July 12, 2023 Playlist

X "Los Angeles" (1980)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
X "Los Angeles"  1980 (USA)
This is one of the greatest American punk rock albums of all time, and pretty unique within that genre. The "punk sound" was well established by 1980, in fact it was already becoming stale which led to the glorious "indie punk" underground of the 1980's when "punk got weird" and much more interesting. X was one of the critical bands that got that movement started. They have the beat and energy of a classic late 70's California punk band, but created a unique take on that sound by adding unusually poetic lyrics, eery harmony vocals (by co-lead singers Exene Cervenka and bassist John Doe), and classic 50's style rockabilly guitar riffs (by Billy Zoom; the fourth member of the classic line-up is drummer D.J. Bonebrake.) And as if that weren't enough to make them stand out, their debut (this week's CAOTW) was produced by Ray Manzarek, the keyboardist of The Doors, who were the kings of the 60's L.A. rock scene (and attitudinally sort of proto-punk). Not only does Ray produce, he also added his trademark swirling electric organ to several songs, which works much better than you'd ever expect The Doors' keyboard player jamming with a punk band to sound! (How many classic punk albums with keyboards can you think of?) X blazed their own trail in the 1980's and never really seemed like part of any particular scene. They broke up for the 1990's but returned to touring in the 2000's and released a new album in 2020 that sounded like they never went away.
    
(N) = New Release
   
Artist Song Album Year Country
Grateful DeadThe Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)The Grateful Dead1967USA
Attila (with Billy Joel)California FlashAttila1970USA
Frank ZappaWonderful WinoZoot Allures1976USA
Eddie HazelCalifornia Dreamin' (The Mamas & Papas)Game, Dames, And Guitar Thangs1977USA
Kool & The GangHollywood SwingingWild And Peaceful1973USA
Dempagumi.inc One Nation Under The DempaOne Nation Under The Dempa EP (N)2023 (Meme Tokyo/Toy's Factory)Japan
 
 
Poppy Spitsingle (N)
2023 (Sumerian)USA
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Motor SpiritPetroDragonic Apocalypse Or, Dawn Of Eternal Night:
An Annihilation Of Planet Earth And The Beginning
Of Merciless Damnation (N)		2023 (KGLW)Australia
The 3 Clubmen
(with Andy Partridge from XTC) 		RacecarThe 3 Clubmen EP (N)
2023 (Lighterthief)UK
Osees Blank ChemsIntercepted Message (N)
2023 (Castle Face)USA
Night Beats Thank YouRajan (N - forthcoming album)2023 (Fuzz Club)USA
The Babe Rainbow SunshineFresh As A Head Of Lettuce EP (N)
2023 (Eureka)Australia
   
 
XLos AngelesLos Angeles
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1980USA
XNauseaLos Angeles
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1980USA
XThe World's A Mess: It's In My KissLos Angeles
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1980USA
XWhite GirlWild Gift1981USA
The DoorsL'AmericaL.A. Woman1971USA
MinutemenCoronaDouble Nickels On The Dime1984USA
Black FlagTV PartyDamaged1981USA
Swans Los Angeles: City Of DeathThe Beggar (N)
2023 (Young God)USA
   
 
Zolar XParallel GalaxyTimeless (compilation)rec. 1980USA
Residual EchoesThe California Creek Suite
   --> California		California2006USA
Camper Van BeethovenForm Another StoneII & III1987USA
Neil YoungLike An IncaTrans1982Canada
   
 
Quasi Back In Your TreeBreaking The Balls Of History (N)2023 (Sub Pop)USA
Scott McMicken & The Ever-Expanding Ever ExpandingShabang (N)2023 (Anti-)USA
Deerhoof Momentary Art Of Soul!Miracle-level (N)
2023 (Joyful Noise)USA/Japan
Mary HalvorsonCascadesMeltframe2015USA
The Flying LuttenbachersDe Futura (Magma)Infection And Decline2002USA
   
 
Swans EbbingThe Beggar (N)
2023 (Young God)USA
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