2009: A Reflection

So many great albums came out this year but its so hard to decide what the 'best' ones were. I'm a freak about making lists and I tried to make a poll but it annoyed me. Below is a list of what I suppose is my 'Top 30' (this number is completely arbitrary, it's just nice that when I was done, it was an even number so i got excited.) favorite albums from this year and I'd like to see what everyone has to say about the albums I've listed or nominate other albums if your favorites aren't on my list (leave stuff in the comments por favor). Maybe I missed something or maybe you just have bad taste...I don't know...but I'm still curious.

Now in quite a particular order:

Mount Eerie - Wind's Poem
Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Kidcrash - Snacks
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Bowerbirds - Upper Air
Kaospilot - Shadows
Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist/The Majestic Majesty
Thrice - Beggars
Toe - For Long Tomorrow
Loma Prieta - Dark Mountain
Phantogram - Phantogram EP
Rx Bandits - Mandala
Native - Wrestling Moves
Lightning Bolt - Earthly Delights
Sea Wolf - White Water, White Bloom
Daïtro - Y
Mono - Hymn to the Immortal Wind
Portraits of Past - Cypress Dust Witch EP
John Frusciante - The Empyrean
Bygones - By~
Daniel Striped Tiger - Certain Stuff
The Dodos - Time to Die
Russian Circles - Geneva
Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP
Castavet - Summer Fences
maudlin of the Well - Part the Second
Mouse on the Keys - An Anxious Object
Nadja - Under the Jaguar Sun
Fall of Efrafa - Inlé
St. Vincent - Actor

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)

Ok...honestly, if you don't know about Animal Collective by now, then I don't even know where to begin. Ridiculously catchy yet super weird in outer space, these guys do what they want, how they want it...and it's fantastic. This is definitely their "poppiest" and most "accessible" album yet but it's still got all the quirky things that make AC so great, as well as new-found pop sensibilities that made Pitchfork soil itself and now every hipster worth his salt loves AC. I'm sure almost everyone who comes here has, at least, heard of this but it certainly was one of the very best albums of the year even though it came out right at the beginning of it. If you somehow haven't heard this yet, give it a listen for sure.

01. In The Flowers
02. My Girls
03. Also Frightened
04. Summertime Clothes
05. Daily Routine
06. Bluish
07. Guy's Eyes
08. Taste
09. Lion In A Coma
10. No More Runnin'
11. Brother Sport

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Toe - For Long Tomorrow (2009)

Japan's finest have done it again. I don't think I can stress enough how amazing Toe is but you really have to listen for yourself. This is their first full-length album in about 4 years and it's well worth the wait. What makes this album so great is that it is such a natural progression. There is a lot more instrumentation involving everything from synths to glockenspiels and the like. There are also a lot more vocals. Sometimes they really add to the song like the female vocal samples in 'After Image' and the female vocals in 'Goodbye' but they are also most prominent in the album's weakest track 'Say It Ain't So'. The vocals and over-simplified instrumentation make for a somewhat catchy, happy sounding japanese pop song but I don't see how that fits on this masterpiece of an album. Last but certainly not least, the drumming is just as spectacular as ever and it never ceases to amaze me no matter how many times I listen.

01.koko ni wa nani mo kamo ga aru shi, nani mo kamo ga nai
02.shoushitsu tenyo fue
03.after image
04.esoteric
05.say it ain’t so
06.two moons
07.mosikiiton wa mou kikoenai #1
08.mosikiiton wa mou kikoenai #2
09.last night (Album Version)
10.goodbye (Album Version)
11.you go
12.our next movement
13.long tomorrow

For Long Tomorrow

Bowerbirds - Upper Air (2009)

For me, Bowerbirds was one of those bands that just clicked and I was immediately hooked as soon as I heard their debut album, Hymns For a Dark Horse, which I posted a while ago. This album is much more of a 'summer' album, in my opinion, but that might have to do with the fact that it came out in july... Anyway, it just has a much more upbeat vibe whereas Hymns is more somber and autumnal sounding. The addition of a bassist and a lot more drumming really made for a drastic change in dynamic while retaining their folky integrity. Everything sounds full and the arrangements are just as beautiful as ever. Even though it's getting pretty bleak outside (for me, anyway) this album will keep you in high spirits and is completely worth the 2 minutes it'll take to check it out.

