“Kudos to those with the broke nose breathing it in”
Truth is, I should have been writing about Leeds band Post War Glamour Girls here a long time ago, but sometimes the relationship between a listener and a band plays out like a film romance – a glance across a crowded room, light and awkward flirtation, mixed signals, the listener ends up going home with some other band only to run into the first band again at some coffee shop, and stilted conversation is followed up by falling into bed together.
You know, metaphorically speaking.
In short, I am remiss for not mentioning it before, but PWGG are a good band. A really good band. Their 2014 full-length debut, Pink Fur, still enjoys heavy rotation in my listening and can still make me gape in wonder. Now, in the run-up to their next LP, to be released in October, PWGG are offering some of those new songs free for a limited time (as in, it was announced on August 14th that it would be free for two weeks, and it’s the 18th now, so…) in the form of the Feeling Strange (Part 1) EP. Listen and download below.
The band are moving in a bit of a different direction – like using distortion and fuzz on the thumping, exciting “Felonious Punk” – but they still emphasizes their strengths, like the urgency of singer James Smith’s tortured yelp and their mastery of evoking mood, as on the exotic and undulating “Gentle Is Her Touch”.
FELONIOUS PUNK - POST WAR GLAMOUR GIRLS (HD)
A second EP is scheduled to drop in September with the LP coming out in October.
Fine, so it’s nearly July, but this summer-themed mix by the FBFY bedraggled crew of music lovers will be good for a couple of months yet. Drunken comments are encouraged.
“Feel Bad for June! Just in time for the first New England heat wave of 2015, and my bum is sticking to my vinyl chair. Ahhh summer! Long hot days, warm breezy nights. Sitting in your overly air conditioned office all day, wishing you were at the lake. Being an adult sucks.
Thanks to our main man Phil for the killer artwork!”
1. “It Must Be Summer”
Fountains of Wayne Utopia Parkway (1999)
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: It must be summer, because I’m falling apart.
2. “This Summer”
The Royal Sea The Royal Sea (2011)
Submitted By: The Mad Mackerel
Comments: The Royal Sea’s album was a particular favourite for us in 2011, although never seemed to get the acclaim we thought it deserved. A beguiling mix of surf rock, garage and indie pop, lead track This Summer opens with a spectacularly catchy drum beat before the vocals of Timmy Sunshine come in like a rush of sugar coated adrenalin, plaintively announcing:
We crashed everybody’s parties,
we drank cheap wine and whiskey.
We partied up on the rooftops,
I’m glad it was just you and me.
One of our favourite songs of that, or any other year, “This Summer” should have been the woozy, feel good hit of that summer.
3. “Acceleration
Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ Songs About Cars, Space and The Ramones EP (2012)
Submitted By: @tincanman2010
Comments: My iPod gets a spring cleaning to get ready for road trips. No point trying to listen to delicate little songs with their pretty little lyrics when you’re booking down the highway with windows wide open. Thirty years these Atlanta dudes have been racking up the miles.
4. “Summer’s Kiss”
The Afghan Whigs Black Love (1996)
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: I nearly submitted Chuck Prophet’s “Summertime Thing,” but something made me keep looking until I hooked into “Summer’s Kiss.” The intro builds from an almost space jam to a driving, Lindsey Buckingham-style one note guitar solo; then explodes with big drums, bigger guitars, and Dulli. “Do you know the words? Sing along with me; and put on your rose fur coat, baby, it’s 1973.” Demons mess with his head and heart. He wishes he had her back, but admits he is alone. We are all alone.
5. “Summer Babe [Live]”
Pavement Slanted & Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe (2002)
Submitted By: @BoogieStudio22
Comments: Slacker rock at its best!
6. “Constructive Summer”
The Hold Steady Stay Positive (2008)
Submitted By: @BoogieStudio22
Comments: When The Hold Steady was good, they were great!
7. “Summertime”
Janis Joplin 18 Essential Songs (1995)
Submitted By: @BoogieStudio22
Comments: This song still gives me chills, even in the heat of the summer.
8. “Sleep All Summer”
Crooked Fingers Dignity and Shame (2005)
Submitted By: @Rockstar_Aimz
Comments: Try not to spend your summer brooding over lost love. Or something.
9. “Summer School”
Liquor Giants Every Other Day At A Time (1998)
Submitted By: @toomuchcountry
Comments: I was ready to listen to this band when their first album was released. Ward Dotson fronted the Liquor Giants, and I was a fan of his previous band, The Pontiac Brothers.
10. “Your Frown’s My Friend”
Greg Summerlin The Young Meteors (2005)
Submitted By: @toomuchcountry
Comments: OK, so it’s not a song ABOUT summer. But it’s still a pretty kickin song by someone WITH summer in his name.
