Portable - Secret Life

Name: Portable
Album: Secret Lift
Year: 1999
Style: Power Pop, Garage Rock
Similar Bands: Third Eye Blind, Everclear, Matchbox 20, Tonic, Our Lady Peace, Sister Hazel, Ours
"One-Word" Review: Brash, Middling Rock
Based Out Of: LA, CA
Label: TVT Records

Cover

Back, CD

Secret Life (1999)

1. What's Wrong 3:40
2. Help Yourself 2:58 (single)
3. Boy-Girl 4:40
4. medicate it 2:30
5. Redlight 4:29
6. Step On It, Go! 3:32
7. Erasable 3:04
8. Restraint 4:26
9. One Thing I Know 3:39
10. All Over Again 4:24
11. Terrible Two 4:48
12. Silence Please 4:55

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Chance Hutchison - Vox, Guitar
• Gus Cicari - Guitar
• Jeff Menke - Bass
• Brian Lovy - Drums (The Kind, Anthony Castelo, Chance, Forever Like Red)
• Terri Nunn - Vox (Berlin, Ish, Sisters of Mercy, Pino Donaggio, Khadja Nin, Dan Siegel, Pamela Moore, Mariya Takeuchi)
• Matt Wallace - Produced, Mixed
• Mike Landolt - Engineer
• Mitch Rellas - Engineer
• James Murray - Asst Engineer
• Vicky Hamilton - Career Direction 
• Warren Entner - Career Direction 
• Sean Roberts - A&R Direction

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Based on the cover, which looks like a Warhol 4-pane color study of a speaker (hubcap? drain?) and the dudes in suits on the back, i'm guessing they are a high energy, garage rock band; even if one has a goatee /soul patch combo. But it is on TVT, so perhaps they have a darker, industrial element? 

Album Review: I've listened to it once straight through, and at different points got notes of Green Day or the Strokes, but overall, this is some middle of the road rock, with some Third Eye Blind like, non-memorable vocals. The music also tries to surge, but also ends up being quite middling. Sorry to say, but this feels like the sort of music frat bros in college who have no taste in music get excited about. There's nothing either wrong nor memorable about this album. The song "Redlight" has a bit of a Muse / Ours vibe to it.

This, their debut album contains, the 5 sounds from their EP, which came out a few months earlier. Menke left the band after this record, and Sebastian Ciceri, Gus's brother, took over bass by 2000. Apparently the bland sound was left to this first record, and the second was seen as more adventurous by the band. Their third that never came to completion was on path to being much more representative to their live sound.

Stand Out Track: Step On It, Go!

Links:
Exclaim!
Discogs
Allmusic
Ink19 Levy interview
Sebastian Ciceri Wiki

Phoids (The) - Marianne Doesn't Know Yet

Name: The Phoids
Album: Marianne Doesn't Know Yet
Year: 1997
Style: Pub Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Smithereens, Track Star, Let's Active, Jayhawks, Uncle Tupelo, Replacements, The Forty Fives
"One-Word" Review: Urban Cowboy Rock Variants.
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Ng Records, BMG, 

Cover & Back photo

Liner Notes, CD, CD Tray Back

Marianne Doesn't Know Yet (1997)

1. The Great American Farmer 3:01
2. Baby Menthol 2:47
3. I'll Smash Anyone 3:39
4. M 3:25
5. You Know 3:58
6. Godel 4:48
7. Cop Out 4:13
8. Walk Away 2:37 (single)
9. Can't Go Back 4:04
10. Merkle's Boner 2:46
11. No Good 2:56
12. Driveway 3:40
13. Johnny's On Time 1:45
14. I Never liked you Much 6:12

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Greg Bass - Bass, Vox (Erica Wylie, Jason Spiewak)
• Matt Chaiaravalle - Guitar, Vox (Forty Fives, Jill Cunniff, Ernie Halter)
• Jac Calabro - Vox, Guitar
• Michael Chambers - Drums, Percussion (Cantinero), 
• Tammy Lynn - Backing Vox (Battershell, Lenny McDaniel, Sevendust, Total Praise)
• Andy Kingston - Piano, Organ (Alex Dolan)
• Roger Lian - Mastering
• Jeff Gattens - Recording, Mixing
• Tom Doxanas - Art Direction (DOC Designs)
• John H Moore - Cover Photo
• Mick Rock - Liner Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of them, but from the photos, they look like they were on the tail end of alt-grunge, just as the tide was turning to a clean cut, smooth rock persona. I'm going to guess they are of their era, and will be similar to New Radicals or Fastball.

Album Review: The Phoids reignite the 80'sAmericana pub rock sound of the 80's with straight forward rock songs that try to keep one toe in a working class country pool. Sometimes they play gruff, driving tracks like the juvenile "Merkle's Boner" that steals a cue out of the Nirvana playbook at the end, as does "I'll Smash Anyone." "Cop Out" is a solid pop song with some shoegazing guitar, and a quick shuffling beat. Overall, this is a immensely palatable album of songs with slight variances on rock extending to the outer tiers of niche genres.

With a total of 3 albums that increased in quality along they way, the NYC based band gained minimal recognition as an opener and CMJ festival performer. But even with an accomplished producer on their 3rd record, they ended up disappearing from the spot light altogether.

Stand Out Track: Cop Out, Merkle's Boner

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
IMDB
Facebook
Rate Your Music
Jaxsta

Myspace
Sterling Sound

Professor Spoon - 127 Somerset

Name: Professor Spoon
Album: 127 Somerset
Year: 1994
Style: Funk, Alternative, Jam
Similar Bands: Spin Doctors, Animal Bag, Dave Matthews Band, Black Crows, Moe., The Hatters
"One-Word" Review: Accomplished Hi-Brow Stoner Funk
Based Out Of: Syracuse NY / NJ
Label: none

Cover & Back

Lyrics & CD

Lyrics & CD Tray Back

Lyrics and Liner Notes

127 Somerset (1994)

1. Mind of a Kid 3:21
2. What's On Your Mind? 4:38
3. Reason 3:06
4. Danny 3:24
5. Who Told You? 2:50
6. The Knowledge 5:43
7. Keep It Down 5:06
8. Under My Skin 5:37
9. Skinner Box 5:11
10. Oblitorious 3:32
11. The Sublime Alcindor Meets the Monster 6:30

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Darren Buck - Vox, Art Direction, Design, Logo (Bitches Brew, State Radio)
• Jared Hart - Bass (Bitches Brew)
• Chris Kaye - Guitars, Cover Painting (Bitches Brew)
• Derek Landel - Drums, Percussion (Bitches Brew)
• Jordon Rothstein - Keys (Bitches Brew)
• Tony Greene - Sax
• Jason Raynovich - Cello (Tim Daisy)
• Alison Shirk - Photos
• Howard Sadowsky - Mgmt
• Jamie Santos - Producer
• Mike Jackson - Engineer, Mixing
• Alan Douches - Mastering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Based on the album art, the band photo, the year and the name, I'm guessing this will be some Gin Blossoms, amateur alternative grunge music.

Album Review: 
So this is dated, 1994 alternative funk. I imagine goatees, berets and drug rugs abound in the fan base for this band & genre music. Their sounds shift along the lines of jazzy funk, from Black Crows, to Dave Matthews to Ben Folds, and many other 90's bands that added a funk/studio session vibe with complex songwriting to the jam band & alt genre.

They were a Syracuse College band in the early 90's playing around NY & PA. They had 2 albums, and eventually found their way to NYC, but did not last very long, as their career ended in 1995. The production makes them sound like accomplished musicians, however, this is not a genre that fits my enjoyment.

