Grass Widow

All girl trio from San Francisco's debut LP.

Grass Widow - Self-Titled LP (Make A Mess, 2009)



Self-Titled EP

Grass Widow - Self-Titled EP (Captured Tracks, 2009)

Japanese Telecom - Virtual Geisha (2001)

There was some fair amounts of downloads of Auto-Biography by Le Car that I posted up earlier in the month. This got me to thinking that some people might enjoy here some more of the less renown, but still very admirable, electro acts of Detroit. Japanese Telecom is just such an artist. These electronic musicians from Detroit love to use monikers that shroud them in a degree of facelessness, such as Dopplereffekt, AUX 88, and Ectomorph. Unless I am mistaken Japanese Telecom one of the two men that were the electronic act called Drexciya, who made a significant impact on the Detroit techno scene and beyond. As with most anything related to techno music, this stuff has the dance-floor in mind, however that is not required for enjoyment. Personally, being a fan of some more IDM and 8-Bit artists, Virtual Geisha is not that far off the mark from what is appealing with those genres. Almost feels like the older brother of the cloying chiptune of Japan and Sweden I believe I shared in the past. Oddly enough, despite being established in the Detroit techno circles, this moniker was only used to release two albums, with this one being the only CD issuing (the other was exclusively vinyl). Perhaps this album's weakest points is being a bit esoteric and slightly dated, yet you're not hearing on the radio for any lack of talent.

To be had here:
Japanese Telecom - Virtual Geisha [192 kbps]

Mark Sultan - $ (2010)

Might seem like I've become a broken record by recommending that you get the music of the same handful of musicians, but I know there will be some readers on here upset if I don't share this album. Mark Sultan is, as you might suspect, BBQ of the King Khan & BBQ Show and a frequent collaborator of Khan's from previous bands and the recently posted Almighty Defenders. This is the second full-length release that Sultan has done solo (at least under this name), but the style isn't terrible distant from the stuff he's made in bands. If anything it is slowed down and subdued in tone. In fact, there is a different version of one of my favorite tracks from Invisible Girl, the upbeat "I'll Be Lovin' You" that is slower and more whimsical. I should make it clear that I got this album from the most excellently maintained Know Your Conjurer blog. It has been that most of my most recent listening has been taken from other blogs, so it might be a few days before I've gotten something I haven't seen floating around all over to share, but hold in there and maybe we'll get lucky and one of the many less active posters have something they'd like to spout off about.

To be had here:
Mark Sultan - $ [256 kbps]

Memoryhouse - The Years EP (2010)

If there's to be any album to remind me of June 2010 the rest of my life, it'll be this one! Super dreamy EP from a duo I can't wait to see more from.

Available for Free on Arcade Sound Ltd.

Avarus - Jättiläisrotta (2004)

I ran out of steam for posting Finnish experimental folk for a bit after I shared it almost exclusively for a week. However, time heals all wounds as they say. Avarus is a band intimately connected to many of the previously posted bands like Kemialliset Ystävät and Anaksimandros, which in fact so commonly have the same members that they're hardly different bands at all. Perhaps the most notable difference between this and the "other" bands is the more acoustic feel. Much in the way of clanging and clinking to be found herein. The rhythm and percussion of the album reminds me of the music I've heard from monasteries of Asia and North Africa. All this stuff needs is some chanting of Buddhist or Islamic prayers or whatever the men are singing about to be a reasonable match. However, this is anything but a bad thing, as Jättiläisrotta is a highly enjoyable album if you're looking to relax to something unusual.

To be had here:
Avarus - Jättiläisrotta [192 VBR kbps]

The Almighty Defenders - The Almighty Defenders (2009)

Earlier this month I shared King Khan & the Shrines, so I won't give the story on who he is again. I will tell you that he and his current bandmate, Mark Sultan who is BBQ in the King Khan and BBQ Show, have been up to some collaborating. In this case with the members of the Black Lips while holing up with Khan in Berlin. Basically a garage rock jam session branded as a band. Though I think it was fully recorded it the studio, it has the roughness of a live recording. This is made all the better in that a main source of inspiration seems to be gospel, which is naturally meant to be preformed live. It certainly possesses a feeling of nostalgic reflection on the earlier period of rock music, when the influence of soul and gospel were readily apparent. This album isn't as fast-paced and jazzy as Khan's work with the shrines, but does feel very close to the most recent album with BBQ.

