Alabama Thunderpussy - River City Revival (Relapse Records, 2005)

If you dig: Corrosion of Conformity, Orange Goblin, Monster Magnet

Foxy

Alix - Ground (Go Down Records)
If you thought only spaghetti, expensive cars and chubby mafiosis came out of Italy, you'd be in for something of a surprise. But of course, being a dedicated user of this site, you'd probably already heard about Alix, stonerrock foursome from Bologna. Led now for the third consecutive album in a row by charismatic redhead Alice Albertazzi, the band has harvested lots of international praise - and its aaall good and meaningful. On this album, Ground, Alix again pursues their love for hashy seventies stonerrock all the way to the marrow, the band delivers an exiting lump of kick-ass rocknroll for your (anyones, actually) listening pleasure. This album don't rediscover rockmusic as any of us knows it, actually we're about as far away from "modern music", thank God, as any italian band ever was - at least since Sabrinas exciting boob-job on "Boys-boys-boys". Its just about flawless, its true to its "stonernaut" core - and something tells me, they can kick ass live. Molto bene!
http://www.alix.bo.it/
http://www.godownrecords.com

Keith

Bomber- The Last Tour on Earth CD (35g Records 017)
Bomber is a band from Trondheim, Norway and headed by two brothers. The band has been around since 1999 and has released one limited edition (only 200 copies!) vinyl record in 2001, but has finally settled down and established quite a unique sound of their own. This mini EP features 4 tracks in 25 minutes and is very hard to describe. It is sometimes like progressive rock, sometimes like heavy metal yet stands in neither genre by itself. The vocals are very operatic in a way. Very hard to describe but very cool… Dark, menacing, bombastic…
http://35grecords.fupp.net/

If you dig: Gentle Giant, Manowar

Scott

Brides of Destruction - Runaway Brides (Mascot Records, 2005)
Here are a few of the members of the true Pantheon of rock anno the 1980'ies-something. Brides of Destruction features legends like Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crue) and Tracii Guns, who was a co-founder of both Guns'n'Roses and L.A.Guns. The guys made their first album, Here Comes The Brides, together in spring 2004 and this is their second release. In between they have been touring with Turbonegro, Alice Cooper, Korn and Slayer - just to name-drop a few from the scene. Runaway Brides was produced by veteran Andy Johns - the ears behind bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Free, so we're not dealing with anonymous fellows, folks! Well, all that aside this album is absolutely solid hard rock with a lot of references. Some songs have clearly reminisences from Guns'n'Roses, others bears the traces of 70'ies rock and yet other songs - like 'This Time Around' could have been made by an older cousin to the Audioslave-guys. It's all very well produced, the band however does not really contribute with something new to the scene - it's like I've heard it all before during the past 20 years of growing up with rock music. Okey-dokey... But someone should have given the cover artwork for this album a little more attention: The front design has strong heavy rock references, the back side looks more like a young college-punkrock band's debut album, while the label on the cd could have been a Ramones-label... I'm confused!

If you dig: Guns'n'Roses, Mötley Crue, Guns'n'Roses

Foxy

Brant Bjork and the Bros- Saved by Magic (Duna Records DUNA009)
Ok.. brother Brant (Kyuss, FuManchu, CHE) with his first release with his new band the Bros. They have been touring all over the US and Europe this year and playing some damn cool and long shows (Sometimes 2½ hrs!). If you saw the tour, then you heard a great deal of this cool double CD. While he lays down some cool grooves and these are the songs most people will get into, he also does some cool psychedelic stuff like the old Funkadelic. It is funny to hear the band groove while he tells stories of growing up in California (stuff that I can identify with as I also did). If you like Brant, you will for sure dig this quality product.
http://www.dunarecords.com

If you dig: WAR, Funkadelic, Brant Bjork

Scott

Thee Butchers Orchestra - stop talk about music let's celebrate that shit CD (Voodoo Rhythm)
Thee Butchers Orchestra is dirty, sleazegrinding, carefree and fun - yeah, Brazils finest export since the cocoabean has it all. These songs are shot out without any cerebral calculations, just baddabing in your face (and sometimes half a meter up your ass as well). So what if you once heard somebody say they sounded like Jon Spencer, first of all, it could be worse, second of all: they don't - they may have drunk of the same energyfuelled guarana-cup once, but they sure does have their own distinct sound. These raucuos 13 swampblues anthems only dance to the sound of their own aggressive fiddle, and on this 3'rd full-lenghter they really bloom. Why? Cause - as the leadsinger explains in his own personal English "cause everbody got the Davol inside!", and after listening to this album you know its GOT to be true: these three guys DO have something inside, and its not Jesus as we know him. If you love The Stooges you're bound to love this album - and if you don't love The Stooges, then fuck you and fuck off, cause hey: what are you doing here then? That leaves us with this: you are bound to love this album. Yummy.
http://www.butchersorchestra.hpg.ig.com.br/
http://www.voodoorhythm.com/BUTCHERS-ORCHESTRA.html

Keith

C.C. Adcock - Lafayette Marquis (Yep Rock Records/Kick Music)
Laid back southern roots-blues rock. Very nice sound and if you imagine yourself hanging in a New Orleans bar, drinking that old Jim Beam while the alligators are roaring in the nearby swamps, you get the picture. Some of the songs makes me want to see my old vhs copies of the movies "Southern Comfort" and "Deliverance" again.
"Lafayette Marquis" is like a youthful slacker version of cool Cajun/southern americana music with a tiny twist of bossa nova....hm....well, I guess you just have to listen to it.
I like it a lot, especially the violin on "Runaway Life" and the whole album somehow grows on you in a haunting way. Cool.
http://www.ccadcock.com

If You dig: J.J Cale, Bo Diddley, Dr. John

JT

Coachwhips - Peanut Butter and Ginger Live At… LP (Narnack Records)
The Coachwhips (trio: guitar, drums and keyboard) will satisfy your craving for trash, peanut butter and songs about bomps and cum for a while. Unless your craving is abnormal of course! Imagine the Country Teasers trying to keep up with the early Oblivians, then turn the treble all the way up, add some cheapo keyboard and put Chris Woodhouse (FM Knives, A FRAMES, Karate Party) at the mixer and you ought to crawl home on a full stomach after consuming this shit sandwich. This is supposedly their (fourth and) last LP and out of the three albums I've heard, "Bangers Vs. Fuckers" (#3 - also on Narnack) and "Peanut Butter…" are the ones to look for if any of this rambling has sparked your sadomasochistic sonic tendencies.
http://www.narnackrecords.com

If you dig: Country Teasers, Oblivians, Pussy Galore

Morten

Columbian Neckties - Takeaway LP (Sounds of Subterrania)
Third album by the Neckties and I'm actually proud announce that it's by far the best so far…that is except for the first 10" which has all those lo-fi, fuck-you, kick ass qualities I'm a total sucker for. I might be a bit biased being a former member of the band - I played bass and I and the drummer Slamboy left at the same time - but I think that with the new direction the band was taking a more swinging, bluesy rhythm group fits the music perfectly. Not that this is losing energy. The guitar is loud as fuck and the drums pound away and not much has changed except the songs are better, the sound is fucking great and they're tighter than ever. It's one of the few albums you can actually define as punk rock. Fast and hard and with burning guitar solos and vocals with attitude…not to mention the hilariously stupid lyrics with song titles like "Byesexual" and "She's the Man" and this might be the first punk record to proclaim that "Work is Good!" They might be right actually. I always considered rock'n'roll working man's music and I think these days there are way too many academic fuckers infecting the genre. I seriously doubt that any Danish band will release a punk rock record this good some time soon and I think it's a big mistake that Bad Afro don't put out stuff like this instead of all that profession rock music. As ALL the SOS releases this comes out on 180-gram high quality vinyl! So do I regret leaving the band you might wonder? Of course I do! But not for the music and the endless rehearsing, but when I think about the amount of pussy they're gonna get when they hit the road with this material. There won't be a dry pair of knickers left in the audience once Henrik and Jeppe have ooh-ooh'ed their way through "Play with Myself" and Jeppe has done his Curtis Mayfield routine in the subdued middle part of the title song. Hurra for that!
http://www.soundsofsubterrania.com

