12.31.2008

Ufesas


Very solid first EP from this Uruguay foursome, tapping into heavy psych tendencies that curl thick with smoke and glue matted beer residue. Though the band only have 4 songs with which to make their impression it's a fairly strong document indeed; three fuzz soaked burners evened out with a touch of acoustic blues to keep the vitriol down. Nice to see the band shouting out their country's own Dias De Blues as an influence and honestly it does show through in the curdling guitar work. Hopefully the band can keep the intensity up on a full length and find themselves a nice U.S. label to pick this up.

Download:
[MP3] Ufesas - The Destroyer

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 1:04:00 PM 3 comments

12.30.2008



Art - Supernatural Fairytales
Art served as a stepping stone between the V.I.P.s and the later success of Spooky Tooth. As the members moved away from R&B and into a broader, psychedelic sound, Art served as the testing ground for some of Spooky Tooth's more
prevalent traits. The result is a dark record that reflects the times while delving into a bit of musical experimentation. The group may have rolled too many influences into the mix - lingering soul, psychedelia and world rhythms - but just as much as this may have held it back commercially at the time, it makes the album all the more interesting now. The band only made this one album, but unlike many tales of underappreciated 60's talent, this one ends happier than most, as all of the members simply went on to become Spooky Tooth.

Download:
[MP3] Art - African Thing
[MP3] Art - Come On Up

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE (currently OOP)

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posted by dissensous at 12:07:00 PM 0 comments

12.29.2008

Common Eider, King Eider


Badgerlore/7 Year Rabbit Cycle's Rob Fisk packed up and moved to Alaska last year and the isolated recording sessions netted the first CE, KI release. Back with another installment under his aviary pseudonym, this album delves deeper into the isolated expanses of tundra and chill. Ever the diviner of loneliness, you can practically feel the isolation in every note of Figs, Wasps, And Monotremes. Fisk blends echoing fields of tone with somber strings and his ghostly falsetto vocals to create a world that feels lost in a blinding emotional storm. The aftermath of said storm is both hauntingly beautiful and crushingly sad. Fisk has really become a fixture on the experimental side of music and this is definitely a welcome accomplishment in his catalog.

Download:
[MP3] Common Eider, King Eider - Brown Trumps White (Harry's Mix)
[MP3] Common Eider, King Eider - Talking Ravens, Rotting Figs

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 11:50:00 AM 0 comments

12.23.2008



The Koobas - Koobas
Despite having about as many breaks as possible for a band in the 60's, The Koobas failed to make headway in the charts and reach their full potential. The band held opening slots for The Beatles, The Who and The Jimi Hendrix
Experience, had Brian Epstein for a manager and record deals with both Pye and Columbia but still they never caught fire despite a sterling live reputation and critical acclaim. It may have been that the energy they commanded live didn't translate well to record, thought the cuts on this, their only album, have plenty of merit. Unfortunately the early Pye singles just had a bit more bite to them as its apparent that the band were deeply influence by many of their peers but not necessarily in a way that came across cohesively on an album. The album pulls in a few too many directions but as individual songs there's no denying the talent present.

Download:
[MP3] The Koobas - Royston Rose
[MP3] The Koobas - Barricades

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE

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posted by dissensous at 9:39:00 AM 1 comments

12.22.2008

Plastic Crimewave Sound


The first rumblings from the PCW camp since their epic No Wonderland album, this strips back a lot of the excess and shoots straight to the meaty heart of psych-blues that the band has built their reputations on. It's good to see someone keeping the Hawkwind/Broughton/Stack Waddy axis alive these days. I was afraid that the proliferation of psychedelic yowl might have been laid to the wayside, but this S/T nugget of guitar screech, exhaust fumes and space debris puts those fears to rest. It seems that the band's got the bug for getting things down on tape recently. This release which was unleashed a little over a month ago precedes an upcoming January release on A Silent Place.

Download:
[MP3] Plastic Crimewave Sound - Dead Island Boogie

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 9:24:00 AM 0 comments

12.19.2008

2008 seemed like it was a banner year for the 7", with many great artists just beginning to find their footing; issuing some high handed promises for what could be in 2009. These were the singles that proposed the greatest promises or held aloft already stellar legacies. Our favorite singles of '08.