To be had here:
The Almighty Defenders - The Almighty Defenders [192 kbps]

Diamond Watch Wrists - Ice Capped At Both Ends (2009)

I swear that Zach Hill must be one of the most prolific drummers around. Admittedly, I am behind on posting this, as it came out last year, but the son of gun comes out with so much stuff that I haven't tired of the last album he worked on before he's got something new out. Diamond Watch Wrists is the name that Hill and Guillermo Scott Herren of Prefuse 73 are calling their collaboration. They've each been around for a bit and are responsible for some successful albums in their careers in their main projects and main side ventures. This album is a change of pace in a way, as it is more psychedelic and elongated than the punchy and wild drumming Hill has displayed in some of his work. An excellent and evoking release that should be gotten by a fan of either of the artists. And I do recognize that the album art is shitty.

To be had here:
Diamond Watch Wrists - Ice Capped At Both Ends [192 kbps VBR]

The Love Language - Libraries (2010)

Good news is I have the new album by The Love Language to share. Bad news is that I can't locate it anywhere in a bit rate better than 128 kbps. So we'll have to make do with what is available until people find some higher quality conversions. For those of you that might've missed it, this is the second release by the North Carolina band masterminded by Stu McLamb. The first album has some mighty powerful lo-fi tracks on it and this follow-up seems to be along a very similar vein. If anything it apparently was produced with more resources, mostly evidenced in the instrumental flourishes sprinkled throughout. Nonetheless, it maintains the lo-fi pop/rock songwriting that made the previous effort so endearing, though it lacks a standout, fast-paced track like "Lalita" was. A solid if not superior effort that should be treated like candy, enjoyed in moderate doses to avoid ruining it for yourself.

To be had here:
The Love Language - Libraries [128 kbps]

Women - Public Strain (2010)

This release will doubtlessly make the rounds on many blogs, and this is for a good reason as first album by Women is such a spectacular effort that it is automatically garnering attention for any follow-ups. Moreover, leaks are exciting as I don't think this is supposed to be officially released until August. To refresh any foggy memories or inform the unknowing, Women are a Canadian post-punk group that started in Calgary that despite the name is fully comprised of men. Their first self-titled was epically good and was part of a small surge of post-punk/noise pop bands that were gathering a following like Wavves, No Age and Vivian Girls. I'm so jazzed about this album I am writing this post whilst giving it the first listen, so I haven't the experience yet to attest to any replay value. However, this first go-around has me recalling my fondness for the band as well as noting that these tracks seem a bit more subdued and elongated. At times they've made a drone-like sound-scape. Certainly a change of pace but a well-conceived one.

To be had here:
Women - Public Strain [320 kbps]

Math and Physics Club

I've been contemplating on sharing some slightly aged twee pop lately, but the issue was settled when I found a new release by Math and Physics Club with me choosing to give out both. This is basically the entire discography of Math and Physics Club, in which one could notice the gap between full-length albums and even from the last EP and the newest release. This Seattle-based band makes some of the sweetest indie pop to be had. The sweet cheerful pop they make similar to several bands of from Australia on Matinee Recordings and Candle Records such as The Lucksmiths and The Mabels, as well as American groups like The Galactic Heroes, The Fairways and Le Coupe. It seems slightly different from the indie pop/twee groups that have been produced in large numbers in Iceland and Sweden in the last few years, but not terrible distant. Despite all of the songs they make being sweet as hell, the newer album has a more cheerful feel achieved mostly by lighter vocals and different instrumentation. Also note the Belle & Sebastian-style album art with the monochromatic photography. If you're into twee at all, this is a band to get.

To be had here:




Movie Ending Romance EP (2005) [160 kbps VBR]












Weekends Away EP (2005) [192 kbps VBR]












Math and Physics Club (2006) [192 kbps]











Baby I'm Yours EP (2007) [224 kbps VBR]












I Shouldn't Look As Good As I Do (2010) [285 kbps VBR]

Mexican Institute of Sound - Piñata (2007)

Watching at least two out of the three World Cup games a day has put me in an international mindset. Accordingly, I matched my recently passion for mildly aged electronic music with a foreign country I saw playing match, resulting in the Mexican Institute of Sound. However, outside of my strange selection process for this album's posting, it is a genuinely good listen. Piñata is actually the second album released under this moniker, which is really Mexico City native Camilo Lara. The sound of the album is best described as electronic beats combined with the instrumentals and vocals of more traditional Mexican folk music. I know this doesn't seem very unique but his fella is really good at it, which in my opinion makes up for any lack of originality in the overall concept. Maybe it is tailored better for those who like poppier tunes than someone seeking club-like or technically powerful electronica. I like it and that is enough to get it on this noise-spout.

