Drag Triplets- Crushing 7" (1995) (320kb)

Today's post comes from the mid 90s world of Alt Rock, with all the trappings and connotations that includes. The artwork and black and white 7" brings you back to the era when all rock bands thought they could be the next big thing and film was still the only medium around.

Sonically, it reminds me a lot of mid 90s post hardcore along the lines of Drive Like Jehu and Capt'n Jazz, with female vocals and a more straightforward punk/grunge song structure. I'm a sucker for post-hardcore, and it's hard to find with female vocals. In those days, there was a pretty pronounced gender gap (which still exists, it's just different genres) where men formed emo/post-hardcore/post-rock bands and women formed riot grrrl bands. This record straddles between punk, riot grrrl, and post-hardcore so it seems a little disheveled. As a retrospective however, it works well.

Link in the comments.

Jeanette- In the Morning (1983)

Jeanette's first single is in many ways is a synth cross between Nico and Kate Bush's atmospheric production and approach, and the results are as interesting as both of those artists without the depth or originality. The production is actually very reminiscent of quiet Italo Disco- dark synths buried in the mix, world beats filtered through an European lens, however, it has a very distinct British feel to it, due to its indebtedness to early Industrial Records releases and Throbbing Gristle. I love it, and played it on my show, but it's not going to woo any new fans into the world of minimal synths. However, I think those who enjoy the blog and the show will dig it. Links in the comments.

Hello I'm a Truck (S/T 7")

Off kilter 90s Indie Rock, reminds me a lot of Archers of Loaf. Personally, I prefer side B. It's grungy, with time signature changes and enough interesting interweaving guitars to make more interesting than most rock of the era. I'm planning on playing it tomorrow on my radio show, calling all girls on KDVS!

D/L link in the comments, enjoy. The pic is from their self titled cd, not 7", FYI.