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Showing posts with label 3CD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3CD. Show all posts

Monday, April 15, 2024

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.

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Wynona Riders (The) - Artificial Intelligence

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

Cover, Back, CD Tray, CD
Liner Notes & Lyrics, CD Back

Artificial Intelligence (1997)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

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


Stand Out Track: Masquerade

Links:
Wiki
Discogs
Facebook
Rate Your Music
Last FM
Lookout!
Lookout! Blog

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Friday, April 12, 2024

Welbilt - A Beautiful Mess

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

Cover & Back, CD, Case Back
Lyrics
A Beautiful Mess (2003)
  1. Everything's Alright 2:56
  2. Only 3:44
  3. Enough 3:42
  4. 24 Hours 3:19
  5. All I've Ever Tasted 4:24
  6. Down in Flames 3:21
  7. Couldn't Be Better 3:28
  8. Anthem 3:47
  9. Remedy 3:56
  10. Dilemma 3:03
  11. Bombs Away 3:38
  12. Spiderweb 3:25
Album Rating (1-10): 4.5

Members & Other Bands:
  • Nate Ihara - Lead Vox, Guitar
  • Buddy Speir - Guitar, Vox (Edward O'Connell, Moonshine Society, Janice Kephart)
  • Nick Briscoe - Bass, Vox
  • Bill Ledbetter - Drums
  • Andrew "Mudrock" Murdock - Producer, Mixing (Godsmack)
  • Scott Gilman - Producer
  • Fred Archambault - Producer
  • Ai Fujisaki - Production
  • Matt Freeman - Production Management
  • Tom Baker - Mastering
  • Mike Fasano - Drum Tech
  • Rich Flint - Welbilt Mgmt, Art, Design
  • Jay Moreclock - Art, Design
  • Adam Brown - Spider Photo
  • Narra - Band Photo
  • J. Reid Hunter - Legal
Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Was a CD given from a friend who was clearing out his collection, i believe.

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

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

Stand Out Track: Dilemma 

Links:
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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
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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

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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:
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Wednesday, March 2, 2022

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
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Thursday, February 10, 2022

ViV - s/t

Name: ViV
Album: s/t
Year: 2000
Style: American Rock
Similar Bands: TPOT USA, Fastball, Semisonic, Better Than Ezra, Third Eye Blind
"One-Word" Review: Sedated Radio Rock
Based Out Of: San Francisco
Label: Ten Toes Over
Booklet Cover & Back
Lyrics, CD, CD Tray
Lyrics Case Back
Lyrics
ViV (2000)
  1. Life Preserver 4:08
  2. Too Good To Be True  3:09
  3. Crooked Smile 5:08
  4. Waiting 4:57
  5. Green 4:32
  6. Say Goodbye 4:40
  7. Smiles Like a Maniac 3:23
  8. Floating on a Cracker 3:54
  9. Funny How You Wear Your Heart 4:58
  10. I'm So Tired of You 3:25
  11. Shawn 2:52
Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Matt Ostrander - Producer, Vox (Blue October)
  • Erik Semo - Bass (Highwater Rising)
  • Mike "Pie" Fiorintino - Guitar, Violin (Somos, Meltdown)
  • Matt Lucich - Drums (Shaolin Temple of Boom, Bonfire Madigan, Alice, John Bobek, Carolina Liar, Late Pierson, The Gitas, Calico the Band)
  • Eamonn Flynn - Keys (Liz Kennedy, Rob Strong, The Commitments, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Evelyn Champagne King, Darryl Anders Agapesoul, Lea Mcintosh, The Cinders Blues Band)
  • Justin Dobrin - Keys
  • Dawn Richardson (4 Non Blondes, Loud Family, Pussy Tourette, Martinis, Kindness, Penelope Houston, Jenifer McKitrick, Go Go market, Lillix, Trinkit, Holly & The Italians, Kitty Rose!, Wild Stares, Toby, Kandur, Zoe Fitzgerald Carter)
  • Kathryn Chase
  • Tia Label
  • Karen Rose
  • Jeffrey Wood - Producer (Housemartinis, Elisa Waut, Luka Bloom, Penelope Houston, Katherine Chase Band, Todd Herfinfdal, Irina Mikhailova, Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, Foreign Affair)
  • Lisa Keating - Photography
  • Steve Dorian Minor - Photography
  • Stuart Locklear - Photography
  • Kelly Sweet - Photography
  • Jen Greenhalgh - Photography
  • Acedesign - Album Design
Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, and not sure where I picked up this CD. From the looks of the film strip images of the band, it seems like they were trying to fit into that comfy radio friendly 2000's pub rock taps into power pop vein. A little hard garage-y, a little in your face, but not really: typically not my favorite, repetitive, nothing sticks out schlock.

