiant, Filth, Toyboat, Crimpshrine, Greenday)
• Richie (Bucher) - Bass & Farm Noise Toys, Art (Albany Dread, Buggerall, Courtney & The Crushers, Juke, Prick, Soup, Sweet Baby, Top Ten, Unskilled Labor, Here Kitty Kitty, Crimpshrine, Raoul, Green Day, Hunx and his Punx, 2 Lazy Boys)
• John Silly (Selby) - Guitar, Vox (Bonstones, Three Years Down)
• Skip (Ron Greer) - Vox, Surly Disposition (Dead Kennedys, Here Kitty Kitty, The Killer Smiles, Running Man)
• Andro / Andy E (Ernst) - Recording, Keys (Sass, Andro & Ross, Diabolical Exploits, Julian Vilante, MC Sway & DJ King Tech, Toyboat, J Grooves, Subincision, Green Day, Link 80)

Unknown-ness: I don't thin i knew who this band was, but i did know Lookout! Records, and i trusted the discount CD bin at Philly Record Exchange when it was just below South Street for a $3 bin find. It can't b too serious of a record with such an obvious name-play. Assuming it will be goofy juvenile punk stuff.

Album Review: The band formed in 1988 under the name Miss Conduct, but changed to WR a year later. Later in their career, they also released an EP under the name The Nation of Wenonah (tribute to The Nation of Ulysses). It seems this EP was recorded just before they broke up for good...as "for good" not referring to their reunion shows in 2017. Current bands Bonstones (San Fran) & Running Man (IL/IA) feature members.

Lots of feedback fuzz and snotty vocals kick off the record. "Sprang" has a more slacker alternative punk aesthetic, while "Bang Bang" is the most in your face aggressive of the tracks. "Corrupted" sounds like if the Clash covered They Might Be Giants song "Spy." Masquerade is a straight up New Wave track.

Stand Out Track: Masquerade

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Lookout!
Lookout! Blog

Welbilt - A Beautiful Mess

Name: Welbilt
Album: A Beautiful Mess
Year: 2003
Style: Pop Punk, Power Pop, Alt-Rock
Similar Bands: Third Eye Blind, Spacehog, Live, Candlebox, Collective Soul, Lifehouse, Nickleback, Creed, Matchbox 20
"One-Word" Review: Bland-Radio-Ready-Fodder
Based Out Of: Fairfax, VA
Label: N/A

Cover & Back, CD, Case Back

Lyrics

A Beautiful Mess (2003)

1. Everything's Alright 2:56
2. Only 3:44
3. Enough 3:42
4. 24 Hours 3:19
5. All I've Ever Tasted 4:24
6. Down in Flames 3:21
7. Couldn't Be Better 3:28
8. Anthem 3:47
9. Remedy 3:56
10. Dilemma 3:03
11. Bombs Away 3:38
12. Spiderweb 3:25

Album Rating (1-10): 4.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Nate Ihara - Lead Vox, Guitar
• Buddy Speir - Guitar, Vox (Edward O'Connell, Moonshine Society, Janice Kephart)
• Nick Briscoe - Bass, Vox
• Bill Ledbetter - Drums
• Andrew "Mudrock" Murdock - Producer, Mixing (Godsmack)
• Scott Gilman - Producer
• Fred Archambault - Producer
• Ai Fujisaki - Production
• Matt Freeman - Production Management
• Tom Baker - Mastering
• Mike Fasano - Drum Tech
• Rich Flint - Welbilt Mgmt, Art, Design
• Jay Moreclock - Art, Design
• Adam Brown - Spider Photo
• Narra - Band Photo
• J. Reid Hunter - Legal

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Was a CD given from a friend who was clearing out his collection, i believe.

Album Review: Welbilt is a radio friendly version of power pop that combines elements of generic alt-rock and a touch of nu-metal. Not sure if this has Christian rock tendencies, but it sounds like a strong candidate for hidden messages. The harmonized vocals and bro-chugging tempos sound like a band from a CW show of the early 00's that was supposed to be just the coolest...with parental approval.

Anthemic ballads and sonically vibrant are buzzwords that cover a templated rock band with a hard cover and soft, chewy center. Apparently they were Hard Rock Cafe's nominee for best unsigned band, which says it all. Singer Nate opened his own studio and still writes his own music.

Stand Out Track: Dilemma 

Links:

Allmusic

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Spotify

Youtube

Washington Post

Nate's Soundcloud

Nate's website/studio

Last FM

We Are Wolves - Non-Stop

Name: We Are Wolves
Album: Non-Stop Je Te Plie En Deuz
Year: 2005
Style: Electronic Party Rock, Indie, Tech/electro Rock
Similar Bands: Clinic, Liars, Faint
"One-Word" Review: all-night-techno-party-rager
Based Out Of: Montreal
Label: Fat Possum Records

Cover & Back Artwork, CD Tray & CD

Artwork pg 2-3, CD Back

Artwork pg 4-11

Non-Stop Je Te Plie En Deuz (2005)

1. Little Birds 3:15
2. L.L. Romeo 4:04
3. La Nature 5:44
4. Snake Me 3:25
5. Namai-Taila Cambodge (60-Tabla-60) 5:37
6. Non-Stop 3:02
7. Moi, Rhythme Magique 0:24
8. Vosotros, Monstrous 2:53
9. T.R.O.U.B.L.E. 3:57
10. We Are All Winners 2:57
11. Glaze, Blaze (Glazed the Blazed) 1:27

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• James Duhamel - Recording
• Alexis Farand - Recording, Mixing
• Francois Page - Mixing
• J. Duhamel - Mixing
• J-F Jarry Thomas Augustin - Recording
• Harris Newman - Mastering
• Alexander Ortiz - Vox, Bass (Frvits, Rip Pop Mutant, Physical Congas)
• Vincent Levesque - Keys, Vox (Paupiere, Bronswick)
• Antonin Marquis - Drummer, Vox (Le Nombre)

Unknown-ness: There were a bunch of "Wolf" named bands back in the early 00's so i assume i had heard of these folks and saw the CD in a thift store a few years later, not knowing what they sounded like, but familiar with the name.

Album Review: Out of Montreal Canada, these electronic/techno clash artists have high party energy, and experimental effects all kept in line with solid guitar sounding melody and intense, driving tempos. Their buzzing synths and even some Ween-related sounds pump out coked-up, non stop rave vibes, like what i imagine Andrew W.K. to sound like. As of today (2024), their last record was out 5 years ago, but one look on their FB page shows they are still an active, touring band.

Stand Out Track: T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Pitchfork

Website

Soundcloud
John S Forrester

Instagram

Washington Social Club - s/t

Name: Washington Social Club 
Album: Washington Social Club
Year: 2004
Style: Indie Rock, New Wave, Punk
Similar Bands: Walkmen, Cursive, Shins, The Jam, Strokes
"One-Word" Review: The-DC-Strokes
Based Out Of: Washington DC
Label: N/A

Washington Social Club (2004)

1. Breaking the Dawn 2:28
2. Modern Trance  4:09
3. Let the Night Begin 3:08
4. Backed to the Future 4:30
5. Dead Kid Town 2:52

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Amy Morrissey - Engineer
• Brian McTear - Producer, Engineer
• Olivia Mancini - Bass, Backing Vox (Her Majesty's Orchestra, Leland Sundries, Edie Sedgewick)
• Randy Scope - Drums (Her Majesty's Orchestra, Pree, Heavy Breathing)
• Bill Moriarty - Engineer 
• Paul Sinclair - Engineer
• Evan Featherstone - Guitar 
• Martin Royle - Lead Vox, Guitar
• Paul Hammond - Mastering
• Paul Sinclair - Mastering
• Mike Martinovich - Contact

Unknown-ness: I had heard of this band when i picked this ep up for a dollar at AKA back in the late aughts, but i really didn't know of them...I must have heard of them in the same breath as other bands I liked at the time, but never took the time to explore this purchase until now

Album Review: I imagine this is a sampler from their first record, Catching Looks, or actually, listening to the quality of the recordings, a pre album EP with most tracks ending up re-recorded on the album (except Let the Night Begin). The vocals have a snotty faux British quality with a youthful angst that is more new wave than punk, but still has an anxious spirit, trying to jump on the coattails of the Strokesy sound, or maybe they were poised to be DC's answer. On this EP, the songs sound much more raw and energetic than their smoother album counterparts. There are some vocal harmonies placed over power pop chord changes and the whole package seems would make a fun live show.

