Brad Stengel's Magical Musical Orgy of Sound

jackhammer · 06-03-2009, 12:41 PM

I'm glad you liked it. Unfortunately I don't know of anythin similarg. Holler back if you do find anything similar though please.

Brad Stengel · 07-05-2009, 01:38 AM

GUIDED BY VOICES
ALIEN LANES

As I write this, my ex-girlfriend/roomate is ****ing some dude in our room, my n, b, and space bar keys are broken, and im shattered on the pullout couch, writing on a site for music nerds. ALIEN LANES is playing, and I can't help but feel the same identifiability and warmth as I did years earlier when I first heard PAVEMENT's second album.

This is healing pop music, like NMH. It's like Picasso, yeah, you think you coulda done it, but you didn't, did you?

Piss Me Off · 07-05-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Stengel

This is healing pop music, like NMH. It's like Picasso, yeah, you think you coulda done it, but you didn't, did you?

Modern art in general really.

Brad Stengel · 03-26-2013, 07:19 PM

So after an extremely brief hiatus, I've decided to revive this journal. I know it hasn't been long since I've last posted, but I feel as though I may have to alter the format a bit to reflect my more recent tastes.

So further on out, the entries posted here shall be...

THE 100 BEST GARAGE/PUNK TRACKS: 2002-2012

Entries will be brief, and when able I'll link to the actual youtube (if it's only on youtube live I won't even bother. Feel free to contribute your own discoveries as the amount of music in these genres is pretty much infinite, even if you add a time constraint.

**Janszoon** · 03-26-2013, 07:40 PM

Hey! Nice to see you around again!

Brad Stengel · 03-26-2013, 10:11 PM

100.Charlie and the Moonhearts- "Thunderbeast"
2008, Laguna Beach, CA

Kind of a messy noisy mess that attempts briefly during the verses to latch on to a surf rhythm. I have the album (same title as the song) and this is the only track I remember being worth mentioning

99.The Traditional Fools- "Layback!!!"
2008, San Francisco, CA

If you've ever heard The Untamed Youth's "Pabst Blue Ribbon", you pretty much understand the idea of this song. Super simple variations on one riff, pausing to yell the title. This is one of the punchier sounding selections from the surf-punk vaults however, making it worthy of the list.

98.El Paso Hot Button- "Snake Boy Lives in the Mississippi"
2007, Oklahoma City, OK

The first of many one-man-sludge-blues bands. Personally, when it comes to blues, especially newer stuff, I strictly only take to the really filthy recordings. Not necessarily poor quality, I just like it to sound like you're going to have to scrape the mud out of your speakers after, which this song definitely does an excellent job of. Ruining your electronics.

97.Intelligence- "Garbage in, Garbage Out"
2005, Seattle, WA

Now is a good time to point out that as I start this list, the lions share of less poppy tracks are going to be more concentrated in the 90's through 50's of this list. Personally, I'll take a well crafted pop tune over a pile of noise 9 times out of 10. That being said, these noisier punk songs still have a lot to them. This one's got a winning combo of bullhorn vocals, out of tune sludgy guitar work, and a drum beat in desperate need of a defibrillator.

96.The Hunches- "Ate My Teeth"
2009, Portland, OR

Another noisy track, much faster though, and even with a (saxophone?) obnoxiously wailing at the end. This one kind of goes the opposite direction as "Garbage In, Garbage Out", as it chaotically attempts to switch gears periodically.

After reading that sticky from Urban, I'm gonna try to keep the youtube posts to a minimum. That being said, here's The Hunches!

Brad Stengel · 03-27-2013, 10:17 PM

95. The Glamour Pussies- "Wont Take It Up the Ass"

San Francisco, CA?, 2002, "Glamour Pussies EP"

The Glamour Pussies do some pretty abrasive punk songs, this one sounding similar to a lot of early 80's hardcore. From what I can make out from the lyrics, somebody is on "the rag", and they only use their asses, "to go poo". It sounds juvenile, (and it is to an extant, as should be most punk) but it's good punk rock, Kathleen Hannah would be proud.

