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Showing posts with label 6CA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 6CA. Show all posts

Monday, April 15, 2024

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

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

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:

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Tinfed - Synaptic Hardware~, Hypersonic Hyperphonic*, Tried+True^

Name: Tinfed
Album: Synaptic Hardware~, Hypersonic Hyperphonic*, Tried+True^
Year: 1993~, 1996*, 2000^
Style: Industrial, Electronic, Nu Metal
Similar Bands: NIN, Fuel, System of a Down, Smashing Pumpkins, God Lives Underwater, Filter, Gravity Kills, Stabbing Westward, Cop Shoot Cop, Bush^, OK Go^
"One-Word" Review: Electro-Clash Industrial Dentistry~* Snotty Alt-Rock^
Based Out Of: Sacramento, Ca
Label: Primitech Releases~, Cargo Music*, Re-Construction*, Hollywood Records^, Third Rail Records^
Cover & Fold out~
Liner Notes & Lyrics, CD, CD Case Back~
Cover & Back*
Liner Notes, CD & CD Tray*
Cover & CD Back^
CD, CD Tray, Lyrics and Liner Notes^
Center Photo^
Synaptic Hardware (1993)~
  1. Blood 4:39 (single)
  2. Burning 4:01
  3. Dominion 4:39
  4. Turned Off 4:41
  5. Interjector 5:51
  6. Reverse Encryption 4:15
  7. Cleansed 5:03
  8. Mannerism Project 4:55
Hypersonic Hyperphonic (1996)*
  1. Thinwall Turmoil 4:27
  2. Whatever 4:13
  3. Wait Suspension 4:26
  4. Dis-jointed 4:20
  5. Insulin 5:16
  6. Elliv Noir Am 4:09
  7. Doubtless 3:10
  8. Unfamiliar 5:06
  9. Dis-jungle 4:32
Tried + True (2000)^
  1. Arrange 3:04
  2. Way Thru 3:14
  3. Immune 3:48
  4. Drop 3:58
  5. Never Was Sure 4:17
  6. Always/Never 2:45
  7. Halo 3:22
  8. Mouth As Sharp 3:41
  9. Idol 3:44
  10. Overrated 3:02
  11. Dangergirl 3:50
  12. It's Late 4:16
Album Rating (1-10):
~ 5.5
* 5.0
^ 6.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Eric Stenman - Guitar, Bass, Programming, Engineer, Construction~*Writer^ (Elegy, Bureau of the Glorious, Skinny Puppy, Death Valley High)
  • Victor Krag - Mixing~
  • Paul Stubblebine - Mastering~
  • Trevor Henthorn*
  • Rey Osburn - Vox, Guitar, Programming Construction~*Writer^ (Elegy, Ghostride, Death Valley High, Platypus Scourge, Deathline International, Vampire Rodents, Deftones, Slave Unit 
  • Giovanni Mercado - Construction, Drums~ (Exhale)
  • Chino Moreno - Vox^ (Deftones, Palms, Saudade, Team Sleep, Korn, Strife, Far, Soulfly, Skinny Puppy, Hersher, Cypress Hill, Tommy Lee, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Dead Poetic, Norma Jean, Dance Gavin Dance, Zach Hill, Methods of Mayhem, Whitechapel, Lamb of God, Como Asesinar A Felipes, +++, Ray Ramos Y La Sonora)
  • Chandler Broggs - Electronic Art & Graphic Production~
  • Matt Bassett - Artwork*
  • Angi Kelly Lewis - Photography~*
  • Scott Torguson - Photography~
  • Nick Dickerson Frederick - Bass* (Bureau of the Glorious, Exhale, Pitchfork, Thornucopia, Wet the Rope)
  • Rick Verrett - Bass^ (Team Sleep)
  • Matthew McCord- Beats, Deprogramming*^ (Elegy, Death Valley High, Bureau of the Glorious, Drop Acid, Platypus Scourge, Cake, Fleeting Joys)
  • Ed Buller - Mixing Producer, Engineer^
  • Enrique Gonzales - Producer, Mixing, Engineer^
  • Howie Weinburg - Mastering^
  • Jeff Gros - Photography^
  • P.R. Brown - Design^
  • Tom Osborn - PR Direction^
  • Seth Lichtenstein - Legal^
  • Demetre Arges - Web Design^
Unknown-ness: I've never heard of Tinfed, but somehow, probably through a friend ridding himself of some unwanted CDs, I got 3 of their discography. It shows growth from album to album in design and procedure of liner notes, but i still don't know what they sound like, except they apparently all program instruments, on top of the basic guitar drums and bass. From the design, i get the impression that they are sorta like Fuel, with a more tech-centric approach. Nu Metal and pop is my guess based on the last album's band photo.

