The Megaphonic Thrift – Decay Decoy

The Megaphonic Thrift – Decay Decoy
Hype City – 2010
Rock/Psychedelic/Alternative/Noise/Shoegaze
Waardering: ****

The ugly and desperate year of 2009 will go into the books as the year of the supergroups! (When that name is considered to mean a group comprised of members of other already established bands.) One of those lesser-mentioned groups is called The Megaphonic Thrift, hailing from the Norwegian grounds of Bergen. Mostly because the members are from bands not known across the globe. Comprised of groups like Casiokids, The Low Frequency In Stereo, Syme and Stereo21 these four have now released a full-length album named Decay Decoy. The album focuses a lot on early years Sonic Youth and on deconstructing songs. They punch things up with heavy hook filled melodies and ear-crunching wall of sound bits. Intelligent breaks and repetition makes one think off and wander over to another band. No wonder their nickname is Queens of The Noise Age…

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Violent Soho - Violent Soho

Violent Soho – Violent Soho

Ecstatic Peace – 2010
Rock/Garage/Grunge/Punk/Stoner
Waardering: ****

The expected grunge revival refuses to commence; the great music boss sighed as he watched the stocks plummet like a little slinky. Unfortunately; the slinky toy can never climb up the stairs again; not even when finally there’s a faint glimmer of hope on the horizon. Hope in the form of four boys from Brisbane, Australia, who make a huge bundle of energetic garagerock with loads of grunge influences and call themselves Violent Soho. Or should I say; grungerock with some garagerock influences. When asked; the gentlemen declare they wish to be labeled as stonerpop. Even so; on their new album called Violent Soho the listener is mostly treated to songs that would have easily fitted in the repertoire of Nirvana. Rocksongs without pretension which boom straight on or fly off the handle and out of the curve. Even the one obligate sober and modest song is not forgotten. Add to this that the look is completely accurate and the voice resembles Cobain from time to time; and the world is ready for the great grunge revival. So refrain from jumping out the window o’ great music boss… There might just be one last ticket to buy and one last ride to take… And a very sexy camel indeed!

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Brant Bjork – Gods and Goddesses

Brant Bjork – Gods and Goddesses
Low Desert Punk – 2010
Rock/Stoner/Desert/Guru
Waardering: *****

A setting sun, a warm wind and a cold beer. In the distance we see a coyote chasing after a roadrunner and a few lizards relaxing after a hard day’s work. Behind us we hear we the chilled out tunes of Gods and Goddesses, the new Brant Bjork record, and life is good. Unfortunately; its still winter in the Netherlands and its damn freakin cold. It seems like spring refuses to commence over here. Luckily; we have the sun-dried tones and wise words of Brant to warm our souls. What a master! And it seems like his mythical persona is ever growing and that he’s becoming an even bigger guru. Its his voice; his warm and complete matter of fact uttering. With his laid-back tunes he guides us through his tried rock method. A dash of Jimi Hendrix, a truckload of soul and funk, wise words which could also be uttered by Bob Marley and an attitude straight from the skater and surf community. And even though it only reminds us vaguely of what Kyuss did in the past; it still is, or maybe even more; archetypal stonerrock. Now; here’s me hoping spring will come to the Netherlands soon; so that we too may enjoy these great tunes of master Brant outside in the sun…

HOMEPAGE

Broken Teeth – Viva La Rock, Fantastico!

Broken Teeth – Viva La Rock, Fantastico!
Perris – 2010
Rock/Sleaze/Metal/Pub
Waardering: ****

A perfect combination between Aussie Pub Rock, NWOBHM and Sleazerock. That’s one way to introduce the new record Viva La Rock, Fantastico! of the American Broken Teeth to your buddies. Founded in 1999 by Jason McMaster and Paul Lidel of glam-metal sensation Dangerous Toys; they guys have delivered their fifth album. Jason is by the way the only surviving member of the original line-up and the man smells that there’s a revival of the pub/sleaze rock genre in the air; so the man sets a new standard! AC/DC and Rose Tattoo are obviously the main feudal lords; but they all tap into that magic that Motörhead and The Hellacopters do so well. Not too strange then that Danko Jones, self pronounced omniscient all-rounding rock-god and know it all of all good rock-outfits, joins in on a little tune. Fast and fuel burning loud the record trucks on and shows that the genre’s still have some great freakin music left untapped. No bullshit, just rock! You would almost think that the guys are secretly from Australia after all!

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Jimi Hendrix – Valleys of Neptune

Jimi Hendrix – Valleys of Neptune
Sony – 2010
Rock/Blues/Seventies/Jimi
Waardering: ****

Most of the songs were already in whatever version or appearance known among the fans of the grandmaster. With the release of the ‘new’ Jimi Hendrix record everyone can enjoy those songs and get excited. Cause finally all those songs are gathered on one record: the so-called legendary, mythical and unfinished songs. Of the twelve songs on Valleys of Neptune we have seven known ones and five ‘unknowns’. One song writhes and sounds meager, another comes across as a jam spinning out of control and yet another sounds like a mediocre song that normally would never have been heard outside the confines of the rehearsal-studio. But there are also jewels on this record that will make you vibrate out of pure happiness. When Fire, raw and mean blasts out of your speakers or when Lover Man stomps through the room and when the driving rhythm of Mr. Bad Luck keeps you going and doing whatever you were doing. But who the fuck cares; I can hear you thinking. And you are freakin right! It is the grandmaster! It’s fuckin Jimi!

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