22 Pistepirkko/The Others aka 22 PP
– Ou Wee 12”/MCD (Bad Afro Records)
Throughout its 10 years of existence, Bad Afro Records has had a love affair with Finnish rock, and in their 20+ years of existence, 22 Pistepirkko have had a love affair with Denmark, centred around Cph r’n’r hangout Märkbar, where they have given exclusive concerts and painted the walls. It’s only natural, then, that the Pimp Daddy should celebrate his 10th anniversary as a label boss with a release by the Finns. I saw 22 PP play the Midtfyns Festival a good 10 years ago, in ´93, I think, where they were one of the few highlights on that shitty provincial garden party of a rock festival, and in the years in between, I’ve heard a couple of records by them, which were fine and weird and quiet, if nothing mindblowing to me.
This EP is a re-release of 22 PP’s debut EP from ’86. At this time, they were a bit less quiet than they are today, playing a somewhat rawer Velvet Underground-inspired trash rock with Bo Diddley-style rhythms. The three songs are charming and sweet, a fine little gem.
The Others aka 22 PP are 22 PP’s re-incarnation as a surf band, playing three Link Wray covers. They’re not bad at it, not at all, but I can’t really see why the world should need more surf side projects.
http://www.badafro.dk
http://www.22-pistepirkko.net

If you dig: Bo Diddley, Velvet Underground, Link Wray

Jon A

46 Short – Truth Denied CD (TKO Records)
The NYHC style may have appropriated the old school tag for hardcore, with bands aping the style Cro-Mags (see Classic) and Sick Of It All among others founded a couple of decades ago, but it’s still nice to be reminded that were always other ways of playing hardcore across the US in the 80’s, and that some of these are still going. 46 Short represent a more typically Westcoast sound, more punkrock-inspired, and it’s cool, somehow reminds me of The Dead (interviewed in issue # 25), though mostly because like with The Dead, 46 Short’s singer sounds a bit like Kurt from D.R.I., and the style is close to early D.R.I. 46 Short lean more towards punkrock, at times making them sound like Zeke, but the subject matter is pretty much the same: “Poor Man’s Plague” really is “Stupid, Stupid War” redux with its cry of “America’s on a killing spree”, while another song like “Damned Nation” writes of the US as “Lazy and self-obsessed / Sheltered from what is real / Eye for an eye we proclaim / Murder with righteous zeal”. It’s nice to see records like this coming out, proof that there indeed is an alternative to MTV-pop punk, uniformed hardcore, and dumb punkrock.
http://www.tkorecords.com

If you dig: D.R.I., Zeke

Jon A

The Booby Traps – S/T (Off the Hip Records)
The Boobs are an Australian quintet containing three women (bass, rhythm guitar and vocals) and two guys (lead guitar and drums) and they deliver an energetic romp on their debut disc. At first this was another ”not again, I’ve heard this a million times before” experience. The merry blend of fuzz and girl-group vocal stylings appears a little too sugar coated and predictable and I’m thinking it wouldn’t have hurt the songs to record them a little more crude sounding to OOMPH the overall ”60s punk” aspect of their approach a bit. Or maybe it’s the ”perfect sound” of cds, which sucks the ambience out of the recording, I don’t know. But then something happens. The songs start sounding rather wholesome and the harmonies and melodies get that ”play it over and over again” feeling going. The mix of ballads and faster songs really works too and my guess is that the people involved have love (will sweat) for the original music, since it’s s quite a treat to listen to them pay tribute to it (even if you’ve heard it before). If you’re looking for some chick fuzz pop to go go with catchy songs you can play loud at your next party without the guests leaving immediately, roaming in the same alley as the groups mentioned below, go ahead and check the Booby Traps out.
http://www.offthehip.com.au

