Dangus - Cannon (2014)

Dangus is a 2 person band from Oslo, Norway. Their music brings to mind a different sort of retro than what's normally talked about on this blog: glammy, '70s cock rock(hold the cock). That's perhaps an oversimplification (and something better suited for a different website) but I can't help but hear some early Kiss in these songs, minus the cheese and raunchy lyrics. One thing that stands out is that their lead singer doesn't sound like the type of singer normally associated with this kind of music. It's like a young James Mercer was asked to front the MC5 for a recording session. It takes a little getting used to but, in the end, it's worth it.

Dangus describes themselves as "garage rock born out of exile", and their bandcamp page says the music was recorded during the "economic recession". I don't know what an economic recession generally means for Norwegians, as my cursory understanding of matters is that Norway has things far better figured out than we do. What it means for all of us, is that Dangus had some time to create and share their contribution to the rock world in a modest but loud way, whether you'd call it garage or not.

If this is garage, it's garage that hung out at the bar every night from 1965 to 1975. It's garage with hair on it's chest, unafraid to keep those top few buttons open while brutalizing a cowbell and wailing mean guitar solos.

10 songs:

Dangus - Cannon

Lou Reed - Transformer (1972)

You see, when I said Os Mutantes was like my favorite band, this is why... now that I have gone through a phase of listening to them morning, noon, and night I naturally shifted to one of my other "favorite bands" the Velvet Underground. However, I'm really into Lou Reed's solo work on Transformer this time around. I find it funny that he made a self-titled release before this that nobody cared about, and then it was like David Bowie took pity and helped him make this. Don't get me wrong, I love Reed, perhaps as much as any songwriter I've ever heard, but Bowie rescuing someone is something to remember. Of course there is the fact that many of these songs were first heard here as well, before the versions he did with the Velvet Underground were unearthed and released later. As usual the tracks I am unable to get over are different this time too, with me really hankering to hear "Satellite of Love" and "Andy's Chest" with my morning coffee. So basically, if you don't have this for any reason, you should and you shame me by not already loving it.

To be had here:
Lou Reed - Transformer [192 VBR kbps]

Half Japanese - Sing No Evil (1985)

Jad Fair and brother David have been making musics since the 70s and with many famous people from all over, but I still think this is the single best album he's ever had a hand in. I remember when my sister began going to the University of Michigan I forced her to listen to this album the entire car ride, on one level to please me as I was stuck helping her lift shit all day and another one to make her understand the proto-punk glory held herein. She failed to grasp the amazing-ness. Oh well, perhaps you'll enjoy the untuned guitar and squeaky horns more.

To be had here:
Half Japanese - Sing No Evil [160 kbps]