Friday, August 22, 2008

Railroad Jerk

The band Railroad Jerk got together around the turn of the 90’s. They put out a couple records on Matador that got some attention, but their third release, 1995’s One Track Mind, is the one that got mine. Loved their brand of lo-fi, shit-can, delta blues-rock. Their follow up Third Rail tightened up their sound and was their best effort yet…unfortunately it was to be their last, although I have read rumors about an unreleased album.

Clean Shirt

Dusty Knuckle

Rollerkoaster

Bang the Drum

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The Brian Jonestown Massacre

One of the most perplexing things about The Brian Jonestown Massacre is how good they can be despite their rotating cast of characters, spats, freakouts, and other drug-induced theatrics. Their latest, My Bloody Underground, is unfortunately not one of those things.

The new release is a challenging listen—largely unfocused, psychedelic garble. But nevertheless, with some patient listening (or at least a few bong hits), you can almost see where Anton Newcombe was going with this whole mess. In the end, there are few bright spots, but you can’t help feeling a little let down. So the best one from the new BJM, and the rest the kind of stuff you were hoping for.

Bring Me The Head Of Paul McCartney On Heather Mill's Wooden Peg (Dropping Bombs On The White House)

Love

Spun

Servo

Anemone

That Girl Suicide

Nevertheless

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Primal Scream - Beautiful Future

Give Primal Scream credit for keeping you guessing. Look across their discography, and you’d have a bit of trouble cramming them into even a generous-sized box—from the acid-house induced Screamadelica to the kinetic XTRMNTR to their dalliances with southern-fried Stones-influenced rock (which I’ll be the first to admit a strange affection for). And now with Beautiful Future, they’re gone downright poppy. As with any of their records, there are a few clunkers, but I think it all works well for the most part. Bring on the future!

Suicide Bomb

Glory of Love

Friday, August 08, 2008

Stereolab - Chemical Chords


With the release of Chemical Chords, I’m sure there will be the inevitable comparisons to their previous work along with criticisms that there’s not a whole lot new going on here. But you can’t run away from yourself, and that’s a good thing in the case of Stereolab. Take a good listen, and there is indeed a bit of evolution in their meticulously-crafted sound, albeit with subtle instrumentation and structures.

The band is working well again with Sean O’Hagan—his influence adds without overwhelming. This enjoyable recording is decidedly upbeat, and has me at least as excited as that “brown” album they put out years ago.

Three Women

Daisy Click Clack