Virgin Prunes, If I Die I Die, CD, 1982, Dublin, Ireland

               Since it's a balmy, sullen, and precipitous day in Portland, I feel this album fits the mood pretty well.  I discovered the Virgin Prunes through vocalist, Gavin Friday, appearing on Dave Ball's impressive 1983 album "In Strict Tempo." It also doesn't hurt that Wire's Colin Newman produced it. 

Hard Stuff, Bulletproof, CD, 1972, U.K.

Hard Stuff's much lauded debut is solid from start to finish and features guitarist, John Du Cann, of Atomic Rooster fame.  If this fancies your taste also check out their second album "Bolex Dementia" from '73.

Stepson, S/T, LP, 1974, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.

Stellar mid-seventies Pacific Northwest hard rock at its finest featuring members of Touch and Don and the Goodtimes.  It seems to me that there are sentiments of early Blue Oyster Cult doled through out this album.  Also, there's a wicked cover of the Animals "It's My Life."  Don't pass this gem up, it's one of my favorite discoveries of 2014

Scott Walker, Climate of Hunter LP, 1983, U.K.

       At this interval in time, this eerily haunting and weirdly beautiful experimental pop album from Scott Walker, formerly of the Walker Brothers, is my favorite of his. Unfortunately, this is the only album Scott Walker did in the 80's and I would have loved to have heard more albums from him during this era.  Oddly enough, Billy Ocean and Mark Knopfler appear on this album.  DAMN IT Scott Walker! Get out of my car and into my dreams.

T2, It'll All Work Out In Boomland Lp, 1970, U.K.

       Rockin debut album from this three piece psych prog unit featuring Peter Dunton on drums and vocal duties.  I will be posting their demos from 1971-72 in the future.

Dantalion's Chariot, Chariot Rising LP, 1967, U.K.

              Superb under the radar psych gem featuring guitarist, Andy Summers, from the Police.

Nikki Sudden and the French Revolution, Groove LP, 1989, U.K.

     Prodigiously mesmerizing rock album by the late swell maps co-founder.  It seems to me that Groove would be an excellent candidate to listen to before the summer's end.