Based on their bandcamp page, they took an 11 year break between album two and a 4 rack ep in 2019, and have been holding down the name since with what appears to be the same line up. 

Stand Out Track: Modern Trance

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

Bandcamp

Facebook

Spotitfy
Instagram
Soundcloud

In Music We Trust
Youtube
AV Club

Warm in the Wake - Gold Dust Trail

Name: Warm in the Wake
Album: Gold Dust Trail
Year: 2007
Style: Jangle Pop, Alt-Country, Roots Rock
Similar Bands: Wilco, Shins, Gringo Star, Belle & Sebastian, Essex Green, Dr. Dog
"One-Word" Review: Laid-Back-Southern-Indie-Rock
Based Out Of: Atlanta, GA
Label: Live Wire Records, Ryko Distribution

Cover & Back

Liner Notes, CD Tray, CD

Gold Dust Trail (2007)

1. Tame Thoughts 2:45 (single)
2. Hearts vs. Heads 2:59
3. Golden Inhibition Destroyer 3:45
4. Good King 4:30
5. What You Seek 3:59
6. Iron Worker 2:31
7. Skeleton Friend 4:26

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Chris Rowell - Guitar, Mandolin, Vox, Writer (King Lear Jet, People Years)
• Dan Barker - Piano, Organs, Synth, Vox (King Lear Jet)
• Andy Barker - Bass, Vox (King Lear Jet)
• James Taylor Jr - Drums, Engineer, Mixing (King Lear Jet)
• Colin Cobb - Executive Producer, A&R, Marketing
• Page Waldrop - Pedal Steel (Popular Sex, Dash Rip Rock, Vidalias, Michelle Malone, Young Antiques, Steve Walsh, John Austin, Butch Walker, Bourbon Dynasty, Crowfield, 68-75, Ocha La Rocha)
• Robert Lee - Electric Guitar, Backing Vox
• Adam Lasus - Producer, Mixing (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Yo La Tengo, Helium)
• Edward Rawls - Engineer
• Jim Marrer - Engineer
• Colin Leonard - Mastering
• Chris Miller - artwork
• Mark Pollock - Layout
• George Fontaine - Promotion
• Michelle Roche - Publicity
• Rooth Blackman - Sales Director
• Marlise Paxman - Product Manager

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band...looks like they will be an Americana Indie Band, reminding me of The Golden Republic in design. It doesn't come across like an album i'd pick up, so not sure where i got it, either by friend or by radio station discard bin.

Album Review: The second EP from a band who stuck around for about 6 years playing a jangly, pop country tinged brand of laid back rock. With roots in Alabama, many of this album's themes revolve around lives lived in the south. Some of the songs are jaunty, some are sleepy, but all sound like an effort to match The Shins or Soul Asylum's "New World" from Grave Dancers Union.

They began as King Lear Jet, who apparently sold songs to shows like Felicity and Dawson's Creek, and rebranded themselves in the late 90's.

Stand Out Track: Golden Inhibition Destroyer

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

Facebook

bandcamp

soundcloud

Rateyour music

songs as soundtracks

reverbnation

Pop Matters

Winans, The - Decisions

Name: The Winans    
Album: Decisions
Year: 1987
Style: Gospel, Smooth RnB
Similar Bands: Dixie Hummingbirds, Gerald Levert, Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, George Benson
"One-Word" Review: sleek synth spirituals
Based Out Of: Detroit MI
Label: Qwest Records, Warner Bros. / Communications

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Decisions (1987)

1. Ain't No Need to Worry 5:43
2. Millions 4:19
3. Breaking of Day 4:43
4. What Can I Say? 4:41 /
5. Right, Left in a Wrong World 6:08
6. The Real Meaning of Christmas 4:40
7. Love Has No Color 4:13
8. Give Me You 4:46
9. How Can You Live Without Christ 4:23

