Review / 200 Words Or Less
Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3
Goodnight Oslo

Yep Roc (2009) — Sean K.

Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3 – Goodnight Oslo cover artwork
Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3 – Goodnight Oslo — Yep Roc, 2009

On this outing Robyn Hitchcock is backed by Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows) on bass and vocals, Peter Buck (some big band from Athens?) on guitar and Bill Rieflin (Ministry) on drums. A lush recording with a lot of texture makes this record a lot to take in. But once you enter, you may never want to leave. "Saturday Groovers" and "Sixteen Years" were my favorites here. The bonus disc offers two outtakes that should have made the record anyway, but that's a minor quibble. Moody and lots of fun, catch this outfit live if you get the chance. Make sure to buy the $30 poster.

7.0 / 10 — Sean K. • July 23, 2009

Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3 – Goodnight Oslo cover artwork
Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3 – Goodnight Oslo — Yep Roc, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

The Phase Problem

The Power Of Positive Thinking
Brassneck Records (2024)

I spent a good part of the late ‘90s annoyed at the abundance of Ramonescore. I’ll stand by my word: many of the bands of that era were carbon copies that didn’t bring anything new to the format. But time has passed and what was overdone is now a refreshing change of pace. For whatever reason, when I hear a … Read more

Totally Slow

The Darkness Intercepts
Refresh Records (2024)

I find Totally Slow a hard band to categorize. Their brand of melodic, hard punk is familiar and comforting -- rooted in ‘80s hardcore, ‘90s skatepunk, and post-something guitar-driven rock. The press release namedrops Dag Nasty and Hot Snakes, among others, which I think are good starting points. But while it’s familiar, it’s absolutely not a carbon copy. Like their forebearers, the songs … Read more

Steamachine

City of Death
Records Workshop (2023)

City Of Death is the third album from Polish noise makers Steamachine. Having dabbled in a few metal styles over their career, City Of Death has a heavy carnival influence to it which I have to say I really like. It's interesting just how much more sinister things sound when you pump eerie, jingly circus sounds amongst very dark, heavy, … Read more