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EXCLUSIVE LABEL RELEASE SCHEDULE:
SPRING '99
updated 6/30/99
Want to experience an automated sonic sampling of Revolver USA-exclusive artists? Check out our Midheaven Jukebox. RealAudio-enabled users can experience over 600 30-second song excerpts from scores of Revolver USA-associated musicians, all randomized for your arbitrary listening delight.
Everything you see here is/should be obtainable at finer record stores everywhere. Those who'd rather not leave the house can procure stuff via Midheaven mailorder. Stores/distributors! We Sell Direct! Email revolver@midheaven.com for more info. Release dates are updated as often as possible, but life can be unpredictable. All dates, titles, catalog numbers and anything else not nailed down subject to change.
Clicking on the artist/title link in the table below will display sleeve art, description and release date and, in some cases, MP3s and RealAudio sound samples. Scrolling down past the table will allow you to browse the releases in a somewhat chronological manner.
UNIDA / DOZER Split (METEOR CITY
MCY005) CD
Revolver USA's exclusive association with Albuquerque's METEOR CITY label is initiated with this split CD. Led by John Garcia (ex-Slo Burn), Unida's heavy, post-Kyuss crunch demonstrates a new maturity in composition and responsible baking. Dozer has distinguished itself with a five-K rating from the discriminating ears at Kerrang! magazine. Released the week of April 5th.
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MISDEMEANOR Five Wheel Drive (METEOR CITY
MCY006) CD
All-female Swedish quintet plays loud, hard sludgerock. Produced by Dave Catching and Brant Bjork at Rancho de la Luna, with John Garcia on backup vocals on one track. Released the week of April 5th.
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NEBULA / LOWRIDER Split (METEOR
CITY MCY004) CD
The Meteor City barrage continues with a REPRESS of this powerful split CD. NEBULA is a splinter project of three FU MANCHU members and is produced by Jack Endino. Lowrider are soaring pysch neckbreakers with raging basslines and monstrous melodies. Released the week of April 5th.
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SOLACE / SOLARIZED Jersey Devils Split
(METEOR CITY FMC001) CD
REPRESS. Solace features Godspeed guitarist Tommy Southard. They storm the gates of stoner rock kingdom in a manner most irrepressible. Solarized rages with eloquent cosmic groove-core at its most haunting and brutal. Features Jim Hogan (formerly of Daisycutter). Released the week of April 5th.
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ANGELS OF LIGHT New Mother (YOUNG GOD
YG08) CD
Michael Gira of the Swans' highly-anticipated current project, and stickered to clue consumers in on said connection. Gira's first "songwriting" project since the Swans' discontinuation over a year ago, this is an eminently listenable and evocative piece of work in the manner of kindred contemporaries Lambchop, Lisa Germano, Vic Chestnut, Palace Music and AMC. Released the week of April 12th.
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30-second RealAudio excerpts from Angels Of Light's "New Mother":
Fragment
/ Praise Your
Name / New
Mother / Angels
of Light / Inner
Female / This
is Mine / Shame
/ Intermission
/ The Man with
the Silver Tongue /
Real Person
/ Forever Yours
/ How We End
/ The Garden
Hides the Jewel / Not
Alone / Song
for My Father / His
Entropic Highness / Fear
of Death
METABOLISMUS
Terra Incognita (BLACKJACK BJ027) CD
German band (aggregate population rumored to be approaching 30 members) enters its seventeenth year with this CD issue of the 1998 (formerly) vinyl-only release. Having hardly dented the collective consciousness of the avant music intelligentsia or the lucractive international vinyl piracy community, Metabolismus has reached an evolutionary peak with "Terra," their most cohesive recording. Discography: six singles, a pair of ten-inches, an LP, numerous comp appearances and over 30 cassettes. Influences: Faust, Can, Popul Vuh, 60s beat psyche and jazz, weirdo Amerirockers like Kim Fowley (with whom the band has recorded). All this from the label that brought you U.S. releases of Brainbombs, Monoshock and Liquor Ball. Released the week of April 12th.
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JESSAMINE/E.A.R. Living Sound (HISTRIONIC!
HIST02) CD
48-minute improvised live set featuring ex-Spaceman 3 man Sonic Boom (E.A.R./Experimental Audio Research) and Portland Moog-groove merchants Jessamine. Both entities long ago proved their name recognition and among hardcore drone-hungry collector types, as well as casual users. Released the week of April 12th.
