CANDIE PAYNE - I Wish I Could Have Loved You More (video)

Here's a quick one I wanted to pass along. Candie Payne. I'm really digging this album - Dusty, Mod, 60s, eyeliner and a sweet voice. Nice.

I'LL BE BACK .....

Summer is a really busy time for me, and finding the time to hunt down albums and transfer them is about impossible right now. I will start updating the page as soon as possible (probably late August or Early September) so keep checking back.

thanks - THULL

THE FOUR TOPS - It's The Same Old Song (video)

Motowns greatest. Can't go wrong with the Four Tops. I was looking for 'Bernadette' or 'Standing In The Shadows Of Love' but there wasn't a decent video to be found. This is classic though.

THE FIXX - Walkabout

THE FIXX - Walkabout
(MCA 1986) Out Of Print CD

01. Secret Separation
02. Built for the Future
03. Treasure It
04. Chase the Fire
05. Can't Finish
06. Walkabout
07. One Look Up
08. Read Between the Lines
09. Sense the Adventure
10. Camphor

Personnel:
Cy Curnin - Vocals, Keyboards
Adam Woods - Drums
Jamie West-Oram - Guitar
Charlie Barret - Bass
Rupert Greenall - Keyboards

File Under:
New Wave, Pop

Mixed reviews on this one. Fixx fans seem to consider it one of their best while most critics aren't as enthusiastic. 'Secret Separation' was a modest hit, but there's no 'Red Skies At Night' or 'Stand Or Fall' here. Most of the tracks lean more toward atmospheric and textured songs.

From AMG:
A London-based new wave group that managed to sustain a successful career in America for several years in the mid-'80s, the Fixx always flirted with the mainstream with their catchy, keyboard-driven pop. Formed by college friends vocalist/keyboardist Cy Curnin and drummer Adam Woods in the early '80s, the pair advertised in the music press for additional members; the remaining members of the group -- guitarist Jamie West-Oram, keyboardist Rupert Greenall, and bassist Charlie Barret -- all responded to the ad. Taking the name the Portraits, the band recorded a single for Ariola Records, "Hazards in the Home," which failed to gather much attention. Within a year, the band had changed their name to the Fixx and recorded "Lost Planes," the single that led to a record contract with MCA.

The Fixx released their debut album, the Rupert Hine-produced Shuttered Room, in 1982. The record spawned two minor U.K. hits, "Stand or Fall" and "Red Skies," and spent a short time in the charts. In America, none of the singles were hits, yet the album stayed on the charts for nearly a year. After Shuttered Room, Barret left the group and was replaced by Dan K. Brown. Reach the Beach, released in 1983, established them as a hit-making force in the U.S. The terse, pulsating "One Thing Leads to Another" became a number four hit, sending the album into the Top Ten. Reach the Beach would go platinum by the end of the year, launching two more Top 40 singles -- "Saved by Zero" and "Sign of Fire." Despite all of their American success, the Fixx failed to break back into the British charts with Reach the Beach; in fact, they never had another British hit in their career.

The Fixx returned in 1984 with Phantoms. While it performed well -- it peaked at number 19 and went gold -- it didn't match the success of Reach the Beach; after it launched the number 15 single "Are We Ourselves?" the record fell off the charts. Although their audience was shrinking, the band kept their basic, synth-driven sound intact for 1986's Walkabout, which featured the hit "Secret Separation." After Walkabout, the Fixx stopped working with producer Rupert Hine, which resulted in a harder, more guitar-oriented sound for 1988's Calm Animals. The album charted at number 72, but it spawned no hit singles. Ink (1991), the group's next album, didn't reverse their declining fortunes, even though they tried to update their sound with an emphasis on guitars and slick, dance-ready beats. After the record failed to recapture their mainstream audience, the Fixx seemed to fade away before resurfacing in 1998 with Elemental. A year later, they returned with 1011 Woodland, a collection of re-recordings of their greatest hits.

The Fixx - Walkabout (320kbs download)

THE LYRES - Don't Give It Up Now (video)

A cool tune by Boston's Lyres. I always considered them as garage rock revivalist. But whatever you called them, they rocked. From AMG: Few bands in Boston rock & roll history have lasted as long, and made as much good music, as Lyres. Led by garage rock obsessive, record collector, Farfisa organ king, and world-class megalomaniac Jeff "Monoman" Conolly, Lyres rose from the ashes of Conolly's first band, DMZ. Sporting a similar high-energy trash-rock sound indebted to the Seeds, ? & the Mysterians, the Stooges, and the early British Invasion (especially early Kinks), Lyres, for a brief, shining moment, were the kingpins of Boston's punk rock scene. Resembling venerable British blues-rockers Savoy Brown because of a constantly changing lineup (something like 40 musicians have passed through the ranks), Lyres (or more specifically, Monoman) gleefully party on, oblivious of trends or the assorted vagaries of the alternative rock marketplace. A dinosaur in his own right? Perhaps, but as long as Jeff Conolly has his organ, a few guys behind him, and a place to play, the simple joy that can only be had through rock & roll will exist in this world -- hipness be damned!

DIY: Mass. Ave. - The Boston Scene (1975-1983)

DIY: Mass. Ave. - The Boston Scene (1975-1983)
(Rhino 1993) Out Of Print CD

01. Mass. Ave. - Willie Alexander
02. Do The Boob - Real Kids
03. Loretta - Nervous Eaters
04. They Saved Hitlers Brain - Unnatural Axe
05. Better Off Dead - La Peste
06. You're All I've Got Tonight (Demo) - The Cars
07. No Place Like Home - The Neighborhoods
08. Jackie Onassis - Human Sexual Response
09. I'm Talking To You - The Maps
10. That's When I Reach For My Revolver - Mission Of Burma
11. 1+1_2 - Classic Ruins
12. I Want To Help You Ann - The Lyres
13. 6 - Neats
14. Hey! (Not Another Face In The Crowd) - Thrills
15. When Things Go Wrong - Robin Lane & The Chartbusters
16. Lonelyhearts - The Atlantics
17. Alpha Romeo - Dangerous Birds
18. I Always Call Her Back - Del Fuegos
19. Knock Me Down - The Outlets

File Under:
Punk, Post Punk, New Wave, Power Pop

More great could-have-beens and should-have-beens from this primo Rhino collection.

From AMG:
Like the Los Angeles installment of the series, D.I.Y.: Mass. Ave: The Boston Scene (1979-83) is weaker than its predecessors because the music it covers simply isn't as diverse, energetic or interesting as the music from New York and England. Boston did have some great bands, yet their second-level groups weren't particularly interesting, and they pale considerably when placed next to the paranoid punk of Mission of Burma ("That's When I Reach for My Revolver"), the garage rock of the Lyres ("I Want to Help You Ann"), the rootsy Del Fuegos ("I Always Call Her Back"), and the Cars' raw demo of "You're All I've Got Tonight." There are a few cool obscurities, such as Willie Alexander's "Mass. Ave," Nervous Eaters' "Loretta," Unnatural Axe's "They Saved Hitlers Brain," Neighborhoods' "No Place Like Home," and the Neats' "Six," but they aren't enough to make Mass. Ave worthwhile for anyone but punk and new wave fetishists.

DIY: Mass. Ave. - The Boston Scene (320kbs download)

THE UNDERTONES - Here Comes The Summer (video)

Sorry it's been a little slow, but summertime gets a little busy around here. Here's The Undertones with a great summer song. Great quality on this one too.

THE PRETENDERS - Guitars And Eyeliner

THE PRETENDERS - Guitars And Eyeliner

September 8, 1980, Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL
01. Precious
02. The Adulteress
03. Kid
04. Talk Of The Town
05. Space Invader
06. Cuban Slide
07. I Go To Sleep
08. Private Life
09. Brass In Pocket
10. The Wait
11. Stop Your Sobbing
12. Louie Louie Had His Day
13. Bird Of Paradise
14. Tattooed Love Boys
15. Up The Neck
16. Whatcha Gonna Do About It

Personnel:
Martin Chambers - Drums
James Honeyman-Scott - Guitar
Chrissie Hynde - Vocals, Guitar
Pete Farndon - Bass

File Under:
Punk, New Wave, College Rock

Here's a nice radio broadcast show from the classic Pretenders line-up. One of, if not the greatest female fronted ROCK bands ever. Plus a Small Faces cover?! Excellent. This show took place nearly 27 years ago! 27 years... Seems like yesterday.

Abbreviated AMG Bio:
Originally from Akron, OH, Hynde moved to England in the early '70s, when she was in her twenties. British rock journalist Nick Kent helped her begin writing for New Musical Express; she wrote for the newspaper during the mid-'70s. She also worked in Malcolm McLaren's SEX boutique before she began performing. After playing with Chris Spedding, she joined Jack Rabbit; she quickly left the band and formed the Berk Brothers.

