Shots of Freedom

Morrissey - The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get 7"

2012-01-24T19:41:00.002Z

So, I've never put a Morrissey track up before, so let's test the water and see if it stays up, or I get told off again. Morrissey, for those of you who recognise him as a bloated figure of fun off festival TV from around the world, used to be great. I guess that's a bit harsh. He's still coming up with good songs every now and then, but there's growing old gracefully and there's Morrissey live.

This single is one of the really great ones, and you probably know it already, as it's been repackaged and reissued numerous times. There are some good lines on this one. The b-side, which maybe you don't know so well, is a quiet one. It's a nice enough track, and if you like the man (as I do) you'll enjoy it.

As with many of my records, for some reason I never took the price label off. No idea why not, but I'm kind of fond of those labels now - brings back memories of little shops that disappeared long ago (and the Virgin Megastore on Oxford Street).

1. The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get
2. Used To Be A Sweet Boy

Here he is.

Palace Music - Palace Soundtrack free CD

2012-01-10T21:50:00.003Z

Hello everyone, and happy new year to you all. As a special treat for the start of 2012, a departure from the usual 2-track vinyl goodness, and a dip into the freebies which I was lucky enough to get with various LPs. This is a film soundtrack for a film called The Broken Giant, which came out a couple of years after this was included with the LP of Arise Therefore in 1996. Apparently it was released as an EP later on, but I like to think this sounds a bit more special. Which of course it doesn't.

Sorry all the tracks are labelled as Will Oldham, which is what the thing that gives you CD track names called them. I only noticed after I'd uploaded it. I think they should be Palace Music. Although it's Will Oldham on his own. Well. And the EP's called Black/Rich Music, which it was called later. Well. And it has more tracks than a single. Well.

It's bloody great. Enough?

1. Organ: Watch With Me
2. Do What You Will Do
3. The Risen Lord
4. Organ: Allowance
5. Allowance
6. Black/Rich Tune
7. Organ: Black/Rich
8. Guitar: Do What You Will Do

Here it is.

Light - Turning/Presence 7"

2011-12-31T12:13:00.002Z

Been a bit slack recently, as you might have noticed. Well, it's New Year's Eve, so I thought I'd wish you all a very happy 2012 with what can only be described as the ultimate party single.

I know nothing about this record, other than it was released on clear vinyl 7" by Wurlitzer Jukebox in 1995, and it sounds like Flying Saucer Attack. That alone is surely a good enough reason to check it out. It comes with a photocopied insert with a picture of a man with a big beard, and the word 'mono' written several times.

What more can I say. If any of that sounds interesting, and I hope it does, then see what you think. Happy new year, y'all.

1. Turning
2. Presence

Party!

Ash - Jesus Says 7"

2011-12-11T15:44:00.001Z

Say what you like about Ash, but whatever stage of their career they've come up with some cracking singles. Their singles collection is a really good album, sadly unlike some of their actual albums...

This single is off 'Nu-Clear Sounds', from 1998, which I can only remember for this song. And the fact that the LP was on clear vinyl, which in itself is obviously a good thing, but I guess some of you purists will claim the music's important too. That said, I saw an advert for them playing this LP in order (plus other hits), so I guess it's only me that didn't really rate it.

Anyhew, the single's a good 'un, and you should take a listen if you can. The b-side is also surprisingly good, a little less straightforward/more metal than their songs usually are. It's a Charlotte Hatherley track, which she also sings, if you're interested in her pre-solo songs. All of which possibly means I should go back and check out the album again.

This is one super over-compressed recording. Who needs a dynamic range when you've got ROCK!

1. Jesus Says
2. Taken Out

Here they are.

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - 2Kindsa Love 7"

2011-11-26T20:20:00.002Z

Look me in the eye and tell me you don't already love a Jon Spencer Blues Explosion 7" on bright pink vinyl. Good. So do I. I've tried to scan the 7" itself, but the colour doesn't do it justice at all - it's really quite horrible in real life.

Now, if you don't know this track then you've been missing out for 15 years or so; it's bloody great. Everything about it, shouting, crazy guitar sounds, great production... Love it.

It's off his Now I Got Worry album, which is up there with his very best. The b-side is a poorly-punctuated but nicely-nuts slice of blues/punk madness, with some killer keyboard (at least that's what I think it is).

1. 2Kindsa Love
2. Lets Smerf

Here

The Flaming Stars - Sweet Smell Of Success 7"

2011-11-08T20:32:00.003Z

I used to love this band. Still do, in fact, but back then they were one of those ones that I seemed to be into, but no-one else was, which always adds a certain something. Partly I loved them for the music, partly for the sound (all analogue equipment and so on - same studio the White Stripes used a lot, I think), and partly for their habit of releasing limited 7"s with four tracks on them. Needless to say, the one I've chosen only has two tracks, but they're both awesome. It's listed as a double a-side, which always seemed a completely pointless idea to me, but there you go. Still, it kind of makes sense on a record like this.

The first a-side is a killer tune, and sounds lush when the guitar really kicks in. The second a-side, however, is one of my favourite of their tracks, and completely different to the first. Great stuff. And both under 2:30!

You should listen to these, it's only 5 minutes of your life. You'll like them. And I'm glad y'all liked Teenage Fanclub.

1. Sweet Smell Of Success
2. The Day The Earth Caught Fire

Here it's.

Teenage Fanclub - Grand Prix Bonus 7"

2011-11-01T13:45:00.003Z

Just when you thought I'd run out of Teenage Fanclub... Because I was/am kind of obsessed with this band, I picked up this LP pretty much the day it came out, and was lucky enough to get hold of one with the bonus 7". Here, for your (hopefully) equally obsessive interest, it is.

Track 1 seems to be a recording of some vocals and a shaker, with the rest of the music in the background somewhere. There's some whistling too. And clapping. It's kind of nice. Track 3 is another version of the album track, with louder drums, I guess it's also a demo. Tracks 4 and 6 I had to do some digging about to find names (there's nothing listed on the record) - both instrumentals.

I hadn't listened to this 7" in years, and it's got a real intimate feel to it. Maybe that's just me. I like it, and hope you do too.

1. Discolite (demo)
2. Answerphone message (to Norman)
3. I Gotta Know (demo)
4. Coffee Morning
5. Norman's outgoing answerphone message
6. Untitled

Hear them roar.

The High Fidelity - Addicted To A T.V. 7"

2011-10-28T22:00:00.003+01:00

Feeble amount of information about this 7", I'm afraid. All I know is that it came out in 1997, on Plastique Recordings. Side 1 is labelled 'analogue side', and 2 is 'digital side'. Beyond that I know nothing. Anything I told you would be what I could find by searching for them on the internet. What I do know is that this single's well worth an ear, and I hope you enjoy it. Any more information would be welcome. I like the cover.

I will attempt to resume normal service next month!

1. Addicted To A T.V.
2. Pelvic Rock

Here y'are.

Echo & The Bunnymen - Nothing Lasts Forever 7"

2011-10-05T07:55:00.004+01:00

I know, I know. And I'm not here for the next two weeks, so there's going to be another huge gap. I'm so slack.

Anyway, to keep you going, here's a cracking tune from an early indie comeback (before Ned's got in on the act). The single is really, really good, and was quite big at the time. It was recorded before he lost the ability to sing. 'Hurricane' sounds like The Doors, and it's a good track. It does sound like a b-side, but it's well worth hearing.

Fair amount of surface noise all over this, for some reason, but I guess if that bothered you, you wouldn't be here.

The packaging is lovely, kind of gatefold, and with an inner sleeve. That and two b-sides... Well. You know what I like, and that's the kind of thing I like.

1. Nothing Lasts Forever
2. Hurricane
3. Jonny

Here you go.

Cable - Arthur Walker 7"

2011-08-29T10:07:00.002+01:00

This single's off Cable's second proper LP, 'Sub-Lingual' (third if you're counting the first EP). At the time I really wasn't into it as an album, suffering pretty badly by comparison to 'When Animals Attack', which you should check out if you don't know it already. However, listening again the other day I enjoyed it more, I guess time changes your appreciation of these things. This single is really good, and there are certainly some other cracking songs on it. Give it a go.

Anyway, the main reason for putting this up is the b-side, which is one of my favourite Cable tracks. They had some great b-sides over the years, and someone very kindly sent me a link to a compliation of them a while back. 'Vertigo' was in the compilation, and I knew I recognised it, but it wasn't a very good recording, and I didn't know where it was from. It's from here. And here's a good version of it. It's ace.

1. Arthur Walker
2. Vertigo

Hey ya.

PJ Harvey - The Wind 7"

2011-08-24T13:36:00.002+01:00

Hello again. Here's a good one. It's a track off the 1998 LP 'Is This Desire?', and is a real standout song. The b-sides off this single are also very good, as is PJ's way. 'Rebecca' sounds lovely, especially the drums, and 'Nina In Ecstasy 2' (number 1 was somewhere else, I guess) is a beautiful little song, just simple organ and vocals; one of those little classics that used to turn up as the third track on a single every now and then.

Track 3 also contains portions of 'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep', which I initially hoped was going to be some massively out of place sample, but it doesn't, sadly. Enjoy.

1. The Wind
2. Rebecca
3. Nina In Ecstasy 2

Here you go.

AC Acoustics - Stunt Girl 7"

2011-07-26T13:37:00.002+01:00

I'm still here! Sorry again for the long gaps between postings, but just occasionally I have to give other things priority. Here's a little something to keep you going, a great single by a great (and greatly under-rated) band. The b-side is also good, more of the same really.

If you don't know them then I'd really recommend giving this single a listen and then searching out 'Victory Parts', which is the album it's taken from. Really good. The one after it is good too.

1. Stunt Girl
2. Shoka

Hear me now.

And 'Repeater' by Fugazi is an awesome track, isn't it?

Crescent - Sun 7"

2011-05-30T20:03:00.002+01:00

Right folks. Another quick one, what with everything else happening at the same time, but this is really, really good. Really good. It's another from back in the day, back in the Westcountry, on Planet Records straight outta Bristol in 1994. Labelmates of Flying Saucer Attack, Movietone and the like.

You may well not have heard of this band, but if you have then you probably own this record already. If you don't know it, I can't recommend it highly enough, it's a superb slice of noisy, rocky, LoFi, shouty, home-made... And with a killer tune on top of all that. The b-side's well chilled.

Just try it.

1. Sun
2. They Are Rebuilding The City

Here it is.

Sebadoh - Beauty of the Ride 7"

2011-05-20T09:57:00.003+01:00

Hello. Sorry it's been so long between posts, but I currently have very little time to eat, sleep or think, so it's taken a bit of a back seat.