Album Review: The first album takes a page of NIN's playbook with emotive, screaming vocals in parts and an electro-techno-industrial rock sound with dialogue snippets imbedded in the music. It would be easy to imagine this being on the Crow soundtrack. Hypersonic continues the seemingly experimental industrial-via-electro-clash style and adds to it with dentistry noise. even with a creepy, cavernous ambient instrumental "Unfamiliar," followed by a remix of Disjointed called "Dis-Jungle." which doubles down on the clanging and industrial Stomp. Throw in a song titled Insulin- an unrepresented subject within pop music, and "Wait Suspension," which has a similar base line to Bjork's "Army of Me," and you have a building, dark-techno-wave follow-up.

The third album, from the first note is more straight forward radio alternative produced. The vocals are melodic, not shouty, and the guitars are more prevalent, and the industrial tek is missing. It sounds a bit like Bush with a whiny, Jamiroquai vocal set. Although there is the song Halo, which employs a very NIN style synth and similar vocals. It seems to be an homage/tribute/ripoff of them.

Their height came right before their 2000 major label debut, as they got their single "Immune" on the Mission Impossible 2 soundtrack. Many critics at the time felt they may have had their best years in front of them when they were at the end of their career. 


Stand Out Track:~ Turned Off
^Halo

Links:

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

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:

Friday, July 9, 2021

Supernova - Ages 3 and Up

Name: Supernova
Album: Ages 3 and Up
Year: 1995
Style: Punk
Similar Bands: Ramones, Dead Milkmen, Devo, Sleater-Kinney, Buzzcocks, The Presidents of the USA, Aquabats, Tom Verlaine, Man or Astro-Man?
"One-Word" Review: Wacky, Silly Punk
Based Out Of: Costa Mesa, CA
Label: Amphetamine Reptile Records, Atlantic
Cover & Back
Liner Notes, CD Back, CD
Ages 3 & Up (1995)
  1. Vitamins 2:07 (single)
  2. Oreo 1:35
  3. Harry Gato 2:18
  4. Up & Down 2:16
  5. Mechanical 3:01
  6. Gum Fighter 2:15 (single B-Side)
  7. Wabbit 1:58
  8. Invasion 2:14
  9. Best Coast 2:09
  10. Drool 1:14
  11. Hippy 0:12
  12. Sea Stunt 1:54
  13. Daredevil 3:04
  14. Math 2:18
  15. Mentos 0:31
  16. Boo! 2:16
  17. Our Way 0:49
  18. Electric Man 3:21 (single)
  19. Supersong 3:00
  20. Close Encounters 1:04
Album Rating (1-10): 9.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Art (Mitchell) - Bass (Gum Fighters)
  • Dave (Collins) - Drums (Gum Fighters)
  • Jo(dey Lawrence) - Guitar
  • Tiim Mac - Producer, Recording
  • Andrea Collins - Toy Piano
  • Tim Connolly - Affirmations, Synth, Backups (Delicious Mind Garden)
  • Haze XXL - Design
  • Corrigan - Photos
Unknown-ness: Picked this up because it looked wacky. Like Presidents of the US- but in space wacky. Like somewhere between Dead Milkmen and They Might Be Giants wacky. Like so energetic you think it's cocaine, but it's really just too much Tang and Pixy Stix wacky. They are van-traveling-in-space, 20 tracks with 3 under a minute,  and weird haircut in space suits, which is wacky. The promo sticker on the front doesn't promote any "single," but instead, apologizes for language used in a 12 second song called "Hippy." 

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

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

Stand Out Track: Up & Down

Links:
Wiki

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Stereo 360 - Enjoy Your Life Poolside

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

Enjoy Your Life Poolside (2003)
  1. Superstar 2:42 (single)
  2. Automatic 3:32
  3. Plastecine 3:09
  4. California 3:13
  5. Vasoline Mouth 2:55 (Single)
  6. Radio Parade 3:02
  7. Don't Belong 3:58
  8. Original 3:44
  9. Restaurant 3:29
  10. Sick of You 2:59
  11. Beautiful 4:00
Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:
  • Shad Hills - Guitar, Vox (Cool for August)
  • Luis Galdames - Guitar (Illapu, Sign of the Fox, Felix da Housecat, Zaturno, Pablo Milanes)
  • Trevor Zimmerman Bass
  • Moon Hills - Drums
  • Arlan Schierbaum- Pianos, Keys, Moog, Accordion (Heaven & Earth, BJ Sharp, Meredith Brooks, Kris Wiley, Richie Kotzen, B-Side Players, Kelly Moneymaker, Mandrill, Brian Setzer, David Winoground, Cherry Bluestorms, Janiva Magness, Son of Skooshny, Nikki Lane, John Hiatt, Beth Hart, Joe Bonamassa, Rival Sons, Coronet Blue, Goldspot, Jimmy Barnes, Joey Sykes, Janey Street, Suitable Victims)
  • Ryan Greene - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
  • Tina Allen - BPR International
  • John Krishack - Mgmt
  • Geoffrey Hautvas - European Booking
  • Jason Schmidt - Photos
  • Tangle - CD package, Design, Art, Concept, Layout
  • Jonathan Levin - Legal
  • Gary Dollinger - Web Programming & Mgmt
  • Brad Vance - Mastering
Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. The artwork has a very warm/hot temperature feel to it, and reminds me of 311, although i don't think they will sound like that...but it will be somewhat close to brash, frat-boy rock, half way to Fuel (but not as hard).

