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Garage punk brewed
in Montreal's cauldron of intoxication, coming in June! Throbbing
with profound, psyched out and ceaseless beats, the MILKY WAYS
unleash a debut album blistering with deviant sound. Deranged
action on keys and drums, flooded with noisy guitar licks and
sniveling verse, seductive and relentless, this is THE ultimate
punk party courtesy of Oily Chi (Spaceshits, Del-Gators), Coco
Khan (Del-Gators), Choyce (Sexareenos, Del-Gators)and Dan Pedro
(Spaceshits, Del-Gators, Sexareenos) |
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There is a very
thin line between simpleton garage rock and musical garbage;
Montreal's Milky Ways barely get by with some of the most primitive
chords and lo-fi sounds ever committed to tape, and damn do they
get lucky. In order to get to the real music here, one has to
literally scoop a few layers of ecstatic dirt first and then
pay close attention. It's sort of like that 60's garage revival
that never happened, and whose only advantages could also be
the causes of their silent demise and frozen shoulders of the
general public. It is also charming, as their melodies are somewhat
subtle, with much influence from generations past, with two-to-three-chord
riffs that are repeated throughout the songs and very little
variation beyond. The psychedelia comes in the form of that dusty
hiss that's so present and that to a degree contributes its grains
by making it charming, cheap and dandy. - Hansel Melchor / The
Music Edge
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Deviant old school,
art rock/garage from Montreal, who would have thought it possible?
"Guillotine", with its seductive female vocals and
unrelenting psychedelic keys, is sure to bring out the party
whenever you press play. "Pretty Baby", with its sparring
duet from two of the four vocalists, is gritty pleasure with
a retro twist. - Celine / The Sentementalist vol.6, issue 21
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More garage rock
from Alive records here with the debut self-titled album from
the Milky Ways. Observing from the cover artwork, it appears
that the record might be a bit trippy - three 60's era black
'n white women sewn together only by literally their guts coloured
in pink....... weird! The album throws itself into the familiar
garage-rock territory of rough sounding lo-fi vocals and guitar
riffs. 'You Set My Mind On Fire' introduces us to the punkish
guitar riffs from Oily Chi (Spaceshits, Del-Gators) and Choyce
(Sexareenos, Del-Gators), that are an instant headbanger, coupled
with keyboards from Coco Chan also of Del-Gators. All from Montreal.
'Got My Mojo Back' jumps into a funky, tinny garage rhythm, almost
surf-rock-like eventually blending the 60's keyboards into a
prog-rock style effort. I can definitely hear some of this grooving
customers in a hip-pub! 'Where's my baby', for some reason, reminds
me of label mates, BBQ and the Black Lips - keeping the cool
with the pounding drums and driving guitars. 'Wanna Be With You'
is a kinda heavier version of 'Motown Blues' by the Black Lips.
The rest of the album pretty much blends the same, with psyched
out prog-rock riythms against both pounding drums and tinny drums,
to slightly muffled vocals; contiuing the signature styles taken
on by Alives roster. In short, a fantastic album indeed! - Velvetgrooves
(UK)
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What a cool looking
psychedelic cover. Needless to say that the music here-in contained
is not exactly emo. This Montreal-based band are the latest group
to capitalize on the garage punk sound popularized by outfits
like the White Stripes. This isn't the clearly crafted studio
recording like any one of a dozen imitators who say they're punk,
but mean they're merely bratty (Simple Plan I'm looking at you).
The Milky Ways seem to have an incredible ability for channeling
the Ramones; the songs are brisk, the guitar riffs are slick
and the sound is so vintage you'll swear you're listening to
this on a 45. Highlights include "Lecherous Parasite"
and "Where's My Baby", they will make you believe that
music can be fun again. - Adam A. Donaldson / Lucid
Forge
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Milky
Way-The galaxy containing the solar system, visible as a broad
band of faint light in the night sky. Garage punk brewed to the
finest standards of cave dwelling amphibians. The Milky Ways
rise above the algae to reign as the apotheosis of the dark urban
underbelly of 24-hour people. Full force psychotropic mind swilling
keys with fetching licks and steady skull-banging beats. Primitive,
raw, and ready to rip those blue-eyed peepers right out of the
sockets. Highly contagious like bad herpes blisters that never
truly leave. Just when you think that the Milky Ways have been
erased from your mind; they come back to haunt you with recurrent
outbreaks. Milky Ways are made up of Montreal's garage elite.