If you dig: The Brood, Detroit Cobras, Diaboliks and Headcoatees

Morten

Cani Sciorri – Parte V MCD (San Martin Records)
A couple of issues back, when I heard the records from Cameran and The Redrums, they made me wonder if the rest of the output from the Torino-based label San Martin Records was of equally high standard; this mini CD from Cani Sciorri seems to confirm that hope. Violent, raw noise rock in the vein of Unsane with elements of Pussy Galore and even some rockabilly singing thrown in as well. Cani Sciorri still need to break free of their only too obvious inspirations, and a better production would help, too, though that’s a strange thing to write about noise rock, I know, I’d just like some more power in the mix, a clearer mix with more bass tearing at your innards and more screeching treble cleaning out your ears. For a debut, though, this is excellent, and I’d love to see how this band is going to develop in the future.
http://www.sanmartinrecords.it

If you dig: Unsane, Pussy Galore

Jon A

The Caravans - No Mercy CD (Drunkabilly)
Decent punkabilly from Britian which fuses both psychobilly and ’77 punkrock. Most of the songs are pretty good but there are some stinkers like the godawful title track and ”Freedom” which both mixes ska, speedmetal and psychobilly with truly horrible results. I’m not too crazy with the vocals, but the band is tight and mostly rockin’. Been around since 1983, maybe their older stuff is better.
http://www.drunkabilly.com
http://www.myspace.com/thecaravans

If you dig: Demented Are Go, The 4-Skins, Stray Cats

Jens

DK Limb – Defy Define Definition CD
Set Your Goals – Reset MCD
(both Alveran Records/Target Distribution)
The good people at Alveran have been kind enough to supply me with new releases for some time now, and if few of the bands from their stable I’ve had the chance to listen to bring anything new to the genre, be it the death metal of End Of Days or the old skool hardcore of Shattered Realm or Hoods, the standard is above average.
There are exceptions to the rule, however, and DK Limb are one, just not a good one. The press statement of making “something diverse and original” give them away immediately – for some reason this always means adding unnerving melodic parts and clear vocals to hard music, making it reek of MTV and hair gel. And I’m aware I’ve already written pretty much the same thing about another Alveran band, Calico System, a few issues back, but I suppose that only goes to prove my case. DK Limb take it a step further, though: Save for a few, pretty decent screaming parts on the title track, “Said and Done”, and “Cellphone Lights and Fire” that makes them sound like Deftones for their duration – and that’s good in my book! – the rest of this is touchy-feely, hyper-sensitive post-grunge in the sorry vein of MTV fodder like Bush, Pearl Jam, and Live. With the right label backing and some, this band might just be the next Creed or something; songs like “Running Out of Time” definitely have hit potential and are well-crafted, plus they look the part. I’m just not gonna be the one hyping them, sorry.
Another new band in the Alveran stable with potential for MTV success is Set Your Goals, licensed from the same Eulogy label that has brought Alveran a lot of their other US hardcore names. These boys are far from the super-masculine and über-brutal hardcore of their label mates, opting for a way more melodic, sun-tinged hardcore that’s a vocal harmony short of making your teeth splinter from the sweetness. Sounds somewhat like newer Bad Religion to me - that’s post-“Generator” – if a lot heavier. It’s not too bad, actually it’s quite catchy, and for a demo, this is impressively professional and well-crafted; it’s just terribly melodic a lot of the time. The band’s two vocalists are effectively put to use in “Goonies Never Say Die!” and “Sharptooth”, offsetting shouting and growling against singing, and “How ‘Bout No, Scott?” is a good, groovy old skool hardcore song, but listening through the EP, the melodiousness gets too much for me, with “Latch Key” almost Sum 41.
http://www.alveranrecords.com
http://www.dklimb.net
http://www.myspace.com/setyourgoals

DK Limb:
If you dig: Bush, Live, Deftones

Set Your Goals:
If you dig: Bad Religion, Sick Of It All, Sum 41

Jon A

The Doits - Lost, Lonely & Vicious CD (Wild Kingdom)
I recently saw this Swedish combo at the ’Wild Honey Night’ at Rust deliver a whupass set of tight sharp rock’n’roll with a couple of songs of this new album, which really impressed the hell out of me. ”This Is Rocket Science” was a great solid debut record, but on ”Lost, Lonely & Vicious” they take their powerpop influences ala Paul Collins’ Beat a bit further which perfectly suits The Doits and gives them a lot more identity among the other Swedish ’action r’n’r’ bands nowadays. In fact, these 13 tracks is probably the best damn powerpop/rock’n’roll album I’ve heard yet from any Scandinavian band! Proof? Just listen to the monster catchiness of ”Love You From The Planet I’m On”, ”Solid Ground” and especially ”Gets To The Weaker One”, and Altay & Co. will completely floor ya! Flamin Groovies’ ”Shake Some Action” is your favorite song? Well, then you’ll be a bloody fool to miss out on the sheer classic rock’n’roll craftmanship which The Doits are cable of. A modern r’n’r masterpiece!!!
http://www.thedoits.tk

