THE BEE GEES - 1st (Atco, 1967)

I thought I'd shake things up a bit by posting an album that has quickly become a Spring/Summer favorite of mine. 1st, the Bee Gees' 3rd studio album, is an incredibly strong example of the band's early psychedelic songwriting and stands out as an incredible pop album.

Let's get the obvious out of the way first. The album is an unabashed response to the Beatles' Revolver, which was released one year previous. 1st includes some rather clear comparisons (see the Bee Gees' "In My Own Time" versus the Beatles' "Taxman") as well as some more stylistic nods through instrumentation (see "Red Chair, Fade Away" and "Cucumber Castle"). Even the artwork on 1st was designed by Klaus Voormann, who was responsible for Revolver's iconic cover.

This is not to say, however, that 1st should be cast aside as some sort of inferior mimic. While all the previously mentioned songs share some resemblances to a certain famous foursome, are all fantastic songs on their own accord. At the time of its initial release, the album yielded three top 20 U.S. singles ("To Love Somebody", "New York Mining Disaster 1941" and the fantastic "Holiday"). Additionally, the album does not stagger in its style, which gives it a fresh feel throughout. From the near-criminal catchiness of "I Close My Eyes" to the quirky baroque/chamber rock of "Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You" and all the others in between, 1st is an absolutely stunning record overall, perfect for the current season.

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GUIDED CRADLE - YOU WILL NOT SURVIVE (Yellow Dog, 2007)

I would think/hope that any band referring to themselves as "evil barbaric orc crust" would give one pause. More specifically, Guided Cradle play an absolutely unrelenting brand of crust/d-beat hardcore with a tasteful nod toward mid-80's thrash metal as well. "You Will Not Survive", their 2nd album, sees the band further delving into their Tolkienesque brand of mysticism while by no means limiting themselves within the confines of some sort of fantasy microgenre.

Tracks such as "Beast of Burden" and "Cities On Fire" are a great showcase of the band at their best. The track "Hold The Line" exemplifies their willingness to expand beyond their more noted (and perhaps safe?) influences. The track specifically incorporates guitar work more akin to NWOBHM/thrash than typical crust/d-beat. Such dynamism is tasteful and doesn't come across as forced in any way. With an overall much heavier sound than their self-titled debut album, "You Will Not Survive" adequately paints a fitting scene of bleak desolation, just like any self-respecting orc would want.

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MYDOLLS - SPEAK SOFTLY & CARRY A BIG STICK 12" (CIA, 1983)

I'm an expatriate of Houston, Texas, a place not usually recognized for positive things (fattest city in America, murder capital of America, the scene of the infamous Janet Jackson Super Bowl fiasco, etc.), so I feel that it's my duty to let y'all know that some of the best female-fronted post-punk of the early 1980s was coming out of none other than Space City in the form of the amazingly underrated Mydolls. They formed in 1979 & released two singles before 1983's Speak Softy & Carry A Big Stick (on CIA Records, home to the equally mind-meltingly good '80s Houston punk band Really Red), which sounds like it could have easily been a product of the late '70s Rough Trade axis. "Rape of a Culture" suggests the darker moments of the Au Pairs, "As Strange As Mine" brings to mind the stripped-down primitivism of the Raincoats & "A World of Her Own" could be an outtake from the Slits' Cut album. A flawless record; I just wish it were longer (although there's now a hefty double-disc Mydolls CD anthology on Grand Theft Audio - get into it!). Viva le femme punk.

Need any more reason to love them? They also happen to be the band playing in the bar scene between Harry Dean Stanton & Natassja Kinski in Wim Wenders' fantastically great film Paris, Texas. Fuck yeah!

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THE COMES - NO SIDE 12" (1984)

While the "No Side" 12" by The Comes is considered by many to be a seminal burst of energy from one of the very first Japanese hardcore bands, I will admit my ignorance in not being overly aware of this record until 2 or 3 years ago at best. It very quickly, however, became one of my favorite hardcore records and with a recent vinyl bootleg quickly circulating various record stores and distros, those of you unfamiliar will be pleased to find this record (somewhat) available (said bootleg is supposedly limited to a mere 500 copies).

Regarding the album itself, these eleven tracks combine a whirlwind of frantic vocals, blazing guitars and pounding drums that, ultimately, combine to make an absolutely fantastic record. No fat to trim off on this one, folks, it's an absolute classic from start to finish.

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UNREQUITED HARD ON - DEMO (Self-Released, 2003)

What we have here is a brief demo from 2003 by a band of young Pennsylvanian upstarts who referred to themselves as "Unrequited Hard On". Shortly after this was recorded, the band decided to change their name to the much more radio-friendly moniker of Pissed Jeans. Perhaps you've stumbled across them in your travels.

At any rate, this batch of songs (including the tracks 'Ashamed of My Cum' and 'Throbbing Organ', which would later be re-recorded by Pissed Jeans) properly represents the band at an early crossroads, where their various musical appearances very prevalent, making for some confusing and jarring juxtapositions within. Sometimes utilizing quicker tempos never even imagined on later recordings, you can see a bit more of a punk/hardcore nod in conjunction with the obligatory Melvins/Jesus Lizard influences.

Another aspect of this demo that I find particularly enjoyable is the recording itself. The hissy, fuzzy, general crappiness of the recording suits the band well and it only makes me wish that there was an even fuzzier, hissier version of 'Shallow' floating around somewhere.

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FUTURE VIRGINS "EASIEST YEARS" EP (Plan-It-X South, 2009)

So I figure that with Kamikaze Tailspin out of the way and with the "weird hardcore" blog market officially cornered, it might behoove me to share some poppier sensations with you all. Since the first Future Virgins EP is one of the more-often-downloaded things around these parts, and all three of their instant classic EPs are on constant rotation around my house, I figured I'd do you a solid and throw the newest one up.

I previously made the claim that "Gravity" was the best thing this band has done. Not that I'm ever wrong about anything, but I might've been wrong. "Easiest Years" encapsulates five songs that are catchier than chlamydia, expanding upon previous themes of mortality and anti-Christianity while throwing some of their most biting couplets yet out there. The songs are a little bit less deranged are recorded better than previous efforts. but you'll find each one getting stuck in your head at different times. I go back and forth on what my favorite track is on here, but once all is said and done I don't think the closer "Radio Down" can be beaten. Check it out!

POSITIVE NOISE - TOTAL OUTPUT (2008)

Here's a little tapey-poo from a band doing currently unfashionable things. In fact, this foursome would probably balk at being publicized in such a manner. They've quietly amassed a discography that spans 17 songs in 14 minutes, and this tape collects it all in one place for you. Ex-I Object, political thrashy hardcore. Their enthusiasm for their craft is palpable, and their earnestness impossible to ignore. I recommend "Holy Shit" and "I Don't Fit In" as excellent starting points. Unfortunately, unlike the "No Hardcore" 7", this collection cuts out the opening skit of a drunk punk spanging for beer money.
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Also, the bassist Casey has a flat-out brilliant, seizure-inducing public access television show - http://caseyandrobby.tripod.com/