Some people and songs from SAVAGE REPUBLIC here, but in a different direction. 17 PYGMIES are quieter (even mystical) on this musical trip to Israel. Like SAVAGE REPUBLIC, a knowledge and love of ethnic music from all over the world comes through. At times, they sound like a Herzog soundtrack. I guess if you like BAUHAUS and their ilk you may like this, but there’s no inherent doom and gloom here.
The two songs on the B-side didn’t do much for me, but the A-side by this NY group is pretty neat. Slowish post-punk, off-beat production, anthemic vocals, a Chris Stamey production.
Also known as EUGENE CHADBOURNE’S CHADBOURNES, SHOCKABILLY cover ’50s and ’60s hits. It’s like when you sit in the bathtub and sing “96 Tears” by recall… you sing the organ intro, what you remember of the lyrics, and your own transcendental version of a guitar solo. You follow that with a quick trip through the funhouse and outcomes “shockabilly.” Same ballpark as PANTHER BURNS, but outfield.
The new SHOCKABILLY fare isn’t as accessible as their earlier stuff, which was more R&B-oriented. They are either returning to the early days of the MOTHERS OF INVENTION or doing lots of LSD. They do everything from “freak outs” to DOORS’ acid jams to sweet southern ballads to a wild version of “Homeward Bound” (God forbid!) to songs with a fuzzed-out guitar and Eugene trying to blow his nose. Whoooaaa…
Fine people, these dogs, A Bay Area band that tirelessly supports their scene, play great shows and just “care” in general. They’ve added a new guitarist and lost their old singer, so they’ve got a beefier sound but they’ve lost a little of their great spazz quality. Still, this record rocks comfortably between punk and rock with a nice hayseed quality—friendly record and friendly folks.
This is the American issue of their first three singles. Predictable, as one side has A-sides and the other the B-sides. The band’s debut single is so far above anything else they’ve done that the rest, especially the B-sides, are really slow, tired, and pale in comparison. Still worth it for “Bamp Bamp” (great garage mania) if you don’t have it.
This UK-only release offers the title cut (taken from their LP) and three live tracks. I’ve heard them play a lot wilder than this. “Tell Me When It’s Over” presents the band in one of their earliest and probably tamest performances, as if they’re afraid they won’t hear each other if they turn up the volume. So you gotta play this loud enough to make any sense of it. Here, they kiss their garage band days goodbye, and the comparison to the VELVET UNDERGROUND holds less water. Great liner notes, though.
These S.F. homeboys are akin to the CAMPER school by using acoustic instruments and a soft approach. Each of these three songs is different. The title track is an eerie, partially acoustic, witch thing. Then there’s a beer barrel polka song, and a psychedelic T. REX imitation. Almost interesting.
The PASTELS are a peculiar little psychedelic pop band in the late-period TV PERSONALITIES tradition. This release has a somewhat more solid sound than their earlier efforts, though it certainly won’t blow anyone’s speakers. “I Wonder Why” has a nice bouncy quality; the flip is wimp city.
This delightful post-pop single represents the RAINCOATS’ definitive vinyl to date. While the A-side, “No One’s Little Girl,” impressed me with its subtle melodic sense, the SLY STONE cover on the flip is quintessential RAINCOATS—good-humored, loose, and charmingly amateurish. Good stuff.
Reputedly the last release from ZOUNDS, this 45 showcases an appealing change of musical direction. From punk origins to their rather post-punk phase to this, an ennui-filled variety of pop music particular to the English. Pick this one up if you’re a TV PERSONALITIES or SOFT BOYS fan.
