Easter Weekend Music for the Whole Family (aka your audio escape from family)

 

G.L.O.S.S. - Demo

Girls Living Outside Society's Shit, or G.L.O.S.S. were a band from Olympia, WA that were absolutely fantastic. With all the current transphobic bullshit plaguing the US, it seemed only appropriate to post the first release by this trans-feminist hardcore punk band.

G.L.O.S.S. are no longer around but their impact and legacy will last generations, I'd wager. Especially as this nation moves in it's typical clunky and violent way towards acceptance. Just have to wait around for these old generation fascists to push up their daisies. 

This EP has 5 songs and all are under 2 minutes long. It's a very brutal release that gets the blood pumping. Perfect music to blast at your redneck neighbors while during their next confederate cook-out. 

Dolores - Peach Fuzz

Hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, the band Dolores caught my ears a few years ago despite their kinda terrible album art. The music is kind of a pristine, yacht rock meets psych-pop experience that is uniquely catchy. I mean it's like, mind-altering how catchy it is... it's weird. I'm not sure how to describe it honestly. 

It's maybe a little hokey... corny even. But there's serious talent at play. Singer Javier Reyes voice has such a clean tone he might as well be a '66 Fender Jaguar in human form. Since this band broke up, his talents have moved east to join another psych-pop yacht rock group out of Chicago called Post Animal, who are also definitely worth your attention.

Boise Cover Band - Unoriginal Artists

Here's a release that has been around for awhile but I only recently learned about it. 

Boise Cover Band is the band Built To Spill who decided to release some covers back in 2003. It's 7 songs and a nice little thing to hear. Built To Spill are one of those bands I could always listen to so to hear them perform a version of David Bowie's Ashes To Ashes, arguably my favorite Bowie song, is a treat. 

Both a Pretenders and a Captain Beefheart cover to boot. 

Not going to be your favorite thing Built To Spill ever did, but it's fun and maybe something you haven't heard. Also available on vinyl, if that's your thing.

Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru - Self-titled

Maybe Easter weekend is a shitshow for you. Maybe you're at the in-laws with your sister-in-law's husband whose a total energy vampire and bigot prick but everyone else loves him so you have to play nice. 

Well escape yourself to a bathroom immediately and take a dip into the soothing piano music of this Ethiopian nun whose original compositions are as relaxing as an unseasonably warm spring day... which have been in relative abundance out here in the wilds of central New Jersey (it DOES exist). 

Ms. Gebru recently passed away in late March at the age of 99, so she made it past the equinox with us. This is her spring. 

Hierofante Púrpura - A Sutil Arte de Esculhambar Música Alheia (2014)

Hierofante Púrpura are a Brazilian psychedelic band, residents of Mogi Das Cruzes near to the city of São Paulo. When the sent in the album that didn't include anything more than that for biographical information. This is fine by me, as the songs they have written and selectively chosen to cover provide a wonderful psychedelic experience without need of addendums. 

A Sutil Arte de Esculhambar Música Alheia, which I was able to roughly translate as "the subtle art of the oblivious music skunk" or some permutation thereof (very likely way off on that), is a collection of psychedelic originals and covers. Of the handful of covers two of them were recognizable easily as one's of the legendary Yo La Tango and the other is from a particular favorite garage rock band of mine, Boston's Mr. Airplane Man. Not sure how they thought to make the under 4 minute track, "I Don't Know Why," into a nearly 7 minute meandering, trippy soundscape, but I found it to be delightful. Furthermore, I wasn't aware of the band Againe, who they covered, but Hierofante Púrpura's version of the tune is most excellent. As for their own compositions, they varied while not straying too far from a sedated psychedelic core. For long stretches they're instrumental and when vocals to appear they're not always singing any clear words at all. The joy is in how the guitars and drums meld into an atmosphere bliss, sometimes dipping toward folk (check the song "A Camisa Vermelha Sou Eu" for a particularly fine example) or at others they veer a bit to folksy space rock of the Jackie-O Motherfucker or Eternal Tapestry variety. These South Americans are really sending in some impressive music lately, and Hierofante Púrpura isn't the least among them by far.

To be had here:
Hierofante Púrpura - A Sutil Arte de Esculhambar Música Alheia

EP Grab Bag vol. 78

This October has featured a heavy degree of returning artists and labels. I imagine it's those that have put me in their internet rolodex. I am happy see that people are responding well to the posts and that the musicians and persons running labels have felt it worthwhile to keep me in the loop with all their ongoing projects. If you haven't heard from me I am likely getting to it, but you can repeatedly email me. Some of you already do and I don't mind. Anyhow, here's the EPs I got in, some of them artists we've featured before, some even rather recently, to add the the train of Nate Henricks, Citradels, Sioux Trails and so on that've been so kind to share their music with us all to frequently.

