Fred Neil - Fred Neil (1966)

criminally underrated, ethereal folk masterpiece

Most famous for containing the original version of "Everybody's Talkin'," Fred Neil's 1966 self-titled album shows a relaxed and intimate side of the Greenwich Village folkie. The oft-covered dolphin lover acceppted a young David Crosby as his protégé in the early 60's as well as working with Vince Martin and Karen Dalton. The album's laid-back feel allows Neil to glide effortlessly between traditional and contemporary folk styles, all completely idiosyncratic to his rambling baritone. All songs were original, though some were based in traditional songs ("Faretheewell (Fred's Tune)" and "Sweet Cocaine".) Arrangements on the album are pretty spacey allowing for a personal and intimate performance. After listening, you may find yourself daydreaming about hootenannies in Neil's apartment with John Sebastian and Bob Dylan.

Listen if you enjoy: Karen Dalton, Tim Hardin, David Crosby, Tim Buckley, Michael Hurley

My Favorites: "The Dolphins," "That's The Bag I'm In," "Faretheewell," "Everybody's Talkin'"

Mediafire Link

We're back!

Just like those wild and wacky dinosaurs, I'm back on the scene - and this time, it's personal. Soon I'll be posting bazillions of great albums from your favorite artists and mine. Some will be obvious. Some less obvious. I don't know much about blogging but I want to contribute the the musical gene pool on the internet so tell your friends. Come one, come all. Steal music!

Sorry I haven't posted anything, college you know... Give me a week or so and I'll post all the wonderful things I've been listening to lately.

There Is A Time - The Darlings

"Well I believe that's the prettiest thing I ever heard" - Sheriff Taylor

I turned on The Andy Griffith Show just as the hill folk who live near Mayberry stopped by Andy's house for some kind of hoedown. I've seen some other episodes with their jug band but this one just about made me cry. I ripped it off the youtube video if anyone is interested.

Mediafire Download

Le Face - Isolation (2008)

fresh and looooooow-fi punk rock

It's no secret that I'm a closet punker. I keep hip on all the latest underground punk bands with my subscriptions to punk oriented magazines or "zines" as we call them. I'm always going down to the record store and buying split-45s featuring 4 or 5 killer local bands, real DIY like. That's why I was hesitant to listen to Le Face's Isolation. I mean, we all know what happens to bands after they sign on to Dead Beat Records. Alright, this pointless and unfunny charade is taking up too much of my time. I know nothing about this band or Dead Beat Records. I do know that a friend told me about this album when I was in a musical rut and couldn't get exited about anything. I don't listen to much punk, especially modern indie stuff like this. But this album made me want to. It's the kind of lo-fi punk that really gets me going. It's too frantic to be pop-punk and too catchy to be hardcore. Honestly some of the songs sound alot alike, but they rarely stray above 2:30 so what have you got to complain about. Okay, the Salvador Dali song is kind of stupid. But whatever, it's 25 minutes long and well worth your time.

Listen if you like: Black Lips, Lovvers, Joy Division

My favorites: Bright White Faces, Manic Depression (not that Manic Depression,) Isolation, Boys and Girls (the intro reminds me of 69 Tears, am I crazy?)

Megaupload Download

Link Found Here

Their one live video doesn't do the band justice. Just listen to the album.

Charlie & the Moonhearts - Thunderbeast (2008)

great lo-fi garage punk n' roll

Apparently, this was a super limited cassette release from this California band which is probably why we've never heard of them. Luckily, a buddy of mine found them on this English guy's blog then sent it my way. It's a super rad blend of 50's rock n' roll, 60's garage rock and 70's punk. They're one of those bands that blows your mind when you hear they're only a 3 piece. If you only download a couple albums tonight, make this one of them. Their cover of Del Shannon's Runaway is worth downloading the album for. My one complaint on the album is "The Prom Song." For some reason it reminds me of Weezer. It's clearly them trying to do their take on a sweet 50's love song but for some reason it just comes across as Weezer-esque. (Weezey?)

Listen if you like: Black Lips, The Hives, The Dirtbombs? Hell, I don't even know. They're not that original sounding, it's just hard to place.

