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.