American Alternative music reviews

somewhere along the line, "Futurism Restated" became my favorite Minutemen song. and it is contained here on this incredible collection. The Politics Of Time full-length (tracks 16-42) contain some of their best material that was ever put to tape; but the first 15 songs on this cd are almost equal in terms of their powerful no-nonsense approach to music making. the final four tracks are cover songs played live. the recording quality on these final four songs is quite poor (probably recorded on a boom box), but for a fan, it's enjoyable enough.

This is not at all "for fans only" but is a very generous package.
This was the first Minutemen album (though it isn't an album actually) I ever owned, and as a package it is cherished by me up there with their masterwork, Double Nickels On The Dime. Each time these guys were recorded it was as if they were caught styling around a different "phase" or Period of their sound each time they recorded. The Punch Line, What Makes A Man, Double Nickels were all recorded in one or two day chunk- marathon sessions. The biggest chunk of the material here comes from The Politics of Time, which is itself a collection of material that was not included on Double Nickels. The song cycle of studio material from "Base King" to "Maternal Rite" is a unique moment, some of their most rocking, "interesting" stuff in terms of where they were with their sound with these songs, -- I would place it as a further progression of Buzz Or Howl's "heavy" sharp sound and the quirkiness of What Makes a Man, that is, as opposed the definite change in Double Nickels toward a jammier, laid back, San Pedro driving sound that went on to become the Mersh/3 Way "commercial"/folky sound.... So this is the confidence of Double Nickels but eccentricity of earlier records. At times it sounds to me like a twangy Fugazi....
The 2nd half of Politics is not studio, but live stuff, some of which is really great, like "Tony Gets Wasted", as well as a pack of songs that seem almost made on the spot, and it is true that the Minutemen spun songs out like confetti out of a pinata.... The 3 live songs after "Badges" are really sloppy and great to listen to drunk, especially with the funny live audience sounds of a very drunk woman saying something about a chicken and D. Boon's "We don't need no badges" refrain.
But what else does this CD include? You couldn't possibly complain. First you have the classic 1st 7 inch, a real "brick" like the man said, -- their first raw and punky single compact with songs of American paranoia. Here you have the Minutemen already showing their historical side with the marching "Fascist", is like watching a screaming reel of historical footage pass by very rapidly (the only downside of the 7"'s inclusion here is that you really have to listen to a song like "Sickles & Hammers" and "Fascist" on vinyl, the incredble instrumental before it that Sebadoh great as they were couldn't cover as well, a weird punk song about dictionaries? and two great Reagan era punk songs . . . you can say what you want about rock n roll especially punk lacking artistry and finesse, scope, etc. but this is the genuine article here, -- when you first hear the band discussing how to sing over "Joe Mc Carthy's Ghost" as its slamming drums commence you can say to yourself "My, they are really something Else." You know you are in the presence of unusual talent.
There is also the fantastic Joy EP, -- three great Wire-like rolls that has D.'s guitar playing really mean for the first time. And then the great Bean-Spill EP, including the rolling and Watt-sung song that asks what "If Reagan Played Disco", and the great "Afternoons", all which go together very well and tightly in a compact EP.... And at the end you have a choice treat of the Tour-Spiel LP, which is four covers of great songs, which as Trouser Press commented all still sound really like the Minutemen, even CCR's Green River.

Ah, ahm, the Minutemen, the Minutemen. They are beloved to me, immortal in my heart. I first heard them when I was 14 and I never grew out of them, even though I grew away from most of that musique. Ah, but the Minutemen! You must have them!

"Paranoid Time", the first 7 tracks on here, is absolutely heavy as a brick and prefigures everything the band went on to do - they never did it better than this.

The rest of the material is mixed but contains many brilliant nuggets - such as "The Process" and "Party With Me Punker". Recording quality varies from pristine to terrible, but that's the aesthetic at work here.

This is a typically well organized Rounder compilation, with some impressive artists included. However, it should be noted that these are interpretations of older "roots" tunes done by Rounder label artists, rather than the originals. As such, Scott Billington, who wrote the liner notes, does himself (and us) a bit of a disservice by referring dismissively to the original versions of these tunes as a "scratchy collection of old recordings". Were it not for that very "scratchy collection", this four-disc set would not be here for us to enjoy.

Sure, it's a Rounder marketing product. A collection of their artists, some new, some familiar, offered to entice us to buy.... NICE JOB Rounder! This is also another home run collection of top quality artists presented with fine liner notes and exceptional production. Get it! LOVE IT!

