Rock /
Dopesmoker
The story behind Dopesmoker, the final LP in the life of pioneering stoner sludge trio Sleep, is one of perseverance not usually associated with such dedicated grass aficionados. Intended to be the Cali band’s third record and first for major label London, the album took shape as a single 63-minute track entitled “Dopesmoker,” an ode to the joys of getting baked. After nearly two months of work, the band (guitarist Matt Pike, bassist Al Cisneros and drummer Chris Hakius) pronounced the opus…
Emotional Planet
Chris Rose's Robust Worlds has impressed us since first glimpse. He was actually barefoot, if you can believe that, and his set had the feel of a way more lysergic Kevin Ayers. It was freezing fucking cold and I'm pretty sure he wore a Hawaiian shirt. His debut LP is called Emotional Planet, and it's deceptively simple. Voice, guitar, some noisy shit, whatever. His playing is sick: fluid, unforced, warm, soothed and soothing. It's a bath you don't want to exit. Seriously, if yr going to play gui…
Black Phoenix Blues
Black Phoenix Blues is the third Roaratorio collection of the best of Rodd Keith’s vast output. Dating from 1966 to 1974, the sixteen previously unreissued songs showcase the scope of his work: the should’ve-been-a-hit “You And I”; the elegant exotica of “I Love Lovely Chinese Gal”; the history lesson of “The Explosion Of Holden 22 Mine”; the harrowing psychokiller musings of the title track; “I’m Proud To Be A Hippie From Mississippi,” the stoner’s answer to Merle Haggard’s “Okie From Mu…
Alchemic Heart
"Alchemic Heart is a special project presented by Vampillia who have colored these two colossal compositions with beautiful contributions by members of the Boredoms, Jarboe (ex-Swans), Inswarm and Japanese Noise-God Merzbow. Layered strings, piano, bass, noise and voices are weaved mysteriously and expand as two magnificently parallel aesthetic worlds. Comprised of two pieces, 'Sea'/'Land,' a primitive landscape is created via listening and destroyed when the pieces are complete. Vampilli…
Bones
After playing bass with Rodan, pioneers of post-rock and post-hardcore, the long-respected and much-lauded Tara Jane ONeil has formed bands like The Sonora Pine and Retsin and has collaborated with Sebadoh, Papa M, Come, Low and Ida. Her first two solo albums for the Quarterstick label (Calexico, Rachels, June of ‘44), Peregrine and In The Sun Lines drew great acclaim for a rich musical tapestry The Wire has called “evocative dream music”. Consistently on the move, ONeil records all over the US,…
Hemat
** 2021 Stock ** 2001 CD reissue of this psychedelic underground masterpiece from 1970, with a 12-page booklet, including English liner notes and photos. Includes one bonus track not found on the original LP. Recorded 1968-69, digitally remastered in 2001. The lone album by this post-International Harvester group, originally issued in 1970, once again led by the academic tape-composer turned radical folkie psychedelicist Bo Anders Persson. Accompanied by an able body of co-conspirators including…
Family Cracks
Their third album under their second band name, originally issued by Silence in 1980, now reissued. Familjesprickor (Family Cracks) was the last album recorded by Zamla Mammaz Manna, until the group went back to their original name. This release was recorded over a long period of overseas touring and affiliation with Chris Cutler's Rock in Opposition project, and the results are reflected. Zamla lost their original drummer, Hans Bruniusson, and was replaced by Vilgot Hansson, with the band d…
Lord of the Rings
For decades, J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy had been well loved by book readers everywhere. Now, New Zealand-born director Peter Jackson is transforming the epic on to the big screen, the first installment, The Fellowship of the Ring had already hit the theaters at the end of 2001. In 1978, there was a rather forgettable animated version of Lord of the Rings. But before Lord of the Rings ever appeared on any type of screen, musicians were recording music inspired by Lord of th…
Simple Psychedelic Pleasures
I love the Tadpoles, a quintessential American psych band, so chances are I was going to be all over David Max’s solo platter when I heard about it. And I am. I don’t want to go on and on with endless comparisons with his work with the Tadpoles because much of that is obvious. Let me just say that maybe its sort of another tentacle from the body of the Tadpoles; sprung from it, indebted to it, but operating with a mind of its own. And name-checking all of David’s influences, though tempting and …
Scales
*Orange Vinyl* Like a would-be soundtrack to some forgotten Wagnerian saga, Mythical Beast's debut full-length unleashes sonic elements akin to trudging minions in an epic struggle for tonal supremacy. This bloodless battle is for hearts and minds though, and is shot through with majesty and pathos. It's no wonder that a trio commanding this type of simple yet nuanced compositional energy would risk life and limb crossing the New Orleans "security" perimeter one month post-Katrina to rescue thei…
God Is Good
It's been years now -- just about two, judging from the sun. OM have done their time in the desert, and ever-changing, are returned. Today, they say, God is Good. Are you surprised? Perhaps you've haven't understood what OM was saying to you. But perhaps you felt something... It's true that the one way pursued by OM leads in many different directions. It is a mystic path. Songs come from innumerable sources, filtering through the external and the internal. OM albums are rituals, personal convict…
After Hours
The much-anticipated blast-off release for Charles Speer and his band. Recently rewarded 5 stars in Time Out mag by the music editor, this album is a landmark in laid-back blues and country songwriting, feat. members of NNCK and Sunburned.
