Eek! A Mouse!

The experimental group Mice Parade is the brainchild of Adam Pierce. They’re not a new group, but they’re one of those groups that I discovered, acquired some of their music, and then promptly forgot about. The other day I put them on and said to myself, “These guys are great! Why haven’t I been listening to them?” Mice Parade combines elements of jazz, folk, rock and their own genre-bending sound. Most of their early releases are instrumental, but more recently they feature vocals. The instrumentation includes acoustic guitar, keyboards, excellent percussion, vibes, and a whole plethora of other instruments. And their songs are rich and complex. Quite unique. In fact, the only group that I could compare them to is Anathallo. Another personal favorite group that I reviewed earlier. I wouldn’t describe them as the mouse that roared, but one that purred.

Out of This World

Galaxy 500 is one of my favorite oldies but goodies. They formed in the mid-80s in Boston and were a precursor to both the shoegazer and slowdive movements. Vocalist and guitarist Dean Wareham was the driving force behind the group. Their music is droney, dark, and subtle. Wareham’s voice isn’t for everyone. I guess it’s what you might call an acquired taste. But this group was sadly overlooked in its day. They did a bunch of recording for the Rough Trade label. But by the time Wareham decided to disband the group, the label went bust. Several years later, Rykodisc bought their entire oeuvre and released it on a box set. Dean went on to form Luna, which continued to carry the Galaxy 500 torch. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Note: If you enjoy the music, a ton of it is available on youtube. Search words: “Galaxy” and “Dean Wareham Luna”.