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 Alela Diane-
To Be Still (Rough Trade)
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Alela Diane's beautiful voice and music will transport you to another time and place. “To Be Still” is a huge leap from her debuy “Pirate's Gospel”, which came out in 2006. She's been Classified as “nouveau psych-folk” whatever that means. I would say this is as near perfection as an album can get.
- K |
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 Diagonal - Diagonal (Candlelight Records)
buy now cd, buy now vinyl
Wielding the influence of King Crimson, Peter Gabriel-era Genesis, and Harvest Records brand of progressive rock as if it had the same cultural cachet as Gang of Four or Wire, England's Diagonal deliver an album delightfully retro yet still undeniably contemporary. In this time where Post-Punk has been aped to the Nth degree for nigh on 20 years now, it's good to see someone digging out muscular prog and pastoral folk and using it as a weapon to hammer us out of our musical complacency. – Joe |
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Shop Assistants - Shop Assistants AKA Will Anything Happen (Cherry Red )Shop Assistants - Shop Assistants AKA Will Anything Happen (Cherry Red ) buy now cd
Mid 80's C86 twee pop!!! The guitars jangle with much Reverb.The all female lead vocals really come threw in this post patriarchy 9-11 Indie pop scene we find ourselves in day after day. The song structures are tight and concise making you want to dance around your room in your underwear. Morrissey named their 1985 song All day long his favorite of that year which explains Stephen Streets Engineering on the first and only selftitled LP,and really one of the kings of indie pop endorses it what more can you possibly want.
- Nate |
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 Windy Weber - I Hate People (Blue Flea)
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Windy Weber's first full length solo release contains two long tracks which are visceral, ascetic, muscular, and concentrated; and much less melodic and conventionally pretty than windy + carl. The second track in particular breaks loose
and goes into overdriven and aggressive energy after the beginning with breathing and moaning vocals. Finally, the vocals take over and close the album. I Hate People shows another side entirely to Windy Weber. It's righteous, convicted, detailed, immersive, forthright; and the album that may prove to be her masterpiece. In the liner notes she states: "At one point or another, we've all wanted an island. A place to be alone. Where we could live and breathe and think with no one else around. No one to bother us. No one to urt us. No one who could betray. This album is about that island."
- C |
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 The Fall - Imperial Wax Solvent (UME)
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The fall, Mark E.Smith, England , what more can be said about these subjects except...............This record is totally awesome. Just like Totally wired this album is high energy Mark E.smith type energy Ala 50 year old man which by the way has to be one of the most angst ridden songs to come out by someone over 45 hell the whole world. I just wrote a review for the new fall album what'cha going to do about it. BUY IT!!!!!!
- Nate |
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 Ooga Boogas - Romance and Adventure (Aarght)
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Straight Outta Melbourne! Crunchy, DE-VOlved, Intelligence-y, and a lumbering backbeat. Oooo, it gets me all nervous and jittery... and I like it! Romance and Adventure flips between fuzzed out desolation with a wink on "Ooga Booga II" and throwback garage balladry on "Fannie Mae". Which sets up the kickassery of songs the like of "Neon Sunset" that brings me to the heights of dystopian fervor.
Plus there are awesome lyrics like
"…And my cock's made of wood and though it drags on the ground it still tastes pretty good" Oh, Ooga Boogas how can I not love thee?!
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Ariel Abshire - Exclamation Love (Honorary Bedouin)
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The 17-year-old Austin local has been called the U.S. equivalent to Duffy & Adele. Her lyrics may take you back to high school, the drama, the loves won, the loves lost. However, her vocal styling, well beyond her years, can be enjoyed at any age. If you love great pop tunes with a hint of country and a bit of sass, you'll love Ariel Abshire.
- Mandy |
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 Rodriguez - Cold Fact (Light In The Attic)
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Every week seems to bring a reissue of a "lost gem", usually from a singer/songwriter from the 60s or 70s. Sometimes they truly diamonds, like "Red Hash" by Gary Higgins, but more often they are semi-precious stones more worthy of a quick glance than a long gaze. "Cold Fact" by Sixto Rodriguez is definitely in the "ruby+" category. A folk/psych/rock record that reminds you more than a little of Arthur Lee (Love), this album is way more interesting than the myths and legends that surround the artist. After a few listens this record will infect your brain and you will find yourself humming tunes off this record such as "I Wonder" or "Sugarman" as you work or walk down the street...once again the label Light In The Attic hits a reissue home run!!!
- Colby |
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 Lawrence Arabia - Self-Titled (Honorary Bedouin)
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North American Exclusive!
