Richard Hawley - Truelove's Gutter (2009)

Richard Hawley is continuing on the same track. Same moody soundtrack to some obscure and strange movie. However I'm slightly disappointed, last record ("Lady's Bridge") was not as good as the masterpiece "Coles Corner" and this one is not as good as "Lady's Bridge", i.e. a down bound spiral...

Rating 5/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trueloves-Gutter-Richard-Hawley/dp/B002JAPF04/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1255894177&sr=1-1

On Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/0zVtspcd49i55XA3LY1SSX

Teenage Bottlerocket - They Came From The Shadows (2009)

Second record I've bought with this excellent group this year. Same energy and same nice pop-melodies, all in the Ramones' spirit! I like this very much! Highly recommended!

Rating 8/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/They-Came-Shadows-Teenage-Bottler/dp/B002J0NXNU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1255886322&sr=1-1


On Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/21hHTrVvbzGDVynkfFvxtm

Sonya Kitchell - This Storm (2008)

Very young singer/songwriter Sonya Kitchell made this record when she was only 17. I think she's very similar in the voice to "Cat Power". The records is of easy and nice popmusic but not really my cup of tea.

Rating 5/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Storm-Sonya-Kitchell/dp/B001ATO9EI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1253734480&sr=1-1

Not available on Spotify

Jason And The Scorchers - EMI Years (2008)

Aaarrrghhh! Another Jason and the Scorchers record and to paraphrase the third track on this record "I can't help myself" since I already have all the tracks on various records. Still I have to buy it! Is this something I need to seek help for? This record covers the songs the group made for EMI in the middle of the 80's including the first EP "Fevor", the debut "Lost & Found" and "Still Standing". This is really one of my absolute favorite groups and if you never had heard this excellent group this record is an absolute must!

Rating 8/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/EMI-Years-Jason-Scorchers/dp/B001AGGUGG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1253733125&sr=1-1

On Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/52soQvBxJUsUAq9wcLt4J5

La Belle Epoque: EMI's French Girls 1965-1968 (2007)

Being very fond of girl-groups and female singers from the 60's, I like this record quite a lot. Since I don't speak French and unfortunately isn't very used to hear this language it a neck-breaking experience to listen to a whole record in French with this typical 60's French sound. My total ignorance in French singers and songs is confirmed by that the only name I recognize on the record is Sandie Shaw (who is very British). This record makes me want to study this subject more!

Rating 7/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belle-Epoque-French-Girls-1965-1968/dp/B000NOKF3U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1253562398&sr=1-1

Paul Kelly - Stolen Apples (2008)

A record from last year with Australian Paul Kelly. This "special edition" includes a 14 track live, which I actually think is the best. This is my second record with this artist (the other is "Under the Sun" with Paul Kelly & The Coloured Girls) and they are both good but not really my cup of tea and I can't find myself to select them when I'm choosing music to work to.

Rating 5/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stolen-Apples-Paul-Kelly/dp/B001D0N37I/ref=dp_return_2?ie=UTF8&n=229816&s=music

Ginger and the Scorchers - Live at Manchester Academy 3 (17-09-2007) (2007)

The third record I bought from http://wildheartsbootlegs.freehostia.com/wildheartsbootlegs.html . This record is a live one from Ginger's legendary tour with the Scorchers replacing Jason Ringenberg. For this is a magnificent opportunity to hear how it sounded when two of my absolute favorites was combined (unfortunately without Jason). Ok sound and not as good as Jason and Wildheart's version of "Jimmy Rodgers' Last Blue Yodel" on Ringenberg's "Best Tracks and Side Tracks 1979-2007" (but that's almost impossible). However, still very good (a show that starts with "Lost Highway" and ends with "White Lies" can't fail...). Highly recommended.

