Aerial M -
M Is (Domino)
Big Pete Wrigley once said "when you have a favourite song, all you
want to do is listen to it over and over" and for the majority of
early 1998 I felt that way about Wedding Song No. 3. Everytime I heard
the delicate, snow flake notes my back shivered and my bumps goosed.
Happy and sad. It made me feel small but significant. The guitar carried
me away, only to hold for breather and then carry on again. Halfway
through it breaks, as if to build into something sinister. And just
as it climaxes, and you expect the end of the world, the initial snow
flake guitar reappears to calm the situation down, reassuring and
comforting the listener, goosebumps still intact. Few songs are this
wonderful.
The Jesus &
Mary Chain - Cracking Up (big Creation Records)
They've returned to reek havoc and the world is almost a better place
for it. Cracking Up is a dishy ditty with a humdinger drum beat and
handy, if restrained, guitar action. Their comeback is a gamble as
a Verve or Bunnymen scenario could occur (in other words mass re-popularity
and enthusiasm for the worst, weakest material of their careers) but
we'll just have to see. Can't wait to see them live.
Arab Strap
- Live (Too Many Cooks)
This is their tour seven inch. It features live versions of Packs
Of Three and Blood with Stuart Leslie Braithwaite making an introduction.
Its excellently recorded (for live) and, as Matt pointed out the other
day, Blood is far better live than on record anyways.
Arab Strap
- Here We Go (Chemikal Underground)
I know this story all too well. This is their best single since their
debut, a performance where they get everything right. The riveting
guitar descends deeper and deeper as Aiden parallels into despair.
Mogwai/Magoo
- split single (Fierce Panda)
METAL! Magoo do Black Sabbath very straightfaced, very true to the
original musically with trademark master Magoo vocals giving the track
a personal touch. Mogwai's version of Sweet Leaf is better than I
could ever imagine. Snippets of conversation slash through the stoner
boner as Stuart's anti-Ozzy singing style avoids cliché.
The Jesus Lizard
- Cold Water EP (JetSet)
Five songs here. The first three are more Yow yells. The b-sides feature
remixes from Joe Baresi and Jim O'Rourke, which makes it of added
interest. Baresi posts it and O'Rourke adds a hip hop beat and piani,
both taking Yow's vocals away. Bastards!
The Make Up
- Untouchable Sound (Woo Me)
The Make Up wake up and shake up. Relentless vocals and drum beats
eclipse any frailties which otherwise might prevail. Produced by Guy
from Fugazi. Ian certainly sounds like he means it.
Sonic Youth/Jim
O'Rourke - Invito Al Cielo (SYR)
It certainly seems Mr O'Rourke is currently the name to drop to sound
in the know. And to remain cutting edge the Sonic Youth sensibly choose
to work with him. This isn't strictly an instrumental EP, as the sound
of thousand objects being stretched and snapped rain out, Kim's whispery
voice adds moonlight and seduction. Depending on your stance, this
will either be a piece of cake or hard going with tracks lasting 20
mins and nearly 30 mins. No description can do this justice. More
Jim than Kim however it has to be said.
Royal Trux
- I'm Ready (Domino)
This is twisted, "shit is it playing at the right speed?". It breaks
in sounding B-Boy, until a cat like whining guitar wees all over the
sound as distortion fed yells act as vocals. Noise wins everytime.
The Delgados
- Everything Goes Around The Water (Chemikal Underground)
Gringo was conceived at a Delgados gig, so I'm eternally fond to this
band. This isn't as hectic as previous outings but it does oodle charm.
Concerns of a change towards a bad direction are eased with thorough,
accomplished and interesting b-sides.
Frank Black
And The Catholics - All My Ghosts (Play It Again Sam)
We all know who said ghosts are. This breaks out superfast, superpunk
before slowing to a pace more befitting a man of Charles' age. Its
a standard workout, put it in its place below the Pixies first and
then judge it's merits. I guess the emphasis is rather on the lyrics
than the music these day. Regardless Frank Black's still welcome in
my house.
