Indian Jewelry

The experimental trio Indian Jewelry out of Houston released We Are the Wild Beast in 2003 under their old moniker NTX + Electric. The album was reissued in 2008 by Tigerbeat6 along with the groups third full release titled "Free Gold" the same year. Indian Jewelry's layered, distorted, droney, and electronic styles had me the first time I heard them, especially with the track "Looking At You" off We Are the Wild Beast. "Free Gold" is a cleaner, more psychedelic album which shows the band's versatility and range. "Pompeii" is a beautiful psych-pop track that captures a truly original sound. The dense textures on both albums keep a melodic flow that gives an unique feel, check out the rest of each album if you like these tracks.

Siouxsie and the Banshees

This Siouxsie and the Banshees album Kaleidoscope released in '80 is in my opinion their best album, even though the band was intertwined in personal conflicts during its production. I won't get into the details because I could really care less, the result was a great album full of brooding crisp synth and psych that is timeless. The track "Red Light" contains rhythmic camera clicks and a continuous heavy synthesizer that bleeds. Since I probably won't post anymore Siouxsie, I'm also throwing in two other great tracks off the album- "Happy House" and "Christine." "Christine" is a great dance track with some psychedelic touches.

Casino Music

The next installment of synth comes out of France by a band called Casino Music. I stumbled across this track when I listened to this weird compilation BIPPP: French Synth Wave 1979-85, a variety of strange mutant disco synth with a hard edge. This track by Casino Music titled "Viol af dis" instantly caught my attention. France has given us Daft Punk and other forms of disco, but it has usually been of the softer and pop variety. This carries a dark, gritty, and robotic edge that is extremely hard to explain- I never knew this shit existed. You could almost say it's French synth-punk, check out the rest of the album if you like this.

Gary Numan

Kevin sent me some synthy Siouxsie and the Banshees which got me thinking about starting a theme today that will last through next week. The posts will consist of my favorite synth sounds of all time, so if you have any tracks containing a nasty synth then send them to me. I've already posted the Silver Apples, so it would only be fitting to post one of my favorite albums The Pleasure Principle by Gary Numan from'79. Many of you have probably heard Gary Numan, but if you haven't you're in for a real treat. Of course the track "Cars" off this album is Numan's biggest hit, but the the rest of the album is insane. Basically just a man and his synthesizer working it out. There is much resemblance between the career of Gary Numan and Devo, who only had one big mainstream hit(Devo's "Whip It") but have an extremely dedicated fan base that recognizes each band's brilliance. It was hard to pick my favorite three tracks off this album, each track is post-able. "Metal," "Airlane," and "M.E." are included here, I won't describe them to save sounding like a d-bag rock journalist. Check them out and see if you like. It was great to hear from you Kevin, thanks for the music and keep sending- I'll post some Siouxsie later in the week.
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=396c2748091a7bc00c814df2efeadc503c9b9dbd34921f366abe4c29fc26b000

Merry Christmas

Well, it's Christmas again. I've posted three completely different stocking stuffers that are sure to fit your mood this holiday season. If you have the Christmas spirit, Run-DMC's "Christmas in Hollis" is for you. I can still remember waking up on Christmas day in the 80's and seeing this classic video on MTV. If you're the Grinch this year and are convinced that Christmas is chalked full of mass consumerism to fuel our greedy capitalistic society then I would listen to Fear's "Fuck Christmas." Thanks to the blog of all blogs the Hearse for this track. Lastly, if you're just a straight up pervert or sick fucker then you will thoroughly enjoy one of my personal hero's takes on XXX-Mas. "Jingle Fuckin' Bells" by Blowfly describes one dirty-ass Santa. Happy Holiday's Bitches!

The Spiders

The Spiders were a Japanese garage band from the '60's. Their debut album, Album No. 1 from '66 is a killer album which contains the track "Fury Fury." This track is very comparable to the Monk's sound, which is probably why I like it so much. Heavy romping minimalist beats and sing-along choruses, any furl is sure to love this shit! I've also thrown in "Go Go," a great organ induced freak-out.

Rufus Thomas

Here's another funk track that has been sampled a million times- "Breakdown" by Rufus Thomas. The eccentric Rufus is undoubtedly one of the kings of funk, his music spanned decades starting with Sun Records and eventually ending up with the infamous Stax Records out of Memphis. His unique style has influenced many after him, if you get a chance check out his live performance in the documentary Wattstax from '72. Long live Rufus Thomas!

