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UPDATED June 19, 2000!
COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS "Bluff City" LP (Sympathy for The Record Industry)
Well, I am ashamed to admit that I have never heard any of the early stuff by these guys, now i plan on hearing it! This album is utter genius... it is records like this that make rocknroll sound like it was born all over again! Mind you, this is not rocknroll in the get down party sense of the word though. The A side to this has some upbeat songs, but most of the album, including the B sides, are dark and moody tales of lost love and hopelessness. This album is also refreshing, because this is one of those bands you will definately be able to tell apart from the pack.... not being another boring "garage-punk" album here! The sound is a combination of garage, country, and I guess just straight rocknroll. By the way, if you did not know, Jack and Greg from the now defunct OBLIVIONS make up 2/3 of this band. So get this one and "Gambling Days Are Over!" (I still need to myself.)Evan W.
FIREBALLS OF FREEDOM "Total Fucking Blowout" cd (Estrus)
High energy rock-n-roll overload once again oozes out of this digital ditty, "Total Fucking Blowout," by the FIREBALLS OF FREEDOM. In fact, "Total Fucking blowout," leans towards more powerful, heavier rock (ala MC5, THE QUADRAJETS, CRETIN 66). No lo-fi gimmicks here. No sir. Just loud production leaning towards maximum wattage to fry year already timid eardrums. You better purchase "Total Fucking Blowout" and punish your neighbors until the cops arrive at your front door. thee ANTiHiPSTER
THEE HEADCOATEES "The Sisters Of Suave" CD (Damaged Goods)
THEE HEADCOATEES have broken up and left us with this final collection of A and B sides. Nothing mind blowing, but this is definately among their best stuff. Right up there with "Punk Girls" and "Girlsville" and WAY better than their last album. There are some lagging moments, but overall, this comp is pretty damn fluid. There is an excellent cover of the Ramone's "Swallow my Pride" and the Childish originals of "I'm Happy," "Evil Thing," and the outrageous "Come Into My Mouth (a play on an old Mighty Ceasars song "Come Into My Life") are all top notch. It is worth the buy if you got some extra cash to spare after getting your most important record needs taken care of first.Evan W.
LES SEXAREENOS "Live! In The Bed" cd (Sympathy For The Record Industry)
"Live! In The Bed" proves that LES SEXAREENOS are one of the best contemporary garage rock bands looming around these days. Fast ravers (reminiscent of the Sonics, only with an organ) with good sound production make this album one of the best purchases of this year. Lots of energy and more energy at high volumes should make everybody dance all night, even after this disc has quit playing. I can not wait to check these guys out live at the Grind, so I better give this disc multiple listenings until that time. thee ANTiHiPSTER
THE WOGGLES "Fractured" cd (Telestar)
Lets put your hands together for the WOGGLES on creating another fine spinner,"Fractured." As usual, the WOGGLES play their fine tuned brand of power-pop. In fact, it would not be too boastful place them on a pedestal next to the REAL KIDS. Yes kiddos, these natives of Georgia know how to really get a crowd going too, as everyone should experience these cats live. In the meantime, listen to "Fractured," OFTEN. thee ANTiHiPSTER
ANDRE WILLIAMS "Is The Black Godfather"cd (In The Red Records)
This time around, ANDRE WILLIAMS puts together a barrage of tuneful sonic waves on his latest outing, "ANDRE WILLIAMS Is The Black Godfather." Also known as "Mr. Rhythm," Andre is payed homage to by the JOHN SPENCER's BLUES EXPLOSION, THE COUNTDOWNS, COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS, THE DIRTBOMBS, and CHEATER SLICKS by backing him up. A departure of sounds, compared to his last outing, Mr. Williams displays his eclectic tastes. Mix a bit of soul with tons of rock-n-roll, Mr. Williams conveys his message,"Lets get nasty and shake your booty." Yeah baby yeah, lets give a great big applause to ANDRE WILLIAMS ("Is The Black Godfather"). thee ANTiHiPSTER
V/A "Carbon 14 Hall Of Fame" 7 inch (Carbon 14)
Alright kiddos.... this 7 inch is another of Carbon 14's primo vinyl documents to accompany their slick, yet impressive zine. This time around, C 14 features a Hall Of Fame theme, which demonstrates the extremely lo-fi sounds of HASIL ADKINS, the soulful smut of ANDRE WILLIAMS, DAVIE ALLAN AND THE ARROW's brand of guitar fuzz instrumental rock, and the Rock-A-Billy Hall Of Fame inductee JOHNNY LEGEND, performing a more garage sounding ditty called "Night of the Sadists" (later covered by LARRY AND THE BLUE NOTES on one of the "Back From The Grave" compilations).
