Emily’s Sassy Lime, “Desperate, Scared But Social” (Kill Rock Stars, 1995)Lost riot grrrl classic from these three California sisters (?) (two of ‘em were, anyway). The r. g. sound’s classic surf/garage/girl-group structures, but chopped up and delivered through a cloud of guitar-fuzz and a truly pummel-rhythmic attack.Try A/2, A/4, A/6, A/81/23/14
Eno, “Taking Tiger Mountain Strategy” (Editions EG, 1974)Second solo album in the wake of his departure from Roxy Music. This one has lush drumless daydreams that indicate the beginnings of his ambient explorations, frantic rhythm-chopping guitar-rock that helped pave the way for postpunk, and pure pop songs that could only have come from the addled […]
Epsilons, “Killed ‘Em Deader ‘N A Six-Card Poker Hand” (Retard Disco, 2006)Second album from Ty Segall’s pre-solo band. This is way more straight-ahead garage punk than his solo work (like 1965 versus 1968), but pretty mind-bending in its sheer banging, howling abandon.Try A/3, A/5, B/3, B/4, B/5.1/26/12
Erl, “Creepin’ Mujetderreh” (Erl, 1988)Vanished-on-release curiosity that’s about as far-out as music-with-guitars making vaguely rock-like maneuvers can get. “Gertars” and “Glutars” execute tonality-sidestepping runs that come off like someone practicing blues scales in a dimension with totally alien laws of physics, then suddenly slam into teeth-jarring blocks of treble-chordage. Close your eyes and you’ll see […]
The Escape Club, “Wild Wild West” 12” (Atlantic, 1988)In my teenage indie-drug-punk salad days, merely hearing this chunk of hysterical techno-rock schlock (think a near-rip-off of “Pump It Up” if Elvis Costello had written it as theme music for the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” cartoon) on the radio would send me into an inanimate-object-destroying fury, […]
Essential Logic, “Fanfare in the Garden” (Kill Rock Stars, 2003; original recordings 1978-1999)Lora Logic was the original sax player for X-Ray Spex, and this collects the bulk of her solo work. It’s all unique and fascinating, but her late-70’s stuff was exceptionally great, a pathbreaking blend of winsomely melodic punk and explosively eccentric art-rock that […]
Eternal Summers, “Correct Behavior” (Kanine, 2012)Interesting blend of indie-guitar-rock styles here. Some of it is like light, beachy garage-punk, but there are thicker, dronier (though still melodic) passages that draw on similar ‘90s precedents such as Pains Of Being Pure At Heart’s recent stuff. Anyway it’s all ultra-listenable.Try 3, 4, 5, 9.1/13/13
Eurythmics, “Greatest Hits” (RCA, 1991; original release 1981-9)We already have some of this on vinyl, but not 11, their best – a cool, pulsing synth-pop nocturne that sneaks up on you with a sinister, sensual, disorienting force. 3 is great too, all lush, haunted brilliance.10/13/11
Eurythmics, “In The Garden” (RCA, 1981)Little known in the US, this debut features their richest, most interesting music – synth not yet dominant but blended imperceptibly with the guitar in a pale, dazzling rainbow-spray, songs with the sweet, slightly eerie quality of Eno’s early pop stuff.Try 1, 5, 84/17/16
Even Worse, “You’ve Ruined Everything” (Grand Theft Audio, 2002; original recording 1980-84)Even Worse were part of the relatively neglected early NYC hardcore scene, along with Kraut and the pre-rap Beastie Boys. This is catchy, sloppy, snotty junk-culture/lowlife punk rock, akin to really earl Replacements, but more HC-oriented. The songs are excellent, but their great calling […]