Album Rating (1-10): 2.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Marvin Winans - Writer, Producer, Percussion (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Perfect Praise Choir, Andrae Crouch, Maria Muldaur, Kellie Copeland, Scott Johnson, Michael Jackson, George Duke, Tim Bowman, Anita Baker, Kirk Franklin, Lavine Hudson, Mervyn Warren, )
• Carvin Winans - Co-Producer, Writer (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Gospel Buggy Choir, Andrae Crouch, Keith Green, Kellie Copeland, Scott Johnson, Michael Jackson, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Annita Baker)
• Michael Winans - Co-Producer, Writer (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Andrae Crouch, Michael Jackson, Anita Baker)
• Ronald Winans - Co Producer, Writer  (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Andrae Crouch, Kellie Copeland, Scott Johnson, Michael Jackson, Lavine Hudson, Kelli Williams, Anita Baker, Sounds of Blackness)
• Barry Hankerson - Co & Executive Producer, Writer, MGMT, Percussion (Rob Milner)
• Quincy Jones - Executive Producer
• Benny Medina - Executive Producer
• Anita Baker - Vox (Chapter 8, Melba Moore, Howard Hewett, Stevie Wonder, Cyrus Chestnut, Frank Sinatra, Marek Niedzwiecki, Dave Koz, Aaron Robinson, Andreus)
• Michael McDonald - Vox (All Star Choir, Artists United for Nature, Del-Rays, Doobie Brothers, The Guild, NY Rock 'n Soul Review, Steely Dan, Guy Finley, Carly Simon,  Jack Jones, Paul Williams, Tommy James, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, Craig Fuller, Eric Kaz, Dirt Band, Stephen Bishop, Gary Wright, Rita Coolidge, Kenny Loggins, Elton John, Christopher Cross, Donna Summer, Helen Redy, Paul Anka, Diana Ross, Joni Mitchell, Toto, Sergio Mendes, El DeBarge, Patti LaBelle, Wang Chung, Alan Silvestri, Aretha Franklin, Pointer Sisters, Dave Matthews Band, Vince Gill, John Tesh, Edwin McCain, Boz Scaggs, Kenny Rogers, many)
• Percy Bady - Writer
• Karen Jones - Project Coordinator
• Laythan Armour - Keys, Drums & Synth Programming (Hinton Battle, Chico DeBarge, Will Downing, La Rue, Jeremy Jordan, Alison Limerick, Frankie Knuckles, Tavares, Bobby Bland, Mystic Merlin, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Alberto Fortis, Alfie, Durell Coleman, Dynasty, Stop the Madness, Vesta Williams, Sherrick, Imagination, NJ Mass Choir, Herb Alpert, Joan Baez, Magic Lady, Beau Williams, LA Mass Chour, Bert Robinson, Cassandra, Yours Truly, Vanessa Williams, Classixx)
• Wayne Linsey - Keys (Maze, Frankie Beverly, Tonight Show Band, Linseym, Bobby Thurston, Starpoint, Enchantment, Lenny Williams, Emotions, Stanley Clarke, Bobby Womack, George Howard, Garry Glenn, Ray Parker Jr, Paul Jackson Jr, Brenda Russell, Mighty Clouds of Joy, By All Means, Nancy Wilson, Jackie Jackson, James JT Taylor, Jacksons, Paul Jackson, Whitney Houston, Marva Hicks, Patti Austin, Andrew Logan, Gene Rice, Nona Gaye, Gerald Alston, John Pagano, Norman Brown, James Ingram, Phil Perry, Terence Trent D'Arby, Dean James, Harbvey Mason, Doc Powell, Brigette McWilliams, Babyface, Arnold McCuller, Gary Taylor, Donnie, Frank McComb, David Nathan, Trina Broussard, Gerald Albright, Impromp2, Traincha, Lynne Fiddmont, Dwayne Smitty Smith, Smokey Robinson, Miles Davis, Leon Ware, Jermaine Lockhart)
• Harlan Rogers - Keys (Koinonia Sonlight, 3rd Ave Blues Band, Andrae Crouch, Reba, maria Muldaur, Gordon Lightfoot, Johnny Rivers, Maranatha Singers, Katinas,  more)
• Thomas A Whitfield - Keys (James Cleveland, Craig Bros, Gospel Soul Children, Mel Carter, Edwin Hawkins, Beverly Glenn, Howard Lemon Singers, James Cleveland, Voices of Tabernacle, Keith Pringle, Gospel Soul Children of NOLA, Aretha Franklin, Vanessa Bell Armstrong)
• Loris Holland - Keys (Mel Carter, Patti Labelle, Celine Dion, R.Kelly, Millie Jackson, Mariah Carey, Jeff Buckley, Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston, Santana, Mary J Blige, Smokey Robinson, more)
• John Bokowski - Keys (Teena Marie, Rick Dees, Charlene, Four Tops, KoKo PoP, Rockwell, Bobby Womack, Teen Dream, Chill Factor, Tracie Spencer, Angela Bofill, Pointer Sisters, Paul Jackson Jr, Club Nouveau, Helen Baylor, Louis Price, Power of Seven, Rodney Mannsfield, For Lovers Only, Donnie McClurkin, Phyllis St James)
• Michael Rochelle - Keys, Synth (Gift of Dreams, The GT's, Buddy Montgomery, Rudy Copeland, Kristine, Natalie Cole, West Coast Crew, Michael Jackson, Magic Lady)
• Dean Parks - Guitar (Johnny Rivers, LA Boogie Band, Karizma, Koinonia, Patrick Williams,Ray Conniff, Lyle Lovett, Madeleine Peyroux, North TX Lab Bands, Helen Reddy, Sonny & Cher, David Cassidy, Wayne Newton, Vicki Carr, Partridge Family, T-Bone Walker, Billy Joel, Garfunkel, Donald Byrd, Righteous Bros, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Neil Sedaka, Glen Campbell, Lulu, Rita Coolidge, Tavares, lots)
• Hadley Hockensmith - Guitar (Koinonia, Sonlight, 3rd Ave Blues Band, Big John Hall, Pam Thum, Bruce Hibbard, Kelly Willard, Andreae Crouch, Arlo Guthrie, Reba, Imperials, Barbara Mandrell, America, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Diamond, more)
• Abraham Laboriel - Bass (Los Traviesos, Johnny Mathis, Gary Burton, Michel legrand, Ella Fitzgerald, 3prime, Friendship, Henry Mancini, Koionia, Los Profetas, Open Hands, Jazz Ministry, Akira Jimbo, Leo Sayer, Al Jarreau, Pointer Sisters, Commander Cody, Stephen Bishop, Grimaldi/Zeiher, Barbara Streisand, Captain & Tennille, Dolly Parton, Stan Getz, Tom Jones, Leonard Cohen, Peter Allen, Herb Alpert, Jimmy Cliff, Barry Manilow, Debby Boone, George Benson, Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Kenny Rogers, Quincy Jones more)
• Andrew Gouche - Bass (NPG-Q, Andrae Crouch, Michael Jackson, Julio Iglesias, Pattie Howard, David Foster, Moments of Faith, James Cleveland, S.Cali Comm. Choir, Voices of Cornerstone, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Gangs Back, LaQuint, Aguilar, Cheryl Lynn, Michael Trammell & Blest, Edwin Hawkins, LA Gospel Messengers, Sandra Crouch, NJ Mass Choir, Tramaine Hawkins, Philip Bailey, Crystal Lewis, 32Phreeze, Beau Williams, Debbie McClendon, Melba Moore, Louis Price,  Lonnie Morgan, Andre David Brooks, Arvis Strickling Jones, PH Factor, Randy Crawford, Coolio, Five Star, Montell Jordan, Paul Russon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Michael Ruff, Mary mary, TQ, Warren G, Ann Nesby, Smokey Robinson, Ruben Studdard, Patti Labelle, Heather Headley, Chaka Khan, Snoop Dogg, Jackie Gouche, Keb Mo, Dorian Holley, Quincy Jones, Kurupt, Lowell Pye, Terrance Martin, Aretha Franklin, Bridgette Bryant, Murs, Prince, Judith Hill, Mano Brown, Bottom 40, Mike Phillips, Carole Simmons)
• Lanar Brantley - Bass (James Cleveland, Vernard Johnson, Clark Sisters, Linda, Keith Pringle, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Gospel Sould Children of NOLA, Royce Javan, Minister Thomas A Whitfield, Aretha Franklin, Clark Sisters, Lavine Hudson, Rev. Charles Nicks Jr, Truthettes, Bert Robinson, Eddie Murphy, Jade, LL Cool J, Karen Clark-Sheard, Will Smith, Boys Choir of Harlem)
• Dean Gant - Bass (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)
• Bill Maxwell - Drums (Andrae Crouch, Koinonia, Open Hands, Sonlight, 3rd Ave Blues Band, Elton John, Leon Russell, Melody Gardot, Barbara Mandrell, Maria Muldaur, Qunicy Jones, Alpha Band, Phil Driscoll, T-Bone Burnett, more)
• Greg Phillingame - Synth Programming (Steve Vai, Toto, Quincy Jones, Donna Summer, Lionel Richie, Eric Clapton, Ray Parker Jr, Neil Diamond, Denise Williams, Kenny Koggins, Patti Austin, George Harrison, Richie Sambora, Rickie Lee Jones, Boz Scaggs, Rod Stewart, Isley Bros, Santana, David Gilmour, Stevie Wonder many)
• Justo Almario - Horn (Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars, Open Hands, Koinonia, Roy Ayers, Ubiquity, Tolu, Mongo Santamaria, Peabo Bryson, Linda Ronstadt, Engelbert, Placido Domingo more)
• Alex Acuna - Percussion ( Weather Report, Perez Prado, Elvis Presley, Diana Ross, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Corea, Whitney Houston, Placido Domingo, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Antonio Carlos Jobmin, Beck, Roberta Flack, Al Jarreau, Acuna-Hoff-Mathisen Trio, Birds of a Feather, Bob Mintzer, Bobby Lye, Caldera, Clare Fischer's Latin Sound, Friendship, GRP All Star Big Band, Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars, Koinonia, Los Hijos del Sol, Session II, Blues Caravan, Tia Dia, Tolu, Toon Roos Group, many)
• Ollie Brown - Percussion, Linn Drum (Raydio, Ollie & Jerry, Ollie Baba, Blackbyrds, Ray Parker Jr, Fire Fox, James Ingram, Tahiti, Tracie Spencer, Paul Jackson Jr, Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker, Bill Cosby, Temptations, Rolling Stones, Eric Carmen, Van Morrison, Billy Preston, Diana Ross, Grease (sndtk), Deniece Williams , Sly & Family Stone, Moulin Rouge, Commodores, Jermaine Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Blondie Pointer Sisters, Quincy Jones, Kenny Rogers, Village People, Gloria Gaynor, DeBarge, Wilson Pickett, Michael Jackson, more)
• Melvyn Williams - Additional Vox (Williams Bros, Verlin Sandles, Gospel Concerto, Johnnie Taylor, Latimore, Mississippi Mass Choir, Anita Baker, Regina Belle, United Inspirational Quire of Columbus OH, Jackson Southernaires, Truthettes, Leomia Boyd, Friends, Gospel Miracles, Sammy Stevens & the Ephesians, Ralph Favors)
• Doug Williams - Additional Vox (Paradise, Williams Bros, Johnnie Taylor, Latimore, Mississippi Mass Choir, New Frontiers, Yolanda Adams, Anita Baker, Gospel Miracles, Jackson Southernaires)
• Kevin Session - Backing Vox 
• Kevin Jackson - Backing Vox (Andy Stokes, Marcell Russell, BeBe & CeCe)
• Victor Adams - Backing Vox (Active Force, Bobby Barth, EZB & DJ Los)
• Celeste McKinney - Backing Vox
• Jerome Earl Wright - Backing Vox (Andrew Wartts, Gospel Storytellers, Thomas Whitfield, NOLA Gospel Soul Children, Keith pringle, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Commissioned, Aretha Franklin, Witness, Angelo & Veronica, Randy Crawford)
• Dwayne Whitehead - Backing Vox (The MOB)
• Debra Renee Winans - Backing Vox (BeBe-CeCe-Vickie-Ron-Daniel Winans, Tim Miner, Melba Moore, Carman, Bobby Brown)
• Regina Winans - Backing Vox (various Winans members)
• Angelique Winans - Backing Vox  (various Winans, Tim Miner, Lavine Hudson, Melba Moore, Bobby Brown, Kelli Williams, IDOL King, Donnie McClurkin, Darwin hobbs, Michelle Williams, TD Jakes)
• Benjamin BeBe Winans - Backing Vox (Andrae Crouch, PTL Club, BeBe & CeCe, 3 Winans Bros, Artists (United) for Haiti, Tammy Faye Bakker, Howard & Vestal, Melba Moore, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Gladys Knight, Anastacia, Sam Moore, Dionne Warwick, Chicago, Louie Vega, more)
• Deborah Winans - Backing Vox (various Winans members, Tim Miner. Lavine Hudson, Margaret Becker, Mark Lowry, Carman, Margaret Bell, IDOL King, Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams)
• Fred Hammond - Backing Vox (Andrae Crouch, Commissioned, Brian McKnight, Ruben Studdard,  more)
• Mario Winans - Child Vox (The Hitmen, Puff Daddy, Lil Kim, Jennifer Lopez, Ginuwine, R. Kelly, 98 Degrees, Limp Bizkit, Faith Evans, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Keyshia Cole, Jay-Z, more)
• Marvin "Coconut" Winans Jr - Child Vox (Erica Campbell, Vickie Winans)
• Michael "Baby Mike" Winans Jr - Child Vox (P. Diddy)
• LaShay Winans - Child Vox (Danity Kane, P.Diddy)
• Carvin "Bronco" Winans Jr - Child Vox (Kim Fields, Gospel Buggy Choir)
• Juan Winans - Child Vox (Kim Fields, Gospel Buggy Choir, Michelle Williams, Michael Bolton)
• Joy Winans - Child Vox (Kim Fields, Gospel Buggy Choir)
• Steve King - Engineer
• Barney Perkins - Engineer, Mixing
• Craig Bervage - Engineer
• Win Kutz - Engineer
• Peter Hadon - Engineer
• Mary Ann Dibs - Art Direction
• Russell Comfort - Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. At first, when i bought the record, i thought it would be a new age sort of album: abstract/fossil art & the band name font suggested as much. But the band image on the back and sleeve, prompted me to change my guess to Smooth Jazz...1987 was a solid year for both genres. But since the band consists of family members with Winans as the last name, and songs like Real Meaning of Xmas & How Can You Live Without Christ, i now believe this will be some sort of christian cult gospel band with smooth jazz leanings.

