Found Vinyl: Euphoria - Euphoria

Euphoria were a short lived sunshine pop and folk group from the late 60's/early 70's.  Their lone self-titled album from 1969 at times feels like the early AM gold, sun-drenched Americana with a sing-a-long vibe.  They sound like driving in a convertible on a road trip across country with friends...or strangers.  It sounds like hitchhiking before it was dangerous, or smoking the good weed.  Listen to "Tucson" below.



And here's "There is Now."



And let's end with the wistful "You Must Forget."

Found Vinyl: Claudine Longet - Colours

"Colours" is the 1968 album from French pop/folk singer and actress Claudine Longet.  Longet was popular in the 60's and 70's, releasing a handful of albums (featuring a lot of cover material), but disappeared from the limelight after she was convicted of criminally negligent homicide in the murder of her then boyfriend, Olympic skier Spider Sabich.  Salacious affairs and murder aside, Claudine sings lovely, wistful little pop-folk tunes to while away the hours to...working in a garden or something.  Take a listen to the Randy Newman assisted (on piano) "I Think it's Gonna Rain Today" below.



And here's "Am I Blue?" below.



And finally, the title track (a Donovan cover).

Found Vinyl: Kim Fowley - International Heroes

You may not immediately recognize the name Kim Fowley, but you've almost certainly heard his work before, as he has contributed to bands like KISS, Alice Cooper, and The Modern Lovers, as well as introducing the world to The Runaways.  "International Heroes" is Fowley's 1973 solo album, a grand affair of glam rock with sprinkles of prog and old fashioned rock n' roll strewn throughout.  And it's fantastic, a perfect snapshot of the 1970's glam rock scene.  Fans of Bowie, Roxy Music, T. Rex, and The New York Dolls will dig on this.  So, let's hear a few tunes.  To start, here's the more somber and brooding "I Hate You."



And here's the thumping and strange "Born Dancer."



And finally, my favorite, the album title track.



Spain's Vinilisssimo Records are set to reissue "International Heroes" next month.  No word on a stateside release, but it's definitely worth searching out if you're a glam fan.

Found Vinyl: Bob Darin - Commitment

Digging for vinyl, i recently unearthed a late era Bobby Darin record.  For "Commitment," Darin shortened his name to Bob, donned a hat, and lost the big band sound that made him famous.  On the album, Darin takes on folk and psych, at times coming off like some country-fried version of Dylan.  That's not a bad thing, it's just leaps and bounds away from "Beyond the Sea" or "Mack the Knife."  It's cool to see an artist whose work is defined by one particular sound take a gamble and tread in different waters.  Take a listen to "Me and Mr. Hohner" below.



And here's "Song for a Dollar."



And finally, here's "Light Blue."  Dig on that funky organ.



Ultimately, the album was probably just an attempt to cash in on the changing waves of popular music in the late 60's, but it's still an interesting and entertaining listen.

Found Vinyl: Rosemary's Baby - Love Songs by Rosemary's Baby

I cannot find much information about this 1985 release from the industrial, experimental band Rosemary's Baby.  The first thing that really drew me to it in the first place is the cover of Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate.  At first i thought that maybe "Love Songs by Rosemary's Baby" was some sort of bootleg of music from the film or some weird Polanski audio.  But no, it's actually a decent mid-80's electronic/industrial album.  Listen to the slightly grooving, mildly menacing "See Woman See Human" below.



"The Power of Love" moves in a much different direction.  The song screeches and buzzes for fifteen minutes.  A collage of feedback, noise, drone, strange sounds, and ominous hum.  Listen below.



Why am i just finding out about this record now?  I got into Coil and Throbbing Gristle back when i was in high school, and Rosemary's Baby would have been a welcome addition.  For fans of industrial, experimental, or just weird music, find this record.

