TRACK OF THE DAY - The Dreadnoughts

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The Dreadnoughts on ICE-10

The Love Me Nots (2009) -Upsidedown Insideout

Artist: : The Love Me Nots
Album: Upsidedown Insideout
Released: 2009
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 92 MB

”Pop influences creep into singer-keyboardist Nicole Laurenne's songwriting on such tracks as "He's What I Want," "Karen (Get Yourself Out)" and "Train Wreck."
Detroit producer Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Romantics) pushes the band the most on "Fire & Ice," which is full of vibrato guitar, old-school fuzz tone and Question Mark & the Mysterians organ.
Laurenne injects soul and emotion into her vocals on the CD-ending "Undone."
Michael Johnny Walker rages on the guitar, letting things get particularly crazed on the in-your-face "You're Bringing Me Down" and the chugging "Not That Kind of Girl." His work on the slow "Undone" is some of his most passionate.
New drummer Bob Hoag weighs in on three tracks, including the Kinks-infused "The Kinda Love I Got," and bassist Kyle Rose Stokes makes the most of her first shot at recording with the group.
And this band still enjoys throwing down modern garage rock, such as the album-opening "Do What You Do" and "You Don't Know a Thing About Me."”©

The Love Me Nots (2011) -The Demon and the Devotee

Artist: The Love Me Nots
Album: The Demon and the Devotee
Released: 2011
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 86 MB

”In recent years, bands like the White Stripes (RIP) and the Hives have kicked off a revival and reappraisal for sounds born in a garage. The Love Me Nots, who are now on a fourth album with The Demon and the Devotee, are yet another entry into the garage rock revival, though the band’s sound is certainly much more polished and clean than that of many of its brethren. The “High Fidelity Stereo” logo that adorns the top of this disc is no joke. Throughout the course of this album’s 12 songs, singer-organist Nicole Laurenne lets loose her pipes in a giddy Sharon Jones-like imitation, and there’s certainly more hooks and swagger than you can shake a garage opener at.
However, The Demon and the Devotee‘s main flaw is that it is a bit too glossy, which threatens to devolve the entire exercise into 1980’s-style cocky arena rock. The ballad “Trouble” almost sounds like a Tom Petty knockoff. “She’s Nothing Like Me” veers into ‘Til Tuesday territory. However, there are a few standouts. “I’m Gonna Be Your Girl” is a sweaty, invigorating stomper that sounds like it was ripped from the Hives’ songbook. Album closer “The Girl Lights Up” has a Byrds-like jingle jangle to it that is utterly sweet and addictive. Ultimately, The Demon and the Devotee is a bit of a mixed bag, and it would work a lot better if The Love Me Nots exchanged the varnish of production for something a lot more fuzzy and hissing. Still, there’s some quality songwriting here at times, making the album worth checking out for those who like to kick back and listen to honest-to-goodness rock in the carport.” ~ Zachary Houle

Dirty Granny Tales (2008 / 2010) -Inversed World / Didi's Son

Artist: Dirty Granny Tales
Album: Inversed World / Didi’s Son
Released: 2008 / 2010
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 157 + 130 MB

Dirty Granny Tales describe themselves as: “What happens when music brings puppets to life? It’s when the Dirty Granny tells her stories…
This is not the sweet Grandma that will narrate a fairy tale for the children in front of the fireplace. She is not the one to knit a woollen scarf while the kitten cuddles on her feet.
This old woman is dirty, releasing a rotting smell. You can’t define the gaze on her face, because it’s absent, you can’t stand the timbre of her voice because it’s piercing your brain with the strength of a thousand needles.
Her guise is freezing cold, makes you wonder if she belongs to your World. What kind of stories would such a creature chronicle? Not the kind that work as a lullaby… The more repulsive her aura, the more you become bewitched. What is that she is knitting with her nails? Would you dare to try it on?”