Rating 7/10

Available from: http://wildheartsbootlegs.freehostia.com/wildheartsbootlegs.html

Ginger + Paul Gilbert - Live at Mercury Records Meeting Room, Tokyo (16/10/00) (2000)

Another bootleg from http://wildheartsbootlegs.freehostia.com/wildheartsbootlegs.html , this time a acoustic session with Ginger and Paul Gilbert. A very nice record with good sound and a typical acoustic set by Ginger. Not so much talking between the songs this time, which makes it easier to listen straight through it. The record includes plenty of covers, which was the main reason for me to buy it. Besides writing excellent songs himself, Ginger always does good covers (think "Lost Highway" and "White Lies"). Songs covered includes Hanoi Rock's "Malibu Beach Nightmare" and excellent versions of Ramones' "Sheena is a punk rocker" and Queen's "Somebody to love". Highly recommended.

Rating 7/10

Available from: http://wildheartsbootlegs.freehostia.com/wildheartsbootlegs.html

Silver Ginger 5 - Live at The Electrical Ballroom (12-11-01) (2001)

After a recommendation by the great Ginger himself, I've bought a couple of bootlegs from http://wildheartsbootlegs.freehostia.com/wildheartsbootlegs.html . The first is a live with Silver Ginger 5. This is a sorely missed group, which included both Ginger and Conny Bloom (of Electric Boys and Hanoi Rocks). The group is one of the great hidden gems of rock music. Unfortunately, they only released one record, "Black Leather Mojo", but that one is a true masterpiece. Since the group doesn't exist anymore (or are at least resting) the only way getting "new" music from them are by buying bootlegs. The noise on the record isn't very good but acceptable for a bootleg and includes the best tracks from "Black Leather Mojo", Ginger's solo-records, the Wildhearts and Conny Blom's solo records. A nice addition to any Wildhearts collection!

Rating: 6/10

Available from: http://wildheartsbootlegs.freehostia.com/wildheartsbootlegs.html

The Wildhearts - Chutzpah! (2009)

I've been listening to Wildhearts latest record for a week now and even if it wasn't the masterpiece I'm always eagerly awaits from Ginger and co. I've found it very good. If you're a Wildhearts fan (or likes good music) this record is definitively a must with it's mix of good lyrics, pop-feeling and heavy guitars. Recommended

Rating 8/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002K2JUZM/ref=dm_sp_alb

Unfortunately not available on Spotify

"Kommissarie Roy" and "Noise" on Spotify

Spotify is getting better and better. During the summer, two of my favorite bands from my youth have become available. The first is "Noise" with an "S" and not to be mixed up with the more famous "Noice" from Stockholm. Perstorp based "Noise" with a very young Kristian Ask (later of "Kommissarie Roy" and "Legendary Lovers" fame) as lead-singer recorded their "Små Röda, Lätta Regndroppar" in 1981, shortly before their break up. An excellent record with the typical Klippan-sound.
Available at:
http://open.spotify.com/album/7iMvo98sqhwNvkEHOnoXpV

The second is "Kommissarie Roy" and their debut and only full-length record from 1981. Regarding this record, I can only agree with Mats Olsson (journalist at Expressen) that this is probably the best debut record made in Sweden ever! The record is the defining one on the Klippan-sound. This record is still on my top-ten of all times and the singer, song-writer and guitarist Thomas Holst is still one of my biggest musical heroes (sometimes in the future, I'll write about his excellent solo records). After the break-up of "Kommissarie Roy", Thomas Holst continued to "Wilmer X" and a couple of tunes from the planned second record of "Kommissarie Roy" ended up on a "Wilmer X" record and these two ("En Dröm Är En Dröm" and "Vem Är Den Flickan") are perhaps Wilmer X's best songs as well. I like "Vem är den flickan" so much that one of my best friends played it on the organ as a surprise to my wife when we got married a couple of years ago.
Available at:
http://open.spotify.com/album/4knxkkVkTqikwA0EodUH8i

Del-Lords - Based On A True Story (2009)

Del-Lords' third second record from 1988 available on CD with five extra tracks compared with the old vinyl. The third record found the group in good form. A little lover in tempo than the previous two but still includes gems like 'Judas Kiss', 'A Lovers' Prayer' and 'A Whole Lotta Nothin' Goin' On'. Includes the magnificent 'Livin' with her, livin' without her' in an early demo version. However, the weakest of the three recently reissued CD but still a 'must have'!

