The Magnetic Fields: Holiday

Holiday is the record which introduced me to The Magnetic Fields. There was something about their unconventional take on 80's style pop songs. Such use of ukulele, banjo's, accordion, cello's and Marxophone really made their music stand out. Well, that and Stephin Merritt's vocals.

The Magnetic Fields hail from New York and was originally Stephin's studio project. During the early stages of the groups formation, he played all instruments with exception of additional help from Claudia Gonson.

I've been on a big kick lately with their records. It's especially nice to know they still exist. Most groups in this vein, if you will, tend to be broken up, dead, etc by now. At least the groups & performers I enjoy.

Like most music, I have some fond memories with this record. Hopefully you'll enjoy it.


Holiday



1. BBC Radiophonic Workshop – 0:22
2. Desert Island – 3:34
3. Deep Sea Diving Suit – 2:05
4. Strange Powers – 2:41
5. Torn Green Velvet Eyes – 4:22
6. The Flowers She Sent and the Flowers She Said She Sent – 2:26
7. Swinging London – 2:35
8. In My Secret Place – 1:41
9. Sad Little Moon – 2:12
10. The Trouble I've Been Looking For – 2:23
11. Sugar World – 3:19
12. All You Ever Do Is Walk Away – 2:06
13. In My Car – 2:57
14. Take Ecstasy with Me – 3:30

The Pop Group: Y

This is the debut LP, Y from the Bristol, England post-punk act The Pop Group.

The Pop Group existed for just a short period of time from 1978 to 1980. They went through a few line up changes before signing to Rough Trade, which released their sophomore release For How Much Longer Do We Tolerate Mass Murder?

During the Rough Trade era, they shared managers with The Slits. Both bands, at this time, were doing their take on more funk and dub reggae influence while remaining very noisy, jazz influenced, etc.

This record is for anyone who enjoys this period of music from the U.K. Highly recommended.

Y



1. She Is Beyond Good and Evil – 3:23 (CD only: not on the original '79 vinyl album)
2. Thief of Fire – 4:35
3. Snow Girl – 3:21
4. Blood Money – 2:57
5. We Are Time – 6:29
6. Savage Sea – 3:02
7. Words Disobey Me – 3:26
8. Don't Call Me Pain – 5:35
9. The Boys from Brazil – 4:16
10. Don't Sell Your Dreams – 6:40

Swans: Filth + Self Titled EP

The only Swans era I really put forth effort to listen to was their first 3 or 4yrs of existence. I was much more of a fan of the violent and abrasiveness of their music, which can be seen up until their 3rd of 4th release. Their sound started to take a departure and eventually becoming something more of pop music afterward.

Rising from the ashes of the New York No Wave scene in the late 70's/early 80's, Swans made it's mark rather quick.

The live shows were violent in ways of their presence, physical activity with the audience and the volume. It had been reported that some members of the audience would throw up from how unsettling the volume was. And of course, cops were always called.

Anyone fan of The Birthday Party, early Cop Shoot Cop would appreciate this release. It features the debut self titled EP, which had been added once it was re-released in 1990.

Hypnotic and repetitive chords, thick and heavy bass, driving and very thundering percussion all topped with vulgar lyrical content.

Not bad.

Filth + Self Titled EP



1. Stay Here – 5:44
2. Big Strong Boss – 3:07
3. Blackout – 3:49
4. Power for Power – 6:03
5. Freak – 1:15
6. Right Wrong – 4:48
7. Thank You – 3:56
8. Weakling – 5:30
9. Gang – 3:20
10. Swans Live at the Kitchen, N.Y.C. 1982/3 - 24:18†

†The additional track on the 1990 re-release contained a live set from New York City containing the tracks "Strip/Burn", "Heatsheet", "Blackout", "Clay Man" "Stay Here" and "Weakling"

Disco Inferno: Technicolour

I just recently discovered this group this year. At first the name really turned me off. The last thing I wanted to hear was something disco oriented in this day and age. No offense to any of you Disco fans out there. I can respect it, but shit. This is 2008 and I think we got the genre covered. Will I eat my words one day? Doubt it.

Disco Inferno is a group from Essex, England. They released 5 LP's and a mess of singles and EP's.

Technicolour was Disco Inferno's final LP on Rough Trade. Their Wiki page mentions that they formed in late 80's and ended in 96. Heavily influenced by Joy Division and other post punk groups that came from England.

Samples, electronics, some pop elements, fun guitar effects and 100% British sounding.

I like. I think you might, too.

Technicolour



All tracks written by Ian Crause, Paul Wilmott, and Rob Whatley.

1. Technicolour – 3:37
2. Things Move Fast – 3:02
3. I'm Still in Love – 2:10
4. Sleight of Hand – 3:59
5. Don't You Know – 4:48
6. It's a Kid's World – 4:30 * Sample: Iggy Pop, "Lust for Life"
7. When the Story Breaks – 3:11
8. Can't See Through It – 3:53
9. Over and Over – 3:51