Oily Chi (Spaceshits and Del-Gators), Coco Khan (Del Gators),
Choyce (Sexareenos, Del-Gators) and Dan Pedro (Spaceshits, Del
Gators and Sexareenos). Like it raw, rampant, and real? Well,
get on your knees, bay at moon, and bask in the runes of the
Milky Ways. The bona fide real deal! - Christopher Duda / SugarBuzz
Magazine
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Milky Ways play
straightforward garage that never lets up. The opening track
"Shattered" stumbles out from behind a curtain of fuzz
but trips halfway and ends up in a tangle of muffled riffs. "Lecherous
Parasite" starts off much the same way but takes a bit of
a slower approach, hearkening back to a '60s sound, except that
is when you hear the words "lecherous parasite" sung
out over a pop-riddled lo-fi din, where the song takes on a new
feel. This sense of humour is persistent throughout the album.
The fuzzy sound quality could perhaps be intentional, but it
almost makes Milky Ways sound as if they're either holding back
or just can't break beyond a certain threshold of energy. On
giving the album a thorough listen it becomes evident that this
isn't the case, there are plenty of instances where members Oily
Chi, Coco Khan, Choyce and Dan Pedro are obviously getting pretty
fucking crazy. - Liz Worth / Exclaim
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Featuring former
members of Spaceshits and Les Sexareenos, this energetic garage
rock pulls from pre-fame Hives as much as it does anything you'd
find on a '50s/'60s Blast From The Past compilation. Montreal's
Milky Ways are the stuff of a psychedelic/surf legend. Featuring
a male/female split vocal that shakily harmonises over the indispensable
Big Muff fuzzy guitar, minimalist, tinny drum kit and electric
piano, the album is impressive. Not for its die-hard clinging
to a long-dead musical past, mind you, but for how it makes us
think we're missing something for not still sporting shag haircuts,
striped denim and heel boots. Fun and hip-shaking in its kitschy
swagger, this feels more bona fide than the scenester versions
that have been swarming like vultures over the past few years.
Probably more so because of the lacklustre recording quality
that adds some element of perceived nostalgia. How so? Well,
thanks to the aforementioned lo-fi production and live-to-tape
documentation, it's almost timeless; as at home on '60s soul
rock radio as it would on your obligatory modern rock station
today. - Keith Carman / Exclaim
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Including a handful
of members from such venerable Montreal mod/garage acts as the
Spaceshits, Del-Gators and Sexareenos, Milky Ways are a greatest
hits of retro-lovin', lo-fi recordin', striped-shirt wearin'
Francophone purists damned if they want anything but to have
a good time (on a dime). Recorded straight onto a 4-track, with
the help of some cheap mics and cheaper tape, Milky Ways sounds
like it was hatched 40 years ago - which could have been intentional
for aesthetic purposes, or maybe just financial; either way,
it ends up sounding on the level. Of course, that's only if you
like your garage raw and unadulterated; but even so, by the time
you get half-way through the record you'll forget all about those
fancy modern conveniences like "overdubs" and "high-fidelity".
- Adam Simpkins / The Nerve
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This is the shit.
It rocks like sixties garage punk yet brings something new to
the table. It's got all the energy of the killer sixties garage
punk stuff but it doesn't sound dated or like some kind of revival
band. The Milky Ways are made up of former members of the Spaceshits,
Del-Gators and Sexareenos. So, I guess that explains it. Well,
at least to anybody that's familiar with any of those bands.
If you dig garage punk then you have to get this cd and check
it out. Favorite tracks: "Shattered", "Lecherous
Parasite", "Where's My Baby" and "Wanna Be
With You". - J.R. Oliver / Ear
Candy
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You've really got
to wonder at which point the low-fi production style goes overboard.
Montreal's Milky Ways are phenomenal, but their self-titled debut
record was clearly recorded in a tin can at the bottom of the
ocean by equipment that it would be kind to call it "retro."
Granted, I like my bands raw and a bit worse for wear, but this
always takes me a few songs to really wrap my head around. I
was running with a theory that Milky Ways actually sounds
cleaner as the record progresses, but a test with the ol' shuffle
button disproved that: You just become acclimated.
Milky Ways' roster
is culled from a trio of Montreal acts that seem to be namedropped
everywhere these days, namely the Spaceshits, Del-Gators and
les Sexareenos. The combination results in a noisy garage sound
propelled by the relentless beat from drummer Dan Pedro and the
psychedelic keyboards of Coco Khan. The approach isn't unlike
that of Seattle's Invisible Eyes. Guitarists Oily Chi and Choyce
make quite a racket at times, favoring that vintage tinny buzzsaw
sound. All members take turns at the mic, and the mix of male
and female vocals adds a bit of soul to the band's shambling
exterior. Of course, when shooting for that trebly transistor
radio sound there's really no need for a bass player, but those
few songs that do feature Roy Oden of the Evolutions.