New Zealand native James Milne, aka Lawrence Arabia, has been a fixture in that country's burgeoning music scene for years now. As a member of the Brunettes he played sweet Beach Boys and Phil Spector styled pop music, and toured the States with this band called The Shins. Back home in New Zealand, the band that he fronts known as the Reduction Agents (which also included Ryan McPhun of the Ruby Suns) scored some hits and had some songs featured in the indie film Eagle vs. Shark (starring Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement!). Mr. Arabia has also found time to (oddly enough) play bass for Okkervil River on one of their Australian tours, and is opening up for them on their European tour this fall. Here is a collection of frequently brilliant songs recorded around 2006. A terrific pop record! Don't know if we'll be getting any more of these, so grab one while we got 'em!
- Andy |
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 Michael Moorcock & The Deep Fix - (United States Of Distribution)
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One of my all time favorite records. Seriously. Its been out of print for years so I can finally ditch my overplayed beat up TDK cassette copy. Features members of Hawkwind, Pink Floyd, and Michael Moorcock, one of the most acclaimed writers of the 60's-present. Space rock, Glam, Folk Rock, and even premonitions of post-punk collide, break apart, and recombine. Did I mention this is one of the greatest records I've ever heard?
- Joe |
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 Tom Carter - Shots At Infinity 1 (Important)
buy now vinyl
This is an solo, instrumental electric guitar album. A lot of it is gentle and very melodic. Carter has his own highy expressive style inspired by Popol Vuh, yet meatier, and has not fallen into the blues/folk finger picking revival style. There is always a forward momentum with obvious technical skill and deliberate playing with no half measures and psychedelic, flowing lines. Loops are utilized judiciously without standing out as loops and becoming mere window dressing. He sounds like he's really trying to grab the listener's attention and goes for the low and high notes to play with a large spectrum of sound instead of staying within one range. This is not an introspective album. It has fire and reach.
- C |
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 Mellow Candle - Swaddling Songs (Esoteric Records)
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Even more than the Michael Moorcock CD, this album is (circa 2008) my favorite album. Haunting psych folk by two girls (women) raised almost in a nunnery and barely out of their teens. Famous for being the most sought after LPs from the folk-rock era, it can now be yours for this low, low cost (far cheaper than what I paid to own this record.)
- Joe |
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 Sparks - Exotic Creatures of the Creep (MAYYRH)
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This new Sparks cd is really good , picking up right where Hello Young Lovers left off. Russell is multi tracking his vocals , Ron is doing his programming and orchestration with a little drums and guitar to top it all off. The songs are witty and catchy in typical Sparks fashion. "Lighten Up Morrissey" is a personal favorite but i think the whole cd is nothing less than awesome. This is one band that keeps getting better as they get older!
- Bill |
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 Dredd Foole -
Kissing The Contemporary Bliss
(Family Vineyard)
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A double CD reissue of music that was originally released as CDRs in editions of 99 copies on Child Of Microtones, MVEE's in house label. Matt Valentine and Erika Elder, in fact, make appearances through-out on a variety of instruments including guitar, harmonica, bass, flutes and others, to the point that this feels like more of a collaboration than a Dredd Foole solo record. The songs are loose, warped blues with originals and covers (not recognizable without the album credits) alike used as mere starting points for the flow of sound. The sound is insular, hermetic, challenging and perhaps paradoxically, relaxing. With Dredd Foole's vocals reaching ever farther into the abyss. Family Vineyard has stepped up its output lately and have become a home of sorts to American iconoclasts like Dredd Foole (Dan Ireton) and Loren Connors, doing important reissue work in extended formats.
- C |
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 Daniel Johnston's Jeremiah the Innocent Vinyl Figure(At Arms NYC)
buy now vinyl toy!
Oh Snap! The vinyl toy collector in me is screaming with delight. I can finally own one of Daniel Johnston's iconic characters in 3D form. Jeremiah is about 12" tall and comes with his own little stand that looks like a tree stump. Less than 1000 were made so make sure you get yours now. I want a Green one but you can get Yellow and White as well.
Oh, I hope they make more. Copyright violations be damned! I wanna Daniel Johnston Captain america, Casper, and the duck, and Joe the Boxer. Oh, I am salavating!!!
