Bear vs. Shark - Terrorhawk (2005)

Bear vs. Shark combines a pretty eclectic range of musical influences and creates very powerful and hard-hitting music. The singers voice is very unique and is reminiscent of Cedric Bixler-Zavala during his days in At the Drive-in only picture Cedric living in Michigan with a manly beard. Anyway, This album puts a lot of things together in unexpected ways and really surprised me at first listen. Take this album and chew it thoroughly so you can get the most out of it. I'd also like to add,
"The group's name has no real significant meaning other than the fact that the members believed that it would be very memorable, though it has been circulated that the band's name comes from the shape of Michigan; colloquially, it is said to look like a bear fighting a shark."
I found that on Wikipedia and thought it was cool.

1. "Catamaran" – 2:55
2. "5, 6 Kids" – 3:49
3. "Six Bar Phrase Hey Hey" – 0:28
4. "The Great Dinosaurs With Fifties Section" – 3:13
5. "Baraga Embankment" – 3:07
6. "Entrance of the Elected" – 3:07
7. "Seven Stop Hold Restart" – 2:43
8. "What a Horrible Night for a Curse" – 3:51
9. "Out Loud Hey Hey" – 1:38
10. "India Foot" – 0:25
11. "Antwan" – 2:45
12. "I Fucked Your Dad" – 3:31
13. "Heard Iron Bug, 'They're Coming to Town'" – 2:39
14. "Song About Old Roller Coaster" – 6:02
15. "Rich People Say Fuck Yeah Hey Hey" – 3:45

Terrorhawk

Toquinho - Asa Branca and Other Successes

My mom got this CD in France a long time ago and i honestly don't know if these track names or even the CD title itself is correct. I also can't find any CD art so thats just a picture of Toquinho. He's one of the most insane bossa nova/classical guitarists I've ever heard. This CD is full of different styles of music from very somber and emotional solo classical guitar pieces to upbeat salsa songs with a full band and vocals in portuguese. This is probably a really rare CD so i figured I'd share it with everyone and hopefully you will all enjoy it as much as I do.

1. Boca da Noite 3:26
2. Presença 0:54
3. Tua Imagem 1:56
4. 1969 Aeroporto do Galeao 1:52
5. Uma Rosa em Minha Mão 2:31
6. Asa Branca 4:23
7. Lembrando Josh White 1:47
8. No Fim Não Se Perde Nada 2:13
9. Sem Enredo 4:01
10. Vamos Chamar O Vento 4:12
11. Na Cancela 2:39
12. Ingenuo 3:09
13. Noite Longa 3:03
14. A Agua Negra Da Lagoa 3:31
15. La Barca 3:02
16. Tocando Prá Silvinha 2:14
17. Chuva Na Praia de Juqui 2:15
18. Que Maravilha 2:35
19. Zana 3:08 Toquinho
20. Bachianinha #1 2:29
21. De Ontem Pra Hoje 1:49
22. Dobrando A Esquina 2:16
23. Carolina Carol Bela 3:10
24. Evocação A Jacob 2:34

Asa Branca and Other Successes

Tera Melos - Tera Melos (2005)

Yes...more Tera Melos. Just do yourself a favor and get this one. All of these songs are amazing but some might argue that "Melody 8" sucks because it is a nearly 29 minute long noise piece. I see it as more of a challenge at the end of an amazing album. So I dare you to listen to Melody 8 all the way through. This album blows my mind and i hope it does the same to yours.

1. "Melody 1" (1:17)
2. "Melody 2" (6:20)
3. "Melody 3" (2:31)
4. "Melody 4" (4:55)
5. "Melody 5" (8:50)
6. "Melody 6" (3:42)
7. "Melody 7" (4:19)
8. "Melody 8" (28:45)

Tera Melos

Dub Trio - Exploring the Dangers Of (2004)

This album is perfect for getting into the amazing world of Dub Trio for many reasons. This is some heavy stuff and there is always so much going on whether its vintage dub sound effects or the darkest bass groove ever, these songs will consume you if you're not careful. This album also features live songs that will blow you away. Only if you see them live (see post below or GO TO A CONCERT!) will you truly appreciate how much these 3 guys do. Although they are more straightforward dub/electronica on this album, I encourage you to check out their other albums that fuse more punk, hardcore and math elements to further enhance their unique sound.

