July

No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories
$14.00
This collection of short stories is very intimate and raw. I have to admit that Miranda July's writing makes me uncomfortable, but it also rings true. Maybe it's good to be made to feel uncomfortable. To have someone ask the hard questions without offering answers.

July
$7.99
Obscure psychedelia which is so inept and amateurish that its flaws are somewhat endearing. At its best, the group has a fractured, Syd Barrett-type appeal (particularly in "To Be Free"), but the slower songs are a shaggy mess. The songs barely hold together either structurally *or* technically, and the musicianship (especially the singing) is awfully erratic. Beware of druggy bongos! On the other hand, "My Clown" (which would have been a good choice for Rhino's Nuggets II box), "Jolly Mary" and "To Be Free" are nutty fun, and "Crying Is for Writers" is interesting just for its unusual subject matter. The other tracks you can probably toss, unless you're keen to fantasize what they would sound like if recorded by a better band. Dock the group an extra point for not only having an unforgivably dull name, but furthermore titling the album with the same!

Note: July is also somewhat of a historical curiosity, since guitarist Tony Duhig moved onto Jade Warrior, singer Tom Newman became an engineer who notable worked with Mike Oldfield and bassist Alan James later played with names such as Cat Stevens, Kevin Coyne, Showaddywaddy and Neil Innes.

July Birthstone Barbie
$34.95
Ordered the July Barbie for a 4 year old. She wasn't impressed. A little too sophisticated for her. She was more interested in the dog.

July
$18.98
Originally released in 1968, this was the British psychedelic band's only album. That's too bad because I believe these guys had more to say. I've heard about this lesser-known group, but this was the first time I got to check out the entire reissue CD. Very nice. Tunes I was digging the most were "Dandelion Seeds", the catchy "Jolly Mary", the tripping "Way", "Crying Is For Writers" {awesome track}, both versions of "Mr. Clown" and "Hello, Who's There?". Line-up: Tom Newman-vocals, Tony Duhig (Jade Warrior)-guitar, John Field (also, later in Jade Warrior)-flute & keybaords, Allan James-bass and Chris Jackson-drums. Should draw in fans of the Action, La De Das, early Who, the Creation and Pretty Things.