Stand Out Track: Danny

Links:
Discogs
Allmusic
Youtube Documentaty
Amazon
Facebook

Puzzle - The Second Album

Name: Puzzle
Album: The Second Album
Year: 1974
Style: Motown, R&B, Prog-Jazz fusion, Funk, Blood Sweat & Tears, 
Similar Bands: Stevie Wonder, Chicago
"One-Word" Review: Multi-Genre Doo-Wop Proggers
Based Out Of: Chicago
Label: Motown

Cover, Record

Back, Record

The Second Album (1974)

1. You Took Me Wrong 4:10
2. Mary Mary 3:21
3. State of Mind 4:12
4. Everybody Wants to Be Somebody 3:21
5. Haiku 5:28 /
6. My Love 3:51
7. Now That You Love Me 4:13
8. Concept of Her 8:25
1. Prelude
2. A Moment's Rest
3. Visions
9. NYC 3:40

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Bob Cullen - Producer
• Bobby Scott - String Arrangement
• Hank Cicalo - Engineer
• Linda Tyler - Recordist
• Bernie Grundman - Mastering
• Norman Seeff - Photography & Design
• Pelev Palombi - Illustration
• John LiVigni - Drums, Vox, Percussion (John Valenti, John Edward Beland)
• Anthony Siciliano - Bass 
• Joseph Spinazola - Piano Organ (John Valenti)
• Bobby Villalobos - Lead Guitar 
• Ralf Richert - Guitar, Trumpet (Don Randi, Vinny Golia, Windfall, James Vincent, LA Jazz Ensemble, Freddy Henry, Jack Miller, Cook Country, King Errisson, Crusaders. Hiromi Iwasaki, Calypso Rose, Ollie Mitchell, Cold Fire, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Roby Duke, BUrning Sensations, Kazu Matsui, Pearl, Bonedaddys, Yanni, Nicky Holland, John Miles, Neil Diamond, Nathan Cavaleri, Dianne Reeves, Paula Abdul, Porno For Pyros, Windows,Thom Rotella, Christopher Franke, James Iha, Larry klimas, Marek Niedzwiecki, Devo, George Benson, Karizma, Caldera, Les DeMerle)
• Bob Williams - Trumpet, Wind Chimes
• Larry Klimas - Sax, Flute (Dream Patrol, Karizma, Potato Salad, Toolbox, Tom Hensley, James Vincent, King Errisson, Hiromi Iwasaki, Calypso Rose, John Valenti, Daniel Goldberg, Pino Marrone, Kazu Matsui Project, War, Renaud, Claire Severac, Luis Conte, Miki Asakura, LA Keyboard Project, Dickies, Visiting Kids, Liquid Jesus, Recollections, Karen Knowles, Charles Dumont, Sam Sklair, Lesley Olsher, Neil Diamond, Steve Lukather,. Manhattan Transfer, Rick Braun, Luis Conte, Suicide Machines, David Garfield, Lee Oskar, Robert Williams, Divididos, Bob Conti, Arthur Barrow, Devo, Melora, George Cables, Chicago, Robert Lamm, Azure McCall, Elton John, Thelma Houston, The Mar Visiting Philharmonic, PG & Frank, Robby Krieger, Mike Porcaro, Dan Fornero, Gerry Beckley, Alex Ligertwood, America)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Puzzle, but from the cover and distorted, stretched band image on the back, my best guess is this is totally a prog band. Even if it is on Motown...well, maybe there is some doo-wop included in the prog, which sounds very intriguing.

Album Review: This album splits the difference, where some songs are blue-eyed soul & R&B motown sound, and others are jazzy prog or straight up jazz. But there is not much cross over, each track is a stand alone style. "Everybody Wants to Be Somebody" has a trumpet section that sounds like "Lean On Me." They are an all-white jazzy soul band that didn't quite fit the typical Motown sound, but were released on the Motown label rather than one of the related labels like Rare Earth (which was the original intention). They were a popular live band between Chicago & Detroit, so geographically, Motown made sense. Bandleader LiVigni changed his name to Valenti after Puzzle to pursue a solo career.

Stand Out Track: You Took Me Wrong

Links:

Youtube full album
LiVigni/Valenti Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

rate your music

soulful detroit

quora

soulstrut community

motown encyclopedia puzzle page

Primitons - s/t

Name: Primitons
Album: s/t
Year: 1985
Style: Jangle Pop, College Radio
Similar Bands: Game Theory, REM, Let's Active
"One-Word" Review: Airy Distant Jangle Pop
Based Out Of: Birmingham, AL
Label: Throbbing Lobster

Cover, Record

Back, Record, Lyric Sheet

Primitons (1985)

1. All My Friends 2:16
2. Five Lines 4:41
3. Seeing is Believing 3:35
4. She Sleeps 4:10 / 
5. You'll Never Know 3:43
6. Stars 3:34
7. City People 3:43

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Mitch Easter - Producer, Mixing, Guitar (Grover, Lets Active, Rittenhouse Square, Shalini, Orange Humble Band, Sneakers, Cosmopolitans, Kimberley Rew, X-Teens, Game Theory, Bandola, Loud Family, Helium, Windbreakers, The 6ths, Shalini, Coronet Blue  lots of credits)
• Brad Dorset - Vox, Bass, Guitar, Piano
• Leif Bondarenko - Drums, Percussion, Accordion (Jim Bob and the Leisure Suits, Bucket Fillers, J. Willoughby & Touwncriers, Walton Smith, Sugarcane Jane)
• Mots Roden - Vox, Guitar, Organ (Jim Bob and the Leisure Suits, Carnival Season)
• Stephanie Truelove Wright - Lyrics (Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires)
• Garri Meighen - Vox
• LaDonna Smith - Accordion (Trans-Idio, Vario 20, Ron Pate's Debonairs, Transcendprovisation, Andrea Centazzo, Blue Denim Deals Without the Arms, Gino Robair, Valentina Ponomareva, Eugene Chadbourne, John Zorn, Free Music Communion, Toner, Return From Earth, Wally Shoup, Rotcod Zzaj, Little Red Rocket, Misha Feigin, Shiva's Quintessence, Jasper Lee, Ramble Tamble)
• Greg Calbi - Mastering
• Fernande Bonkarenko - Jacket Design
• Richard Mock - Cover Illustration
• Grady Turner - Back Design
• Rachel Dobson - Insert Illustrations
• Sue Davidson - Typesetting

Unknown-ness: Never heard of them. But with the wood cut-like print cover art, i'm getting a sense of Cowpunk or roots music. Los Lobos comes to mind. The album is produced by Mitch Easter, and it is on the Boston indie label Throbbing Lobster, so it might be jangley. The Picasso copied band portrait is a nice touch on the back. 

Album Review: Jangle pop is the name of the game on this record...the meandering bass and lofty vocal melodies make a perfect fit for the strummey guitar style. These Alabama gents fell right into the Southern Jangle-Pop scene, a few miles inland from Atlanta, but still roped into the same fitting sub-genre as REM, if only a little more straight ahead rocking. They have a fourth member, but she is a non-performing lyricist, whom would build songs out of bits and ideas Roden brought to her. Their name is short for Primitive Tones, they only produced two (barely) full lengths, and an ep between 1984-1990.

Stand Out Track: All My Friends, Stars

Links:

Full collection Spotify
BHAM Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Trouser Press

Pop matters

wilfully obscure

rate your music

Roger Powell - Air Pocket

Name: Roger Powel
Album: Air Pocket
Year:1980
Style: Synth, New Wave
Similar Bands: Kraftwerk, Yellow Magic, Thomas Dolby, Duran Duran
"One-Word" Review: harmonic synth prog
Based Out Of: California
Label: Bearsville Records, Warner Bros

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Air Pocket (1980)

1. Lunar Plexus 4:04
2. Landmark 3:50
3. Air Pocket 3:45
4. Windows 4:01
5. Emergency Splashdown 4:54/
6. Morning Chorus 1:59
7. March of the Dragonslayers 3:19
8. Prophecy 3:25
9. Sands of Arrakis 5:26
10. Dragons 'N' Griffins / Mr. Triscuits Theme 4:51