Since most of you gazing at this review already know about these legends, I will point blank say,"This spinner rocks!" If you do not own any material by these cats, you better start purchasing some of their material... PRONTO!
thee ANTiHiPSTER
V/A "Sultan-A Harem Hits" cd (Sultan-A Harem Records)
Sultan Records is the newish label started by an ex-Spaceshit (I believe). This compilation includes the first five singles released on the Sultan Label (3 of which are in limited runs of 100), plus seven unreleased tunes. The bands featured are the DAYLIGHT LOVERS, THE SCAT BAG BOOSTERS,(great name!), THE SPACE SHITS, THE DEADLY SNAKES, and THE IRRATIONS. Not suprisingly, all five bands bands sound very similar (probably sharing more than few members). I would say the standout tunes are delivered by THE DEADLY SNAKES. An interesting note: the SPACE SHITS tunes are cleaner than ever because they were recorded at Audio Recordings, home of the Sonics. Fans of the SPACE SHITS and DEADLY SNAKES will want to pick this up for sure. And for anyone interested in getting introduced to what is up with Canadian rock-n-rollers, this is an excellent place to start. Mitcard
ZODIAC KILLERS "The Most Thrilling Experience" LP (Sultan-A Harem Records)
The latest outfit assembled by Mr. Greg Lowery. Seems almost like a logical progression, Supercharger-Rippoffs-Infections-ZODIAC KILLERS. More 80's than 70's. Very very fast punk rock played with a whole heaping helping of attitude. Sure, there is bloody pictures on the sleeve and the song titles like "Feed It To Your Mom," "Medicate Me," and "Suicide," but it rocks hard. Ross (from the great but gone Brides) sings about half the tunes and his vocals are screaming and snotty. 12 tunes, all of them short and sharp. THE LP PLAYS ON 45, so it is over quick. Anyone into KBD type punk (Huh?-ed), Angry Somoans (THE ZODIAC KILLERS cover "Steak Knife") or any other Ripp Off stuff should plunk down their change.Mitcard
V/A "Howlin' For My Darlin'"-TEENAGE SHUTDOWN- CD (Crypt)
"Howlin' For My Darlin'"(fittingly subtitled "Maximum R&B) is simply the best Teenage Shutdown record that my ears have encountered. This disc is so good, that it even rivals the "Back From The Grave" series of compilations. Upbeat fuzzdriven raves is the main attraction on this almighty rocker. In the end, you will listen to "Howlin..." for an excessive amount of hours, driving your roomates (or significant other) crazy. If you are any sort of a garage snob or just dig good rock-n-roll, it would be in the best interest of your picky ears to pick up this disc, SOON. thee ANTiHiPSTER
V/A "Landlocked And Loaded" cd (Trouble In The River City)
Kopper's compilation of Midwestern bands,"Landlocked And Loaded," features some really raunchy and hot rock-n-roll, while also documenting a really diverse lineup. Straight out surf is featured on the DELSTARS "Longboard Flamejob," while an intense instrumental plays on the GEARGRINDER'S " The Wayback Machine." The CRIPPLRES rock on all out with an intense version of (the MODERN LOVER's) "Roadrunner," while the BENT SCEPTERS "Stand In Line" would make the REAL KIDS proud. In other words, purchase this fine platter, because other compilation platters need to sound this diverse.thee ANTI-HIPSTER
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