R.A.D Vinyl

On the Turntable- Susan SurfTone- Shore (Acme Brothers Records)

Buy it here: http://susansurftone.com/Purchase.html

Surf music has a special place in my heart as well as a small section carved out in my record collection. You will find the likes of Dick Dale and The Trashmen shelved alongside your instrumental bands like The Ventures and The Astronauts who dabbled in surf. All of the records that occupy that small section have the ability to transport a summer day into something special. Whether you’re cruising to the beach with the windows down or firing up the grill in the backyard on a warm sunny day surf music is the best soundtrack. Modern acts have incorporated the surf vibes into their music with the twangy reverbed out fender sound and the extended snare drum rolls but few have set out to make a full on surf album. Susan SurfTone has stepped up and done so with “Shore.” 11 tracks with one word titles all under 4 minutes finished off with a 12th; a killer 7 minute plus instrumental cover of The Doors “Riders on the Storm.” The amps are cranked on this album and the kitschy vibes are authentic.The craftsmanship is superb, nailing the 60’s instrumental sound with some fantastic guitar playing from Susan. This is a modern surf gem that deserves a place alongside those dusty Ventures records.

Trophy Wife 7” (Private Leisure Industries)

buy it here: http://www.privateleisure.org/

The low bass growl and a buzzing electric guitar lead the way on the killer “Stella,My Star” the a side off the new Trophy Wife 7”. The drumming is a minimal tribal tom and kick beat driving the song forward but never veering off course. The vocals are very reminiscent of Kim Gordon so one can’t help but think of Sonic Youth but it works great on this track. The b side forgoes the grit of the flip side and goes for a dark and dreamy synth pop sound that devolves as the track goes along . Both tracks are amazing and the fact that they are so different really make for a great 7”. Available on black vinyl with a great picture sleeve.

Nervous Curtains-Fake Infinity (Latest Flame Records)

buy it here: http://www.latestflame.com/

Latest Flame Records recently released the new Nervous Curtains record “Fake Infinity” on black vinyl with a printed lyric sheet. Nervous Curtains continue on this record to weave a strange web of dramatic synth based gothic post-punk. The tracks are cinematic in scope yet the three piece set up keeps “Fake Infinity” grounded and minimal enough to keep that post-punk edge. The album is soaked with buzzing analog sounds, angular riffs and propulsive krautrock drumming. The whole affair is dark and bizarre with lyrics that are intriguing and beguiling with some great hooks thrown into the mix. Nervous Curtains are nearing the end of their tour but Milwaukee you have a chance to see them 4/13 @Riverwest Public House w/Catacombz and IfIHadAHifi.

Axxess-Novels for the Moons (Medical Records)

Buy it here: http://medical-records.org/

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 Medical Records has quickly become one of my favorite labels around today. Even though I am always hesitant to buy reissues, Medical Records easily erases my hesitancy with killer packaging, high quality vinyl and limited pressings of rare records. Medical Records focuses on the crazy world of synthesizer music back in the heyday of analog equipment. The newest release is Axxess Novels for the Moons. Axxess is the brainchild of French multimedia artist Patrick Mimran. Mr. Mimran was co-director of Lamborghini Motors (along with his brother) at the time and fittingly released the album on the imprint Lamborghini Records. Mimran commissioned the German engineer Andreas Bahrdt to build a custom complex synthesizer which eventually materialized into a sixteen voice analog synthesizer. Mimran then used the synth to record 15 sequenced instrumentals that are absolutely essential for fans of analog music, Kraut and Cosmic Disco alike. It’s hard to explain how amazing this record really is, the upbeat driving pulse, the circular rhythms, and the sick synth tones will leave you entranced. Think the offspring of Kraftwerk and John Carpenter and you’re starting to get the idea. Tracks like “Kissing the Desert Ghost” and “Slower Combing Eggs” blew my mind while the nature channel sounds of “Owls” had my two year old running around the house making monkey sounds. In reality there isn’t a bad track on here. Novels for the Moons is fun and unique and comes on a gorgeous 180g yellow vinyl in a limited pressing of 1000. Medical Records, like the original records they repress, tend to sell out so don’t sleep on this record. 

IfIHadAHiFi- Nada Surf EP +3 (Latest Flame Records)

Buy it Here: http://www.latestflame.com/

IfIHadAHiFi are a band that don’t take themselves to seriously yet they take the music they make very seriously. Naming the album Nada Surf +3 was little more than a chance to poke fun of Nada Surf who used If-I-Had-AHiFi for the title of one of their records. Full disclosure I have worked with the bass player of this band for over 5 years and our bands have played together once or twice. Every once in awhile I would hear a sneak peak at these tracks. It is great to finally sit down and hear the entire album. In typical HiFi fashion this is an upfront and in your face ordeal with songs littered with feedback, chaotic synth noise and effected vocals. All of the songs are teetering on the verge of collapse and the band is ready to go down with the ship. The best part about the HiFi is that behind the noise and the sound effects is a band that takes good hooks seriously. The lyrics may be quirky and the songs may have a circus like atmosphere of pandemonium but you will still find yourself singing along at some point. Pick up this record and be prepared for a whirlwind ride with a lot of crazy twists and turns. Pressed on black vinyl.

The Walkabouts (Fin Records)

Buy it Here: http://finrecords.com/store-t417/the-walkabouts.aspx

The Walkabouts are fresh off a successful European tour that saw them playing to sold out crowds in several countries. Fin Records has hooked up with The Walkabouts to  release a series of 7”s from the bands Travels in the Dustland. The “My Diviner” 7” is the first and is a pressing of 1,000 on clear vinyl with only the faintest tint of a greenish blue coloring. Song lyrics adorn the custom inner sleeve and the outer sleeve has a barren desert image that matches the music perfectly. “My Diviner” is an atmospheric ballad with swells of sound playing backdrop to strong lyrical content. The Walkabouts provide a hushed effortlessness to their dusty Americana. B side “Neu Death Valley” is a subtle wash of texture with an organic banjo plucking away alongside the flowing tones. The Walkabouts are a band that knows how to create a mood perfect for a desolate journey and they have provided a fine start to their series of 7”s for Fin Records. 

Virginia Plain 7” (All Hands Electric)

Buy it here: http://allhandselectric.com/virginia_plain.html

Virginia Plain deliver a sprawling synth pop odyssey on their 7” for All Hands Electric. Drawing on vintage 80’s analog sounds and epic production this is a 7” you don’t want to miss out on, which could be easy since it is limited to 200 copies on black vinyl. All Hands Electric say this is just a teaser for a full album to follow so get to know Virginia Plain before they blow your mind with a full-length. Both tracks are amazing with the B side being slightly darker straddling the lines between synth pop and shoegaze. If your a fan of the CHROMATICS or Soft Metals you will find yourself loving Virginia Plain.