The Geraldine Fibbers - Lost Somewhere Between the Earth and My Home (1995)

Here on 1995's Lost Somewhere Between the Earth and My Home, Carla Bozulich and company craft an honest sincerity and authentic emotionality while still being able to retain an unapologetic approach to their brand of alt-country and cowpunk; this record exists somewhere in the strata between the layers of the avant-garde and traditional folk, wedged right up against blues-based rock and noise.

This version of the band would feature Carla on vocals and guitar, Daniel Keenan on guitar, Jessy Greene on violin, William Tutton on bass and Kevin Fitzgerald on drums. Later incarnations would include Nels Cline (who's basically played with everyone and anyone in the LA avant-garde and jazz scene, and now of Wilco) and Jessica Moss (who's played with almost every "important" Canadian band of the last ten years), but this debut record would feature less of that straight-ahead guitar sound and focus more on Bozulich's stellar songwriting.

The Geraldine Fibbers - Lost Somewhere Between the Earth and My Home (1995; Virgin Records)

Gong - You (1974)

Aussie Daevid Allen was one of the original members of Soft Machine but was more or less replaced when his work visa expired and he wasn't allowed entrance back into England, instead seeking refuge in France. He basically lived on a commune and started Gong out of necessity- he needed to make music. And what he made was some of the finest space-prog of the 1970s, incorporating elements of psychedelia and jazz fusion along the way.

They also constructed a whole mythology of Gong; a fantasy world of their own universe. Apparently stemming from a vision Allen had during a full moon trip in 1966- he claims to have seen the future. This is where the "Radio Gnome Trilogy" was born, and out of that the third album of the trilogy was 1974's You. Sadly, this would be the last album featuring the classic line-up until reuniting in 1994, but (as you can probably guess) the magic was gone by then.

This is some seriously tripped-out shit. If you're an acid casualty there's a strong chance that you may get stuck somewhere in this record. Please don't stare at the cover too long...

Gong - You (1974; Virgin Records)

Robert Wyatt - Rock Bottom (1974)

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"What's the worst thing that could happen to a musician? Losing the ability to play his/her main instrument. Many would give up; ex-Soft Machine drummer Robert Wyatt just got up and went on, singing and composing strange Canterburian jazz-pop/rock songs - and even getting better with it. An amazing musician (and rock's only true communist)."

- Signal To Noise magazine

Robert Wyatt - Rock Bottom (1974; Virgin Records)

Magazine - Real Life (1978)

I've always felt that Magazine never really got their due respect; it seems that when discussions around what bands are considered to be the very definition of the post-punk genre, they get glossed over. Sure, you have to mention Gang Of Four, Wire, Joy Division, etc. but why does Magazine have to fall so far down the list?

So here's me giving propers to one of the best albums of the late '70s; after Howard Devoto left the Buzzcocks (he felt that "punk" was too restrictive a genre) he started the genre-busting Magazine, employing synths (as well as horns and other more experimental instruments not considered punk) as a lead instrument, all to great effect. He foresaw the new direction that music could go, using the attitude of punk rock as a foundation and springboard but being able to go any direction he wanted. Original bassist Barry Adamson would also join up with Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds for their first four records.

So, please enjoy one of the more overlooked gems of the late-'70s...

Magazine - Real Life (1978; Virgin Records)