JEREMY GLUCK – This is....(The Beautiful Music)

Jeremy Gluck, Ottawa native and vocalist for legendary surf/garage rock revivalists The Barracudas, knew Buffalo Bill apparently, inspiring him to release a
great solo record in the late 80's on the Flicknife record label. More notably perhaps, Jeremy also knew Nikki Sudden, Jeffrey Lee Pierce and Rowland S. Howard, all of who contributed to said record "I Knew Buffalo Bill". Flash forward 20 years, and it turns out Jeremy also knows Wally Salem, proprietor of The Beautiful Music Records, a fantastic label based out of Ottawa that unearths and promotes all kinds of great pop and rock obscurities from around the globe. The result is a second solo effort from Gluck that compiles 14 tracks, some covers, some live tracks, some originals, some demos even, culled from a variety of different sources and times, albeit mostly backed up by the rockin' Wales outfit, Super Czar. For example, the cover of "Down In The Boondocks" was only released previously as a giveaway with the fanzine "Bucketful Of Brains". Try to find that! Perhaps a little rag-tag due to this nature, (not unlike this review) but absolutely essential for anyone who understands the magical simplicity of Gluck's largely unheralded talent. Objective complete: definitely worthy of you attention. - davE aardvark (knew Jeremy's sister Paula, but hasn't seen her in ages!)

Boris with Michio Kurihara Rainbow (Drag City)

Boris are one of Japan’s most popular exports who have a huge cult following the world over for their crazed musical output of drone/ambient/psych and heavier than Sabbath rock stylings. On Rainbow they have hooked up with legendary Japanese guitar god Michio Kurihara whose creds include the awesome White Heaven, Ghost, Cosmic Intervention etc. A marriage made in heaven from one end of the psychedelic spectrum to the other. It seems like everyone was totally into this project as it sounds all so comfortable and natural. Of course we are talking about very talented and creative people here. The albums opener “Rafflesia” is a big sounding monster with plenty of drifting guitar work and loads of soaring melody as well. The vocals work with the guitars in unison and are handled by one of two Boris folk. The album’s title track is a laid back little number with some beauteous, subtle guitar texturing and sizzling fuzzed lead work. The female vocal is soft and above a whisper providing perfect contrast with the rest of the work. Look, simply put, and not to bore with blow by blow track description, this album is as good as it looked on paper when first solicited! If you’re a fan of either artist you need this. If you’re a novice and have no preconceived notion of either party’s existence or previous output then at least if you like modern rock in any way especially on the experimentalish edge then this album “Rainbow” is wee worthy of your attention!
- Feck

Mammatus – The Coast Explodes (Holy Mountain)

4 of the nicest dudes you could ever meet from southern California have now blown our fuckin’ minds twice in the last year with their heavy as shit psych/spacerock/mantra mayhem! Montreal last Suoni Festival in ’06 served as the live introduction with songs of immensity from their s/t debut. Wow! As I said, a sonic skull fucking if there ever was. Opening here in late April this year for Acid Mothers, these Santa Cruzers were, for the most part unknown in this town! Not only did they present themselves as a tuff act to follow in mind shattering, ear bleeding color, but they introduced “The Coast Explodes” to all of us and made a shit load of new fans. “Coast” boasts 4 tracks that collectively clock in at a hair over 40 minutes. “The Changing Wind” is weird little headspace opener that serves notice that Mammatus are indeed a creative bunch. The title track is aptly second and it’s a heavy grooved, stoner affair with killer power chords and hooks that sends the listener into space. “Dragon Of The Deep III” continues from the 1st album in name and is a blistering deserty/spacerocker with chug galore, rhythm section pummel and double mind frying guitar soloing. The albums closer “Pierce The Darkness” has a progressive edge meets eastern and wields a Hawkwind-ish like mantra quality....simply smokin’. Buy this album, it is hands down one of the best albums from anyone, anywhere this year. Mammatus rule! - Feck

Mary Weiss - Dangerous Game (Norton)