Once you can see
through the murk there's so much depth here. "Lecherous
Parasite" features a monotone drone fans of the Spits will
love coupled with a tuneful little Ramones-style chorus. "Got
My Mojo Back" is straight off of Nuggets while "Shattered"
kicks the record off with some caustic `77 style punk rock. "Mary
Blue" must be backdated to some time in the `50s and the
title to closer "Mindmelt" pretty much defines its
effect.
This wonderful mess
of a record keeps sucking me back in. It's almost off-putting
how vintage this sounds and it's definitely not making any fans
outside of those already weaned on the style, but damn is it
good. - Adam White / Punknews
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I started off the
week talking about the explosion of French garage rock here in
Quebec but there is also a great history of English garage rock
in the province and new Alive Records signing the Milky Ways
are just keeping the tradition going. Granted you have to be
in the mood to listen to lo-fi garage rock and when I first started
to listen to the Milky Ways' debut I had to turn it off and wait
for the right moment, something I do more often than not and
why my reviews tend to come out much later than most (if at all).
The second time I fired up the CD, which was in the car on a
glorious sunny day I was in the mood. I cranked the first song
"Shattered" to the max and instantly had a smile on
my face. Requisite snotty vocals- check. Fuzzed out guiitars
- check. Tinny sounding drums - check. "You Set My Mind
on Fire" really turned things up a notch but "Got My
Mojo Back" and especially "Guillotine" is what
really did it for me. Featuring Oily Chi, Coco Khan, Choyce and
Dan Pedro, the Milky Ways are another example of great garage
rock and roll from one of Canada's coolest cities. - The
Rock And Roll Report
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From the sonically
fruitful Northern land of Quebec comes the oddly addictive shimmy
of the Milky Ways, who as like most of their local bretheren,
share several key members of Montreal's favorite soul-bangers
who all come together to create a sickeningly beautiful racket.
The Milky Ways feature four French Canadian all stars: Choyce
(of the Sexareenos, Daylight Lovers, CPC Gangbangs, Luxury Rides,
Irritations etc.), Oily Chi (of the Spaceshits, Del Gators, and
Sexareenos), Dan Pedro (of the CPC Gangbangs, Spaceshits, Del
Gators, and Royal Routes), and Coco Khan (of the Del Gators and
the sister of King Khan), along with an appearance on bass from
the wild and insanely self-depricating Roy Oden (of the Evolutions
and Kryptonite Records) on a few tracks as well. Their original
name, Puke Eyes, was sadly scrapped, but the wild ride these
guys and gal are gonna take you on will make you forget all about
it and immerse your senses in their mind-numbing songs of gutteral
bliss. Not exactly what you'd expect from these veterans, but
their unique sound has a certain depth and texture that's sadly
absent in so many other acts, that it makes their album stand
out as really different and yet really familiar. Maybe it's that
the original songwriting style of Oily and Coco is less exposed
than their counterparts, so their subdued, almost slithering
rhythms and unusual choruses and structure to the songs may catch
you off guard at first, but after a few listens, it slowly soaks
into your brain and the results are nothing short of authentic
and surreal. Their debut single on Goodbye Boozy records came
out last year in an edition of 300 copies, but you can still
hear a track here, along with a few more off the new album. You're
not going to hear the same bang and crash of the Montreal senior
class that's already got a space in your heart, but this album
should take you to another place that's just as warm, but even
more unpredictable and just as satisfying. - Tod Killings / Victim
Of Time
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A rollicking good
time of snotty, bluesy garage rock from Montreal's Milky Ways.
Featuring members of Del-Gators, Sexareenos, Spaceshits and Honey
and Lies, Milky Ways is a charming slab of lo-fi scuzz
from Canada's capital of budget rock, out now on Alive Records.
Instantly catchy songs like "Lecherous Parasite", and
"Wanna Be With You" are so much fun they border on
parody, which is no crime in a genre so unavoidably anachronistic.
Recorded by the band itself on four-track the home recording
quality suits the bratty, rough-n-tumble edge of the music perfectly.
