Hang On The Box - Di Di Di (2003)

Man, riot grrrl music is something I feel all of us want from time to time. To fill this void I'm sure you're experiencing I'm sharing with you Hang On The Box, all the way from China. Yes friends, a Chinese riot grrrl group, and the best part is that they are rather good at it. These ladies sound like they've done their share of listening to Bikini Kill and Misfits. To be completely honest, you'd have a hard time knowing they were Chinese at all if I didn't tell you or you belong in the know of Chinese popular music (of which I can say I'm not really). Point is, they're fun to hear and have amazing energy, do give it a whirl, comrades.

To be had here:
Hang On The Box - Di Di Di [128 kbps]

Lake of Dracula - Lake of Dracula (1997)

I recently got back into this album, and these guys are insane. Call it no wave, noise rock, or whatever you want, it is intense and strange and makes me all warm inside. It reminds me of placing my head in a motor and screaming, and loving each second of it. If you like stuff like the Coughs, Neon Hunk and Athletic Automation then you'll be hankering for some of this stuff. I wish more of the kids here played shit that sounded such as found herein.

To be had here:
Lake of Dracula - Lake of Dracula [192 kbps]

Goon Moon

I figure many of you may have heard of or gotten this band already, or at least stumbled across it on this vast sea of blogs. Nevertheless, just in case here's the lowdown; Goon Moon is a partnering of the ridiculously prolific drummer Zach Hill (of Hella, Nervous Cop, The Ladies to name a few), Twiggy Ramirez, formerly bassist for Marilyn Manson (of which I was never particularly a fan), and Chris Goss whom produced some shit. Together they are surprisingly entertaining. The music is like noisy, gothy, and psych-rock. Who knew you'd like that? Well, you do, trust me.

To be had here:



I Got A Brand New Egg Layin' Machine (2005) [192 kbps]









Licker's Last Leg (2007) [256 VBR kbps]

Fred Thomas - Everything Is Pretty Entirely Fucked Up (2002)

I won't lie, I still like this album, but it is blasted depressing to hear. I suppose that is because Fred Thomas has skills. Of course this can be seen by his epic presence in Michigan music with his groups Saturday Looks Good To Me, Flashpapr, and Lovesick. This was his first solo release and it is most in line with Flashpapr in mood, mainly that it is sad(core), but does feel like SLGTM at moments. However, I feel it is better than Flashpapr, but perhaps that's just me. Extremely lo-fi in its recording, it feels like he made this shit after his cat got eaten by his recent estranged ex-girlfriend while he is being evicted, as the title might allude to. Take it for what it is, my friends, don't listen to this if your girl or boy just ran off leaving you a case of beer and/or a fifth of vodka though.

To be had here:
Fred Thomas - Everything Is Pretty Entirely Fucked Up [192 kbps]

Moondog - Moondog (1956)

Danger Dog and a friend from the slsk told me to get this fella, and when my stubbornly lazy ass folded to the pressure I was flabbergasted at when I heard. First, it would be prudent to explain the background of this very eccentric character, for thus is how he was introduced to me. He is a blinded Kansas-raised farm boy who moved to New York City where he began to craft phenomenal avant-garde music whilst dressed in the garb of a norseman. Known to be found on 52nd street and willing to pass his music along to any interested party, he became known as "the Viking of 52nd Street" and Moondog. Rather intense, I know. However! The best part is that he is a genuinely talented, self-taught composer of avant-garde musics. I think it is utterly mesmerizing to hear it, and bewildering to imagine it being recorded in 1956! Thank you comrades for pushing this treasure upon me, do enjoy it, pilgrims.

To be had here:
Moondog - Moondog [192 kbps]

Os Mutantes

For years I've maintained that I have no favorite band, and whichever band might be the nearest to that status fluxes far too often for it to be realistic. This is only partially true. Ever since I first heard a song by Os Mutantes (meaning 'the mutants') I have religiously listened to them everyday for years. Nevertheless, in a very typical American fashion, I haven't a damned clue what they are actually saying in most all of the songs. What I do know is it is the most amazing sounding music that I can imagine, and the Portuguese singing blends and enhances it to an astounding degree. I wake up to, drive my car whilst, and entertain everyone from my grandfather to girls I desire to become intimate with Os Mutantes. I am told by Brazilians, or those other persons in the know, that the music is very politically charged, and was very important in Brazilian culture, who has experience harsh military dictatorship in the past. However, when I heard it I see it as the fountainhead from which all the best American and Canadian indie pop for the last 3 decades have sprung. Just as it is nearly impossible to avoid influence of the Beatles or the Velvet Underground, Os Mutantes belongs in the legendarily foundational music catalogs world over. When first listening, and even after considerable time spent with it, the music is hard to imagine being produced in 1960s Brazil. A benefit of them being this old too is that their discography is already pretty large, if not huge, and widely available. Because of this I have never tired of them, always finding a new affection for a track I had previously paid little attention to. I am going to post all of their main albums, and a collection of singles and rarities, and I'll tell you which songs I've gotten stuck on recently thereupon, not just what are normally considered the hits. The last two albums (not to count the compilation) are different, they changed to a more progressive rock sound, and the last one only features a single original member in it, but is considered a laudable prog album nonetheless. I do apologize for not knowing more about what they are singing of, if you are Brazilian or know anyway do please share your feelings, and if there is a desire there is one album they made with some of their more popular songs in English, so you can get a translation there, but I forgot to upload it this time. I sure hope you've heard most of this before, but if not this is a huge must pilgrims.

