PAMA International – Float Like a Butterfly (c) 2005 Asian Man Records Wow! Great stuff. Full review coming soon — ok as promised. Pama International what a clever band; I was, dare I say, anticipatory when I heard tale of a new release from a band comprised of previous member of Madness, The Specials, Special Beat and the Paul Weller Band. When “Float Like a Butterfly” arrived in my mail I was very excited, until I played the CD that is. I felt let down. I expected to be immediately blown away. Little did I know the power that lay dormant in this clever little multi-layer plastic and aluminum timebomb. It apparently was set to go off in about 2 weeks time. I kept listening and listening and the songs were running through my head. I must admit, I was wrong right out of the gate, but I have come around. “Float Like a Butterfly” is a masterful creation by legends of the art. Don't hesitate; buy it now. If you don't like it, give it a few weeks. It will grow on you like a plague, I swear.http://www.pamainternational.co.ukhttp://www.asianmanrecords.comJerry Actually
Month: August 2005
Screeching Weasel – How to Make Enemies and Irritate People
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(c) 2005 Asian Man Records
“How to Make Enemies and Irritate People” is already my favorite Screeching Weasel album, having been re-mastered only makes it sweeter. Personal favorites on the album include ’99’ ‘Time Bomb’ and ‘I Wrote Holden Caulfield’.
I believe that there is little else that need be said about it; I mean it freakin’ rocks, but I do suppose that when you’re reading this you may well have crawled out of the primordial ooze somewhere and logged into the internet for the very first time just to see what the heck punk rock was all about, or alternately, you are receiving this on a remote satellite transmission in outer space. So very well, Screeching Weasel are pop punk pioneers who helped hone an affinity for the Ramones into a staggeringly huge sub-genre of its own, as well as being the progenitors of other influential bands like The Queers and the Riverdales.
Their music takes a comedic approach and reflects the quasi-casual partly cornered attitude of modern suburbia. Though unlike the suburban restlessness and boredom that spawned the punk rock of a prior generation, Screeching Weasel seem more content to be goofy and often sappy. I would contend that they probably had a pretty decent time growing up in suburban Chicago.
I suppose I am kind of rambling on here, so, “How to Make Enemies and Irritate People” re-mastered and re-released brand sparkin’ new liner notes; Out now on Asian Man Records. Buy it now. That makes it brand new for you!
http://www.screechingweasel.com
http://www.asianmanrecords.com
-Jerry Actually
Coquettish [High Energy Politics]
Coquettish – High Energy Politics (c) 2005 Asian Man Recordsco·quette n. (ko-ket') – A woman who makes teasing sexual or romantic overtures; a flirt.Coquettish on the other hand are a sweet ska-tinged punk rock band outta Yokohama (where also sweet tires come from) Japan. “High Energy Politics” is the full-length debut from this quintet, the follow up to the “Total Pops Madness” EP and their first release in over 4 years. 4 years seems to be an exceedingly long amount of time for a band to wait between releases. Usually this signifies a breakup or lineup change. I can't say for certain what was the case, but I think it was worth the wait. Listen to “High Energy Politics” and see if you don't say to yourself, “I'll be damned. This sounds like Japanese-accented Suicide Machines.” This stands all too well to reason, as it is produced by the Suicide Machine's own Dan Lukacinsky. Not to say that Coquettish are coping on someone else's sound, they certainly have style of their own, but the influence is certainly there. “High Energy Politics” is a fun fast rocking CD. It's out now on Asian Man Records. Go'n get yerself a copy. Oh, and for the record, they are ninja, not geisha.http://www.justrock-store.comhttp://www.asianmanrecords.com-Jerry Actually