Full Crumb - Maelstrom Protocol (2014)

Full Crumb are from the United Kingdom, not sure where exactly, as I wasn't told. Yet through an unknown series of events is being issued on cassette and digitally by the Athens, GA-based label Fall Break Records. However, after listening to Full Crumb's output, I can understand why they'd be eager to release it.

Maelstrom Protocol is a particularly tricky albums to describe. It really is the sort of thing that is best experienced without too much preface and pondered about by the listener for days afterwards during the likely sessions of re-listening. Truly a whole range of genres are applicable to the Maelstrom Protocol, being in near equal measure krautrock, British new wave, psychedelic, experimental pop and shitgaze. Perhaps the only caught-all term that works is art rock, but as we all know that doesn't tell you much about the songs really sounds. Let's put it this way, there's something of Orange Juice or the Fire Engines sort of Scottish late-80s thing, strange audio clips serving as intros, dreamy pop numbers, and an overall feeling perverted reverence throughout. Go on, have a listen.

To be had here:
Full Crumb - Maelstrom Protocol

Still Caves - Static Lips (2012)

I attribute my affection for garage rock to being a jaded and ornery 30-something. By the time some reach this age, the idealism of the late teens/early 20's mindset is a once vibrant garden since entangled and suppressed by an invasive ivy called "conformism". After school, you'll need work and, chances are, it'll suck and you'll have to dance like a damned monkey to get it. Bad break-ups, grandparents passing away, demoralizing assclown politicians, and colonoscopies just 20 short years away? Ah yes... the 30's are a tattered stage where the dramas of love, work, health, and debt are played out by several lonely, jobless, and alcohol-addicted clones of yourself. 


Then there's all that Taco Bell you keep putting on your credit card.  


Some say bad addictions can be replaced with healthier ones and, while I personally haven't given up my Gordita Supremes, garage rock has become a reliable crutch for a world that makes the mind weary.  


Enter Portland band, Still Caves. They seemingly came out of nowhere and immediately found themselves playing with up-and-coming Portland bands like Psychic Feline and recent K Records signee Nucular Aminals. After hearing their dirty and dismal two-chord garage, it's no wonder. All the elements are here: lo-fi recordings; guitars crunching through tube amps; vocals awash in caverns of cold reverb; and the steady pounding of a well-worn floor tom. "Great Recession" and "No Company" chug along with such gritty voracity you'll have to clean gravel from your ears. And while the EP opens with a shimmering, melodic anthem ("Dutch") worthy of lemonade and sunny drives on hot summer days, don't be fooled. The bulk of Static Lips is whiskey-soaked garage rock heard through a heavy downpour.


Still Caves are here to cure what ails you. 6 songs I'll surely be driving around to, regardless of the weather or beverage at hand.


Still Caves - Static Lips

Stagnant Pools - Real Lies (2010) & Live @ Russian Recording (2010)

Stagnant Pools is a band consisting of a pair of brothers from Indiana. Together they make some noisy, lo-fi shoegaze. In 2010 they released an album entitled Real Lies as well as a live recording called Live @ Russian Recording via bandcamp. Additionally, tracks and information sometimes appear on their tumblr page. Musically, they make some great use of the wall of sound technique that is so fundamental to the shoegaze sound. Also, if you're like me and understanding the words sung isn't as important as hearing anything audible than these guys could be your jam. They're quick, constant and nearly droning without washing out all signs of rhythm and beat. Basically, they'll consume your brainwaves as you listen to them should you be inclined to grant them that leeway.

To be had here:





Real Lies













Live @ Russian Recording

The Hospitals

Not particularly sure why I've decided to share these albums now. There's never a bad time, I suppose. The Hospitals are a noise rock duo from Portland, Oregon. They're sorta like Lightning Bolt yet they stick closer to the garage rock side of the spectrum of noise rock whereas I think of Lightning Bolt as more math rock related. Really splitting hairs as it is all loud and abrasive in the end. The albums are not really that new but they're something to stop and visit if you missed them when they were released. Filled with pounding drums, charged howling and fuzzed out guitar the two of them can make for a raunchy listen. Also of note is that Rob Enbom of Eat Skull cut his teeth in this group and fellow member Rod Meyer was once in the Hospitals too (though I believe he left before these recordings). Hope you enjoy the offering, pilgrims.

To be had here:




The Hospitals (2003) [192 kbps]











I've Visited The Island Of Jocks and Jazz (2005) [160 kbps]