Album Review: They have a catchy, streamlined rock-pop sound, with non-aggressive pop-punk chord changes, harmonies and some power-pop elements. At points it feels like they could launch into a n OTP rocking section, but often they fall back to let the harmonies breathe. As the album progresses, the influences increase, and alt-country is added into "Crooked Smile." There is a bit of a silent break on the last track, before a short violin + hand clap performance of Turkey in the Straw

Starting in San Fran, they worked out a Monday night ritual into a road show, where they showed independent short films between sets, not to mention a visual show behind them when they performed.

Stand Out Track: Too Good To Be True

Links:
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Tuesday, February 8, 2022

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
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Tuesday, January 11, 2022

(the) Vexers - s/t

Name: The Vexers
Album: s/t
Year: 2003
Style: New Wave, Post Punk
Similar Bands: The Daves, Blondie, Bikini Kill, Delta 5, Runaways, Long Blondes, Elastica, Wire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Martha & the Muffins, Sleater-Kinney
"One-Word" Review: Dark, Ragged Energetic Punk
Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA
Label: Ace Fu
Cover & Back
Liner Notes, CD Back, CD
The Vexers (2003)
  1. Something Dirty 2:31
  2. Human Machine 1:36
  3. Mutual Masturbation 2:21
  4. City Life 1:14
  5. You Get Nothing 2:51
  6. The Saint 3:13
  7. Fuck it Up 3:01
  8. Get Up Get Out 2:21
  9. Rat-Bite Fever 2:08
  10. Sick Sick Sick 3:21
Album Rating (1-10): 9.5

Members & Other Bands:
  • Mike Musmanno - Recording, Mixing
  • Rachel Kotkoskie - Live Photo
  • Michael Hammel - Bass
  • Jennifer Taylor - Guitar/Vox (Caramel Jack, Marcia Hines, Max Sharam, Jan Hellriegel, Annie Crummer, Australian Youth Orch, Amity Dry, Anthony Callea, Billie Thorpe, Beat Bugs)
  • Jesse Van Anglen - Drums
  • Tres Warren - Guitar (Compound Eye, Messages, Psychic Ills, Moon Duo, Jeff Burch, Alfredo Thierman)
Unknown-ness: Never heard of the band. But I liked the simple angle of the font of the band name on the front and the MS Dos font on the back. Perhaps this is an angular, computer thinking band who used tech and synth in their basic indie rock style. Ace Fu is a Philly label, so I'm surprised i didn't hear of or cross paths seeing this band back in the aughts, as i was going to a lot of shows then.

Album Review: The band borrows from 70-80's new wave/punk with catchy  guitar work and bass lines and straightforward spoke/sung melodic but powerful female vocals. Mutual Masturbation brings in the angular guitar and energetic vocals bringing to mind the great 80's punk bands like Blondie, The Runaways and Sleater-Kinney at times. It is just a very fun record, full of driving energy and danceable spirit. 

The band is 3/4 LA kids who left the lifestyle out west for shocking reality of Philadelphia's forgotten youth. 5-10 years older than the rest of the bands they played with, they started with a confidence their counterparts were trying to build, and still moved slowly, being true to their musical vision and selves. Apparently their live shows were fun (really wish i had seen them around the scene then), and from this record, i can tell they would have been a favorite.