SN

The Cooters - Punk Metal CD (Profane Existence)
The title sorta tells it all, fast hardcore with gruff shouty vocals and metallic breaks. It's not bad, I just recall 100s of records of the late 80s who sounded a bit like this. Maybe I need to hear "Punk Metal" a couple of times since a reviewer describes them as 'Sex Pistols meets early Voivod'! The Mississippi trio is probably a riot live, but I grew tired of the singer pretty fast. A video for "The Cooch" is incl. on the CD.
http://www.thecooters.com
http://www.profaneexistence.com

If you dig: Poison Idea, Motörhead, The Exploited

Jens

The Danger Men - Summer Of Danger (Wild Eagle Records)
Australian music must be in a slump lately. Usually, Australia has a lot of good bands, both pop, rock and in this case - some sort of midget punk rock. At first you think it's just like some of the other punk bash you listen to, but then you realize - this is much worse.
In my case, this CD is a complete waste of shelf space. I wonder sometimes, how many bad punk albums need to be put out before people start re-inventing the genre - this Johnny Rotten trip is getting
boring.
http://www.wildeaglerecords.com

If you dig: The Flakes, The Stooges

Kristian

Dean Dirg - …the Last Kid on the Block 12" (Stereodrive)
Second 12" going on 45 rpm and another hammer of a record - 14 songs in maybe 15 minutes. Short, sharp and to the point, this has all the speed of the Zodiac Killers combined with the overall aggression and primitivity of early 80s hardcore with angry vocals, some quirky speed-up rhythms and some fast buzz saw guitar riffing. The sound is dry and crisp and the format makes it sound great! Amazing stuff from this 4 piece loser out-fit. I can easily think of a lot of bands and reviewers for that matter that could use a healthy dose of this kinda coolness. Wow!
http://www.greenhell.de
http://www.deandirg.net

SN

Demon's Claws - S/T LP (P-Trash Records)
If you dig REAL blues, you gotta check out BLUESHAMMER! But before you burn out on Blueshammer, do yourself a favor and take a trip with Demon's Claws from Canada. This is "blues" in the Crypt/In The Red sense of the word, not the Gary Ray Crapton wank played below the 12th fret you find them worshipping, if you happen to walk into a guitar shop. Sloppy, punked out and gooood as in "I'm bleeding, what about you, baby?". For comparison, the vocals sound like Mark E. Smith trying to sing while chewing on a boiling hot baked potato, and if the Coachwhips aim is to deconstruct white boy blues, Demon's Claw manage to almost put two or three chords back together again. There's a certain backwoods homebrew vibe going on as well, but not in the redneck sense of the word. More like some organic drug project that went horribly well. Psychedelic, higgledy-piggledy guitars and drums of the highest order!
http://www.ptrashrecords.com

If you dig: Scat Rag Boosters, The Emotional Fanxieties, Teenage Shutdown/Back From The Grave comps

Morten

The Dictators - Viva Dictators! CD (Escapi Music/Target)
2001 saw the sensational comeback album "D.F.F.D." by these legendary NYC proto-punks, the first record in 23 years since "Bloodbrothers". This live recording (excellent sound quality) really shows that the Bronx guys still got the magic touch. The songs are from the two above mentioned albums and their classic "Go Girl Crazy" 1975 debut, and the tracks fit each others perfectly, quite an accomplishment for a band who's been in the game for over 30 odd years. Can we get a new album soon?
http://www.thedictators.com
http://www.escapimusic.com

If you dig: Ramones, New York Dolls, Turbonengro

Jens

Diplomats Of Solid Soul - Grease Monkey/Loaf and Jug 7" (Vampisoul Records) Nilo Espinosa y su orquestra - Midnight & You/Nuestra historia 7" (Vampisoul Records)
Bernard Purdie - Touch Me Again/Hapnin 7" (Vampisoul Records)
If at times it might be a bit much to listen your way through a whole Vampisoul album of smooth rare groove, the 7" format is perfect for it. Even Diplomats Of Solid Sound, whose "Destination... Get Down!" album I wasn't too excited about in LowCut #23, sound cool and stylish in a small portion like this. Nilo Espinosa is more tropical-tinged with his 60's Barry White cover, while Bernard Purdie's two tracks from the "Lialeh" soundtrack, a black porn flick from '74, showcase all the craft of the Curtis Mayfield and James Brown drummer. Smooth, and a nice treat between two Lack records.
http://www.vampisoul.com

If you dig: Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Booker T & The MG's

Jon A

The Dirtbombs - If you don't already have a look CD (In The Red)
If you are an idiot like me you have probably also collected every goddamn 7" single this fantastic band has released over the years. People with brain cells might as well just buy this double CD collection and then even get a bunch of exclusive tracks on top. 52 tracks at a reasonable price….what a bargain!!! Best band in the world? Well, pretty damn close anyway.

If You Dig: Gories with soul, The Dirtbombs

Don K

Dirty Lyle - Threw it all Away CD (Ohm)
You don't get to hear Danish trucker stoner punk bands that often. Actually I can't recall hearing anything like this coming out of this armpit of a rock'n'roll country. Stoner sound put to something that sounds like a cross between new Motörhead, Nine Pound Hammer, Onyas and Dozer. It might not be quite that good, but fans of those bands should get a kick out of this fucker cuz it's more than just decent. This is hard and well-played like a fast version of good hard rock and with dumb-ass lyrics about porn and food and sex (or lack off rather) and getting fucked-up on dope and beer. You know, stuff you can relate to. This could easily have been Australian with its grungy approach to punk rock and I'm sure these guys drink as many beers and smokes as much dope as your average Aussie out-fit. The sound is too slick and both vocals and lead-guitar needs some variation, but otherwise this is rocking slab of trash culture rock'n'roll that'll make you wanna change your name to Rubber Duck or maybe even Love Machine. Not many records will do that to you! http://www.fedtebroed.dk

SN

Donnybrook - Lions In This Game CD (Alveran Records/Target Distribution)
Great! The debut album from Los Angeles' Donnybrook holds no surprises, just old school NYHC in the vein of Sick Of It All; Madball, and their ilk; neither adding, nor subtracting anything, but holding a remarkably high standard, just like their Alveran label mates Settle The Score, reviewed in LowCut #25. Hard, muscular, with plenty of pumped up riffing and truckloads of grooviness.
http://www.alveran-records.com

