Vinyl version: "Blues Control might just be the missing link between Van Halen and Henry Flynt. They are a duo. Lea Cho plays swank but grounded atmospheric keyboard parts [think Harold Budd] for guitar player and manipulator of assorted junk-on-table Russ Waterhouse to cut through, whittle and lay waste to. It's a hazy, spaced world that exists between fuzzed distortion, jabbering electronics, a lazy stay-in-bed psychedelic glaze, with rhythmic keyboards pulsating below it all a la a guy named Florian-and you can choose which one you want. Oh yeah, did I mention the humid bikini-vibe that permeates the entire album? So is there a blues angle to it? Yeah, but you've got to bury yourself in it or dig your way in. Come out stinking if you want." - HM.

Vinyl edition of this necessary compilation that mops up alla the Wooden Shjips’ early, out of print self-released singles and EPs. This one bundles all the tracks from the 10”, the “Dance, California” 7” and the Sol 7.

Classic Americana underground rock moves from a new Baltimore-based project that features Lexie Mountain on vocals alongside Nate Nelson of Religious Knives/Mouthus, Nick Becker, Jake Freeman and Chiara Giovando. The sound is kinda like Royal Trux at their most FM-radio relevant, with huge blats of melodic moog defining the foreground while Lexie pulls out her best Jennifer Herema/Janis Joplin stylings (with occasional Meredith Monk-styled detours) and the songs work from a raggedy Suicide/Springsteen/Flesheaters/The Band base that would combine classic, iconoclastic melodies with weirdly deformed two-note keyboard drones and a fried hayseed basement style that is supremely beguiling. Can’t think of a recent release that so beautifully walks the line between classic rock and cultic underground confusion.

New full-length album from this group that have morphed from an avant rock unit into a uniquely ferocious free metal/thug/biker/prog project featuring Adam Kriney (Owl Xounds) on drums, keyboard and flute, Evan Sobel on electric bass, guitar and harmonium and Ninni Morgia. This is their most self-consciously ‘epic’ outing thus far, with King Crimson (Red-era) styled breakdowns, bass riffs and tempo shreds, almost Slayer-esque bombast and doubled electric guitar leads that come straight out of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. If you like yr prog with a black Vertigo label, a ton of wail and nods to the daffiest metal then get on board. Comes with free MP3 download.

"After returning to their native state of California from a national tour, Residual Echoes went in to the studio immediately, for their most cohesive effort yet. California is comprised of four songs. "White Cloud" and "Julie Patchouli" could be called "pop songs," and they are rock and roll to the fullest, but they are ensconced in luscious, freak-out arrangements further enhanced by a select group of special guests. The second side of the LP is a suite dedicated to the state of California complete with references ranging from the construction of the railroads, the natural beauty of the land and the mating rituals of elephant seals. It ends with a distorted take on Los Angeles via UK-colored glasses with the title track which erupts into epic, pulsing, skronk-raunch riffs that cease to abate for the duration of the song's 10-minute length (all the while making references to summer, SST records, earthquakes and helicopters flying through the streets of Hollywood seeking out pillaging Slayer fans." Holy Mountain