To be had here:



Os Mutantes (1968) [160 kbps]
Current Obsessions: A Minha Menina, Senhor F, Tempo No Tempo









Mutantes (1969) [192 kbps]
Current Obsessions: Rita Lee, Mágica










Divina Comédia Ou Ando Meio Desligado (1970) [128 kbps]
Current Obsessions: Hey Boy, Ave Lucifer









Jardim Elétrico (1971) [128 kbps]
Current Obsessions: Benvinda, Lady, Lady










E Seus Cometas no País do Baurets (1972) [192 kbps]
Current Obsessions: Vida de Cachorro, Cantor de Mambo, Rua Augusta









"A" e o "Z" (1973) [128 kbps]

Current Obsessions: A E O Z, Uma Pessoa Só (Here their sound become more progressive rock) TELL ME IF THE TRACKS ARE MESSED UP








Tudo foi feito pelo sol (1974) [160 kbps]
Current Obsessions: Pitágoras










Compactos e Raridades [192 VBR kbps]
Current Obsessions: Apocalipse, Balada Do Amigo

Woodcraft Folk - Trough of Bowlands (2005)

I think I found these guys prowling somewhere on last.fm, but I do say it was an excellent thing to stumble upon. Woodcraft Folk is tramps through a middle ground between folk acoustic folk of something like the Skygreen Leopards and the electronic sounds of Detektivbyrån. At different times they'll more heavily land in one of two camps, and sometimes I almost feel like they're a keyboard loving Six Organs of Admittance. I recommend it to thee. Additonally, beloved pilgrims, another comrade of ours has began a blog that is very prime, take a gander at HEY MY BOY YEAH.

To be had here:
Woodcraft Folk - Trough of Bowlands [192 VBR kbps]

Iglomat - Iglomat (2008)

This is some admirable post-rock that I got wind of by way of the blog fatandconfused, which has a staggeringly huge best of 2008 list. Unfortunately, our friend over there isn't in the habit for providing full albums for our convince, but what are we? Feeble-minded non-pirating CD-lovers? Nay, comrades, so here is the release in its complete glory. As to what it is like, it is a mellow assemblage post-rock tracks, not unlike, but perhaps superior in my judgmental eyes to Mogwai. Have fun, spacerockmountain pilgrims, and do look at our righteous new friend Dyingforbadmusic.

To be had be:
Iglomat - Iglomat [192 VBR kbps]

The Ghost Dance Movement - Commonwealth Tracks (2007)

This is some intense post-rock/metal/ambient with a name that does it justice. If you're unfamiliar with the true Ghost Dance movement it was insane, and ended rather tragically (look it up, damn it). I think this album, even though only four tracks of considerable length is fantastic. I haven't too much time to go over shit, this new classes going my time is at a premium. Just download and enjoy.

To be had here:
The Ghost Dance Movement - Commonwealth Tracks [192 VBR kbps]

Madlib - Shades of Blue (2003)

If you haven't run across him yet, Madlib is a prolific hip-hop artist, releasing under other monikers like Quasimoto and was half of the duo that made up Madvillian (with MF Doom). He does it in what I feel is a more respectable fashion than the televised video-rap industry does. Using myself as an example I dislike the vast majority of hip-hop, but Madlib has undeniable talents. For those like myself disinclined from hip-hop or rap, even better news about this release, it is not really either. The title Shades of Blue is a reference to the fact that this is a set of remixed jazz singles from Blue Note Records. Personally, I find this mixture of the two forms of music to be a match made in heaven, for although there is damned good jazz out there, sometimes it is too mellow for me to sustainably listen to. With Madlib's additional beats and sounds it makes a wonderful album for working, driving or relaxing to. Moreover, there are segues which remind you're listening Shades of Blue by notables connected to Blue Note, somewhat like listening to old Ed Love on the radio. My brother who introduced me to Madlib asked me to remove them, but I feel like give the album a special tone it'd otherwise lack. Definitely check this out if you haven't before, a fan of hip-hop and jazz not required.