If you dig: Sick Of It All, Madball, Biohazard

Jon A

Engine V - Broken World (Mad Prophet Records)
Engine is from Greece and on the same label as Nightstalker, whom I had recently reviewed. I was turned onto the band from a good friend (Jeanett) and this is a CD that really grows on you as you hear it more and more. It is the bands 2nd release, although they rerecorded some of the songs from the first EP here. If you like good quality stoner-fuzz rock with quality songs and great grooves and some cool laid back spaced out things, then this is for you. It sure was for me. Don't Cry for Me, is an amazing song. The last two tracks on the CD show a different side of the band as well, being acoustic in nature (also some electric stuff!).
http://www.madprophet.net

If you dig: Nightstalker, Truckfighters, Gas Giant

Scott

Gonzales - Hell Drive (Konalcielo Records, 2005)
Welcome to Italy, ladies and gentlemen! Here is a quartet from Northern Italy kicking some serious ass indeed. Frontman and band-founder with the very artistic name Markey Moon (and no - it has nothing to do with Television or their album Marquee Moon!) has a past in the instrumental psychedelic surf-garage scene of Triest, but this album is far from psychedelic. Gonzales was formed last year and this record is the debut from the band. The inspiration clearly comes from Gluecifer, Hellacopters and The Exploited, and mr. Moon obviously has a certain taste for good old Lemmy, which gives Gonzales a spice of Motörhead too. Full speed, man! With ten songs in only 26 minutes there's no time for bullshit here. The band delivers a straight rock'n'roll performance without any real big surprises, and had this album been 10 minutes longer, it would probably be boring, but this length is just perfect for this type of hell drive. Absolutely worth a spin when you're having an energy-overload and need to let out some steam. Cool stuff. www.gonzales.it http://www.8records.net

If you dig: Gluecifer, Motörhead, Hellacopters

Foxy

The Great Escape - Nothing Happens without a Dream (Nasoni Records 040)
This is the Great Escapes 2nd release on Nasoni Records and this long CD is also released as a 3 sided double vinyl LP. The band recently played in Denmark but I was unable to make it to the show. Anyway, this 3-sided conceptual album follows a guy named "Dreamer" through his day ... a day when he recognizes his dreams, his wishes and visions and learns to follow them, they write in the promo material. The CD opens with a quite heavy track that relies on a cool bass line but then really rocks hard. There are a lot of short pieces around a minute or under that are mixed in between the tracks. This is a very diverse stoner-psychedelic rock record and has some quite cool stuff on it. The band doesn't have the most original grooves but they do rock out and have a cool sound. This is a very impressive 2nd release showing a very mature side of this band. The last track features some very beautiful female vocals as the Dreamers, dream ends…
http://www.nasoni-records.com

If you dig: Kyuss, Awesome Machine

Scott

The Hatepinks - Plastic Bag Ambitions LP (Lollipop Records)
I think "Plastic Bag Ambitions" is a great album title, but that's me - I like bands with a sense of humour. Of course, they still have to be f%#¤&ing cool and The Hatepinks are just that. Plus they ROCK. I'll say it again: they ROCK! Take all those current bands that have a so-called Briefs thing goin' on and change that to a Hatepinks thing. This fearsome French foursome are the kings of spastic '77 pogo punk + they have the best songtitles: I Am A Divorce! Tupperware Love! Kissing Cops With My Ass! I Piss In Your Swimming Pools! Fell In Love With A JPEG File! And - the 12 songs clock in at only 17:02 minutes! That means if you have half an hour before you gotta leave for work, you can play this album twice and only be a couple of minutes late!
http://www.hatepinks.free.fr
http://www.chez.com/lollipoprecords

If you dig: the Briefs, the Shocks, etc. etc.

Morten

Heartbreak Engines - Love Murder Blues CD/LP (I Used To Fuck People Like You In Prison Records/Target Distribution)
With all its slapped double bass and moussed hair the whole psycho-/punk-a-billy shindig isn't something I'm really that into, but that doesn't mean some bands like Heartbreak Engines can't win me over if I'm in the right mood. Very energetic, as the genre would necessarily have it, and even better when they stray from the limits of that genre, even if the attempts at pop in "All" and "Nightfall" are off the mark. Songs like "Haunting Love" and "Evil Wings" are more than reminiscent of The Misfits with their raging vocal harmonies and that little Elvis crack in the voice, and that's awesome, while others like "Ain't My World" or "Built My Hate Around You" aren't too far from what a band like The Defectors are doing, only beefier. Not bad at all.
http://www.peoplelikeyourecords.com

If you dig: The Untamed, Misfits, The Defectors

Jon A

The Hekawis - Intellectuals CD (Wild Eagle)
Nuggets/Back From The Grave style garagerock with some psych influences. There's like a million bands who sound like this. Organist Screaming Stevie is a pretty good harp player, but his snotty 'screaming' ain't that exciting, the band would improve with a separate lead vocalist. Pretty mediocre, but there's definitely potential, The Hekawis just need to find their own sound.
http://www.thehekawis.com
http://www.wildeaglerecords.com

If you dig: Cynics, Fuzztones, The Wailers

Jens

Hètten Dès - Ace Of Spades Cd single (Drunkabilly)
Hoarse snarrling powercountry from - where else - Belgium, the land of milk and bigtitted cows. Lemmy would'nt be angry, that's for sure, this version (its in three different versions on the single) of Ace Of Spades is precisely what the rockabilly-doctor prescribed - it even comes with a sing-a-long version, so you can squeal away, fat boy. Nice partyshit.
http://www.hettendes.com
http://www.drunkabilly.com

Keith

High Tension Wires - Send A Message LP (Dirtnap Records)
Texas' very own unadulterated geniuses of speed pop are back. Taking a break from the Marked Men, Mark Ryan and Jeff Burke drop another perfect hand at the punk rock poker table. The melodic riffs and extremely catchy choruses this bunch come up with are certified evergreens of the post Teengenerate/Rip Offs punk era and to cheat your ears from wallowing in hits like "The Sad Tale Of Mattie Lou Denton", "the Clear Is Coast" and "Theme To Getting' Fired" and many more, would be silly. Already superstars in Japan, maybe Copenhagen is next?????
http:// www.dirtnaprecs.com

If you dig: Buzzcocks, Marked Men, the Reds

Morten

Honky - Balls Out Inn (Small Stone Records 056)
This is the first time I ever heard of Honky but they are lead by a former guitarist for the Butthole Surfers so don't expect the norm here. The band were helped out by Big Sugar guitarist, Geordie Johnson (he even makes a few guest appearance on slide and acoustic guitars). His influence is heard for sure. The opening track, Love to Smoke your Weed, shows the band want to have some fun. All the songs are short here with only one breaking 4 minutes. There is some great guitar playing and some stand out songs for sure. If you like your rock, Texas style with a bit of nastiness throw in, this is worth checking out… Good choice, small stone…
http://www.smallstone.com

If you dig: Big Sugar, Texas Rock

Scott

How Much More - How Much More (MFU Records)
How Much More are a Finnish band from the far north city of Kemi. What else is there to do up there but to learn how to play rock and roll?? This is the bands 4th release and by looking at the pictures, these guys are not youngsters. Anyway, this is a five piece band that plays music very much like the Black Crowes. While the band does not bring anything new to the table here, they do play some pretty good rock and roll tracks and are very good musicians.
http://www.mfurecords.net
http://www.howmuchmore.com