If you dig: Paul Collins’ Beat, Flamin Groovies, Johnny Thunders

Jens

Evilsons – Cooking With… Evilsons CD (Stupido Records)
Of all the LowCut staff, it seems I’m the only one with a tolerance for ska, which means this one was left for me to take care of. OK. Upon first listen, it’s a bit polished, a tad too pop for my tastes, but after a couple of tracks, it grows on you. That’s if you like ska in the first place, of course. The band’s proclaimed punk influences come through only in glimpses; mostly, it’s just melodic mid-tempo ska with a bit of an edge and a lot of reggae thrown in. Even some blues on the last song, “Cryin’ Eyes”, which I’m not too happy about. I’m sure, though, I’d be skanking away like a drunken monk, to the disgrace of my fellow lowcutters, if I were to see them live, and I can imagine putting on the record with friends over for dinner. The Fins really deserve an extra razor blade for having named their debut EP “De Mysteriis Dom Skathanas” after the Mayhem classic, but since that’s not the record in question here, I’m gonna sit tight on them for a better release with more punk thrown in.
http://www.stupido.fi

If you dig: Bad Manners, Madness, Mayhem

Jon A

Thee Exciters - Dial “E” For Excitement 7”
(Dirty Water Records)
These Brit beatstompers (okay, bassist Lee Tea hails from Sweden) almost created a thermonuclear meltdown at the Club Ruse in Copenhagen in January, and now they’re kind enough to send me their 2nd single on label from the guy who runs the über cool Dirty Water Club in London. Four slabs of nitty gritty 60s garagepunk, that oughta cream the pants of any owner of the ”Nuggets” box. A groovy hipshakin’ bastardization of the first Them album copulated with the energy of The Shadows Of Knights, and a track like “Things Ain’t Right” is Count Five reborn. But they ain’t completely lost in the art of retrofication, since they infused a lotta punk attitude in their tunes. FanFUCKINtastic!! The fellas also included a cd (recorded in Copenhagen’s Black Tornado Studio) of their upcoming 6 track 12” mini LP later this year, and this follows the same path of righteous strip-me-naked-and-paint-me FUZZ RAWK! Forget the Arctic Monkeys, and dial “E” for Exciters if you want your r’n’r party to kick some booty, baby!
http://www.myspace.com/theeexciters
http://www.dirtywaterclub.com/

If you dig: Count Five, Them, Shadows Of Knight

Jens

The Flaming Sideburns - Back To The Grave CD
(Bad Afro records)
It’s no secret I was gravely disappointed with the overproduced, polished and ultrashitty ”Sky Pilots” album, so much I’d completely given up on my previous favorite Finnish band, couldn’t even be bother to see’em live cuz the betrayal was too monumental for me to grasp. Well, I’m glad to bring you good news, brothers’n’sisters, cuz this comp consists of twelve VITAL Sideburns songs, 2 new ones, 6 recorded between ”Rock’n’Rollah” and ”Sky Pilots”, a couple of covers and b-sides. There’s also a neat video for the old Canned Heat standard, ”Evil Woman”. It’s pretty awesome to hear the boys rockin’ out again with some COJONES for a change, been awhile, welcome back! Look forward to hear the new album in the fall.
http://www.theflamingsideburns.com
http://www.badafro.dk

