Cuming soon...
Wednesday 8 February 2023
Friday 22 December 2017
Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 16 (20 & 19)
Album No. 20 (Rancid - Trouble Maker)
Once upon a time, in a land far far away you knew where you were when it came to a new Rancid album, until 'Let The Dominoes Fall' and things took a bit of a down turn, suddenly you didn't know if a Rancid album was a safe bet anymore, thankfully 'Trouble Maker' sets all that straight. It really is an amalgamation of all the best bits of Rancid, the ska, the punkrock, the borderline hardcore, it's all in there, and Tim's vocals shine through as always, so happy to be able to say there's a new amazing Rancid album in the world again.
Single / EP No. 20 (Forever Cult - Homewrecker 10")
Forever Cult have been showing a lot of promise for a while now, Finally Clue have backed them to the tune of a 10" EP, with 5 songs showcasing the laid back indie rock they've been purveying as of late. Reminds me of Sunshine Underground minus the the grandesqueness and more of the local band made good, this is a band i want to keep an eye on.
Album No. 19 (Ride - Weather Diaries)
Oh dear, Ride have broken the golden rule this year. A classic album should always fit on one side of a 90 min tape, 45 mins max! they've clocked in at around 53 mins. They better have a good excuse. Thankfully Ride do have a good excuse, It's been around 20 years since Andy Bell got a chance to showcase his talents since the outstanding Hurricane #1. 'Weather Diaries' is everything you'd ever hoped a new Ride album could be and more.i don't need to say more, black clear or red, i like the clear one.
Single / EP No. 19 (Social Contract - Citizen 7")
The genre of post-punk has been bandied around a lot lately, Social Contract may well fit into this category, but it's not if you fit, it's how well you fit. As Ace himself once said Social Contract fit 'Like a Glove!' 'Citizen' kicks things off, reminding me of Sulk, another band not afraid to sound like the era they're paying tribute to. 'Six Pips' takes things further into the melodic melting Neapolitan sociopolitical landscape that the music scene needs.
Once upon a time, in a land far far away you knew where you were when it came to a new Rancid album, until 'Let The Dominoes Fall' and things took a bit of a down turn, suddenly you didn't know if a Rancid album was a safe bet anymore, thankfully 'Trouble Maker' sets all that straight. It really is an amalgamation of all the best bits of Rancid, the ska, the punkrock, the borderline hardcore, it's all in there, and Tim's vocals shine through as always, so happy to be able to say there's a new amazing Rancid album in the world again.
Single / EP No. 20 (Forever Cult - Homewrecker 10")
Forever Cult have been showing a lot of promise for a while now, Finally Clue have backed them to the tune of a 10" EP, with 5 songs showcasing the laid back indie rock they've been purveying as of late. Reminds me of Sunshine Underground minus the the grandesqueness and more of the local band made good, this is a band i want to keep an eye on.
Album No. 19 (Ride - Weather Diaries)
Oh dear, Ride have broken the golden rule this year. A classic album should always fit on one side of a 90 min tape, 45 mins max! they've clocked in at around 53 mins. They better have a good excuse. Thankfully Ride do have a good excuse, It's been around 20 years since Andy Bell got a chance to showcase his talents since the outstanding Hurricane #1. 'Weather Diaries' is everything you'd ever hoped a new Ride album could be and more.i don't need to say more, black clear or red, i like the clear one.
Single / EP No. 19 (Social Contract - Citizen 7")
The genre of post-punk has been bandied around a lot lately, Social Contract may well fit into this category, but it's not if you fit, it's how well you fit. As Ace himself once said Social Contract fit 'Like a Glove!' 'Citizen' kicks things off, reminding me of Sulk, another band not afraid to sound like the era they're paying tribute to. 'Six Pips' takes things further into the melodic melting Neapolitan sociopolitical landscape that the music scene needs.
Thursday 21 December 2017
Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 15 (22 & 21)
Album No. 22 (The Darts - Me. Ow.)
