NOISE FROM THE UNDERGROUND VOL. 9
DWARVES: JENKEM (2025) CD - OKAY YOU WIN: END OF DAYS (2026) CD - TIDAL WAVE: VOLUME TREE (2026) CD - THE BLASTERS: OVER THERE: LIVE AT THE VENUE, LONDON - THE COMPLETE CONCERT (1982) CD - SOUL TO SOUL: MUSIC FROM THE ORIGIONAL SOUNDTRACK (1971) CD - PEARL HARBOR & THE EXPLOSIONS (1980) CD
Label: MVD Visual
Duration: 18:46
Tracklist:
1. Confused
2. We Are The Scene
3. Druglust
4. Damned If I Do
5. Must Confess
6. Too Messed Up
7. I'm Dead
8. Bad Drugs
9. I Wish You Were Dead
10. Psychosis Tripping
11. Hey Melania
12. Here We Come Again
13. Be Ruthless Destroy
14. Last Chance Lily
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Label: Blues Funeral
Duration: 45:03
End of Days is the debut album from UK stoner-rockers Okay You Win, and right from the get go with opener "Smoke" they lay on the thick heavy riffs from guitarist Ryan O'Hare with soaring vocals of David Kirk, the rhythm section of bassist and Rodrigo Barradas and drummer Antonio Peci locking in the bottom with a wonderful thud. Their sound is a blend of desert rock vibes and 90s era grunginess mixed with tasty bits of measured psychedelia, and it is a potent mix, with acid-tinged soloing and crushing riffs in equal measure. It sort of feels like a 90's throwback in a lot of ways, with solid production that keeps the riffs and grooves sounding fresh. Listening to this I was getting whiffs of Soundgarden, Kyuss or Kal-El, they have a beefy sound but also give space tot ghe songs where needed, jamming off each other, sort of falling into that sweet spot between 90's grunge by way of desert rock. Rippers like "Red Flag" get the pulse racing alongside more spacious and adventurous sonic adventures like "This Damned Place" and "Own It", make for some seriously pleasurable car rides this past week, having listed to it for a good couple of days on the easy to work and back. The CD from Blues Funeral, who I've only just recently discovered, arrives in a four-panel digipak with a clear plastic tray holding the disc. The album artwork by Brit artists Iain Thomson is killer as well, this is quite an impressive debut.
Tracklist:
1. Smoke
2. Beat Me Down
3. The Greatest Lie
4. This Damned Place
5. End of Days
6. Red Flag
7. Ten Year Trip
8. Own It
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Label: Ripple Music
Duration: 38:08
The third album from Swedes Tidal Wave is their first to reach my ears. The album delivering crushing stoner riffs and powerhouse vocals, a mix of heavy-psyche, stoner and some doomy passages as well, it opens with the crushingly atmospheric "The Orb", while the aptly title "Earth" has a early Sabbath vibe, "Temple of Humanity" with it's shifting tempos and has a progressive/doom vibe that kept me on my toes, while "Sideburns", the shortest of the tunes here is a more traditional rocker. It's followed by the fuzzy riffs of "Shapeshifter" which summons shades of Kyuss. Lovers of heavy stoner rock with plenty of atmosphere, tension and song dynamics should take heed, this is a solid album, check it out.
Tracklist:
1. The Orb
2. Hangman
3. Earth
4. Temple Of Humanity
5. Sideburns
6. Shapeshifter
7. Manuscript 512
8. Skitliv
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Label: Dying Victims Records
Duration: 45:00
The defunct Not Fragile are a German power metal unit in the vein of Helloween, offering sharp riffs, driving rhythms, and soaring high-pitched vocals. "Hard To be Alive", the second track is anthemic and melodic, and feels like it should have been something that caught more traction in the 80's, but the band who were active from '80-'89 never found much traction, but success is a rarified air, and the rest, if they're lucky, are able to attain cult status and are afforded cool reissues like this CDS. It's great to see this re-issued from Dying Victims, while the production is a bit anemic by modern standard the songs still come through, I was instantly transported back to the late 80's listening to this, the melodic hooks are there, we get plenty of tasty riffing, though I will say that the slightly rasp, higher-pitched vocal style was never my cup o' tea, but even with that handicap against it, I would consider this a bit of a low-key power metal gem. The CD arrives in a jewel case with a 12-page booklet featuring lyrics, photos, and writing on the band from singer Torsten Buczko that detail the tumultuous recording of the album and how that contributed tot he band's disintegrated, the album having took years to finally get properly released, which was only available as bootleg version prior to this release! The artwork for the album by artist John Whiplash is very cool, it looks like a Dio album cover channeling The Lord of The Rings, featuring a fire-breathing, winged- demon. It's very '80s metal, and something I might have purchased back in the day based on the artwork alone, or at least bought a poster of to hang on the wall. We also get a sticker with an excerpt of the fire-breathing demon from the album artwork, plus a removable obi-strip, both of which look to be a signature of the Dying Victims Productions releases. I only just discovered DVP when they began re-issuing the Pagan Ritual album, and now I'm digging deeper into their catalog, and I have to say, they have terrific taste, fans of classic metal should keep an eye on them, if you're not doing so already.
