The Scofflaws

Prince Paul, “Psycho Linguistics (Convergent Thought)”

Before his masterpiece, A Prince Among Thieves, Prince Paul released an uneven first solo record, Psychoanalysis: What Is It?. There are some good tunes on it, but a lot of kind of self-indulgent meandering, so it’s probably not worth pursuing too much unless you’re very curious.

Thantifaxath, “Eternally Falling”

Thantifaxath have only made one album, Sacred White Noise, but it’s a banger. It’s black metal, but it uses a ton of atmosphere to generate a consistently creepy tone without just relying on howling fury. The ability to dial it back manages to throw the chaotic moments into greater contrast. Mastery of dynamics is such an important thing for all bands, but especially extreme metal bands. Keeping everything on 11 all the time just results in fatigue.

Dire Omen, “Malkuth”

I’m not entirely sure where this came from. Discogs says it was a 2018 release, and by then, I’ve been buying virtually all of my music on Bandcamp. But Bandcamp says I don’t own this. So, I dunno? Let’s listen together…pretty murky. Doesn’t particularly grab me. Oh well!

Courtney Barnett, “City Looks Pretty”

Everybody loved Barnett’s first album, your humble host included. Her proper followup, Tell Me How You Really Feel, doesn’t have quite the impact as the first one. It’s certainly still good, but it doesn’t have the same kind of outsider edge as the first album.

Bought tickets to see Shellac today. Nice! Today’s music.

The Cows, “Camouflage Monkey”

More old stuff from the Cows. This was originally on Daddy Has A Tail, when the Cows were still very much still figuring out what the hell they were doing. I’m not suggesting they ever figured it out, exactly, but they became more confident in their nonsense.

Sorcier des Glaces, “The Frozen Sword of Midnight”

I hope that, one day, there will be some rapper or something who makes a song called something like “The Frozen Sword of Midnight” (it will probably be one associated with the Wu-Tang Clan). In the meantime, you’ll have to rely on metal bands to get your “somehow this sounds like a doodle on a Trapper Keeper” vibe. Does this song start with weather noises? You know it! Are there candelabras on the album cover? Fuck and yes there are! Is the track longer than nine minutes? GODDAMN RIGHT IT IS!

Spastic noise punk, power pop, third wave ska, rap, bombastic post-rock: this is just about the full gamut for Five Songs!

UFO Or Die, “0 Or 1ers”

Uh, yeah. UFO Or Die isn’t exactly random noise, but it’s not THAT far from it, either.

The New Pornographers, “Centre For Holy Wars”

We’ve heard from A.C. Newman before with Zumpano, but here he is with the band he’s best known for, the New Pornographers. Started as something of a supergroup with Newman, Dan Bejar (Destroyer), and Neko Case (all of whom we’ll hear from with their other acts), the New Pornographers took a while to turn from a lark into a real band. But, they finally put out their debut album, Mass Romantic, and it’s a corker. Fully embracing power pop, it’s one of the catchiest and most fun albums in my collection. And, sorry, if you don’t love “Letter From An Occupant”, you’re dead inside.

I don’t have a ton to say about these tracks, although there are a couple of truly great songs on the list. I figure, if I don’t have a ton to say, better to keep these things simple.

Kendrick Lamar, “The Blacker The Berry”

To Pimp a Butterfly was my favorite album of 2015, and this track is one of the hardest hitting songs on it.

Boss Hog, “Gerard”

Another scuzz rock track from Cold Hands, full of the same kind of distorted churn that that record is populated with.

Been a little while since we’ve hit any ska. Fixed that today! PICK IT UP, PICK IT UP, PICK IT UP!

The Scofflaws, “Spider On My Bed”

Another New York third-wave band, the Scofflaws were distinguished by…well, let’s be honest, nothing. But, they had solid chops, were amusing without being too smug, and wrote some good songs, so they’re worth a go. This is from Ska In Hi-Fi, their best album, featuring as it does odes to nude beaches and William Shatner.