Another band that have made the list in both categories, The Darts managed to put out an EP and an album in 2017, 'Me. Ow.' is the better of the two which is something considering how fond i was of the Darts II EP, Shared vocals keep things fresh, as does the organ and some of it still makes me think of Karen O if she fronted a psychedelic garage rock band, get it on nice pink vinyl.
Single / EP No. 22 (Unqualified Nurse Band - Death Surf A52 7")
Quite a few bands pull double duty in this list, and it' good to see singles like this that could easily have made an album been exclusive, another notch on the Too Pure single belt, Unqualified Nurse Band have again come up with the goods. A-Side 'Death Surf A52' veers from out of control full on rock to lush melodic lulls highlighting the amazing versatility of the band. 'White Dove' on the other hand is a fucked up beats of a song, falling apart at the seems.
Album No. 21 ('68 - Two Parts Viper)
Gutted doesn't cover it when i heard The Chariot had called it a day, so it was great to see Josh Scogin return so quickly with '68, 2014's 'In Humor And Sadness' hinted at great things to come, 'Two Parts Viper' is the great things that came. This is a beast of an album, more cohesive than The Chariot, you can make out all the words and everything, elements of Nirvana's In Utero at its most chaotic with a swinging bluesy rock vibe, controlled chaos at it's best.
Single / EP No. 21 (Gestures - Bad Taste 7")
A pure punk rock band fronted by some guy called Sick Vic, every song under 3 minutes, underlying Ramones melodies over ramshackle Stooges/Dead Boys punk rock, there's not a dud on this EP, and you have to hear what they do to The Yardbirds classic 'For Your Love'
Another band that have made the list in both categories, The Darts managed to put out an EP and an album in 2017, 'Me. Ow.' is the better of the two which is something considering how fond i was of the Darts II EP, Shared vocals keep things fresh, as does the organ and some of it still makes me think of Karen O if she fronted a psychedelic garage rock band, get it on nice pink vinyl.
Single / EP No. 22 (Unqualified Nurse Band - Death Surf A52 7")
Quite a few bands pull double duty in this list, and it' good to see singles like this that could easily have made an album been exclusive, another notch on the Too Pure single belt, Unqualified Nurse Band have again come up with the goods. A-Side 'Death Surf A52' veers from out of control full on rock to lush melodic lulls highlighting the amazing versatility of the band. 'White Dove' on the other hand is a fucked up beats of a song, falling apart at the seems.
Album No. 21 ('68 - Two Parts Viper)
Gutted doesn't cover it when i heard The Chariot had called it a day, so it was great to see Josh Scogin return so quickly with '68, 2014's 'In Humor And Sadness' hinted at great things to come, 'Two Parts Viper' is the great things that came. This is a beast of an album, more cohesive than The Chariot, you can make out all the words and everything, elements of Nirvana's In Utero at its most chaotic with a swinging bluesy rock vibe, controlled chaos at it's best.
Single / EP No. 21 (Gestures - Bad Taste 7")
A pure punk rock band fronted by some guy called Sick Vic, every song under 3 minutes, underlying Ramones melodies over ramshackle Stooges/Dead Boys punk rock, there's not a dud on this EP, and you have to hear what they do to The Yardbirds classic 'For Your Love'
Wednesday 20 December 2017
Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 14 (24 & 23)
Album No. 24 (Baby In Vain - More Nothing)
Ooh I've been looking forward to this one, last years EP 'For The Kids' was one of my favorite releases of last year and was the culmination of 4 years worth of singles showing steady improvement, now finally we have a full length and it's definitely worth the wait. At point lushly melodic with a dark undertone then easily switching to distorted wall of sound, more people need to be giving this band a listen.
Single / EP No. 24 (Dancehall - Virgin 7")
When Kill Kenada called it a day, i'll admit i was gutted, their last album was amazing and is now impossible to get a hold of the vinyl version, believe I've looked and e-mailed everywhere. So when i heard Tim Smiten had a new band going i had to have a listen, i was not disappointed, picking up where Kenada's distorted punk rock left off, shot through with a little more melody, Dancehall have already released 4 singles in the last two years, can't wait to hear more.