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Alexander Tucker
- Portal (ATP)
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Immensely listenable multi-layered songs which somehow turn a deep drone metal inspired sound into pop songs. There's a very feminine quality to the songs which seems to come from a Fursaxa influence, especially the way the vocals are looped and float over and under the bowed guitar, acoustic guitar and organ. But Tucker's work is more grounded and lyric based than recent Fursaxa. The bowed guitar gives it a similar sound to violin and cello and the sound is lush and very clear. He has his own sound, but it's reminiscent of Luxurious Bags and other one man projects. The song structure is well crafted, with all layers carefully placed. And there's something straight ahead about the music that makes it not quite psychedelic despite elements like fuzzed out electric guitar. Tucker is also a gifted visual artist/illustrator and his Durer inspired etching like drawings are on the cover and on the inside.
- C |
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 The Notwist - The Devil, You + Me (In The Red)
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The Notwist's follow-up to the much heralded Neon Golden does not disappoint. The Devil, You + Me is a more subtle, reflective album that highlights the best elements of The Notwist, achieved through a nearly 20 year run in the German indie scene. Markus' vocals still have that distinctive dry/sincere yet detached delivery. The guitars tastefully jangle. Minimalist electronics pepper the record for
atmosphere. The low end gracefully propels. They continue to fuse indie/electro/jazz/singer-songwriter/dark-pop in an amazingly palpable way. Looking back, that last sentence would spell a disastrous record for most bands but The Notwist has elegantly slipped another pop gem into the canon.
I can almost hear that modem solo hiding in the background that made me first love this band when I discovered Shrink way back when.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Secret Chiefs 3 - Xaphan: Book of Angels Volume 9
(Tzadik
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Sure, John Zorn is a burrito of pretension wrapped in a tortilla of his own ego, but that doesn't change the fact that Secret Chiefs 3 is the best spazzy jazz/world-fusion outfit on the planet and Xaphan is a welcome addition to the catalog. For fans of: Isreal, Palestine, and metal. – I.J. |
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  Caroline Peyton Mock Up
/Intuition (Fallout)
Mock Up - buy now cd
Intuition - buy now cd
These two lost records will save the world! Once again the great Numero Uno lavel found some great artist at a thrift store put it on a CD with really cool liner notes…the simplest way to describe these records is Joni Mitchell meets Yoko Ono, but it's much more than that… This hippie couple came back from L.A. dis-enchanted with the music scene and decided to do it themselves within an anti-attitude toward the typical L.A. folky sound. Mock Up, the first LP starts off normal and mellow but by the 2 nd track things start getting weird….she does things with her voice that would scare a lot of Janis Ian fans. Add to the mix the Barbara Striesand meets Stockhausen arrangements and quirky only-people-in-my-immediate-circle-will-understand lyrics of Mark Bingham, we have a lost classic! Intuition is much straight forward affair, the couple really wanted a hit… but some of the killer arrangements still seep through. Interesting fact: Carolyn Peyton ended up singing in the Disney Animated film, Little Mermaid! -Bill |
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 Grouper - Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill (Type)
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Liz Harris is Grouper, and this, her third album, still embodies purity and gauzy lightness while being more song oriented than previous albums. The production is less murky, her voice is stronger and more prominent in the mix and the melodies are more pronounced and stunning. Her achievement is to make lush music that doesn't sound lush with a beauty that doesn't become cloying. There's an ascetic quality to her music that gives it all a complexity and un-obviousness. The last song is the most beautiful example of this quality: so gorgeous yet, in a way remote. It's the perfect way to end the album. The cover image of a little girl dressed in post-victorian finery like a Grey Gardens heiress is also perfect: evocative, complex, beautiful, disquieting and memorable.
- C |
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 Various Artists - Titan: It's All Pop! (Numero)
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A 2CD, 2 hour+ compilation of songs from bands you've never heard and from a label that almost never was? Who the heck would want that? Well...you do! Well you do if you're a fan of great fun power-pop. Titan Records, out of Kansas City, barely existed from 1977 to 1981 releasing only 8 records, mostly singles, all of which went ker-plop into obscurity almost as soon as they arrived. None of the bands went on to greater things, none of the releases made any money, much less broke even...but in the beauty that is 30 years hindsight the best tracks stand out like amazing hidden gems that seem criminally forgotten and the least of which would still rate a "B-" at worst. From the opening track "It's Your Heart Tonight" by Secrets the effects of listening will become apparent...air drumming, dancing, smiling and somehow singing along to songs you've never heard before....RIYL The Knack, Dwight Twilley, The Raspberries and The Plimsouls
- Colby
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 Belle and Sebastian - BBC Sessions (Matador)
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It won't take much arm twisting to get your average B&S junkie to drink this Kool-Aid, nor should it with 4 unreleased songs (in any form!). These live tracks were recorded from 1996-2001, with the aforementioned four recorded with the legendary John Peel, the last ones ever with the beloved Isobel Campbell singing. For a band that is sometimes criticized for lackluster live shows, the quality of these performances is pretty stellar. For fans this is an essential addition to their collection and for those not "in the know" this is a great overview of the first half of a great band's career. CD or 2LP(!!!)
