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Psyche/Garage/Folk [321]
Psychedelic, garage and folk music from the 60s until today
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Alternative, punk, post-punk, new wave, minimal etc from '76 until today
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Blog's Recent Posts
  • Ahora Mazda - 1969 - Ahora Mazda
  • Tomorrow - 50 Minute Technicolor Dream
  • La Vida (Mexico ) - 1971 - La Vida
  • Tempters (Japan) - Complete Singles
  • Synanthesia - 1969 - Synanthesia (Acid Folk/Rock)
  • Linda Perhacs - 1970 - Parallelograms
  • Panos Savvopoulos - Epeisodio (1971- Folk/ Acid Folk)
  • Entheogens - 1995 - The Gnostic Mass
  • Moses Dillard & The Tex-Town Display - 1969 - Now
  • Nightshadow - 1968 - The Square Root of Two
  • Andrew (Iceland) - 1973 - Woops
  • Lazily Spun - 1999 - Untitled cdr
  • Norrbottens Järn (Sweden) - 1975 - Drömmarnas Värld
  • Shotgun - 1977 - Shotgun
  • Janis Joplin (Big Brother & The Holding company) - 1968 - Live at Winterland
  • Swans - Love of Life (1992)
  • The Prisoners - 1982 - A Taste Of Pink
  • Yankee Dollar - The Yankee Dollar (1968)
  • Brainticket - 1971 - Cottonwoodhill
  • British North American Act - In The Beginning...



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    Main » Alternative/Punk
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    Friday, 04 July 2008
    Salem 66 - Natural Disasters, National Treasures (1988)
    Salem 66 - Down the Primrose Path (1990)

    Led by two Massachusetts singer/songwriters, Salem 66 played generally delicate electric guitar music that embraced folk more than rock traditions. The trio's six-song debut EP — produced by Neighborhoods guitarist David Minehan — has plenty of poetic ambience and some surprisingly complex arrangements, but consistent jangly-trebly sound makes it hard to stay engrossed, and occasional bum notes also interrupt the mood. Guitarist Judy Grunwald and bassist Beth Kaplan both sing, but their voices don't harmonize all that well.

    With the arrival of a new guitarist, the Salems became a quartet for A Ripping Spin, a full-length LP also produced by Minehan. The songs and playing are better, but the vocals are still hit-and-miss. Kaplan takes an indecisive approach to the issue; Grunwald's gurgly warble can also be a trial. The brief "Fragile" shows their potential, but other tunes are less mellifluous.

    A guitarist switch brought Stephen Smith into the lineup for Frequency and Urgency, which resulted in noticeably improved music on the Ethan James-produced album. With stronger, more assured p ... Read more »

    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 3205 | Added by: gomonkeygo | Date: 04 July 2008 | Rating: 5.0/2

    Thursday, 03 July 2008

    About the band:

    Throwing Muses are an alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Newport, Rhode Island, that toured and recorded extensively until 1997, when its members began concentrating more on other projects. The group was originally fronted by two lead singers, Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, who both wrote the group's songs. Throwing Muses are known for performing music with shifting tempos, creative chord progressions, unorthodox song structures, and surreal lyrics. The group was set apart from other contemporary acts by Hersh's stark, candid writing style; Donelly's pop stylings and vocal harmonies; and David Narcizo's unusual drumming techniques eschewing use of cymbals. Hersh's hallucinatory, febrile songs occasionally touched on the subject of mental illness, more often drawing portraits of characters from daily life or addressing relationships. - from Wikipedia (read ... Read more »

    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 2471 | Added by: gomonkeygo | Date: 03 July 2008 | Rating: 0.0/0

    Monday, 30 June 2008

    San Francisco, mid/late 80s: a "secret" scene is burgeoning. World of Pooh, Glorious Din, Caroliner Rainbow, Archipelago Brewing Company are some names that made amazing, original and uncompromising music. Eric Cope, had already moved with his band White Front from Iowa to SF and was already part of this. After forming Glorious Din (a band between Bauhaus and REM, as it was said), he founded Insight Record and Tapes label to release his (and others) music. Except the two Glorious Din records, Cope released records by Spahn Ranch from Detroit, Beatnigs and Comic Book Opera and his magnum opus, this 2LP compilation with 30 songs by 15 bands.

