The Barracudas Mean Time + bonus tracks GREAT!!! $18
After abandoning a second album (four tracks from which were salvaged and released as "House of Kicks") and losing drummer Nick Turner to the nascent Lords of the New Church, singer Jeremy Gluck and guitarist Robin Wills assembled a new Barracudas
and recorded the wonderful "Mean Time", produced by Pete Gage (ex-Vinegar Joe), who also adds evocative keyboards to the proceedings. This is considered by many to be is the 'Cudas' masterpiece. Coming several years after their debut, this takes on the direction suggested of their surfer-wannabe debut. When that album came out, the band was already leaving the surf thing behind and getting a little more serious. If you combined early and latter-day Flamin' Groovies, this is what you'd get. Tons of gorgeous 12-string jangle, but with the aggressiveness that was lacking on the last few Groovies albums. "Reclaiming more than half of the unreleased album's songs, here they sound like a younger Flamin Groovies. (In fact, this five-piece lineup — easily the Barracudas' best — features ex-Groovie guitarist Chris Wilson.) An effortless and catchy '60s-ish blend of punky pop, vintage rock'n'roll, mock Merseybeat, snarly mild psychedelia and Byrdsy 12-string folk-rock." - TrouserPress.com "The track 'Hear Me Calling' is worth 15 quid of anybody's money. The rest of the songs are a bonus. It makes me so sad that the only reason this band did not conquer the world was the fact that they were making the right music at the wrong time." - Andrew Smith The album kicks off with two of their finest songs, 'Grammar Of Misery' and 'Bad News,' showing the band in their finest light: sensitivity mixed with resolve. A rare combo for such a rocking outfit. From there the pace is maintained throughout, which is why this is almost loaded with greatest hits. 'Shades Of Today' is excellent lyrically, and 'Dead Skin' is a truly chilling account of what-ifs and coulda-shouldas. The album closers, 'Eleventh Hour' and the desperate wail of 'Hear Me Calling,' send it out the way it came in: rocking to the jangle. A must!" - All Music Guide Two bonus tracks are added to this reissue - "Be My Friend Again" (demo) and "Stolen Heart" (first mix)!
Endeavour To Persevere + bonus tracks GREAT!! $18
Issued in the shadow of their 1983 breakthrough, 'Mean Time,' this record never quite gained the recognition of its predecessor. And it's a shame, because in some ways, the band seemed more on top of the sounds and styles they brought to bear than they
ever had or would. They add inflections of harmony from their early surf and jangle roots to meatier rock 'n' roll sounds of mid-period Stones and the latter-day Flamin' Groovies. Swirl that with a dollop of Dylan and English folk influences and a jigger of psychedelic revival and you have the band's most diverse album to date. The record sees former Flamin' Groovie Chris Wilson more integrated into the band, and the playing throughout is wonderful, with chiming 12-string guitars the order of the day.
"Tracks like 'Dealing With Today' are swirling, jangly, and poetic. 'Leaving Home Again,' could just make the room start spinning on you, with exquisite 'ahhhs' behind Jerremy Gluck's near-shouted vocal. 'Song for Lorraine' is another winner, with dual vocal tracks - one in each ear. From there, though, the pickings get a little slim. 'Black Snake,' which sounds like it could've been written for Roky Erickson and the Aliens, easily makes the grade, and there is some nice straight-ahead English folk-type stuff to be found too," - All Music Guide "In addition to stirring originals like the electric 12-string jangler 'Dealing With Today,' and the go-go beat of 'She Knows,' the album picks up on the Paisley Underground sounds of Los Angeles: the harmonica wail and shouted vocal of 'Song for Lorraine' are reminiscent of Dan Stuart's work on Green on Red's 'Gravity Talks' LP, and 'See Her Eyes Again' has the sort of flowing vocal and chiming guitars favored by The Rain Parade. There are also some covers present, including a rousing version of Leon Rosselson's politically charged 'World Turned Upside Down,' a fine take on The Everly Brothers 'Man With Money' and a reading of The Standells' 'Barracuda' infused with the sort of energy the band brought to the live stage." - Hyperbolium.com Now bolstered with eight bonus tracks - "Stolen Heart" (single mix), "Laughing At You", "Two Sides Of A Coin" (demo), "Very Last Day" (demo), "There's A World Out There" (demo), "Dagger Of Justice" (demo), "Kingdom Of Pain" (demo), and "Wastin Time" (demo)!
