Rolling Post-Punk Thread

Cheveu just didn't get me excited on first listen. I'm sure some would like 'em and perhaps will grow on me. Hear for yrselves! I'd been way into OOIOO at one point, but gamelan music was probably the last thing I wanted to hear from them. It's okay I guess, but if I have some gamelan albums if (big if) I ever crave some again.

http://theflenser.bandcamp.com/album/the-unnatural-world
http://shop.bornbadrecords.net/album/bum
http://criminalcode.bandcamp.com/album/no-device
http://wwnbb.bandcamp.com/album/wwnbb-051-earthbeat
http://postwarglamourgirls.com/album/pink-fur

Mode Moderne - Occult Delight (Light Organ) - Vancouver jangly pop heavily influenced by Smiths, Interpol, etc. This could irritate some, but its grown on me, particularly tracks 6-8. Their first album was self-released in '09.
http://modemoderne.bandcamp.com/album/occult-delight

The New Christs - Incantations (Impedance) - Melbourne post-punk garage featuring Rob Younger of Celibate Rifles, New Race, Radio Birdman. They've been going since 1980! This is their first since Gloria (2009), and appear to get better with age.
http://thenewchrists.bandcamp.com/album/incantations

The Sea Kings – Woke In The Devil’s Arms (Iffy Folk) - Scottish band with diverse debut full length, only a few songs can be described as post-punk, but it's too great not to mention. Review: I just about lost my mind when I first heard the lead single from Glasgow’s The Sea Kings’ debut album. “Bible John” sounds like a long-lost single from 1984, a supergroup collaboration between The Smiths and Postcard groups like Aztec Camera, The Go Betweens and Josef K. Despite its celebratory ebullience, it’s actually a sinister tale about the 1960s Glasgow Barrowland killer. That’s pretty much the band’s m.o., tales about horrible things. Nick Cave would approve. The title track that kicks off the album is especially indebted to Cave, and also underrated Australian band The Triffids. Dark, heavy and brooding, it’s a magnificent start to the album. “Moonlit Range” is a plodding death waltz that made me wonder when they were going to pick up the tempo again. It turns out nothing else on the album remotely resembles “Bible John.” After adjusting expectations, the album’s brilliance spreads through you like the warm burn of a double Scotch. “The Night Of Broken Glass” takes place in 30s Germany where a young man fatally attempts to defect. “Is Paris Burning” has some particularly evocative imagery as a tragic love note from a jail cell. The band citing writer Alasdair Gray as an influence turns out to be no joke. These are truly literary songs. The album ends with another highlight, “Across The Coals,” a ghostly murder ballad with Ennio Morricone undertones and strings, like The Dirty Three with an excellent lyricist. You’d think the arrival of a colossal talent like this would call for some fanfare, but eh, it’s 2014 and everyone has their heads up their arses in their own particular micro scenes. Had I not been on the lookout for something like this for a while I might have missed it too, just as I missed their first Some Dark Matters EP (Iffy Folk, 2010). But if one catchy riff is enough to fuel a decade plus career for Interpol (“Say Hello To The Angels”), hopefully “Bible John” can bring similar attention to this well-deserving band. | Amazon | iTunes | CD (Europe only)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlyT9yNuDIE&feature=youtu.be

been enjoying the mode moderne for a while, it's not at the top of the heap for that sound but i like their laidback take on it

http://sharktoys.bandcamp.com/

Total Control - Typical System (Iron Lung)

Really got on a New Christs kick, listening to their whole catalog. Reviewed it with the second Hits album, a Brisbane band, treads similar territory of post-punk and garage noir.

Hits – Hikikomori (Conquest Of Noise)
http://fastnbulbous.com/new-christs-incantations-hits-hikikomori/

Just finished listening to Merchandise - After The End, which is out officially next week. More in a new wave/synth/jangle pop direction, which would be fine, but am a bit disappointed by the quality of songs.

Ausmuteants, Low Life, Dreamsalon, Protomartyr, Whore Paint, Cured Pink, Flesh World, Rat Columns, Die Schacht.... Weird how the new Total Control isn't in any stores here in NYC other than Rough Trade. Album comes with a bonus radio-show cd. This Brazilian band Rakta looks promising, but maybe more guitar-noise than post-punk.