Rating 7/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Based-True-Story-Del-Lords/dp/B0021TVYFS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250095710&sr=1-3

Unfortunately not available on Spotify

Del-Lords - Johnny Comes Home Marching (2009)

Del-Lords' excellent second record from 1986 available on CD with five extra tracks compared with the old vinyl. Another rock'n'roll highlight. Not quite as good as the first but includes classics as 'Heaven', 'Everlovin' and the personal favorite ' No Waitress No More'. A 'must have'!

Rating 7/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Johnny-Comes-Marching-Home-Lords/dp/B0021TVYF8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250095247&sr=1-2

Unfortunately not available on Spotify

Del-Lords - Frontier Days (2009)

Del-Lords' excellent first record from 1984 is finally available on CD with five extra tracks compared with the old vinyl. Led by former 'Dictators' Scott Kempner the record starts with version of Alfred Reed's 'How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live', which should make Bruce Springsteen blush after his blame attempt on the 'Seeger Sessions', before throwing itself into 'Get Tough' and 'Livin' On Love'. You don't get much better start on a record than this! The extra tracks are actually very good (which they usually isn't on this kind of records) and includes 'Wastin' Time Talkin'' (very good) and a rough version of 'Love On Fire'.
Highly recommended!

Rating 8/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frontier-Days-Del-Lords/dp/B0021TVYEO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250094075&sr=1-1

Unfortunately not available on Spotify

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade (2006)

After liking their live 'The Black Parade is Dead', I bought this record at a sale to a reduced prize. Unfortunately it didn't add anything new to my relation with the group since the best tracks is the same as from the live record (or is it the other way around?). Still a nice record and a group that I'm still curious on.

Rating 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Parade-My-Chemical-Romance/dp/B000I5Y8ZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1246898560&sr=8-1

The Baboon Show - Best of... (2009)

Another band I saw live at the Peace and Love festival this year. A good show that also included a live version of Ebba Grön's "Mona Tumbas Slim Club" with Fjodor and Stefan Sundström. The record is a best of their three previous records. The records start off with three excellent songs - "Boredom Boredom Go Away", "Faster Faster Harder Harder" and "Under Your Trousers" and also includes "It's a sin". They're also doing a cover on Accept's old "I'm a rebel" which caused a big smile on my face when I heard it the first time and it actually took my some time to identify it. Recommended!

Rating 7/10

Available from: http://www.ginza.se/Product/Product.aspx?Identifier=199157

Go Drowsy - The Only Way From Here (2006)

The most fun surprise at last week's Peace & Love festival in Borlänge and possibly the second best live act I saw (after the Wildhearts). We few viewers (25?) saw a short set with good songs, tempo and plenty of fun. I liked it very much. On record the group is more pop than punk, i.e. the tempo is somewhat slower. In my opinion the sound somewhat like the sorely missed Psychotic Youth (and that can't be bad!). Best track is the title track ("The Only Way From Here"). Recommended!

Rating 7/10

Available from: http://www.ginza.se/Product/Product.aspx?Identifier=203511

Rancid – Let the Dominoes Fall (2009)

A welcomed “comeback”! It’s been six years since “Indestructible” and it’s always fun to hear Rancid. The new record sounds as they usually does with classic punk (including ska influences) and they are in good form. I like the tempo and chorus of “Domination” and “L.A. River”. Recommended!

Rating 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Let-Dominoes-Fall-Rancid/dp/B000TLYH6S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1246627598&sr=1-2

The Coffinshakers - The Coffinshakers (2007)

While going to look on Miss Li during last week's Peace & Love festival in Borlänge, I stopped at a stage where a to me unknown band was playing, This was The Coffinshakers and it was a good show and I misses Miss Li! This Finnish band, which plays "vampire rock" with great doses of Johnny Cash, Stan Ridgway and rockabilly, was a great live act. I ordered two records with the band, and the first has arrived. Unfortunately, the record wasn't as good as the show! Much of the rockabilly and tempo is lost on the record even if there is a couple of good tracks including "Evil", "King of the night-time" (was great live!) and "Curse of Mummy's tomb".

