Biting Tongues

title:: After the Click: Retrospective 1980-89
label:: LTM

Almost every track here seems to have a similar bassline. This is Biting Tongues, raw and uncut, the live experience—and its not for everyone. They were a band who constantly aimed for an ideal that they could never reach.

This disc is better for completionists and collectors than a general audience. If you are new to Biting Tongues or unfamiliar with their sound, I doubt you will find much joy in this disc.

Bruce Haack and Ester Nelson

title:: The Way-Out Record for Children
label:: King Record Co.

Released in 1968, The Way-Out Record for Children is a very fun record that does not show any wear for its years. Any modern musician would consider themselves blessed if they could create an LP like this

About the only criticism I could have for this LP is that whenever Bruce talks the volume is really low. It sounds like he was recorded in stereo, yet pressed in mono, and his voice gets lost in a missing track. But since Bruce recorded these records himself, I have to believe the voice problem is by design, and that all is as the artist's intended on this most unusual LP.

K.I.M.

title:: Kim Kong EP
label:: Tigersushi

Sandwiched between two versions of the K.I.M. electro / dance track Kim Kong you will find Gun Club's Sex Beat in its original form. It is strange to hear a song from an 80s rock band in its original form on a electro-rock 12inch, but when you consider that this 12inch is a companion to the K.I.M. Miyage compilation it makes a little more sense.

The reason you need to buy this 12inch is the Andy Meecham (Chicken Lips) mix on the flip. It is superb.

Oceanclub for China

various artists
label:: V2 Records Gmbh

Thomas Fehlmann serves up the second round of, what was on the first round, a tasteful, well-selected mish mash of electronic song that transcended up from standard fare electronica and deconstructs pop and pop structures – all knit together by a summery, tropical sort-of feel.

Ocean Club for China takes the ear-candied dance music of recent Berlin, Belgium and Northern Europe and attempts to make actual song out of it.