Jacuzzi Boys - Island Ave 7"
Jacuzzi Boys, despite showing some questionable skills in the naming department, proved to be quite a powerhouse in the singles sector this year. Of the 3 solo and 1 split that they issued this is the one that makes me most eager to see how this will translate to a full length. Riding a strong Brian Jonestown psych/gaze/garage stomp this was by far one of my favorites of the year.

Download:
[MP3] Jacuzzi Boys - Island Avenue

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




Ducktails - Beach Point Pleasant 7"
Not quite the introduction from Matt Mondanile, but definitely the one that peaked my interest. He's already got quite a few intriguing projects slated for next year and 12" looming on the shores would seem to be pretty fantastic if it lives up the the promises made on this single.

Download:
[MP3] Ducktails - Beach Point Pleasant

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




Blank Dogs - Setting Fire to Your House 7"
Well Blank Dogs don't normally make any promises since there's always about 5 releases all flooding the world at once. However, since this is the fist 7" that contains tracks slated for a full-length, it would seem that the taste has been laid for what aims to be his best yet. Which taking into account that top 15 spot for On Both Sides is certainly saying something.

Download:
[MP3] Blank Dogs - I Was Counting

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Everything With You 7"
Setting the world right by releasing a proper recording of their Self-Titled opus on the B-side of this sucker; the Pains couldn't hope to peak any more interest than they have with this single. Appetites are whetted for the looming '09 release (they should be, its spectacular), and the world lays open for the Pains to bring a much needed dose of carefree pop into a gloomy society.

Download:
[MP3] The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




Nodzzz - I Don't Wanna (Smoke Marijuana) 7"
Nodzzz did deliver pretty well on the promises that this 7" made, though the results were only 16 minutes long (but a pretty great 16 minutes indeed). This is still the seed that kicked off my interest and it's as solid as any single that graced the shelves this year. Let's hope that the boys have a bit more to share over the upcoming year.

Download:
[MP3] Nodzzz - I Don't Wanna (Smoke Marijuana)

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




Wavves - Beach Demon b/w Weed Demon 7"
Well the initial cassette perked everybody's ears but it seems that no Wavves release flew off the shelves faster than this little number. Showcasing both sides of Williams work the upbeat anthems and the noisy ambiance; if you could get your hands on it, this was a pretty great single. Speaking of promises made, it seems that Wavves have a few in order but with a reissue going string on Woodsist and the next album already getting ears burning it seems that '09 might be conquered by Wavves.

Download:
[MP3] Wavves - Beach Demon

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




Little Claw - Race to the Bottom 7"
Though I came in a little late on their last LP, I've been pretty eager to see what they crank out at each turn from now on. This is one of the band's strongest tracks yet and if this is any indication of the direction the next LP is headed, then count me excited. No word just yet but there's a lot of '09 sitting out there uncharted. I'm hoping that Little Claw do something to rectify the situation.

Download:
[MP3] Little Claw - Race to the Bottom

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




Black Moth Super Rainbow - Zodiac Girls 7"
Well a year with out a Black Moth record is sad (though Tobacco seemed to fill that hole nicely), but this little nugget plus the drippers EP filled the gap quite nicely. Still can't top the squirly nostalgia of that organ topping the dusted beats.

Download:
[MP3] Black Moth Super Rainbow - Zodiac Girls

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




Snakeflower 2 - Talk About It 7"
Snakeflower 2 kick the blues right where it hurts and this taster of their following album was a pretty nice surprise this year. Paired up with some pretty keen cover art, this was a great overall package. Just a bit of the bite that the band had in store and they delivered on the promise quite nicely. I'll be more than eager to see how the future shapes up for them.

Download:
[MP3] Snakeflower 2 - Talk About It

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




Oneida - Head's Ain't Ready 7"
Who knew that deep down inside Oneida beat the heart of a super-fantastic bar cover band. Well it does... the boys in 'neida revive the legacy of The Dead for yet another generation, revisiting two songs from their debut album. Due to the fact that I happen to really like that album, and Oneida this couldn't be a more perfect pairing, way to put some Balls on The Dead. Well played gentleman.