If you dig: pre-”Sky Pilots” fully erect Flaming Sideburns

Jens

Functional Blackouts – The Severed Tongue Speaks for Everyone (Criminal IQ)
The bearded ballerinas (in spirit) of funeral pop are back and they sound a little heavier and perhaps a pubic hair tighter than on their first album, but it’s still the same F%&# shit up wreck and roll. While a lot of bands spend their time fine-tuning the juxtaposition of binary oppositions like beauty against ugliness, dark vs. light, bitter against sweet and fast vs. slow in their music, FB concentrate solely on the ugly, dark, bitter and fast part. It’s also the kind of music which at first listen sounds like the members play 2 or 3 different songs at the same time (at who finishes first-speed), but when they meet half way for a couple of rounds per minute, the sudden tightness knocks you flat out. Loch Ness Primitive for example: two-finger metal solo and snare drum kick off in one speaker, three chords and breakneck bass in the other with vocals filtered through broken glass in the middle. The more you play it the catchier it gets and all of sudden you’re addicted and can’t live without the severed tongues licking your sonic balls a couple of times a day. http://www.criminaliq.com

If you dig: Human Eye, the Piranhas, Tractor Sex Fatality

Morten

The Horn Of Plenty EP CD
The Danish answer to Legendary Shack Shakers? Well, definitely on tracks like "Cornucopia" and "Lonely Hero" which has a neat Balkan folkpunk feel. The rest of the seven tracks are more traditional rockabilly sound with doses of psycho and punkrock, singer/bassist Kasper used to play geetar in Wrecking Dead. Cherry Overdrive’s Foxy makes a guest appearance on “Devils Deal”. I really like The Horn Of Plenty, I like it A LOT! Someone ought to sign these cats, cuz they’ll go far, mark my words. http://www.thehornofplenty.dk/

If you dig: Legendary Shack Shakers, The Untamed, Dogtown Tunes

Jens

Knights Of The New Crusade - A Challenge To The Cowards Of Christendom CD (Alternative Tentacles)
Christian fundamentalist garagepunk, anyone? Their debut album ”My God Is Alive! Sorry About Yours!” was one of the greatest lo-fi garagepunk records released in recent years, and this is more of the same, though this time there’s more ’comedy’ bits compared to real songs. As fun as that may be, it’s the real rockers like ”Father Bingo”, ”What Part Of Thou Shalt Not Kill Don’t You Understand” and ”Lipstick Lesbian” that rip like a motherfucker, sorry, like an angel of mercy. This time they attack christian rockbands for not being christian enough and gambling in catholic churches among other things. Are they for real? Clues; this record is on Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label and read my live review elsewhere, so make up your own mind. With members of The Mummies and Phantom Surfers. Praise the Lord!
http://www.crusadenow.com
http://www.alternativetentacles.com

If you dig: The Mummies, Angry Samoans, The Sonics

Jens

Moses Hazy - Again + Something Like A 3rd Woman EP CDs
Never heard of this Finnish band before. First track off ”Again”, the r’n’b stomper ”Virginia Peng” with the full-on sax assault, recalls a less frantic Kings Of Nuthin, while ”Judas Of Today” comes across as a more soulful take on Flaming Sideburns/Stones, ”Suck My Elbow” picks up the pace again, and Southern rootsrock gets a workover with ”Annie The Aunt Of Rock’n’Roll”. The ”Something Like A 3rd Woman” EP continues where ”Again” left, maybe with a more bluesy feel. Moses Hazy isn’t based strictly in hardrock (well, maybe a bit in ”No Excuse”) as many Scan r’n’r acts, it’s more loose and playful lets-have-a-party based with very different influences from 70s classic rock, glam, swing jazz, to 50s rhythm & blues. Very interesting oufit. http://www.moseshazy.net/

If you dig: Canned Heat, Stones, Flaming Sideburns

Jens

Nazi Dogs - Chase The Man CD (TKO)
Hot damn! These kraut trashpunks seem to channel every cool snotty punkrock outfit in the last 30 years into their own superior brand of bone breakin’ anti-social reich’n’roll. 11 songs, 3 covers (Pagans, Devo, Suicide Kings), 29 minutes – short, sharp and to the point, best fuckin’ German band I’ve heard in years! Not a weak track in sight, this shit is LETHAL, come to tour Denmark, NOW!! Hilarious cover art with Dubya & Hitler in Fonda/Hopper ”Easy Rider” cruize style.
http://tkorecords.com
http://www.myspace.com/nazidogs

