Sibyle Baier 'Colour Green'

First album from Germany's unsung folk gem Sibylle Baier has now been reissued thanks to the efforts of a few people close to the singer/actress.

A road trip with a friend in the 70s traveling through the Alps inspired Baier to write her first song 'Remember the Day'. Songs compiled from recordings she made at home between 1970-1973 on a reel to reel device became album 'Colour Green'. Since completing the recording Sibylle Baier has appeared in Wim Wenders' 1973 film Alice in the Cities, and her music featured in Umarmungen und andere Sachen in 1975. However, raising a family became her priority so she gave up music and acting, moved to America concentrating on motherhood. It was her son Robby who got a copy into the hands of J Mascis in 2004, who then sent it on to Orange Twin records. Until it's released in 2006 only her circle of friends and family had heard 'Colour Green'.

Ethereal, from start to finish the album is warm, melancholy and resonates. She tends to be compared to Vashti Bunyan and yeah, they're both folk musicians who achieved success a little after the fact. Jumping forward a bit, Chan Marshall fans may enjoy this record. Baier has a unique voice in her own right though and simply comparing her to someone else isn't doing her justice. The songs are eloquent and sung in a captivating, lamenting tone. The most charming thing about the record is its humbleness and the unassuming nature of the artist.

Today, the official website for Baier set up by her son, seems like she shy's away from the accolades the album has earned her. But, the site also teases that a second album is on the way.

U.S Girls 'Go Grey'

Megan Remy (aka U.S Girls) is back with 2nd album 'Go Grey' on Siltbreeze.

Remy translates her muses; R&B and British 60s pop, into oblique New Wave with a pop flair. Sure, sometimes it seems like a natural progression to clean up the recording on a follow up record when time and resources maybe on the artists' side. However, Remy embraces the stark noise so don't be surprised to find songs even more abrasive than before. Vocals remain a prominent role in 'Go Grey' and nihilism fiends won't be disappointed as this new record is equally as morose as her first. Stand out tracks lined up back to back on the album; 'Red Ford Radio', 'Sleeping on Glass' and 'I don't have a mind of my own'.

U.S Girls first album 'Introducing U.S Girls' was recorded in Portland 2008, where another album was also being released; Grouper's career defining third record 'Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill'. These two records arguably helped propel contemporary solo female artists in today's music underworld. Thinking about the success of Sacred Bone's Zola Jesus, it's fair to say a niche had started with U.S Girls and Grouper to allow artists like Nika Roza to grow. All three have definitively unmatched voices but tied together with their unique interpretations of isolation. I will be spending the rest of my summer scouring the internet for new blood in female soloists, there's more right? Tell me there's more...

She 'Outta Reach'

Sacramento 60s girl group's material archived on Causeway Records.

The first side is under the name 'She'. Side B is from material 'The Hairem' - the earlier version of the band. 'Outta Reach' is limited to 550 copies with different colour paste on covers.


Primitive garage punk, with slinky songs that ooze attitude. Think The Fabulous Stains, Shocking Blue, The Shangri-Las.

http://www.mediafire.com/?8zaaysa72y8y6ob

Dead Luke 'American Haircut'

YOWZA!

From tortured Troggs 'I Want You' cover to warped synthesized rendition of 'Jump Jack Flash' Dead Luke's songs have always packed a wallop. Intensity is what Dead Luke does and it's still intact, but don't be surprised if there's less of the in-yer-face synth action, and more mellowed out psych jams on new album 'American Haircut' on Florida's Dying.

Loner blues songs are delivered with a middle-eastern-mantra quality to them. And sure, you could say this sounds like it has a little Sun City Girl influence in it especially on 'Dream pt. 3' and 'Acid Forest', and what's wrong with that?!

The album oozes with moodiness and nihilism and while it may be argued this isn't a summer record, I actually find it quite perfect - this is coming from a person who is miserable in the heat mind...

Zulu Stomp!!

New Garage Rock compilation is out on No Smoke hot off the heels of the mind blowing Ngozi Family '45,000 Volts' reissue.

The same label previously released two Garage Rock compilations 'Cazumbi', covering bands from a variety of regions of Africa. 'Zulu Stomp!!' Exclusively celebrates South Africa with mid sixties, psyched out, garage rock stompers. The western influence on the songs is palpable in both language and experimentation with guitars.

It's been a fetish to get as many garage rock compilations as possible around these parts. Just when it seemed the bottom of the barrel had been scrapped No Smoke true to form, come out with another knock out release. Yes, it's probably more than you'd normally spend on an LP, Yes, it will sell out and Yes, it's totally worth your time.

Woven Bones 'In and Out and Back Again'

In little over a year Austin's Woven Bones have delivered a celebrated 4 singles, one 12" and earned a spot on Matador's 2010'Casual Victim Pile' compilation. So, the anticipation for a full length these seething garage rock releases inexorably led to is warranted, but not all the surprising.

'In and Out and Back Again' has just come out on HoZac. The LP is super consistent in itself and compared to their other releases. Their signature heartbeat-throbbing rhythms, mixed with Andrew Burrs unaffected vocals makes the album for a heavy, catatonic listen. Sure, they've tweaked a few things here and there. Overall, 'In and Out and Back Again' is indicative to songs heard on the 'Minus Touch' EP. Clocking in at around 35 minutes, this record was tailor made for an evening at home with some time to kill.


Read full review of In and Out and Back Again - Woven Bones on Boomkat.com ©

Ty Segall 'Melted'

Ty Segall hasn't wasted anytime since his last release. A lot has been said about Segall's one man band set up and age. From the get go, the records have warranted the hype and third album 'Melted' is no exception.

Signature Ty Segall stompers are mixed in with slow tempo tracks as he explores new songwriting. Clean guitars (electric and acoustic) are balanced through layers of fuzz bringing the influence of 60s garage together with today's DIY aesthetic. Ty invites pals mike donovan (Sic Alps), eric bauer, tim hellman, jigmae baer, emily rose, John Dwyer (Thee Oh Sees) and charlie moonheart to the party and overall produces more fully realized pop songs.


Read full review of Melted - Ty Segall on Boomkat.com ©