Download:
[MP3] Oneida - Cream Puff War

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




Cold Cave - The Trees Grew Emotions and Died 12"
Once they ditched the noise and embraced their inner 80's yearnings, the band seemed to click right into place. The whole 12" is killer from start to finish and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to see if they could pull this off on a full album. The band's laid the promises pretty thick and already expectations are mounting so keep your ears to the turntable for what could be a very interesting album indeed.

Download:
[MP3] Cold Cave - Our Tears Help the Flowers Grow

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




Zola Jesus - Souer Sewer 7"
Though she's not the only entrant from the Sacred Bones stable to pop up on this list, Zola's the one that has my hopes set highest. Her warbled soul offers some of the most surprising results laid to wax this year. Chalk up one for the girls in a melted pop sea of male voiced chiller tracks this year. I'm hoping that ZJ's got what it takes to keep the momentum going.

Download:
[MP3] Zola Jesus - Souer Sewer

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




Dead Luke - Record One 7"
Both of Luke's 7"s had my turntable melting this year but its the Troggs cover on this one that kills like no other. Luke has rendered himself the master of deep fried covers but given the hit or miss nature of his output I'm both leery and interested to see what's next. There's a non-Sacred 7" that's just floated into view so I'll have to see how that stacks up. For now though I'll just keep blasting "I Want You".

Download:
[MP3] Dead Luke - I Want You

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




XYX - Sistema de Terminacion Sexual 7"
Given the pants shitting that's surrounded their neighbors Los Llamarada I was almost a bit let down by the rough cuts from that Monterrey combo. Granted it grew on me and now I'm feeling some of the love but my real money for Monterrey is on this crew. From the brief window they let in on this 7", I'm very ready for a full album that pits the pent up sexuality with those terse grooves. Post-punk definitely taken a sabbatical and moved down south, rearing its head nicely in the form of XYX.

Download:
[MP3] XYX - Nunca, Nunca

Support the artist. Buy it HERE




His Electro Blue Voice - Duuug 7"
Both sides of this single bring out the Italian fangs and dig in deep. Not what I was expecting given it's label of origin but once it got into my bloodstream I was more than enamored with it for quite some time. Again the question remains can they pull this off for the long haul? I'm certainly hoping so.

Download:
[MP3] His Electro Blue Voice - Fury Eyes

Support the artist. Buy it HERE

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posted by dissensous at 9:17:00 AM 3 comments

12.18.2008

Well here it is the end of 2008. All well and told it was a pretty good year for music. So as might be expected, we're gonna run down the best of what crossed our speakers around here. No particular order, despite the numbers, just the top 15 albums that peaked the interest and logged the most playing time around RSTB hollows.




Though there were quite a few great entries from the Australian front this year, Eddy Current Suppression Ring's 2nd album logged in as one of the most played all year around here. Perfecting the less is more approach, the band have an excellent knack for not over thinking things. Everything that needs to be in a great rock record is present, the rest is chucked to the gutter. They may not be rewriting the book on rock n' roll but they've certainly paid close attention to the formula and perfected it.

Download:
[MP3] Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Colour Television

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE





Fonal is always a consistent source of surprise and enjoyment records around here and the 2nd album from veterans Paavoharju was even more delightful than their first. A clanging sea of samples, whispers and the otherworldly vocals that seem to inhabit the bulk of music hailing from Finland. And though I can't even begin to pick apart the meanings behind their songs, it doesn't seem to matter. This is the soundtracks to a thousand labyrinthine dreams.

Download:
[MP3] Paavoharju - Tyttö Tanssii

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE




In a year where lo-fi blew the doors off of many an over-produced pop track, Sic Alps have finally gotten their due. Following the wrap up of their best of 07 tracks on the Long Way Around compilation, it didn't take too much time for Matt and Mike to prove that the best was yet to come. Rolling the fuzz caked blues in the mud and channeling Skip James through the soul of Skip Spence the band have thrown the masses into the frayed wire fire and let rip with U.S. EZ.

