The Shivas - You Know What To Do (2014)

You Know What To Do is the latest in a series of albums the Shivas have put out of the last several years, and while I am not as familiar with all of them as many other garage rock outfits, they are a band I undoubtedly enjoyed each time I've had the good fortune to run across. The tunes are catchy, riddled with surf rock guitar and 60s psychedelic singing. It is like the Kinks took a few lessons from Dick Dale for many of the tracks, and it is wonderful. They diverge from this form for songs like "Big Mama Casio" that bears remarkable parallels to "Be Brave" by the Strange Boys. A similarity that is carried for several tracks, but with a more retro garage pop sound compared to the Strange Boys' country-tinged sound, and it is fused with some of that Julian Casablancas reverb vocals. Like the reverse of the same coin in some ways. You Know What To Do is undeniably has many familiar elements and to hear them so delicately swirled makes for an addictive listen.

The Shivas are a Portland, Oregon band that is getting some well justified press and some swell label backing. To Elvis's sure pleasure, this band is put out on cassette by Burger Records and to Larry's possible indifference it was released on vinyl and CD by K Records. Even got mixed by Larry's old boss, Calvin Johnson. Of course, being released by these hip labels makes the album an established PR and distribution network, something most of the bands don't have. What I mean is that this album is gonna do fine without my 2 cents, but I thought it was a good piece of art regardless and I'll call what little attention I can to it as well, if for nothing but personal gratification.

To be had here:
The Shivas - You Know What To Do

Mystic Braves - Desert Island (2014)

There seems to be no end to the number of bands that can effortlessly create that wonderful 60s psych that is oh so the rage these days. Well, maybe not "the rage" since this is on cassette tape (and vinyl if that is your kind of thing). But there is no doubt these kids have studied the Nuggets box set thoroughly and comprehensively, and with all that work they have produced "Desert Island," one of my favorite records to come out this year. Literally every  track is a standout or single (try and listen to There's a Pain and Coyote Blood and not fall in love), and the sheer quality of the compositions set them apart from other retro-focused garage rock acts currently in circulation. This is music for just about anyone who enjoys a good tune, but followers of this blog will likely find a soft spot in their heart for this awesome release from Burger Records.

Get it here:
Mystic Braves - Desert Island (2014)

Nirvana (UK) - Cult (1970/2014)

Finding a gem of a lost record is one of the high points of any music aficionado. After looking under stacks of shitty Kiss and Styx records in my hunt for lost treasure, I have come across a handful of pieces that would have gone unknown to me had I not engaged in the hunt. I assume Burger Records felt the same way when they discovered Nirvana. No, not that Nirvana, but the psychedelic pop act from 1960's Britain. Thankfully for us, they have re-issued the band's two full lengths on both cassette and vinyl.

The fact that the two records featured on Cult are not known outside the hardcore collecting set is unfortunate, as the music could have easily been a hit had played on classic rock radio had things worked out differently for the band. We all love the Kink's Village Green Preservation Society for its lush, focused songwriting and romanticism of the English countryside. Yet, a year before they dropped said record, Nirvana released The Story of Simon Simopath, considered by many to be the first concept record and almost surely an inspiration to Dave Davies. Beautiful, lush instrumentation compliments the vocal harmonies, creating a safe space one's imagination for the slow, agrarian life.

The fact that this band's output is not held in greater esteem is a travesty that is hopefully being remedied by this reissue. Just try and keep "You are Just the One" and "Pentecost Hotel" off constant rotation. I dare you.

Get it here:
Nirvana - Cult (1970/2012)

Listen Here...for free fools!

Summer Twins – Forget Me EP (2013)

I have been a Burger Records fan for some time now. There are few record labels as prolific and dedicated to the garage and punk sounds, and the label has become something of a So-Cal staple among like-minded music aficionados. Not every release is a winner, but with a near constant stream of cassette tapes and vinyl released, there are few labels that work as hard to get new acts to a larger audience than Burger.

One of the best bands to come up on the label’s roster in recent years is Riverside’s Summer Twins. I saw them at the last Burgerama event, and they were a stand out. Made up of two sisters, the pop act has crafted endearing retro-inspired rock’n’roll in a manner that would have made them a huge hit had they existed in the early 1960s. Maybe they are reincarnated members of some bygone garage act, called to earth through witchcraft and black magic to sing the world into tranquility in preparation for a demonic invasion? Less crazy things have happened.

Their newest release is a 7 inch record that includes two of the songs on this EP. The rest are available digitally. Anyone who doesn't care for “Forget Me” no longer has warm blood running through their veins and should not be trusted. 

Get it here:

Summer Twins – Forget Me EP (2013)

The Sufis - Inventions (2013)

Burger Records popped this time-traveling portal into my mail box last week. As I grasped the outer sleeve, I was brought back to 1969. Best of all, I did not have crabs (something often left out of biographies of yours truly). As I walk down Haight Ashbury, I recognize the distinct smell of weed in the air, but the piss poor stuff hippies smoked in those days. “Get a job!” I yell to a drum circle, but recall that I too am lacking in employment. A group of asshole cops assume I must be some insane person for dressing as I do, and beat the shit out of me. The 1960s isn’t as fun as I remember. I realized I had best find a record player and play this new Sufis record to see if there is a way to return to the present.

Robert Crumb is out complaining about beatniks or something, so he lets me hang out and use his turntable. As soon as I drop the needle, I know that the Sufis have come into their own, just not in the right time period. The best of the Animals/Kinks psychedelic periods are displayed in full competency. If these kids had happened to been born into this time period, they would be one of those groups Baby Boomers always bring up when reminding younger generations of their age delimited inadequacies.

As I reach the last track on the album, a purple haze engulfs me, and returns me to my dingy apartment circa 2013. All that time travel, and I didn’t even get a shot at Audrey Hepburn. Damn.

A great, highly competent record on all counts. They should be big, but they won’t be. I would like to see them break out of their self-imposed stylistic parameters on future releases, but this will be my tool to return to 1969 whenever I feel the need.

 

Buy it here:

The Sufis – Inventions (2013)

Merlin's Magic Music Box (2012)

I have never had the good fortune of experiencing the New Hampshire and Vermont music scenes in person. I imagine they all live in barn-like communes, sipping mushroom tea, all while crafting psychedelic music just outside the realm of social respectability. All the stuff I have picked up from the region only reinforces these preconceived notions. Chances are, everyone is on meth like they are here in rural California.

Merlin’s Magic Music Box might as well be a trunk full of drugs, because you will be going on a trip when you pop this bad boy into your music player. I picked it up on tape when it was released by Burger Records a few months ago, but the band was nice enough to have a digital download available for free. This is psychedelic riff-rawk perfected. All six tracks on this album are the perfect embodiment of what a jam band should sound like. There is little in the way of filler, as the listeners ears are pushed towards the guitar riffs that scream above the sonic, rhythmic residue below.

Sit back, smoke a blunt, eat some mushrooms, and let this shit take you away.

Get it here:
Merlin's Magic Music Box (2012)