18.9.06

SOLACE OF REQUIEM - Utopia Reborn

I get lots of death metal that just does not add up to shit. This disc is not of that caliber. First off, this is a three piece band, which in death metal is not all that common; Usually death heads have to have two guitarists and a keyboardist making spooky sounds to try and make the grade. Solace Of Requiem instead take the base back to thrash, where original death metal came from. There are the blast beats (how the hell can you have a real metal band without them!), but aside from a few stampedes (Beyond Grace), the band focuses on moving time signatures, melodic leads, and some actual singing, not just growling and screaming. They do not forget that doom does play a role (Cry Out For Mercy), but that mystic corridors of power, the cruel discrimination of real life and death, are much more interesting (Language Of The Gods). Everywhere on this disc, the technical abilities of the individual band members coming together as a potent whole, are evident. This band may at the core be old school, but they'll teach you a thing or two about real metal. Contact: http://www.solreq.com, http://www.hammermillrecords.com, http://www.cmdistro.com

17.9.06

NEEDLE - Songs Your Mother Never Sang You

I could have swore this was a different band I had done a review for a few years back, but according to their website Songs Your Mother Never Sang You is their debut album. Julie Cornett and Steve Beck collaborate to form Needle, making music with atmospheric psychedelia rising and minimal in layered structure. The formula works well, quite a few of these songs will have you daydreaming. Standouts here include "Make Love", the music perfect for just that exercise. It would be my choice as the single. There's enough emotive overtones throughout that songs like "Black Holes" could gain a spot as the ending number in an episode of Grey's Anatomy (I am not kidding). They also do a totally tripped out remake of Neil Young's "Helpless". I am sure 'ol Neil fires up a fat daddy and digs this version as well. It takes imagination and real talent to make music like this. Turn down the lights, light some candles, and ride the sound. Contact: http://www.needlemusic.net, needlemusic@gmail.com
THE PREFECT SCOUNDRELS - Deaf In One Ear

They're out of the UK, and they definitely sound american retro-rock at times, that or it's accross the atlantic counterpart, which they can claim perfect right to. Deaf In One Ear is the first release from King Brilliant Records and I believe The Perfect Scoundrels were a good choice to start with. If radio here in the states wasn't so corrupt and overran by both The Man and Big Money, songs like the very Who-like title cut would get a few spins, as would album opener "Home Is Where The Heart Is". I thought Elvis Costello had entered the building on "What's In A Name", and yes, I'll forgive them for the strings. David Cash on piano and organ is actually the disc's secret weapon, at any given time he's throwin' E-Street Band bops and b3 wails inside and out as perfect fillers and textures. I think overall The Boss would be proud. Blues boogie take center stage on "You're The Reason", one I'd like to hear live, it reminds me of some of The Band's work. The band does have some good live stuff on their website which I recommend checking out. My favorite though is 21st Century Schizoid Girl, probably because I know so many of 'em. Billy B. deMills writes good songs and has assembled a more than capable crew to get the music accross. May the gods of rock n roll smile upon them. Contact: http://www.perfectscoundrels.com, billy@perfectscoundrels.com
INFAMOUS PLAYA FAMILY - Tha Mixtape

Smoking good weed had a hand in this, I would bet you money. Cause every line is big money player smoking tha fabulous monsta while they flow the vibe. They do a high traffic scene well, so that, in the real rap thang means they can bring it if they really want to. Unlike the last 6 or 7 where rap has sometimes relied upon the sampled hook to make the song, IPF don't accept that as their modus operandi. Sure, the shit is there, cause it's almost like a trademark of the genre, but they mix it masterfully, and don't, ever, let it be the hook. Lots of high speed & beyond stoned spits, so it's either practice or one-offs, or maybe wit dees cats, it's art. Sling some love for ma niggas, higher than a 747, stone like a belt of black stone. Best line in the mix? Fuck the police and the government. You weak fuckers need to recognize. Contact: Diamond Entertainment Group 281-444-0528, 281-310-4542
FUNKY MUSTARD - Alma del Fuego

Alot to like here. As the name would make you think, there's some funky stuff here, but I'd say it's influences are more jazz, progressive, and world than what most think of as "funk". There is the funk though, so just remember that smell means it's some good shit. Psychedelic blues reign supreme, and really it's only when we try the vocals you think WTF? Stuff though like Jaco's Lament and the self titled opener make you remember how fun the roast can be. Whomever mastered this bitch liked bass guitar, so keep that in mind. Contact: http;//www.funkymustard.com

15.9.06

THE SWEAR - Every Trick's A Good One

Disc has crisp and clean production. Songwriting is good. Music, though they'd probably hate to admit it, is punk metal in nature, the delivery adds strong pop influence and that super clean production gives it almost too much sparkle. Live, you can expect a good show from the band and the songs come accross more at home in that gritty on-the-spot setting. The record holds a few surprises. "Letters Fade" is formula pop, but the band throws in enough flips and stops to keep it interesting; Kent Aberle probably makes this record with his drumming, he locks it right on with guitarist Jeremy Zamora and Kevin Wiliams. That is one spot where the production values actually help. On this song as on virtually all, it is singer Elizabeth Elkins which rises above, her voice now recognizable as one of Atlanta's finest talents. She doesn't shy away from wearing her emotions in her words and vocals. I do wish for lead guitars though. Last time I heard the band was trying to get a producer for a new disc. I think they're a worthwhile investment. Contact: http://www.theswear.com