Download:
[MP3] Sic Alps - Gelly Roll Gum Drop

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE





Liz Harris helped spring a Type records revival into action with this one. Allowing herself to emerge ever so slightly from the haze that's hung low over her persona for the beginning of her career, she merged sinewy worlds of muted silk and ether with late night melodies for her best record yet. Thankfully this has brought Grouper more attention and highlighted her delicate skill of weaving beautiful tapestries of sound from the thickest clouds of drone.

Download:
[MP3] Grouper - Heavy Water/ I'd Rather Be Sleeping

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE





Jay pretty much owned 2008 and this, his second collection of singles within that year definitely proved it. Touring relentlessly and compiling a steady string of A sides and B sides that may well have been A sides would certainly tire the average artist out but there's already news of another album on the way early next year. A perfect mix of acerbic sentiment and solid pop songwritng; Jay brings out the worst in all of us and makes if fucking catchy in the process.

Download:
[MP3] Jay Reatard - An Ugly Death

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE





Popping up last year under the guise of mystery on the fledgling Sacred Bones label, Blank Dogs has transformed his syrupy pop into a regular business; pumping out release after release of quality psych pop this year. This checks in as Herr. Dogs’ first album and it ranks as the most cohesive body of work in the bunch. Though I’m almost certain that the impending In The Red release will equal if not surpass this,On Two Sides is an admirable piece of burnt ambition that will undoubtedly be relegated to lost classic status some years down the way.

Download:
[MP3] Blank Dogs - Ants

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE





Following closely on their collaboration last year with Tenniscoats, Tape have surpassed, even eclipsed that release with their own Luminarium. A tranquil beacon of beauty with an edge of unease that creeps under its skin; the album is icily perfect, a cold utopia that seems almost too flawless. Underneath it bubbles with resistance and a tension that needs to be experience to be fully understood.

Download:
[MP3] Tape - Beams

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE




Kurt has created an album of understated pop that went criminally under appreciated this year. Crafting pieces that retain off the cuff charm while in reality balancing dense pop layers with lo-fi aesthetics to perfection. Still, the core of Kurt’s success is that he’s able to base these dressings, both layered and lo-fi, in such strong songwriting that the rest only amplify his charm.

Download:
[MP3] Kurt Vile - Freeway

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE




So much quality came out of the Magic Lantern camp this year that it’s difficult to pick only one release that could justly represent their massive output. The best of the bunch definitely came in the form of Cameron Stallones’ Sun Araw, specifically the Beach Head full length on NNF. His ability to combine psych and sweat drenched dub into one boat is incredibly impressive and leaves me salivating for more to come. On the other hand as a full and functioning unit, Magic Lantern is waving the psych flag high, and with both an album and a reissue of their first CD-r this year I would be remiss to overlook them as a whole. And though the new album is terrific, the limited first recording is so essential that it seems to overshadow the latter just a bit and edge into the lead as their best. However, as I said it’s really hard to separate any of their releases from the full body of work, it seems to be only complete as a whole. I very much look forward to a bevy of releases from these musicians next year.

Download:
[MP3] Sun Araw - Horse Steppin’
[MP3] Magic Lantern - Gateway

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE

and HERE




The return of Christian Fennesz could hardly do any less than end up on a year end best of list. Still the master of depth in his field, his latest Black Sea is a murky peek into the emotive possibilities inherent in sound. Bridging the natural world (by way of guitar) with the encroaching unease of technology, Fennesz’ album is an unenviable mirror to society in a time of ever distancing humanity. You can practically feel the static wearing away your nerve endings on this album. One of his very best, and certainly in competition with Tape as the most starkly beautiful album of the year.

Download:
[MP3] Fennesz - Perfume for Winter

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE





No Age kicked off of the momentum created by last year’s singles collection and ran with it on Nouns. Finding the perfect balance between euphoric punk and ambient noise, with a popularity that would seem almost absurd had it been predicted a few years ago. Randy and Dean have taken The Smell’s “less is more / noise is essential” attitude and waved it like a banner over some of the catchiest songs of the year. Plus you can’t fault them for stepping it up in the packaging department.