The Big Three Cavern Stomp GREAT!!! $18
The Big Three were legends of the seminal Merseybeat scene of 1961-64, renowned as one of its most exciting bands and scoring two Top 40 hits: "Some Other Guy" and "By The Way". They were possibly the most highly respected musicians of all the Liverpool groups. They evolved from a group called Cass & The Cassanovas which were formed in the late 50's by Brian Casser. Although originally a four-piece outfit, by 1959 they had slimmed down to a trio comprising of Casser (guitar/vocals), Adrian Barber (guitar) and Johnny Hutchinson (drums). In need of a bass guitarist, Hutchinson brought in Johnny Gustafson. At that time Gustafson didn't have a proper bass guitar so Barber converted an acoustic for him. Late in 1960, Casser left the group and moved to London reducing them to a trio again. In January 1961 the Cassanovas re-emerged as the Big Three. Despite being a three-piece they were one of the loudest bands in Liverpool due to Barber's talents in the electronics field. He built the band giant amps, standing over five feet high, which were nicknamed "coffins". Brian Epstein signed them to his sable and sent them over to Hamburg. It was during that trip that Brian Griffiths joined the group, Barber left, and the best-known line-up of the Big Three was established. Their musicianship and attack were legendary and they exerted a considerable influence on their contemporaries. Epstein arranged for them to audition for Decca Records and they recorded "Some Other Guy". The group were not happy with the recording and appalled when they were told that Decca would be releasing it and wouldn't allow them a proper recording session so they could perform the song they way they wished it to be played. Instead of understanding why the Big Three were so popular - because of their aggressive sound, their wildness, their casual appearance on stage - he put them into suits and began to dilute their sound, choosing lightweight pop numbers and insisting, against their wishes, that they record them. This CD includes all of their recordings for Decca across 1963 and 1964: the classic "At The Cavern Live" EP plus four singles, compilation appearances and outtakes. These recordings have not been available on CD for a decade. As an added bonus, their reunion album from 1973, "Resurrection", makes its first appearance on CD.
The Breakaways Walking Out On Love: The Lost Sessions +bonus disc GREAT!!! $17
PLIMSOULS/PAUL COLLINS ALERT!!! DUE OCTOBER 27!!! After spending nearly 30 years gathering dust in a closet The Breakaways makes its worldwide debut! Born in 1978 after the demise of The Nerves, this short lived combo was formed by Paul Collins and Peter Case, just prior to the formation of The Plimsouls and The Beat. The Breakaways shared the refinement of The Nerves but had a more raw, rocking style. "Walking Out On Love - The Lost Sessions" compiles all the band's known material, including studio recordings, demos, and acoustic rehearsals. "This is the sound of pop on the streets of Los Angeles circa 1978." - Paul Collins. "I'd forgotten these tapes even existed. We were definitely homing in on something." - Peter Case. Track Listing: "Everyday Things." "One Way Ticket," "Radio Station," "Little Suzy," "Working Too Hard," "Thing Of The Past." "I Don't Fit In." "Will You Come Through?," "House On The Hill," "Do You Want To Love Me?," "Let Me Into Your Life," "USA," and "Walking Out On Love"! BUT WAIT, THERE'S EVEN MORE! COME WITH AN EXCLUSIVE DISC - THE PLIMSOULS "LIVE AT THE WHISKY A GO GO 10/81"!! TRACK LISTING: "HUSH HUSH," "SHAKY CITY," "LOST TIME," "INCH BY INCH," "SORRY," "NOW," "WOMEN," "A MILLION MILES AWAY," "I'LL GET LUCKY," "ZERO HOUR," "I WANT YOU BACK," "EVERYDAY THINGS," "JUMP, JIVE, AND HARMONIZE," "COME ON NOW," "DIZZY MISS LIZZY," "NEW ORLEANS," "GOIN' BACK TO BIRMINGHAM"/"HEY HEY HEY," AND "RUN RUN RUN"!
The DomNicks Hey Rock ‘N’ Roller GREAT!! $13
DOM MARIANI ALERT!!!! The DomNicks combine the Perth Garage Rock/Power Pop legend Dom Mariani (The Stems, DM3, Someloves), with the British punk attack of Nick Shepherd (The Clash, The Cortinas). Formed in 2007 the band was a meeting of musical minds for Dom and Nick who teamed up with Howard Shawcross vintage bass man (The Elks, The Jackals, Dave Warner) and Marz Frisina drummer around town (DM3, The Calhoons, New Egyptian Kings). This hang loose combo plays a mix of Dom and Nick originals with a nice spread of 60's and 70's garage soul classics. One part Memphis stew, one part Stones and Faces inspired and one part Aussie garage guitar rock this band of seasoned players punches well above its collective musical weight. Now in 2009 they've released their first CD - "Hey Rock ‘N’ Roller" - mixed by the formidable duo of Rob “Radio Birdman” Younger and Wayne Connolly (producer of You Am I and The Vines), which consists of 5 Nick and 2 Dom penned tracks. There are rockers that swagger with a "Sticky Fingers" atmosphere and there is a down home soul groove in “Hey Fellas” that channels Bobby Womack. The band’s lean and mean four piece sound is enhanced by brass and keyboards on some tracks to full effect. It's a side of Dom we've never seen, but he nails it! Nice one Dom!
