Half Church-12"

There was a time that I seem to recall back in the 80s when aspiring American bands eyes were cast toward the goings on of the British Isles.  When you see bands like the Fall, Swell Maps, Joy Division, and the millions other that I love creating new sounds that made the American music scene seem like a bloated armadillo on the side of some shit ass Texas highway, then it stands to reason that you would wish to import those sounds and recast them in an American image (this country isn’t as original as we wish to believe).  And that’s where Half Church’s sound seems to be birthed from.  San Franciscians, I believe, they might as well have been from any area within 150 miles of London.  I think I’ve always had a bit of an Anglophone fetish so I can fully understand these American bands that were just sick of their homegrown sounds.  Heavens knows I still am.  And what happened to these fellas?  As far as I can glean, this was their lone recording.  What a drag.

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Blago Bung-Kärleken & Döden

I don't think I can actually tell you anything about this album aside from it's Swedish (I think) and it is good. I can tell you more about what I hear but music descriptions always seem so boring to be. Don't you agree? Of course you do because you're a charming, well reasoned individual with impeccable tastes. And it is for those reasons that you would want to download this great relic of the 80's. Then you can write your own descriptions and they'll be much more meaningful. Reference those pangs of nostalgia conjured up by the winsome production and recall the time you bought that expensive gift for that girl you were long friends with but secretly loved and the day you were planning on giving it to her she told you about her new boyfriend and how you vowed never to love again. But there's no need for the long face there guy, it's only music and your memories are fake anyways.

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The Second Coming-The Return E.P.

Well friends, it’s been some time, hasn’t it. I figure I should pull a Jesus and bring this shit back from the crypt. Ugh, do I need to fill you in on all the bullshit that’s been going on? It’s all rather pointless as usual. I’ve had a student murdered, the standard disappoints, more heart break…you know, the stuff that makes life oh so swell. But what the hell, I’ve gotten more followers from keeping my fingers still then when I was posting on a regimen. Several nice comments and e-mails have livened up my spirits a bit so I might as well get something out before I fall back through some rabbit hole. Naturally, I might as well herald my return with this blatantly titled release. And thinking of that Jesus analogy I just threw out there leads me to think on the fact that we both have beards, we both look really gay, we both will probably never get laid again. Hmm…uncanny. So yeah, the 7”. Right. Lovely, dark stuff. But did you think I was going to post something cheery?

Here (Reuped 6/7/12)

The Wolfgang Press-The Burden Of Mules

For some reason or another, I never really gave these guys a chance. I just assumed they were a little too dancey for my likings. So I just wrote them off, as I am apt to do. Then I was told that these guys were part of my beloved Rema-Rema, but I was still resistant since I seem to remember hearing them at some point as dismissing it. But I finally broke down and gave this a listen and instantly felt like a dolt. If you're like me and prefer Flowers of Romance over Metal Box (okay, I miss Levine actually playing guitar) then this is a continuation of those claustrophobic tropes that made that album such a success. It almost makes you feel like you're participating in some alien ritual. I'm just glad I'm not the one being sacrificed.

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Cynthia Dall-Untitled

One great mystery to me is how Dall still remains unknown. She was on a hip label that the kids like. I think she had connections with other cool people that cool kids like. They may have even aided in the construction of this album. Yet she just seemed to disappear after two releases. What gives? So she vanishes and fucking Cat Power is free to throw her bullshit temper tantrums. That just shows that all these people who claim that they’re “really into music” don’t know shit. I ran into some cretin of this ilk recently. He was a former student of a friends and a reputed dullard. I let this dunce talk about how much he loves Radiohead and whatever bullshit our horrible college radio station is allowed to play that week. Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore and had to tell this kid off before I let my knife do the talking. He left and I thought he was about to cry. I guess that’s why people prefer Cat Power.

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Scott Walker-The Drift

There's gotta be more than a few of you out there who see this day as just amateur hour for dilettantes who drink shitty champagne and act like assholes three times a year. Buddy, I can drink any day I want and i definitely don't need you blowing that party favor in my face. If you're like me and hate all these obnoxious celebrants might I suggest a nice bottle of Żubrówka and this portable black hole. I'm betting that every one who wants to hear this already owns it, since it's truly essential, but since this blog is really just about posting albums I like and secretly fear I might lose/get stolen, it's reassuring to me to know that I can always have it (even if it is in a virtual form). I've had people try to argue with me that Scott Walker is over rated. If they we're just basing this on his early out put I may be slightly swayed. But when you consider this album and Tilt, those people sound like a bunch of dunces who probably listen to Wilco. I say fuck them.

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Warmer Milks-Radish on Light

Not too sure why most people ignored this release. It was one of those albums that seemed to fill the cut out bins. No joke, I was in Boston round the time when it came out and there was a stack for a dollar a piece. What gives people? This is a damned fine album. I have no idea what to really say about this band (though I think it's just one guy, not sure). Kinda like Bauhaus, Melvins, and the Dead in a really nasty three way. Download it and then pick up a copy for a buck.

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Rudimentary Peni-Death Church

One more R.P. post to tide you over at the moment. If you still don't know who these guys are and you've been reading this blog, then I guess I just can't help you out. But for those in the know, this was their first full length. And what a debut. I know there's some out there who only like their e.p.s (previously posted), but those people are just spoil sports. It feels like I post one of their albums per month, and yet I'm still somehow not finished posting their entire catalog. More to come later. Get the goods.