11. “Over The Red Cedar”
Charlie Parr Sumpjumper (2015)
Submitted By: @Truersound
Comments: Great song off his latest
12. “Rainbow Sign”
The Buckstankle Boys The New Young Fogies Vol. 1 (2012)
Submitted By: @Truersound
Comments: Met these guys at Mt. Airy, which is where they hail from. Some astounding talent.
14. “Summer Wine”
Hazeldine Digging You Up (1998)
Submitted by: @simon2307
Comments: Great cover of the classic Lee Hazelwood / Nancy Sinatra tune
15. “Summer Wine”
Lana Del Ray
Unreleased? (Youtube rip)
Submitted by: @simon2307
Comments: ditto
16. “Long Hot Summer Days”
Turnpike Troubadors Diamonds and Gasoline (2010)
Submitted By: @Rockstar_Aimz
Comments: Fantastic John Hartford cover. Can’t wait for their new album to be released this coming fall.
17. “You Keep Me Hanging On”
Vanilla Fudge Vanilla Fudge (1966)
Submitted By: @PopaTunes
Comments: While there are plenty of newer summer songs, summer takes me back to my youth, spinning records on a portable record player in the woods in the mountains, sharing new music with my summer friends. This one was a staple summer after summer. One I remember most though is Archie Bell and the Drells tighten up, which is at my kid’s house.
18. “Red Umbrella”
Kostars Klassics with a “K” (1996)
Submitted by: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: Not about summer, per se (the lyrics talk about a rainy day, in fact), the vibe of this song by Kostars is summery as fuck. This song from the side project of Jill Cunniff and Vivian Trimble of Luscious Jackson brings to mind the tropicalia sound of classics like “The Girl from Ipanema” and feels like a cool breeze blowing in off the ocean.
19. “Far From Any Road”
The Handsome Family
Singing Bones (2003)
Submitted By: Trailer
Comments: True Detective returns June 21. What better time to recall the haunting theme song from season 1?
20. “Boss”
The Rumblers The Roots Of The Cramps (2009)
Submitted By: @annieTUFF
Comments: I can’t get enough surf music, what says summer more than surf? I love how dirty and gritty this is. The whole comp “Roots Of The Cramps” is really great. I’m gonna be honest, I didn’t know how many of the Cramps songs I loved were covers until years later, and it’s fun to check out the originals.
21. “Two Kegs In The Swimming Pool”
Mike Kelly Wake The Dead (2010)
Submitted By: @RomeoSidVicious
Comments: It’s looking like it’s going to a damp, hot summer here in Houston and I didn’t want to go with the obvious songs complaining about that state of affairs so I dug deep and pulled out this Mike Kelly tune. The summer relation is that there’s obviously a swimming pool involved and for most of the country those are only involved in summer activities. I think plenty of us have lived the night described here, although I’ve never been able to afford two kegs…
22. “Hot Fun In The Summertime”
Sly & The Family Stone Greatest Hits (1970)
Submitted By: Blabber’n’Smoke
Comments: Reminds me of hot days in the excellent summers of the seventies.
23. “The Warmth of the Sun”
The Beach Boys Endless Summer (1974)
Submitted By: @Rockstar_Aimz
Comments: A little melancholy to end the mix, but what’s a summer mix without the Beach Boys? This song was originally released in 1964.
Face front, true believers! I’m back in action! At least for the time being… As I’m on seasonal layoff from my day job through January, I’ll have enough time and brain power to contribute to the blog again, instead of just harassing you all on Twitter.
The NTSIB crew (can it be called a crew when there are just two of us?) love taking part in the Couch by Couchwest festivities every year, not least because we always manage together some new friends who also happen to be very talented. This past CXCW got us acquainted with Tony Fitz when he organized a very lovely Irish showcase.
Aside from all the behind-the-scenes work Tony does in production, recording, and sound engineering, he also makes music with his band Susie Soho. And in between everything else, he has began recording solo songs, releasing them on an as-ready basis, the first of which is “Cut Me Up”, which includes Ciaran Brady from Heritage Centre on drums, along with Jason Maher and Niall Campion on bass and guitar. Breaking my own rule of never comparing musicians, this song does slot easily beside Tony’s fellow countrymen the Frames in its laying bare the raw emotions of disappointment and anger while making you want to stomp, head bang, and fist pump to the jagged blasts of guitar and drums.
To check out Tony’s work on the technical side of things, you can listen to his production work for Red Sails on their EP We Still Build Forts, his live recordings for the Chapters, and his sound work for Homebeat.