If you dig: Black Crowes, Uriah Heep, Soulhat

Scott

The Kings of Frog Island (Elektrohasch Records 107)
The Kings of Frog Island is a side project of Josiahs guitarist, Mat Bethancourt. As always, Elektrohasch maintains a high standard and releases yet another very cool CD. In fact, I think this is cooler than any of the Josiah records (maybe). While some of the tracks are very Monster Magnet inspired, including singing like Dave, it is a great psychedelic rock record. The opening track is very much like the hard driving Josiah stuff but The Longest Hour is a bit different and I hear the riff from Gravity Well by Monster Magnet used in this track. It has a great killer groove though. Leone is a short very cool instrumental acoustic track. This leads into the excellent acoustic track, the River. Too bad the track ends so short as it would be perfect for a jam. The band begins to pick it up again with Slate Blue Sky, but this is probably the weakest track on the CD. Psychomania features some killer wah-fuzz guitar and is a very cool track with a highly repetitive chorus. Amphibia builds up slowly but never really goes anywhere…unfortunately. Save Me has a down and dirt guitar sound and a grooving bass line. The song fades into acoustic guitar and echoed vocals before taking off again. Beyond the Revolution is very Monster Magnet inspired but a great track. The CD ends with a reprise of the beautiful Leone track. Pretty cool stuff.
http://www.elektrohasch.de

If you dig: Josiah, Monster Magnet, On Trial

Scott

Liquid Sound Company - Exploring the Psychedelic (Nasoni Records 042)
This was originally released in 1997 but is long out of print. This amazing psychedelic rock record is now reissued in a fantastic gatefold 180 gram vinyl limited edition. Liquid Sound Company is lead by John Perez of the DOOM metal band, Solitude Aeternus. The LP also features the amazing Solitude vocals as well. It is a classic record with eastern influences and a great psychedelic feeling and mix. Fantastic…
http://www.nasoni-records.com

If you dig: Liquid Visions, Saddar Bizzar

Scott

LeGardon, Ainara - Each Day A Lie CD (Winslow Lab/Sounds In A Coma)
If Ainara LeGardon reminds you of The Walkabouts, that may be because Chris Eckman of said roots rock band not only produced, but also played on this, the second album from the bilbaoan singer/songwriteress. You have any idea how much it rains in the Basque Country? Remember how Captain Haddock in Tintin always reminisced about lying hoved-to in the Bay of Biscay; that's how much. I suppose then, weatherwise, LeGardon might actually be closer to our defunct countrymen in Wynona, though I never really dug that band, and for the same reason as this fails to move me: The tristesse is so overwhelming it almost becomes a posture, and you feel like yelling at the poor woman to go outside and take a breather. Oh well, then again that might not exactly help your moods in Bilbao. Tied again. If you're into the whole sad-woman- singing-about-her-sad-life-thing with it's stories about the desolately open widths and the cruelty of man, I suppose LeGardon isn't half bad, I'm just too happy a person for this. Sun is even shining outdoors now, so off I go...
http://winslowlab.com

If you dig: The Walkabouts, Victoria Williams, Wynona

Jon A

(lo:muêso) - (next: matêria) CD (Aloud Music)
Yep, that's their name, brackets and all: (lo:muêso), no less. I suppose something like The Rawplugs or whatever didn't ring sufficiently sophisticated in their Spanish ears, and sophisticated it definitely is. Their second album starts out in the pensive, melancholic, and picturesque manner of Mogwai, back in the late 90's when they were still interesting, and then, on second song "Oj da jazen" (yep! There's also a song here called "Bambi Motorhêad"...) everything suddenly explodes into a fearless, abstract clatter that reminds you of At The Drive-In, which is brilliant. These heights, unfortunately, they're not gonna reach again on this album, only just about it in "Pseudoshot Polaroide" and "Tourgonette", but it does give them a positive mark in my black book. From there on in, the furious "Electrosweetmytochöndria" sounds not unlike our own MOB, with their mix of raw, brutal, metallic post-hardcore and Cure-esque sensitivity, and that style continues through the album, by way of harmonica interludes and indie flavourings. No More Lies' Santi Garcia's mastering gives the album a pleasantly raw edge, but even though I suppose their intention is to make a more demanding music than the standard fluff, I'm afraid the most demanding part to me is sitting through the parts where yet another serious young man is trying to sound like fucking Robert Smith. Which is a shame, because with all the good parts, as well as intentions, cluttered on this album, they could have made something like a master piece.
http://www.aloudmusic.com
http://www.lomuesoweb.com

If you dig: MOB, Mogwai, At the Drive-In

Jon A

Lords Of Gravity - Contact (Off The Hip)
Dirty, Australian (sigh) Garage Punk - does it sound dull? We'll,
this one isn't! Much more psych than punk at times - and if you shave
away the very, very, very scary front man vocals, you have yourself a
classic garage band! Excellent! But it's not, because the vocals
blow, and he keeps ruining what I otherwise to be fine tracks. Bluesy
and gutsy guitar, furious drumming, an organ to boot, and even a
blues harp. It's all very The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Caesars
Palace, and The Flakes, and it's good - just ditch the singing.
http://www.offthehip.com.au

If you dig: TSOOL, Caesars Palace, Heavy Trash

Kristian

Lost at Last - Heavy Metal 6-Pack (Lost at Last Records)
Lost at Last hail from Bergen in Norway and in some ways you wonder if these guys are serious or not or making fun of themselves. Here is what they describe themselves as: "We've been described as a mix between Entombed and Turbonegro, somewhere in the middle of Machine Head and Monster Magnet, raised on Judas Priest and Black Sabbath". The EP features 6 heavy metal tracks with some cool songs and sometimes funny lyrics. Check them out, you will like them.
http://www.heavymetaltothebonebaby.com

If you dig: Turbonegro, Judas Priest, Machine Head

Scott

Lucifer Star Machine - Fire In Your Hole CD (Noisemaker)
Another London based band like Dirty Switches and The Divine Brown who refuse to embrace the whiny indie rock scene and instead go for that sleazy punk/rock'n'roll big dick sound. 'A bare knuckle fight between Misfits and Turbonegro' states the press release which ain't far from the truth. It's like being bitch slapped by a rhinoceros on an absinthe high! Tor Abyss howls like a glue sniffin' Elvis and the loud guitars soar like Cheetah Chrome and James Williamson in their prime. Rat Scabies, the Damned drummer, produced their first single, what more do you wanna know? Incl. video for "Disco Hard On". http://www.luciferstarmachine.com
http://www.noisemaker.de

If you dig: Dead Boys, (early) Danzig, C-Men

Jens

Mad Sin - Young, Dumb & Snotty - The Psychotic Years 1988-1993 CD (People Like You)
The Berlin psychobillies last two albums, "Sweet & Innocent? Loud & Dirty!" and "Survival Of The Sickest", are some of the very best releases in the genre. I haven't really heard anything prior to these LPs so I wasn't sure their early stuff could measure up. The 24 track comp consists of songs from "Chills And Thrills", "Distorted Dimensions", "Break The Rules" and "Ticket In The Underworld", and fortunately the quality of the horror tunes is bloody good. Almost every song rip with raunchy fast punkybilly excellence, a track like "Overpower" will please every Motörhead fan worth his salt. A winner. http://www.madsin.com
http://www.peoplelikeyourecords.com

If you dig: Nekromantix, Guana Batz, Meteors

Jens

The Manikins - Highschool Good Boy 10" (Lollipop Records)
Swedish garage punk band with releases out on Screaming Apple and Rockin' Bones. The Manikins differ from most garage bands with their strong focus on melodies which make them sound like a cross between power pop and garage rock. Pretty catchy actually, but when the power pop takes over it gets a little too much. The title track is the best song here and in a sane world it might even have been a hit.
http://www.chez.com/lollipoprecords

