Small 23
Chopsocky 7''
Alias
1993
Rating: 7 good cars out of 10
"Chopsocky" always struck me as a strange choice for a single - it's one of the mellower, least catchy songs Small ever recorded. Not that I didn't like it, it was just much more b-side material (and in fact is the very last song on the "True Zero Hook" album).
For the "record," the b-side track "Useless" is actually at 33 1/3 and not 45 as the label states. And it's probably the better of the two songs.
Archers of Loaf
The Loaf's Revenge 7''
Alias
1993
Rating: 10 gum ladders out of 10
I'm guessing when most people think about Archers of Loaf, the first thing into their head is probably "Web in Front." To call it one of the anthems of the local scene would be an understatement. In my opinion, it's one of the best songs ever written. I've literally heard it thousands and thousands of times over the last twenty years, and I still get as giddy as a teenager every time I hear those first few notes of the track. It is musical perfection.
That song along with lesser-known track "Bathroom" make up side A of this record, with "Tatyana" the sole inhabitant of side B. All the songs can also be found on the comp "The Speed of Cattle" and "Web in Front" is also on the band's debut "Icky Mettle."
Small 23
B Is for Bridge 7''
Alias
1995
Rating: 7.5 cat scratches out of 10
Another Small 23 record from my collection...I have a lot of these tiny wax pop platters.
The title track is from their last record "Silver Gleaming Death Machine," one of the best songs off of that record. The other side is exclusive to the record and called "Happy Days Are Here Again," and I have nothing of note to say about other than it's a good song.
Archers of Loaf
Vocal Shrapnel 7''
Alias
1996
Rating: 9 hatched eggs out of 10
Archers of Loaf are damn near perfection...I'm not sure what more I can say about them really. I definitely remember buying this one when it came out as I tried to buy anything the Archers released in any format. Side a is the fantastic title track, also found on "All the Nation's Airports." The other side is "Density," which unlike most of their non-album tracks is not also on the "Speed of Cattle" compilation. It's a great, catchy song and a real shame it was never made more easily listenable.