CXCW (Couch by Couchwest) is on! It’s been great fun so far. If you missed the first day, don’t worry: unlike at other festivals, you can always catch performances later (and even previous years’ performances) at the website. For added fun, be sure to join in the chatter on Twitter by following @couchxcouchwest and the #CXCW hashtag.
“This month we celebrate Couch By Couchwest (http://couchbycouchwest.com/). That’s the alternative music festival that can be enjoyed from the confines of your own home, on your very own luxurious couch! Who needs SxSW? You’ve gotta take time off from work and deal with crowds and drunkards. I don’t know about you, but I’m too broke and lazy to go to the trouble of heading to Austin. Criminy, you can be your own crowd and revel in your own drunkeness!
Thanks to AnnieTUFF (@AnnieTUFF) for this month’s artwork. Grab a beer, a shot or… some herb if you live in Colorado or Washington (like me!), kick back and listen to some tunes. Oh! And leave some comments!”
1. Title: Aluga-se-Vende
Artist: Móveis Coloniais de Acaju (translates as “colonial mahogany wood-made furniture”)
Album (year): Idem [2005]
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: In the song, this couple breaks up and he says things to her about keys and the living room and brokers, all of which may make sense to him. What I love about it is the weird Bill Murray/Oingo Boingo vibe, the complicated but well-orchestrated arrangement, the drumming, and the way the song builds, then chills out a lot, and finally comes back like gangbusters to knock your socks off.
2. Title: Moving Furniture Around
Artist: The Handsome Family
Album: Odessa (1995)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: Couches, love seats, ottomans, futons, etc. They’re all Sofa King pieces of furniture that must be moved from time to time.
3. Title: This Is A Notice
Artist: Mic Harrison And The High Score
Album (year): Still Wanna Fight
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: Keeping with the CXCW theme I chose Mic Harrison and The High Score. I filmed Mic Harrison and The High Score’s CXCW video last year…in the dirtiest motel in Tennessee. No joke, that place was disgusting. I set my beer down to take some photos and when I went to pick it back up a roach was on the can. That motel is condemned now by the way… Anyway, back to the music, this song is on “Still Wanna Fight” the same album as the song they sang for CXCW last year “The Colonel Is Dead”. Good stuff, check it out.
4. Title: Da Couch Dat Burps
Artist: Da Yoopers
Album (Year): For Diehards Only (1995)
Submitted By: Gorrck
Comments: There’s a fine line between participation and mockery.
[Editor: FOR.THE.WIN! If I were to give awards for monthly contributions, this is the March winner.]
5. Title: Falling Apart
Artist: Billy Pilgrim
Album (year): Bloom (1995)
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: Feels like a CXCW song to me, “left me here in these ragged
chairs, stuffing snowing everywhere.” Golly, I loved this band. You
might know Kristian Bush now for being “the guy in the hat in
Sugarland.”
6. Title: Wicker Chair
Artist: Kings Of Leon
Album (Year): Holy Roller Novocaine (2003)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: I love early Kings Of Leon. Their sound was so ‘swampy’, but they had the occasional laid back song and this fits that lazy, laid-back ‘sofa/chair’ theme.
7. Title: Friends in Bottles
Artists: The Takers
Album (year): Taker Easy (2009)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: This is one of the best songs of the last five years, however, to my knowledge, The Takers as a band no longer exist. Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that they split in 2010. Devon Stuart, formerly of The Takers, and Michael Claytor played “Narrow Road” for CXCW 2011. At CXCW2012, Chase 56 did a damn good cover of “Friends in Bottles.”
8. Title: When Our Love Passed Out on the Couch
Artist: X
Album: Wild Gift (1981)
Submitted By: @tincanman2010 (http://tincanland.wordpress.com/)
Comments: Was tempted to send in The Couch by Alanis Morris Settee, but X tiCX a heap of CXCW boXes – to wit, crunchy guitars and depraved indifference to polite society. On TGIF, God gave man the couch so that we might spend our days of rest passed out or making out – or, in this case, making out with other girls while yours is passed out.
9. Title: Sleight of Hand
Artist: Kassy Key & the Raindoggs
Album (2012): Kassy Key & the Raindoggs
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: Don’t know how they’ll all fit on a couch, but we shall see, I expect something really special shall transpire
10. Title: Run Away
Artist: The End Men
Album (year): Play With Your Toys (2013)
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: One of my favourite 2012 CXCW performances came from the The End Men, here’s a slice of primal rock n roll taken from their current album Play With your Toys available at http://theendmen.bandcamp.com
11. Title: Chimayo
Artist: Will Kimbrough
Album (Year): This (2000)
Submitted by: erschen
Comments: This guy has collaborated with people like Todd Snider, Jayhawks, Matthew Ryan and Guy Clark but is an great musician on his own.