In 1978, Hynde formed the Pretenders, which eventually consisted of Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete Farndon, and drummer Martin Chambers. Later in the year, they recorded a version of Ray Davies' "Stop Your Sobbing" produced by Nick Lowe. The single made it into the British Top 40 in early 1979. "Kid" and "Brass in Pocket," the group's next two singles, also were successful. Their self-titled debut album was released in early 1980 and eventually climbed to number one in the U.K. The Pretenders were nearly as successful in America, with the album reaching the Top Ten and "Brass in Pocket" reaching number 14.

During an American tour in 1980, Hynde met Ray Davies and the two fell in love. Following a spring 1981 EP, Extended Play, the group released their second album, Pretenders II. Although it fared well on the charts, it repeated the musical ideas of their debut. In June of 1982, Pete Farndon was kicked out of the band, due to his drug abuse. A mere two days later on June 16, James Honeyman-Scott was found dead of an overdose of heroin and cocaine. Pregnant with Davies' child, Hynde went into seclusion following Honeyman-Scott's death. In 1983, two months after Hynde gave birth, Farndon also died of a drug overdose.

The Pretenders - Guitars And Eyeliner (320kbs download)

SMOKIN' MOJO FILTERS - Come Together (video)

Dodgy video of Paul, Noel and Paul playing the Beatles classic in the studio. Three generations of British music royalty...

HELP: A Charity Project For The Children Of Bosnia

HELP: A Charity Project For The Children Of Bosnia
(Go! Discs Limited 1995) Out Of Print CD

01. Fade Away - Oasis & Johnny Deppp
02. Oh Brother - The Boo Radleys
03. Love Spreads - Stone Roses
04. Lucky - Radiohead
05. Adnan - Orbital
06. Mourning Air - Portishead
07. Fake The Aroma - Massive Attack
08. Shipbuilding - Suede
09. Time For Livin' - The Charlatans
10. Sweetest Truth (Show No Fear) - Stereo MC's
11. Ode To Billy Joe - Sinead O'Conner
12. Searchlights - Levellers
13. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head - Manic Street Preachers
14. Tom Petty Love Veruca Salt - Terrorvision
15. The Magnificent - One World Orchestra
16. Message To Crommie - Planet 4 Folk Quartet
17. Dream A Little Dream - Terry Hall And Salad
18. 1.2.3.4.5 - Neneh Cherry And Trout
19. Ein Kleine Lift Musik - Seymour (AKA Blur)
20. Come Together - Smokin' Mojo Filters (Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher, Paul McCartney)

File Under:
Britpop, 1995, Charity

Releaed in 1995 at the apex of Britpop, this comp captures the essence of the time like no other. I remember being pretty excited when this came out (and I live in the USA). Most tributes, comps, charity albums suck. This one doesn't. Some really good stuff on this one, and I'll even cut Jack Sparrow some slack...

From AMG:
Conceived as a charity for orphans of the Bosnian war, every song on Help was recorded on one day and released a week later. The rapid turnaround was inspired by John Lennon's belief that "records should be like newspapers," a theory he brought to life with "Instant Karma," a single recorded on a Monday and released the following Saturday. Eighteen artists were recruited to record their contribution on Sunday, September 3, 1995, with each song running no longer than three minutes and 45 seconds. The day commenced with Noel Gallagher recording a slow, reflective version of "Fade Away" with Johnny Depp on guitar. It ended with Gallagher joining Paul Weller and Paul McCartney for a take on the Beatles' "Come Together," bringing together three generations of British pop royalty. In between those two contributions came 18 other songs -- two more than expected, since Sinead O'Connor and the K Foundation (formerly the KLF) turned in tracks unannounced at the last minute. Given the rapid nature of the project, it isn't surprising that some songs on Help are slightly below par. What is surprising is how many songs are very good, even bordering on excellent. Radiohead's "Lucky" equals the best on their fine 1995 album, The Bends (it would later be a highlight on OK Computer), The Boo Radleys turn in a first-rate track and Suede's cover of Elvis Costello's "Shipbuilding" is moving. Blur, appearing under their original name Seymour, contribute a kitschy instrumentals, which will probably baffle anyone but dedicated fans. "Come Together" doesn't quite live up to expectations, yet it's charming, much like Help itself. It may have its faults, but it is one of the best, most consistent charity albums ever recorded.

VA - Help (320kbs download)

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - Souls Of The Departed (video)

On the road to Basra stood young Lieutenant Jimmy Bly
Detailed to go through the clothes of the soldiers who died
At night in dreams he sees their souls rise
Like dark geese into the Oklahoma skies

Well this is a prayer for the souls of the departed
Those who've gone and left their babies brokenhearted
This is a prayer for the souls of the departed

Now Raphael Rodriguez was just seven years old
Shot down in a schoolyard by some East Compton Cholos
His mama cried "My beautiful boy is dead"
In the hills the self-made men just sighed and shook their heads

This is a prayer for the souls of the departed
Those who've gone and left their babies brokenhearted
Young lives over before they got started
This is a prayer for the souls of the departed

Tonight as I tuck my own son in bed
All I can think of is what if it would've been him instead
I want to build me a wall so high nothing can burn it down
Right here on my own piece of dirty ground

Now I ply my trade in the land of king dollar
Where you get paid and your silence passes as honor
And all the hatred and dirty little lies
Been written off the books and into decent men's eyes

DAVE SHARP (of The Alarm) - Downtown America

DAVE SHARP - Downtown America
(Dinosaur Entertainment 1995) Out Of Print CD

01. The Ghost Of Preacher Casey
02. It's A Mean Mean Hand
03. Downtown America
04. Drive These Blues Away
05. Give Me Back My Job
06. The Rebel
07. Tender Mercy
08. Road To Mexico
09. Twistin' Wind
10. The Last Fair Deal

This was due for a re-up, and I thought today would be as good as any. Dave Sharp was the lead guitarist for the Welsh band The Alarm. Feeling his songs weren't getting the consideration they deserved for the Alarm albums, Dave began recording on his own. You can hear the direction he was headed in songs like 'God Save Somebody', 'Save Your Crying' and 'Wonderful World' which appeared on 'Raw,' the last Alarm album to feature all original members. 'Downtown America' is Dave's second album.

From AMG:
After the Alarm split up in the early '90s, Sharp moved to New York. He met the New Jersey rockabilly outfit the Barnstormers, and they collaborated with him on his first solo album, Hard Travellin', in 1991. Produced by Bob Johnson, who had worked with Bob Dylan on classic albums such as Blonde on Blonde, John Wesley Harding, and Nashville Skyline, Sharp abandoned the Alarm's anthemic, U2-influenced sound for roots rock and folk. Hard Travellin' was lauded by critics, and Sharp even found himself being compared to Dylan. From 1991 to 1993, Sharp toured the United States, releasing his second album, Downtown America, in 1995. This excellent, albeit little heard, solo album from the ex-Alarm front man is a gritty departure from the anthemic anglo-rock of Sharp's former band. As the title suggests, the music here is very much straight-ahead heartland rock, but with a distinctly European, Billy Bragg-like lyrical bent. The presence of ace guitarist David Grissom (John Mellencamp, James McMurtry and many others) cements the rootsy vibe. Quasi-political generalizing about America, especially from a foreigner, is often hard to take, but luckily Sharp, in addition to being a consummate songsmith, sings with an unerring conviction, honesty and lack of pretence that make the sentiments much easier to stomach. Musically, no new ground is broken, but the assembled players here would make a hell of a great bar band. Driving grooves (courtesy of Praire Prince), combined with Sharp's whiskey soaked voice, make this great beer-drinkin' music

Dave Sharp - Downtown America (320kbs download)

EDITORS - Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors (video)

Editors have a new album out - An End Has A Start. This is the first single. I like this band and think they'll be around awhile.

AMERICAN MUSIC CLUB - Mercury

AMERICAN MUSIC CLUB - Mercury
(Reprise 1993) Out Of Print CD (?)

01. Gratitude Walks
02. If I Had a Hammer
03. Challenger
04. I've Been a Mess
05. Hollywood 4-5-92
06. What Godzilla Said to God When His Name Wasn't Found in the Book of Life
07. Keep Me Around
08. Dallas, Airports, Bodybags
09. Apology for an Accident
10. Over and Done
11. Johnny Mathis' Feet
12. The Hopes and Dreams of Heaven's 10,000 Whores
13. More Hopes and Dreams
14. Will You Find Me?

Personnel:
Mark Eitzel - Vocals, Guitar
Vudi- Guitar
Dan Pearson - Bass
Bruce Kaphan - Keyboards
Tim Mooney - Drums

File Under:
Indie Rock, Sadcore, Regret, Nick Cave, Jeff Buckley, Afghan Whigs

As Morrissey is wont to say, "I will be in the bar with my head on the bar..." Regret and dread hang over the music of American Music Club, and this, their first album for a major label is no different. 'Gratitude Walks' and 'Johnny Mathis' Feet' are good examples, but 'I've Been A Mess' pretty much sums it up. Beautiful music for a miserable day.