Hello=Fire Hello=Fire GREAT!!! $17
BRENDAN BENSON ALERT!!! Dean Fertita (Waxwings, Raconteurs, Dead Weather, Queens of the Stone Age) is a workhorse; a mainstay of the Detroit underground scene since the early-Nineties. From his years of relentless touring as front-man of the criminally under appreciated Waxwings, to his able-bodied accompaniment to friend/cohort Brendan Benson, he's been laying the groundwork for his current prominence. He was also the invaluable utility-man (keys, guitar, harmonies) on the worldwide touring for the Raconteurs debut album of 2006. Such flexibility and skill made him the first choice for the same position in Queens of the Stone Age in 2007, leading to him now being a permanent member. He now appears at the forefront of Dead Weather, the dark rock and roll super-group with Jack White (The White Stripes). A lesser soul would blanch at the task of playing guitar in a band with that guy, but Fertita’s work on "Horehound" shows he can hold his own. That he takes a lion’s share of the song-writing credits only further cements his ability as one of the preeminent tune smiths in rock music today. This, his first dedicated solo album, is a remarkable example of what the man can do when in full-charge of the ship. Moving from the darkly devil rock "Horehound" to the spacey melodic vein of Hello=Fire is part of Fertita's signature versalitity, both as a writer and player. Guest appearances by Troy Van Leeuwan, Joey Castillo and Michael Shuman (all members of QOTSA), Brendan Benson, and Michael Horrigan (Afghan Whigs). With song-writing collaboration from Benson (the overall sound of the record sounds a lot like Brendan's solo stuff - a good thing for sure) on half the disc’s tracks, the songs brim with insightful lyrics, cunning arrangements and powerful production. Stand-out tracks like "Far From It" and “Certain Circles” frame the entire project with a gilded, romantic lining. It’s a song like “Parallel” though that leaves the listener impressed. Everything from the majestic, drawn-out vocal streams, the evocative, warm synth warbles to the imposing, Ringo-fied drum fills that pepper the fade-out all show that this is truly a remarkable rock record. A collection of airy, melodic songs brimming with insightful lyrics, cunning arrangements and crystalline production, a rock record through and through.
MOJO Magazine – November 2009 $10
KRAFTWERK are the cover boys. As their remastered back catalogue gets re-released, MOJO is granted an exclusive audience with lead robot Ralf Hütter to talk the past, present and future workings of the electronic pioneers. “Forward direction, always forward,” he tells Ian Harrison. BRIAN JOHNSON: AC/DC’s belting frontman leads us through his rags to riches tale, from Newcastle glam outfit Geordie to leading the charge in one of the biggest rock bands on the planet. “How did that happen?!” asks Brian Johnson. BIG STAR: From ‘70s Memphis they came, bearing timeless powerpop gems that would go on to inspire everyone from R.E.M to Jeff Buckley. Martin Aston talks to pop’s ultimate cult heroes and to their wayward leader, Alex Chilton. YOKO ONO: At 76, “Mrs Lennon” remains a talismanic figure for those wishing to cross boundaries and break barriers with their music. To mark the release of her new studio album, Yoko Ono takes MOJO through 40 years of “never taking it far enough”. LES PAUL: When the legendary guitar man passed away on August 13, the music world lost one of its true innovators. Jimmy Page joins MOJO to pay tribute to the “genius” that inspired him to play. GRUNGE: Throughout the course of a cacophonous decade, photographer Michael Levine witnessed the guitar-wielding denizens of Seattle take their outré sounds all the way to the top. Here is his astonishing record of that time. The free CD that accompaniers this issue is entitled "The Man Machine" which celebrates the electronic revolution in style with Tangerine Dream, OMD, The Orb, Four Tet, Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, Fujiya & Miyagi and many more! PLUS! An exclusive track from Kraftwerk!