Album No. 23 (Beatsteaks - Yours)
There's two types of people in this world, people who've heard Beatsteaks and people who haven't, the one's who have need to show pity on the other fools, because it's not their fault. 'YOURS' is something like the 9th album for these German pop punks, and every single album I've heard since 2011's 'Boombox' has been amazingly good, so full of massive hooks and melodies, it's just all so fucking good, don't be pitied, checked them out as soon as possible.
Single / EP No. 23 (Giuda - Bad Days Are Back / Firefly 7")
Another totally underrated band that more people need to listen to, Italy's Giuda have been releasing outstanding glamrock albums since 2010's 'Racey Roller' album, A-side is a standout track from their last album 'Speaks Evil' it's class as always but what makes this special is the brilliant B-side 'Firefly' a massive glam stomper of a song that would have been a hit in the 70's, there's a lovely pink pressing worth picking up.
Ooh I've been looking forward to this one, last years EP 'For The Kids' was one of my favorite releases of last year and was the culmination of 4 years worth of singles showing steady improvement, now finally we have a full length and it's definitely worth the wait. At point lushly melodic with a dark undertone then easily switching to distorted wall of sound, more people need to be giving this band a listen.
Single / EP No. 24 (Dancehall - Virgin 7")
When Kill Kenada called it a day, i'll admit i was gutted, their last album was amazing and is now impossible to get a hold of the vinyl version, believe I've looked and e-mailed everywhere. So when i heard Tim Smiten had a new band going i had to have a listen, i was not disappointed, picking up where Kenada's distorted punk rock left off, shot through with a little more melody, Dancehall have already released 4 singles in the last two years, can't wait to hear more.
Album No. 23 (Beatsteaks - Yours)
There's two types of people in this world, people who've heard Beatsteaks and people who haven't, the one's who have need to show pity on the other fools, because it's not their fault. 'YOURS' is something like the 9th album for these German pop punks, and every single album I've heard since 2011's 'Boombox' has been amazingly good, so full of massive hooks and melodies, it's just all so fucking good, don't be pitied, checked them out as soon as possible.
Single / EP No. 23 (Giuda - Bad Days Are Back / Firefly 7")
Another totally underrated band that more people need to listen to, Italy's Giuda have been releasing outstanding glamrock albums since 2010's 'Racey Roller' album, A-side is a standout track from their last album 'Speaks Evil' it's class as always but what makes this special is the brilliant B-side 'Firefly' a massive glam stomper of a song that would have been a hit in the 70's, there's a lovely pink pressing worth picking up.
Tuesday 19 December 2017
Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 13 (26 & 25)
Album No. 26 (Satyricon - Deep Calleth Upon Deep)
Every top album list needs a good black metal album, and Satyricon have always been one of my favorite black metal bands, alongside Mayhem and early Darkthrone, i'm hard pressed to think of a bad album they've released and this is no exception. Lots of colors available.
Single / EP No. 26 (Drahla - Third Article 12")
And it's a hat trick for Drahla, all 3 releases make the top 50, don't even need to tell you how good they are, already done it, twice. More of the same Sonic Youthy punky post rock with much more kick than the usual poseurs, Single sided 12" i believe, you don't even have to mess about turning it over!
Album No. 25 (Marilyn Manson - Heaven Upside Down)
Manson has been on a steady incline since 'Eat Me, Drink Me' each album has been getting slightly better and back to what made him so listenable in the first place. 'Heaven Upside Down' is easily the best album since 'Holy Wood'. Working with Tyler Bates has obviously done wonders for the creativity side of things, it's quite rare to feel pride buying a new Marilyn Manson album but this a real resurrection, i got the white version, the red's too hard to get hold of.
Single / EP No. 25 (Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell - Nightmare Tour 7")
Already prepping for album No.4, the easy to google band put out this tour only 7" on a choice black, red and and blue, direct from the band or on their last tour. It's exactly what I've come to expect from this lot, huge Sabbathesque riffs shot through with the gravel of Motorhead, dirty greasy music for sure, bring on the new album.
Every top album list needs a good black metal album, and Satyricon have always been one of my favorite black metal bands, alongside Mayhem and early Darkthrone, i'm hard pressed to think of a bad album they've released and this is no exception. Lots of colors available.