From AMG:
Leave it to American Music Club to make their major-label bow with the most perversely idiosyncratic record in their catalog. Produced with eccentric panache by Mitchell Froom, Mercury spotlights the band at their darkest and most eclectic, favoring odd rhythms, bizarre effects, and extreme arrangements ranging from the synthetic lounge grandeur of the worshipful "Johnny Mathis' Feet" to the swirling sonic maelstrom of the fatalistic "Challenger." Under the cover of defense-mechanism titles like "What Godzilla Said to God When His Name Wasn't Found in the Book of Life," "If I Had a Hammer" and "The Hopes of Dreams of Heaven's 10,000 Whores," Mark Eitzel paints some of his bleakest portraits to date; even the most superficially upbeat tracks -- "Keep Me Around," "Hollywood 4-5-92," "Over and Done" -- are relentlessly grim at their core. A triumph of abject misery.

Although chosen for its deliberately nondescript qualities, in retrospect the name American Music Club was the perfect moniker for the lauded San Francisco-based band led by singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel: over the course of seven acclaimed albums, the group tied together the disparate strands of the American musical fabric -- rock, folk, country, punk, even lounge schmaltz -- into a remarkably distinct and riveting whole, creating a brilliant and cohesive body of work dappled by moments of haunting beauty and impenetrable darkness.

American Music Club - Mercury (329kbs download) UPDATED LINK!!

NICK CAVE & KYLIE MINOGUE - Where The Wild Roses Grow (video)

I love this song/video. Especially the darkness and menace of Cave juxtaposed against the beauty and purity of Kylie. Cave recalls the premeditation of killing Kylie while Kylie, from the grave, recalls Cave as "her first man" and wonders why they call her the "Wild Rose." Never knowing that she was murdered and left "where the wild roses grow" by Cave. Morbid, yet beautiful. And has Kylie ever looked better? The auburn hair and the red lips.....

VA - The Subversive Sounds Vol.5

VA - The Subversive Sounds Vol.5
(July 2007)

01. Everyday Is Like SUNDAy - Morrissey
02. Rainy MONDAY - The Rifles
03. TUESDAY Morning - The Pogues
04. WEDNESDAY Week - The Undertones
05. THURSDAYs Radiation - The Warlocks
06. FRIDAY Street - Paul Weller
07. SATURDAY NIGHT -(London) Suede
08. SUNDAYs Slave - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
09. I Don't Like MONDAYs - Boomtown Rats
10. Groovy TUESDAY - The Smithereens
11. WEDNESDAY Week - Elvis Costello
12. THURSDAY - Futureheads
13. FRIDAY Night Is Killing Me - Bash & Pop
14. SATURDAY Night - Kaiser Chiefs
15. SUNDAY Morning Call - Oasis
16. Make It Till MONDAY - The Verve
17. Taste Like TUESDAY - The Wild Swans
18. Wellington's WEDNESDAY - The Weakerthans
19. THURSDAYs Child - David Bowie
20. FRIDAYs Dust - Doves
21. SATURDAYs Kids - The Jam

Three weeks worth of good tunes here. Enjoy.

VA - The Subversive Sounds Vol.5 (320kbs download)

SWiG - Simple Truth (video)

SWiG is the latest project of David Bierman (ex lead vocalist of The Junk Monkeys) and Detroit rock veteran Glynn Scanlan. This is a dose of dirty Motor City garage rock. Even get some indie rock chicks doing some dirty dancing. Not stripper types though - more like the art school drop-out who now tends bar while trying to get a band together with some other indie bar waitresses. Good song though. I give it 4 broken cue sticks out of 5.

THE JUNK MONKEYS - Soul Cakes

THE JUNK MONKEYS - Soul Cakes
(Metal Blade - 1989) Out Of Print CD

01. Lost My Faith
02. Anywhere With You
03. I Couldn't Smile
04. Trade
05. Today Is Summer
06. Round And Round
07. Medicine
08. So American
09. Time Ain't On My side
10. I Want More

Personnel:
David Bierman - Vocals, Guitar
Dan Allen - Drums, Vocals
Kevin Perri - Bass, Vocals
Dave Boutette - Guitar

File Under:
Minneapolis Sound via Detroit, Replacements, Soul Aasylum, Punk

I first became aware of The Junk Monkeys on July 13, 1993 when they opened for Tommy Stinsons (of The Replacements) new band Bash & Pop, at Staches, in Columbus, OH. Bash & Pop didn't even have an album out yet, but because Tommy used to be a Replacement, they headlined. I think the Junk Monkeys blew them away. This is their first major label release (if you consider Metal Blade a major). Here's timeless indie rock and roll in the tradition of countless other bands of the era, but what sets these guys apart is, they had the songs. It's not about speed, screaming or being the most out of control. It always comes back to the songs. If you don't have that, you eventually get called on it. Paul Westerberg knew that. The Mats did everything they shouldn't, but they always had the songs to back it up. So did The Junk Monkeys. Suffice to say, if you like real rock and roll in the spirit of The Replacements, this band captured that spirit more than any other without being a facsimile. In my opinion of course. Look for their follow-up albums 5 Star Fling and Bliss in the future. (you can get their first indie release, Firehouse here).

FROM AMG:
Formed in the mid-'80s by singer/guitarist David Bierman, guitarist Dave Boutette, bassist Kevin Perri, and drummer Dan Allen, Dearborn, MI's Junk Monkeys evolved from a previous band named Mystery Girls (no, not those Mystery Girls), and cut their teeth in Detroit clubs before finding an unlikely home with L.A.-based Metal Blade Records. Unlikely because Junk Monkey albums like 1989's Soul Cakes, 1990s Five Star Fling, and 1992's Bliss featured hook-laden power pop/punk inspired by '70s legends like Cheap Trick, Big Star, and the Flamin' Groovies; but not so far-fetched when one remembers Metal Blade had also signed the Goo Goo Dolls around the same time. In any case, just as the latter only managed to score mainstream success towards the end of their relationship with the label, the Junk Monkeys too failed to find an audience beyond Michigan and Midwestern borders during their tenure at Metal Blade, eventually departing to record a final live album in 1995's Follies Review before going their separate ways.

The Junk Monkeys - Soul Cakes (320kbs download)

PULP - This Is Harcore (video)

After the success of Britpop milestone Different Class it took some huge balls to release this as the follow-up. Dark, claustrophobic, 6+ minutes long and brilliant. Pulp never recovered.

ELCKA - Rubbernecking

ELCKA - Rubbernecking
(Island 1997) Out Of Print CD

01. Supercharged
02. Fill Me
03. Statuesque
04. Look At You Now
05. When The Circus Comes To Town
06. Leather Lips
07. Nothing To Lose
08. Aston Martin
09. Roll The Dice
10. The Perverts Servant
11. A User's Guide

Personnel:
Harrold - Vocals
Marcus Sanford-Casey - Guitar
Rhodes - Bass
Darren Betty - Drums
Matt Barker - Keyboards

File Under:
UK Indie, Britpop, Glam, Suede, Pulp

Like the AMG review below states, these guys sort of came and went without anyone noticing. Which is a shame, because this album is actually quite good. I'd never heard of Elcka until I saw them open for Morrissey in 1997, thoroughly impressed I picked up the album as soon as I could find it. Which wasn't easy. That being said, this ranks up there with Suede and Pulp as some of the best glam influenced Britpop of the era. It's seems this was released with at least three different covers - with one being extremely horrible. Guess which one?


FROM AMG:
By the time Elcka got around to releasing a debut album in 1997, the Britpop hype in the group's initial year of attention, 1995, had started to curdle (the requisite string arrangements alone date the record). As a result, Rubbernecking came and went, not even getting an American release despite a high-profile opening stint with Morrissey in the States. A pity, because while the quintet's music worked in the same lush/dissipated general line as Suede and labelmates Pulp, Elcka had just enough individual character to stand out more than might be thought. Lead singer Harrold had just the right amount of English "it's a lahrf" twang and catch in his singing voice, and while the production seems to want to hide his voice in the mix more than anything else, it's still nicely glammy stuff. Steve Harley would probably be the closest comparison point, while the band's music touches on that era with some dollops of Madness and Faces' jauntiness as well. Guitarist Marcus Sanford-Casey is competent without being per se distinct, though still with a nice bit of flash, while keyboardist Matt Barker adds some good extra sheen and energy here and there as well. The latter's lines on tracks like "Fill Me" actually often stand out as the best thing in the performance. Bassist Rhodes and drummer Darren Berry do their work well enough, with little more to say there. The singles from the album unsurprisingly are the strongest efforts, with the album-only tracks continuing the mood and occasionally improving it, like the quirky theatrics of "When the Circus Comes" or the concluding stomp of "A User's Guide." Opening number "Supercharged" and "Statuesque," the latter with a kicky, niggling guitar line floating speaker to speaker, both have memorable melodies, but "Nothing to Lose" wins out the most, with a swirling, synth/string-combined intro and a slow, building sense of drama to a great chorus.