94. Cheap Time- "Penny and Jenny"

Nashville, TN, 2009, "Woodland Drive 7"

The first of several cuts in this list featuring Jeffrey Novak, an extraordinarily under-looked figure in the national scene. This is his most "punk" band, his other projects focusing on whimsy Kinks fetishism and one man band blues scum. You may remember Cheap Time getting brief coverage on Pitchfork when Jay Reatard was blowing up, as they were both on the excellent label In the Red. Overall I don't find Cheap Time to be anything that special aong similar Tennessee acts, but this is still a really tight, spunky little ditty.

93. Magic Kids- "Good to Be"

Memphis, TN, 2009, "Memphis"

As I made my list closer towards the top, I realized a lot of the punk/garage got poppy enough to be considered straight up indie-pop. I still couldn't tell you the difference between the genres when fidelity is taken out of the equation. This is a simple guitar back, with some hand-claps, goofy vocals, and an entire keyboard orchestra. Catchy as hell, although I admit it does get a bit too happy-go-lucky for me at times. In any case, excellent feel-good music.

92. Boston *****s- "Swollen Useless"

Memphis, TN, 2007, "Jay Reatard/Boston *****s Split 7'"

Let me start by respectfully admitting that the A-Side "Let It All Go" by Jay Reatard is one of the greatest punk/garage songs of all time, and virtually everything put onto a B-Side of such a track would be disappointing. In any case, this track still does maintain an extremely high level of quality on Side B, making this one of my favorite 45's of all time (Not that I own a hard copy-this is strict music collector's theory from the digital age) An excellent balance between fun catch and an urgency underlined by some excellent guitar work.

91. Crusaders of Love- "Next Summer"

Lille, France, 2012, "Take It Easy...But Take It"

Like I stated before, this genre is truly endless, and despite making this list in advance (eventually if anybody's interested I'd be happy to message you all these tracks), I found this one merely hours ago. Luckily It's still early in the list, and since I've decided to use only one track from each group, it makes it easy to make room to insert artists I've overlooked. A somber, sloppy sad garage song from France. It nails everything that it hammers towards.

Brad Stengel · 03-29-2013, 10:13 PM

90. Dan Melchior und Das Menace- "Williamsburg, Brooklyn"

Durham, NC, 2009, "Thankyou Very Much"

This is a simple pop song with a hilarious message. "All these musicians that don't write any songs; let's relocate them to ghettos in the city; the Starbucks will pop up before long"

[CENTER]

89. Needy Visions- "Endless Possibilities"

Boston, MA, 2009, "Thankyou Very Much"

Excellent pop song. All of this music is my pop, you see, despite its anti-mainstream characteristics.

88. Dum Dum Girls- "Catholicked"

Los Angeles, CA, 2010, "Blissed Out"

Excellent girl punk. I wish there were more female bands for me to comment on honestly. Bullhorn vocals despite low guitar.

87. Catholic Boys- "Psycho Voodoo Mind Control"

Milwaukee, WI, 2004, "Thankyou Very Much"

Very abrasive, yet poppy. This band does an excellent of being tough, and yet listenable. Get it NOW.

86. The Intellectuals- "Go to The Beach With Cinnamon Girl"

Rome, Italy, 2006, "Invisible Is the Best"

Generic, wonderful Garage Punk. The dude who made the compilation I took most of this from is Italian, so there's a good deal of Italian Garage. It all RULES though. good for them.

Brad Stengel · 03-30-2013, 09:48 AM

85. Estrogen Highs- "Friends, Family, LSD"

New Haven, CT, 2008, "Thankyou Very Much"

This is one of those songs that doesn't need to be heavily distorted because the energy is simply in the music. They also came out with a record last year! I haven't heard it. This song has my approval, however.

84.The Dirtbombs- "All My Friends Must Be Punished"

Detroit, MI, 2005, "If You Don't Already Have A Look"

"Ultraglide In Black" is the go-to album, (It was actually recommended to me through this site), but this is the illest of jams. Very laid back vocals against a cacophony of garage riffs.