- Colby |
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 Hisato Higuchi
- Butterfly Horse Street (Family Vineyard)
buy now cd
Hisato Higuchi's music is hushed even when the guitars get louder. He sings in a voice that gives the impression of being whispered. Compositionally there is the impression that the pieces just happen yet give the feeling of being song like and having a narrative. It is truly an organic sound. Each track seems to evoke the sensation of repressed or alternately overwhelming feeling. The sound is lost, sent from far away, melancholy, unselfconsciously self conscious, austere and cleansed. His clearest influence is Loren Connors but that doesn't diminish this release. It's like a study of a master. And has a different emotional tenor where already he is finding its own voice. The place of Connors is secure and it is fitting for someone to study the form of his music and contribute to furthering it, and discovering what is implied within that sound; a school of American music which also includes jazz guitarists such as Tal Farlow. But also, there is the impression and implied melodically huge sound of Hendrix and Coltrane. This is a very haunting and complex work.
- C |
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 Paavoharju - Laulu Laakson Kukista (Fonal)
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Paavoharju is a Finnish band that plays filmic/cinematic music which is different than other filmic music in that it brings to mind specifically classic European film. And has a different emotional feeling than the sweeping, openly maudlin strings of American cinema. Melodically catchy with small, detailed melodies, it's a long album which covers a lot of ground and feels vast. The sound quality is great like all Fonal records and seems to escape the analog vs digital argument. There's something ancient and mysterious in the implied folk melodies of their songs and pieces. And it's impossible to separate the earnest from the ironic here, especially in the sections that emulate some strange cross between disco and Bollywood. And yet, there's not the same sense of insincere irony or posturing as in a lot of American bands. There are lots of players and small instruments and electronic sounds on the album which doesn't come across as primarily a guitar based music. On Fonal releases the sleeves always look stunning, visually sophisticated, and translate well to the smaller CD format.
- C |
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 Lucinda Williams - Little Honey (Lost Highway)
buy now cd buy now vinyl
30 years(!) into her recording career it's time to start building statues to the greatness that is Lucinda Williams. Not many artists out there can stand next to her when it comes to quality songwriting and amazing releases. Thank goodness for her productivity in the 21 st century, releasing her 4 th record this decade (5 th if you count the live one…) instead of her regular two a decade of the 80s and 90s. "Little Honey" might be a tad more slick sounding than some of her earlier work, but that doesn't take anything away from the songs…have you ever heard a bad Lucinda Williams song, much less a lower than 4-Star record? Just get it!!!
- Colby |
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 Pit Er Pat - High Time (Thrill Jockey)
buy now vinyl
In an era of seemingly cookie cutter bands it is truly become exciting when one actually sounds unique. Lurching, loopy and almost dubby, the is bass/drum/keyboard develops grooves like a nerdy 21st century ESG.... seemingly simple without being dumb, intricate without being busy and almost always being surprisingly interesting. While it's not shocking that this band is from Chicago and on Thrill Jockey, it is quite nice how they incorporate their elders and peers without emulating. A release that will grow on you from a band that is definitely growing in their own way on their own terms.
- Colby |
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 Deerhunter - Microcastle (Kranky) out on 10/28
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Finally, we see a physical release for the long leaked and digitally released Microcastle .
All the drone and gaze is still there. As are the effects laden multi tracked vocals that you can drown in. The glistening pitchshifted bright guitars. Walls of sound. Ambient scapes. and of course… “extensive vamping” (According to Pandora, who must have a trademark on that phrase cause they sure love it to pop up as often as humanly possible.) Beyond what you've come to expect from Deerhunter you'll get a far poppier record with a hook laden danceable low end so good that you'll wish some of these tracks were locked grooves. (Man, I can't remember the last time I saw a locked groove on a record. But I digress…)
The last record, Cryptograms, was a great album listening experience from start to finish and Microcastle is as well. What sets Microcastle apart is that at least half of the songs stand on their own as singles making it versatile and accessible for casual listening experiences as well as full on sonic emersion.