Elcka - Rubbernecking (320kbs download)

NINE INCH NAILS - Get Down Make Love (video)

Awesome cover of Queen's classic 1977 track. This first appeared as the b-side of 1989s 'Sin' single. This was always intense live and Reznor still pulls it out occasionally. This is a fan made video done extremely well.

NINE INCH NAILS - Pretty Hate Machine Demos

NINE INCH NAILS - Pretty Hate Machine Demos
(Eagle Records - Germany) AKA Purest Feeling

November 1988, Right Track Studio, Cleveland, Ohio
01. Intro
02. Sanctified
03. Maybe Just Once (unreleased)
04. The Only Time
05. Kinda I Want To
06. That's What I Get
07. Purest Feeling (unreleased)
08. Ringfinger
09. Down In It

Personnel:
Trent Reznor

File Under:
Industrial, Synth, Dance, Electronic, EBM

Hard to believe Pretty Hate Machine was released in the 80s. At least for me, but I'm old. Living in Ohio I was lucky enough to see the band in their early days and through many personnel changes. But NIN has always been Trent Reznor. These demos from November 1988 were recorded at The Right Track in Cleveland, OH, where legend has it, Trent was still a janitor at the time. These demos are much more ... synth and dance oriented, more in line with perhaps Depeche Mode than Ministry or some of the other, more abrasive bands on the industrial scene. Each song is different than what was eventually released - different vocals, mixes, lyrics, etc. Two tracks still remain unreleased. This has been bootlegged and is often referred to as Purest Feeling. Perfect sound.

Nine Inch Nails - PHM Demos (320kbs download)

THE (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY - Reproduction Of Death (video)

Better late than never. This kicks major ass.

THE (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY - Live EP

THE (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY - Live EP
(American/Epitaph 2005) Out Of Print Promotional CD

01. Black Mask
02. Smash It Up
03. A Small Demand
04. Capitalism Stole My Virginity
05. The Way I Feel About You

Personnel:
Lars Strömberg - Guitars
Dennis Lyxzén - Vocals, Harmonica
Inge Johansson - Bass
Ludwig Dahlberg - Drums

File Under:
Punk, Garage Revival, The Hellacopters, The Hives, Division of Laura Lee, Mainliners

I've been singing the praises of these guys since I first saw their video for 'Reproduction Of Death' on a public access station back in 2000. And they've only gotten better. I'm not going to go on and on about how great they are. Watch the video. Download the ep. Check out their home page. Buy the albums. Then go see them live to be blown away. (Dennis Lyxzén has a side-project called The Lost Patrol Band. They are more on the power-pop side of things, less political, but worth checking out.)

From AMG:
Having roots in five different bands, the (International) Noise Conspiracy came to exist in the latter portion of 1998 in their hometown of Umeå, Sweden. The group's five members set out to use its music as an attack against capitalist culture at large by taking the universal idea of popular culture and molding the basis of its phenomenon into statements of resistance. As far as the music goes, it's a hybrid of garage rock and soul of the 1960s mixed with the punk of the late 1970s. Since their formation, the quintet has released a handful of 7" records and two full-length albums, which include 1999's The First Conspiracy and 2000's Survival Sickness.

Fascinated by a quote from singer/songwriter Phil Ochs that states "the perfect rock outfit would be a combination of Elvis and Che Guevara," guitarist/vocalist Lars Strömberg and lead vocalist Dennis Lyxzén decided to start a group in the fall of 1998 that would make reality of that statement. Lyxzén had just witnessed the implosion of his hardcore band Refused and was hungry to start anew with a group that would use the music it created as a political vehicle. Strömberg shared the same enthusiasm and immediately co-founded the (International) Noise Conspiracy with his friend Lyxzén. At the time, Strömberg was performing with the Umeå punk band Separation, with whom he still plays. The duo set out to hunt down more members who shared their ideals. They found a bassist in their friend Inge Johansson, who was, and still is, playing with the Umeå art/noise band the Female Anchor of Sade. The final two pieces in the (International) Noise Conspiracy puzzle were found in guitarist/organist Sara Almgren and drummer Ludwig Dahlberg, who were both performing with the political rock band Saidwas. Prior to Saidwas, Almgren had made a name for herself playing guitar with the Umeå metal outfit Doughnuts. With the lineup in place for the (International) Noise Conspiracy, the band stepped into the studio in 1999 to record 12 songs. The tracks were released as a series of five 7" records later that year on four different labels, including the band's own The Black Mask Collective, as well as on Premonition, Car Crash, and Trans Solar Records. The majority of the tracks that comprised these 7"s were presented on the band's first full-length LP, The First Conspiracy, released later that same year on the G-7 Welcoming Committee imprint. The band members also kept busy with side projects throughout the year. Lyxzén released a full-length album, titled Songs in the Key of Resistance and a self-titled 7" record with his band the Lost Patrol. The style and message of the group remained in much the same vein as that of the (International) Noise Conspiracy. Johansson also kept his hands full with his other band the Female Anchor of Sade, which released the 10" Tanks to Everyone. The (International) Noise Conspiracy returned in May 2000 to release their second full-length album Survival Sickness on Burning Heart Records. The band worked out a deal with Orange County, CA-based punk label Epitaph to distribute the album in the United States. First Conspiracy appeared in early 2001, and was met with a mixed reaction due to the heavy political content. Later that year, the Capitalism Stole My Virginity EP was received better due to the growing interest in the Scandanavian rock scene from US garage rock fans. In the spring of 2003, the band released Bigger Cages, Longer Chains, an EP that included several videos and was significantly short on political messages. The soulful, Rick Rubin-produced Armed Love appeared in Europe in 2004, while its American release followed nearly a year later.

The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Live EP (320kbs download)

ROBERT HAZARD - Escalator Of Life (video)

"Won't be happy 'till we have it all." I guess that about sums up the 80s. In my opinion one of the greatest early new-wave songs, ever. It's never remembered as well as 'Don't You Want Me' but it should be. A genre defining classic.

ROMEO VOID - Instincts

ROMEO VOID - Instincts
(Columbia 1984) Out Of Print LP/Never On CD (?)

01. Out On My Own
02. Just Too Easy
03. Billy's Birthday
04. Going To Neon
05. Six Days And One
06. A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing)
07. Say No
08. Your Life Is A Lie
09. Instincts

Personnel:
Debora Iyall - Vocals
Peter Woods - Guitar
Benjamin Bossi - Saxophone
Frank Zincavage - Bass
Aaron Smith - Drums

File Under:
New Wave, Post-Punk, Au Pairs, Lene Lovich

I was really surprised by this album. Always familiar with the new wave standard "Never Say Never" better known as "I might like you better if we slept together." Great drunken college bar song. First time I ever heard it was at Pappa Joe's (RIP) on The Ohio State University campus. This album shows a lot more depth and quality than anyone had a right to expect. Unfortunately, it was also their swan song. Well worth taking a listen to, especially if you only know "Never Say Never."

From AMG:
Perhaps in reaction against the more commercial sound of Benefactor, Romeo Void returned to producer David Kahne and the sound of their first album, It's a Condition, on their third, Instincts. Nevertheless, it proved to be their bestselling album. The group's instrumental attack continued to be spearheaded by saxophonist Benjamin Bossi, whose floating lines contrasted with the drive of the rhythm section and guitarist Peter Woods' Morse code leads. And Debora Iyall continued to pour out disappointed reflections on the romantic condition in songs with titles like "Your Life Is a Lie" and "Say No." One of them, "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)," managed to be both provocative and vague enough to inch into the Top 40, such that the album gained greater exposure and sales. But instead of marking a breakthrough for Romeo Void, Instincts marked their breakup, with Iyall going solo.

Romeo Void - Instincts (320kbs download)

GARY JULES - Mad world (video)

On the subject of Donnie Darko, here's an example of taking a pretty shit song - Tears For Fears' 'Mad World' - and transcending the original. Turning it into something exceptional. And in the context of he movie, it's impeccable. Not sure what ever became of Mr. Jules, but this a haunting cover.