01. House Of Diamonds 2:58
02. Teeth 4:10
03. Silver Clouds 4:30
04. Beneath Your Tree 3:40
05. Ghost Life 5:24
06. Northern Lights 2:54
07. Chimes 4:18
08. Bright Future 4:01
09. Crooked Lust 4:04
10. This Day 3:08

Upper Air

oh wait...
I posted the first album but long after that, I found the bonus tracks which are nothing short of spectacular. They are even better than some of the songs that actually made it on the album and one of them, La Denigracion, has become one of my favorite songs by them in general.

Hymns For a Dark Horse Bonus Tracks

Best of 2009

I just realized that the last two albums I posted are some of my favorites from this past year. I'm terrible at making lists because I can never decide but I'm going to post my own little top 10 from 2009 for the next 8 posts I suppose. I may do more than 10 if I'm too indecisive (count on that) and I may rank them eventually but who knows... I MAKE THE RULES.

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (2009)

This album took over my life when it came out at the beginning of this past summer. If you've heard the album's first single "Stillness is the Move" and didn't like it...that's ok. The rest of the album is notthhhiiiinnngggg like that song. Don't get me wrong, I adore that song in the context of the album but I feel like it turned a lot of people off. Anyway, if you haven't checked out this album yet for some absurd reason, here's your chance. The ridiculously creative compositions and beautiful vocal harmonies make this album a fascinating and fulfilling listening experience.

1. "Cannibal Resource" - 3:55
2. "Temecula Sunrise" - 5:05
3. "The Bride" - 2:49
4. "Stillness Is the Move" - 5:14
5. "Two Doves" - 3:42
6. "Useful Chamber" - 6:28
7. "No Intention" - 4:17
8. "Remade Horizon" - 3:55
9. "Fluorescent Half Dome" - 5:45

Bitte Orca

Mount Eerie - Wind's Poem (2009)

Phil Elvrum's latest, Wind's Poem, brings together so many different worlds of music to make one of the most original and cohesive albums to come out in quite some time. Drawing an intriguing amount of influence from depressive black metal artists like Xasthur (check out 'A Gate Through Bloodstained Mirrors' and you'll see exactly what's going on) as well as keeping up his signature lo-fi, fuzz-folk vibe and soothing voice, Phil creates something truly special. There is also a healthy dose of drone-influenced soundscapes, filled with richly harmonized organs and distorted guitars as well as plenty of gongs. Do yourself a favor and delve into this masterpiece.

1. "Wind's Dark Poem" – 4:12
2. "Through the Trees" – 11:33
3. "My Heart Is Not at Peace" – 3:17
4. "The Hidden Stone" – 3:46
5. "Wind Speaks" – 3:46
6. "Summons" – 2:51
7. "The Mouth of Sky" – 4:46
8. "Between Two Mysteries" – 4:18
9. "Ancient Questions" – 3:24
10. "(something)" – 2:22
11. "Lost Wisdom Pt. 2" – 5:04
12. "Stone's Ode" - 5:26

Wind's Poem

Le pré où je suis mort - Le pré où je suis mort (2007)

Get ready, I'm about to snob up this blog with some French screamo. Yes, you heard me correctly. These guys take a different path than their countrymen and go for a more dynamic and drawn-out approach to the screamo genre. With sprawling, almost cinematic, songs, they really capture a lot of emotion and intensity. Even though I have absolutely NO idea what these guys are talking about, I can almost appreciate the vocal inflection more, almost as its own instrument. These epic journeys through music are definitely not to be missed. Also, prepare yourself for some more European screamo kinda stuff in the near future, I'm in love with it.

1 Vision - 6:22
2 Une fois de plus - 6:45
3 Terre promise - 6:52
4 Silence - 13:54

Le pré où je suis mort

Phantogram - Eyelid Movies (2009)

My band was put on a bill with these guys (well, guy and girl) at a local venue and it couldn't have been a more pleasant surprise. This dynamic duo combines hip-hop inspired beats, dank synths and catchy, inspired guitar melodies underneath beautiful vocals. There are also lots of effects going on (Im pretty sure i saw 2 KAOSS pads being used while they were playing...2!) but they only add to the atmosphere and create intriguing, dynamic textures. On top of being densely textured and interesting to listen to, it's also extremely dance-y and infectious. Highly recommended for blasting in cars.