Anyway, as an apology for the delay, here's something a bit special from Lou Barlow and the boys. The a-side is off Harmacy, their 1996 Sub Pop LP, and is one of their best tracks, I reckon. If you don't know them then it's quite a good example (as long as you're also prepared for a few touches of noisy nonsense along the way).

Your b-side is a cover of 'Riding' by Will Oldham/Bonnie 'Prince' Billy/etc., which is a great song in its own right, and this cover does it justice. It's off a Peel Session, I believe, and is a kind of slack, ragged, laid-back... you know what to expect. Good stuff. Enjoy it.

1. Beauty Of The Ride
2. Riding

Here it's. Let me know if you like it.

The Third Eye Foundation - Universal Cooler

2011-04-24T09:18:00.005+01:00

Told you I'd found something special... I don't think I have anything with an Easter theme, so you'll have to make do with this. Think of it as the result of an Easter-egg hunt, but with records as little chocolate eggs and shelves of vinyl as mysterious wooded areas, with me as that weird uncle who's following you around and you're not allowed to talk to.

Those of you who know me won't be surprised, but this is some extra proof that I am a dumbass. For a long time I thought this record was by a band called Universal Cooler, and I didn't listen to it for years, on the basis that Universal Cooler is an awful name for a band (apologies if it's your band's name). It's not by Universal Cooler. It's called Universal Cooler, and it's actually the first single from The Third Eye Foundation (Matt Elliot), on Planet Records, from Bristol, back in the day.

It's bloody great.

1. Universal Cooler
2. I'm Not Getting In A Car With You

It's right yer.

Bivouac - The Bell Foundry 7"

2011-04-12T13:25:00.003+01:00

I'll be honest with you, one of the main reasons I bought this record was the colour of the vinyl. Just look at it. Beautiful. You try doing that with an MP3.

Anyway, turns out I made a great decision, as this is a superb slice of noisy guitary mid-90sy ROCK! And, looking them up right now, it appears they ended up on Geffen for their third LP, which is actually the only one I have; it's called 'Full Size Boy', and I'd strongly recommend getting hold of it. Great stuff. They were from Derby, like Cable.

This is a couple of years earlier than that album, and is great. A-side's really good, first b-side also good, second b-side (happy days) is an acoustic track, which is a bit of a departure from anything else I've heard by these guys. Also good, but suffers from either shoddy recording or a shoddy needle.

By the way, I've found a great 7" in the pile, which will go up next...

1. The Bell Foundry
2. Lead
3. Saltwater Heal (acoustic)

Hear ye.

Verbena - Shaped Like A Gun 7"

2011-03-29T14:02:00.002+01:00

I don't know anything about this band, so I thought I'd fake it by looking on Wikipedia. That's probably given it away, mind.

Anyway, this is a bloody great single, with a nice relaxing b-side. The a-side sounds a little like Elastica, but American with a boy singing. The b-side sounds like a quiet Foo Fighters track. Interestingly, Dave Grohl produced the LP after this one. Coincidence..? This one came out on Merge Records (everyone's favourite label), and was produced by Dave Fridmann of Mercury Rev/Flaming Lips/everyone else fame, so they have some pedigree in their production at least.

I think it's a really good song, very of its time (1997), but yeah, a good one. Hope you like it.

1. Shaped Like A Gun
2. Postcard Blues

Here it is. You love it.

Smog - Ex-Con 7"

2011-03-19T11:36:00.004Z

Robster, here's your prize! It's a post dedicated only to you, and you alone. Other people might read it, sure, but this one's for you (and Steve Ogriz0vic). I hope you like it. I tried to gift wrap it, but I ran out of Sellotape (or sticky-backed plastic, if you're into the whole Blue Peter thing).

Mat, this is second prize. Squeethorp, this is third.

And this is Smog, who are generally quiet and acoustic, as far as I'm aware. This is a kind of demo-sounding tune, but it shows how important a bit of space in a good song is. You'll see what I mean. Anyway, it's really good, and was the first thing I ever heard by them/him - Bill Callahan is/was the main man, who is/was Mr Joanna Newsom, I think. Did I make that/up?

The b-side is a real rocker! Full of bashing the crap out of the drums and feedback. Seriously. I don't know if anything else of theirs sounds like this, but maybe it should have done.

1. Ex-Con
2. Just Like Napoleon

Here it is.

The Hitchers - You Can Only Love Someone / Strachan 7"

2011-03-13T17:42:00.003Z

Not feeling too inspired today, but here's a couple of tunes to inspire all you folks out there in the world. The very Irish Hitchers are up today, with a good a-side and an absolutely brilliant b-side. The lyrics alone would be worth posting, but as I'm not going to you're probably best off listening.

If you don't know who Gordon Strachan is then you'll need to do some research to get the real benefit of this song. If you do then you'll get it fo sho.

1. You Can Only Love Someone
2. Strachan

Gordon. You like? Name the 'keeper for a special prize.

A - 5 In The Morning 7"

2011-02-25T12:18:00.002Z

I'm going through another Cable phase at the moment, which happens a couple of times a year. Anyway, this one lead me to remember their last show, where they were supported by A. Possibly on the basis of the set, or maybe on the basis of having a nice sleeve with a bit of masking tape with typing stuck to it (I'm easily impressed), I picked up this record.

It's kinda shouty, loud, punky/melodic... You know the deal. The a-side has a really great chorus, and the b-side's one to play loud and jump about to. They're not a band I put much time into finding out more about, so it's possible that their other singles didn't grab me like this one, but I hope you enjoy it. Let me know if you do.

1. 5 In The Morning
2. 8 Fingers

He's right here. Say what you see.

Cable - Blue Birds Are Blue 7"

2011-02-09T19:20:00.002Z

Cable again, this time from their second LP, 'When Animals Attack', which you should really check out - not a duff track on it. This is one of the highlights, I'd say. As a single it's definitely a highlight, given that it has one of my favourite Cable tracks as a b-side - 'Action Replay Replay'.

How that band never got much bigger than they were I'll never know, they were consistently great, and just a listen to the two b-sides off this record shows you quite how many good tunes they had. The irony of the 'Chart' sticker on the front is not lost...

I've actually got most of their singles, on CD, 7" or both, so if there are any that any of you good people are interested in, please let me know.

I also have a VHS copy of the video for 'Honolulu' of their third album, which was actually never released as a single because they split first. One day I'll digitise it and put it on YouTube - maybe it's the only copy in existence!

1. Blue Birds Are Blue
2. Apparently
3. Action Replay Replay

Let me know what you think.

Flying Saucer Attack - Outdoor Miner 7"

2011-01-24T19:01:00.003Z

What can I say? Simply brilliant, this record. Funnily enough I heard this version of Outdoor Miner first, then another cover by the Lightning Seeds, then finally the original. It's such a good song, and I guess because this was the first one I heard it's got a special place in my heart. It's also a really good cover (with a really good cover) - very FSA, but the tune still shines through. If you've not heard it then you're in for a treat.

The b-side is more typical of their stuff, but with a bit of a looped drum (kind of drum, anyway) beat behind it. Also really good.

1. Outdoor Miner
2. Psychic Driving

Here it is. Please let me know if you like it.

Teenage Fanclub and Jad Fair - Near To You

2011-01-13T12:34:00.002Z

In celebration of the impending Jonny album, this is the second of the Euro Childs / Norman Black double-posting. Before you read on, you should click right here. Understand? Good. Now check out their free EP, and buy the album the very second it comes out...

This is from a while back, off an album by TFC and Jad Fair, and it's a really great track. It's the best off the record, I'd say, but the whole thing is worth a listen. I have a feeling that I heard an interview around the time saying that the band had basically improvised around Jad Fair's singing, and if it's true it shows you how good they are. The b-side is also a good song - "this heart is bound for glory!" Quite.

1. Near To You
2. Always In My Heart

Here it hear, and if you like it then please comment, I'd appreciate it.

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - Young Girls & Happy Endings 7"

2011-01-04T15:03:00.002Z

Happy New Year everyone, and I hope that 2011 is everything you hope it will be. As a celebration, here's a song about happy endings. The a-side appears to be a release all to itself, as it's not on an album, but is on the US version of 'Barafundle' as a bonus track. The b-side is off that album.

This song is great! I don't know if you're familiar with the band (you should be - I posted something a while back...) but this is a typically cheerful, poppy bit of Indie goodness. It's really good, one of my favourite re-discoveries of the last few months for sure. The b-side is also excellent, bit less cheerful, but has a great hypnotic ending.

And what a sleeve!

1. Young Girls & Happy Endings
2. Dark Night

Here!

And hey - how come some of the uploads I've done have been downloaded off Mediafire before I post them here? Is there a way to get in and see what's there before I post the link? Stop spoiling the surprise...

Twisted Nerve - Christmas Stocking Filler 7"

2010-12-18T18:19:00.006Z

I said I'd found it! I have genuinely been looking for this 7" for over a year. Not continuously, obviously, but you know what I mean. It's Twisted Nerve records' 1998 Christmas single, with five tracks from bands/people who have become variously more or less well known since. I know nothing of Dakota Oak, Sirconical or Mum & Dad, but I guess you folks might?

It's all good, and I recommend putting this record on repeat throughout Christmas dinner - granny will LOVE it! Actually, the first couple of songs are alright instrumentals, Badly Drawn Boy does his own festive composition, and Mum & Dad's one is, despite its name, probably the least jolly...

The highlight of this little offering, for me, is Elbow. This is the reason I spent so long searching for the record. They're not a band I'm that enthusiastic about most of the time, to be honest, but this song is great! The ending will make your Christmas.

Your songs are:

1. Weinachten im Moomintal - Dakota Oak
2. Silent Night - Sirconical
3. Donna and Blitzen - Badly Drawn Boy
4. Christmas - Mum & Dad
5. Baby Jesus - Elbow

Happy Christmas!

p.s. It seems that this single is worth upwards of £50! Consider that I have saved each and every one of you this much money; that is my present to you all.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Firmament Vacation 7"

2010-12-17T18:36:00.002Z

This song is bloody great. From memory, this band are (were?) Swedish, and the singer is (was?) a big fat man who wears (wore?) huge carpet-type cloak things on stage. I heard this track before a Glastonbury festival many years back and went to see them because of it. The LP this comes from is loooong, and I'm not sure I ever got through it, but this song is a slice of rock goodness.

The b-sides are also good, the first one more than the second, but both worth a listen. I hope you like it.

1. Firmament Vacation (A Soundtrack of Our Lives)
2. Greatest Hits Providers
3. Cleaning Session Raga

Hear it here.

