I just received a really great message from Frank concerning our soon to be released E.P. The cover of Annimal Skkulls is just above and is a hand printed 2 color image of our own design. Frank told me that he is doing art, maybe a collage, for the backside and he is making a
HAND SEWN CLOTH POUCH for everything to go in also!!! Fucking Amazing News!!! I can not wait to see all of this put together. We, Ttotals, are blown away by the efforts being put into our release. This year is getting off to a real bang!
In other news, not sure if you guys knew this or not, but I do a little writing for a site called
Foxy Digitalis. I dropped the ball on getting my year end list in, so I'm going to put it up here for everyone to take a look. I'm really not a slack motherfucker.
It is as follows:
Best Album
Magik Markers - "Balf Quarry" Drag City
I could not put this one away. Sounds like a damaged rolling stones basement tape, but way fucking better. Now I ain't talking new wave bullshit. It is NO WAVE. Sharp angular guitars and tight drumming have never sounded this good. Sorry. I just had to clarify.
Best Song
Amen Dunes - "Amen Dunes" Locust
Lets you know exactly what you are in for. Beautiful.
Best Debut
Purling Hiss - "Purling Hiss" Permanent
From some of the Birds of Maya dudes. Way, way better. Swirling piss and damage. They've thrown me under the bus, but I don't care.
Best Reissue
"Glastonbury Fayre Festival" Vinyl 3 LP Akarma
When you combine the likes of Hawkwind, Pink Fairies, T-Rex and Gong. You get 3 LPs of very special musical greatness, outstanding inserts and unforgettable packaging.
Best Cover Art
Blues Control - "Local Flavor" Siltbreeze
I not only love the cover art of this album, but this is a great record in general. Russ and Lea are some of the coolest people around. I just had to put this record somewhere and give them some props for a mighty fine record.
Best Vinyl Only
Bobby Beausoleil - "Lucifer Rising Suite" Ajna Offensive
Four LPs covering the entire process of jamming, recording, trimming and then finally, it was 1980, arriving at one of the best soundtracks ever to be recorded. All from a prison cell at Tracy Penitentiary and with a budget of only $3000. Beausoleil had to build the entire studio, instruments and all, from scratch. This is one of my favorite films also.
Best CD-R Only
Sparkling Wide Pressure - "Golden Thread" Kimberly Dawn Recordings
Killer sounds and packaging. Very much a joy to see Frank get excited about all these 3" cdrs he has been putting out. This is a remix album of sorts. This little jewel of plastic expands and contracts nicely and gives you a good journey for your money.
Best Cassette Only
I ain't cool enough to buy cassettes.
Best Live Show
Sonic Youth with The Entrance Band - War Memorial, Nashville TN
Watch the Entrance Band's bassplayer get down and rock out in the the most slender and tallest heels I've ever seen. Then watch SY mow down the crowd with their latest arsenal and pull some classics out for the encore. Death Valley '69 Motherfuckers!
Biggest Surprise - A Middle Sex/Temperatures 12" split on Carnivals
I reviewed this record for this here website and was blown away by the greatness of this release. If you don't have it. Buy it! I ain't kidding.
