The Native Cats – Two Creation Myths (Rough Skies Records)

This Tasmanian duo come out swinging with a new 7” screed. Mostly simple throbbing bass riffs, sparse synthetic noises and poetic vocals, it pairs the minimalism of SUICIDE with the theatrical flourishes of THE VIRGIN PRUNES. Namedropping THE BIRTHDAY PARTY seems too obvious, but the bass on the title track is very Tracey Pew. The vocalist is equal parts desperate and enraged which makes for a harrowing ride. “They put black tape on our sky!” Indeed.

Metgumbnerbone – ANTHROPOLOGICAL FIELD RECORDINGS FOR THE DISPOSSESSED (self-released)

Ahh the English eccentrics know how it’s done… here is a whole pack of them making post-industrial Wickerman ritual noises back in the early-mid 80’s. There was a Japanese 60’s mime troupe/clatter collective called MARU SANKAKU SHIKAKU that had a similar MO: make a bunch of weird racket recorded outdoors. There is a NURSE WITH WOUND connection here somewhere, but why solve the mystery? Just enjoy the maypole sacrifice masks, field recordings and eerie sounds. Think ZOVIET FRANCE or maybe AMON DUUL I for reference. The title of this double-CD collection would have actually been an adequate review.

King Krule – Man Alive! (Matador/True Panther Sounds)

KING KRULE doesn’t need a review from me; he came on strong in 2013 with that Easy Easy track, which hit hard like early BILLY BRAGG. He landed on David Letterman before anyone in the USA really knew who he was. His records have always had interesting atmospheres if lacking enough solid tunes. This new one might be a little more raging. There’s a bit of MOONSHAKE and Rid of Me-era PJ HARVEY, trip hop and post-punk but most of all FUN BOY THREE, which was the darkest most experimental pop thing to come out of the TWO-TONE era.  Perfect cover art makes me wanna actually buy this on vinyl instead of hearing it for free. Check out FB3 as well if you haven’t; you will be amazed at how bizarre and current it sounds.