P.S. I have finally found the Christmas 7" I was searching for last year, and in the next couple of days it's going to be here. It's brilliant, and it's been worth y'all waiting a year...

DJ Shadow - Stem 7"

2010-12-10T11:00:00.003Z

Hello again everyone. Sorry things have got a bit slack recently, but in my defence I'd like to say that I've become a father in the last month, and so much of my time is no longer my own. I'm guessing that a lot of you folks who are into mid-90s vinyl might have some sympathy... For the record, the only music which has possibly had any effect so far has been Brian Eno's 'Music For Airports', but seeing as babies sleep most of the time anyway I can't say with 100% certainty that it did much. I sang her some Guided By Voices in hospital and she didn't cry, which can only be a good sign.

That said, I'm going for quality, not quantity, and I've dug out a whole load of great singles recently. It's going to be a case of digitising them when I can, but I promise you there's some great stuff to come, both 7"s and 12"s are getting an airing right now.

For today, DJ Shadow's superb Stem single, this version is stuffed with samples from the film Heat, and is (in my opinion) even better than the original for just that reason. The b-side is also really good - great drums, an equally good title, and an excellent sleeve! Hope you enjoy them, and see you again soon with more from the vault...

1. Stem (Cops 'n' Robbers mix)
2. Red Bus Needs To Leave!

Here.

Me Me Me - Hanging Around 7"

2010-11-29T22:12:00.003Z

I know, I know. I promised something special. Well, this is something kind of interesting instead, and also a kind of definitive guide to the sound of 1996, in case anyone here wasn't sure what that sound was. You'll have to wait for the something special I'm afraid, when I have time on my hands again (maybe in 16 years or so).

Me Me Me were an indie-pop supergroup, if you will. Stephen Duffy (Duran Duran/The Lilac Time), Alex James (Blur), Justin Welch (Elastica) and Charlie Bloor (Charlie Bloor) got together to do some tracks for a Damien Hirst show, and this single was the result. The single itself is great, I reckon. But it probably polarises opinion, I'd think. Sounds like it would. It's a little like the more chirpy Blur tracks but without the piss-irritatingness. It's only 2 1/2 minutes long, if you can't stand it.

The b-side, funnily enough, sounds like early Blur. I like it too. I wonder how much input Alex James really had into Blur's songs..?

1. Hanging Around
2. Hollywood Wives

Here y'are.

Longpigs - Lost Myself 7"

2010-11-08T21:25:00.003Z

It's been a pretty dramatic time for me/us recently, but I've found a little time to put up a little treat for all of you. I always forget how much I like this band, maybe because they were kind of over-exposed back in the day on the radio stations I used to listen to. Anyway, whenever I hear any of their tracks it reminds me.

This is not their most famous track, or even the second most, but I think it's a killer. Also it's on a 4-track 7", and that dates it to the heyday of the format in my opinion. The only disappointment is that it's not coloured vinyl too... The a-side is great, the first b-side is also great (was it ever released on anything else? It's proper catchy), second b-side is good but odd, and the last track is a Richard Hawley composition, well before he became Richard Hawley. If you see what I mean. He was in this band, see.

1. Lost Myself
2. Floss
3. The Wonder Drug
4. When You're Alone

It's right here. Please comment if you like it, that FSA post got over 35 downloads within about a week, and one thanks (which is much appreciated). If y'all are nice to me I have a proper treat up next..!

Flying Saucer Attack / Jessamine - split 7"

2010-10-25T17:09:00.002+01:00

Here's my contribution to the Keeping It Peel tribute going on today. It's a lovely split 7" from 1996 or so with Flying Saucer Attack (Peel favourites since they sent him their first single and he played it within a week) and a band called Jessamine, who I'm ashamed to know nothing about.

The FSA track is great, it's a classic of theirs, recorded in Bristol back in the day at the wonderfully named Feedback Studios. The Jessamine track (which I've named slightly wrong in the MP3 - sorry) is really good too, quite different to the FSA one, but none the worse for it.

I figured this was an ideal contribution today, seeing as discovery was what John Peel was all about, for me and so many others.

1. Flying Saucer Attack - At Night
2. Jessamine - From Hereto And Otherwise

Hear it.

Slack Dog Ensemble - New Yawk Dog 7"

2010-10-21T19:47:00.003+01:00

Here's something very special for you all. For 'special' read 'mental'. This 1995 7" is the only release by this 'band', who included among others Luke Vibert (from Wagon Christ and, well, Luke Vibert) and Robin Proper-Sheppard (from the God Machine). It's a great, great record. The a-side is a crazy distorted techno drum 'n' bass slab of madness, and you can only love it. The b-side is a little calmer, but still in a kind of threatening way. How it's a version of the a-side I have no idea, but the whole deal's something special.

1. New Yawk Dog (Super Seven Edit)
2. New Yawk Dog (Acoustic Version)

It also came out as a 12" with some more mixes, but I never picked it up. I'd be very grateful to anyone who did if they could point it my way.

Hope you like it as much as I do. And as much as I know my friend Dave will.

Here.

Groop Dogdrill - Lovely Skin 7"

2010-10-13T19:03:00.002+01:00

This is a killer song, by a killer band, with a killer cover, on killer red vinyl. You need any more recommendation than that? Good. Get to it.

I don't have time to talk much about this one, but when I saw them years back at the Garage in London the singer did the encore with a mic gaffer-taped to his face.

1. Lovely Skin
2. Rockabilly Workout

Here. HERE! As ever, let me know if you like it.

Versus - Glitter of Love 7"

2010-10-06T11:16:00.002+01:00

It appears I bought this from Tower Records, which dates it somewhat. I seem to remember that it was the Tower Records in Camden Town too, which dates it even further. Ah well. There's still one in Tokyo, if you're ever feeling nostalgic.

The single itself is a pretty good example of this band, who are an American indie-rock outfit from the mid-90s, but who also recently reformed for a new LP. Their drummer is/was amazing. I love this, it's an absolute killer track, and if you're not familiar with Versus then you really ought to check it out. It's off the '96 LP 'Secret Swingers'.

The b-side (live version of a previous LP track) is slightly disappointing, after the single, but if you already know them it's worth a listen, and if you don't then the a-side should do it for you. The bass player (Fontaine Toups) sings the b-side, and she's astonishingly cool live, so we'll forgive her this one.

1. Glitter of Love
2. Forest Fire (live)

It's right here.

John Parish & Polly Jean Harvey - That Was My Veil 7"

2010-09-22T10:22:00.003+01:00

After all that raucous Tiger nonsense I reckon it's time to get quiet, acoustic and Westcountry. This is one of my favourite PJ Harvey tracks ever. I know it's not just her, but you know what I mean. PJ Harvey-featuring tracks, if you like. It's off the first of the two collaborative LPs between these two, which is the one I got into more than the second. Brilliant song. Brilliant single.

The b-side is a bit noisier than the single, with a lush drum sound, and some kind of keyboard weirdness. I can hear why it didn't make the album, stylistically, but in terms of quality it's right up there. Great stuff.

1. That Was My Veil
2. Losing Ground

Here 'tis. Comment if y'all enjoy it. Right. Back to the Warm Jets hunt.

Tiger - Race 7"

2010-09-17T16:28:00.002+01:00

So, as promised, here's the second half of the Tiger double-bill. Sorry, not much time to write anything about it, but I hope you like it.

Any requests, by the way? I'm digging through an awful lot of old 7"s at the moment and there are some real old ones in there... 'Deadstar', anyone?

1. Race
2. Honey Friends

Hear.

Tiger - On The Rose 7"

2010-09-09T13:13:00.003+01:00

This is the first of a Tiger double-bill, ladies and gentlemen, mainly because I dug up a couple of their 7"s together. This one is the first Tiger song I remember hearing, and it made me think of the Ramones, which is no bad thing. You may see what I mean. Anyway, it's a good tune, from a band which I always found a little variable, although I never got properly into them, so might have to give them another try.

The b-side sounds like... Well. A b-side, to be fair. However, it's got a kind of Beatles-y vibe to it, and a lot of kick drum. It's a grower in fact - I didn't think much of it when I first heard it back in the day, nor when I listened the first time a little while back, but on third or fourth listen it's starting to get me.

'Race' is coming your way soon. Now that is a tune...

1. On The Rose
2. On Spanish Farmland

Here.

Oas*s - Wibbling Rivalry

2010-09-03T15:51:00.004+01:00

This is just brilliant. Fourteen minutes of verbal mayhem, and ain't that the truth. It's 1995, some journalist left his tape running while Noel and Liam were shouting at each other, Fierce Panda released it. It's very, very funny in places. Especially when Noel asks what Liam's about. And when Liam explains his recurring dream.

1. Noel Side
2. Liam Side

Sorry it's such a big file for what's basically a mono recording of speech, but hey.

MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC!

Yet another takedown

2010-08-21T17:13:00.002+01:00

So it's coming on for one DMCA email every 10 days or so. Ned's this time! Ridiculous.

Anyway, I fear I might get stamped on sometime, so if I do, please check out http://thefreewave.blogspot.com/, and I'll stick a new address in the comments for that blog if this one vanishes. Thanks for looking. Remember, I like to see your comments if you like what you find...

Money Mark - Legitimate Pop Songs? 7" E.P.

2010-08-09T10:26:00.002+01:00

And here's treat number two, which is a whole different kettle of mid-90s fish. This is Money Mark, out of the Beastie Boys (and others), playing some songs in the Rough Trade store in Covent Garden (I think) in 1996. The second half of track 1 is off his first LP, 'Money Mark's Keyboard Repair', which I think my friend Dave had on tape. I was reading an interview with Tim Robbins the other day (who is 6' 5" tall) and he reckons cassette and vinyl are far better than MP3.

Anyway, these tunes are very relaxing, as you might expect if you've heard any of MM's lounge-y tendencies before. Just right for an August evening, the sun's out, the birds are singing, and the forecast says thunder storms before dark...

1. Untitled Instrumental / Sometimes You Gotta Make It Alone
2. Untitled Instrumental

This way.

Teenage Fanclub - Mellow Doubt 7"

2010-08-07T15:23:00.003+01:00

Here's your first treat, kids. I don't have to tell you about the a-side to this record (do I? Whistling. Teenage Fanclub. You don't need to know more), but this one has a brilliant b-side. I saw them a while back in London, and they played the b-side to this single! Very unexpected, and a real nice surprise. It's got one of those slidy whistle things on it, including a solo of sorts. 1995, Creation Records, from the forthcoming album "Grand Prix"... Those were the days, my friends, those were the days.