Rounder Records has always done an incredible job of putting together compilations and making the music sound alive. This collection celebrates 30 years of Rounder, and is a great overview of the label, as well as a taster for anyone looking to check out some truly alternative music. The mixture is very eclectic; much like American culture, blending and weaving through musical styles. The set features Blues, Folk, Cajun, Bluegrass, Celtic and much more.

A highly recommended listening experience.

At first look, Bad Brains could be a washed up Bob Marley cover outfit. From the shaggy rasta appearance, few could imagine that this band inspired such diverse acts as Minor Threat, Beastie Boys, Skankin' Pickle and Foo Fighters. This EP starts out with a tempo shifting hardcore number ("i Against i"), that later became a band signature tune, which goes straight into the punky reggae of "Stay Close to Me". The transition might shock the uninitiated, and those more veteran ska-punkers might be surprised by the fact that this was done seven years before Operation Ivy ever put anything down on wax. The next track, "i Luv i Jah" slows the reggae down further to accuratly express their rastafarian beliefs. The final two tracks BURN, "At the Movies", with its mellow intro, and "Attitude" with its postive message end the short album in style. Not only a milestone in hardcore, and punk, but also American reggae and a reggae-punk synthesis done much better than the Clash could ever do. Any punk fan should pick up this well priced gem.

This album is worth it after the first two tracks and only continues to impress. The older version of "I Against I" presented here is raw and electric and "Stay Close To Me" is enigmatically twisted around reggae/lovers rock and punk/hardcore stylings in a way that is undeniably appealing. With only five tracks you have to expect that each one will deliver the goods, and there is no disappointment here. Any fan of Bad Brains should own this album despite the fact that four of the five songs can be found on other albums.

Nothing else needs to be said--and what can be said that hasn't been said already? This band took hardcore and made it somehow better. The reggae-type tracks are smooth and relaxing, whereas the harder and faster tracks blow you away, making you notice how ahead of their time that they were. The first good thing that Victory records has put out.

A cold and psychedellic MOMUS lp that wants to be GERMAN?.. It's true... I love all the Momus albums and I love this one too but this one is different. Nick Curre decided NOT to be the control freak as usual and let JOHN FASHION FLESH "re-produce" this album. Basically, Flesh (of the Super Madigral Brothers) added bleeps, sound effects, bangs, R2D2 noises and a myriad of sounds to Nick's songs. Some people thought Nick's recent work as minimalist electro-pop. It is is some sense but I always thought that even though the drums never hit hard, the melodies and the music was full and complete. OSKAR is very full and very psychedellic sounding. From the first track "Spooky Kabuki", the trip begins. Another psychedellic-sounding track is "Electro Sexual sewing Machine".. It's beautiful. Nick's voice and the keyboard complement each other very well. Standout tracks include "The Last Communist", "The Laird Of Inversnecky", "Electrosexual Sewing Machine", "Lovely Tree" and "Palm Deathtop".

Unlike "Folktronic", "Ping Pong", etc., "OSKAR" is NOT a catchy album. There aren't many catchy hooks and immediate perverse themes. "My Sperm Is Not Your Enemy" is the typical MOMUS track but and so is "Multiplying Love". They have that Momus perversity that we all love... But the others are filled with odd references, weird situations, and wild themes for the well-read individual. "Beowulf" is a perfect example. We all read "Beowulf" in high school, right? MOMUS puts a weird spin on this tragic hero who is never full appreciated because he is deformed. The wild situations continue. "Lapdog" is about a person who is sent to Antartica and is followed by penguins. "Is It Because I'm A Pirate?" is about a pirate who cannot go on a normal date because he is known for killing and robbing people. No other artist could get away with these songs!!! That's why we love Momus!

"Scottish Lips" is a cute little tale about silly things that make us love one another.. In "Multiplying Love", Momus asks his lover, why be mad at him for loving anoher girl? "I'm simply multiplying love, there's never enough in the world."

While the other MOMUS albums INSTANTLY grabbed my attention, this one took some time to grow on me. "Ping Pong" had "I Want You But I Don't Need You". The "Don't Stop The Night" LP had "Hairstyle Of The Devil". The "Folktronic" LP had many catchy songs like "Appalachia", "Smooth Folk Singer" and "Finnegin The Folk Hero Of HTML". The "Little Red Songbook" LP had "Born To Be Adored" and "Symphonies Of Beethoven". Well.. "OSKAR" does not have any of those tracks that INSTANTLY stick in your head... Instead, you have to let the album wash over you and you have to appreciate it.