12. Title: No Honey for Anybody
Artist: The Bear
Album (year): The Bear (2011)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: Never would’ve heard of the crew out of North Alabama if it weren’t for CXCW. Looking forward to their video this year!
13. Title: Italian Leather Sofa
Artist: Cake
Album (Year): Fashion Nugget (1996)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: Who doesn’t like Cake? I had this and Wicker Chair as my choices for this month’s comp and since we are a little light this month, I added this one too.
14. Title: Irene
Artist: Trixie Whitley
Album (Year): Fourth Corner (2013)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: What the hell?!? One more. Trixie Whitley is my current artist crush. I first heard her on Daytrotter in January and she’s won my ears. If you like neo-R&B/Soul, check her out. She’s the daughter of Chris Whitley, a well-regarded guitarist who died too young. You should check out catalog too.
Around the time Now This Sound Is Brave started, back in 2010, I found myself in the habit of inadvertently seeing Willy Mason play live as he seemed to be opening for everyone I wanted to see. While he clearly had talent and skill, it took a while for me to be won over. Mason had started his career at a young age and was growing into his role.
Seeing his name pop up in the old e-mail inbox after three years is like seeing an old, beloved friend again. Willy Mason is trotting out his first new album in six years, Carry On, and in the run-up, he has an EP titled Don’t Stop Now available for free download from NoiseTrade. It’s a beautiful little thing, ranging from the somber to the downright danceable.
Mason is gearing up to tour the UK and Australia, and will be joining the Gentlemen of the Road tour for four stops this summer.
A new FBFY mix is live, and I’d personally like to thank our FBFY commander-in-chief for not choosing a Valentine theme this month.
“…and we’re back! I considered and then threw out a number of ideas for different themes and went with goulash (def: an eclectic and uncoordinated mixture of something). What a mixture we’ve got! We are spanning quite a few genres and yet it works! Thanks to Matt (@truersound) for this month’s artwork.”
Title: Cleaning Out My Closet (Eminem cover)
Artist: Angel Haze
Album: Classick (2012)
Submitted By: @tincanman2010 (http://tincanland.wordpress.com/)
Comments: NSFW! wtf, rap on FBFY? Yeah, deal with it bitches. Eminem broke through rap’s colour barrier and Haze threatens to shatter it’s gender ceiling, so a cover seems appropriate. Similar styles, too
Title: 1965 (Duas Tribos)
Artist: Legião Urbana
Album (year): As Quatro Estações [2007]
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: First, thanks go out to my last.fm friend Vitória for turning me on to this album. This song reminds me a little of The Refreshments circa 1996 – and also reminds me walking barefoot on hot beach sand, driving too fast in cars with bench seats, the big knobs on Silvertone guitar amps, Sandy Nelson of Superdrums! fame, first kisses, cool water when you’re super thirsty, and Deputy Dawg’s hat in the episode titled “National Spoof Day”.
Title: King’s Flashlight
Artist: Elliott, Rose, Da Costa
Album (year): CA TX NY Vol. 1 (2012)
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: An indie-songwriter supergroup kicking out a catchy jam
from Raina Rose. The whole 6 song EP is fantastic. http://store.thefamilyrecords.com/products/ca-tx-ny-vol-1-ep
Title: Pale Rider
Artist: Heavy Horses
Album (year): Murder Ballads & Other Love Songs
Submitted By: Bryan Childs (ninebullets.net)
Comments: The Heavy Horses are the band I am currently and completely crushing on.
Title: Abandoned
Artist: Phil Norman
Album (2010): Four Februarys
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: Well there’s February, a short month it will go by like that, then there’s March with cxcw in the middle of it which will go by too fast, really it’s almost spring. There’s this guy Phil Norman, who does this February Album Writing Month (FAWM) thingy 14 songs in 28 days so there is sure to be some great new tunes coming from him, you may have heard of him and or it, He’s also in the excellent band called Blue Moonshine which rumors are they are close to releasing some new material which mayhaps will coincide with cxcw? Anyhoo I have a playlist on my Ipod with this song from Four Februarys ’07-‘10 in it and when it comes on I have to hit repeat, I dig it so much. Hope you enjoy it to, and follow along this year’s FAWM and nudge him and the band about cxcw, They’re on twitter and stuff.
Title: Manchester
Artist: Kishi Bashi
Album (year): 151a (2012)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: Stepping out of my Southern band box for this earworm that I discovered thanks to the end of the year lists. Though technically, still from the South.
