Spelt Like This - Contract of the Heart (1985)

Spelt Like This - Contract of the Heart

Spelt Like This - St Valentine's Day Mascara (Say It With Cadavers)

Kate Lush, Simian, Let's Get It

I've been mulling over how to get this blog going again in a way that maintains my interest while providing some fresh content and, most importantly, gets me away from the kind of posts that take days to write.

Here's what I've come up with. On the one hand, I have boxes and boxes of CD's that I have acquired one way or another, most of which I plan to sell or trade on. On the other hand, I have very limited time and a fifteen minute commute to work which is about the only time I can settle down and actually listen to anything.

I going to provide lightning reviews of albums selected at random from my boxes. These will mostly be lesser known works from the last decade or so from a bunch of different genres, but to keep things interesting I'm not going to filter anything. So, my 15 minute commute could include several tracks from one album, or several different albums if I really don't like what I'm hearing. I'll select one track to post which is the best I heard and rate the albums based on how much time I actually decided to spend listening to it.

Let's roll the dice and see what happens.

Kate Lush - Don't Wait Too Long (2008)

I picked this one out because it's Australian and produced by Michael Carpenter. I didn't know what to expect but I do like antipodean pop in the style of Neil Finn, Bic Runga, Carla Werner and others.

The verdict: Too bland for my taste. Some tracks might make good soundtrack selections, and there is something of a Crowded House influence in places, and country pop in others. Just nothing special.

Rating:   5/15                         Buy my copy here!

Simian - Chemistry Is What We Are (2001)

This caught my eye because it's on the Astralwerks label and they tend to work with interesting electronic artists, and I noticed they were British. Nice sheep-dog, too.

The verdict: Yuk! I skipped the first track because it took too long to start. I gave the next track a few more seconds, but it was much too ambient with beeps and blips and no discernible structure. By the third track, I was hitting eject. Just not my thing at all.

Rating:   2/15



Let's Get It - Digital Spaces EP (2009)

I got this just because it was a recent release with attractive artwork. I see a lot of albums on the Fearless label and I got the impression they were mostly emo and punk-pop. In other words, I wasn't expecting much from this.

The verdict: A pleasant surprise! I only had time to listen to three of the tracks (there are 6 total) but I liked what I heard. So much going on, but it felt cohesive and interesting. I'll put this on again.

Rating:   11/15                          Check them out here!


Worthy download:   Let's Get It - Duck, Duck, Grey Goose

Download is low quality, for sampling purposes only. If you like it, buy it here.

Another visitor....stay a while, stay forever!

Welcome to Heart of the Wood, thanks for stopping in and saying hello.

Ordinary Man - Goodbye America (1987)

Apparently, I'm the only internet fan of late 80's pop group This Other Eden. Over the last couple of years I've managed to post all three of their singles for A&M, while the remaining tracks from the long lost Freewill album presumably remain locked in the A&M vaults (about time for an iTunes release at least, surely?)

I was intrigued last year by a brief comment I received in an email from Chris Thow, who formed the band with Mike Perry. He mentioned that they had previously released a single for EMI called "Goodbye America" and toured with Go West. I had never heard of this and began to dig around.

I discovered this single by Ordinary Man which was released in 1987 and I had to wait until I tracked down a copy before I could confirm it was the single Chris had referred to. Indeed it was!

Another couple of great tracks.

Ordinary Man - (I Can't Believe It's Come To This) Goodbye America
Ordinary Man - Under Pressure

The Producers - Rare Demo Tape

Here is a cassette tape I found in a box at a record store. At first I thought it was an album advance, but quickly discovered it was an original 1983 demo tape produced for a record label.

After two strong albums, The Producers and You Make The Heat, popular Atlanta power-pop outfit The Producers underwent some personnel changes, as Kyle Henderson (vocals/bass) left for a solo career. As the band searched for a new sound, only two tracks ("Table For One" and "The Boat Song") would appear on their third album Run For Your Life, which they eventually self-released in 1985.

Side One

1. Begin At The Beginning
2. Dance On My Heart
3. World Of Dreams
4. Table For One
5. Renaissance

Side Two

1. The Boat Song
2. Rain Is Falling
3. Found Out The Hard Way
4. Full Circle

Download

Alternative download

For more on the Producers, check out the excellent official fan site.

Lick The Tins - The Belle of Belfast City

7" Single, released in 1986

The Belle of Belfast City
Calliope House

The Promise - Away, Away (1984)

Away, Away (Adventure Mix)
The Retreat