10.9.06

THE AUTOMATIC MUSIC EXPLOSION - 3 Song ep

Rock n roll radio, let's go! Rock n roll radio, let's go! Wait! Damn It! It's not Johnny, Joey & the boys circa 1979, it's West Hollywood punk popstars The Automatic Music Explosion, aka AME (continuing with our synonym vocabulary lesson this issue, pronounced "ai-mee") in 2006! Continuing with tradition, southern California is producing the good shit! Influences ranging back to east coast originators The New York Dolls, and even further perhaps, to when The Monkees first tripped on the good acid. I can't tell you shit about the band, you're going to have to do your own tripping online for that; the disc does have the song titles, but TW "ain't got no" bio, and I got a flyer and sticker with their Myspace address otherwise. I can tell you this though, they got cool guitars and great songs. It rocks enough to interest older rockers who cut their teen years on aforesaid Ramones, Cheap Trick, maybe even Enuffs Z Nuff (or whatever the hell their name was), but with enough pop and smileys for the bubble gummers. Enjoy! Contact: http://myspace.com/theautomaticmusicexplosion
HORRIBLE CIRCUIT - Retards ep

Ben Booker uses loops, effects, synths, hard edged vocals, spacey friends and guest stars, along with a good feel for weave of the flow to portray his aural visions. One can find titles in the millions of this type of electronic music today, yet Booker knows how to articulate his arrangements, the difference in feeling something and merely hearing sounds. Standout numbers on this ep are the industrial dance pieces Starlight, Horrible and Clench. The gothic fugal serenade Sadness is also excellent. There is the argument for success that any project with 'horrible" in the title already has strikes against it; maybe it's Booker who has the fortitude not to give a fuck, so you have to have some humor to go along with all your ebm gloomy-ness. True GIE (gothic-industrial-electronica, pronounced g-hi-ee) served to you on a silver platter. Contact: http://www.myspace.com/horriblecircuit
SKY EATS AIRPLANE - Everything Perfect On The Wrong Day

Sky Eats Airplane is.....let's see. A good one word desciption would be......different. They're unique in their combination of hardcore, industrial electronics, ambience, noise, jazz, punk and metal. Yes kids, like a good breakfast drink, all that is in there! Two guys making music simutaneously on the verge of genuis and disaster. While aspiring to neither, they nonetheless leave you slightly intrigued, if not wanting for more. Almost art, not quite shit, moments of realized potential, spells of compelling madness. A times the soundscape makes you want to stare. Contact: booking@skyeatsairplane.com http://myspace.com/skyeatsairplane

4.9.06

Late Summer Pictures from the Sacred Herb Gardens Of New Jerusalem

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/wtw/garden/2006.html


In this series:

Lower Forrest Path entrance
Raven's Mint
Yellowcone Oxeye
Cottonwood


I know my camera quality is pretty bad, though I'd have to say the forest path picture almost looks like a painting in a surreal way...hopefully I'll have some high-def stuff soon.

Enjoy!

WTW

1.9.06

The latest Underground Top 100 Music Charts are out!

To begin reviewing, downloading and voting on the latest charts, start at:

http://undergroundrecords.org/top100_1.html

TOP 10:

1. Haloburn - Left For Dead ....(heavy metal)
2. Blood Shot Eyesz - Flatline ....(punk metal)
3. Bellafeather - Not About Me ....(progressive art rock)
4. Larissa - Holy Land ....(power pop)
5. Fucking Buckaroos - Danville Girl ....(punk rock)
6. Horrible Circuit - Starlight ....(industrial)
7. Drowned Youth - Drink The Water ....(hard rock)
8. Midget Stealer - Tickle Fight ....(grindcore)
9. Jeff Briant - Taking A Taxi To Denver ....(guitar rock)
10. Big Cock - Real Man ....(hard rock)

Charts 11 - 20

11. Relaypse - Devon ....(metal)
12. Zenith Fuzzbomb - Incoming ....(punk metal)
13. Davin McCoy - Crazy ....(indie pop)
14. No Hawaii - El Vajon (Con Completos) ....(psychedelic hardcore)
15. Iz.Real - Walk In My Shoes ....(hip hop)
16. Mad Doggin - Lord Of Darkness ....(metal)
17. Funky Mustard - Lipstick ....(psychedelia)
18. Quick Decision - Hear This ....(alternative)
19. William Elliott Whitmore - The Chariot ....(blues)
20. Ahimsa Theory - We Screen For Thieves ....(alternative)

Charts 21 - 30

21. Brand New Sin - Motormeth ....(metal)
22. Dizzy Bee - Masterslammer ....(funk rock)
23. Firewind - Falling To Pieces ....(metal)
24. Diecast - Fadeaway ....(metal)
25. Devil's Champion - Soldier's Fortune ....(black metal)
26. Quasimodo - I Wouldn't Let You Go ....(alternametal)
27. Judah Johnson - Little Sounds ....(alternapop)
28. EFXR - Hell Freezes ....(metal)
29. La Rocca - Sketches ....(pop)
30. Allentown Sluts - Tainted Seed ....(punk rock)