1. Drive by Dub
2. Casting Out the Nines
3. Scoop and Smash Em
4. Sick Im Kid
5. Real Wicked Ways
6. Awakening Dub (Live)
7. Fur Boots on the Party Moose (Live)
8. Sick Im (Live)

Exploring the Dangers Of

Dub Trio Live - Another Sound Is Dying Release Party (2007)

Part I

Part II

Brava Spectre - Collection (2005-2007)

Now for some local music. Brava Spectre is from some place in CT called Montville (forgive me, I have no idea where that is) and produce some of the most brutal and ear-assaulting music I've ever heard. Keep in mind the haphazard guitar and drums style of Hella and the ravaging volume of Lightning Bolt and you just might be prepared to receive the carefully wrapped sonic gifts Brava Spectre has to offer. This download is just all of the stuff I have of theirs from various CDs they've put together. Thanks Steve for giving me permission to post this stuff here. Go to their shows and support what they do to save CT from shitty music!
Amen.

BRAVA SPECTRE

Hella - Hold Your Horse Is (2002)

Hella is a noise/mathrock band (see a trend yet? I promise more variety very soon!) band from northern California with their own brand of sound. This is their first full-length album and it was back when the band only consisted of a guitarist and a drummer. There are some electronic influences on some pieces but a lot of it is straight-forward guitar and drums going at it. Also, Zach Hill (the drummer in Hella) is probably the most ridiculous drummer. His technical skill and eccentricity is exceeded by no other drummer i am aware of. Just listen.

1. "The D. Elkan" – 0:43
2. "Biblical Violence" – 3:03
3. "Been a Long Time Cousin" – 3:50
4. "Republic of Rough and Ready" – 3:44
5. "1-800-GHOST-DANCE" – 3:44
6. "Brown Metal" – 3:54
7. "Cafeteria Bananas" – 3:40
8. "City Folk Sitting, Sitting" – 7:06
9. "Better Get a Broom!" – 4:20

Hold Your Horse Is

Maps and Atlases - Tree, Swallows, Houses (2007)

Maps and Atlases is another band thats hard to explain. They use lots of dynamic techniques in their songwriting and also incorporate some aspects of mathrock while keeping it down to earth. They also have a couple of mellow acoustic tracks which balance out the more haphazardly awesome electric songs full of furious finger tapping. Enjoy.

1. Everyplace Is a House
2. The Most Trustworthy Tin Cans
3. The Ongoing Horrible
4. Big Bopper Anthems
5. Stories About Ourselves
6. The Sounds They Make
7. Songs For Ghosts to Haunt to

Tree, Swallows, Houses

Tera Melos - Drugs to the Dear Youth (2007)

I dont know what else I can say besides, "LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM!"
Tera Melos is an absurd band. Their compositions are maddeningly precise yet also can feel very open and free. 40 Rods to the Hogs Head sprawls over 8 of the most mind blowing minutes in the history of music. I hope by this point youve stopped reading and have already clicked the link.

1. "Ambassadors of All That is Good" - 1:45
2. "40 Rods to the Hog’s Head" - 8:11
3. "Guy vs. DC Sniper" - 2:00
4. "A Spoonful of Slurry" - 2:47
5. "The Werewolf and Ben" - 4:27
6. "(Is Good For What Ails You)" - 1:34

Drugs to the Dear Youth

Lightning Bolt - Wonderful Rainbow (2003)

Lightning Bolt is an insane noiserock band from Providence, RI that is pushing the very boundaries of what we call "music". The band consists of only a bassist (who tunes his electric bass like a cello) and a drummer...thats it. Its hard to believe its only two dudes producing all this sound. This album might be the most listener-friendly but even saying that might be a bit of an exaggeration. I love all their stuff but I cant say that about most people I know so check this out if you need some extra decibels in your life.

1. "Hello Morning" – 0:55
2. "Assassins" – 3:43
3. "Dracula Mountain" – 5:11
4. "2 Towers" – 7:08
5. "On Fire" – 4:42
6. "Crown of Storms" – 5:09
7. "Longstockings" – 3:17
8. "Wonderful Rainbow" – 1:29
9. "30,000 Monkies" – 3:50
10. "Duel in the Deep" – 6:16

Wonderful Rainbow

Don Caballero - American Don (2000)

Don Caballero is a mathrock band from Pittsburgh, PA. Their songs are usually based on some kind of looped guitar riff or drum rhythm that evolves throughout the song, creating a very busy and layered sound. American Don is Don Caballero's fifth full-length release and fourth proper studio album, but many fans consider it the group's final album due to the falling out between Ian Williams and Damon Che, the group's creative core, after the release of the album. Che is actually the only original member of Don Caballero to play on this and all subsequent recordings.