Les Mangalepa (2006) -Endurance

Artist: Les Mangalepa
Album: Endurance
Released: 2006
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 120 MB

“Based in Nairobi, Les Mangalepa are sovereigns in their own musical kingdom 'Le Royaume Mangalepa' - which extends far beyond Kenya to encompass Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Zambia and DR Congo (ex-Zaïre).
The story of Les Mangalepa starts in the 1960s when, as members of Baba Gaston’s band in Lubumbashi, they led the migration of musicians out of Zaïre and into Eastern Africa, via Tanzania and on to Nairobi. Striking out on their own, they played their first gig as Les Mangalepa at the Park Inn, Nairobi, in July,1976.
The name was corrupted from the French ‘Marquez le Pas’ meaning 'marching time', in which they parodied the army style, laying down an irresistible beat, which became the stylistic expression for their ever-growing 'marching army' of fans. The songs in this collection are taken from the period when Les Mangelepa were in their full pomp. They conjure memories of a golden period of East African music when the crowds flocked to Uhuru Park, Garden Square, Tents Club and Park Inn. Those coming to the floor for the first time can anticipate a sense of surprise at the joy and vitality of these recordings” ©.

Hillbilly Hellcats (1998/2003) -Our Brand / Rev It Up With Taz

Artist: Hillbilly Hellcats
Album: Our Brand / Rev It Up With Taz
Released: 1998 / 2003
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 122 + 119 MB

The Hillbilly Hellcats play a heavy rockabilly that is analogous to Reverend Horton Heat. Indeed, each of their CDs were recorded with ex-drummer of that group, Taz Bentley. "Road Rage" is a good example of this heavy rockabilly, while "Everybody Was Drinkin' Martinis But Me" shows another side of the group, one that is humorous, strident and classically hillbilly rock. White trash and whiskey themes are the staples to their short but enjoyable compositions. They play original music that is consistently upbeat, true to rockabilly sound ideals and naturally enjoyable. ~ allmusic.com

Andre Williams & The New Orleans Hellhounds (2008) -Can You Deal With It

Artist: : Andre Williams
Album: Can You Deal With it?
Released: 2008
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 80 MB

”In 1998, at the age of 62, Andre Williams launched a new career as the Dirtiest Old Man in Rock & Roll with the gloriously lewd album Silky, and ten years later Williams just keeps getting dirtier, and just as importantly he seems to be having even more fun with it as he follows the good groove into his eighth decade. Many years of hard living are clearly audible in Williams' voice on the album Can You Deal with It?, which pairs him up with a band of ragged but right R&B mavens called the New Orleans Hellhounds, but if his instrument is a bit rough around the edges, the spirit is not just willing but raring to go, and this set manages to fuse the crazed, hallucinogenic rent-party vibe of Silky and The Black Godfather with full-strength soul and old-school funk backdrops that bring Williams' music of the '60s and '70s into the present day. Williams has made plenty of albums that are louder and crazier, but it's been a long time since he grooved as hard as he does on "Your Woman" and "If You Leave Me," and the rowdy country-soul vibe of "Pray for You Daughter" and "Rosalie" sounds downright playful, a quality that hasn't always been at the forefront of Mr. Rhythm's work. "Never Had a Problem" blatantly borrows its hook from "Should I Stay or Should I Go," but it manages to rock even harder than the Clash's variation on this theme, and "Can't Take 'Em Off" would make the ideal theme song for some particularly kinky and imaginative exotic dancer. The band (which includes whacked-out keyboard genius Mr. Quintron) grooves with gusto on these sessions, but it's Andre Williams who really brings this show to life, and whether he's moaning, laughing, scolding, or pleading, he's the raunchiest senior citizen on the face of the Earth and he's inviting you to one wild party on Can You Deal with It? The AARP ain't got nothin' on this man.” ~ by Mark Deming, allmusic.com

TRACK OF THE DAY - Dexter Romweber Duo

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Dexter Romweber on ICE-10

Various Artists (2002) -Punky Reggae Party (New Wave Jamaica 1975-1980)

Artist: various
Album: Punky Reggae Party (New Wave Jamaica 1975-1980)
Released: 2002
Quality: mp3 CBR 256
Size: 302 MB

Subtitled - New Wave Jamaica 1975 - 1980. Third in Trojan's series of deluxe genre-defining compilations highlighting the development of Jamaican music. Features 38 original reggae roots cuts from the late 70s, when reggae influenced the punk generation. Many recordings previously unavailable on CD. Highlights include, 'White Belly Rat' Lee 'Scratch' Perry, 'Man Next Door' Dennis Brown, 'Mr. Cop' Gregory Isaacs & 'Natural Mystic' Bob Marley & The Wailers.