To be had here:
Madlib - Shades of Blue [160 kbps]

The Owl Archimedes

I am pretty sure this is not a band, rather just a fella in Ohio that knows and thing or two about crafting some instrumental ambient/experimental music. Also, feel good about getting these albums, they are free from wiseowl records, however for your convience I'm sharing them here again. Indeed I got them off of soulseek before I even found the links from wiseowl. To understand this artist's full range of talents it is necessary to get each of these releases, some are on the shorter side anyhow. Some are intense and quick, whilst some are slow and epic. One of my favorite things is a track ("Seeking The Axiom") that has a manipulated speech on civil rights delievered by JFK, very eerie.

To Be Had Here:



Please Put Me To Sleep (2006) [128 kbps]






Among Skeletons and Skyscrapers (A Story Is Told) (2007) [320 kbps] no album art released





Requiem For Solitude EP (2008) [128 kbps]











Children of the Shortwave (2008) [128 kbps]

Tangiers - Never Bring Your Pleasure (2004)

I can't explain my affinity for this album beyond that it is simply well done. It is rather standard "indie rock" stuff from Toronto, but from some reason while perhaps a dozen or some bands trying something similar made their way into and promptly out of my collection, this one stuck and I've come to embrace it. This is Tangiers second of three full length releases, and according to me by far the most superior. It is like this, my life cannot move on from the Strokes for one of my friends seems to be under the impression that playing them at a drunken party is grade A, number 1, gentlemanly conduct (I have no official comment on this, unofficially he needs to remove Casablanca from his trout). Therefore, naturally when I am reminded of Strokes-esque bands immediately summons Tangiers to my mind and I have a strong desire to hear the track "Spine To Necklace." However, the two songs that originally endeared me to the album still come up in my rotation now and again, "Walk Run Walk" and "Ro Ro Roland." The latter makes me think of the European story of Roland dying in the invasion of the Islamic armies in southeast France was whatever, to which it makes reference if I understand the lyrics at all. A romantic tale is always lovely to think of with music, even if it was medieval.

To be had here:
Tangiers - Never Bring Your Pleasure [160 kbps]

Pivot - In the Blood (2008) [single]

Damned PC died on me, so I have had to make some last minute purchases to allow my Macbook to replace it in a music handling capacity. Because of all of this I have yet to upload fresh files, however I've got a few stashed away for you. Pivot is one of my favorite electronic/post-rock bands, and I still absolutely adore there full length Make Me Love You (which I'll gladly share if there is any interest). This EP has two wonderful tracks, but the reason I share think over the full which this single appears is really for the crazy ass remixes. Normally I am not huge on remixes if the song is any good to begin with, but here I found them equally enjoyable. The second track, "Didn't I Furious" is perhaps even better than the title one. I hope you like it.

To be had here:
Pivot - In the Blood [320 kbps]

Cornelius - Gum (2008)

God damn, Cornelius is like a mad genius. He can make anything and wave him crazy fingers around it and I'll likely adore it. Even at the part where the song is introduced with nearly overly loud static I had a huge feeling of joy. When I was going through the 2008 releases I enjoyed to make by best of list I certainly thought about this. Nonetheless, as an EP I felt it might not fit in as well, but I wanted to share it regardless. It is nice to have the power.

To be had here:
Cornelius - Gum (192 VBR kbps)

Best of 2008, grand finale

Okay, so that lovely son of a bitch called Gumo Ga used one of these on this list, I am not dissuaded from using from repeating it (indeed I place it much higher). Perhaps this is the best time for a reflection upon the erstwhile year. I don't know about you guys but first thing I did for the new year was sleep have the day away; having a holiday off is sweet.

2. Benni Hemm Hemm - Murta St. Calunga
I am utterly smitten with these Icelanders. I really enjoyed their first two full lengths and the wonderful EP, so much so I have already posted it on this blog. However, this is quite possibly the very best of they've offered up yet. Mostly the album is in Icelandic, but some notable tracks are in English such as "Early Morning Rain" and "Whaling in the North Atlantic." The entirety of the album has a common feeling the streams throughout with the songs possesses enough similarities to be heard through order flawlessly.

1. Women - Women
This shit is unbelievably listenable. Full agreement is had here with Gumo Ga, this is most definitely noise-pop. I'm a sucker for catchy lo-fi, however this is no Stephin Merrit sorta thing. Replaying the album is an absolute must, as it grew on me by leaps and bounds with every subsequent listening. It is almost required now that I hear my favorite song thereupon, "Black Rice" immediately after leaving my job. Nobody I know that heard it doesn't recognize the brilliance. I'll admit that many mightn't share the full-on enthueasism that I have for Women, but this album is the balance between pop, noise, lo-fi, complexity, cheerfulness and sober I hoped many other releases would have.