1. mouthful of diamonds
2. when i'm small
3. turn it off
4. running from the cops
5. all dried up
6. as far as i can see
7. you are the ocean
8. bloody palms
9. futuristic casket
10. let me go
11. 10,000 claps

Eyelid Movies

The Microphones - The Glow Pt. 2 (2001)

This project had eluded me until about a month or so ago. I really wish it hadn't. This is some of the most raw and genuine music I've ever heard and this album has quickly soared to the top of my list of albums that I will love forever. If you are capable of relating to human emotion and you can appreciate one guy recording just about every aspect of this record alone, then I strongly urge you to check this album out. Just do ittttt.

1. "I Want Wind to Blow" – 5:32
2. "The Glow Pt. 2" – 4:58
3. "The Moon" – 5:17
4. "Headless Horseman" – 3:10
5. "My Roots Are Strong and Deep" – 1:53
6. "Instrumental" – 1:38
7. "The Mansion" – 3:34
8. "(Something)" – 1:46
9. "(Something) (continued)" – 2:53
10. "I'll Not Contain You" – 2:50
11. "The Gleam Pt. 2" – 1:58
12. "Map" – 5:01
13. "You'll Be in the Air" – 2:41
14. "I Want to Be Cold" – 1:42
15. "I Am Bored" – 1:36
16. "I Felt My Size" – 2:19
17. "Instrumental (2)" – 1:56
18. "I Felt Your Shape" – 1:55
19. "Samurai Sword" – 4:07
20. "My Warm Blood" – 9:27

The Glow Pt. 2

Sun Kil Moon - Tiny Cities (2005)

I had never listened to this artist up until a few weeks ago when I found out that there was an entire acoustic cover album of Modest Mouse songs. I still have yet to even listen to some original material but who really cares? This album has some great/unexpected song choices (Four Fingered Fisherman!) and the interpretations of the songs are beautifully done and orchestrated mostly on acoustic guitar with lots of finger-picking riffage. Great for any hardcore MM fan.

1. "Exit Does Not Exist" – 1:24
2. "Tiny Cities Made of Ashes" – 3:13
3. "Neverending Math Equation" – 2:53
4. "Space Travel Is Boring" – 3:42
5. "Dramamine" – 2:44
6. "Jesus Christ Was an Only Child" – 1:59
7. "Four Fingered Fisherman" – 2:41
8. "Grey Ice Water" – 2:32
9. "Convenient Parking" – 1:56
10. "Trucker's Atlas" – 2:49
11. "Ocean Breathes Salty – 4:36

Tiny Cities

Wow...It's been a while...

You people amaze me. I'm happy to see that people still come here even though I'm a cretin undeserving of your support. It happens to be snowing today and I'm sitting here drinking coffee and the wireless internet is flowing like wine and it made me want to post some albums for all of you saints out there that still click on this site from time to time. Sit tight for a bunch of new posts. I assure you, your patience will be rewarded.

Fugue - Ancient Glass EP (2009)

So, some of you may have wondered why i havent been posting at all this month...Welllll, its because I was a little busy creating this EP with my band, Fugue. I've done my best to not use this blog as a promotional platform but I can't pass up this opportunity to get my music out there, you dig?
I really hope you all will do me this favor and trust my musical tastes enough to know that I wouldn't set out to make garbage music myself. I don't know how to explain it but its instrumental and has a lot of elements of post-rock, math rock, jazz, dub and a bunch of other stuff we decide we want to do. If you follow this blog, you'll definitely hear a few influences from albums I've posted, considering those are my favorite albums ever. Please give it a listen and if you like it, feel free to comment or go to our myspace and be our friends! (Fugue Myspace). Also, if you dont like it...I don't really care, but feel free to let me know, regardless.
Thanks a lot, people!

1. How the Grass and Trees Became Enlightened
2. The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters
3. Telemachus
4. What the Tortoise Said to Achilles

Ancient Glass EP

Foals - Antidotes (2008)

For some ridiculous reason, I neglected to check out this band for a very long time. I had the album sitting in my Itunes for over a year now and I just recently gave it a thorough listening-through. Its deceptively simple and dancey rhythms really mask the amount of complexity going on underneath, around and on top of them. Polyrhythms galore, the guitar stylings are remeniscient of Ian Williams and do a good job of melding the techniques he uses in both Don Caballero and Battles. It's easy to tell that some of these guys came from math rock bands. Yannis Philippakis' vocals are also pretty great most of the time but at times I find them a bit repettitive. All in all, Foals is kind of like a sonic chimera made up of Battles, Bloc Party and Don Cab. Fall in love with Foals.