Album Review: Smooth RnB spirituals starts from the first track, with vocals layered over each other, and what sounds to be all synth production. I can automatically tell, this is not an album for me, and had to turn it off before the last song finished. I know Anita Baker is on the first (Grammy winning, top 20 R&B charting) track, "Ain't No Need to Worry," and it was weird hearing Michael McDonald on "Love Has No Color."

The band / family (10 siblings) has kept their religious beliefs close to their hearts, with most surviving members still preaching or recording gospel records. All this despite a strict upbringing of no music (other than gospel) or theater/movies/TV. They've won grammys and one sibling, not on this record, CeCe (Pricilla) is the #1 selling gospel artist of all time. This is the fifth of their records and it reached #1 on the Gospel Album Chart (Billboard), and they are revered for updating gospel's sound by mixing in Soul & RnB.

Stand Out Track:

Links:
Wiki

Family Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
Detroit Free Press: Winans family member on Songland May'20

Michael W. Jr Jailtime
Encyclopedia . com
NY Times Father passing 2009

Grove Music Online
BeBe website
DT Free Press: Covid + Winans

Winans Online

White, Lenny - Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates

Name: Lenny White
Album: Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates
Year: 1978
Style: Jazz, Prog, Funk, Soul
Similar Bands: TS Monk, Miles Davis, Return to Forever
"One-Word" Review: Safe Conceptual Funky Jazz
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Elektra/Asylum, Warner Communications

Cover, Back, Sleeve, Record

Gatefold Story, Sleeve, Record

Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates (1978)

1. Prelude: Theme for Astral Pirates 1:20
2. Pursuit 2:58
3. Mandarin Warlords 5:06
4. The Great Pyramid 2:30
5. Universal Love 3:30
6. Remembering 0:34
7. Revelation (Astral Pirates) 3:25 /
8. Stew Cabbage and Galactic beans 3:51
9. Heavy Metal Monster 4:39
10. Assault 3:36
11. Climax: Theme for Astral Pirates 7:42

Album Rating (1-10):

Members & Other Bands:

