Tom’s Ten August 2009

GUN OUTFIT – Dim Light (PPM, 2009)

-Gun Outfit sound kind of like a classic mid 80s SST records band, when “indie” rock was still called punk. They sound similar to Husker Du or early Meat Puppets. Good stuff. Some highlights include “Work Experience”, “Troubles Like Mine”, and “Had Enough”. The CD version tacks on the 3 tracks from their debut 7”. 

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Easy Rider O.S.T. (Hip-O, 1969)

-The main reason I’ve been listening to this lately is that I can’t seem to get enough of Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher”. That has to be one of the best songs to come out of the late 60s. The fact that they had to use a cover of the Band’s “the Weight” really bums me out. The original is far superior to the version on the soundtrack by Smith. Lame. Some other classics on here too from the Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, and more.

THE JAZZ BUTCHER CONSPIRACY – Waiting For The Love Bus (Creation, 1994)

-Waiting For The Love Bus is one of the great underappreciated records of the shoegaze era of British pop. It came out at the tail end of shoegaze and the beginning of Britpop, so they didn’t really stand a chance with this one. It’s a killer album though. Catchy, noisy pop songs. “Bakersfield” is possibly the best Jazz Butcher song ever. “Rosemary Davis World Of Sound”, “Killed Out”, and “Kids In The Mall” are all just as good as anything Ride ever did. The American version tacks on a particularly atmospheric version of Fred Neil’s “Everybody’s Talkin’”. Solid 90s British guitar rock.

SALVATION – Of Unforgiving Wind (Youth Attack, 2009)

-Of Unforgiving Wind is a brutal hardcore album. Intense from beginning to end. This is introspective and violent punk rock. I can’t get enough. Youth Attack is the best hardcore label around. Everything they release is beautifully packaged and sounds incredible.

THE CULTURAL DECAY – Eight Ways To Start A Day (Sacred Bones, 2009)

-The Cultural Decay were an obscure early 80s post punk band that released one 7” and one 12” EP before calling it quits. The good folks at Sacred Bones have seen fit to compile those two records with some home demos. Fans of Factory records, and UK post punk circa 1982 need this. Highlights include “Brave New World”, “End Of The Corridor”, and “Thin Rope”. The CD version adds extra tracks.

CLOCKCLEANER – Babylon Rules (Load, 2007)

-I’ve been obsessed with this band lately. I saw them at SXSW 2007 and it was the sketchiest looking crowd I’ve seen. A fight broke out in the middle of the set. It was perfect for Clockcleaner’s sleazy skull rock. The first two tracks, “New In Town” and “Vomiting Mirrors” are incredible. Sadly, it seems Clockcleaner have broken up.

SILK FLOWERS – Silk Flowers (PPM, 2009)

-Silk Flowers managed a feat that many bands attempt and fail. They managed to sound like a contemporary of their collective influences as opposed to a copy cat. Instead of sounding like a band in 2009 trying to sound like a band from 1982, they actually sound like a forgotten band from 1982. Make sense? Dark, icy, synth-oriented post punk. Good.

ENVELOPE – SHARKBOLT (Weightless, 2008)

-Envelope is a rapper from Columbus, Ohio. He raps about Columbus, the trials of a working stiff, drinking beers on his couch, and riding his bike. Sharkbolt is his second record. This thing kills! The state of underground hiphop is pretty sad right now. Envelope shines in the darkness. Check out “Daydream Nation”, “Straight Up”, and “Teethsucker”. Support Envelope! He supports you!

BLESSURE GRAVE – Unknown Blessures (Night People, 2009)

-Unknown Blessures is only available on cassette. I can’t even remember the last time I’d bought a cassette. Probably 1995 or so. I didn’t particularly want to start buying them again, but I quite like Blessure Grave. Side A is awesome. “90 Plus Days” is one of the best songs I’ve heard from them. I’d like to see this come out on vinyl. I hate cassettes.

ZOLA JESUS – The Spoils (Sacred Bones, 2009)

-Zola Jesus sound like Throbbing Gristle, Teenage Jesus & The Jerks, and Kate Bush started a band together. This is a sparse, haunting record. It could be the soundtrack to a nightmare. Mika has a huge voice and that differentiates her from some of the other outfits mining similar territory. Sacred Bones is one of the best labels around right now. From music to packaging, everything is top notch.