Rating 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_m_h_?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=camouflage

Strindbergs - Live at Peace & Love, Borlänge 2009-06-27

Johan Johansson - a true hero! Nice to see them live again after 25 years!

Electric Boys - Live at Peace & Love, Borlänge 2009-06-27

Conny Bloom in action.

Wildhearts - Live at Peace & Love, Borlänge 2009-06-27

Magnificent show!

Wavves – Wavves (2009)

An impulse buy after having read some review somewhere. Wavves is some sort of solo-project for a Nathan Williams, who I haven’t heard of before. However, the record is nice pop/punk record drowned in the kind of noise I like (think JMC and BRMC) with nice songs stuck inside the distortion and feedback. A pleasant surprise with gems like “So Bored” and “To the Dregs”.

Rating 7/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wavvves-Wavves/dp/B001QWEE1C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1245755922&sr=8-1

Ellis Hooks - Undeniable (2002)

An older record by soul/blues man Ellis Hooks. I was very fond of his latest "The Hand of God" and this one is almost as good.

Rating 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Undeniable-Ellis-Hooks/dp/B00006GXGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1245696922&sr=1-1

Omar Kent Dykes - Big Town Playboy (2009)

A new record from Kent "Omar" Dykes of "Omar and the Howlers" with his kind of blues and rock'n'roll. This record continues his last one with a number of classic American blues songs. You always knows what you get from Omar and he always deliver. Perhaps a little too much blues and to little rock'n'roll on this record for my liking.

Rating 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Town-Playboy-Omar-Kent-Dykes/dp/B001S7NMK4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1245696004&sr=1-1

The Yo-Yo's - Given Up Giving Up (2005)

After all buying of various side-projects of the Wildhearts lately, I bought the Yo-Yo's EP from 2005, which includes 7 tracks. Unfortunately, it isn't so good as their debut CD "Uppers and Downers" but still it has a couple of good tracks including "Round the world" and "Tattoos don't last forever".

Rating 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Given-Up-Giving-Yo-Yos/dp/B000AOVLAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1245393631&sr=1-1

The Loyalties - So Much For Soho (2007)

One of the best positive surprises for a long time. A great punk record with 12 great tracks. The singer sounds like a mix between Tyla of "Dogs D'Amour" and the "Yo-Yo's" and it sounds like a typical British punk record (even if I don't know if the band is British - they are indeed, see comments). The best tracks includes "5 Aces", "Soho" and "Two Ladies". Highly recommended!

Rating: 8/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/So-Much-Soho-Loyalties/dp/B0019KCKMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1244983809&sr=1-1

Dave Alvin - Live From Austin TX (2007)

Live recording with Dave Alvin of Blaster from 1999. The Blasters is one of my favourite bands but neither Dave's nor his brother Phil's is anything near as good as their common band. In fact on this record he even fails with "Marie Marie, which should be impossible. The only good part is the medley with "Jubilee Train/Do-Re-Mi/Promised Land", which rocks on good. Another one filed under "played once, never again".

Rating: 4/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-Austin-TX-Dave-Alvin/dp/B000OCY69U/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1244983157&sr=1-6

Peawees - Walking the Walk (2007)

Italian "Peawees'" record from 2007 is good clean fun and traditional punk. 11 tracks with only one over 3 minutes (and that's 3:04!).

Rating: 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Walk-Peawees/dp/B000PA9PCE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1244982430&sr=1-1

Ginger - The Great White Monkey (2009)

Ginger of the Wildhearts latest solo-record is a acoustic solo-record made together with Random Jon Poole and Hot Steve in September 2003. A brilliant show and recording even if the record suffers from the same problem as the previous and similar "Grievous Acoustic Behaviour" with Ginger's talk between the tracks. In no doubt great on the show and fun the first time you listen to it but when you listen to it for the tenth time you'll have to have the remote in your hand so that you can skip the talking. Excellent versions of "29xPain" and "Skychaser High" and with two magnificent medleys with "Does Your Mother Know/Sky Babies/Space Oddity" and "Pissjoy/Suckerpunch/Nurse Maximus". It speaks for the brilliance of Ginger when he makes "Pissjoy" sounds like Abba's "On and On and On"! I can't wait until Wildhearts comes to my hometown Borlänge this summer!

