Ghost Mechanic

 

Never thought that I would type words like Manchester's post punks are back with a new album. I liked the band in the eighties because they had their own sound between new wave, goth and death-rock. They disbanded around 1988 and a few years ago I heard that they are reunited and going for new material.

To be honest, I didn't heard any new song by them since they released Ghost Mechanic Nine their latest album a few weeks ago. And it seems the time stood still. And with their new songs and their raw sound, they manage to tie in with the eighties. The songs, which are sometimes rockabilly, sometimes psychedelic, offer powerful riffs, an unmistakable deadpan lyricism and that very special atmosphere somewhere between a dusty garage and an endless motorway. The dub elements in particular, which run like a common thread through ‘Ghost Mechanic Nine’, give the work a special flavor and are reminiscent of the band's origins.

Back To The Office

 

Now that I have been retired for four months, I will be returning to my former workplace for the last time this afternoon. The reason for this is that every year the employer invites all employees celebrating an anniversary and those who have retired in the current year to an evening together.

Not that I didn't enjoy working and had many pleasant colleagues, but I broke off contact with many of them because it was clear to me that I could only start a new phase in my life if I had completely left the old one behind me. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to seeing familiar old faces again for a few hours and hopefully having some good conversations.

Looking back, I can think of many conversations in which I tried to broaden the musical horizons of my colleagues. Often unsuccessfully. 

Zeltinger Band - Müngersdorfer Stadion

Belle & Sebastian - The State I'm In

Echo and the Bunnymen - Do It Clean (Live 1983)

Some Tex-Mex Today

 

Stiff Records were known for signing a lot of weird musical birds. One highlight was when they discovered Joe Carrasco in America and released his debut in 1980. 

Joe 'King' Carrasco and the Crowns appeared on the scene as the reincarnation of Sir Douglas Quintet with their Tex-Mex sound. I liked their weird mixture of Tex-Mex, Rock and Roll, New Wave and Highschool rock, played with passion. It was only the sound of one summer but they had their time then.

Monday's Long Song

 

Another new music from Bristol. Dubkasm, a long time running DJ project are supported by Tricky for their latest single. It's a deep industrial cut with the words spoken by Tricky. Metallic rhythm meet dub and a gloomy atmosphere. Not expected but fascinating in it's way. 

New Song On Sunday

 

It's December again, the year has gone by far too quickly and my escape to warmer climes is imminent. I'm putting together my musical review of the year and then a new name is announced to me via several channels.

Sam Fender is an English singer/songwriter from Newcastle upon Tyne who seems to have struck a chord on the island with his catchy indie-pop songs backed by lush horns. People Watching is a stadium-ready song with a beautiful melody that should stand for success and can inspire crowds. Somehow it sounds as if Fender has listened to too much Born To Run and left out its rough edges. Nevertheless, a song that is above average in the pop sector.

Arabischer Vietmanese

 

Another eclectic piece of German electronic music at the end of the month. Schlammpeiziger is the pseudonym that Cologne-based musician Jo Zimmermann has adopted. He has been tinkering with electronic sounds, mostly based on a Casio and beatboxes, since the 80's. 

In the meantime, he has expanded his spectrum and added guitars and effects to his sound. Most of the tracks on his new album Meine Unterkunft ist die Unvernunft (my accommodation is unreason) have the charm of late Krautrock and remind me of the best moments of Ash Ra Temple. A beautiful and calm album that convinces even on second listen.

Dance This Mess Around

 

It is often said that 1979 is a golden year for music and it is true. There was a new band to discover almost every week and I found it difficult to make the right choice from the plethora of new releases in my favorite record shop. 

So it was clever that the B52's debut album stood out from the crowd visually. The cover shows the group in an edited photograph against a bright yellow background; faces, hands and feet are photographed, while the clothing is printed on. The beehive hairstyles of the two singers Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, who also gave the band its name, were also striking.

The band's music, which moves between pop, rock, dance, surf, punk, new wave and retro, was exceptional. Rocky guitar riffs on a low-tuned Rickenbacker, reminiscent of a science fiction film from the 60s, a keyboard mixed in and the alternately melodic and shrill vocals of the singers created a unique sound that has lost none of its appeal even after 45 years.

The B52's - Dance This Mess Around

The B52's - Planet Claire

The B52's - Rock Lobster