Here (Reuped 6/7/12)

Rudimentary Peni-Catastrophe

Reader Majes's comment on my posting of Rudi P's EP's made me want to go back to that series of posting all of their material that I started oh so long ago. So here's one more to add to the collection. Some day you'll eventually get them all. But you better be good children.

Here (Reuped 6/7/12)

David Ackles

This is one I've been saving for a while because I just have a strong infatuation for Ackles' deep croon, and I'm a selfish prick that doesn't cough up the goods without some resistance. Now, I know that he really didn't hit his stride until later, but I'm going to claim him as another great Illinois musician (born in fucking Rock Island), only because my home state is typically overlooked when it comes to music. So I'd say listen to "Down River" and you'll quickly see why this record is so crucial. If you don't then it's time to get those ears cleaned. Here's a q tip for you, waxy.

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The Comsat Angels-Peel Session 4/29/80

You can just tell from the photo that these guys aren't going to be that cheery. And thankfully they aren't. They definitely took a major turn for the worse when they put in their bid for commercial viability, but these early tracks demonstrate just how awesome they were. There's times where I think this might be my favorite band from that era/geography, but a lot of that depends on the mood I'm in at that time. Perhaps they will become your favorite band of all time. It could happen. They do have a song called "Monkey Pilot" and that's pretty cool.

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Fabulous Diamonds

This'll sound like a lie, but it ain't. God's honest. My mom even told me so, and I have verified it with my own eyes. My dad is in a Kenny Chesney video. You can see him for a half a second or so, but he is there. And if your not familiar with that hick (I doubt my father is) think cowboy hats, songs about football, and general suckitude. He's a prime example of why country music currently rots. This doesn't sound anything like that. And this cover may beat out Come On Pilgrim in a hairy back battle. Sheesh...pass the nair.

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Coil-Music to Play in the Dark 2

This one also seems to fit my mood as of late. And I can't believe I've been running this blog for this long and have yet to post any Coil. I'm must be slipping. So let's correct that mistake now. I dunno why, but I have this feeling that Radiohead really ripped this band off and will never admit it. Anyways, fuck them. They're overrated and boring. This, however, is essential.

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Siouxie and the Banshees-Join Hands

If for no other reason than they were just mentioned in my last post. Since the best holiday ever (no, I'm not talking about Felt hat day, dumbo) is soon approaching, this is mandatory. Crank this up and frighten all those little brats. And people, let's not just default with metal. Sure there's plenty of scary to be found there, but it just seems a little too obvious. Be creative when planing your Halloween mixes and go with something that really will give you the creeps. Oh yeah, rockabilly monster songs are also strictly forbidden.

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Pataphonie-Le Matin Blanc

Proggers take note. Here's another classic one for you off the NWW list. As it is French, I suppose many of you will look towards Magma, Heldon, Univers Zero, and Art Zoyd. That's not a bad way of guess what this sounds like. Maybe a little more Canterbury at times, but definitely in league with all the aforementioned classics. I'm nursing one of those late summer/early fall colds that I love so much, and with the congestion and general lack of sleep, this seems like a befitting soundtrack to that moments where you feel so shitty it almost feels like you're high or something.

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Group 1850-Paradise Now

Dilettantes who infrequently travel the sonic spaceways often overlook the fact that there was plenty of dark shit available before the whole 70s blowback of selfishness and disillusionment occurred. And here's a prime example of a band that still gets high praise for the more archetypal hippie rock of their first album (Agemo's Trip--a super awesome record in it's own regard), but get dumped on for this freak out. I can't explain why tastemakers rank this one so low, but I think it's another essential Dutch masterpiece. People, who really wants to listen to songs about clowns, and pies, and sunbeams all the time? I'll take the dark stuff instead.

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Rudimentary Peni-No More Pain

Number 5 now in the continuing saga to post all of R.P.'s material. They seem to be some of the more downloaded albums, so I guess I'll give the people what they want. Pretty atypical for a jerk like me. Anyways, I don't think I need to keep writing up this band. But this e.p. is worth note due to the odd inclusion of a cover of Pachebel's Cannon. I can't say I love it or anything, but it does seem like a weird choice. Then again, it's not like these guys are known for their rational thinking.

Here (Reuped 6/7/12)

Strahler

Not going to lie this time. I don't know anything about this band. They're from France (I think) and put this out in the (early?) 80s. Sometimes they sing in English. Sometimes they sing in German. Sometimes their arms bend back. Who knows?

On a separate note: It's come to my attention that not only have some of my posts been pulled, but several of my mediafire uploads have been deleted. I'm probably npt going to fuck around with reposting things unless I get a pretty strong demand for something. Just to let you know, love.

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C.A. Quintet-Trip Through Hell

After those last few religious/Jesus related posts, this seems so soothing to the ears. Before anyone thinks that after the drugs faded everyone turned to Jesus, remember that there was still some dark psych classics that never sheepishly genuflected to the lame trend of god rock. And thank Satan for that.

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Marcel Kanche-Dog Songe

Here's one for when the night is winding down, and your teary eyes are burning so much that it stings to even have them closed. Time to pull this on and slip into the vortex. As I keep saying, the French rule and I'll defend them to the death. And Kanche is obviously of the tradition of Frenchies who produce some of my favorite music. His early 80s works (which you can find over at Mutant Sounds) is far bleak as well, but much more experimental. But I think age suits Kanche just fine, as now the experimentation might have been reduced, but the darkness remains. To sound dumb, I'll just make the easy comparison since it'll be pretty obvious to anyone whose heard this before, but I guess you can say he's the French Leonard Cohen. God, I hate writing shit like that.

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