Rating: 8/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-White-Monkey-Ginger/dp/tracks/B002905CGG/ref=dp_tracks_all_1#disc_2

Jerry Lee Lewis – Live From Austin, TX (2007)

Another record from the Live From Austin, TX series. This one was recorded on 17 October 1983 with a Jerry Lee Lewis in good form. As with all the records in this series, I approached it with some caution since the quality (not the sound and production – which is always good) on them are quite varying. I have also a difficult relation with ‘”The Killer” since I think he is too much 50’s but somehow he is the first ‘punk’. Additionally some good version of tracks turns up, and I bought this one because his version of ‘C. C. Rider’ was included. Unfortunately this version wasn’t his best (I usually loves his sloppy and lazy version). However many other tracks were quite good including ‘Keep my motor runnin’, ‘Boogie Woogie Country Man’, ‘Great Balls of Fire’ and of course ‘Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On’.

Rating 5/10

Available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-Austin-Jerry-Lee-Lewis/dp/B000QFCD54/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1244190038&sr=1-2

Gun Club – Larger Than Live! (2008)

This is a live recording from 1992. The Gun club is a great favourite among many critics but I have never bought any records by them so this is my first. Thus I listened on with great expectations but unfortunately this was not good at all and t he record made me very disappointed! Additionally the sound on it is very crappy. This one will be included in my collection of records “played once – never again”.

Rating 3/10

Available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Larger-Than-Live-Gun-Club/dp/B0013N3XFM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1244189057&sr=1-5

The Proclaimers – The Best of the Proclaimers (2002)

The Scottish duo is a rather late find for me and this greatest hits collection sums them up quite well with their nice blend of pop, folk and harmonies with attitude. I’m always become happy when I listen to the Proclaimers! Highly recommended as an introduction to this great group!

Rating 7/10

Available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Proclaimers/dp/B000063984/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1244193647&sr=1-2

The Marvelettes - The Definitive Collection (2009)

Being very fond of girl-groups of the 60’s this greatest hits collection of Motown’s first no. 1 single hit group (‘Please Mr. Postman’) is a nice addition to mine or any other collection of timeless pop. I especially likes the up-tempo songs like ‘As long as I know he’s mine’ and ‘To many fish in the sea’.

Rating 5/10

Available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Definitive-Collection-Marvelettes/dp/B001EOQTPG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1244194304&sr=1-1

Raspberries – Raspberries Greatest (2005)

A favourite power-pop band from the early 70’s. The record include all their major hits (20 tracks) from the Capitol records years including such great tunes as “Go all the way”, “Drivin’ around”, “I’m a rocker” and “Crusin’ music”. If you like power-pop, a record with the Raspberries is a must in your collection.

Rating: 6/10

Available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Greatest-Raspberries/dp/B0008G2EVY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1244134444&sr=1-1

Betty Wright – My First Time Around (1968)

Soul-singer Betty Wrights first record from 1968 including her hit “Girls can’t do what the guys do”. Considering that she was only 15-years when this record was made, she has a very mature voice. Nice record for anyone who likes R&B or Soul. Not quite my taste.

Rating: 5/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Time-Around-Betty-Wright/dp/B0009OORS8/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1244134305&sr=1-10

Sorry and the Sinatras - Highball Roller (2009)

Scott Sorry is the present bass player in one of my absolute favourite bands of all time - the Wildhearts (which plays in Borlänge this summer!). The record is his project on the side of the Wildhearts and since there is no new Wildhearts record until the autumn this record can be a substitute. This is a good dose of high-energy punk with the typical pop feeling which exists in almost all side project to the Wildhearts. Of course I like this very much - perhaps the second best record this year?! No bad tracks at all - "Nose don't work" and "So far from home" are the favourites at the moment. The whole record is very similar as Danny McCormack's side project "The Yo-Yo's" (excellent band) but with marginally higher tempo. Good clean fun and highly recommended!

