Yah Mos Def (The) - Plays Ugly for Suckers EP

Name: Yah Mos Def (The) 
Album: Plays Ugly for Suckers EP
Year: 2005
Style: Rap-Rock
Similar Bands: Armalite, Low Budgets, Beastie Boys, Suburban Hoodz, Zebrahead
"One-Word" Review:
Based Out Of: Philadelphia
Label: N/A

Cover, Back, CD Back, CD

Lyrics

Plays Ugly for Suckers EP (2005)

1. New Direction 2:52
2. Global Liberation Army 2:02
3. I'm Gonna Be Under Your Bed 2:38
4. Jive Like Jehu 2:29
5. Scoty Biebin Owes Me Money 3:36

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Distro (Rick Mitchell) - Vox,  (The Clocks, S Prcess, Capital Action)
• xB.Aewsomex (Brian Poerner) - Vox (Hour of the Star, Track Star Records, 
• Joey Sweeney - Photo
• Mr Mike Robinson (King God) - Production
• Pink Skull - Production
• Krash - Recording, Mastering (Krash Is King Shit)

Unknown-ness: I had seen the band's name around the Philly scene for Khyber (picture was from there) or North Star Bar shows back in the early-mid 00's but never saw them. So picked this up at AKA records for a dollar to see what I was missing, but never even put this in to listen to. So not sure, but i imagine it will be some interesting high intensity synth collages, jokey stuff, and maybe an indie take on hip-hop, as the name hints.

Album Review: The Philly duo loves their classic punk and in this outfit, lays rap vocals, many Philly-centric, over the well worn tracks. Then persuaded to change their name from the rapper with the same name, YMD began with one album in 2008. This EP precedes it. The duo reunited in 2014, too. And recently, Brian Poerner became the CEO of North American's Diadaro market (Feb'24).

Included in the local lyrics added are Mike Schmidt, Killtime, Bryn Mawr, (Joey) Sweeney and all the neighborhoods as well as some dated lyrics about The Wire and borrowed lines from Ween and Bikini Kill. The dual lyricists do call back to the Beastie Boys with their different intensities, pitches and rhyme styles. And as advertised, the rapid fire lyrics overtop guitar loops work as well as any synth sample.

Stand Out Track: Jive Like Jehu

Links:

Discogs

Bandcamp

rateyourmusic

last.fm

Apple Music

XPN Reunite

Comedy Minus One

Poerner: NA pres of Diadora

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

Vomit Launch - Dogeared

Name: Vomit Launch
Album: Dogeared
Year: 1992
Style: Punk, Indie, Jangle Rock
Similar Bands: L7, 4 Non Blondes, Popguns, Happy Family, Co-Ed, Taulah Gosh, Heavenly, Beat Happening
"One-Word" Review: Bite-Free Jangley Folk-Punk
Based Out Of: Chico, CA
Label: Teen Beat, Mad Rover Records

Cover, Back

Liner Notes, CD Back, CD

Dogeared (1992)

1. Hence the Box 2:57
2. Smokebreak 3:21
3. Story of My Life 3:15
4. Smile 2:50
5. Old Peculiar 3:40
6. Curl Up and Dye 5:22
7. Unsafe With Fewer Drinks 4:29
8. Oh, That One 3:48
9. Spinach 3:25
10. Virtual Oblivion 3:09
11. Flies 4:27
12. All Fouled Up 3:05
13. Harry Monk in the Boatrace 0:50
14. Stillness 4:48

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Lawrence Crane - Bass, Guitar (Chucklehead, Elephant Factory, Idler Arms, Sunbirds, Chris Eckman, Welcome, Sleater-Kinney, Christine Darling's All-Gurlesque, Sean Croghan, Sophie Lux, J. Hell, Jenny lewis & the Watson Twins, Crack City Rockers, Dew, Andi Starr, Brent Lewiis Ensemble, BOAT, Portland Cello Project, Elliot Smith)
• Patricia Rowland - Vox (Chucklehead)
• Steve Bragg - Drums (Severance Package, Special Forces)
• Lindsey Thrasher - Guitar, Vox  (Sun Supreme) 
• John McKinley - Lead guitar ( Bait, These Days)
• John Baccigaluppi - Keys, Engineer, Producer (Sea of Bees, VC & the Saucers, Fool Killers, Seed, Calexico) 
• EJ Bellocq - Cover Photo
• Montana Swisher - Band, Trish Photos
• TeenBeat Graphica - Graphics & Layout
• Holly Hodge - Drawing

Unknown-ness: never heard of this band, but I liked the name, and i was familiar with the label, so i figured i was getting into some facet of punk...whether that is Riot Grrl, crust or folksy punk, i am not sure. But i am going to guess it leans more melodically than angry noise.