Album Rating (1-10):6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Roger Powell - Producer, Video Synth Graphics, Music & Lyric Composition & Performance (Utopia, David Bowie, Steve Hillage, Meat Loaf, Born Bluesers, Shaun Cassidy, Ian Hunter, Alice Cooper, Felix Cavaliere, Charlie Rouse Band, Rick Derringer, Randy Vanwarmer, Jim Steinman, Kasim Sulton, Logic System, Barry Manilow, Rubinoos, Sons of Heroes, Joy Ride, Bob James, Todd Rundgren, Lyle Workman, Shelagh McDonald )
• John Holbrook - Engineer, Production Assistant, Rhythm Guitar, Remix (Baba Scholae, Five Day Rain, Utopia, Josh Joplin Group, Paul Butterfield, Claude Dubois, Bernie Cash, Randy Vanwarmer, Isley Bros, Terence Boylan, Ian Hunter, Nicole Wills, Tony Wilson, Natalie Merchant, Joy Askew, Katell Keineg, Madder Rose, David Mead, Jim Weider, Honky Tonk Gurus, Brian Vander Ark, Upchuck, Verve Pipe)
• Mark Styles - Associate Synth Tech, Keyboard Computer (Centrifuge, Jahneen, Thee untuchables, Knew Romeo, Those XCleavers, Stanton Davis)
• Bill Melville - Cover Design, Layout, Inside Sleeve Art
• Jennifer Morris - Video Synth Graphics
• Danny O'Connor - Photos
• Cleve (Robert) Pozar - Drums (Bob James, Peter Ivers, Ed Curran, Bill Dixon, Ed Curran, Peter Ivers, Arthur Miller, Richard Avery, Donald Marsh, Stephen Whynott, New England Conservatory, Michael Sahl, Eric Salzman, Eric Dolphy, Bobby Naughton)
• Todd Rundgren - E-Bow Guitar Solo (Doug Legacy, Legends of the West, Money, Nazz, Ringo Starr & his ALl Starr Band, The New Cars, Utopia Grokware, Woody's Truck Stop, so many more)
• Chris Andersen - Remix
• Lady Jane - Inspiration
• Susan Lee - Coordination
• Mike Pillot - Coordination
• Bob Ludwig - Mastering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this musician, but the cover looks like a racing checkered flag on an 80's video screen, so my initial though it that this is going to be some long hair power pop. The nerdy tweed-clad person on the back counters that idea, but i still don't know what this will be...singer songwriter perhaps?

Album Review: This album is full of synth-heavy harmonic new wave and prog rock. The titles definitely create a nerdy, science and mythical world. The vocals are nasally, somewhere between Brian Eno and Duran Duran. Most of the songs on side 2 are instrumental soundscapes, exploring the effects and limits of programmable music, and others are just synthy power pop with guitar solos and layered harmonic choruses. Roger Powell was the keyboard player in Todd Rundgren's Utopia, thus the appearance of Rundgren on the album. Powell was right there in the beginning of the Moog synthesizer, as a protege to its creator, Bob Moog and has been at the forefront creating and writing articles about synth technology. He also created the first hand held remote synth controller and called it the Powell Probe. He's worked at many electronics/audio companies, including his time as a senior programmer for both Apple computers and Electronic Arts, and created one of the first PC MIDI sequencers for the Apple II called Texture in 1985.  

Stand Out Track: Landmark

Links:

Spotify full album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Pollstar: Utopia return (without Powell)

website

Bob Moog Foundation keyboard donation

get ready to rock interview

prog archive

jem writing 10 questions

Expose

Prophets (Thee) - Playgirl

Name: Thee Prophets
Album: Playgirl
Year: 1969
Style: Pop Oldies, Psychedelic, Vocal Group
Similar Bands: Herman's Hermits, Happenings, Buckinghams, Sunshine Express, The Vogues, Tom Jones, Bee Gees
"One-Word" Review: Tame neutered bubblegum vocal pop
Based Out Of: Milwaukee, WI
Label: Kapp, MCA, Universal

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Playgirl (1969)

1. Playgirl 2:05 
2. Broken Heart 2:22
3. Man Enough 2:13
4. It Isn't So Easy 2:29
5. Magic Island 2:31
6. Double Life 2:13 /
7. Some Kind-A Wonderful 2:17 (Single) (cover: Drifters)
8. Heartbreak Avenue 2:38
9. They Call Her Sorrow 3:08
10. I Pretend I'm With You 1:52
11. Kind of a Drag 2:03
12. Shame Shame 2:18 

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Carl Bonafede - Producer
• Dan Belloc - Producer
• Lew Douglas - Producer, Arranger
• Brian Lake - Organ, Vox
• Jim Anderson - Guitar, Vox
• David Leslie - Bass, Vox
• Chris Michaels - Drums
• Tex Meyer - Write-Up
• Don Brown - Write-Up
• Stan Malinowski - Cover Photo
• Milton Sincoff - Artistic Design
• Bill Bradley - Engineer
• Ed Cody - Engineer
• Ron Malo - Engineer
• Don Van Gorden - Remixing

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but they look like another run-of-the-mill late 60's pop group trying to be the next big thing. They probably won't be unusual or break out of the light male vocal ensemble that really owes more to Jack Jones and other crooners more than the Beatles or the Kinks.

Album Review: Strings and light smooth vocals perpetuate the album along, but there are a few shining moments, like "Man Enough" has some drive and big band pop energy. And single Playgirl is a bit in the a Motown swing vibe. "Magic Island" almost has a solid pop backbone, but it loses all of its appeal as it's tries to appease parents with a light lofty orchestral production. This album would be a lot better if it were a lot simpler. But it can't escape the safe zone with production half in cohorts with Tom Jones or Mitch Miller, and one foot trying for the youth appeal. The Youtube link has more songs than what are on this album, and almost every non album track is better than the songs here. It looks like Jim Anderson only wrote 2 songs on here: They Call Her Sorrow & It Isn't So Easy...the rest are covers. Apparently, even the band was unhappy with this album, as their musical tendencies were more toward Hendrix, Cream, Vanilla Fudge, not bubblegum pop, but the record company had their name & ownership, and ran it into the ground.

Stand Out Track: Man Enough

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

Youtube full album

something else Almost Hits

Vancouver Pop Music

all but forgotten oldies

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Second Hand Songs

Last FM

Pop Will Eat Itself - This is the Day...This is the Hour...This is THIS!

Name: Pop Will Eat Itself 
Album: This is the Day...This is the Hour...This is THIS!
Year: 1989
Style: Electronic, Techno, Industrial, Rap
Similar Bands: Sigue Sigue Sputnik, EMF, B.A.D., M/A/R/R/S, Einsturzende Neubauten
"One-Word" Review: Eastern European Industrial Rap
Based Out Of: Stourbridge, England
Label: RCA, BMG

Cover & Record

This is the Day...This is the Hour...This is THIS! (1989)

1. PWEI is a Four Letter Word - 1:12
2. Preaching to the Perverted 4:25
3. Wise Up Sucker 3:16 (single)
4. Sixteen Different Flavours of Hell 1:23
5. Inject Me 3:51
6. Can U Dig It? 4:31 (single)
7. The Fuses Have Been Lit 4:02 /
8. Poison to the Mind 0:57
9. Def Con One 3:59 (single, US #30 Mod Rock)
10. Radio P.W.E.I 3:37
11. Shortwave Transmission on "Up To The Minuteman Nine" 1:01
12. Satellite Ecstatica 3:33
13. Not Now James, We're Busy 3:08
14. Wake Up Time To Die 6:41