If you dig: The Hives, power pop

Don K

Maranata - Maranata LP/CD (Vampisoul Records)
Sexteto Electrónico Moderno - Sounds From the Elegant World LP/CD (Vampisoul Records)
Vampisoul continue releasing their slew of long-lost Latin American rare groove from the 60's, having just put out something like their 60th release in just about two years. It's all very smooth and stylish, and at times downright obscure like the Traffic Sound compilation reviewed in LowCut #25, but at times it tips over into mere fluff. That's the case with Maranata, a 70's Uruguayan wedding band who got the chance to record their sole album in the late 70's as a calling card. Fine for playing crocket and sipping Martini if that's your fancy - though I fear that wouldn't be for the average LowCut reader - but lacking in any edge or experimentation, which makes it a bit uninteresting to me. Before Maranata, another Uruguayan band, Sexteto Electrónico Moderno, had some national success, releasing four albums between '68-'72. These have been compiled on this record which is, as the title promises, nothing if not elegant, but with a bit more edge to it than Maranata. I really like the weird, slightly off-key groove of "Soul Nuevo", and there are lots more gems like this to be found over the album's 15 selections.
http://www.vampisoul.com

If you dig: Deodato, Beat At Cinecittá, Burt Bacharach

Maranata: Sexteto Electrónico Moderno:

Jon A

Matadors - The Muse Of Señor Ray (Matador Music)
This band raised from the ashes of (the remains of) Ridge, and it has (in this listeners humble opinion) even more personality, a way more unique approach to the whole neo-stoner/neo-punkrock-thing, than ever before. This is Bergstrom/Jönsson being playful, free and pursuing - what seems to be - their own personal musical likings. And about time to - as their former genre has been suffering some serious lack of vitamines for some time now. Even if this ain't the Sgt. Pepper of stonerrock, it still stands out in all important ways, and marks a new, less-travelled path for groups in the genre. There's even a rambling wild west-atmosphere on the album, a southern growl, with twangguitars, cowbells and all - and on the whole, the production fits this album like a glove. Cum on, buy it, you've got reasons: they're called SONGS.
http://www.matadormusic.tk

Keith

The Meows - At the Top Of The Bottom CD (No tomorrow Records)
From Spain! Spain have some fine R'n'R bands going on and Meows is one of them. You probably know their great debut album "The Boring World of the Meows" (from '99)? Being from Spain, I'm sure they can make the girls dance even though they have loud guitars. There's one finger piano licks and plenty of tambourine bashing as well and listening to this album, leaves me wishing these guys would come up here and play sometime soon, before my annual winter depression kicks in.
But - this album lacks guts! It's too perfect! The songwriting, playing and production is impeccable, but to my ears there's a distinct "spend too long time in the studio" thing going on. I can't say it's a bad album, but it just doesn't grab me for real.
http://www.notomorrowrecords.com

If you dig: Doctor Explosion, Suzy Y Los Quatros, Jerry lee Lewis

Morten

The Mexikan Stand-Off - The Mexikan Stand-Off CDS
(The Mexikan Stand-Off)
No tengo ni idea de qué tendría estos muchachos que ver con Méjico, ya que son de Elsinor y tocan en estilo verdadero yanquí; pero vale, venga, vamos.
All the icons are there on the cover to The Mexikan Stand-Off's self financed EP: The Heineken bottles lying round, the vintage-looking guitars, the copy of Stooges' "Funhouse" next to the turntable, and the picture of Marilyn Monroe on the wall; oh yes. The Mexikan Stand-Off are better than that first impression, though, playing a furious, Detroit-style garage r'n'r that's as good as it's unoriginal. If they keep it up like this, you should see them playing with Columbian Neckties soon.
http://www.mexikan.dk

If you dig: The Von Bodies, The White Stripes, The Stooges

Jon A

The Money - It's a shit business (Wild Eagle Records)
Four guys walk into a bar - it's definitely not The Faces, but four
Australian guys under the name: The Money. It's my first encounter
with this band, and a live record is never a good introduction.
However, it was only after listening to three tracks that it dawned
on me that it actually was a live recording, excellently recorded.
The sound is of a band, who really do think it's a shit business.
Furious punkabilly tunes, but played with a slightly detached
attitude, which pleases this reviewer. It all gets a little
monotonous after a while, but as a whole, it's not as bad as you
could have feared - nor is it a statement worth lingering by.
http://www.wildeaglerecords.com

If you dig: The Sex Pistols, Maximum RnR

Kristian

New York Rifles - Faraway Faster
(Empty Records US)
Put on this record - the first thing that pops into your mind when you listen to the Tangerine Nails intro? Mine was - The Pretty Things, and boy was I wrong. You think your going to listen some slow and steady Birds revival music, and then all of a sudden - wham! You jump 10 feet out of your armchair. Once you settle down, you realize,
that this is no Birds or Pretty Things retake, this is modern psych-
whatever, and they have the noise to show for it! Delightfully simple
lyrics, no big social criticism, only songs about wrong tennis shoes
and what have you not. You think you have them pinned, and then
"Letters" comes up - fooling you. You think you've accidently clicked
the CD switcher and are now listening to a Peter Paul and Mary
record - but it's still them. A band with heavy heavy influences in
60s psych and folk, but with an expression that's undoubtedly modern -
and kicking. But they question remains, who the hell are they?
http://www.newyorkrifles.com

If you dig: The Cure, Kaiser Chiefs

Kristian

Nothink - Bipolar Age CD (Aloud Music)
Nothink start their debut album on the right foot, just like opening salvo claims; all shouty, angular, and noisy, but barely into second song "Straight On Back", they drop everything on the floor. A ballad? Already? And postgrunge? What is this?!? That, apparently is the line Nothink are set to follow through the album: On the one hand, a raw punkrocky emo in the vein of their fellow Catalans No More Lies (whose brilliant "41°46,5'N-3°1,9'E" was reviewed in LowCut #23), of whom Santi García has done a great production job on the record; and then, unfortunately, on the other, an angst-ridden, whiney postgrunge mush reminiscent of such horrible bands as Muse and Bush. A song like "Adrenaline 500mg", for example, starts out well and hard in an almost Fugazi-mode, only to introduce some whiney, melodic part. It's a dirty shame, because Nothink are really good when they're good, I just wish they'd do me the favour of cutting back on all the emotions.
http://www.aloudmusic.com
http://www.nothink.net

If you dig: Fugazi, Millencolin, Nirvana

Jon A

Novadriver - Deeper High (Small Stone Records SD-055)
I loved the first Novadriver CD and it was a 5 year wait for the new one! Novadriver grew out of the band Walk on Water but improved… This carries on very much where the last record left us but it is more down and dirty in it's sound but still great powerful vocals and ripping psychedelic fuzz guitars. While the last record was very much about space, this one has different lyrical themes including anti-war. The sound is fantastic and it has some great spaced out tracks with cool guitar. Stoner space rock at its best!
http://www.smallstone.com
http://www.novadriver.com

