gullbuy music review

May 25, 1999

Blondie

title

Plastic Letters

label

Chrysalis

format
CD

Their second album from 1977. Many great songs, plus 2 bonus tracks ("Poets Problem" and an alternate version of "Denis"). The song "Love At The Pier" has been going through my head for days! An incredible album. The first 2 Blondie albums may never find proper rerelease in the States as the ongoing legal battle between the reformed band and former bassist/writer Gary Valentine remains unsettled. It's really unclear who the bad guy is in the legal battle, as Gary Valentine was an integral part of the writing and sound of the first 2 (and best) Blondie records. He probably deserves all the monies he is fighting to get.

---Carl, May 25, 1999

Fuzz Townshend

title

Smash It

label

Echo

format
CD5

Fuzz Townshend used to play drums for Pop Will Eat Itself, and sometimes plays in Bentley Rhythm Ace. He has been putting out some really great Big Beat solo stuff which sounds similar to Psychedelia Smith, whose "Different Folks for Different Strokes" 12" was very good as well. This is Fuzz's second release. We also have the more recent "Tasty Big Ed" 12" in our collection. He's yet to put out a full length, but when he does I'll bet it will be very good. I first found out about him through a Bungalow Records Top 5 list almost 2 years ago, which listed his first single (Hello Darlin') as one of the Top 5.

---Carl, May 25, 1999

Dirty Burds

title

Gotta Go

label

Rapid Pulse Records

format
7inch

Dirty Burds are an all-girl lo-fi garage band from London.

---Carl, May 25, 1999

The Amphetameanies

title

'Last Night' b-w 'Susiethemuppet'

label

Flotsam & Jetsam

format
7inch

Limited to 600 copies.pure ska from a group made up of members from Belle and Sebastain, Pink Kross, El Hombre Trajeado and the Karelia.

---Carl, May 25, 1999

Holly Golightly

title

'You shine' b-w 'Box Elder'

label

Damaged Goods

format
7inch

Includes a Pavement cover on the B-side. The A-side is from the Serial Girlfriend LP.

---Carl, May 25, 1999

Computer Cougar

title

label

Gern Blansten Records

format
7inch

new band formed by people from the band Rorshach. Angular punk rock which takes its cues from Gang of Four & Red Monkey.

---Carl, May 25, 1999

The Nomads

title

'Love's Gone Bad' b-w 'Leaving Here'

label

Bad Afro Records

format
7inch

Single by these long running garage rockers from Stockholm Sweden who are currently on a run of top quality material, including an upcoming full length.

---Carl, May 25, 1999

Deerhoof

title

'Come See The Duck' b-w 'Sadness Of Here'

label

Banano One

format
7inch

Deerhoof have out a slew of singles, but are best remembered as the objects of derision by Godhead Silo (who sited them as stealing their bass and drums w/heaps of distortion sound), and as the rhythm section of the late great San Francisco band Nitre Pit, whose only released one full length before breaking up. This single marks the second time that ex-Nitre Pit vocalist Tasha Riggins has appeared on Deer Hoof releases as vocalist, greatly enhancing their appeal.

---Carl, May 25, 1999

Lucky Pierre

title

'Chloe' b-w ''Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child'

label

format
7inch

This is a side project by Malcolm Middleton of Arab Strap. It has 2 instrumental songs that incorporate cinematic samples including conversation into dramatic soundscapes with form and structure. I don't think that this single will remain in print, as all the copies say "for promotion only" and have no information whatsoever on them. I think that the samples have not been cleared, and that this single could get him in legal trouble if someone took the time to push the point. The B-side is particularly great. It sounds like the Dinosaur stepping in Jurassic Park (where the ground quakes every 8 seconds or so) with opera in the background, like it's leaking through a neighbor's window. Very relaxing and unsettling simultaneously.

---Carl, May 25, 1999

Teach Me Tiger

title

'Won't U come Around?' b-w 'A Love That's True'

label

Motorway

format
7inch

A side project band by members of Godzuki. The A-side almost sounds Motown-ish. Teach Me Tiger already have out a second single on Motorway, although I haven't seen it anywhere except mailorder. I like the A-side of this single very much.

---Carl, May 25, 1999