Wednesday 23 December 2009

The Family Cat - Jesus Christ



You lucky, lucky people... Look what Santa's pulled out of the bag just for you, this festive season. I was actually looking for another 7" with a Christmas theme, but this one turned up instead, so you're going to have another treat in, well, about a year.

This is a great cover of an Alex Chilton track, by the band who the phrase 'Indie stalwarts' could have been invented for, if indeed it had ever been invented. Yer main b-side is a karaoke version, so your family can start their very own Christmas tradition, right here, right now. The other b-sides are just silly, but what do you expect this time of year? And there's the most annoying exit groove loop yet - even more than the SFA ones.

Enjoy this, enjoy Christmas, enjoy New Year, best wishes to you all, and see you in 2010 for more partying like it's 1995...

1. Jesus Christ
2. Chill Out Ye Merry Gentlemen
3. Jesus Karaoke Christ
4. Christ Jesus

Ho ho ho.

Monday 21 December 2009

Swell - The Trip 7"



You'll like this. Enough said, I know, my trusting readers, but this is really good. It also (and I didn't realise this until listening through again today) has the worst attempt at disguising the word "fucked" I've ever heard! Not even close. I guess this is the radio version...

You may know them already, but if you don't then this is a great way to find out. The single's off what I think is their best LP - 'Too Many Days Without Thinking' - but that's out of the only three of their records I know. I saw them years back at Dingwalls in London, and they were great. A proper band, this lot. You might get the idea from this song.

Anyway, putting aside the nonsense above, here is a great a-side, and two b-sides which must only just have missed the cut for the album. Especially 'Easy', which is a great track. Country rock, if you must know. But not that way. The good way.

1. (I Know) The Trip
2. So Would I
3. Easy

Here y'are.

Sunday 13 December 2009

Pavement - Give It A Day 7"



Hey hey. This one's all about the sticker on the front - "containing extra track I Love Perth". You may have heard it, and the rest, on the Wowee Zowee special edition, but in case you haven't then here's a little treat. If you don't know Pavement (is there anyone here between 25 and 45 who falls into that category?) then this is a good place to start, followed by buying all their records in order...

The a-side is a great track, one of my favourite Pavement numbers. Some great lines, and a tune that will get stuck in your head, guaranteed. 'Gangsters & Pranksters' is also really good, with a killer last line. 'Sagasaw' is alright, but I could take it or leave it. 'I Love Perth', though, is what you're here for. Mike (you'll remember him as the chap who rated Leggy Mambo by Cud as maybe the greatest Indie LP ever) searched for it for years, having heard it on this single, and with good reason, as you're about to find out.

1. Give It A Day
2. Gangsters & Pranksters
3. Sagasaw
4. I Love Perth

Hear.

Monday 7 December 2009

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Train #3/#1 7"



What are the chances? Both tracks on this 7" are exactly 2:03 long. I know. That's the kind of coincidence that makes you wonder, doesn't it..?

Enough of this nonsense. I don't really know anything about either of these songs, other than they're both great. I can't tell you if they're off an LP, or a series of singles, or what. I can't remember where I bought this record, either. What I do know is that 'Train #3' includes a lot of shouting of "explosion", which you can't knock. 'Train #1" has an awesome start. They're both noisy, and they are 100% superb. Really, really great. And it came with a jukebox insert.

"All aboard... THE BLUES EXPLOSION!"

Tickets and fares here.

p.s. I can't help noticing that, after being up for nearly 24 hours, no-one has listened to this record. I should impress upon you all that it is superb, and you should check it out.