Stand Out Track: Mutual Masturbation

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Sunday, January 9, 2022

Van Hunt - s/t

Name:Van Hunt
Album: s/t
Year: 2003
Style: R&B, Funk, Soul
Similar Bands: Maxwell, Codu ChesnuTT, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Chocolate Genius
"One-Word" Review: Funky, Slick Bedroom Eyes
Based Out Of: Dayton OH
Label: Capitol, EMI
Cover, Liner Notes
Lyrics, CD, CD Tray
Poster CD Back

Van Hunt (2003)
  1. Dust 4:14 (Single)
  2. Seconds of Pleasure 5:40 (Single)
  3. Hello, Goodbye 4:25
  4. Down Here in Hell (With You) 4:49 (Single)
  5. What Can I Say (For Millicent) 4:46
  6. Anything (To Get Your Attention) 3:28
  7. Highlights 5:35
  8. Precious 4:29
  9. Her December 4:16
  10. Hold My Hand 3:50
  11. Who Will Love Me in Winter 4:15
  12. Out of the Sky 5:10
Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Andrew Slater - Exec Producer, Additional Production
  • Randy Jackson - Exec Producer, Mgmt
  • Van Hunt - Exec Producer & Producer, Writer, Arranger, Performer (Royalty, Dionne Farris, Cree Summer, Sam Moore, Nikka Costa, Rahsaan Patterson, Joi, Count BassD, Sam Moore, The Decoders, Nate Smith, Billy Lawrence, Afghan Wigs)
  • Howard Willing - Additional Producing, A&R, Recording
  • Curtis Whitehead - Writing, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitar, Bass (Count BassD, Curtis Harding)
  • Mary Fagot - Creative Director
  • Tait Hawes - Art Direction, Design
  • Chris James - Recording
  • Bill Malina - Recording
  • Dave Way - Mixing
  • Creed - Backing Vox (Kenny Dope, Karizma)
  • Ro - Backing Vox (Kenny Dope, Karizma)
  • Amy White - Backing Vox (Douglas, Linus and Amy, Controversy, Purple Mixed Adult Choir, West Indian Girl, Kenny Dope, Karizma, M83, Mononoid, David Wilcox)
  • Matt Chamberlain - Drums (Many, Pearl Jam, Edie Brikell & New Bohemians, Tori Amos, Bruce Springsteen, Mike Gordon, Brad Mehldau, Wild Colonials, Aaron Neville, WallFlowers, Fiona Apple, Critters Buggin, Corrs, Chris isaak, Bruce Hornsby, Melissa Ethridge, Macy Gray, Willy Porter, DC Talk, Lisa Loeb...)
  • Patrick Warren - Melotron (Many, Michael Penn, Vic Chestnutt, Madeline Peyroux, Charlie Sexton, X, Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple, Wallflowers, Chris Isaak, Phantom Planet, Remy Zero, Hootie & the Blowfish, Bijou Phillips, Macy Gray, Melissa Ethridge...)
  • Isaac Curtis - Trombone
  • Nolan Smith - Trumpet (Baya, Count Baise Orch, Buddy Collette Big Band, Al Williams Quintet, Blackbyrds, DJ Rogers, Jimmy Smith, les McCann, Karen Pree, Carrie Lucas, Carole King, Willie Bobo, Norman Connors, Bill Quateman, John Mayall, Freddie Hubbard, Marvin Gaye, Brotherhood, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, Phil Collins, Anita Baker, Stevie Wonder, more)
  • Daryl Richards - Alto Sax (Kirk Whalum, Norman Connors)
  • Daniel Solomon - Tenor Sax, Horns Arrangement (Rick Margitza)
  • Annie Stela - Backing Vox (Third Eye Blind)
  • Truth - Backing Vox, Moog, Wurlitzer 
  • Tim Leblanc - Mixing
  • Dwight Farrell - Celeste (Count BassD)
  • Larry James - Percussion, Drums (Avery Sunshine)
  • Kevin Guarnieri - Recording
