The Scientists — Self-titled (The Pink Album)

I don’t know why this record by The Scientists is called The Pink Album. I believe it’s their first full length record, but it’s not the first by them that I bought. If it were, it might have been the last of their stuff I got. I was a big fan their later work that some call “swamp rock,” but CCR they most definitely ain’t. Their music was primarily heavy, noisy, arty dirges. Being a semi-completist, or incomplete-completist, I bought this to fill the hole in my Scientists collection. When I first heard it I couldn’t believe this was the same band, except there was front man Kim Salmon clearly pictured on the back cover. Also in the band at this time was drummer James Baker, who would later join the Hoodoo Gurus.

It turns out The Scientists had two distinct periods. The latter being what I described above, and what I got hooked on, and the earlier stuff which is more garage rock or “punk” like The Buzzcocks, but not nearly as good. Still, being a part-time occasional completist, I will keep it. I think I bought this at a record store in NYC.

The Scientists were a much more important band than this record, and this post, would lead you to believe. The good stuff is coming. Stay tuned.

More about The Scientists
Interview with Kim Salmon

Kim Salmon and The Surrealists – Hit Me With the Surreal Feel

• Artist: Kim Salmon and The Surrealists
• Title: Hit Me With the Surreal Feel
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Bought for myself at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.

Look, I know you probably think I waste too much time on these pictures, maybe this whole blog is a waste of time, but these album covers are a big part of why vinyl is so great, so superior in almost every way. And anyway it’s my blog. Look at the third pic below, which is one side of the liner. Now that is just quality silliness. I wish I had thought of it. And that eyeball album label is cool too.

I wanted this record because I was big fan of The Scientists; we’ll get to those records eventually. Of Kim Salmon’s various bands, that I know of, Kim Salmon and The Surrealists (Wikipedia) is my least favorite. I only got their first record, “Hit Me With the Surreal Feel.” I realize it’s supposed to be a raw, minimalist sound, but to me it just sounds lazy, like they were just joking around instead of trying to make something really interesting. Many fans seem to disagree with me. Only 1000 copies were made; maybe I can find it a good home.

The James Baker Experience — I Can’t Control Myself!

• Artist: The James Baker Experience
• Title: I Can’t Control Myself!
• Year: 1985
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1985 – Bought it at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

No, not that James Baker. This is the guy who was the drummer briefly for those Australian masters of dirge, The Scientists (I have almost all their records) and then eventually with the much better-known Hoodoo Gurus.

This comes off as a fun little side project. Two goofy little dittys that sounded retro even back in 1985. I’d rate it a 6 but I had to give it a bonus point for the packaging and the flipside song title, “Born To Be Punched.” Oh yeah, that stuff does matter.