Title: This Boy Is Exhausted
Artist: The Wrens
Album (year): The Meadowlands (2003)
Submitted By: Ryan (Verbow @ altcountrytab.ca)
Comments: I think this is at least the third Wrens song I have submitted to this comp. I can’t help it – I love the heck out of them and keep dreaming of a day when they actually release some new material. 10 years is a long time gone, but I digress – this is just a great example of a rock and roll song, about the tedium and glory of playing in a band and playing live. Crank it up.
Title: Lay Down
Artist: Alberta Cross
Album (year): Daytrotter Session, 2KHz, 1/3/2013
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: Damn! I like these guys. Daytrotter Studios seems to be regular stop for these guys and they trotted out a new session in early January. I’m lovin’ this song right now. I keep meaning to buy some Alberta Cross, but never get around to it. I will buy one of their albums this month!
Title: Born to Ruin
Artist: Wildlife
Album (year): …On the Heart (2013)
Submitted By: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: I was introduced to this Canadian band on Daytrotter’s Barnstormer 5 tour, and they were so brilliant that they overshadowed nearly all the other bands for me. “Born to Ruin” is the lead single off their second album, which is due out in early March, and when I first heard it, I couldn’t stop playing it. Their big drums, big vocals, and big heart keep getting me.
Title: “I See a Darkness”
Artist: Bonnie “Prince” Billy
Album (year): Now Here’s My Plan EP (2012)
Submitted By: Beldo or @TheSecondSingle
Comments: Will Oldham remakes his own classic as a spirited ’70s-style country rocker.
Title: I Still Write Your Name In The Snow
Artist: Chet Atkins
Album: Almost Alone (1996)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: Ahh, love is in the crisp air of winter – and apparently soaked into the new fallen snow. While listening to these romantic lyrics as sung by the original Certified Guitar Player, just remember to pay heed to Frank Zappa’s advice.
Title: Victoria
Artist: The Kinks
Album (Year): Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire (1969)
Submitted by: Erschen
Comments: Been on a Kinks kick lately and really love this overlooked gem.
Title: Night Train
Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio
Album (year): Night Train (1962)
Submitted by: Gorrck
Comment: Old school jazz. Go pour yourself a cocktail and enjoy. NOTE: Not to be confused with GnR’s “Night Train”
Title: Ape of Dorado
Artist: Dorado
Album (year): Anger Hunger Love and the Fear of Death (2013)
Submitted By: Mad Mackerel Music Blog
Comments: Dorado is our first great discovery of 2013. Dorado is one Jody Nelson. Dorado is sonic chaos. Dorado is musical mayhem. Dorado is somehow simultaneously disjointed and perfectly cohesive.While its roots might nominally be in southern rock, there are plenty of other forces at work here – psychedelia, folk, country-noir, art-rock, straight-up indie – the musical cauldron bubbles and seethes with every imaginable ingredient. This track, Ape of Dorado dips into a rockabilly rhythm, gives that up as a bad job and heads helter-skelter into scrappy indie rock, but does it all brilliantly. Dorado is what we imagine Heath Ledger’s Joker might have on repeat on his iPod.
Title: Funtimes In Babylon (Demo)
Artist: Father John Misty
Album (year): Fear Fun Demos 2012
Submitted By: Sandy @ Slowcoustic
Comments: Last year’s album Fear Fun from Father John Misty was one of the albums I was most interested in (due to my appreciation of J. Tillman’s previous work). It ended up being one of the year’s best albums in my opinion and quite frankly surprised me. So then, how about the cross between the older more acoustic J. Tillman and the new indie crooner Father John Misty? The acoustic demo for the opening track of the new album seems to be just that spot.
Title: Love Reign O’er Me
Artist: Pete Townshend
Album (year): The Quadrophenia Demos 2 (2012)
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: This track sounds better every time I listen to it, a wonderful version of a classic Who song from the soundtrack to Quadrophenia, released on a 2012 Record Store Day limited edition 10″ and the Director’s Cut box set.
Title: You Gave Your Love To Me Softly
Artist: Weezer
Album (year): Angus (Soundtrack) (1995)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: Man, I completely froze on song choice this month….BUT I’ve been revisiting my love for Weezer lately, so here you go FBFY.
Title: Answering Machine (home solo demo)
Artist: The Replacements
Album (year): Let it Be (orig. 1984, Deluxe Edition 2008)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: Went on a “Let it Be” bender this weekend. I think I like this song better than “I Will Dare,” and that song is genius.