83.FNU Ronnies- "Meat"

Philadelphia, PA, 2008, "Meat EP"

This sounds like you would get injured if you were to see it live.

82.Apache Dropout- "Shot Down"

Bloomington, IN, 2011, "Shot Down/Sister Burnout 7'"

If it weren't so lo-fi, this could be a White Stripes single. The break sounds exactly like Pink Floyd. DOWNLOAD IT.

To tell you the truth, the "rateyourmusic" user that supplies all of my garage rock rated this #1 of 2011. I disagree, but maybe you wont!

Apache Dropout - Shot Down [2011] - YouTube

81.Bad Sports- "Stuff"

Denton, TX, 2012, "Red Overlay/Stuff 7'"

The brilliance behind this track is that anybody reading this right now could have wrote it, despite that it's an imeccable pop track, between the buried backups, and the brief start/stops.

Bad Sports - Stuff - YouTube

Brad Stengel · 03-30-2013, 11:20 AM

75. Ed Schrader's Music Beat- "When I'm In A Car"

Baltimore, MD, 2012, "Jazz Mind"

I saw Ed first opening for Deerhunter/Dan Deacon/No Age on their "round robin" tour. Blew me away. One man and a snare drum had more energy than the 12 guys I payed to see. He got a bassist but he's still every bit as good.

74. Reigning Sound- "Time Bomb High School"

Memphis, TN, 2002, "Time Bomb High School"

Probably the leaders of the garage rock scene since the Exploding Hearts died. Excellent chorus. They still make good music, this one is my favorite though.

73. Thee Makeout Party!- "Wreckless Epic"

Anaheim, CA, 2008, "Time Bomb High School"

Really epic adolescent jam. That's what this is all about though. Never heard the rest of the album. Probably sucks to be honest.

72. The Bobbyteens- "Be My Baby"

CA, 2004, "Cruisin' For A Bruisin'"

Very excellent "girl-punk" although I hate the term. None of these women are attractive, solidifying the music as amazing.

71. Batman and Robin- "Whatever, I Hate Rock and Roll"

?, 2007, "Who the **** Is Superman?'"

"Oh Batman, do you like rock and roll music?"
"Whatever. I hate rock and roll, Robin"

06-03-2009, 12:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	I'm glad you liked it. Unfortunately I don't know of anythin similarg. Holler back if you do find anything similar though please. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

07-05-2009, 01:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	GUIDED BY VOICES ALIEN LANES As I write this, my ex-girlfriend/roomate is ****ing some dude in our room, my n, b, and space bar keys are broken, and im shattered on the pullout couch, writing on a site for music nerds. ALIEN LANES is playing, and I can't help but feel the same identifiability and warmth as I did years earlier when I first heard PAVEMENT's second album. This is healing pop music, like NMH. It's like Picasso, yeah, you think you coulda done it, but you didn't, did you? __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo

03-26-2013, 07:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	New! So after an extremely brief hiatus, I've decided to revive this journal. I know it hasn't been long since I've last posted, but I feel as though I may have to alter the format a bit to reflect my more recent tastes. So further on out, the entries posted here shall be... THE 100 BEST GARAGE/PUNK TRACKS: 2002-2012 Entries will be brief, and when able I'll link to the actual youtube (if it's only on youtube live I won't even bother. Feel free to contribute your own discoveries as the amount of music in these genres is pretty much infinite, even if you add a time constraint. __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo

03-26-2013, 07:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Hey! Nice to see you around again! __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

