Back catalogue: Psych/Garage Rock

Review: Considered to be Australia's first and most influential punk band and the country's answer to 'Kick Out The Jams' hitmakers MC5 and The Stooges, Radio Birdman have bucked the trend and shown that it's not quantity but quality that matters. Living Eyes, recorded in 1978 in Rockfield Studios in Wales, is the band's second studio album, the last recorded by the band before they split and easily one of the best punk records you can get. They've reformed since but released only more album since then and that was released in 2006. Ultimately, it's the brief first era truly that's built their reputation. And while a lot of groups remix and remaster records even though they've had an official master previously, this remix version of Radio Birdman was born out of the band wanting to finish the job properly. The first release in 1981 came when the band weren't together so they didn't get an official master until 1994 when they put out a CD. For the first time, the 1994 version is available on vinyl and it's the ultimate way to hear Radio Birdman.

Review: Rose City Band's Sol Y Sombra is a radiant blend of sun-kissed country rock and introspective melancholy, led by guitarist/vocalist Ripley Johnson. The album captures the joy of creation while acknowledging the ever-present shadow in life, with Johnson embracing both light and darkness. Backed by pedal steel guitarist Barry Walker, keyboardist Paul Hasenberg and drummer John Jeffrey, the band conjures an effortless momentum, infusing each track with lush melodies and rhythmic drive. Tracks like 'Lights on the Way' and 'Evergreen' exude Americana bliss, while Walker's pedal steel adds a shimmering layer to the album's expansive, sunset-drenched sound. Johnson's introspective lyrics and soulful guitar interludes, paired with special guest Sanae Yamada's synths, elevate the album to a deeper emotional level. The closer, 'The Walls', beautifully features the band's blend of exploration and catharsis. Throughout Sol Y Sombra, Johnson expertly balances familiar sounds with subtle evolutions, creating a journey that celebrates both light and shade. It's a heartfelt and resplendent album, filled with timeless grooves and reflective moments.

Review: The latest release from Rose City Band continues their tradition of sun-kissed country rock, blending effortless momentum with an undercurrent of darker tones. Led by Ripley Johnson, the band - featuring Barry Walker, Paul Hasenberg, and John Jeffrey - creates expansive, rhythmic music that's as much about groove as it is about atmosphere. The release balances the joy of uplifting moments with the inevitable presence of shadow, reflecting the duality of life. From the highway-bound optimism of 'Lights on the Way' to the emotional resolution of 'The Walls,' the music unfolds like a sunset drive, a journey through both light and shade.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Breaking from his directorial duties, American cinema auteur Eli Roth (Borderlands, Knock Knock, Green Inferno) stops by the CAM Sugar sound studio for a rare double 7" LP, pinching listeners by the ear and dragging them along a forbidden trail along the gothic, red-lit path that is Italian soundtrack legendariness. Drawing his selections here from a wealth of Italian B-movie expertise, not to mention ownership in his own collection, the contemporary horrorist has chosen 20 delicious but still downright saucy disco, bossa nova and psych tunes here, centring on the Italian Sexy Comedy softcore era of 1969-81.

Review: American splatter horror director Eli Roth curates a spicy and seductive collection of Italian soundtrack gems, offering a deep dive into the rich and often scandalous world of Italian softcore and sexy comedies from the 70s and 80s. With tracks spanning disco, funk, bossa nova, and psych, Roth draws upon the compositions of iconic Italian film composers like Stelvio Cipriani, Bruno Nicolai, and Riz Ortolani. Highlights include Cipriani's infectious 'Nude Odeon (Ritmico Funk)' and Ferrio's sultry 'Quando Vuoi Con Chi Vuoi.' The collection, which also features rare and previously unreleased tracks, pulses with a heady mix of erotic tension and playful grooves. 'Amori Stellari' from Don Powell, with its cheeky synth-laden intro, adds a spacey touch, while Gianni Ferrio's 'La Musica E' effortlessly evokes the seductive atmosphere of 70s Italian cinema. Whether it's the funky disco beats of 'Avere Vent'anni (Disco)' or the dark allure of 'Il Sesso Del Diavolo,' each track feels like an invitation into an intimate, forbidden world. It's a soundtrack for lovers of cult cinema, irresistibly bold and full of character.

Review: Sometimes, Record Store Day releases really do come through, and this is one of them as it unearths extremely rare 1988 demo recordings from alt-rock trailblazers Royal Trux, previously only circulated on a handful of cassettes in 1998. Now available for the first time on wax, the collection captures the raw, unfiltered energy that preceded their breakthrough Twin Infinitives and features early versions of 'Walkin' Machine,' 'Cut You Loose,' 'Gold Dust' and a cover of Neil Young's 'Time Fades Away,' These demos really give you a window into the band's formative chaos and brilliance and highlight the uncompromising vision that made Royal Trux such favourites.