Lou Reed: Original Album Classics + Rock 'n' Roll Animal 1974 + Street Hassle 1978 + The Blue Mask 1982

 

Lewis Allan Reed (March 2, 1942 – October 27, 2013) was an American musician, songwriter, and poet. He was the guitarist, lead singer, and principal songwriter for the rock band the Velvet Underground and had a solo career that spanned five decades. While he flirted with mainstream

THE VELVET UNDERGROUND

success between 1970 (when he left the Velvet Underground) and 2013 (when he succumbed to liver disease), he most often played to a large cult following that only occasionally expanded into mainstream visibility. However, his songwriting -- unusually literate and often embracing themes that flouted society's conventions, especially in terms of drugs and sex -- broke fresh ground that other artists would follow, and his willingness to confront his audience made him a vitally important precursor to the punk revolution of the mid- to late '70s. 
                               

His eponymous solo debut, Lou Reed, was released in January 1972, with members of Yes in the line-up. Success came when David Bowie and Mick Ronson produced his next album Transformer.

It included the songs "Walk on the Wild Side," "Perfect Day", and "Satellite of Love." An important album for the LGBT community, Transformer put Reed on the map. However, the fame that came with it worsened his pre-existing alcoholism. He released his next album, the bleak story cycle titled Berlin and produced by Bob Ezrin, in 1973. The album was trashed by rock critics, frustrating Reed. Subsequent years saw opinion on the album slowly change, and the record is now considered one of Reed's major works.
                          

In his catalog, he covered a remarkable amount of stylistic ground -- introspective singer/songwriter

(Lou Reed), glam (Transformer), art rock (Berlin), hard rock (Rock N' Roll Animal), noise (Metal Machine Music), confessional proto-punk (Street Hassle), jazz-infused rock (The Bells), upbeat pop/rock (New Sensations), social commentary (New York), and ambitious literary adaptations (The Raven). For all his creative shape-shifting, however, he never failed to sound like Lou Reed, with his ineffable downtown cool and dour outlook informing it all. 
                             

 

Lou Reed is recognized as an art rock legend, a major glam rock pioneer and an experimental rock

and roll star. He was also very influential in the development of punk rock and has been called the "Godfather of Punk" on several occasions. Reed also explored other sonorities such as jazz-infused rock, noise music, pop rock, and hard rock. Reed's songwriting style has been described as "unusually literate" and often contained themes considered to be transgressive. Reed was heavily influenced by literature and poetry, and strived to apply creative autonomy allowed in literature to rock music.
                    

Reed had hepatitis and diabetes for several years. He was treated with interferons but developed liver cancer. In May 2013, he underwent a liver transplant at the Cleveland Clinic.Afterward, he

wrote on his website of feeling "bigger and stronger" than ever. On October 27, 2013, however, he died from liver disease at his home in East Hampton, New York, at the age of 71. He was cremated and the ashes were given to his family. His widow, Laurie Anderson, said his last days were peaceful, and described him as a "prince and a fighter". David Byrne, Patti Smith, David Bowie, Morrissey, Miley Cyrus, Iggy Pop, Courtney Love, Lenny Kravitz, and many others also paid tribute to Reed. Former Velvet Underground members Moe Tucker and John Cale made statements on Reed's death, and those from outside the music industry paid their respects such as Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi.
                        

LOU REED - ORIGINAL ALBUM CLASSICS
                                             

Lou Reed – Original Album Classics
Label: RCA – 88697304732, Sony BMG Music Entertainment – 
Series: Original Album Classics – 88697304732
Format: Box Set, Compilation, Stereo
Country:Europe
Released:2008
Genre: Rock
Style: Art Rock, Glam, Classic Rock

                                     

CD1.  LOU REED - LOU REED 1972        

                                           

    
01. I Can't Stand It    2:34
02. Going Down    2:53
03. Walk And Talk It    3:38
04. Lisa Says    5:29
05. Berlin    5:13
06. I Love You    2:16
07. Wild Child    4:39
08. Love Makes You Feel    3:09
09. Ride Into The Sun    3:13
10. Ocean    5:04

Flac Size:  MB

CD2.  LOU REED - TRANSFORMER 1972    

                                     

