June 29, 1999
The Murmurs of Irma
- title
Super Vacillation Day
- label
Mouthy Records
- format
- 7inch
4 song debut single form this Portsmouth UK band. Pop in the vein of Super Furry Animals, Gorkys Zygotic Mynci, and Olivia Tremor Control. Sounds like a cross of XTC and The Undertones to me!
Echoboy
- title
Pure New Wool e.p.
- label
For Us Records
- format
- 2x7inch
Limited edition of 500 - double 7" on For Us Records- one 7" of mellow country (including a cracking instrumental with BJ Cole on pedal steel - and one 7" of the psychedelic stuff - essential. The title song (actually side D in this set) samples the Downliner Sect's song "Leader of the Sect". This follows a 10" on Earworm, which is still on our playlist.
Ten Benson
- title
Rock Cottage
- label
Cottage Records
- format
- 7inch
Mail order exclusive single - The A side is about Ten Benson's rock'n'rural fantasy - living in a country cottage and being able to make lots of noise - The B side is a kazoo duet by Chris and Duncan. 'Rock Cottage' sounds like Gary Glitter (the drums) crossed with Turbonegro (the guitars)
Supercute
- title
Notting Hill
- label
Sonic Art Union
- format
- CDR
CDR by Supercute aka John William Davies aka Teen Anthems. Supercute had a recent single on Damaged Goods with the 'Jamie Theakson" song. There are 4 songs here, and all are completely great if you like Helen Love, Anorak Girl, Bad Dream Fancy Dress, or any of Teen Anthem's earlier stuff, like the "I Hate Oasis" 7" or the "Welsh Bands Suck" 7". This is hyper-casio-pop-par excellance
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
- title
The Cream Of...
- label
EMI Gold UK
- format
- CD
Cockney Rebel were THE stuff back when Sparks, Be Bop Deluxe, Mott the Hoople, and Bowie were peaking in the early 70's. This compilation covers his whole career, so you have to pick the earlier treats out of the later. Gems include 'Judy Teen', 'Mr. Raffles', 'Psychomodo', & 'Mr. Soft'. Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel are most well known right now for the song "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)", which was featured in both a UK cosmetics ad and in the film Velvet Goldmine.
Mina
- title
"Kupferfarben" b-w "Radio"
- label
Bungalow
- format
- 10inch
This is the third 10" in the recent series of three. I haven't found the first, so it looks like we will not have it for our collection. I like the 2 songs here even better than those on the 10" added last week. Mina are a young band from Berlin with a fresh new sound.
Narco
- title
Hanging From A High Point EP
- label
Shiva Records
- format
- 12inch
Narco play havoc with 50's indian film culture, seventies punk, and drum and bass. Reviews everywhere. Ones to watch
Brassy
- title
Bonus Beats EP
- label
Wiiija
- format
- 2x7inch
Brassy's first EP for Wiiija. The Manchester-based foursome, fronted by American-born Muffin Spencer (Jon Spencer's sister), have previously released three singles on the independent Costermonger label (We have 2 at WZBC). This double 7" set is getting a lot of attention and good reviews. Female vocal big bang rock with modern touches.