My Month's Proclamation

Gang of Four
Robotic, choppy, monotone but inventive for 1979. The Gang were not great instrumentalists (listen to “Guns and Butter”), with drummer Hugo Bernham being the best of the band. I can see why they were identified as cutting edge by being grating but with social message but musically I do find them monotonous over an extended period of time. One of two selections at a time suffices. I actually liked the redone versions on Return the Gift better than the originals here. “Damage Goods” and “I Found that Essence Rare” stand out to me. Classic to some, but ok to me. (2.5)

Hellacopters- Rock and Roll is Dead
Good, solid straightforward rock. Nothing fancy, as the lyrics will ascertain, but the music makes up for it. This Norse band has done their rock homework by taking the best parts of 70’s rock (more Kiss than Aerosmith) but making it their own. Good solos, especially the one on “I’m With the Band”. Right up there with High Visibility. Rock neck just from listening. (3.5)

Mike Ness- Under the Influences
Anyone who listens to the current country crap needs to be force fed this album as it is more country than any of the garbage that any of the cowpokes-of-the-day put out. This is also more rock than any of the crappy corporate tween targeted Emo bands are putting out. Hell, it’s just a great album. Ness covers some of the great classic country songwriters, including himself, and does every song justice. See it live, as D’Arcy can attest to, and it’s even better. This album sort of opens the door to show you what propelled the Social Distortion sound. (4.0)

Tilly and the Wall- Bottoms of Barrels
Well they got the title right. This is close to the bottom of barrel. Voice of the Beehive meets Bananarama and a touch of Ravenettes when the guy sings (“Bad Education”). I’m so glad see glockenspiels getting good use. Let’s throw in a few curse words to show we are a rock band- Tilly is still frilly with epithets. This album is summed by “Love Song”. An awful early 60’s mainstream folk-like song. Barf (0)

Ultravox Ghits
Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, that Andrew guy- insert brat pack actor here___________. That’s all I envisioned as I listened to this. I knew very little about this band and was a bit more hopeful than getting a soundtrack to any action/dance scene in a John Hughes movie. Sister of Mercy lite to me.

Five bands of separation…
I decided to use a new purchase of The Thermals as my starting point. From them I got to The Mountain Goats, who I have heard of but knew little of, and after a few listens I wondered who in the hell matched this with the Thermals! So I ventured back to uncover Sunset Rubdown. A little closer. Not as punky and abrasive but decent low-fi multi-instrumentalist band. Definite acquired taste. From Sunset I noticed Band of Horses, which was also listed with the Thermals, so I said what the hey and clicked on “First Song”. Intriguing. Almost a My Morning Jacket feel but not my cup a tea. So I hi-tailed it back to the Thermals and discovered McClusky. Or I should say not-yet-discovered, as I learned that McClusky just called it quits after their 3rd released album and this song started playing from their record company, which actually grabbed me- “Brother” by The Organ. After a little more perusing I did find McClusky and enjoyed the song I heard. Best from a defunct band in awhile.

So I batted .400. Liked 2 out of 5.