Simple Minds - Once Upon A Time (1985)

Seven years since casting off the docks as a sonic force of their own and within a heartbeat of time from 80's soundtrack incarnate The Breakfast Club (decent movie), Simple Minds exploded into the spotlight with Once Upon A Time in 1985, and took the world stage with some of their best material since the glamorous New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) three years prior.

The darkling synths from the early years have brightened considerably in light of newfound stardom, as evidenced by the kickin' title track. The production seems to have been made to accommodate the ensuing grooviness as well - otherwise, how would a brooding cut like 'Alive and Kicking' work as a single? Part of it is vocalist Jim Kerr - his yowling makes for a far more compelling study in deliverance than anything that tripe bands like U2 came up with in their "prime". It shuffles along with curious glances across the stadium platform, but never succumbs to unbecoming bombast, and that's a really curious quality in a record considering the circumstances behind the band which made it.

The mid 80's was a rather interesting time in pop music, and no band immortalized that muscular creativity better than Simple Minds, who melted down their influences and came up with something that holds up fine twenty something years past its providence. They may never be considered a lyrical pinnacle like The Smiths or a perfect snapshot of post-70's paranoia like the Talking Heads, but in everything else that matters you won't find a finer band.

Listen Here - "Sanctify Yourself"

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The Unbearable Hand Fate Dealt - The Moth (2010)

Holy hamburger, look at that thing!

...and yeah, it's a top album, a lite-prog. metal 2010 underdog with a perchance for classic Smashing Pumpkins homage theatricalis and having strokes. In a good way.

In short, a rather fun and melodic reverie that's been sadly forgotten about in the wake of acts more abrasive metal acts such as Agalloch, Enslaved, Inquisition, etc.

Listen Here - "Coronation of the Moth"

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Geinoh Yamashirogumi - Ecophony Rinne (1986)

Tonight's main course is also another personal favorite. It consists of unsettling yet infinitely gorgeous music from the mysterious musical collective whom would later compose the soundtrack to cult anime classic Akira. Dark and cloying, this is possibly the most surreal instrumental-based album you'll ever run across...and no, I'm not joking. It gets under your skin after awhile...in more ways that one. From Farsidemusic.com-

"From 1986, Ecophony Rinne, (Reincarnated Orchestra) is a concept album in four movements based on the eternal cycles of birth, death and rebirth. This landmark recording saw the group fuse the traditional music of different cultures into a hi-tech wall of sound. Created by over 200 performers the music has a distincly East Asian flavour- Japanese shomyo type buddhist chants, Japanese drums, Balinese gamelan, Noh music, Tibetan percussion, together with synthesizers adding dynamic and dramatic effects."

Well, whatever. Let the darkness wash over you and ascend your soul to stranger planes.

Listen Here - "Dark Slumber"

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Duh Fuzz - Sincrano'city (Or However You Frickin' Pronounce It) (1983)

Pure 80's brilliance that I have disguised with a clever title in order to keep the Feds at bay! There will always be people who hate this album, but they're missing out on the good stuff in my opinion. The record also sports some rather excellent lyrics on top of the great music, including such imaginative excerpts as-

A connecting principle
Linked to the invisible
Almost imperceptible
Something inexpressible
Science insusceptible
Logic so inflexible
Causally connectable
Yet nothing is invincible-

There's a king on a throne with his eyes torn out
There's a blind man looking for a shadow of doubt
There's a rich man sleeping on a golden bed
There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread-

Another industrial ugly morning
The factory belches filth into the sky
He walks unhindered through the picket lines today
He doesn't think to wonder why
The secretaries pout and preen like cheap tarts on a red light street
But all he ever thinks to do is watch
And every single meeting with his so-called superior
Is a humiliating kick in the crotch
Many miles away,

Something crawls to the surface 

Of a dark Scottish lake...

Listen Here - "Synchronicity I"

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Johnny Mathis - 16 Most Requested Songs (1986)

One of the most successful still-living jazzy singers from the Golden Age is actually from my home state of Texas, and these sixteen ditties are among the finest (and most haunting in some ways) that the man has ever performed. It is all, as the cliche goes, rather timeless stuff.

Long live Johnny Mathis, king of the black and white frontier.

Oh, and Merry Christmas to everyone. Keep warm!

Listen Here - "Wonderful! Wonderful!"


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Terence Trent D'Arby - Symphony Or Damn (1993)

Anyone who knows a bit about the less commercial side of popular music would probably have quite a bit to say about avant-garde soul-rocker T.T. D'Arby....some of it probably not so flattering. Like was batshit crazy for instance!

Nuts or not though, I'm part of that minority that generally considers the insane closest to divinity in terms of how they perceive reality, and in Terence's case my point is quite vilified indeed - the sheer lunacy that got his creative juices flowing here make this 1993 release one hell of a jawdropper even in 2010. Every song, hits and non-hits alike, are volatile little purities that make much of what came out that year sound dated, even lifeless, when you compare them to this song-laden monster.

Highlights for include the infinitely layered 'Castilian Blue', the drowned funk of 'Wet Your Lips', and classic dancefloor stompers such as 'Do You Love Me Like You Say?' and 'She Kissed Me', but what can I say when everything hums oh-so-harmoniously like a well-oiled diesel? D'Arby'ss voice is also something to be reckoned with - he brings an almost Caribbean swagger to territory occupied by more prominent soul powerhouses like Seal or Prince, but at the same time seems to have his own magic formula that gives each song a kick no matter how unhinged they become.

Fans of unsung classics, great experimental shit or dynamite funk/soul/pop music? Investigate!

Listen Here - "She Kissed Me"


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Mushroom - Joint Happening (2007)

Tonight's sacrificial lamb is modern day psychedelic jazz-fusion (featuring legendary saxman Eddie Gale!) with a sumptuous Norwegian proggy folk flavor broiling amidst the ardor. 'Peace' is a very John Coltrane number in style, but led intriguingly enough by a two-punch of Mellotron and sax instead of the usual assorted instruments, giving it a more antiquated, cyclopean edge than one might think. The subsequent tracks flow in their own particular grooves like thick paint running down a fresh canvas. Furthermore, Joint Happening when taken in as a whole possesses a spiralized, hypnotic hold on the mind -- looped percussion bleeds into a brilliant collage of jazzy vintage while retaining clarity of progression.

Mushroom are true transcendentalists in today's oft-jarring experimental underground - they don't forget that floating down the river is the best part of any passage, even when you aren't quite sure where the current will carry you to. And that, dear readers, makes all the difference between a instrumental album that sets your night on fire and those sad recordings whom fail to drag you inside their hallowed worlds.

On par with any of the classic jazz-fusion recordings of the 70's, including those of Miles Davis and Soft Machine, this shit is happenin' to a fuckin' T.

Listen Here - "Selling Oakland By The Pound"


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