R.E.M. - r.e.m.IX

R.E.M. - r.e.m.IX
(Internet Only Downloadable Remix Album)

01. The Lifting (Now It's Overhead Mix - Andy LeMaster)
02. The Lifting (KnowbodyDahoud Darien for 12 Nations Mix)
03. I'll Take The Rain (Jamie Candiloro Mix)
04. She Just Wants To Be (Jamie Cadiloro Mix)
05. I've Been High (Matthew "Intended" Herbert Mix)
06. I've Been High (KnowbodyDahoud Darien for 12 Nations Mix)
07. I'Ve Been High (Chef Mix)
08. I've Been High (Her Space Holiday Mix by Marc Bianci)
09. Beachball (Chef Mix)
10. SummEr Turns To High (Her Space Holiday Mix by Marc Bianci)

Personnel:
Mike Mills - Bass
Peter Buck - Guitar
Michael Stipe - Vocals
Doktor Avalanche/Echo - Drums

File Under:
R.E.M.

This was a free download I picked up a few years ago on R.E.M.s official site. Some pretty good remixes of songs from the Reveal album. All files are original as downloaded, no re-encoding, copying, re-burning etc.

R.E.M. - r.e.m.IX (original bitrate download)

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN - The Killing Moon (video)

One of the greatest songs of the 1980s - or any era for that matter. Check out the first scene from the movie Donnie Darko. The beginning four minutes sums up the mood of the movie like no other. Perfect.

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN - Peel Sessions

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN - Peel Sessions
(London 1997) Out Of Print Limited Edition Bonus CD

01. Villiers Terrace (8/22/79)
02. Read It In Books (8/22/79)
03. All That Jazz (5/22/80)
04. Over The Wall (5/22/80)
05. All My Colours (11/12/80)
06. Back Of Love (2/8/82)
07. Seven Seas (6/20/83)
08. Ocean Rain (10/24/83)
09. Nocturnal (10/24/83)
10. Rescue (9/16/97)

Personnel for tracks 1-9:
Ian McCulloch - Vocals
Les Pattinson - Bass
Will Sergeant - Guitar
Pete de Ffeitas - Drums

File Under:
John Peel, BBC, Post-Punk, Neo-Psychedelia, Teardrop Explodes

I've had this disc for awhile and after some research, it seems it was packaged with E&tB 'comeback' album Evergreen. The dates of each performance should be pretty accurate. You know who The Bunnymen and John Peel are.

Echo & The Bunnymen - Peel sessions (320kbs download)

PRIMAL SCREAM - Kowalski (video)

Vanishing Point was probably one of my most played cds of 1997. There's nothing that really jumps out at you like their previous albums, this is all about the groove. And once you start grooving to it, it's hard to stop.

From AMG: Primal Scream found themselves in danger of losing their hip audience in the wake of their misconceived trad-rock record, Give Out but Don't Give Up. As a reaction, they returned to the genre-bending, electronic dance-rock of the seminal Screamadelica for Give Out's follow-up, Vanishing Point. Instead of recycling the dazzlingly bright neo-psychedelia of Screamadelica, Primal Scream reaches deep into cavernous dub and '60s pop. Vanishing Point is a dark, trippy album, filled with mind-bending rhythms and cinematic flourishes. The addition of former Stone Roses bassist Mani to the Scream gives their music an organically funky foundation that had been lacking. Over those rhythms are samples, reverbed guitars, and synthesizers that echo spy movies, Southern soul, and the Stones. Above anything else, Vanishing Point is about sound and groove. Words remain a weak point for Bobby Gillespie, who only manages cohesive lyrics on the swirling "Burning Wheel" and "Star," but that is a secondary concern, since Primal Scream is at its best when working the rhythms. Songs like "Kowaliski" and, in particular, the extended instrumentals of "Get Duffy" and "Trainspotting" illustrate that the group is still capable of creating exotic, thoroughly entrancing sounds, which is what makes Vanshing Point a remarkable comeback.

MANBREAK - Come And See

MANBREAK - Come And See
(Almo Sounds 1997) Out Of Print CD

01. Ready Or Not
02. Kop Karma
03. Morning
04. News Of The World
05. Wasted
06. It's On
07. God's Never Heard Of You
08. City Life
09. Round And Round
10. Cut Ups
11. Future Days
12. Is Everyone Still Asleep

File Under:
Politics, Alt.Rave, Punk, Pop Will Eat Itself, Rage Against The Machine (with a pop sense)

I first saw ManBREAK on a PBS (Public Broadcasting System) video show back in the mid 90s. I thought they looked pretty cool so I picked up the album used. I also saw them open once for Primal Scream. I think they've since faded away, but this is worth a listen.

From AMG:
On their debut album, Come & See, Manbreak plays like a Rage Against the Machine with more hooks and a better pop sense. Even if the group's lyrics aren't as politically charged, they have a knack for fusing pummeling heavy metal and relentless hip-hop beats, resulting in music that is muscular and bone-rattlingly powerful. They may have problems writing a consistently compelling set of songs, but the best moments on Come & See indicate the band's potential.

Westnet Review:
Five years ago, an English band combined hip hop, rock and rap with socio-political rantings released a wittily titled debut album, Lenin & McCarthy. The 25th of May, fronted by the charismatic Steve Swindelli, unfortunately didn't make much of an impact on the music scene, but their legacy still makes an occasional appearance in my disc player.

Fast forward to 1997, and Swindelli (with no first name) has returned as the leader of Manbreak. The group's name comes from a secret military program of the 1950s and 1960s where the British government exposed some of its soldiers to low-level chemical weapons, and then let them loose on an assault course to test their performance. And, just like with his previous band, Swindelli offers a few musical assaults of his own. The leadoff track, "Ready Or Not", offers a good cross-section of what Manbreak is all about. Searing guitars (taken from the book of Jimmy Page) combine with Swindelli's passionate vocals, as he asks the listener what they want out of life. Those who mourn music without meaning need look no further than this disc. "Kop Karma" is, according to Swindelli, 'How our taxes pay for us to get beaten up by the police - Rodney King will testify to that.' "Cut Ups" was inspired by a story in the Socialist Worker (note the political slant?) of a policeman, who attemps to talk a woman out of committing suicide from a high ledge, joining her on a jump to death. Rather than advocating violence (as he's previously done), Swindelli implores the listener to look inside themselves to seek the answers. Sure, pop sounds creep into Swindelli's work; witness the Lennon-esque ballad "God's Never Heard of You" or "Future Days", whose musical chorus owes a debt to "Paperback Writer" - turned up to 7 on the stereo. "News Of The World" keeps up a frantic pace while delivering the necessary hooks, and "City Life" is Genesis' "Turn It On Again" if Mike Rutherford could ever turn *his* guitar up. But more than anything, Manbreak's Come And See provides a cross-section of the last 20 years of rock, rap and politics.

ManBREAK - Come And See (320kbs download)

THE LONG RYDERS - Looking For Lewis And Clark (video)

Pretty cool video, especially for the period when everything was either overexposed or shot with pastels. Good rocking tune. They would have kicked ass in a small club.

THE LONG RYDERS - State Of Our Union

THE LONG RYDERS - State Of Our Union
(Island Records 1985) Out Of Print/Never On CD

01. Looking For Lewis And Clark
02. Lights Of Downtown
03. WDIA
04. Mason-Dixon Line
05. Here Comes That Train again
06. Years Long Ago
07. Good Times Tomorrow, Hard Times Today
08. Two Kinds Of Love
09. You Just Can't Ride The Boxcars Anymore
10. Capturing The Flag
11. State Of My Union

Personnel:
Sid Griffin - Guitars, Harmonica, Autoharp, Vocals
Stephen McCarthy - Guitars, Banjo, Lap Steel, Vocals
Greg Sowders - Drums, Percussion, Keyboards
Tom Stevens - Bass, Vocals

File Under:
Americana, College Rock, BoDeans, Del-Lords

I vaguely remembered the track Looking For Lewis And Clark when I picked this up, but it had been nearly twenty years. But this is a pretty strong album overall. It fits in with the pre-alt.country movement that included bands like Rank & File, Jason & The Scorchers, The dB's, BoDeans, Del-Lords, etc. The album cover is pretty cool too, even though they look like CCR and the Amish looking guy on the left needs to lower his pants a little.

From AMG:
The Long Ryders kicked off their major label debut, State of Our Union, with one of their most anthemic and most explicitly political songs, "Looking for Lewis and Clark," and that tune set the tone for the rest of the album -- State of Our Union found the Long Ryders reaching for a larger audience at the same time that they were using their music to say a great deal more than they had in the past. Musically, plenty of roadwork had tightened the band's interplay to an even finer point than on Native Sons (Sid Griffin and Stephen McCarthy were both in superb voice, and their guitar work meshed perfectly), and Will Birch's production gave the songs a poppier sheen that still allowed the band's roots-conscious sound to shine through. Lyrically, State of Our Union took a long look at Reagan-era America as the gulf between the rich and the poor began to divide the nation, with "You Can't Ride the Boxcars Anymore," "Two Kinds of Love," and "Good Times Tomorrow, Hard Times Today" all exploring issues of economic injustice, and even the less obvious political songs often having a progressive subtext ("WDIA," a tribute to the great Memphis R&B radio station, deals with how the love of music brought together black and white listeners in the 1960s). 10-5-60 and Native Sons had already made it clear that the Long Ryders knew how to make great rock & roll, but State of Our Union suggested they had a lot else on their minds, and they were able to air their concerns while playing music that could move the masses...assuming that the masses ever heard them.

