Tag Archives: Wicked Cool Records

Release Alert! The Chesterfield Kings – Loose Ends: 1989 – 2004 Rare, B-sides & Unreleased

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Five men, all musicians, are gathered around a bass drum. Four of them are holding guitars while one sits on top of the drum. They appear casual and relaxed.

I wanted to get a quick post out about this very cool news – Wicked Cool Records just released this ten track set on October 31st and it is worth picking up right away.  I had the good fortune to be able to preview the music and was impressed not only by the songs themselves but also by the production quality.  This album sounds great – loud, clear and just as boisterous as anything else the Chesterfield Kings ever put out.  My personal favs are “Pictures of Matchstick Men” (a bit on the psychedelic side) and “Rosalyn” (just a killer rock n’ roll tune) but there is a lot to like here.  

Five men, two who are sitting on a bench, look out toward the viewer. They are dressed in the style of the late 1970's and appear serious.

If you are new to this band you might have to work a little harder than usual to get a full feel for their sound as it goes all the way back to 1982’s Here Are The Chesterfield Kings (if you ever see this on vinyl…please get hold of me!) and spans 11 albums and a wide collection of singles and EP’s.  There have also been a good number of musicians in and out of the group over that time period but the music has stayed consistently good and accessible.  If you want a quick tour through the years I would suggest that first album (if you can find it), Drunk On Muddy Water (with a pretty cool version of Robert Johnson’s “I Got Ramblin”), 2007’s Psychedelic Sunrise and their most recent album, We’re Still All The Same.

Once you check it on your usual places and see what you think! 

Song Review- Len Price 3 – “Emily’s Shop”

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Ok, so sometimes I do stop the train and just take in a little scenery from a different land.  I have taken this particular stop, parked next to a nice British Pub in my mind, before with The Len Price 3.  That was back around February 2023 when I gave their Ip Dip Do album a go around and was impressed with the sound.  Songs like “Waiting for the Trouble to Come” and “She Came From Out of the Sun” have a kind of dreamy vibe offset by poignant guitar sounds.  On a different side of the coin are songs like “Charlie” which manages an anti-drug message over very loud guitars and a hammering drum beat.   I think some folks put them in the “garage rock” genre, I tend more toward “Brit Power Pop Revival” but I supposed we can argue about that later.   

This track (with a b/w called “I’m a Fake”)  is  a bit of a preview for their upcoming Wicked Cool Records release Misty Medway Magick.  Starting off on a little “Do, Do, Do…” vocals that will give you some nostalgic feelings, “Emily’s Shop” builds up to a nice volume with guitars and bass to the front and a slightly subdued drum in most places.  As they have in the past, The Len Price 3 show us again how much power three instruments & accomplished musicians can bring to the party.  

The Len Price 3 are: Steve Huggins (bass), Glenn Page (guitar & vocals), and Neil Fromow (drums).

You can check this out on streaming here – let me know your thoughts!  

https://orcd.co/lenprice3emily

And if you have the inclination …think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

Also – in case you want a cool addition to your vinyl collection they have a limited edition 7” you can pick up here: 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/136031435566?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=hW9BmIpPS_W&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=hW9BmIpPS_W&stype=1&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

And support your locals – community is powerful!

Album Review- WYLDLIFE – sorted

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Finally after five years I get the great news that this band has a new album dropping on May 16th from Wicked Cool Records.  It has been a long time coming but given the results I would wait again!  I have been a fan of this crew going back many years and while I have liked some releases more than others you can put this one right near the top.  WYLDLIFE have long been a bit bratty and irreverent but they know how to sell it with catchy hooks and an in your face style that gets you up and jumping.  

The album leads off with “Bystander” and gets right down to business.  This track has an absolutely hammering kick drum driving it all the way through and is complemented nicely by fast and ripping guitar work.  

Another highlight for me is “Little Headcase” which is a song of a different tone and style and notable for a couple reasons.  The composition and arrangement really deliver a sense of space within the music; a touch of nostalgia and dreaminess while still being backed by powerful vocals and rhythm.  There is also a terrific guitar solo starting at about 1:55 that takes this track to the next level.  

Ten total slots on this album and they are all solid – a couple other favs are “Terminal Blue,” “Goes Without Saying” (great bass work on this one) and “Dizzy.”  I know this album took awhile to get together and it offers a variety of styles and sounds that is reflected in front man David Feldman’s quote; “It’s like dumping out a big box of puzzle pieces.  It’s all over the place – and so are we.  But now, it’s sorted.” I would suggest that this puzzle box is well worth a listen and a purchase.  WYLDLIFE (Feldman along with Sam Allen, Spencer Alexander and Russ Barrnett) have the rock n’ roll thing down pat.  You can pre-order it here:

https://orcd.co/wyldlifesorted

Please support all of your local businesses, artists, musicians and neighbors – community is powerful! 

And when it comes to music, listen to all kinds and think about purchasing whenever you can – steaming music does not pay much even times a thousand.