  • Kevin Ricard - Percussion (Kenny Loggins, East West Band, Flamenco Dura, Tonight Show Band, East West Band, Johnson & Branson, Matt Bianco, Herb Alpert, MVP, Starr Parodi, Juan Carlos Quintero, Susie Hansen, Ciro Hurtado, Rie Akagi, Marc Russo, Robi Kahakalau, Wayne Shorter, Masayoshi Takanaka, Larry Steen, BB Shawn, Bobby Lyle, Zero Ted, Nils, Everette Harp, Venice, Kleber Jorge, Speak, Rob Mullins, Eric Gulliom, Gloria Loring, Rickie Byars, Daniel Indart Project, Wayne Jones, Kevin Toney, Chris Bennett, Take 6, George Kahn, Rhian Benson, Elan, Impromp2, Shelby Lynne, Ann Nesby, Pat Longo, Kids of Widney High, Queen Latifah, Oskar Cartaya, Gerald Albright, Will Downing, Christina Aguilera, Everette Harp, LaToya London, Kurt Carr, George Benson, Corey Clark, Dave Rodgers, Natalie Cole, Lynne Fiddmont, Faramarz Assef, LA Guitar Quartet, Everlife, Jill Scott, Marek Niedzwiecki, SMV, Stephen Bishop, Paul Jackson Jr, James Ingram, Bill Fulton, Amanda McBroom, Carol Welsman, Dorian Holley, Norman Brown, Christian Dupree, Christophe Beck, Dan Fornero, Toni Reed, Dave Koz, Tina Campbell, Orgone, Clair Fischer Latin Jazz Band, Jazz Funk Soul, Paul Brown, David Garfield)
  • David Campbell - String Arrangement (Campbell-Kurban String Section, Clockwork Angles String Ensemble, James Taylor, Cher, Linda Ronstandt, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Carole King, James Brown, Many Many More)
  • Melissa Mattey - Recording, Mixing
  • Ray Brown - Trumpet (Count Baise Orch, Earth Wind & Fire, Madagascar, Horns of Fire, Donald Byrd, Hubert Laws, Con Funk Shun, SOS Band, More)
  • Ta Ta - Backing Vox
  • Wendy Melvoin - Rhythm Guitar (Girl Bros, Peace Choir, Prince & the Revolution, The Flesh, Wendy & Lisa, Andre Cymone, Joni Mitchell, Seal, BB KIng, Eric Clapton, Latin Playboys, Neil Finn, Melba Moore many more)
  • Paul Franklin - Pedal Steel (Dicie Pearls, The Time Jumpers, Dire Straits, Lyle Lovett, Gary Parker, Parliament, Slim Whitman, Charlie McCoy, Mel Tillis, Jerry Reed, Chicken String Band, BJ Thomas, George Strait, Tammy Wynette, Lyle Lovett, Randy Travis, Barbara Mandrell  Many Many More)
  • Peter Mokran - Mixing
  • Lenny Castro - Percussion (Jazz Express, Karizma, Larsen-Feiten Band, Los Lobotomys, Steve Vai's Monsters, Toto, Melissa Manchester, Rita Coolidge, Leo Sayer, Diana Ross, Pointer Sisters, Paul Anka, Dusty Springfield, Robert Palmer, Kiss, Olivia Newton-John, Gary Wright, Shotgun, Wet Willie much more)
  • Jermaine Rand - Acoustic Guitar (The Rand Experiment, Jahallah, Playa G, Blackperl, MC Divinity, Steve Joz)
  • Terry McMillen - Harmonica (The Players, Michael McDonald, Bobby Charles, Ronnie Milsap, Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Frank Sinatra Jr, Ray Stevens, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Bobby Bare, Burl Ives, Crystal Gayle, many more)
  • Dionne Farris - Backing Vox (Arrested Development, Charlie Hunter, Immature, TLC, Xscape, El Debarge, Count Bass D, Guru's Jazzmatazz)
  • Jeff Wright - Asst Recording
  • Kevin Paige - Asst Recording
  • Adam Deane - Asst Recording
  • Tony High - Asst Recording
  • Kevin Pickle - Asst Recording
  • David Streit - Asst Recording
  • Charlie Paakkarl - Asst Recording
  • Steve Genewick - Asst Recording
  • Jimmy Hoyson - Asst Recording
  • Chris Reynolds- Asst Recording
  • Kevin Deane - Asst Recording
  • Aaron Kessel - Asst Recording
  • Jesse Gorman - Asst Recording
  • Cesar Ramirez- Asst Recording
  • Jennifer Young - Asst Recording
  • Ari Famila - Asst Recording
  • Aaron Familia - Asst Recording
Unknown-ness: I remember hearing about Van Hunt when he first came out, but never paid much attention past that. Assuming he's similar to Maxwell or Jamiroquai, with more of a 60's psych influence, perhaps closer to the Black Eye Peas, who I honestly don't know much about in the first place. But i imagine smooth, slightly psychedelic, sexy bedroom vibe R&B tracks