I'm going to see Yvette tonight.

http://fastnbulbous.com/post-punk-rundown/

I haven't written as much as I'd like, job prevents me from staying up all night. Dangling Interpol review as lure/gateway to other bands, ha. This one came out in January (Germany) and May, and is new to me and this thread:

The Estranged – The Estranged (Sabotage/Dirtnap)
This Portland band started out with a pretty great set of singles, collected on Type Foundry Session Vol. 1 (2009). It’s rough hewn post-punk with relentlessly scorching guitars informed by local legends The Wipers, and maybe a touch of Aussie influences in Radio Birdman. The singles were much more electrifying than their first album Static Thoughts (2008), which has them taste-testing a variety of 1978-82 era material from Wire, The Cure and Gang Of Four, while The Subliminal Man (2010) saw the band, whose members have roots in hardcore punk, expanding their range to include The Chameleons and a bit of jangly pop. Four years later they’re sounding better than ever on their self-titled third, growing into their own skins and shedding more obvious characteristics of their influences. So not so much angular UK post-punk, and more hard-edged garage rock along the lines of the latest from The New Christs and Hits I recently raved about. The band has tightened up, and while there is still some rawness in the guitar sound, the playing is cleaner and more focused, with an extra layer of complexity that lends to more rewarding repeat listens. Keith Testerman’s drumming is relentlessly propulsive like Anton Fier’s work in The Feelies. At times he could use a touch of the flamboyance of the likes of Echo & the Bunnymen’s Pete de Freitas. But couldn’t everyone? Mark Herman’s vocals remain understated, preferring to blend in with the music rather than parade in front of it like, oh, Simple Minds after they started losing the plot in ’83, or a million other bands that try too hard. Rather, they sound like a band that’s been at it for several years and are simply letting it flow.

http://dirtnaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/estranged-the-s-t
https://sabotagerecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-estranged-type-foundry-session-vol-1

http://backseatmafia.com/2014/11/06/featured-artist-the-gluts/
https://thegluts.bandcamp.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4x-AZW1ouA#t=53

Dark Blue - Pure Reality (Jade Tree) - This is quickly climbing up my year-end list to the point where I like it nearly as much as last year's great Beastmilk album, along similar hard-hitting lines. I bought the CD and added the single via Bandcamp dl, "Just Another Night With The Boys," which is essential. John Cale cover is good too.
https://darkblueskins.bandcamp.com/album/pure-reality
https://darkblueskins.bandcamp.com/album/just-another-night-with-the-boys

Cult Of Youth - Final Days (Sacred Bones) - Neo-folk, gothy darkwave, expands their palate. I hear a bit of Savage Republic this time, but also some more tuneful parts on their fourth album.

So any of these making your year-end lists this year?

Have A Nice Life and Makthaverskan will be on mine.

makthaverskan ii is an incredible record

Yeah it's great, but that came out March 2013.

true tho the US version was 2014

Girl Band are notably absent from this 2014 roundup. "Lawman" was IMO the best post-punk single this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqxe3NZKYL0

The new Dreamsalon, Iceage, Miami Dolphins, Institute

Thanks! I include EPs, but so far Girl Band only had singles this year. I thought Desperate Journalist would have an album this year, but they also just did a single.

Dreamsalon - Soft Stab
https://dreamsalon.bandcamp.com/

The Miami Dolphins - Becky
https://themiamidolphins.bandcamp.com/album/becky

Institute - Salt EP
http://www.sacredbonesrecords.com/products/sbr119-institute-salt-ep

Universe People - Are Coming To The Dance - Promising trio from Seattle, a bit of Liliput & Sleater-Kinney influence.
https://universepeople-bonjour.bandcamp.com/

Stiu nu Stiu - ULTRA SILVAM; mentioned an early song or two from these guys upthread, and their first full album has sneakily become an underdog favorite this year. Swedish band playing a kind of heavy post-punk not totally unlike Beastmilk (and Kurt Ballou mixed this too) but incorporating more doom influence.

https://stiunustiu.bandcamp.com/album/ultra-silvam

more mopey and atmospheric than Beastmilk too

really digging the new albums from hozac alumni population & schonwald, seem to fit in here

https://population.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-the-pale
https://anywave.bandcamp.com/album/dream-for-the-fall

Thanks for turning me onto Makthaverskan II, guys. They're not nearly as "anti"-pop as they protest, but that's fine. Makes me think of The Clean and John Cale's song "Ski Patrol," although with wailing young vocals and ready elbows.