"Little Shubert" is in German! and now, it comes to the part of the review. This LP is COLD and wants to be German. The title track is about his Tennis champion uncle who wants to build a part of a city and gets into some weird situations. For the most part, the album has COLD imagery. Snow... snow and snow.. "Lapdog" takes place in Antartica. "Pierrot Lunaire" talks about being "in the bleak midwinter" and "The Last Communist" has that COLD Russian feeling.

"The Ringtone Cycle" is an instrumental song by Oliver Cobol. It recaps some melodies on the album.

Overall, "OSKAR TENNIS CHAMPION" is a new kind of MOMUS lp. He's constantly changing and growing and it's a beautiful thing. Flesh did a great job on the "re-production" and MOMUS has a whole NEW sound. It's full, it's wild, it's odd, it's psychedellic sounding without drug use or drug references. IF you are NEW to MOMUS, I suggest getting "Philosophy Of..", "Ping Pong", "Folktronic", "Poison Boyfriend" and "Tender Pervert" first... but every MOMUS album is different and this one is too. While I would not say it is one of my favorite Momus albums, it's well done and over-flowing with literary references, name-dropping, European issues, and it's all wrapped together with Nick Currie's wild outlook. It's new, it's different, it's wild... It's MOMUS.

In his boldest stylistic departure since "Howard Hughes" (his embrace of Seattle grunge. Momus's, that is, not Howard Hughes's), Nick Currie AKA Momus presents the sound of ... Bay City, Michigan?! Yes, believe it or not, of all places. For his first album released on his own new American Patchwork label, Momus confounds expectations with this collection of remixes by a 22-year-old with the Warholesque surname Flesh who lives in the birthplace of Madonna and Agent Orange (the Vietnam War toxic chemical, not the band). But in riposte to his earlier lyric "Tell me I'm allowed to play the Fender Jaguar/Like the Velvet Underground" Momus has now fathered (or grandfathered? through the ersatz son named Flesh?) his own take on Lou Reed's legendary METAL MACHINE MUSIC. OSKAR TENNIS CHAMPION is intended to be difficult listening. And in terms of commercial appeal, it makes FOLKTRONIC sound like Madonna! But Momus's own take on Andy Warhol has been "In the future everyone will be famous for 15 people." I'm not sure there are 15 people in the world who would rate this album five stars, but I will - out of respect for Momus's unflinching nerve, and not being afraid to contradict himself. And who knows? Word has it that he's now following in the footsteps of Iggy Pop (whose "Success" he reprised in "Lolitapop Dollhouse"). Momus still has Lust For Life! What will he come up with next?

This is the first album Momus has put out since he's moved to Tokyo, and it is very different from anything you might have heard while he was working in Europe and the United States. OTC covers alot of the same ground Momus has explored in the past lyrically, but musically he continues to reinvent himself. Much of the music on this album is kind of non-linear, and yet somehow catchy, and filled with hooks. It is experimental, and thoroughly enjoyable. Other adjectives: witty, sad, whimsical, post-modern, transcendent, etc...

Im not too impressed with the fidelity of this CD transfer, on several tracks you get some rather bothersome vinyl artifacts that indicate that at least for some of the tracks, an extremely well-worn master was used. And couldn't they have also just renumbered the tracks on disc 2 starting at 1 instead of just listing 1-60 on the back cover so we would know what is going on with disc 2? Slackluster reissue quibbles aside, this is a monumental snapshot of the international punk/hardcore scene during the height of the Reagan years and really spans the gamut from brutal thrash that couldn't have been recorded anywhere else than a very small garage - such as Wretched's "Mai Arrendersi, to well-produced punk epics like the False Prophets' rather ambtious "Banana Split Republic" with otherwise decent production values. The span of countries is impressive as well, with Gism's extremely bizarre "Endless Blockade for Pussyfoter" (Japan) leading off; other countries are represented by RAF Punk (Italy), Zenzile (South Africa), Kalashnikov (Denmark), SSA (Spain), Boskops (Germany), DOA (Canada) besides the obvious UK and US. Lots of obscure rarities here no doubt, but old-school punks/skaters might recognize DRI, Reagan Youth, Cheetah Chrome, Iconoclast, UK Subs, Crass with a fiercely experimental contribution, the Subhumans, the Dead Kennedys (a non-album track that makes the original vinyl a bit pricey to acquire) and the Dicks. The original double vinyl is also enhanced with 5 bonus tracks on the CD edition.

