JULIE ANTHONY'S TOP 10Power, speed-rawk from this Texas powerhouse...when all's said and done this clocks in at under 30 minutes (15 songs in less than 20 minutes!!!) HOT!
Swedish rock heavily stewed in pure 70's classic rock with tongue planted firmly in cheek a'la THE DICTATORS with the pure balls of the STOOGES or AC/DC.
Aaahhhh finally released in the states (after w long years!) this captures all I need in a record; it's raw and loud with tons of monster guitar riffs, schooled in STOOGES & MC5 with hints of "love it to death"- era ALICE COOPER.
A completely infectious step aside from his staple stripped-down acoustic affairs influenced by JOHN LENNON / BEATLES or BIG STAR with more instrumentation, still complete with compelling, introspective lyricism...nothing short of stellar!
Full-on, powerful rawk from hell with plenty of riff & lots of balls with a plethora of reference to SABBATH, AC/DC and TED NUGENT.
I grew up in the 70's and being surrounded by the 1970's and its culture. QOTSA represent the perfect 70's inspired, desert stoner rock ass kick I could imagine Josh Hommes guitar mastery shines surrounded by the stone (d) groove of his former KYUSS mates, this rules!
Best explained by the album title this record kicks some major ass, (taking prisoners!) every song masters that absolute powerful being Monster Magnet proves with each new release, they are!
Balls-out, hard-ass punk rock with tones of "louder (& faster) than you are" attitude, influenced by the almighty STOOGES & MOTORHEAD.
Smooth & dirty sleeze with my favorite Detroit lo-di demon MICK COLLINS of GORIES fame with some help from DEMOLITION DOLL ROD damn awesome!
These confederacy of scum hellions captured my heart with their tongue in "white trash" cheek, southern rock, and with two of my very favorites covered: LYNARD SKYNYRD & ALICE COOPER "here to ruin your groove" grabbed the last spot.
Just missed the list but I can't leave 'em out because of their amazing ability to destroy rock music in just that perfect way, I can't resist!
Another bunch of rowdy Texans who know how the hell to rock deserving mention for the sheer balls they possess. Look for em on the upcoming AC/DC tribute "Hell ain't a bad place to be" (Reptilian Records) due in late January.
Lastly but not leastly, here's to the most talented 50's influenced / inspired guitarist around...not to be missed live!!! AWESOME record!
CHARLIE EDWARD'S TOP 10Had enough hip-hop elctro drum n bass sensitive boy pop? Miss the rock? Take a POWERTRIP to the land of loud guitars, stoned-out vocals, inanely perceptive lyrics, and psychedelic soundwaves. MONSTER MAGNET re-invent the days when men were men and guitar chords were meant to explode your head. This is post-metal psychedelic arena rock in its most pure, potent, fucked-up brilliance! The production is massive, riveting; the songs kick like a demon from HELL; and the balls are HUGE! Think BLUE CHEER, LED ZEPPLIN, FU MANCHU, BLACK SABBATH.....think the best rock album, maybe the ONLY real rock album you've heard in years. A soul-searching, sex-starved, planetary propulsion guitar rocket that's destined to shatter the center of your rock 'n' roll universe. This is the one you've been waiting for; this is the ride of the ages.
A brilliant & refreshing British rock album with a powerfully weird and diverse Approach. Truly innovative & seeking psychedelic guitars, big rolling melodies with a captivatingly dark edge, horns & odd bits with loping attack rhythms, moments of reflective yearning, aggressive but compelling noise/melody drones, and a willingness to take chances that pays off in spades! Diverse references might include SONIC YOUTH, STONE ROSES, LOOP, VERVE, and also THE TREES, PINK FLOYD, JAGUAR, CRENT. Combinations of power, grace, noise & melody with such a daring and dedicated exploratory bent rarely have such staying power. SIX BY SEVEN's songs are compelling and memorable, refreshing & exciting every single listen. Distinct & unusual, an exceptional album.
The triumphant return of one of England's most accomplished, unpredictable, and critically praised (though publicly underrated) pop bands. Magically exploratory, brilliantly innovative & eclectic pop with a classic feel, stunningly gorgeous melodies, wild bursts of guitar distortion, dance floor backbeats, sing-song choruses, bits of dub, soaring strings, gloomy melancholic moments, horns, flute, violin, cello, synthesizer, and lots more! Songs that are soulful and complex, powerful and beautiful, both majestic and understated: A testament to what pop music can be. Ultimately moving in a rare and subtly epic manner. Just fucking awesome, really.
