The Neptunas - Ask Any Mermaid 7" (SFTRI)
This 7" starts and ends with a couple of hilarious samples, with a fine tune called Stephanie Miller Has Sandcrabs in between. The B-side has two tracks - Chicken Of The Sea and The Neptunas Theme Song. If you haven't heard them before this is a good place to start. (Continental #5)

The Neptunas - Neptune In Furs EP (SFTRI)
I got an advance copy of The Neptunas upcoming release, a three track EP coming out very soon. I forgot to ask Pamita which label it was coming out on, so I'm gonna assume it'll be out on Sympathy For The Record Industry. If you dig The Neptunas you aren't gonna be disappointed with this - in my opinion it's their best stuff to date. The tape also had a couple of tracks that are gonna be on the Hot Rods To Hell 2 and Girl Crazy compilations. Their cover of Lil' Ms. Go-Go, dedicated to Shirley Muldowney, is excellent. (Continental #5)

The Neptunas - Scratch 'N' Surf CD (SFTRI)
Pamita told me not to review this CD (or the two 7"ers you'll find elsewhere in this issue) cuz she thought they were lame. I told her not to worry - I can find something good to say about any kind of music. She didn't need to worry though - this is a fine CD, including 13 original tunes and 2 bonus tracks (you gotta take out the CD tray to find the titles for these 2 songs. I'll admit, the energy of their live act wasn't really captured here, but this is a fine set of tunes that combine surf n' punk. I also love the CD booklet, which has pictures of each band member along with lists of things they dig. It also folds out into a mini-poster. (Continental #4)

The Neptunas - Surfatorium 7" (SFTRI)
The three California gals that make up The Neptunas may not be the most talented musicians, but their energy and enthusiasm shines through in all of their recordings. Mixing surf n' punk, they do a great job on the three tracks found on this 7". If you want to really see 'em at their finest though check 'em out live if they're playing anywhere near you. (Continental #5)

The Nines - Hi Fi Lo Mein CD (Clamarama)
"The Nines formed in late 1994 from the remains of a popular Boston-based group called THE VOODOO DOLLS."
This is the debut CD from The Nines, featuring six melodic alterna-rock tunes filled with infectious melodies and powerful guitar riffage. Their garage sound shows influences ranging from The Standells from the 60's to the early REM sound of the 80's. If you like melodic guitar-pop, you will undoubtedly like this new release. (The Continental #1)

The Nomads - Raw & Rare CD (Estrus)
"Ten of the rawest most primal cuts ever laid to wax by Sweden's infamous garage/punk luminaries."
Where have these guys been all my life? I have heard their name pop up here and there, but never got a chance to hear their tunes. When I popped this into the player, I knew I was in for something pretty cool about ten seconds into the first song. "Lights Out", the first track on the disc, is simply one of the coolest garage tunes ever recorded. A bold statement, but one that I am willing to stand behind. Things really don't let up after that. Most of these songs were recorded during their first recording session back in 1983. The fine folks at Estrus have done this world a favor by finally letting these tracks see the light of day. (Hmmm...#7)

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