KLAUS SCHULZE / ABILENE / FAITH NO MORE / THE PLUGZ

KLAUS SCHULZE – “BLACKDANCE” (1974)

I normally consider all of Schulze’s catalog quite wonky, but this one got to me. Perhaps it was the cover — it usually was, back when I was an LP collector. I didn’t have the patience back then, however, to sit through three really, really long minimalist electronic instrumentals, so whenever I put this record on, I’d hop straight to Side A, Track 2: “Some Velvet Phasing”.

It’s eight minutes of gurgling, stewy circuitry. I used to mute the sound on pornos and put this track on instead while watching boys do things to each other. One listen to it will give you all need to know (or try your hardest to forget) about my inner workings.

Klaus Schulze – “Blackdance” LP (ZIP file)

ABILENE – “BLACKLEG” (2000)

“Presumably named for the central Texas town, Abilene is a Chicago trio with a rich, deep sound. Their songs focus on the fluid, dynamic interplay between guitar and bass. The bass provides a comfortable, sidling groove for the guitar(s) to dance around; sometimes it’s a slow waltz, sometimes an amphetamine-fueled breakdance, but regardless of the mood, that assured bass groove keeps things smooth. Busy, syncopated percussion makes these songs intensely rhythmic. Occasionally singer (and guitarist) Alex Dunham adds bleak, muttering vocals, but the words are spread sparsely throughout Abilene’s songs, as the band members are more interested in their instruments’ quiet synergy. Every so often, Abilene builds to a rough, angular crescendo that seems to release a bit of the boxed-up electricity of their moody pieces, but for the most part their songs are all about low-tempo restraint that places equal focus on each instrument…(t)he members of this trio are all accomplished musicians, as a look at their respective resumes will indicate: Dunham formerly served in little-known post-punk greats Regulatorwatts and Hoover. Bassist Craig Ackerman was in Lustre King and drummer Scott Anderson was in Chisel Drill Hammer.”

- Jesse Ashlock, Epitonic

The above description might make the band sound like a ton of other post-rock combos from the same era, such as the incredible The For Carnation, but a strange devotion to the emo leanings of its own yesteryear, coupled with dense and focused composition, sets Abilene apart. I always love to highlight songs that make for great bike ride listening, since I do spend an hour each day as I ride back and forth from work, and the Abilene song “October” is a killer. A reviewer named Jim Steed at fakejazz.com put it best:

“…the guitar and bass parts are much more interesting, following a swirling pattern for a very hypnotic effect. The payoff here soars, the guitar changing sound, turning into an approaching pack of jet planes poised for attack.

Abilene – “Blackleg” CD (ZIP file)

FAITH NO MORE – “WE CARE A LOT (1985)

A few years before Mike Patton assumed the role of frontman for Faith No More, the band had Chuck Mosley, a guy who couldn’t really “sing”, but who could “front” just fine. The two albums he recorded with the band before being sacked, “We Care A Lot” and their major-label debut “Introduce Yourself”, are great gems of the ‘80s college radio/”120 Minutes” explosion.

The “We Care A Lot” LP has great twinges of goth and funk styles on the edges – and that might sound absolutely terrible (I know it would to me), but here, it works. I used to listen to my cassette of this album in junior high until it was too warped to be listenable anymore –- so that’s why I got a chuckle out of seeing this particular listener review on Amazon of the album, posted back in ’99:

“This album (being the first of the band) is an excellent title and a rare one. You cannot find more originality in a band and We Care A Lot from Faith No More is just a kick-ass album. If you are a Faith No More fan like myself, you know what I’m talking about. But if you are not a fan, I highly recommend it to anyone who had a real good time in the 80’s. Once again, great album!!! Ben Gonzalez-Age 14”

Faith No More – “We Care A Lot” (ZIP file)

THE PLUGZ – “BETTER LUCK” (1981)

The Plugz started out as a punk trio from East L.A. in the late ’70s, and by the early ’80s had carved out rock territory also to be mined by the likeminded Los Lobos. Their second of two LPs, “Better Luck”, featured a more expanded lineup (including a guest spot from Gus Santoalalla, an Argentinian ex-pat who also was the frontman for the short-lived L.A. band Wet Picnic), and a very laid-back sound. For me, a lot of the album suffers from a dull sameness, but the first two that open and the one that closes the record are pretty mighty…

The Plugz – “Better Luck” (ZIP file)