Their 4th album (the first U.S. release since 1993) finds the band playing powerfully engaging songs with a unique combination of swirling, hard-edged psychedelic guitars and hypnotically compelling melodies. ADAM FRANKLIN's riveting, emotional vocal delivery and the subtle, experimental intricacies of the band's guitar work meld with their amazing mastery of writing songs that are at once beautiful, engulfing, expansive & dreamlike; while raging with a naturally innovative rock fury that could only come from the heart. These are simply brilliant & timeless rock visions; way beyond what most other bands can ever imagine. This is as good as it gets-hallucinogenic food for the soul of the Gods.
Amazing hard-ass psychedelic guitar rock from a band who chug through a thick haze of bong smoke like a bulldozer on acid. Multitudes of ultra-trippy licks shoved along by a rhythm section the size of Massachusetts! Gargantuan psyche/metal dazed by its own brilliance, flexing a flowerchild muscle that rips the shit out of all those commercial metal wannabes. This is a R-O-C-K album!
Former leader of PALE FOUNTAINS & SHACK returns with a new album Lauded by the British press. "Magical World..." has been compared to the classic 1997 releases by VERVE & SPIRITUALIZED, as well as works from NICK DRAKE, STONE ROSES, TIM BUCKLEY, and the BEATLES! NME called it "one of the furthest reaching English guitar records of this decade". Beautiful, touching, folk-tinged pop melodies that have a real sense of substance. Pure, simple & mystical. This is exceptional.
A dreamy wash of sonic bliss drifting through a haze of epic pop melodies in a poignantly psychedelic, magically beautiful world, with hints of the BEATLES, FLAMING LIPS. Eerily gorgeous, deeply stirring, ultimately stunning. A rare glimpse into that alternate universe which we all seek.
Thundering, riff-heavy post-metal, with an angular stoner-rock crunch, 70's style rock vocals, and brilliantly innovative guitars touching hard rock & psychedelic realms. Features members from KYUSS & DESERT SESSIONS. An ass-kickin-locomotive of love with a stiff leather glove. Bitedown, honey.
Debut album from one of Manchester's finest bands, delivering deadpan moody guitar pop that's both haunting and catchy; with poignant guitar lines, strong vocals and melodies. Some similarities to bands like UMBRELLA HEAVEN, NORTHERN UPROAR, CHURCH, BRILLIANT CORNERS, JAZZATEERS, PULP, DIRE STRAITS, GO BETWEENS, SMITHS. Classic, subtle, and passionately invasive British guitar pop.
Stunningly gorgeous, mystical folk/pop of the highest order from legendary 70's trio. Their new material succinctly captures the mystery of 4-AD label etherialism, with a sophisticated nod to English folk(FAIRPORT CONVENTION) and 90's modernism (MASSIVE ATTACK). All three members have released critically praised solo work, and played with bands such as FAUST, HENRY COW, ART BEARS. The unique vocal style of DOGMAR KRAUSE is reminiscent of MARIANNE FAITHFULL, MARLENE DIETRICH. An album of subtle beauty that grows stronger with each listen.
RAY RODRIGUEZ'S TOP 10
JENNIFER SIEGEL'S TOP 10This would be my number one, except that it didn't come out in 1998. I discovered GODSPEED around this time last year, so it feels like it belongs on this list, but quite honestly, this may on my list next year too. I was describing to a friend of mine from home what it is like living in Chicago. He told me that I have the ability to make the apocalyptic sound beautiful and soothing. The reality of it is that I have been listening to GODSPEED. I think F#A# is essential for everyone living in any filthy city. Every time I listen, I travel slowly out of the city collapsing around me and drift, just listening to it all go by. I always end back in the city, any city (they are all the same), but the filth & general unpleasantness doesn't matter anymore because it's everywhere and unavoidable yet can't touch me because in my travels, I've put it into perspective. GODSPEED is the beauty in all things, everyday
Ok, so we've got FAULKNER, everything in and about the south, BOB DYLAN, a singing Saw, vox, and trumpet along with bubbles of joy, truth, and a lot of fresh air. We're going to heat it with the injustices of the world, and then allow the mixture to cool enough to breathe off a little pain. Then we're going to hand it over to ROB SCHNEIDER of the APPLES IN STEREO because he adds good cheer and faith. When he's done, we are going to give it a hug, close our eyes and take a deep breath. IN THE AEROPLANE OVER THE SEA is a magic potion to be swallowed as often as necessary to induce absolute pleasure and catharsis, with a lot of jumping up and down. (Warning this record may not be for everyone. It is very powerful).