It's sort of ironic the "Peace/War" is credited to 'Dead Kennedys et al' on here, as they contribute not a song, but a spectacular fake phone conversation about how the world leaders need to sit down and start another war. It's a shame that Crass contributed "It's You," a bizzare mess of noise that not only isn't pleasing to listen to, it doesn't even seem to support their message. Also, thanks to New Red Archives for the bonus tracks (otherwise I never would've known about Jack Killed Jill) 'cause now Anti-Flag can take their place in the pantheon of the greatest hardcore/crusty bands. This is an essential for anyone who likes ANY of these bands, or just '80s punk in general. (I think "America the Beautiful" is the best DOA song ever). Other favourites include: Neon Christ's "Ashes to Ashes," the Afflicted's "Here Come the Cops," Reagan Youth's "Reagan Youth," Kalashnikov's "Schluters Cabinet," Los Violadores' "Veijos Pateticos," the Proletariat's "An Uneasy Peace," Dead Kennedys' "Kinky Sex Makes the World Go 'Round," SubHumAns' "Rats," Jack Killed Jill's "Walked in Line," the Dicks' "Hope You Get Drafted," DOA's "America the Beautiful," Unwarranted Trust's "Honour's Calling," Slaughterhouse 4's "Four More Hours," Boskops' "Skorbut," Vicious Circle's "Police Brutality," Contrazione's "Sbarre," Conflict's "Bomb," and UK Subs' "Postcard From LA." The other songs are good too.

This record has everything, including many many bands that have probably never been heard, but should be heard, in the US. There are bands from all over the world that help you to believe that there are a lot of good musicians out there that just don't ever get noticed. I wore the grooves out of both of the records that came with this (back when it was on vinyl). There's very little not to like and a whole lot to love on this. From Japan to Italy to the US, there's a band on here for anyone's taste, and also a message that's put across quite nicely in one great package. Buy it and you'll see the way music was meant to be heard: throughout the world.

This is a pretty good collection of punk Christmas songs. It opens with a fun novelty song that is not by a real punk band. Then we move on to the real punks. The quality of the material varies, but some of the best cuts are contributed by the Dickies, Sloppy Seconds, the Greedies and (naturally) the Ramones. But my personal favorite here is "Homo Christmas" by Pansy Division, which is hilarious. I have to mention the contributions by a couple of guys who are not usually associated with the punk genre. El Vez, the "Mexican Elvis", performs a surprisingly credible thrash punk version of "Feliz Navidad". And Mojo Nixon performs an unsurprisingly sloppy rewrite of "Louie Louie" called "Christmas Christmas". It's not really punk, and it's not really good. It sounds like an outtake from Mojo's lousy Christmas album, although it's not. If you are a fan of punk, especially "old school" punk, you should enjoy this.

1. The Ravers - "(It's Gonna be a) Punk Rock Christmas"
2. The Dickies - "Silent Night"
3. Sloppy Seconds - "Hooray for Santa Claus"
4. Fear - "Fvck Christmas"
5. The Greedies - "A Merry Jingle"
6. The Damned - "There Ain't No Sanity Claus"
7. Pansy Division - "Homo Christmas"
8. Bouquet of Veal - "It's Christmas"
9. The Celibate Rifles - "Merry Xmas Blues"
10. The Ramones - "Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)" [UK Single Version]
11. Metal Mike, Alison & Julia - "Deck the Halls"
12. El Vez - "Feliz Navi-Nada"
13. The Humpers - "Run, Run Rudolph"
14. TVTV$ - "Daddy Drank Our Xmas Money"
15. The Frogs - "Here Comes Santa's Pussy"
16. Mojo Nixon - "Christmas Christmas"
17. D.I. - "Mr. Grinch"
18. Stiff Little Fingers - "White Christmas"

OK. Pretend you're over twenty, you live alone, nobody invited you to their christmas party, and no girl will get in ten feet of your apartment. And the last thing you want to hear are jingly carols shrieked out by happy little orphans. What you need is to hear jingly carols shrieked out by your favorite punk bands! Yesindeedee (Ramone, that is). So decorate the tree with empty beer cans, write your name in the snow, hang up that mistleto and soon you'll hear ho-ho-ho!

This is the only Xmas album you can play even when it ain't the season. Especially "Daddy Drank Our Christmas Money" by TVTV$ (if anybody knows how the hell you're supposed to pronounce that band's name, please e-mail me), Pansy Division's "Homo Christmas" (wait 'til you hear it!), The Dickies hilariously awful variation of "Silent Night" and of course the Ramones' I-don't-wanna-fight-on-Christmas jingle.