Album Review: There is definitely an angsty edge to the vocals, but the production has a folky feel to it. Like 4 Non Blondes playing L7. There is jangly production that is hard torn between the college radio style popular at the time, and trying to maintain a rougher edge. Curl Up & Dye drives with punk drumming at the start, but it mellows out into a trippy alt rock song.

The band was formed in 1985 as "an excuse to drink beer," released seven albums and toured primarily on the West Coast. They lasted until 1992, and most  members have continued ties to the music industry through magazines, art, and record store ownership.

Stand Out Track: Hence the Box

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

website

Teenbeat

Rate your Music

Sputnik Music

Severance Package bandcamp

VL covers

VHS and the Babies - Beyond Imagination / You've Got 2 Crawl Before You Can Rock

Name: VHS and the Babies
Album: Beyond Imagination / You've Got 2 Crawl Before You Can Rock
Year: 2004
Style: Indie Pop, Dreampop
Similar Bands: Tullycraft, Camera Obscura, Essex Green, Track Star, Besties, Beulah, Saturday Looks Good to Me, Not Fur Longs, Joanna Gruesome, Talulah Gosh
"One-Word" Review: Uplifting Bouncy Naïve Pop
Based Out Of: Charlottesville, VA
Label: Rescue, Retrieval & Rawk-Us Pop (RR&RP)

Cover & Back

Insert Cover & Back, Insert 2 Back, CD

Insert Liner Notes, Insert 2 Note

Beyond Imagination / You've Got 2 Crawl Before You Can Rock (2004)

1. Quick, Quick Like a Bunny 1:57
2. Tony Danza v. the Unspeakable Vice of the Greeks 1:42
3. Roll On, Rolly Wheel 1:44
4. Harvard Man 1:20
5. Government 4 $ale Inc. 1:48
6. Matthew Arnold Visits South of the Border 1:43
7. New Wave 2:02
8. Scully's Baby 2:14
9. Use Your Illusion 1:38
10. Who Let the Pogs Out & Put Them Back In & Neutered Them 1:09
11. Booty-Call 2:58
12. Not Your Pinky 0:40
13. Hiding 1:51
14. Welcome to the Sweet Valley School of Hard Knocks 2:37
15. Old/New 3:06
16. Don't Tell Your Papa 1:42
17. West Coast 1:34
18. Baby Je$us's Microphone 2:45

Album Rating (1-10): 9.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Andy Miller - Keys, Vox (Gulf Coast Army)
• Mike Powell - Drums (Gulf Coast Army, Richard Your Postman)
• Sam Turner - Vox, Guitar (Hilarious Posters)
• Wendy Korwin - Vox, Bass 

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but it do love the randomness of the song titles, the cutesy DIY album artwork with the googly eye monster, and the short song lengths that suggest fun quirky indie pop. My only concern is that it is too cutesy or silly in an embarrassing way. 

Album Review: Twee, indie synth and bouncy pop form the backbones to this record. It is just fun, catchy and precious enough to tap into the positive enjoyment section of your brain. While most of the songs are less than 2 minutes, they feel like fleshed out songs rather then sketches. This is kinda right up my alley.

This appears to be their only release, and although most of the members were in other bands around the Charlottesville area, there is not much out there about this early aughts band, who survived for about two years 2003 - 2004

Stand Out Track: Tony Danza v. the Unspeakable Vice of the Greeks, Quick, Quick Like a Bunny, Matthew Arnold Visits South of the Border, Hiding, Harvard Man

Links:

Discogs

2003 show review

Bandcamp

Youtube playlist

United States Three - She's The Word

Name: United States Three
Album: She's the Word
Year: 1995
Style: Indie Rock, Nerd Rock
Similar Bands: Rentals, Replacements, The Presidents of the USA, TMBG, Lincoln, Bicycle, Lemonheads
"One-Word" Review: Power Indie Sketchbook
Based Out Of: Indianapolis, IN
Label: Flat Earth Records

Cover & Fold Out Pictures

Liner Notes, CD Back, CD

She's the Word (1995)

1. She's Silly 2:17
2. Bitchin' Time 3:26
3. Waterproof 2:31
4. Open Up for Ann 2:34
5. Resonate With Me 3:44
6. Heavens to Betsy 2:31
7. I Got My Eye on You 3:32
8. Neighborhood Association 4:47
9. Puppet Show 5:49
10. She's the Word 3:39
11. This Time Around 2:24
12. High School 3:45
13. All the Power to the People 3:21
14. Careening In Full Speed 1:08
15. Setting Myself Up 3:53
16. Sensaround 2:43
17. Let's Not Be Friends 3:44