    
01. Vicious    2:56
02. Andy's Chest    3:17
03. Perfect Day    3:43
04. Hangin' 'Round    3:39
05. Walk On The Wild Side    4:12
06. Make Up    2:56
07. Satellite Of Love    3:40
08. Wagon Wheel    3:19
09. New York Telephone Conversation    1:31
10. I'm So Free    3:07
11. Goodnight Ladies   4:19
Arranged By – Herbie Flowers
Baritone Saxophone – Ronnie Ross
Piano, Recorder – Mick Ronson
Tuba – Herbie Flowers
    

TRANSFORMER BONUS TRACKS        

    
12. Hangin' 'Round (Acoustic Demo Version)    3:58
13. Perfect Day/Transformer Radio Spot    4:50

Flac Size:  MB

CD3.  LOU REED - BERLIN 1973    

                                

01. Berlin   3:25
Piano – Allan Macmillan    
02. Lady Day   3:40
Bass – Gene Martynec
Drums – B.J. Wilson
03. Men Of Good Fortune   4:38
Piano – Blue Weaver    
04. Caroline Says I    3:57
05. How Do You Think It Feels    3:42
06. Oh Jim    5:15
07. Caroline Says II    4:13
08. The Kids   7:55
Bass – Tony Levin
Drums – B.J. Wilson    
09. The Bed   5:51
Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Arranged By [Vocals] – GeneMartyne
10. Sad Song    6:57

Flac Size:  MB

CD4.  LOU REED - SALLY CAN'T DANCE 1974    

                               

   
01. Ride Sally Ride    4:06
02. Animal Language    3:05
03. Baby Face    5:06
04. N.Y. Stars    4:02
05. Kill Your Sons    3:40
06. Ennui    3:43
07. Sally Can't Dance    4:12
08. Billy    5:10

BONUS TRACKS            

09. Good Taste (Previously Unreleased)    3:30
10. Sally Can't Dance (Single Version)

Flac Size:  MB

CD5.  LOU REED - CONEY ISLAND BABY 1975        

                                 

   
01. Crazy Feeling    2:50
02. Charley's Girl    2:35
03. She's My Best Friend    6:00
04. Kicks    6:00
05. A Gift    3:45
06. Ooohhh Baby    3:45
07. Nobody's Business    3:45
08. Coney Island Baby    6:350

BONUS TRACKS        

    
09. Nowhere At All    3:18
10. Downtown Dirt    4:18
11. Leave Me Alone    5:35
12. Crazy Feeling    2:39
13. She's My Best Friend (Alternate Version)    4:09
14. Coney Island Baby (Alternate Version)    5:42

Flac Size:  MB

LOU REED - ROCK 'N' ROLL ANIMAL 1974
                          

Lou Reed – Rock N Roll Animal
Label: RCA – 07863 67948 2, BMG – 07863 67948 2
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 2000
Country: Europe
Released: 1974
Genre: Rock
Style: Hard Rock, Glam

TRACKS

                                      

01. Intro / Sweet Jane    (7:46)
1a. Intro (Written-By – Steve)    
1b. Sweet Jane    
02. Heroin    13:13
03. How Do You Think It Feels    3:41
04. Caroline Says I    4:07
05. White Light / White Heat    4:55
06. Lady Day    4:06
07. Rock 'N' Roll    10:22

LINE - UP

Bass – Prakash John
Drums – Pentti Glan
Guitar – Dick Wagner, Steve Hunter
Keyboards – Ray Colcord
Written-By – Lou Reed (tracks: 1 to 7), Steve Hunter (tracks: 1)

Flac Size:  MB

LOU REED - STREET HASSLE 1978
                              

Lou Reed – Street Hassle
Label: Arista – 07822-18499-2
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 1992
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Rock
Style: Classic Rock

TRACKS

                                

01. Gimmie Some Good Times    3:15
02. Dirt    4:58
03. Street Hassle    (11:00)
3a. Waltzing Matilda    
3b. Street Hassle    
3c. Slipaway    
04. I Wanna Be Black    2:52
05. Real Good Time Together    3:19
06. Shooting Star    3:09
07. Leave Me Alone    4:44
08. Wait    3:14

LINE - UP

                                       

Vocals – Lou Reed
Backing Vocals – Angela Howard, Christine Wiltshire, Genya Ravan, Jo'Anna Cameron, Stuart Heinrich (tracks: 7)
Bass – Lou Reed
Bass [Lead Bass] – Steve Friedman (tracks: 7)
Drums – Michael Suchorsky
Guitar – Lou Reed, Stuart Heinrich (tracks: 3)
Piano – Lou Reed, Michael Fonfara (tracks: 4, 6)
Saxophone [Amplified] – Marty Fogle