Download:
[MP3] No Age - Teen Creeps

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE




Kicking garage in the shins with a dose of southern blues, Thomas Function are another band that got sorely overlooked this year considering the strength of the record they’ve released. Tearing apart at the seams with pop hooks and garage moves, the band proved that even Alabama has a stockpile of exuberance just waiting to be spilled onto your soul. This is the kind of record that can make you dance, shout and sweat in a way that you thought you’d left behind at 15.

Download:
[MP3] Thomas Function - Snake In The Grass

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE





Though this is only their first EP, it’s so wrangled with the essence of psych soaked blues that it immediately caught fire. Taking hold of the ambition that fueled the first couple of Comets on Fire records, Crystal Antlers tore and esophageal hole in the sun and let the ensuing blood storm rain down on the masses. These boys better not let up on the follow-up because the promises made are too much to renege on now.

Download:
[MP3] Crystal Antlers - A Thousand Eyes

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE




Dwyer took his Oh Sees to the garage this year and it’s a welcome return to form for the young veteran. This thing’s more greased up than a carburetor and just as solid, stomping like it’s ready to burn. The pinup affectations and rocker style are just what John’s Oh Sees (OCS, whatever) have been looking for since he started them up and decided to mellow. Somewhere there’s a dragstrip looking for a soundtrack and I’m pretty sure that Tomlab needs to give them a call.

Download:
[MP3] Thee Oh Sees - Ghosts In The Trees

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE




After a few cross-country moves, settling finally in Kansas City, Mythical Beast has kicked out a debut that not only surpassed their promising first 12”s, it tore them apart. The band have come a long way and tapped into a dark recess that few have been able to fully exploit. Stripping pych down to its most minimalist functions and topping it with Corrine’s mournful wail. They exhume darkness and allow it to seep into the recesses of every pore yet still it’s not a mournful record, it’s a cathartic exorcism that burrows emotions out of the blackened earth; ash for the coming spring, breathing life into the next season.

Download:
[MP3] Mythical Beast - Live to Live

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE

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posted by dissensous at 10:07:00 AM 45 comments

12.17.2008

Misophone


Almost on cue, Misophone return at the end of another year with a whimsical batch of songs that feel as out of time and place as ever. Staying very much in line with the hushed bedroom pop angle, as they did with last year's Where Has it Gone..., this time though they've balanced hints of an unsettling 30's circus vibe with the typical nostalgia of their warm pastures. Through the scratched sepia windows of their world you can see streets filled with carnival barkers, smell the tension of caged animals and hear the din of crowds. But contrary to these excursions down cracked cobblestones, the moments that shine the brightest on Be Glad You Are Only Human are those that bring the comforts of home and the hearth warmth feeling of sleepy security; respites from the whirling world that lay outside their snow globe neighborhood. It still seems odd that the band has never come to more attention given the popularity of Zach Condon's caterwauling orkestra but I guess it sometimes takes time for people to notice the gems nestled in the cracks.

Download:
[MP3] Misophone - Grey Clouds
[MP3] Misophone - Homeward, gone

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 9:08:00 AM 0 comments

12.16.2008

From here on out I'm going to limit the RRITW posts to one album. Just seems unfair to always try to match two albums up. It was a fun experiment over the last couple years but its left way too many great albums unpaired. If a good match comes up of course, the rules are always pliable.

Gene Clark - White Light
Gene Clark was probably better known for his work with the Byrds, though he had quite a solo career in his own right. After singing with them for only two years, he left to pursue his own brand of country rock and after a few years that
closely mirrored his work in The Byrds, he began to develop a more laid back approach and an ease with country that he'd not previously displayed. White Light is one of those albums, like Heron's first, that I think may soon be mined by savy film soundtracks. It has the right mix of familiarity and melancholy without being a worn classic. Not a classic by commercial standards but by merit of song alone, it stands as an essential for fans of The Byrds, The Band or even lighter moments of Townes and Dylan (he covers "Tears of Rage," with moving results). Though he would make other albums before and after this, 1971 seemed to have wrung the most heartfelt bits from Clark's soul.