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

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

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

Links:

Friday, June 4, 2021

Betsy Spivak - Belly Sweet

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

Cover, Fold Out Notes, CD Tray Artwork
Back, CD, Liner Notes/Lyrics
Belly Sweet (2000)

  1. Twiggy Blue Sky 3:06
  2. 222 Ray Street 3:59
  3. The Same 3:57
  4. Altar Boy & the Female Form 3:56
  5. Hundred Dollar Bet 4:15
  6. Sally 4:22
  7. Me for a Day 6:46
Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:
  • Betsy Spivak - Writer, Vox, Piano, Guitar, Producer, Arrangements, Mixing, Art Direction, Artwork
  • Anthony King - Guitars, Producer, Arrangements, Recording, Art Direction
  • Bruce Witkin - Producer, Recording, Mixing
  • Raymond Pitts - Clarinet, Arrangements
  • Ethan Phillips - Bass
  • George Kaurtis - Drums
  • Jack Lees - Percussion
    Diana Bridges - Backing Vox
  • Dave Schultz - Mastering
  • Marguerite Gaffney - Belly, Insert Photos
  • Doug Nahary - Art Direction (dZm Design)anthony king
  • Peter Creelman - Photos
  • Bill Parker - Photos
Unknown-ness: I believe i had heard of Betsy Spivak before I bought this in a used bin, just curious if the word of mouth recognition was worth the music. I can't remember what it was like...my mind is set that this will be flowery, folksy Lilith Fair / Indigo Girls singer-songwriter style of music.

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

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

Stand Out Track: 222 Ray St

Links:

Monday, May 3, 2021

Snow & Voices - s/t

Name: Snow & Voices
Album: s/t
Year: 2005
Style: Singer Songwriter Pop, Dreampop
Similar Bands: Neko Case, Portishead, Cowboy Junkies, Fiona Apple, Mazzy Star, Isobel Campbell, Luscious Jackson
"One-Word" Review:
Based Out Of: LA
Label: Bird Song Records
Cover, Tray Artwork
Back, Lyrics, CD
Snow & Voices (2005)
  1. Carry Us Home 4:07
  2. Nothing Certain 4:41
  3. A Dream of Happiness 3:36
  4. In Pieces Through the Door 3:08
  5. Goodnight New York 3:28
  6. Like a Flower to the Sun3:45
  7. Ordinary Girl 4:01
  8. No Regrets 4:18
  9. Go Your Own Way 4:00 (Fleetwood Mac cover)
  10. You Are Beside Me 3:43
Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Lauri Kranz - Lyrics, Vox
  • Jebin Bruni - Lyrics, Piano, Prohet V, Organ, Bass, Chamberlin, Celeste, Arp Pro, Nord, Guitar, Harmonium, Bass Pedals, Producer
  • Greg Leisz - Lyrics, Guitar, Pedal Steel, Producer
  • Buddy Judge - Guitar, Bass, Keys, Backing Vox, Producer
  • Ric Menck - Drums
  • Jennifer Condos - Bass
  • Darrell Thorp - Piano Strings, Producer, Engineer, Mixing,
  • Jeffery Cain - Guitar
  • Jay Bellerose - Drums
  • Mike Lazer - Mastering
  • Cyndi Finkel - Photos
  • Mike Weihs - Album Design (Heroes &Villains)
Unknown-ness: Never heard of Snow & Voices, so based on the artwork, color scheme and liner notes, i'm guessing this will be slow, folksy pop, with lots of space in the songs. Perhaps it will be more chamber music and dreamy, floating songs. The band seems like it is just Lauri Kranz and friends.

Album Review: Light and dreamy definitely describe this piano pop. "A Dream of Happiness" sounds like a slowed down, floating Imperial Teen track. "In Pieces Through the Door" has a distorted and Alt-90's Garbage + Portishead + Luscious Jackson sound to it, with a delightful catchy & building music box interlude. While it is not representative of the album, it is the most unique and complex track. "Goodnight NY." "Go Your Own Way." & "Ordinary Girl" are intimate, delicate lullabies where you can hear all the clicks and percussive elements of her turn of phrase as she sings with a slight cavernous echo. Flower to the Sun is a good, straight forward pop song, with a touch of country folk.

The band had three albums in 5 years, this being their first. There is more posted about their last 2010 album than this one, She had a career shift after that, and started a company called Edible Gardens LA, which she is still working with today.