Title: Girlfriend
Artist: Slim Dunlap
Album (year): Times Like This (1994)
Submitted By: @scratchedsoul
Comments: Slim was the guitarist in the Replacements after Bobby Stinson left the band. In Feb 2012 he had a pretty massive stroke which sucks. This is a song off his 2nd (and last) album. He played solo in Boston one night on this tour and at the end of his set he said he needed someone to drive him to Cleveland after the gig. If you did he would buy your plane ticket home. I wish I could say I volunteered, but I didn’t. Regrets. There’s a fund set up to help defray costs. More info here http://songsforslim.com
Title: What is the Color of the Soul of a Man
Artist: Jimmy Driftwood
Album: Voice of The People (1963)
Submitted by: Truersound
Comments: Picked this record up recently and it proceeded to blow me away, this song in particular. Then found out it was released in 1963…wow
Title: Anymore
Artist: Jonathan Warren and the Billy Goats
Album: Just Relax, Honey (2009)
Submitted by: BoogieStudio22
Comments: Yeah… I added a second song. So what? This band sent us (FBFY) a little press release with some videos. So I say “What the heck, I’ll watch the videosâ€:
I liked what heard (a bit of folk, indie, alt-country, americana, etc…) so I headed over to their site (http://www.jonathanwarrenmusic.com) , sampled the songs and bought their two albums. They are operating on the ‘ pay whatever you can afford’ principle, so if you like what you hear and pick up their albums, throw some money their way… like I did. Oh… and they were recently featured over on @pop2unes site too.
When you look at the cover of Swamp Dogg’s album Rat On! now – on a black background, Swamp Dogg, in beret and fringed vest, sitting astride a white rat, Dogg’s arms held up in triumph – it just looks silly (and has indeed been called one of the worst album covers of all time). But at the time of its release in 1971, it managed to offend some people (evidence that people searching for things to be offended by is not a new development). While the photo was never intended as anything more than a visual component of the title’s play on words, Swamp Dogg hasn’t been one to back away from controversy, so he decided to stoke the fires of the offended by claiming the cover represented “the black man on top of the white man”1.
Clearly, what the cover does denote is an album from someone fond of clowning around. What you may miss from just looking at the cover, though, is that, beyond the silly cover and between some jokey songs are serious responses to race, war, sex, and more, backed by solid soul.
You see, Swamp Dogg is the alter ego of a man, Jerry Williams, Jr., with chops. Williams cut his first record when he was around 12 years old, when he was known as Little Jerry, and he’s been writing and producing music for himself and others since childhood. He’s worked with artists like Solomon Burke, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, Gene Pitney, and, along with writing partner Gary U.S. Bonds, was nominated for a Grammy for the song “She’s All I Got”, recorded by Johnny Paycheck.
Williams has not stopped working, either on his own or for others, and his first two Swamp Dogg albums, 1970’s Total Destruction to Your Mind and Rat On!, are being remastered and reissued on vinyl and CD by Alive Records on March 5.
“If I Die Tomorrow (I’ve Lived Tonite)” – Swamp Dogg
To hear more about this entertaining man and his interesting career, check out this appearance from public radio program Studio 360 from July 2011, where Williams and writer Ben Greenman talk about their collaboration stemming from Greenman’s novel Please Step Back.
And for a little more background, check out his interview with Jesse Thorn on The Sound of Young America from January 2008.
I had barely heard of the Chapman Family, let alone listened to their music. That changed right fucking quick when the video for their new single, “Adult”, landed in my inbox. Funnily enough, when I was opening the e-mail, the name of the band led me to think this was going to be another innocuous Americana folk group, but if you are familiar with the Chapman Family, you know that description is the antithesis of their sound.
“Adult” – The Chapman Family
Angry Brits were one of my first loves, musically speaking, and the Chapman Family remind me of the post-punk titans of my youth, but they aren’t a bloodless reenactment group. They sound vital. They sound necessary.
The Chapman Family’s second full-length album is scheduled for release in the fall, and they’ll launch a UK tour early next month. Ticket information can be found here.
TOUR DATES
07/02 THE HOP, WAKEFIELD
08/02 THE STUDIO, HARTLEPOOL
10/02 KRAAK GALLERY, MANCHESTER
11/02 FRUIT, HULL
12/02 HOUSE LIVERPOOL, LIVERPOOL
13/02 CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF
15/02 ELLIOTS, ABERDARE
16/02 JOINERS, SOUTHAMPTON
17/02 THE WESTCOAST, MARGATE
18/02 GREEN DOOR STORE, BRIGHTON
19/02 ARTS CENTRE, COLCHESTER
20/02 SURYA, LONDON
22/02 THE RAINBOW, BIRMINGHAM
23/02 THE COCKPIT 3, LEEDS
24/02 THE CLUNY 2, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE
08/03 GEORGIAN THEATRE, STOCKTON
“It’s a New Year! It’s a new curator (@BoogieStudio22)! It’s a new mixtape! We are starting afresh, in 2013, by looking back on 2012. Our motley crew of malcontent, miscreant, ne’er-do-well music lovers have chosen their favorite songs, their “Choice Cuts”, of 2012. Crank up the volume and check out 20 cuts from a variety of artists and genres.”
