Review: The second part of a series of essential early records by Texas's Butthole Surfers features three of their most unhinged releases: 1985's Cream Corn from the Socket of Davis, 1987's Locust Abortion Technician, and 1988's Hairway to Steven. These records capture the Butthole Surfers' evolution from Texan misfits to renowned provocateurs of the American underground scene. In 1985, they were the darlings of hallucinogen-fueled punk enthusiasts. By 1988, they had toured Europe, gained international recognition, and established a base in Driftwood, Texas. Cream Corn from the Socket of Davis offers a tantalizing glimpse into the Butthole Surfers' chaotic genius. Featuring two tracks from Rembrandt and two new recordings from their home studio in Winterville, Georgia, the EP showcases the band's unique blend of precision and madness. 'Moving to Florida' stands out as a surreal, Beefheart-esque trip, while the other tracks are equally mind-blowing. This EP serves as a perfect, bite-sized introduction to the delirious brilliance that the band would continue to unleash in their subsequent releases. These albums are remastered by Golden himself adding to the importance of these.
Review: This is a special and unique coming together that sees Turnstile join forces with the brilliant Toronto jazz ensemble and production team BADBADNOTGOOD. They have worked on reimagining songs from the former's well-received 2021 album Glow On and the results bring all new perspectives and dynamics to tunes like 'Mystery', 'Alien love Call' featuring Blood Orange and 'Underwater Boi.' Both Turnstile and BADBADNOTGOOD are untouchable in their fields right now with rave reviews for their records as well as their live shows. This is another standout project.
Review: Originally distributed through SST Records in 1986, I Against I served as the seminal third full-length from Washington D.C. hardcore punk legends Bad Brains and is still the band's highest selling album to date. Noted for branching far beyond the already expanded parameters of reggae-infused punk, and embracing elements of soul, funk and alternative metal, the album was a shock at the time to the devout fans who were spoiled by the refinement of their sound on Rock For Light, yet in the decades since, the LP has been cited as an integral influence by members of Cro-Mags, Sepultura, The Dillinger Escape Plan and Rage Against The Machine to name a small handful, while artists such as Machine Head, Jeff Buckley and Lamb Of God have even covered the iconic title-track. Newly remastered with updated artwork, this Punk Note edition is a vital collection piece for both newcomers and fanboys who've already spun their OG copy to death.
Review: Following the major success of 1983's seminal sophomore effort Rock For Light, in which reggae-hardcore heroes Bad Brains would work studiously under The Cars' Ric Ocasek, and even re-record some of their self-titled debut LP's strongest cuts such as 'Sailin' On' and 'Banned In D.C.'; the hard left turn of their now acclaimed third full-length I Against I initially shocked many a hardcore purists upon its initial 1986 release. Arriving courtesy of SST Records, the album showcased an even further disregard for genre or scene parameters than the band had exuded up to that point, absorbing elements of funk, soul, r&b and, most notably, alternative metal, with the material falling somewhere in line with the likes of Living Colour, yet a far scuzzier version. While early reception was somewhat maligned and controversial, with the band even back-peddling on 1989's Quickness, there's no denying the sprawling influence the record has had in the decades since, with covers of the title-track coming from Jeff Buckley to Denzel Curry, while its sonic presence can be heard all the way up to modern hardcore stalwarts such as Turnstile. Not to mention the iconic lore behind the vocals to 'Sacred Love' being recorded by H.R. over the phone from prison while serving time on a marijuana distribution charge. How can you get any more hardcore punk reggae than that?
Review: An album that requires little to no introduction, but we'll give it a stab anyways: Both essential and alien to the scene, the self-titled debut Bad Brains LP will forever be heralded as one of the cornerstones of the hardcore punk movement. While originally honing their skills as funk/jazz group Mind Power, it wouldn't be until guitarist Dr. Know attended his first hardcore shows that an intense reinterpretation of punk tropes would be conceptualised within his madcap mind, leading to an incomparable collection of speedy, energetic and most important of all, musical compositions that would reshape the very foundations of a scene many stagedived from. Crammed full of raw, scuzzy classics such as 'Sailin' On' and 'Pay To Cum', yet interspersed with reggae and dub numbers including the tranquil 'Jah Calling', the Rastafarian hardcore ethos the band would coin on their seminal debut sent ripple effects still felt throughout the scene today. Not only their definitive work, but one of the most vital, pioneering and representative projects of the era.
Review: The highest selling album from reggae-tinged hardcore punk pioneers Bad Brains arrived courtesy of SST Records in 1986, and marked the band's further decimation of genre parameters. Following on from the major success of their refined sophomore endeavour Rock For Light, which cherry-picked some of their preceding self-titled debut LP's strongest cuts to re-record under the tutelage of The Cars' late, great Ric Ocasek, by the time it came to enter the studio to lay down what would grow into the iconic I Against I, the band had begun to embrace more outsider influences from the realms of soul, r&b and even funk metal; all genres that would inform the sonic makeup of their third full-length. With the title-track covered from everyone from Jeff Buckley to Lamb Of God to Denzel Curry, the utter sonic fearlessness exuded throughout scoffed in the face of hardcore purists who lambasted the effort upon release, while its insidious influence can still be heard today from Rage Against The Machine all the way up to hardcore's modern day flag flyers Turnstile.
Review: Bad Omens expand their sonic universe with this ambitious triple LP, an experimental companion to 'The Death of Peace of Mind'. Featuring reimagined tracks, interludes, and collaborations with artists like ERRA, Poppy, and HEALTH, this release ventures into bold new territory. 'C:\Projects\CJOST\BEATDEATH' sets an ominous tone, while 'V.A.N (feat. Poppy)' injects a dose of dark pop energy. The band explores their heavier side with 'Anything > Human (feat. ERRA)', and 'Nervous System (feat. iRis.EXE)' delves into electronic textures. Live versions of fan favourites and collaborations with the likes of Let's Eat Grandma add further depth to this expansive project. This is Bad Omens at their most ambitious and experimental, pushing the boundaries of their sound and captivating listeners with a truly immersive experience.
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