Album Rating (1-10): 5.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Flood (Mark Ellis) - Producer, Mixing
• Dave Pine - Engineer & Re-Mix Engineer
• Karl Broadie - Asst. Engineer
• Robin Goodfellow - Engineer
• Mr. X & Mr. Y - Producer
• Mark Dodson - Additional Production
• D. Steele - Producer
• A. Cox - Producer
• Robert Gordon - Producer
• Cenzo Townshend - Engineer
• Frank Booth - Guitar (Situation B)
• Kerry The Buzzard Hammond - Guitar (Yeah God!)
• Twig the Wonder Kid - Backing Vox
• Mastermix - Turntables (Hardnoise, Beatmasters, Cookie Crew)
• DJ Winston (Hazel) - Turntables (Forgemasters, Supafix, The Step, Winston & Ross)
• Vestan Pance - Words & Music Pseudonym for PWEI
• This Is The Designerstar Republica - Sleeve Design, Artwork
• Phil Wolstenholme - Computer Images
• Kevin Cumings - Live Photos
• Craig Jennings - Worldwide Rep
• Paul Boswell -UK Agent
• Ian Copeland - US Agent
• Graham Crabb - Vox Keys (Golden Claw, Wild & Wondering, Je Suis Crabbi, Primitive Race, Vile Evils, Fuzz Townshend)
• Adam Mole - Keys, Programming  (Wild & Wondering, From Eden, Kut Loaf, Vile Evils)
• Richard March - Keys Programming (Wild & Wondering, Bentley Rhythm Ace, Charlatans UK, Wonder Stuff)
• Clint Mansell - Vox, Guitar (Wild & Wondering, From Eden, Buddah Boys Choir, Cerebral Fix, NIN, Lavish, Vile Evils)

Unknown-ness: I have heard of them, but i know not what they are like...from the artwork ( i do like how the initials PWEI make up the 5 "monsters" attacking the biohazard clock in the middle), and mention of BPMS on the back, i imagine some sort of future-techno EDM band, but for some reason, i think they may sound like Nitzer Ebb or Low Pop Suicide or Stabbing Westward...maybe part of the industrial KMFDM / Front 242 genre, which is not a reach from the formerly listed bands. 

Album Review: This one required some research, as the style of music had an origin in the UK and is called Grebo Rock, a subculture and genre, adopted from a slang term for long hair bikers and/or rock music fans in the late 80's. When grunge and brit pop took hold in the early - mid 90's PWEI was shuffled over to the Industrial sub-genre, but they were a posterband for the Grebo niche. Their big trivia bit is that they were the first Western independent band invited to play the Soviet Union in 1988. The songs on this album are similar to the back of the album: a collage of bits and pieces strung together with samples, turntables and beats that bear a strong association with cold, mechanical industrial sounds. Sometimes the vocals have melody, sometimes, they are like an Eastern European cold wave rap. Def Con One uses samples of "Funky Town" and "The Twilight Zone" among a string of other musical borrows. They are still around, as a 2020 tour was planned in NZ, alas, everything was postponed Mar/April to Oct, so maybe?

Stand Out Track: Def Con One

Links:
Wiki

album wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Spotify full album

website

touring NZ 2020 & playing this album in full

twitter

imdb

under the radar

trouser Press

Cherry red records

Philly Cream - s/t

Name: Philly Cream
Album: s/t
Year: 1979
Style: Disco, Funk, Soul
Similar Bands: Village People, Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor
"One-Word" Review: Studio Disco
Based Out Of: Philly
Label: Fantasy WMOT (We Men of Talent) Records

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Philly Cream (1979)

1. Sly-Hi 7:11 (Sly Stone medley) (Single)
2. Motown Review 5:25 (Single)
3. Doin' It to Death 6:00 (James Brow Cover)/
4. Jammin' At the Disco 6:45 (Single)
5. Soul Man 4:13 (Sam & Dave cover) 
6. Join the Army 4:42 (Single B-Side)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Alan Rubens - Exec Producer
• Steve Bernstein - Exec Producer
• Len Barry - Producer,  Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars, Slick, Dovells)
• Bruce Gable - Exec Producer
• Larry James - Producer, Drums, Congas, Percussion, Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars, Fat Larry Band, Slick, Blue Magic, Damon Harris, Sweet Thunder, Archie Bell, Frankie Smith, Major Harris Arthur Prysock)
• Bob Pantano - Asst producer, Creative Force
• Pete DeAngelis - Arrangement
• Butch Ingram - Producer. Arrangement, Bass (Ingram, Slick, Intruders, Stylistics, Ronnie Dyson, Sandy Mercer, Sassafras, Sweet Thunder, Dinosaur L, Galaxxy, Barbara Mason, Odyssey, Loose Joints)
• Jimmy Ingram - Keys, Synth (Ingram, Slick, Stylistics, Galaxxy, Ronnie Dyson, Blue Magic, Barbara Mason, The Moments, Sassafras, David Simmons, Sweet Thunder, Beck Family, Twilight, Dinosaur L, Kevin Anderson, Loose Joints)
• Bud Ellison - Keys (The Champions, Patti Labelle, Damon Harris, Slick)
• Ronnie James - Guitar (Slick, Mike Pedicin Jr, Salsoul Orch, Ice, Louis Prima, Nemo, Yvonne Gray, Archie Bell & Drells, Evelyn Champagne King, Charto, Michele, Barbara Mason, Bunny Sigler, Ray Simpson, Arthur Prysock, Montana, Stanley Turrentine, Karen Cheryl, Montana, Bonnie Boyer, Fania All Stars, Prince Phillip Mitchell, Jones Girls, Flower, John Davis & The Monster Orch, Rory Block, George Bussey Experience, Kat Mandu, Mizz, Strange Affair, Richie Rome, Sal Barbieri, Ultimate, Voggue, Montana Sextet, Karen Young, Tangerue, Nuyorican Soul, Nino Ferrer, Cornell Dupree)
• Billy Ingram - Guitar (Ingram, Slick, Galaxxy, Blue Magic, Barbara Mason, Sassafras, FLB, Dinoasur L, Loose Joints)
• Ronnie Smith - Guitar (Boney Fields & the Bones Project, Maze, Frankie Beverly, Rhythm Logic, Bernard Allison, George Thorogood, Funkiss, Slick, Patti Labelle, Wrabit, George Howard, Tiggi Clay, Don-D, Enemy Squad, Bones Project, Chelsea, Darin Talbot, Lige Curry, Paul Taylor, Steve Boyd, Wavelength, Anna Maria Flechero)
• Rudy Alexander - Bass (Sweet Thunder) 
• Michael Forman - Bass (John Davis & The Monster Orch, MFSB, Salsoul Orch, Dee Dee Sharp, Revelation, Blue Magic, Whispers, Liz Dargan & Gospelettes, Eddie Kendricks, Impact, Arthur Prysock, First Choice, Don Covay, Trammps, Touch of Class, Persuaders, Jimmy Briscoe & the Beaver, Benny Golson, Eli's Second Coming, Tymes, Billy Paul, Phyllis Hyman, Harold Melvin & Blue Notes, Keith Barrow, Archie Bell & Drells, Lou Rawls, Dells, Temptations, Lifestyle, Charo, Joneses, O'Jays, Pegasus, The Jacksons, Teddy Pendergrass, Stylistics, The Futures, Jean Carn, Colleen Heather, East Coast, OC Smith, Vaughan Mason, Major Harris, Philly Groove Orch, Montana)
• Larry LaBes - Bass (Fat Larry Band, Blue Magic, Impact, Damon Harris, Carol Lloyd, Slick, Ultimate, Major Harris, Frankie Smith, Ultimate)
• Jimmy Wilson - Bass
• Jerry Jones - Drums (Brenda & The Tabulations, Automatix, The Dramtics, Impact, Blue Magic, Jeannie Reynolds, Johnnie Taylor, Michael Henderson, Keith Barrow, Ruby Andrews, Wilson Williams, Livin' Proof, Dennis Coffey Band, Detroit Emeralds, Dee Edwards, Five Special, Spinners, Hott City, David Ruffin, Mike Theodore Orch, Carlis Munro, Ronn matlock, Brides of Funkenstein, Enchantment, Rance Allen, Sweat Band, Philippe Wynne, Bootsy, Was (Not Was), LJ Reynolds, Donna Washington, Temptations, Sweet Pea Atkinson, George Clinton, P-Funk Allstars, Ron Banks, Carol Anderson, David Dee, Barret Strong, Ronnie McNeir, Marlena Shaw)
• John Ingram - Drums (Ingram, Slick, MFSB, Champions, David Simmons, Stylistics, Patti Labelle, blue Magic, Ronnie Dyson, Barbara Mason, DeJuanna, Funk Bros, Ben Harper, Softones, Karen Cheyl, Sassafras, Sandy Mercer, Prince Phillip Mitchell, Beck Family, Strange Affair, Dinosaur L, Galaxxy, Tangerue,Loose Joint)
• Keith Benson - Drums (MFSB, Funk Bros, Impact, Teddy Pendergrass, Melba Moore, Archie Bell & Drells, Michele, Temptations, First Choice, Barbara Mason, David Christie, Double Exposure, Joe Simon, Tom N Jerry's Rockets, CJ & Co, Four Tops, Montana, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Henderson, Love Committee, Grace Jones, Salsoul Orch, Robert Palmer, MC Lane Explosion, Charo, Kebekeleltrik, Jean Carn, Michael Pedicin, Billy Paul, Jackie Moore, Loose Change, McFadden & Whitehead, Rory Block, Trammps, TJM, Edgar Winter, Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, Patryce Choc'let Banks, Loleatta Holloway, Swamp Dogg, Ira Watson, Joey Negro)
• Larry Jones - Syndrum (Bobby Boyd Congress, ice, Lafayette Afro Rock Band, Napoleon Jones, Nino Ferrer, Bad Child, Michele, Leroy Gomez, Chantal Curtis, Otis Rush, Crispy & Co)
• Timmy Ingram - Congas, Percussion (Ingram, Slick, Barbara Mason, Sandy Mercer, Softones, David Simmons, Sweet Thunder, Beck Family, Stylistics, Dinosaur L, Galaxxy, Loose Joints)
• Robert Changor - Congas, Percussion (Impact)
• Miguel Fuentez - Congas, Percussion (Damon Harris, Dexter Wansel, Tangerue, Patti Labelle, Ultimate, Freddie James, France Joli, UN, Flower, Nightlife Unlimited, Phil Hurtt, Jones Girls, Strange Affair, Jerry Butler, Stylistics, Plastic Surprise, Geraldine Hunt, Leon Huff, Kat Mandu, African Suite, MFSB, Michael Henderson, Slick, Keni Burke, Hi-Gloss, Norwood B, Peter Allen, Haze Greenfield, Willie Williams, Grover Washington JR, Kantuta, Emma Paki, Teremoana Rapley, Nathan Haines, Jaz Coleman & NZ String Quarter, Wentworth-Brewster, Mark De Clive, King Britt, Gianmarco Liguori, Whirimako Black, Sola Rosa, Kim Paterson, Kevin Field)
• Larry Washington - Congas, Percussion (Anglo Saxon brown, Black Light Orch, Eddie Drennon & The BBS, Unlimited, John Davis & The Monster Orch, MFSB, Salsoul Orch, more)
• Terrence Floyd - Congas, Percussion (FLB, Shalamar, Evelyn Champagne King, Tavares, Krysto., Rockie Robbins, Dynasty, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Glenn Jones, 
• Sweet Thunder (band) - Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars)
• FLB (band) - Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars)
• David Simmons - Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars, Neo Experience, John Minnis Big Bone Band, Sister Sledge, Damaris, Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox)
• Damon Harris - Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars, Impact, Temptations, Young Vandals, Rose Royce)
• Breeze / Brandi Wells - Lead Vox (WMOT All Stars, FLB, Slick, Stroke)
• Mike Pedicin Jr - Sax Solos (Salsoul Orch, Charo, Sweet Thunder, Arthur Prysock, Asha, Karen Young, Montana, Loose Change, FLB, Geraldine Hunt, OC Smith, Jerry Butler, Sal Barbieri & Royal Co, Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, Patti Labelle, Spyyce, Ed Vezinho, Jim Ward, Funk Bros, Cintron)
• Don Renaldo - Strings, Horns (MFSB, Gamble & Huff, Salsoul Orch, Don Renaldo, John David & Monster Orch, Delphonics, Barbara Mason, Stylistics, Billy Paul, Grady Tate, Charles Mann, Spinners, First Choice, Manhattans, Dick Jensen, Ecstacy Passion & Pain, Persuaders, William DeVaughn, Major Harris, BB King, Modulations, Blue Magic, Gwen & Bruce, Eddie Kendricks, Universe City, Loleatta Holloway, Double Exposure, Arthur Prysock, Carol Williams, Ritchie Family, Eddie Drennon & BSS Unlimited, Chi-Lites, Johnny Mathis, Harold Melvin & Blue Notes, Lou Rawls, Archie Bell & Drells, Grace Jones, Charo, Eddie Holman, Matropolis, Ellen Mcllwaine, Gary Criss, Jerry Butler, Montana, Dexter Wansel, Silver Convention, Trammps, Karen Young, Love Committee, Futures, Gabriel, Ruth Waters, Jean Carn, Jones Girls, Bonnie Boyer, Cindy & Roy, Jackie Moore, CHuck Brown & Soul Searchers, McFadden & Whitehead, Fania All Atars, Strange Affair, OC Smith, Mizz, Sal Barbieri & the Royal Co, Kat Mandu, Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, Deniece Williams, Cashmere, Flower, Three Degrees, Laura Nyro, O'Jays)
• Gene Leone - Engineer
• Fred Galletti - Engingeer
• Frank Bernardini - Asst Engineer
• Jerry Williamson - Asst Engineer
• Michael Bonghi - Asst Engineer
• Al Albertini - Asst Engineer
• Phil Carroll - Art Direction
• Dennis Gassner- Design
• Phil Bray - Photography