Who woulda thought it, but here it is, the return of Mary Weiss, lead singer of popular 60’s group The Shangri-Las, a group from NYC that had significant chart success with their songs of death and abandonment. Clearly she must have been the “Leader of the Pack” ‘cause flash forward to 2007 and Mary is back, having lived some of the life that was in those old songs, and apparently always entertained the idea of performing again. A chance meeting with Norton Records head Billy Miller and bang! Here you go, a sophisticated collection of old and new songs, proving she hasn’t lost a beat, perfectly sung, still with heart on sleeve. Backed up by The Reigning Sound and including some Greg Cartwright songs, this is a treat from start to finish. Soulful pop and R&B inflected gems delivered in fine style.... perfect timing as it would turn out, definitely Top 10 worthy for 2007, and perhaps a perfect companion to the Cobras record spoken of below.... - aardvark

The Flaming Sideburns - Keys To The Highway (Bitzcore)

Easily one of my favourite Scandinavian bands (and you know there are MANY), these Fins finally deliver a 3rd studio album that’s every bit as great as the previous two. Still with that explosive Rawk ‘n’ Roll energy that make them worthy cousins of the mighty Hellacopters, and like their brethren, have developed more sophisticated songwriting savvy. Every song on the record is a scorcher, or if not, has some of that perfect “Stones” swagger... Gold from the underground rock perspective. Furthermore to the fun, Lisa Kekaula from The BellRays does guest vocals on two of the albums 12 tracks...You know what? we're gonna have to create our own Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame for bands that actually GET IT 'cause these guys certainly do....and you know you NEED it..... - aardvark

The Detroit Cobras – Tied & True (Bloodshot)

Now on their 4th ("7 Easy Pieces" doesn't count, besides it was added to the re-release) full length release this Motor City combo continue to forge ahead with the formula that continues to garner them positive attention. Yes, there are probably still some people that are unaware that these Garage-rawkers are a cover band. When “Mink Rat or Rabbit” came out on Sympathy back in 1998 featuring mostly obscure R&B, Soul & Rock ‘n’ Roll gems, they had some of us in the underground seeking out the originals, but there was little indication that they would be much more than cult favourites. Now it would seem they are “on the verge” with “Tied & True” ‘cause 10 years later, despite all the line-up changes (Greg Cartwright of Oblivians and Reigning Sound fame seems now to be a full-fledged member), turmoil with bad habits and inability/unwillingness to cross the Canadian border, this record is consistent like all the others, and is certainly poised to keep them as top sellers in our independent Rawk world, and like I just suggested, beyond. So, if you had any doubts, YES you need this one too... - aardvark

The Silos – Come On Like The Fast Lane (Bloodshot)

Not too many bands survive 20 plus years, or at least not gracefully. This band that started out in Florida back in the early 80’s around the song-writing talent of Walter-Salas Humara and by 1985, relocated to New York and recorded their first album “About Her Steps”, the only record that I previously owned by them (well actually I have the “Tennessee Fire” E.P. too). Not because of their brief flirtation with the majors (“S/T” on RCA in 1990, hell, that’s happened to most of the “country-rock" pioneers), not because I didn’t enjoy various things I’ve heard over the years, but simply because there’s always too much music going on to keep track of everything. Now that they’ve landed on the Bloodshot label (who help keep me up to speed) all these years later, I find out that they’ve evolved and matured quite well. “Come On Like The Fast Lane” is a very competent romp through 13 country-tinged rawkers, that sound better on each listen. Although there are a couple o’ turkeys in the bunch, by and large the record flows quite well and proves The Silos worthy of a release with the “Kings of Insurgent Country”. Graceful AND worthy..... - aardvark

Dragontears – “2000 Micrograms From Home” (Bad Afro Records)