1. The French Open
2. Cassius
3. Red Socks Pugie
4. Olympic Airways
5. Electric Bloom
6. Balloons
7. Heavy Water
8. Two Steps, Twice
9. Big Big Love (Fig.2)
10. Like Swimming
11. Tron

Antidotes

Kaospilot - Shadows (2009)

Norwegian screamo at its finest...whatever that means. These guys are doing it right and even if you don't consider yourself the biggest screamo fan, definitely consider giving this a shot. And if you consider yourself some kind of screamo veteran then you'll probably realize that essentially, this album is nothing new, its just a spectacular melding of all things that make the genre great. The vocals are splendid and not neeeearly as abrasive as anything you might automatically think of when you think of screamo like Jeromes Dream or Orchid or something. The production of this album is solid as well as the songwriting and instrumentation. There are a lot of post-hardcore elements but they're still condensed within shorter songs (apart from the droney and awesome 'Ad Infinitum'). Feeling agressive or just want to rage out with some headphones on? Check these norwegians out.

1. Lunar
2. When The Wind Turns Her Hand
3. Shadows
4. The Indian Became A Thunderbird
5. Ad Infinitum
6. Colossus
7. The Death Knell
8. The Symphony Plays With Nature
9. Weak Hands May Equal Firm Valor
10. Petroglyphs
11. Foruten Tid
12. Vivre Sa Vie

Shadows

The Mars Volta - Tremulant EP +++

I've abstained from posting any real Mars Volta-related material for the entire duration of this blogs life but the time has come. I've just been in a huge TMV mood recently, I guess. They are my favorite band of all time but they seem well known enough and for a while, I'm pretty sure that the only people really coming here were from a TMV message board, so what would be the point of posting any of it here??? Anyway, for those of you unfortunate enough to not have heard their first effort, Tremulant EP, here it is! Along with some ridiculously good B-sides and whatnot that surfaced on the unofficial "A Missing Chromosome" compilation and some demos done before their first album, Deloused in the Comatorium. This stuff is a lot rawer than the TMV you might be used to if you're just a casual fan or have heard a couple of songs. This EP is the aggressive transitional material from just after the At the Drive-In days. The "...and more" file has a bunch of random stuff like the title track of of Frances the Mute that they inconveniently had to leave off the album. There is also the spoken word track The Bible and the Brethalyzer which is just weird but I figured it would be of interest anyway. If you really love me, you'll listen to all of these and if you don't like The Mars Volta...then I don't even know what to say.
I know this is kind of a mystery meat post but bear with me.

Tremulant EP

...and more

Cheval de Frise

Trying to describe this French duo as 'math rock' would almost detract from how completely unique they are. They dance the fine line between what sounds like free improvisation and meticulously crafted structure. It's amazing how at one moment you'll be listening to something as if they're just going berserk on their respective instruments only to realize that they're suddenly stopping and starting on time with each other in a precise manner. With all of the blistering fretwork and free jazz drum stylings on these records, you can't really go wrong. Well, besides the fact that the only version of the second album I could find has some sound quality issues but other than that, it's truly magnificent.

Cheval de Frise

Fresques Sur Les Parois Secretes Du Crane

la lame du Mat

Brightblack Morning Light - Brightblack Morning Light (2006)

If I told you this album sounded like New Mexico, would that intrigue you? Somehow they managed to capture the very essence of the state, in all its deserted, barren and beautiful glory. They also managed to incorporate a fair bit of psychedelia in the mix but that certainly helps it along. Every sluggish song is full of catchy riffs, trippy sounds and spectacular guy/gal harmonies. A great album to bring in the summer and maybe take a nap to.

