Kommissar Hjuler & Mama Bar-Asylum Lunaticum (Intransitive)

A couple of Danish sound poets/artsy fartsy folks who come up aces with this compilation of some of their ultra limited cdrs. Lots of mouth noises and asking yourself what the hell is going on. The centerpiece is a 25 minute recording of a bike ride Mama Bar took with her young son where she sings to him the entire time.

MF Doom-Born Like This (Lex Records)

The most evil villain strikes again. Worth it just to hear a sample of Bukowski spitting molten lava over Doom’s beats.

Bill Orcutt “A New Way to Pay Old Debts” (Palilalia)

The guitarist from Harry Pussy released a 7″ and this lp this year and both are the tits. It’s just him on an acoustic “4 string Kay.” His playing is pure slash and burn. It’s one part Sonny Sharrock, one part Lightnin’ Hopkins, and five parts awesome!!!!!

Def Leppard “Pyromania” Deluxe Edition Reissue (Polygram)

I love this album. When it comes down to it, this could be my favorite album of all time. It hits all the right buttons. It’s probably due to the fact that this was the first album I ever bought and loved. I remember seeing photos of Steve Clark playing his Flying V and just thinking that it doesn’t get much cooler than that. So not only do you get the album all cleaned up and sounding better than ever, as a bonus, there’s a second disc of Leppard live at the LA Forum in 1983 at (INHO) the height of their powers. I’m a firm believer that when Rick Allen crashed his Corvette in 1985 a lot more was lost than just his arm. Early Leppard is a wonderful combination of NWOBHM, Glam Rock (Bowie and T.Rex to be precise), and some good old Goffin-King songwriting that is catchy as hell. This live show is a testament to their powers as musicians and performers. It’s unbelievable that their new member at the time, Phil Collen, was two weeks away from his 20th birthday. What were you doing when you were 19? Get this and thank me later.

Chris Corsano “Another Dull Dawn” (Ultra Eczema)

Mr. Corsano is a master drummer, trained in the art of fire music. Over the last few years he’s applied his skill to creating homemade instruments that squeal and rattle and cause you to check you ears. Dennis Tyfus owner/operator of Ultra Eczema provides incredible artwork as usual to stimulate your vision as well.

Dugites “Gay Guys”

When Toby and Greg, Stellar Om Source, Oneohtrix Point Never, and Mark McGuire came to town they put on a hell of show. The strange thing is the highlight for me was discovering this track. It came on in between sets and the whole room bobbed their heads along and many even danced a jig, it was infectious. I had to ask Christelle, of Stellar Om who it was. I managed to hunt down a copy of this lp, and have played it for as many people as possible. I’ve yet to see anyone stand still.

Knight Action “Single Girl” (Drone Disco)

Another techno/house/disco whatever you kids call it these days track from back in the day. Real clean and simple, and with some great dialogue in the beginning about how this girl’s friend has a man and and a curfew. The song is a celebration of being a single woman out on the town. Another out of nowhere discovery that had many spins over 2009.

Tarnished Thighs “Butterball Rock” and The Andrew Allsgood Experience “Macho Wizard” (History Clock)

Aside from having the best titles this year. This re-edit label put out these monsters either in 08 or 09. Butterball Rock has some coked out guitar, heavy disco beats and incredibly stupid lyrics. That’s a winner in my book. Macho Wizard is a re-edit of Heart’s Magic Man. It extends all the right parts and when the vocals drop in it hits you like a bomb.

Alpha 66 “Pax Sovietica” (KSV)

Tom Smith from To Live and Shave in LA has quietly been putting out some of the most challenging and life affirming releases over the past year. I’ll let the man explain this one “…this paean to Cuban-American paranoia was hatched in Miami Beach during an impossibly muggy, appropriately ominous June afternoon by yours truly, and quickly filed away after an ex-girlfriend implored me to burn the tapes, lest I be murdered by anti-Castro extremists. I merely plopped a cassette into a boombox, tuned the unit to a local AM station specializing in overdriven salsa and merengue, and edited the proceedings in real time.”
The results are spectacular.

Josh F is 1/2 the of noise damaged black metal garage punks “Black Beauty”