Throwing Muses 'America (She Can't Say No) (Original Demo Version)' (4AD, 1987)

Early version of debut album track from the bewitching Throwing Muses.

More goodies from the Underground tape following the Sonic Youth live cut. This time it's a demo version of some idiosyncratic early Throwing Muses from the tape that got them a deal with 4AD.

Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donnelly weave intricate vocal and guitar patterns over clattering but restrained drumming and an ascending/descending bassline. Something about it sounds like Kristin Hersh is singing backwards. I know that sounds weird.

Download Throwing Muses 'America (She Can't Say No) (Original Demo Version)' (indie alternative rock mp3, Mediafire)

Or download the whole of the 'Rhythm + Noise' tape from Archive: Live + Rare mp3s.

Sheila B. Devotion 'Spacer (12" Extended Version)' (Carrere, 1979)

Moody disco magic from the Chic Organisation.

I've always loved this record, even before it seemed acceptable to profess a love for disco, and certainly before I was aware of the full majesty of Chic. I loved it all the more since I noticed that New Order's 'Subculture' bears - to my ears, anyway - a distinct resemblence. Maybe it's just in the same key or something.

'Spacer' also brings to mind the minor key disco pop of Phoenix's 'If I Ever Feel Better', the best of the Italians Do It Better stable or the Class Actress track I posted last week.

The song opens with a spiraling minor key piano figure, building to the entry of the familiar, tight-tight-tight bass and drums that are the hallmark of a Chic production - machine-tooled precision but wholly warm and human. It begins with the chorus setting the mood, strings sweeping and groove chugging, somehow creating a track that is equal parts floorfiller and nightdrive soundtrack.

The breakdown at 3'58" enhances the moodiness of the track further, dubbing up Nile Rodgers' guitar chops and paring the track back to the minor key bones. The mood is subtly lightened as organ and piano are mixed back in, Bernard Edwards getting chance to throw-in a few slaps.

Genius.

Download Sheila B. Devotion 'Spacer (12" Extended Version)' (mp3) (Mediafire)

Molly Half Head 'Vivid Whitsun (Single Version)' (Playtime, 1993)

Edgy, Magazine-indebted mood-rock from Manchester.

I interviewed Molly Half Head for my student newspaper back in the day. I remember being quite taken-aback when the bassist and guitarist told us, with an unnerving intensity, that if Molly Half Head wasn't successful, that would be it for them, they'd have to jack music in and get jobs on building sites.

It seemed like both a lot of pressure to heap onto a couple of student journalists and also quite an optimistic view of the influence of the Aston University student paper.

I thought Molly Half Head's debut album - 'Sulk' - was great though and they got a good write-up. Admittedly, I hadn't heard Magazine back then but 'Vivid Whitsun' made a big impact on me and was my first encounter with the wonders of the loop pedal.

This version pre-dates the album and is a little less polished. It features the same elements though - arcs of guitar, the constant serrated guitar loop and spacious but menacing rhythm section. It's topped with singer Paul Bardsley's distinctive vocal sound and lyrical preoccupations - reflections on childhood loneliness mainly, playing with an Action Man, that kind of thing.

Looking back they predated the Manic Street Preachers 'Holy Bible' album which used the same influences as their starting point. They also make me think of British Sea Power, though more downbeat and less bombastic.

Molly Half Head didn't make it, though they did get to make a second album. Shame.

Download Molly Half Head 'Vivid Whitsun (Single Version)' (alternative indie rock download, mp3, 320k, Mediafire)

Sonic Youth '(I Got A) Catholic Block (Live)' (Underground magazine, 1987)

Exclusive live take of the 'Sister' track.

By the time they got to the 'Sister' album Sonic Youth's sound was beginning to embrace less sturm and drang and more of a focused, song-based approach.

'(I Got A) Catholic Block' is still an edgy snarl but you can see how they got from here to the crystalline soundworld of 'Daydream Nation'. You can see why they were in the process of inspiring a generation of alternative rockers to free their minds - bands like The God Machine, Swervedriver and, of course, My Bloody Valentine.

'Catholic Block' seems to somehow shift and blur while at the same time being pretty direct. It builds up a dizzying intensity, heavy rhythms and arcs of scraping guitar and the type of rhythmic breakdown that they would perfect on 'Teenage Riot'.

Download Sonic Youth '(I Got A) Catholic Block (Live)' (alternative rock mp3, Mediafire)

Or download the whole of the 'Rhythm + Noise' tape from Archive: Live + Rare mp3s.

Pale Saints 'A Deeper Sleep For Stephen' (Melody Maker/Rough Trade Distribution, 1990)

Woozier take on 'The Comforts Of Madness' album track.

Gently remixed version of this album track from the Melody Maker/Rough Trade Distribtion mail-order compilation 'Gigantic 2'.

I don't want to sound like a Grumpy Old Man but I had to send-off for 'Gigantic 2' and part with cash. It wasn't a cover-mount like it would be today. It didn't just fall into my lap, I had to work for it. And wait. Two weeks or more. Crazy.

Well worth the wait in this case as Pale Saints take the chloroform to their original, letting it drift off and dream of the fuzzier end of Slowdive, A.R.Kane and Cocteau Twins' 'Victorialand' album.

Download Pale Saints 'A Deeper Sleep For Stephen' (mp3) (Mediafire)