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30-second RealAudio excerpts from Jessamine/E.A.R's "Living Sound":
{1st} /
{2nd} /
{3rd} /
{4th} /{5th}/ {6th} / {7th}
LEE HAZLEWOOD Cowboy In Sweden (SMELLS
LIKE RECORDS SLR30) CD (reissue)
Smells Like's series of long-awaited, hotly anticipated Lee Hazlewood reissues kicks off with the release of this 1970 album. Recorded in his prime, "Cowboy" is a singular synthesis of rambling cowboy wisdom, moody, rockabilly-inflected rhythms, dark, poetic lyrics, hard luck tales, esoteric images, pragmatic politics and wry love odes. Vocalists Nina Lizell and Susie Jane Hokum lend their heavenly voices to several duos on this album, resulting in some very sophisticated and (dare we say it) come-hither stylings. A truly great record and a more than worthy introduction to the strange and wonderful world of the mind of Lee Hazlewood. Released the week of April 19th.
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30-second RealAudio excerpts from Lee Hazlewood's "Cowboy In Sweden":
Pray Them Bars Away / Leather And Lace / Forget Marie / Cold Hard Times / The Night Before / Hey Cowboy / No Train to Stockholm / For a Day Like Today / Easy and Me / What's More I Don't Need Her / Vem Kan Segla
LEE HAZLEWOOD Farmisht, Flatulence, Origami, Arf!!! and Me (SMELLS LIKE RECORDS SLR31) CD
Recorded in Tempe in 1997, this is the first Lee Hazlewood solo album released domestically in over two decades. Farmisht is a collection of pop standards that Lee grew up with and has sung all his life. His voice has matured from the pure baritone drawl deployed in the 60s and 70s to a seasoned, smoky croon. The Al Casey Combo, a group who knew their way around the lounge long before the words "space-age" and "bachelor" ever became common currency, back up Lee on such classic vocal standards as "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Don't Get Around Much any More." A classic and classy tribute from a man who's been there and back. Released the week of April 19th.
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30-second RealAudio excerpts from Lee Hazlewood's "Farmisht, Flatulence, Origami, Arf!!! and Me": Honeysuckle Rose / Ain't Misbehavin' / It Had to Be You / Don't Get Around Much Anymore / Makin' Whoopee / Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You / I Can't Get Started / She's Funny That Way / Try a Little Tenderness / The Very Thought of You / Am I Blue
And don't forget: there are six more LEE HAZLEWOOD CDs
to come: September brings reissues of "Trouble Is A Lonesome Town"
and "Requiem For An Almost Lady," and this winter we'll see "13"
and "The N.S.V.I.P.'s"-- plus two more CDs in spring 2000.
BLACK TAMBOURINE Complete Recordings (SLUMBERLAND
SL37) CD
This Slumberland mini-supergroup (now, sadly, broken up) formed in 1989, drawing inspiration from UK labels like Subway, 53rd and 3rd, Subway and (eventually) Sarah. Unashamedly trafficking in melody and noisy pop, they staked out an important place in indiepop history, helping to broaden the focus of the often myopic early-nineties US indie scene. This comp includes all the tracks from their two singles, plus compilation appearances and a previously unheard demo cut. Released the week of April 19th.
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HOOD Cabled Linear Traction (SLUMBERLAND
SL46) CD (reissue; first time on CD)
Loner Folk. Flying Saucer Attack fuzz. Bark Psychosis dynamics. New Zealand songwriting iconoclasm. Collage aesthetics. Quality pop. This CD reissue of the 1994 LP will call in favors from fans of the above as well as deservedly guilt-tripping all post-rock-come-latelys. Their 1996 CD, "Silent '88," continues to raise dronerock eyebrows, even after repeated pluckings. This Leeds, England duo has earned favorable reviews in Ptolemaic Terrascope, Melody Maker and (natch) Popwatch. Released the week of April 19th.
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BUGSKULL Distracted Snowflake
Pt. 2 (SCRATCH SCR29) CD
Tapeloops and odd instrumentation from the exalted Portland bedroom of Sean Byrne. Past releases have found their way into our warehouse from the hearts and minds of labels Shrimper, Road Cone, Quixotic and Pop Secret. Sometimes intellectual, sometimes informed by abrasive and dissonant experimentalism, Bugskull's music is always masterfully orchestrated and infused with a unique and mysterious enthusiasm. Released the week of April 26th.
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30-second RealAudio excerpts from Bugskull's "Distracted Snowflake Pt 2":
Charmed
Life / Cosmic
Western Love Song / Trippindicular
/ Broke
Like a Ghost (Ice Age Blues) / Ballad
of the Glad Mosquito / Taming
the Cobra's Heart / West
Coastin' / Distracted
Snowflake
DESPISE YOU West Side Horizons (PESSIMISER
PESS030) CD
Hardcore. Punk. Speed metal. Inglewood, California is home to a great basketball team,some ferocious gangs, and Despise You. Pessimiser took all DY's out-of-print singles, comp tracks, and the "PCP Scapegoat" EP and bundled them all up with 16 unreleased songs originally intended to be released on a split with Man Is The Bastard. Final bodycount: 62 grinding hatecore tunes (all in A, the maddest of all possible keys) forcefed to a willing audience by two dudes and a chick singer. The cockles of your heart will be a tad less cold this spring. And take a gander at that artwork. . . oh my hell! Released the week of April 26th.
