24 December 2013

2013 in review: Pat O'Brien

























Top 10 2013

In no particular order.

Anton Heyboer - Rules Of The Universe (Kye) - This one kind of leaves me speechless.  Recordings of one man's raw expression for himself and his loved ones.  Beautiful. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp4VERxNphw

Satanic Rockers - Fu Kung LP  (Black Greasy Basement)
One of my favourite bands from Australia or anywhere.  Really proud to say I had a hand in the issuing of this record from this now defunct band.  Look out for Encounter Group records in 2014 and beyond.   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xp3is-kxms

Mad Nanna 2013 tour of the USA and Europe.  1 month in the US, 1 in Europe.  Met so many beautiful,  generous people, played with some amazing bands.  Special mention to Chris Berry, Shannon O'Brien, The Bibs, Sky Needle, Nick from Golden Lab, David and Angela in Berlin, Bill Direen, Brian Turner and WFMU, Jason and Maya in Philla, Sweat Tongue, Olivier and Marion in Briquebec, Steve Marreyt and Kraak, Denis Tyfus, Smoke Jaguar, David and Heather Leigh at Volcanic Tongue and all the drummers that joined in.  New record out soon on Golden Lab.  Live at Volcanic Tongue.  Sorry to anyone I've forgotten. 

Minimum Chips reformation gig at the Edinburgh Castle.  
This was only in the last few weeks.   One of my favourite Aussie pop bands.  Was a real treat to see this very rare performance.  It'd been a long time.   Unfortunately, the recordings never really captured that live sound.  But still, these recordings are gorgeous.   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJBEt4CTxis

Howling Hex - The Hildreth tapes (Golden Lab)
Live recordings from New York over a 10 year period, recorded by fan, Jim Hildreth.  Monster package with great liner notes.  An essential document of a band that I may never actually get to see live.   
http://goldenlabrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-hildreth-tapes

So much love for Lou Reed, the rarest of men.  Do a young person a favour this Xmas and give them a Lou Reed record.
http://www.easthamptonstar.com/Obituaries/20131031/Lou-Reed

Astor - Inland LP (Kye)  Marky Harwood's second LP on the incredible Kye records is even better than his first one.   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDnVUNKwL70

The Invisible Hands - The Invisible Hands LP (Abduction)  Alvarius B with a couple of egyptian friends.   A beautiful double LP with the songs on the first being sung in English, and on the second, re-recorded in egyptian.  Gorgeous arrangements, and some really weird lyrics, make for an unforgettable record. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4XQNsDlG3M

A Band Called Life 7" on Albert's Basement.  Weird rantings over broken sounds.   Intimate and damaged.  
http://albertsbasement.bandcamp.com/album/a-band-called-life-ep

Rob and Stefan - Manic Guitar Session Cassette (Albert's Basement.
Ok, so I believe this one actually came out in 2012, but I didn't get to do a best of list last year so I'm putting it in now.   2 guys jamming in an apartment in Christchurch back in 92, 93.  2 guitars, two jars.  More catchy than the flu.
http://albertsbasement.bandcamp.com/album/rob-stefan-manic-guitar-sessions

Best wishes.

Pat

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