    Almost 20 years ago, I was in a record shop specializing in difficult reco ... Read more »
    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 5597 | Added by: RainyDaySponge | Date: 30 June 2008 | Rating: 5.0/1

    Wednesday, 18 June 2008

    Hollowmen proves that there was definately Midwestern sound in the 80s - a guitar driven, heavy rocking yet melodic sound. Although their Husker Du infuences are obvious, they should be considered among the trademark bands not only for Iowa, but for the whole Widwest. Tremendously strong, extraordinary guitar playing, solid rhythm section and superb vocals - what more could anyone ask for? Although they've been together and worked hard for 5 years, they released only 2 albums and then joined the X-files with the great bands that remained unknown without explanation.

    Formed in 1984 in Des Moines from the remains of The Chant. Played many shows in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Falls. Considered by many to be the band from Iowa that was going to become a breakout success.
    Their sound was infectious - with a unique combination of tremulous appregiations, heavy rhythmic structures and haunting vocals. Despite the heavy guitars, they had a distinct pop sensibility and ... Read more »
    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 2285 | Added by: RainyDaySponge | Date: 18 June 2008 | Rating: 5.0/2

    Monday, 16 June 2008

    HBTs side is a stumbling, white-knuckled barrel ride through myriad soundscapes as diverse as Amon Dl, Kalacakra, Portsmouth Sinfonia, Steve Marcus & Door & The Window, sometimes all at once!
    (Siltbreeze press release)

    I can't imagine how this record released by Siltbreeze, but I guess that's why these labels are great: they don't try to built a trademark sound, they put out whatever they like.

    Press releases are overexagerating usually and this is no exception. But I can tell you that you'll wonder if you're listening to some Magic Band session (rather warming up) from 1965. Mike 'Rep' Hummel is the producer of this (and he provides a primitive rhythm by banging on assorted things he calls percussion), Stu Sinn plays the horn (and he's apparently the one to blame for this record) and Roger Time plays lead guitar (well, don't expect any riffs). And there's Sam Esh - former Woodruff Ave. bl ... Read more »
    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 7518 | Added by: RainyDaySponge | Date: 16 June 2008 | Rating: 5.0/2

    Thursday, 12 June 2008

    The Singing Spoons sound a little like what Violent Femmes might have sounded like if they'd tried to be Husker Du.
    This is not to say that Singing Spoons always reach heights so lofty, but they do manage to forge a distinctive sound or two amid the swirling, fuzzy guitars that dominate their music. (Audio Bits, March 1990)

    Well, Singing Spoons could never be a big name. Not because the music they made wasn't good, but because they never took themselves seriously.
    Judging by their live shows and their recording sessions to their million cassette releases, I'm sure that the first they had in mind was to to have a great time and then came everything else.

    The music in 1989's Resin Cabin, their only "proper" (almost private pressing)
    release, is no joke at ... Read more »
    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 2306 | Added by: RainyDaySponge | Date: 12 June 2008 | Rating: 0.0/0

    Sunday, 01 June 2008

    I missed seeing Antietam the one time they came 'round my particular place in the universe. That makes me sad. But I vividly recall trying to buy the first album when it came out. The clerk had no idea what band I was asking for. I kept saying "I want that Antietam album, you know, on Homestead!" and he looked at me blankly. Then he said, "Oh, you want the Anti Etam album!" I guess it was just a case of mistaken identity.

