Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine - Rubbish 12"

This one is a dedication, of sorts. Just been to the UK leg of the wedding of a very good friend, who is a huge Carter fan. Couldn't help noticing a sad lack of any at the event itself, which is a disappointing oversight at any wedding, as I'm sure you'll agree.

Anyway, it was a lovely day, and it's a great shame that the happy couple live on a different continent to mine. Mat and Robyn, this is for you both. (Robyn, you don't have to listen to it.)

This single is bloody great. I think it's among my favourite Carter tracks. I heard it on the Steve Lamaq show the other day, and it reminded me that I had this lying around. First b-side is a Pet Shop Boys cover (really), with more edgy samples than I remember in the original. Second b-side also very good, excellent introduction.

I actually found it in a charity shop only a few months ago, in fact, so it's not a genuine 90s purchase, but it is from 1990. But as a bonus, someone had left a James 12" in the sleeve too, so when I get a chance I shall ensure that charity's oversight is your gain.

I hope you enjoy it.

1. Rubbish
2. Rent
3. Alternative Alf Garnett

Click HERE, Tim.

The Family Cat - Limited 7" with Furthest From The Sun

Something a bit different this time, and hopefully of interest to at least some of you. This is the 7" which came with initial pressings of The Family Cat's 1992 LP, "Furthest From The Sun". In my opinion their best record, although I like pretty much everything they did. Must hold the record for number of times I saw a band supporting someone else.

The first track is one of their own, and I can only imagine it didn't make the album because it's a bit too raucous. Sounds more like their earlier records in terms of energy, not as atmospheric as the album songs. It's really great, though, I like it a lot.

"Montague Terrace" I'm sure you know, but this was at the time the first version I'd ever heard of it, and I thought it was amazing. I still think it's pretty good - about as opposite in terms of instrumentation to the Scott Walker one as you can get.

Hope you like them.

1. Kolombus
2. Montague Terrace (In Blue)

Here.

Super Furry Animals - (Drawing) Rings Around The World (CDS)

So, what can I say? All we know for sure is that I haven't uploaded the video which is proudly advertised on the front of this CD case, and it cost £2.99 from the Virgin Megastore (on Oxford Street). Why there's been another huge gap between posts, why there was hail today... Who knows?

Brilliant single, with proper Furries b-sides (with proper titles/lyrics). I've always liked when bands release albums named after tracks which aren't on the album. This one uses lyrics from the first b-side as the basis for the other! Amazing stuff. I love this band. Both of the extra tracks are really good.

By the way, can I recommend the new Gruff Rhys LP, 'American Interiors'? It's awesome.

1. (Drawing) Rings Around The World
2. Edam Anchorman
3. All The Shit U Do

Here it's.

Earl Brutus - Come Taste My Mind (CDS)

Sorry all, that gap must be a record, even for me. Well, I'm back, and with a treat in the form of the always fantastic Earl Brutus, with their always fantastic record sleeves, and this one has a truly mental b-side.

The single itself is superb, noisy, killer chorus, the works. Tracks 2 and 3 are fairly standard b-side fodder, sound like they're enjoying themselves, but obviously not LP tracks. Track 4, however, is a William Reid remix of the single, and it's bloody great. Hope you like it.

On another note, I'm sorry I've had to change from Zippyshare, as I always find it's way quicker to download from there than anything else. Unfortunately something has broken with my connection, and whenever I click "upload" it shoots across to 100% and then says "i/o error" and doesn't upload. I'm giving Mega a shot, apologies if it's slow. That said I just tested it and it seems quick. Let me know.

1. Come Taste My Mind
2. Superstar
3. Nice Man In A Bubble
4. William, Taste My Mind

Bring it.

Cinerama - Kerry Kerry (CDS)

Hello again everyone. I'm afraid I've completely run out of anything Christmas-related for my Christmas post, so you'll have to make do with something great instead.

