American Alternative music reviews

Arsenal was a project that incredible Naked Raygun/Big Black guitarist Santiago Durango formed in the late '80s. He only recorded two EPs (both combined on this 31 minute CD) before he broke up the band and concentrated solely on being a lawyer for Touch and Go, Steve Albini, and others. Both EPs are important post-hardcore records that show why Durango's one of the most important participants in the indie/noise-rock underground.

If you worship Big Black, then you will be in utter disbelief (in a good way) when you hear the track "Little Hitlers." It's so incredible, you won't believe that it's not a Steve Albini track. Distorted vocals, razor-sharp guitar, mind-nulling bass, and the trademark human-sounding programmed drumming. "When Heads Collide" is another sign that Durango had an even larger part in The Big Black Sound than most give him credit for. The other tracks are solid and honorable.

If you find post-hardcore to be an essential element to life, then you'll enjoy what's on this challenging CD. It's a cool album that fans of Big Black or similar groups like the Jesus Lizard should love. It's too bad Touch and Go let this overlooked release go out of print. (Maybe they're upset with Durango for not winning the BHS case.) If you find this CD, pick it up quickly and count yourself lucky.

Moving Targets were such an underated band it almost hurts. They had great chunky melodic basslines that chugged along allowing the guitar to swoon over the top and then take control at the right moment for full on power pop with great hooks and choruses. All there stuff is good, 'Burning in Water' has the best songs, but 'Fall' is their most consistent album in that it works well from the instrumental start to the finish and i can imagine it would be fun as hell to skate to. If you like this sort of music it might also be worth seeking out bands like Mega City Four and Drive both from England who continued this lost tradition of powerful pop songs without turning into wackey pop punkers with c-razy facial expressions.

Those of us who missed the early breakup of Mission of Burma in the 1980s reveled in powerful offerings like this from MoB drummer Peter Prescott. Some songs are great, and some I'm not too fond of, but this CD is worth getting your hands on.

Farced is one of the better albums by one of the great post-punk 80's bands. If "Brother Superior" won't convince you that you've entered a twisted and wonderful realm, "Nature and Me" will more than drive it home. This power trio from Boston, headed by ex- Mission of Burma drummer Peter Prescott, creates hi energy music where the drumming actually matters and the lyrics are more than just about women and lust. The resulting bundle of sound will rip you a new one. This band is woefully underepresented on CD and that's a shame- go out to your favorite used record store and demand they show you "The Bright Orange Years", "Bumper Crop", "All Night Lotus Party", and this offering. Do it today!

Volcano Suns is a band from Massachusetts that was active mostly in the second half of the '80s and whose accomplishments as indie-rock pioneers are, to this day, VASTLY unrecognized and overlooked. While "Bright Orange Years" and "All Night Lotus Party" are undeniably the best Volcano Suns albums in existence, they are both pretty rare (especially the first, which was only released on vinyl). "Farced" is nearly as good as those records and *relatively* easy to find. Be warned, though: the album represents a sonic departure for the band and sounds like no other LP in their catalog. VS fans may contact me: iggyblack AT msn dot com. Peace.

After watching the documentary, "The Band that would be King" alot of the songs were in my head for days. Especially "Magic Kingdom" and "This Could be the Night." There is also a great Daniel Johnston cover, overall this is a great introduction to the music of Jad Fair. And for the price, it is a great bargain. Do yourself a favor, join the Half Japanese Revolution and start a fire in the sky. And for all the Velvet Underground fans out there this was produced by VU drummer Moe Tucker who also contributes guitar and drums to several tracks. Half Japanese also do a swell version of the Velvet's I Heard Her Call My Name. "Turn Your life Around" is one of the most inspiring songs I have heard and you know when Jad Sings it he is sincere. Rock and Roll with no chaser.

This has 3 songs on it:
1)The First Cut is the Deepest.-on the Sheryl Crow Best of Album.
Great Song But if you have that album...
2)Everyday is a Winding Road.-This is on Numerous singles I have.
Great Song also if your a rabid Sheryl fan and need to snatch it up it's on a couple of albums she has made.
3)My Favorite Mistake-This is also a live version done in NewYork that is on acouple of albums.
Overall if you are a die hard Sheryl Crow fan and like getting stuff that she has done this is the album to get it was made in England and there is a Country picture of her on the front that is pretty good. The Songs go pretty well together and the First Cut is the Deepest Remix makes it a good buy.

