The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action (1976)

The Flamin' Groovies intentionally sound like they're from an earlier era, and that feat itself was done in an slightly less earlier era. What I mean is that they were dedicated to remaking the sound of early rock n' roll starting in the late 60s, which I'd bet many would consider early nowadays. More or less, they liked music before the hippie movement overwhelmed a large amount of popular culture, but I can't believe they weren't influenced by that too. Shake Some Action is not their first album, yet it is the first that lacks the original lead singer, Roy Loney, as well as others of the initial line-up. Therefore the band could change tact a some under the leadership of Cyril Jordan. Basically, on this album they for more influence from British Invasion bands, going so far as to cover a Beatles song, "Misery." However, their influences should not in any way diminish their genuine talent. Shake Some Action is a remarkably well-done album in its own right.

To be had here:
The Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action [320 kbps]

Nodzzz - Nodzzz (2008)

So I got my shit together and I looked through all the blogs I followed and it was that wonderful blog Somatose that posted the Monster Rally albums that I enjoyed so much. At least I could save enough face by recalling I saw it somewhere... and that doesn't mean I won't use that blog as a muse for future posts. Last month Somatose posted the Woodsist compilation, Welcome Home: Diggin' the Universe. Although some of the bands featured on this album are available already on that blog and this one, yet a band that freshly caught my ear was Nodzzz. Accordingly I downloaded their album from a couple of years ago and found myself rather keen on it. The self-titled release is a lo-fi experience of cheerful songs. The tracks are rather simple, something that seem to champion themselves by titling one "Simple Song." Seems they tour or at very least play shows with Tyvek too, which would make a most excellent show.

To be had here:
Nodzzz - Nodzzz [320 kbps]

Jackie-O Motherfucker - Ballads Of The Revolution (2009)

Shitty luck for me, I wasted the whole weekend with a cold. Stuck in bed reading comics wasn't the worst thing ever, even if I did feel terrible. Anyway, I took the opportunity to download some music as well and I grabbed up some post-rock bands I hadn't followed up on lately. Noticing that Jackie-O Motherfucker had an album I hadn't heard I leap to get it. While not the best of their work in my opinion it sure does compete for one of the most eerie things they've produced. The track "The Corner" sounds like a space rock experiment until nearly a minute in, and it along with the majority of the others have some slow yet not sad singing. Perhaps it is the beginning of the Midwestern autumn and its customary heavy cloud cover and dreary weather that has me all worked up, but this album seemed spooky to me. Gotta say I liked that though. Jackie-O Motherfucker sure knows how to make some powerful music.

To be had here:
Jackie-O Motherfucker - Ballads Of The Revolution [320 kbps]

Monster Rally

So yesterday I broke my computer's screen. Real bad like, so I could not see a damned thing. It being a macbook this is a major set back, especially considering my renewed unemployment. Regarding the blog here, the issue is that only that computer can easily access my collection of music, therefore I cannot post anything that would require me to upload it myself. However, it just gives me an excuse to spout off about something neat from bandcamp. Monster Rally has three free releases on bandcamp, and the other day I downloaded them all and was rather impressed. The name does sound familiar, so I recognize that is how they could have caught my eye and it could have been a blog I follow that posted about them. Anyway, they make some dreamy, breezy tunes that quite intentionally summon images of old films about pacific islands laden with beaches. Some of the tracks even feature the added element of the warm crackle and pop of vinyl and skipping sound to which the medium is prone. The songs are calm and elegant and I've found them a nice way to enjoy these waning summer days. I can't resist saying I was shocked to see what seems to be the Uniroyal giant tire on the album art the Color Sky 7" as that really sits along Interstate 94 to the west of Detroit and my grandparents met each other while employed at that company (it no longer exists independently).

