REVIEW: OBN III's - Live At WFMU LP (12XU)

From the sounds of 'People Are Afraid' this recording captures the raw, rippin' energy of an OBN III's live show.  The guitar tone come through slightly dulled, but full of tube driven tone.  Whoever engineered this did a great job of making this sound like a basement show while still delivering a very "listenable" recording.  The song itself is hilarious.  Singer Orville doesn't understand "this fear of fucking in the streets."  Nor do I...aside from the inevitable rampant spread of VD.  Get it on May 28th through 12XU Records.

REVIEW: The Sleaze - S/T 12" (Total Punk/Florida's Dying)

Minneapolis' own, The Sleaze, the band that brought you the classic 'Smokin' Fuckin' Cigs,' will release their latest 12" on Total Punk Records (Florida's Dying) April 12th.  If it sounds anything like this track its bound to be everything a punk record should be.  'Conor Start' is dirty as fuck.  The guitar tone sounds like it was chewed, swallowed and then thrown up into a dumpster.  Its still tuneful, Buzzcocksian even, and full of punk rock fury.  Get it here.

REISSUE: King Tuff - Was Dead (Burger)

By CINDERBLOCK

Long a sought after collectors item amongst vinyl-loving garage rockers, King Tuff's Was Dead is being re-released by Burger Records on April 30th to much fanfare. This album can chalk itself up as being one of the most influential in lo fi rock since its 2008 release. Power pop jams like “Just Strut” and “Dancing on You” make the head bob and the foot tap to lightly fuzzed guitar, cracked vocals and kickass fills. “Stone Fox” is a number with a brilliant arrangement that evokes early 70’s bands like Television or The Velvet Underground. “Connection” backs up the fuzz with organ, its simple chord progression staying in the listener’s head for days. This LP is the kind of recording bands try to emulate these days - made on the cheap, not glossy, not overproduced and simple.

The album overall is a enthusiastic ode to smoking cigs, hitting the streets, talking girls at a bar (without success), summer crushes and other pastimes of the musically inclined. When I hear it, my first inclination is to grab a PBR, pick up the acoustic and write a song in my backyard. Cheers to Burger for re-releasing this masterpiece. Get it here.

NEW VIDEO: Feelings - Fun With Mantras (Urinal Cake)

Detroit's Feelings just released a new video for 'Fun With Mantras,' a new 7" out on Urinal Cake Records.  This track's a cool bouncy surf punk jam that deals with rejection the way so many great garage rock songs do: put succinctly, "You don't like me?.. Well fuck you.". At least that's the vibe I get.  The video features the band intentionally playing out of sync with the track in a room full of fog. There's also some creepy shots of a chubby kid with an over-sized old man mask on his head.  Weird wild stuff.  Get the 7" here.

REVIEW: BAZOOKA - S/T LP (Slovenly)

Champions of the 2-4 chord stomper, Greece's BAZOOKA are on the assault on their forthcoming release due out on Slovenly Recordings this May.  This band sounds like a Japanese monster demolishing a modern city to smithereens with fire breathe and laser eyes.  There's a handful of tracks to sample on the label's bandcamp and each one is a brain-melting fist full of trashy psych-garage goodness.  Pre-order it here.

REVIEW: Jensen Serf Company - Electric Sister 7" (Daddy Kool Records, Jensen Serf Company & Loose Recordings)

There's not too much surfing in St. Petersburg, FL...I know...I lived there for a little bit.  Most surfers on the west coast of Florida have to drive way the fuck across the state to catch some decent waves.  But, apparently there's still great surf-inspired music on the gulf-side, as evidenced by Jensen Serf Company.  Actually, its not nearly as surfy or hokey (sorry, guys) as the name might lead you to believe.  This is some brain-splitting rock n' roll and each of the three tracks on this EP showcase how versatile this band actually is.  Ok...yes...there is a lot of spring reverb and some early-rock-instrumental-inspired arrangements, but this band is far from being the one-trick-pony that so many "surf bands" are.  There's plenty of fuzz, feedback loops, creative song structure, weird breaks and vessel-popping screams to keep the listener interested throughout.  Get it here.

OLD SHIT: The Who - My Generation LP (Virgin)

I know, I know...It's not like anyone on earth doesn't know who this band is or heard this album's two hits ('My Generation' and 'The Kids Are Alright') a million fucking times (thanks, Clearchannel), but trust me this LP is worth a thorough checking out (or revisiting).  The Who's My Generation is a nearly perfect album (aside from Roger Daltrey's somewhat embarrassing impersonation a black man on Muddy Waters' 'I'm a Man') and the best the band ever sounded on record.  Keith Moon's genius especially shines through as he basically reinvents the drums for 12 straight tracks culminating in 'The Ox'- a 4-minute instrumental scorcher.  Fuck Tommy or (god help us) Quadraphenia...THIS is The Who and you can carve that into my headstone for all eternity to witness.  Don't believe me?  Check it, bitches...