Sex Mob

Sex Mob Does Bond

Wow! This is one of the best and most inspired jazz releases that I’ve heard all year. The New York based avant-quartet, Sex Mob return with their third full length. This album is the soundtrack to an imaginary "Best of James Bond" film. Aside from the opening and closing tracks, all of the songs are Sex Mob arrangements of songs from classic Bond films. Sex Mob succeeds at making these songs sexier and more urgent through their uniformly brilliant musicianship.

Jim O’Rourke

Insignificance

Drag City

In the past, O’Rourke has collaborated with improv heroes such as K.K. Null, Derek Bailey, and Eddie Prevost. Insignificance, like his now classic 1999 release Eureka, is a departure from his earlier experimental/improv tendencies in favor of irony free pop music. Insignificance is chalk full of southern fried pop. Although the album is predictable at times, the songs are honest and musically interesting enough to keep the listener interested for hours.

The Selection Drone

Combine all the best parts of the Cure, Hot Hot Heat, The Red Light Sting, Joy Division, Pet Shop Boys and (gag) The Faint and you get Canada’s Radio Berlin. This is an amazing record, worthy of all the attention it’s going to get. This is sure to be the next big thing.

Pet Cancer

Previously only available as an import, "Pet Cancer" is Berlin/Seattle-based novelist Philip Guichard’s debut album. He creates twisted deconstructed pop music that sounds like a combination of Beck, Ween, and Alec Empire. This is also the first release for Momus’ new label, American Patchwork

The Eyeball of Hell

The Electric Eels are a legendary proto-punk band from Cleveland, Ohio. They emerged in 1972 only to play six live shows (all of which ended in arrests and/ or violence). Peers of the Pagans and Rocket from the Tombs, the Electric Eels helped define American punk rock in the early 70’s. The Eyeball of Hell is a compilation of Electric Eels classics as well as "lost" recordings and alternate versions of several Electric Eels songs. This is arguably the best compilation of 2001.

The Lucky Sperms: Somewhat Humorous

Jad Fair (Half Japanese) and Daniel Johnston team up for the first time since 1989’s classic. The Lucky Sperms: Somewhat Humorous is yet another reminder of why Jad Fair and Daniel Johnston are two of the most important songwriters of our time.  Lucky Sperms is primal, lo-fi, and wonderful.  Besides the 18 originals, the boys also do creative versions of the Beatles’ Michelle and the Stones’ Ruby Tuesday.

Collapsus

Collapsus records hip-hop that is heavily influenced by electronic music in the same vein as the Anti-Pop Consortium. The end result is a mixed album that has a lot of great ideas but never really delivers on any of them. Essentially, there is too much going on here for it to be coherent. The album does have its high points and is well worth listening to. I look forward to the next album.