To be had here:

NAYSA - Losing Weight EP (2014)

As promised this is a returning band to SRM, as I posted their wonderful EP, Troubled Heart, back in Grab Bag 62. Not to dis that prior EP, but this one is a incredible leap in execution. It among the most immediately likable EPs I've gotten all year. In the email alerting me to Losing Weight there's a mention to it being number one on a college radio station in their native Winnipeg. It does sound like college rock, meant in the very best possible way you might envision, the sort with a lot of indie pop influence. Only $4 Canadian, so that is like only some other amount in another currency (still cheap).

Ry Smith - They Don't Understand (2014)

What's this, Ry Smith so soon again? Yeah, pilgrims, his got an EP hot on the hells of his full-length, Rexroth, that I posted about just last month. So I downloaded this album without looking at a word about it, which isn't unusual for me, but that I recognized the first track as something I familiar with was abnormal. It took several moments for my dumb brain to realize that this was a Strokes song, and what is this? The whole EP is covers of Strokes songs? Yes, this excellent news is in fact what Ry Smith has gifted to us and it is awesome.

Lost Trail - Rural Entropy EP (2014)

A short experimental-ambient soundscape release. I mean it is brief, like five minutes, but it is priced accordingly as it goes for only a scant $1.25. It is a fine sample that could be a sign of a fine full-length to come. Additionally, I thought this might be something wholly new to the Grab Bag, but turns out I have posted the label that released this, two years ago, so thanks for coming back Silber Records, and sorry I posted stuff you worked on without mentioning you, but I am sloppy and very sleepy most of the time.

Slight - Spirit School / Tasting (2014)

Another Canadian band, yet this time from Montreal. Just two tracks, but more than enough to enlighten a listener to how they're making excellent hi-fi art pop. Yes, I can enjoy hi-fi music as well as my beloved lo-fi. Just so happens I'm multifaceted, like a gemstone, pilgrims. I found this pair of songs to be lovely in their blending of harmonic and chaotic elements, and quite soothing overall. Liked well enough that I even went back and heard their three song EP from last year called Melodion, which I'll also recommend. And this band is new to SRM.

Angel Kaplan - Broken Toys b​/​w Thank You (2010)

So those of you that found pleasure in hearing the full-length album, Pictures from the Past, from Angel Kaplan that I posted up early in the month will be happy to know that there is a 7" that predates it but is mighty fine to hear as well. Moreover it is purchasable in a physical format from Get Hip Records for a few dollars. These two songs are fucking great, the first is like the sweet psych-pop precursor of the later LP and the second an alt-country infused cover of the 1960s group, the Remains.

The Future Primitives - Songs We Taught Ourselves (2013)

The much awaited new release from South Africa's premium garage rock outfit, the Future Primitives. Before I let too much out of the bag, this is an album of covers, which if heard without looking at the titles can be really fun trying to place who did them originally during your first listen. I won't say I got them all, but [spoiling begins here] I was so jazzed to hear the Index's righteous "Israeli Blues" that I almost told the homeless dude outside my place about it. Now I know covers are a mixed bag sometimes, but I think garage rock is my absolute favorite way to here anything covered. And it is nothing new for garage rockers to do so, in fact it is a staple of the genre to cover classics. However, most of these tracks aren't from the usually selected sources and it is a credit to the band's knowledge of fine tunes and lo-fi skills to make this endeavor come off so flawlessly. From the Primitives to the Milkshakes to Bo-Weevils they didn't take a misstep. Can't recommend this download enough to anyone that even thinks they might like garage rock.

To be had here:
The Future Primitives - Songs We Taught Ourselves

Daddy Rockin' Strong: A Tribute to Nolan Strong & The Diablos (2010)

Almost embarrassingly I've only recently discovered the Detroit doo-wop titians, Nolan Strong and the Diablos. Never been one to hunt down much in the way of doo-wop, Nolan Strong's voice has ensured a change in my ways. However, the how experience was exponentially enhanced when I found out I was far from alone in this reverence and that in fact many of my favorite musicians had contributed to a compilations of covers in tribute to the singer. Detroit acts I just saw during the Blowout in Hamtramck: the Dirtbombs, Outrageous Cherry, and the Hentchmen are just part of the amazing assemblage the got for Daddy Rockin' Strong. There's also the phenomenal Mark Sultan, Demon's Claw, the A-Bones, Reigning Sound, Cub Koda... even ex-Gorie Danny Kroha's new outfit. I can't think of a better line up of musicians nor a better subject for a tribute compilation. Do indulge yourself in any Nolan Strong you can hunt down and share any good recordings you might find, I've yet to get anything comprehensive.