Although they played the same clubs as most of Los Angeles' "paisley underground" bands (i.e., Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade) and even featured Dream Syndicate leader Steve Wynn in an early lineup, the Long Ryders were actually more a roots rock group strongly influenced by Gram Parsons. The group was founded by Kentucky native Sid Griffin, a Parsons devotee who moved to Los Angeles after hearing about that city's punk scene, with guitarist Stephen McCarthy and drummer Greg Sowders. The group's first bassist Barry Shank, along with Griffin, had previously been a member of the L.A. garage revivalists Unclaimed. He was replaced by Des Brewer just before the band went into the studio for the first time. The Long Ryders' 1983 debut EP, 10-5-60, was a blend of punk attitude, '60s rock, and traditional country (Griffin played steel guitar, autoharp, and mandolin). Brewer soon left as he was not committed to touring. His replacement, Don McCall, lasted for one tour before he was asked to leave. The band's lineup was stabilized when Indiana native Tom Stevens joined. Their first full-length album, the following year's Native Sons, was also arguably their best, and featured guest vocals from former Byrd Gene Clark. Subsequent albums, while still of considerable artistic merit, failed to find an audience despite the band's incessant touring. Reeling from the defections of Stevens in June of 1987 and McCarthy in September, and unhappy with Island's promotional efforts and seeming disregard for the group, the Long Ryders called it quits on December 15, 1987. McCarthy formed Gutterball and, along with Griffin, contributed to the 1993 Gram Parsons tribute album Commemorativo. Griffin, meanwhile, moved to London and formed the Coal Porters; today he works as a music critic and writer, foreshadowed by his definitive 1985 biography of (who else?) Gram Parsons.

Long Ryders - State Of Our Union (320kbs download)

THE GODFATHERS - Dope, Rock 'N' Roll & Fucking In The Streets (updated link)

Download Page.

COLOURSOUND - She Sells Sanctuary (video)

Nice video of the band playing The Cult classic in a small club. Mike pulls off the vocals decently, but no one can touch Ian on this song.

COLOURSOUND - 8-Track Demos

COLOURSOUND - 8-Track Demos
(21st Century Records 1998) Limited/Out Of Print

Demos Recorded Live to 8-Track
01. Under The Sun
02. Alive
03. Heavy Rain
04. Fade In-Fade Out-Fade Away

Personnel:
Billy Duffy (The Cult) - Guitar
Mike Peters (The Alarm) - Voocals, Guitar
Craig Adams (The Mission UK) - Bass
Johnny Donnelly (Saw Doctors) - Drums

File Under:
The Alarm, Mission (UK), The Cult, Saw Doctors, College Rock

Sort of an 80s college-rock supergroup here. One of the 5,000 side projects of ex-Alarm main-main Mike Peters. Pretty hi-energy college-rock in the form of what you'd expect from these guys. If you like any of the members or their bands, you'll more than likely like this. The band went on to release one full album (out of print) and a three disc set called Coloursound Complete that supposedly includes all of their recordings. Check theAlarm.com for more information.

Coloursound - 8-Track Demos (320kbs download)

MENSWEAR - I'll Manage Somehow (video)

Menswear were universally despised during the hieght of Britpop. More fashion that substance they said. But you know what, they released one of the more enjoyable, disposable albums of the period. They were a guilty pleasure that no one admitted to, while hiding the album between their Oasis and Blur cds. If you're a fan of Britpop and see their album Nuisance in the used bin, pick it up, you'll enjoy it. I won't tell anyone.

BLUR - Live At Wembley Arena

BLUR - Live At Wembley Arena
(Food/Virgin 2000) OOP Limited Edition Bonus disk from "Best Of Blur"

December 12, 1999, Wembley Arena
01. She's So High
02. Girls & Boys
03. To the End
04. End of a Century
05. Stereotypes
06. Charmless Man
07. Beetlebum
08. M.O.R.
09. Tender
10. No Distance Left to Run

Personnel:
Damon Albarn - Vcals
Graham Coxon - Guitar
Alex James - Bass
Dave Rowntree - Drums

File Under:
Britpop, Indie, Alternative Oasis!

Nice abbreviated live album that was included with their Limited Edition Best Of Blur album. Quality live versions of the standards, but it's nice to have some of the great slower tracks like 'To The End', 'End Of A Century' and 'Tender.'

Blur - Live At Wembley (320kbs download)

ROSETTA STONE - The Witch (video)

Rosetta Stone put out one classic album, Adrenaline. After that they tried to ride the Nine Inch Nails industrial dance wave and put out the horribleTyranny Of Inaction album. But this is classic goth, much in the tradition of Sisters Of Mercy and The Mission (UK). Wayne Hussey of The Mission was actually chosen to produce their first album, but eventually pulled out.

THE MISSION (UK) - No Snow, No Show For The Eskimo

THE MISSION (UK) - No Snow, No Show For The Eskimo "BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert"
(Windsong International 1993) Out Of Print CD

01. Amelia (March 1990, Manchester Apollo)
02. Wasteland (March 1990, Manchester Apollo)
03. Serpent's Kiss (December 1988, Wembley Arena)
04. Belief (December 1988, Wembley Arena)
05. Severina (December 1988, Wembley Arena)
06. Butterfly on a Wheel (December 1988, Wembley Arena)
07. Into the Blue (March 1990, Manchester Apollo)
08. Kingdom Come (December 1988, Wembley Arena)
09. Deliverance (December 1988, Wembley Arena)
10. Tower of Strength (December 1988, Wembley Arena)
11. Crystal Ocean (December 1988, Wembley Arena)

Personnel:
Wayne Hussey -Vocals, Guitar
Simon Hinkler - Guitar
Craig Adams - Bass
Mick Brown - Drums

File Under:
Gothic Rock, Sisters Of Mercy

Here's an early one for the weekend. Some good, rocking, live goth for all of the aging undead out there.

From AMG:
"No Snow, No Show" For the Eskimo derives it's name from the Eskimos, a general term for the diehard Mission fans. Taken from two arena shows, one in 1988 and the other 1990, the album captures the Mission at the height of their popularity. It draws tracks from the band's first three albums, as well as a couple of B-sides, "Serpent's Kiss" and "Crystal Ocean." The band perform well and the sound is near-perfect; ironically, that's the main problem with the album. Every track is a flawless rendition of the album version, making it a somewhat unnecessary release. Still, the material is consistently strong, and it's the last time the Mission would sound so good.

Derided by critics as pompous, melodramatic, and bombastic, the Mission, as they were known in their native U.K. (their name had to be changed in America owing to a Philadelphia R&B band with the same moniker), nonetheless attracted a core audience of goth rock fans. The Mission was formed in 1986 by guitarist/singer Wayne Hussey and bassist Craig Adams, who both left the Sisters of Mercy to do so. (Hussey had also played with the Walkie Talkies and Dead or Alive.) The two recruited Artery guitarist Simon Hinkler and former Red Lorry Yellow Lorry drummer Mick Brown and called themselves the Sisterhood, to which Sisters of Mercy leader Andrew Eldritch objected strenuously. The Mission released two successful independent singles in the U.K. and signed to Mercury in 1986. The group soon completed its debut album, God's Own Medicine, which critics lambasted as ponderous and derivative of Led Zeppelin and Yes, but the album produced several U.K. hits anyway. The band toured extensively in the U.K. and America; Adams had to return home from the latter after suffering from exhaustion. Produced by Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, Children widened the band's audience, reaching number two on the U.K. album charts. 1990's Carved in Sand shed some of the Mission's Zep fascination for more refined songwriting. Hinkler left the band midway through the supporting tour and was eventually replaced permanently by Paul Etchells. Meanwhile, several Mission members backed Slade members Noddy Holder and Jim Lea on the Christmas charity single "Merry Xmas Everybody." By 1992, Hussey was the only original member left; following the 1994 Sum and Substance retrospective, he recorded the 1995 album Neverland with a new Mission lineup. Blue followed a year later, with the greatest-hits retrospective Resurrection appearing in fall 1999.

The Mission (UK) - No Snow, No how (320kbs download)

THE INMATES - Love Got Me (video)

See what I mean? This sounds like the Stones! It's still pretty damn cool though. And nice quality too. YouTube is the best thing since C90s.