1. "Everybody Daylight" – 6:01
2. "Friend Of Time" – 6:30
3. "Fry Bread" – 1:46
4. "Star Blanket River Child" – 10:29
5. "All We Have Broken Shines" – 5:06
6. "A River Could Be Loved" – 4:03
7. "Amber Canyon Magik" – 4:54
8. "Black Feather Wishes Rise" 5:05
9. "Come Another Rain Down" – 3:16
10. "We Share Our Blanket With The Owl" – 5:39

Brightblack Morning Light

Bohren and der Club of Gore - Black Earth (2002)

Ok, I know what you're thinking. If I just saw this on a blog, I probably wouldnt snatch it up but seriously...disregard the skulls and creepy german band name and get this album. My buddy Annis told me of them and had me hooked at the use of the term 'Doom Jazz', which is exactly what this is. Droning, haunting and mesmerizing are the best words to describe this music and all the while there are chilling Rhodes and saxophone solos, like culling songs. In all its morbidity and darkness, there is an element of beauty that I'm hopeful you will all appreciate. Definitely get this if you're looking for something new or if you're just plain dreary.

1. Midnight Black Earth
2. Crimson Ways
3. Maximum Black
4. Vigilante Crusade
5. Destroying Angels
6. Grave Wisdom
7. Constant Fear
8. Skeletal Remains
9. The Art Of Coffins

Black Earth

Piglet - Lava Land EP...and More!

On more than one occasion, people have said that the original link was down so here it is but with an added bonus...One compilation track they released that I feel most people haven't heard and 2 live recordings of songs that were never released. This stuff is gold and I appreciate Piglet now more than ever so what better time to repost this? Refer to the old post to get an idea of what they sound like if you're silly enough to not have checked out this amazing band already.

Lava Land EP +++

Welcome back, asshole...

Well, some of you may be wondering where the hell I've been for more than a month and some of you may not but...to tell the truth, I've been right here. I could say I've been too busy being in 2 bands and school and whatnot but you people deserve the truth, I'm just too lazy. It also doesn't help that my internet provider has been screwed up and I've had to steal my neighbors wireless (shhh don't tell them). Anyway, to reward you all for your patience, I am going to unleash a slew of new albums you're going to want to hear. And hopefully by sometime next month you can all listen to my bands' EP thing we're recording. Aren't you excited? Get your downloading fingers ready... I mean...uhh...read the disclaimer thing at the bottom.

Jimmy Smith - Root Down Live! (1972)

Way back when I started playing bass, this record was my first foray into the world of funky jazz music. If you are a fan of the Medeski, Martin and Wood brand of jazz, you'll probably really dig this album. You can almost hear how each member of that group was influenced by all of the members of Jimmy's band. His miraculous organ mastery stands out particularly in this live album with blazing, influential solos all over the place. When one man's uniqueness inspires an entire sub-genre, you know it's serious buisiness. The title track is, by far, my favorite but every other song deserves a chance. Get it...

1. "Sagg Shootin' His Arrow" — 11:45
2. "For Everyone Under the Sun" — 5:55
3. "After Hours" — 7:51
4. "Root Down (And Get It)" — 12:39
5. "Let's Stay Together" (Al Green) — 6:627
6. "Slow Down Sagg" — 10:22
7. "Root Down (And Get It) (alternative version)" - 12:13

Root Down Live!

Irepress - Samus Octology (2007)

This one goes out to Kenny, wherever he may be. For those of you who aren't too sure who Kenny is, check out the shoutbox thing. He suggested this band to me a while ago and I couldn't be more pleased. This band incorporates so many elements so well and with such consistency. They have the chuggy, badass breakdowns you would expect from a 'post-metal' kind of outfit but they always offset that feeling with some kind of higher pitched 'post-rock' guitar frenzy, making it feel floatier and more ethereal. For me, as a bassist, the relationship between the bassist and the drummer in these songs is probably my favorite aspect. You can really feel them connecting amidst the murky, perplexing time signature breakdowns with every bass drum hit. Their chemistry is baffling and really keeps me in the music. Everything else is almost equally exquisite and between all of the post rock and metal flavors with an added hint of prog, it's definitely a genre-bender worth checking out ASAP.

