Boom by The Sonics

The Sonics' second album, Boom, might not have quite as many barn burning classics as their debut, but even a "lesser" Sonics record is still an epic document of amped up 60s garage rock. I have no idea how popular The Sonics might have been during their heyday but the influence their music, along with the music of bands like The Velvet Underground and The Stooges, has had over punk and rock bands in the last 40+ years is considerable. Highlights from Boom include "He's Waitin'," a kind of freaky morality tale, and "Hitch Hike," a sort of companion to their more well-known "Have Love, Will Travel." The band even does a take on the immortal "Louie, Louie," though their version sounds more like "Rock You Like a Hurricane" than The Kingsmen.

Rating: 83%

(Image from uulyrics.com)

Sun Bronzed Greek Gods by Dom

I just think it's so precious that every band is way into EPs now. Too bad nobody buys physical albums anymore - the sizing of the packages used to be part of the charm. And this EP? Well, it's got a couple good songs on it I guess, but it sounds, I dunno, like a band I'm totally going to forget about in a year or so? But I'll probably forget about two beers I bought for $5 once, too, so the price makes it nice.

RATING: 63%

25 Days or Less of Christmas Songs - #20: Santa Claus

The Sonics, most famous for their garage rock songs about psychos, witches and strychnine, recorded a number of Christmas songs during their career. "Santa Claus" and "Don't Believe in Christmas" being the most prominent of their Christmas repertoire. The former plays like a hopeful plea to Santa while the latter is an angrier response to Santa's absence.

Rating: HOH OHO%

(Image from amiright.com)