IF you dig: Gas Giant, Hawkwind, Monkey 3

Scott

Nude Pube Banglers - Sexual Famine MCD
(Provincial Revenge/LuftWaffel Records)
Is this what the much hyped Scandinavian rock explosion has come to, or is it really just what it was all about: A recycling of old AC/DC riffs plus some Ramones attitude and a gruff viking image? Maybe it just felt fresh for a while back then because it wasn't styled, or maybe it's just that the gates were opened then, and now every last rehearsal room band come stumbling through, dreaming of exploding on some scene whose existence everyone has wanted to deny since MTV got into it. Maybe it's that it really isn't fresh any longer, and I haven't thought calling songs "Booze Machine" was cool since I was 10; maybe it's just that, save for that one track "The Hate", Oslo's Nude Pube Banglers just aren't anything remarkable and their like has been heard a million times before.
http://www.luftwaffel.com
http://www.nudepube.com

If you dig: The Hellacopters, Turbonegro

Jon A

Odd Shaped Head - Odd1EP (Construction Records)
Strange name for a band but it kinda fits the music somehow. Pretty unique blend of indie-tinged alternative rock and guitar rock with quirky song structures and a sense of humor. Monkey Shotgun is the coolest song on this 4-song EP due to it's danceable Kinks riff. These lads are touring the UK with the Danish band W.E.E.D. at the moment.
http://www.oddshapedhead.com
http://www.constructionrecords.com

If you dig: Presidents of the United States of America, Kinks

Don K

The Ponys - Celebration Castle LP (In The Red Records)
On their second album, produced by Steve Albini, the Ponys take thirty-some years of sonic deconstruction and put the chords back together, creating some damn catchy songs with hooks big enough to catch whales. Open chord jingle jangle, vocals embrazing everything from the pathetic to butterflies and sliced wrists, energetic drumming and windy fuzz breakouts - phrases haunted by the ghosts of Velvet Underground, less aggro 70s punkrock and Sonic Youth before they went easy listening. Is your indie-alarm ringing? Don't worry, I'm sure Turbonegro have a new record coming out soon! So, if Steve Albini is the Phil Spector of twisted pop, and the vampires of the British music press is looking for the next crossover R'n'R supergroup, you better hurry up and get this before you read about them you know where. No, wait a minute - this is too good for the music press mofos to "get it". Why? Because it sounds simple and they don't wear "outfits"… What's there to hype?
http://www.intheredrecords.com

If you dig: Joy Division, Television, Sonic Youth

Morten

Rancid Vat - We Hate You All The Way from Texas! CD (Steel Cage)
The Whiskey Rebel & Co. has been at it for 25 years, proudly delivering dirty anti-social punkrock and the latest album is yet another one mean motherfucker. A vicious blend of punk aggressiveness and rock'n'roll violently injected with pissed off southern rage (and humor). Rancid Vat is the perfect ugly antidote for those pretty boys acting 'punk' on MTV. The Texas Stud sounds like one dude you don't wanna mess with in "Hatred Is Sacred". Covers by artists like Hank Williams Sr., Sonics and Ramones. See interview elsewhere in this issue where The Whiskey Rebel exposes my shocking lack of wrestling knowledge.
http://www.steelcagerecords.com

If you dig: AntiSeen, Fear, Hammerlock

Jens

Razzle Dazzle Inc (Razzle Dazzle RZD002)
This is an EP to follow up the bands 2004 release, What the Hell?. This Italian band plays a sort of high paced melodic 80's glam rock. The band has put together a great package for the CD with great glossy pics and artwork. What about the music?? Yes… a bit of AC/DC, Motley Crue and the 1980's and you get Razzle Dazzle…
http://www.rzd.it

If you dig: Motley Crue, Poison, Cinderella

Scott

Real Losers - Rejected #9 7" (High School Reject)
Yet another instalment in the seemingly never-ending stream of "Rejected at the High School Dance" cover 7"s. Real Loser fans will love this as much as anything else this trio has produced. Two original songs that sounds like a cross between Testors and Teengerate and with the most wonderfully noisy, feedback ridden sound you could ever dream of. Attitude wise I keep thinking of the Dirtys when I hear this band. Since I saw their first 7" which features the band doing an MC5 pose with no shirts on, female drummer Hot Dog included, I pretty much fell in love with this band as well as those nice teenage tits. "Rejected" sounds great, but even if you don't wanna hear another version of the Prevost's high school nightmare song, this is well worth it for the two rocking kick-ass originals. Cool sleeve as well.

SN

Revolvers - It's Christmas Time Again 7" (Stereodrive)
We need punk rock Christmas records about as much as we need syphilis. I don't know what the Revolvers usually deliver, but this is quite unbearable for a mature, generally sensible punk rock addict like myself. Two songs on the A-Side - one in English and one in German - and a cover of "Last Christmas" on the flip. To quote Steve Puchalski: "I'd rather pass a kidney stone the size of a Buick than sit through this again!"
http://www.greenhell.de

SN

Schleprock - Learning to Fall CD/LP (I Used To Fuck People Like You In Prison Records/Target Distribution)
The label with the coolest name in the business unfortunately isn't necessarily as good at picking out bands as it was at picking it's name. Sad proof would be this retrospective of some also-ran mid-90's Californian band that got signed to Warner during the whole pop punk explosion with Rancid and Green Day in the early 90's. Schleprock never made it to those heights, though, and split in 97. I find it hard to see anything really interesting in this music that at least owes more to the first name of the aforementioned, but lacks in energy and originality. To be fair, the whole Oi! thing isn't really my cup of stale ale either, but I'm sure my colleagues would be even less forgiving for that ska meets jungle mix...
http://www.peoplelikeyourecords.com

If you dig: Social Distortion, Rancid, new Boss Martians

Jon A

Screamin' Eric - Shake It! CD (Heptown)
2nd album from the Copenhagen punk'n'roll veterans, and it's yet another dose of the same high standard speedy r'n'r of "Freakshow". The production is less raw, and the songs are less frantic and more varied, but it still got that awesome in-ya-face delivery one could expect from Screamin' Eric. A few tracks stray from the uptempo frenzy; "Bad Boogeyman" is pure Cramps swamp heaven, and the fuzz-drenched "Little Girl" is godlike slow Stooges punk. Danish garagerock heroes Martin Budde and Lorenzo Woodrose help out with organ, maracas, tambourine, backing vox and handclaps. "Shake It" is a strong contender for the Danish rock record of the year - SO GO GET IT, MOTHERFUCKER! Mai (Gorilla Angeb) is the pin up girl on the cover who strikes a naughty pose, neat.
http://www.screamineric.dk
http://www.heptown.com

If you dig: New Bomb Turks, The Burnouts, Poison 13

Jens

Simon Chainsaw & The Hippy Killers - Told A Lie CD (Tronador Music)
Brazil is probably most known for hardcore/thrash, violent cops and carnivals, but S.C.H.K.'s brand of punk'n'roll might just change that. Its not terrible original but still pretty solid hardrocking stuff with some excellent guitar hooks and Australian born singer Simon Chainsaw does a great job. Actually the band sounds like it's from either Australia or Scandinavia. The songs are catchy and there's definitely a possibility for the band to make it big outside Brazil, especially when you read that they've been only been around since last year! Guest musicians includes members of other South American bands and Marky Ramone & The Intruders.
http://www.schkoficial.com
http://www.tronadormusic.com

