NSC Easter Bunny CD 2015

[DavePage]

Safe European Home – The Clash: Great opener, I probably need to give ‘Give Em Enough Rope more of a go, I know and love the albums either side of it.
One Foot In The Honky Tonk – Jason Ringenberg: I’m not a major fan of country but I quite liked this.
Some Kind of Hero - Wilko Johnson : Excellent country blues, for some reason I’ve never listened to Wilko or Dr. Feelgood, need to remedy that at some point.
Bloody – The Golinksi Brothers: I quite liked the naïve lyrics but they sounded like second wave punk Madness, just not very well executed.
Sinking Gondola – The Exclusives: Complemented the previous band excellently, appeared to be cut from the same cloth but just did everything a bit better.
Just Another Teenage Anthem – Secret Affair: Sounded a little like Buzzcocks to me, decent enough.
Twenty Flight Rock – Eddie Cochran: So Britain had our own Elvis? Absolutely outstanding track, I’ve just read about his tragically short life. I’ll definitely investigate this further.
There’s a Ghost In My House- R. Dean Taylor: The first couple of times I listened through this, I missed this song. It’s an absolute blinder, sounds like a Motown rock and roll band, which is what they were, I understand. I’ve just come to realisation that I know very little about music recorded pre-1965
One Fine Day – Chiffons : I had the feeling I’d heard this song before, very familiar. I’m a sucker for the Phil Spector sounding Girl Band stuff, this is an excellent example of that.
Back on The Radio – Hiss: I should have liked this but I could never lose a smell of inauthenticity around it’s retro rock template. Like a lobotomised Stooges.
Got Me Under Pressure – ZZ Top: Can’t really argue with this, well executed old fashioned bluesy rock.
Transmission – Joy Division: An absolute classic.
Up The Junction – Squeeze: Really, really good song. Squeeze are a band I’ve not paid enough attention to.
What a Wonderful World – Joey Ramone: Nahhhh…
She Bangs The Drums – Stone Roses: The Roses are a bit like Leeds for me. I know they were good and they are important but I just hate their fans (or at least 90% of them.) This means I find it hard to judge them without prejudice. This isn’t one of my faves by them regardless.
I Uesta Love Her – The Saw Doctors: Drinking music, I’d imagine these guys are a lot of fun live but I can’t shake of a vision of The Wurzels whilst I’m listening to this.
Boys Don’t Cry – The Cure: Like the Joy Division track one of my favourite tracks by one of my favourite bands.
Break On Through – The Doors: As per the Joy Division & Cure tracks
Gotta Get Some – The Fuzztones: Really like this, not heard them before, I’m a big fan of this garage rock sound. Reminded me a bit of The Brian Jonestown Massacre when they are ripping off Love.
Redemption Song – Bob Marley: One of those songs that has been ruined by pub/wedding band covers. Nice to hear the original again.
Ku Klux Clan – Steel Pulse: I tend to avoid British reggae like the plague, preferring the Jamacian stuff. Fair play, I really enjoyed this.
54-46 Was My Number – Toots and the Maytals: A classic “get out of jail free card” for any DJ.
I Has a Dream – The Long Ryders: I really liked this, they sound like a new wave country band, a bit like if Stephen Malkmus had been born in Nashville.
Drinking In My Summer Dress – Maria McKee: Definite country rock vibe to it. I like her - she sounds pretty unhinged.
I Wish I Knew How It Was To Be Free – Nina Simone: Fair play, when you’ve pulled out the big guns on this CD, you’ve got the song right. This is no different.

I have absolutely no idea who did my CD but I'd wager they are a good few years older than me. I suspect they were out seeing local bands a lot in the late 70's. A really good mix of stuff here, it appears we have plenty of crossover. Thanks for making the effort & apologies for the late review.

Good tracks, good review

 

[Flex Your Head]

Bloody - The Golinski Brothers...

Brighton band from the late 70's; this was a favourite of John Peel's and featured on one of the great local 'Vaultage' compilation albums alongside the likes of The Piranhas, The Chefs, Peter and the Test Tube Babies, The Dodgems, Nicky & The Dots, and, I think, The Exclusives who provide the next track on your CD.
South London herberts The 'Tone did a great cover of it...



Still no CD received here and still no review of mine posted.

 

[willyfantastic]

i have yet to review mine as my xmas has been a hectic one - have listened enough to the first cd to write a review and will get on and write a review for the 2nd disc before new years

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Brighton band from the late 70's; this was a favourite of John Peel's and featured on one of the great local 'Vaultage' compilation albums alongside the likes of The Piranhas, The Chefs, Peter and the Test Tube Babies, The Dodgems, Nicky & The Dots, and, I think, The Exclusives who provide the next track on your CD.
South London herberts The 'Tone did a great cover of it...



Still no CD received here and still no review of mine posted.

I remember the local Vaultage albums. I'm just about old enough to remember the Attrix shop as well.

