August 29, 2017
From up north comes The Tea Party, creating a stew of eastern scales, industrial rhythms and Zeppelin-esque dramatics. Their 1997 sophomore release Transmission is the quintessential headphones album. Though only a three piece, they pile on a wide range of non-traditional instrumentation to create a unique, swirling sound that goes big rock in the vein of The Cult or Led Zeppelin while grounding with industrial rhythms at home on a Nine Inch Nails or Stabbing Westward record. All while frontman Jeff Martin bellows and shrieks like the lost cousin of Jim Morrison and Ian Astbury. It can be exciting and overwhelming just a few bars apart - we try to figure out which way the overall experience leans. Tune in to find out.
Songs in this Episode:
Intro - Temptation
15:11 - Gyroscope
17:54 - Psychopomp
22:05 - Babylon
Outro - Alarum
August 22, 2017
Sandwiched between 80s metal and 90s alternative, Mindfunk occupy the same limbo space as Mother Love Bone and Saigon Kick. We’re checking out their self-titled 1991 debut, a mix of big metal riffs, groove rock with funk influences and some slow burn nods to what would later be called desert or stoner rock. While Jason was familiar with this from when it was released and bought it on cd when it came out, Tim had never heard a note prior to reviewing the record. Does it still hold up for Jason? Is it a worthwhile discovery for Tim? Tune in to find out.
Songs in this Episode:
Intro - Sugar Ain’t So Sweet
14:17 - Bring It On
16:55 - Sister Blue
22:21 - Blood Runs Red
Outro - Innocence
August 15, 2017
Greg Glover, co-founder of the Arena Rock Recording Company stops by for a lengthy chat. After some initial Goonies talk, we revisit our recent review of Harvey Danger’s Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone to fill in some blanks and learn some information about the behind the scene machinations involving the record business. We cover Greg’s childhood and college days, running a fanzine and how he got into “the music industry.” He share how Superdrag ended up being release number one for Arena Rock and the story of how they returned to the label years later. We get into reissuing previous releases, and how the Mineral rereleases came together, as well as the dreaded “unsolicited demos,” signing Elf Power, MTV and 1980s, dinners with Seymour Stein at Sire, how to get free shipping and much, much more.
Songs in this Episode:
Intro - NA Kicker by Superdrag
8:12 - Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger
15:34 - Private Helicopter by Harvey Danger
40:20 - Lighting The Way by Superdrag
47:34 - Let It Out by The Life And Times
Outro - Calling All Lovers by The Sheila Divine
August 8, 2017
From charity comps to label samplers, the 1990s may have been the peak decade for compilation albums. We discuss the qualities that make a worthy compilation album with our guests Keith Sawyer from WMBR, Jim Hanke of Vinyl Emergency and Eric Peterson of Love That Album. We pick our favorite comps and favorite compilation-only tracks, and discuss whether compilation albums are still relevant in the age of streaming music playlists.
We’ve got over ten minutes of bonus content over at Patreon this week.
Songs in this Episode:
Intro - Sexual Healing by Soul Asylum (Marvin Gaye cover), from No Alternative
13:14 - Riot on the Rocks by The Hellacopters, from Riot on the Rocks Vol. 1
20:35 - Effigy by Uncle Tupelo (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover), from No Alternative
42:03 - Einstein on the Beach (For an Eggman) by Counting Crows, from DGC Rarities Vol.1
Outro - Compilation Blues by Sonic Youth, from DGC Rarities Vol.1
August 1, 2017
With her first solo outing, Tanya Donelly attempts to balance her indie rock past with a radio friendly approach. 1997′s Lovesongs for Underdogs, our latest album selected by our Patreon voters, came with the burden of Tanya having been a part of numerous successfully and respected indie rock group, including Throwing Muses, The Breeders and Belly. Striking out on her own with a bevy of players, she shows off a wide array of songwriting styles all grounded by her sharp and hooky melodies.
Songs in this Episode
Intro - The Bright Light
8:25 - Pretty Deep
12:01 - Lantern
14:06 - Bum
19:45 - Clipped
Outro - Breathe Around You