Single / EP No. 26 (Drahla - Third Article 12")
And it's a hat trick for Drahla, all 3 releases make the top 50, don't even need to tell you how good they are, already done it, twice. More of the same Sonic Youthy punky post rock with much more kick than the usual poseurs, Single sided 12" i believe, you don't even have to mess about turning it over!
Album No. 25 (Marilyn Manson - Heaven Upside Down)
Manson has been on a steady incline since 'Eat Me, Drink Me' each album has been getting slightly better and back to what made him so listenable in the first place. 'Heaven Upside Down' is easily the best album since 'Holy Wood'. Working with Tyler Bates has obviously done wonders for the creativity side of things, it's quite rare to feel pride buying a new Marilyn Manson album but this a real resurrection, i got the white version, the red's too hard to get hold of.
Single / EP No. 25 (Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell - Nightmare Tour 7")
Already prepping for album No.4, the easy to google band put out this tour only 7" on a choice black, red and and blue, direct from the band or on their last tour. It's exactly what I've come to expect from this lot, huge Sabbathesque riffs shot through with the gravel of Motorhead, dirty greasy music for sure, bring on the new album.
Monday 18 December 2017
Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 12 (28 & 27)
Album No. 28 (Autobahn - The Moral Crossing)
It takes a lot of faith to build your own studio to record your second album, especially if you're a relatively small band from Leeds, if you're Dave Grohl or something it's just expected. Autobahn were right to have such faith however, 'The Moral Crossing' picks up perfectly where their debut 'Dissemble' left off, this time with a little more warmth to the music, clashing perfectly with the post punk coldness, mixing up a perfect storm of an album. Red, Grey or Black, i got Red.
Single / EP No. 28 (Bad Nerves - Radio Punk 7")
London rockers Bad Nerves came out of nowhere last year with the excellent 'Can't be Mine' single and this year they've already put out another two roaring garagey punk records, this is the 2nd of the two. A-side ' Radio Punk' has enough hooks to get some serious mainstream attention, B-Side 'Last Beat' is the harder of the two yet still full of catchiness, can see these lads going far.
Album No. 27 (The Schizophonics - Land of the Living)
I've been after hearing this album all year, The Schizophonics have been teasing everyone with the odd 7" on Spanish label Munster Records or a track on Swami records compilation but nothing meaty enough to listen to, they've made up for this by putting out an album, 10" EP and a 7" all in one year, and what makes it even more exceptional is that it all rocks. Special mention as this is a vinyl only list, they didn't even bother to release anything on cd at all this year. Imagine early Rocket From The Crypt jamming out MC5 covers with even more soul.
Single / EP No. 27 (Oneida - Town Crier 7")
I was always a huge fan of Oneida's early work and still get annoyed that 'Come On Everybody Let's Rock' never got a vinyl release. I'll admit i haven't kept up with their later work, some of what i heard just seemed too tame or experimental, then i saw they'd put out a 7" this year and decided to give it a try, thank fuck i did. This reminds me so much of their early heavier stuff and even similar a little to Clutch (definitely no bad thing), B-side 'Golden Age Of The Pariah' is almost like an instrumental musical to a wasp attack. Loving it!
It takes a lot of faith to build your own studio to record your second album, especially if you're a relatively small band from Leeds, if you're Dave Grohl or something it's just expected. Autobahn were right to have such faith however, 'The Moral Crossing' picks up perfectly where their debut 'Dissemble' left off, this time with a little more warmth to the music, clashing perfectly with the post punk coldness, mixing up a perfect storm of an album. Red, Grey or Black, i got Red.
Single / EP No. 28 (Bad Nerves - Radio Punk 7")
London rockers Bad Nerves came out of nowhere last year with the excellent 'Can't be Mine' single and this year they've already put out another two roaring garagey punk records, this is the 2nd of the two. A-side ' Radio Punk' has enough hooks to get some serious mainstream attention, B-Side 'Last Beat' is the harder of the two yet still full of catchiness, can see these lads going far.