1. Title: All Over You
Artist: Dead Exs
Album (year): Resurrection (2012)
Submitted By: tincanman (http://tincanland.wordpress.com)
Comments: Rock and roll doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it rarely should. Guitars. Attitude. Mud (see song video: http://bit.ly/Wcnsod). The Dead Exs (http://thedeadexs.com) are my favourite new band of 2012; what the Black Keys would be if Dan Auerbach didn’t have his head so far up his own ass.
2. Title: I Gotta Get Shorty Out of Jail
Artist: Andre Williams & The Sadies
Album (2012): Night and Day
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: Canada’s soul singer/cult legend Andre Williams with The Sadies’ Jon Langford, long-time line-up of Dallas Good on guitars and keys, his brother Travis Good on guitars and fiddle, Mike Belitsky on drums, and the mighty Sean Dean on the bass, Matt Verta-Ray of Heavy Trash, Danny Kroha of Detroit’s own gutter-blues The Gories, featuring fabulously retro cool back-up vocals by Sallie Timms and Kelly Hogan and directed by Jon Spencer
3. Title: Impossible Sky
Artist: Woods
Album: Bend Beyond (2012)
Submitted by: Erschen
Comments: This is a sunny power pop gem. “without looking up, I can see the most impossible sky”. They can make a gloomy line like that so optimistic.
4. Title: Everyone
Artist: Ancient Whales
Album (year): Ancient Whales Birthing (2012)
Submitted By: The Mad Mackerel music blog
Comments: This track comes from a six track album released right at the beginning of 2012, which may mean it didn’t garner the attention it truly deserved. Everyone is anchored by a huge, catchy, insistent riff and a simple lyric while drums clatter away behind it. An absolute sonic treasure!
5. Title: People Of This Land
Artist: Lincoln Durham
Album: The Shovel vs. The Howling Bones (2012)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: I discovered this song by listening all the way to the end of one of Bill Frater’s great Freight Train Boogie podcasts (ftbpodcasts.com) early in 2012. Great track in my opinion.
6. Title: Teenage Gravity
Artist: Kasey Anderson & The Honkies
Album (Year): Let The Bloody Moon Rise (2012)
Submitted by: Simon (Beat Surrender)
Comments: Love this version of the track from the 2012 album Let the Bloody Moon Rise, it first appeared on Kasey’s album Nowhere Nights that was released in 2010, I was in two minds whether to submit this track or one of the versions of his song Exit Ghost that’s also a big favourite of mine too, links for the Daytrotter version and with Star Anna. The man himself his currently on a hiatus – hope to hear from him sooner rather than later.
7. Title: Some Kind of Devil
Artist: Flint Hill Specials
Album (year): The Wigg EP (2012)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: This project from Jeff Moore of National Grain is pretty awesome, especially when you throw a few District Attorneys into the mix for the live show.
8. Title: Turn Away
Artist: forgetters
Album (year): forgetters (2012)
Submitted By: scratchedsoul
Comments: This record was the long awaited return of Blake Schwarzenbach (Jawbreaker, Jets to Brazil). He had last been heard from in 2012 with an (excellent) 4 song single and this full album is a real treat. Blake’s quality songwriting is throughout the record, this song being a highlight for me. The record was produced by J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Office of Future Plans) and his crisp production just adds to the enjoyment of the record. Only a full-length Paul Westerberg record would have been more exciting for me in 2012. There’s always 2013 for that.
9. Title: As Close As I Came to Being Right
Artist: Rhett Miller (w/Roseanne Cash)
Album: The Dreamer (2012)
Submitted by: Gorrck
Comment: Rhett played an opening set for the Old 97s shows in Phoenix and played some of his solo work. This is my favorite off his latest solo effort.
10. Title: Museum of Flight
Artist: Damien Jurado
Album (year): Maraqopa
Submitted By: Beldo aka @TheSecondSingle
Comments: I had never really gotten into Jurado, but starting with this song (maybe my favorite of the year) and working backwards through his catalog, I’m starting to think he might make a damn fine successor to Neil.
