Goggs, “Pre-Strike Sweep” (In The Red, 2018)
Second album from this side project featuring Ty Segall and ex-Ex-Cult singer Chris Shaw. This rocks with the same dynamic-but-mid-range-thick-shock-chamber guitar-bass-drums wall-bang attack, but with even better tuneage in a melodic early-L.A.-hardcore vein (think Adolescents).
Try A/1, A/4
10/18/18
Goggs, “Goggs” (In The Red, 2016)
OK folks, why is this Ty Segall project different from (and superior to) all other Ty Segall projects since “Slaughterhouse”? Partly it’s the higher levels of both aggression and catchiness. This actually earns the au courant Adolescents/RSOL comparisons with its lock-jawed, wall-banging thunderball punk action. But lots of it is the awesome negative charisma of singer Chris Shaw’s dead-eyed lone-gunman road.
Try 2, 7
10/21/16
God Bullies, “Join Satan’s Army,” double 7” (Amphetamine Reptile, 1990)
Michigan Sabbath/Buttholes-redolent noise-rockers, captured here in their most entertaining era. A parody/tribute/reduction-ad-extremis take on demonic arena metal. Great original, jaw-dropping covers.
Try A/1, B/1, C/1
1/23/14
Go-Go’s, “Return to the Valley of the Go-Gos” (IRS, 1994; original recordings 1979-1994).
A truly comprehensive grab-bag of stuff from my all-time favorite band, ranging from some barely coherent Masque punk-era rehearsal tapes through the glorious hard-candy guitar pop rush of their peak era to some actually-quite-excellent ’94-reunion tunes. A lot of the “rarities” are up there with their best.
Try Disc 1: 5, 6, 18; Disc 2: 3, 6, 18.
2/26/13
Go-Gos, “God Bless the Go-Gos” (Beyond, 2001)
Actually-quite-good reunion album by my favorite band. They’ve lost some bounce and the songwriting isn’t as incisive as their peak work, but that is a pretty high standard. These are fine, hard-driving pop songs, with their patented surf/rockabilly undertones intact, performed with the warmth, abandon and genuine joy of musicians who know each other better than anyone else by now.
Try 2, 10
7/26/12
Go-Gos “Beyond the Valley of the Go-Gos’s” (IRS, 1994; original recording 1978-1994)
Stellar career overview ranging from their earliest days as pioneering L.A. punk no-chord wonders through their glory years of hard-edged, melodic new wave splendor and ending with some actually good reunion tracks.
Try CD1: 1, 4, 6,8, 12; CD2: 3, 6, 18
10/4/14
Go-Gos, “Beauty and the Beat” (IRS, 1981)
This record is so great everyone keeps stealing it! So here’s yet another copy. Punk sparseness and propulsion, pop sparkle, and a truly mystical feel for the pleasures and pains of L.A. days and nights, this is a perfect record.
Try 1/ 1, 1/ 3, 1/ 5, 2/ 1, 2/4, all
1/23/14
Girls At Dawn, “Call The Doctor” (Norton, 2010)
Jangly/clangy guitar girls from NYC, in a neo-C86/mid-sixtiesish pop/garage mode, so they’re gonna get compared to the Vivian Girls, but this is lighter and sweeter, sort of a Beatles (or Hollies, more like) to the Vivian Girls’ Stones. Good springtime music.
Try 4, 6
4/4/11
Gina X Performance, “Nice Mover” (Medical, 2013; original release 1979).
Minimal-wave from Germany; mid-tempo electro-dance pulse, cool/discordant synth zigzags and Gina Kikoine’s affectless-yet-kinky vocals add up to a compelling listen.
Try 1/ 2, 2/ 1.
4/19/13
Giant Sand, “Tucson: A Country-Rock Opera” (Fire, 2012)
These guys have been around since the mid-‘80s, and their dazed, hazy desert music still has a lot of its odd, lurid glow, if in a more formally c & w, more sedate setting.
Try 2, 14
7/29/12