Flac Size: 232 MB

LOU REED - THE BLUE MASK 1982
                       

Lou Reed – The Blue Mask
Label: RCA – ND84780
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 1990
Country: UK & Europe
Released: 1982    
Genre: Rock
Style: Alternative Rock

TRACKS

                              

01. My House    5:21
02. Women    4:55
03. Underneath The Bottle    2:27
04. The Gun    3:37
05. The Blue Mask    5:00
06. Average Guy    3:10
07. The Heroine    3:00
08. Waves Of Fear    4:10
09. The Day John Kennedy Died    4:05
10. Heavenly Arms    4:45

LINE - UP

                            

Vocals, Guitar – Lou Reed
Bass, Backing Vocals – Fernando Saunders
Drums – Doane Perry
Guitar – Robert Quine
Written-By – Lou Reed

• Flac Size: 229 MB
•  
• Lou Reed - The Raven on Urban Aspirines HERE 

Various: The Story Of Jamaican Music (Tougher Than Tough) 1993

 

A superlative introduction to the world of Jamaican music, Tougher Than Tough is a treasure trove of information, filled with unforgettable music. 

Across four discs and 95 songs, this set spans the entire history of the island's vibrant music scene, hitting all the major stylistic bases along the way, and rounding up many of Jamaica's greatest artists. 

It's evident that a great amount of thoughtful time and effort went into this package and, although collectors will howl at the many omissions and some of the selections, this set wasn't intended for them, but for a general audience interested in beginning to explore the music more deeply. 

With that in mind, the package includes a lushly illustrated 65-page booklet written by Steve Barrow (author of The Rough Guide to Reggae), who provides an exceptionally lucid historical overview. The rest of the booklet offers information on every track, including producer, composer, and release date. 

The music itself is sequenced chronologically, allowing the listener to chart the myriad of stylistic changes over the years. Disc one begins in 1958 with the Folkes Brothers' "Oh Carolina," arguably the first ever proto-ska release, cut during producer Prince Buster's first ever recording session. 

JIMMY CLIFF

It continues through the rise of pure ska and through the shift to rocksteady. Disc two concentrates on the reggae years and the rise of the DJs, while the third is given over entirely to roots. The final disc brings things bang up to date, following the trajectory of the dancehalls. 

The set comes full circle with the final track, Shaggy's smash hit cover of "Oh Carolina." From rude reggae to ragga, dulcet vocal groups to dueling DJs, The Story of Jamaican Music is indeed just that. 

Of course, there's a wealth of equally masterful music that didn't make the cut, and the booklet discusses a multitude of songs not included. But this is history 101; hopefully, students will continue their studies on their own. 
(Review by Jo-Ann Greene)
                            

Various – The Story Of Jamaican Music (Tougher Than Tough)
Label: Mango – IBXCD 1, Mango – 518 399-2
Format: 4 x CD, Compilation, PMDC Germany, Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered
Country: Europe
Released: 1993
Genre: Reggae
Style: Reggae, Dub, Rocksteady, Roots Reggae, Ska, Dancehall

CD1.     FORWARD MARCH (1958 - 1967)

                        

01. Folkes Brothers – Oh Carolina   2:40
Producer – Prince Buster
Written-By – John Folkes
02. Laurel Aitken – Boogie In My Bones   2:47
Producer – Chris Blackwell
Written-By – L. Aitken
03. Owen Gray – Midnight Track   2:27
Producer – Chris Blackwell
Written-By – Owen Gray
04. Theophilus Beckford – Easy Snappin'   2:50
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – T. Beckford    
05. Derrick And Patsy – Housewives Choice   2:40
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – D. Morgan    
06. Derrick Morgan – Forward March   2:50
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – D. Morgan    
07. Jimmy Cliff – Miss Jamaica   2:25
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – J. Cliff
08. Millie Small – My Boy Lollipop   2:01
Directed By [Accompaniment] – Ernest Ranglin
Producer – Chris Blackwell
Written-By – J. Roberts, R. Spencer    
09. The Maytals – Six And Seven Books Of Moses   2:25
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – Frederick Hibbert    
10. The Wailers – Simmer Down   2:48
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – B. Marley
11. Don Drummond – Man In The Street   3:24
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – Don Drummond
12. Justin Hinds & The Dominoes – Carry Go Bring Come   2:51
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Justin Hinds
13. The Skatalites – Guns Of Navarone   2:28
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – D. Tiomkin, Webster
14. Prince Buster – Al Capone   2:57
Producer – Prince Buster
Written-By – C. Campbell
15. Prince Buster – Hard Man Fe Dead   3:21
Producer – Prince Buster
Written-By – C. Campbell
16. Derrick Morgan – Tougher Than Tough   2:26
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – Derrick Morgan
17. Alton Ellis – Girl I've Got A Date   2:24
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Alton Ellis
18. The Paragons – Happy Go Lucky Girl   3:06
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – John Holt
19. Delroy Wilson – Dancing Mood   2:51
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written By – B. Lowery
20. Ken Boothe – The Train Is Coming   3:20
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – K. Boothe
21. Hopeton Lewis – Take It Easy   2:49
Producer – Sam Mitchell, W. Blake
Written-By – H. Lewis    
22. The Jamaicans – Ba Ba Boom   3:20
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Tommy Cowan    
23. Desmond Dekker – 007 (Shanty Town)   2:41
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – D. Dekker    
24. Bob Andy – I've Got To Go Back Home   3:05
Producer – Clement Dodd
Written-By – K. Anderson    
25. The Techniques – Queen Majesty   3:31
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Curtis Mayfield    
26. Dobby Dobson – Loving Pauper   3:15
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Dobby Dobson    
27. Phyllis Dillon – Don't Stay Away   2:32
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – Unknown Artist

