Roni Size/Reprazent, “New Forms” (Mercury, 1997)Two-Cd extravaganza from the pioneering jungle auteur, a set representing (reprazenting?) EDM’s early peak of mass-hipster prestige (under the more portentous youthquake-brand “electronica”). Well, the darn thing is actually really good. The speed-twitching breakbeats and sheets of insect-like synth-flutter-swarms whiz through the minimalist frame in a way that often evokes […]
Frankie Rose, “Interstellar” (Slumberland, 2012)Ms. Rose has been involved with a number of famed neo-garage-punk luminaries, but (as the distributor warned us) this is a 180-degrees departure from that stuff. It’s a sort of electro-pop/indie rock fusion, all immaculately metallic surface sheen and frictionless propulsion. Thing is, it’s also really good; the best songs are […]
Diana Ross And The Supremes, “Greatest Hits” (Motown, 1967; original release 1963-7)The Supremes are up there with the Beatles, Beach Boys and Velvets as the most musically important groups of the ‘60s, the grandest and most ambitious flourishing of Motown’s project of a synthesis of jet-set sophisto-pop and the most gracefully kinetic r & b. […]
Rotomagus, “The Sky Turns Red” (Lion Productions, 2012)This combo was one of the few French groups playing psych/hard rock in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s. Collecting their recordings from that era, this is some crazed shit, guitars and drums trying to barrel past one another while the singer bellows his soul out over the maelstrom.Try 3, […]
Royal Trux, “Royal Trux” (Drag City, 1993; original release 1988)This debut by the Sonny and Cher of the post-competence-rock underground is still the best of their many fine records, in my book. Early-Stones-indebted flat-affect treble blues gets squashed cubist-style or stretched out into eerie DeChirico desert-scapes. Rhythms that move like their shoelaces are tied together […]
Rubber Rodeo, “Rubber Rodeo” (Eat, 1982)Providence, R. I., female-fronted art-student-new-wave combo, a unique fusion of synth-pop and Fifties country music, like the B-52s on “HeeHaw.” Kitschy, Kooky fun.Try A/2, B/2.4/19/12
Jack Ruby, “Jack Ruby” (UgEXPLODE, 2011; originally recorded 1974, 1977)Proto-no-wave NYC noise-rock from well before even punk (bassist George Scott went on to the Contortions and 8-Eyed Spy). Wild rhythm-and-tonality-smashing rampages that actually have a solid rock and roll bottom, like they saw Capt. Beefheart and MC5 as basically the same thing.Try 1, 28/29/12
The Julie Ruin, “Run Fast” (TJR/Dischord, 2013)After several years’ hiatus due to a near-fatal illness, Bikini Kill/Le Tigre rigmistress Kathleen Hanna returns with something I didn’t anticipate – her most flat-out fun release ever. Combining B. Kill’s fast-loose-‘n’-fierce ethos with tigre’s machine-tooled cool, this blends rock-candy guitar and glammy big beats into a non-stop super-rush […]
Runaways, “Runaways” (Cherry Red, 2003; original release 1976)Prefiguring L.A. punk, already beyond metal and glam, the Runaways played rock and roll with such spoilt-brat innocence and arrogance you’d think they invented it all by themselves. The rhythm section somehow darts and pirouettes in lead-soled boots, Lita and Joan’s guitars slash melodies like taffy apples with […]
Runaways, “Waitin’ For The Night” (Cherry Red, 2003; original release 1977)With Cherie and Jackie gone, their third and last studio set for Mercury finds them drifting simultaneously towards metal (Lita) and punk (Joan). Barely out of high school, they were, however, already skilled pros and the two divergent styles are here blended into a tense, […]