Well what can I say, I mean like all SY I love it, just not all the time, there are some classics on the CD, Dirty Boots is always a good ride, there`s even a small freak out in the form of Scooter+Jinx, but on the whole Goo just doesn`t have the punch of some other sonice youth. Not without it`s gems, but for me there`s a definite limit to replaying Kool Thing on the CD player. It`s SY, if you like `em you`ll buy it and you`ll probably like it.

If you are interested in buying the import version of Sheryl Crows Greatest hits, it's not a bad idea. In Same ways it is suprior but it lacks a couple major cutts. One being the Country Remix of "The First Cutt is the Deepest" featured on the original. But does incldude "Run Baby Run.." Which I don't believe is on the in state version. However, the stand out track that makes this worth buying is the Remix of "C'mon C'mon" Which features the Corrs. The Corrs had a big hit in the states a couple years back with "Breathless." This version never released in the United States for whatever reason so is definatly worth the money. This CD has 16 tracks and with the exception of two songs that are on the World Version and not the States version it's the same thing. However in the same token there are two tracks on the State's version that is not on the World one, so basically you take your pick!

While classic Wipers overall, there are a lot of moments here where the guitar goes melodically sailing off in new directions, and the songs are really quite different from their other releases. As usual only the best of the high energy assault one expects from this band. This music is timeless and follows its own rules. It sounds as unique today as it did in the mid 90s and will continue to for decades. Pick up a copy!

The Wipers broke up in '89, and got back together in '93 to record a disc: Silver Sail. It was alot like Sage's solo work...however in 1995-96 they recorded The Herd. The best album the Wipers have done since Land Of The Lost. From "Psychic Vampire" to "Insane", this album rules. The only thing I find wrong with this album is that some of the tracks sound the same, and the vocals are kind of hard to understand on some tracks...maybe it was meant to be that way. Either way, a great buy.

If you like Fleshtones, this CD is for you. "Love Somebody" is worth the price alone. Also of interest is a new version of "Soul City". (One of the songs on BLAST OFF from the primal days of Fleshtonedom). Fleshtones are a band that must be seen live to fully appreciate, so if you get a chance to catch them, do so. You'll be hooked.

Obviously this is for the hardcore Butthole Surfers fans. I'll tell you as much information about this single as I can. This was released before Pioughd and just before the Jackofficers and Paul Leary Side projects.

1. Hurdy Gurdy Man is a cover of a Donovan song with Paul Leary on vocals. It was one of the best songs on Pioughd which is by far the band's worst record ever.

2. The Elemental instrumental Barking Dogs was not available on the original version of Pioughd (go ahead and look at the Vinyl versions on eBay) so at it's time it was considered a rare song, though it does loose its touch after a while. It does however succeed in building up a feeling of paranoia.

3. Hurdy Gurdy man (Remix) On My version it says (Remixed by Jim Melly) who is the "faceless rough trade person" who Dave Hidebound spoke of. However I've frequently seen versions on eBay who say that it's remixed by Paul Leary. This means that there could be two versions and if you want both you will have to end up buying it twice, though in slightly different form.

If you still have a record player and just want the remix(s), then if you hunt down the English Import (Once again eBay is always good) there is a limited edition Remix 12" which contains not one, not two, but three remixes! That's right, I believe it is these two remixes plus another one not on CD form. So if you want the remixes then that means you're a fanatic. This CD gets three stars because of the content that's on it. The remix that I have sounds very, very different then the original and is actually pretty fun. However only even consider buying this if you are an absolutle Butthole Surfers Junkie. Hoped this helped.

The Butthole Surfers rule the earth. This much is known. However, if you have the CD version of "Piouhgd," you won't need this. The awesome Donovan cover is the same version used on that record, as is "Barking Dogs." The only exclusive here is a techno remix of "Hurdy Gurdy Man," but it's only a pale imitation done by some faceless Rough Trade person, not a Paul Leary or Jackofficers remix. The only reason this even gets four stars is because the Butthole Surfers' name is on it. Go with "Piouhgd," you'll get these exact two studio tracks and eleven additional ones. You'll spiritually end up richer because of it.