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Vess Ruhtenberg - Vox, Guitar (Antenna, Gentle Readers, JOT, Many Bright Things, Over the Rhine, Sardina, The Pieces, The Warmth, Action Strasse, Rattail Grenadier, Datura Seeds, Zero Boys, Mysteries of Life, John Mellencamp, Many Bright Things, Mercy Creek, June Panic, Uvulva, Extra Blue Kind, Lemonheads, Kaiser Cartel, Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos, Pink Eagles)
• Mark Cutsinger - Vox, Drums (The Late Show, Windopane, Zero Boys, Why on Earth, Toxic Reasons, Stonewall Weekend, Transportation, Many Bright Things, In the Summer of Mushroom Honey, Trainwreck, Mike Farmer, Machine Guns and Motorcycles)
• Andrew Angrick - Bass
• Lon Paul Ellrich - Drums (Sardina, Mysteries of Life, Butterfly Child, June Panic, Uvulva, Winechuggers, Marmoset, Warmth, Jorma Whittaker, Extra Blue Kind, Lemonheads, Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos)
• John P Strohm - Guitar (Antenna, Blake Babies, Loeb & Loeb, Lemonheads, Velo-Deluxe, Antenna, Cinderblock, Polara, John Walsh & the Sinkholes, Mike Watt, Lisa Germano, Walon Smith)
• DNA 12 - Textural Enhancement
• Paul Mahern - Electromagnetic Translation
• melinda - Laughing
• Roger Seibel - Mastering
• Jonee Quest - Cover Photo
• Bethany Troutman - Model
• Tom Coryell -Band Photos
• Evan Finch - Jacket Tailoring
• Jim Beever - Jacket Tailoring
• Blythe Hager -  Mistress of Propaganda
• Marita Clarke - Abduction Consulate

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but i know i got it in the late 90's in a discount bin at Siren Records. Not sure why i bought it other than the cover & font, which seemed like something i might like. Inside, the liner photos shows an older band with new wave/punk throwback suits and skinny ties with a young front man. Perhaps they play as sort of power pop new wave revival sound, or like the Rentals, basically, but they have an atomic alien logo, so not sure if it won't have a harder (crappy) edge to it. And 17 tracks is quite a bit, even for CDs of the mid 90's.

Album Review: The album feels like a bunch of demos at time, unfinished ideas that come off as acoustic (Waterproof) and slower meanderings (Heavens to Betsy). The music is a little powerpop, but mostly garage indie, reminding me production-wise:  a little of They Might Be Giants in the John Henry era. 

US3 was a basic vehicle for Vess Ruhtenberg's songwriting. With three albums over 4 years, they were a short lived but prolific band who never seemed to catch the break. They combined power pop with a little country and stripped down ideas, perhaps a little too many here to have a cohesive album.

Stand Out Track: Neighborhood Association, She's the Word

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

Spotify

Facebook

Rate your Music

Tiva Tiva - Music for Interior Castles

Name:Tiva Tiva
Album: Music for Interior Castles
Year: 2011
Style: Chamber Rock, Indie Rock
Similar Bands: Rusted Root, Muse, Ours, Jeff Buckley, Decemberists, Arcade Fire, Starlight Mints
"One-Word" Review: Hipster Chamber Music
Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA
Label: Sonic Cat Records, Furry Candy Music, Cedar Street

 

Cover, Back, Interior, CD

Lyric Sheet & Liner Notes

Music for Interior Castles(2011)

1. Brother 2:54
2. Sincerely Yours 3:16
3. Divine Rapture 3:19
4. Woe My Wicked Life 4:03
5. Sister 3:02
6. I Greet the Nothing 2:50
7. The Token 2:31
8. The Vision 2:55
9. Re-Call 2:49
10. The Happening 3:34
11. Endless Mercy 3:38

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Ted Richardson - Producer, Recording, Mixing, Mastering, Guitar, Keys, Bass
• Daniel de Jesus - Cello, Vox (Dejesus, Rasputina, Melora Creager, Lasst Full Measure, Smoke Fairies)
• Darren Keith - Drums, Percussion (Irena Jarocka, Last Full Measure, Lovecartel)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Like the packaging: 100% post-consumer material and its a unique envelope. Lots of religious art work on the liner notes, and perhaps a Spanish theme mixed in with new-agey folk, based on the album artwork and name. Overall, i'm guessing it will be light indie fare, complete with strings and a breezy, sweeping feel.