Interesting, who has been mentioning Stiu nu Stiu as favorites? This is the first time I've seen them mentioned, and I regularly scour the blogs. I checked again and saw I missed this review in June - http://echoesanddust.com/2014/06/stiu-nu-stiu-ultra-silvam/

that was me, and yeah they don't seem to have gotten much coverage yet; I only discovered them at the end of last year when on a whim I tried to catalog all of Kurt Ballou's 2013 production and mixing work.

that review is pretty positive! it doesn't even mention post-punk and while I definitely hear that I agree it is reductive as there are post rock, drone, metal and even dream pop influences too

funnily enough I just discovered that at the bottom of the "reviews" page on their official site they link to the ILM rolling metal thread where I singled them out for special mention when I posted the results of my 2013 Ballou cataloging:

http://www.stiunustiu.com/reviews

I really didn't get into their performance at a street fest last summer, so it took me a while to warm back up to the Protomartyr album but I'm liking it much more finally.

Spotify playlist: http://open.spotify.com/user/1212496385/playlist/4GTF8gNmhHxRSOmKHuzFRL

Been looking forward to this.

Desperate Journalist - Desperate Journalist (Fierce Panda) Jan 26

http://www.backseatmafia.com/2015/01/07/album-launch-desperate-journalist-launch-debut-lp/

I did this a month ago but neglected to post my post-punk genre year-end list here:

Post-Punk 2014
Spotify Playlist: http://open.spotify.com/user/1212496385/playlist/4GTF8gNmhHxRSOmKHuzFRL

Dark Blue – Pure Reality (Jade Tree) | Bandcamp
The New Christs – Incantations (Impedance) | Bandcamp
The Gotobeds – Poor People Are Revolting (12XU) | Bandcamp
The Estranged – The Estranged (Sabotage/Dirtnap) | Bandcamp
Protomartyr – Under Cover Of Official Right (Hardly Art) | Bandcamp
Interpol – El Pintor (Matador)
Total Control – Typical System (Iron Lung) | Bandcamp
Ought – More Than Any Other Day (Constellation) | Bandcamp
Ştiu Nu Ştiu – Ultra Silvam (EDILS) | Bandcamp
Mode Moderne – Occult Delight (Light Organ) | Bandcamp
Post War Glamour Girls – Pink Fur (HSR) | Bandcamp
Iceage – Plowing Into the Field of Love (Matador)
Lower – Seek Warmer Climes (Matador) | Buy
Merchandise – After The End (4AD)
Have A Nice Life – The Unnatural World (Enemies List) | Bandcamp
Schonwald – Dream For The Fall (Anywave) | Bandcamp
Population – Beyond The Pale (Mass Media) | Bandcamp
Eagulls – Eagulls (Partisan)
Rat Columns – Leaf (R.I.P. Society) | Bandcamp
The Blue Angel Lounge – A Sea Of Trees (8MM)
Nicole Sabouné – Must Exist (Roxy)
Esben And The Witch – A New Nature (Nostromo) | Bandcamp
Universe People – Are Coming To The Dance (Dragnet) | Bandcamp
Cult Of Youth – Final Days (Sacred Bones)
Dekoder – Flowers To Blossom (Chaos Rules) | Bandcamp
Cosmic Thoughts – Cosmic Thoughts (Cosmic Thoughts) | Bandcamp
Dreamsalon – Soft Stab (Dragnet) | Bandcamp
The Miami Dolphins – Becky (FPE Records) | Bandcamp
Institute – Salt EP (Sacred Bones)
Low Life – Dogging (R.I.P. Society)
Creative Adult – Psychic Mess (Run For Cover)
Cheveu – BUM (Born Bad) | Bandcamp
The Nightingales – For Fuck’s Sake (Nightingales) | Buy

picked up the desperate journalist lp digitally a couple of months ago, it's excellent

the rat columns album you mention is really great, quite all over the place musically in some ways, even jangly pop in parts

I haven't found anything from that Desperate Journalist album yet, weird.

