Lost Weekend, the new LP from Memphis garage-punk legend Jack Oblivian is the focus of our show today. We play 2 tracks straight off the vinyl and discuss the LP as a whole. Read on for our official FTBOTRB review of this unique piece of work. In fact it’s an all vinyl play from Richard in this episode of the show. Firstly Elton John provides us with some wholesome patriotic US of A vibes. Secondly, it’s Richard’s back to back spin of two of Jack Oblivian’s tracks. Tobin bookends the show with Australian outfit Sparrows – two belting tunes certainly.
breathe. provide us with plenty to argue about and split the studio in two. This track causes combative conversation between us. Furthermore we have our first spin from Shook Twins. Identical twin sisters play a plethora of musical instruments including a giant golden egg and telephone microphone. We also find time to discuss the vagaries of cheap black vinyl.
What does FTBOTRB think of new release from Jack Oblivian
Straight off the bat this LP hits you with some Wilko Johnson-like choppy guitar, which is quickly enveloped by swirling psychedelic style guitar vibes. Jack Oblivian is certainly master of his own soundscape here. Jumping into track 2 we have quite a different sound, with Jack snarling into the microphone with cocky swagger. It’s clear this is going to be a bumpy ride. Lost Weekend is a collection of recordings made in Jack’s apartment studio and as such there is no coherent theme here. The LP weaves its way through anthemic film-noire instrumental to raging garage-punk growlers.
Further into the chaos there is some distinctly bedroom-project sounding minimalism. In fact, if there ever was a theme to this collection of material it is just that: stripped back home recordings. Don’t expect studio-level production mastery here, it has no place in this recording. Instead this is an intimate look into the mind of Jack Oblivian himself, almost like a personal diary of thoughts and ideas that would eventually take shape into something else and appear on stage in many of his sets. Being new as he is to us here at Record Box HQ, this is a great starting point to explore further magic from Jack Oblivian. There is much to hear on this LP and above anything else it will stand testament to the biting vocal delivery and often obtuse sounding guitar licks from a man whom very much wears many musical hats.