To be had here:




Color Sky 7" (2010)













Palm Reader (2010)












EP (2010)

The Index - The Index (1967)

I don't know how I got this far without know about this band earlier. I've read that the Index was technically for Grosse Pointe, but that place can eat me. Alternatively, the University of Detroit has been referenced as the origin point for the group, yet I suppose both can be true. Anyhow, this is a Detroit psychedelic band that seems to have gone under-appreciated. The album is a lo-fi affair, like it was recorded in a shed or a stairwell, but that jives very well with the minimalist mood of the music. In fact, I do believe it was recorded in mono, which isn't something you get everyday. The real power comes from how they really just found that wandering sound that makes psychedelic music so soothing and beautiful. That the singer sounds a bit like Lou Reed didn't hurt anything. Eerie, handsome, and simple, doesn't get much better than that.

To be had here:
The Index - The Index [192 kbps]

Conductive Alliance - Water Glyphs (2010)

This is one of those groups that sent me their album and I have actually gotten around to listening to. It is remarkably pleasing, but hard to describe for me. If I was forced to make a comparison I'd say it was something along the veins of Le Loup or Animal Collective, but certainly retaining their own sound. In particular I liked the vocals, which sadly are the undoing for most bands the give me their work. The singing is ethereal yet not to the point of Icelandic post-rock or anything, and as I guy who cares more about how you sing than what you're singing about it was a pleasant surprise. Seems like these kids have something worthwhile, and I should mention they're touring (look at the myspace or something). I sure bet I would have liked if I promoted that earlier this summer. Anyhow, if they came to Detroit I must have missed it in my zombifying night work, so you let me know if you see them as I am most curious.

To be had here:
Conductive Alliance - Water Glyphs [192 kbps]

Paully Moonbeam - Free From (2001)

Couple of weeks ago I asked some friends for recommendations as to what to post as I was feeling especially listless. One of them got a CD from his car of a local musician named Paully Moonbeam, which the mention of incited the laughter of others. They promised me that he wouldn't mind that I posted it, and I just listened to it a felt compelled to do just that. Less of a synthesized idea, the album's title gives a hint that Mr. Moonbeam is making an collection of songs that defy genre more than anything. Free From is an absurdist romp that includes charming instrumental ditties, sketch-like spoken word over music, and all sorts of bizarre. The strangeness of this anti-genre album might cause one to over look that it is a genuinely well done album with some rather catchy songs, including a maddeningly good cover of Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me Round."

Couldn't find the album art, oh well.

To be had here:
Paully Moonbeam - Free Form [320 kbps]

The Original Surfaris - Bombora! (1963 [1995])

It's been a month since I've posted anything, and for that all I can say is that I was working a graveyard shift and fucked up me royally. Lost all drive for such pursuits as blogs or scrounging the internet for righteous tunes. Truth be told I've been listening mostly to the stuff I posted over the couple of months and some shit that is too obvious for even me to post, basically: Beach Boys, Black Sabbath, and David Bowie. Then and again I found myself listening to this old gem, Bombora!, and was shocked to realize I'd never posted it before. The general outline you might wanna know is that this band was called the Surfaris, just like the more famous group that also used the name, but upon hearing for this successful rivals renamed themselves the Original Surfaris. I think there were legal complications somewhere, not important. What matters is that they've become unjustifiably overshadowed as they made some of the most fantastic classic surf rock numbers I've ever heard. The title track and "Surfari" are normally cited as the hits of this album, but my personal fancy tends toward "Surf Angel" which is a bit of a slower song. Something to get if you've never been exposed to, sorry about the low bit rate I got then when I was like 15 and hard drives were tiny.

To be had here:
The Original Surfaris - Bombora!

P.S.

I've gotten many bands and solo artists sending me their albums hoping I'll post them. I am hoping to put some up, but I don't want to do it all the time because then this will feel like a job, which I am not too fond of. However, if you wanna try to see if I'll like it you should prolly give me a whole album or EP, not a single, I almost never listen to those. Also, be okay with it being given out for free, I won't go to your myspace, and maybe tell where you're from. Sorry about being an asshole.