New Split 7″ The world’s spiciest duo, King Khan and Bloodshot Bill offer a currified romper of Gomper (clocking in at 5:09 – the exact time of the Stones version!) on this New Dehli platter! All they ask in return is that you please remove your shoes. Turn it over and dig Scotland’s least likely hit makers as they blaze through everyone’s favorite Nanker Phelge floor packer!
Band: Ty Segall Release: 3/2010 Label: Goner Records
1. “Caesar” – A 2. “Bulletproof Nothing” – A
Comments: Placed in the same musical lump as Californian contemporaries Thee Oh Sees and Nobunny is this guy, Ty Segall. The dude’s good. Equipped with a choppy acoustic guitar and a warm weather bass line, the title track has goodness written all over it. The B-Side is a tad heavier, but just as nice.
1. “Serve the Servants” – A–
2.“Scentless Apprentice” – C+ 3. “Heart Shaped Box” – B 4. “Rape Me” – B+ 5. “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle” – B+ 6. “Dumb” – B 7. “Very Ape” – B 8. “Milk It” – C+
9. “Pennyroyal Tea” – B-
10. “Radio Friendly Unit Shifter” – B-
11. “Tourette’s” – B
12. “All Apologies” – B
Comments: Not exactly the biggest fan of Kurt Cobain’s singing voice or what is grunge music, I was unsure what to expect from this critically hailed record. “Serve the Servants” is the perfect speed/heaviness that I’m personally looking for. The screaming on “Scentless” bugs me much. I dig the chorus on “Heart Shaped Box,” but other than that it’s just all right. “Rape me/Rape me my friend” is fun. It’s not something I’ll constantly listen to, but it’s fun. Jay’s cover of “Frances” is better. I don’t care. I’m not going to say the second half of this is bad, but it’s far away from pop. Big ups to “Tourette’s” for being a decent punk tune. It’s so bad it’s good.
Band: Eddy Currant Suppression Ring Release: 3/2010 Label: Goner Records
1. “Anxiety” – A- 2. “I Got a Feeling” – A- 3. “Tuning Out” – B 4. “Gentlemen” – B+ 5. “Walked Into A Corner” – B+ 6. “Second Guessing” – B 7. “I Can Be a Jerk” – B+ 8. “Burn” – A- 9. “Isn’t It Nice” – A 10. “Rush to Relax” – B+
Comments: Goner Records, like In The Red Records, is given a preferential option, so to speak, in terms of record reviews like this one. Why? The reason is because Goner has a history of putting out excellent discs. About a month ago I discovered this band after hearing the song “I Got a Feeling” played on WMBR. It stuck out enough for me to quickly jot it down. It’s a very good song that didn’t immediately win me over, but after a few more listens I’ve liked it more and more. $30,000 richer after winning the Australian Music Prize for 2008 LP Primary Colours, the band, I’m sure, tried their best to get out an equally awesome product. While I’ve never listened to Primary Colours, I must say this record sort of gets lost in garage rock obscurity. “Tuning Out” is cool until the boring two minute instrumental jam session kicks in. “Walked Into a Corner” is the perfect short-story of social shyness: “I was feeling anti-social/I didn’t feel like talking/I walked into a pah-tee/A pah-tee full of people.” This is one of the better 59 second songs I’ve heard. Nice Australian accents, by the way. They are very intense. Don’t touch me here. The short track “Isn’t It Nice” is my favorite on here. Check it out. Don’t be deceived by the 24 minute title track. Gentle ocean waves make up a good 75% of the track.
Band: Box Elders Release: 4/2010 Label: HoZac Records
1. “Tiny Sioux” – A+ 2. “Plenty of Room at the Bottom” – A+
Comments: Box Elders strike again! The amazing pop trio from Omaha continue their spree of hits on this 7″ !!! This release has a more innocent feel than Alice & Friends, making it perfect ably suitable for both children and adults. The somber “Tiny Sioux” moves at the kind of pace you’d expect it to and includes a pseudo-Native American call that literally fits right in with the narrative. “Plenty of Room at the Bottom” is fascinating. I’m going to compare it to the work of Adam Green and Calvin Johnson. It’s got that coy outsider thing going on.
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 