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Label: Liberation hall
Duration: 84 Minutes
Over There: Live at The Venue London - The Complete Concert (1982) captures The Blasters in their absolute prime. That band on this tour included Phil Alvin on vocals/guitar, Dave Alvin on lead guitar, Bill Bateman on drums, John Bazz on bass, Gene Taylor on piano, Lee Allen on tenor saxophone and Steve Berlin on baritone saxophone, and they are on fire. Spitting out their patented mix of blues, rockabilly, country, jazz, swing, and early rock & roll, both originals and tasty covers, including a saxed-up cover of Rudy Toombs "I'm Shakin'", Jerry Lee Lewis' “High School Confidential,” and properly rockabillied Otis Redding’s “These Arms of Mine", and a fire take on Little Richard’s “Keep A Knockin’. Original tunes include "Border Radio", "American Music", and Marie Marie", that exemplify the band's energetic approach to American roots music. Previously the band had issued some of these recordings as a six-song Over There (Live At The Venue, London) 4-song in, 1982, and years later four more songs showed up on the Testament (The Complete Slash Recordings) boxset, with the whole set eventually arriving as record Store Day exclusive double LP in 2024 which debut the first official release for 13 of these songs, which is wild. This CD from Liberation Hall, who have recently been wonderful stewards of the The Blasters catalog, marks the first time it's been widely released, and available on CD. The single-disc reissue arrives in a four-panel digisleeve, with a 12-page fold-out booklet featuring more wonderful writing by Chris Morris with plenty of quotes from the band themselves about their rambunctious tour of the UK visiting the oldest pub in England, hanging with Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello, and playing a few empty rooms as well.
Tracklist:
1. This Is It
2. Crazy Baby
3. No Other Girl
4. What Will Lucy Do?
5. Border Radio
6. I Don't Want To
7. Rock Boppin' Baby
8. Tag Along
9. I Love You So
10. Got Love If You Want It
11. Walkin' With Mr. Lee
12. I'm Shakin'
13. Hollywood Bed
14. Go, Go, Go
15. Stop the Clock
16. Marie Marie
17. American Music
18. So Long Baby, Goodbye
19. Roll 'Em Pete
20. High School Confidential
21. These Arms Of Mine
22. Keep A Knockin'
23. Barn Burning
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Label: Liberation Hall
Duration: 68:28
Soul To Soul (1971) is the original soundtrack to Denis Sanders' concert film/documentary of the same name, recorded live in Ghana, West Africa on March 6, 1971, - a 13-hour concert celebrating 14 years of Ghana's independence from British rule, featuring both American and Ghanaian music artists. This fourteen track CD distills that concert down to essential performances from American soul, gospel and rock acts, among them Ike & Tina Turner, The Voices of East Harlem, Les Mccan & Eddie Harris, The Staple Singers, Santana, and soul legend Wilson Pickett, though it conspicuously does not feature any songs from Roberta Flack who also performed a set. It kicks off with the absolutely electric version of "Soul To Soul" by Ike & Tina Turner, a song which was specifically written for and debuted at this concert, and it's a g-damn banger. They also offer up a potent version of their hit "River Deep-Mountain High", the Turners and Ikettes on-fire here, especially Tina whose powerhouse voice digs deep into the soul. The vocal ensemble of The Voices of East Harlem take you to church and cleanse your spirit with their brand of funkified gospel, while they are not my usual cup of tea, I will say that I was particular to their rendition of “Run, Shaker Life”, which I found pretty terrific. We also get three tunes from the Staple Singers offering a superb blend of gospel inflected R&B. Next are two from Santana, who performs fiery version of "Jungle Strut" and "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen" which appeared on his first two albums, his blend of mind-bending guitar virtuosity and mystical Afro-Latin rhythms is spellbinding. As expected. legendary soul-crusher Pickett puts the album to a proper rest with a power-trio of soulful tunes, the one-two punch of "In the Midnight Hour" and Funky Broadway", huge hits, and 'Land of 1000 Dances". The energy Pickett and his top-notch band pour into their performance us absolutely off the charts, I was sweaty just listening to it. Pickett, who was inarguably the biggest Western star in Africa at the time, is in full command of the audience. Me being who I am will admit the more gospel inflected performers were not my cup o' tea, but I was deeply into the live power of Ike & Tina Turner, Wilson Pickett, and the Afro-Latin beats of Santana. The concert film is also available on Blu-ray from Liberation Hall, I will definitely be seeking that out. This CD release arrives in a jewel case with a 12-page illustrated booklet featuring writing on the concert and performances by Rob Bowman.