Rating 8/10

Available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Highball-Roller-Sorry-Sinatras/dp/B00274OC1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243360572&sr=1-1

Lennart Persson RIP

I've been reached by the sad news that Lennart Persson (1951-2009) has passed away after a short struggle with cancer. He will be much missed and he is possibly together with Mats Olsson the persons that have cost me most money in regarding of all their excellent recommendations on records and artists.

Lars Bygdén - This Road EP (with Ane Brun) (2005)

When I bought "Family Feeling", I also bought an older EP from EP with four songs. The first is a nice duet with Ane Brun ("This Road"). "Every Single Word" is a song that remains me why I liked the "Thousand Dollar Playboys" so much - Swedish cowboys! The two remaining songs are typical of his style.

Rating 7/10

Available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Road-With-Ane-Brun/dp/B001EREH8Y/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1242903086&sr=8-8

Lars Bygdén - Family Feelings (2009)

I was a great fan of "Thousand Dollar Playboys" and their version of Swedish alt-country. I especially liked the singers (Lars Bygdén) voice. The group split many years ago and I've missed that Bygdén have continued with a solo career, so I was positively surprised when I saw this record. The style and sound is a great continuation of TDP with the alt-country sound of great sadness and melancholy. I especially likes the slow waltz of the different version of "Family Feelings", the slow swing of "Good Times" and the folk-music sound of "Therapy".
Recommended!

Rating 7/10

Available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Family-Feeling-Interlude-Ii/dp/B0029LDJ3S/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1242902702&sr=8-5

Spotify playlist 0920

http://open.spotify.com/user/surfcity/playlist/44W9tqovPPZWmdnPVno44Z

A number of 60's style girl-groups and singers that I like.

The Felice Brothers - Yonder Is the Clock (2009)

A new band to me, the Felice Brothers plays and blend of roots rock and Americana. The record is very much Dylan and the Band and not really my usual kind of music but a weekend with 1000 kilometers in the car had me listen to the record several times and I found a couple of good tunes which I like. "Penn Station" rambles along together with "Chicken Wire", Run Chicken Run" and "Memphis Flu" and are all good fun. I also have a weak spot for waltzes and thus likes "Buried in Ice". Sometimes, the records is very melancholy and at times it is almost in Paul Westerberg areas in self-pity and that can't be bad!

Rating 6/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yonder-Clock-VINYL-Felice-Brothers/dp/B001T46U82/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1242058321&sr=1-2

The Ismus Ranch Record (2008)

This is a country record made as fund raising project to the Ismus Ranch in New Mexico, which works children with life-threatening illnesses. as all compilation records the result is not as good as the intention. However Dwight Yoakam does a very fun version of Doug Sahm's "Give Back The Key To My Heart". I also likes (as usual) Raul Malo's version of "Life Has Its Little Ups And Downs". A pleasant surprise is also Little Richard doing "I Ain't Never". A country version of "You've Got To Fight For Your Right To Party" by Big & Rich is also included.

Rating: 5/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Imus-Ranch-Record-Various-Artists/dp/B0017KVNQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1242058045&sr=1-1

Spotift Playlist 0919

http://open.spotify.com/user/surfcity/playlist/6NYhL7Xq8G0Wlz9o8D2OUr
Punk! A number of tunes that have a big place in my heart and mind.

Spotify Playlist 0918

http://open.spotify.com/user/surfcity/playlist/6uMSQmSIYAcrdU2QK3J4w6
This week’s list is a country-list with a combination of pure country and country rock that I like.

Teenage Bottlerocket – Warning Device (2008)

The second CD I’ve bought by this great pop-punk group. 13 songs, none of them more than 3 minutes (many of them less than 2 minutes), of absolute lovely pop-punk! Not quite as good as their first record (‘Total’) but still pure brain-dead fun! Being a fan of good pop-song with the speed, aggression and attack of punk music, this is the essence of what I like. Favourite tracks are ‘In the basement’ and ‘Totally Stupid’. This is a record that makes me happy. Recommended!