Flac Size: 385 MB
    
CD 2.  REGGAE HIT THE TOWN (1968 - 1974)        

                          

01. Desmond Dekker – Israelites   2:48
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – Dekker, Kong
02. The Maytals – 54-46 (That's My Number)   2:54
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – Frederick Hibbert    
03. The Ethiopians – Reggae Hit The Town   2:25
Producer – H. Robinson
Written-By – Leonard Dillon
04. Max Romeo – Wet Dream   2:48
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – Max Romeo
05. The Uniques – My Conversation   3:38
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – E. Lee, Smith    
06. Stranger Cole & Lester Sterling – Bangarang   3:08
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – Lee, Sterling    
07. The Upsetters – Return Of Django   2:25
Producer – Lee Perry
Written-By – Lee Perry    
08. Harry J. All Stars – The Liquidator   2:52
Producer – Harry J
Written-By – H. Johnson    
09. The Melodians – Rivers Of Babylon   4:16
Producer – Leslie Kong
Written-By – Dowe, McNaughton
10. Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come   3:40
Producer – Jimmy Cliff
Written-By – J. Cliff    
11. Bob & Marcia – Young Gifted & Black   3:06
Producer – Harry J
Written-By – Simone, Irvine
12. U-Roy – Wake The Town   2:27
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – E. Beckford
13. Pat Kelly – How Long   3:54
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – P. Kelly    
14. Dave & Ansel Collins – Double Barrel   2:47
Producer – Winston Riley
Written-By – W. Riley    
15. Winston 'Niney' Holness – Blood & Fire   3:05
Producer – Niney
Written-By – W. Holness    
16. Eric Donaldson – Cherry Oh Baby     3:01 
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – E. Donaldson    
17. Delroy Wilson – Better Must Come   2:34
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – Delroy Wilson    
18. Dennis Brown – Money In My Pocket   2:33
Producer – Joe Gibbs
Written-By – D. Brown, J. Gibson    
19. John Holt – Stick By Me   3:19
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – Unknown Artist
20. Dennis Alcapone – Teach The Children   2:30
Producer – Duke Reid
Written-By – D. Smith    
21. Big Youth – S.90 Skank   2:50
Producer – Keith Hudson
Written-By – Hudson
22. Ken Boothe – Everything I Own   3:44
Producer – Lloyd Charmers
Written-By – David Gates    
23. Dennis Brown – Westbound Train   3:07
Producer – Niney
Written-By – D. Brown
24. Johnnie Clarke – Move Out A Babylon   3:38
Producer – Bunny Lee
Written-By – J. Clarke    
25. Junior Byles – Curly Locks   3:22
Producer – Lee Perry
Written-By – L. Perry
    

Flac Size: 389 MB

CD3.  NATTY SING HIT SONGS (1975 - 1981)        

                     