1. Pah No
2. Samus
3. Pistole
4. Snayk's Tale
5. June Ipper
6. Fiddler, Yee Riding
7. A Frid Ohm/B. Martin Eeek
8. Nonografistole Addendum (Trampled To Death By Love)

Samus Octology

Kidcrash - Jokes (2007)

Of all the post-hardcore/emo/whatever the hell you want to call it that I listen to, this band has to be my favorite. This album perfectly demonstrates everything that is amazing about their genre and seems to be the culmination of everything they've been trying to do since they began their musical journey. Jokes is, essentially, a perfect album in my eyes. The only problem I can even find with it is the production quality which, if you knew their story, would make sense. They got shafted after they recorded their first album with their own money. After this happened they took matters into their own hands and put up all their albums for free online and urged fans not to buy the first record, New Ruins. If you like this album, please check out the rest of their EPs and splits here and buy them or donate or something. I would also highly recommend the I HAVEN'T HAD A DATE IN 4 YEARS GOLDIE HAWN GOLDIE HAWN GOLDIE HAWN EP. It's really quite amazing how good it all is.

1. Turtlelephant
2. The Ground Eats You
3. Life Was Real, Vital, Urgent, Important
4. Hypothetical Basking Shark
5. Kiss from a Roach on the Grave
6. Parrot's Just Don't Understand
7. Ron Ghousley's Fucked Up Dream
8. A Conduit Rather Than a Vault
9. Swingsets and Frozen Grapes

Jokes

Noyes - Noyes (2003)

While I'm in my current obsessive phase, I've been listening to an obscene amount of Victor Villareal related material. Now its time to bestow upon all of you some of his rarer stuff. Noyes (I have no idea how that's supposed to be pronounced) is his jazzier, mellower, mostly instrumental project with just him and a drummer. The mathy melodies he weaves in this are some of his finest and most creative and definitely should not be missed just because of how rare it is. At least I feel like its kinda rare...maybe I'm just trying to make myself feel special because it's my birthday.
Happy birthday to me!
Enjoy.

1. Puppet of Masters
2. News Scatters
3. This is the Bad 1
4. So Long, Long Song Titles

Noyes

Pygmy Lush - Mount Hope (2008)

Sometimes when you take two nearly opposite things and put them together, you get some pretty staggering results. This is the second album from the recovering remnants of the influential hardcore band pg.99. Yes, that's right...ex-members of a hardcore band making folk records. The first Pygmy Lush album had a bit of dissociative identity disorder, switching back and forth between dense, post-hardcore songs and sparse, chilling folk songs. The shocking dichotomy made for a great album but I quite like the solid, more stable folk record that is Mount Hope. The songs are a lot brighter and folky sounding which is apparent in the first song, Asphalt (my favorite) and even a few rockabilly-esque sounds are mixed in to some songs. There are still the more melancholic and droney feelings scattered about the album which give it a unique atmosphere. I feel like that feeling is so prominent because of their musical background and what makes it so wonderful is how it shines through in a completely natural way. Folk-core just might be my new favorite genre.

1. Asphalt
2. No Feeling
3. Dead Don't Pass
4. God Condition
5. Red Room Blues
6. Mount Hope
7. Frozen Man
8. Hard To Swallow
9. Concrete Mountain
10. Butch's Dream
11. Dreams Are Class
12. Tumor

Mount Hope

Ghosts and Vodka - Addicts and Drunks (2003)

I've been listening to sooooo much Owls lately and I've only gotten more and more obsessed with the display of guitar mastery by my hero, Victor Villareal. Ghosts and Vodka is post Cap'n Jazz but pre-Owls so his style seems like its still evolving but shows so much promise and if you listen closely you can hear it swelling in awesomeness towards the perfection displayed on the Owls record. This is an anthology of the two albums G&V put out during their short lifespan and is more than worthy of finding its way into your ears.

01 Andrea Loves Horses
02 It's All About Right Then
03 Good Luck With Your Multiple Personalities
04 Laser Guided by God
05 Futuristic Genitalia
06 Sex is Popular
07 Hot Dot Above, Tan Man Below
08 Is That a Person?
09 Four Red Brains
10 Conversational All-Stars
11 Mechanical Bull Rider
12 Nicholas Prefers Dinosaurs
13 Cowboys and Sailors
14 Doo Dee Doo Dee Do
15 Stoli on the Rocks
16 Bizarre Funeral

Addicts and Drunks

Caspian - You Are the Conductor (2005)

If you like post rock but feel like Explosions in the Sky is watered-down or 'boring', then Caspian is the band for you! Taking all the epic and subtle qualities of bands like Mono and condensing them into extremely intense doses of post-rock goodness, blaring segues and 32nd notes aplenty. Every song beautifully and gracefully flows into the next with dark ambiance and exquisite textures making this EP quite an enjoyable and concise listen.