Past Or Beyond
Seeking refuge in songcraft, D. Charles Speer and the Helix spin tales of mental instability and institutional exploitation into a thick, heady, groove laden brew. The professorial attack of the ivories, the sear of the strings, the pounding of drum skins amass into a righteous storm bound to overwhelm those uncoverted. This is an unholy mix of heart ripped vocal, Longhair piano, and guitar work drawing from both Mike Bloomfield and Norman Westberg. Featuring silk screened covers and hand stampe…
Some Forgotten Country
A true solo endeavor, this LP is the debut of D. Charles Speer on long player. Recordings over a span of 4 years have been assembled here into a rumination on loss in its many forms - loss of direction, loved ones, home, mental acuity, money, and emotional stability. Pressed on 180 gram virgin vinyl and limited to 500 copies.
Invisible Angle / Grim Trigger
France Has The Bomb’s new 7″ is now out on Horizontal Action, along with a new Nobunny 7″ and the new Nice Face, which I covered last week. For this entry, I was about to cover the new Nobunny as well to complete the new trio of HoZacs but fuck it, I bet copies of that will be sold regardless. Remember a couple of years back when it seemed like every other band had a RIYL that included Gang of Four? Thing is, 5% of that illustrious group actually sounded like GO4. The other 95%? You can thank la…
Too Old To Die Young
'Talls Firs' Too Old To Die Young wax with limited edition handmade jackets. These things are being silk-screened to order, limited to 250 copies in the States. Rough hewn bunting for the haunted hymns inside. This LP edition has been mastered by JJ Golden and manufactured at RTI in California, the USA's unquestioned best vinyl manufacturer. Tall Firs have shredded Arthurfest in 2006, All Tomorrow's Parties in 2007 and the McCarren Park Pool Parties in 2008. Tall Firs have toured the USA and UK …
Camere Zimmer Rooms
Picchio dal Pozzo are considered to be one of the very few 'Canterbury' inspired bands that emerged from Italy's fertile 1970's progressive rock musical scene. They released two highly regarded -- and highly sought after -- albums during their lifetime. The exciting release of Camere Zimmer Rooms, a previously unknown studio recording of all unreleased compositions, extends their legacy greatly! The band formed in Genoa in 1972. They released their first, self-titled album in 1975. The band reco…
Dat Rosa Mel Apibus
White Magic is the songwriting and vocal lyricism of Mira Billotte engaged by the talented likes of 'Sleepy' Doug Shaw, Jim White (Dirty Three), Tim DeWit (Gang Gang Dance), Tim Barnes, Samara Lubelski, Shahzad Ismaily, Jesse Lee, Karen Leblanc and Brad Truax. White Magic's debut full length album Dat Rosa Mel Apibus is an elaborate evolution from the first release. It is a journey which sets forth into an untamed musical landscape, finding the familiar in unusual streams of new sound -- a new m…
Feeds You!
Another eclectic rock/pop band out of the infamous Kansai scene that produced the Boredoms, Omoide Hatoba and more. This exciting young three piece unit based in Kyoto presents their debut recording after years of playing in just about every small club from Tokyo to Fukuoka. Visceral power pieces offset with charming female vocals, pointillism and dub effects. Striking originality and a childlike curiosity point this band towards a new Kyoto rock sound.