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DJs Z-TRIP and RADAR Live At Future Primitive
Volume 2 (FUTURE PRIMITIVE FB2) CD
REISSUE.This sophomore release in Future Primitive's Live series is a 74-minute continuous mix by Arizona's Bombshelter DJs, recorded live on five turntables. Z-Trip lays down a blend of eclectic beats and multi-genre samples and mixes it within a framework of hip-hop classics. Meawhile DJ Radar laces rhythms with a unique style of turntable instrumentation-- a minefield of cuts, scratches and effects to spice up the mix. Z-Trip and Radar were rated in a recent SPIN as among the top 10 turntablists in the world.
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ATMAN Tradition (DRUNKEN FISH DF045) CD
One of Poland's most astounding musical collectives, Atman have spent nearly two decades quietly releasing tapes on their own FLY (Freak Living Yourself) Music label between "forest music"-- created with Tibetan liturgical instruments and such acoustic instruments as guitar, dulcimer and indigenous lutes-- is the most masterful, swirling, paleo-delic ethno-folk hybrid in existence. Tradition's 65 minutes ranges from green-blood-culling, acoustic dulcimer forest magic to blinding moves through rock territory, most brilliantly illustrated on a cover of "3rd Stone from Sun." Pan-cultural ethno-jumping meta-hyphencore never sounded this genre-smashingly good. Released the week of May 3rd.
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30-second RealAudio excerpts from Atman's "Tradition":
39 I Ching
/ The Theatre
of Mist / Third
Stone from the Sun / Natural
Landscapes (1) / Free-P
/ Tensegretty
/ The Talking
Meadow (Story) / Natural
Landscapes (2) / Lullaby
for Rainbow Warrior / The
North of the World / In
Your Head (Dust) / The
(Live) Theatre of Mist / Kosovo
MIA
DOI TODD Come Out of Your Mine (THE COMMUNION LABEL
COMM51) CD
This is the second full-length release from LA-based singer/songwriter Ms. Doi Todd. Her music is a deceptively simple combination of voice and guitar. The lyrics are very direct, yet charmingly impressionistic. Her artful approach and poised delivery subtly reveal sensual undercurrents and a keen, thoughtful determination. Easy initial comparisons might include early Joni and any era of Kendra Smith (not to mention the obligatory Cat Power comparisons), but we all know that repeated plays uncover deeper meanings, for it is here that complex shadings and passionate mixtures of inspiration and influence await discovery. And Mia's music is a many-layered thing. You can read more about Mia (in her own words) and view her drawings, lyrics and discography on Communion's special Mia page. Still unconvinced? Want to hear incontrovertible proof? Download a free MP3 of the album track "Spring" and/or sample 30-second RealAudio excerpts of each song on the album below. Tour dates! Released the week of May 17th.
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30-second RealAudio excerpts from Mia Doi Todd's "Come Out Of
Your Mine": Independence
Day / Strawberries
/ Jackals
/ Save
Me / Hijikata
Tatsumi / Your
Room / Sunday
Afternoon / I've
Got a Gun / Spring
/ Strange
Wind / Age
/ The
River and the Ocean
Download a free MP3 file of Mia's song, "Spring":
28.8/56.6 - speed modem users: Spring
ISDN/cable access/T1 users: Spring
ANCIENT CHINESE SECRET Caveat Emptor (SLAP
A HAM SLAP50) CD/LP Formerly went by the name of DR. BOMBAY.
Bass, drums, vocals, no guitar, aggressive tendencies, and a penchant
for weirdness-if that's not a string of words that makes a music lover salivate,
someone is either deaf or starving. The debut outing from San Francisco's
newest lovechild is the product of a union between of Chris Dodge
from Spazz, Capitalist Casualties' old drummer Matt Martin,
and Lydia Dodge (who's sung with everyone from MDC & Spazz
to Bracket & Bjorn Baby Bjorn/A Tribute To Abba). Professional
describers have enjoyed effortlessly comparing Ancient Chinese Secret to
Man Is The Bastard, NoMeansNo and even the venerable Wall Of Voodoo. Though
perhaps hard to pin down, Caveat Emptor is easy to get into. It packs all
of the ass-kickery of a fine Slap A Ham release with the varietyand dynamic
range indie-minded weirdos demand. It's got it all: high-speed blender-core
power violence attacks; meathead mosh tunes suitable for trouncing to; tape
loops and cartoon noises that would please even the staunchest Devo fanatic.
