Built on a Weak Spot

I’d been waiting to hear more material from White Suns and then by coincidence PRGNT Records decided to pass along this recently released cassette Cavity from the band. Problem solved. Really beforehand I hadn’t been able to gather what exactly White Suns are all about, however I think this cassette certainly clears up any and all question marks. Cavity is five tracks that go just about as far as they can to further blur the line between pure noise and what some of us out there consider “rock”. I’ll go ahead and throw myself into that pool of people whom fancy this over some power ballads any day. However, Cavity covers some ground here as well amongst the crashing fuzz as power electronics and a slightly colder industrial feel make up more than a fair share of the bands absolutely ripping attack. Some of the items already written about the band have made mention of Sightings as an influence and direct comparison, and well…that’s not too far off at all really. Although this almost makes me feel at times that I am listening to The Goslings if they were attempting to make a speed metal record and that’s an idea I could almost get excited about if it were to actually happen. Unsurprisingly White Suns are from Brooklyn, which must be becoming one difficult place to live with the amount of noise that seems to be coming out of there. These guys are certainly right at home now, and I can’t wait to hear the slew of upcoming releases they have lined up.

White Suns – Burial Rites [MP3]

I don’t know how many of these tapes are available, however if you’re interested in picking up a copy of Cavity then definitely hit up PRGNT Records to get yourself one.

By now most have probably realized that I’ve switched over to Wordpress, which is considerably better for this blog. The only downside of the move is that everyone that was subscribed to the blog via a feed will probably need to re-subscribe if you’re looking to still receive updates. Apologies for the inconvenience, I do hope everyone makes the jump and thanks to everyone out there for sticking with me!

It seems Averkiou aren’t the only ones immersing themselves in the sweet sounds of noise-pop/shoegaze in Gainesville, Florida. I recently picked up a copy of Needs Medicines from Nervous Systems and was met with a catchy offering of fuzzy pop songs that captures a lot of the charm that made a lot of similar bands during the 90’s endearing due to some of their imperfections in combination with their enthusiasm. Not exactly sure where it fits in, but there definitely hints of Guided by Voices, Henry’s Dress, etc. to be found here. Those who enjoy quick and to the point noise-pop should definitely give this a try.

Nervous Systems – Sound Effect for Deafening Silence [MP3]

For those interested, Needs Medicines can be obtained through Obscurist Press or Tonevendor. Also SNCL has some copies for those in the UK. Do pick it up if you like what you hear.

I’ve had plenty of time to listen to this album from Boston’s Life Partners; however I still don’t really know what I’m hearing. I can say without much question that I do like it. In fact, it contains what ended up being one of my favorite songs from the past year with the track “Planet of the AIDS”. It almost seems like I should feel some sort of shame here by singing along to vocalist Dave Dougan’s string of obscenities, however that itself might be an elaborate joke that the band is playing on us all anyway. If so, they’ve definitely gotten me. However, despite the superficially lowbrow nature in which Men Are Talking presents itself, the songs themselves stand as far more than just an attempt to shock and be the hit of the party. The melding of guitar, synth, and even a trumpet conspire to create a sickeningly catchy set of songs at times. I say “sickeningly” because it’s at its most appropriate here when thinking about the contrast of music and lyrics for a song such as “Rapist Get’s Off”. It’s almost enough to get me feeling uneasy, which is no easy task. That said, Life Partners are most definitely operating in their own realm of weird and Men Are Talking is a pretty fantastic cut of insanity due to it.

Life Partners – Planet of the AIDS [MP3]

For those interested in picking up Men Are Talking, then be sure to hit up Ride the Snake Records for a copy.

Iowa Beef Experience were around from the mid 80’s through the early 90’s, operating unsurprisingly out of Iowa City. They played the sort nasty mucked up noise-rock that would likely be thought of as common through those years, however it was good nonetheless. For a bit lengthier and likely more accurate description of what the band was all about I suggest checking out the recent post from the excellent Noise for Zeros blog that features their scathing 7 incher for the song “Jublilix”. Make sure to grab that as well while you are over there. Anyway, without further ado…here is Cool Ass Gravytrain.

Iowa Beef Experience – Cool Ass Gravytrain LP

While this album is probably floating around on eBay and various other used marketplaces, I do know that you can at least obtain their album Personalien on Amazon digitally. While I’ll admit, it’s not as good as Cool Ass Gravytrain, it’s still some decent material for those that are fans of this type of music.

I guess this a bit of an early write up, but hell…I couldn’t wait until the end of March to do so. I’d been waiting to hear recorded output from Red X Red M for probably two years now and right around Christmas time Australian Cattle God graciously ended that wait by passing along the bands upcoming full-length Between Your Prayers and My Curses Our Kind May Triumph Yet due out March 23rd I believe. I consider it one of the better presents I got this past year.

For anyone wondering who Red X Red M is, it happens to be the band that David Uskovich of Distorted Pony, Sweet Pea, and SWITCHhiTTER fame has been playing in with fellow SWITCHhiTTER member Yuri and drummer Adam Hatley. What you get here on their debut is something that is actually not to far from SWITCHhiTTER, but Red X Red M seem to be a bit of a tighter outfit while opting for a bit less of the hefty bass lines and feedback that some of Uskovich’s previous bands have so successfully utilized in the past. I’d say the late 70’s/early 80’s post-punk vibe is even more prevalent in these songs, obviously mixed in with a bit of the rough around the edges tinny sounding guitar work by Uskovich that gives it the sort of feel fans would expect. It’s been a bit of a wait, but it has most certainly proved to be worth it.

