Net Nuggets 16: BJM

More than most bands by far, The Brian Jonestown Massacre channels the spirit of R'n'R, with core member Anton Newcombe's anti-establishment actions, personal risk, despair, psychosis, transcendental music, and fun (even love!) injecting much-needed adrenaline into the long-moribund genre.

A couple of years ago, Newcombe still maintained a BJM website from which you could download all of the band's many albums, plus live recordings and the odd exclusive album, all for free. Such as Your Side of Our Story (2003). Intended, it would seem, as a gift to fans, Newcombe & Co. recorded a best-of comp, which they promptly handed out digitally, no strings attached. The album, running at over 50 minutes, features sterling re-recordings of BJM songs, many of the new versions superior to the originals. (The definitive version of their elusive classic «Swallowtail»—originally a rough, early demo released as a 7" that later evolved into a live favourite—can be found here.)

The Brian Jonestown Massacre: Your Side of Our Story [.zip]

1. Intro
2. Servo
3. Nailing Honey to the Bee
4. This Is Why You Love Me
5. (David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six
6. Nothing to Lose
7. Whoever You Are
8. Satellite
9. Johnny Marr Is Dead
10. Somewhere
11. Jennifer
12. Who?
13. Swallowtail
14. It Girl
15. Telegram
16. Here It Comes
17. Outro

(Note: The original Your Side of Our Story download also appended two bonus songs that I have removed, as they are album tracks on commercially available releases.)

This album—one of the Massacre's best—never saw an official release, and despite its obvious worth you can't buy it anywhere. Nor can you download it, now that the new BJM website has been retooled not to give away music for free anymore. Hell, even Anton Newcombe needs to eat. Now, I know that to say generosity should pay off would be a contradiction in terms, but check this album out, and if you like it, help support one of the most devoted artists working in rock today by buying one of his fine albums here.