    
01. The Heptones – Country Boy   2:58
Producer – Harry J
Written-By – L. Sibbles    
02. I-Roy – Welding   3:48
Producer – Jo Jo Hookim
Written-By – Roy Reid    
03. Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey   3:24
Producer – Jack Ruby
Written-By – Fullwood, Rodney    
04. The Mighty Diamonds – Right Time   3:15
Producer – Jo Jo Hookim
Written-By – Mighty Diamonds
05. Roman Stewart – Natty Sing Hit Songs   3:19
Producer – Tommy Cowan
Written-By – R. Stewart
06. Leroy Smart – Ballistic Affair   3:06
Producer – Jo Jo Hookim
Written-By – F. Jones
07. Jacob Miller – Tenement Yard   2:37
Producer – Tommy Cowan
Written-By – J. Miller, R. Lewis    
08. Max Romeo – War Ina Babylon   4:04
Producer – Lee Perry
Written-By – L. Perry, M. Smith
09. Junior Murvin – Police & Thieves   3:45
Producer – Lee Perry
Written-By – J. Murvin, L. Perry    
10. Culture – Two Sevens Clash   3:29
Producer – Joe Gibbs
Written-By – Walker, Thompson, Hill, Dayes, Gordon    
11. Delroy Wilson – I'm Still Waiting   4:05 
Producer – Lloyd Charmers
Written-By – B. Marley
12. Bob Marley & The Wailers – No Woman No Cry   4:04
Producer – Chris Blackwell, Steve Smith
Written-By – V. Ford
Written-By [Uncredited] – Bob Marley    
13. Althea & Donna – Uptown Top Ranking   3:54
Producer – Joe Gibbs
Written-By – A. Forrest, D. Reid, E. Thompson
14. Gregory Isaacs – Number One   3:43
Producer – Gregory Isaacs
Written-By – G. Isaacs    
15. Wailing Souls – Bredda Gravalicious   3:52
Producer – Wailing Souls
Written-By – W. Matthews
16. Sugar Minott – River Jordan   3:08
Producer – L. Minott
Written-By – L. Minott
17. Willie Williams – Armagideon Time   5:09
Producer – C. Dodd
Written-By – Dodd, Williams    
18. Black Uhuru – Guess Who's Coming To Dinner   4:54 
Producer – Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar
Written-By – M. Rose    
19. Junior Delgado – Fort Augustus   4:06
Producer – Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar
Written-By – Junior Delgado    
20. Freddie McGregor – Joggin'   3:43
Producer, Written-By – Freddie McGregor
21. Dennis Brown – Sitting & Watching   3:28
Producer – Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar
Written-By – D. Brown
    

Flac Size: 434 MB

CD 4.  DANCE HALL GOOD TO ME (1982 - 1993)        

                           

    
01. Gregory Isaacs – Night Nurse   4:05
Producer – Gregory Isaas
Written-By – G. Isaacs, S.A. Weise
02. Yellowman – Mad Over Me   3:13
Producer – Channel One
Written-By – W. Foster
03. Michigan & Smiley – Diseases   3:31
Producer – 'Junjo' Lawes
Written-By – Fairclough
04. Johnny Osbourne – Water Pumping   3:06
Producer – Jammy's
Written-By – Osbourne, James    
05. Frankie Paul – Pass The Tusheng Peng   3:07
Producer – Junjo Lawes
Written-By – F. Paul    
06. Barrington Levy – Here I Come   3:37
Producer – Jah Screw
Written-By – B. Levy    
07. Tenor Saw – Ring The Alarm   3:13
Producer – Winston Riley
Written-By – C. Bright, Riley    
08. Wayne Smith – Under Me Sleng Teng   4:07
Producer – Jammy's
Written-By – Wayne Smith
09. Anthony Red Rose - Tempo   3:30
Producer – King Tubby's
Written-By – A. Cameron    
10. Super Cat – Boops   3:59
Producer – Winston Riley
Written-By – W. Maragh    
11. Half Pint – Greetings   3:36
Producer – George Phang
Written-By – Trinity 
12. Admiral Bailey – Punanny   3:27
Producer – Jammy's
Written-By – Delroy Thompson    
13. Red Dragon – Hol' A Fresh   3:54
Producer – Winston Riley
Written-By – Red Dragon
14. Gregory Isaacs – Rumours   4:09
Producer – Augustus 'Gussie' Clarke
Written-By – C. Hines
15. Tinga Stewart & Ninjaman – Cover Me   3:23
Lyrics By [Additional Lyrics] – D. Ballantine
Producer – Pickout
Written-By – Hinton, Greene    
16. Papa San & Lady G – Legal Rights   4:04
Producer – Winston Riley
Written-By – Lady G, Papa San, W. Riley
17. Shabba Ranks – Wicked Inna Bed   2:58
Producer – Bobby Digital
Written-By – C. Browne, R. Gordon, W. Johnson
18. Pinchers – Bandelero   3:32
Producer – Jammy's
Written-By – Delroy Thompson    
19. Tiger – Yuh Dead Now   3:49
Producer – Shocking Vibes
Written-By – Norman Jackson
20. Buju Banton – Bogle Dance   3:01
Producer – Dave Kelly
Written-By – Dave Kelly, Mark Myrie    
21. Chaka Demus & Pliers – Murder She Wrote   4:05
Producer – Herbie Harris, Jason Lee, Lloyd Willis, Sly Dunbar
Written-By – E. Banner, J. Taylor, L. Willis, S. Dunbar    
22. Shaggy – Oh Carolina   3:10
Producer – Sting International
Written-By – John Folkes