Download:
[MP3] Gene Clark - The Virgin
[MP3] Gene Clark - For A Spanish Guitar

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posted by dissensous at 10:33:00 PM 0 comments

12.15.2008

The Rebel


In his solo excursions from his work with Country Teasers Ben Wallers, under the guise of The Rebel, injects a serious dose of pop into his songwriting but doesn't lose the wry experimentalism that's been a staple of his former work. This British entry into the Sacred Bones family both exemplifies the twisted sense of pop that's been so prevalent amongst the label's bands and at the same time knocks up the fidelity a notch. Lyrically the mind of Wallers unfolds into strange dystopian landscapes that stitch together some sort of concept album set in the not too distant future and revolving around The Rebel's self made mythology. This definitely leaves me reaching back into The Rebel/ Country Teasers' discography but honestly comes across as some of Williams most engaging songs yet.

Download:
[MP3] The Rebel - Bums On A Rock
[MP3] The Rebel - Turtle V. Octopus

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 9:14:00 AM 1 comments

12.12.2008

Cold Cave emerge from their noisy roots to merge the distorted head of noise with the sweat stained heart of an 80's Saturday night.

Cold Cave - The Trees Grew Emotions and Died 12"
The band's first 7" on Hospital showed promise but was so soaked in noise that it was hard to hear their ability to craft melody through the din. They rectify the problem on the following 12" released on Dais,
taking a dark stumble through 80's coldwave and mixing it's nihilistic dance impulses with a noisy brand of dark pop that could only have emerged in 2008. The band have begun snapping up opening spots here in NY and with the quality of their sound, that's sure to only lead to larger things. Definitely an excellent piece of wax.

Download:
[MP3] Cold Cave - Our Tears Help The Flowers Grow

Support the artist. Buy it HERE
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posted by dissensous at 3:23:00 PM 2 comments

Mahikari


Taking their name from a Japanese religious movement that translates to "true light", Mahikari is the combination of two of Japan's most creative guitarists. Acid Mother's Temple's Makoto Kawabata and Yamamoto Seichie of the Boredoms combining forces sounds like it could either be incredible or incoherent, but thankfully it leans much more to the former on this collaboration. As expected they open things up with a long and winding rumination on the various uses of stings, amps and distortion before plowing on through the rest of the record, touching on walls of noise and psych-wrangled blues along the way. The pair is tethered, though ever so slightly by the able drumming of former Thin White Rope pounder Stoo Odom. This was released in a super limited vinyl edition (of course) but has thankfully begun popping up in a few digital outlets as well. Absolutely brilliant performances from all involved.

Download:
[MP3] Mahikari - The Ooze Pits of Clarksdale

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 3:16:00 PM 1 comments

12.11.2008

Blank Dogs


Well to say that Blank Dogs had a strong year is nothing if not an understatement. It seems that though he follows the same palate of sounds, each release gets stronger and more refined in its pursuit of the perfect mix of pop and queasy experimentalism. The latest EP lands on Woodsist and besides sporting some stellar cover art it checks in as some of the most melodic of the Dogs' tracks yet. The beats have spurned some of their earlier crackle and his voice, while still mired in a glaze of effects is riding higher in the mix here. It'll be a tough measure to pick a favorite release this year but The Fields is steadily creeping up next to On Both Sides in my rotation. I'd say that I can't wait for the next release but it hardly seems necessary. Still a long player due on In The Red possibly before the end of the year but more likely at the beginning of the next.

Download:
[MP3] Blank Dogs - Passing The Light

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 9:34:00 AM 0 comments

12.10.2008

Thee Oh Sees


John Dwyer caps off a stellar year with yet another bit of fun from Thee Oh Sees. This time cranking up the murk and winding up the fuzz across 4 short bursts that are not quite as barreled down, straight forward garage as their long player nor as sedated as the following "live" CD/DVD. It falls a bit closer to the former, but with distortion as the medium that keeps the garage spirits lifted. The EP is capped on each end by two scrappy pieces of crust baked blues and features a nice bit of engineering from Chris Coady on one track. Definitely keeping my eye on Dwyer to see what he rolls out next year.

