Sunday, June 18, 2017

EXPRESSO

Artist: EXPRESSO
Title: First Cup        
Format: Vinyl LP
Year: 1981
Songs: 10
Label: Freight Records
Style: Instrumental AOR


Expresso was a talented group of five who were based in California.  The album centers around the skillful guitar playing of two of its members and is all instrumental. 

CANCEL

Artist: CANCEL
Title: Webs Of Fever
Format: Vinyl EP
Year: 1986
Songs: 4
Label: Brains For Breakfast Records
Style: Post Punk


Post Punk guitar rhythms and synth from obscure Netherlands outfit.

PENTAGON

Artist: PENTAGON
Title: The Four Sides Of     
Format: Vinyl EP
Year: 1984
Songs: 4
Label: Self Released
Style: AOR Pomp

Outstanding Pomp Rock from an obscure band out of Pennsylvania.  Clean, crisp and well produced catchy up-tempo pompous rock AOR.  

THE FACTION

Artist: THE FACTION
Title: 2x2      
Format: Vinyl LP
Year: 1985
Songs: 8
Label: Red House Music
Style: New Wave Rock

Unknown indie rock private obscurity from Norwalk, CT.  The opening ‘Grey Little Girl’ sets the tone with highly melodic mid-tempo’d rhythms against plush keyboard arrangements. ‘Watching You In The Mirror’ and ‘After Tomorrow’ have powerful drumming arrangements and striking synth work. 

WOODWORK

Artist: WOODWORK 
Title: Anyday Now
Format: Vinyl LP
Year: 1980’s
Songs: 10
Label: Pear Records
Style: Hard Rock


Three-piece guitar fueled melodic hard rock outfit from Winnipeg, Canada.  Pretty consistent arrangements and rhythms throughout with solid guitar playing and a capable vocalist.

MONTREAL

Artist: MONTREAL
Title: Self Titled
Format: Vinyl EP
Year: 1987
Songs: 6
Label: Self Released
Style: Hard Rock     

Mega rare private release from this New Jersey based indie rock band.  Opener ‘Sunshine Love Affair’ is an energetic blend of pomp and hair metal.  ‘City Lights’ has an uplifting catchy chorus and continues the pomp influences.  Both ‘Wild Lovin’ and ‘Never Gonna Go’ are more mid-tempo affairs, but they maintain a muscular edge with aggressive guitar work.  A solid underground rock obscurity.

BILLY HAGEN

Artist: BILLY HAGEN
Title: Taking Notation
Format: Vinyl LP
Year: 1990
Songs: 10
Label: M.F.C. Records
Style: Bar Band Rock

Up-tempo twangy guitar antics and good time bar band rock ‘n roll from Singer Songwriter Billy Hagen and enlisted band members.  The band looked to have been operating out of Portland, OR.