Flac Size: 468 MB

CD5.  DON'T WALK ON THE GRASS. SMOKE IT! 

                                  

"This is a compilation made by Urban Aspirines for you. You can't find it in music stores or on the internet. I hope you like it!"

01. Bob Marley - Buffalo Soldier
02. Big Youth - Train To Rodesia
03. Groundation - We Na Forget (Rome)
04. Third Word - Try Jah Love
05. Althea And Donna -  No More Fighting
06. Steel Pulse - Ku Klux Klan
07. Blacl Uhuru -  Plastic Smile
08. Barrington levy -  Quick Divorse
09. Max Romeo - I Chase The Devil
10. Amparanoia - El Destino
11.Gregory isaacs - Poor And Clean
12. Burning Spear -  Slavery days
13. Alpha Blondie - Sebe Allah Y'e
14. The Abyssinians - The Good lord
15. Peter Tosh - Legalize It
16. Aswad - Danger In Your Eyes
17. Inner Circle - Bad Boys
18. Jacob Miller - Tenement Yard
19. UB 40 - Tyler
20. Bob Marley - Could You Be Loved

Flac Size: 637 MB

The Janitors: 5 Albums 2010 - 2024

 

The Janitors are a great Swedish psychedelic noise rock band, who are the masters in producing some fine noise rock influenced distortion and fuzz-laden psychedelic rock. Stökpsych and those long dark Swedish winter nights, perfectly embodied by the Janitors ~ peddlers of heavy drones and fuzzed nightmares since 2004. When working as janitors, founder members Jonas Eriksson and Henric Herlenius

met and formed the first incarnation of the Janitors, fuelled by a love of JAMC and feedback. Together for around eighteen months, the band split and even took a hiatus for around five years. However, the urge to create is compelling. By their own admission, they sort of rushed into recording First Sign Of Delirium in 2010 and almost broke up again. Listening to First Sign Of Delirium with refreshed ears, it deserves reassessment as a stepping stone, proto-Janitors if you like, the guys are honing their skills ~ the elements are almost all in place by the song Sick State.
                          

The name of Sweden’s ‘The Janitors’ captures a workmanlike approach to a certain sound of repeated riff-ology, bathing themselves in distortion almost as an obligation – a dirty job, but someone has to do it. From their initial line-up, the Janitors have had three bass players, five drummers and many contributing musicians but the core, consisting of Jonas Eriksson and Henric Herlenius, has stayed the same. The band

have always written and recorded in English but their essential Swedishness is often reflected in song titles and concepts. Starting their own label, Your Ears Have Been Bad And Need To Be Punished, the Janitors next recorded the Worker Drone Queen EP in their own studio Psychgrottan (‘The Psych Cave’) where “the main goal was and is to only make music by our own rules and get it out to people that might be interested”. In the same year they recorded the Head Honcho EP. This was followed by the Evil Doings Of An Evil Kind EP and the Horn Ur Marken LP, both of which examine the rise of the far right, religion, neo-liberalism and the state of our world. 
                     

Initially, immediately after having having our mind instantly, mercilessly mopped by the EP, Head Honcho, we were prepared to offer The Janitors a raise for continued stellar performance on doing that

dirty job. But it was probably two and a half minutes into “Strap Me Down,” when the wah-pedal flourishes scream louder than the unholy hounds of hell and manage to scrape the very back edges of your skull, that we realized that this is no mere job for The Janitors – this is their distorted destiny, their natural state of being ensnared by snarled sound. The Janitors are less employed than empowered, their insane, trance-inducing amplifier trashing only a job in the same way that the mighty Yeti can be said to be on the clock, and perhaps three-times as powerful.
                        

