We Can't Be Friends

Black Tambourine - Complete Recordings

Black Tambourine were always a special little secret, but they are starting to gain some well earned notoriety as modern bands such as the Vivian Girls pay homage to their sound.  They bridge the gap between the Creation Records sound and indie pop, while throwing in a Spector Sound girl group influence.

The band was founded in Silver Spring, Maryland in the late 80's, and released only two singles and a few compilation tracks in their all too short lifespan.  Members were involved in or went on to start Velocity Girl, Chickfactor zine, and the seminal indie pop record label Slumberland.

Every song they recorded was compiled on a 10"/cd, which I present to you here.  This is a true gem.

Complete Recordings: http://www.mediafire.com/?ziidniuzdzg

I'm a man with a streak of self-loathing

This entry is just a collection of some of my favorite pop songs of 2008, 95% was only released on vinyl.  Maybe you'll like one or two.

Tracklisting:

1. Broken Strings - Eyes of the World
2. Yussuf Jerusalem - We Ain't Coming Back
3. Eat Skull - Dead Families
4. Box Elders - Hole In My Head
5. Dan Melchior und das Menace - In a Daze
6. Harlem - South of France
7. Nodzzz - I Don't Wanna (Smoke Marijuana)
8. Ty Segall - You're Not Me
9. Little Claw - Race To the Bottom
10. Times New Viking - Pagan Eyes
11. Thomas Function - Can't Say No

2008 Mix: http://www.mediafire.com/?mmeqjmqoyjz

Bonus Post - Cinerama

Here's a bonus for everyone who enjoyed the Wedding Present post...

Cinerama - Va va voom

After the Weddoes called it quit, frontman David Gedge started up Cinerama with his then girlfriend in 1998.  They released several albums and singles over the next 6 years or so, but only their debut "Va va voom" is notable.  It's really a quite excellent Baroque pop record with terrific arrangements.  Sort of a Burt Bacharach indie pop record.  Features guest appearances by members of the excellent band The Delgados as well as The Church.

Va va voom: http://www.mediafire.com/?0at0igzmdzd

There's Always Something Left Behind

A couple of weeks ago I walked outside at a gathering to talk to a couple of friends, when one of them asked me about The Wedding Present. I immediately went on a rant about David Gedge, and then realized I had never talked about The Wedding Present with anyone. The 3 of us bonded over a mutual love of the Weddoes, and I decided to start this blog to share this great music.

This blog won't just be about The Wedding Present, but I thought they should be the first entry. I hope to update this page about once a week and feature a pop band or album I want to share. I have pretty broad tastes, but when it boils down to it, there's nothing I like more than a good pop song. Now on with the show.

I'll save the in-depth history lesson since you can easily find out anything you want to know with a quick Google search, but The Wedding Present were an English pop band that began playing shambolic indie pop in the mid 80's and remained pretty relevant for a decade. They never had much in terms of commerical success in the US, but they had their moment in the sun in the UK.

I won't cover every release, but instead just what I consider their highlights.




The Wedding Present - Tommy (1985-1987)

The argument can be made that The Weddoes were always more of a singles band that an album band, and it's hard to argue for the most part. This compilation collections the band's singles prior to their debut LP.

Tommy: http://www.mediafire.com/?myzyhwtzazk



The Wedding Present - George Best

The band's debut LP from 1987, which I consider it their second best full length. This CD version contains 2 bonus tracks, including a faithful cover "Going Nowhere Fast" by Girls At Their Best--a band I may cover in a future blog entry.

George Best: http://www.mediafire.com/?imd3dmyai5k



The Wedding Present - Seamonsters

The band's 3rd album was released in 1991, and it's their finest work. The strongest argument that the Wedding Present weren't just a singles band. 'Seamonsters' features some noisier moments (in the Weddoes universe, anyway), and features Steve Albini production with his signature drum/bass sound.

Seamonsters: http://www.mediafire.com/?w2zizqzz21j



The Wedding Present - Hit Parade Vol. 1 & Vol. 2

In 1992 the band released a single every month of the year, and these two collection compile all 12 singles. This was the last of the band's golden era.

Hit Parade Vol. 1: http://www.mediafire.com/?iyinmh2tuym
Hit Parade Vol. 2: http://www.mediafire.com/?5jdtvmvvjql