Download:
[MP3] Thee Oh Sees - Kids In Cars

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 9:25:00 AM 1 comments

12.09.2008

The sophomore albums from both of these British-Bred, blues fried Zappa/ Beefheart disciples certainly equal, if not surpass their predecessors. Though hindsight's been kind to them on the re-issue circuit, I'm still constantly amazed neither made more of a lasting impression the first time around.

Stack Waddy - Bugger Off
The band showed no signs of letting up on their second album, and as for the public reception, perhaps Bugger Off wasn't a title that welcomed mainstream success. But hell, John Peel believed even if they never took any of his advice about recording
techniques, preferring to capture their live sound as opposed to remedial studio sessions. The band up the Zappa homage with a cover from Hot Rats and with the exception of an odd take on The Kinks, the rest barrels through psych addled blues in fine form. Personally I think the live feel captures a spirit that would have been lacking had the band conceded to a bit of polish, if nothing else it does a good job of making one want to actually experience this beast live. Sadly, I think I'm a few years too late, so this will just have to do.

Download:
[MP3] Stack Waddy - Hoochie Coochie Man
[MP3] Stack Waddy - Repossession Boogie

Support the artist. Buy it HERE

Edgar Broughton Band - Sing Brother Sing
As they eased into their second album Edgar and the boys let more experimentation in, playing with recording techniques and straying a bit from the hard psych-blues that made up their debut. Though
admittedly when the band does lock into the Zappa/Beefheart vocal vibe coupled with fuzzed bits of stomping guitar, that's when they truly shine. It's definitely an album that belies the era in which it was made and you can hear social unrest and a burgeoning hippie idealism bubbling underneath the hedonistic rock impulses. Nevertheless they remain one of the more interesting bands that popped up on Harvest at the time and their recent string of reissues has been a welcome glut of extras and fidelity. This one's just as essential as the debut for those of you with a taste for the early 70's British oddity.

Download:
[MP3] Edgar Broughton Band - Momma's Reward (Keep Them Freak's A Rollin')
[MP3] Edgar Broughton Band - Out Demons Out

Support the artist. Buy it HERE
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posted by dissensous at 9:35:00 AM 0 comments

12.08.2008

Gala Drop


Bringing a huge boost to the Lisbon noise/kraut scene, Gala Drop's debut is swathed in thick gauze of echo with a heavy rhythmic punch. Splitting the difference between dub and krautrock, their debut definitely speaks to the band's talents as weavers of sound and style. The album sucks you into a fog, kind of enveloping your senses and filling the air with a mid-august steam. This seems to fall right in line with a few other bands who've found a common bond between dub, tropical rhythms and psych affectations lately. In other words this oughta play nicely with releases from Sun Araw or Ducktails. They've shared stages around Europe with Religious Knives, Starving Weirdos and quite a few other luminaries of the chaotic underground as well as sharing a member with Lisbon greats Loosers. The album's out now on CD but let's cross our fingers for someone to pick this up on vinyl soon.

Download:
[MP3] Gala Drop - Parson
[MP3] Gala Drop - Ital

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 9:33:00 AM 0 comments

12.05.2008

Austin's Finally Punk give riot grrrl a shot in the arm with their latest 7". Another triumph in M'lady's already growing roster of artists.

Finally Punk - Hypertension 7"
Despite the rather lackluster and oddly off base name, Finally Punk have a talent for mixing riot grrl charm with post-punk mannerisms on this too short shot of a strangled single. Most tracks barely hit the minute mark but the band manages to pack a pretty
heavy dose of nervous tension into just a few short bursts that beg repeated listens. Some real promise here and though the band already have one album under their belts it seems the next may be well worth checking into.

