Format mini-trend of the week, applying to nearly 17 percent of the recommendations below: grassroots (not really “indie” in any way anybody uses the term anymore) rock bands showcasing not only their sounds but also their ugly mugs, via seemingly homemade DVDs. The one by Philly’s Clear Channel–ready (and darn good at it) Gracie is just a teaser, but wickid Massachusetts pissahs Waltham make a full-blown rockumentary out of theirs, complete with helpful subtitles (“shattah’d—to be drunk or shitfaced. See also “hammah’d”) and a questionable on-screen disclaimer: “Use of and references to the words ‘gay’ and ‘fag’ etc. are purely figures of speech. As informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions these colloquialisms are native to the WALTHAM area. Not so much the entire WALTHAM area, in particular, a certain range of addresses on Taylor St. These terms are used only in a playful, amusing, frolicsome, and frivolous manner and are in no way intended to offend, harm, or insult.” Whew!
BLACK MERDA!
Folks From Mother’s Mixer
(Funky Delicacies ’70s acid-funk reissue)
Download “Prophet”
Download “Cinthy-Ruth” (Mp3)
FUGI
Mary, Don’t Take Me On No Bad Trip
(Funky Delicacies ’60s-’70s acid-funk reissue)
Download “Revelations”
Download “Mary, Don’t Take Me On No Bad Trip” (Mp3)
GRACIE
Evolved
(Range possibly crypto-Christian post-grunge hard rock album plus DVD single)
Download “Are You Feelin’ Me” (Mp3)
THE GREENHORNES
Sewed Soles
(Prize Brigade/V2 ’00s post-garage blues-rock odds-and-sods album)
Stream “There Is An End”
Stream “PATTERN SKIES” (Windows Media)
IBRAHIM ELECTRIC
Meets Ray Anderson
(Stunt live Danish boogiefied funk-metaled jazz-rock fusion album)
Download “Fela (Meets Ray Anderson)” (Mp3)
NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALL STARS
Electric Blue Watermelon: Screwed and Chopped EP
(ATO screwed-and-chopped blues-rock EP)
Stream “Mississippi Boll Weevil”
Stream “No Mo” (Mp3)
ODYSSEY BAND
Back in Time
(PI Recordings harmolodic country jazz-funk fusion hoedown album)
JULIAN PRIESTER PEPO MTOTO
Love, Love
(ECM ’70s electric “kozmigroov” jazz-rock fusion reissue)
Stream “Prologue/Love, Love” (Windows Media)
THEE SHAMS
Sign the Line
(Shake It garage-punked soul-rock album)
Stream “Everflowing Tune” (Windows Media)
Stream “No Trust Fund Blues” (Windows Media)
WALTHAM
Waltham
(Ryko Nerf-metal album plus DVD)
Stream “Cheryl (Come and Take a Ride)” (Windows Media)
Stream “Joanne” (Windows Media)
VH1
Classic Metal Mania: Stripped
(VH1 Classic/Sidewinder unplugged Nerf-metal power ballads compilation)
Stream “Every Rose Has Its Thorn ” (Windows Media)
Stream “Fly to the Angels ” (Windows Media)
VH1
Classic Metal Mania Stripped Vol. 2: The Anthems
(VH1 Classic/Sidewinder unplugged Nerf-metal power ballads compilation)
Stream “Here I Go Again” (Windows Media)
Stream “Once Bitten Twice Shy” (Windows Media)