Chief Sharkey
- Demo
Tasty. Chris Base One has a guitar sound so great and a mystery drum
in a clanking clunking class struggle. How To CB follows with some
dodgy bloke talking all over the tune about the subject of the seventies
internet, CB. Where did they get that flexidisc from? All complete
with French radio tarred onto the beginning. Very Windsor For The
Derby. Suits You reminds me of Navigator at the climax.
NYCC - Fight
For Your Right (I don't know, Satan?)
Angels weep as the biggest pile of shit since whoever turns the best
punk/rap/metal crossover ever into a backslapping, cocksucking, tame,
redundant dance floor filler. Why change your dad to your boss? Next
week the slightly harder Backstreet Boys perform Sabotage. Probably.
All Seeing
I - The Beat Goes On (?)
I should never have heard this, let alone purchased and enjoyed it.
It got slipped on by mistake as Tom abused his brother's decks. Karaoke
I'm into. I'd probably have dug the original.
Dawn Of The
Replicants - The Diesel Hands EP (EastVest)
This got undeservedly slated in some corners. Its Hogwash Farm again.
Farms are an infinite source of humour. "I have a dog who has no sense
of humour". And he's called Snowy. No arguments here from me, Paul's
voice still reigns supreme and behind him you can hear so much going
on in the boiler room.
Bette Davis
And The Balconettes - Celebrity Fuckers (Slampt)
Still a fan. My god, I've heard God Of Hate and I'm in love with them
now more than ever. The Balconettes sound so wild and evil from seemingly
such small resources. And they sound so sincere on Like Me, Be My
Friend.
Nought/Dustball
- split single (Shifty Disco)
The Nought Peel session sounded revolutionary but I'm now unsure after
hearing this. Best treat this as just a false start. Dustball are
more straightahead rock and surprisingly come off from this release
better.
Red Aunts/Constant
Comment - split single (Sympathy For The Record Industry)
This came with US fanzine Hit It Or Quit It. Red Aunts are disjointed
and angry nasty. Constant Comment is apparently Patty and Melissa
from Hole, which intrigued me enough to purchase. It transpires to
be sinister music accompanying a sinister radio show, all a thousand
times better than was expected. VFM.
Jolt - Made
My Day (Fluffy Bunny/Scared Of Girls)
Fuck me, a promo I actually wanted. Or did I? Compared to previous
outings its disappointing but BB's voice sounds great jogging the
memory back to when Veruca Salt etc were awesome bands and ruled the
earth for a few weeks in the mid nineties.
Dick Johnson
- Can't You Give Me Love (teen-c recordingz)
I get the impressive that it must really take a lot of effort to get
your guitar sounding like JSBX Dang, put it into a song and still
sound seductive. More than a pleasant surprise here, it is actually
on the most pleasing thudding songs I have ever heard. I want more.
The Jennifers
- Jellybean (Human Condition)
Here is the song where they nick that canny Babes In Toyland riff
and produce something of pleasure, overall reminding me of Eska going
metal on us.
Delicate AWOL
- Demo
Bit like Ripley, bit like Skunk.
Money Mark
- Hand In Your Head (Mo Wax)
This is not cheesy and this is not just for pseudo (fake arse) hipsters.
This is a great song because it tastes and sounds so fresh which with
each listen makes me, basically, feel good. This reminds me of my
naivety and how great things once seemed, to which this would have
been the/my soundtrack. The video is ripper too. Check out some Donald
Fagen for similar sounding shit.
Snow Patrol
- Little Hide (Jeepster)
An excellent hoover like guitar sound brings many gifts to this old
mans weakened ears.
Aerial M -
Vivea EP (Domino)
This is the tour single which features some of the earliest M stuff
around. And go fuck me if I don't prefer it to the album also. Safeless
is so solemn, reminding me of a love of the distant and first time
occasions. Napoleon builds high to a timid climax and Vol de Nuit
nearly gets violent.
Jonathan Fire*Eater
- These Little Monkeys (Deceptive)
Relentless drumbos combine with spooky k'boards and warped guitars
to fuel a tune about little monkeys. I like monkeys.
Pearl Jam -
Given To Fly (Epic and Sony)
I could never understand Pearl Jam vs Nirvana really. I figured you
could like both so long as you understood each band and their respective
positions on the great grunge food chain. Regardless though, this
is dull as fuck. At least the Pearl Jam oldies were exciting.
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