The Make-Up / Lung-Leg
Split 7''
Southern
1998
Rating: 7 super shredders out of 10
I'll buy anything that has the Make-Up on it, even if I already have the song ("Pow! To The People") on their compilation "I Want Some." It's rad song and there is no such thing as owning too many Ian Svenonius recordings. The flip was totally new to me, a Scottish group called Lung-Leg - sort of a jangly, C86ish all female Fall or something, a good pairing. Someone else recommended this short-lived band to me as well, I guess I need to get digging.
Rex
All 7''
Southern
1995
Rating: 6.5 contract ducks out of 10
Musically Rex is a little bit all over the map, with the unifying factor that it all seems rather "morose." I always struggle to compare them to anyone else though, and I love comparing bands so it drives me an extra bit crazy. "All" is a mellow, slightly twangy number, but the b-side "Nayramadin Orgil" with it's slightly Idyll Swords-like vibe is the better of the two tracks. The cover is letter pressed and awesome, by the way.
Darediablo
Twenty Paces
Southern
2005
Rating: 5.5 foolhardy devils out of 10
What happened to Darediablo…where is the edge? Not that this is a bad record at all, I enjoyed most of it, but the metal-oriented rock that they showed in their earlier releases has been contorted into something much more prog-rock-like. They cranked their signature organ sound way up on this one, and the results sound like a long-haired kid born of Uriah Heap and Procol Harum and a big brother named Rush. If you’re already a fan, approach with caution – maybe it’s just me but the difference in sound is quite surprising. As for anyone else, if you seek instrumental prog-rock that is light on the wankery and heavy on the keys, you’ve come to the right place.
The 90 Day Men
Panda Park
Southern
2004
Rating: 7.5 dead silver birds out of 10
The 90 Day Men are slowly but surely becoming one of the greatest rock
bands out there without anyone really knowing about them. I’ve seen more than a few comparisons to
Radiohead floating out there in reviews. It’s somewhat founded, for two reasons – not only does some of their output
sound a bit like Radiohead, but their desire to constantly define and redefine what they sound like rings
true as well. Additionally, you could throw a little Pink Floyd, the more morose lements of 70’s glam rock bands
like Roxy Music and T. Rex, and maybe even a little Black Heart Procession thrown in there for good
measure. All in all, it’s a very ambitious and big record, one that most bands would fail in trying to accomplish, but
it’s just another day at the office for these lads. With each album they put out, they separate themselves more
and more from the pack. All of the sheep
out there eating from the trough of Radiohead would do themselves a
favor by snacking on some of this – or you could just wait a couple more years until someone hip and happening
finally “discovers” them and your ear is turned then. Either way, it would be to your benefit to
check out 90 Day Men.
(note: I absolutely love Radiohead, so no insult meant to them; merely to the folks who listen
to them just because they’re "supposed”
to…)
Sweep the Leg Johnny
Going Down Swingin’
Southern
2002
Rating: 7 donut holes out of 10
For those keeping count, this is album number four for Sweep the Leg Johnny, each one building on the intensity of
the last. I’m afraid if they keep up this pace they’re either
going to spontaneously combust or end up in the loony
bin, or both. If you are unfamiliar with their sound, imagine a
combination of Sun Ra and Don Caballero, but doesn’t sound like either of them. In other words, a little
jazzy, a little mathy, a lot rocking, and very good. Although they continue to mine the same style of music on this album as
in their previous releases, it doesn’t make it any less entertaining. This time around, they’ve
added an additional guitarist and vocalist by the name of Mitch Cheney, who was formerly of the terrific San Francisco
outfit Rumah Sakit (buy their album too if
you like this type of music). Another item pretty common on
any Sweep album is that of having some pretty long songs, and this album is no different. The first song on
this album, "Sometimes My Balls Feel Like Tits," fits that bill, and it may be their best to date. All in all, not a weak song on
the album. Those out there who are already fans of the band will find it a welcome addition to their collection,
and for those who have never heard them, this would be an excellent starting point.