Dragontears are a one off for members of Denmark’s Baby Woodrose and past and present members of fellow Dane band On Trial. I was as excited as a pig in shit when I read about this album last year and this week finally get to hear it. It has been well worth the wait!!! Psychedelic-stoner-space rock of the first order and no big surprise given the pedigree. 6 original compositions, one of which is a 17 minute opus makeing “2000 Micrograms…” soundtrack for the coming summer and easily one of the best stoner rock album thus far in 2007! The guys got together to jam back in ’05 and this, after some editing and mixing is the result. Trippy, mystical, cosmic, groovy, heavy and beautiful it’s all here! Apparently there is no and won’t be any live band and no website, t-shirts or anything. Cool by me and others I’m sure, especially if your a fan of On Trial and Baby Woodrose…kinda like bonus candy I figure. Here’s a true story. Yesterday as Dragontears was cutting through the incense haze at Birdman Sound a young couple combing the bins for Pink Floyd wax, twice wandered over to the stereo to see what was spinning. They approached the counter asked about Floyd availability (out of stock) and then queried me on the origins of the current aural bombardment. After a 30 second accolade by yours truly they bought the Dragontears vinyl and exclaimed how great they thought it was! Gee, there’s hope for all of us yet!
The power of listening and to something out of the blue that you never heard before and bang! Luv it, buy it…pure magic. Why I do what I do folks and come to think of it Dragontears is every fucking ounce as good as the Floyd! See you in space!!!
- Feck

Sick Fits – “S/T” (Full Breach Kicks)

Well I sure hope folks check out the Sick Fits as they embark on a North American tour in support of a real fine self-titled full length album. I liked their gutsy little cd ep a few years back as well as the fact they had two 7” singles to their credit. This new offering seemed to take about 2 years to come to bear by my estimation but shit happens to young rock bands don’t they. The Sick Fits wear their hearts on their collective sleeves as all 10 songs here exhibit the love of personal record collections and therein, the far reaching influences they cast. Johnny Thunders, late 60’s Rolling Stones, Sonics, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee and Mott The Hoople are all felt. No surprise it all works well! The reference points collectively work on the same gut-bucket rock and blues beats of yesteryear. This, mixed with the young enthusiasm and interpretation twists of the young Sick Fits lads boils down to a good old dirty bit of rock ‘n’ roll. Michael’s vocals are of that almost “unamused” sort but are strong and work perfectly against Ken’s “Keef meets Woodsy” guitar style. The rhythm section steadily pounds it out in simple but solid fashion, as it should be and the whole affair is awash with additional piano and organ hammering, saxophone and multiple chick backing vocals. Dave Draves recording and engineering skills bear sweet fruit once again and the mentoring and production from Paul Fenton (the Action, Fenton Brothers), lends authenticity to this (as I said before), really fine record. Key tunes include ”House Boy”, “New Fashion Kicks” and “Real Lust”. You want rock? It’s right here in Ottawa and the Sick Fits play it lean and mean. This album is also available on vinyl, R.A.F.R. - Feck

Black Diamond Heavies – Every Damn Time (Alive Records)

Here’s a debut with the real snarl and guts of the spirit of Rock ‘n’ Roll. With keys and drums John Wesley Myers & Van Campbell play a brand of in yer face, southern bent, soul & blues influenced rock, that fits nicely between early Blues Explosion and the modern approach to the blues offered by Immortal Lee County Killers. Wesley appeared with ILCK as the “third” man and brought to JRR & Chet’s raw power a psychedelic soul touch and this is clearly evident with the Black Diamond Heavies. After several obscure 7” releases garnering rave reviews, Alive picks up the ball up and goes for the touchdown. This is a winner, one of those debuts that offer hope for the future of Rawk! Cover art by Mathieu Trudel from here in Ottawa is cool and you need to check this album out, ya dig?! - Feck

Demons Claws – Satan’s Little Pet Pig (In The Red Records)

A few years back, th’ Claws-then drummer Skip Jensen sent me a five song demo to be considered for a future booking in Ottawa. I Liked the recording and the band as they easily fit into that outta control, drunken blues/roots punk primal scree thing and as a fan of Montréal’s Scat Rag Boosters, I awaited a proper release.
Caught the band at an Irene’s gig a couple of summers ago, playing to a small but informed crowd of individuals, and after an internationally well received, self-titled debut on the American record label Dead Canary; the rest is history.
Now signed to the hip and pretty consistently solid In The Red Records, The Demons Claws offer up “Satan’s Little Pet Pig”. Rambunctious from the word go, th’ Claws wind their way down a path of “drunk on corn liquor” blues punk and fried, country hillbilly rock ‘n’ roll. It’s almost a Memphis sound in a ’68 Comeback/Jeff Evans kinda way, with noisier guitar crunch and a brasher attack. Rockabilly swagger of Charlie Feathers, meets the punk-crunch of that old “Killed By Death” sound. You’ll dig this big if you like the gut-bucket rock ‘n’ roll on the noisy side. Very nice job! Salut! - Feck

