Friday, October 31, 2008

MISSION OF BURMA BUNDLE

Mission of Burma are one of the definitive bands of the late '70's-early '80's punk scene. Breaking up after their first full-length, their legacy is still relatively small, since reuniting and releasing two righteous comebacks, 'OnoffOn' and 'The Obliterati'.


Their first single contains "Academy Fight Song" and "Max Ernst". The A-side is a CLASSIC. Infectious melody, exploding verses, this song embodies their early sound. The flip features an infectious 'da-da' chant, and cools down nicely from the explosive A.




Their first EP is one of the best recorded. Beginning with quite possibly the DEFINITIVE Burma song, "That's When I Reach for My Revolver", this release is comparably slick to the live sound of 'VS.', while still blazing new trails for those more daring. Also, this contains what may very well be considered the first "post-rock" song, "All World Cowboy Romance".



The only full-length release from the original line-up is astonishing in it's unrelenting attack, while still sneaking in some of the greatest post-punk moves known to man, and dedicated listeners. Essential.



I realize I haven't posted in quite a while, but what can you do? If you appreciate thinking man's rock music, MoB are highly recommended listening.

i'm not not not your download link

Friday, October 10, 2008

The Fall - 458489 A-Sides



The counterpoint. With Brix in the band, Mark definitely seemed to almost mellow out. This collection is a good companion to 'Totally Wired', but it is the only Fall album that most people would want/need. Singles like "C.R.E.E.P.""Cruisers Creek", and "L.A." show the band's progression into later material. Even though no line-up has been constant, there is a definite growth evident on this material.

the fall-uh

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Celebrate the New Dark Age by Polvo



This EP is one of Polvo's finest releases. In "Fractured", the riff depends on whammy bar. Tremelo. Whangy. Whatever you want to call it, it sounds amazing. "Tragic Carpet Ride" swings, "Every Holy Shroud" grooves, and "Solitary Set" sounds like "Band on the Run".

like chandeliers

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

TFUL282 - Strangers from the Universe



This album is catchy. Less filler, and more emphasis on creating solid, smart hooks. The name is no exaggeration - these fellers, and fellette, had their thinking caps on. You want a comparison? Something viable to sink your teeth into? Beck's 'Mellow Gold'.

...but only in that it starts off with the catchy, near "novelty" song, and then continuing to sound nothing like it again. But don't get me wrong, they sound nothing like Beck. It is a sound unto their own. Smart, creative, fun. Except "Noble Experiment", which is about the end of mankind.

feller free since '93

You're Living All Over Me by Dinosaur Jr



This is one of my all-time favorites. J Mascis lets loose some of the noisiest, out of control guitar melodies you are likely to hear, while Lou and Murph hold down the rock solid rhythm. Nothing too complicated, to be sure, but everything comes together as an alternative rock milestone. The loud-quiet-loud dynamic has been exploited ad nauseum, but this is a crux in Dinosaur's sound. Without the dynamics, how else would you be able to tell that they can blow the fucking doors down without even trying?

It's all here. The classic "Little Fury Things", complete with screams-via Lee Ranaldo, "In a Jar", with it's bass-led verses, and the unbelievably awesome "The Lung". Essentially a guitar solo with pauses for a sole verse, this song is classic by the very definition. Also worthy, "Kracked" and "Sludgefeast", but the whole damn record breathes life, and closes with the very first Sebadoh song, "Poledo"!

i'm waiting

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Tago Mago by Can



Can were experimental artists who made their records through improvisation and tape manipulation, yet wholly maintaining to a psychedelic, highly rhythmic form of music. The grooves are deep in this one, the kind that rest in your bones after a few plays. You may not consider this to be perfect, and that's not expected. But this album, when it delivers, it hits the spot. All about mood, and "Mushroom".

"Paperhouse" is unbeatable.

take me ta mars

Monday, October 6, 2008

Drive Like Jehu



The best thing about Drive Like Jehu is that even though they only have two albums (and a single), the albums only slightly sound similar. This self-titled debut is a little punkier and loose than the rather tight 'Yank Crime'.



This album is fantastic, if you pay attention to it. Everything is so uniformly tight, yet noisy, that it can tend to play as a seamless track. The energy and great since of dynamics within the group all come to fruition on their final album.


talk dirty to me

L.A.M.F. by the Heartbreakers




No relation to Tom Petty. Led by Johnny Thunders, and at one-time, yes, Richard Hell was a member. But he's not on this album. It's just he parted with Television, then Television just became amazing, but Hell had the Voidoids, so I guess it all worked out. "Blank Generation" is pretty sweet.

But I digress, download this if you want some honest rock and roll. I'd wager most of the profit from this album went to drugs and whatnot, so this is almost short enough to feel like they gathered enough material to actually record an album, release it, get the juice.

Stone cold classics include "Born to Lose" and "Chinese Rocks", written by Dee Dee Ramone.

LAMF

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band



"Hay, what's this doing here?"

Hear me out: This record just sounds wrong. This is not "music", this is a true work of art from a captivating artist. As with all great art, there is nothing else quite like it. And therein lies the charm of this album. After repeated listening, you start to recognize more and more. Listen as much as you want, because this is a long one. Practically 80-minutes of Beefheart. Sure, there's a few instrumentals here and there, and a few with just Don Van Vliet doing his thang. You owe it to yourself as a forward-thinking individual to listen to this album, knowing you are in a secret society of sorts, and actually appreciate 'Trout Mask Replica'.

do it

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Isn't Anything by My Bloody Valentine



Yes, 'Loveless' is the classic, but this first album is crucially underrated, constantly waiting idly by for someone to give it a chance. This is probably an exaggeration, but the following statement is not: Kevin Shields deserves every guitar geek's love. THE SOUNDS, MAN! 'Soft as Snow'? 'Cupid Come'? And if 'Feed Me with Your Kiss' doesn't have your head wrapped in fuzz glory, I just wonder if there is still hope for rock and roll.

And hey, I can actually see the Dinosaur Jr comparisons now!

want some candy?

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Melvins - LEECH (bootleg)




This contains singles, B-sides, compilation tracks, bonus tracks, and TWO (the) FLIPPER COVERS! Also contains covers of (the) Germs, (the) KISS, (the) Mudhoney, (the) Velvet Underground, and (the) MC5.

If you like your Melvins rare and obscure,

click me