Bit of surface noise on this one, might have been left on a record player at some point. Sorry 'bout that. I remember there was a version of this single in a different key, too, which I might have on CD somewhere - will take a look.

1. Mellow Doubt
2. Some People Try To Fuck With You

He he he...

Comments

2010-08-06T20:16:00.002+01:00

Hey everyone.

Just been poking around my Mediafire page, looking at what you folks have enjoyed listening to off this blog, and there's a load of posts with 40+ (or even 100+) downloads. However, there are also a lot of/most posts with 0, 1 or 2 comments. It's not why I do it, of course, but it would be nice to think someone's reading, not just that everyone's coming, clicking the link, and heading off.

Maybe that is what everyone's doing. Ah well. It's really nice when folks do comment, though, so thanks to those who do, and those who are following - I appreciate it. And just for you guys there are two super-special treats coming this weekend...

DBF

Movietone - Mono Valley 7"

2010-08-02T21:43:00.004+01:00

More Movietone loveliness now, this time a 1995 single on Planet Records from my hometown of Bristol, in the UK. This is a really chilled one, and fits perfectly with the cover, in some weird way. Really nice. It's quite typical of what I remember of their first LP, quiet, with a mixture of murmured and sung vocals, and some odd noises. The clarinet squalling is notable by its absence from the a-side! It's not missing from the b-side, as you're about to find out, where at times it turns a bit more avant-garde. Still in a chilled way though.

I love this single.

1. Mono Valley
2. Under The 3000 Foot Red Ceiling

They live here.

p.s. Made a mistake in my last Movietone post - it's 'Orange Zero' which is the superb track off their first single (with a different version on the LP).

Cable - Seventy 7"

2010-07-26T13:25:00.002+01:00

Cable were one of those bands I kind of thought of as "mine" while they were around. I got into them right at the start, saw them a load of times, played with them a couple of times, and just loved them. This is an early single, off their first E.P., but both that E.P. and their first proper album ("When Animals Attack") are really worth checking out. I have pretty much all the singles off both, so they may end up here at some point in the future. This song is the track that defines them for me, shouty, tuneful, noisy... Brilliant stuff.

The b-side is a killer combination of "repeat-until-it's-drilled-into-your-brain" vocals and a top noisy bit. Great. I couldn't recall listening to this track before (I must have done, but we're talking 15 years ago), and it was a real treat. Enjoy!

1. Seventy
2. Sports Cars And Devil Worship

Here.

Drugstore - Injection 7"

2010-07-21T21:03:00.002+01:00

Y'all like Drugstore, right? Y'all like the Flaming Lips, right? How about Drugstore plays the Flaming Lips? Don't say I don't do nuffink for you. This is a single from 1995, which I think I'm right in saying (I mean, I think Wikipedia might be right in saying) wasn't on any of their albums. The a-side is good, maybe not one of their best, but a good song - the squeaky noise at the end is good. B-side number one is kind of similar, very like the others of their songs that I'm familiar with.

The cover of "She Don't Use Jelly" is really good, somehow her voice really suits the song. I'd forgotten how much I liked this, even though it was presumably the reason I bought the single. Chorus is ace. Don't know what happened to the acoustic version - any ideas? The remix of "Gravity", the original of which was on their first album, is all orchestral. You might appreciate it more if you know the original.

And it's on clear vinyl. Sweet.

1. Injection
2. Heart Of Honey
3. She Don't Use Jelly (Electric Version)
4. Gravity (Terry Edwards Mix)

Hey ya.

The Delgados - Pull The Wires From The Wall 7"

2010-07-12T10:17:00.002+01:00

So here's what I found in the Grandaddy sleeve! If you've checked the comments on the last post then you've had a sneak preview from Andy Silver Rocket (he sings it beautifully).

Funny band, this lot. Never got that into them, to be honest, but I heard this single on John Peel's show one night and went out to buy it the next day. Loved it then, love it now. I'm not even sure what it is about it, but it's just SUCH a good song. I hope you can see why I was pissed off to have lost it - still had the sleeve, but not the record. Now happily reunited.

The b-side's not so much to my taste, although well worth checking out, as I think it's probably more typical of their output. It's not bad at all, and has something of the Pavement about it, but very much of its time, I'd say. The ending's nice. However, this one, for me, is all about the single, like this paragraph is all about the commas.

1. Pull The Wires From The Wall
2. Mauron Chanson

Hear it here.

Grandaddy - Everything Beautiful Is Far Away 7"

2010-07-10T15:10:00.001+01:00

This single is notable for two things. One, it's my favourite Grandaddy song, I think. Although that changes quite often. Two, I found the 7" of "Pull The Wires From The Wall" by The Delgados inside the sleeve, along with the Grandaddy single. Weird, huh? I'd been looking for it for ages, and if you want to know why then stay tuned...

Anyway, back to the plot. The a-side of this is a great introduction to Grandaddy, synths, acoustic bits, quiet, got a groove, and the tune! Oh, the tune. It's all about the tune. And this is a good one. The b-side's also well, well worth a listen, kinda lazy-sounding, falsetto-y, smooth. Ah, the adjectives. Maybe you should just listen to them.

1. Everything Beautiful Is Far Away
2. For The Dishwasher

They. Are. Here.

Flying Saucer Attack / GbV / Änglagård - The Polite Cream Tea Corps E.P.

2010-07-03T17:15:00.003+01:00

In 1994 this 7" came with the Ptolmeic Terrascope magazine. I knew about it because I was into Flying Saucer Attack, and it includes one of their best tracks; "All About Dreams". It was notable for something else, though, because it was the first time I'd ever heard anything by Guided By Voices, who went on to become one of my favourite bands. You're lucky - this 7" was really warped when I got it on the magazine, and now it's flattened out thanks to years in a box! Today's probably the first time I've heard it without that weird wobble you get on a properly bent record.

So, FSA do their thing, lovely song. GbV do their thing, as only they can. Änglagård I can tell you nothing about at all, sorry! But their track is properly nuts. Some kind of crazy jazz/prog weirdness, with some Zappa and God only knows what else thrown in. How on earth do you write a song like this!? It's like about four songs together. Every minute.

Not much of a photo to look at with this post - there's no cover, and the information is scratched into the centre of the vinyl. There were, apparently, 16 copies of this with hand-made covers by Flying Saucer Attack. I only wish I'd been quicker to get mine... I don't have the magazine any more either, sadly.

1. Flying Saucer Attack - All About Dreams
2. Guided By Voices - Chicken Blows
3. Änglagård - Gånglåt från Knapptibble

Hear y'are.

Archers of Loaf / Small - split 7"

2010-06-28T18:48:00.002+01:00

By way of apology for yesterday's flexidisc...

The split single. Is it a way to get people to buy the same two songs they've already bought on the albums? Or is it the way to introduce people to new bands through bands they're already into? Or is it just because you can put two songs that are just SO good on one record? Maybe all three. Definitely the last one in this case. Man, this record is great. 1993 was the year, and these were two of the great indie-rock bands coming out of the South Carolina area at the time, playing two of their best songs.

Eric Bachmann of Archers of Loaf is also the main man in Crooked Fingers, and if you're into this song (off their first album) then you have a WORLD of good music opening up in front of you. There are a load of AoL albums, also the best E.P. ever released ("Archers of Loaf vs The Greatest of All Time"), then about five Crooked Fingers records, plus at least one solo album. Great, great, great stuff. Small became Small 23, and they are also well worth checking out if you're into this. Enjoy the sounds of my teenage years!

1. Archers Of Loaf - Wrong
2. Small - True Zero Hook

Hear!

Dinosaur Jr - Just Like Heaven flexidisc

2010-06-27T21:24:00.001+01:00

Ah, the flexidisc. At the same time it's one of the coolest inventions I've ever come across (a free record? On a magazine? No problem!) and one of the worst ideas in the history of man. I've spent about fifteen minutes trying to make the Lunachicks track (first on this disc) play, and it won't - too folded I guess. Anyway, I did manage to get the Dinosaur Jr cover of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven" to record, so if you're into the whole LoFi experience then you might like it! It's a good cover, but the sound is... Well. Like a flexidisc.

And then it fades out at the end! Must have been some kind of promo. Nonsense. Sorry. I'll put something proper up tomorrow by way of apology. Come on - it only cost me 20p.

1. Dinosaur Jr - Just Like Heaven

Here it is.

The Family Cat - Remember What It Is That You Love 7"

2010-06-17T18:59:00.003+01:00

Ah, now here's something a little bit special for y'all. 1990's second single from the (in my opinion) criminally underrated Family Cat. I saw these guys supporting several bands in Bristol in my youth, and loved 'em every time. The first two albums are proper, proper indie rock, like you only got in the early '90s. Third album goes a bit more rock, but has some killer tunes on it nonetheless. I'm getting all nostalgic now.

Anyway, both tracks on this record are great. I actually bought the 12" the other day, but haven't got round to ripping (is that what you call it off vinyl?) the second b-side, but it's not all that. Good. But not all that. If you want it then drop me a line and I'll stop being so lazy.

Meanwhile, here is what 1990 sounded like. 20 years ago. 20 years ago...

1. Remember What It Is That You Love
2. Push Comes To Shove

There you go.

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - Diamond Dew 7"

2010-06-10T12:03:00.003+01:00

Well, after the popularity of the Super Furry Animals posts, here's some more Welsh craziness! This was a band I always meant to get more into, but somehow never got past a couple of singles. Have to dig around on Spotify and see if I can find some more...

This single is a good one all round. The a-side's really great, with the Jew's harp putting its mark on indie-rock - a sadly under-used instrument, in my opinion. Except by Leonard Cohen, when it's perhaps sadly over-used at times. The couple of b-sides on here (those were the days) are also good, a slightly more rocking one and a slightly less rocking one. Relaxing, that's the word all round really. Somehow this record fits exactly with its cover. You'll understand.

1. Diamond Dew
2. The Queen Of Georgia
3. Tears In Disguise

It's right here.

Movietone - Useless Landscape / Summer 7"

2010-06-05T17:53:00.002+01:00

A bit of a break with the indie-rock theme, but very much still indie in the truest sense of the word. Here's a band on Planet Records ("never knowingly understood", which will mean something to those of you in the UK) from Bristol, and one which I had a tenuous social connection to back in the day. The bass player was also in Flying Saucer Attack, and Matt Elliot (Third Eye Foundation) was either in the band or played live with them. Connected, anyway.

Anyway, they brought out a 7" in 1994 with an absolute killer track on it, called "She Smiled Mandarine Like". Sadly I didn't have the foresight to buy it at the time, and I guess it's not around much any more - vinyl only, see. It appeared again on their first LP, but in a different form.

