My 2010 in records; the albums

Looking back at 2010 in music isn't just "what's the best record this year" for me. It's about discovering "new" music, bands, labels, genres and so on. This year brought me Harlem. I got their "Hippies" record in may and it blew my mind. It also brought me Los Electronicos, a band from Columbia, recordings from 1970 with instrumental arty tunes. I found out about Captured Tracks, a Brooklyn NY based label releasing great bands like Dum Dum Girls, The German Measles, The Beets, The Oh Sees, Fresh & Only's and more. I'm gonna point out some highlights, my highlights that is.

Stats, my purchases 2010;
42% LP, 52% is 7", 6% for 10" and 12".
39% is from '10, 22% is from '09, 5% from '08, the rest is old stuff ;-)
16% of the lot was purchased in may, great month!

Okay, here we go, first the albums.

Black Time - More Songs About Motorcycles & Death
12"EP, 6 tracks on 45rpm. A London based outfit putting out totally damaged bluespunk records since 2004. Their debut lp "Blackout" caught my ear right away and followed them since. The've been picked up by In The Red Records, releasing two of their albums. This release, on Wrench Records, is no disappointment either; hardhitting, harsh, in your face bluespunk. Like the Bassholes, but even more brutal, more rocking.


Jaill - There's No Sky ( Oh My My)
Their "That's How We Burn" lp on Subpop was my first encounter with this Milwaukee based band. Google learned me that they released an album prior to this one, on Burger Records. So I ordered it directly from the label and 2 weeks later... you get the picture. I unpacked the record, looked at it, great cover, nice inserts, digidownload, the vinyl has a nice shine, the needle touches the record... BAM!! Side one kicks off with 3 killer indierock tunes, great sound. It sets the standard for the whole record. Not a turd on this baby. Released in 2009, it would have been in my top 5, but hey, lists are made in december, right?


Augustine Ramirez - Sangre De Indio lp
I bought this album because a friend of mine pointed me to his "Vehicle" track. There's a mp3 somewhere on the internets, I would love to share this track with you, but I can't find it. Also released as a 7" on El Zarape Records. Great latin soul with an amazing fuzzed out psych guitar break!! Love it. Released in the early 70s.




Moonhearts - S/T lp
Debut album on Tic Tac Totally Records, released this summer. Their 7"s were promising, I was really looking forward to this album. Muddy garage rocknroll, great songwriting burried under a layer of mud. This album kicked right in, no questions asked! Fast, drivin' garagepunk with a poppy edge, energetic (duh)), surfin' noise are the keywords for this baby. If you like Harlem, check this record out; it's got more energy and way more punk. On the other hand it's loose like Oblivians, that's a + in my book.

The Anomalys - S/T lp
After releasing a split 7" on A Fistful Of Records and a regular single on Slovenly Recordings this is finally their full length, also on Slovenly. Last year I saw them play live in my fave hang-out in Hoorn, Swaf. They blew my mind with their amazing mix of high energy garage punk rockandroll. Perfectly balanced album from this three-piece from Amsterdam. And for the record, this is no lo-fi, recorded by Nils "Superhelicopter" Westphal, giving it an amazing sound.

I also got my hand on an album called 920 Blues, released in 2001 on Trick Knee Productions. It's a comp with all Wisconsin bands. The reason I had to have it; The Mistreaters are doin' a great version of the Gories' "I Think I've Had It".

I'll stop now, sorry for Golden Triangle, Conspiracy Of Owls, Tim Knol, Myelin Sheaths, Parting Gifts, Psychic TV, Outsiders, Nobunny, Trumans Water.....

The 7" are up next.

The Pizazz - Get Out Of My House lp

Burger Records is a small CA based label, putting out mostly cassettes AND Jaill's debut album. My attention was drawn to them because of their release of a cassette by Nobunny called "Raw Romance". Since it was sold out I checked Gemm and bought it. Great release with live and demo/early recordings. I subscribed to the mailinglist and got an email about a new band The Pizzaz, putting out an album on Burger Records. Total pressing of 200, 75 left for sale and the first 50 to order would get another free lp with early recordings. After I ordered I didn't hear anything from them, but I figured it would come through. And it did, including the free lp. I burned it to cd because we would go to France for two weeks and I NEEDED to listen to it.

My expectations were sky-high, thought that I was in for a treat like Harlem mixed with Nobunny. Boy was I wrong. This is so much more than that. Needless to mention I truly love Nobunny and Harlem, but The Pizazz are something else. Gotta say, if garage is your thing, this could be out of your league. Pop is what this is all about. And songs. The production is good, not the "let's bury the sound under the mudd", they don't need that. At times they sound like a lot like the nowadays' garagepop bands like Harlem, but they also take it back to XTC. The piano adds a nice twist to it. Some great laid back surf singalongs ala Beach Boys and you got the picture. Go check their MySpace to check out some tracks. I think it's still available on vinyl so get it while it's out there. If not, get the cassette!

the Dirtbombs new 7"

Last year Cass Records put out a Dirtbombs 12" called "Race To The Bottom". I played it once, it's full of synthesizer noodling, no music. A couple of months later I recieved an email from Ben Blackwell, who runs Cass Records and is playing drums in the Dirtbombs. It was a call to action; damage the 12", send it to the label and in return you would recieve a normal 7" with 2 Dirtbombs tracks. I smashed the 12", wich was killing me because it does big $$$ on ebay. This week I got the 7", two tracks, "Kick Me" and "The Crunch", on grey swirly vinyl.

This baby is doin' even more on ebay right now, but that's not the point. It's a limited pressing of 200, not available in stores or at the label. The only way to get this release is the way I did. Both tracks are covers of songs by Ray Columbus, a New Zealand garagerocker.