THE INMATES - First Offence

THE INMATES - First Offence
(Radarscope/Polydor - 1979) Out Of Print LP

01. Dirty Water
02. Love Got Me
03. Midnight To Six Man
04. The Walk
05. You're The One That Done It
06. Jealousy
07. Mr. Unreliable
08. Three Times A Loser
09. I Can't Sleep
10. If Time Could Turn Backwards
11. Back In History

Personnel:
Peter Gunn - Guitar, Vocals
Bill Hurley - Vocals
Ben Donnelly - Bass
Tony Oliver - Guitar
John Bull/Eddie - Drums

File Under:
Garage Revival, Pub Rock

When I first put this on I was a little surprised. I was expecting some garage/punk/new wave, but instead bar-band pub-rock came out of my speakers. You're from London, you do covers of classic garage tunes like Dirty Water and Midnight To Six Man, your band name starts with "The" and you're wearing leather and skinny ties on your album cover. Where's the post-punk power-pop? All that aside, this is a pretty cool album. Mr. Unreliable is a top track. In 1998 this was issued on cd in Japan in a very limited quantity. Good luck finding a copy though!

From AMG:
In 1979, various punk and new wave bands were engaging in 1960s worship -- everyone from the Ramones to Blondie to the B-52s was putting their own spin on 1960s music, whether it was British Invasion rock, surf rock or the girl-group sound. But while those artists were combining something old with something new, the Inmates were retro all the way. New wavers and punks might have appreciated the rawness of First Offense, the Inmates' debut album of 1979, but this LP is neither punk nor new wave. Usually sounding like it could have been recorded around 1964-66 instead of in 1979, First Offense is an unapologetic throwback to the British Invasion rock of the early Rolling Stones (we're talking Brian Jones-era Stones!), the Kinks and the Who. The British band doesn't get into psychedelic rock at all, and its preference is for the more bluesy and R&B-influenced recordings that those rockers made in the 1960s. From covers of the Standells' "Dirty Water" and the Pretty Things' "Midnight to Six Man" to remakes of Arthur Conley's "Love Got Me" and Don Covay's "Three Time Loser," First Offense is about as derivative as it gets. But it's also rockin' and highly infectious -- even when you're thinking about how ultra-derivative the music is, you'll find yourself patting your foot and singing along. First Offense is retro in the good sense.

The Inmates - First Offence (320kbs download)

Bauhaus/Peter Murphy/Love And Rockets/Daniel Ash/David J/Tones On Tail (updated link)

Download Page.

DIY - Teenage Kicks, UK Pop, Vol. 1 (updated link)

Download Page.

OASIS - Supersonic (video)

Back when Britpop was huge, we didn't get a chance to view these videos a lot here in the US. If you were lucky you might catch a rare playing on 120 Minutes (was that still on?), Subterranean or whatever they were calling the 'alternative' music show at the time. YouTube has been a godsend for checking out this stuff. Well, this is the original Oasis. Five guys from Manchester pounding it out. Even Tony. They may not have been the best musicians, but the original Oasis had the chemistry that the Gallaghers hired hands have never been able to match. And the kids were "mad fer it."

OASIS - Live At Metro

OASIS - Live At Metro
(Sony 1994) Out Of Print Promo CD

October 12, 1994, Cabaret Metro, Chicago, IL, USA
01. Rock N Roll Star
02. Columbia
03. Fade Away
04. Digsy's Dinner
05. Shakermaker
06. Live Forever
07. Bring It On Down
08. Up In The Sky
09. Slide Away
10. Cigarettes & Alcohol
11. Married With Children
12. Supersonic
13. I Am The Walrus

Personnel:
Noel Gallagher - Guitar, Vocals
Liam Gallagher - Vocals, Tambourine
Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs - Guitar
Paul 'Guigsy' McGuigan - Bass
Tony McCarroll - Drums

This is a fantastic recording and performance by Oasis on their first American tour. Tony McCarroll was still with the band too. But not for much longer. Includes the complete Definitely Maybe album plus the b-side 'Fade Away' and a cover of The Beatles' 'I Am The Walrus.'

From AMG:
Recorded in 1994 in Chicago, this is one of the best complete Oasis shows on disc from that era. In America, the sets were tight, containing mostly album tracks. It is sad that American audiences were missing out on live versions of Oasis' amazing B-sides, but they were getting a perfect companion to Definitely Maybe and a rocking version of "I Am the Walrus." If (Live At Metro) will prove anything, it's that before all the fame, tabloid coverage, and mayhem, Oasis was always heading for the top.

Oasis - Live At Metro (320kbs download)

LONE JUSTICE - Radio 1 Live In Concert (updated Link)

Download Page.

R.E.M. - In The Atic (updated link)

Download Page.

NEW MUSIK - Sanctuary (updated link)

Download Page.

ELVIS COSTELLO - Live At The El Mocambo (updated link)

Download page.

CACTUS WORLD NEWS - Special Forces Concert (updated link)

Download page.

THE BUZZCOCKS - What Do I Get (video)

You probably know this song from the Nissan Rav-4 commercial. Shame on you. Go directly to your indie music store and pick up Singles Going Steady.

DIY, The Modern World, UK Punk, Vol.2 (1977-78)

DIY, The Modern World, UK Punk, Vol.2 (1977-78)
(Rhino - 1993) Out Of Print CD

01. Modern World - The Jam
02. Wild Youth - Generation X
03. (My Baby Does) Good Sculptures - The Rezillos
04. Emergency - 999
05. (There's Gonna Be A) Borstal Breakout - Sham 69
06. Shot by Both Sides - Magazine
07. What Do I Get? - Buzzcocks
08. I Am the Fly - Wire
09. Day the World Turned Day-Glo - X-Ray Spex
10. Suspect Device - Stiff Little Fingers
11. Ain't Got a Clue - Lurkers
12. (I Want to Be An) Anglepoise Lamp - The Soft Boys
13. If the Kids Are United - Sham 69
14. Action Time Vision - Alternative TV
15. Bingo Master - The Fall
16. Alternative Ulster - Stiff Little Fingers
17. Hong Kong Garden - Siouxsie and the Banshees
18. Homicide - 999
19. Ambition - Subway Sect

In my opinion this is one of the best volumes of the DIY series. I've always been partial to the UK punk/post-punk bands as opposed to the US counterparts which seemed to lack the humour and satire of their English peers. This is a great listen from start to finish.

From AMG:
Picking up where the first volume of D.I.Y.: U.K. Punk left off, D.I.Y.: The Modern World: UK Punk II (1977-78) captures the moment when punk began to fracture into post-punk, hardcore, and new wave. There are still some straightforward punk anthems from the Jam ("The Modern World"), the Buzzcocks ("What Do I Get?"), the Rezillos ("[My Baby Does] Good Sculptures"), Generation X ("Wild Youth"), and Stiff Little Fingers ("Alternative Ulster," "Suspect Device"), but the collection finds punk turning dark, noisy, paranoid, and weird through Siouxsie & the Banshees ("Hong Kong Garden"), the Fall ("Bingo Master"), Wire ("I Am the Fly"), X-Ray Spex ("The Day the World Turned Day-Glo"), the Soft Boys ("[I Want to Be An] Angleploise Lamp"), and Magazine ("Shot by Both Sides"). There's also some loutish rock from Sham 69 and 999, but The Modern World on the whole is much more interesting than that. Despite missing a few major figures like the Clash, it is a definitive portrait of the last days of the original British punk movement, and it works both as an introduction and a great, listenable overview.

DIY, The Modern World, UK Punk, Vol.2 (1977-78) (320kbs download)

THE KNACK - Live At Carnegie Hall (updated link)

Download Page.

PAUL WESTERBERG - Lush And Green (video)

Unless you're a Westerberg or Replacements obsessive (like me), odds are you've never heard, let alone seen this song. The original version is from a Paul solo ep which he released in 1997 under the pseudonym 'Grandpaboy.' This video was grabbed form the Come Feel Me Tremble dvd. Pick all of Paul's stuff up for a good time. Boy Howdy!

From AMG:
When Paul Westerberg found himself between major labels, he decided to release some material as Grandpaboy. Although he wanted to protect his anonymity, he has no reason to be ashamed of the five tracks that make up this EP. Songs like "Hot Un" and "Homelessexual" present an angry, alive Westerberg that hasn't sounded this fresh since the glory days of The Replacements. And "Lush and Green" is one of his saddest and most beautiful ballads, a touching lamentation that doesn't sound as forced and bland as much of his solo material. Fans hoped that this was the direction he was heading in, but it turned out to be just a one-time project as his next solo album continued in the folk-rock vein.

