Joel Jett’s 7”inches of love & hate part 3!
So this is my second column for reviewing 7” records. If you haven’t check out part 1, click HERE. And part 2, is HERE. If you really do want to send me a record for review then by all means send it to my office at:
Sonic Jett Records
4926 East Burnside ST.
Portland Oregon 97215
Now let’s get down to the real business shall we?
So a big shout out to the bands that sent me some records for review this time around. I truly appreciate it! Even if I think your record blows I still think it’s cool you took the time to send me something. I also apologize for taking so long to get back in the Buddyhead saddle for record reviews. Sometimes life just get’s in the way ya know?
The Moviegoers “Big High School” BW “Avalanche” 7”
Got this in the mail the other day and I must say it was a pretty good listen. The cover art was super cool and the songs actually delivered as well. The two cuts on this record are lush and atmospheric indie pop played to perfection. The textured guitars and breathy vocals somehow remind me of those great early Rain Parade records back in the day. “Big High School” is the hit on this single! It’s Nice to see a few good things coming out of San Diego these days. If they take their time and really focus they could put out an lp that would knock people on their ass…..well the ones that would actually get it anyway. (Mangoose records) www.myspace.com/themoviegoers
Sonorous Gale “Pizazster” BW “Abula” 7”
This is another single that was mailed to me. A Drum and Bass duo from Buffalo New York that seem to be influenced by those heavy bands from the early to late 90’s on AMREP ie: Hammerhead, Helmet, etc. Killer packaging on the 7” itself but I wish I could say the music moved me a little more. It is going in the right direction but the thing that I think kills it would be the production. It just sounds too thin. If you wanna sound sinister you need to go the distance! Push everything up in the red or get a guitar player. The distorted bass just ain’t cutting it. The songs themselves though a bit math rock sounding aren’t all bad. I actually think this record gets better with repeated listens. These dudes just need to work out some kinks and they will be on their way to laying waste to wimpy indie bands across the country. Listen to more Halo Of Flies and call me in the morning! I have faith in you boys! (Wrong Foot Records) www.myspace.com/sonorousgale
The Shadow People “Donna” B/W You Do It All The Time” 7”
Great record we have here! I had heard nothing about these guys till my buddy in the Neat gave me a copy of their record that he put out a little while back. This band hailed from Auburn Washington and were sadly short lived. It’s a shame that they couldn’t continue as a band but hey that’s rock ‘n’ roll right? What you get here is two tracks of ghostly sounding 50’s inspired tunes that could have been some long lost Ritchie Valens outtakes from Del-Fi studios. They do have a song called “Donna” as well and that just might be pushing the envelope a bit but it’s so good that I can overlook that. This single is worth tracking down for sure and you should move fast since the pressing is small at 300 copies. (Gone Home Records)
| www.myspace.com/youandtheshadowpeople |
Big Blue Whale “Bees And Ants” B/W “Time’s Saw”
So what the hell is up with me getting all these records from two piece bass and drums duos?! Do you have a hard time finding people to make friends with or something? Maybe it’s just easier to keep the band stripped down for touring purposes. So this band is called Big Blue Whale and that name is just further proof that all good band names are being used. The A-side is pretty decent hard riff rock with cool sounding vocals. It’s kinda catchy and I can tap my foot to it. The Production is decent. The B-side is a little less inspiring to me and the lyrics are just plain stupid and not in a good way. Give these guys a pen and they might hurt themselves. Never mind…. move along. (Bimatobe Records)
| www.myspace.com/bigbluewhalerocks |
