The Refreshments- Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy

This is the debut album from The Refreshments. It was released in 1996, four years after they formed.

Things kick off with Blue Collar Suicide, which is pretty generic 1990s rock. Not really inspiring, but I guess it's fine for an opener.

European Swallow is raises the bar by revealing the band's talent: a strong sense of attitude in the vocals. As in "you've got an attitude problem, son"! Somehow I really enjoy getting into this mood while listening, with the tongue firmly planted in cheek. Having said that, unfortunately I find European Swallow to be musically quite bland.

But Down Together and Girly both hit the nail on the head, and I'm not really sure what makes the difference, compared to European Swallow. Maybe it's the non-sequitur lyrics. Maybe because they're more similar to Banditos...

Ahhh... Banditos. The sole reason I purchased this album, and still a massive drawcard for me. It has the aforementioned attitude (I really like the random grunts througout!) and oddball narrative in spades. It's topped off with some super-catchy pop hooks and a great singalong chorus. Fantastic.

The album takes a more melancholy approach from here on, and it isn't my cup of tea. However, I'm always a sucker for an off-beat guitar, so of course I really like Mekong.

Favourite songs

Down Together, Mekong, Girly, Banditos

I diggit?

It's probably a case of "less is more" for me here. There's a handful of songs I enjoy here, but the other 8 or so songs often feel like eating one's veggies in order to get to the dessert. On the other hand, I bought this on the strength of Banditos alone (it's on one of my favourite car tapes), so any enjoyment found in the rest of the album is probably a bonus.

Dragon- Cuts From The Tough Times

Dragon were originally formed in 1975 and were still touring as recently as a couple of years ago. However this compilation covers the period of 1984 - 1986.

I purchased this compilation solely based on one chorus (can you guess which one??). This is despite the new-wave genre not being my cup of tea.

...And this CD has done nothing to change that.

I find many of the songs annoying, and the "highlight" is merely the songs I'm completely nonplussed about. There are a few songs with catchy choruses, but the choruses soon get played to death and are all quite similar, so this appeal wears off quickly. 

It isn't helped by the thin new-wave sound, which neuters the punch from the drums, bass and vocals. Also, the peaks and troughs within each song have been sanded away into constant, nonchalant blandness (like many modern pop songs).

However... then there is Rain. The lyrics are nicely poetic and full of great imagery. And the pre-chorus perfectly builds up the anticipation. Anticipation which is resolved with an incredibly exhilarating chorus.

Favourite songs

Rain

I diggit?

Nope. Rain is a highlight, but I'd be perfectly happy with hearing it occasionally on the radio.

Los Chicos- We Sound Amazing But We Look Like Shit

This is Los Chicos' fourth album, which was released in 2009. My introduction to the band was by unintentionally seeing a live gig of theirs. I had a blast, and purchased this album.

The first song, A Band, gets straight into the self-indulgent party rock. Unfortunately, in this case both the lyrics and instrumental fail to inspire. Headphones improves things with its infectious energy, but after a chorus or two I find it a bit of a one-trick pony.

We Sound Amazing But We Look Like Shit is basically more of the same, but with the added appeal of some amusing lyrics. This must be the magic ingredient that was previously missing, because I quite enjoy this song.

The rockabilly-esque style of Brothers From Different Mothers works very well, and gives some much-needed variety.

By the time we get to Manu & Pina's Excellent Adventure, the energy is still there in spades, but it's all getting pretty stale for me. Perhaps this is largely due to the lyrics again having very little appeal. It's a similar story for the next few songs, too.

Thankfully, the album ends on a high, thankds to the honky-tonk piano variety provided by What's Cookin', and the wonderfully oddball Not Tonight.

Favourite songs

We Sound Amazing But We Look Like Shit, Brothers From Different Mothers 

I diggit?

If they ever came back for another gig, I'd be there in a heartbeat. The album certainly has its highlights, but I can't help thinking that whenever I'm in this kind of mood, I'd reach for an album by The Hives' instead.

Various- Short Music For Short People

This punk compilation features 101 songs(!) and was released in 1999. I won't sit here and comment on all 101 songs, so here are highlights (ie whittled down to "just" the top 20...)

Many of the bands approached the 30-second songs as an opportunity for an immature quick gag. Fizzy Bangers, Terrorgruppe, Samian (nice banjo work!) and No Means No are all good for a quick laugh. Special mention goes to Aerobridge for the tale of footwear masturbation (of course!) and The Mr. T Experience for cramming as many profanities as possible into 30 seconds. Blink-182 also excelled with the "Parental Advisory" content, with a song that is also happens to have an engaging musical structure. Great stuff, I reckon.

At the other end of the seriousness spectrum, punk-rock is one of few genres where 30 seconds worth of song is plenty for a complete artwork. It's quite incredible, really. Perhaps this compilation has invented one of the purest artforms ever, with the song stripped back to its essence of verse, chorus and conclusion. Anyway, enough philosophising... the songs from Chixdiggit, The Living End, The Ataris, Lagwagon, No Use For A Name, 59 Times The Pain, Dance Hall Crashers (with their trademark silky-smooth style providing a nice contrast), One Man Army, Pennywise, 7 Seconds, The Queers, Radio Days and Nicotine are all nicely "complete" short songs, which lack nothing for being restricted to 30 seconds.