Album No. 27 (The Schizophonics - Land of the Living)
I've been after hearing this album all year, The Schizophonics have been teasing everyone with the odd 7" on Spanish label Munster Records or a track on Swami records compilation but nothing meaty enough to listen to, they've made up for this by putting out an album, 10" EP and a 7" all in one year, and what makes it even more exceptional is that it all rocks. Special mention as this is a vinyl only list, they didn't even bother to release anything on cd at all this year. Imagine early Rocket From The Crypt jamming out MC5 covers with even more soul.
Single / EP No. 27 (Oneida - Town Crier 7")
I was always a huge fan of Oneida's early work and still get annoyed that 'Come On Everybody Let's Rock' never got a vinyl release. I'll admit i haven't kept up with their later work, some of what i heard just seemed too tame or experimental, then i saw they'd put out a 7" this year and decided to give it a try, thank fuck i did. This reminds me so much of their early heavier stuff and even similar a little to Clutch (definitely no bad thing), B-side 'Golden Age Of The Pariah' is almost like an instrumental musical to a wasp attack. Loving it!
Sunday 17 December 2017
Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 11 (30 & 29)
Album No. 30 (Idles - Brutalism)
Brutalism as stark an album title as it is, still doesn't do this album justice, there simply aren't words sometimes to describe an album like this, sometimes you just need to sit down and take it all in. In time to come i'd hope this album would be as revered as Joy Division's 'Unknown Pleasures' another album that took punk rock to a new level. If you need a soundbite it's like listening to Joy Division, Sex Pistols and The Fall all at the same time and that still doesn't do it justice.
Single / EP No. 30 (Estrons - Strobe Lights / Glasgow Kisses 7")
Welsh aliens Estrons have been garnering attention for the last two years, improving each time with massive chorus' but not compromising on the rock. These latest two slabs of pop noise are sure to propel them to even greater heights, coming out on the Flying Vinyl boxset, who are rapidly becoming the fierce panda of this age.
Album No. 29 (The Cribs - 24-7 Rock Star Shit)
No one expected a new Cribs album so quickly after the excellent 'For All My Sisters' yet all of a sudden there were games to find a new 7" then the Albini album was announced, and it's exactly what you'd expect, big chorus harmonies but the music is much harder this time around, but with a title like '24-7 Rock Star Shit' what did you expect, mines on lovely pink splatter.
Single / EP No. 29 (Drahla - Faux Text 7")
I told you Drahla were having a good year, this is the 2nd of their 3 releases to make the list, more of the same as last time but this one seems to have an even bigger Sonic Youth comparison, they don't sound like carbon copies it's just the vibe, a relaxed way of playing per se. This one came out on the excellent Too Pure singles club.
Brutalism as stark an album title as it is, still doesn't do this album justice, there simply aren't words sometimes to describe an album like this, sometimes you just need to sit down and take it all in. In time to come i'd hope this album would be as revered as Joy Division's 'Unknown Pleasures' another album that took punk rock to a new level. If you need a soundbite it's like listening to Joy Division, Sex Pistols and The Fall all at the same time and that still doesn't do it justice.
Single / EP No. 30 (Estrons - Strobe Lights / Glasgow Kisses 7")
Welsh aliens Estrons have been garnering attention for the last two years, improving each time with massive chorus' but not compromising on the rock. These latest two slabs of pop noise are sure to propel them to even greater heights, coming out on the Flying Vinyl boxset, who are rapidly becoming the fierce panda of this age.
Album No. 29 (The Cribs - 24-7 Rock Star Shit)
No one expected a new Cribs album so quickly after the excellent 'For All My Sisters' yet all of a sudden there were games to find a new 7" then the Albini album was announced, and it's exactly what you'd expect, big chorus harmonies but the music is much harder this time around, but with a title like '24-7 Rock Star Shit' what did you expect, mines on lovely pink splatter.
Single / EP No. 29 (Drahla - Faux Text 7")
I told you Drahla were having a good year, this is the 2nd of their 3 releases to make the list, more of the same as last time but this one seems to have an even bigger Sonic Youth comparison, they don't sound like carbon copies it's just the vibe, a relaxed way of playing per se. This one came out on the excellent Too Pure singles club.
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