band, album: Christmas Island, Blackout Summer
label: In the Red
for fans of: garage rock, the Dead Milkmen, Man or Astroman
cd review: The critics have really gone to town comparing this disc to various unnamed 60’s surf bands. However, the loose, jangly guitars, echoed production and rampant lyrical pessimism are a vibrant call back to the Dead Milkmen’s beach-y yet overtly derogatory 1986 release Big Lizard In My Backyard. Read more ....
band, album: the Gears/ the D.I.s, Rockin’ At Ground Zero and Rare Cuts! – reissue Deluxe Edition
label: Hep Cat
for fans of: punk, the Cramps, the Ramones, the Germs
cd review: Who would have guessed that early L.A. punk paraphernalia would ever become so collectible? Hep Cat Records has reissued two seminal punk albums in one package. Both discs contain piles of bonus material. The Gears Rockin’ At Ground Zero gives you twenty-three ’77 style L.A. punk tunes, including unreleased tracks and demos. Read more ....
band, album: Lipona, Pigeonholed
label: self-released
for fans of: skate punk, JFA, the Faction, Bad Religion
cd review: There was a time when skateboard videos were (out of utter necessity) low budget productions; and the music on those videos was played by low key, usually DIY, punk and hardcore bands who were happy to get their music out to like-minded people, and not just worried about royalties. Read more....
band, album: No Friends, No Friends
label: No Idea
for fans of: 80's hardcore, Minor Threat, Black Flag, Descendents
cd review: Winner of my coveted, though non-existent, authenticity award, No Friends have pressed the best 80's hardcore inspired album I've heard in years. You can expect two things to happen when you play this disc. Read more ....
band, album: Reigning Sound, Love and Curses
label: In the Red
for fans of: garage revival, the Oblivians, the Sonics
cd review: It's hard to talk about Reigning Sound without a complete history lesson. But, you didn't click on my site for a history lesson, so get ready for the here and now of Reigning Sound's Love and Curses. Raunchy garage rock may not be your cup of tea. And while Love and Curses is definitely of the garage breed, it features minimum raunch. Read more ....
band, album: Stationary Odyssey, Sons of Boy
label: Joyful Noise
for fans of: art rock instrumentals, Irepress, Scale the Summit
cd review: If genius rednecks built a trailer park on the moon, Stationary Odyssey's Sons of Boy would be to moon buggies what Skynyrd's self-titled is to Camaros here on Earth. In 2006 Stationary Odyssey changed the way I think about bands without singers. Read more ....