1. Quovis
2. Further Up
3. Further In
4. Loft
5. For Protection
6. Last Rites

You Are the Conductor

Tower of Power - East Bay Grease (1970)

This may very well be the first legit funk album posted on this blog. I don't believe there's any other album worthy of such a title. This huge, horn-based band out of Oakland really brought soul into my life. These dense, saturated songs are, in my opinion, the epitome of funky soul music. It's too bad they had to slowly turn into a disco band but no worries, this is from when the band was still pure and untainted by the nonsense that was the 70's. The last song is pretty lame but who cares, just listen to the first 5 over and over again and I promise you won't be disappointed. Just try not to get the first song stuck in your head or hum the horn parts in the shower, I dare you.

1. "Knock Yourself Out" - 7:08
2. "Social Lubrication" - 7:28
3. "The Price" - 6:09
4. "Back On The Streets Again" - 5:50
5. "The Skunk, The Goose, And The Fly" - 5:55
6. "Sparkling In The Sand" - 9:06

East Bay Grease

Q and Not U - Tag-Team Double Post!

How rude! Oh well, I wouldn't care if he spit on me because I would be all sweaty from dancing my ass off...assuming they were still around. What a shame. Regardless, this band is so upbeat and catchy with fast-paced dancy rhythms, sure to make you excited to be alive. While maintaining this odd 'dance-punk' exterior, they still managed to channel some kind of hardcore D.C. attitude which may be explained by Ian MacKaye's production of their albums. Get off your ass and rock out to these exquisite albums.

No Kill No Beep Beep (2000)

Different Damage (2002)

God damnit...I missed my own blog's birthday...

I would do that...
Anyway...
Thanks to everyone who's been keeping up with me, despite my erratic posting and sometimes questionable music taste.
Nearly 26,000 views and a year later, I couldn't be happier with how this is going.
Here's to many more years of blogging and amazing music discovery.
Wooooooo

Death Cab For Cutie - Live Room 071198 (1998)

Although Death Cab isn't a band I really listen to at all...this live album really captured my heart way before I had ever heard of them from TV or magazines and whatnot. My friend gave it to me a long while ago and I've never heard album versions of any of these songs but I don't really care because this is such a great show. There are some interviews in between a few songs and I've never paid much attention to them but I left them in there for good measure. Even if you're reading this thinking, "ehhhh...Death Cab is lame.", definitely give this album a go.

• 01. your bruise
• 02. interviewstuff
• 03. fake frowns
• 04. champagne from a paper cup
• 05. amputations
• 06. sleep spent
• 07. interviewstuff
• 08. president of what?
• 09. state st. residential
• 10. song for kelly huckaby
• 11. bent to squares
• 12. 405
• 13. pictures in an exhibition

Live Room 071198

Rosetta - The Galilean Satellites (2005)

I don't think I've posted two albums by the same band in such rapid succession before but there's a first time for everything, I suppose. Philly's very own Rosetta produces some of the most spaced-out, sludgy and brutal metal I've ever heard. To be fair, I don't listen to too much metal at all. This is because I never hear much metal and think to myself, "This is refreshing and new sounding!" This is not the case with Rosetta. I just recently got their first full-length, perhaps one of the most ambitious debut releases I know of. Each CD is just about an hour long and the first one is more of their space/sludge/post metal style while the second one is more dark ambient stuff. I was initially intrigued by the concept because apparently, they are supposed to be listened to simultaneously. I have for you all a version where they are already combined and then the 2 CDs separately. When they are combined it is the musical equivalent of the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers Megazord and will blow you away. The first CD on its own is great too and I suppose the more ambient CD is good for what it is but thats not really my thing. I hope you can all muster the patience required to listen to all of this, I assure you, it is well worth the 3 hours.