Found Vinyl: Froggie Beaver - From the Pond

Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, Froggie Beaver's sole record, a private press album from 1973 called "From the Pond" is awash in trippy melodies, psych organs, prog time signatures, folksy rhythms, and a lovely undercurrent of soft rock AM gold.  These odd little records popped up all over the place in the 70's.  Every city, town, and community seemed to put together bands and artists unencumbered by big label meddling, creating their own weird sounds and scenes.  Fantastic.  Take a listen to "Away from Home" below.  At times there's kind of a Moody Blues meets King Crimson thing going on.



And here's the funkier, proggy "Lovely Lady."



And lastly, here's "Buy Back My Life."  This is the epitome of the early 70's.

Found Vinyl: Demon - The Unexpected Guest

Just look at that album cover.  Is it a demon's snarling, ugly face or a body builder's torso?  It doesn't really matter, because it's delightful and delicious cheese.  In a lot of ways, cheesy 80's British metal is the best kind of metal.  Classic riffs, goofball lyrics, and grand posturing is such an easy pill to swallow when there's a complete and utter lack of irony.  That earnestness and "Hail Satan!" goofiness make Demon's 1982 album "The Unexpected Guest" such a fun ride.  Sonically, there's a lot in common with Judas Priest and the other acts that came out of Britain's new wave of heavy metal in the late 70's and early 80's.  Did i mention that it's fun.  This is the kind or record that makes me want to cut my hair into a mullet, put on some tight jeans and a tank top, and go hang out in a parking lot somewhere smoking cigarettes and glaring at passers by.  Yeah, it's that kind of record.  Take a listen to "Don't Break the Circle" below.



Are you adequately pumped up?  Now, here's "Deliver Us from Evil."



And finally, here's "The Grand Illusion."  No go out there and rock!

Found Vinyl: Dr. West's Medicine Show and Junk Band - The Eggplant that Ate Chicago

Strange little psych oddities are one of the reasons i go record crate digging whenever possible.  A recent one turned up the 1967 album "The Eggplant that Ate Chicago" by Dr. West's Medicine Show and Junk Band.  The group mixed psych rock, folk, and even elements of bluegrass into their sound for a goofy and clunky, yet highly enjoyable mix.  Take a listen to the title track below.



I think one of my favorite things about this record is how prominently the kazoo plays into some of the music.  The production is really interesting as well, with what gets brought the foreground, and what gets buried in the mix.  Listen to "Summer Love Song."



And here's one more called "Modern Day Fish."



Until next time.

Found Vinyl: Philly Joe Jones Sextet - Blues for Dracula

So, i'm attempting to keep everything from now through Thursday Halloween related.  If we work hard together, i'm sure we can do it.  "Blues for Dracula" by the Philly Joe Jones Sextet is something a came across at a garage sale a little while back...and simply put, i could not resist.  No sample listening session necessary.  The record is pretty good little jazz record, and the debut for drummer Jones.  The title track kicks it off with Jones doing a goofy Bela Lugosi impersonation before the rest of the players come in.  Take a listen below.


That's the only song form the record that i'm able to find, but seeing as it's the only one that has any kind "spookiness" going on, i guess we'll leave it at that.

Found Vinyl: Morticia - Mortal Fear

You know what ruined music in the last 20 years?  Irony.  Self-awareness and irony have attempted to kill all of the fun out of music for two decades.  And i miss bands who used to earnestly embrace the stupidest bullshit for their art.  Those people need to come back to us.  People like the members of the Minnesota based 80's goth/metal act Morticia.  Naming your goth band after a member of the Addams Family is only the beginning of this opus of darkness and cheese.  These guys took the goth look, the lame lyrics, the Bauhaus styling meets Iron Maiden licks, and just ran with it.  We need more bands like Morticia.  They take the joke seriously, and you should too.  Take a listen to "Deadlier than the Male" below.  I love, love, love the organ intro.



Here's a more punk jam called "Darksider."



And lastly, here's the excellent and sinister "Christian Vices."



Just in time for Halloween.  Hooray!

