Plastic Surgery Disasters by Dead Kennedys

The Dead Kennedy's second full-length shows that they do not fall into the trap of 'punks barely competent enough to play their own instruments'. In fact, East Bay Ray's guitar and Klaus Fluoride's bass intertwine into a beautiful effect, with Ray being all about psychedelic textures. The riff in "Moon Over Marin" is a fantastic example of this style, and Jello actually plays it down (vocally).

Then, you have the psychosis of "Well Paid Scientist", "Government Flu", "Halloween", and the classic "Riot". Fantastic, even with everything being too trebly for its own damn good.

But it's so damn good!

I thought of a funny at work last night, since I've been listening to the DK's more often lately...

Guy 1: "Hey, I can tell you've been listening to the Dead Kennedy's all day!"
Guy 2: "How? Is it because of my mohawk and spiked leather jacket with my Dead Kennedy's patch and "Nazi Punks Fuck Off!" t-shirt?"
Guy 1: "No, I can smell the Jello on you!"

click here once your gut is done busted

Lovelyville by Thinking Fellers Union Local 282

Definitely one of their more challenging albums, this is as rewarding, if not more so, than their other albums. The melody will practically stop at some points, only for a small resolve. Plus, their cover of "Green Eyed Lady" is a damn hoot.

I can't recommend this band more, give all their albums a chance. Also included is 'The Crowded Diaper', bonus tracks to the CD release that amount to TFUL282's 'noise album'.

282 or die

The Stolen Singles by Arab on Radar

Arab on Radar were a noise band from Providence. This is a collection of various singles, splits, and their three-song demo or something like that. The bottom line is that you get to hear Ahab the Arab go from a PiL-type band (groovy-dub-bass lines) to their raison-d'etre or whatever:

Making music that sounds absolutely retarded.

This is actually probably their easiest release to get into, since their bassist performs on the majority of tracks. After she left the band, no one decided to replace her, so the scrankly-dank guitars were turned even further past '11' into high-pitched tinny goodness.

Y'know, I don't need to apologize for a lack of posts. This shit is free, and I don't even know how many people visit. Not to be a comment whore, but it'd be appreciated :'(.

one click away from a crack whore

Youth of America by the Wipers

First off, congratulations to Barack Obama. Now all we can hope for is Wu-Tang Clan to be at the inauguration. Now, onto the R-O-C-K in the USA...



Greg Sage is truly one of the great unsung heroes of independent music. The first three Wipers albums (this being the second) are classics of punk rock, and, this album in particular, show how one band with a single-minded goal can achieve so much by seemingly doing so little. Take the 10-minute title track; by stretching what could have been standard fare for a full 10-minutes, complete with a seemingly endless psych jam, and still keeping an accessibly melody at it's core, just proves how great this band could be.

It's not like I'm asking you to devote your life to punk rock, but why the fuck would you not want to?

Also, if you like what you hear, I implore you to buy the Wipers Box Set. For $20, you get 'Is This Real?', 'Youth of America', and 'Over the Edge' (the aforementioned classics) remastered with a few bonus tracks and rare goodies, replete with liner notes by Sage himself! Essential.

dun-na-na-na-nuh

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

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

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

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

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