Album Review: The songs are bombastic, catchy, and powerful, using the strings as soaring, emo elements to accompany the strong, soaring vocals, which are similar at times to Jimmy Gnecco or Muse...almost reaching Jeff Buckley. But at their base they are pop songs performed with a hipster baroque affect

Not much out there about them. They funded this record via Kickstarter, which boasts that this is a concept album of sorts, interpreting the life of 16th century mystic Saint Teresa of Avila. Ted has produced and engineered some other popular bands (Portugal. The Man, The Joy Formidable). Daniel was in Rasputina previously. But it looks like this was a once and done project...perhaps under the time and energy to produce such an ambitious record

Stand Out Track: Sister, Brother

Links:

Discogs

Kickstarter

Ted on Soundbetter

Systems Officer - s/t

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

Cover & Back

Lyrics, CD, CD Back

Systems Officer (2004)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: Forever This Cyanide

Links:

Bandcamp
Spotify
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
Sandiego Reader
Facebook
Oh My Rockness

Temporary Residence
Daily Aztec 2011 show listing

Gallien-Kruegar

Bottom of the Hill 2015 show listing

Superette - Tiger

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

Cover, Liner Notes

Liner Notes, CD Back, CD

Supetette - Tiger (1996)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: Touch Me

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Music Net NZ
Elsewhere NZ - reissue
Flying Nun
Flying Out

Stereo Bus (the) - s/t

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

Fold Out, Tray Art, CD

Cover, Back, CD Back

The Stereo Bus (1997)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: Washaway

Links:

Spotify
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

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

NZ Music
Stuff.Co Yetton Interview

Spacetruck - Night Rider

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

Cover & Back

Gatefold, CD Case Back, CD 

Night Rider (2003)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5 

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: Destroyer

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

iheart page

Rate Your Music

Spotify

Shapes and Sizes - s/t

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

Cover, Tray Artwork

Liner Notes, CD, Promo Sticker, Back

Shapes and Sizes (2006)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: Island's Gone Bad

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

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

Sardina - Presents

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

Cover & Back, Promo Sticker

CD, CD Back, Liner Notes

Presents (1995)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: Pickled Frogs

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

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

Chicago Reader review

Sandwiches (the) - Rock On Scubatron

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

Cover, Fold Our & Tray

Back, CD, Phots & Liner Notes

Rock On, Scubatron (1998)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: Good Morning (Alright)

Links:
Spotify

Discogs

Allmusic
Face Book
SC Times

SC Times #2
Youtube - full album

Rate Your Music
Jaxsta

Lil Pocketknife - Pants Control

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

Cover

Back, Case Back, CD

Pants Control (2004)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: East Coast / West Coast

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

Bombpop - The Day I Had to Explode

Name: Bombpop
Album: The Day I Had to Explode
Year: 1996
Style: Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Replacements, REM, The Jam, Gin Blossoms
"One-Word" Review: Fun Tidy Rock
Based Out Of: Charlottesville, VA
Label: Snap!

Cover & Back

Liner Notes & CD

The Day I Had to Explode (1996)

1. Gun in the Apartment 1:53
2. World Around Me 2:32
3. ...ing 2:35
4. Don't You Know What to Say 2:49
5. Don't be Afraid 2:55
6. After the Fade 2:38
7. Anita Hill 2:01
8. Horrible Things 2:14
9. Mirror 3:09
10. Floormats 3:03
11. High 3:21
12. We're Just Different 5:00
13. Bob, Pt 2. - Not a Rebel Song 2:57 (Hidden Track)

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Evan Bowers - Guitars, Vox, Bass, Producer (I Like Dinner)
• Maynard Sipe - Guitars, Vox, Bass, Producer (The Maynards, Operation: Love, Norman and the Plate of Shrimp)
• Tom Vest - Drums Vox (Norman and the Plate of Shrimp)
• Hank "the Kid" Wells - Bass
• Jim Ralston - Drums (Baaba Seth, Big Circle, Mark Roebuck)
• Wayne Gordon - Bass (Monkeywrench)
• Fred Hamilton - Guitar
• Marco Delmar - Vox, Engineer, Tracking, Mixing, Producer (Elektrics, Basshead, Light in the Garden, Ted Garber, Lynn Hollyfield, BYOB, Lisa Moscatiello, Steven Gellman, Morgan Rowe, Janine Wilson, Carey Colvin, David A Alberding, Rachel Cross, Eric Maring, Ben Dixon, Andrew McKnight, Oddbox, Jennifer Cutting, Soulpajamas, Arun, Drew Gibson, Margot MacDonald, These Days, Billy Coulter, Enid)
• Bob DeWald - Engineer
• Eddie Jentsch - Engineer

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but i like the name. The artwork doesn't really give them away to any set style, and the pict of the band set up gives an indie-garage feel...so i'm going to guess this is power pop fed through a grunge lens, perhaps leaning toward pop-punk.

