The Rock Thread
Popol Vuh - "Letzte Tage - Letzte Nächte" (1976)
This seminal German outfit's eighth full-length sees them pushing both their krautrock & neoclassical new age sounds across the short thirty minute run time, although the rock side of the equation wins out pretty comfortably on this occasion. It's incredible how much some of the new age material sounds like Dead Can Dance at times, particularly Djong Yun's vocals which must surely be the inspiration for Lisa Gerrard's signature sound. Despite that though, I don't think "Letzte Tage - Letzte Nächte" is quite at the level I was expecting from such a highly acclaimed release & I think it's a bit of a step down from Popol Vuh's first three albums which I've been across for many years now. The thin production job certainly doesn't help but there are no weak tracks included & the record certainly doesn't overstay its welcome.
For fans of Tangerine Dream, Cluster & Ash Ra Temple.
3.5/5
Jefferson Airplane - "Surrealistic Pillow" (1967)
The highly regarded debut album from this major player from the San Francisco scene is more hit & miss than I was expecting. Thankfully, the highlights are strong enough to carry the album with Jefferson Airplane's more stripped back & folky side being my clear preference over their more upbeat & poppy psychedelic rock one. The duo of psychedelic folk tracks that's comprised of "Today" & album highlight "Coming Back to Me" are nothing short of outstanding but I can't see myself returning to this one too often in the future,
For fans of Country Joe & the Fish, Quicksilver Messenger Service & Love.
3.5/5
Monster Magnet - "Spine of God" (1991)
I've always really enjoyed the debut album from these New Jersey-based stoner rock legends, perhaps more so than some of their more highly acclaimed records. There's a confident consistency to the nine-song tracklisting with no weak material included. It showcases a band that knew its sound really well & had clearly indulged in more than the odd drug binge together. The more psychedelic moments are the clear highlights with the epic title track being nothing short of life-changing. I particularly love front man Dave Wyndorf's masculine vocal delivery & the fuzzy wall of guitars which go a long way to making "Spine of God" essential listening for all stoner rock afficionados.
For fans of Fu Manchu, Clutch & Soundgarden.
4/5
I was JUST listening to Ropes to Infinity out of the blue yesterday.
Spine of God is probably my favourite Monster Magnet album, I have the CD somewhere. It's very consistent front to back. I have it rated at 4/5 as well. Great cover too.
East of Eden - "Mercator Projected" (1969)
The debut album from this experimental Bristol outfit may well be the first genuine progressive rock record, despite a strong psychedelic influence which hints at a clear understanding of the recreational drug culture that was taking place all around them at the time. The musicianship on display here is absolutely top notch with the regular inclusion of violin, flute & saxophone being noteworthy. There are a couple of flat tracks included amongst the nine on offer & I wouldn't say that any of the stronger material is genuinely classic but you can't deny the creativity or focus displayed on this record which I've ended up quite enjoying, particularly the more atmospheric prog numbers like "Waterways", "Bathers" & "Moth".
For fans of King Crimson, Jethro Tull & Soft Machine.
3.5/5
Talk Talk - "Spirit of Eden" (1988)
The fourth album from this London outfit represents the basis from which all subsequent post-rock was formed & is one of my favourite rock records of all time. It's subtle, fragile & deeply atmospheric sound leaves me dangling over a precipice with my emotions hanging on by a thread. If you have even a passing interest in the subgenre then you owe it to yourself to explore this absolute classic.
For fans of Slint, Bark Psychosis & Radiohead.
4.5/5
The Cure - "Seventeen Seconds" (1980)
I don't mind The Cure's second full-length but I don't think it competes with their best work from later in the 1980's. It's a more stripped back affair with Robert Smith's guitar being much dryer & Lol Tolhurst's drumming sounding like it's programmed on a primitive drum machine. The song-writing is a little bit hit & miss with Smith's vocals being the clear focal point & dictating whether each track will be successful or not. Despite arguably being the record that the early gothic rock movement was inspired by, there's probably more post-punk here than there is genuine goth material. Still... it's not a bad listen. I just can't see myself returning to it in the future as there a clearly other Cure records I'd reach for ahead of this one.
For fans of Joy Division, The Sound & Bauhaus.