Album Review: The album kicks off with a great slice of catchy pop. And then it settles into a nice smooth R&B groove for the rest of the record, with a little funk added, but mostly mod-setting jams.

Van Hunt has grown up around musical roots, and can play nearly any instrument. He's floated around between labels and self-releasing for years, and even won a grammy for a collaboration for a Sly & Family Stone tribute with John Legend & Joss Stone. He's been in a relationship with Halle Berry since 2020.

Stand Out Track: Dust

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Vaeda - The Red Queen

Name: Vaeda
Album: The Red Queen
Year: 2004
Style: Alt-Metal, Hard Rock
Similar Bands: Candlebox, Slaughter, Breaking Benjamin, Animal Bag
"One-Word" Review: Melodic Skuzz Rock
Based Out Of: Brooklyn, NY
Label: self released
Cover, Back Notes, CD Case Back
Lyrics, CD, CD tray

The Red Queen (2004)
  1. Thief 3:57
  2. Battle Song 3:56
  3. Jesus Rides the Subway 3:54
  4. Money 3:05
  5. Son of the Viper 4:34
  6. Kneejerk 2:46
  7. Imperial 4:20
Album Rating (1-10): 4.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Ian Lear-Nickum - Vox, Guitar
  • Aristotle Dreher - Bass (Bastard Kings of Rock)
  • Chris Gignoux - Guitar, Engineer (Granian)
  • Oliver Williams - Drums
  • Kyle Kelso - Producer, Recording, Mixing, Mastering
  • Todd Cameron Westphal - Photos
  • Chris Buchakjian - Bat Photo
Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. I believe this was another cast off a friend sent me in the mail a long time ago. I honestly don't know what to make if this...it could be anything from hard Americana rock to nu-metal to folksy pop rock or even a emo-prog based band. I'm going to go with the idea that it is somewhere in the middle of all that...general hardish rock, trying to be more complex than it is worth. Not a big fan of the logo for the band name, and seems out of place or alien when compared to the classical album name.

Album Review: From the get go, the band is channeling hair metal, with clear vocals with a calculated lilt. This is timeless in a sense, as it would not be out of place with the Slaughters or Warrants of the late 80's or Animal Bags or Candleboxes of the 90's, leading through the Nu-Metal scene of the aughts. This doesn't mean it is good, at all. The vocal range is impressive, though, with parts in whisper and hitting Muse or Ours melodic heights.

The name comes from India, meaning eternal knowledge. They hold the factoid for being the #1 unsigned Myspace band in the fall of 2005, which was shortly after their move to LA from Brooklyn, but moved back to Long Island later that same year. They have been on a couple big festival tours as well as being in television promos and shows (NCIS, Prison Break, Terminator: SC Chronicles, The Hills, Girls of Hedsor Hall). 

