weekly mlog #3 ♪

02/27/2025

bro I just typed this entire thing out and it didn't publish i'm def gonna km/s if it happens again.
anyway stuff I've been listening to among some all-time favorites. I even included links last time which you're not getting this time but I trust you guys are smart enough to know how to seek out streamable music On Your Own... thank you for reading.

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crime - murder by guitar (recorded 1976-1980)
genre: punk rock, garage rock
FFO: misfits, swell maps, X
rating: 9/10

talk about an album that oozes pure late 70's sex appeal, even the non-sexual songs. it's not funky or "smooth" in the typical motown r&b sense, but it still gets the ladies going. even still it includes some of that classic garage rock blues influence. because of its placement as some of the first early punk recordings (76!) crime are considered pioneers of the punk rock genre. on this satiny material of a piece the bass and guitar really carry the melody over the drums having any sort of distinguishing feature, as is a defining characteristic of a lot of punk and proto-punk at the time. it even includes some blues-influenced keys. songs I would recommend: hot wire my heart, terminal boredom, murder by guitar

katie dey - asdfasdf (2015)
genre: experimental indie/electronic, bedroom pop
FFO: alex g, crying
rating: 8/10

I kept close tab on the indie scene throughout the 2010's, and asdfasdf definitely seemed like a left-field release to my left-of-center-trained ear when it came out. heavy on the "being on the computer" part of being alone in your bedroom but still feels connected to the constellation of other artists releasing music in the same vein at the time. if you're familiar with DSU (2014) by alex g, it seems like a lot of artists from this widening genre were headed in a more exploratory direction. songs I would recommend: y o y o, fear of the dark, you gotta get up to get up

jai paul - leak 04-13 bait ones (2013)
genre: alternative r&b, indietronica
FFO: neon indian, chrome sparks, toro y moi
rating: 10/10



the demo album bait ones were the freshest tracks to grace the blogosphere in 2013, and they remain evergreen to this day. in terms of feeling I would relate it to 2023's trip9love...? and it came out a decade prior. this artist was shrouded in mystery for the decade after the demo singles "BTSTU" and "jasmine" were released, because his personal unfinished project was leaked without his consent later that same year. BTSTU was the song of the summer for many bloggers, music writers, and simply enjoyers of current music, so the hype around the demo album leak was palpable. Bait ones is hard to quantify outside of its genre and elements. really fresh stuff that blew the minds of tiny left-of-center-trained ears like my own in a time when I didn't really know that much about the world of music. I listen to this album currently and it still does the same. songs I would recommend: cover of "Crush", but must be listened to in completeness

the primitives - the lazy singles (1985-87)
genre: twee, indie pop, post-punk
FFO: pylon, the go-go's, the b-52's
rating: 8/10

this compilation features singles released between 1985-1987 and as is the case with many compilations, discographies, and greatest hits albums is the strongest release from this artist. it ranges from jangle pop to surf rock. they feature male and female vocals, but missed an opportunity here to do a song with dueted vocals and really make some music harmony. I am a huge fan of when post-punk bands do that, even modern acts like Landline have many songs that feature the power of male and female call and answer type vocals. it's just a fun dichotomy. you may be familiar with this band's hit single "crash" which I remember playing on the radio as a kid. this group has more to offer than just a one-off single, though, and that is apparent in the lazy singles. many songs to sing a long to and even the least-seasoned twee fans will find a melody to bop along to on this comp. songs I would recommend: crash - demo (also featured on Make More Noise Women in Independent Music 1977-1987), nothing left, lazy, really stupid, and laughing up my sleeve. one of my favorite post-punk groups OAT!


swell maps - international rescue (comp recorded 1978-1979)
genre: post-punk, punk rock
FFO: iggy & the stooges, CAN
rating: 8/10

I don't know why this compilation is widely regarded as post-punk, I mean I know there are many factors that tie in to make it so such as timing, production, and press, but this release feels about as stripped down as far as guitar music goes as "i wanna be your dog". I consider a lot of the songs here to be just pure punk rock. post-punk is an extremely broad genre but typically requires a rejection of the masculinity of punk rock that was happening around the time of the late 70's to mid 80's. anyway, it's a hot record recorded in the heat of the peak of punk and post-punk and the rejection of the mainstream. the english group brings a lot of sweat and moaning to what is occasionally considered an asexual genre... (think Ludus, model citizens, essential logic) songs I would recommend: new york, black velvet, vertical slum. I think songs with meandering guitars like "real shocks" and "let's build a car" get all the press but that's not all these boys have to offer! I think they are comparable to acts like the fall and the ramones even. give em a listen.

THANKS FOR READING THIS I EDITED THE FIRST TIME AND I WONT PROOFREAD AGAIN.
PEACE AND LOVE,
Lizzy