Album from French one-man band was available last year but is reissued on vinyl this year:

Jessica 93 - Rise (Teenage Menopause)
https://teenagemenopause.bandcamp.com/album/rise

Just discovered Lusts today. "Temptation" is especially grebt.

https://soundcloud.com/lustsmusic/temptation

This is probably the best place to ask. I'm looking for more good crazy, kind of wacky, conceptual new wave albums? I'm thinking stuff in the vein of Kid Creole's 'Tropical Gangsters', B-52s' 'Mesopotamia', Ze Records type things, Oingo Boingo, Devo, Pere Ubu's 'Dub Housing'? Looking for arty/off-the-wall/cartoonish especially.

Modern Romance - Everybody Salsa/Can You Move/Queen of the Rapping Scene?

not heard those, so i will check!

http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/albums/

Wovenhand, The Sea Kings and Lola Colt on my ballot, all with some post-punk elements, got no votes from anyone else. However some others did pretty well:

20 Parquet Courts, Sunbathing Animal
36 Protomartyr, Under Color of Official Right
64 Pharmakon, Bestial Burden
79 Total Control, Typical System
90 Warpaint, Warpaint
99 Shellac, Dude Incredible
111 Iceage, Plowing Into the Field of Love
122 Merchandise, After the End
133 Sleaford Mods, Divide and Exit
140 Ought, More Than Any Other Day
151 The Horrors, Luminous
183 Godflesh, A World Lit Only By Fire
215 Eagulls, Eagulls
218 The Both, The Both
224 Bitchin Bajas, Bitchin Bajas
231 The Gotobeds, Poor People Are Revolting
231 Liars, Mess
297 Interpol, El Pintor

Man I forgot how much I liked that Parquet Courts album.

I've been obsessed with Certain General & Band Of Outsiders. Having a hell of a time tracking down CDs or lossless. One guy online has a 23 track "special edition" of this:

Certain General - November's Heat 1984

As far as I can tell though, that version never existed. A French 1990 reissue had 5 completely different bonus tracks:

12 Johnny
13 Strippin' The Blues
14 Uptight (Groove Version)
15 Nowhere
16 That's Where I Hang (Live Version)

Whereas this guy has these:

12 Hello My God
13 Kill And Take
14 Desert
15 Certain General Theme
16 Red Ledge
17 Fly Me To Berlin
18 Service
19 Dachau Now
20 Sellout
21 Trench
22 At Peace
23 Leader Out

I would totally buy that if someone reissued it!

I used to have Certain General's "Signals From The Source" but it never did anything for me and sold it and never bothered to hunt down "November's Heat" which is supposed to be their best.

Yes, they changed a bit after the first album. It's on Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/28jthAZ3swXzQXE8niWZQj

http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=certain_general

Out today:

Desperate Journalist - Desperate Journalist (Fierce Panda)
http://www.fiercepanda.co.uk/shop.php?release=465
http://drownedinsound.com/releases/18598/reviews/4148635
http://thequietus.com/articles/17072-desperate-journalist-desperate-journalist-review

^my fave record of the last 6 months

I thought one of Certain General who turned up on the Wildweed yahoo Gun Club list about 10 years ago had compiled a 2cd set sometime back then which was available at the time.
I saw them at Alice in Wonderland back in the early 80s and enjoyed them . I think it was AiW anyway pretty sure it was that venue.

Nite Fields - Depersonalisation (felte)
https://nitefields.bandcamp.com/album/depersonalisation-2

Motorama - Poverty (Talitres) - Russian band on a French label, I've been enjoying this for the past month, and just became available on Spotify yesterday.
https://talitres.bandcamp.com/album/poverty
https://play.spotify.com/album/1NlRSDgmMTMYk1zoOtD4Gq

RA - Scandinavia (Adrian) - Swedish band self-described as "Nordic noir-punk," yas! Still looking for a way to purchase lossless or a CD.
http://shop.adrianrecordings.com/product/ra-scandinavia-vinyl-album
http://play.spotify.com/artist/26XS4hmEAbEm3nmWCIOIDa

I've been pre-occupied with the nightmarish process of moving (selling, buying, closings) and feel a bit out of the loop so please help and include anything I'm missing!

Also, Johan Snell left Beastmilk (who had also gained a member in Linnéa Olsson from The Oath), and they are renamed Grave Pleasures, with a new album coming out this year.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/beastmilk-parts-ways-with-guitarist-johan-goatspeed-snell-changes-name-to-grave-pleasures/

Street Eaters have their moments:

http://streeteaters.com/track/blood-muscles-bones