Eroc

If you're looking for this band on-line, you're probably more likely going to come across some bullshit rap. But this isn't that guy, although it would be pretty refreshing to see a rap album with a cover like this. Instead, this is the first album by Grobschnitt's drummer. This is one that even those Kraut haters will dig. Blissed out and inspired, this album continues to delight. So that's the end of the NWW list day. But if there are any requests I'll try to get to them anon. Let me know if there are holes in your back catalog that I can fill. Ugh...that sounded wrong.

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Deutsch-Amerikanische Freundschaft-Ein Produkt der

Here's a classic for you. Not the typical NWW list entry (if there is such a thing), but contemporaries of Stapleton that sound kinda out of place on the list. There's an interesting synth, punk, funk, experimental, industrial groove thing going on here. But German. Very German. Lots of fans turned when they went in a much more dancey direction, but nowadays, I think those albums hold up rather well. And they even featured some hilariously homoerotic cover art (close of photo of a shirtless, sweaty dude is probably not the best marketing strategy).

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Michel Waisvisz-Crackle

Kind of a jarring cover, I know, but it does capture what Waisvisz is all about. I definitely recommend checking youtube for some of his unusual sound experiments, as his homemade instruments really need to be seen to be believed. And the nice thing is, is that you can still buy his crackleboxes. If some kind reader is thinking about birthday presents for yours truly, that might be an item to consider. This guy continues to make amazing things that confound and titillate. Check him out.

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Ame Son-Primitive Expression

This time to France to pick up one of the better groups from the BYG/Actuel catalog (talk about a fucking great catalog). I might prefer their first release, but this one is also worthy of your attention. I believe this group shares members with the equally great Red Noise and the decent, but not amazing, Komintern. Not positive on that though. But of those three I'll still take this one. I've always been a sucker for French psych and this band is always nearing the top of my list for that niche genre.

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Mythos

So today will be a NWW list day. If you're not familiar with what that is, then wikipedia that. But if you're a record goon I'm sure you're well aware of what that list signifies. Eventually, I'll probably get around to posting at least one album by each band (yes, even the shitty ones). Today, I'll start with this forgotten piece of German rock. Here, mellotrons battle sitars for ear dominanace, as flutes and synths lend support. It's not Faust or Can or anything that's going to redefine how you hear music, but that never seemed to be their intent. And there's nothing wrong with that. Plus this cover rules.

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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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Abe Vigoda-Reviver

Okay, this one I actually know something about. And you probably do to as these kids seem to be getting a lot of hype lately. I was fine with their "tropical punk" of their first phase, but I like the more Joy Divisiony direction they've taken as of late. Nice transition guys. I can listen to "Don't Lie" on repeat for an hour or so. And I have a pretty good feeling that this will be taken down with haste, so you might want to grab it while you can.

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Parchment Prayer-Demo

Yes, it is my goal to make you miserable today. Sorry to ruin your football watching experience. I suppose I might be able to post some marching band covering Iron Man later or something since I know everyone gets pumped when that's played, right? In the mean time, here's another obscurity that I can't seem to find info about. I think they're from Germany and I know they proudly used Dolby when recording this demo, and that's about it. Oh, I'm pretty sure they had an album, but I don't have it so I can't be sure.

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Persian Flowers-7"

One more that I have little to say about. I know, I thought I'd never shut up either. But this is like the previous post, so if you dug that then give this a listen. Similar, but maybe more of a psychedelic approach here. And it's only two tracks. So just grab it.

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A Red Crescent Sect

Today will be a series of records that I know little about aside from the fact that they all kinda seem to go together. If you need some label for the shared sound I guess you can call it post-punk, but I guess, chronologically, Counting Crows were after punk, so maybe that label isn't all that useful. But if that tag means anything to you, this isn't going to sound different from what you'd expect.

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Sergius Golowin-Lord Krishna von Golka

Palled around with Tim Leary. Painted by Giger. Tripped with all the Kraut scenesters. Golowin led a pretty unusual life. And it's reflected on this album. Joining forces with Klaus Schulz and the Cosmic Jokers seems like a good idea, and that's exactly what Golowin did on this release. I suppose if you have the means, then why not. I have no clue what this guy's career turn out to be, but I'm supposing at some point the hippie nonsense got a little tired and he became old and then died. Don't you hate pants?

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Pretty Things-S.F Sorrow

Also while in Cleveland, I finally did venture into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. S'okay. I mean, I know they aren't going to have many relics from bands that I actually give a fuck about (though items from Joy Division, Todd Rundgren, and the Cramps were pretty cool). But does everyone really want to see Art Garfunkel's cock ring? And does there really need to be more Beatles shit (I spotted 5 people actually wearing Beatles shirt)? I dunno, this seems like the type of band that should be representing rock & roll. It's debatable, but this is the first concept album in many regards. Typically, that means little to me since I can read books, but it also happens that this album destroys. Seminal, and utterly essential psych rock.

