Obits, "I Want Results"
There's an interesting comparison to make between Obits and Rocket from the Crypt. We know what John Reis and Rick Froberg sound like when they're writing songs and performing together (great!). But their bands apart give a window into what they sound like on their own, and what they bring to the combined work. Outside of his distinctive yelp, it turns out that Froberg sounds like a more traditional blues and psych influenced rock band than anything else. It's very well-done, of course, but it's interesting to observe that the punk energy seems to be coming more from Reis.
Skinny Puppy, "Tin Omen 1"
One of the things about industrial (and especially industrial dance) is that they released a ton of singles, since dance music was obviously one of the ancestors and that was just something you did. The genre was also popular at a time when CD singles were a thing that the industry was really trying to push hard, presumably because they were super profitable. So, back when I was big into industrial, I bought a ton of these, despite how useless they really were. Hell, I mostly didn't listen to them even back then, except for the rare good one.
Well, here we are. This is a b-side from the "Worlock" single, released after Rabies. But here's the thing - if this were a true b-side, it's a pretty good song. It's not, though. This is a remix (and a pretty similar one) to a tune from Rabies as well. This single, then, is the album mix of "Worlock", a similar remix of "Worlock", a remix of another album track, and then one actual b-side (which I don't remember). And I'll bet it was about seven bucks or so back in 1990. Not great! Skinny Puppy was pretty good, though.
Tombs, "Thanatos"
Tombs is one of those genre blurring metal bands kicking around these days, taking elements of black metal, sludge metal, and even post-rock to make their music. They're out of Brooklyn, where a bunch of other cool metal has been emerging. The approach Tombs has is pretty appealing, as the extra muscular stuff added to the black metal backbone works well for me.
The Slackers, "Sarah"
The first Slackers album, Better Late Than Never, seemed like it was a little more jazzy than their later stuff. Whether just where they were at as a band, a lack of conviction is just playing the ska straight ahead, an attempt to broaden their appeal, or whatever, it stands as maybe the most unusual album in their (now lengthy) discography. "Sarah" is probably the best example of that on the record.
Lady, "Karma"
A fine neo-soul album released on Truth and Soul, they're going heavily for an early-70s Stax feel here, and totally nail it. When neo-soul is good, it's when it just feels natural. If you told me this album was released in 1972, I absolutely would have believed it.