    "...Antietam Comes Alive! hits with the room-spinning displacement of a furious tequila buzz. The ropy guitar soloing that permeates the Dream Syndicate-styled instrumental "Track 13" lets Key set an ecstatic (in the spiritual sense) tone straightaway as she trance-ports the band through a 50-minute firewalk that reaches peak intensity on a cover of Patti Smith's "Ask the Angels." Truly revelatory." ~ David Sprague, Trouser Press

    Tracklisting:

    Track 13
    Monica
    Open Letter
    George
    Stomp
    Glide
    Angels & Strangers
    Sample for Sara
    Ask the Angels
    Teleplay
    Sink or Swim
    Eat ... Read more »

    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 1829 | Added by: gomonkeygo | Date: 01 June 2008 | Rating: 5.0/1

    Thursday, 22 May 2008

    I like dialogue between bloggers. So, this post is a responce to Fritz Die Spinne, who yesterday posted Deathride 69's "The CD", mentioning the LP version with different cover and a different track.
    This is the first vinyl version of Deathride 69's album, released in 1998 on Gymnastic Recordings and the next year on vinyl again on Flipside records and on CD on Little Sister Records. Both 1989 versions are identical but the 1988 version not only has "Drums Along The Mohawk" (which was replaced in the later versions by "Chain of Abuse") but it contained earlier and rather different remixes. While 1989 versions are more "professionaly" remixed - i.e. the sound is more clear and the vocals in front of the instruments - the first version, although a bit muddy, is more richer instrumentaly. Both remixes are based on the bass of Don Diego, but in the earlier ... Read more »
    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 2736 | Added by: RainyDaySponge | Date: 22 May 2008 | Rating: 5.0/2

    Tuesday, 20 May 2008

    April 30 1987
    Fed up with hearing "proud Mary" and "We've Only Just Begun" every night for twelve consecutive years, Dennis Plinn abandons his lucrative position as musical director of a carribean cruise ship. He moves to Boston, taking a job as piano accompanist for a strip tease act at the Naked I Cabaret in the city's notorious combat zone. Although the money isn't good, Plinn finds his new occupation spiritually uplifting.

    October 1 1987
    Lawrence Dersch is financially ruined, alcoholic and homeless. Once a well respected radio and television technician, his skill have become obsolete with the advent of the microchip. Desperate, Dersch turns to panhnandling in Boston's subway corridors. On this evening, though, his fortune takes a turn for the better...Dersch discovers he can triple his income by beating out rhythms on the foreheads of passing commuters. Dersch becomes a local celebrity overnight.

    October 21, 1987 5:45 PM
    Timothy Ratdiet, importer o ... Read more »
    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 2118 | Added by: RainyDaySponge | Date: 20 May 2008 | Rating: 0.0/0

    Monday, 19 May 2008

    Swans - The Burning World (1989)

    The Burning World is the sixth full-length album by the Swans. It was released in 1989 on MCA and was their only major label release. Produced by Bill Laswell.

    From AMG:

    Review by Ned Raggett

    Swans' first major-label record, for Uni/MCA, turned out to be their last, and Gira especially has been bitter about the experience ever since; his commentary about the album often involves his anger over Uni's insistence on having noted New York musician Bill Laswell oversee the recording sessions (Gira himself states that he enjoys Laswell's work in general, and thinks Burning was a case where agreement over how best to work together simply wasn't there). Ultimately Burning sounds more like a compromised major label Laswell project than a Swans album, to its overall detriment. To be sure, Gira's complex, increasingly mythic and mystical lyrical images still retain their power, while his singing and Jarboe's still each have their own, often gripping appeal. However, Westberg's playing, whether b ... Read more »

    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 4412 | Added by: gomonkeygo | Date: 19 May 2008 | Rating: 5.0/2

    Monday, 19 May 2008

    Swans - Love of Life (1992)

    Love of Life is the eighth full-length studio album by the Swans. It was released in 1992 originally and also saw release as part of a limited edition with White Light From the Mouth of Infinity.

