Jon - Greenville

07/27/05 Jon Keener
starflyer 59 - talking voice vs singing voice
14 albums in and these guys have created a little niche for themselves, pretty much picking up where later pink floyd left off. well produced dreamy longish cuts lull you into a state of catatonia the state to the right of nebraska. well played backround music for a very frustrating life ... mine; not yours.

07/12/05 Jon Keener
Chris Holt - Summer Reverb
Music for me is memories and smells. Your favorite songs will always remind you of where you were in your life, and most of all, who you were with. Chris Holt knows this, I know he does. His songs burst with memory, longing, lust, dreams (both realized and faded), but most of all, with the guarded optimism of summer itself. Rock is represented here in all its many forms and guises: stadium rockers (Are You Listening?), sad and lovely ballads (Koka), feel-good-by-the-pool music (Good Luck), and mind-searing exercises in layered harmonies (Smoke). Brian Wilson would collapse with envy if he heard this (!! - ed.). But best of all is Slightly Open Ears, with its lines “I won't be the same as before/I don't feel that way anymore“, both uplifting and heartbreaking. All songs are good, some are great - a personal and musical triumph.

05/10/05 Jon Keener
Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
second major label release from steven wilson and richard barbieri ex japan finds a far heavier approach than their last effort, in absentia. although trademark guitar work and vocal harmonies are present, overall musical effort is far more dense with less emphasis on effects and more on so called heavy riffing. not as accessable as in absentia but overall more rewarding.

01/26/05 Jon Montpas
The Coachwhips - Peanut Butter and Jelly at the Ming Lounge
Take the hardcore group the Locust and ask them to play Kinks songs. The Coachwhips, from San Francisco, combine sixties elements coated with a constant wall of distortion and noise. +However, there remains a bit more structure on their albums rather than just unorganized white noise. Like the rest of their discs, this live recording is brief, pummeling, and cluttered with feedback and all sorts of noise goodies. For fans of hardcore noise this album might be a little too catchy. For fans of trendy garage revivalist bands, like the Strokes, this album is too abrasive, and your mother wouldn‘t approve. So there lies the beauty of mixing current trends, retro and new, all recorded deep in the red. Again, you can‘t understand the lyrics but you can feel the anger and disgust of lead singer, John Dwyer, through his overly distorted vocals and his gritty guitar playing. Less than thirty minutes and that‘s more than plenty for this band.

08/09/04 Jon
Adam & the Ants - Kings of the Wild Frontier (reissue)
An essential album of the new wave era, “Kings of the Wild Frontier“ has now been remastered with a few bonus tracks. Yes, the album with Adam Ant dressed as an American Indian with black eyeliner. It definitely looks like a cheesy fad, however, this is the greatest album he has ever released. Soaked with the giant Burundi drum beat, which became the bands signature sound, and catchy guitar hooks this is a definite must own. Classics include “Antmusic“, “Killer in the Home“, and the title track. “Unplug the jukebox and do yourself a favor.“

08/02/04 Jon
Low Flying Owls - Elixir Vitae
Low Flying Owls are a psychedelic guitar driven band from Sacramento. This album shifts from various moods and tempos. They have a sound similar to BRMC, Love and Rockets, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Nothing new, but a good album nonetheless. Very trippy and very rocking.

07/19/04 Jon
V/A - N.Y. No Wave
This re-release is not the same compilation put together in 1978 by Brian Eno. However, many of the same bands, the main ones, who started this absurd genre are on this CD. Opening track kicks off with James Chance‘s “Contort Yourself“, a mess of free jazz and garage noise funk that wraps up most of the sound during that brief period in NY. Lydia Lunch, Mars,Suicide, and many others appear on this excellent compilation. Oddly enough there is not one single track by DNA, another one of the few obscure “No Wave“ artists. If you don‘t have Brian Eno‘s “No Wave“ CD than definetly check this out since it is readily available domestically. A sonic assault on the ears is what to expect. So have an open mind.

06/28/04 Jon
Passage - Pindrop
Originally released in 1980 this is the Passage‘s debut album. The import re-issue contains the first two ep‘s and a six-song radio session from 1981. Like most Manchester post-punk bands the sound is usually dark and angular. However, this record sounds like nothing else the band has ever recorded. Most of these songs revolve mainly around synth and drums. Definitely wierd and a little dated but a must have for the post-punk collector.