To be had here:
Daddy Rockin' Strong: A Tribute to Nolan Strong & The Diablos [256 VBR kbps]

Maureen Tucker - Playin' Possum (1981) & Life In Exile After Abdication (1989)

Knowledge of solo albums by Maureen Tucker has been something I've been vaguely aware of for a years (I am hoping it isn't necessary to say she's most famous for being the drummer of the Velvet Underground). Stupidly I put off listening to them, not being sure what they'd hold and I'd never heard of anyone mentioning them. While I am shocked nobody has recommended them to me, I can says wholeheartedly that any hesitation was unwarranted. So get this shit, the first album, Playin' Possum, is covers of notable songs originally by artists like Bob Dylan and Little Richard as well as Velvet Underground tracks wherein Tucker plays all the instruments. She handles drums, guitar, sax and singing for some lo-fi versions of some wildly good songs. Then to up the ante in the second solo album from eight years, Life In Exile After Abdication, later she drops the multi-instrumental scheme in favor of bringing in some really noteworthy musicians to record with her. These include Lou Reed, Daniel Johnston, Jad Fair, and members of the Sonic Youth. In fact both albums sound very Jad Fair-like. This album also features different versions of Velvet Underground songs and some covers but contains songs written by Tucker too. Imagine how jazzed I was when I noticed that one of the tracks is "Pale Blue Eyes" which remains one of my all-time favorite songs. To cut to the chase both of these are worth hearing, and while an appreciation of the Velvet Underground helps it isn't required to find the appeal of the lo-fi, noisy and creative sound that Tucker brings.

To be had here:




Playin' Possum [128 kbps] Sorry for the shitty bitrate, if you have a better version please link it in the comments for everyone.











Life In Exile After Abdication [192 kbps]

Our Boy Roy LP

It is a rare occurrence that I put a compilation of any sort on Spacerockmountain. Nonetheless, sticking with precedent without a good reason would be a foolish move. Our Boy Roy is undoubtedly a good reason to break tradition, as it is a collection of many of my favorite garage rock bands to pay tribute to a musician that surely most all of us must have fond recollections of listening to, Roy Orbison. In complete honesty I found out about this compilation when I was looking around for more Ty Segall, who does appear with an utterly astounding cover of "Pretty Woman." I got really jazzed when I saw that other favorites like Charlie & the Moonhearts, Jacuzzi Boys, and Demon's Claws. Personally, I found this an amazingly refreshing album as it reaffirmed my believe in covers (along with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.'s cover of "God Only Knows" on their EP). Working at a Starbuck's is a basically a trial by sound as you're forced to hear the worst covers of good songs ever recorded. Beyond just my hangups though, this is a really really great collection of covers of songs from a too-often unappreciated musician.

To be had here:
Our Boy Roy LP [256 VBR kbps]

Langley Schools Music Project

I debated putting up a shitty album for April Fool's Day but I couldn't think of one that was sufficiently funny. Moreover, maybe I am fooling myself into thinking I don't know about bad music. However, I do have a crazy strange album that could be considered jokingly or one the creepiest things in the world depending on your attitude. Where I downloaded this particular release I've forgotten but I do know that I had to look into it, and the story is roughly that a guy got access to a British Columbian school where he preceded to make 2-track recordings of children singing popular songs from 60s and 70s. I'm assuming he or another musician are playing the instruments but the singing is done wholly by kids, which is something that is usually really annoying yet here it is awe-inspiring/creepy. The extremely lo-fi nature of the recordings are a saving grace for me, just distorted enough to make it comfortable for me. The songs chosen undoubtedly help too, with several Beach Boys tracks being in the mix, but perhaps the best of all is their version of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" that is sung in chorus. Oddly, songs that I usual hate such as "Sweet Caroline" are improved greatly by this treatment. If you want to know more about it there is a wikipedia page that you can begin with, which claims it did make a buzz at one point.

To be had here:
Langley Schools Music Project [128 kbps]

Les Napoleons - A Go-Go (1966)

Les Napoleons are certainly a curious experience to be had. A cover group from Montreal, who cut a cover album of Beatles songs completely in French and considerably more garagesque lo-fi. One will undoubtedly recognize the Beatles famous guitar parts, and even be compelled to sing the lyrics in English only to be confused by the French words spouting forth in all the choruses. I shan't be so bold as to claim I uncovered this gem, I downloaded it well of a year back from Lost-in-Tyme before they had all those legal run-in and had to change everything up and I got all frustrated trying to keep up. Nevertheless, I am still entirely enamoured by these covers, and I strongly advise all fans of the Beatles, French rock, garage rock or oddities to grab this.

To be had here:
Les Napoleons - A Go-Go [320 kbps]