Quickspace is always growing, changing, making things better. To be with Quickspace is to fall with them through the music of the past and land with music of the future. They are invigorating. They are the place where the things I love go to play chess and talk about the world. Precious Falling is an invitation to waltz into that place, look around, smile, and keep moving; up, down, away, always. For me, Precious Falling is love without need, the acceptance of a good life, a well-done experiment, and a brilliant release.
My ideal brain-massage. More please.
If in 1984, Prince had any balls;he would have grown up to be DANKO JONES. A trio From Toronto, DANKO JONES shakes the Fireside for weeks after they've come through town. They are the tightest unknown band around and their raw energy can't be bottled and mass-produced. I don't think that even good 'ol Steve Albini could do these boys right in the studio, and I still think their self-titled debut EP and 7" is far superior to most "rock". With only six songs recorded under their belt (5 songs on the CD and 1 for a Sonic Unyon Compilation) the talent that is DANKO JONES promises to be non-stop shit-hot for a long time.
This satisfies my need for beats, jazz, funk, soul, and style (usually within the same song). Smooth and calm, AMON TOBIN is all good.
Twisted village (LUXURIOUS BAGS, WAYNE ROGERS, WORMWOOD) + Man's Ruin (HELLACOPTERS, HOOKERS, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE) = "Time is Now". I love all the psychedelic guitararmy of the music on the Twisted Village label, and I love the big balls of (most) Man's Ruin bands. The Heads are all that. Better then being high in a cloudless sky flying fast by yourself. Non-stop psychedelic big-balls rock. Good anytime.
Log Bob (as affectionately called by my peers) causes me to jump around giggling uncontrollably until it stops (or someone turns it off in a desperate attempt to get me back to work). I can't explain exactly why Mr. Log makes me so happy. Maybe it's because he's the incarnation of Mississippi Delta bluesmen, and also the DIY pride of Tuscon all at once. Maybe it's his shiny helmet and his homemade telephone-microphone. Maybe it's in the guitar. Maybe he's just a big goof like me. Whatever it is, I can't help but love it. It makes me wild.
They sound so warm and in control all the time. Graceful stories and instrumentals with flavor and intelligence. They lay the feeling of Tuscon, AZ. on vinyl exactly- an enchanting place to be.
Autechre usually isn't my style, except I can't ignore the fact that this record makes me tingle
Noon Chill is "simply beyond why".
Until this year, I really didn't know anyone who was too into St. Nick so I was never exposed to his music. I've always (somehow) known that he was a master, like LEONARD COHEN, but still I never checked him out. Luckily, a copy of his novel came in used right around the time I needed something new to read. I bought it and spent some time with it and decided there is something very important about Nick Cave. I started listening to whatever we had in stock, and now I know. I've had a good year learning about Nick and The Bad Seeds, and like everyone, he's got good (well, more like great) stuff and Bad Stuff and if you aren't familiar with his work, his singles are a good place to start. He is simply one of the best songwriters alive.
Four CDs & an incredible booklet about the transmissions of "number stations" from all around us, all over the world. Fascinating and trance inducing, a truly timeless collection.
If I have to listen to Brit-pop, I'll take PULP (hands down).
ELISA KEIR'S TOP 10Slow burn beats layered with traditional Middle Eastern and Indian rhythm, some jungle percussion, and swampy bass.Hypnotic.
Debut solo album from DOO RAG member who's a helmet-clad, blues recycler on the FAT POSSUM label. A one-man band known for his simultaneously wailing away on a trashy slide guitar whilst singing and banging on drums. Backwoods moonshine , log bangin', can't help YERself fun.
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See Charlie Edward ' s description
See Julie Anthony ' s description
Split CD featuring songs from both bands 10's on Man's Ruin. Electric Wizard delivers tunes that are as heavy as a nuclear explosion ala Kyuss, Acid King. And Orange Goblin are described as "beyond Sabbath" heavy doom rock. Some really tasty woofer-shakin' shit for post-metal guitar rock heads
Husband & wife collaboration from Texas. Rural ballads, dirt roads, bittersweet folklore, banjo twang, autoharp tears, drum machine drunk ghosts, tuba and washboard honesty.
Tastier than dark chocolate. Compared to the likes of New Bomb Turks, Jon Spencer, and Make-up. Produced by an ex-member of the Honeymoon Killers/current member of the Chrome Cranks. A trio that delivers the Rock like a Reverend on a bender.
Fat Possum's first acoustic blues record is from Woodville, Mississippi. Native Robert Cage described as 'a grunter' which he learned from Scott Dunbar. Makes me wanna hang out with my mama eating barbeque in the backyard.
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