Unknown-ness: The album has a generic cover, but the back photo of the ensemble is more telling. Just knowing a little about Philly's music history and the date of this album, I assume it is going to be well-studied disco, almost a supergroup of talented musicians brought together to show off their talents together.

Album Review: So this is a combo of two groups, so a disco supergroup would be accurate: Ingram (a family band) and Fat Larry's Band (previously reviewed). There are a lot of layers to these songs, and minute extentions to related generes aside from disco...they tap into Funk with a James Brown cover and a Sly Stone medly. And R&B Soul with their cover of Soul Man- and that's half the album right there. Motown Review is a time capsule of changing times of the mid to late 70's, a little embarrassing at times with it's specific recollections (swapping Jeans for Dungarees), but it is a fun, good song down to its melodic core. Join the Army is a silly disco advert for the army, complete with marching drum beat and shouty section as if a major is commanding the listener to enlist. There is not a lot of easily found info about the band, mostly because of the name's poor SEO quality (Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and Cream playing Philly seem to populate more often). 

Stand Out Track: Motown Review

Links:

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WMOT Wiki

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Allmusic

mentioned on Ingram's Soulwalking page

Slick bio

Phantom, Rocker & Slick - s/t

Name: Phantom, Rocker & Slick
Album: s/t
Year: 1985
Style: Rockabilly, Arena Rock, Pub Rock
Similar Bands: Love & Rockets, Primal Scream, INXS, Wolfgang Press, Cramps, Blasters, Gin Blossoms
"One-Word" Review: Dirty Grimy Small-Time Arena Rock.
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: EMI, Capitol

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Phantom, Rocker & Slick (1985)

1. What You Want 4:28 (single)
2. My Mistake 3:20 (single)
3. Hollywood Distractions 4:18
4. No Regrets 4:01
5. Well Kept Secret 4:17 /
6. Men Without Shame 6:20 (single)
7. Runnin' From the Hounds 3:50
8. Time Is On My Hands 3:27
9. Sing For Your Supper 4:10
10. Lonely Actions 3:37