I like it lots and you will too.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Jay Reatard - Matador Singles '08 (Matador)
buy now cd buy now vinyl
You can't possibly pass this up. All of Jay Reatard's Matador 7" singles from the past year are collected on one glorious compilation. You don't get Deerhunter's rendition of "Oh Its Such A Shame" from their split 7", presumably due to copyright issues. However, you do a one brand new track "I'm Watching You" which perhaps provides a glimpse at the next Jay Reatard record which he has said will be a more "mature" "acoustic" affair. In the meantime you can bask in hit after furious hit and revel in the grainy pop genius that is Reatard
- Edmund LeStrange
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 Free Kitten - Inherit (Ecstatic Peace)
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Free Kitten has always seemed to me to be about highly conceptual and yet fun, playful music. This album is repetitive with mantra like vocals and the guest appearance on a few tracks by Jay Mascis soloing on electric guitar gives it a rock and roll and psychedelic sound. Kim Gordon's vocals are introverted and mysterious. Julie Cafritz's vocals are more lyrically up front and sing song. Long tracks like "Free Kitten On The Mountain" and "Monster Eye" balance shorter tracks like "Help Me" and "Billboard". Yoshimi keeps a solid background which holds everything together. Her playing is so subtle sometimes it is almost forgotten but then, it becomes apparent that it's the backbone of the songs. The songs gather energy and it would be good to see them played live. Sometimes the sound nods to no wave roots, but has a lightness that brings it into the present.
- C |
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 The Lodger - Life is Sweet (Slumberland)
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The Sophmore album from UK indie pop kings is tighter , catchier, and ten times more concentrated. Not to talk down the first record which I saw them play in support of. Needless to say they rocked Soundfix and the Cake Shop to the ground.
This album is sure to quench any thirst for pop. From power to twee this record is sure to please. The guitar playing is done mostly on a clean Tele by a rabid dog with a taste for Fire Engines and Gang Of Four. PICK-IT-UP!
- Nate |
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 Nachtmystium -
Assassins: Black Meddle
Pt. 1 (Century Media)
buy now
You got your Hawkwind in my Black Metal!!!
You got your Black Metal in my Hawkwind!!!
Chicago's Nachtmystium return with the most psychedelic black metal album since Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of the Moon. Using vintage '70s moogs, synths and oscillators, they make the album space rock fans have been waiting for since Monster Magnet's Tab
- Joe |
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 Shit and Shine - Cherry (Riot Season)
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Back in the mid to late 80s it seemed like much of the American noise and psychedelic scene spun along an axis with Austin and Chicago at its poles. S&S are well versed in this tradition of mindfuckery but have sprinkled in many new and old elements of noise pummel with diverse elements ranging from Krautrock to Strangulated Beatoffs style tape manipulations. Funny but never jokey, nihilistic without ceding defeat, collagelike and circular but often piercing and direct, S&S are intent on adding a new Coda to the history of psychedelic derangement. Never content to sit still with any one sound and style, "Cherry" is the sound of a band willing to hurl some shit against the wall to see what sticks ... and then perhaps rub your face in it too.
- Paul |
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 Fucked Up- Year of the Pig (Matador)
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Dirge! Get your dirge here. Year Of The Pig has a dirty, lumbering, Cave/Waitsian aesthetic milling about in the recesses. That said, its not afraid to get its frilly cuffs dirty. That is if any shirt is being worn at all. Fucked Up has honed the rage and done what so few hardcore bands have... they've grown! And grown whilst retaining all the venom and bile. This Fucked Up record is nothing if not tastefully executed.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Ascend - Ample Fire Within (Riot Season)
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A follow-up of sorts to the Iceburn Collective/Engine Kid LP from back in the day. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. Greg Anderson brings the drone and metal from current project Sunn O))) and Gentry Densley continues his experiments with jazz instrumentations and structures that first surfaced in Iceburn. Attila from Mayhem brings on some vocals and Soundgarden's Kim Thayil lays down some guitar. Sweet.
- Joe |
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 Zanzibar Snails - Brown Dwarf (MAYYRH)
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Really cool experimental/instrumental music from Denton Tx. You can tell these guys are fans of the Dead C and bands of that ilk. Making ambient soundscapes, cool drony type sounds that never gets too obnoxious..but could still out an end to unwanted party guests! good stuff!
- Bill |
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 Jay Reatard - Singles 06-07 (In The Red)
buy now cd buy now vinyl
In The Red delivers a long sought after compilation of all of Mr. Reatard's 7"s for the label. You'll get alternate versions of songs on Blood Visions as well as some killer B-sides and singles never available before on CD. It seems ridiculous to try to pick out any standouts, as all the tracks are finely honed crackly pop gems, but if you haven't heard "Hammer I Miss You", "Night of Broken Glass", or "Don't Let Him Come Back" then you are missing out on some of the most raw, anthemic music of today.
Singles 06-07 comes with a DVD featuring one awkward interview and 3 live performances from '07. Each of which captures the fury and brevity of his live shows.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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