06/21/04 Jon
Pink Grease - This Is For Real
Pink Grease‘s full length follow up to the All Over You ep remains with the same campy, entertaining feel but more polished. The re-recorded version of “The Nasty Show“ takes away the original punch and rawness making it less nasty. There is more of a garage punk glam sound than the electro-rock from All Over You. Still, the album remains psychotic blending New York Dolls and the Damned with ultra sleazy lyrics.

06/14/04 Jon
PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her
Harvey‘s seventh release , as promised, is much darker and heavier than Stories from the City. It‘s not quite like Rid of Me, but it is a noisy mix of pent-up longing and frustration. Sonically the album is the most interesting with keyboards and other odd instruments. Liner notes include personal photos and snippets of Harvey‘s notebook. Uh Huh Her is one of her strongest albums ever even at her most vulnerable moments.

06/07/04 Jon
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
The latest Sonic Youth record is better than the previous release Murray Street. Murray Street, however, was very good but this is better. This record features more of Kim Gordon. She appears vocally on four tracks including the opener “Pattern Recognition“ which could be one of the strongest songs on the record. Sonic Nurse rocks as much as the later 80‘s and early 90‘s records which proves they still are creatively powerful in songwriting. Mixing post rock guitar interplay with shards of feedback Sonic Youth still kick ass.

05/3/04 Jon
Kids in the Hall - The Complete First Season - DVD
The crazy cross dressing Canadians have finally put out the beginning of one of the greatest sketch comedey shows ever! This box includes over two hours worth of bonus features which contain sketches from the rare pilot episode and much more funny stuff. From crushing heads to voodoo pork you can NOW own all 20 episodes from their debut season on DVD.

05/24/04 Jon
McLusky - Difference Between Me and You Is That I‘m Not On Fire
McLusky‘s third release is probably their most raw record. They also work with Steve Albini, again, and it‘s quite apparent. Loud thrashing guitars, buried vocals, and spastic changes with a little melodic twist. Great song titles such as “Without MSG I‘m Nothing“, and “Your Children are Waiting For You to Die“ it seems obvious there is some angry sarcasm. Definitely rocking record though not as catchy as their previous release. It‘s similar to early 90‘s Touch & Go bands such as Girls Against Boys and The Jesus Lizard. Includes bonus hidden track that is possibly the greatest song on the record. Real Headbanger

05/17/04 Jon
Secret Machines - Now Here Is Nowhere
The Secret Machines are a trio from New York who contain the Curtis‘ brothers from Dallas‘ UFOFU. Beginning with a nine minute opening track which holds a heavy hypnotic beat with fuzzed out bass and melodic guitars. The album takes off into and out of catchy pop songs and slow atmospheric tunes. The album is very catchy and reminds me of the Strokes and the Flaming Lips. A very solid indie rock album that holds up to its moody shifts with great transition into other songs.

03/9/04 Jon
Giddy Motors - Make it Pop
Hailing from London Giddy Motors are a three piece band of avant garde jazz punk. Songs contain elements ranging from the Jesus Lizard and Miles Davis to Jon Spencer and Captain Beefheart. Recorded by Steve Albini this debut record is killer and may cause your head to explode. R.I.Y.L. Liars, Black Dice, Birthday Party

03/29/04 Jon
The Coachwhips - Bangers vs. Fuckers
The Coachwhips are San Francisco based garage rock trio of loud disgusting noise. Unlike all the other neo-garage rock bands around, the Coachwhips make them look like a group of pre-pubescent brownie girls. The songs are very distorted, short and sweet to the point. The vocals as well are deeply distorted to the point you can‘t understand a damn thing the leader has to say. Anyway, it‘s a good record for all you garage rock fans. However, it‘s not polished so don‘t expect the Strokes or Von Bondies.

03/2/04 Jon
Oneida - Secret Wars
The sixth full length record from Brooklyn‘s Oneida is possibly their strongest to date. Kraut beats that pulsate harder than ever, mixed with synth punk. The entire album keeps you on your feet from start to finish. It‘s like a mix of Can and 60‘s acid rock. Although they borrow sounds from the past the record holds up to anything released now. Definitely recommended to those who like heavy indie rock and noisy nonsense

02/23/04 Jon
OOIOO - Kila Kila Kila
Third album from the Japanese group featuring Yoshimi of the Boredoms. An awesome record full of psychedelic textures and quirky keyboard samples and other goodies. The third track (Sizuku Ring Neng) alone is worth checking the album out. Very colorful and nicely detached.