    From AMG:

    Review by Ned Raggett

    Interspersed with a variety of instrumental pieces and loops which add nicely to the album's overall flow -- including a number of random interview clips which would become an even more central motif to the band's work in future albums -- Love of Life continues the astounding creative roll Swans found themselves on with White Light. As with that album, the group here consists first and foremost of Gira and Jarboe, with a variety of assisting performers: Westberg has finally left the picture entirely, leaving Steele as the new main guitarist, and interestingly enough, two long-time veterans return -- the rhythm section of Kizys and Parsons -- though other bassists and drummers perform on the album as well. Again, though, this is very much Gira and Jarboe's ... Read more »

    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 1821 | Added by: gomonkeygo | Date: 19 May 2008 | Rating: 5.0/2

    Saturday, 17 May 2008


    In the case of Fourwaycross nothing seems to follow a streight timeline. From the mix of post punk/early industrial british sound with the 60s heritage and the always present West Coast psychedelia to their chronologically confusing discography, everything helps the time factor disappear. Maybe this is the reason why their music can be easily sound interesting and special even today, over 20 years after their beak-up.
    Fourwaycross started in 1985 with Tom Dolan, Steve Gerdes, Biff Sanders and Courtney Davies, created their own studio and label (Motiv Communications), released a cassette, two LPs (Fill The Sky, 1985 and Home 1986) and one EP (Shimmer, 1987 - without Tom Dolan) and seemed to disband in 1987. In 1988 Nate Starkman & Son released their first cassete (titled Product One) on vinyl. In 1989 they released another LP (On the Other Hand) with songs written between 1986 and 1989 and in 1990 another release (the 10' Pendulum) came out with old recordings (1984-89).
    Fourwaycross and Motiv Communications were part of a community which inclu ... Read more »
    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 8719 | Added by: RainyDaySponge | Date: 17 May 2008 | Rating: 5.0/2

    Saturday, 10 May 2008
    Free
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    Lone Cowboys evolved out of the band New Toys, when singer/songwriter/guitarist Doug Tyler left the band in late 1983 (continued on as a three-piece until early 1984). This brought about a dramatic change in the sound of the band, now having lost their "pop" sound, they would become an edgy, hard-driving "alternative" 3-piece. There new sound would eventually get them noticed by Caroline Records after they charted number 20 on Sweden's independent music chart with a remake of the Debbie Boone classic, "You Light Up My Life." In 1986 they recorded Voodoo Dolls & Cadillac Fins on the Caroline label and prepared to launch a European tour. However, the tour was cancelled when Caroline was sued for parallel importing. What would have been tour support money was used instead on legal fees.
    In December 1986, they returned to being a 4-piece with the addition of former Dirty Looks (former Stiff Recording Artists) bassis ... Read more »
    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 2742 | Added by: RainyDaySponge | Date: 10 May 2008 | Rating: 5.0/1

    Thursday, 08 May 2008


    I was just re-listening to some Sonny Sharrock boots the other day and pulled this out to give it another spin. Either my tastes have changed or an alchemical transubstantiation took place - this album is now pure gold! I thought it was great before, but it knocks my socks off and then eats them in front of me now.

    Last Exit were a monstrously punky free jazz supergroup (cribbing a bit from their Wikipedia article here), "composed of electric guitarist Sonny Sharrock, drummer/occasional vocalist Ronald Shannon Jackson, saxophonist Peter Brötzmann, and bass guitarist Bill Laswell." This list of names alone should be enough to make your ears bleed and your slack-jawed mouth drool. There is probably no kind of music these fellows can't play or haven't played - and extremely well at that.

    This album is the result of a crazed tour of Europe and, uh, Pennsylvania, in 1987 - all live recordings with great sound. Here's a multiply misappropriated review from AMG (via Get Music, via ... Read more »

    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 2605 | Added by: gomonkeygo | Date: 08 May 2008 | Rating: 0.0/0

    Thursday, 08 May 2008
    Sylvia Juncosa is the kind of rock persona that Courtney Love has spent her entire career trying to become. (from ask the guru site)
     
    This sure was meant as a high praise for Sylvia Juncosa, although I think that the mention of Courtney Love doesn't add much to ... Read more »
    Category: Alternative/Punk | Views: 2133 | Added by: RainyDaySponge | Date: 08 May 2008 | Rating: 5.0/1


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