Stand Out Track: In Pieces Through the Door

Links:

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Radioactive Cats - s/t

Name: Radio Active Cats
Album: s/t
Year:1991
Style: Roots Rock, Hair Metal, Blues
Similar Bands: Mr. Big, Blasters, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cheap Trick, Tesla, Primal Scream
"One-Word" Review: Swamp Hair Metal
Based Out Of: Burbank, CA
Label: Warner Brothers, WEA Manufacturing
CD
Radio Active Cats (1991)
  1. Shotgun Shack 4:54 (single)
  2. Hold On Tight 3:27
  3. Bed of Roses 4:45 (single)
  4. Finger in the Pie 4:55
  5. Standin' in the Rain 4:24
  6. Love Razor 4:18
  7. Cry on My Shoulder 3:48
  8. Think About Love 3:29
  9. Cheap Mascara 4:28
  10. Knock Knock 3:56
  11. Wet, Hot Sweat 4:36
Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Andy Wallace - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
  • Roberta Petersen - Executive Producer
  • Shel Graves - Vox (TV in Flames)
  • Michael Graves - Drums, Percussion, Vox (Broken Homes, Bang-Bang, Moccasoul, TV in Flames)
  • Ian Espinoza - Guitar, Mandolin, Vox (The Breakaways, Dancer, Failsafe, Beachy & the Beachnuts, Honeys. James House, The Coup, TV in Flames)
  • Ron Maldonado - Bass (Pappo's Blues)
  • Michael Doman - Drums (Broken Homes, Goodie Mob)
  • Joe Simon Seibert - Keys (Broken Homes, Rick Parker)
  • Janet Levinson - Art Direction
  • Andy Earl - Photos
  • John Jackson - Asst Engineer
  • Judy Kirschner - Asst Engineer
  • Bernie Grundman - Mastering

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band...and since i only have the CD, there is not much to go buy. From the song names and the band name, plus year this was released, they sound like a made-for-tv metal band, like something that would have appeared on Married With Children. I know Andy Wallace's name from Faith No More producing and other bands of that type, so perhaps hair metal is spot on. And spacing matters with this band...as they are not the Radioactive Cats, they are Radio Active...as if they are dudes who are active on the radio.

Album Review: The songs are a touch southern roots rock while singing about metal themes of women, love on the run, and roses. The songs are not that threatening, but i wonder if that is just time and the genre pushing the bar up since 1991 that makes it sound almost quaint. "Knock Knock" sounds like a metal singer fronting Cake, which is strangely enjoyable. They suffered the wrong band at the wrong time syndrome, as Alt-Grunge was picking up speed just as they were releasing this debut. Not entirely hair band metal and not classic rock inspired grunge at all, their cover-all-basis music made them a band that was stopped before it started

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Portable - Secret Life

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

Cover
Back, CD

Secret Life (1999)

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

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

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

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

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

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

Stand Out Track: Step On It, Go!

