The Recoup

SINCE 2013: Books and books and books and books and occasionally other things

Joseph Kyle

  • Ghost Dance: Stop The World (Cherry Red)

    One could look at the history of Ghost Dance as a cautionary tale, even as their fate proves to be somewhat typical. Formed in the mid-1980s from former members of Skeletal Family, Sisters of Mercy, and Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, they signed to Chrysalis Records. Unfortunately, the relationship between band and label quickly started to… Read more

  • 3AM Eternal: Vangelis “To The Unknown Man” (1977)

    A full appreciation of Greek synthesizer composer Vangelis’ current remastered back catalog releases is forthcoming, but in the interim, please do enjoy this song, taken from his 1977 album Spiral, and a song that has since become one of his signature compositions. Read more

  • The Fourmyula: Inside The Hutt–New Zealand’s Pop-Psych Kingpins 1968-1969 (RPM)

    The Fourmyula was a Beatles-inspired pop band from the tiny nation of New Zealand, and it’s easy to understand why they had a brief, fleeting taste of fame and success–they had excellent songwriting chops, and with their songs led by vocalist Carl Evenson, the band possessed a quality that was never hampered by the obscurity… Read more

  • 3AM Eternal: Spector 45 “I Love You” (2009)

    Wonderful little punk-rock song from Dallas’ beautiful, damned greaser-punk boys. Probably not safe for work… Read more

  • The Tunes: Love Uncool (Cheap Rewards)

    This is an amazing discovery of an extremely obscure Kansas-based power-pop band. Hailing from Topeka, this trio released exactly one four-song EP, before heading right back into obscurity. Yeah, yeah, there are tons of lost bands from this era but what makes this group so notable is just how damn close it comes to being… Read more

  • 3AM Eternal: Bel Canto “A Shoulder To The Wheel” (1991)

    Norwegian Bel Canto specialized in dreamy, earthly world-pop, and this single, from 1991, was one of the groups highlights. Thanks to the changing music scene, Bel Canto is merely a footnote in the post-Nevermind insanity, but those who know of their music are those who know of beauty. Vocalist Anneli Drecker is a renowned pop star… Read more

  • 3AM Eternal: Outkast “Church” (2003)

    Rappers’ inevitable gospel songs are often best avoided…unless you’re Outkast, who have this uncanny knack for not doing wrong. Even their missteps are inherently interesting, and though the sum is greater than their parts, when those parts are working together, the results are magical.  Read more

  • 3AM Eternal: Digable Planets “Jettin’” (1994)

    They shone brightly, intensely, and quickly; their sound and style, influential. Even though their career was brief, they left two superior albums; 1994’s Blowout Comb is a certifiable classic and one of hip-hop’s truly essential full-length records, and though there have been hints at reunions over the past two decades, they’ve all petered out before… Read more

  • Aquariana: Aquariana (Drag City)

    Over the past few years, Drag City has served as the go-to archival label for The Source Family cult–a unique and peculiarly influential group that was devoted to health food, endless acid-rock jams, and their spiritual leader, Father Yod. This was no fringe organization; Father Yod owned The Source, a famous Hollywood vegetarian restaurant that… Read more

  • 3AM Eternal: Herb Alpert “Rise” (1979)

    At the end of the 1970s, Herb Alpert had a surprise hit with his seven-minute grooved-out instrumental, “Rise.” With a disco groove, a bit of funk influence, and his distinctive trumpet, the song’s unique style and sound sent it to the top of the charts, and would become ubiquitous on Saturday night radio playlists. It… Read more