It’s been a long strange trip for metalloid cult Canadian band Simply Saucer who after forty years of cryogenic sleep, have emerged with some fresh music courtesy of a new released 7” via Label Obscura. Hot off the heels of In The Red’s recently released definitive reissue of the band’s 1970’s recordings, Cyborgs Revisited; group leader, Edgar Breau leads a newly reformed incarnation of the band featuring original Saucer bassist Kevin Christoff alongside a crack team of new recruits through two new tunes.
Continue reading “Simply Saucer – Lo Fi Garage Symphonette 7″”
Author: the13thtrack
Northeastern PA based owner of Summersteps Records & proud papa. I used to write & play guitar with my band Kid Icarus. Now, I mostly write music reviews & buy too many records.
The 4th Movement – s/t
Is there life after Death? Well, I guess it depends who you ask. For fans of the lost and then found sounds of Detroit’s band called Death, then The 4th Movement might have some answers for you. Continue reading “The 4th Movement – s/t”
Cool Sounds – Gristle EP
With their latest EP Gristle, Melbourne’s COOL SOUNDS have crafted a fine collection of bittersweet indie pop. It was cobbled together by group leader Dainis Lacey following the sessions for the band’s upcoming second album. Gristle boasts a sound as instantly familiar and warm as a worn vinyl copy of any of Todd Rundgren’s early records or those well-loved d.i.y. vinyl seven inches from the 90’s that you keep close. The EP also marks a departure from the group’s more 80’s-inspired debut and finds them leaning further into singer/songwriter territory with even a few folk and country inspired moves lurking around the corners. Continue reading “Cool Sounds – Gristle EP”
Connections – Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs is the latest album by Columbus, Ohio’s CONNECTIONS. It’s a record that basks in the warm fuzzy glow of 1990’s lo-fi indie rock. For men of a certain age, like myself, it’s an approach that creates a certain kind of nostalgic buzz. It’s a sound as reliable as the battered 8-track cassette recorder that the band probably tracked this album on.
Sensation – s/t LP
The kind folks at Folk Evaluation have excavated another fine privately pressed gem in the form of SENSATION’s self-titled 1976 album. SENSATION was the collaboration between two University of Wisconsin students, Donald S. Fisher and Jeffrey S. Engel, and it’s one helluva fine slice of lost, pastoral sunshine folk rock with just the right dash of power pop. Continue reading “Sensation – s/t LP”
Guided by Voices – Space Gun
It’s a little odd after listening to the chronicles of the early years of Guided by Voices on Jeff Gomez’s “Self Inflicted Aura Nostalgia” podcast, to be dropping the needle on the groups’ latest effort Space Gun. For those not familiar, the podcast has been systematically dissecting every one of the group’s albums in chronological order.
XYZ – Artificial Flavoring
XYZ is the trans-Atlantic collaboration between American Ian Svenonius and Frenchman Memphis Electronic. You might recognize Mr. Svenonius’ effort to free Arthur Lee with his former group, the Make-Up, or his more recent work with Chain & the Gang or Escape-ism, the same way you might recall Mr. Electronic’s time with NON!, the Dum Dum Boys or Die Idiots. Continue reading “XYZ – Artificial Flavoring”
Simply Saucer – Cyborgs Revisted
There’s that famous Eno quote that everyone who bought a copy of the first Velvet Underground record went out and started a band. If that’s the case, then SIMPLY SAUCER is one of the best proof positive examples of that theory. Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario and forming in 1973, these early adapters laid down a collection of demos and live recordings that today makes record geeks exasperated and covered in flop sweat.
The Klitz – Rocking the Memphis Underground 1978-1980
Mono-Tone Records in France has seemingly done the impossible and rounded up a proper full-length collection documenting Memphis’ legendary all-female punk quartet, THE KLITZ, with Rocking the Memphis Underground 1978-1980. Formed sometime around 1978, the band was initially comprised of Gail Elise Clifton (vocals), Lesa Aldridge (guitar), Marcia Clifton (drums), and Amy Gassner, who was later recruited to play bass.
Continue reading “The Klitz – Rocking the Memphis Underground 1978-1980”
The Prefab Messiahs – Psychsploitation… Today! CS
The spontaneous regeneration of THE PREFAB MESSIAHS continues to be one of the best left field surprises of the past few years. For those in need of a history lesson, the group started their life back in the early 1980’s as a band of young, scrappy, left field, DIY, post-punk, garage-psych-pop provocateurs, and a part of the Wormtown (Worcester, MA) underground scene. It was there they spent time kicking around with private press legend Bobb Trimble, playing local gigs warming up for bands like Mission of Burma, and recording a ton of spiky, retro-delic rockers. Continue reading “The Prefab Messiahs – Psychsploitation… Today! CS”
Styrofoam Drone 