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

Monday, April 5, 2021

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

Friday, January 29, 2021

Stargard - The Changing of the Gard

Name: Stargard
Album: The Changing of the Gard
Year: 1979
Style: Disco, R&B, Funk
Similar Bands: Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, A Taste of Honey, Supremes, Pattie Labell, Pointer Sisters, Rose Royce
"One-Word" Review: Playful funky while light rn'b
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: Warner Bros
Cover, Record
Back, Lyrics, Record
The Changing of the Gard (1979)
  1. Wear it Out 5:17 (single)
  2. (Once In A Lifetime) Dream Come True 4:45
  3. Footstompin' Music 4:31
  4. Take Me Back 4:37 /
  5. Runnin' From the Law 4:41
  6. Bedtime Story 0:15
  7. I Just Imagined You 4:29
  8. Put On Your Rollerskates 4:04
  9. Lowdown Dancing 4:11
  10. Flashback 0:28
Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:
  • Verdine White - Producer, Writer, Bass (Earth Wind & Fire, Ramsey Lewis, Craze, The Emotions, James Vincent, Gene Harris, Deniece Williams, Harvey Mason, Deodate, Jennifer Lopez, Audio Caviar, Solange, Chicago, Flo Rida, Kelly Clarkson, Carmine Appice,  more)
  • Robert Wright - Producer, Writer, Keys (Moon Martin, Michael Wycoff, Fonzi Thornton, Jones Girls, Dalton & Dubarri, Tramaine, Genobia Jeter, Main Ingredient Feat. Cuba Gooding, more)
  • Walter Ainsworth - Exec Producer
  • F. Byron Clark - Remix Engineer, Recording Engineer
  • Charles Fearing - Writer
  • Debra Anderson - Vox (Junior Walker, Spyder Turner)
  • Rochelle Runnells - Writer, Vox, Keys (Junior Walker, Candi Station, Checkmates Ltd, Arthur Wayne, Raydio, Spyder Turner, Candi Station)
  • Janice C Williams - Writer, Vox (Junior Walker, Arthur Wayne, Checkmates Ltd, Spyder Turner, Raydio, Anderson Temple, Pryme)
  • Robert E Carpenter - Writer
  • Dean Gant - Writer, Keys  (Don Kinsey, Chosen Ones, Invisible Man's Band, Stargard, Linda Clifford, Spinners, Stephanie Mills, Larry Graham, Jones Girls, Madonna, Keni Burke, Anita Baker, Outkast, Peabo Bryson, Sunfire more)
  • Allen Zent - Mastering
  • Brian Gardner - Mastering Engineer
  • Butch Lynch - Recording Engineer
  • Serge Reyes - Recording Engineer
  • Bruce Grayson - Recording Engineer
  • Richard Seireeni - Art Director
  • Robert Elias - Photos
  • Alexis Caydam - Hair & Makeup
  • Keiko - Costumes
  • Keni Burke - Bass (Five Stairsteps, Peabo Bryson, Ca$hflow, Andy Lewis, Smoove, Preston Glass, Billy Preston, DJ Rogers, Bill Withers, Gladys Knight & Pips, Stargard, Linda Clifford, Dusty Springfield, Spyder Turner, Leroy Hutson, Les McCann, Emotions, Narada Michael Walden, Eugen Record, Terry Callier, Sly & Family Stone, Undisputed Truth, Clifford Coulter, Ramsey Lewis, Curtis Mayfield, Chocolate Milk, Ahmad Jamal, Smokey Robinson, Thelma Houston, Brenda Holloway, Natalie Cole, Cameo, more)
  • Butch Azevedo - Drums, Percussion (Undisputed Truth, Sonald Byrd, Skool Boyz, Band AKA, The Dr's, Jay Gordon, Phillip Walker)
  • Larry "Fatback" Talbert - Drums (Raydio, Barrett Strong, Bill Withers, Karen Pree, Edna Wright, Greg Perry, Jack Ashford, Dominic Frontiere, SofTouch, Bill Champlin, Phylliss Bailey, Maxine Nightingale, Shadee, Tom Jones, Jeffree, Thelma Houston, Dream Express, Lani Hall, Sir John Roberts, Jerry Knight, Ray Parker Jr, Menage A Trois, Mary Wells, Cheryl Lynn, Epo, Natalie Cole, Greg Perry)
  • Joseph Baker - Guitar (Sly & Family Stone, Josephine Baker)
  • Charles Fearing - Guitar (Raydio, Deniece Williams, High Inergy, Dusty Springfield, Edwin Starr, Jimmy Cliff, Ray Parker Jr, Tavares, Peaches & Herb, Bloodstone, Jeffrey Osborne, DeBarge, Dazz Band, Smokey Robinson, Sister Sledge, Teena Marie, Herb Alpert, Sam Harris, New Edition, Tina Turner, Bobby Womack, Four Tops, Lionel Richie, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Barry White, Kurtis Blow, Nancy Wilson, Joan Baez, Temptations, Johnny Gill, Melba Moore, Ralph Tresvant, Celine Dion, Ce Ce Peniston, Teddy Pendergrass, SWV, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Enrique Iglesias, Ray Charles, more)
  • Robert Palmer - Guitar (Booty People, Chaka Khan, General Caine, Halloween, Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson, Luther Rabb, Garry Glenn, Robbie Dupree, Mary Wells, Band AKA, Syreeta, Gift of Dreams, LJ Reynolds, Danny Lugo, Destination, Bobby Womack, Billy Griffin, Fizzy Qwick, Billy Preston, Glenn Medeiros, Sheena Easton, Taja Secelle, Pepsi & Shirlie, Smokey Robinson, Starleana, Lionel Richie, i5, 2bd)
  • Mark Davis - Keys, Recording (Starlight Express, Minnie Riperton, Rotary Connection, Curtis Mayfield, Calvin Carter, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Earth Wind & Fire, Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, David Ruffin, Undisputed Truth, Rose Royce, Natalie Cole, Sly & the Family Stone, Andrew Lloyd Webber, many)
  • Eddie "Bongo" Brown - Percussion (Brass Fever, Funk Brothers, John Handy, Finished Touch, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett, Undisputed Truth, Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, Bob Seger, Jimmy Ruffin, Carly Simon, Miracles, Quincy Jones, BB King, The Pips, Blackbyrds, Donnie Osmond, Commodores, Ben E King, 5th Dimension, Grease sndtk, Tower of Power, Deniece Williams, Billy Preston, Tavares, Peaches & Herb, La Toya Jackson, Gloria Gaynor, Kenny Rogers, High Inergy, Herb Alpert, Ray Parker Jr, Johnny Mathis more)
  • Paulinho da Costa - Percussion (Baby'o, Fuse One, Patrick Williams, Samba 4, Sergio Mendes, The Bridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Sat. Night Fever sndtk, toto, Madonna, Ella Fitzgerals, Sarah Vaugn, Diana Krall, Claus Ogerman, many more)
  • Donald Myrick - Horns, Musical Contractor (Phenix Choir/Horns, Philip Cochran, Artistic Heritage Ensemble, Sky, Intentions, Pharaohs, Salty Peppers, Phil Collins, Howlin' Wolf, Earth Wind and Fire, Ramsey Lewis, Chi-Lites, Emotions, Deniece Williams, Blue Magic, Valerie Carter, Twennynine, Gap Band, Pockets, Invisible Man's Band, La Toya Jackson, Pointer Sisters, Whispers, Dells, Bloodstone, Heaven 17, Philip Bailey, David Byrne, Bobby Womack, Jacksons more)
  • Louis Satterfield - Horns (Phenix Choir/Horns, Philip Cohran & Artistic Heritage Ensemble, Sky, Intentions, Pharaohs, Salty Peppers, Phil Collins, Fontella Bass, James Cotton, BB King, Jack McDuff, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Okie Duke, The Dells, Shel Silverstein, Mighty Joe Young, Earth Wind & Fire, Emotions, ChiLites, Staples, Denise Williams, Ronnie Laws, Gap Band, Tavares, Invisible Mans Band, Upchurch more)
  • Raheem Lee Michael Davis - Horns
  • Fred Jackson - Horns (Bobby Hutcherson, Horace Silver, Jimmy Smith, Carole King, Frank Zappa, Maria Muldaur, Bill Cosby, Terry Callier, Joe Sample, The Whispers, Solomon Burke, Dianne Schuur, Earth Wind & Fire, Boz Scaggs, Ramsey Lewis, Ry Cooder, Alice Coltrane, BB King, Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson, Gap Band, Rick James, LaToya Jackson, Con Funk Shun, Tavares, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Sheena Easton, Quincy Jones, Boz Scaggs, Dee Dee Bridgewater, more)
  • Oscar Brashear - Horns (Bird Memorial Quintet, Brass Fever, Count basie Orch, Gerald Wilson Orch of the 80's/90's, Henry Mancini & His Orch,Hubert Laws Group, Karma, Master Fleet, Teddy Edwards Brasstring Ensemble, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orch, more )
  • Jerome Richardson - Horns (All Star Big Band, Cal Tjader, Cannonball Adderley, Charles Mingus, Charlie Shavers, Earl Fatha Hines, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Four Flutes, Gene Ammons, Gerald Wilson, Henry mancini, Jerome Richardson, Jim Tyler, Jimmy Cleveland, Kenny Clarke, Lalo Schifrin, Larry Vuckovich, Lionel Hampton, Manny Albam, Milt Jackson, Nat Adderley, Oliver Nelson, Oscar Pettiford, Per Husby, Quincy Jones, Ray Brown, Tadd Damerson, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Blue Mitchell Orch, Clifford Jordan, Creed taylor, Ernie Wilkins, Gary McFarland, Gene Page, Hines Varieties, Kenny Burrell, Michael Coldin, Prestige All Stars, Sextet of Orchaestra USA many)
  • Garnett Brown - Horns (Crusaders, Herbie Hancock, Lionel Hampton, Billy Cobham, Dizzy Gillespie, Brass Fever, Charles Mingus, George Russell, Gerald Wilson, Gil Evans, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Booker Ervin, Buddy Collette, Chico Hamilton, Duke Pearson, Gene Harris, Thomas Tedesco more)
  • Beverly Ashby - Harp 
  • Benjamin Wright - Orch Direction
  • June Gatlin - Spiritual Adviser
Unknown-ness: I had never heard of this band. From the cover, I'm hoping it will be some solid poppy girl RnB, like Seduction, Vanity 6, of En Vogue. I fear it is a little early for that, and is smack dab in the middle of disco, so i won't be surprised if it tackles that genre.

