Plastilina Mosh — Aquamosh

• Artist: Plastilina Mosh
• Title: Aquamosh
• Year: 1998
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 2007 – SecondSpin.com
• Keeper: Yes

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo this coming Saturday I’m going to spend the week posting about some Mexican musicians who are my favorite band. And I don’t mean my favorite band from Mexico; I mean favorite band, period. Ladies and gentlemen… Plastilina Mosh!

I would like Beck as much as PMosh if he were twice as energetic and half as moody, and the Beastie Boys as much if they were as consistent. There is a connection there, but they are no imitators. They use Spanish and English, and other languages, in the same songs. They play songs in styles ranging from pure hip hop, rock and roll, punk, disco, lounge, noise, stuff I can’t explain or have never heard before, jazzy Stereolab-sounding things, and more. They appear to have no rules other than making good music. All that from only two guys, Alejandro Rosso and Jonás González.

Plastilina Mosh has had some real commercial success, especially in Latin markets. If you’re lucky you can catch one of their videos on MTV3, or MTV “Tr3�?s.” This is the one MTV that actually plays music videos. Isn’t that what MTV2 was for? Or, for that matter the original MTV? Anyhow, even their videos are great. I’ll get back to that later in the week.

Auqamosh is their debut album, but I didn’t get hip to them until their second release, Juan Manuel. My favorites from this one are the slamming rock hip hop opener “Niño Bomba”, “Afroman”, the hit “Monster Truck.”

Introduce yourself to Mr. P. Mosh.

Various Artists — Back from the Grave Volume Four

Various Artists -- Back from the Grave Volume Four

• Artist: Various Artists
• Title: Back from the Grave Volume Four
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1984 – Mail order?
• Keeper: Yes

The ultra-cool Crypt Records put out the Back from the Grave series in the 1980s. I have a few records from the series and this is the first one I came across. These records are compilations of relatively obscure 1960s garage rock bands. Many of these groups, despite that they often wore matching shirts or suits, can, and should, be considered the original punk rockers. This stuff had a pretty solid cult following in the 1980s. There were even quite a few new bands at the time emulating the sound and look of the originals. The Fuzztones, Nomads, Vipers, Lyres, and Chesterfield Kings are some of the better-known ones.

If you study the album cover you’ll notice the ’60s punk rock zombies are back to take over. Robin is driving the Batmobile dragging Cyndi Lauper(?), Boy George and Prince. Hippies, joggers and break dancers are all getting their comeuppance.

I find it interesting now, looking back, that less than 20 years after this music was new that there was such an interest by some folks in the 1980s. Maybe it was a reaction to the glut of synth music at the time. Is it possible this niche guitar rock revival eventually went more mainstream in the form of “grunge”? Anyhow, I find it hard to imagine that right now in 2007 there will be a revival of underground late 1980s music. This ’60s garage rock was special, from a special time right before music got a little less fun. It reminds me of the movie Animal House. It came out in 1978 and was set in 1962, only sixteen years earlier. But think about how different those periods were. Would a movie today set in 1991 seem that distant?

The Sonics are by far the best-known band on this record. My favorite track is the extra-fuzzed out “Flash and Crash” by Rocky and the Riddlers.

Balkan Beat Box (w/Golem) — Live at The Orange Peel, Asheville

Copenhagen, London, Paris, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, New York, ASHEVILLE! That’s not just where Balkan Beat Box is touring, it’s what they sound like. They’ve been here a couple times before, but this is the first time I’ve seen them. It was an excellent show. And maybe I’m guilty of grade inflation lately, or maybe I don’t get out enough, but I thought this show rocked. Even the crowd rocked. This stuff is just so fresh, fresh, fuh-resh. I’ve been listening to their first, self-titled album constantly for the last few months, through their web site. I finally got around to buying it at the show, along with their brand new release Nu Med. I’m not going to try to explain the sound. Just go to their site. I recommend beginners start with “Cha Cha” and then maybe “Try Rai (Shushan).”

They came out on the dance floor with drums and saxophones to get the show started. Excellent! Then, they made their way to stage and by the second song, “Cha Cha”, (which Tomer Yosef did a lot of rapping on, unlike the studio recording) the entire crowd was jumping up and down. I have never seen so many people going off with their own crazy dance moves. Maybe the music demands inventive steps.

Opening act Golem also put on a solid show. I enjoyed them but I didn’t already know their music. After a while it all started blending together. But their playing and stage presence were great.

“When you hear the chicken… make some noise!”

Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction — Planet Girl

Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction -- Planet Girl

• Artist: Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction
• Title: Planet Girl
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Bought it at our store, RIP Records, in Norfolk, VA
• Keeper: No

Here we go again. More Zodiac. This process of weeding out is a good thing. Who needs all these 12 inch singles? When it comes to Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction I definitely have a lot of stuff I would never listen to again if it weren’t for this web log. Zodiac is kind of like Motorhead to me. You gotta have some of it, but after a couple essential pieces the rest is really not necessary.