The Studebaker Bro's

It's time for some campy sing-along furlness from the Studebaker Bro's. "Lie'n In the Grave" is a shining example of why I love old fuzzy psych garage from the 60's. No more jibber-jabber, need to get back to my drank.

The Sound Experience

Here's a nice groove to get your weekend started, "Blow Your Mind" by the Sound Experience. This funky instrumental has all the best attributes- a opening fuzzed-out guitar and of course some nasty horns. I don't have a date on this one, but I'm guessing early 70's.

The Mohawks

Going to take it back today with some old classic organ funk by the Mohawks. This track "The Champ" from '68 is one of the most used samples in hip-hop. Artists who have used this sample include EPMD, Eric B. and Rakim, De La, Shadow, and Big Daddy Kane. The opening blaring organ has been used in so many tracks, but the whole track is extremely funky and a great dance track to get the party movin'. This version is off vinyl so it keeps that great poppy, fuzzy sound.

Dara Puspita

I haven't posted much 60's garage yet, so next I give you the super-cute all girl Indonesian garage band Dara Puspita. These fuzzy garage pop tracks are infectious to say the least, they were Indonesia's most successful girl band of the 60's. Apparently there were many popular female singers in Indonesia during this time, but they all relied on backup bands for their albums. Each member of Dara Puspita played their own instrument and also wrote their own songs, with apparent heavy influences from the Stones and the Beatles whose music was banned in Indonesia during this time. Here is four tracks from their album A Go Go, with a couple tracks being in English and the other two tracks in Indonesian. "A Go Go," the title track is probably my favorite, but they're all really good. "To Love Somebody" and "Believe Me" are sung in English, and "Aku Tetap Sadar" in Indonesian.

Electric Wizard

It's metal Monday here at furltracks, got up this morning and instantly started blasting some stoner sludge metal to get my day started. Here is some of that sludgy goodness, "Vinum Sabbathi" and "We Hate You" by Electric Wizard. These tracks are off 2000's Dopethrone, a killer doom metal album out of England. Electric Wizard's snail paced guitars and heavy chords brings an intensity and density that separates this band from the rest of the doom metal genre. Their love for weed and everything evil really shines through on this album, play this real loud.

Junior Mance

Pianist Junior Mance from '66 titled "I Believe to My Soul." Smooth out to this.
http://www.mediafire.com/?uzzzonwclyt

The O'Jays/Hard Queen

Ted tracked down the sample used for Project Pat's "Keep it Hood" I posted last week, it is "Listen to the Clock on the Wall" by Philly's the O'Jays off their album Back Stabbers from '72. The O' Jays have always been hit or miss for me, but I really like this track- it has a smooth harmony and that classic 70's soul feel to it. I'm also throwing in some synth pop that Teddy sent me recently out of Shanghai, Hard Queen's "Holiday." It's a good dance track, I'm sure some of you will like it.

Freddie King

I just finished watching the first season of East Bound and Down, the hilarious brain child of Danny McBride. The show's theme track during opening credits is one of my all time favorite electric blues tracks, Freddie King's "Going Down" from his album Getting Ready... from '71. This track has a heavy soul and rock influence, with a killer piano to top it off.
http://www.mediafire.com/?1emwlzdvnym

Sniff 'N' the Tears

Here's some midweek fire, one of my guiltiest pleasures-the soft but not to soft new wave of the UK's Sniff 'N' the Tears. This party track "Driver's Seat" contains all the stereotypes of a late 70's early 80's d-bag smooth rock- the cheesy backup singers, the ridiculous guitar solo, and the decadent lyrics. Fickle Heart was released in '78 and went on to achieve decent success in the States. Every once in a while I'll hear "Driver's Seat" on the radio late night, and lose my shit. It's a one hit wonder that's timeless, synths and keyboards over a catchy rhythm guitar that produces something you can't deny you like. I've also thrown in "New Lines on Love" off the album. Hmmm... I wonder what these guys were up to during the making of this album? Check out the album art- pretty tough.