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

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

Friday, January 15, 2021

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

Name: LA's Wasted Youth
Album: Get Out of My Yard
Year: 1990
Style: Hard Core, Punk, Metal
Similar Bands: NOFX, Bad Religion, Circle Jerks, Adolescents, Suicidal Tendencies
"One-Word" Review: Juvenile Tendencies
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: Medusa Records
Cover, Record
Back, Record
Get Out of My Yard (1990)
  1. Young & Board 2:18
  2. Blind Nuns 2:38
  3. Ethiopian Nightmare 3:56 /
  4. Happy Birthday 2:49
  5. Missionary Imposition 2:08
  6. Tormented 2:48
Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Chett Lehrer - Music, Guitar Glue Gun
  • Paolo Rossi - Lyrics, Vox
  • Joey Castillo - Drums (Danzig, Queens of the Stone Age, Bl'ast, Bloodclot!, California Breed, Eagles of Death Metal, General Fucking Principle, Goatsnake, Scott Weiland & the Wildabouts, Sugartooth, The Bronx, The Desert Sessions, Zakk Sabbath, Zilch, Mass Mental?, Son of Sam, Youjeen, Mark Lanegan Band, Boots Electric, The Bosshoss, Blackbird Days, Hifiklub & Alain Johannes, Love Zombies, Nick Oliveri, Sun trash, Last Internationale, Landfill Crew, The Hives, Patron, WC & the Madd Circle, Roberto Zenteno)
  • Bryen - Bass
  • Darin Scheff - Producer
  • "Woody" - Engineer
  • Barri Conley - Asst. Engineer, Mixing
  • David O - Mixing
  • Bobby Duron - Photography, Layout, Design
  • David Arquette "Kingz" - Logos
  • Lee Ellington - Car Drawing
Unknown-ness: I may have heard of this band, but don't much about them, if anything. I think they are a hard core, crust punk-ish band, and the band photo on the cover bring attacked by children in a kiddie pool paints them to be a punk band at the very least. Interesting, Patricia Arquette is thanked in the liner notes (wikipedia says she dated Rossi, and they had a child Enzo right around the time this came out), and David Arquette designed the logo.

