Every so often an album comes out of the archives that just hits the spot and sounds fantastic.  Right place right time, RECORD OF THE WEEK this week is...


   'Betty' - HELMET
Formed way back in 1989 New York's Helmet was an alternative metal monster in the true sense of the word.  Created by a frontman who's unique leadership lead to mainstream success on their major label debut, 'Meantime' is still hailed as a classic; mixing youthful exuberance and metallic mastery beyond their years.  It went gold by the time it's follow up appeared in '94, so 'Betty' had some work to do and despite poking its nose out of the US Billboard at no.45, it failed to match its predecessor commercially.  However, what it lacked in revenue generation it made up for in style and content.  Regarded by critics as more experimental, 'Betty' pushed the boundaries formed by 'Meantime' and dropped a big size 9 onto the face of anyone expecting the band to toe the commercial party line.  The solitary single 'Milquetoast' stands out, appearing on The Crow soundtrack (respect) and with its bone crunching melodious melodrama it was a sound selection.  Elsewhere opener 'Wilma's Rainbow', 'Biscuits for Smut' and 'Rollo' smack you square in the solar plexus, setting the pace and tone for a collection of caustic corkers that crackle and.....pop from start to finish.  Essential early nineties alternative rock, that should never be ignored.


Last Week it was...

   'Dropped' - MIND FUNK
Having been criminally shown the door by Epic following the release of their 1991 debut, you could say Mind Funk were the victims of the machinations and mysterious workings of the music industry.  Through sheer determination and a take-no-more-shit attitude, this New Jersey outfit re-appeared a year later scarred but proud, with ex-Nirvana guitarist Jason Everman on board they released a vital show of strength that was dismissive and hateful; a controlled schizophrenia that should've seen them right.  Instead it remains one of the best kept secrets in hard rock.  Opener 'Goddess' immediately buries itself deep in your head before 'In The Way Eye' and 'Billygoat' mix warped musical visions with cutting guitars and twisting moods, reminiscent of 'Dirt' era Alice In Chains; Pat dubars peerless vocal carving its own venomous melody.  There's much invention on show here; the songs are oblique, deceptive, low-key and sometimes delicate, so direct comparison is unfair but as 'Dropped' slowly reveals itself with repeat listening, shifting seamlessly from mellow intonations to full blooded howls, if you dig deep enough you'll discover an album that is bewildering, striking and evocative.  A perfect aural nail bomb.   

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  'Times Up' - LIVING COLOUR
concocting a vibrant and heady mix of hard rock, metal, funk, hip hop and punk; which to some may sound decidedly off-putting, but for those with an open mind and an ear for superb musicianship, it will sound as engaging and challenging as anything you've heard in a long time.