I HAVE OPINIONS IN BOTH FLAVORS: POPULAR AND UNPOPULAR
At a recent family gathering, a relative recommended the sole album by this early 70s Swedish unit by describing it as a “prog rock Santana”. As benign as that statement was, it’s not too off the mark with guitarist Finn Sjobergs’ and keyboardist Fredd Hellmans’ emulating the interplay between Carlos and Gregg Rolie on the opening “Andesamba”. From there, the album slides like squids between ethno-infused jamming and dramatic, Euro prog minus the showiness. It’s been my go-to listen for the post-dinner puff out on the deck this week, thus revealing I should go to more festivities involving my flock.
What else…what else...I tried to listen to the latest Myriam Gendron record, but felt like I should be trading beaver pelts in Nova Scotia or something. Sorry, but that’s not where my head is these days.
So where is my head these days? Everywhere and nowhere. I still move between feeling pretty good considering the past year and thinking I was sold a bill of goods by a fearmongering doctor. My to-do list magically grows longer as I push and try to get stuff done and if it doesn’t reach my standard of quality, I call myself lazy. I don’t understand why time won’t move at the pace I desire. The moments to look forward to are brief and don’t fulfill the void left by illness.
Aren’t you glad I asked myself this question?
The vibe of power electronics always seemed goofy to me. All the taboo sexual imagery used on the record covers never really shocked me – disturbed me maybe, but never shocked. Base-level psychology tells me that hurt people hurt, which might be the explanation for some of these proto-edge lord shenanigans, but it’s hard to feel sorry for someone who chooses to express themselves with “song” titles like “Where Are The Whores?” and “Old Enough To Bleed, Old Enough To Butcher”. I spiel all of this due to my unearthing of a clutch of Ramleh singles from the early 90s when the grim UK noise unit shifted into the concept of a “rock” band. Like Hawkwind on a bad trip, its slow and sludgy clash of low-end rumble and amp buzz fighting to be heard in a stifling sonic space has really scratched an itch with me this week. Nihilist thud never sounded so good!
As I gather and clean records of others as well as my own for the upcoming Maplewood Record Fair, the Karate track “First Release” has been playing through my head. Geoff Farinas’ reflections on the connections between records and relationships and the regret attached to losing either are palpable on the track. And check out his D.Boon-meets-Skunk Baxter stylings on the six-string! Isn’t there supposed to be some new Karate music coming soon? I got my fisherman’s skicap at the ready!
I hope to see some of you next Sunday (6/2) at the aforementioned Maplewood Record Fair in Maplewood, NJ where I will be selling records of different varieties.
I will also have the latest No Idols release. It is a one-sided seven-inch lathe-cut record of John Henry West performing the song “John Henry West”. It comes with a lyric sheet and a postcard-sized print of the band taken by Justine DeMetrick.
It is limited to 70 copies and will be $15 in person. I will list it for mailorder after 6/2.
And most importantly, if you’re looking to complete your collection of Nunslaughter records, please come to the record fair. I’d like these things outta my house before a neighbor spots them and calls the cops.