I can never decide whether I prefer The Wedding Present or Cinerama. I know, I know, but I really like Cinerama. And if you want to really find the way to a man's heart, as well you know, you put two b-sides on a single which are good enough to have been album tracks. This is your cue to tell me that actually they were and I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Excellent a-side, and two really, really good b-sides too. Enjoy this, enjoy Christmas, and happy new year to you all.

1. Kerry Kerry
2. Love
3. Au Pair

Happy Christmas!

Teenage Fanclub - Sparky's Dream (Alternative Version) (CDS)

Wow. A long gap between posts, even for me. Just seen that it was September last time I put anything up, so time for a renewed effort.

Been trawling a few charity/second-hand shops recently, and there's some good stuff in the pile ready for your discerning ears. Before that, though, back to what we love most of all...

This single has some of my favourite TFC b-sides, and given Lou Reed's sad passing a few weeks back this one seems kind of appropriate too. The first b-side is a cover of (I see on Wikipedia) a band called The Creation, and it's great. A Raymond solo effort next, which I really like, although you can tell why it didn't make an LP, and then the Velvets tune.

Great stuff. Sorry for the long break, and I'll be back soon.

1. Sparky's Dream (Alternative Version)
2. Try And Stop Me
3. That's All I Need To Know
4. Who Loves The Sun

There you go.

Strangelove - Sway CDS (Disc 1)

Damn Icelandic DMCA mafia. So much for Bjork singles, then...

Back in the day, when men were... etc. Double-CD single sets, where the first disc's package had space to put both CDs, and all the tracks for both were on the sleeve. Made you feel like you'd achieved something by filling the box. For borderline OCD cases like me it made it essential; I'm not sure I own one of those where I don't have both CDs.

Strangelove were one of those bands where if you like them, you really like them. If you don't then I suspect you think they're the absolute definition of everything which was bad about music in about 1995. Possibly along with Suede.

I'm in the first camp, obviously. I like this song a lot, and the b-sides are all good too. Apart from 'Ghost Haddock', which makes me want to punch Patrick Duff in the face. Although it's worth listening to all of it, if you can.

1. Sway
2. Nowhere Days
3. Hold On
4. Ghost Haddock

Here you go.

Travis - Happy CDS

Travis when they were good! Bit of controversy there, for all you lovers of stadium/Coldplay-era Travis. Or indeed for those of you who always thought they were shit.

Well, I really like their first album, although I only owned it on tape (along with only about three others, I guess it must have been very cheap) so haven't listened for a while. This wasn't my favourite track, but it's good anyway. They were a good live act at the time too.

Possibly the first b-side points the direction they were heading. And to be honest I don't recognise either of them listening now, so I can't have been that enamoured back then either. They're OK, if you're in the right mood.

I promise my next post will be more inspiring.

1. Happy
2. When I'm Feeling Blue (Days Of The Week)
3. Mother

Here 'tis.

Doctor Bison - Right About You CDS

I know very little about this band, except that I think theyhave some connection with Leatherface.

What I can tell you is that they're unashamedly rocking, and you will love this CD. They're a bit like China Drum when they were still good (think 'Goosefair').

All three songs are good, and these boys could write a chorus, I don't mind telling you. Surprisingly long songs.

1. Right About You
2. Cut Down
3. Clear The Air


Hey ya.

The Pastels - Worlds of Possibility (CDS)

 

Happy Record Store Day everyone. I hope you managed to get out and get something you wanted. I joined a queue at the new branch of Raves From The Grave in Bath, and by the time I got in the shop there wasn't much left. Hey ho. Good day for the shops, though, which is the main thing.

So, more Pastels, and woodblock-tastic! And Gerard Love in the band! Awesome single by this fantastic band, although a bit of an acquired taste for some. Excellent single, and some good b-sides too. The singing on 'Ever Far' is ridiculously low.

The fourth track, which is a cover of someone I don't know, is particularly good. Anyone any ideas? I imagine this shows up my narrow and superficial musical education.

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

Hear ye.