Absolute Exclusive Rusted Reviews

Rusted reviews. In more ways than one. I’ve been less productive. Furthermore my favorite Twitter account @glenndanzigscat posted ” Wake me up when October Rusts” This gives a chuckle, if you don’t get it it’s okay . October is nearly over already? It’s been a while since I posted on the blog. However we have a new single from a band I previously covered , Golden Fang. Their latest two tracks release as you read this. 

Somehow I stumbled over Bitchin Bajas. Sun Ra fans take note. Additionally a mesmerizing cut from Laetitia Sadier. Last but not least a single from MEYVERLIN. I am so slow at getting this published that MEYVERLIN have already dropped the entire LP. Go here to support and listen https://toogoodtobetruerecords.bandcamp.com/album/daily-events . Support any and all of these bands and artists as you have the means. As a zine editor I can tell you it means quite a bit to them.

Golden Fang -‘ Breathe’ and ‘Don’t Be That Way’ singles –

So a year ago, by pure chance Golden Fang came my way through their publicist and it turns out I really enjoy their record. You may take a gander here. https://meatsheetfanzine.com/golden-fang-here-now-here/ . Fast forward to post pandemic apocalypse and Golden Fang releases two more singles (maybe more) after all I am busy staring at the wall all day. Since I have slowed down on digital blogging I would have covered them separately so here is the latest as of October 25.

Breathe busts into your speakers with guitar attack, technique, and tone you might find in the Rolling Stones at the height of their power. The overall musical structure reminds me of Superdrag. Yes, there is a devious, underlying pop element combined with the directness of the Keith Richards like opening. On the other hand, just because there is pop does not mean it’s the kind that is cringe worthy. There is a rawness and directness that may have something to do with the pandemic situation in Australia where Golden Fang hail from. I hear the angst and release in the vocals. An interesting juxtaposition indeed.  Breathe clocks in at a fun 3:12. Although there is power in this poppy rock, its zest and upbeat rhythms keep it from being too heavy to wield.

Secondly is a newer single. Right out the gate Don’t Be That Way wins for me. Here are a few key points. It is 7 minutes and 13 seconds long which could easily alienate some of the shorter attention spans.

However in my opinion it is very approachable and listenable even though it’s over 7 minutes.

The previous single Breathe has that rock swagger I have come to know from Golden Fang. This one has that type of mojo, but the groove and rhythm is definitely kicked up notches if you listen to both. Vocalist Carl Redfern seems to be getting better. Not to say that he was a slouch before but on Don’t Be That Way he simply gives the song what it needs. Another point is the off-kilter slide or hammer on and locked in percussion that sets up the song for the aforementioned groove.

A minor detail is the way Carl sings ” red paint”.. it is his own signature timbre of voice. If not I love the emphasis and hats off for appropriating.

Don’t Be That Way is definitely a long one but it’s smooth and feels like a warm, pleasant journey that only Golden Fang could lead you through.

Also the guitars toggle between crisp ‘n clean.. and slightly overdriven and warm. I could go on and on.  I betcha this track would sound incredible acoustic as well. It’s clear this whole band shows up to knock this out of the park. 
Your meatliness doesn’t want to throw a bunch of labels and buzzwords but for those of you who have yet to hear them it’s definitely original rock and roll. It has an indie, melodic feel and their stuff has just the right amount of grit so you don’t get bored. The outro itself is a journey, but well worth investigating. Watch for the entire LP coming this November.

The Kundalini Genie – Half In, Half Out – Single and Video –

Kundalini Genie raises the energy from the spine to the lotus with indie rock drones you may expect to hear on RIDE, Chapterhouse , or Jesus and Mary Chain (90’s era in case of Ride). Any excuse to work RIDE into this blog is welcome , check this https://meatsheetfanzine.com/ride-live-album-of-october/

Half In , Half Out plays off layers of vocals (if not layers then reverb on the lead vocals), a steady yet acute hum of the six string. Most of the track Half In , Half Out feels like you’re coming out of a drug induced dream. (Although I never recreational mess with that I’ve had post op pain killers)

Mastered by RIDE’s Mark Gardener I can hear the influence of RIDE’s early guitar tonality.

