My Way by Akufen. It’s what would happen if you recorded snippets off the radio and then used that as the samples on your synthesizer. (Which is litereally what he did, I think.) Terribly offbeat. It’s a miracle the end result sounds good.
Halifax, Nova Scotia had a burgeoning power-pop scene for a wild period in the 90’s, and one of the best records out of that place and time was Mock Up, Scale Down by The Super Friendz, released in 1995. It sounds like good power-pop should–all catchy hooks and sing-a-long harmonies. I don’t think its sales total actually reached five figures.
Nonetheless, I saw the 'Friendz last month in Toronto, now that they’ve reformed and released a new album. They played almost all the songs from Mock Up, and everybody there knew all the words! Obviously that record had a real effect on the kids…
I’m not sure how obscure it may be, but I really enjoyed the very different “Songs From My Funeral” by Snakefarm (musical resettings of folk songs in a sort of dark minimalist rock vein.
I’ll check it this one is even available: “Flowers of Evil” Electronic settings set against read-aloud stark translations of the poetry of Charles Baudilaire. I used to play it every Halloween – it always gave me chills.
Try The Cynics new album Living Is The Best Revenge on Get Hip records.
You can keep your White Stripes and Strokes…this is the REAL deal.
Jon
This is sort of obscure, in that it got no promotion and the label pulled all touring support. It’s the two-disc limited edition version of Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 by Jerry Cantrell. You might remember Cantrell from his work with Alice in Chains. This is the solo album he spent over three years working on after Boggy Depot and is great. It’s dark, brooding and emotional, but it’s also worth hunting down. The one-disc version is also good, but it’s missing a couple of really great songs that are only on the two-discer.
And don’t pick up Electric Version without getting the NPs’ first album, Mass Romantic. Bowie meets Beach Boys meets Blondie, with excellent lyrics by Carl Newman or Dan Bejar and occasional, wonderful vocals by Neko Case.
My contribution: The First of a Million Kisses, by Fairground Attraction. It’s a lovely neo-skiffle album that came out in the late '80s. Sprightly and lyrical, for the most part. Happily, the CD features two bonus tracks, one of which (“Falling Backwards”) is one of my favorite of their songs.
It’s not exceptional, but it’s quite nice.
The New World’s Fair, Michael Moorcock (yes, the SF author) and the Deep Fix. Very Hawkwind.
A Pleasant Shade of Grey, Fate’s Warning
While we’re speaking of God Machines…how about When the Kite String Pops by Acid Bath? It’s the epitome of swamp metal/sludgecore. Follow that up with if this is hell then i’m lucky by Deadboy and the Elephantmen This is a mellow, remotely psychadelic rock group, fronted by the singer of the aforementioned Acid Bath. Their site is to be found here.
Also, any CD by Jandek. You’ll have to do a net search. Jandek is a reclusive solo artist who produces copious amounts of pseudo-music, all on his own accord, in Houston, Texas. And dalek is a fairly decent trip-hop like artist, so you may want to investigate him, while you’re at it.
Dave Alvin, (of The Blasters), “King of California”
This is the best album of the last 5 years. Just for “Blue Wing” and “Goodbye”
Current 93’s Thunder Perfect Mind:
Extraordinary music that expands the possibilities of Apocalyptic Folk to create a genre all its own. Current 93 had always been one of the most inventive and intense bands on the English Experimental Music scene. With this record, they achieved mystic perfection. TPM, is intelligent, unsettling, beautiful, frightening, tender and violent. It’s just now back in print on the Durtro label and World Serpent Distribution.
Dude , great choice ! I was thinkin of Introspect by Quiet Room or Crimson Glory’s self titled cd .
King Geedorah - Take Me to Your Leader
The metal fist does it again.
the bass player died of a brain hemorage just before they released a 2nd album, but i havent heard that one.
try merz by merz .
came out a couple of years ago, and they were on later with jools holland (UK music show) just after. and then i never heard anything of them again.musically, a bit of everything, but the guys got a voice all of his own.
Manhole - Grace Slick
Rosie Vela’s ‘Zazu’ (1986) fits the bill. She had a very minor hit in the UK off the album called ‘Magic Smile’ but it remains one of my favourite, most played pop songs ever. (Donald Fagen on synth).
Love love love that CD. (Okay, so I love all the Old 97s stuff.)
My recommendation is Cake by the Trashcan Sinatras–lovely early-90’s Britpop with unusually clever lyrics. The slightly successful single “Obscurity Knocks” manages to be both angry and heart-breaking, while “Circling the Circumference” is a breathless whirlwind of a song.
For fans of diverse, heavy music: Waltari - Yeah Yeah Die Die Death Metal Symphony In Deep C
Kazaa is not the place for obscure music.
I found it in five seconds on SoulSeek.
For an istrumental selection, I suggest this:
The Utterly Fantastic and Totally Unbelievable Sound of Los Straitjackets
Heck of a record!
soulseek, limewire and imesh dont work properly on our work PC
(slight hijack)