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Friendsound-Joyride

Another NWW lister, and perhaps one of the more fucked on said list. I mean, this is the product of Paul Revere & the Raiders fucking around in the studio. Don't sounds to good, right? Well, mister negativity, it is. I still think the Raiders rule, but this is a zillion miles away from that sound, so haters need not fear. Also, sometimes I see this band called Joyride. I tagged it Friendsound. I don't have a clue which is actually right. I'll let you decide.

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The Idle Race-The Birthday Party

Well, it's now October and it just so happens that it's the birth month of several people close to me. So to Skvt and Aliques, early happy birthday. And since I will not be throwing you a party, nor will I be buying you presents, I'll post this instead. And it really is a decent gift. Far better that that shake weight I was planning on getting you (maybe you'll get one for Christmas). Early, pre-jheri curl & shades Jeff Lynne tears it up here. I might be a bit biased since I love that guy to death, but I think this is crucially underrated and is far more than an E.L.O.
footnote.

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Screamin' Jay Hawkins-Frenzy

On my recent trip to Cleveland, I was amazed to find a cool bar in a city that wasn't packed with smug hipsters. Well, maybe that's how Cleveland hipsters look. I dunno..they didn't have a million tattoos, sporty glasses, tight pants, etc. But the bar mostly played classic soul music. And deep album cuts, mind you, not just the hits. And that reminded me of Hawkins' track "Hong Kong." Definitely not the most racially sensitive cut, the song nevertheless has a guitar tone that'll sear your ears shut. It sounds, oh about, 30 years ahead of its time. The rest is good too. But it's worth it for that song alone. Thank you Jeff Weston for turning me on to this guy back in junior high. I wonder what the fuck you're doing now.

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Siloah

Before I jaunt off to Cleveland for the weekend, I should probably post one more Kraut classic. If you're into Amon Duul or Kalacakra then he's something else you're bound to enjoy because it is very much in keeping with that style. Bongos and bong rips encloud this album. And no snickering about Cleveland either. It's where I shared an important first kiss, it's home to a few Michael Simon restaurants, and it's often voted the most miserable city. So I always fit right in.

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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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Egg-The Polite Force

On a more lighthearted note, I recently received my first blog related e-mail. And it was quite nice to hear from someone. Unfortunately, I couldn't locate a particular prog track he was searching for. So instead, here's this prog masterpiece. I bought a pretty beat up copy of this years ago for a dollar or so and instantly was a fan. Even though it's pretty organ heavy, I still class it pretty high on my prog list.

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Pure Hate-We've Got the Right to Remain Silent, but...7"

Someone recently posted a comment that maybe I should tone down my hatred. I'm not trying to insult that person, because his/her comment is valid and was really in reference to a particular album. While there's definitely merit to this person's assertion, it's just something that I just can't do. Sorry. I'm too old, bitter, set in my ways to renounce my passion for resentment. Hence this album. I never said I was a nice person.

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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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DXM-Sad

There hasn't been many posts lately because...well...I ain't feeling all that right. One more relationship fell apart, making this one seriously lousy year. Thankfully, it's nearly over. And since I'm feeling uninspired and uncreative I'll just post this cassette.

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Pack

Today I had to face a classroom full of blank stares and try to get them to talk about Sir Philip Sidney. That was followed by a class who refused to even answer yes/no questions. To combat this plague of apathy I decided to play this fun, little record. There's some talk that they were the first German punk band, but I can't tell you if this is true. I can tell you that it was includes a former member of Amon Duul II. And that'll seem pretty odd once you hear the direction taken here.

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Christian Death-Sticks a Finger Down its Throat: Rare, Live, and Unreleased

Here's another case of a band that I was sure I would definitely hate just based on the people I knew who liked them. For some reason, all of the people I knew that would yak my ears off about Roz Williams greatness had little else to talk about. So I figured they probably weren't the best people to listen to. But then something made me give them a chance and I quickly regretted having missed this band for so long. Just another example of me blowing it. Don't make the mistakes I've made. Download from me or you can always grab it at mtv's website (really, that's not a joke).

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Dashiell Hedayat-Obsolete

Even though this one has Hedayat backed by Gong it has remained fairly unknown. And Gong fans are an odd lot. I like the band plenty and typically dislike their over-obsessive fans. They almost always wear stained tee shirt of horrid, festival circuit, old man psych bands. Stringy, greasy hair is of course to be found. Sweatpants too. Anyways, most of those guys are going to dig this. And I've read that there's a William S. Burroughs connection too. So if you're in junior high school and going through your Beat phase, then this might interest you too.

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Ainigma-Diluvium

Normally, I steer clear of organ driven, heavy psych. Don't know why. I love the organ (no smirking) but it just doesn't work for me in that context. Too extraneous, and too overwhelming. However, here is an example of how it actually can work. Yes, it's another fairly obscure Kraut band that release this lone platter. And again, this really avoids the pitfalls that often plagues the inflated krautrock market. Some pretty heavy shit. And if you're wondering diluvium is when a body of water is formed after a flood. Or at least that's what I remember it being. Thanks Earth Science.

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