Shake Appeal is a column that highlights new garage and garage-adjacent releases. In anticipation of Record Store Day (April 19), Evan Minsker suggests what he thinks you should track down this year. Because let's face it: A lot of bad records get released on Record Store Day.
1. Ex-Cult: "Ties You Up" b/w "New Virtues" 7" [Goner]
"Ties You Up" is a track featured on Ex-Cult's forthcoming album Midnight Passenger. And I know, I know: It's an album cut that you could just hear on the album, so this looks like another "pull a single from an album and throw it on a 45" Record Store Day money grab. But I'm recommending this because it's actually a different (and better) version of the album cut. It's slightly more brutal, partially because it's recorded by Ty Segall, and it's got an extra jolt of ominous atmosphere thanks to some saxophone work by K-Holes' Zumi Rosow. Grab this.
2. Thee Oh Sees: Drop [Castle Face]
This one's fairly obvious. Last year, Thee Oh Sees snuck out an EP for Record Store Day called Moon Sick (which is worth tracking down). This year, they've got an album coming, which looks very promising based on the singles. Pitchfork will publish a full review for the LP in good time, but for now, know this: It's an Oh Sees album that you can buy on Record Store Day. If you're a fan of this band, that's probably all the incentive you need.
Thee Oh Sees: "Penetrating Eye" on SoundCloud.
Thee Oh Sees: "The Lens" on SoundCloud.
3. White Mystery: Dubble Dragon [self-released]
As anybody well-versed in Miss Alex White and Francis White's career knows, they put records out every year on April 20. That means that there's always a new Record Store Day release from Chicago's most famous redheaded siblings. The new one's a double LP featuring a new studio album and a live album recorded at Chicago's Double Door. That's a lot of White Mystery on one record—more bang for your buck, etc.
4. The Exit: TheExit EP [Permanent]
Between Afflicted Man and the Pows, Permanent have been killing the archival release game. They stay winning with The Exit EP, a collection of extremely rare Chicago punk songs from 1979. For people who ride for Dead Boys or that Epicycle comp that came out last year, this one's definitely worth checking out. It's four tracks of choogling, sneering, solid punk music. Of the 500 pressed, 100 are available on clear vinyl.
5. Brown Brogues: Zoloto [Stolen Body]
These might not be readily available at every shop, but it's worth tracking down this one from Manchester stompers Brown Brogues. On a 12" platter with a brown center (like a Tootsie pop... or something much less appetizing), they've got a series of sludgy, paced tracks with a psychedelic bent and a thick, bluesy low-end. They open one of these tracks by laughing and yelling the words "CAN YOU DIG IT?" Well? Can you?
Also Probably Buy: That Ramones EP, the Dinosaur Jr. 7" collection, the Milk 'n' Cookies 7", the Parquet Courts 7", and that compilation of Toledo-based garage rock.