1. "Fire Back About Your New Baby's Sex" – 4:42
2. "The Peter Criss Jazz" – 10:35
3. "Haven't Lived Afro Pop" – 7:34
4. "You Drink A Lot Of Coffee For A Teenager" – 2:41
5. "Ones All Over the Place" – 9:00
6. "I Never Liked You" – 4:59
7. "Details On How To Get ICEMAN On Your License Plate" – 5:35
8. "A Lot Of People Tell Me I Have A Fake British Accent" – 5:23
9. "Let's Face It Pal, You Didn't Need That Eye Surgery" – 5:09

American Don

Sleeping People - Growing (2007)

Sleeping People is an insanely precise instrumental mathrock band from San Diego, California. I don't know what I can really put into words about them but I say give it a listen and allow yourself to get lost in the intertwining rhythms produced by these guys. Also, the track "People Staying Awake" is one of my favorites of all the music I listen to.

1. "Centipede's Dream" - 1:24
2. "James Spader" - 7:03
3. "Yellow Guy / Pink Eye" - 4:27
4. "Mouth Breeder" - 8:53
5. "...Out Dream" - 2:51
6. "Three Things" - 6:09
7. "Grow Worm" - 4:19
8. "Underland" - 3:22
9. "It's Heart Loves Open" - 1:55
10. "People Staying Awake" - 6:30

Growing

Things Behind The Sun - Nick Drake (1972) & The Mars Volta (2008)

These are both versions of the song "Things Behind The Sun", originally written by Nick Drake and covered by The Mars Volta (although it only features Cedric Bixler-Zavala (vocals), Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (electric guitar) and John Frusciante (acoustic guitar)). I find both versions to be amazing but the way Cedric raises the vocals an octave makes it even more beautiful and ethereal sounding, not to mention Omar's haunting addition of an electric guitar solo.

Original by Nick Drake

Cover by The Mars Volta

Sung Tongs - Animal Collective (2004)

Despite the name 'Animal Collective' attached to this album, only two of the band's four members play on it: Avey Tare (David Portner) and Panda Bear (Noah Lennox). As a result, Sung Tongs is a more stripped-down affair than other Animal Collective releases. On the album, Avey and Panda both utilize acoustic guitars and tribal-like drums rather than the electronic instruments of previous and following albums.

1. "Leaf House" – 2:42
2. "Who Could Win A Rabbit" – 2:18
3. "The Softest Voice" – 6:46
4. "Winter's Love" – 4:55
5. "Kids on Holiday" – 5:47
6. "Sweet Road" – 1:15
7. "Visiting Friends" – 12:36
8. "College" – 0:53
9. "We Tigers" – 2:43
10. "Mouth Wooed Her" – 4:24
11. "Good Lovin' Outside" – 4:26
12. "Whaddit I Done" – 4:05

Sweet Road is one of the happiest sounding songs ever made. Listen to that and try not to smile.

Sung Tongs

The Book About My Idle Plot On A Vague Anxiety - Toe (2005)

Toe is an indescribably good post rock instrumental band that hails from Tokyo, Japan. I've found it to be the most universally pleasing music ever. No one i know who has experienced Toe's flowing melodies and rhythmically complex compositions ever has one negative thought. Take the opportunity to listen to some rare music that I can almost guarantee you'll fall in love with.

1. 反逆する風景

2. 孤独の発明

3. tremolo+delay

4. 向こう岸が視る夢

5. all I understand is that i don't understand

6. C

7. past and language

8. music for you

9. I do Still wrong

10. メトロノーム

11. everything means nothing

The Book About My Idle Plot On A Vague Anxiety

Cursive - Burst and Bloom (2001)

Burst and Bloom is an EP by Cursive, released in 2001. It is notable as the band's first release with cellist Greta Cohn. It is also notable for its meta-perspective of the music itself. Some lyrics in the song "Sink To The Beat" reference the song-writing process and Saddle Creek Records: "This is the latest from Saddle Creek." This theme would carry over to Cursive's next full-length, The Ugly Organ, which contained songs like "Art Is Hard" which again referenced the song writing process.

1. "Sink To The Beat" – 4:13
2. "The Great Decay" – 4:17
3. "Tall Tales, Telltales" – 5:08
4. "Mothership, Mothership, Do You Read Me?" – 4:18
5. "Fairytales Tell Tales" – 4:02

I figured I'd start out small. This is a great EP that you can really digest despite the fact that its only 21 minutes long.
Enjoy

http://www.sendspace.com/file/7ro81q