Stand Out Track: Kneejerk 

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

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

~Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start (1999)
  1. Song Competition 2:49
  2. Working Title 3:38
  3. I'm Holding Hands With Me 1:39
  4. Action 4:08
  5. Walked Out This Season 3:52
  6. Real Philosophers Vs. The Lovers of Sights and Sounds 3:24
*Girls Names (2006)
  1. Janet Bateman 1:52
  2. Melanie Flury 2:13
  3. Rachel Strayer 0:56
  4. Robyn Fleshman 1:53
Album Rating (1-10):~7.0
*6.5

Members & Other Bands:
  • Steve Poponi - Vox, Bass~ Guitar* (The Jazz June, Cabana Wear, The Progress, Young Statues, Fight Amp)
  • Scott Rumble - Drums~
  • Jeff Mott - Guitar, Vox~ (Hands of Despair, Thrawnsunblat)
  • Dave Damm - Bass* 
  • Dave Dunn - Drums*
  • Dave Downham - Guitar* (The Secession Movement, Kill Verona, The Progress, Cabana Wear)
  • Evan Weiss - Guitar* (Damiera, Into It. Over It, Map the Growth, Pet Symmetry, Stay Ahead of the Weather, The Progress, Their/They're/There, CSTVT, Moving Mountains, Koji, The Jazz June, You Blew It!, Pacemaker, Evan Myall, Castevet, Noumenon, Chris Farren, Sincere Engineer, Lana Del Rey)
  • Brian Mietz - Artwork*
Unknown-ness: I had heard the name before, but never really heard them. This goes back to the early 00's when i found a CDR of their first EP at AKA records here in Philly. Always kinda associated them with Math Rock/Emo scene, but again, couldn't say for sure, aside from other bands they were mentioned in conjunction with. So not a pure unknown band, but enough that i don't know what it's going to sound like, exactly, and if i'll enjoy it. The black EP was found out in LA at Amoeba, and was a promotional CD, produced just for journals or airplay...otherwise, it could be downloaded for free, as an internet-only release.

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

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

Stand Out Track: ~Working Title 
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Thursday, December 23, 2021

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

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United States of Electronica - s/t

Name: United States of Electronica
Album: s/t
Year: 2004
Style:  Electronic, Dance, Disco
Similar Bands: Basement Jaxx, Junior Senior, Andrew WK, Daft Punk, Parry Grip
"One-Word" Review: Non Stop Automated Party Rock
Based Out Of: Seattle, Washington
Label: Manaheim, Sonic Boom Recordings
CD & Inner Case
Front & Back
United States of Electronica (2004)
  1. It Is On 4:40 (single - Japan)
  2. Emerald City 4:05 (single)
  3. Climb the Walls (Umbrella of Love) 4:36
  4. All Sounds & All People 0:45
  5. Open Your Eyes 3:35
  6. Takin' It All the Way 5:14
  7. ...City of Stars 1:04
  8. Night Shift 4:58
  9. There's Always Music 4:33
  10. Vamos A La Playa 4:43
  11. ...the Chase 0:39
  12. La Discoteca 4:20
Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Jason Holstrom - Guitar, Vox, Recording, Mastering (Wonderful, Aqueduct, Dolour, Bobby Karate)
  • Jon E. Rock - Drums, Vox (Wonderful, Dolour)
  • Peter Sali - Guitar, Vox (Wonderful, The Kalendar Band)
  • Noah Star Weaver - Keys, Vocoder  (Wonderful, Shane Tutmarc & Travelling Mercies, Rosie Thomas, Dolour)
  • Derek Chan - Bass
  • Carly Nicklaus - Vox (The Catch, Bruno Pronsato, Michael Vermillion)
  • Amanda Okonek - Vox
  • PJ Ramey - Additional Performance
  • Phil Peterson - Additional Performance (Portugal. The Man, The Bluebird, Sherri Youngward, Pedro the Lion, Rivulets & Violets, Nevada Bachelors, Sarah Shannon, Dear John Letters, Holly Figueroa, Kutless, Demon Hunter, Rosie Thomas, Late Tuesday, Holland, David LaMotte, Leroy M Bell, Wonderful, Dead Poetic, Seven Places. Ken Stringfello, Jeremy Camp, Mastodon, Verona, Lashes, Kutless, Harvey Danger, Acceptance, Brandi Carlile, J. Tillman, Ruth, Owl City, Posies, John Totten, Wavves, Maroon 5, Deniz Tek, Vance Joy, Benny Blanco, Rose Blossom Punch)
  • Shane Tutmarc - Additional Performance (Dolour, Gatsbys American Dream, Traveling Mercies, Star Anna)
Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Picked up the CD in a bin, probably based on the word Electronica in the name. I'm hoping this is a fun rock-electronic hybrid album that's catchy but not too much into the techno genre, even if the cover looks like a spray-painted template of a rave.