Released the week of May 24th.
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30-second RealAudio excerpts from Ancient Chinese Secret's "Caveat Emptor":
Waiting
for Doctor Bombay / A
Nice Day/ Moral
of the Story / Sakura
/ Hyper Liar
/ Obnoxious
Fumes / The
Overlook / The
Basics / Outburst
Flight
or Fight / Quiet
for the Choirmaster / Needle's
Eye / The
Candle Burns / A
Passage of Time
PELT Empty Bell Ringing In The Sky (VHF VHF043) CD/2LP
Another chapter in this mid-Atlantic ensemble's existence finds them transforming their one-word moniker from a noun to a verb. And what a verb it is: Empty Bell Ringing In The Sky includes a 12-minute surprise (eek!) collaboration with Drunken Fish artists rhBand, Pelt's complete 35-minute set at Terrastock II (nominated by many as the highlight of the entire goddamn festival and nicknamed "The Hillbilly Theater of Eternal Music"), a magically resonating 17-minute slice from a typical East coast hippie warehouse party, and, finally, a new 18-minute home recording (heavy on the Tibetan bowls, man). The live recordings are all of the digital ilk and finally capture Pelt's forceful, multi-layered sound accurately and appropriately. Recent dates with the Sonic Youth Band, a west coast tour this Fall, appearances at Transmissions (NC) and Terrastock III (London), and continued releases on the band's own Klang label demonstrate that Pelt can promote themselves like no one's business. Expect higher profiles and loftier pursuits as the year wears on. Released the week of May 24th
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30-second RealAudio excerpts from Pelt's "Empty Bell":
Ghosts are
Never Forgiven / Empty
Bell Ringing in the Sky No. 2 / Empty
Bell Ringing in the Sky No. 3 / Ghost
Galaxies
WINDSOR FOR THE DERBY Difference and Repetition (YOUNG GOD YG09) CD
Birthed in Austin in 1994, Windsor for the Derby includes core members
are Daniel Matz and Jason McNeely. The amorphous WTD crew
includes (on occasion) Rodan's John Weiss, Adam Wiltzie
of Stars of the Lid, Wayne Magruder of Bowery Electric/Calla
and a host of others. King Coffey's Trance Records released their first
full length, Calm Hades Float to good reviews, and the Swans' Michael
Gira was impressed to such a degree that he included WFTD on the last-ever
Swans tour as an opening act, and let's not forget that Difference and
Repetition is on the Swans' YOUNG GOD label. The sound? Think Pink Floyd'sUmmagumma
as re-recorded by Joy Division's producer Martin Hannett. Released the
week of June 7th
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THE HIGHLIFE MOVEMENT Estuary (MASS
MEN MM002) CD/LP
Keeping with the tradition of left coast creativity and respect-before-commercial-success
idealism, the Highlife Movement delivers collages of eerie loops and tribal
messages twisted in the concept of history repeating itself negatively in
urban music. This collaboration of freestyles includes Abstract Rude,
Aceyalone and Mikah 9 (Freestyle Fellowship), Karen Wilson, Darry Freeman,
Ginseng Roo, Lady Blue (the Coup), Mike B and Lil' Kenya and Dr.
Doom. This project was originally designed for the Bay Area Hip Hop
Coalition DJs and other college radio programs but has been 'specially rearranged
for this release. Estuary is the complete collection for those who
appreciate some of California's premier underground freestyle talent. Released
the week of June 21st.
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IDYLL SWORDS (s/t) (THE
COMMUNION LABEL COMM52) CD
The new filtered through the old: traditional sounds (folk/ethnic music
from Europe and Asia/India) are blended with neo-classic leanings for a
lushly holistic result. Meet North Carolinians Dave Brylawski and
Chuck Johnson-- you may remember them from, respectively, Polvo
and Spatula. They are joined by Grant Tenille on guitar
(bowed and otherwise) for some exquisite topography by way of less western
sonic modes. Released the week of June 21st.
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30-second RealAudio excerpts from Idyll Swords' self-titled CD:
Wild Geese Descend on Level Sands / Strawberry Airwaves / The Destination / Anhinga Negra / Turistan / Night Approach / Kehen Yorum Billa / Autumn in Empire / Portals to a Land / Silver Silk / Dawn Approach / Sagarika / When the Train Comes Along / Birch Eye Waltz / Japanese Lantern
Download a free MP3 file of a track from Idyll Swords' self-titled CD:
28.8/56.6 - speed modem users: Autumn In Empire
ISDN/cable access/T1 users: Autumn In Empire
Everything you see here is/should be obtainable at finer record stores everywhere, as well as via Midheaven mailorder.
Stores/distributors! We Sell Direct! Email revolver@midheaven.com for more information.