Enough rambling. This is another 7"-only single, this from 1997. The a-side is really chilled, very relaxing, and without the clarinet noise that characterised a lot of their stuff. The b-side has an awful lot of surface noise, so sorry about that. Just pretend you're listening to John Peel at 2am.

1. Useless Landscape
2. Summer

Understand.

Another takedown...

2010-05-25T19:35:00.002+01:00

Hi all.

Just got a message saying that the very first post I ever put up here has been removed for copyright infringement - it went up over 14 months ago! Anyway, I guess this might be nothing, or it might be that I've come up on someone's radar...

I'll keep going anyway, it's not the first time, but if anyone's keen to keep in touch with whatever might replace this blog if it all goes pear-shaped then email your email to dbfreedom@rocketmail.com.

But maybe all's well. Thanks for looking.

Mudhoney / Gas Huffer split 7"

2010-05-20T19:54:00.002+01:00

I don't know anything about this record, really. It's on a German label, it came out sometime in the 90s, and I bought it because I liked (and still like) Mudhoney. What more to add? Well, I don't know who the songs are written by, nor if they're available elsewhere. I also don't know what the Japanese on the cover means. I don't know anything about Gas Huffer either, except that they may have been on Sub Pop. They sound like they were, that's for sure.

So, I don't know anything. But what I do know is that the first chords of the Mudhoney side will take you right back, and the little bit of guitar at the end of the chorus of 'Knife Manual' is superb. I also know that the Gas Huffer cover photo is great. And that Danny out of Withnail & I seems to have joined Mudhoney. Both tracks are fun. Enjoy them.

1. Mudhoney - You Stupid Asshole
2. Gas Huffer - Knife Manual

Record here.

The Nightblooms - Never Dream At All 7"

2010-05-15T13:13:00.003+01:00

Here's another discovery thanks to John Peel, way back. This is a Dutch band, and I don't know a lot about them (other than they have a lady singer, and are pretty indie-sounding), although I do have an LP kicking around somewhere. Anyway, this track is so good I went out and bought it the day after hearing it, and got the album a little after. As I say, it's very indie, but all in a good way, and has a killer of a chorus.

The b-side starts with just bass and vocals, and as a bass player I'm a sucker for that kind of thing. It's also well worth a listen - a good single all round, this one. By the way, the spelling mistake on the b-side is theirs, not mine!

1. Never Dream At All
2. It's Allright

There you go.

The Lemonheads - It's All True 10"

2010-05-05T15:27:00.004+01:00

Here's a single of two sides, almost literally. The a-side is great, as you may already know; a track off 'Car Button Cloth', and a very good one at that. However, we're here for the b-sides, you and me, and there are some doozies on this 10".

So, 'Fade To Black' is a Metallica cover, and it's alright. Tell you what, though, if you were ever under the impression that the boy Hetfield could write lyrics then Evan's dulcet tones should knock that idea right out of you! 'Live Forever' is the standout b-side here, which also dates the release to the Oasis-loving period of Evan Dando's past. The solo near the end is superb. 'Keep On Loving You' is a truely chaotic cover of the REO Speedwagon track - well worth a listen/laugh, if only to help explain to your kids why drugs are bad...

1. It's All True
2. Fade To Black
3. Live Forever
4. Keep On Loving You

It's all here. And the photo (below) on the back of the record should have been a clue to the content..!

The Kelley Deal 6000 - Canyon 7"

2010-05-01T20:43:00.006+01:00

So, a killer combination of knitting and heroin... This is the band that Kelley Deal was in post-Breeders, and pre-Breeders, and also before a band with the singer from Skid Row and the drummer from the Smashing Pumpkins. Weird career. I'm a big fan of her voice, which isn't to everyone's taste I know, but if you're partial to it then you're in for a treat. The single itself is brilliant, and also a grower, which is a winning combination. The b-side is a proper shouty/sing-y number, also great.

Hope you like it. You will, I'm sure. Give it a try...

1. Canyon
2. Get The Writing

Picture this.

Drugstore (featuring Thom Yorke) - El President

2010-04-20T08:23:00.002+01:00

Another gap in posts - sorry everyone. But I had a dream last night where the caretaker of a school told me they'd thrown a load of 7"s in a skip, and I could have them if I wanted, so I took that as a sign. See? This thing is getting into my subconscious...

Anyway, this is a great track. As the title says, it's a duet between the wonderfully named Isabel Monteiro and the wonderfully voiced Thom Yorke. The a-side is great, and is genuinely a good duet, rather than a novelty track, and the b-side is also well worth a listen - more typical of their songs, I think.

I thought I didn't really know any more Drugstore stuff, but had a vague feeling that I used to like them when they were around. However, looking at the track-listing of their first LP ('Drugstore'), there's loads of great tunes! They had two more after that, and this track is off their 1998 album 'White Magic For Lovers'. Apparently they've just reformed, along with every other band who split between 1995 and 1998.

It's on blue vinyl, and I played it a fair bit back in the day, which is a winning combination if you like surface noise. But then if you didn't, you wouldn't be here.

Here he is.

Three Colours Red - This Is My Hollywood 7"

2010-04-05T19:34:00.003+01:00

Here, my friends, is a band putting the rock into indie-rock. Maybe even the ROCK! This is proper sub-three minute guitar fun, and to add a little something to this post it's the first release of this single, which was their first, on the Fierce Panda label. After this record they ended up signed to Creation, and apparently then went by the name "3 Colours Red". But ha! Here's the proof you've been looking for all this time to settle the argument with that floppy-haired mate who was into Marion too. "Three" it was, back in the day.

Fierce Panda, eh? Great name for a label, and a great label. I have a couple of 7" compilations they put out, which I'll try to dig up. I also bought their 7" release of a fight between Liam and Noel Gallagher, called "Wibbling Rivalry", which I remember being very funny. If I can find it, I'll up it.

Meanwhile, though, this is a proper jump-around-the-room record. Stick it on, stick it up, and pretend you're 16 again.

1. This Is My Hollywood
2. Hate Slick

Reet here.

Marion - Sleep 7"

2010-04-03T13:38:00.003+01:00

I can't tell you an awful lot about this band, except that one of the guitarists is now in Bernard Sumner's new band. I'm sure that either Wikipedia or one of your mates who used to have that sort of floppy hair will be able to let you know more...

What I can tell you, however, is that they released one of the finest singles of the era, and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that. It has everything, great intro, harmonica riff, killer indie-rock bassline. Brilliant. If you were listening to the radio any time in the mid-'90s you will probably recognise it, and if you've not heard it before you're in for a real treat. Love it. And, on top of all that, the b-side's really good too (in a Suede kind of a stylee), and it's on orange vinyl! What more could you ask for? Except fewer crackles. But it has been played a lot.

Hope you like it. I appear to have paid 99p for it back in the day, and that, my friend, is a bargain.

1. Sleep
2. Waiting For No-One

Hear it.

Super Furry Animals - The Man Don't Give A Fuck 12"

2010-03-28T14:09:00.000+01:00

By way of yet another apology for being a bit slack, here's a special request. The 12" version of this magnificent SFA single, which apparently has some exclusive remixes. The single itself should need no introduction, but it's a proper sing-along bit of cussin', and very well worth a listen if you've not heard it before/for a while. It's dedicated to Robin Friday, a legendary Cardiff City footballer, in action (to an extent) here.

The b-sides are very much from the SFA era of having their own rave tank which I remember being confused by at Reading one year. If that's your taste, then you'll be right into these. And if you're into Howard Marks you might be interested. For me, it's all about the a-side to this one, but it's an a-side which you should have.

1. The Man Don't Give A Fuck
2. The Man Don't Give A Fuck (Howard Marks Mix)
3. The Man Don't Give A Fuck (Wishmountain Mix)
4. The Man Don't Give A Fuck (Darren Price "Mix")

Yma.

Pizzicato Five - Mon Amour Tokyo 7"

2010-03-28T13:45:00.002+01:00

So, do you know these guys? If you do, then this won't come as any surprise. If you don't, well, now that the spring is here (for one day only) and the daffodils are coming out, it's time to stick the b-side to this record on loud and open all your windows. If 'Twiggy Twiggy/Twiggy vs James Bond' doesn't have you simultaneously bopping, giggling and wondering what the hell's going on then you're a hard, hard man/woman to please.

Japanese, on Matador, from 1993. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the sound of Pizzicato Five?

1. Mon Amour Tokyo
2. Twiggy Twiggy/Twiggy vs James Bond

此処.

Sparklehorse - Rainmaker 7"

2010-03-16T14:33:00.003Z

So that's weird. This was going to be the next post I put up, having kind of delayed it for fear of it being spotted and taken down by those folks at the DMCA. Now, for all the wrong reasons, there's Sparklehorse stuff all over various blogs, so hopefully no-one will mind. Anyway, for the second time in this blog's short history it's an accidental tribute, but a tribute it is, to a wonderful songwriter who will be sadly missed.

This single is a great introduction to the band if you don't know them, a killer track if you don't know it, and an excellent b-side if you're not in the first two categories. This is off the first LP, 'Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot', and apparently made it as high as #61 in the UK chart. So it was a hit then, and still is now.

1. Rainmaker
2. I Almost Lost My Mind

Here.

Teenage Fanclub - What You Do To Me 7"

2010-03-07T10:33:00.002Z

It's that time of year, the sun's out, the birds are singing, and it's time for what may be the last installment of my trawl through TFC's singles, although there may be one or two more hidden away... Back to 1992 for this one. That's right. 18 years ago. Does that make you feel old? It does me.

Anyhew, this is quite simply a great song, with a nice cover, and a nice cover on the other side. The TFC-written b-sides are alright, but to be honest they kind of live up to their names. Not to say they're not good, and they're worth a listen for sure (for completeness if nothing else), but they're not LP material. 'Life's A Gas' is a good version.

Now put it on whatever you carry around with you and listen to it on a picnic.

1. What You Do To Me
2. B-Side
3. Life’s A Gas
4. Filler

Here!

Veruca Salt - Seether 7"

2010-02-27T13:33:00.002Z

Here's a 100% bona fide indie rock classic. 1994 was the year, and as far as I know this was the first single by Veruca Salt. Apparently not the last, as they're still around, four LPs in. I don't recall ever hearing anything other than these two tracks, and the a-side is certainly the sound of 1994 or thereabouts.

It's a good track, and when you hear it you'll know what I mean about it being timely. It has a great intro, with a proper guitar sound. If you were listening to music around this period, I bet you'll recognise it, even if you don't recognise the name. The b-side's pretty good too, not quite so good a tune, but has more of a garage-y quality to it.

Hope you like 'em!

