February 2011

This month’s mix probably should be shelved for the summer months – lots of tracks that would be great for driving with the windows down. I think this is my attempt to will spring to arrive just a little sooner. Even that damned groundhog agrees with me this morning, although NOAA claims there is “no predictive skill for the groundhog during the most recent years." I guess old age claims us all at some point. Oh well, at least now you got some new tunes to keep you warm.


February 2011 Mix

1. Home Blitz – Murder in My Heart (Perpetual Night, 2010)
   This track is the b-side to the Perpetual Night single, the first of a couple of covers that will show up this month, and was originally penned by The Searchers. I still haven’t been able to find the original version anywhere, but I am positive it pales in comparison to this one.


2. Dow Jones and the Industrials – Can’t Stand the Midwest (Let’s Go Steady, 1980)
   Crimes against music: Dow Jones and the Industrials released one 7” and one split LP (with the Gizmos), and then dissolved. Further proof there is no god.


3. Milk Music – Beyond Living (Beyond Living, 2010)
   This should have been on my top list of 2010. Heck, it should have been number one! Everything about this record is a winner – the speed, the vocals, the riffs, the drums. Self-released by the band, so go order yerself a copy now, jerks!


4. Cyclops – Don’t You be a Stranger (Goat Volume, 1994)
   Cyclops was a short lived venture which features Peter Jefferies, a New Zealand native worth the time to research. I almost put another one of his bands on this mix (This Kind of Punishment), but decided to tuck that one away for a rainy day.


5. Mike Rep and the Quotas – Mamma Was a Schitzo, Daddy Was a Vegetable Man (Stupor Hiatus, 2010)
   Up next, we come to the monthly inclusion from the great state of Ohio. This track was recorded in 1975, released on a 7”, and finally collected on a compilation of Rep’s work last year. He also produced the Mount Carmel LP that was featured in last month’s mix. Finally, note that this track also features Tommy Jay on the drums!


6. The Feelies – Original Love (Crazy Rhythms, 1980)
   After a slew of reunion shows (including one at Johnny Brenda’s – and yes, they totally still have it!) The Feelies are going to release a new record this year. I don’t think it will quite match this debut record, but we can always hope!


7. Flamin’ Groovies – Shake Some Action (Shake Some Action, 1976)
   The Groovies started off with a much rougher, garage-ier sound, disbanded for 6 years, then cleaned up and reformed (minus a few players). This is the end result of that timeline – and I gotta say I find myself listening to this record the most out of their catalog.


8. The Bevis Frond – Lights are Changing (Triptych, 1988)
   These guys are one of my top favorite bands; their first five records are in constant rotation here in the record room. Sometime after New River Head output begins to go downhill, but the early stuff has a formula that sets my little heart ablaze. If this song sounds familiar, it was made minorly famous when covered by Mary Lou Lord.


9. Magic Hour – Always Leaving Never (No Excess is Absurd, 1994)
   After Galaxie 500 broke up, Damon and Naomi ended up forming a band with a guitarist named Wayne Rogers, and hence Magic Hour was born. They exist in a space somewhere between post-rock and psychedelia. Wayne is now the principle songwriter for Major Stars, and Damon keeps the cats a-howling by attempting to sing (thankfully he sticks to the drums in MH).


10. Brief Candles – Space Age Love Song (They Live We Sleep, 2006)
    This record was a favorite of mine for a long time, even though its strongest cut is a cover. Apparently they’ve been working on their follow up to this record for the past two years. Perfection be damned, just put the thing out already!


11. Anika – I Go to Sleep (Anika, 2010)
    Back to back covers?! Did I just break some kind of rule? This one was originally a Kinks song, covered by a new project featuring Geoff Barrow (Portishead, Beak>) and a German political journalist (Anika). Imagine Nico singing punk-y dub covers of awesome 60’s songs and you get the picture.


12. Pylon – Feast on My Heart (Gyrate, 1980)
    Pylon were a highly underrated band from Athens in the 80’s. Even being loved by R.E.M. couldn’t help them, which is a total shame. They reunited in 2004 and played a few shows to critical acclaim; this reunion was brought to an unfortunate halt by the passing of their guitarist, Randall. Just ride that bass line all the way home and life will be OK.


13. The Embarrassment – Drive Me to the Park (Death Travels West, 1983)
    This track is off of their first LP, but it’s probably easier to find the Heyday 1979-83 release, which includes most of their early material up to the reunion LP from 1990 (which is even still a good record). Did you know that their hometown of Witchita, KS is nicknamed the “air capitol of the world?” Consider that your useless fact for the month and try to impress your friends.


14. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Bright Lit Blue Skies (Before Today, 2010)
    Ariel Pink is a weird fucking dude. I really liked some of his earlier work, but quite frankly the good was sandwiched between a pile of nearly unlistenable material. Somehow he managed to get a decent band together (it only took 10+ years) to record Before Today. Apparently they can pull it off live too – anything has to be better than watching him sing and dance around to a boombox at the Khyber.


15. Richard Youngs – Collapsing Stars (Valley of the Ultrahits, 2009)
    After almost 20 years of making experimental/avant garde music, a long-time collaborator (Andrew Paine) dared Youngs to write a “pop” record. Valley of the Ultrahits was borne from that dare, and I think we all owe a collective thank you to Paine.


16. Broadcast – Echo’s Answer (The Black Session, 2000)
    RIP Trish Keenan. Thank you for all the great memories, and for all of the great tunes. You will rest in our collective hearts and minds for eternity, if there is any justice in this world. This track was recorded live for French radio in 2000, and I love this session because of how powerful her voice comes through without seemingly little effects.


17. Chumbawamba – In Texas (Be Happy! Despite It All…, 1983)
    I recently found these early Chumbawamba demos on the web. This is from a split cassette release with a band called the Passion Killers, who shared a bassist with Chumbawamba at the time. The Chumbawamba tracks are an excellent snapshot of a band that has managed to re-invent themselves continually over the decades, the whole while with their middle finger raised to the “man” (or something like that). It comes with inserts like this one:
    
    


18. Kurt Vile – In My Time (In My Time, 2010)
    Up next - a new Kurt Vile track, put out on a 7” at the tail end of 2010. I wasn’t sold on the Square Shells EP, but this song alone has restored my faith in the man and I am excited to here what is coming next.


19. Marble Sheep – Perfect Island (For Demolition of a Spiritual Framework, 2003)
    I have always been a sucker for the epic conclusion, so when I heard this song I knew instantly where it would fit in. I tried to delve into the Marble Sheep catalog a few years back, but started with (what I have now realized is) my least favorite record (too much Dead influence - blech). Word to the wise: always attempt to listen to at least two records before you completely write something off.

Next month I’ve got a special surprise in store, so be sure to check back!