Ghost - In Stormy Nights (Drag City)

For a little more than 20 years the Japanese freeform rock act Ghost, led by Masaki Batoh have been one of the worlds finest purveyors of outer worldly music. “In Stormy Nights”, the bands 8th studio album, is another showcase for the mixing of modern psych and ethnic/traditional musics. With a battery of known and esoteric instruments, Ghost takes the listener to one of those “inner mind”, “outer body” experiences that usually coincide with this sort of stuff. In fact all you need to check out is the albums 2nd piece clocking in at over 20 minutes to get a handle on what Ghost can do and are all about, “Hemicyclic Anthelion” . There are 6 tracks making up this album, spread over 1 CD as well as a double vinyl version. All of the cuts are in the vein of the aforementioned mind and body trips and just like Acid Mothers Temple, Ghost, although less prolific, always create first rate thinking persons mantraesque music. - Feck

Arbouretum - Rites Of Uncovering (Thrill Jockey)

With pedigree stemming from the likes of Anomoanon, Bonnie Prince Billy, Lungfish and more, this Baltimore outfit called Arbouretum have unleashed an awesome debut for Thrill Jockey records. A first album from a few years back went unnoticed by me but this record will be getting a lot of workout! Led by guitarist/singer David Heumann,
Arbouretum create a wicked tapestry of folk stylings, bluesy angles and psychedelic rock nuance which culminates in a totally satisfying album, start to finish. Some absolutely devastating guitar work and superb vocal delivery coupled with excellent song arrangements make me wonder what Fairport Convention circa 1970 would have sounded like if they came from San Francisco after time warping back from a Comets On Fire gig? Weird thought eh? Not really, that’s just the music junkie in me dreaming while taking it all in. I’ll bet this band deliver the goods in spades in a live setting! A strong early contender for what should show up on many folks top 20 lists by years end. Check out “Rites Of Uncovering” by Arbouretum, it will definitely take you places. - Feck

Buffalo Killers .....S/T...... (Alive Records)

Based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, thee Shams were a great band who had a pretty long kick at the can. After 3 or 4 critically acclaimed full length albums and a handful of singles which gathered the band a healthy following they tanked right out of the blue! Shams co-founders and brothers Andrew & Zachary Gabbard have now resurfaced as The Buffalo Killers. Although not entirely different than in their previous incarnation, the Killers play a more stripped down form of early ‘70’s rock. A little rootsy, a little psych in a late ‘60’s, early ‘70’s West Coast vibe and some harder rock moments for the extra punch. There’s even a distinct British psych-prog power trio sound here and there, which upon adding it all up makes their debut a damn great effort for anyone who likes their rock lean and mean. Think mid-period Blue Cheer with a dose of hard edged Neil Young and Crazy Horse! Highly recommended! - Feck

Nikki Corvette & The Stingrays "Back To Detroit" (Dollar Records)

Back in 1980, Bomp Records (the now famous and longest runnin' indie label on the planet) released Detroit's Nikki & The Corvettes debut album. This new wave/power pop nugget would soon, and to this day, became a cult favourite around the globe. Now, some 27 years on, Nikki Corvette returns with a smokin' new album called "Back To Detroit" which will impress the old guard fans and hopefully get some new ones as well ! With a sound resembling an amalgam of Ramones and the MC5, Nikki and her new group the Stingrays (ex Short Fuses....they rawked!) pound out a dozen or so power blasts which feature dual female vocal attacks. Coupled with sizzling guitar and muscular rhythms, you will have you wish it could be 1979 all over again. Kick ass songs like "He Rocks Me, He Rocks Me Not" and "Lipstick Letters" are fine examples of witty lyrics and "fun" rockin' music that make this album a 2006 standout in it's genre. Available on both vinyl and cd. - Feck


The Ettes "Shake The Dust" (SFTRI)