11. Title: House Carpenter
Artist: Lonesome Sisters with Riley Baugus
Album (year): Lonesome Scenes (2012)
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: The Lonesome Sisters were a fantastic discovery for me this year, doesn’t hurt to have Riley Baugus on banjo either, but what really blew me away the first time hearing this album was this hauntingly beautiful rendition of House Carpenter. Also called The Demon Lover and other titles, House Carpenter is one of those timeless english ballads (this one a warning to women about the dire consequences of temptation and infidelity) that have survived the ages thanks to the tenacity of appalachian ballad singers. In this tradition, I think the Lonesome Sisters have done a damn fine job.
12. Title: Nostalgic For….
Artist: The Wind-up Birds
Album (year): The Land (2012)
Submitted By: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: I first heard the Wind-up Birds’ first full-length album, The Land, back in May, and it still holds a prominent place in my personal listening rotation. The band are writing songs right now, so I’m excited about more charged and charging songs from the Leeds quartet.
13. Title: One Of Every Color
Artist: Browan Lollar
Album: For The Givers & The Takers (2012)
Submitted by: Corey Flegel (This Is American Music)
14. Title: A Few Towns More
Artist: McDougall
Album (year): A Few Towns More (2012)
Submitted By: Bryan Childs (ninebullets.net)
Comments: Favorite song from my favorite album of the year.
15. Title: Here Comes My Baby
Artist: Mic Harrison And The High Score
Album (year): Still Wanna Fight (2012)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: When I found out the theme this month was Choice Cuts I knew right away that I wanted to choose a song from this album…then I had to double check that I hadn’t already submitted a song from it this year. THEN my problem was which song from the album was I gonna choose! This was actually really hard, because I love all the songs, and it was a hard choice between this song and “This Is A Notice” (so check out that song too). I might be a little bit partial to these fellers, Mic Harrison and The High Score are as nice and genuine group of guys as you can ever meet. They’re road warriors, going out on to play shows just about every weekend, and then back to their jobs during the week. That’s dedication. Do yourself a favor and download/order this album, and check out their website and see when they’re rolling thru your town. www.micharrison.com
16. Title: Wrecked
Artist: Turnpike Troubadours
Album (year): Goodbye Normal Street (2012)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: One of my favorite songs of the year from one of my favorite albums of the year!
17. Title: Wined And Dined
Artist: Men On The Border
Album (year): Shine! [2012]
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: This song is from an album of songs by Syd Barrett, as interpreted by Men On The Border. The band chose to emphasize the positive aspects of Syd’s spirit and music, and the resulting music is bright, breezy, and slightly psychedelic. Wined And Dined is a lovely sonic vacation to the countryside. Try the psilocybin tapenade!
18. Title: Movement and Location
Artist: Punch Brothers
Album (year): Who’s Feeling Young Now? (2012)
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: No album I listened to more in 2012.
19. Title: The Descent
Artist: Bob Mould
Album (year): Silver Age (2012)
Submitted By: Verbow
Comments: So I had about 12 songs I thought about using, but in the end I went the simpleton’s route and chose my favorite song off my favorite album of 2012. This song is classic Bob all the way – and after hearing this song you will not be able to get it out of your head for days. Rock on Bob!
20. Title: Guttersnipe
Artist: Bhi Bhiman
Album (year): Bhiman (2012)
Submitted by: BoogieStudio22
Comments: This is singer/songwriter Bhi Bhiman’s second album, but I first learned about him on Noisetrade earlier in 2012. I keep coming back to this album and this song in particular. This song ‘spoke’ to me while I was making some changes in my professional life. I love the last two lines of the song (felt like my mantra for a while in early- to mid-2012):
I never heeded the signs
But I’m well on my way to feeling fine
What struck me most early on in listening to Leticia Rodriguez’s album La Americana is how close and warm her voice is. Not only did it sound as though Rodriguez was in the room with me, but it also felt like she was singing to me in the tenderest way, as a mother might sing to her young child. The clearness, of course, can be attributed to top notch recording engineering, but the warmth is all Rodriguez.
It makes sense that this album should be imbued with such warmth as it serves not only as Rodriguez’s debut album, but it is also a tribute to her family, especially to her aunt, Decca recording artist Eva Garza. Though Eva Garza’s name is all but forgotten here in the United States, she enjoyed worldwide fame as one of Decca’s first crossover artists. Many of the songs on La Americana, an album of covers, have also been sung and recorded by Garza.
One of the aspects I love most about Latin music is that it is music of celebration. The songs of La Americana are full of joy and life, celebrations of the world, but also celebrations of self, as in the above song, “Estoy Como Nunca”. I am better than ever, Rodriguez is saying. People/conditions have tried to beat her down the song tells us, but she keeps her head high and her eyes looking forward. Pretty damn good song to start off a new year, I’d say.