Red X Red M – Step Now Nagurskey (stream)

Keep an eye out for this one towards the end of March; it will be available on vinyl through Australian Cattle God.

I’m not really sure if Mudlark is supposed to bum me out or not. I mean, yeah…the songs are definitely somewhere in the vicinity of stirring up a roots rock/grungy sort of vibe, just kind of being lazy while dealing with shitty weather and money problems. However, one look at the cover is enough for me, as I could step out of my house and walk down the street a ways and snap a picture of something that would probably be quite similar to that of what appears here. Then I realize, damn…I’m still living here. And that folks is Mudlark.

As the description from the label says, it does touch upon some early Dino Jr. and Meat Puppets, which is definitely not a bad thing. However, they don’t really stick to either and that’s probably a plus too in the end. Has a nice warm sort of muddy production that in a lot of ways kind of fits what they are doing, which I suppose is being down and out…so why not just drink? The singer occasionally sounds as if he might have been doing just that, but that comes tied along nicely to the bit of plodding rock that they’ve latched on to here. Good stuff.

Mudlark – Mountain [MP3]

For those interested in picking this up, hit up Fun With Smack. If you like the tune above, certainly get this.

For a band that focuses on being as noisy as Geisha does, it’s pretty amazing that they’ve managed to release two pretty solid albums as quietly as they have over the past five years or so. Their last album Die Verbrechen Der Lieb, which was a favorite around here in 08, was a beastly helping of rock scrubbed down in a nasty sheet of swirling white noise. If you haven’t heard it, you might want to if “high-fidelity” is something that means very little to you.

That being said, Geisha is back with their third album in hand titled Maudit a Minuit, which is being handled by the UK based Super-Fi Records. If you’ve been following and listening to the band up to this point, then you already have a decent idea as to what this sounds like. However, don’t expect the same treble heavy hiss that played a major role of the sound found on Die Verbrechen Der Lieb. This album lies somewhere in between the more riff rock styled approach that was more prominently featured on their debut LP Mondo Dell’orror and some of the hazier distorted moments of Verbrechen Der Lieb. Overall though, this marks another solid outing for the band. They’ve gradually become one of those bands that I have complete faith in whatever they release. Definitely one of the more underrated groups based in the UK right now, so please do check this out if you get the chance.

Geisha – Achtung! Zombie [MP3]

For those interested in picking this up, check out Super-Fi Records. I think Crucial Blast is going to have copies in the future for those of us stateside; however I don’t think they’ve popped up there yet. Keep checking I suppose. Enjoy!

Just wanted to say congrats to Kevin Lavezzo as he is the lucky recipient of the PRF EP.

And on an equally important note, I wanted to say thanks to everyone that entered. The response was great and as a result I will try and continue to do this sort of thing every once and awhile. So yeah, thank you!

This is just quick a reminder for those of you out there to don’t forget to get entered for a chance to win a copy of the recently released debut EP 4 from Puerto Rico Flowers. There is still a couple days to do so, it ends on the 30th. Anyway, for those interested just shoot me an e-mail with “Puerto Rico Flowers Giveaway” or something along those lines in the subject head and you can consider yourself officially entered.

In the meantime I’ve gotten together this months mix, which is posted below. As always, if you enjoy anything contained within it, then please do pick up an album. All the artist names are linked to a place of purchase where applicable. So yeah, enjoy!

01 – Slug – King of Ghosts (7-inch version)
02 – Death of Samantha – Listen to the Mockingbird
03 – Les Thugs – Bulgarian Blues
04 – Dry-Rot – Seen in the Dark
05 – North of America – Oh My God, Oh My God, Everybody, Oh My God
06 – Radial Spangle – Marble
07 – Death Valley Club – Sands in the Hollow of Our Hands
08 – Doc Hopper – Assplant
09 – Big Bear – Song 14
10 – Festipals – Let’s Not Pretend
11 – Loveblobs – Cylinder Head
12 – Guv’ner – Ghost of Your Controllership
13 – Shipping News – At a Venture
14 – Starfish – Soul Searcher
15 – Towers – Mutagen
16 – Ultimate Fakebook – Tell Me What You Want (I’ll be Anything)
17 – 16-17 – Davul
18 – Bluetile Lounge – Liner

Download (.zip file)

I honestly can’t remember how I came across this single from the now defunct trio Gumbi. I assume it was in a magazine somewhere, but retracing my steps turned up nothing. Anyway, I bought this probably because wherever I read about it they made mention of stuff I already like and that generally works well with me when getting me to buy stuff from you. Crazy I know. Anyway, Gumbi dish out four fairly abrasive cuts of rock here. Although the last song on the b-side “Ritual” throws me for a bit of a loop opening with something that sounds familiar and vaguely 80’s new wave but quickly reverts back to the aggro chug that pretty much inhabits the rest of this record. Bummer these guys apparently split up recently, but these four tracks aren’t a bad way to go out.

Gumbi – Superior [MP3]

Those interested in getting a copy of this can do so by heading over to Repulsion Records.