 

[Albumen]

I'll do an update tomorrow and pm those that appear to not have sent or reviewed. One more family event to do zzzzzzzz

 

[CorgiRegisteredFriend]

I'll do an update tomorrow and pm those that appear to not have sent or reviewed. One more family event to do zzzzzzzz

Looking forward to up date. Just got back from final family do so feeling pretty good.

 

[Razzoo]

Review to follow soon

 

[red star portslade]

I sent mine on the 17th - no review.

Not received my CD.

Oh well

 

[Albumen]

Recieved and reviewed:
Happypig
spring hall convert
tinycowboy
Pevenseagull
Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo
Hans Kraay Fan Club
Catfish
CorgiRegisteredFriend
Jamesandthegianthead
Mowgli37
Albumen
Frutos
Staly

Received, yet to review
Razzoo
ees complicated, no?
willyfantastic
Mellotron
TotallyFreaked (notified by pm - review to follow!)

Yet to Receive (according to this thread and pm's):
Flex Your Head
DavePage (CAN)
Carrot Cruncher
Red star Portslade (But definitely sent)
Herr Tubthumper (GER)
Buzzer (Posted through door)
Yorkshire-Seagull (But definitely sent)
seagully


I propose we give it until 2nd Jan then I reveal the full list. Shall we thumbs up this?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I propose we give it until 2nd Jan then I reveal the full list. Shall we thumbs up this?

Can we give it until say Jan 6th? Ie a good few working days after the holidays. I sent mine but it might have got caught up in the Xmas mail and conversely whoever sent my CD had to navigate the UK and German post.

 

[Albumen]

We'll see where we are on the 2nd.

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

I've given up on mine. I assume it had one listen and went straight in the bin in disgust.

 

[CorgiRegisteredFriend]

We still need some 'official' guesses to be made by a few.

 

[Razzoo]

Is mine from Carott Cruncher?

 

[Razzoo]

OK, review time
Firstly thank you to the Santa. The artwork is well thought out and in a Sensible Soccer style, with the Albion scoring, naturally! On to the music.
Devo - I can't get no satisfaction. I don't know too much of Devo's output but I did like this odd and jerky version of a classic rock track. A good start.
Chromatics - Into the black. I do like this tune and the singer has a lovely voice. Need to check this lot out.
CSS - Knife. I have heard one track by CSS before and had no idea who 'Knife' was by, It has definitely grown on me though. A pleasant, gooving number.
The White Stripes - Jolene. It's ok but I prefer Dolly's version.
Sonic Youth - Superstar. I know this one from the Carpenter's tribute and a beautiful thing it is too.
William Shatner - Common People. The Pulp song!, I love Shatner's delivery and voice, not too keen on the other voice that joins in on the chorus though.
Widowspeak -Wicked Game. I really like the original and the female vocals bring to mind Hope Sandoval which is obviously a good thing. Will investigate further.
Pixies - Winterlong. You can't go wrong with Pixies in their prime can you? My favourite track so far.
Johnny Cash - Personal Jesus. Top marks for not going for the more obvious 'Hurt'. Minus points for missing off the second half of the song though!
Beck - Everybody's gotta learn sometime. Another grower, gets better with each play. Like.
Art Brut - I will survive. It's ok but I'm disappointed that it bears no relation to the original at all!
Wedding Present - Come up and see me. I know this from the Alvin lives in Leeds compilation and whilst it's perfectly acceptable, I was never a fan of Gedge's vocals.
Cat Power - Sea of love. I know this one too from her Covers l.p. A beautiful tune and voice with a sparse arrangement. Great!
Mark Ronson - Just. Don't really like this to be honest. The original, on the other hand is a great track.
St. Etienne - Only love can break your heart. I do love this, it brings back great memories and Sarah's voice is lush. Another winner.
Seu Jorge - This must be off that Life Aquatic film? It's pretty good but not a patch on the original.
Incredible Bongo Band - Apache. A welcome inclusion to the CD Funky as f@@@
Dutch Uncles - Go your own way. Oi, Dutch Uncles just go away and take that shitey song with you.
Run DMC - Ghostbusters. This was going to be the icing on the cake but like Cash it was cruelly cut off. Boo!
All in all a good compilation and once again thanks to you whoever you are. Happy New Year!

 

[Mellotron]

Review time.

First off, thanks very much for sending it promptly, and sorry for how long it's taken me to review! I'm afraid you've gotten a bit of a music snob in me, and a musician, so I'll try my best not to dissect the production on each song, and will be as fair as possible.

The artwork:

The CD(s! exciting) came in a DVD case covered in Albion artwork. Nice touch. Even better was the fact the CDs had Albion artwork printed onto them! Great stuff.

Onto CD1:

Big Country - Porroh Man

Ooh. Intrigued by this, been told by plenty of my elders that I might like this band. Sounds quite new wave, enjoy the intro. Drums are great throughout, track doesn't really go anywhere that much but I don't mind that at all. Nice start.

Billy Idol - Summer Running

Nice guitar intro. Not big into the production, and this is where I have to be honest (probably to the dismay of my Santa, I suspect)...I can't stand Rock Ballads. One of my least favourite types of music, when someone who is well known for rockier music slows it down for a big, often clumsy epic.