Disc 1


1. Departe
2. Europa
3. Absent
4. Itinerant
5. Au Pays Natal
   
   Disc 2
   
   
6. Deneb
7. Capella
8. Beta Aquilae
9. Ross 128
10. Sol

The Galilean Satellites (Combined)

The Galilean Satellites (Disk 1)
The Galilean Satellites (Disk 2)

Owls - Owls (2001)

Yet another Kinsella project. This one is probably my favorite post Cap'n Jazz incarnation with spectacular tappy guitar and some of the happiest, bounciest drums around. Unfortunately this band really didn't last long. They went on one tour and broke up shortly after (or during, I don't remember) back in 02. They all had other stuff going on like Owen and Ghosts and Vodka. Even though this is the only thing they really got around to releasing, I think its great and I can really get lost in the hypnotic guitar stylings of Victor Villareal. Tim's vocals can get grating after a while for some but I usually enjoy it. Just go for it.


1. What Whorse You Wrote Id On
2. Anyone Can Have A Good Time
3. I Want the Quiet Moments of a Party Girl
4. Everyone Is My Friend
5. I Want the Blindingly Cute to Confide In Me
6. For Nate's Brother Whose Name I Never Knew or Can't Remember
7. Life In the Hair Salon-Themed Bar on the Island
8. Holy Fucking Ghost

Owls

Rosetta - Wake/Lift (2007)

This is some really heavy stuff. I mean like neutron star matter heavy. The thickness of the atmosphere in this music is so eerie and breathtaking that I don't know if I'm floating in Neptune or walking through a foggy abandoned lumber mill in the dead of winter. If you don't like long, atmospheric songs or vocalists that sound like bears, this is not the band for you. They add so many elements together like post-metal, sludge metal, spacey psychedelic rock and technical, almost math rock-like elements every now and again that the sound is always evolving within the songs and makes it a very enjoyable thing to immerse yourself in. Definitely check it out if it's cold where you live.

1. "Red in Tooth and Claw" – 12:15
2. "Lift (part 1)" – 5:06
3. "Lift (part 2)" – 3:19
4. "Lift (part 3)" – 6:08
5. "Wake" – 9:27
6. "(Temet Nosce)" – 14:56
7. "Monument" – 13:30

Wake/Lift

The Black Keys - Rubber Factory (2004)

Annino, this one's for you. Believe it or not I've been busy lately so I've been unable to update this as much as I've wanted to. Enough of that, though. This album is something I bought on a whim back in '04 when it came out. I heard the song "10 am automatic" on MTV2 at 4 am on one of their underground music shows and decided that the raw energy, badass fuzz guitar riffage and Dan's amazing voice were more than enough reasons to check them out. I'm sure glad I did. I posted Thickfreakness on here before and it seems a little lesser known but I've decided that even though this is the album that kind of thrusted them out in the open, it is far superior and warrants a listen from anyone who likes gritty, intense, heartfelt garage/blues rock.

1. "When the Lights Go Out" — 3:23
2. "10 A.M. Automatic" — 2:59
3. "Just Couldn't Tie Me Down" — 2:57
4. "All Hands Against His Own" — 3:16
5. "The Desperate Man" — 3:54
6. "Girl Is On My Mind" — 3:28
7. "The Lengths" — 4:54
8. "Grown So Ugly" — 2:27
9. "Stack Shot Billy" — 3:21
10. "Act Nice and Gentle" — 2:41
11. "Aeroplane Blues" — 2:50
12. "Keep Me" — 2:52
13. "Till I Get My Way" — 2:31

Rubber Factory

Panda Steps In Chocolate - Paper EP (2008)

My latest Last.fm buddy, Christian Filardo of AZ is Panda Steps in Chocolate. As a bonafide one- man-band of the 21st century, Christian composes and programs all the infectious, synthy goodness and hearty drum beats as well as the catchy vocal melodies which he then sings the harmony parts over. His lyrics range from being sincerely poetic to some very tongue-in-cheek humor and really brings all the elements of each song together depending on the feeling of the particular track. I'm not even sure what other music I listen to could be compared to this in any way. The happy-go-lucky overall vibe of this album paired with the memorable melodies and blazing beats will certainly warrant multiple listens and you will most likely catch yourself humming "Sign Language" or "Porcupine" on the bus. I'm also well aware of how many hyphenated phrases im using in this post and I don't care. I mean, just listening to this album makes me hyphen-happy and how could that be a bad thing? Snag this EP and start using more hyphens. Also, stop by his myspace or last.fm and say hello if you like what you hear:
www.myspace.com/pandastepsinchocolate
http://www.last.fm/user/CFilardo

Paper EP