1. Seether
2. Straight

Them's here.

The Jesus Lizard / Nirvana split 7"

2010-02-23T22:11:00.002Z

This came out around the height of Nirvana madness, about 1993, and being an excitable schoolboy at the time I remember finding out about it and reserving my copy at Revolver Records in Bristol. Happy days.

Around the same time, I went to see Senseless Things supported by The Jesus Lizard. I thought the support were terrible, and sat in the bar with my mates. Looking back on it now, I realise that I can only be described as an idiot.

Anyway, the Jesus Lizard track is great, and the Nirvana one isn't on any albums of theirs (I don't think - maybe a compilation..?), and is also worth a listen. It sounds like something off Bleach, but a bit more mature, which is a pretty good combination in my book. This 7" is also worthy of a mention for the worst cover of the decade, possibly. Back cover's cool though.

1. The Jesus Lizard - Puss
2. Nirvana - Oh, The Guilt

Here you go.

Pure Morning - four singles

2010-02-21T17:14:00.004Z

By popular demand, now that I have a HiFi working again, here are four singles by the band Pure Morning, who became Clinic. The first is from 1995, and has my favourite ever track of theirs ("Dress Up"), the other three are from 1996. That first 7" is a little scratchy - it's been played a lot...

I did post a couple of them a while back, but they don't seem to have stayed where they were put, so here they are again. This is great stuff!

While I was digging around I found a couple of Clinic 7"s ("Monkey On Your Back" and "Cement Mixer") from way back, so will put them up sometime too.

1. All The Guests Smile So Sweetly (the original version skips - here's a proper one)
2. Severed Cuts Up
3. Dress Up

... is here.

1. Scum
2. Funky Hospital

... is here.

1. Dinky
2. Fake Lady
3. Police Car Atrocity
4. Containers

... is here.

1. Foxhole
2. IPC
3. The Gardener

... is here.

Sorry...

2010-02-19T18:35:00.001Z

Sorry for the delay, folks. Normal service will be resumed shortly.

Stereolab - Ping Pong 7"

2010-01-29T21:47:00.005Z

Here's one I got excited about when I was scanning some covers in. There is nothing quite like coloured vinyl, wouldn't you agree? Picture discs are something else entirely, and while I have a few, the fact that they sound bloody awful doesn't balance out the mild interest of, I dunno, some lightning or something. Maybe I have too many Iron Maiden ones... Anyway, this one's green, and it turns an already superb 7" up to 11.

The a-side is one of my favourite Stereolab tracks, and if you don't know it/them then you're in for a treat. The b-side lives up to its name in spectacular style, and, on top of everything else, it has yet another infinite exit groove. Cool cubed.

1. Ping Pong
2. Moogie Wonderland

Ecoutez ici.

p.s. For those of you of impeccable taste (after your Beatnik Filmstars comment, YankeeBoy, I cannot include you in that category) waiting for the Pure Morning bits and bobs, I've realised that I no longer have the original files, for some reason, so will have to make them again. But I will, just be patient.

Beatnik Filmstars - Supremer Queener E.P.

2010-01-24T18:43:00.002Z

Couple of things to which a blog post can never do justice... This 7" is packaged in wallpaper, and the plastic sleeve is stamped with the band's name. Also, it's on white vinyl. These things are important to me, so I thought I should share them. If you'd like to come round and feel the wallpaper, you're all more than welcome. It's very satisfying.

As for the tunes, well you're in for a treat. You may or may not know these guys, but they're from Bristol (as am I), and have been around for years (as have I). Their music career has been marginally more successful than mine, though, it has to be said. They're currently on Merge Records, who you must check out, with a LOAD of other superb bands/people.

This record is from 1996 on Mobstar Records (Bristol again, I think). Track 1 is a proper LoFi pop gem, 2 is a Fall-like noisy one (just described by my wife as "a pioneer of bullshit", make of that what you will), number 3 is much quieter, killer tune, and 4 is back to somewhere near the Fall, but lower-fi. All good. Hope you love 'em too.

1. Supremer Queener
2. I Am A Pioneer
3. Seventies Flick
4. A Craze Exploding

They'm here.

Snuff - Long Ball To No-One E.P.

2010-01-13T20:40:00.002Z

I was watching some TV music channel the other night, and the video for 'I Think We're Alone Now' as covered by Tiffany came on. I was 10 when she released that song, and I was a big fan, probably not entirely because of the tune itself. Those of you old enough to remember will understand. Whole lotta denim.

Anyway, the point is that Snuff did a cover of that track on their debut LP, 'Snuff Said'. This is the connection. Thanks for bearing with me. This being a singles blog, there is no place for that album, but there is always space for some good old-fashioned pop-punk, in this case from 1996. Because it's a proper EP, from the good old days, it has four tracks, and all of them are well worth a listen. 1: Hammond/brass-tastic pop joy; 2: bass-tastic high-speed joy; 3: trumpet-tastic shouty joy; 4: syncopation-tastic great-name joy. Enjoy!

1. Nick Northern
2. Walk
3. Caught In Session
4. Dow Dow Boof Boof

Hear ya.

Teenage Fanclub - Free Again 7"

2010-01-10T20:08:00.003Z

Happy New Year everyone! I hope your festive season was good, and you're enjoying whatever 2010 has brought you so far.

To start the decade afresh, here's yet another Teenage Fanclub post, and the second post in a row to contain an Alex Chilton cover ('Free Again'). That, my friends, is how tired and predictable I have become. But it's also why you keep coming back...

This is a 7" on K Records from Washington in the US of A, released in 1992. The other track is 'Bad Seeds' by Beat Happening, and both a- and b-sides are 110% killer. All killer, no filler.

1. Free Again
2. Bad Seeds

Here.

The Family Cat - Jesus Christ

2009-12-23T19:16:00.005Z

You lucky, lucky people... Look what Santa's pulled out of the bag just for you, this festive season. I was actually looking for another 7" with a Christmas theme, but this one turned up instead, so you're going to have another treat in, well, about a year.

This is a great cover of an Alex Chilton track, by the band who the phrase 'Indie stalwarts' could have been invented for, if indeed it had ever been invented. Yer main b-side is a karaoke version, so your family can start their very own Christmas tradition, right here, right now. The other b-sides are just silly, but what do you expect this time of year? And there's the most annoying exit groove loop yet - even more than the SFA ones.

Enjoy this, enjoy Christmas, enjoy New Year, best wishes to you all, and see you in 2010 for more partying like it's 1995...

1. Jesus Christ
2. Chill Out Ye Merry Gentlemen
3. Jesus Karaoke Christ
4. Christ Jesus

Ho ho ho.

Swell - The Trip 7"

2009-12-21T16:40:00.003Z

You'll like this. Enough said, I know, my trusting readers, but this is really good. It also (and I didn't realise this until listening through again today) has the worst attempt at disguising the word "fucked" I've ever heard! Not even close. I guess this is the radio version...

You may know them already, but if you don't then this is a great way to find out. The single's off what I think is their best LP - 'Too Many Days Without Thinking' - but that's out of the only three of their records I know. I saw them years back at Dingwalls in London, and they were great. A proper band, this lot. You might get the idea from this song.

Anyway, putting aside the nonsense above, here is a great a-side, and two b-sides which must only just have missed the cut for the album. Especially 'Easy', which is a great track. Country rock, if you must know. But not that way. The good way.

1. (I Know) The Trip
2. So Would I
3. Easy

Here y'are.

Pavement - Give It A Day 7"

2009-12-13T19:55:00.002Z

Hey hey. This one's all about the sticker on the front - "containing extra track I Love Perth". You may have heard it, and the rest, on the Wowee Zowee special edition, but in case you haven't then here's a little treat. If you don't know Pavement (is there anyone here between 25 and 45 who falls into that category?) then this is a good place to start, followed by buying all their records in order...

The a-side is a great track, one of my favourite Pavement numbers. Some great lines, and a tune that will get stuck in your head, guaranteed. 'Gangsters & Pranksters' is also really good, with a killer last line. 'Sagasaw' is alright, but I could take it or leave it. 'I Love Perth', though, is what you're here for. Mike (you'll remember him as the chap who rated Leggy Mambo by Cud as maybe the greatest Indie LP ever) searched for it for years, having heard it on this single, and with good reason, as you're about to find out.

1. Give It A Day
2. Gangsters & Pranksters
3. Sagasaw
4. I Love Perth

Hear.

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Train #3/#1 7"

2009-12-07T09:47:00.004Z

What are the chances? Both tracks on this 7" are exactly 2:03 long. I know. That's the kind of coincidence that makes you wonder, doesn't it..?

Enough of this nonsense. I don't really know anything about either of these songs, other than they're both great. I can't tell you if they're off an LP, or a series of singles, or what. I can't remember where I bought this record, either. What I do know is that 'Train #3' includes a lot of shouting of "explosion", which you can't knock. 'Train #1" has an awesome start. They're both noisy, and they are 100% superb. Really, really great. And it came with a jukebox insert.

"All aboard... THE BLUES EXPLOSION!"

Tickets and fares here.

p.s. I can't help noticing that, after being up for nearly 24 hours, no-one has listened to this record. I should impress upon you all that it is superb, and you should check it out.

Super Furry Animals - Moog Droog EP

2009-11-29T10:33:00.003Z

Who says I'm not good to you folks? Here, as promised, is the other SFA EP from back in late 1995, before their big break with Creation. This one has an early version (I think it's different to the LP version, anyway) of 'God! Show Me Magic', which was on the first album. This one, like the previous post, is full of good stuff, so I hope you enjoy it as much as I did when I rediscovered it the other day!

I had a listen to 'Dark Days/Light Years' on Spotify yesterday, flushed with my success of getting round to putting the post up, and it confirmed what I'd suspected for some time - the first album really is their best, in my opinion. The others have plenty of good tracks on them, but there's just something about 'Fuzzy Logic' that does it for me. You can buy 'Fuzzy Logic' and 'Radiator' as one of those double-pack CDs, by the way, and if you don't have them then I'd recommend getting hold of it. I bought 'Radiator' on double-LP, way back, and it plays at 45rpm and lasts about 35 minutes. That's simultaneously very cool and very annoying.

1. PamV?
2. God!Show Me Magic
3. Sali Mali
4. Focus Pocus
4 ½. Debiel

It's here.

Super Furry Animals - Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogochynygofod (in space) EP

2009-11-28T12:05:00.004Z

Here's a treat for y'all. It's the first SFA EP, which came out in 1995, and you won't be too surprised to hear that it holds the world record for the longest EP title ever. This came out before they signed to Creation, on the Ankst label, and somehow I was unusually cool for an afternoon and bought it. Maybe someone told me to. Anyhew, I picked this up somewhre, and also the Moog Droog EP which came out a few months later - which I will post in the future.