Found Vinyl: Bill Nelson's Red Noise - Sound on Sound

Oh, how the late 70's were a veritable smorgasbord of new and different styles...punk, glam, hip-hop, disco, ambient, heavy metal, new wave...it must have been a glorious time to be into music.  UK new wave group Bill Nelson's Red Noise rose from the ashes of Be-Bop Deluxe, foregoing their glam and progressive rock sound for something a little more electronic and punchy.  The band only released one album, 1979's "Sound on Sound," but they fall right in line with so many of their contemporaries of the time.  This record isn't a game changer by any means, but it's fun, and it's a perfect snapshot of where new wave music was at the time.  Take a listen to "Revolt into Style" below.



And here's the more punkish "Don't Touch Me I'm Electric." Dig on that sax.



We'll finish up with "Furniture Music."

Found Vinyl: Bernard Szajner - Some Deaths Take Forever

Electronic music has had an interesting history of sound, all at once resembling the music of the future, the music of the future that was supposed to be, and the past.  Every now and then that at once retro and future sound actually would be way ahead of its time.  A prime example of this is the music for Parisian visual and audio artist Bernard Szajner.  The composer's 1980 album "Some Deaths Take Forever" combines old synthesizers, computers, and classic instruments like the baby grand piano to create a unique auditory experience that would go on to be aped by numerous artists over the next couple of decades.  You can hear the influence on musicians like Aphex Twin, Air, Boards of Canada, Oneohtrix Point Never, Nine Inch Nails, and on and on.  Listen to album opener "Welcome to Death Row."



Here's a live version of the track "Ritual," recorded in 1983.



Unfortunately, these are the only songs from the album i was able to find on youtube, but if you're even moderately interested in old school electronic music, cold wave, and such, then Szajner is worth your time.

Found Vinyl: Berlin Express - The Russians Are Coming

Here's a slice of cold wave techno to get the the foot tapping with the ever present Krautrock motorik beat.  Berlin Express's "The Russians Are Coming" is reminiscent of a lot of the early propulsive beats and sample heavy jams that were coming out of Wax Trax back in the 80's.  Elements of factory sounds and fascist imagery abound, but it's still an enjoyable work (as a fan of 80's/90's industrial music, this comes as no surprise).  I couldn't find a lot of info about the group online, but electronic artist Conrad Schnitzler was a member, which is pretty damn cool.  At any rate, i don't normally do 12" singles on the Found Vinyl blogs, but the cover alone on this one just begged to be done.  Take a listen to the tune below.



As a bonus, here's the German version, "Die Russen Kommen."

Found VInyl: Lucifer (Mort Garson) - Black Mass

It's no secret that i am a big proponent of analog synthesizers and the compositions composed and performed with them, and so, needless to say, i am glued to the 1971 album "Black Mass" by the late, great Canadian composer/songwriter/all-around-cool-guy Mort Garson, here making music under the moniker of Lucifer.  This 30 minute opus is a collection of instrumental meditations on witchcraft and satanism performed on the always lovely and addictive Moog.  The whole thing is pretty psyched out and trippy which makes it all the more intoxicating.  It feels really retro, yet faux futuristic at the same time.  Take a listen to "Witch Trial" below.



And here's the rumbling "Incubus."



And one more for the road, the cartoonishly evil "Solomon's Ring."



This album is making its way into steady rotation around here, and i think you should give it a shot too.  No one makes anything like this anymore, and that's a damn shame.

Found Vinyl: Hal Galper - Now Hear This

I wish i knew more about jazz.  It just fascinates me.  Every aspect of it.  Every genre and sub-genre therein.  The history, the spontaneity, just the overall essence of the music.  It's transcendent.  It's remarkable.  And i'd be a liar if i said i understood the first thing about it.  So, i will not critique.  I know nothing.  I will just sit back, listen to, and enjoy Hal Galper's 1977 album "Now Hear This."  We'll start with "First Song in the Day."



And here's the title track.



And finally, we'll finish with "Red Eye Special."



Go and listen to some jazz music right now.  I swear it makes you smarter...or at least it will make you think you're smarter.