“Planet Girl (Invader Mix)” is typical Zodiac and two other songs here are typical Zodiac b-side filler. By that I mean they sound like half-developed demos. Those songs are “Dog Face Driver” and “Go Go Baby Dream Show.” Another decent track is a cover of Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.” The Cult had also covered this song on Electric. A note below the title on the back cover declares “This track was recorded in a fit of childish petulance with the specific intention of making The Cult look like a pile of shit.” Okay.

XTC — Skylarking

XTC -- Skylarking

• Artist: XTC
• Title: Skylarking
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: Plan 9 Records Richmond, VA
• Keeper: Maybe

Listening to music like XTC’s Skylarking reminds me that I do, in fact, have something in common with Dee Snider. I wanna rock. And this record ain’t taking me there. I’m not saying I only want to listen to crunching guitars and screeching vocals. Good classical rocks, even pop can rock, and funk is always rocking. I don’t think XTC is bad, but rarely does their music meet the need I share with Dee.

This copy of Skylarking is the first edition and doesn’t include the hit “Dear God.” More about this record.

The Wedding Present — Ukrainian John Peel Sessions

The Wedding Present -- Ukrainian John Peel Sessions

• Artist: The Wedding Present
• Title: Ukrainian John Peel Sessions
• Year: 1989
• Format: Vinyl 10 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1989 – Got it at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

The Wedding Present is a British rock band and this is not a typical record for them. This is their version of Ukrainian folk music. There are couple titles on the record sleeve and Ukrainian John Peel Sessions is not one of them. On the front is УкраїнÑ?ькі ВиÑ?тупи в Івана Піла and on the spine Ukraïnski Vistupi v Johna Peela. This is record is an oddball size, 10 inch, and it comes in a handsome package with a nice booklet. I must admit that it’s a lot better than I remember. Or, maybe my taste in music is better than it was.

Etched in the vinyl margins:
That Side — “Should I worship at the feet…
This Side — …of this God like ferret?” (Traditional)

More about The Wedding Present and Ukrainian John Peel Sessions at Wikipedia.

The Vandals — When in Rome Do as The Vandals

The Vandals -- When in Rome Do as The Vandals

• Artist: The Vandals
• Title: When in Rome Do as The Vandals
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 4
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: When? “I think someone gave it to me.”
• Keeper: No

Uh, well, more old school comedy punk from The Vandals. When in Rome Do as The Vandals came out in 1984 and it wasn’t exactly old school then, but it sounded more like early punk instead of hardcore, which had already been around for a while. The first song “Ladykiller” is an anomaly. That ditty sounds more like a bad, comic version of the early Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was probably fun then.

U2 — The Unforgettable Fire

U2 -- The Unforgettable Fire

• Artist: U2
• Title: The Unforgettable Fire
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: When? Used at Plan 9 in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

Do the hits getting any bigger? I don’t think so. Maybe that’s why I was already getting tired of these guys by their fourth LP. U2 was constantly on the radio at this point, especially “Pride (In the name of love).” Of course, there are some other hits from The Unforgettable Fire. My favorite is “Wire.” At this point their earnestness and Bono’s breathy vocals were wearing on me. I did go see them on this tour, even though I never bought the album, probably because all my friends were going. This time they were at an arena and I had to pay a whopping $12.50. I think Lone Justice opened up.

Pics: Front cover, dust sleeve, ticket stub

Tears For Fears – the hurting

Tears For Fears - the hurting

• Artist: Tears For Fears
• Title: the hurting
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1983 – Somewhere in Germany when she was an exchange student
• Keeper: Yes

Mexicans have taken over my sound system! Now, I can’t stop playing Plastilina Mosh. But I did manage to squeeze in this oldie. I gave the hurting by Tears For Fears a couple plays but I can’t remember much about it. “Mad World” is definitely my favorite song. Mary bought this in Germany when she was an exchange student. So, for her it’s tied up with the fond memories of that experience. She rates it an 8.

Joe Satriani — Dreaming #11

• Artist: Joe Satriani
• Title: Dreaming #11
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Bought it when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA
• Keeper: Maybe

Dreaming #11 by Joe Satriani is an EP that had one new studio track, “The Crush of Love”, and three live tracks on the flip. “Ice Nine”, one of my Satch favorites, “Memories” and “Hordes of Locusts” are the live numbers and they make it clear what a true maestro Satriani is. That said, despite being shred-tastic this stuff just doesn’t have the soulfulness of my new héroes de la guitarra, Rodgab. I went right back to playing their new album when this one was done.