Download:
[MP3] Finally Punk - The Place You Love Is Gone (Indian Giver)

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posted by dissensous at 9:49:00 AM 0 comments

Acid Mother's Temple & TMPUFO


Kawabata's and his Mothers are back, this time in full on Melting Paraiso UFO form. As heavy as his recent work with the Cosmic Inferno, the man hasn't lost a step over the course of who knows how many releases in several configurations and numerous side projects. It's hard not to like a release that contains a song called "Cosmic Soul Death Disco" that clocks in around 28 min and change, but the rest of this release is no slouch either. Another long piece starts the album off like a slow trudge to the center of a volcano before the aforementioned CSDD triggers the explosion of molten rock. The band cap Glorify Astrological Martyrdom with a powerful and by AMT standards very short song that gets to the fury without hesitation and though there's no room for an 8 minute solo it seems to live up to expectations rather nicely. This is actually one of the more consistent albums I've heard out of the last couple the band has released, building to a nice momentum without losing a step along the way.

Download:
[MP3] Acid Mother's Temple & The Melting Paraiso UFO - Stargate of The Hell

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posted by dissensous at 9:15:00 AM 1 comments

12.04.2008

Raccoo-oo-oon


On their final album, Raccoo-oo-oon push themselves further into the abyss; melding the chaotic rhythms of their last album with the freeform explorations inherent in their Mythos Folkways recordings. The result is a searing bit of noise-prog that veers further off the rails than some of the songforms that make up Behold Secret Kingdom. Building in length and intensity over the course of the album, tracks careen from synth mutterings to intense percussion explosions and grumble back into murky pools of guitar. The band holds loosely onto the reigns, pulling in bits of fury and flame quickly then letting them run loose for the duration of a track. It's an interesting denouement on their career (at least under this name), though maybe this isn't quite the end as one last Mythos cassette will make its way out of Night People following its release. And though it will be sad to see the band splinter, I know that many interesting things are on the horizon including some great releases from Wet Hair which should at least soften the loss.

Download:
[MP3] Raccoo-oo-oon - Untitled (1)
[MP3] Raccoo-oo-oon - Untitled (5)

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 9:43:00 AM 1 comments

12.03.2008

Los Llamarada


After an explosion of attention surrounding their quickly sold out first album (also on S-S) the band returns with a reissue of said album and a brand new slice of Monterrey's finest noise dipped psych-punk. Just as unhinged as their first explosion, Take The Sky is rooted in chunks of spastic rhythm with the burnt tatters of tormented guitar grinding its way in amongst the heavy walls of static and clatter. The band has upped their fidelity from boombox to four track and the last three tracks were even recorded at KDVS' studio, but don't let your lo-fi heart sink just yet as the band seem to see more tracks as just another layer in the violent cloud of twisted noise that hangs permanently over their heads. The B-side (with the aforementioned studio tracks) does seem to end up as the more coherent half of the album, but no matter squall or chug, the whole record is a lesson in passion for those of us north of the border. Over time It'll be interesting to see what the band could as their adherence to fidelity progresses.

Download:
[MP3] Los Llamarada - Atanareska
[MP3] Los Llamarada - Stressa Closer

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 9:38:00 AM 4 comments

12.01.2008

Magic Lantern


When I first came across Magic Lantern I was crushed to find out that their first CD-r was long since out of print, having only been issued in an evil run of something like 35. This release was the origin of the crushing track "At The Mountains of Madness" which later popped up on a NNF cassette. However, it seems that the gods, or rather the staff at Woodsist has smiled upon us because they've seen fit to reissue this lost piece of the band's history. Still fairly limited but deservingly pressed to vinyl, the S/T first release careens from the harrowing juggernaut that is "Mountains" into two shimmering slices of watery psychedelics broken up by another feat of Eastern raga meets fuzzed brilliance guitar onslaught. The latter of which doesn't achieve the drone out head trip that "Mountains" does, but offers some excellent dark overtones and a serious bevy of dynamic shifts. Their latest album is a definite progression for the band but somehow this is the still the most complete statement in their catalog. The balance between light and dark, growling then moaning is so perfectly achieved that it would have been a grave injustice had this only made the rounds between friends.

Download:
[MP3] Magic Lantern - Gateway

Support the artist. Buy it: HERE
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posted by dissensous at 9:15:00 AM 0 comments