Puppet Master Soundtrack

Every month of October, I do what every young adult nerd-child does to glorify the spookiest time of the year. I watch and horde as many classic, crap, schlock, and gory horror movies as I can. This year I decided to venture into the world of the Puppet Master franchise. And over many satisfying viewings I've fallen in honest to god love with it. I've always loved the aesthetic of the Puppet's and the distinctive look that the characters had. Truly it's a love it or hate it series of movies. None of the films had any theatrical release's, and the campy, über cheesy acting and sets are mainly to serve those in the B-movie crowd. Ironically, this is a series that really hit a peak of awesomeness as it went on. 4 and 5 are the movies in the series I like the best so far. They have a lot more scenes with the puppets and introduce a demon character for no real needed reason at all except for "plot". But it leads to a lot more puppet vs. puppet action, and some truly entertaining characters. Judging from what I've seen of the movies after those it looks like they truly are the highlights.

Anyway, this isn't a film review blog is it? I should get to the point. About a little while ago I found out that the honest to gosh Puppet Master soundtrack collection had been reissued and pressed to wax! With my nerdom at it's peak and my finances in check, I took the plunge and made the order. I've seen soundtrack reissues of this kind sell out quickly before, so I wasn't going to take my chances. Limited to 1,000 copies on black vinyl, 33 RPM. Released by Full Moon Features.

It's probably not very hard to believe, but this is the first soundtrack I've ever bought. I've never gotten the appeal of soundtrack music, and especially buying it. But honestly I'm really, really digging this record hard. I've been spinning it quite often and enjoying it totally on it's own merit, detached from any of the films. The classic Puppet Master score was composed by Richard Band, brother of Charles Band who created the films. Richards score puts you perfectly into the atmosphere of the Puppet Master universe. The opening "Main Title" music has a distinctive classic feel. It's supernatural and devilish but also with a good amount of bounce and whimsy to it. Lots of strings and synths are used, and eerie rising tones that are used very tastefully. It's very good music to put on and do other creative things too. I draw and write to this record pretty often, it has a very concoctive vibe. This record collects select pieces Richard Band created for the series. From 1-4 and all the way to 9-10. Quite a gap in between there, makes me wonder why he went back for those last two. Mr. Band also composed music for the classic movies "From Beyond" and a personal favorite of mine, "Re-Animator". How about that?

The pressing sounds very good. It's a very quite record, no hiss, pops or crackles are spotted besides the occasional bit of dust. It's not mastered to where it's booming loud like I would have hoped but they did a good job overall. I have to say that I'm really not a big fan of the art they used for the cover. For whatever reason the puppets were done with some weird 3D computer art which looks pretty cheap. A much better job could have been done with this.

Inside the gatefold we get a little write up of Richard Band and his involvement with the series, and a very nice spread of every cover from every film in the franchise. I dig that a lot. The gatefold sleeve is pretty flimsy.

Who knows if I'll buy any more soundtracks, but I do not regret buying this one. I'm a sucker for horror, so if I stumble upon the "Halloween" soundtrack somewhere for cheap, you'll see it on here.

~VII

Dead On The Floor 30 Seconds Into The First Band

So every Insect Warfare collector knows that there's that one little teeny weeny annoying release they have that drives you crazy. The split cassette with The Kill. Well, RSR, the reissue saviors, re-released it on a nice red flexi, 45 RPM.

Even though the release is more widely available, and on an arguably prettier format, this still isn't a very satisfying IW record. Their track is actually taking from the split 5" with Agoraphobic Nosebleed, so if you have that too (which I do), I guess oh well on that. The Kill track is good, just a solid metallic ripper as they do, and do well. None of them are bad songs, but the brevity is brutal.

Extended artwork cover.

~VII

My Own Two Feet

Thanks to a recent trade with my buddy Paul, I have finally completed my Extortion discography collection. Of course, I don't have every variant, my wallet can't afford to take it. I might buy another variant of some record here and there, if the price is right, but I don't really see the point. Beside's that, here was the last piece I needed, the 7" repress of their demo. Black vinyl, 45 RPM.

Definitely not my favorite stuff from the band. I definitely don't see myself pulling this out very often, but it is mandatory for anyone who's hungry for their records, like I am. Super aggressive, pissed off, fast hardcore, just like we know and love from Extortion. Except that the recording on this is raw and lo-fi as balls.