• Lenny White - Producer, Album & Story Concept, Drums, Synth Drums, Eu, Percussion, Re-Mixing, Music Arrangement (Return to Forever, Jackie Mclean, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Twennynine, Chick Corea, Chaka Khan, Azteca, Cyrus Chestnut, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola, Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey, Joe Henderson, Wallace Roney, Buster Williams, Andrew Hill, Woody Shaw, Gato Barbieri, Curtis Fuller, Buddy Terry, Eddie Henderson, Don Cherry, Jaco Pastorius, Brian Auger, Elaine Elias, Manhattan Project, Michael Patrucciani, Bobby Hutcherson, Urbanator, Geri Allen, Ron Carter, Jamey Haddad, Letizia Gambi, Stan Getz, Echoes of an Era, Griffith Park, Jamacia Boys, Gil Evans, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Big Daddy Kane, Hiromi, Marcus Miller, Tom Browne, Renee Rosnes, Fuse One, Meeting Point, Michael Urbaniak, Milky Way, Powerhouse, Essence All Stars, Super Premium Band, Vertu, many )
• Al Kooper - Producer
• Alex Blake - Bass, Music Arrangement (Ahmed Abdullah's Diaspora, Malcolm Braff, Manhattan Blaze, Randy Weston African Rhythms, Ryo Kawasaki, Manhattan Transfer Band, Puppeteers, Sun Ra Arkestra, Greg Bandy, Emanuel K Rahim, Weldon Irvine, Charles Sullivan, Carlos Garnett, Arif Mardin, Billy Cobham, Airto, Don Pullen, Frank Lowe, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Rollins, Yusef Lateef, Last Poets, Kazumi Watanabe, Charles Bobo Shaw, Pharoah Sanders, Linda Williams, Blast, Jaroslav Jakubovic, Cory Daye, Norman Connors, Janis Siegel, Carmen Lundy, Jimmy Buffett, Earl Klugh, Chico Freeman, Brainstorm, Jonathan Butler, Dom Um Romao, Vertical Hold, Oran 'Juice' Jones, Mac Gollehon, Phyllis Hyman, Andrienne Wilson, Stan Getz, Babatunde Lea, Roman Kunsman, Elements of the 7th, Ximo Tebar, Harry Whitaker)
• Donald "Captain Keyboards" Blackman - Organ, Pianos, Oberheim Polyphonic, Synth, Eu, Vox, String & Music Arrangement (Twennynine, Weldon Irvine, Bernard Wright, Roy Ayers, Esperanto, Kenji Hino, Patches Stewart, Livesavas, Lips, Sylvia St James, Hugh Masekela, EPM, Kurtis Blow, Fat Boys, Vikki Love, la La, Missing Links, Gwen Guthrie, TMNT,Mmajee, Hamiet Bluiett, World Sax Quartert, Yoko Oginome, The Men X Perience, Sting, Joey Negro, Mino Cinelu, Waymen Tisdale, Femi Temowo, Brandon Williams)
• Nick Moroch - Lead Guitar, Music Arrangement (Twennynine, Mongo Santamaria, Jeff Conaway, Lips, Poussez, Sylvia St James, Rick James, Michael Franks, Tony Frye, Eddie Jobson, Zinc, Bernard Wright, Marcus Miller, Michael Johnson, Scritti Politti, Kirk Whalum, Temptations, Fury, Melba Moore, Porter Carroll 2, Michael W Smith, David Bowie, Howard Jones, Chaka Khan, Bob James, Vanesse Thomas, Claude Nougaro, Bee Gees, David Sanborn, Terumasa Hino, Sarah Dash, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Michael Colina, Gillian & Glover, Blues Trottoir, John Warren, Patrick Bruel, Arthur Baker & Backbeat Disciples, Kashif, Mira, Jeffrey Osborne,  Jibri Wise One, Nicki Richards, Pete Levin, Voyceboxing, Johnny Hallyday, Gary Brown, Baby Jane Dexter, Roch Voisine, Malta, Jonathan Butler, Tony Terry, Henri Salvador, Donna Summer, Vanessa Williams, Julie Masse, Michael Davis, Bill Evans, Rinken Band, Philippe Saisse, Selena, SMAP, T-Square, Cheryl Lynn, Tony Toni Tone, Marylin Scott, Smappies, Yoshiko Kishino, Mica Paris, Rachel Z, Liane Foly, Still Wicked, Marc Nelson, Marek Niedzwiecki, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ronn Moss, Terumasa Hino, Point of Grace, 2Ge+her, Kathy Troccoli, David Arnold, Ak, Joe, Jesse Powell, Wayman Tisdale, What For, Dennis Chambers, Roger Glover, Brian McKnight, Kelly Rowland, Gareth Hates, Jessica Simpson, Do Swing, Jason Miles, Nicole C Mullen, Danny Brill, Cliff Dawson, Gene Lake, From the Fire, Alice Soyer, Curtis King, Chris Bender)
• David Gahr - Photos
• Patrick Gleeson - All Synth Programming
• Don Mizell - Album & Story Concept, Narrative Language
• Bob Edwards - Engineer, Re-Mixing
• Skip Shimmin - Recordist
• Seth Dworkin - Recordist
• Dave Rader - Recordist
• Bob Graham - Equipment
• Bernie Grundman - Mastering
• Michael Kaluta - Illustrations & Cover
• Anthony Gleeson - Color
• Tony Lane - Art Direction
• Johnny lee - Design
• Michael Bryant - Narrative Language
• Toby Byron - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this artist / band. Which makes me very frightened...because this album looks to be heavy on high concept art and is basically a soundtrack to a piece of elaborate fiction. This actually sounds very exciting, and I can't wait to find out if this is prog, like most concept albums were from the 70's, or if it is something else completely, since neither Lenny White nor the band appear to be a bunch of stereotypical nerdy white dudes. But since it is really out there and goes all-in on the creativity, the fact that i've never heard of it makes me thing it's going to be terrible- that it never broke out of the complex, Star Wars inspired starting gate, and was forgotten for good reason.

Album Review: From the start, it is pretty straight forward jazzy prog...a little more in a controlled space than say Brand X, but definitely Jazzy. Once "Universal Love" hits, the first with lyrical vocals, the tone has shifted to funk and soul. 

While being a left handed self taught drummer on a right handed kit, he is considered one of the founders of the Jazz Fusion concept. He played on the uberfamous Bitch's Brew with Miles Davis, is the winner of 4 (of 6 nominations) Grammy awards, and is a professor at NYU Steinhardt. He has also recorded soundtrack music for films, including House Party with Kid n' Play.

Stand Out Track: Universal Love, Stew Cabbage & Galactic Beans

Links:

Spotify Album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
Facebook
Drummer World
NYU Music Adjunct Faculty
Istanbul Cymbals
Vic Firth Zildjian
NY Jazz Workshop
Chesky records
All About Jazz
Modern Drummer (subscription)
Rate Your Music

Werner, David - s/t

Name: David Werner
Album: s/t
Year: 1979
Style: Pub Rock, Power Pop, Glam

Similar Bands: Steppenwolf, Bad Company, Mott the Hoople
"One-Word" Review: Classically Rocked Glam
Based Out Of: Pittsburgh, PA
Label: Record Logic, Epic, CBS

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

S/T (1979)

1. Can't Imagine 3:38
2. What's Right 3:42 (single, #104)
3. What Do You Need to Love 4:01
4. Melanie Cries 4:50
5. Eye to Eye 4:52 /
6. Hold on Tight 4:13
7. Every New Romance 5:35
8. Too Late to Try 2:39
9. High Class Blues 4:07
10. She Sent Me Away 4:31