If you dig: The Slurs, Angry Samoans, Kill By Death comps

Jens

Nebula - Apollo (Sweet Nothing Records, 2006)
Yeah! News from grand old desert rockers Nebula who are back on the right track after a few releases that in my opinion have been a bit too heavy rock inspired. Founded by ex-Fu Manchu pioneers guitarist/vox Eddie Glass and drummer Ruben Romano Nebula has been around for almost ten years now. This album is produced by Daniel Rey who has previously been working with bands like Ramones, Misfits and L7, and the punk-rock attack is present on this album, which is a feature that contributes with a fresh new angle to Nebula’s sound. We still get to hear some cool headbanger’s wah-riffs along with the psychedelic moments of zithar and bells (”Future Days”), but the album also contains some more straight forward rockers like ”Lightbringer” and ”Controlled”. Worth noticing is a groovy-jazzy leaned back piece of feel-good music like ”Dekadent Garden”. This is really great stuff indeed! http://www.nebulamusic.com

If you dig: Fu Manchu, Monster Magnet

Foxy

Mos Generator - The Late Great Planet Earth
(Nasoni Records NASONI051CD)
Well, I have never heard of this band before but that often happens with releases from Nasoni Records… where did this cool band come from?? Anyway, this cool band comes from Port Orchard, Washington and features a classic three piece line up. Some people might recognize the name Shawn Johnson who played in Mind Funk, maybe not?? Anyway, what about the music? This is down and dirty heavy Black Sabbath influenced rock with a bit of Mountain and Leafhound thrown in the mix but never has rocking or heavy as the band create a lot of more mellow and psychedelic textures in their music and mix things up a lot. This is a record that you really have to hear a lot of times before it really sticks with you but then it will hold you and you will see all the cool sides. Quite a very cool trip… hope you take it.
http://www.nasoni-records.com
http://www.myspace.com/mosgenerator

IF you dig: Black Sabbath, Monster Magnet, Leafhound, Pink Floyd

Scott

Motorjesus - Deathrider (Locomotive Music LM240)
Motorjesus are an old new band. What the hell does he mean? They are a band that decided to change their style of music and therefore the name. The band is all the same guys who used to be called The Shitheadz but now as the music is going from hardcore metal to more mainstream, they needed a less controversial name, it appears?? I never heard the Shitheadz but I am guessing their old fans will be quite shocked (and grossed) at the bands new sound. The singer sounds a lot like James Hetfield meets the singer in Tool (Hellmachine) and the songs while most are quite heavy and aggressive, they go for these much more melodic choruses and dual melodic chorus like guitar parts….virtually no guitar solos on the CD…I can see a lot of people digging and headbanging to this but it is not really for me.
http://www.motorjesus.com

If you dig: new Metallica, Tool, Judas Priest

Scott

The Quill - In Triumph (SPV Records, 2006)
Swedish veteran hard-rockers The Quill are back with their third album on German label SPV – and their fifth release all together since they formed the band back in 1995. With a refined heavy sound and a very dynamic attack, a lot of genuine metal combined with solid blues riffs the guys have managed to achieve a lot of respect on the metal scene all over Europe during the past years, but this current release may come as quite a surprise to hardcore Quills-fans. The sound and over all compositions are way more stoned on this album than on earlier releases. And furthermore the band cannot deny being inspired by especially Audioslave this time. The dynamics, the explosions, the melodic c-parts and even some of the vocal-work by Magnus Ekwell reminds me a lot of Audioslave. But Ekwell’s intonations and vox techniques still have roots in the classic heavy tradition. And interesting album that will grow on you the more you hear it.
http://www.spv.de

If you dig: Well… Audioslave!

