Private Release

Monday, March 28, 2016

Dogfight - (1993) Freeze Your Laughing 7'

Collective Chaos Records ‎- 02

Buzzoven - (1997) Useless 7''

A sludge metal band from North Carolina, formed in 1991. The band was known for being one of the founders of the sludge genre along with NOLA's Eyehategod and Acid Bath, and also for their out-of-control and violent live shows.

Contropotere - (1992) Solo Selvaggi 7''

Formed in the mid 80s by a collective of anarchist squatters in Naples, Italy; Contropotere crafted their own unique version of dark, experimental hardcore. Their singer, Lucia, delivers some of the most gut wrenchingly heartfelt and POWERFUL female vocals known to punk rock amidst tribal beats and hauntingly beautiful piano.

Paxston Quiggly - (1992) Paxston Quiggly 7''

PQ-1

Erasure - (1986) Oh L'Amour 12''

The key reason is the smash U.K. single "Oh l'Amour," which rapidly became a staple for American modern rock stations as well. A lovely a cappella opening and instantly catchy hook, not to mention sprightly performances from Clarke and Bell both (the latter wisely undersings rather than pushing the flamboyance, letting loose more on the chorus), ensured its classic status.

Dwight Twilley - (1979) Twilley LP

Despite coming after the departure of longtime cohort Phil Seymour, 1979's Twilley is no great departure for Dwight Twilley, and indeed features a handful of songs he had been stockpiling for years. The band also features many of the same musicians from the previous albums, most notably guitarist Bill Pitcock IV, while songs like "Nothing's Ever Gonna Change So Fast," "Betsy Sue," and "Runaway" are the kind of classicly structured, lushly produced, and passionately performed power pop gems Twilley cranked out like a machine. What makes the album work is the variety of songs (a nice mix of rockers, introspective ballads, and moody tunes like "Runaway") and the use of strings on songs like "Out of My Hands" and "Standin' in the Shadow of Love." The strings combined with the songs' dramatic sweep lead to thoughts of ELO fronted by Tom Petty and produced by Phil Spector -- but, more importantly, give the record an added boost. Overall, it may not stack up to Sincerely, but Twilley is one of Dwight Twilley's best.

Dwight Twilley - (1982) Scuba Divers LP

Dwight Twilley's second album as a solo artist, 1982's Scuba Divers isn't quite as successful as his past releases. The production is glossier, the songs are not as sharp, and there is a slight lack of inspiration in places. Some of this feeling may come from knowing the tangled and depressing history behind the album's recording and eventual release; some of it certainly comes from the lack of energy and spark in some of the songs and performances. Still, there are some moments of Twilley magic and some great songs, like the absolutely lovely "Somebody to Love," the exuberant rocker "I Found the Magic," "Dion Baby," and the yearning "I Think It's That Girl." The album also benefits from the harmony vocals of Susan Cowsill, the continued presence of Bill Pitcock, and the fact that even a less than 100 percent Twilley is still better than just about any other '70s/early-'80s pop/rocker.

Dwight Twilley - (1986) Wild Dogs LP

Twilley's 1986 album Wild Dogs was recorded for Private I Records, a custom label run by independent radio promoter Joe Isgro that was distributed by Epic Records; however, when Isgro was implicated in a 1986 radio promotion scandal, Private I Records collapsed. Instead, the album was quietly released by Epic's CBS Associated label, where it went largely unnoticed, despite the appearance of the last Twilley/ Seymour song, "Shooting Stars".