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• David Werner - Writer, Publisher, Vox, Guitar, Piano, Percussion, Mixing (Granati Bros)
• Mark Doyle - Guitar, Piano/Keys, Bass, Vox, Percussion (Jukin' Bone, Dokken, Steppenwolf, Free Will, Penetrators, Andy Pratt, Cindy Bullens, Meat Loaf, Bryan Adams, The Doyle, Backbone Slip, Judy Collins, Leo Sayer, Far Cry, Joe Whiting & the Bandit Band, Kingsnakes, NKOBT, The Richards, Built for Comfort  Blues Band, Rich Mendelson, Mary Fahl, Frank Briggs, Flashcubes)
• Thom Mooney - Drums (Nazz, Curtis Bros, Tattoo, Paris, Cindy Bullens, Danny O'Keefe, John Hiatt, James Lee Stanley, Noel & the Red Wedge, Jimmy Buffett, Rita Coolidge, Tom Peterson & Another Language, Domino, Scott Richardson, Ray Manzarek, Lightnin' Willie & the Poorboys)
• Albritton McClain - Bass (Bridge of Souls, Donnie Iris, The Innocent, Beechwood Farm, Pete Emmett, Kym Ryder, Roy Buchanan)
• Ken Bishell - Synth (Gerson Kingsley's First Moog Quartet, Lonnie Liston Smith & the Cosmic Echoes, Side Show, Jobriath, Exuma, Ian Lloyd & Stories, Bette Midler, Jackie DeShannon, Kahli Gibran, Arif Mardin, Aretha Franklin, Felix Cavaliere, Margie Joseph, Average White Band, Zulema, David Ruffin, Van McCoy, Nikki Giovanni, Black Heart, Judy Collins, Phoebe Snow, Miroslav Vitous, Brigati, Andy Pratt, Roy Buchanan, Carman Moore, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart, Philippe Wynne, Elliott Randall, Ringo Starr, Wilbur Bascomb, Mark & Clark Band, Joe FFarrell, Jaroslav, The Persuaders, Sylvia Syms, Cindy Billens, Vicki Sue Robinson, Herbie Mann, Carly Simon, Kate Taylor, Chaka Khan, Peter Paul & Mary, Liner, Noel Paul Stookey, Liner, Keith Barrow, Richard Peaslee, George Benson, Fame (musical), Larry Elgart, Shlomo Haviv, Stories, Ted Rosenthal, Mandy Patinkin, Jazz Timpanist Jonathan Haas, Rachel Portman, Charlie Gross, Carter Burwell, Marcelo Zarvos, Ashford & Simpson, James Galway)
• Richard Hunter - Hamonica (Space Negros, Magic Mose & his Royal Rockers, Erik Lindgren, Willie Loco Alexander, Chris Cacavas, Edward Abbiati, Lowlands & Friends)
• Tim Cappelo - Sax (Galdston & Thom, Labamba's Big Band, Garland Jeffreys, Tina Turner, Ringo Starr, Peter Gabriel, Robert Kraft & Ivory Coast, Far Cry, Randy Goodrum, The Flirts, Dimas, Chris Thompson, Tony LeMans, John Sebastian, Nu Colours, Karen Carpenter, Beckley, Izzy James, Emilie Surtees, Gunship)
• Ian Hunter - Vox, Mixing (Mott the Hoople, Mick Ronson, Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral, Genya Ravan, Iron City Houserockers, Scott Folsom, Mick Jones, Brian May, Corky Laing, Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Dennis Dunaway, Aleandro Escovedo, Rebelles, Cloud District, Bronco, Ellen Foley, David Johanson, Payola$, Mountain, Michael Monroe, Ringo Starr  many)
• Maxine Dixon - Vox (Looking Glass, Elliot Lurie, DC LaRue, Tom Scott, Kiss, Murray McLaughlan, Little Feat, Lowell George)
• Bob Clearmountain - Recording, Mixing (Chic, Silencers, Bruce Springsteen)
• Jeff Hendrickson - Recording, Additional, Asst. Engineer 
• Roy Willard - Asst. Engineer
• Ed Evans - Tech. Ingenuity
• Janet Perr - Design
• Paula Scher - Design
• Benno Friedman - Photos

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of David Werner. It looks like he is a New Wave Singer Songwriter, based on his attire on the full body spread artwork, plus all the technical and musical credits he lists.

Album Review: There is more power chords in these classic rock / pub rock tracks than typical nervous, fast paced jittery new wave, but the vocals do fall back on a nasally tone. "Hold On Tight" has a hook that sounds like Michael Jackson's "Black or White." Single "What's Right" follows a bluesy southern rock hook [Glam] that sounds like T-Rex "Get it On [Bang a Gong].

Biggest claim to fame? Writing Billy Idol's 90's hit "Cradle of Love." when he was a house writer for EMI. He recorded 2 albums for RCA in 1974 & 1975 before signing with Epic for 2 albums in 1979 (this one & a promotional one-sided album: Live). In his first life (label) he was touted as a Glam artist and Bowie rival, even through they shared the same label (and those albums sound much better than this one).

Stand Out Track: Can't Imagine

Links:
Youtube full album

Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Classic Bands Interview
Pitts Music History
Five Guns West
Facebook
Dubious Quality
Post Punk Monk

Popnarcotic

Werner's Whizz Kid via Vinyl Treasures

Weavers, The - On Tour

Name: The Weavers (originally No-Name Quartet)
Album: On Tour
Year: 1957 (1962)
Style: Folk, Vocals
Similar Bands: Bachelors, Kingston Trio, A Mighty Wind, Seekers, Rooftop Singers
"One-Word" Review: Banjangaly Harmonies
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Vanguard

Cover, Record

Back, Record

On Tour (1957)

1. Tzena, Tzena, Tzena 2:24
2. On Top Of Old Smoky 2:24
3. Drill Ye Tarriers, Drill 2:14
4. Fi-li-mi-oo-re-ey 2:28
5. Over the Hill 1:01
6. Clementine 2:51
7. The Frozen Logger 2:16 (James Stevens Cover)
8. The Boll Weevil 2:29
9. Talking Blues 2:27
10. I Don't Want to Get Adjusted 1:31
11. So Long 2:32 (Woody Guthrie Cover) /
12. Michael Row the Boat Ashore 3:31
13. Wreck of the "John B" 2:25
14. Two Brothers 2:27
15. Ragaputi 2:13
16. Wasn't That a Time 2:05
17. Go Tell it on the Mountain 2:37
18. Poor Little Jesus 1:43
19. Mi Y'Malel 1:54
20. Santa Clause is Coming, It's Almost Day 1:22
21. We Wish You A Merry Christmas 2:31

Album Rating (1-10):

Members & Other Bands:

• Pete Seeger - Vox, Banjo (Almanac Singers, Paul Campbell, The Union Boys, Work O' the Weavers, Woody Guthrie, Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon, John Benson Brooks Trio, Don McLean, Steve goodman, Guy Davis, Joan Baez, Sonny Terry  many )
• Ronnie Gilbert - Vox (Paul Campbell, Holly Near, Peter Paul & Mary, Woody Guthrie)
• Lee Hays - Vox (Almanac Singers, The Baby Sitters, Paul Campbell, Woody Guthrie)
• Fred Hellerman - Guitar, Vox (Paul Campbell, Peter Paul & Mary, Ruth Rubin, Larry Kent, Leon Bibb, Paul Clayton, Marylin Child, Sandy Paton, Joan Baez, Odetta, Theodore Bikel, Judy Collins, Oscar Brand, Chad Mitchell, Sunny Schwartz, Guy Davis, Cobble Mountain Band, Stan Scott, Sam Scheer, Belafonte)
• Harold Leventhal - Producer

Unknown-ness: I don't believe I've heard of the Weavers. Maybe, as they have been around a long time, and Pete Seeger is a familiar name. But I imagine this to be imagine this will be olde-timey vocal harmonizing songs, where instrumentation is but a non-showcased afterthought or simply to keep rhythm & melody. With a setlist of 21 songs, all performed live, and a bunch of familiar traditional titles, I imagine this will get a little samey, too.

Album Review: This was recorded for their Xmas concert at Carnegie Hall, so applause bookends the tracks. Hootenany would be an accurate portrait of their banjangley folk harmonies. Their musical choices are international and quite varied with the record split into 4 sections: Classic Songs, Tall Tales, History/Geography, and Peace & Good Will. Often, one member will recite the upcoming lyric before it is sung in order to encourage audience sing-a-long.

The highly influential folk band (pre-dating Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan; all were influenced by the Weavers) started as a political group, with Seeger and Hays together as Alamac singers, protesting WW2. In 1941,with Germany moving into Russia, the US sentiment changes to pro-war propaganda, and the band became a pitched entering the war until the US finally joined the Allies. The band officially organized in 1948, thanks to a music circle Seeger organized in his basement called People's Songs. As the Red Scare / McCarthy era began, Seeger & Hays were questioned as US Communists, both refusing to testify in their own defense, putting them under FBI surveillance, denying them television / radio performances, leading to the loss of their Decca record contract and demise as a band in 1953. They got back together and played Carnegie Hall in 1955, had success with the recording, and set up a tour through 63, with occasional reunions. Seeger left the band in 1958 over plans to record a tobacco commercial, which he was against due to their danger & feeling of selling out. Their first tv appearance since 1951 performed on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 67. They would have appeared on the Jack Paar show, but refused to sign a loyalty oath to the US against communism.  Hays passed in 1981, Seeger died in 2014, Gilbert passed in 2015, and Hellerman died in 2016.