If you can cross reference the Smile and s/t EP , it has that same cutting , half squealing, and droning that you may love.

The video shows the band playing in various warm and low light settings. Parts of the footage may give you vertigo if you try to track the camera’s path. The band look like they could have been starting up in the 90’s and for me that is not a bad thing. Kundalini Genie’s sound and influence seem to come that part of Europe that the Creation Records bands came from (ex: Britain,Scotland, Ireland). That era and place was definitely a highlight of the decade in my biased opinion. I’ll be watching to see and hear more from this band.

Bitchin’ Bajas – Outer Spaceways Incorporated – Drag City Records

Allow me to put foot in my mouth. Although this is a little outside of my realm, this is obviously Sun Ra related. https://bitchinbajas.bandcamp.com/album/switched-on-ra?from=fanpub_fb

I fancy what I can glean from Drag City’s extensive catalog. If you know nothing of Sun Ra then one ( me ) can say this. Track is warm, spacey, with an air of slight desolation.

The synths are in full bloom.

Vocals come through like a late 60’s chorus that sound like they may be emulating singers from the big band era. Although human , combined with the synth, the composition can read slightly robotic.

However, I don’t mean that negatively either. It seems to work in this track. Maybe it’s the staccato of the notes. Definitely something for synth and experimental crowd to give at least one listen. Don’t take it from me as too credible though, I got into Stereolab way before Neu! (still researching, yes i know, very amateur if you are into stuff like that ) I dig this track, hopefully it provokes me to go back to Sun Ra and stuff like it.

Laetitia Sadier – New Moon – Drag City Records and Duophonic Super 45s Records

Speaking of Stereolab as in the review right above, a member of that groop releases a track entitled New Moon. New Moon is unmistakably Laetitia Sadier, as once you hear the voice it is instantly recognizable. New Moon plays down any of the Moog – iness that I am accustomed in hearing in her work with Stereolab. The keys/ synth are less bleepy and whirring. Rather the atmosphere and mood takes the front seat.

Laetitia seems to rise above the bubbly happiness of Stereolab and delivers cathartic vocal melodies. The music can pass for airy pop you may know from her previous efforts. However there is something more subtle going on in the way she emotes.

The other components, (keys, bass , etc) lay down a deceptively rich and serene soundscape.

New Moon seems to be about rising above your challenge. In this case as stated on https://laetitiasadier.bandcamp.com/track/new-moon she wrote New Moon is referencing “The nature of trauma – by going through a process of feeling the emotions of all of that has stricken or afflicted us, individually. Hats off. Solid single. The LP releases sometime next year.

MEYVERLIN – Archangel

This project features Philippe Lavergne & Thierry Haliniak (My Raining Stars). The jangle of guitar and atmospheric pop is turned way up on the dial for this track. Fans of the defunct label, Sarah Records (and bands in that general genre)should find some very listenable guitar pop on Archangel. Actually a very cursory listen to a few snippets of the LP , Daily Events, same. Bands like The Orchids, Sugargliders , Field Mice, St Christopher, etc, echo in Archangel and another song Thespian. Therefore I’ll be doing a more proper dive and listen. Honestly I was just too inactive and slow with blogging so Meyverlin has the entire LP out for your listening as this publishes https://toogoodtobetruerecords.bandcamp.com/album/daily-events

So if you like guitar jangle pop with a touch of wistfulness and at times effervescence, I highly encourage one to listen to Meyverlin. In conclusion, Archangel is a sunny, melodic frolic accented by subtle, yet sharp in pitch synths.

There you have it. Rusted Reviews indeed. Plenty of indie rock to keep you busy until All Souls Day. There is no new Misfits , Samhain, Danzig content for this year but if you are a fan of those do check out https://meatsheetfanzine.com/misfits-samhain-danzig/

The digital posting has lessened as of late. One reason is I am gearing up to release a printed fanzine. First issue in 20 years or so.

I have back issues and some merch here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/shop-merchandise-meatsheet-merchandise/

Do check out links https://meatsheetfanzine.com/printed-zine/ and please support these fine artists if you have the means to do so. Happy Samhain.