Foxy

On Trial - Forever (Bad Afro Records AFROCD027)
On Trial are back with their first studio recording in 6 years. Ok.. the last record was not released 6 years ago but it was recorded that long ago. A big change as well with Guf and Anders no longer in the line up they picked up Bjarni on guitars and Anders on drums. This line up has been playing for a couple of years now. On this new record, the band have completely stuck to their roots of their sound and made a great sounding record with cool melodic sometimes hard hitting psych rock songs. Bo sings brilliantly as always and Henrik and Bjarni meld together just as Henrik and Anders or Henrik and Morten used to give each track that cool dual lead driven sound, but never forgetting the melody. Another great record guys, just don’t make us wait so long for the next one…. Short enough for you Lars???
http://www.ontrial.dk
http://www.myspace.com/ontrial
http://www.badafro.dk

If you dig: Baby Woodrose, Love, Monster Magnet

Scott

Pentagram – First Daze Here Too 2XCD
(Relapse Records/Target Distribution)
Before there was High On Fire, before Trouble, before Saint Vitus, and just after Black Sabbath had started it all, there was Pentagram. There was the Pentagram that released 2 albums in the mid 80’s, broke up, then released another in the mid 90’s, but before that, there was the original Pentagram, struggling from 1971 through 1976 to get that elusive major label deal, and failing for a number of reasons: Columbia sent them into a studio to cut a demo, and singer Bobby Liebling (which is the coolest Wu-Tang style name I’ve heard since I read about Venezuelan socialist Douglas Bravo) pissed off the producer; KISS came down to see them and saw a band with “no stage act, the singer and bass player had bad skin, the drummer’s overweight, and the guitarist just stands there.”
What KISS didn’t catch up on was the dark powers flowing in Pentagram’s music. Listening to the old demo recordings on disc one of this collection at times is like finding that great lost Black Sabbath album, where finally they skipped the Christianity and went the way of Satan. Opener “Wheel of Fortune”, on the other hand, sounds like Stooges circa “Funhouse”, and is excellent! It’s also the best track off the record, though disc one is generally of high quality, except the last track, which is boring boogie rock. You can hear Pentagram fumbling around, trying to find that elusive radio hit, where to me, they’re much better when they concentrate on the darker, heavier stuff.
Disc two contains 14 tracks recorded on a two-track in Pentagram’s rehearsal space, but the sound quality ain’t as bad as that may sound. Furthermore, this set comes with extensive liner notes from drummer Geof O’Keefe, telling both the story of the band in the formative years where he was in it and filling in a few anecdotes about each song.
A must for stoners.
http://www.relapserecords.com

If you dig: Black Sabbath, Stooges, Saint Vitus

Jon A

Purified In Blood – Reaper of Souls CD
(Alveran Records/Target Distribution)
It’s not often I get the chance to write about death metal on this page, since I’m afraid that lies a bit outside of LowCut’s range – we don’t write about singer/songwriters, either, mind you, not if we can help it, not if we can keep Kristian from doing it. But if the label sees fit to send us an album, of course we’ll review it, good or bad, and for me, that’s a good chance to profess my love for death metal: For some reason, both their label and the Roskilde Festival stress this band’s hardcore influences, but I can’t for the life of me hear anything hardcore on this record. The closest I can get would be crossover, the metallic parts of crossover, but then it’s not really hardcore either, now is it? Anyway, that’s not to dis this record, because even though Purified In Blood add nothing new to the death metal genre, they’re terrifyingly efficient at playing it like it should be done. This is classic early 90’s death metal in the vein of late Carcass, complete with gurgling vocals, loads of time changes, double bass drumming, and, yes, harmonic twin guitar solos. Enough to raise the hair on your arms! Contemporary bands like Arch Enemy and HateSphere play this same style in very much the same way and with great success, so if Purified In Blood keep up the pace, I see no reason why they shouldn’t be heading for a glorious future. After all, it’s not as embarrassing as true metal. Purified In Blood play this year’s Roskilde Festival, you should catch them there.
http://www.alveranrecords.com

If you dig: Carcass, Arch Enemy, HateSphere

Jon A ****

Sagh - I (Regain Records RR102)
Sagh are a new Norwegian band with former members of Gorgoroth, Manngard and Audrey Horne. This is mostly heavy metal true and tried and has much more to do with bands like Pentagram, Solitude Aeternus, The Sword, and Candlemass. I really like the psychedelic aspect of the music here, which is lacking in a lot of this kind of music. The CD has tracks that are true doom metal like Repent and more stoner rock tracks like Boundless Demise. The other tracks fall somewhere in the middle. This one really grows on you a lot and has some great musical passages that such you into most of the songs. Cool stuff…
http://www.regainrecords.com