Harry Johnson

Crypt Records put out the compilation album God Less America: Country&Western fer all ye Sinners'n'Sufferers, 1955-1966 in 1995. As the title suggests, this comp has exactly what it describes- the best strange, outlaw, and just plain fucked up underground country tracks from '55-'66. Every track is worth a listen, I will be posting most of them in the future when I receive another copy from Drew who introduced me to the rest of this album earlier this year. I can't remember how I received this track by Harry Johnson titled "It's Nothing to Me," but it has quickly became one of my favorite country tunes of all time, which is why I'm posting it separate from the rest of the album. I couldn't find any information on Harry Johnson besides his funny name which makes this track that much better. The track is about a random "buddy" at the bar being shot for hitting on a quick tempered man's girl that contains Harry's monotone voice, low production quality, gun shots, and a wicked guitar- a perfect recipe for a real outlaw country song.
http://www.mediafire.com/?qwdvlozjnz2

Ruby Andrews

Ruby Andrew's Black Ruby is easily one of my favorite solo female soul albums of all time. It was released on Zodiac records in '72, Ruby was born in Mississippi but is mainly known within the Chicago music scene. Ruby's amazing emotional, powerful vocals coupled with a combination of both funk and soul sounds on this album gives it an unique vibe- I've never heard such a diverse array of styles on a album like this. I've included two tracks that give a good idea of the contrast on this album, "Love I Need" and "My Love is Comin' Down." "Love I Need" has a Motown feel to it, while "My Love is Commin Down" is a deep funk-soul track with a killer hook and organ.

El Michels Affair

El Michels Affair is an instrumental funk band on Truth and Soul Records, they are also the shit. This album dedicated to the beats of the RZA in live band format is titled Enter the 37th Chamber, of course a play off Wu-Tang's classic debut album Enter the Wu-Tang(36 Chambers) back in 1993. These furls pay homage to many of RZA's best beats, including my favorites on this album, "C.R.E.A.M," "Shimmy Shimmy Ya," "Mystery of Chessboxin'," and "Protect Your Neck." These four tracks do the best job of bringing that gritty Wu-Tang sound back with horns and heavy bass guitar.
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=396c2748091a7bc00c814df2efeadc50e3d4faa864d7c613b878de785cc0f59e

Mo-Dettes

Here's some 1979 obscure post-punk out of the UK, the Mo-Dettes. The debut single "White Mice" by this all girl band is a catchy dance track, they were formed by Kate Korris of the Slits who was also briefly a member of the Raincoats. Those of you familiar with those two bands can probably guess what this is going to sound like. This song has that signature late 70's new wave/post-punk sound with some great lyrics, these girls weren't playing around with the first piece of the chorus, “Don’t be stupid,don’t be limp/No girl likes to love a wimp." Great shit, hope you dig it.

Robert Jay

Extremely hung over today, so I'll post my favorite hangover track- "Alcohol, Pt. 1" by Robert Jay. This 1969 gem out of Detroit is a blues based funk track in which Jay describes his battles with the bottle.
http://www.mediafire.com/?tkjkvz3jytt

Silver Apples

Anybody who knows me well knows I'm a sucker for synth, I just can't help it. I'm going to switch it up a bit and post the psychedelic, experimental, electronic pioneers Silver Apples. This two man band is basically the foundation of electronic music into the rock genre, they came before the experimental electronic bands of the 70's, such as Kraftwerk and the influential synth duo Suicide. The lead vocalist, Simeon, invented his own instrument from combining two synthesizers which produced unique pulsating rhythms and spaced out drone beeps and buzzes. The notes within their 1968 debut state that the instrument "Simeon" consisted of "...nine audio oscillators and eighty-six manual controls...The lead and rhythm oscillators are played with the hands, elbows and knees and the bass oscillators are played with the feet." Say what? The other member of Silver Apples, Danny Taylor, was mainly a percussionist, but also played a banjo in many of their songs. I've included three of my favorite songs from their brief career, "Lovefingers" off their self titled debut album, which is a great introduction to their style. "Ruby" comes off their second album Contact in '69. The third track comes off their recent comeback renaissance 1998 release Garden, which I had never heard before until the Wyld Chyld hooked me up with the track "I Don't Care What the People Say" on his mad mix playlist. Check it out, and remember the first two songs were produced in '67, way ahead of their time.
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=396c2748091a7bc00c814df2efeadc5098f4cc400e138748daada8390b259c5f