We're kicking things off with an album from TIMMY VULGAR'S GENETIC ARMADGEDDON. Vulgar (Human Eye/Clone Defects/Timmy's Organism mastermind) wrote, recorded and played all the instruments on “Music From The Other Side Of The Swamp”, a 15 song exploration into the deepest crevices of his chromed cranium. An acutely personal and raw album showcasing elements of his previous projects while adding some new motifs to his arsenal. Psychedelic crooners, kraut influenced instrumentals, and guitar heavy rockers all processed through Timmy’s patented caveman via space alien filter. The tracks flow in and out of each other, covered in broken synthesizers and feedback, creating a lurching, breathing, late night masterpiece. This is not the kind of album one casually listens to. This requires complete submergence. It’s exactly what we had in mind when we came up with MIND MELD and he’s setting a high-water mark right from the get go. Turn down the lights, turn on, and turn up your stereo because it’s time to meld minds with Timmy Vulgar. 

Our take: Mind Meld is a new label from the same person who brought you Florida’s Dying and Total Punk, and while Mind Meld (at least so far) is in the same artistic waters, it distinguishes itself by focusing on solo projects rather than groups. This record from Timmy Vulgar (whom you may know from Clone Defects, Human Eye, and Timmy’s Organism) gets the label off to a great start. Stylistically, Timmy Vulgar’s Genetic Armageddon (let’s call them TVGA from here on out) is more krautrock than punk, with spacious arrangements, hypnotic rhythms, and melodies that seem improvised rather than premeditated. I hear a lot of different influences here, from Captain Beefheart to the Stooges, but the big ones seem to be German... Can’s more out there moments, Agitation Free’s raga-rock, or Ash Ra Tempel’s swooping tape manipulations. There’s also the album’s overall vibe, which is utterly unique. I can’t hit the nail on the head any better than the label’s description, which calls it “Timmy’s patented caveman via space alien filter.” I love lighting a few candles, staring at my ceiling, and zoning out to this kind of stuff, and if you’re reading this document and like to do the same I highly recommend checking this out.