03-26-2013, 10:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	100.Charlie and the Moonhearts- "Thunderbeast" 2008, Laguna Beach, CA Kind of a messy noisy mess that attempts briefly during the verses to latch on to a surf rhythm. I have the album (same title as the song) and this is the only track I remember being worth mentioning 99.The Traditional Fools- "Layback!!!" 2008, San Francisco, CA If you've ever heard The Untamed Youth's "Pabst Blue Ribbon", you pretty much understand the idea of this song. Super simple variations on one riff, pausing to yell the title. This is one of the punchier sounding selections from the surf-punk vaults however, making it worthy of the list. 98.El Paso Hot Button- "Snake Boy Lives in the Mississippi" 2007, Oklahoma City, OK The first of many one-man-sludge-blues bands. Personally, when it comes to blues, especially newer stuff, I strictly only take to the really filthy recordings. Not necessarily poor quality, I just like it to sound like you're going to have to scrape the mud out of your speakers after, which this song definitely does an excellent job of. Ruining your electronics. 97.Intelligence- "Garbage in, Garbage Out" 2005, Seattle, WA Now is a good time to point out that as I start this list, the lions share of less poppy tracks are going to be more concentrated in the 90's through 50's of this list. Personally, I'll take a well crafted pop tune over a pile of noise 9 times out of 10. That being said, these noisier punk songs still have a lot to them. This one's got a winning combo of bullhorn vocals, out of tune sludgy guitar work, and a drum beat in desperate need of a defibrillator. 96.The Hunches- "Ate My Teeth" 2009, Portland, OR Another noisy track, much faster though, and even with a (saxophone?) obnoxiously wailing at the end. This one kind of goes the opposite direction as "Garbage In, Garbage Out", as it chaotically attempts to switch gears periodically. After reading that sticky from Urban, I'm gonna try to keep the youtube posts to a minimum. That being said, here's The Hunches! __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo

03-27-2013, 10:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	95. The Glamour Pussies- "Wont Take It Up the Ass" San Francisco, CA?, 2002, "Glamour Pussies EP" The Glamour Pussies do some pretty abrasive punk songs, this one sounding similar to a lot of early 80's hardcore. From what I can make out from the lyrics, somebody is on "the rag", and they only use their asses, "to go poo". It sounds juvenile, (and it is to an extant, as should be most punk) but it's good punk rock, Kathleen Hannah would be proud. 94. Cheap Time- "Penny and Jenny" Nashville, TN, 2009, "Woodland Drive 7" The first of several cuts in this list featuring Jeffrey Novak, an extraordinarily under-looked figure in the national scene. This is his most "punk" band, his other projects focusing on whimsy Kinks fetishism and one man band blues scum. You may remember Cheap Time getting brief coverage on Pitchfork when Jay Reatard was blowing up, as they were both on the excellent label In the Red. Overall I don't find Cheap Time to be anything that special aong similar Tennessee acts, but this is still a really tight, spunky little ditty. 93. Magic Kids- "Good to Be" Memphis, TN, 2009, "Memphis" As I made my list closer towards the top, I realized a lot of the punk/garage got poppy enough to be considered straight up indie-pop. I still couldn't tell you the difference between the genres when fidelity is taken out of the equation. This is a simple guitar back, with some hand-claps, goofy vocals, and an entire keyboard orchestra. Catchy as hell, although I admit it does get a bit too happy-go-lucky for me at times. In any case, excellent feel-good music. 92. Boston *s- "Swollen Useless" Memphis, TN, 2007, "Jay Reatard/Boston ***s Split 7'" Let me start by respectfully admitting that the A-Side "Let It All Go" by Jay Reatard is one of the greatest punk/garage songs of all time, and virtually everything put onto a B-Side of such a track would be disappointing. In any case, this track still does maintain an extremely high level of quality on Side B, making this one of my favorite 45's of all time (Not that I own a hard copy-this is strict music collector's theory from the digital age) An excellent balance between fun catch and an urgency underlined by some excellent guitar work. 91. Crusaders of Love- "Next Summer"** Lille, France, 2012, "Take It Easy...But Take It" Like I stated before, this genre is truly endless, and despite making this list in advance (eventually if anybody's interested I'd be happy to message you all these tracks), I found this one merely hours ago. Luckily It's still early in the list, and since I've decided to use only one track from each group, it makes it easy to make room to insert artists I've overlooked. A somber, sloppy sad garage song from France. It nails everything that it hammers towards. __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo

03-29-2013, 10:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	90. Dan Melchior und Das Menace- "Williamsburg, Brooklyn" Durham, NC, 2009, "Thankyou Very Much" This is a simple pop song with a hilarious message. "All these musicians that don't write any songs; let's relocate them to ghettos in the city; the Starbucks will pop up before long" [CENTER] 89. Needy Visions- "Endless Possibilities" Boston, MA, 2009, "Thankyou Very Much" Excellent pop song. All of this music is my pop, you see, despite its anti-mainstream characteristics. 88. Dum Dum Girls- "Catholicked" Los Angeles, CA, 2010, "Blissed Out" Excellent girl punk. I wish there were more female bands for me to comment on honestly. Bullhorn vocals despite low guitar. 87. Catholic Boys- "Psycho Voodoo Mind Control" Milwaukee, WI, 2004, "Thankyou Very Much" Very abrasive, yet poppy. This band does an excellent of being tough, and yet listenable. Get it NOW. 86. The Intellectuals- "Go to The Beach With Cinnamon Girl" Rome, Italy, 2006, "Invisible Is the Best" Generic, wonderful Garage Punk. The dude who made the compilation I took most of this from is Italian, so there's a good deal of Italian Garage. It all RULES though. good for them. __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo Last edited by Brad Stengel; 03-30-2013 at 07:51 AM.

03-30-2013, 09:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	85. Estrogen Highs- "Friends, Family, LSD" New Haven, CT, 2008, "Thankyou Very Much" This is one of those songs that doesn't need to be heavily distorted because the energy is simply in the music. They also came out with a record last year! I haven't heard it. This song has my approval, however. 84.The Dirtbombs- "All My Friends Must Be Punished" Detroit, MI, 2005, "If You Don't Already Have A Look" "Ultraglide In Black" is the go-to album, (It was actually recommended to me through this site), but this is the illest of jams. Very laid back vocals against a cacophony of garage riffs. 83.FNU Ronnies- "Meat" Philadelphia, PA, 2008, "Meat EP" This sounds like you would get injured if you were to see it live. 82.Apache Dropout- "Shot Down" Bloomington, IN, 2011, "Shot Down/Sister Burnout 7'" If it weren't so lo-fi, this could be a White Stripes single. The break sounds exactly like Pink Floyd. DOWNLOAD IT. To tell you the truth, the "rateyourmusic" user that supplies all of my garage rock rated this #1 of 2011. I disagree, but maybe you wont! Apache Dropout - Shot Down [2011] - YouTube 81.Bad Sports- "Stuff" Denton, TX, 2012, "Red Overlay/Stuff 7'" The brilliance behind this track is that anybody reading this right now could have wrote it, despite that it's an imeccable pop track, between the buried backups, and the brief start/stops. Bad Sports - Stuff - YouTube __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo

03-30-2013, 11:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	75. Ed Schrader's Music Beat- "When I'm In A Car" Baltimore, MD, 2012, "Jazz Mind" I saw Ed first opening for Deerhunter/Dan Deacon/No Age on their "round robin" tour. Blew me away. One man and a snare drum had more energy than the 12 guys I payed to see. He got a bassist but he's still every bit as good. 74. Reigning Sound- "Time Bomb High School" Memphis, TN, 2002, "Time Bomb High School" Probably the leaders of the garage rock scene since the Exploding Hearts died. Excellent chorus. They still make good music, this one is my favorite though. 73. Thee Makeout Party!- "Wreckless Epic" Anaheim, CA, 2008, "Time Bomb High School" Really epic adolescent jam. That's what this is all about though. Never heard the rest of the album. Probably sucks to be honest. 72. The Bobbyteens- "Be My Baby" CA, 2004, "Cruisin' For A Bruisin'" Very excellent "girl-punk" although I hate the term. None of these women are attractive, solidifying the music as amazing. 71. Batman and Robin- "Whatever, I Hate Rock and Roll" ?, 2007, "Who the **** Is Superman?'" "Oh Batman, do you like rock and roll music?" "Whatever. I hate rock and roll, Robin" __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo Last edited by Brad Stengel; 03-30-2013 at 01:40 PM.