The tracks on here are great. Really classic early SFA sounds, all of them, and in Welsh a lot of/all the time. They also put an infinte exit-groove on both sides of this EP, hence the fade-outs! End end of track four, plus the exit groove, are superb. None of the tracks on this record made it on to the first LP, but they are well worth a listen - just the sound of these songs this will take you back...

1. Organ Yn Dy Geg
2. Fix Idris
3. Crys Ti
4. Blerwytirhwng

Here he is. And after the overwhelming response to my question about shifting from Rapidshare (one reply, in favour), it's on Mediafire. Enjoy.

Change of storage?

2009-11-24T18:39:00.002Z

Hello all.

I've been having a bit of trouble getting stuff off Rapidshare recently - keeps saying that there aren't enough slots for free users at the moment, and I should try later... Is this happening to everyone? Would you prefer me to switch to Mediafire or similar? Please let me know.

dbf

Teenage Fanclub - Teenage Fanclub Have Lost It

2009-11-17T16:59:00.003Z

Picture the scene... It's 1995, and with £1.49 (in cash) I wander into HMV on Oxford Street. I'm pretty up on what's coming out - I read the NME, listen to Mark and Lard on Radio 1. But... What's this? It's an unexpected gem from Teenage Fanclub! I don't know what the story is behind it, if there is one, but you have here a little EP with an acoustic version of a song from each of the first four LPs. They're played on instruments including (and I quote) shakers, Ibanez analog delay, crotales, flageolet and treble recorder.

It needs no introduction, so please ignore all that. It is:

1. Don't Look Back
2. Everything Flows
3. Starsign
4. 120 Mins.

It's been a while, but here's some more TFC. I've dug out a load of other good stuff too, which will appear shortly...

The Southwest Experimental Pop Band - Skinny 7"

2009-11-15T16:39:00.003Z

Here's a rarity for y'all. This is The Southwest Experimental Pop Band's 1995 single, the first on their Swarf Finger label, from a limited run of 500. They changed their name fairly early on to The Experimental Pop Band, and did at least a couple of Peel Sessions. If you can find anything else by them then I recommend having a listen to it - it's all good. This was around the heyday of the Bristol 'trip-hop' scene, with Tricky, Massive Attack and Portishead the most famous (and long-lived) of the bands.

The SWEPB were great, though, and not anything like as appreciated as they should be. Their drummer also recorded a demo for a band I was in many, many years ago, and was an exceptionally patient man. I hope you enjoy this as much as I have been, and if anyone's interested I have at least one more 12" of theirs kicking around.

1. Skinny
2. 20th Century Tack

It's yer.

Cud - Sticks And Stones 12"

2009-11-13T20:20:00.002Z

A friend of mine (hello Mike) saw that I'd been listening to Cud, and stated that their third LP, 'Leggy Mambo' may be the best Indie album ever. Who am I to argue? That said, here's a single off their last (and fifth) record - 'Showbiz'. It's on eMusic, along with 'Leggy Mambo' and 'Elvis Belt', but sadly not 'Asquarius' which was the one I first got into, and so has a special place in my heart. I've got into the rest of their stuff since then, and recommend all of it - there's even a 'best of' if you're feeling lazy.

If you don't know this band, I'd suggest this single is a good place to start. Also, it contains one of my favourite Cud songs ever; 'Ski Bum'. The other two b-sides (those were the days... 12" single, 45rpm, great a-side, three b-sides you'd never heard before, and some more songs on the CD...) are good too.

Lovely stuff. I really recommend this one - been meaning to post it for ages!

1. Sticks And Stones
2. Ski Bum
3. Down The Plug
4. My Keyhole Don't Keep Secrets Anymore

Here's a donkey with a Fez on.

The Housemartins - Happy Hour and Caravan Of Love 7"s

2009-11-08T12:09:00.002Z

Hello hello hello. I'm shifting decades today, for one night only, and sending y'all back to 1986. I went for a wander around a little town called Nailsworth in Somerset the other day, and in an RSPCA charity shop found a mass of 80s 7"s. Most of them weren't too good, or I had them already, but I couldn't resist these two. It was quite a collection - I guess some poor chap must have died and they were given away; a lot of them had the date of release, chart position, that kind of thing written on the covers.

Anyway, enough with the story. I don't have to tell you much about these, surely? Both great singles, especially 'Happy Hour', and good b-sides too. I couldn't resist them, and however much of a music snob you think you are, I doubt you can either... Go on... No-one will ever know...

Happy Hour
1. Happy Hour
2. The Mighty 'Ship

Caravan Of Love
1. Caravan Of Love
2. When I First Met Jesus

Here's Happy Hour, and here's Caravan Of Love.

Spare Snare - Bugs

2009-10-30T17:07:00.004Z

Hey hey. Today's excitement is a 7" from what I thought was, until I looked on Wikipedia (sorry), an obscure Scottish indie band. Turns out that, while still obscure, they're not as obscure as I thought, and have seven LPs to their name, plus four Peel sessions. This single is superb. Really, really good.

I have one other single by them, which isn't too good, so I never looked out for any more. But this record is great, and if anyone can recommend me an album or two to get started, please do. The b-side is good too, but the single is just brilliant. Go on - treat yourself, Indie-lovers.

1. Bugs (Goodbye Jan)
2. Scrabble

hErE.

Black Box Recorder - Child Psychology

2009-10-24T17:39:00.004+01:00

Here's something miserable for you - I know what you folks like. This is a single by the second (successful) band that Luke Haines was in, the first being The Auteurs (and I'd thoroughly recommend checking some of their stuff out - 1993's "New Wave" is a great record). Both the a- and b-sides are off their first album, "England Made Me", and I'd have to be honest and say the a-side isn't one of my favourites on the LP. That said, the b-side is great, and you might well like the a-side too, depending on what mood you're in...

They played at the Nick Sanderson (from Earl Brutus) tribute concert, and there you have a seamless link to my Earl Brutus post of a few weeks back. That, my friends, is quality blogging.

1. Child Psychology
2. Girl Singing In The Wreckage

Heer.

UPDATED Urusei Yatsura / Mogwai / Backwater - Split Tour 7"

2009-10-18T19:49:00.002+01:00

Right. Sorry for any confusion, and thanks to Rob for pointing it out, but I'd screwed up the track listing/tracks for this post. I've re-upped it, and the new listing is below. Rather than a long version of 'Phasers', it's actually two Urusei tracks, but one - 'Pachinko (live)' - isn't listed on the 7". I'd also put up the Mogwai track twice, because I am a fool. Backwater's there now.

Second in October's short series (of two) tour 7"s from some time ago... This one is a split between two of Scotland's finest (Urusei Yatsura and Mogwai), and one of Ulster's most-forgotten (Backwater). A little reading around tells me that (as well as previously appearing in my blog) they supported Sebadoh and Def Leppard in their now sadly neglected career.

This 7" was handed to the first 50 people through the doors of the tour that these three bands did in 1996, where U.Y. were supported by an up-and-coming Mogwai for half the dates, and by Backwater for the others. I saw them with Backwater at the Moles Club in Bath, where I also once lost a jumper.

The Urusei and Mogwai tracks are live, and the former is a good version of an album track where they turn into Pavement halfway through (no they don't - see above). The Backwater one is a demo, I think. Apologies for the poor quality of the vinyl (and the original recordings), but you're not going to find this stuff anywhere else!

1. Mogwai - Summer
2. Backwater - Summer 17
3. Urusei Yatsura - Phasers (Live)
4. Urusei Yatsura - Pachinko (Live)

Hear.

Tortoise / Stereolab - Split 7"

2009-10-13T23:01:00.003+01:00

New job. That's my excuse. But here's something special for y'all to get your ears into, by way of apology for the delay.

This was a split 7" by these two, which they were selling at shows on the tour they did many years back. I caught them at the Bierkeller in Bristol, which is one of the few venues which still exists from my childhood (the Mauritania, anyone?) Anyway, I'm sure you don't really care, so on with the music.

They're both pretty good examples of the bands, so if by any chance you haven't come across these guys before then maybe this will turn you on to some good music. If you get a chance, I'd recommend getting hold of 'Millions Now Living Will Never Die' by Tortoise, which I also picked up at the same gig. Stereolab's albums all sound pretty much the same, but that's not to say you shouldn't try a few of those too. The Tortoise track on this 7" is kind of hypnotic, and I like it a lot. Stereolab's one is also hypnotic, in a different way, and I think you'll enjoy it.

1. Tortoise - YAUS
2. Stereolab - Speedy Car

Here.

Earl Brutus - The S.A.S. And The Glam That Goes With It

2009-09-24T13:01:00.004+01:00

Here's something nuts. You may remember these guys, and if you ever saw them live you'll remember for sure. Their sets were pretty famous for chaos, including smashing up their gear in the first song, stuff like that. Neon signs. Garage forecourt signs. All good stuff.

This is a 1997 single, which captures a bit of the chaos. It's a good track, and I recommend listening to it, as well as seeking out some more. The b-side is surprisingly addictive, despite being (as it sounds) recorded in someone's front room, and then produced in the kitchen. The tunes, though, it's all about the tunes. Enjoy 'e. There's some proper punk ethic going on here, in so many ways. Great.

It's also a very, very late tribute to Nick Sanderson, the singer, who died in June 2008, having lived his dream as a train driver for four years or so.

1. The S.A.S. And The Glam That Goes With It
2. Midland Red

Here.

R.E.M. - Electrolite

2009-09-23T13:03:00.006+01:00

So here's one I'd forgotten all about. Uploaded it a while back, and then didn't end up posting it. All is well, though, and it's here for your enjoyment. From the same ill-advised experimental scanning session as E-Bow The Letter from a little while back, so apologies if you can't really make anything out on the cover.

Anyway, you're only here for the music, and there's some good stuff on here. The single itself is excellent, off New Adventures In HiFi (which I may have mentioned previously as a favourite of mine, REM-wise). I know the b-sides are live tracks, which I'm not usually that into, but these ones are cracking versions of other tunes off the album. The remix is pretty good too, well worth a listen anyway.

1. Electrolite
2. The Wake-Up Bomb [Live] Atlanta
3. Binky The Doormat [Live] Atlanta
4. King Of Comedy (808 State Remix)

Oi! Over here!

Badly Drawn Boy - EP3

2009-09-22T13:01:00.004+01:00

Another treat. This time it's an old, old Badly Drawn Boy EP, off 7". I remember being told about this guy back in the day (the late 90s) and how his live shows were pretty weird, and I should look out for these EPs. There were three of them in all, but being a little slow at these things I only got hold of this one. I'm sure if you look hard enough the other two are around...