3.5/5
Mudhoney - "Superfuzz Bigmuff" E.P. (1988)
Of all of the big name grunge bands, I would have to suggest that Mudhoney are one of the ones that appeals to me least however some of their material still offers a reasonably enjoyable listen for me with their 1988 debut release "Superfuzz Bigmuff" generally being the one I tend to reach for when I feel like giving them another whirl. This six-song E.P. was arguably the release that served as the catalyst for the entire early grunge scene &, while revisiting to it now, you can easily imagine how electric the band's live shows must have been during the late 1980's. The gnarly vocals & dirty garage rock guitar tone of front man Steve Turner are the drivers for Mudhoney's sound & are definitely the elements that draw me to "Superfuzz Bigmuff". The tracklisting doesn't start off too well though with opener "Need" coming across as pretty flat but I get enjoyment out of all five of the remaining tunes, particularly the two tracks in the middle of the release which are very solid indeed (see "Mudride" & "No One Has"). Mudhoney will likely never compete for my affections with the Soundgarden's, Alice in Chains' or Nirvana's but this stuff isn't half bad either.
For fans of Skin Yard, Green River & "Bleach"-era Nirvana.
3.5/5
Way back in 88, John Peel played 3 songs from 3 different SubPop singles in a row, Big Cheese by Nirvana, Trapped by Swallow and Sweet Young Thing Aint Sweet No More by Mudhoney. It didn't have the name grunge back then (or I may have been unaware of it), but this was the dirty guitar sound that I was looking for at that time. I have the Glitterhouse version of Superfuzz Bigmuff EP from 88, that opens with Touch me I'm Sick which is a better opener than the SubPop version, and for me this EP is the sound of grunge along with Bleach and the debut Tad album. I love every bit of it , but especially the opener and the epic closing tune In 'n' Out of Grace. I saw them touring the EP (supporting Sonic Youth who were on the Daydream Nation tour) at Strathclyde University and they were as electric as you imagined. I'm not sure they bettered this EP and the earlier singles, but for me this is a nostalgic 5/5.
Way back in 88, John Peel played 3 songs from 3 different SubPop singles in a row, Big Cheese by Nirvana, Trapped by Swallow and Sweet Young Thing Aint Sweet No More by Mudhoney. It didn't have the name grunge back then (or I may have been unaware of it), but this was the dirty guitar sound that I was looking for at that time. I have the Glitterhouse version of Superfuzz Bigmuff EP from 88, that opens with Touch me I'm Sick which is a better opener than the SubPop version, and for me this EP is the sound of grunge along with Bleach and the debut Tad album. I love every bit of it , but especially the opener and the epic closing tune In 'n' Out of Grace. I saw them touring the EP (supporting Sonic Youth who were on the Daydream Nation tour) at Strathclyde University and they were as electric as you imagined. I'm not sure they bettered this EP and the earlier singles, but for me this is a nostalgic 5/5.
A good 9.5 last I heard it and the best Mudhoney so far. I went on a MAJOR grunge binge early one years ago when I started out as a music buff. I was a bit more pretentious and rockist back then... but hey, I've gone through a few hundred grunge albums and have dedicatedly sought out rare obscurities everywhere. For me, the ultimate grunge "sound" belongs to in utero, but it's not quite a perfect albums. Thanks a lot, "Rape Me."
High Tide - "Sea Shanties" (1969)
The debut album from this London four-piece offers an unusual take on the early heavy psych sound with the prominent use of violin & extended jazz fusion improvisation giving it a unique aesthetic. The influence of Jimi Hendrix, The Doors & the Mahavishnu Orchestra is plainly obvious however "Sea Shanties" doesn't really sound like anything I've heard before. Unfortunately, the guitar skills of Tony Hill aren't strong enough to fully capitalize on such an original concept but that doesn't stop High Tide from creating one of the more interesting releases to come out of the late 60's psychedelic rock scene.
For fans of May Blitz, Edgar Broughton Band & Blue Cheer.
3.5/5
The Angels of Light - "How I Loved You" (2001)
The 2001 sophomore album from Swans mastermind Michael Gira's folk rock side project is utterly sublime at times, being heavily driven by its incredible highlight tracks which are easily the longest inclusions on the album. The gothic country element has been really well received from this particular punter & Gira's voice works perfectly in this Swans-like structure. Fucking lovin' it mo'fuckers!
For fans of Michael Gira, Swans & Wovenhand.
