January 3, 2024 Playlist

Kosmik Radiation Episode #800
A look back at the last 19 years of psychedelic, progressive, heavy & underground sounds (mostly rock)
 
The Black Angels "Directions To See A Ghost" (2008)
First CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
The Black Angels "Directions To See A Ghost"  2008 (USA)
This week is the 800th episode of this show, so we're looking back on some of the great artists of the Kosmik Radiation Era (2005-2024) and inducting some modern classics into the hall of fame. For our first classic album this week, here's one that is just straight-up old fashioned GROOVY PSYCHEDELIC ROCK. The Black Angels were the hot neo-psych band of the late 00's and early 10's, though they have been less prolific in recent years and somewhat supplanted by the Aussie psych rock boom. I think they are also still involved with the Austin Psych Fest which they began and has been going on for about 15 years now. Angels are a Texican band in the grand tradition of 13th Floor Elevators and have performed gigs as Roky Erikson's backup band. If you like tribal rock beats, heavy drones, gobs of reverb, and strobe lights, this is yer band maaan! I think their best album could be their second one Directions To See A Ghost.
Parquet Courts "Wide Awake!" (2018)
Second CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Parquet Courts "Wide Awake!"  2018 (USA)
Parquet Courts are an indie rock band from Noo Yawk Citay formed around 2010. They remind me of a few classic punk/new wave bands from that area, particularly Talking Heads, and of course every white group from NYC has been influenced by Lou Reed. The early records were lo-fi and quirky, on the last couple albums their production values and sonic palette have expanded notably. Wide Awake! is my favorite by Parkay Quartz so far, and it was in the running for my best album of 2018.
Charles Bradley "Victim Of Love" (2013)
Third CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Charles Bradley "Victim Of Love"  2013 (USA)
Charles Bradley released his first record (a 7" single) in 2002 when he was 54 years old. Prior to that, his main claim to fame was performing in bars and small clubs doing James Brown impersonations under the name "Black Velvet." He didn't really begin his ascent until he started working with Menahan Street Band in 2007, and his debut album came out in 2011 when he was 63 years old! I saw him three times in Madison during the 2010's, and those shows progressed from half-full to overflow crowds; later he headlined a local festival with thousands of attendees which I did not see. His concerts were old-school SOUL exravaganzas with a hot band and Charles even did the splits on stage! It was almost impossible not to fall in love with the guy upon encountering him: in fact, he would literally say "I LOVE YOU" to the crowd about a hundred times at every show (even more than Ozzy says it!) One time I even saw him hanging out by the door after his gig to personally thank the audience as they were leaving and he gave hugs to anyone who wanted one! It was very clear how grateful he was to finally be living his dream as a SOUL SINGER. Artistically, he was a bridge to the greats of the past. His main influences were James Brown (on the uptempo numbers) and Otis Redding (on the ballads). Sadly, he died of cancer in 2017 and only left us four albums, including one that was posthumously released. Victim Of Love was his second album and is my favorite of the bunch. I should also mention that in addition to his great original songs, he also did some incredible covers: "Changes" by Black Sabbath was the titular track of his third album (and easily surpasses any previous version of that song), and his soulful funky versions of Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" (an early B-side included on his final album) and The Grateful Dead's "Cumberland Blues" (from a tribute album) are also amazing!
     
Artist Song Album Year Country
Black Moth Super RainbowDrippy EyeDandelion Gum2007USA
Ty SegallTake Care (To Comb Your Hair)Ty Segall2017USA
Dungen ("Grove")Gor Det Nu ("Do It Now")Tio Bitar ("Ten Pieces")2007Sweden
The Black AngelsDoveDirections To See A Ghost
 First CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		2008USA
The Black AngelsScience KillerDirections To See A Ghost
 First CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		2008USA
 
 
King Gizzard & The Lizard WizardRattlesnakeFlying Microtonal Banana2017Australia
Oh SeesThe Daily HeavyFace Stabber2019USA
Ariel Pink's Haunted GraffitiKinski AssassinMature Themes2012USA
LiarsHousecloudsLiars2007USA/Australia
   
 
Mission Of BurmaDonna SumeriaThe Obliterati2006USA
Sonic YouthSacred TricksterThe Eternal2009USA
DeerhoofLast FadLa Isla Bonita2014USA/Japan
SwansA Little God In My HandsTo Be Kind2014USA
black midiJohn LCavalcade2021UK
   
 
Parquet CourtsViolenceWide Awake!
 Second CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		2018USA
Parquet CourtsBefore The Water Gets Too HighWide Awake!
 Second CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		2018USA
StereolabWidow WeirdoFab Four Suture2006UK/France
The Fiery FurnacesNavy NurseWidow City2007USA
   
 
Peaking LightsTiger Eyes (Laid Back)9362011USA
Sun ArawGet LowHeavy Deeds2009USA
OOIOOemeraldragonflyGold & Green"2005"
(This album was released in Japan in 2000, but not in the USA until 2004, about 7 months before the Kosmik Radiation show began. Somehow it wound up on my "Best of 2005" list anyway.)		Japan
   
 
PoppyLet's Make A VideoPOPPY.COMPUTER2017USA
Kyary Pamyu PamyuMondai Girl
(Japenglish pun that could mean "girl who has a problem" or "girl who is a problem") 		single (KPP BEST compilation)2015Japan
DAOKOMoshimo Bokura Ga GAME No Shuyaku De
("If We Were The Protagonists Of The GAME")		THANK YOU BLUE2017Japan
Dempagumi.inc (with H Zett M Trio)Oyasumi Polaris Sayonara Parallel World
("Good Night Polaris, Goodbye Parallel World")		Ware Ware Wa Dempagumi.inc Da
("We Are Dempagumi.inc")		2019Japan
BABYMETALElevator Girl (English version)Metal Galaxy2019Japan
Haru NemuriSekai Wo Torikaeshite Okure
("Please Take Back The World")		Haru To Shura
("Springtime And Carnage")		2018Japan
   
 
Charles BradleyStrictly Reserved For YouVictim Of Love
 Third CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		2013USA
Charles BradleyConfusionVictim Of Love
 Third CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		2013USA
Scott WalkerCossacks AreThe Drift2006USA/UK
   
 
Neil Young & Promise Of The RealBig Box ("live")Earth2016Canada/USA
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