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

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

Stand Out Track: Emerald City

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Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Undertones (the) - Listening In Radio Sessions 1978-1982

Name: The Undertones
Album: Listening In Radio Sessions 1978-1982
Year: 2004
Style: Punk
Similar Bands: Clash, The Jam, Buzzcocks, The Adverts, Monkees
"One-Word" Review: Standard Punks Who Became Musicians
Based Out Of: Derry, Northern Ireland
Label: Sanctuary Records Group, BBC Music, BMG 
Cover, Sleeve Back
Liner Notes, CD Back
Liner Photo, CD, CD Tray
Liner Notes
Liner Notes
Liner Notes, Song Details

Listening In Radio Sessions 1978-1982 (2004)
  1. Get Over You 2:54
  2. Top 20 1:59
  3. She Can Only Say No 0:36
  4. Male Model 1:52
  5. Listening In 2:15
  6. Family Entertainment 2:35
  7. Billy's Third 1:51
  8. Here Comes The Summer 2:01
  9. Nine Times Out of Ten 2:34
  10. The Way Girls Talk 2:42
  11. Whiz Kids 2:38
  12. Top 20 2:02
  13. Girls That Don't Talk 2:22
  14. Tear Proof 2:17
  15. What's With Terry 3:17
  16. Rock n Roll 3:07
  17. The Positive Touch 1:55
  18. You're Welcome 2:11
  19. When Saturday Comes 2:47
  20. Like That 2:57
  21. Bye Bye Baby Blue 3:23
  22. Beautiful Friend 3:05
  23. (Just Like) Romeo and Juliet 2:03
  24. Untouchable 3:16
  25. The Love Parade 4:11
  26. Luxury 2:35
  27. The Sin of Pride 3:45
Album Rating (1-10): 9.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Michael Bradley - Bass, Vox (The Wesleys, Bernard Lenoir, Ash)
  • Damian O'Neill - Guitar, Vox (The Wesleys, That Petrol Emotion, The Monotones, Everlasting Yeahm Wavewalkers, A Quiet Revolution, Tommy Tate & the Torpedoes, X-Valdez, Bernard Leonoir, Qu4tre, Ash, Rare, Mimi, Aujord'hui Madame, Die Toten Hosen, 5 Billion in Diamonds, Eileen Gogan & the Instructions, Baby Shakes)
  • John O'Neill - Guitar, Vox (That Petrol Emotion, Rare, Bernard Lenoir, Wasp Factory, Blink)
  • Feargal Sharkey - Vox (The Assembly, Peace Together, Kiki Dee, Bernard Lenoir)
  • Bill Doherty - Drums (Bernard Lenoir, Baby Shakes)
  • Vincent O'Neill  -Backing Vox
  • Steve Hammonds - Release Coordination
  • Joe Smith - Release Coordination
  • Hugh Gilmour - Artwork & Design
  • Larry Doherty - Photos
  • LFI - Photos
  • Jill Furmanovsky - Photos
  • Andy Ferguson - Mgmt (Cracks 90 Ltd.)
  • Dave Richings - Recording
  • Mick Houghton - Liner Notes
  • Bob Sargeant - Producer, Engineer
  • Dale Griffin - Producer, Engineer
  • Dave Dade - Producer, Engineer
  • Mike Engles - Producer, Engineer
  • Stephen Nelson - Producer, Engineer
Unknown-ness: This album is one of the more recognizable bands i'm "reviewing"...i probably could take it off the list, but i did not know who they were when i bought this album used back in the mid 00s, a couple years before I started this blog. Figured they were a Clash/Jam style band from the clothes and years this compilation represented. And yeah, spot on.