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Steve Thompson - Producer
• Michael Barbiero - Producer, Engineer
• Peter Doell - Asst Engineer
• Alex Haas - Asst Engineer
• Bob Ludwig - Mastering
• Slim Jim Phantom (James McDonnell) - Drums, Vox (Stray Cats, Drain Bramaged, Dead Men Walking, The Head Cat, 13cats, Bill Wyman, Carl Perkins, Steve Salas, Peter Golding, Brian Setzer, Conny, Gilby Clarke, Ramones, Levi Dexter, Micke Finell, Katmen, Glen Matlock, Swing Cats)
• Lee Rocker - Vox, Bass (Stray Cats, Los Rebeldes, Mystery Train, Michael Ubaldini, Carl Perkins, Dave Edmunds, Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Ringo Starr, Swing Cats, Wanda Jackson, Micke Finell, Rich Shapiro)
• Earl Slick - Guitars, Vox (David Bowie, John Lennon, Silver Condor, Dirty White Boy, Little Caesar, New York Dolls, Yardbirds, Sleepy People, Tracks, Leo Sayer, Ian Hunter, Tonio K, Carmen Maki, Danny Spanos, Peter Mclan, Yoko Ono, Tim Curry, Graham Brazier, Jimmy Destri, Lisa Bade, Billy Thorpe, John Waite, Strange Advance, Belouis Some, Jim Diamond, Randy Bishop, Bill Bergman, Jacques Dutronc, James Freud, Junkyard, Joe Cocker, Henry Lee Summer, Tomohisa Kawazoe, Doro, David Coverdale, Joey McIntyre, Box of Frogs, Mick Jagger, Chris Catena, Janice Grace, Billie Rainbird, Anik Jean, Sarah Fimm, Dean Batstone, Game Theory, Jerry Gaskill, Lisa Ronson, Glen Matlock, Whitesnake, Rooftop Screamers, Carmine Appice)
• Keith Richards - Guitar (Rolling Stones, Blues Incorporated, X-Pensive Winos, Little Boy Blue & Blue Boys, Nanker Phelge, Dirty Mac, First Barbarians, Glimmer Twins, lots of credits )
• Nicky Hopkins - Piano (Rolling Stones, Kinks, The Who, Cliff Bennett & Rebel Rousers, Climax Blues Band, Cyril Davies, Jeff Beck, Lord Sutch & Heavy Friends, Neil Christian & Crusaders, Night, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Soul Survivor, Sweet Thursday, Terry & the Pirates, Immediate All-Stars, Jerry Garcia Band, The Sessions credits)
• Carlos Alomar - Vox (Bowie, Listen My Brother, The Band, Harlem Experiment, Iggy Pop, Patti Labelle, Yoko Ono, John Lennon, Simple Minds, Belouis Some, Soda Stereo, Cousin Ice, hen-Gee & Evil E, Raphael, Kenny Barron, ben E King, Luther, Jimmy Owens, Imperials, Jimmi Destri, Innocence in Danger, Ayuo Takahashi, Debbie Harry, Arcadia, Robin Clark, Pretenders, Yukihior Takahashi, Paul King, Julia Fordham, Fabio Concato, Julien Cierc, Debbie Gibson, Jellybean, Yukiko Ito, Cyndi Lauper, Bee Gees, FUN, Kurtis Mantronik, Tin Machine, Prefab Sprout, David Morales, Raphael, Scissor Sisters, Scott Chasolen, Alicia Keys, Brandon Flowers, Mark Ronson, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Carly Simon, Jennifer Rush)
• Diva Gray - Vox (Change, Chic, Lemon, Harlettes, Roy Buchanan, Love Symphony Orch, Teresa Wiater, T.Life, David Spinozza, Major Harris, Phyllis Hyman, Joe Thomas, Meco, James Montgomery, Ray Barretto, Atlantic Family, Jimmy Ponder, Garland Jeffreys, Sambu Soul, Gregg Diamond, Norma Jean, Richard T. Bear, Kiss, Ramona brooks, Duke Jupiter, Euclid Beach Band, Felix Cavaliere, Samantha Sand, Kikio, Roundtree, NYC band, Spyro Gyrsa, B.Baker Chocolate Co, Gotham, Markena Shaw, Toru Oki Blues Band, Herbie Mann, Paul Evans, Bette Midler, Wilbert Longmire, Sister Sledge, John Tropea, Ray Gomez, Cousin Ice, Rhetta Hughes, Wilbert Longmire, George Benson, Marshall Tucker Band, Steely Dan, Leon Bryant, David Sanborn, Silence, High Fashion, Roberta Flack, Weather Girls, Junior, Marcus Miller, Damaris, Peabo Bryson, Talking Heads, Paul Habara, Brian Setzer, David Bowie, Steps Ahead, Ann Anello, Ronnie Spector, Cindy Valentine, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Scritti Politti, Myleka, Jorn Hoel, Linda Eder, Andreas Vollenweider, Charlie Sexton, Grace Jones, Natasha's Brother, Julien Clerc, Maggie's Dream, Hen-Gee & Evil-E, Debbie Gibson, Judy Collins, Marc Cohn, Tony Verderosa, Dr, John, John Tropea, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Spin Doctors, BB King, Patricia Kiss, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion, Horii Katsumi, Elton John, Jewel, Natalie Cole, Herbie Mann, Janis Siegel, Marilyn, R,. Kelly, Elaine Elias, Kiss, Joe Lynn Turner, Surtek Collective, Jennifer Rush)
• Robin Clark - Vox (Chic, Don Cooper, Danny Cox, Robin Kenyatta, Esther Phillips, Gary Glitter, Linda Lewis, David Bowie, Roger Moon, Peabo Bryson, Roy Buchanan, Brecker Bros band, Average White Band, Ringo Starr, Atlantic Family, Bette Midler, Tommy James, Leon Bryant, Firefly, Melba Moore, Change, Garland Jeffreys, Silence, High Fashion, Irene Cara, France Joli, Fonzi Thornton, Weather Girls, Luther Vandross, Melissa Manchester, George Benson, Innocence in Danger, Teddy Pendergrass, Marcus Miller, Belouis Some, Simple Minds, Masayoshi Takanaka, Ben E King, Aztec Camera, Julia Fordham, Sheena Easton, Charlie Sexton, Linda Eder, D'Atra Kicks, Lou Gramm, James Freud, Michael Bolton, India, Debbie Gibson, Hen-Gee & Evil E, Jellybean, Toshinobu Kubota, Grayson Hugh, Billy Squire, Jon Lucien, Al Green, Foreigner, David Lee Roth, Repercussions, Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler, BeBe Winans, Veronica, Earl Slick, New Rising Sons, Natalie Cole, Kathy Troccoli, Full Moon, Laura Nyro, David Morales, Scissor Sisters, Frankie Valli, Leona Lewis, Jennifer Rush)
• Dave LeBolt - Strings (Spy, Billy Joel, David Bowie, Itamar, Richie Havens, Steve Hackett, Citi, Bonnie Tyler, Martin Briley, Julian Lennon, Foreigner, Stevie Nicks, Aldo Nova, Carly Simon, Belouis Some, Power Station, Aretha Franklin, Cutting Crew, Chris Spedding, Alphaville, Chaka Khan, Karen Kamon, David Van Tieghem, Eddie Rabbit, Sheena Easton, D'Atra Hicks, Laurie Anderson, Tom Kimmel, Beggars &Thieves, Dionne Warwick, Donny Osmond, Roberta Flack, Sinead O'Connor, Peter Noone, Expose, Turtle Island String, Paul McCartney, Braids, Steve Hackett, Jennifer Rush)
• Jim Maelen - Percussion Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, Alice Cooper, John Lennon, The Jacksons, Talking Heads, The Velons, Ambergirls, Doobie Brothers, Shobizz, Hollywood Vampires, Latin Dimension more)
• Glenn Palmer - Wardrobe
• Rich Modica - Guitar Tech
• The Block - Band Assistant
• Eric Gardner - Mgmt
• Henry Marquez - Art Direction
• Gavin Cochrane - Photography
• Tom Nikosey - Logo Art

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, or these three artists based on their names. They are an interesting looking bunch, spanning the artistic look from Rockabilly to Punk to Glam to Goth to Powerpop. Looking at them, i expect the music to be something like Poison, to be honest. They look older, so this may be a supergroup of seasoned musicians I just don't know about. But i do know one thing, the fonts chosen for their name on the sleeve and back look awful, like horrendous clip art..although 1985 did not have computer clip art, so maybe they paved they way for what is terrible-looking now.

