Friday, November 21, 2008

The Complete Exploding Budgies and Goblin Mix (1985-86)

Introducing the collected works of the Exploding Budgies and Goblin Mix, the most well-known of David Mitchell's (the 3D's, Plagal Grind) early projects. The two Auckland outfits released EPs on Flying Nun in the mid-eighties; these were collected on an excellent but now out-of-print 1991 archival compilation. The Budgies pre-date Goblin Mix, first appearing on the 1983 Flying Nun compilation 'The Last Rumba,' which also featured early luminaries such as the Children's Hour and the Stones. 'The Grotesque Singers' EP offers a nice bit of pleasant kiwi jangle, including the heady rush of "Kenneth Anger" and the quietly lilting"Sunflower," but I've always preferred the Goblin Mix's two releases. Their self-titled debut and 1986's 'The Birth and Death of Goblin Mix' (released as Son of Goblin Mix) are at once more assured, confident recordings and less musically restrained than the Exploding Budgies. "The Water" and "Unusual Wish" from the debut EP are vintage slices of mid-eighties Flying Nun, while the subdued melancholy of "The Winter Song" and the raucous, tumbling "Fruit of the Womb" on 'Birth and Death...' point the way towards Mitchell's work in the 3D's. You can safely file away the Budgies and Goblin Mix next to the Stones in the unfairly underrated department. - Ariel



The Exploding Budgies - The Grotesque Singers (1985)
- Thornfield
- Kenneth Anger
- Hank Marvin
- See You Around the Stones
- Sunflower

Goblin Mix - Goblin Mix (1985)
- Lament
- The Water
- Time Away
- Unusual Wish

(Son of) Goblin Mix - The Birth and Death of Goblin Mix (1986)
- Venus Fleye Trap
- The Winter Song
- The Drinking Man's Curse
- Coleridge
- Up from the Sink
- Ely's on Smack
- Fruit of the Womb

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey, are these vinyl rips or r they from the "The Complete Goblin Mix & The Exploding Budgies" CD??? :)

Ariel said...

These, as far as I know, are individual rips. They're not mine, obviously. If I had access to the CD, I would have just ripped it in one go. Thanks for stopping by.

Anonymous said...

great blog. Is there anyway you could upload the Techtones Lp or any of their singles?

Dylan Taylor said...

Thanks for this, I recently bought the Goblin Mix and Exploding Budgies records, but this is fantastic as I don't always have time to sit down next to my turntable :)

Anonymous said...

cool, well if anyone has the cd, post that sucker!!!

Unknown said...

Holy smoke, Ariel...these are SOOO GOOD! (not that I'm surprised)
--Peter

Anonymous said...

My NZ music education continues courtesy of Ariel... hadn't heard either of these bands but I totally agree with Peter above.
New postings on this blog is like getting the latest issue of your favourite music magazine...
Thanks Ariel!

BTW, found The Flying Nun Heavenly Pop Hits Documentary on YouTube. Suppose regulars here have seen it, but if you haven't...

Hookfinger said...

Another great posting. Thanks!!!!

Anonymous said...

I worked with Phil Moore 1986-87 and he gave me a a tape cassette of Goblin Mix tracks. It's now stretched and distorted. So good to find this site. Cheers Mate !

Anonymous said...

oh damn did these get taken down too? i hate my life.

David Lawrence said...

oh snap....am i too drunk to find the download link for this?? oh well!!!! your blog, however inactive of late, is absolutely inspiring. thank you thank you thank you. i have NZ music for a while but you've posted so many more of the obscure releases that i'm seeking. and your icon is of Kendra Smith. hot shit!!

Anonymous said...

http://www.mediafire.com/?ghmqijrkvwz

mrsblucher said...

ah you very nice anonymous person. once in a blue moon it's actually worth looking past the sad lamenting comments