Rating 8/10

Available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Warning-Device-Teenage-Bottlerocket/dp/B0012Q3ZM6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1240741654&sr=1-1

Spotify Playlist 0917

http://open.spotify.com/user/surfcity/playlist/0JbB5AMU2WimRYhIxFceMA

A collection of covers that I like. Not very consistent but good clean fun!

The Kills – Midnight Boom (2008)

The Kills is a group that has received very good reviews from critics that I usually trust with good taste. But after having listening through this record a number of times, my opinion is the same for this records as for the last I bought with the group (“Keep on Your Mean Side”) – I’m not impressed… Don’t know if I’m in a bad mood today, but this isn’t up to my taste and now I’m giving up on them.

Rating 4/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Midnight-Boom-Kills/dp/B0012RCMO2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1240171051&sr=8-1

Dusty Springfield – Walk on by: The Greatest Hits (2008)

Even if I like female singers and girl groups from the 60’s, Dusty Springfield has always been a white spot on my map. Of course, I’ve heard “Son of a Preacher Man”, “Take another Little Piece Of My Heart”, “I just don't know what to do with myself” etc. but I’ve never bought any records. This double-CD collection with 45 songs gives a good coverage of her career. The songs mentioned above are great songs, but unfortunately this isn’t really me cup of tea. To much soul but without the ‘soul’ and to little pop for my taste. However. I’ll give the collection some time in the car to see if it develops.

Rating 5/10

Available from: http://ginza.se/Product/Product.aspx?Identifier=10323

My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade Is Dead: Live in Mexico City (2008)

My Chemical Romance is a group that I’ve missed but after hearing their version of Dylan’s ‘Desolation Row’ when the credits was rolling after ‘Watchmen’ (the best superhero/comic movie ever?!) I bought this record, which was recorded live in Mexico City in 2007. It’s a very nice live record with a number of nice songs. The beginning of the record with ‘Dead!’, ‘This Is How I Disappear’ and ‘The Sharpest Lives’ is magnificent. After this the record lose some momentum even if ‘Teenagers’ also is very good. However, to me this was a good introduction to the group and I will buy more records in the future.

Rating 6/10

The record is available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Parade-Dead-Live-Mexico/dp/B0012RCWZQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1239820454&sr=8-1

Mando Diao – Give Me Fire! (2009)

Mando Diao’s latest record continues in the same style as the previous. They have continued away from the very 60’s and Stonesque sound and toward their own sound. I liked ‘Never Seen the Light of Day’ a lot and this record continues in the same style. A lot of good songs including ‘Dance With Somebody’, ‘Come on Come on’ and ‘Leave My Fire’. If you have their previous records, this one contains no surprises and is a nice addition.

Rating 6/10

Available from: http://www.ginza.se/Product/Product.aspx?Identifier=10299

Jesus And Mary Chain - The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities (2008)

The new JAMC box sums up the career of this extraordinary group in the form of their b-sides and other rarities. However much has already been heard by the hardcore fans (especially if you have the “Barbed Wire Kisses” and “The Sound of Speed” records). Thus the box doesn’t add much more than showing that this is one of the greatest groups of all time and that their three first records probably is among my top-20 of all time. A box with 81 tracks of course covers many good songs including an excellent acoustic version of “Taste of Cindy” showing how good the pop-songs are behind all the white noise and feedback. Other good tracks are “Kill Surf City” and “Everything’s alright when you’re down” (excellent title on a song!).
Recommended to the fans!

Rating 8/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Negative-Thinking-B-Sides-Rarities/dp/B000TXNBDQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1238913583&sr=1-3

Raul Malo – Lucky One (2009)

A new solo record from the Mavericks’ singer. As with his other solo records, this is a very good one from one of the great voices of today. This one sounds more than a “Mavericks” record than his previous one, but since I like this group a lot this doesn’t matters even if I have liked the more varied sound on his previous solo records. All songs are good and includes a good mix of typical Malo/Mavericks songs.
Recommended!

Rating 8/10

The record is available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lucky-One-Raul-Malo/dp/B001Q7JM0U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1238832497&sr=1-1