What's the score?

We're half way through 2010, what has this year brought me? Items released this year adds up to 41, that's thirteen LP's, twentyfive 7"s, two 12"s and one 10". Zooming in on the LP's, there are 3 comps ( Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas, Our Boy Roy and Party Platter. And there's three albums from the old days; Tunnel Of Love, Range Rats (pre Dead Moon) and The Outsiders. From the bands that released albums this year I'm gonna pick Capputtini il Lignu a duo from Italy/France. Cheb Samir's on vocals, guitar and drums, Cri on vocals and guitar. Blues is what this all about. There's the more traditional approach on some tracks, repeating mid-tempo songs, nothing to brag about, but solid. On "Bite In The Neck Blues" they gear up to the next level, a raw stomping beat, great riffs, dark voxs. "Wang Dang Doodle" is a fantastic hipshaker. In the end this is a real fun album, enough variation to keep my attention.
It's released on Jeetkune Records from Italy.

Magnetix split with Digger and the Pussycats

I'm a BIG fan of Magnetix, a French two piece outfit, releasing records since 2000. A couple of mounths ago I found out that they released a split 10" with Digger and the Pussycats on Every Night Is A Saturday in 2007. I found the label, nowadays located in Australia and after some mailcontact we got a deal. Three weeks later the record arrived!! And what a great record it is, that is the Magnetix side. I don't care about Digger..., I saw them live a few years back and that was awesome, but their records don't do it for me. The Magnetix however are mindblowing on every release they put out. Totally in the red guitars by Looch Vibrato, who's also singing, beats and backing vocals by Aggy Sonora. Great songs, amazing riffs and in the case of this release, fantastic organ makes me wanna dance and party all night!! Go check out some tunes on their MySpace . For a good overview of their releases check Grunnenrocks

Tunnel Of Love

For a while Bazooka Joe was spamming his Facebook friends with his new label, Black Gladiator: he was gonna put out some great records; Tunnel Of Love lp and a 7" by Rex Ruffin and the Lo-Fi Jerkheads. Tunnel Of Love "Rockin'Rollin'Bitches" was released on cd in 2002 and now, for the first time it's available on vinyl. Joe was pretty sure this is THEE punk-release of 2010. His label is connected to Slovenly Recordings and in my world that's a great label. So, when my dealer had it in the upcoming lists I ordered it. And man, was I blown away by this record. 14 tracks clocking at 25 minutes. And IMHO just punk doesn't do it right. It's true basement punk, rockin' hard. It's no hardcore, I'm not into that, but hell, this is dirty punk'n'roll. You can check 'em out on their myspace, or their own site but it doesn't do 'em well, it sounds great from vinyl. Go get the record if you're into Oblivians, AC/DC, Guitar Wolf... Joe, you were right, thanx!!!

Harlem and Smith Westerns

Two of my fave bands this moment; yesterdaynight @ the Paradiso in Amsterdam, live on stage. I really dig Harlem's "Hippies" album on Matador Records and the Smith Westerns have a great album out on Hozac Records. Fist on were Harlem, a 3 piece band from Austin, Texas. Nice loose garagepop, great tunes, real fun. And they had fun too. The audience, maybe 100 people, were having a great time too. Next up were the Smith Westerns, a 4 piece band from Chicago. They had a much more heavy sound, due to the loud bass. Also garagepop, but with more slower songs. The leadguitarguy was great fun to look at and to listen too, nice hooks, solo's and all. The singer was a bit arrogant/bored, I dunno, he didn't do it for me. But they cranked out some amazing tunes, so overall it was a great show. After the show I bought some vinyl; Harlem's debut lp Free Drugs ;-), and their new 7" LSD Saves/Mood Ring, both released on their own label Female Fantasy Records.
Listen to some tunes on their myspace;
Smith Westerns
Harlem

Range Rats album from '85

I'm a big fan of Fred Cole and I love everything he ever put out. From the Lollipop Shoppe to Pierced Arrows and anything in between. But I didn't know of a band before the Rats named the Range Rats. So when Mississippi Records announced the release of this in '85 recorded but never released album, I was thrilled. But I was also afraid that it would be a collector's wannahave release; once you own it you never play it. I played it more than 5 times this week and that means it's fun to listen to, for me that is ;-) It's Fred and Toody goin' country, but with the true Dead Moon drive. Great tunes, no lo-fi recording on this baby, beautiful sleeve, it ads up to a must have for all Fred & Toody lovers out there. Oh, and if you're looking for the Rats, the same label rereleased their first two albums too!

Party Platter on Florida's Dying Records

New in this week; "Party Platter" on Florida's Dying Records. A great comp. with 13 tracks about new dances. Seems oldskool, and it is, but what FUN. The cover is fun, the backside, with a cartoon for every track, is cool too. And what about the tunes? Well, it's a party platter. Featering Johnny & the Limelite, Nobunny, Sexcapades, the Rantouls, the Yolks, Personal & the Pizzas to name a few. 13 tracks to get any party started & going! For those who like the goof-punk/rnr. Me like ;-)

new Davila 666

Earlier this week my dealer emailed with a list of records, waiting to be collected. The one I was waiting for, Davila 666, was on it. So, I got them. And man, was I in for a suprise. The Davila 666 is soooo great, way better than what I expected. I love their album on In The Red Records, totally dig their 7"s on Douchemaster Records and Hozac Records, but this latest release is THEE bomb. It's on Rob's House Records who put out some of the best 7" ever; Black Lips, Carbonas, Sonic Chicken 4 and more.
Davilla 666 is a 7 piece outfit from Puerto Rico, blasting out one genius pop gem after another, so, if you put it on 12" with 5 tracks on 45rpm, that makes it perfect. Go check out their tunes on their MySpace.