4.5/5
This Heat - "Health & Efficiency" single (1980)
This single from a critically acclaimed London experimental rock outfit contains just the two lengthy tracks but spans over nineteen minutes in duration. The title track is an ambitious & highly engaging eight-minute rock effort while the B side "Graphic/Varispeed" represents one of the earlier forays into drone territory & sounds nothing like the rest of This Heat's material. I thoroughly enjoy the title track as it possesses a live electricity & vitality that's rarely found in rock music these days. "Graphic/Varispeed" is probably the reason a lot of people discover this E.P. & it's not bad but does tend to suffer from being overly long at over eleven minutes with very little variation on its theme.
For fans of Can, The Fiery Furnaces & Matmos.
3.5/5
This Heat - "Health & Efficiency" single (1980)
This single from a critically acclaimed London experimental rock outfit contains just the two lengthy tracks but spans over nineteen minutes in duration. The title track is an ambitious & highly engaging eight-minute rock effort while the B side "Graphic/Varispeed" represents one of the earlier forays into drone territory & sounds nothing like the rest of This Heat's material. I thoroughly enjoy the title track as it possesses a live electricity & vitality that's rarely found in rock music these days. "Graphic/Varispeed" is probably the reason a lot of people discover this E.P. & it's not bad but does tend to suffer from being overly long at over eleven minutes with very little variation on its theme.
For fans of Can, The Fiery Furnaces & Matmos.
3.5/5
I binged the two studio albums and this EP a while back. Overlong yes, but fun, You know, those were two of the first post-punk albums I ever heard, and I couldn't get into them at the time, even though I admited they were pretty good. I feel similarly to the debut, but Deciet is just phenomenal.
Jeff Buckley - Grace (1994)
Genres: Alt-Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Art Rock
I'm looking forward to an opportunity to catch the new Jeff Buckley documentary on Prime, but it's been way too long since I checked out any Jeff Buckley. Truth is, I had been so bent on checking out and discovering albums since I first heard this in my first year of album logging that I haven't heard this in 13 years. Poor guy only met his dad Tim once, but that made all the difference. This guy clearly listened hard and smartly, not only to the works of his father, but to all the classical and rock artists that influenced him. You can hear mild bits of the Mozart and even Siouxsie influence in his singing and his melodies. But in the end, the many ingredients that make this album all become the Jeff Buckley identity, nothing short. Hell, even when Dream Brother practically sounds like a cover of a Siouxsie song, it's still a Buckley song. This is rock at some of its most gorgeous and heartfelt. His singing has a falsetto range even beating Thom Yorke, and his ability to go from soft and folksy to rough and noisy is some of the most carefully constructed and carefully flowing transitioning I've ever heard. Hell, he's the only one who can sing Hallelujah and make me think "Buckley" instead of "Shrek." God, I wish he didn't drown. One album into his career, he proved that he was a musical genius.
The Mothers of Invention - "Absolutely Free" (1967)
The Mothers' 1966 debut album "Freak Out!" did very little for me & the same can be said for their follow-up from the next year "Absolutely Free". I simply need much more from my music than artsy humour & there really aren't any examples of classic, timeless song-writing here. Admittedly, some of the lyrics are quite witty (perhaps more so than on "Freak Out!" which I had a touch less time for than this sophomore effort) but that's unfortunately not all that I require to make for engaging music. There are a few decent numbers included (see my personal favourite "The Duke of Prunes", the jazzy "Invocation & Ritual Dance of the Young Pumpkin" & closer "America Drinks & Goes Home") but the majority of this material just washes straight over my head without much sticking from a musical perspective, even after several listens.
For fans of Captain Beefheart, Soft Machine & Gong.
2.5/5
The Mothers of Invention - "Absolutely Free" (1967)
The Mothers' 1966 debut album "Freak Out!" did very little for me & the same can be said for their follow-up from the next year "Absolutely Free". I simply need much more from my music than artsy humour & there really aren't any examples of classic, timeless song-writing here. Admittedly, some of the lyrics are quite witty (perhaps more so than on "Freak Out!" which I had a touch less time for than this sophomore effort) but that's unfortunately not all that I require to make for engaging music. There are a few decent numbers included (see my personal favourite "The Duke of Prunes", the jazzy "Invocation & Ritual Dance of the Young Pumpkin" & closer "America Drinks & Goes Home") but the majority of this material just washes straight over my head without much sticking from a musical perspective, even after several listens.
For fans of Captain Beefheart, Soft Machine & Gong.