Starbelly Lemon Fresh + bonus tracks GREAT!!! $17
WOW!! The question: "How can you possibly improve an a classic power pop record like this?" The answer: "By doubling its length with the addition of 11 previously unreleased, equally awesome, tracks!" Initially a limited edition (only 500 copies) release, this is the just released "10th Anniversary" edition of this power pop gem! "Possibly one of the most appropriately named debut albums in the power pop world, this is an excellently sweet-and-sour confection of Big Star-influenced guitar pop. Led by guitarist/vocalist Cliff Hillis (also of John Faye Power Trip fame) and bassist/vocalist Dennis Schocket, the tracks written by three songwriters sounds not entirely unlike the legendary Grays release 'Ro Sham Bo'. It's packed with memorable hooks, melodies, and melt-away background vocals. Nearly impeccable production (courtesy of Myracle Brah's Andy Bopp) and a flawless set of songs help make this set truly stand out from other power pop releases. Highlights include the smooth pop of the opening 'This Time,' the summer single 'She's So Real' (a song that should only be listened to on sunny 90 degree days), and the up-tempo, start-stop "When Will You See.'!" - All Music Guide "They winningly recreate the early-'70s vibe of the Raspberries and Big Star with no whiff of nostalgia." - WeeklyWire.com In the event you missed it the first time around, this is definitely a "must-own" classic of the genre!
The Tripwires House To House GREAT!!! $14.50
The brilliant followup to their brilliant "Makes You Look Around" debut from 2007 is here! The term “supergroup” tends to get abused, but there’s no question that it fits The Tripwires as well as one of Mark Pickerel’s immaculate vintage shirts. In addition to drummer Pickerel (ex-Screaming Trees, Truly and singer/songwriter extraordinaire in his own right), the Tripwires are John Ramberg (The Model Rockets, The Minus 5), Jim Sangster (The Young Fresh Fellows) and Johnny Sangster (ex-Dear John Letters, in-demand producer and Seattle’s secret musical weapon.) The band’s second album is, as they say, a “corker” - a rip-roaring collection of snazzy power-pop that showcases an undeniable musical chemistry as well as master craftsmanship in the songwriting department. It is a rock & roll record, but it isn't all down and dirty; it' bright, propulsive, and poppy, filled with big melodic hooks with polish that glistens at all the right moments. It's a masterful fusion of pub rock classicism, new wave pop,and pre-Beatles rock & roll - particularly Chuck Berry and The Everly Brothers, that bristles with energy. We can’t verify that it can level small villages, but we can absolutely state that it has been single-handedly responsible for inciting dance marathons, improving posture and increasing the sale of hair-care products in the 206 area code. So, it is hardly surprising that the Tripwires have leapt to the very forefront of Seattle's burgeoning power pop 'n' roll scene, for this is indeed a quartet of considerable pedigree and startling showmanship. "It is all the more important that 'House To House' does the traveling FOR the band, so that their music can be heard the world over. For this is music that should be HEARD (as opposed to NOT heard, which would be totally stupid), and I for one am eternally grateful to the band for going to the trouble of producing it. The world is now a better place.” - Scott McCaughey, The Minus 5/Young Fresh Fellows "They cover a lot of stylistic territory from infectious, catchy, Beatles-esque pop-rock/ Merseybeat to roots rock choogle to swaying, anthemic ballads." - Seattle-Powerpop.blogspot.com
The Wildebeests The Gnus Of Gnavarone GREAT!!! $15
The Wildebeests are something of a garage-rock supergroup, consisting of John Gibbs (The Kaisers, Holly Golightly Band, The Masonics), Lenny Helsing (The Thanes, Green Telescope) and Russ Wilkins (The Pop Rivets, The Milkshakes and The Delmonas). They've all cut their teeth playing raw beat music and generally causing an aural ruckus and have been doing so since before the likes of the Arctic Monkeys et al were born (which obviously means that they’re at least twice as good as any of those young whippernsappers!). When their paths crossed they found that they had the same old cranky, rusty equipment plus some new(ish) shiny tunes that they had accumulated along the way and, wah hey, the Wildebeests were born! Finding themselves fuelled by enthusiasm, dunce caps and other ingredients, like finding out that they all shared the same attitudes and ideas when it came to what “making a right old honest bloody racket” was all about . . . thusly, The Wildebeests did verily go forth and bang, scrape, thump and twang. Could the world be their oyster? Nope. But this doesn’t deter them from jabbing a knife in its side and trying to pry it open. These self-styled “Lairds of the Boss Racket” have been polluting the world’s ears for what seems like an eternity now, what with each member’s previous bands and with the sheer volume of recordings and gigs that they’ve seen fit to unleash upon an unsuspecting public. Utilizing the sheer sonic force of their 50 Watt P.A, 50 Watt Treble 'n' Bass and the blistering power of the 15 Watt guitar 'knee trembler' the 'Beests have stumbled through the shady underbellies of the popular music scene building a large following of like-minded 'dimbos' and 'dimbettes' both in Britain and the rest of Europe. Their mission is to make the best, most toe-tapping, garage-beat sounds in the world! And succeed they have! If you're a fan of "the Medway Sound" (ie, Graham Day, The Prisoners, The Milkshakes, et al) then you'll go "wild" for the 'Beests! No frills, down and dirty garage rock at its best!