Spam Avenger - On Man's Attempt To Rid The World Of Unsolicited E-Mail! (2002)

We probably can't get further from country music than this CD from the Spam Avenger (aka Bob Keelaghan). In the early 2000's two things came together to produce this CD: the proliferation of email spam and Keelaghan's unmatchable wit (and presumably a lot of spare time on his part). This CD is a recording of Keelaghan's revenge calls/replies to spam messages he received - they're surreal, stream-of-consciousness conversations, attempts to get spammers off-script and off-balance. 

It's pretty funny stuff - and you can get it here!

Tim Hus - Songs of West Canada (2002)

Here's some more country music for you, a week late for Stampede. Tim Hus takes a different approach to his songwriting than Tom Phillips, opting for a more documentary style in the same tradition as Stompin' Tom Connors. And on this, his first CD, he gifts us with a Calgary song!

It looks like this CD is available from Hus' website - get it there!

Tom Phillips and the Men of Constant Sorrow - The Essential (2002)

Sheesh, we really missed an opportunity to post some really great country music during Stampede. But, as always, we have the hookup later rather than sooner! We're probably on record as saying Tom Phillips is our favourite country singer/songwriter in town - and this CD is certainly a testament to his skills (as well as how great his Men of Constant Sorrow were). 

Tom has all of his records up for sale on his website; you can grab this one there (and while you're at it, do your self a favour and grab his excellent Plastic Machine LP). 

Waterbody - Working For Our Souls (1995)

We posted a tape from Waterbody a couple of years ago - and here's their CD along with some actual info about the band! Yes, this was kind of an evolution of the Rip Chords, playing an arty pop that mixes elements of folk and world music - along with a touch of 90's alt rock (the good parts of it). 

We like this James Muretich-penned article about the band, mostly because of  Kevin Labchuk's prescient remarks about the benefits of remaining independent vs. getting signed by a major label:

Get it here.

Thousandsticks - White Knuckled Midnight Drives (2001)

We have a list (or are working on a list, at least) of Calgary albums that are woefully overlooked. Releases that you really should hear, but probably would have a hard time finding a copy of. This CD from James Hayden's Thousandsticks is pretty high on that list - we posted their six song EP a few years ago, but this well-produced full-length is a real thing of joy. If you ever wanted an entire album follow-up to Fire Engine Red's "Shank Pony," this is for you. Oh, wait, it's only us that want that.

Hayden's songwriting is top notch on this and the playing by bandmates Lyle Crilly, Lorrie Matheson, Steve Elaschuk, and Chris Lowry is off the charts. This is a super group that's really super. We go back to this one a lot, it's a favourite road trip disc.

Get it here.

Tariq - While You're Down There (2001)

Good thing we saved the promo writeup that came with this CD, or else we would have gone on about how its title was a nod to the similarly-named Pussy Monster song. But it appears to be a reference to Tariq's label cajoling him into songwriting partnerships while stateside. And it's an impressive list of co-writers: the Go-Go's' Charlotte Caffey! Jules Shear! And Russ Broom (who also produced this)! More than anything, this CD is perhaps a testament to the pain and sorrow of landing a deal with a major label in the late 1990's.

Get it here.

Neckers - In "A Whole Mess O' Trouble" (2001)

We've posted stuff on either side of the Neckers - Vernal Season (the high school band that brought together the core members of Brendan Tincher, Jim Blood, and Bil Heatherington) and the Pygmies (Tincher and Blood's post-Necker band, who subsequently became Jeans Degrees). Where latter era Neckers fell into more of a power pop and garage rock feel, their first CD is much more in the pop punk vein. But that logo! Excellent from the get-go.

Looks like this is available on the streaming platforms, so check it out there.

Mico - Standing In The Shadows (2001)

We forgot how great Mico were until we re-listened to this, their first full-length CD. Three guitars, bass, drums, and emotional vocals, Mico were a powerhouse. We could get into a BIG argument about whether they were a Banff band or a Calgary band, but we're not in a fighting mood today. 

The download is over at the Mico bandcamp.

Martyr Index - 1936 (2001)

Following his work with Inquisition, Mark Vermin fired up the Martyr Index and took aim at all things capitalist, wrapping his message in a hard rock-leaning punk. And also gave us one of the greatest fold-out CD covers in this city's history - this thing's a beauty! But! We're not just about the album art - except when we can't seem to pin down who was in the band for this album. Casey Lewis and Jimmy James were in the band at some point but we don't know for sure that they were in it from day one. 

Grab this via the Martyr Index bandcamp.

Knucklehead - Voice Among Us (2001)

Here's Knucklehead's third full-length CD, originally issued on their own (we assume) Whiskey Voice label. We really don't have a lot to add to the Knucklehead knowledge base at this point, so head over to their bandcamp for the download.

Interstellar Root Cellar - Lo-Fi Love (2001)

When we posted Interstellar Root Cellar's first CD, someone left a comment noting that, "[t]he mixing sounds a little amateurish to my ears, but the song writing in the arrangements are impeccable." Well, we hope that person is still reading because this CD sees the band taking a different approach to recording, eschewing the traditional studio approach and instead hunkering down in their garage and recording all the instruments live off the floor with one mic. It's might seem a bit schticky, but it works really well and sounds warm and inviting.

It looks like Ryan Bourne wasn't part of the band by this point - he had already struck out with one solo tape. We're not sure what Darren Bourne is up to these days, but Ryan's workout music-themed Hair Control is a pretty great thing.

Get some Lo-Fi  Love here.