Archive For The “Rock” Category
“I got some John Coltrane on the stereo, baby…” The first paisley underground act to get signed to a major label, Dream Syndicate were the eye catching facet of a movement that included the Long Ryders, Green on Red and the Rain Parade. Where many of these bands channeled the Byrds and the garage sound 
A rare moment of staggering (sic) genius from the godfather of punk. Recorded after the Stooges broke up for the first time, the crunching tones of ’1969′ and ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ are here eschewed in favour of a more melodic, bluesey palette, strongly reminiscent of Keith Richards in Sticky Fingered pomp. ‘Lucky Monkeys’ 
Take one part Vampire Weekend, one part Jonathan Richman and stir vigorously. Throw in a smidgen of Dick Dale and a respectful nod in the direction of the Cure and you might well think that you have a recipe for aural purgatory. For reasons I cannot fathom, this record fails to irritate, indeed it is 
An absolutely furious recording. Drumming of splendid brutality embellished with cascading guitars and vocal harmonies that surely originate from a demented barbershop in hell’s deepest circle. In truth this record adds a degree of sophistication to the lupine oevre and in so doing subtracts nothing from the gleefully deranged experience that listening to Wolf Parade 
The coolest band in rock, absolutely no question. Of all their impeccable albums, Countdown to Ecstasy, along with Gaucho is the one I return to most. In retrospect, the most staggering thing about Steely Dan was the fact that year on year they released album after album, each one building on the achievements of its 