Found Vinyl: Jan Hammer - The First Seven Days

Long before there were mountains of cocaine and the "Miami Vice" theme song, composer and musician Jan Hammer used his considerable talents...and probably a little cocaine...to write and record the 1975 album "The First Seven Days."  The record is a grand mix of old school synthesizers, guitar wankery, and overt new age mumbo jumbo.  It's the perfect blend of cheese and awesome.  Needless to say, i love it.  But enough with the formalities, here's some music.  Album opener "Darkness/Earth in Search of a Sun"...



"Oceans and Continents"...



And finally, here's "The Animals"...



Enjoy your cheese for the evening.

Found Vinyl: Sewer Zombies - Reach Out And...

Aside from the just about perfect 80's name (that also sounds like an excellent Roger Corman movie), Sewer Zombies and their 1985 album "Reach Out And..." blast out of a cannon with an outright barrage of out of tune noise.  It sounds like the illegitimate love child of hardcore punk and No Wave.  That being said, it's bizarre and fantastic.  Let's start with "Never" just to get an idea of where we're at.



Invigorating right?  And here's the strange and unsettling "Executive Execution."



This cacophony of shredding noise is probably more prevalent than it used to be, but Sewer Zombies are one of those bands that prove that with enough gusto and perseverance, anyone can make music.  I leave you with the awesomely titled "They Died with Their Willie Nelson T-Shirts On."

Found Vinyl: The Passions - Thirty Thousand Feet Over China

The late 70's and early 80's were just rife with musical inventiveness and reinvention.  Punk and hip-hop and post-punk and new wave and probably dozens of other shapes and styles of music were just pouring out of the ether.  The post-punk scene on its own spewed forth a number of variations and sub-genres, one being a kind of sing-songy, dreamy psych rock thing that broke into the "mainstream" with acts like The Sundays and so on.  But first, there was The Passions, a short-lived group (78-83) out of the UK that blended elements of new wave and punk to pretty and melodic degree.  1981's "Thirty Thousand Feet Over China" captures the band's sound at its peak.  Take a listen to "Someone Special" below.



And here's "The Square."



And here's one more called "Small Stones."  The band sounds almost like a precursor to groups like The Bangles or other bands that came out of LA's 80's psych revival scene.

Found Vinyl: Mary McCaslin - Goodnight Everybody

Growing up, i listened to a lot of the old folk records that my father used to love, and thus i've always held folk pretty close to my heart.  I dig on the old traditional stuff, but i also love seeing the different directions that any number of artists take the genre in.  Mary McCaslin bridged a lot of the old country-influenced folk music with more contemporary sounds, incorporating some elements of pop and psych, and covering a variety of different songs.  1969's "Goodnight Everybody" is a mellow and wistful record, filled with heartache and longing.  It's fantastic, and features a moving cover of The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On."  Listen below.



And, here's her bluegrass-tinged cover of "Blackbird."



Unfortunately, those are the only songs from the album i've been able to find for sampling purposes, but i implore you to seek the record out.  It's a fun one.

Found Vinyl: Mussolini Headkick - Themes for Violent Retribution

Ah Wax Trax and your seemingly unending supply of industrial and electronic music that permeated my ear buds on a regular basis in the late 80's and into the 90's.  It was simpler time.  It was a better time.  Belgium's political upstart act Mussolini Headkick supplied factory-sounding beats with stabs of distorted guitar and vocals, synthesized melodies, and a nice helping of random vocal samples throughout.  The band;s 1989 album "Themes for Violent Retribution" was produced by fellow Belgian and Revolting Cocks member Luc Van Acker (which is awesome).  It was a very anti-fascist piece of art (dig the controversial album cover above), which set it apart from a lot of the other industrial records coming out at the time.  Unfortunately, the album's been out of print for a while, but let's listen to some of the jams below.  The records begins with "Your God Is Dead," so we may as well too.



And here's "Plain Unhappy."



And lastly, here's "Europe."



I really dig this album, and while the band never had anywhere near the success as some of their contemporaries like KMFDM or Nitzer Ebb, it's definitely worth seeking out.