If you dig: The Sword, Monster Magnet, Black Sabbath, Pentagram

Scott

Siena Root - Kaleidoscope (Nasoni Records NASONI049CD)
The amazing Siena Root is back with their 2nd full length CD and a new vocalist, who is great. The CD contains the same great song writing as the bands debut but this one is a bit bluesier and more psychedelic and has a killer analogue sound to it, making it really sound old in a way but super fresh compositions. Good and Bad opens the CD up with a hard hitting blues riff and a jam straight away before Sanya takes it away. Led Zeppelin would be proud! Nightstalker features the Hammond organ keeps the sound rocking and fresh and you can really appreciate Sanya as a singer on this one! Blues 276 is just what the title says… good time blues rock! Bhairavi Dhun changes the pace as we get a middle of the album Indian sitar driven psychedelic jam that is amazing! Crossing the Stratosphere begins quite spacey before a sort of funky jam grows out of it. What an amazing mix of great tracks you have on this CD. There and Back Again is the shortest track on the CD and straight up rocker with organ, a lot like some of the tracks from the debut. Ridin’ Slow has a killer blues groove and riff and the band really takes off on this amazing track. The CD ends with a very cool improve jam track called Reverberations which features some special guests on flute and hurdy gurdy! Wow… One of the best records of 2006 and may the psychedelic blues rock of the 70’s live on!
http://www.nasoni-records.com
http://www.sienaroot.com

If you dig: November, Led Zeppelin, Gov’t Mule

Scott

Skywriter – Where Both Worlds Never Meet (Wild Mood Records)
In general, I have respect for any band brave enough to print their lyrics on the cover. It shows two things: first of all, they have something important to say, something so important, that they want you to read it. Second, it means they are confident – and that in itself is part of what makes a good band. Skywriter is a new band from Copenhagen, and thought this is their debut album, it sounds very well produced. Part of that probably comes from the fact that it was produced by Jonas Struck, but the band sounds very good together. Lead vocalist Jokab Dahn sounds like a dusty union between Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen – a Danish version of Morrissey (shutter).Fueled by the usual guitar flare, the vocals and music supplement each other, without interupting. The vocals are fantastic, but you give out a sigh of relief when the guitars set in – simply because its so intense. Urban landscapes at night – what more can you ask for. Now all I need is a car to listen to this in, while cruising down a deserted main street. These guys are going to make it big. http://www.skywritersdrive.com

If you dig: Leonard Cohen, Morrissey, Nick Cave

Kristian

The Strange Flowers - Ortoflorovivaistica
(Nasoni Records NASONI052)
The Strange Flowers are an Italian band from Pisa, Italy who play 60’s inspired psychedelic rock. The band released its first single in 1990 and it’s debut LP in 1994 before disappearing for 10 years and reappearing with two albums in the last 3 years. This is the latest on the great Nasoni Label and it is a very beautiful gatefold sleeve. The LP begins with Mars behind our Eyes a cool psyched out track with a beautiful dreamy sound. John on the Moon is more of a folk ballad type thing with a bit of a spaced out sound. The Ghost in your Room is next and a really cool song. This is sort of where the record really takes off into its own, sort of Syd Barrett early Pink Floyd inspired vibe. The Spider in the Clock ends side 1 and is very Syd Barrett influenced. Side B begins with My Garden a short track with some really nice wah guitar. Strange Girl is a nearly 17 minute track that begins with some beautiful and melodic guitar as the track winds its way around your mind and casually develops into a really psychedelic soundscape and trip. Very cool way to end the record.. Amazing track.
http://www.nasoni-records.com
http://www.strangeflowers.net/Index.htm

If you dig: Syd Barrett, The Pretty Things, early Pink Floyd, Baby Woodrose

Scott

VIIMA - Ajatuksia maailman laiddalta (Viima Records VIIMA-001)
Viima are a new Finnish band who plays folk inspired progressive rock with all Finnish female vocals. What a fabulous voice she has as well. The opening track is a very beautiful song with flute and a nice guitar solo. This is very happy, and extremely well played and emotional rock music with a lot of 70’s influences. At times the music reminds me a bit of the Italian prog rock scene sounds. The tracks, when they do get up beat can either have jamming synthesizer solos or guitar solos or on a few track both. A very impressive debut CD.. Where do all these great Finnish bands come from????? http://www.viima.fi