Album Review: The music is part sleazy arena rock and part hard country rock, but not necessarily rockabilly. maybe a good comparison would be if the Rolling Stones and INXS cross-bred and left the baby to a rich family in the American mid-west. The band was a result of The Stray Cats breaking up, as Phantom & Rocker were both Cats. Slick had been a guitarist for both Bowie and Lennon. On top of that pedigree, Keith Richards plays guitar on the track "My Mistake" and Nicky Hopkins (Who, Kinks, Stones) plays piano on 2 tracks. They only had 2 albums, this one doing well, but the second, Cover Girl, failing.

Stand Out Track: Hollywood Distractions 

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Spotify full album

wolfgangs

Spirit of Nine

altopedia

rue morgue Tomb's Jukebox

many fantastic colors

Pezband - s/t

Name: Pezband
Album: s/t
Year: 1977
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Squeeze, Cheap Trick, Badfinger, The Records, Fountains of Wayne, Shoes, Beatles, Raspberries
"One-Word" Review: Sleek hook filled catchy pop
Based Out Of: Oak Park, IL
Label: Passport Records, ABC records, 

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Pezband (1977)

1. Baby It's Cold Outside 2:49
2. Tracer 2:51
3. Princess Mary 2:25
4. Runaway 3:45
5. Gas Grill 2:33
6. When I'm Down 2:02
7. It's Only a Girl 1:56 /
8. Please Be Somewhere Tonight 3:04
9. Let's Dance! 2:34
10. It Was Alright 2:30
11. Hold On 2:58
12. Close your Eyes 5:33

Album Rating (1-10): 9.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Mick Rain - Drums, Percussion, Vox
• Mike Gorman - Bass, Vox (Black & Blonde, Off Broadway, EIEIO, The Kraze, Second Sufis, Boy George, Matt Bennett )
• Tommy Gauvenda - Guitars (Tamo Show, Claire, Siren, 
• Mimi Betinis - Lead Vox, Guitar, Piano (Black & Blonde, Off Broadway, Studebaker John & the Hawks, )
• Stephan Galfas - Producer, Engineer
• Peter Sobel - Production Coordinator
• Jim Bonnefond - Asst. Engineer
• Joe Intile III - Asst. Engineer
• Charles Conrad - Asst. Engineer
• Cliff Hodson - Asst. Engineer
• George Marino - Mastering
• Clarence Clemmons - Sax (E-Street Band, Artists United Agaist Apartheid, Red Bank Rockers, Bruce Springsteen, Jersey Arts for Mankind, Ringo Starr & All Starr Band, Steve Smith & the Nakeds, Temple of Soul, Browns All-Star Band, Louisiana Gator Boys, more)
• John Payne - Sax (Louis Levin, Van Morrison, Milkwood, Bonnie Raitt, The Siegel Schwall Band, Andy Pratt, Fanny, Niki Aukema, Water Into Wine Band, Travis Shook & the Club Wow, Johnny Shines, David Bromberg, Tom Mitchell, Don Ebbett, Martha Velez, Rosalie Sorrels, Peter C Johnson, Tom Church, Noel Paul Stookey, Martin Gross Wendt, Robert Ellis Orrall, Bill Quateman, Halleluja the Hills, Canned Boogers)
• Randy Brecker - Trumpet  (Andy LaVerne, Art Blakey, Black Light Orch, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bob Mintzer, Child is Father to the Men, Chroma, CTI All Stars, Dalia Faitelson, Das Pferd, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Groinick, Duke Pearson, Farberius, GRP All Stars, Hal Galper, Harlem River Drive, Jaco Pastorius, Kerry Strayer, Loren Schoenberg, Man Doki Soulmates, Marc Copland, Mike Mainieri, Milky Way, Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, NY All Stars, Pond Life, Renolds Jazz Orch, Roif Kuhn, Ron McClure, Brecker BrosDavid Liebman, Domenic Troiano, Eleventh House, Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, George Gruntz, Horace Silver,  Jack Wilkins, Jamie Baum, Jazz Composers Orch, White Elephant, Woody Witt so much more)
• Alan Rubin - Trumpet (Black Light Orch, Newport Youth Band, Blues Brothers Band, Mike Gibbs, RCO All-Stars, SNL Band, The Tick Horns, Blood Sweat & Tears, Fat City, Duke Ellington, more)
• Larry Fast - Synth  (Synergy, Fire INC., Tony Levin Band, Deodato, Sylvia, Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Stephen Dees, Martha Velez, Nektar, Intergalactic Touring Band, Peter Gabriel, Stormin' Norman & Suzy, Odyssey, American Standard Band, Tommy James, Hall & Oats, Kate Bush, Boz Scaggs, Meatloaf, Foreigner, Air Supply, John Denver, Bonnie TylerJoan Armatrading, Barbara Streisand, Rick Springfield, Serge Gainsbourg  more)
• Jay Warneke - Road Crew
• Jeff Roeschlein - Road Crew
• John Gillespie - Art Direction
• William Sosin - Photography
• Guido Scarato - Design
• Omega Graphics - Design
• Michael J Lembo - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but from the logo in broadway lights, i'm guessing they are a little show-tuney or at least theatrical..or perhaps glam rock, even if their band image just looks like a straight forward 70's AOR or power pop band. Upon closer look, the band photo on the cover looks "photoshopped: "the member on the far right is not as Vaseline blurred as the rest of the band...and his image is upside down on the back, which might be on purpose, too...perhaps he was hired after the production was completed, and is pasted over an ex-member.

Album Review: The album is straight up guitar & harmony powerpop- and with a start in 1971, Pezband was one of the first ever bands to be marketed as powerpop. The vocals sound somewhere between the Beatles and Squeeze (esp Let's Dance!): two great bookends. The songs are well structured, simple, catchy and infectious. Its very difficult to pick a stand out track as they all have similarly impressive hooks. They truly were one of the amazingly productive and astonishing bands that should have been much bigger than they were, most likely victims to the time: disco and punk, and being on a struggling soon-to-be bankrupt independent record label that was hemorrhaging $$$ and had no financial system in place to promote the band. At the same time, other bands like Cheap Trick were filling the holes where they would have also fit. And with a killer live act underrepresented on  record, audiences didn't have the awareness needed to make the band a household name. All three of their albums have recently been released on CD (Air Mail Recordings / Not Lame), remastered and remixed their third, Cover to Cover last year (2019). And fun fact, Pezband has no actual meaning aside from the candy: singer Betinis just liked the way the letters looked together artistically.

Stand Out Track: Gas Grill, Please Be Somewhere Tonight

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

youtube full album

website

Culture Sonar

2019 remixed album NJ Arts

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powerpopaholic

light in the attic reissue

rate your music

larry lange best band never heard of

1995 CHicago Tribune article

Pet Clams (the) - s/t

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

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Pet Clams (1981)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: Suicide Note

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radio indy

Panther - 14 kt. God

Name: Panther
Album: 14 kt. God
Year: 2008
Style: Indie, Alternative, Math Rock
Similar Bands: Man Man, Polyphonic Spree, Walkmen, Battles, Yacht, !!!
"One-Word" Review: Lighthearted Nuanced Kitchen Sink Lo-Fi 
Based Out Of: Portland, OR
Label: Marriage Records

Cover, Liner Insert, Record

Back, Record

14 kt. God (2008)

1. Puerto Rican Jukebox 3:02
2. Her Past Are the Trees 2:25
3. Decisions, Decisions 2:21
4. On The Lam 2:25
5. Violence, Diamonds 2:14
6. These Two Trees 2:47 /
7. Worn Moments 2:03
8. Glamorous War 2:26
9. Take Yr Cane 2:13
10. Beautiful Condo 3:09
11. 14 Kt. God 3:00
12. Total Sexy Church 3:59
13. What You Hear 2:58

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Charles Byron Salas-Humara - Vox, Cello, Guitar, Recording (Regular Music, Sun Angle, Grapefruit, The Planet The, Escare, The Silos, Walter Salas-Humana )
• Joe Faustin Kelly - Percussion, Drums, Recording (31 Knots, Pseudosix)
• Molly Griffith-Blanchard - Cello (Birch Book)
• Caroline Buchalter - Viola (Spooky Dance Band, Kristin Hersh, Caethua)
• Christina Files - Mixing
• Ben Parrish - Layout

Unknown-ness: Although I may have heard of this band, from actively going to shows in the early 00's, i have no idea what they sound like. From the record label, i know this is an indie release. From the artwork and name, it seems if it will be a little mystical, or organic in nature...perhaps a little tribal.