Stand Out Track: Wreck of the "John B"

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Britannica
PBS
History: NBC '62 Ban
Live About

Encyclopedia

Wasted Youth (LA's) - Get Out of My Yard!

Name: LA's Wasted Youth
Album: Get Out of My Yard
Year: 1990
Style: Hard Core, Punk, Metal
Similar Bands: NOFX, Bad Religion, Circle Jerks, Adolescents, Suicidal Tendencies
"One-Word" Review: Juvenile Tendencies
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: Medusa Records

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Get Out of My Yard (1990)

1. Young & Board 2:18
2. Blind Nuns 2:38
3. Ethiopian Nightmare 3:56 /
4. Happy Birthday 2:49
5. Missionary Imposition 2:08
6. Tormented 2:48

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Chett Lehrer - Music, Guitar Glue Gun
• Paolo Rossi - Lyrics, Vox
• Joey Castillo - Drums (Danzig, Queens of the Stone Age, Bl'ast, Bloodclot!, California Breed, Eagles of Death Metal, General Fucking Principle, Goatsnake, Scott Weiland & the Wildabouts, Sugartooth, The Bronx, The Desert Sessions, Zakk Sabbath, Zilch, Mass Mental?, Son of Sam, Youjeen, Mark Lanegan Band, Boots Electric, The Bosshoss, Blackbird Days, Hifiklub & Alain Johannes, Love Zombies, Nick Oliveri, Sun trash, Last Internationale, Landfill Crew, The Hives, Patron, WC & the Madd Circle, Roberto Zenteno)
• Bryen - Bass
• Darin Scheff - Producer
• "Woody" - Engineer
• Barri Conley - Asst. Engineer, Mixing
• David O - Mixing
• Bobby Duron - Photography, Layout, Design
• David Arquette "Kingz" - Logos
• Lee Ellington - Car Drawing

Unknown-ness: I may have heard of this band, but don't much about them, if anything. I think they are a hard core, crust punk-ish band, and the band photo on the cover bring attacked by children in a kiddie pool paints them to be a punk band at the very least. Interesting, Patricia Arquette is thanked in the liner notes (wikipedia says she dated Rossi, and they had a child Enzo right around the time this came out), and David Arquette designed the logo.

Album Review: We're talking about a 79-80's hard core punk band that turned into thrash metal in the mid-late 80's as the personnel changed. The playing is fast, heavy and abrasive, but it maintains driving melody, and does not comes off as threatening as perhaps it was for the time & culture (or meant to be). Lyrically, the messages cover religion and consumerism.

Wasted Youth added the "LA's" to their name since there was also a British band of the same name. This version is a rerelease of the 1986 EP. This album was written by the previous (and second) front man, who quit while recording. So the version that finally came out was re-recorded by Paolo & team. Lehrer is the only remaining member of the original line up.

Stand Out Track: Tormented

Links:
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Discogs

Allmusic

Facebook
Metal Archives
Something Hard In There
Altopedia
Metal Music Archives
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Spirit of Metal
Tour Dates

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

Wha-Koo - Fragile Line

Name: Wha-Koo
Album: Fragile Line
Year:1979
Style: Powerpop
Similar Bands: Journey, Rod Stewart, Queen, Roger Daltrey, Air Supply
"One-Word" Review: Smooth Cruiseship Who
Based Out Of: LA, CA
Label: CBS Epic

 Cover, Lyrics, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Fragile Line (1979)

1. Silken Chains of Memory 4:02
2. Camarillo 2:55
3. Tonight on Old King's Cross 3:54
4. The Velvet Screw 3:57
5. Love Draws 3:45 /
6. Don't Say You Love Me 3:59 (single)
7. After the Rapture 3:31
8. She Sees the Night 4:20
9. The Chinese Kiss 3:19
10. Everything My Daddy Used to Use 5:54

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Alan V Abrahams - Producer
• David Palmer - Vox (Steely Dan, Myddle Class, Laura Branigan, Jamie Walters, The Quinaimes Band, Wayne Berry, Thomas Jefferson Kaye, Tom Jones )
• Ron "Wizard" Fransen - Keys (Monda Harris, Tommy Bolin, Dirk Hamilton, Rare Earth)
• Eddie Tuduri - Drums (Boxer, Genya Ravan, Richard Torrance, Baron Stewart, Pink Lady, Joey D Vieira, Bob Carter, Alan Merrill, Paul Lear, Kenny Neal, Jim Messina, Steve Fisher, Anastasia & John, Addie Pray)
• Eric Gotthelf - Bass (Bonedaddys, DFXw, Tonio K, Tin Star, Underthings)
• Chuck Cochran - Guitar, Vox (David Lasley, Jimmy Messina, Tim Weisberg)
• Don Francisco - Percussion, Vox (Atlee, Crowfoot, Highway Robbery, Pan, Linda Ronstadt, Andrew Gold, Rusty Wier, Bob Welch, Randy Meisner, Kim Carnes)
• Ken Perry - Mastering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Wha-Koo...but their name sounds like it has a lot of energy, even if it is a little silly-sounding. The band looks like a bunch of cool 70's session musicians. I can only imagine it treads a fine line between light AOR rock and powerpop

Album Review: Apparently this is a sort of concept album exploring the fragile line (thus the title) between love & gate, good & bad, etc. The band used to be called Big Wha-Koo, and shortened to just Wha-Koo on the album right before this. This record came with a big line up change, including ex Steely Dan singer (2 songs) David Palmer taking over as frontman. The record (at least the promo copy) omits two names that left the band shortly after its recording, Chuck Cochran and Don Francisco. The album itself is a mix of smooth powerpop tracks, like a light version of The Who, mixed with some softer, overproduced ballads, songs that would fit back where Palmer left his mark with Steely Dan. The most catchy and powerful song, After the Rapture features a repetitive harmonized chorus singing the title, and has Palmer letting out quite a high-pitched scream.

Stand Out Track: After the Rapture

Links:
Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Rate your music
Band to Band
Ill Folks

Werewolves (the) - Ship Of Fools (summer weekends and no more blues)

Name: The Werewolves
Album: Ship Of Fools (summer weekends and no more blues)
Year: 1978
Style: Pub Band, Blues-Rock, Powerpop
Similar Bands: J. Geils Band, Jeff Beck, Animals, Bad Company, Rolling Stones, Flamin' Groovies
"One-Word" Review: Country Blues Rock N' Roll Party
Based Out Of: Dallas TX
Label: RCA, Victor

Ship Of Fools (summer weekends and no more blues) (1978)

1. Baby Eyes 3:32 (single)
2. Crazy Arms 3:26 (cover)
3. There We Were 1:59
4. Days of the Rest of My Life 2:33
5. Face on Wrong 3:19 /
6. Summer Weekends 2:31
7. One Up on You 2:44
8. Catch My Drift 2:27
9. Waking Up Is Hard to Do 2:17
10. No More Blues 3:31
11. Ship of Fools 3:19

