Author: johnny

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The Rationales @ Radio 8.19.2012

Talk about a night of great songs. First we had Airport. Now, The Rationales.* On a Sunday. I’m alive and well at Radio, but I feel like I’ve died and gone to well-crafted-pop-n-roll heaven. We’re spoiled, folks.

* The Wooden Sky from Toronto topped the bill for a perfect songsmith trifecta.

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Airport @ Radio 8.19.2012

Ever since I heard Go Up, Airport’s glorious take on the sounds of ’70s radio, I’ve been meaning go to one of the band’s shows. I won’t say who’s fault it is,* but I hadn’t been able to make it happen. That all changed Sunday night at Radio. I finally got to catch a set from the sonic sons of Jackson Browne, Tom Petty and Joe Jackson. It was worth the wait.

* Clearly mine. I’d be quick to point out if someone else was at fault.

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Muck And The Mires @ Precinct 8.17.2012

Muck And The Mires owned Precinct on Friday night. The closest thing Boston has to The Cavern Club got shaken and stirred by the closest thing this town has to the Merseybeat sound.

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Fat Creeps @ Precinct 8.17.2012

Fat Creeps buzzed their way through another set at Precinct with snappy beats and lyrical wit. Dig it.

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MMOSS – “Spoiled Sun” (2012)


MMOSS
“Spoiled Sun”
2012

Take a journey inside your mind’s garage. MMOSS can take you there. “Spoiled Sun” has an hypnotic groove that will open up the doors of reception; welcome to the world of mid-fi psychedelia. The guitars drone. The synths rip holes in the space-time continuum. The modulated vocals are nearly unintelligible so as to not distract you from whatever it is you’re thinking about now that you’ve entered MMOSS’s realm. Let go. You’ll be back in 5:35. Unless you put it on repeat…

Where to get it:

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Fat Creeps – Fat Creeps EP (2012)


Fat Creeps
Fat Creeps EP
2012

It’s no secret that I’ve been on a Fat Creeps bender lately. I’m hooked on the noise-pop they’re peddling. The band’s new EP makes me feel a little better about my addiction. It’s the good stuff. How good? I forget that I can’t stop listening to it even if I tried. This thing has been looping from the fiery “Secrets” through the haunting “700 Parts” from the moment I downloaded it. I dig the surf-tinged intro to the cautionary “Fooled.” I can’t get enough of the growing tension in “Horoscope.” “Cherry”, with its snappy beat and trippy pool party video, is the feel-weird hit of the summer. “Leave Her Alone” has intriguing harmonies and some perfectly placed tremolo bar action. So what if I can’t kick this habit? When it sounds this good, why would I try?

Where to get it:

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Star Ghost Dog – Underdrive EP (2000)


Star Ghost Dog
Underdrive EP
2000

Star Ghost Dog’s Underdrive EP is a hip little CD. The disc was released in anticipation of The Great Indoors. The first 2 tracks are from that record. The slick indie rock of “Underdrive” gets things started before yielding to the beautiful melancholy of “Holiday.”

The other two songs on the EP make it truly special. “The Only One” is a power pop gem, complete with tight harmonies and “bop-badda” backing vocals. This song was previously unreleased and is one of my favorite Star Ghost Dog tunes. Closing out the 4 song package is a remix of “Plus De Vaches” that was previously only available on a 7” single.* Master Cylinder gets his hands dirty to create a ten minute disco epic. “Plus De Vaches (Qui Remix)” is undoubtedly the definitive version of the song. Local radio DJs take note – this remix makes for great bathroom break material.

Star Ghost Dog’s Underdrive EP is worth picking up if you can find it.

Where to get it:

* The original version of “Plus De Vache” appeared on the band’s 1998 release, Happylove.

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Thick Shakes – French Dyppe (2012)


Thick Shakes
French Dyppe
2012

What’s it going to take to get you into Thick Shakes? Their live shows are non-stop garage rock meltdowns. They released a cool 7″ on Aurora 7 Records last year. Would a limited edition cassingle featuring a pair of Farfisa-soaked, distortion-drenched ditties float your boat? You’re in luck. Thick Shakes have released an audio artifact that fits that description. French Dyppe opens with the driving “Friends Like These” before the hip shaking and head spinning take over during “Jaywalker.” No frills, just stripped down rock ‘n’ roll thrills. They even throw in the instrumental versions of the songs on the B-side.*

Oh, French Dyppe is also available as a digital download. You know, in case your cassette player is hanging out with your VCR and 8-Track player in some moldy old box down in the basement.

Where to get it:

* I love that the “1-2-3-4” was left in at the beginning of the instrumental version of “Friends Like These.”