If you dig: Social Distortion, Turpentines, (early) Goo Goo Dolls

Jens

Subsonics - Die Bobby Die LP/CD (Rock&Roll Inc/Munster Records/Border Music)
Blackclad, bespectacled, Baudelaire-reading, beaujolais-sipping bohemians, this is your call! If you've worn your Velvet Underground records thin, up to and including the demos and toilet live recordings, Subsonics are here to keep your fed with your unhealthy, sunlight-avoiding, amphetamine-huffing dose of gloriously trashy rock'n'roll. It's all there: The ringing guitars, the shabby drumming, the pumping bass, the whining organ, and the snotty drawl recounting anecdotes from slackerdom; and it's all a bit unnerving in the long run, but if you're in the mood - and I pity you if you are - it's a fine, little, antisocial piece of romantic hate.
http://www.munster-records.com

If you dig: Velvet Underground, Bo Diddley, ? & The Mysterians

Jon A

Swell Maps - A Trip to Marineville 2xLP + 7" (Munster Records)
Swell Maps - Jane From Occupied Europe 2xLP (Munster Records)
Nothing at all Lowcut, Swell Maps were highbrow arty postpunk and extremely British in their mannerisms. Along with Autechre, these are among the few records my wife forbids me to play when she's at home, because a great part of them is made up of repetitive avantgarde noise. Last fall, Munster re-released the first 4 Swell Maps 7"s in a limited edition boxset that's already sold out - reviewed in LowCut #22 - and now the time has come for the two full albums Swell Maps released in '79 and '80 before breaking up and launching singer Nikki Sudden's ever more annoying solo career, that has recently seen him don pirate regalia and call himself a rock'n'roll gipsy, while his music sounds like Rolling Stones leftovers - new ones at that! Back in '79, though, things were quite different, as these two no less exclusive vinyl-only, bonus-tracked, ltd. ed. releases prove. Everything's sailing off in a 1000 directions all at once, guitars chunking punk riffs, piano trilling it's own little melodies, and Sudden's already then trademark snotty give-a-fuck vocals pissing over it all. Contemporaries to Wire, Swell Maps were further out on a tangent, but somehow it all comes together on these two albums and makes for a brilliant whole. If you want to hear where Stereolab got some of their early inspiration, or if you just want to do some historical research, get a hold of these two releases before they're gone.
http://www.munster-records.com

If you dig: early Stereolab, Neu!, Sonic Youth

Jon A

Throttle Back Sparky (Self Released)
It is not often that I hear a band like this. This is just down and dirty good time rock and roll. This is very much influenced by the bands of the 50's and 60's that had trading male and female lead vocals. Sometimes the band rocks out quite hard though. I liked the cover of the Sweet song, Hellraiser. Funny lyrics and catchy songs… it is party time with Throttle back, Sparky!
http://www.throttlebacksparky.com

Scott

Too Sophisticated - The Sweet Kings of Rock 'n' Roll (Teosto TOOCD002)
Too Sophisticated are from Seinäjoki in Finland. This band's first release was a 7" in1995 and they apparently just keep rocking! This is a 5 song EP of down and dirty rock and roll with a bit of sleaze thrown in.. The opening track, I'm Loose, the singer sounds like a mix of Ray Davies and Johnny Rotten, with that snotty sound. I get the idea that this band is just a good time party band as the songs are not that great or interesting. It's only rock and roll and we like it, usually.
http://www.saunalahti.fi/~araiski

If you dig: Kinks, Sex Pistols, Hanoi Rocks

Scott

Towers Of London - Fuck It Up CDS (TVT Records)
That would be the second and, I predict, not the last time I will be reviewing a single called "Fuck It Up", the first one being by The Riots in LowCut #11, and a lot grittier too. Well, the second song here is "Down In the Streets", so there you go, and the music follows suit: First one a big dumb anthem, second one a fast punky one. Not very good, but not half as bad as you might have expected from the accompanying press hype and pictures of the band looking like Silver.
http://www.tvtrecords.com
http://www.thetowersoflondon.com

If you dig: Silver, Stooges, Sex Pistols

Jon A

The Untamed - Strange Unknown CD (Heptown Records)
The second long player from these cool Copenhagen cats is just as good as their previous "Eerie Stories". As a matter of fact it's somewhat better. More clean in the production, not so "hysterical" if you can say so and a little bit better songs. Let me just say one thing: I am NOT a huge fan of rockabilly and the sorts. I often think it's boring and "old-fashioned". The Untamed, however, manage to take it a step further and create tunes that everyone can listen to. And thank Satan that they don't have an up-right standing bass! Hellcat IS a punk bassist! It's garage, it's punk and, of course, with that rocka/psycho billy sound and rythm for good measures. It doesn't matter if you're more into scandi-hard rock like Turbonegro or fucked up garage punk rock like New Bomb Turks. I'm 100 % sure that you will dig this anyway. And with their great humoristic horrror/comics attitude, you know this is for real! Stand-out tracks are "Roadkill" - a fast rocker with really cool piano playing. "The Coughing killer" - me likes those handclaps. Simple but effective. "Nocturnal Girl" - well, that's just a plain hit! "Tears In Dead Eyes" - maybe my favourite track. This is a murder ballad, for satans sake! And that guitar playing just before the middle part is so fucking haunting. Great! For me personally I hope they will get even more dark and moody with more piano playing on their next record. The Untamed are one of Denmarks finest.
And the record have a cool cover too!
http://www.theuntamed.dk
http://www.heptown.com

If you dig: The Untamed, The Untamed, The Untamed

JT

The Untamed - The Cannibal King 7" (Heptown Records)
The Reverend Horton-Heat like speed stomper "The Cannibal King" is the opening track on their new "Strange Unknown" album, probably their fastest song ever. ACE! "Graveyard Rats" is a raw punky Sonics-esque 60s rager, and Elvis' "Little Sister" gets buttfucked in the nicest possible way. Excellent 7", now get their new album as well. See interview elsewhere in the issue. http://www.theuntamed.dk
http://www.heptown.com

If you dig: Cramps, Link Wray, Sonics

Jens

Utah - Break The Mould (Scandinavian)
I for one welcome Danish band, Utahs, second EP - though it
disappoints me, that no one has yet to sign these lads to a label!
The EP is a fantastic Muse-esk mix of melancholic songs, with a hint
of sorrow and longing. Yours truly has a weak spot for that
particular kind of music, and Utah do not disappoint. The
arrangements are perfectly balanced, never becoming too sobby, sad,
or still-lifed. All through the five songs, you feel like the band is
holding your hand, guiding you through their musical universe - one
that everyone who likes this Indie-Rock kind of music, should spend
time getting to know. A truly fantastic record, which should make the
bosses pay attention. The vocals of Jesper Both are confident and
penetrating, as are the other band members indisputable musical
talent. It's not often I say this to a band, but thank you.
http://www.utah.dk

If you dig: Mew, Muse, The Pixies

Kristian

V/A - Powersolo/The Defectors - Snotdum EP MCD (Crunchy Frog/Bad Afro Records)
For none-Danish-speakers this is something of a novelty record, since it's whole point is that it's in Danish. As such, the music has a tendency to come in second row, which is good in the case of Powersolo, whose two songs sound not unlike Beck when he was trying to be Prince, while the lyrics to "Dum dum dum" is a much needed reprimand to the Danish people, and for that alone listenable, whereas "Cloriusmand" is about as uninteresting as I remember the one concert I saw them play a few years back. With Defectors, the music is at its usual high level, and it's fun to hear Mort sing in Danish, and even more fun to imagine that "Små blå mænd" is a cover of Shu-bi-dua, a band whose audience is made up of exactly the kind of people "Dum dum dum" tell off. Not a revelation, but a fine little EP.
http://www.crunchy.dk
http://www.badafro.dk