Album Review: Panther is basically a duo on this record, but was originally just Salas-Humara's project. Adding in permanent drummer, they create layered sounds and songs that feel bigger than the sum of their parts. But still there is a very math rock, lo fi quality about the songs, and they've layered in kitchen-sink effects to support the driving, calculated beats and melodies. "Violence, Diamonds" is by far the most accessible track, and it is a good one & their chosen single. Although he (as Panther)/they have not released anything in 11 years officially, they were set to open for a reunited Gossip in June'20.

Stand Out Track: Puerto Rican Jukebox, Violence, Diamonds

Links:

Bandcamp album page

Discogs

Allmusic

Kill Rock Stars

2020 cancelled show

needle drop

2008 Interview- Stranger

2008 Interview Washington Post

Private Lines - Trouble in School

Name: Private Lines
Album: Trouble In School
Year:1980
Style: Power Pop, Prog
Similar Bands: Journey, Supertramp, Kansas, Buggles
"One-Word" Review: Small Arena Power Rock
Based Out Of: New Jersey
Label: Passport Records, Jem

 Cover & Record

Record & Back

Trouble In School (1980)

1. Bat an Eye 4:09
2. I Need to Know Tonight 3:27
3. Why Am I Always Waiting 4:05
4. How Long 4:23
5. Since I Found Your Love 4:55 / 
6. Young & Sexy 3:43
7. Trouble In School 3:09
8. Why Can't I Be More Like You 5:34
9. Think Of Me 5:57

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Pete Sobel - Producer, Bass, Backing Vox, Engineer, Mixing (Intergalactic Touring Band, Martha Velez, Synergy, Strawbs)
• Ryche Chlander - Writer & Arranger, Guitars, Vox, Mixing (Renaissance, Nektar, Fireballet, Intergalactic Touring Band, Dunn Pearson Jr, Milira, Circuline)
• Dave Street - Writer & Arranger (The Undead)
• Bill Pankow - Keys, Guitar, Moog, Claviner
• Spike Biglin - Bass (Fireballet)
• Johnny Hawk McLaughlin - Drums, Backing Vox
• Steve Barth - Vox (Intergalactic Touring Band, Nektar)
• Claire Lawrence - Sax (Collectors, Chilliwack, Hometown Band, Classics, Valdy, Bim, Minglewood band, Shari Ulrich, Silverlode, Connie Kaldor, Idle Eyes, Cam Molloy)
• Dave Slagter - Synth, Engineer, Mixing (Payola$, Doug & the Slugs, Morgan Cryer)
• Bob Rock - Asst. Engineer
• Pat Glover - Asst. Engineer
• John Vrtacic - Master of Maintenance
• Jack Skinner - Mastering
• Murray Brenman - Art Direction
• Len Kaitman - Photograhy
• Wayne Herndon - Hair
• Isabel Collazo - Make-Up
• Iris Faith Sekoff - Stylist
• Rebecca Brenson - Zoli Model
• Jennifer Carr - Zoli Model
• Sue Jackson - Zoli Model
• Dik Fraser- Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but based on the cover and back, they definitely think of themselves as ladies men, but I see them as a small town band playing to hometown class reunions and high school football games. I still guess it will be pub rock or power pop.

Album Review: Even though they are a Jersey band, the middle America vibe is strong with this one, as the songs are set for arena rock if the arena is a local VFW or friend's wedding. They do explore some extra curricular instruments like synth sounds and smooth harmonies, but at their root, they are a power-pop band sounding like Journey or Kansas.

Stand Out Track: Trouble In School

Links:
Discogs
Allmusic
La Bible de la Westcoast Music
Glory Daze Music
AOR Night Drive

Private Lightning - s/t

Name: Private Lightning
Album: s/t
Year: 1980
Style: New Wave Power Pop, Arena Rock
Similar Bands: Airwaves, Journey, Europe, Cars
"One-Word" Review: Underdog Arena Rock
Based Out Of: Boston, MA
Label: A&M Records

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

Private Lightning (1980)

1. Physical Speed 4:42
2. Song of the Kite 5:00
3. Thriller 3:45
4. Cultists of True Fun 3:38 /
5. Heartbeat 3:33
6. Bright City 3:57
7. Side of the Angels 4:56
8. When You're Laughing 4:14

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Paul Van Ness - Writer, Guitar
• Robin Geoffrey Cable - Producer & Engineer
• Steve Keith - Bass
• Patty Van Ness - Violin
• Adam Sherman - Vox, Logo Lettering
• Eric Kaufman - Keys
• Scott Woodman - Drums
• Jon Walls - Second Engineer
• Fred Heller - Mgmt
• Barbara Spiegel - Director
• Chuck Beeson - Art Direction & Design
• Jim McCrary - Cover Photo
• Chris Callis - Group Photo

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Private Lightning, but it looks like a million other power pop new wave bands. The heartbeat looking line across the front and back of the album, the black band uniform and dated haircuts all seem to note that they are a tight power pop band taking advantage of New Wave's push. 

Album Review: As theorized, they sound like every other harmonized power pop band from the 80's. There are bits of uniqueness, like when the violin spotlights the backing melody on Bright City, and the some lyrics are quite poetic. It seems they had a very positive appreciation around the Boston area, as many of the things written about them are nostalgic, and report of their live show being much  better than the record. Furthermore, there is evidence that their record was toned down compared to their rough cut, which was closer to their true nature.

Stand Out Track: Bright City

Links:
Renaissance Records
Discogs
Allmusic
Facebook
Robots for Ronnie
Sued51 - Fans History of 80s Boston Bands
Revmem's blog
Youtube listing

Proof (the) - It's Safe

Name: The Proof
Album: It's Safe
Year: 1980
Style: New Wave
Similar Bands: Squeeze, Hawks, Cars
"One-Word" Review: Catchy Squeeze-like New Wave
Based Out Of: New Jersey
Label: Nemperor Records, CBS Records

 Cover & Record

Record & Back

It's Safe (1980)

1. Stay Sixteen 3:39
2. First Rate 3:22
3. I Would Be There 3:07
4. I Won't Give an Inch 3:14
5. I Want You 2:08
6. It's Safe 2:30 /
7. No Answers 4:14
8. Crazy Nites 3:05
9. Hello 3:50
10. That's That 2:04
11. Love in a Hurry 2:07
12. Does it Show 3:00

Album Rating (1-10): 9.0

Members & Other Bands:

• John Leckie - Producer, Engineer 
• Tom Cohen - Lead Vox, Guitar (Private Sector, Dave LaRue, Minas, Ben Schachter)
• Michael Hommel - Bass, Vox (Private Sector)
• Michael Newman - Guitar, Vox 
• Jeff Cohen - Drums (Private Sector)
• Jeff Hendrickson - Asst. Engineer
• Greg Calbi - Mastering
• Siggy - Crew
• Chuck - Crew
• Bozo - Crew
• Michael Batlan - Mgmt
• Debbie Schwartz - Mgmt
• Janet Perr - Art Direction
• Robert Lewis - Photography
• Kit Grover - Set Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Love the angles of the title and band name, as well as the entire set on the cover. Solid color scheme too: bright & lively. Based on the band photo on the back, they look like a bunch of average dudes. I'm guessing its some sort of New Wave.

Album Review: From start to finish, this is a fun album full of power pop guitar hooks and on updated driving oldies sound. A lot of the elements they use, including the vocals, remind me a lot of Squeeze, though not quite as hook laden. They are a Jersey band who only had this album and an unreleased 4 track ep, produced by one of Bowie's Spiders from Mars, Mick Ronson. After this band's demise, three of the four went on to form a band caled Private Sector, which apparently had a good local run playing at venues 'down the shore.

Stand Out Track: Stay Sixteen,  I Want You

Links:
Willfully Obscure
Gearsluts Q&A
Facebook
Amazon reviews
Discogs