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Andrew Loog Oldham - Producer, Director (Rolling Stones)
• Brian Papageorge - Vox (The Hurricanes)
• Buckner Ballard - Vox, Guitar, Bass 
• Kirk Brewster - Vox, Guitar, Bass (Patricia Vonne)
• Seab Meador - Guitar (The Gentlemen, The Bridge.The Hurricanes, Zombies (fake))
• Bobby Baranowski - Drums & Percussion (Rev. Horton Heat, Hash Brown's TX Blues Review, Josh Alan Band, Herman Brock Jr. & The Eurocasters, Eugene Hideaway Brisges, Rocky Athas Group, Jim Suhler)
• Joey Stann - Horns, Keys (Bullet, Southside Johnny & Asbury Jukes, American Men, Miami Horns, gary US Bonds, Steve Satten, Stephen Dees, Benny Mardones, Stompers, Neil Sedaka, Bob Bandiera, Allman Bros Band, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen)
• Ralph Mooney - Dialogue
• Charles Seals - Dialogue
• Neal Teeman - Sound Recording
• Chris Andersen - Sound Recording
• Mick Rock - Set Design
• Ernie Thormahlen - Set Design

Unknown-ness: I never heard of this band, but it looks like a low budget, as seen on tv album based on cramming four lines of active artwork across the cover (and not even fitting it all, having to wrap around to the back). They look "cool" and the toxic disaster palm tree sunset puts them in California, i imagine...which is supported by the way the back is set up like film credits. The band picture across the bottom makes me think they are a bluesy power-pop act, if only bluesy because they have a sax.

Album Review: The Texas band was "discovered" by ex-Rolling Stones producer Oldham after they moved to NYC to appeal to the up and coming CBGBs scene. Their style is country & southern blues infused rock and roll, which you can hear as they update and rock out on the traditional country cover of "Crazy Arms." "Face On Wrong" does a good job combining blues rock and oldies sounding powerpop.

Stand Out Track: Face On Wrong

Links:
Discogs
Australian Rock Review
Allmusic
What Frank is Listening To
Facebook
NY Times 2.25.79
I Was A Teenage Fake Zombie

Scott Wilk + the Walls - s.t

Name: Scott Wilk + the Walls
Album: s/t
Year: 1980
Style: New Wave
Similar Bands: Elvis Costello, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Declan McManus, Oh, Tom Petty at times.
"One-Word" Review: It's Basically Elvis Costello
Based Out Of: Chicago, IL
Label: Warner Bros.

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Scott Wilk + the Walls (1980)

1. Radioactive 2:50
2. Suspicion 2:45
3. Victim of Circumstance 4:12
4. Danger Becomes Apparent 3:01
5. Man in the Mirror 2:37
6. Too Many Questions 2:55 /
7. Shorting Out 3:52
8. Careless 3:31
9. Instant This, Instant That 3:44
10. Familiarity Breeds Mutation 2:33
11. Shadow-Box Love 3:53

Album Rating (1-10): 9.5

Members & Other Bands:
Scott Wilk - Producer, Vox, Keys, Treatments (Charlie Sexton, Bone Symphony, Harold Faltermeyer, Swyvel, Rubinoos)
Michael Omartian - Producer, Piano (Gator Creek, MIchael & Stormie, Rhythm Heritage, The Players, Voices for the Unborn)
Mark Wolfe - Mgmt
Roger Ciszon - Guitars
Bob Lizik - Bass (Madonna, Billy Joel, Brian Wilson, Tim Moore, Jerry Goodman, Gary Barlow, Jim Peterik)
Tom Scheckel - Drums, Percussion (The Buckinghams)
John Guess - Engineer
Stuart Gitlin - Asst. Engineer
Brad Gilberman - Asst. Engineer
Jeff Jourard - Lyrical Help
Richard Seireeni - Art Direction
Thom Glabman - Cover Design
Glenn Covalli - Photography
Ola Hudson - Themself

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. But with the cover of mostly colors & angular shapes, i'm guessing more New Wave. The band image on the back supports that theory, even if it is just their faces.

Album Review: Someone wrote on the sleeve that this album "sounds like Elvis Costello." And they are not wrong. Nearly every moment on this record sounds like Elvis & The Attractions...and it hits beyond just the jittery nervous pop...the second track Suspicion has a vocal performance similar to "Watching the Detectives." Some times, he'll evoke something close to Tom Petty as well. The Beginning of "Victim of Circumstance" has different vocals for the verse, but a very Elvis-like chorus. Apparently, he now scores tv, film and corporate event films, including the animated Duckman and the Valley Girl soundtrack.

Stand Out Track: Radioactive, Familiarity Breeds Mutation

Links:
Discogs
Willfully Obscure
Rate Your Music
Slow news Day
website
allmusic
Trouser Press

John Wetton - Caught in the Crossfire

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

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

Caught in the Crossfire (1980)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

Stand Out Track:Turn on the Radio

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

Wackers (the) - Shredder

Name: Wackers
Album: Shredder
Year: 1972
Style: Psych, Folk
Similar Bands: Cecilio & Kapono, Beatles, Dave Edmunds, Kinks, Bonzo Dog Band
One-Word Review: Breezy-Psych-Folk
Based Out Of: Monreal, Quebec
Label: Elektra

 Cover, Back, & Record

Gatefold & Record

Wackers - Shredder (1972)

1. Day & Night 3:06
2. Hey Lawdy Lawdy 3:54
3. I'll Believe in You 3:14
4. Puttin' Myself to Sleep 2:20
5. Eventually, Even You Even Me 3:34
6. Coming Apart 3:57 /
7. It's My Life 3:32
8. Beach Song 2:42
9. Buck Duckdog Memorial Jam 10:10
10. Last Dance 3:04

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Robert Segarini - Guitar, Vox, Bass, Drums, Percussion (Roxy, Ratz, Family Tree, Dudes, Cats & Dogs, Rosebuds, The Us )
• Randy Bishop - Guitar, Keys, Bass, Cowbell, Percussion, Vox (Roxy, Rosebuds)
• Michael Stull -  (Gods Country, Butts Band)
• Bill 'Kootch' Trochim - Bass, Congas, Guitars, Percussion, Kootch (Dudes, Family Tree)
• Ernie Earnshaw - Drums, Percussion, Vox (Royale Monachs, The Forte' Four, Six the Hard Way, BigFoot, Rolling Bob, 6680 Lexington)
• Mark Abramson - Producer
• JP Lauzon - Guitars, Percussion, Piano
• Jerry Mercer - Drums (Mashmakhan, April Wine)
• Fred Otnes - Shredder Art
• Robert L. Heimall - Photography, Art Direction & Design
• Frankie Hart - Backing Vox, Percussion
• Janet Abramson - BackingVox
• Jack Schaeffer - Clarinet, Sax
• Dan-Yen Mantor - Claves, Congas, Shaker
• Nelson Vipod - Engineer
• Adam Holzman - Low D Assist
• Richard Knowles - Tech

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band. From the artwork, it reminds me of Terry Gilliam's Monty Python opening, so I imagine the music will not be serious, and perhaps even comical in nature...or maybe just really drug influenced (psychedelic).

Album Review: The album is a strong mixture of folk, psych, power pop, and spaced out jamming. Lots of Beatles & Kinks inspiration. The band was from California, but moved to Quebec before recording this record. Funny thing, was the record was not meant to be the Wacker's third album, but was supposed to be a side project for the creative force. Once Elektra heard the songs, they pushed for the production as a full Wackers album (not The Incredible Duck Brothers). The recordings were also influenced by Monty Python cast members hanging out with the band while recording in the studio for two of the six weeks (MP was on their first North American tour).

Stand Out Track: Eventually, Even You Even Me

Links:
spotify
wiki
Montreal Gazette
Shredder Liner Notes
Rate your Music
Discogs
Allmusic
Steve Hoffman Music Forum
Canadian Bands