Here's a Los Angeles trio featuring 2 gals and 1 dude who went across the sea and into Toe Rag studios with Liam Watson at the helm and have come up with a dirty little rock 'n' roll debut that mixes a tough 60's girl group aesthetic with the British Medway sound (Headcoatees come to mind!). A healthy dose of guitar power and the layered vocal presentation make them sound a little like a classic late 70's power-pop outfit and at times a way more balls out Go-Go's meet the Avengers!!!! Raw and toughish, fun and catchy, there's no gettin' around the fact that this is a rockin' little gem that you should not hesitate in grabbin'! A killer party starter! Available on both vinyl and cd. - Feck

Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso UFO - “Have You Seen The Other Side Of The Sky” (Ace Fu Records)

For over 10 years the collective known commonly as Acid Mothers Temple have been working their craft, based in their native country of Japan. Prolific to a point of almost annoyance (many releases are hard to come by!) AMT combine the many arms of psychedelia, free form rock experimentation and eastern mysticism and always present the listener a dizzying array of aural pleasures. The group’s latest offering is a 6 track excursion into space and clocks in at 62+ minutes. The lead in cut “Attack From Planet Hattifatteners” begins with spacey synth squelches before a sonic barrage of drums and the devastating guitar attack of Kawabata Makoto split your skull wide open! Flutes, recorders and massive bass lines take this track willingly into the next piece, which transports the listener to the plains around Stonehenge (or at least in my mind, something like that!). Hawkwind is an obvious influence on AMT. “Asimo’s Naked Breakfast: Rice and Shrine” features prominent vocal play and coupled with some killer acoustic guitar passages and interwoven flute work brings the group into Gong like territory (another easy reference point!). This cut stands up amazingly well in the 15 minute territory. Jarring is an appropriate word for “I Wanna Be Your Bicycle Seat” as it takes you by the throat for 90 some seconds and makes Motorhead sound whimpy. The psychedelic raga of the year is “Interplanetary Love” which has a magnificent eastern feel with beautiful guitar work and an almost “sea shanty” like vocalization. The epic 20 minute album ender “The Tale Of Solar Sail...” is a ganja driven acid rock monster that breaks down later into jazz skronk of the highest order framed by an awesome(as usual) display of guitar work. For a band with well over 40 or so releases in their relatively short time on earth, Acid Mothers Temple have struck another pure winner with “Have You Seen The Other Side Of The Sky?” If you don’t know this group this is a darn fine place to start and for the already initiated, it’s another brilliant addition to your AMT collection. Get on the spaceship, pass the bong and ride! - Feck

Radio Birdman – Zeno Beach ......(Yep Roc)

In 1972 American (Detroit) Deniz Tek arrives in Australia under the influence of The Stooges and The MC5 among others. Over the next several years and various musical projects, 1975 sees Radio Birdman emerge as an upcoming live act. In 1977 the influential “Radios Appear” is issued; here in Canada on Sire Records, (very hard to sell at the time), and by 1978 the band is history! Reunion shows take place mid ‘90’s and in 1996 the original Radio Birdman line up release a smokin' commemorative live LP called “Ritualism”. New material was rumoured to have been recorded 2 years ago but was never released. Now in 2006 their first material studio-wise in 25 years becomes a glorious reality in an album known as “Zeno Beach”.
As a devout worshipper at the Radio Birdman altar since day fuckin’ one, I guarantee you that this album is a rocker of the first order and the band sounds as vital, although more sonic, as on “Radios Appear”. How wicked it is to hear the guys kick ass like their former younger selves with Rob Younger’s trademark voice spiked between the killer duelling axes of Deniz Tek and Chris “Klondike” Masuak, Pip Hoyle’s piano framing the affair as never before and new Birdmen, Jim Dickson (Survivors) and Russell Hopkinson (You And I) bass and drums respectively, providing the well muscled rhythm section. Every song’s a knockout and will remind familiar fans of the old Birdman and pretty much anything related since; New Christs, Tek’s solo LPs etc... Great lyrics, killer arrangements, this bird’s got the goods. Get this album now, no matter where you are, one of rock’s most influential acts of the last 4 decades is back and I’m thrilled, you should be too! Again I say it gets better with age! Yeah Hup! - Feck