2018’s The Ghost You Must Seek/Falcon were recorded live at Ingrid Studios in Stockholm prior to an appearance at Fuzz Club Eindhoven followed by a Fuzz Club Sessions album in 2019 recorded live in London. It seems like only yesterday but 15 Years Of Fuzz And Folköl was released in 2019 on Cardinal

Fuzz and Little Cloud Records, compiled from a collection of B-sides and unreleased tracks. Noisolation Sessions Vol.1 in 2020 and Noisolation Sessions Vol.2 in 2022, when the whole world paused for Covid and recording their next album was no longer an option, the band decided to go to their own studio to work on tunes. Tracks were recorded in one night, mixed for a week and then released into the wild, a stripped-down no frills approach, evocative of the time and prevailing circumstances. Bang up to date and the press release for 2024’s An Error Has Occurred states: “Everything’s been fucked since David Bowie died or they started up the Hadron Collider,” say the Janitors. 
                            

Marking over two decades of activity for the Swedish psych rockers, the recording is informed by

heartbreak and loss as well as the dismal state of the entire planet. For The Janitors these two polarities intertwine constantly: “What’s personal is political and vice versa.” To channel their frustration and anger, the band revived certain songs they’d shelved during the pandemic when working on the acclaimed Noisolation Sessions. They added others, written since, that suited the mood of sticking a middle finger up to the oppressive world around us. Whereas previous recordings were often layered up gradually, this time the full band (Henric Herlenius, Jonas Eriksson, Anders Thorell and Wilhelm Tengdahl) rehearsed

intensely together before laying down everything live, over two days and nights in a converted missionary church. All in all The Janitors manage to have a krautish aspect of psych, together with the noise-rock enduced fuzzy heavyness, while also more than often sounding dirty. All of this makes The Janitors an interesting listen and most of their songs end up being extremely catchy as well. In a psychedelic noise rock kind of sense.
                            

It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine (Interview)

LINE - UP

Jonas Eriksson (vocals, guitar, percussion, drums, organ) 
Henric Herlenius (guitar, vocals, bass, organ) 
Johan Risberg (drums, snare, 2003-04) 
Martin Eriksson (bass, vocals) 
Jon Graffe [aka Strssmmnt] (drums, percussion, noise, ?-present) Anders Thorell (percussion, drums, organ, ?-present) 
Jejo Percović (drums, percussion) 
Andreas Bergman (bass, ?-present)

ALBUMS ON THIS POST
                                        

01. THE JANITORS - FIRST SIGN OF DELIRIUM 2010
02. THE JANITORS - DRONE HEAD 2013
03. THE JANITORS - HORN UR MARKEN 2017
04. THE JANITORS - NOISOLATION VOL. 1 2020
05. THE JANITORS - AN ERROR HAS OCCURRED 2024

01. THE JANITORS - FIRST SIGN OF DELIRIUM 2010

                        

From the opening strains of ‘Time On My Side’ the bass delivers a heart pounding salvo that stirs the

blood. The drums might as well be played on your chest, they’re of such immediacy. Meanwhile the guitars hurl armour piercing, acid dipped arrows into your brain. ‘Run’ offers a chorus so brilliantly simplistic you want to pin it up in bus shelters. ‘Burn’ almost sounds like a straight down the line Jesus & Mary Chain. ‘Comeback’ has an iron rigidity that makes The Empire State Building look wobbly.
                           

The Janitors – First Sign Of Delirium
Label: BAM – BAMCD 2022
Format: CD, Album
Country: Sweden
Released: 2010
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

01. Time On My Side    5:38
02. Black Sheep    5:48
03. Run    3:18
04. Away    3:41
05. Burn    4:14
06. Sick State    4:43
07. City    4:30
08. Over    2:47
09. I See It Now    3:35
10. Comeback    3:06
11. Oh Lord    10:51

Flac Size: 310 MB

02. THE JANITORS - DRONE HEAD 2013

                            

Cardinal Fuzz and Little Cloud Records are proud to present a long awaited vinyl re-issue of the long out of print cult neo-psych classic that is ‘Drone Head’ by The Janitors. Fuelled by folköl and an

uncontrollable urge to hiss and make noise the Janitors went into their own studio Psych grottan and during 2012 gave birth to two Ep’s, a couple of singles and remixes and a lot of raised eyebrows from audiences and blogs from all over the world. The shamanic psychedelic trance of darkness and drone of the The Worker Drone Queen and Head Honcho Ep’s ended up on more than a few end of years best offs back in 2012 and since then the cult over this record has grown and grown. 
                    