Fernandez, Piazzolla, Sivori (2009) -Triathlon

Artist: Fernandez, Piazzolla, Sivori
Album: Triathlon
Released: 2009
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 146 MB

Natahaniel Mayer (2004) -I Just Want To Be Held

Artist: Nathaniel Mayer
Album: I Just Want To Be Held
Released: 2004
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 85 MB

”Although this soul shouter had a few hits in the early to mid-'60s (including the near classic "Village of Love"), it took nearly 40 years for Nathaniel Mayer to release his first album in 2004. While he's probably lost a few steps along the way, this is an explosive release that sounds as powerful in 2004 as it would have in 1964. With a searing, gritty voice somewhere between James Brown and Mitch Ryder and a terrific band that churns out tough garage R&B, this could have been recorded decades before it was released. That's a compliment of course, since there just aren't many contemporary soul discs that attack with this yard dog-styled intensity. Equally impressive is that all but three songs are original, written in the vein of classic Muscle Shoals-era Wilson Pickett without a hint of pretension or sense that Mayer is trying to emulate a long-gone style. There's a loose, natural swing to the music when the band, complete with snappy Farfisa organ and occasional horns, works a sizzling, unstoppable groove along with the singer. "You Gotta Work," "From Now On," "What's Your Name" -- just drop in anywhere and the churning funk-dance rhythms slice like the hardest-edged Southern R&B. A blistering, grinding version of John Lennon's "I Found Out" might seem like an unusual tune to cover, but it's one that the Beatle probably would have approved of due to the raw emotion Mayer finds in the lyrics. Just in case you think he's not as lip-snarling as he used to be, check out the lascivious, self-explanatory "Stick It or Lick It." Only the gutsy '50s ballad "You Are the One" interrupts the pace, but that proves Mayer is just as passionate on the occasional slow dance number as on the unhinged tracks that dominate the disc. At a brisk 35 minutes it's almost over too quickly, but hopefully listeners won't have to wait another four decades for its follow-up..”~ Hal Horowitz, allmusic.com

Mark Sultan (2011) -Whatever I Want / Whenever I Want

Artist: Mark Sultan
Albums: Whatever I Want / Whenever I Want
Released: 2011
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 185 MB

”…Two vinyl albums that draw on Sultan’s early rock palette of influences: garage rock, doo-wop, rockabilly, soul, country and psychedelia. Sultan performs three out of the 13 songs by himself, but elsewhere gets an assist from garage-rocking contemporaries like Jared Swilley and Cole Alexander from Black Lips and Choyce from Red Mass. The music is sweaty, anarchic, lo-fi hedonism, a beer-and-tattoos kind of music that sounds live on the record and even more live in performance. It’s a back to basics move, an attempt to return to the live, beating heart of rock and roll. It seems unlikely to either kill or save his art form — and again, what would either of those outcomes look like? — but it is certainly wrapped in sincerity.”FULL REVIEW

TRACK OF THE DAY - Th' Legendary Shack Shakers

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Carlos and The Bandidos (1999) -For A Few Dollars Less

Artist: Carlos and The Bandidos
Album: For A Few Dollars Less
Released: 1999
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 163 MB

”Carlos & the Bandidos were formed by Carlos Mejuto (singer) and Malcolm Chapman (lead guitar) in November 1995 and were joined by Neil Scott (bass), Roger Van Niekirk (drums) & Ricky Cooper (rhythm guitar). They've played all over the UK, most of Europe and have done three tours of the west coast of the US; alternating between weekenders like the Rock-A-Billy Rave, Viva Las Vegas to tiny small pub gigs on the outskirts of some forgotten northern hamlet. Often described as a Mexican Rock-a-billy band, their influences mainly stem from Carlos's spanish heritage and Malcolm's love of a minor chord or three, with influences that cross a very wide musical spectrum, and complimented by their self penned songs about broken relationships, death, drug addiction and the odd western-flavoured murder song and Carlos's some-what colourful stage gear. Odd really, cos it ain't like they're a miserable bunch of gits pining over loves lost in some pokey pub in London with a warm beer in their hands. Well, not often anyways. They've been on TV, had music featured in a film, fallen in dutch canals, been stranded up a mountain in the snows wearing hawaiian shirts and generally had a wonderful time, speading joy, a little wisdom and tequilas where ever they go. They've cut 3 CD's, an LP, a few singles and appear on a slew of compsitions.”Rockabilly Bash