BURNIN UP 'NAM!

Soooo...

Regardless of whether or not you know it, I have a weird thing for the Vietnam War that only continues to grow more and more. I have this big theory about the reason why our contemporary culture is borrowing more and more pieces of visual culture (seriously go to the gap... and be confused by how much psych typography and imagery is being used), as well as the obvious sounds being borrowed. The theory basically boils down to this: As our present 'War' seems increasingly analogous to the 'Vietnam War / Conflict' (re: no end in sight, total bullshit, and will be a historical black spot) the 'pop culture' of the time resonates in a much more understandable tone. Sadly this seems to be resonating without the political and social connotations, but then again we live in a 'fuck it' post-ironic world where there idea of making anything actually change just seems pointless... fuck, most of America doesn't even know if it really likes Journey or if it thinks it's being really fucking clever.

But...

I stumbled across the Merry Airbrakes record today (self-titled from '73) and my mind was fucking blown.



It was recorded by a fucking Vietnam vet and is fucking as honest, sincere, and beautiful as it gets. Its not post traumatic acid flashbacks or just bitching. Instead it's down home blues fireside take on the war. It's just simple and complete honesty. I have never heard a record quite like this before, or at least this personal of a take on one's experience at war.

Its worth checking out just for "Draftboard Blues," which is amongst the best songs about the draft ever. Plus "Vigilante Man" is a fucking electric slide blues stomp that will melt yer face off. The fact that the line "no it wasn't anything that id ever smoked" actually appears in the chorus of a song on here is almost too good believe.

CGR has it posted for download here.

Get it now!

I am not going to post the amazing handwritten notes about the album written inside the insert... you gotta downloaded it to read 'em... but they will blow yer mind.

Love in Stuggle!

THIS JUST IN (V2)

SMOKE DRUGS!
SMOKE DRUGS!
SMOKE DRUGS!
SMOKE DRUGS!

y0ut00bz

Since my return to CMH I haven't had much time to sit around on Mr. Internet (nor have a really wanted to), but this evening I found myself scouring through youtube. The results? I found some serious shit.

Camel // Never Let Go



Tangerine Dream // Ricochet



National Health // ???



Aphrodite's Child // It's Five O Clock



Crimson Fantasy // Fantasy Based on the King Crimson Themes



Japanese Mellotron Tape Change

Japan wins, YET again!

ON A WHIM

So yesterday I picked up two Larry Coryell records I didn't own and only one of which I had heard before. We all know that the 11th House is a fucking fusion monster and the 1st LP is fucking beyond gnarly, but I wasn't aware how gawdamn good Offering is.




It opens with this atonal white noise fuzz attack that eventually turns into this fucking manic melody. It like Inner-Mounting Flame meets Hot Rats. If you can dig on fusion you need to check out 'em jamz up on it.





Its nice outside. Fuck Mr. Internet.

THIS JUST IN!

Summer is fucking here!

Therefore:

High and listening to Little Feat!
SRSLY!
It was, after all, started by two ex-members of the Mothers of Invention.

This is the official "Sound of Summer '07" Sound, and remember this through the season. Funky AOR dixie light-rock is the sound of this summer, as I see it. If you are around people who aren't actually down with 'Operation Goodtymes' and you want them to 'get it' (or at least be able to pretend) then light-rock of any format is acceptable.
Atlanta Rhythm Section is another great flavor for this summer, and note their uber jam "I am so in to you" as a reason to dig 'em. "I am so in to you" is way up in my list of mega jamming singles ever, as it has the power to bring to me to my knees in the frozen food section during an attempt to gain a microwave pizza (this is not in way shape or form exaggerated or embellished) at a Big Bear (PS - we miss you) grocery store in the middle of night.

Also start drinking mint juleps, ASAP!

WILDFIRE (THEY CALLED HER)

Sooo...

I am presently at work, sitting up in the booth of sound at the horrid pit of faux-humanity that I sell my soul to for a above market price. They just installed public wifi here and I am fucking taking full advantage of it.

Well.. I just stumbled across this...



At the last record show I picked up a copy of Wildfire 'Smokin' from the mighty Paul 'O Athens, the man who has, or can get, every record you want. It is never cheap, as he has got the best shit at the show PERIOD and knows we want it.
The coolest thing about him, aside from his great taste, is that he will put on ANYTHING and often pulls out stuff you have never heard and demands you hear it. It's the sort of ACTUAL excitement you rarely get from dudes who deal in such rare records, aside from the late, amazing, and soooooo fucking mised Ken Stone.
Wildfire was one of those records that he said " I had to hear" and he was right.
Apparently only 5 copies of it have ever been unearthed, all in plain white sleeves with the band's name and the title written on them. One of Paul's friends found a copy and eventually pressed a limited to 500 re-issue in '96, which is what I purchased.
Fucking killer power trio guitar jamz and its on CD now... and rockadrome has it.
But if you look here you can download it.

The '96 re-issue LP has a very simple sleeve, as at the time nobody had been able to dig up much info on who the members of the band were, etc... so I was absolutely amazed to see that picture of the band as they look absolutely fucking amazing.
Peep that fist waving in the air, the glorious goofy grin, the 'merican flag, and just the pure fucking REALNESS that it encapsulates.

That picutre is what we all wish it looked like when TOTH play.
I think only Matt Miner could pull off that grin...


FUCK YEAH!