page41.html
Phase IV
My favorite intelligent ant sci-fi movie of the 70s is getting a swanky new box from Vinegar Syndrome. I can't wait to see the new restoration. The ant photography in this is just beautiful. I just love this movie. This will mark the first time where Saul Bass' original ending will be included in an extended cut of the film. Previously it was only a special feature on the excellent UK release from 101 Films.
You may know Saul Bass from his extremely famous poster work (Man With the Golden Arm) or his always excellent opening title sequences (Seconds, Psycho). Well this is his only feature film.
Read more
Hold Your Horse Is (LP)
Hella
Before Zach Hill was in Death Grips, he was in this Nevada County "math rock" duo. I am hugely partial to this band and specifically this, their first, album. Hella, and also The Advantage (Hella guitarist extraordinaire Spencer Seim's other band that did NES covers) were my favorite live bands of the time.
Hold Your Horse Is, might be one of the most perfect albums of this style. Unlike some other bands, and a couple of their next albums, it has plenty of riffs and melody to actually latch on to, not just a noodly mess. Lots of insane drumming, as you'd expect, and equally daunting guitar playing chock full of unconventional chord arrangements and strumming/tapping technique. The original vinyl release was long out of print, and this being limited, will probably go that way in the near future. Hopefully we'll still have it once this goes live.
Read more
New Drifters (LP)
The American Analog Set
The American Analog Set were an under the radar indie band out of Austin Texas that got it's start in the mid 90s. This box set covers their first 3 albums and a whole double LP of singles and bonus tracks. After this period their sound really changed and lost a lot of it's initial magic. One might say it was the departure of organist Lisa Roschmann that caused them to jump the shark. The first 2 records are old favorites of mine. I love the droning farfisa sound, the drums played with brushes, the kinda twangy guitar... it's all great. I was introduced to them in college by a good friend who said he listened to them on repeat while playing the Sega Master System game Fantasy Zone. This has to be the most stoner thing I've ever heard from someone who didn't smoke and I still think about it when I listen to these records 26 years later. This new Numero box looks amazing and I hope it finds them a new audience and gets them back into that pre 21st century groove.
Read more
Crashin' From Passion (LP)
Betty Davis
Betty Davis is the most! This is her last album, rich with various musical leanings (jazz, funk, synthpop, disco, reggae & calypso, plus Anita and Bonnie Pointer. Martha Reeves, and Patryce “Choc’let” Banks are on vocals with Betty. This had originally been shelved, so glad this release had Davis' participation before she passed, and this album is finally getting the light it deserves.
Read more
Sparagmos (LP)
Spectral Voice
This will go on my best of the year list for 2024. Everything about this album is top tier doom. Plenty of catacomb atmosphere , nasty animalistic roaring guitar, ritual beast like drums and sick vokills. One glorious sophomore album.
Read more