Charts 31 - 40

31. Strapping Young Lad - U Suck ....(thrash metal)
32. Early Day Miners - Return Of The Native ....(alternapop)
33. The Ray Gradys - Burnawitchforjesus ....(punk)
34. Sky Eats Airplane - Giants In The Ocean ....(electronicore)
35. Bogart And The Addictives - Anyway ....(post punk)
36. Matthew Friedberger - Do You Like Blondes ....(alternapop)
37. Jimmy Can't Dance - Bullethead ....(alternametal)
38. Minor Flaw - Tough Shit ....(punk rock)
39. On / Off - The Man Who Lost Everything ....(ska)
40. Slush Punk - Skipping Stone ....(punk rock)

Charts 41 - 50

41. Arch Enemy - My Apocalypse ....(heavy metal)
42. Davin Mccoy - Soapbox ....(indie pop)
43. Relaypse - I Try ....(metal)
44. Letters From Earth - Sabre ....(metal)
45. Pop Levi - Blue Honey ....(alternapop)
46. Jeff Briant - Memories Of When I Was A Kid ....(guitar)
47. Iz.Real - The Wire ....(hip hop)
48. God Forbid - To The Fallen Hero ....(metal)
49. Stupydcow - High Sunrise ....(punk)
50. Meuchler - Young N Sexy ....(punk)

Charts 51 - 60

51. Towersound - Bring Your Life To Light ....(heavy metal)
52. Shadows fall - In Effigy ....(metal)
53. Rad Kick - Wait For Me ....(heavy metal)
54. Two Sheds - Perfect ....(acoustipop)
55. Baditudes - New Religion ....(punk)
56. Stabela - Staryi Punk ....(punk)
57. HOSS - Heut Nacht ....(heavy metal)
58. Diesirae - Shadow Boxing ....(black metal)
59. Beatnik Brown - Attack Of The Killer Insects ....(groove jam)
60. Kings X - Alone ....(hard rock)

Charts 61 - 70

61. Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday ....(alternapop)
62. Buzzkill - Once A Liar ....(hard rock)
63. Ameli - Girlfriend ....(acoustipop)
64. Tokyo Sex Destruction - You Got To Do It Now ....(punk rock)
65. Sebadoh - The Freed Pig ....(alternapop)
66. Cube - Steel Wires And Side Effects ....(punk)
67. Keenants - Waiting For God ....(punk metal)
68. LIFTED - The Cleansing ....(hard rock)
69. Munkie - Antidote To Strychnine ....(electro)
70. DJ Uncle Larry - 2006 Chart Mix ....(house)

Charts 71 - 80

71. Stilettos - Natural ....(punk rock)
72. US Bombs - Hammered Again ....(punk rock)
73. Exit 380 - Breakdown ....(modern rock)
74. Bitter-Sweet - Over And Over ....(melodic punk)
75. Iz Real - Therapy ....(hip hop)
76. Need For Treatment - No Way ....(punk rock)
77. Eyes Of Fire - It All Dies Today ....(metal)
78. Machine Made God - Bleeding From Within ....(metal)
79. Schyt - The Rock Of Ages ....(American Metal)
80. Maroon - Wake Up In Hell ....(speed metal)

Charts 81 - 90

81. The Yanks - Corn Bread ....(hard blues)
82. Alexic - The Letter ....(hard rock)
83. Allentown Sluts - Rape Party ....(punk rock)
84. Chris Simpson - Friendly Voice ....(alternative)
85. The Mint - Pen To Paper ....(alternative)
86. Jonny Lives - Cliche ....(power pop)
87. Motherboard - Almost Morning ....(rock)
88. Preachers - Do It Right Now ....(power pop)
89. Michael Schenker - Big Deal ....(hard rock)
90. Himsa - Sleezevil ....(metal)

Charts 91 - 100

91. Shrine Of The Monkey - Anthem ....(heavy metal)
92. Go Like Hell - Blindsided ....(punk metal)
93. Public Service Announcement - Save The President ....(hardcore metal)
94. The Acacia Strain - Angry Mob Justice ....(punk metal)
95. Toxic Roots - Clean ....(hardcore)
96. Bridges Left Burning - Trust In A Lie ....(metalcore)
97. The Psychotics - New Haven ....(punk rock)
98. Population Reduction - Plague Of The Artists ....(punk metal)
99. The Cradle - Shining ....(punk)
100. Bootlegger - Fire Of Creation ....(punk metal)


To begin reviewing, downloading and voting on the latest charts, start at:

http://undergroundrecords.org/top100_1.html

BANDS: to get your music charted, send me the song title, where I can find it (other than your Mypsace page, and DO NOT send me just your Myspace url with a bunch of songs and tell me to pick one to use, I don't have time for that) to download it directly, or stream it, and the genre to ugr.geo@yahoo.com subject: music charts