Monster Surf!

Today Night Birds join the short list of bands that have been featured five times on this blog. This entitles them to quite the array of prizes - including a complete set of F & L beach towels, a case of WWE ice cream bars, two dozen collectable golden medallions bearing the images of various Fastbacks drummers, and a year's supply of puffy shirts. And while their entry into this exclusive five-timers club indicates that they've been putting out a healthy amount of music in recent years, to me it's more about the quality of their output. At no point have Night Birds settled for repeats of previous releases. They're always pushing themselves to be more awesome. With every new record, they offer something new or different or unexpected. New EP Monster Surf totally fits that description. If you're a fan, you're sure to love it. But in no way has the band done a record quite like this before.

The idea behind Monster Surf is genius. Since Night Birds have always included surf instrumentals on their records and in their live set, wouldn't it be kind of cool if they did an entire EP of nothing but surf instrumentals? Absolutely! So here it is - out on Wallride Records. And it does not disappoint! One thing I've always admired about Night Birds is that their instrumentals are something to look forward to. They're not "filler". When you hear them do an instrumental track, your reaction isn't "I wish this song had vocals." It's more along the lines of "This freaking rules!" Perhaps the only concern you could have about this EP is that it seems a waste to have one of punk rock's greatest front men riding the pine. But while Brian does step away from the microphone on this release, he moves over to synthesizer duties and really adds something cool to the mix. Joe and P.J. have worked up three original instrumentals along with a killer arrangement of "Hope For The Best (Expect The Worst)" from the classic Mel Brooks film The 12 Chairs. Listening to this EP, I'm really struck by Night Birds' chemistry and musical skill. P.J. tears it up on guitar, and that rhythm section gets to show off chops that are sometimes obscured by the sheer velocity of the band's "regular" attack. And the addition of horns is a neat touch. I've never been surfing, but "Pyongyang Bound" makes me feel like I actually have. I can practically smell the ocean. "Agent Zero", on the other hand, has me picturing Snake Plissken surfing a tsunami in Escape From L.A. "Hope For The Best (Expect The Worst)" is immediately recognizable, yet somehow these guys make it sound like it was written to be a surf song! Hopefully this record will inspire a few people to check out The 12 Chairs - one of Brooks' best and most underrated films. If Night Birds ever did a full album of Mel Brooks covers, I'd buy that in a heartbeat. I bet they could knock "Springtime For Hitler" out of the park.

Whether you're a hardcore Night Birds fan (pun fully intended) or just a lover of surf rock in general, Monster Surf is a mandatory purchase. And if for whatever reason you're morally opposed to instrumentals, you'll be happy to hear that Night Birds are writing new material and preparing to invade Europe this summer. Don't these guys ever rest?!



-L.R.

http://wallriderecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NGHTBRDS
http://night-birds.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wallride-Records/51066090055

New one from The Connection!

The Connection is back! F & L favorites from the beginning, New England's newest hitmakers have managed to be both prolific and consistently great over the last few years. And that's hard to do. They've especially hit their stride recently with a rockin' sound that bridges the gaps between the British Invasion, power pop, and the almighty Ramones. Out on King Yum Records, their new single "Don't Talk To My Baby" is an absolute must-own for anyone who loves rock n' roll. Legend has it that the title track was thrilling crowds on a nightly basis on The Connection's European tour last year. So one day mid-tour, the fellas had a day off and decided to hit the studio (Warmaudio in France) and record the song along with a couple of covers they'd been playing. Knowing what I know about this song and European rock n' roll fans (they're the best!), this story makes complete sense. Who wouldn't be stoked to witness The Connection rocking out this killer tune in a sweaty Spanish barroom? And they really captured that kind of energy in the studio with "Don't Talk To My Baby" - a Real Kids/Stones style rocker with a hook to hang your hat on and hot licks galore. If this number doesn't have you itching to hit the dance floor, you might want to check yourself for a pulse!

On the B-side, Brad, Geoff, and the gang do a crackling power pop version of The Boys' classic "First Time". I've heard this song covered a few times before, and every time it just made me want to hear the original. But I really like what The Connection did with this song. They put their distinctive Connection twist on it, so it comes off kind of sweet rather than ominous. And listening to this recording, one can easily understand why this cover goes over so well in a live setting. I love their treatment of the material, and I love the energy!

"Don't Talk To My Baby" is limited to 500 copies on colored vinyl. Order it now for $6, or get it along with the new Muck And The Mires 7" for a $10 bundle. As a bonus, fans can stream an unreleased second cover from the Warmaudio sessions over at The Connection's Bandcamp page - an awesome rendition of The Who's "The Kids Are Alright". Come on- what are you waiting for?!



-L.R.

http://kingyumrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dont-talk-to-my-baby-45
http://the-connection.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theconnectionRnR
https://www.facebook.com/pages/King-Yum-Inc/327809227368

Missing Monuments have a blast!

One of my favorite bands puts out a new EP, and I didn't know about it several months in advance? Man, I've been slipping! Perhaps it's because the Missing Monuments Facebook page has gone, uh, missing. "Blast!" is the third 7" from Missing Monuments, and it's gooooood! It makes a perfect companion piece for the New Orleans foursome's latest LP. It's odd that I'm such a pop guy yet totally prefer the more rockin' direction that Missing Monuments have been taking lately. I just like the way the band has found a distinct sound over the years. There's no other group that sounds quite like 'em. If you're like me and think the band's new album is even better than its first one, you'll really enjoy this new EP on Slovenly Recordings. The title track - a grungy southern/blues rocker- would have fit right in on the Dirtnap LP. It's a blast indeed! "Ghost HWY" is something different from Missing Monuments - jangly and vaguely Western-ish. It's cool. And "Covered In Ice" closes things out in the gritty power pop style that Louie is so well known for. It's got really neat guitar hooks and a nice driving beat that suggests The Real Kids on a Popeye's & Abita beer bender. For sure, it's the "hit". But I like all three tracks. And if there's one thing you can definitely say about the last couple of Missing Monuments EPs, it's that they've offered a lot of variety. There's something on this record for everyone - or at least everyone with the fine taste to like Missing Monuments. Dig in!



-L.R.

http://slovenly.bandcamp.com/album/missing-monuments-blast-ep
http://www.slovenly.com/