My favorites: Charlie Moon (Style Tycoon), Runaway, Walla Walla (Washington)

Mediafire Download

Link Found Here (great blog)


Couldn't find any videos from this album but this one suits it's purpose. (I don't think that keyboardist is really in the band.)

The 5.6.7.8's - The 5.6.7.8's (1994)

rocking shambling all-girl japanese garage rock

You may already be familiar with their appearance in Kill Bill or know that annoying Woo Hoo song from the Vonage commercials. If you aren't, then you better get familiar. If you are, then chances are you've been mildly curious and looked them up on wikipedia but never got around to getting their music. Turns out, it's super rad. Their music is mostly 50's rockabilly influenced but their sound is pure fuzzed out 60's garage rock. Their english is terrible but I have a hunch this is on purpose; it does give them a unique sound for this age. Their instrumentation is very simple but it keeps the music feeling authentic. All in all it's a super fun listen.

Listen if you like: japanese chicks, kitchy but genuine rock n' roll

My favorites: I Walk Like Jayne Mansfield, I Don't Need You No More, Highschool Witch, and Teenage Cleopatra. The lyrics on Long Tall Sally hillariously indiscernible.

Megaupload Download

Link Found Here (along with 5.6.7.8's Discography, I'll listen to those later)


Come on, that's pretty sexy.

The Mummies - Never Been Caught (1992)

loud, fast and out of control garage punk

It is not the most original idea to combine Garage Rock and Punk Rock. Some of the first uses of the term "Punk Rock" came from describing what we know today as Garage for the Nuggets compilation. The Garage songs that people have really hung onto over the years are the fast, loud and angry ones. The Mummies are not the most original band. A great deal of their material is comprised of cover songs. I used to dislike them because I thought their toilet paper suits were gimmicky. Despite the strikes against them, I gave them a listen courtesy of doctorfuckwit. Jesus Christ was I wrong. This album will make you drop to the floor in a puddle of ear blood and your melted face. I don't even think their costumes are gimmicky anymore because any good garage band knows their live shows have to make up for their sloppy music. These guys don't need the costumes but I like to picture punk-mummies jumping around. It's a bunch of trashy, lo-fi noise that keeps true to the music I love.

Listen if you like: The Sonics, The Gories, The Oblivians, any incarnations of Billy Childish

My favorites: Stronger Than Dirt, Sooprize Package for Mr. Mineo, Skinny Minnie, Jezebel

Rapidshare Download

Link Found Here (great blog)

The Miracles - Hi... We're the Miracles (1961)

top-notch classic r&b

I've been recently getting into alot of R&B looking for more music that sounds like this. This is what I think of when I think "R&B." That name has come to mean many kinds of music over the years, it's rare to be talking about the same kind with anybody. This album, however, is the early 60's, I vi IV V, harmonized, light soul vocals that I had in my mind. It's simple, catchy, and there's not a bad song on the album. Other Miracles records are good, but not as consistently as this one.

Listen if you like: Pre-Motown Sound R&B, soul without funk, and perhaps most importantly if you like to dance

My favorites: Who's Lovin' You, Way Over There, Don't Leave Me (Shop Around seems obvious)

Rapidshare Download

Link Found Here

The Beatles - Rubber Soul (1965)

perfect post-pot, pre-acid, folk-pop

I'm starting this blog with my absolute favorite album of all time. It is ludicrously under represented when citing the genius of the band and it would be a shame if it was missing from anyone's iPod. This recently replaced Revolver on my favorites list probably because of the quality in songwriting. Just about every Beatles album has a song that I wish wasn't there. "Yellow Submarine" and "When I'm Sixty-Four" throw off all the continuity and momentum the albums build, but I don't hear any on Rubber Soul. Those who dislike Starr or country music will surely feel this way about "What Goes On," but I have learned to appreciate the tight harmonies and Carl Perkins-pickin' the band pulled off extremely well. This is really the last non-experimental album the band would make. One last "stick with what you know" effort before the straw broke and things got weird. The album is simple but by no means boring and there isn't a note or beat out that feels out of place. The lyrics in my opinion are more clever and well placed than on any other Beatles release.

Listen if you like: The Byrds, Help!

My favorites: Michelle, Girl, If I Needed Someone

Rapidshare Download

Link Found Here


You can tell Ringo was having a good time in Japan at 1:51.