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

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

Stand Out Track: Tormented

Links:
Wiki
Allmusic

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Warren, Paul & Explorer - One of the Kids

Name: Paul Warren & Explorer
Album: One of the Kids
Year: 1980
Style: Powerpop, Oldies
Similar Bands: Beatles, Marshall Crenshaw, Steve Forbert, Pezband, Shoes, Records
"One-Word" Review: Good & Plenty Pop
Based Out Of: Detroit, MI, Los Angeles, CA
Label: RSO, Polygram
Cover, Sleeve, Record
Back, Lyrics, Record
One of the Kids (1980)
  1. One of the Kids 3:04
  2. Takin' Her Back 4:01 (single)
  3. The Others 2:29
  4. A and R Man 3:06
  5. Suzanne 3:59/
  6. You Can't Touch Her 3:25
  7. Kiss Me Chrissy 2:56
  8. Faded Glory 4:30
  9. For the Love of a Girl 3:07
  10. Hats Off to Winners 2:50
Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:
  • Peter Coleman - Producer
  • Paul Warren - Vox, Guitar (Rod Stewart, Rare Earth, Pacific Gas & Electric, Explorer, Jack Wagner, Robin Trower, Neil Norman, Bobby Sexton, Richard Marx, Ventures, Temptations, Undisputed Truth, Funkadelic, Elkie Brooks, Prism, Tina Turner, USA for Africa, Richard Marx, Tamara Champlin, Eros Ramazzotti, Alessandro Mara, Joe Cocker, Her Name is Death, ABC, Actual Russian Brides, Nite City)
  • Steve Gornall - Guitar, Vox (Carl Stewart)
  • Jimmy Hunter - Drums (Nite City, Nick Gilder, Hilary Laddin, David London, Gabriele Morgan, POOK Family All Star Line Up Band, Fortune, Bobby Barth, Bobby Alexander, Greg Ginn. Beckley)
  • Dene Jordan - Bass, Vox 
  • Doug Schwartz - Engineer Asst
  • Steve Hall - Mastering
  • Charles Weinberger - Mgmt
  • Greg McCutcheon - Mgmt
  • Glenn Ross - Art Direction
  • Tim Owens - Design
  • Moshe Brakha - Photos
  • Rachel Guinan - Cover Kid
  • Andy Owens - Cover Kid
Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but the mixed message of Warren smoking in front of the kids, yet declaring himself as one of the kids in the title is a shame. The kids, obviously from the future sport the 80's new wave business clothes with Geordie La Forge glasses. There was a big drive in the early 80's to mark yourself as new wave with the Red, Black & White color scheme, and this fits in with the red lines across the title and back of album. So the only question is how nerdy or power poppy will this record be...no mention of keys on the member list, so my guess is that it most likely won't be the bouncy neurotic powerpop, and will lean on the more pub rock sound.

Album Review: The album is full of singer/songwriter powerpop, lots of Beatles influence in the simple melodies, and basic, catchy song structures. The only difference, and quite shockingly so, is the driving metal anxiousness of "For the Love of a Girl."

Last June, I added a record from his band, Nite City, that preceded this album. Starting in the early 70's, Warren was a session guitarist for Motown Records (recorded The Temptations' "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"), as he was discovered in the area at 17. He moved with the label when they relocated to LA. After this one album and a bankrupt RSO label, he began his stint as a guitar for hire, before he ended up as touring guitarist for Richard Marx in 1987 - 1994 and Rod Stewart 1999 - 2013.

Stand Out Track: For the Love of a Girl

Links:

Friday, December 18, 2020

20/20 - Lookout!

Name: 20/20
Album: Look Out!
Year: 1981
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Records, Pezband, Strokes, The Tubes, The Knack
"One-Word" Review: power-less powerpop
Based Out Of: Tulsa, Oklahoma / Los Angeles, CA
Label: Portrait, CBS

Cover, Record
Back, Record

(1981)

  1. Nuclear Boy 3:20 (single)
  2. Out of My Head 3:49
  3. Strange Side of Love 3:37 (single)
  4. Alien 3:39
  5. A Girl Like you 2:29 /
  6. Life in the USA 2:37
  7. The Night I Heard a Scream 3:14
  8. Beat City 3:02
  9. Mobile Unit 245 4:10
  10. American Dream 4:50

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

  • Richard Podolor - Producer
  • Christopher Silagyi - Guitar, Synth, Piano, Vox (Ex Teens)
  • Steve Allen - Lead Guitar, Keys, Vox (Long Players Band)
  • Joel Turrisi - Drums
  • Ron Flynt - Bass, Keys, Vox
  • Tony Lane - Art Direction
  • Nobru Tarui - Design
  • Tim Guyer - Design
  • Bill Cooper - Engineer
  • Pat Foley - Engineer
  • Shelly Heber - Mgmt
  • Johnnie Randels - Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of 20/20. Not a fan of the font or overall color scheme of the album art, but they do look like a bunch of power pop rockers from the cover photo. The back darkly lit alley photo gives them a grittier, pub band feel, so I'm, not sure if it will be more in line with bands like Journey and Foreigner than Big Star or the Flaming Groovies.