You know what? It's really good. I've kind of gone off him as he gets more Radio 2-friendly, but I still listen every now and then. However, this EP is great. Track 2 is a 'proper' song, after track 1's experimental-ness, and then tracks 3 and 4 are proper songs over a load of noise. You can't say fairer than that. The guy has an ear for a tune, and I hope you enjoy this. It came out about a year and a half before the first LP.

1. Spooky Driver
2. I Need A Sign
3. Meet On The Horizon
4. Road Movie

Right here, right now.

Palace - Come In / Trudy Dies 7"

2009-09-22T12:52:00.003+01:00

Hey hey. It's been a while, eh? Sorry about that. Hope you haven't missed me as much as I've missed y'all. Had a pretty crazy month or so, but things are back to somewhere near normal.

So, by way of an apology for the delay, I have a treat for you. This is more Palace (Will Oldham/Bonnie 'Prince' Billy/Palace Songs/Palace Music/others), and although I said the last Palace Songs post had my favourite of their songs on it, I've changed my mind again. Both tracks off this single are, I think, only on this single (and a collection of b-sides and rarities which came out later), and both are superb. 'Trudy Dies' is just an amazing, amazing song. So sad. I hope you come to love it as much as I do.

Enough rambling - enjoy.

1. Come In
2. Trudy Dies

Here.

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Experimental Remixes

2009-08-29T09:43:00.002+01:00

So here's a big ol' EP for y'all to listen to. All (except 'Tour Diary') are remixes of what were already great tracks off the LP 'Orange', by various luminaries of the time (and indeed still now). Some of them are as you might expect, especially Beck (which he sings on) and Moby (which sounds like a Moby track). 'Tour Diary' is a 17:13 epic, with bits of live (practice?) recordings, bits of interviews (q: "can a white man sing the blues?" a: "... he shaves his eyebrows.") I have to be honest and say I've not made it all the way through track 7, but I'm sure someone out there is braver than me.

I don't have the original CD with me now, so I can't be sure, but it seems that the labelling of tracks 2 and 3 is wrong, as Beck is clearly singing on track 3 - these listings are what iTunes told me. Either way, it's all good, and I won't be offended if you change the names.

1. Bellbottoms (Old Rascal Mix - U.N.K.L.E.)
2. Flavor Part 1 (Beck)
3. Flavor Part 2 (Mike D)
4. Soul Typecast (Dub Narcotic Sound System)
5. Greyhound Part 1 (Moby)
6. Greyhound Part 2 (Featuring Killah Priest)
7. Tour Diary

It's right here...

p.s. Although August hasn't exactly been a flurry of posts, September's going to be even worse, as I won't be around for the first couple of weeks - check back soon!

The Divine Comedy - The Frog Princess

2009-08-25T15:47:00.001+01:00

Here's a band that, whenever I listen to them, I wish I knew a bit more of their stuff. I've just never really got round to it, apart from singles, and watching a live DVD once. They (he, really) are very, very good though. Great lyrics, and great tunes too. This one is a prime example, as are the b-sides. The 'demo' b-side is a great example of what you can do with a Casio and some talent... 'Tonight We Fly' is a fine song too.

If you like this, or even if you don't, you should check out The Duckworth Lewis Method album. It's all about cricket, which we English are right back into since Sunday (even while I'm in Tokyo, where just two bars in a city about 15 times bigger than London were showing it).

Anyway, enough of this. Enjoy Mr Hannon at his very finest.

1. The Frog Princess
2. Something Before The Weekend (Demo)
3. Neptune's Daughter
4. Tonight We Fly

Fact into doubt won't go.

Garbage - Stupid Girl

2009-08-24T16:28:00.002+01:00

I started buying the 7"s by these guys just after they released the last one which is still worth a fortune. I think I have one in a cardboard cover with a kind of hologram on the front, but it was the early ones which you can sell for a bucketload of money. Or you used to be able to, for sure.

Anyway, this is a good track, and I was reminded how good when I listened to it earlier this evening. The b-sides are good too, especially the Red Snapper mix, which is great, and highly recommended. If you like either of the bands you'll enjoy it. 'Driving Lesson' does, I'd have to say, sound a little like it wouldn't have made an album, but the mixes are cool. If you don't know the band at all then 'Stupid Girl' is quite a good introduction, you should check out the first LP if you like it.

1. Stupid Girl
2. Driving Lesson
3. Dog New Tricks (The Pal Mix)
4. Stupid Girl (Red Snapper Mix)

Here you go.

Placebo - Teenage Angst

2009-08-19T04:47:00.003+01:00

Given that this is my second Placebo post, it must give the impression I'm a big fan. I'm not, to be honest, but I was really into their first LP a few years back, so have got various singles off it.

This one wins its place because it was a two-7" set, which went into its own gatefold sleeve. Sweet. I don't have long to tell you about it, but essentially it's of interest to Placebo fans, b-side wise, until you get to the last track - 'H.K. Farewell' - which is great. The rest aren't so good (but if you like the band you'll enjoy hearing them).

The single itself was the first track I ever heard by them, on a John Peel show many years ago, and loved it. It's still a killer tune, but my God those lyrics should have warned me about the rest of their career...

7" one:
1. Teenage Angst
2. Been Smoking Too Long
3. Hug Bubble

7" two:
1. Teenage Angst (Amsterdam V.P.R.O. Session)
2. Flesh Mechanic (Demo)
3. H.K. Farewell

First 7" is here, second is here. Enjoy! (And sorry about the crappy vinyl!)

The Pastels - Worlds Of Possibility

2009-08-09T16:07:00.002+01:00

Hey hey. Sorry for the delay, but I've been having all kinds of trouble sorting out the internet in Japan, the home of modern technology... Masters of hardware, but not of software. Teenage Fanclub were playing a festival in Tokyo tonight, but I checked ticket prices and they clocked in at over £120 just for today. Goddamnit. I did see Lee Ranaldo near a record shop in Shibuya yesterday, though.

So, this is The Pastels, who were (are?) one of Scotland's finest under-rated bands, along with The BMX Bandits and others. This track is off 'Mobile Safari', which is an awesome record, and if you like this you'll love that album. And you'll love 'Truckload Of Trouble' even more. The single is great, and is reprised at the end of track 4 - a hidden track on a single, how cool is that? The first two b-sides are classic Pastels, especially track 3's singing, and track 4 is a cover, but I don't know who did the original. Anyone..?

1. Worlds Of Possibility
2. Photogram
3. Ever Far
4. Love It's Getting Better

Here.

Royal Trux - Map Of The City

2009-07-30T18:04:00.002+01:00

This reminded me how good these guys could be. It's a great track on the a-side, and the b-side went from dreadful (on first listen) to amazing (on third), so give it a chance! It's a blues/Hammond/rock/production masterpiece. I saw them years ago supporting Teenage Fanclub, which was a pretty weird combination, and then picked this up on purple tie-dyed 7"... Those were the days.

If you like it, and it may be a bit of an acquired taste, I would recommend the albums 'Thank You' and 'Accelerator'. I only say this because they're the only two I know, mind, but I have a feeling that they didn't always manage to match the quality of those two. Give them a go...

1. Map Of The City
2. National Mother

They're heeeeeere.

I'm off to Tokyo for six weeks or so, so I have no idea whether I'll be able to post anything for a while. I will if I can. If I can't, then please come back in September and normal (patchy) service will be resumed...

R.E.M. - E-Bow The Letter

2009-07-28T16:48:00.004+01:00

Here's some more R.E.M., again from 'New Adventures In HiFi'. If you ask me (and maybe they should have) it's a weird choice for first single off an album, but it worked in the UK where this was, apparently, their highest-placing single up to that point. It was also their lowest-placing US single for ten years. I'm sure that tells you something, but I have no idea what. Maybe you folks in the States don't like Patti Smith (for she sings backing).

'Tricycle' is a kind of rockabilly number, instrumental, twangy. The sound-check version of 'Departure' is kind of sparse, but with a load more organ (and more rocking drums) than on the album. I like it. There's also a cover of Richard Thompson's 'Wall Of Death', which is very well worth hearing. Give it a go.

I liked the cover of this, so scanned both sides in full. Something seems to have gone wrong putting them up here, though (they're kind of pixelated), but you get the idea. I have another R.E.M. one ready for sometime soon.

1. E-Bow The Letter
2. Tricycle
3. Departure (Rome Soundcheck)
4. Wall Of Death

The bearded lady is here.

Dinosaur Jr - Take A Run At The Sun

2009-07-25T09:41:00.003+01:00

Sorry for the delay, but I can assure you it's been worth the wait...

Firstly, just look at that cover. Great, eh? Now, if you don't know Dinosaur Jr then you should be aware that this isn't typical of them at all. If you do know them then the same applies, I guess. Either way, you should go out and buy Farm, which has just come out and is very very well worth a listen.

This is off the soundtrack for a film I've never seen called 'Grace Of My Heart". Unless that's a windup on the sleeve notes. Has anyone seen it? It has Matt Dillon in it, playing (it says here) "a guy-who-is-similar-to-but-definitely-not-Brian-Wilson", and the a-side is veeeeeery Beach Boys. Track 2 is his attempt to recover the lost innocence of his earlier life, and 3 is his drugged-out weird phase. Nice jew's harp in this one.

All you really need to know is that 'Take A Run At The Sun' is just superb. Give it a listen.

1. Take A Run At The Sun
2. Don't You Think It's Time
3. The Pickle Song

It's time.

Inspiral Carpets - Bitches Brew (CDs 1 & 2)

2009-07-14T20:10:00.005+01:00

Great stuff this. I guarantee this will take you back... Here's a band which seem to have been a little forgotten in the grand scheme of things, but they had some brilliant songs. This EP is a good place to start if you don't know them, as it's stuffed with live 'best of' b-sides (and a killer a-side), so I hope you like it. Them. I hope you like them.

They did a track with Mark E Smith on a later album, which is well worth seeking out. I'm now desperately trying to recall what it was (Saturn 5? Certainly on the same album), but perhaps one of you folks can remind me? Anyway, if you like this I recommend finding some more. If you don't, well, I'll send the Clint Boon Experience round your house to duff you up.

CD1:
1. Bitches Brew
2. Mermaid (live)
3. Born Yesterday (live)
4. Sleep Well Tonight (live)

CD2:
1. Bitches Brew (Fortran 5 Horse Mix)
2. Dragging You Down (live)
3. Smoking Her Clothes (live)
4. Fire (live)

One is here, two is here.