Dr. Kilpatient – Some Old Fashioned Maladies (c) 2004 Dr. KilpatientI suppose the best term coming to the top of my mind right now is spatial. Having spilled coffee all over the CD, I will give the best account I can, by memory alone. In order to pigeon-hole things, which is something I love, the Dr. is oft reminiscent of Mr. Bungle. I think fans and enemies of either outfit would probably agree. Mrs. !upstarter found it to be similar to one of her least favorite acts, Ramogasm, though I would have to disagree. The lyrics are clever though often too reliant on obvious rhyme schemes and the music for all intents and purposes is electronic, cosmic and largely disjointed. Incidentally, the logo, when viewed upside down, appear to spell “audiofuckup”. Take that for what it's worth. If your like you music best enjoyed while chemically enhanced or otherwise mentally impaired, come on, give Dr. Kilpatient a shot.www.drkilpatient.comJerry Actually
PAMA Intl. [Float Like a Butterfly]
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
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
Screeching Weasel [Wiggle]
Screeching Weasel – Wiggle(re-release) © 2005 Asian Man Records Wiggle was their fourth full length album originally released in '92 on Lookout Records. Its been out of print for quite some time. Now its back, Remastered and redesigned with bonus tracks, never before seen photos, and special liner notes. This is a fantastic album with the rockin' and rollin' line up consisting of who else but Ben Weasel on vocs, Jughead on Guitar, Johnny Personallity on 2nd guitar, Dan Panic on Drums and Dan Vapid on bass. With their silly lack of seriousness in lyrics add some great music and voila you have a magical mix of wonderfullness. I highly recommend this album to all Screeching Weasel fans and everyone else because it totally rocks!http://www.screechingweasel.comhttp://www.asianmanrecords.com -Shann13
The Lawrence Arms
The Lawrence Arms [Cocktails & Dreams] © 2005 Asian Man Records“Cocktails & Dreams” is the long awaited B-sides release from Chicago’s The Lawrence Arms. The disc contains mostly tracks from now out-of-print split cd’s, however it isn’t just factory seconds and cans of creamed asparagus. There is an exclusive new song and 2 (count ‘em 1, 2) new versions of previously recorded material. Fans of the member’s former bands The Broadways and Slapstick will appreciate the melodic Chicago style punk rock. I know that I am pigeon-holing but the Chicago sound seems to be embodied by a quick paced (relatively) emo-laden punk. “Cocktails & Dreams” is 16 tracks of bittersweet melodies and cold grey weather anxiety. With songs about drinking, drinking too much, and not doing so in the future, cocktails and dreams is a must have for anyone that likes to sit in dimly lit rooms knocking back the last swig of malt liquor before finding their bottle of booze, all the while wondering where the hell this life is going to; Probably Pensacola.http://www.thelawrencearms.nethttp://www.asianmanrecords.com-Jerry Actually
Talco – Tutti Assalti
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© 2005 Black Butcher / KOB Records
I tried to translate “Tutti Assalti” from Italian into English with the Google Tranlslator. It came out something like “All You Onslaught” I’m not sure exactly what they mean, but if you want me to make the attempt, it means sweet freakin’ ska from Italy. Talco sounds to me like part Streetlight Manifesto, part Potshot. It works well, resulting in fast paced upbeat ska and ska/punk.
I don’t speak Italian, but I get the sense that the music is motivated and politically aware. Something important to mention, from the bio sheet, “Talco are a highly antifascist and against racism ska-punk band. They believe in music independence and in the massage it has to send against every kind of discrimination.” I say bravo! Keep up the damn fine ska. I hope to hear more from Talco. Maybe someday I’ll even know what they are singing about.
–Jerry Actually
Satori – Savor Every Moment
(c) 2005 Asian Man Records
Rating: 
Comprised of the Rx Bandits with guest spots by Chris Murray and members of The Exit, is the outfit known as Satori. “Savor Every Moment” is their debut album out now on Asian Man Records. I insist that you do, in fact, savor every moment of this CD. All the elements of Dub, Rock Steady Reggae and Ska are artfully combined to create a soulful and soothing record. I’ve listened to “Savor Every Moment” about 4x in a row now and I’m still interested and still discovering new hooks and melodies. There are striking similarities to Sublime and Long Beach Dub All-stars. However, where as the aforementioned bands seem a little locked into 1 style, Satori runs the gambit of Jamaican musical styles as well as displaying R&B influences. The songs often recall the likes of Skatalites and early Wailers, yet infused with modern tones and beats, an dI’m not kidding when I say that these guys have some serious Stevie influence. “Savor Every Moment” is a beautifully restored classic car, refined with modern luxury appointments. Truly a must have disc for all fans of Jamaican music. As a bonus, check out the bands website for an audio stream of the first 3 tracks off of the CD.
http://www.satoriband.net
http://www.asianmanrecords.com
–Jerry Actually
Between The Buried and Me – The Silent Circus
(c) 2003 Victory Records
Rating: 
Between the Buried and Me has struck me to be one of the most intriguing bands that I have come across. This five piece band out of NC has shown a refreshing side of the “metalcore” scene. They express their diversity in many ways throughout the entire album that can send you on an emotional rollercoaster. “Lost Perfection” starts you off with countless mathematically sequenced rhythms leave you begging for more. From Clutch to Six Feet Under riffs you never lose interest on what the band is revealing to you. From there you get about half way into the album and it takes a heart felt anthem feeling with some ambient guitar tones, completely different from what the album began with. Lead singer Tommy Rogers continues to show his varied singing attributes throughout the clean softer part of the album. You get an abrupt awakening when “Ad a dglgmut” opens up, and the album continues its precise placement of speedy “riffery” to the end. This CD has not left my stereo yet….
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Chris Murray – Raw
(c) 2002 Asian Man Records
Rating:
I’ve said it previously. I’ll say it again. Chris Murray is a genius. Raw the new full length CD from Chris Murray will be out in late October and damn is it worth it. Venice Shoreline Chris proves to the world that all the high tech equipment that you can muster isn’t what it takes to make a great album. With softly understated brilliance and a depth of soul to overcome the most lo-fi of recording means, Raw shines in a way I didn’t know was possible.Tracks 1-13 were recorded on a portable cassette recorder and track 14, a live version of Rock Steady, was recorded with a portable DAT. Despite the audible differences in the recording means, the disc comes across impressively, as if Chris were playing right in front of you in your garage or basement.This time around Chris Murray has quite a few guest musicians, including some from The Specials Hepcat and Go Jimmy Go. The special guests only lend to my belief that Chris Murray is one of the greatest singer/song writers of the last decade. Give your musical horizon some expansion and get Raw.www.chrismurray.net
–Jerry Actually