2.5/5
Thanks for reminding me of this one. TUrns out, when I first heard it months ago, I didn't add it to my log. Anyway, as a fan of Zappa, it's a shame that I have to address some problems here. Now the tunes and rhythms themselves are perfectly done products of the time. It's a very catchy album in that regard. But, the focus seems off. The attempt at being an experimental rock band don't really mingle with the attempted storytelling and the jokes IMO. These three aspects would work well on their own otherwise. So while it's enjoyable, the multiple angles somehow manage to make a Zappa album's randomness cave in on itself. You'd think after the debut, that wouldn't be the case, not for me at least, since Freak Out was one of my first albums as an albumer and I ended up adoring it.
78/100, one of the lowest ratings I've given to a Zappa album. So, pretty good, but not the game changer that's the norm for Zappa.
Monster Magnet - "Dopes to Infinity" (1995)
Not quite as strong as this New Jersey stoner rock outfit's 1991 debut album "Spine of God" but still a very solid outing nonetheless. My affection for Monster Magnet's third full-length has grown since my last visit with the incredible "Third Alternative" & excellent cerebral closer "Vertigo" being my clear highlights. This should be essential listening for any stoner worth their double-chamber bong.
For fans of Fu Manchu, Clutch & Kyuss.
4/5
The Mothers of Invention - "Uncle Meat" (1969)
This is the third supposedly classic Mothers record I've challenged myself with over the last few months & I've yet again failed to connect with on any level. In fact, I'd suggest that "Uncle Meat" is possibly the one that offered me the least appeal of the three as, despite the incredible compositional & timbral complexity, there's really nothing much of any musical value here. It's just a bunch of silliness put down on tape across an overly ambitious double album format. I'm very surprised that people seem to find more than that in this music but they apparently do so what would I know.
For fans of Henry Cow, Gentle Giant & The Residents.
2.5/5
Gun - "Gun" (1969)
It's my first time checking out the debut album from this London psychedelic rock outfit but it seems to be quite highly regarded these days. I've quite enjoyed it but can't see it as being any sort of underground classic. There are a couple of flatter tracks positioned early in the tracklisting (see "The Sad Saga of the Boy & the Bee" & "Rupert's Travels") which don't set a great platform but things pick up after that with the epic eleven-minute psych closer being a great way to finish & the highlight of the album. The catchy "Yellow Cab Man" is also excellent. This is worth a listen if you're into the early psych sound.
For fans of Blue Cheer, The Litter & Ultimate Spinach.
3.5/5
Siouxsie & the Banshees - "Kaleidoscope" (1980)
The third album from this London-based gothic post-punk outfit is pretty decent although I do have to suggest that it's not quite as essential as many fans would have you believe it is. I enjoy the vibe & atmosphere more than I do the actual song-writing a lot of the time & find the biggest track (opener "Happy House") to be fairly lacklustre, instead preferring the darker material like "Tenant", "Desert Kisses" & closer "Skin". Front woman Siouxsie is quite unique though & is the clear focal point.
For fans of The Cure, Bauhaus & Echo & the Bunnymen.
3.5/5
Bro, I absolutely adore Siouxsie and the Banshees. I've had an unconventional choice of theirs, Peepshow, in my top 100 for years, but I also fell in love with Tinderbox, A Kiss in the Dreamhouse, Juju, Hyaena and Kaleidoscope. Easily one of the best things to come out of goth rock. Even lesser known songs of theirs such as Ornaments of Gold are among favorites, as well as their hit from the dark ages before the breakup, Kiss Them for Me.
Nirvana - "Bleach" (1989)
Aaahhhh.... this one brings back fond memories of high school. As with most people, I discovered Nirvana via their undisputed classic of a sophomore album "Nevermind" in 1991. My introduction came through my best mate at the time who very much had his finger on the pulse when it came to the best new hard rock & commercial metal acts. He would very quickly look a bit deeper & pick up the grunge legends debut album too & I have to admit that I've always really enjoyed it, despite it being a bit of a different beast to later Nirvana records. You see, "Bleach" showcases a much dirtier, punkier sound than the major label produced "Nevermind" or "In Utero" & I find that DIY element to be really attractive, even if I can't deny that the album is a step down from the other two full-lengths in terms of song-writing. The tracklisting isn't perfect as I've always found "Floyd the Barber" to be a bit flat but songs like "School" & "Sifting" are genuine grunge classics & deserve much more attention than they've received over the years. You simply aren't a grunge fan if you don't own a copy of "Bleach".
For fans of Soundgarden, Melvins & Mudhoney.
4/5