If you dig: Curtis Mayfield, Beck / Fuzztones, Cramps

Jon A

V/A - Light The Fuse CD comp (Out Of The Loop)
A rowdy showdown for three Aussie bands from Perth. Lowcut received The Volcanics' brilliant "Nothing For You" ep some time ago, and here's four more boneshakin' killer tunes. Acts like Saints, Monomen, Johnny Thunders and Angry Samoans comes to mind. Absolutely outstanding! The M-16's display some scorchin' guitar-driven rock'n'roll, not unlike Lime Spiders and Radio Birdman. Solid shit! They do a neat take on the much covered "Television Addict" by The Victims, another Perth band which members later formed Beasts Of Bourbon, Scientists and Hoodoo Gurus. A psych blues version of Sabbath? Fourstroke is stoner paradise; non-metallic, early 70s hardrock-ish atmospheric sludge rock - Light the fuse, smoke the bong! This comp is one of the best releases from Out Of The Loop, rocks like a croc in a wombat's arse!
http://www.outoftheloop.com.au
http://www.the_volcanics.tripod.com
http://www.m16s.tripod.com
http://www.chicksdigfourstroke.com

Volcanics
M-16's
Fourstrokes

Jens

V/A - Jamnation (Prestigitation)
This is a very unique CD and one that every fan of stoner and psychedelic record collector should have. It fuses free form psychedelic jamming with excellent spoken words. The words and the bands have all been carefully selected to fit with Dan's excellent lyrics and perfect delivery. This is a CD you can hear 100 times and never get tired of it as the jams just scream out at you and the words are so cool. The CD starts off with the 70's band, JPT Scare Band, who let loose a long jamming track. Gas Giant is next with the Conga Jam, straight from the rehearsal room, featuring a killer groove, guitar soloing and cool fucking story. The classic track by Josefus is next and again Dan just nails it with the placement of the words on this cool classic. ILDHU, a Gas Giant side band, deliver a mean heavy groover with incredible psych guitar. Dan again perfectly places his story deep inside the music… JPT Scare follows up with Time to Cry, the shortest track on the CD at 8:56, and also the one with the rawest sound. The Japanese band, Eternal Elysium, close the CD with Green Song, a long 15 minute intense journey, made even better by Dan. What a masterpiece CD. I can't wait for the follow up. 5 out of 5! http://www.facemop.co

V/A - Get Outta Philly - Rock And Roll from the City Of Brotherly´Love
11 different "Philly"groups with names like Thee Minks, the Bad News Bats, The Chance, Toothless George and His One Man Band, The Misteriosos, Jukebox Zeros and some more, with one or two tracks each. The music spans from surfy instrumentals, garagey something, sensitive rock and sloppy white boy 60's soul to some punk rock something and an A.O.Rocker to end a party that never starts.
The Chance's take on white soul/Shutdown '66 cry baby R'n'R deserves better than to end it's life on this dud of a comp. Is it a label demo, is it a business card, choice picks of a schizophrenic, what? If you hear this one going tick, tick, tick somewhere near you - don't worry: Philly R'n'R is not going to blow up in your face for a while, if this is all they have to offer.
http://www.tickticktickrecords.com

If you dig: Sky Radio's "Garage Hour"

Morten

V/A - Dean Dirg/Henry Fiats Open Sore split 7" (Stereodrive)
Two of the finest punk bands currently at large pumping out 3 unreleased songs each. You just know it's gonna be superfuckencool! Dean Dirg delivers what is quite possibly 3 of the best songs they ever recorded. One has all the potential to win this issue's stupidest song title competition: "Don't make fun of Henry Fiats, maybe they are really retards". Man, this stuff kicks so much as and it swings and it rocks and it shoves the whole thing right down your throat. Henry Fiats Open Sore on the other hand doesn't quite live up to the general brilliance of their last couple of releases. This is good stuff no question about that. Fast and fucked up and like Dean Dirg on the verge on being hardcore now and then, but it's just not quite on par with the ball-breakingly good album and "Teenage Pretty Boy" 7" on Ken Rock. Still this might be the best split 7" for years to come. I know HFOS can do better than this so it won't get full score even though the Dean Dirg songs is a full fiver worth alone.
http://www.greenhell.de
http://www.henryfiatsopensore.com
http://www.deandirg.net

SN

The Yellow Belts - S/T EP CD (Eugene Records)
Top notch balls out testosterone-driven hardrock/punk'n'roll thats packed with fat hooks and attitude. Scott Luallen (Nine Pound Hammer) passionately recommended his bassist Earl Crim's other band, I can see why, he even said that Earl was a better guitarist than Blaine. All six tracks rip, especially "Countdown Sound", "Crash Landers" and "Time Killers". Lawrence Tarpey's menacing voice snarls like a motherfucker in the wall of amped-up evil guitars, THIS SHIT ROCKS! Awesome debut, looking forward to a full length album. Outta Kentucky.
http://www.theyellowbelts.com
http://www.eugenerecords.com

If you dig: (early) Rose Tattoo, Dictators, Stooges

Jens

Zodiac Killers - Radiation Beach LP (Rip Off Records)
Greg Lowery's swan song? Probably not, but that's what G. Lovely himself claims. The fourth ZK album is supposedly the last ever from the mind behind Rip Off Records and member of seminal (depending on taste - of course) groups like Supercharger, Rip Offs and the Infections. Radiation Beach has the Killers slowing down a little bit and it doesn't sound bad. But don't worry, you still get the 1-2, 1-2-3-4 counting, boy/girl scream-a-long, tongue-in-cheek psycho lyrics and simple and short songs just like on the rest of their albums. I miss the ultra aggressive tone of the 1st and 2nd ZK albums, though. Kamikaze… kamikaze…
http://www.ripoffrecords.org

If you dig: Microwave food, bubblegum music and Rip Off Records in general…

Morten

ZOOMEN - S/T 10" (Relax-O-Matic Vibrator Records)
The second release on the "wild French punkrock label" Relax-O-Matic Vibrator Records. Never heard of it, so I can't tell you who is on the first release.
But - these guys look like Duane Peters' French cousins and the music isn't pretty either… Punkrock with the R'n'R buried somewhere down in the trenches these guys have been livin' in, since they declared war on white teeth, good intentions and pretty thoughts. The lyrics are in misanthropic frenglish and the lyric sheet shines with lines like "get out of bed and I pissed on my brains" and "the fuzzes are melting and my soul is ready to burn". http://www.relaxomatic.free.fr

If you dig: G.B.H., the Testors, the Damned

Morten

The Zero Point - 2005 4 Track Promo CD
This Danish punk combo started out in 1979 (!) and then disappeared during the mid-80s. I vividly recall one drunken night at a concert with them in 1984 where I was thrown out for damaging the stage with my steel cap military boots. Zero Point - the soundtrack of youthful vandalism, haha. In 2002 Steen Thomsen (vox, guitar) decided to reform the band, and I'm glad he did, since the group is still capable of turning out some memorable street punk oi-ish anthems. It's very early 80s, but I dig it not just for sentimental reasons, this shit is vital stuff! Later this year American GTA Records and the Italian Snaps Music (!) will release a couple of cds with the band's earlier recordings. http://www.thezeropoint.8k.com

If you dig: Stiff Little Fingers, The Business, Slaughter And The Dogs

Jens