If you dig: Kosmos, Taipuva Luotisuora, King Crimson, Incredible String Band

Scott

Asteroid vs Blowback Split CD (Fuzzorama Records FuzzCD005)
Fuzzorama are back with their latest split CD by two new Swedish bands. Asteroid has the first 6 tracks and Blowback the last 6. Asteroid play a very heavy fuzzed out tuned down heavy 70’s inspired rock that is sometimes a bit spaced out. Supernova, is an instrumental track for the first 2/3. Anagram reminds a bit of QOTSA in a slight way. Hexagon is a cool long spacey track. Not a single guitar solo yet…. Sim-Sala-Bim is the track that is apparently being played by places in Sweden and it is a slow heavy, almost doomy piece to start. The Big Trip to Beyond ends Asteroids tracks and it is quite a strange number with slow heavy parts and a strange chanting vocal like you might hear on a Gentle Giant or Focus record before the jam… Pretty cool stuff.
Blowback open up with Holy Skies and also have that tuned down but slightly more clear sound than Asteroid. Autumn Leaf is next and very influenced by BLACK Sabbath and Trouble. Fairies Dance kicks it up a notch and the use of the distorted vocal reminds me of some of the trouble stuff, but no ripping guitar solos here, just riffing and some basic textured solos and a bit more spaced out sound. I like it… Cosmic Dust brings things down to a more laid back sound but still heavy and spacey then the groove kicks in. A great song. Invisible Touch ends the CD and is an all acoustic guitar track. Very nice.
http://www.fuzzoramarecords.com

If you dig: QOTSA (heavier side), Trouble, Black Sabbath, Swedish stoner rock

Scott

V/A – The Pet Series vol. 1-4 (Volkloren Records)
I suppose that when you get 4 CD’s, you should do four reviews. However, this is not as much four CD’s, as it is one piece of continuous easy listening art. The title: Pet Series simply has to be a tribute to the legendary Pet Sounds album, by the (in my opinion) misunderstood Beach Boys. Pet Sounds, like The Pet Series, is a piece of musical landscape. The fact that each track here is by a different artists doesn’t matter. In fact, I don’t pay too much attention to the artist names. The genre, for those of you who haven’t heard of this before, is along the lines of easy listening, electronic, indie – what ever. It’s smooth, that’s for sure! It’s like The Soundtracks of Our Lives, if their records were run at 20rpm’s. The music creeps under your skin; and while your brain tells you that you should listen to more Rock, this is almost worth switching for. There are no cheesy ballads, no whimpering love songs – for some reason, this music seems to be the purest, most beautiful artistic statement, I have ever heard. It would do the record no good with a thorough review – it’s beyond that. All that’s left to do, is to put it on your iPod and watch the sun set. And now, it’s time for me to listen to something else, before I’m fired for being too soft. Again: buy the fucking record (I’m not kidding – do it!).
http://www.sallyforthrecords.com

Kristian

Zeke – Super Sound Racing / Flat Tracker CD
(Relapse Records/Target Distribution)
Yee-haw! The last time I saw “Super Sound Racing” in a second hand record store, the price was £30. Thanks to Relapse, then, for re-mastering, re-packaging, and re-releasing it along with first album “Flat Tracker”. If you’re already familiar with some of Zeke’s other albums, neither “Super Sound Racing”, nor “Flat Tracker” hold any surprises for you: 35 tracks in 42 mins, full throttle, maximum punk rock evil shit, this is. Song titles like “Hate”, “Raped”, “Bitch”, “Slut”, “Eliminator”, “Mainline”, and “Wanna Fuck” alone indicates what we’re dealing with here: Fugazi it ain’t, nor very clever, but it’s stupid fun like cold beer. Of the Zeke Records I’ve heard, “Dirty Sanchez” remains my personal favourite”, but this double package is as good a place as any to start for newcomers, and for those who already know Zeke, it’s indispensable.
http://www.relapse.com

If you dig: Fucking Zeke, you fuck!

Jon A