Tracklist:
1. Ike & Tina Turner - Soul To Soul
2. Ike & Tina Turner - River Deep-Mountain High
3. Ike & Tina Turner - I Smell Trouble
4. The Voices Of East Harlem - Run, Shaker Life
5. The Voices Of East Harlem - Choose Your Seat And Sit Down/Walk All Over God’s Heaven
6. Les McCann; Eddie Harris - The Price You Gotta Pay To Be Free
7. The Staple Singers - When Will We Be Paid
8. The Staple Singers - Are You Sure
9. The Staple Singers - He's Alright
10. Santana - Jungle Strut
11. Santana - Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
12. Wilson Pickett - In the Midnight Hour
13. Wilson Pickett - Funky Broadway
14. Wilson Pickett - Land Of 1000 Dances
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Label: Liberation Hall
Duration: 56:32
The short-lived San Francisco new wave band Pearl Harbor & The Explosions formed in 1978, during the same punk/new wave era that birthed Romeo Void, Dead Kennedys, the Avengers, the Mutants. They released a hugely successful debut single "Drivin'" for the seminal punk and new wave label 415 Records, and then were quickly signed by Warner Bros. Records, releasing this 9-song self-titled debut album in 1980. The album opens with the infectious new wave pop pop of the single "Drivin'", a fine start to things. The rest of the album delivers fine-tuned pop nuggets that should appeal to fans of poppier new wave and American power pop, "You Got It (Release It)" would not sound out of place on D.I.Y.: Shake It Up! American Power Pop II (1978-80) that Rhino put out. The band's new wave pop-craft offers a unique blend of pop, fun, R&B, and rockabilly, there's a distinct Americana vibe throughout, but the songs do lack a certain potency, some hit and some don't, it feels slightly restrained, and when they let loose a bit on songs like "Keep Going" is when I was more into it, and "Get A Grip On Yourself" which has a Fame-era Bowie vibe. This re-release from Liberation records is expanded and features six bonus tracks not included on the original album, including the original 415 Records single "Drive" and it's B-side "Release It", which is superior to the studio version, and a non-album B-side by way of of "Busy Little B-Side". The expanded version also features three live cover songs, we get Ron Wood's "I Can Feel the Fire," a scorching' Nick Lowe's "Let's Eat," and Joe Bennett & the Sparkletones' "Black Slacks", that showcase the band's rawer more immediate live edge, which the album tracks don'ts capture. The bonus tracks are finished up with a 1979 Radio Spot promo for the band's album. The CD arrives in a dual-pocket gatefold sleeve digipak, and features the original UK album cover, which is superior to the sort of bland US release, along with a 16-Page Booklet liner notes from music writer Joel Selvin featuring rare photos and memorabilia. This release is also available opaque sky-blue vinyl from Liberation Hall.
Tracklist:
1. Drivin'
2. You Got It (Release It)
3. Don't Come Back
4. Keep Going
5. Shut Up And Dance
6. The Big One
7. So Much For Love
8. Get A Grip On Yourself
9. Up And Over
10. Busy Little B-Side (Non-LP B-Side)
11. Drivin' (415 Single Version)
12. Release It (415 Single Version)
13. Let's Eat (Live April 24, 1979 at Zellerbach Hall)
14. Black Slacks (Live April 24, 1979 at Zellerbach Hall)
15. I Can Feel The Fire (Live April 24, 1979 at Zellerbach Hall)
16. 1979 Radio Spot
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