In our Moving Units column, Mike Ramirez at Fort Lauderdale's Radio-Active Records graciously keeps us up-to-date and comments on the current releases flying out of his store each week.
Nick Cave will always pull an impressive number of moody goth children to his ranks, but his Grinderman project has the potential to let some more strait-laced listeners in. The first single from the collective's second album is called "Heathen Child," and aside from its laserbeam-farting, bathroom carnage video (below), the song is the rockingest, coolest doomsday proclamation ever. "You think your great big husband will protect you?/ You were wrong/ You think your little wife will protect you?/ You were wrong/ You think your children will protect you?/ You were wrong/ You think your government will protect you?/ You were wrong." About the only thing to be right about is obtaining this album. Will it protect you? No promises.
Radio-Active Records' Top 5 Releases for September 14-20:
1. Grinderman - 2 (Anti-) "Serious competition this week for the beloved Top 5 rank. Although it was a close call, Grinderman claimed the throne with their sophomore release. This Nick Cave-led project has more in common with the Birthday Party era (less talk, more rock) than his solo output. Deluxe version comes with a 16 page booklet and a poster that has to be seen to be believed."
2. The Black Angels - Phosphene Dream (Light in the Attic) " The Black Angels offer up more heroin-induced psychedelic rock not unlike their previous efforts."
3. The Drums - The Drums (Moshi Moshi)
4. Of Montreal - False Priest (Polyvinyl)
5. Blonde Redhead - Penny Sparkle (4AD) "Blonde Redhead tone everything down for Penny Sparkle, leaving the drum machines and effects processors to do much of the work. Nevertheless, an excellent release from these 4AD heavyweights."
Which albums will we be discussing next week?
"Next week we have a new release from Miami's own Torche Songs For Singles (Hydra Head). The elaborate packaging is also upped by releasing the LP in different colors. John Legend & the Roots collaborate on Wake Up! (Columbia), Squarepusher releases a new 12-inch off of Ed Banger Records and beware the return of the Swans with My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky (Young God) -- guaranteed to ruin your day."
