Hello - got some great albums this week!

The Groundhogs - Split Shadows (1972)

This seldom seen, great-sounding bootleg, is of a live performance in front of what sounds to be a very small audience at Ardent Studios in Memphis Tennessee, which was originally broadcast on radio station WMC FM-100 June 8 1972. You just have to hear the 22 minute version of "Still A Fool". Awesome is the only word to describe this and every Groundhogs fan needs to get this. The covers I made myself - the covers that I got with this can be got at cover-paradies, but they are very poor and have the wrong info.

1. - Eccentric Man (5:11)
2. - Music Is The Food Of Thought (5:07)
3. - Still A Fool (22:35)
4. - Split Part 1 (10:57)
5. - Ground Hog Blues (9:51)
6. - Cherry Red/Split Part 2 (10:51)

Part 1 Part 2

Magma - Kobaïa (1970)

Magma's debut was originally released as a double album, how many bands would have the cojones to do that? The music is what you might call challenging - you might give this a shot and come back to it later if you find it too weird - chances are you will end up liking it. There are soft beautiful passages mixing it up with some that are intense and disturbing, it's all very avante-garde. Sometimes jazzy, sometimes classical-sounding, even operatic, always inventive and energetic - the album supposedly tells a story about the inhabitants of the planet Kobaïa, but since I don't understand the language I don't have a clue what is going on. I don't really need one though do I? I'm pretty sure this is a masterpiece of some kind!

Part 1 Part 2

Bachdenkel - Stalingrad (1977)

Bachdenkel's second and last album was released six years or so after their first album, "Lemmings". This reissue has 10 bonus tracks, singles and live material, that are all worthwhile. Bachdenkel made a kind of progressive rock that is thoughtful and intelligent, with great vocals and beautiful lyrics. Light on the keyboards, mostly two guitars, bass and drums, and vocals. If you like this you will really like Lemmings, which I posted February 27, 2007.

My rip @ High VBR w/scans

Part 1 Part 2

Mon Dyh - Confused Mind (1981)

I guess a lot of people have a favorite obscure band, that they can't figure out why people don't go ape when they hear them. Mon Dyh is it for me. I own all three of their CD's and can listen to any of them at any time. Low-key blues based rock, nothing here will knock your socks off, but if you give it your full attention you will see that it is nearly perfect - musicianship, songwriting, vocals, production. Not to mention Andreas Pröhl's guitar playing. Jeez I just love this band - but there is no info at all about them on the net. Obviously their albums have been reissued so they can't be totally forgotten. I think these guys were great, but it could just be "me and me and my my confused mind"!

My rip @ High VBR w/scans

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Quatermass - Quatermass (1970)

The only album from this power trio (keyboards, bass, drums) is a volatile mixture of hard rock and prog. The second track, "Black Sheep Of The Family", was later covered by Rainbow. The keyboard player, Peter Robinson, later of Brand X, is on fire throughout most of this. The bass player/vocalist, John Gustafson, has a voice that is perfect for this, and drummer Mick Underwood is no slouch. A damn good album!

Part 1 Part 2

Peter Frohmader - Nekropolis 2 (1982)

The eight tracks on this album were made to be soundtracks for some short films made by Swiss artist H.R. Geiger - anybody know if these Geiger films are online anywhere? Anyway this is some great experimental/avant garde music. This is the kind of stuff you listen to alone, late at night, with headphones. Pretty much like a cross between electronic krautrock, proto-industrial, and Magma! The more Frohmader I hear, the more I like this guy - I'm gonna start buying some of his CD's I think. Awesome.

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OK then see you later!