THE RAVE-UPS - Chance

THE RAVE-UPS - Chance
(Epic - 1990) Out Of Print CD

01. Best I Can't
02. For the Loser (Hallelujah!)
03. Respectfully King of Rain
04. If It Was (A Matter of Mind)
05. Hamlet Meets John Doe
06. Tallest Tree
07. She Says (Come Around)
08. Watching Out for Jesus
09. Tinker Tommy
10. Smile
11. Faint Sense of Success

Personnel:
Tom Blatnik - Bass
Timothy Jimenez - Drums
Jimmer Podrasky - Vocals
Terry Wilson - Guitar

File Under:
Alternative, Roots Rock, Wire Train, The Byrds

Here's a quick one for the weekend...

From AMG:
Much of Chance, with its snide attitude and thick, clean riffs, sounds like vintage Who or Kinks. In a just world, this record wouldn't have fallen into obscurity. Though it's not hard to sound like mid-'60s Britrock -- think Oasis, the Charlatans U.K., and the Soup Dragons -- the Rave-Ups do it in such a way that it sounds less like aping and more like music that was unearthed from a time capsule. The hooks are endless -- "She Says Come Around," "The Best I Can," and "Respectfully King of Rain" sound like they were written for the radio -- and the playing is superb. Chance is proof that Poison and Firehouse weren't the only American bands making music in the late '80s.

Roots-rock quartet the Rave-Ups was formed in 1980 by frontman Jimmer Podrasky, a Pittsburgh native who founded the group while studying English at Carnegie-Mellon University. The original incarnation of the band briefly relocated to Los Angeles before dissolving, prompting Podrasky to return home and accept a job as a house painter; he then traveled back to Southern California, recruiting drummer Timothy Jiminez to record the Rave-Ups' 1984 debut EP, Class Tramp, with the aid of session musicians Chuck Wada on guitar and Douglas Leonard on bass. Guitarist Terry Wilson and bassist Tommy Blatnik cemented the lineup prior to cutting 1985's acclaimed Town + Country. A year later, at the behest of avid fan Molly Ringwald, the group appeared in the actress' film, Pretty in Pink (Podrasky later fathered a child with Ringwald's sister, Beth, as well). All the media exposure resulted in a major label contract with Epic, and in 1988 the Rave-Ups issued The Book of Your Regrets. Despite high commercial expectations, the album failed to make much of a chart impact, however, and after completing 1990's Chance, the group disbanded, making their final appearance on television's Beverly Hills 90210. Podrasky later formed the Lovin' Miserys with ex-Concrete Blonde drummer Harry Rushakoff, releasing Happy as Hell in 1996.

The Rave-Ups - Chance (320kbs download)

THE RAINMAKERS - Snakedance (video)

If you're not familiar with The Rainmakers, here's a chance to sample before you download. The riding on the front of the truck across the bridge scene is pretty embarrassing - reminded me too much of the Georgia Satellites.

THE RAINMAKERS - Tornado

THE RAINMAKERS - Tornado
(Polygram - 1987) Out Of Print LP

01. Snakedance
02. Tornado Of Love
03. The Wages Of Sin
04. Small Circles
05. No Romance
06. One More Summer
07. The Lakeview Man
08. Rainmaker
09. I Talk With My Hands
10. The Other Side Of The World

Personnel:
Bob Walkenhorst - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard
Steve Phillips - Guitar, Vocals
Rich Ruth - Bass, Vocals
Pat Tomek - Drums

File Under:
Roots Rock, Alt Country, College Rock, Mellencamp

I kind of remember The Rainmakers. I vaguely remember seeing a video for 'Let My People Go-Go' back in 1986 and thinking "this isn't too bad." This album is pretty good too. Putting them in context of the era, it's kind of surprising they weren't a little more successful. 1987 was kind of that period between New Wave and Hair Metal where some decent music might have been able to breakthrough, but usually didn't. Anyhow, this is an enjoyable record a stands up reasonably well. It seems Bob Walkenhorst still performs quite regularly and allows his shows to be taped. You can check here for some downloads. Hopefully he's busted that wig he's sporting on the album cover, it's pretty distracting.

From AMG:
The Rainmakers' second album finds their basic Midwestern rock sounding a little tired, despite more studio polish and Steve Phillips' solid guitar work. While the band sounds more accomplished than on their 1987 debut, Tornado lacks anything as arresting as "Rockin' at the T-Dance" or "Let My People Go-Go" on that album, or "Reckoning Day" on their next one, although "Snakedance" and "Wages of Sin" come close. For most of Tornado, Bob Walkenhorst tones down his yelp of indignation, which is both the most distinctive and potentially annoying characteristic of the band's sound. The restrained "Small Circles" shows how conventional the band could be, suggesting how easily the Rainmakers could have carved out a comfortable career as a standard AOR act. Nice as that track may be, Tornado generally sticks to the Rainmakers' strengths: being wry, provocative, and confrontational. Only the overly long "I Talk With My Hands" is truly a poor effort, seriously bogging down the album with a misguided attempt at dance-oriented rock. Even when they come up short on melody, though, as on the bland "No Romance," Walkenhorst's lyrics usually provide something to listen for. The Rainmakers' next release, The Good News & the Bad News, would offer more of Walkenhorst's outrage, which may have been what Tornado needed to register as one of the band's better efforts.

Prototypical Midwestern roots-rockers, the Rainmakers ironically achieved their greatest commercial success overseas, despite generally good reviews in their homeland. Chief songwriter Bob Walkenhorst's playful wit and topical lyrics set the Rainmakers apart from their Heartland bar band peers, though musically they drew from the expected roots rock influences (Chuck Berry, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, etc.). The band was originally formed in 1983 in Kansas City, MO, as a trio called Steve, Bob, and Rich; naturally, the lineup consisted of guitarist/vocalist Steve Phillips, guitarist/vocalist Bob Walkenhorst, and bassist Rich Ruth. This group recorded an independently released album (titled Balls) that helped get them signed to Polygram, upon which point they added drummer Pat Tomek and changed their name to the less specific Rainmakers. Their self-titled official debut was released in 1986, producing the British Top 20 hit "Let My People Go-Go" and quite a bit of good press both at home and abroad. The band embarked on a relentless touring schedule and found an unlikely fan in horror writer Stephen King, who quoted the band's lyrics in two of his books. The 1988 follow-up Tornado didn't attract as much critical attention in the U.S., but the Rainmakers' European audience continued to grow; by the time of 1989's The Good News and the Bad News, the band was concentrating mostly on that area, recording the concert album Oslo-Wichita Live solely for its Scandinavian fans. In 1990, tired of the road life, the Rainmakers disbanded, ostensibly for good. However, Scandinavian interest in their music held strong, and Polygram's Norwegian division requested a new Rainmakers album in 1994. The band obliged and recorded Flirting With the Universe on their own in Steve Phillips' basement. The album was a smash in Norway, achieving that country's equivalent of gold sales within two months, and the band was encouraged enough to stage a full-fledged reunion. They signed with the independent Kansas label V&R, and Walkenhorst wrote a concept album about pornography and its effects on human sexuality. Ruth left the band during the recording sessions, with accounts divided as to whether it was due to the lyrical content or the fact that he had moved from Kansas City to Nashville; regardless, he was replaced by Michael Bliss. The resulting album, Skin, was released in 1996 to mostly good reviews.

The Rainmakers - Tornado (320kbs download)

CLAN OF XYMOX - A Day (video)

The hair is pretty gay (not that there's anything wrong with that, it was nearly 20 years ago), but this track is a Goth dance club classic. It always filled the floors with dancing living dead chicks. I'm sure Neo in Chicago is still playing it. Release the bats!

VA - The Subversive Sounds Vol.4

VA - The Subversive Sounds Vol.4
(June 2007)

01. Dark Entries - BAUHAUS
02. Alice - THE SISTERS OF MERCY
03. Preacher Man - FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM
04. Ave Dementia - MARIONETTES
05. Sacrilege - THE MISSION
06. A Day - CLAN OF XYMOX
07. Marianne - THE SISTERS OF MERCY
08. Adrenaline - ROSETTA STONE
09. Severina - THE MISSION
10. A Kick In The Eye - BAUHAUS
11. Lucretia (My Reflection) - THE SISTERS OF MERCY
12. Deeper - ROSETTA STONE
13. Moonchild - FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM
14. Tower Of Strength - THE MISSION
15. This Corrosion - The SISTERS OF MERCY

File Under:
Gothic Rock

I like to call this In Goth We Trust. Gothic music usually gets a pretty bad rap, and honestly, for the most part it should. It's usually a bunch of pastie geeks with ripped fishnets and vinyl moaning about vampires and bats. But for every 10,000 bands that suck (no pun intended), there is at least one that rises above the lame stereotype. Here are a few that do. From legends of the genre like Bauhaus and Sisters Of Mercy, to unknowns like Marionettes and Rosetta Stone. This is some cool stuff that rocks. No wimpy elf's here. And the cover is from one of the greatest vampire/zombie/apocalypse books of all time; I Am Legend by Richard Matheson.

VA - The Subversive Sounds Vol.4 (320kbs download)