Album Review: The album is pretty straightforward clean cut power pop, not much darkness or mysterious elements to their music, if any. I feel like the album is inspired by Star Wars with some of their lyrics on "Alien" and "Mobile Unit 245," or perhaps the pride (actually, sarcastic critique) in the US with "Nuclear Boy," "Life in the USA," and "American Dream". Either way, the album seems to capture the time in which it was recorded. "Out of My Head" feels a little Strokes-y (or the Strokes feel like this). And there is a slight tinge of psychedelia on "A Girl Like You." John Mellencamp's ROCK in the USA sounds a little like their "Life in the USA."

The nucleus of the band formed in Tulsa Oklahoma back in grade school. Inspired or challenged by cross town success of the Dwight Twilley band in LA, Allen and Flynt moved where they eventually came together with a fully formed idea of 20/20 by Mike Gallo, who departed before this record. Their first album was considered a power pop masterpiece, and this one a somewhat disappointing follow up. Like most bands, the writing was on the wall, and a third, final album followed as sales/promotion/ waned and frustration increased. Flynt & Allen regrouped in the 90's following album reissues and ended up putting a new pair of albums out in 95,98. Coincidentally, all members of 20/20 own or work in different recording studios.


Stand Out Track: Alien

Links:
Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Best Classic bands Top 10 power pop songs
Fredpopdom
Power Pop HOF
Pop Matters

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Translator - Heartbeats and Triggers

Name: Translator
Album: Heartbeats & Triggers
Year: 1982
Style: Post Punk, New Wave
Similar Bands: Alarm, Jonathan Richman, Clash, Jam, Rifles, The dB's, Wire Train
"One-Word" Review: Solid Punky Art Rock
Based Out Of: San Francisco, Los Angeles
Label: 415 Records, Columbia, CBS

Cover, Record
Record, Back

Heartbeats and Triggers (1982)

  1. Everywhere That I'm Not 4:03 (single)
  2. Necessary Spinning 3:41
  3. Everything You See 3:35
  4. When I Am With You 3:06 (single b-side)
  5. Nothing is Saving Me 5:16 /
  6. Sleeping Snakes 3:37
  7. Favorite Drug 3:32
  8. Everywhere 3:19
  9. Dark Region 2:31
  10. My Heart, Your Hear 3:43

Album Rating (1-10): 10.0

Members & Other Bands:

  • Steve Barton - Guitar, Vox (The Oblivion Click, Present Tense, Blow Up, Waking Bartonomous)
  • Robert Darlington - Guitar, Vox (The Lies)
  • David Scheff - Drums (Teatro ZinZanni, Dead Kennedys, Bang Bang Men, Half True, Winter Hours, Wilma, Bounty, Slow Children, American Music Club, Sachiko, Ramona The Pest, Flying Color, Billy & Dolly)
  • Larry Dekker - Bass (Bang Bang Men, Map of Wyoming, Sachiko)
  • David Kahne - Producer, Engineer
  • Philip De Lancie - Remote Assistant
  • Paul Stubblebine - Mastering
  • Robin A. Spear - Cover Concept & Design
  • Trudy Fisher - Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. While the date is 1982, the cover looks like a millennial angular pop-punk offering. The bleak two tone color scheme give them a darkness to the music, potentially. But i really don't know what's going to be on here...based on their pics, they look like a new wave band, so let's go with that.

Album Review: This record is really great. Two vocal styles from two vocalists round out the good with a Jonathan Richmond style voice, and a Peter Weller style vocal, with music to complement both styles. The songs can be a little jangly like the Alarm, but a good recent comparison would be to the UK band, the Rifles. It feels like the third or fourth catalogue offering of a previously raucous punk band who has aged well and lost a bit of their driving, angsty edge, yet this is their debut.

This record received substantial airplay for college and underground radio stations via the record label's connection to CBS/Columbia, particularly their anthem "Everywhere That I'm Not." They release 4 albums in the 80's then quit, and reformed 26 years later to release another album, two best-ofs and a handful of new singles. One of their biggest inspirations was the Beatles, and they sounded so much like them, that many Beatles fan thought their 1983 cover of "Cry for a Shadow" was a new recording by the living members in time for the Beatles Anthology release in 1995.

Stand Out Track: Everywhere That I'm Not, Necessary Spinning, Everywhere


Links:
Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Steve Barton Music
Music Alternatives
Facebook Friends & Fans
Furious: Darlington Interview
Washington Times
Unrated Magazine 2018 Barton's solo albums interview
Cryptic Rock Barton Interview 2018
Alchetron
Stereo Embers Barton's 2018 release review/stream
Songfacts 2012 Barton Interview