Very simple, bare bones, and crude packagine. Basically just a printed image on some regular printer paper that was then folded. Hey, what ever does the job. Love the artwork on this too.

Now, apparently there is a recently released live bootleg LP that was just released, which I should be getting soon. I really don't like live records, but fuck all, I got to stay complete. For better or for worse :p Bring on the splits with ANb, Hatred Surge and Sidetracked!!

~VII

Boys Don't Cry

The postage increase that was put into action last week can suck my left one. Eight bucks to ship one 7"? Fall in a hole and die. So yeah, I don't buy overseas very much, but I do make certain exceptions. One of them being Yacøpsæ, who recently had their first 7", "Krank Ist Normal" reissued. Red/black swirl vinyl, limited to 100, 33 RPM.

I'm really not a fan of how the original recording of this record sounds. It's all very flat and not-pummling. So thankfully, Yacøpsæ had the brilliant idea to re-record the entire record, with "Tanz Gronsy Tanz" quality production. The record sounds fantastic, and it looks fantastic. And yes, they did keep the Cure cover, it's wonderful.

This should probably be coming over to the USA soon, so local peeps should wait a bit. Or if you're impatient or want the color version, hit up Vulgar Records.

~VII

Out Of Your Mind

I got this a while ago, and I finally got around to spinning yesterday. This particular records is a split from Extortion that has always seemed to avoid me. Thankfully, RSR was kind enough to reissue it for people like me. Joy. Here's the Extortion/Jed Whitey split 7", black vinyl, 45 RPM.

I really like the Extortion side of this. Go figure, right? Very fast stuff from them, and it's over in the blink of an eye. 5 songs in what seems like less than 3 minutes. Including a cover of the Black Flag song - "Fix Me". 

Jed Whitey did nothing for me, unfortunately. Old-school sounding hardcore punk rock that sounds almost like bubble gum, sugary pop compared to Extortion. It's a curious pairing, and I'm not fond of it. Come to think of it, the only band Extortion has shared a split with that I think is great is Agents of Abhorrence. Hopefully the upcoming splits will have good material from both bands featured. 

Pretty standard packaging, noting fancy at all. Double-sided sleeve with a pretty uninteresting looking inside. Why is there only a picture of there drummer?

You can pick this up in tons of distros now. I got mine from Rotten To The Core records. 

~VII

Crusher

Yes!! I finally got one of my most anticipated reissues of this year! A record that I've been wanting a physical copy of for a couple years now. Here is the To Live a Lie reissue of Magrudergrind's - "Crusher" 10" EP, red vinyl, 45 RPM.

Ignoring all the bullshit and controvery surrounding this records initial Scion release, I honestly think this is one of Magrudergrinds best and strongest releases. The songs are there, the riffs are catchy, the production is great, the mix is punishing, the guest spots are tasteful, etc. I particularly love the rap verse in the 2nd half of "Heaviest Bombing". If you can't get over the whole Scion thing and dismiss this record because of that, you're an idiot. This release has only gotten better and better the more I listen to it.

TLAL did a great job with this reissue. Wisely using the same cover art that graced "Crusher's" first reissue on Bone Brigade. Sturdy cover sleeve, and wonderful red vinyl (limited to 200 copies). It also comes with a poster and a glossy double sided lyric sheet. 

There's a lot of detail to take in on this cover. Excellent cut n' paste artwork.

"Graffiti is  my only escape from the misery and pain this ugly world has built up/I wanna spray it down, piece by piece till it's filled up."

Big poster :)

You should know where to get this. Act soon!!

~VII

My Record Store Day 2012 Haul

A day late, but here are the records I picked up for RSD. All of these are exclusive releases, and I made an order to Rotten To The Core records that day too. I got a lot of exciting things on the way. I hope you all had a good RSD and got all the things you wanted. I definitely did, except for the St. Vincent - "KROKODIL" 7" single. Oh well.

From L to R:

• Odd Future - "The OF Tape Vol. 2" 2xLP
• Shabazz Palaces - "Live At KXEP" on purple vinyl
• Death Grips - "The Money Store"
• Pelican - "Australasia" 2xLP

~VII