Have a weary Christmas and a sloppy New Year!!!

This band has been working hard to create a sound that, while fits into the mainstream music scene, is progressive enough and different enough to stand out. The band has taken pop music a step forward and brought feelings and just plain great lyrics back to Rock -n- Roll.

Wow. I first found Ho-Hum's CD "Local" in a used CD store about 2 years ago, and since then, I've been hooked. "Sanduleak" is an awesome album, and it's not like other band's CDs that have 1 or 2 good tracks. All the tracks are good. Every time I listen to it, I think "Holy crap, how did they come up with this crazy stuff?" I love the vocals and the guitar parts are really cool. The drumming is also notable, and since I am a drummer myself I should know. But, seriously. Stop reading reviews for this album and BUY IT!

On Ho-hum's second album the sound is more fresh, the energy higher, and the listening more fun. Cheap Trick + Replacement's (Please To Meet Me) + later Police = Ho-hum. Roll down the windows, mash the gas pedal, and enjoy.

soul asylum was unknown to practically everyone up until 1992. 8 years earlier, this album made college airwaves, and is a classic. Probably the most signifcant song on this album is "stranger". it's on the best hits album in a live mtv unplugged version. but the original is just as good or better.

it's a lot of punk, but still good rock. unlike a few of their later 80's albums, this one is actually worth the money. it has a few 5 min songs. and the usual 2 min songs. if you are a fan of soul asylum, get this album. you won't be disappointed.

If you're a fan of the pop side of Soul Asylum and are a casual fan (eg. you like Runaway Train only) then you might not have an appreciation for this album. For the true fan of Dave, Dan and the boys this album is a time capsule, encompassing the growth that this band has made. While nowhere near as polished and pleasant as Let Your Dim Light Shine or Candy from a stranger, this album is full of early warnings of the greatness that was about to be the Soul Asylum that many now know. The highlights of the album are "Voodoo Doll" and "Stranger" which is very jazzy and not typically unexpected on a punk album. Bottom line: if you're a Soul Asylum fan then this is a MUST BUY, if you're expecting Hootie & the Blowfish-type pop songs, look elsewhere.

Well, thats a good thing. I love all their albums except for the last two and this first album didn't change that. I am not sure, since this album was in 1984, but i think it is the first punk album. It really is punk, all 14 songs are. I expected Rock and roll like their other 80's albums, but this is pure Punk. FAst guitars, fast lyrics, fast drums= PUNK. Luckily, I have always loved punk, so this might be a biased opinion. If you Like Soul Asylum get this, you might like it. If you were in love with the last three pop rock albums, look for something else.

I really dig this particular CD for the fact that the music itself is rather complimentary to Lydia & Rowland's flat vocals. The lyrics & content are fitting to the type of individuals that created the record itself.

The review above gets it exactly wrong, which isn't easy to do. Once this album, a masterpiece without reserve, travels through your ears, the lizard brain memory will endure. Fight or flight. Also recommended: Drowning/In Limbo, collaborations with Lucy H. and Thurston M.

I admit I wasn't bowled over with this after PHASESHIFTER, or so I thought heh heh heh. but I kept listening to it ( what can I say, I love overdriven guitars ) and I ended up loving these songs.
The Amazon reviewer who says it lacks PHASESHIFTER'S soaring harmonies must have been listening to something else. "Pretty Please Me". "Mess Around", "You Lied Again", "Kiss the Goat"
are built on this bands amazing gift for awesome sing-along choruses with almost beatelesque vocals.
No one else sounds like Redd Kross, they were one of the greatest US bands ever. If you never heard them do yourself a favor--just buy every one of their cd's , and listen to them loud.
When you are ready to thank me you may buy me a ticket to LA to see them this August.

"Show World" is Redd Kross at their most commercially viable. While "Third Eye" was ALMOST too pop, and "Phaseshifter" was ALMOST too hard rock, this album was a perfect mix of both. The songs here are orgasmically catchy and the production is tight, in your face, and tough. This is the one that should have finally put them on the map. I especially dig, "You Lied Again," "Mess Around," and "One Chord Progression." But there really isn't a bad song in the bunch. BUY IT NOW!!!

Show World is a Redd Kross achievement and a treasure for the rock world. Top notch production, full spectrum arrangements, catchy hooks backed by kick ass riffs, vocal harmonic power, simple - yet at times, deep - themes, and genuine coolness make this my favorite lp of all time.