Album Review: This is a nice compilation that travels the evolution of the Undertones, one of the biggest bands from Northern Ireland's, sound. Starting with their first John Peel session in 1978, where Peel had to foot the 70 pound studio bill for the broke band, through to their final (7th) session in 1982, which apparently the band barely remembers doing. It shows the band's growth from a three chord angsty punk band, the standard first origins step for any punk band. The wavering and harmonized vocals took the Beatles sound, sped it up, and overlaid aggressive guitars over the generally catchy hooks and backing beat. Again, I'm not discovering anything new here, it is a stereotypic start for the genre. Over the sessions, the songs got longer, and more intricate and added in more themes of 60's Psychedelia, Motown and Gary Glitter.

Although this is an Undertones compilation, it lacks their most popular track, Teenage Kicks, missing because, as the band states, they recorded it as well as they could have hoped, and felt no need to replicate it (even if Top 20 is on here twice). They broke up after their fourth album in 1983, but reunited in 1999 for Derry reunion gigs, minus Sharkey, who decided against rejoining. They are still an active band (as of 2021) and i would have seen them last year for the first time, it it weren't for that meddling covid.

Stand Out Track: 78 Peel Session (Get Over You / Top 20 / She Can Only Say No / Male Model)

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Two Hundred Pounds of Swingin' Hound - s/t

Name: 200 lbs. of Swingin' Hound
Album: s/t
Year: 1995
Style: Rockabilly
Similar Bands: Stray Cats
"One-Word" Review: Country Pub Raw Swing Band.
Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA
Label: Apple-Z Productions,
Cover, Back
CD, Sleeve Back

200 lbs. of Swinging Hound (1995)
  1. When Your Baby's Got the Blues 3:45
  2. Nearly Perfect 4:23
  3. 30 Lovesick Days 5:47
  4. Rock 'n' Roll Party 2:56
  5. Hot Lips! 4:03
  6. The Cold Bed Blues 2:48
  7. Single Again 3:34
  8. Lies 4:33
  9. Lifetime Guarantee 5:32
  10. I'm A' Gonna Get Ya 2:43
Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:
  • Ace Filipini - Vox (Reach Around Rodeo Clowns, Kingpins)
  • Joe Gallo - Guitars
  • Wally Wollet - Drums, Backing Vox, Piano
  • Trey LaRue - Standup Bass
  • Mike Lampe - Standup Bass (Steve Guyger)
  • Bob Williams - Engineer
  • Rick Stranix - Logos, Art Direction (Apple-Z Graphix)
  • Ken Hinchey - Cover Photo
Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. When I bought the record, my mind was infected with the late 90's swing movement, and i thought this might have been right in that swing/rockabilly sweet spot, but i don't actually ever remember listening to the album. I reckon this is a small pub band version of the rockabilly-big band sound.

Album Review: Straight up swing & rockabilly, predating the revival of the late 90's. A couple of the songs rock out a little more, but it leans toward the country vibe at it's heart. It seems like it is pretty good for what it is. "Lies" has a slightly more aggressive punk tone to it.

Not much out there on this band based out of the Philly area, just based on their phone and mailing address contacts. "Hot Lips" appears on a compilation of Ace Filipini songs that's on Spotify (Songs That Made Him Infamous) , but is not playable.

Stand Out Track: Lies

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Discogs - wrong name
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