The icing on the cake is Bad Religion, who have produced 39-second perfection. Their song is a wonderfully structured musical journey, complete with a variety of styles and a nice progression tying it all together.

Favourite songs

Fizzy Bangers, Terrorgruppe, Aerobridge, Blink-182, The Mr. T Experience, Samiam, No Means No, Chixdiggit, Bad Religion, The Ataris, Lagwagon, 59 Times The Pain, No Use For A Name, Dance Hall Crashers, One Man Army, Pennywise, 7 Seconds, The Queers, Radio Days, Nicotine
 

I diggit?

Yes, the fun may be sliced into 30-second increments, but there's still plenty of it.

Wolfgang Parker- Room Nineteen

Room Nineteen is Wolfgang Parker's third album. It was released in 2007, seven years after Octoboure.

Among The Ash Heaps jumps straight in to a furiousl introduction to the style of glam-rock meets neo-swing. The song rapidly jumps all over the place, but somehow the disjointed structure just adds to the thrill-a-minute appeal. So I really enjoy the hooks, the energy and the style which holds it all together. It's the perfect modern implementation of a band rocking out in pinstripe suits.

Shiseido, Room Nineteen and The Heat are more of the same, and the results are also fantastic and unique. Boiled down to its essence, the combination of crunching rock guitars and a swung ride cymbal works a treat. Room Nineteen also features some standout lyrics, thanks to the very vivid (and sometimes disturbing) Tarrantino-esque storytelling.

This is a bit nit-picky, but these heavier songs have some strange quirks in their recording quality: a very synthesised reverb for the vocals and several high-pitched sounds - such as an open hi-hat - feeling "scratchy" rather than sweet. Also, I find the higher frequencies slightly muffled in general.

Mata Hari sees the album slow down for a softer ballad style. But rather than disappointment that they've taken the foot off the pedal (the distortion pedal? sorry, that was a terrible pun...), the wonderfully poetic lyrics and strong mood make this enjoyable in its own way.

Half Way Around The World is also dripping with a more relaxed style, thanks to the piano part. Although I do find the chorus quite forgettable. Sing Baby Swing is more of the same, and this time the chorus is a catchy highlight.

It's time for a dose of insanity with The Mice The Demons And The Piggies. The obscure, madman lyrics are a highlight of the album for me. And the infectious yet oddball jitterbug style is a highlight in its own right, also nicely building in intensity throughout the song. It all adds up to brilliant left-field fun.

Lonely Just Like Me also has a dose of frenetic madness, this time a bit more serious, but again with great storytelling and some beautiful metaphors.

Smoothly crooning vocals and very regimented backing instruments (almost with military uniformity) seems like an awkward combination, but Whisper Something German brings them together. Brilliantly. This strange contrast that results is indeed perfectly summarised by the phrase "whisper something German in my ear"!

To Say You Love Me sees the album briefly return to headbanging glam-rock. Which is another example that rock'n'roll plus swing is indeed a perfect recipe!

Then, on the other hand, Blood Red Water is a beautifully soft and gentle ballad. It never ceases to amaze me how something so humble can be just as powerful.

Favourite songs

Among The Ash Heaps, Shiseido, Room Nineteen, The Heat, Mata Hari, Sing Baby Swing, The Mice The Demons And The Piggies, Lonely Just Like Me, Whisper Something German, To Say You Love Me, Blood Red Water

I diggit?

Very much so.

Dean Kennedys- Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death

This compilation was released in 1987, one year after the album Bedtime For Democracy.

My favourite moments for the Dead Kennedys are usually while they have a rockabilly-esque groove going on, such as Police Truck and Holiday In Cambodia. The menacing groove is nicely complemented by the jangly guitars. For Holiday In Cambodia, it gets even better with the vocals, thanks to some wonderfully vivid and biting lyrics.

However, most of the other songs on this CD fall at the other end of the scale, unfortunately. While I'm normally quite receptive to a bit of immature, tongue-in-cheek punk; songs such as Life Sentence, Short Songs, Straight A's, etc just come across as a noisy, incoherent mess. I think they are going for "zany" appeal, but without any real substance to back it up. The Prey mixes things up a bit with it's experimental "lounge" style, but again it has no appeal for me.

Pull My Strings shows great potential with a catchy surf-rock riff at the start, but unfortunately soon turns into a dog's breakfast. However, the chorus is quite amusing. Similarly, I Fought The Law might have been an amusing in-joke at the time, but that time has well and truly passed...

Although quite non-sequitur for a lounge band, the immature frat-boy tale of Too Drunk To Fuck is par for the course for a punk-rock band. So while this version has great energy, in the end I much prefer the absurdity of Nouvelle Vague's cover.

To end on a positive note, I really dig the strangeness of California Uber Alles's chorus, and the degenerated prog-rock bridge. It's all very oddball, and I like it.

Favourite songs

Police Truck, California Uber Alles, Holiday In Cambodia

I diggit?

Maybe it's just that a case that 17 songs is too many. I really enjoy three of them, but wading through the other 14 dulls the appeal.