This song is well written and the lyrics are good but the music leaves me cold, sorry. Especially the second half with the 90s style drumbeat.

Cockney Rebel - Tumbling Down

Enjoyed this more on second listening. Quite pleasant. Bit Bowie-ish at points. Nice middle 8, great chords, this song opens up really nicely.

Darts - Duke Of Earl

Curious track. It's all been new to me so far which I enjoy. Well made song, hard to really find fault with this one. Not massively my thing but enjoyed it enough.

Juno Reactor - Pistolero

Insane intro. Struggling find any kind of theme to this CD, perhaps there isn't one? Dancey track that sounds like it's from the 90s. Almost goes towards something I'd like in its darker moments, but never quite. Some nice guitar loops at a couple of points.

The Killers - Human

A band I like plenty, with a song that is superb musically, lyrics a little iffy but superb melody. Good stuff,

Marillion - Lavender

Want to like this but again I find it hard to take my musician ears off, I'm so sorry you got me Santa, I'm hard to please. Not into the production of this song at all, feels like someone took all of the guts out of it, not that into the lyrics either. Sorry.

Muse - Feeling Good

A band that I was obsessed with a few years ago in my youth, and one that I still have a fondness for. Good track, not one of my favourites of theirs but certainly good enough.

Ozzy Osbourne - Mama I'm Comin' Home

Nice guitar intro. But again, it's a rock ballad. Feel like I'm being really harsh but I do find this sort of music clumsy and heavy handed. I like quite a bit of Ozzy's heavier stuff but this doesn't do it for me.

Rufus Wainwright - Beautiful Child

Rufus has a really marmite voice. You're in luck - I'm a fan. This is a song of his I've never heard, and I enjoyed quite a lot, thanks.

Sigue Sigue Sputnik - Atari Baby 97 (Remix)

The words 97 remix immediately ring alarm bells, but I'll give it a chance...ah, I know the original, not sure how much the remix adds, but enjoyable enough. Quite like a bit of new romantic/80s electro.

Simple Plan - Untitled

Pop punk band do rock ballad. Well written, intelligently put together.

The London Suede - The Next Life

Curious about this one, and Suede in general. Again seem like the sort of band I should like. Enjoy the vocals, hard to explain why, think this one does bring back some nostalgia for very early musical memories - ohh, a mention of Worthing, superbly snuck in there! Good track, thanks for introducing it to me.

U2 - Miracle Drug

I am a fan of the odd U2 track - and by that, I mean like their odder, more out there stuff.

This is slightly more U2 by numbers but it's still very good. When I haven't heard them in a while, I still manage to get sucked in by their ridiculous earnestness (is that a word). Good stuff, feel like I have started to get a grasp as to your music taste, and now I understand it slightly better, I can enjoy it a bit more.

The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever

Do I need to say anything? Stone cold classic, good way to end CD One. Now onto CD Two...

===

Onto the 2nd CD. I had slightly higher hopes for this CD, a look at the track listing showed Heroes by Bowie, unsurprisingly one of my favourite songs as well as a great Ultravox track (Vienna). I put the CD on, and Big Country came on, Porroh Man again. Ah. I took the CD out to check and sure enough, CD One had been replicated onto CD Two. Sorry to out you for this error Santa, but it's hard not to.

I also couldn't help noticing that the artists listed on CD One were almost exactly in alphabetical order, which suggests that perhaps the CD wasn't laboured over, sorry if that's an overly harsh comment...

Thanks Santa. Discovered a few interesting tracks I hadn't heard before, and look forward to doing this again next Christmas.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Muso fact: Lavender was recorded in exactly the same studio as Heroes Mellotron.

I've got an issue. I have received a secret Santa CD but I'm not sure if it's the NSC one or one the Frau organized; it starts with Horace Andy and ends with Belle and Sebastian via Lemon Jelly. Can whoever sent mine PM Albumen and confirm if this is the NSC CD please? I'll check my inbox for Albumen's confirmation.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I've got an issue. I have received a secret Santa CD but I'm not sure if it's the NSC one or one the Frau organized; it starts with Horace Andy and ends with Belle and Sebastian via Lemon Jelly. Can whoever sent mine PM Albumen and confirm if this is the NSC CD please? I'll check my inbox for Albumen's confirmation.

What the hell - review it anyway!...

 

[Theatre of Trees]

William Shatner - Common People. The Pulp song!, I love Shatner's delivery and voice, not too keen on the other voice that joins in on the chorus though.

The other voice is Joe Jackson best known for 'Is she really going out with him?" and 'It's different for girls'.

 

[Albumen]

Muso fact: Lavender was recorded in exactly the same studio as Heroes Mellotron.

I've got an issue. I have received a secret Santa CD but I'm not sure if it's the NSC one or one the Frau organized; it starts with Horace Andy and ends with Belle and Sebastian via Lemon Jelly. Can whoever sent mine PM Albumen and confirm if this is the NSC CD please? I'll check my inbox for Albumen's confirmation.

I'm onto it.