Album of the Week: Flipper - "Generic Album - Flipper"

This is one of those albums that everyone should listen to, whether they embrace experimental music or not. Even the most vanilla rock listeners should be capable of tapping into at least some of the raucous punk energy of "Generic Album [. . .]" because of its toned down speed and extremely audible lyrics.

The silly, experimental, "Sex Bomb" is often considered the most recognizable track with its honking saxes and glissandoing slide whistles but the entire record is worth a listen. Sludgy bass-lines and Rollins-like spoken vocals make it markedly different than what most people would call orthodox punk or noise. The band never just plays punk, or just plays noise, or just plays metal. This quality gives "Generic Album [. . .]" immense replay value.

Some songs to start with are, "(I saw you) shine", "Living for the Depression", and the amusingly misanthropic "Ever".

Album review mish-mash no. 2

In my second installment of mish-mash, I'm continuing to review some of my favorite albums. However, once I get my posting momentum back up I will be reviewing local Houston albums and contemporary national and international releases too.
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Cut Copy - Bright Like Neon Love

"Bright. . ." is the Australian electro-rockers' debut album. It came out in 2007 and changed the way I felt about electronic music forever. The band combines guitars, drums, and lush synths seamlessly to create a dream land of electric nostalgia. Production is pushed to its limits to create an enveloping mix of samples and live recording that is almost impossible to distinguish between.

Tracks "That was just a dream" and "Zap Zap" are perfect examples of why the album succeeds. They are played with such glowing warmth and catchy hooks that they could just as easily cause one to dance as daydream.

Score: 10/10

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Dead Kennedys - Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death

The Dead Kennedys use an uncanny mix of politics and humor in their music that sometimes makes them hard for newer listeners to fully comprehend. This album is probably the best way to first encounter the band and understand its twofold purpose.

Tracks "Holiday in Cambodia", "Life Sentence", and "California Über Alles" are standard angry punk fare with the signature DK flare. However, there is also lots of room for laughter on the album's truly unique tracks such as "Pull my Strings". In this song Biafra brutally excoriates the rock industry and the lack of rebellion in present day rock and roll with outrageously funny and cutting lyrics like, "Is my cock big enough? Is my brain small enough? For you- to make me -a star."

Other amusing tracks include, "Night of the Living Rednecks", "Short Songs", and "Too Drunk To Fuck". Though the album's true standout track is "Kinky Sex (Makes The World Go Around)" which is really more of a skit than a song. Jello poses as a warhawk trying to sell the US government on the idea of concocting another war to raise the profits of industry. However, despite the serious message and deadpan delivery, the track is actually hilarious.

Score: 10/10

Zefirina Bomba melts faces

I'm going to share some interesting punk music with you courtesy of a reader who contacted me from Brazil. His band is called Zefirina Bomba and was started in the quiet town of Joao Pessoa. Ilsom said that the tranquility of the town inspired the band's sharply contrasting, loud and subversive sound.

The band currently has two albums released and has secured a spot at SXSW in March. You can listen to some of their stuff here. I really, really, like it. It's loud and noisy but thoughtful at the same time. The best part about their sound besides powerful vocals is their delightuly erratic guitar playing. I also have to add that for punk, it's pretty experimental. I'm sure they're a blast live. If all goes well, I'll see them play here in a few months.

Keno is a punk rocker! Keno is a punk rocker!

On, the 15th of May I got to see local punk-rocker, Keno Sims, play with his band at Cactus Music and bought a copy of his latest EP What if harm's way was headed your way (which you can purchase at Cactus Music for a measly four bucks). Sims told us all that he was kind of hoarse from a show he played the night before and that the band was missing their bassist who got roughed up at the same show but despite the setbacks, the set still managed to excite me. His presence was great and the music had me tapping my foot and nodding my head all throughout the set. The EP was excellent too and I encourage all of you to pick it up and listen for yourselves. One of the things I like about the studio recordings is that the songs combine a fairly raw guitar sound with the occasional subtle synth or acoustic guitar. Sims' vocals also kind of remind me of TV on the Radio too (albeit more intense and punk). According to his Facebook Sim's first full LP Young Dilemma Young Delight is nearly done. I'll throw a review of that up on the blog once it comes out.