7" Single Reviews for November 2011

A delightful trend-in-miniature is the resurgence of vinyl as a medium. I was sadder than most when the music industry migrated over to CDs in the 1980s, and never did trust their motives for doing so. I remember how they charged “development costs” for the new medium to the artists — and charged more to the consumers — even though manufacturing a CD was cheaper than pressing a vinyl record.

In 2011, then, the arrival of a black disc with a little hole in it is a joyous occasion here at Musoscribe World Headquarters, and I’m not ashamed to admit that vinyl submission get a good bit more attention than CD-based ones. (Try as I might, digital downloads are almost-but-not-quite ignored. I’m old-school.) Here’s a look at four 7’ packages, spanning six acts and even more songs.

Fat History Month – “A Gorilla “ EP
Sounding like some unholy hybrid of Jonathan Richman, Violent Femmes and Black Sabbath, Fat History Month creates what one might call a hooky sludge on the EP’s title track. At their best, they serve up equal parts doom/stoner and pop ditty. The rest of the time, it’s just the former. “B” traffics in psych-folk vibe reminiscent of Pearls Before Swine before folding some distorted, squalling guitar slashing into the mix. “Heart Takes a Beating” lopes along with more of a beat, and a feel vaguely (only vaguely) recalling some of the more jagged moments on Brian Eno’s Here Come the Warm Jets. “Untitled” is a spooky lo-fi drone, engaging in what we’ll call an open relationship with the idea of properly tuning one’s instrument. All four songs are brief, so even if you don’t love one, you’re onto the next one soon enough. The 33-1/3 RPM disc is pressed on mustard-yellow vinyl and packaged in a picture sleeve that’s the visual equivalent of lo-fi.

Ross and the Wrongens – Life in the Loo’s
The sole 45 RPM in the bunch, Ross and the Wrongens’ Life in the Loo’s also boasts the most lavish packaging. A full-color gatefold sleeve features the black vinyl in one pockets, and related ephemera in the other. The music is jangly pop-rock of a breezy variety: high melodic contents, top-notch production values and an overall spirited approach calls to mind the dBs. The photography and press kit aim for an edgy style, but in the end this is happy-rock. “Ba-ba-ba” harmonies find their way into romantic yet upbeat songs about love and heartbreak. “Reason 2 Live” bursts out of the gate with a memorable riff that gives way to a shimmering melody. The song is a textbook example of old-school pop at its best; in a just world it would be a hit. “Summer sun” is more of the same, in the best possible way. A tasty dueling Hammond-and-guitar instrumental break shows that’s there’s talent to burn in this group.

Dave Rave / Madnuts - Double Single
I loved Dave Rave’s Live With What You Know, so I figured I’d dig his side of the single. “Rock the Party” aims for anthem territory, and would have fit nicely on the soundtrack to Rock & Roll High School. With its timeless vibe and vaguely Bo Diddley-sort of beat, it’s easy to imaging a screen full of extras twisting and frugging to Rave and band as they chant “I don’t care” and similar sentiments. “Gimme Gimme Gimme” Rave punks it up for a swaggering, slightly menacing rocker. Imagine “Pump it Up” covered by The Damned. Much harder-rocking than the platter of powerpop served up on Live With What You Know, Rave’s side of this single likely captures something closer to his live show.

The Italy-based Madnuts have a slightly Merseybeat approach, sprinkled with a more modern vibe a la Hoodoo Gurus. “We Need Time” evokes the paisley underground scene of the 1980s, but ultimately owes more to the sixties. When a clanging piano figure comes in near the song’s end, it’s a surprise addition to what had been a simple riffy rocker. “Living Too Fast” kicks off with a drum solo and then moves into a jittery, stuttering melody, then into an almost powerpop arrangement…then back to the jitters. Then, a long and catchy guitar solo. The song is stuffed with more ideas than one usually finds in a three-minute pop song. As a sampler, this does the trick: I’d love to hear more from these guys.

The 7” Dave Rave / Madnuts 33 RPM disc is encased in a sturdy four-color gatefold sleeve.

The Ceiling Stares / The Super Vacations – Split 7” Record
This limited-run 33 RPM disc is pressed on green or purple vinyl (mine’s purple) and features one song from The Ceiling Stares and two by The Super Vacations.

The Ceiling Stares’ “A Tunnel Though the Air” combines sixties garage sonic elements – cheesy organ, distorted fuzz guitar – and creates something decidedly more modern in the process. Lots of spirited harmony vocals contrast nicely with the garage vibe, and a stomping beat propels this catchy rocker along. The Super Vacations play what we used to call pilled-up rock. Wedding pop melodies (with lush vocal harmonies) to an amphetamine beat, “Hexing” is a bit reminiscent of The Lime Spiders. (I thought there was a second track called “Controller” but I guess they segue together.)

Lovely packaging and full-color cover art on this one.

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