The Janitors – 2013 - Drone Head
Label: Cardinal Fuzz – CFUL008
Format: CDr, Album, Limited Edition
Country: UK
Released: Sep 23, 2013
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS
                         

WORKER DRONE QUEEN EP

01. Worker Drone Queen    0:45
02. Do It Again    6:10
03. Death Song    4:29
04. Coming Down    4:55
05. Long Way Back    7:05

HEAD HONCHO EP

                                        

06. Head Honcho Pt.1    0:48
07. Strap Me Down    5:12
08. A-Bow    12:29
09. MSSG    3:45
10. Head Honcho Pt.2    6:00

BONUS TRACKS

11. Nevereverism    5:35
12. Death Song RMX (Remix – Al Lover)   4:35
13. Coming Down RMX (Remix – strssmmnt)   4:40
14. MSSG RMX    6:14
15. A-Bow RMX    4:38

Flac Size: 486 MB

03. THE JANITORS - HORN UR MARKEN 2017

                      

Horn Ur Marken kicks in as it means to go on with a seriously dark slab of fuzz in the shape of the opening track, Trojan Horse, where treble laced guitar sits atop a wall of dark fuzz and a pounding

relentless drum beat, this is followed by the slow grind of the album’s epic title track, the intensity builds up across this ten minute opus until it ends it a squall of feedback that fades into the mind warping dark groove of Neon Times. The relentless dark twisted tones continue with the almost hypnotic beat of Blizzard and the sinister vibes of Into The Woods and Fear Of All before the tripped out finale, Alarmatica, brings Horn Ur Marken to an end.
                               

The Janitors – Horn Ur Marken
Label: Cardinal Fuzz – CF666
Format: CD, Album, Digipack
Country: UK
Released:Apr 24, 2017
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

                                 

01. Trojan Ghost    5:42
02. Horn Ur Marken    9:36
03. Neon Times    6:11
04. Blizzard    5:04
05. Into The Woods    6:42
06. Fear Of All    5:38
07. Alarmatica    5:01

Flac Size: 289 MB

04. THE JANITORS - NOISOLATION VOL. 1 2020

                                       

Noisolation Sessions Vol.1’ is a testament of three months in disturbing times. In March 2020 The Janitors had their new Album written and studio time booked -ready to unleash their latest shamanic fuzz meltdowns, then corona hit and everything changed. They figured they would go down into their own

studio to work on those tunes some more until things passed over. While working there they recorded what they felt was a most apt tune for that moment back in Spring 2020 – A cover of Joy Divisions – ‘Isolation’ – It was epic and the reaction they got confirmed it. It re-energized The Janitors and in doing so the creative juices flowed and a though kicked in - that the next week they just start writing new songs, but with the same dogmatic rules, one night of recording, one week of mixing and then it's done - A challenge of just letting the creativity flow but then leaving the song as a testament to that moment.
                                

The Janitors – Noisolation Session Vol. 1
Label: Cardinal Fuzz – CFLCR024, Little Cloud Records – CFLCR024
Format: CDr, Album
Country: UK
Released: Nov 13, 2020
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

                            

01. Through The Storm Into Chaos    7:26
02. High On God    4:44
03. Indifferent State    10:02
04. Thing Is Rising    8:14
05. Mind Is A Terrible Thing    7:21
06. Isolation (Written By – Joy Division)   6:43

Flac Size: 301 MB

05. THE JANITORS - AN ERROR HAS OCCURRED 2024

                                  

The band, primarily made up of founder Henric Herlenius and Jonas Eriksson, are joined by the musicians

who make up The Janitors live ensemble; Andreas Thorell and Wilhelm Tengdahl, wherein after intense rehearsals, the band made the move to lay everything down live, in a church no less, over the course of two days and nights, and I can enthusiastically say the band’s approach worked, as An Error Has Occurred is a nodding, fuzzed-out, garage-psych mind-fuck album of the highest order.
                                  

The Janitors – 2024 - An Error Has Occurred
Label: Rocket Recordings – LAUNCH352
Format: Album, Limited Edition, Orange With Green Splatter
Country: UK
Released: May 24, 2024
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

                             

01. Anger The World   5:15
02. Kalfjallet   6:49
03. Lies   5:16
04. In A Bliss   5:52
05. Operator   9:23
06. What Is Real?   7:03
07. Farewell Spacegirl   7:25

Flac Size: 597 MB