Album Review: They channel jangley college rock with a little faster pace, like a focused, power poppy REM. With two vocalists sharing duties, the songs vary between a Paul Weller Jam-like vocalist and a nasally slacker vocalist which leans toward alt-country and sounds like comedian Michael Showalter. Overall this is a really enjoyable element with some off key moments that drive, like the Cows, and other times sounding downright British like the Rifles (who were/are a very Jam-influenced band).

Not much out there about this surprisingly decent band, perhaps because there is a more popular band called The Bombpops. A decently updated afacebook page and on Spotify, they have a couple other albums out there & for sale on Bandcamp, with the last single made as recently as 2019. Here's the quote from their bandcamp page "After releasing the Anita Hill/What Can I Do 45, Bombpop's debut collected the songs from their live set into a rip-roaring set of guitar, bass and drums. Bittersweet, raging missives about their time and place in the world."

Stand Out Track: World Around Me

Links:

Spotify

Discogs

Allmusic
Bandcamp
Band to Band

Facebook

Taperecorder - Just Ramble & Think of Ghosts

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

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Just Ramble & Think of Ghosts (2010)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: Cold Spring

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

School of Fish - s/t

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

Cover, Lyrics, Tape

Lyrics, Notes, Tape

School of Fish (1991)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: 3 Strange Days

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

LA Times 2000 article

3 Strange Days Facts

2nd 1st look

sputnik music

Chicago Tribune On the Road '91 article

Riff Raff - Clayton-Felt article

Josh Clayton-Felt website

Red Guitars - Slow to Fade

Name: Red Guitars
Album: Slow to Fade
Year: 1984
Style: New Wave
Similar Bands: The Jam, The Clash, Duran Duran, Talking Heads
"One-Word" Review: Snotty Sophisticated British Dance Party
Based Out Of: Hull, England
Label: Self-Drive Records, Red Rhino & the Cartel

Back, Cover, Record

Lyrics, Credits, Record

Slow to Fade (1984)

1. Remote Control 3:52
2. Dive 3:07
3. Astronomy 3:26
4. Cloak and Dagger 3:51
5. Crocodile Tears 4:49 /
6. Shaken Not Stirred 3:46
7. Sting in the Tail 4:49
8. Marimba Jive 5:20 (#1 Indie single)
9. Slow to Fade 3:56

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Roy Neave - Producer, Engineer
• Neil Drake - Asst Engineer
• Grant Ardia - Percussion
• Danny Woods - Hammond Organ (Jeremy Kidd)
• Tokai - Guitar
• Jerry (Jeremy) Kidd - Vox (Carnage in Poland, Czechs, )
• Lou (Louise Howard) Barlow - Bass (Weirdies in the Wardrobe, The Planet Wilson, Loudhailer Electric Company, Celtarabia)
• Hallam Lewis - Lead Guitar (Carnage in Poland, Czechs, The Planet Wilson, The Fabulous Ducks)
• John Rowley - Rhythm Guitar (The Fabulous Ducks, Lovemat) 
• Matt Higgins - Drums
• Syd Shelton - Design, Art Direction
• Andy Dark - Hand Colouring

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Was gifted the album by a friend cleaning out stuff he didn't listen to, saying he got this because of Lou Barlow's bass contribution (but it is not the same Lou Barlow as Sebadoh / Dino Jr). I like the clean design, simple coloring, lots of neutral space and British army imagery, which all reminds me of Wire. I figure the music will be simple, minimal, but catchy in the realm of post punk or politically active high-brow new wave.

Album Review: There is a lot of Clash and Police influence in this record, with snotty, nasally vocals sounding like Simon Le Bon much of the time. The special ingredient that made the band unique was Hallam's upbringing in South Africa, which brought a different influence on his guitar playing that gave the band somewhat of a sunny African rhythm and nature. They had 2 big breaks of having their first single played prominently on the John Peel program and opening for the Smiths (including a headlining spot on occasion when Morrissey was too troubled to play a show). They were politically motivated, supporting left wing causes and adopted an anti-corporate ideology. They self-released their material, but Kidd left the band 2 months after this albums release, and they only lasted another 2 years without him before disbanding. 

Stand Out Track: Shaken Not Stirred, Marimba Jive

Links:

Spotify full album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

website

facebook

John Peel Wiki

8 miles higher

record collector mag

nostalgia Central

loudhailer

oxford reference

trouser press