When this kind of music goes into a big recording studio it loses
its vitality. The album was mixed and mastered by Montreal go-to
guy Harris Newman he brought out the best in the recordings
and the record ended up sounding just right. If you're a fan
of fun garage-punk you're going to love The Milky Ways. Fuck
the White Stripes, this is the real deal. Recommended. - Gordon
B. Isnor / Left
Hip
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This Montreal Garage
band are made up of members of the ´Del-Gators´ and
other bands who I´d never heard of. Any good? Yeah this
is the shit. 60´s influenced Garage Punk is what the Milky
Ways do best and this 11 track album confirms what I´m
saying is correct. While so mnay Garage Punk bands are predictable
the same can´t be said of this band. They add something
to their sound which gives these the edge over other bands. -
Steve DIY / Fullfrontalrecordings
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It took this long
for a band to call themselves the Milky Ways? You'd figure some
gang of young paisley punks woulda snatched that one up ten minutes
after the Milky Way was discovered. So, these guys win big on
the name. The line-up ain't too shabby either, consisting of
various members of Montreal garage stompers Sexareenos, Del-Gators,
and Space Shits. So what does that leave us with? A whole mess
o' psychedelic wonderama with loose-limbed trash guitars and
wiggly keyboard that sound like a dizzy mouse trying to crawl
away after getting mauled by the local alley cat. The songs refuse
to congeal into one solid mass, so you can pretty much make up
the beginnings and endings yourself it's like 31 flavors
of ice cream all melting into one sweet, gooey puddle. I'm pretty
sure the 60's-fried "Wanna Be With You" was
my favorite, but I'm afraid it'll mutate into something else
entirely on second pass. You guessed it, baby the Milky
Ways are out there. - Sleazegrinder
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It's hard to describe
what comes pouring from the speakers when you put on Milky Ways.
A hybrid of garage, punk and something that hasn't been named
yet surrounds you making it hard to sit still. Not that it's
surprising when you consider the pedigree of artists this band
is made of. Members of Spaceshits, Del-Gators and Sexareenos
come together to bring us some smoking psyched out keyboard action
along with catchy lyrics and hot guitars on tracks like Got My
Mojo Back, Lecherous Parasite and Pretty Baby make this one of
the best discs you may hear all summer. - Ectomag
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The Milky Ways were
recently described as a touring, slurring, and alluring band.
The slogan basically sums up the Montreal garage rock outfit.
The band's debut release on Alive Records features the signature
fuzzed out garage punk sound that has been brought into the mainstream
over the past couple years with the success of bands including
the White Stripes and the Dirtbombs. Some of the album's highlights
include "Lecherous Parasite" which takes on a Ramones
inspired sound with droned out guitar over top of repetitive
lyrics. "Where's My Baby" makes use of Big Muff fuzz
tones that add to the band's hazy junk rock style. "Wanna
Be With You" is the perfect garage punk love song complete
with slick vintage guitar riffs and keys. Milky Ways' self titled
debut release is a must for fans of trashy retro punk rock. -
Paul Borchert / Mote
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Featuring members
of the Spaceshits, Del-Gators, and Sexareenos, the Milky Ways
put the stomp to the dirt and come out whirling like a mangy,
distortion-deformed monster. A brain-melting, flesh-tingling
plethora of primal warped vocals, psycho-fuzz guitars, earth-trembling
bass and drum rhythms, and funky butt-shaking organ riffage insanely
gathers in a demented, animalistic orgy of Garage Rock furor
that sends shockwaves straight through the stratosphere and into
unknown galaxies far, far away. I doubt I'll ever fully recover
my senses, but who cares! - Moser / Under The Volcano
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If you're looking
for retro sounds, you usually can't go wrong with the latest
releases by the Bomp and Alive labels, and the self-titled debut
full-length by the Milky Ways is no different. Although released
in 2006, the album wouldn't have been exactly out of place in
1966. Sounding like it was recorded in a basement studio (or
a garage with microphones strewn about), the Milky Ways' debut
automatically brings to mind such classic '60s garage rockers
as the Sonics, back when the charisma and personality of the
tunes and live performances were the most important thing, not
ProTools twiddling. Comprised of members that have previously
been spotted in obscure outfits (the Spaceshits, the Del-Gators,
Les Sexareenos), the fun-seeking quartet can sure cook up one
heck of a racket, as evidenced by such lo-fi standouts as the
album opening "Shattered" (not to be confused with
the Rolling Stones song of the same name) and the Yardbirds-ish
"Got My Mojo Back." Despite hailing from the great
white north (Montreal, to be exact), the Milky Ways' is straight
out of '60s Detroit. - Greg Prato / AMG
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Lo-fi Montreal garage-punk
supergroup
Formed by former members of the Montreal bands Del-Gators, Sexareenos
and Spacesh*ts, this quartet unleashes a similar brand of lo-fi
garage punk rock. Those familiar with bands like The Hives and
White Stripes may be surprised by the sloppy, raw and loose nature
of these recordings, and while the antecedents may include '50s
rock 'n' roll and DIY '60s garage-psych, at this late date the
aesthetic is more reactionary (in a '77 punk vein) than inventive.
Highlights include the thickly mixed freakout, "Mindmelt"
with its trippy organ and scorching guitars, and the surprisingly
catchy (given its title, anyway) singalong, "Lecherous Parasite."
In the end, the lack of something new doesn't dim the energy
of this ragged, loud and fun rock 'n' roll. - CDreviewers
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