To be had here:
Mexican Institute of Sound - Piñata [320 kbps]

Mountain Men Anonymous - Krkonose (2004)

The other night I was at a party and I tried to explain post-rock to a gentleman that was confused by the term. Couldn't believe the difficulty I had in trying to enlighten him about the genre in my intensely drunken state. In the end I had to rely on just finding bands he know of that might be considered post-rock, for I haven't the ability to summon the music jargon to better describe it. Nevertheless, it left me with the taste for posting a nice post-rock album. Mountain Men Anonymous not only have a very neat name but are among the legions have post-rock groups that form worldwide that never gain large popularity while maintaining a reasonable presence on the internet. Of course, some bands lack that talent to really take off, however I don't think Mountain Men Anonymous belong in that category. Unfortunately, this Welsh group has in all likelihood called it quits already, so this could be the best effort they ever make. Suitably epic for a the album title, this group didn't disappoint.

To be had here:
Mountain Men Anonymous - Krkonose [192 kbps]

Lou Donaldson - Blues Walk (1958)

Time for a spacerockmountain first: un-remixed, pure jazz. I'm not a regular jazz listener, but for the most I have not opposition to the genre. In fact it is far superior to the shit they play in most stores and restaurants around here. I think what gives jazz a bad rep is smooth jazz (which should not be considered jazz at all) and free jazz (which only those who really like their music far out there can enjoy). These opinions are, of course, elementary as I'm not a connoisseur. Nevertheless, I am confident that people will like what I'm offering up today. Lou Donaldson is somebody of note in the world of jazz, working with many of the greats and has been releasing albums steadily since the 1950s. Clocking in at a bit over a half hour long, Blues Walk is considered a masterpiece album for Donaldson. It was originally released on the famous Blue Note record label, home to so many magnificent jazz and blues artists. I do believe this is another album I have to thank the Port Huron public library for, and luck in myself for being foreseeing enough to grab it while I was in high school. It is totally the kind of classy music you'd hope was playing on a first date or a reunion of friends. Donaldson certainly knows how to use that saxophone as only the world's best might manage.

To be had here:
Lou Donaldson - Blues Walk [192 kbps]

Le Car - Auto-Biography (2000)

One of the most positive aspects of Detroit is the music that the city produces. Le Car is one of many electronic acts that the Motor City has spawned in the last few decades. I remember finding this CD in my brother's stuff years ago when we lived near Highland Park. Now, my terminology when it comes to electronic music isn't quite up to snuff, so please forgive my generalities. Auto-Biography is collection of mostly lo-fi, danceable tracks that have a rather cheerful tone to them. It places a not quite explainable smile on my face. Something of note about this duo made up of Ian Clark and Adam Miller is they are not limited to Le Car. In fact Miller is more renowned for his current band, ADULT., and Clark's main project is called Perspects. I could have sworn that I uploaded similar Detroit artists like Japanese Telecom and Ectomorph, but I could just as likely be fooling my myself and mixing up recommendations I gave out at parties. Anyhow, if this give some positive response I'll probably post some other stuff like this.

To be had here:
Le Car - Auto-Biography [192 kbps]

NacHut Report - 9th Overflowing...Milky Slaughterhouse...Dream Of Incubator (2010)

I want to begin by apologizing to bands that send me their stuff and I don't get around to it. I have a ton of music they I have already downloaded and listen to, new stuff that I just found, and get many albums sent to me by bands looking for some exposure. If I miss it is because of the volume of files I haven't got time to listen through, but I'd like help with this if there is anyone eager to post on the blog about the many albums submitted for sharing. The reason I bring this up is that NacHut Report is just such a group that has offer their album for free distribution on the internet. My eye got caught immediately by last.fm considering my follow, though currently defunct, co-writer Warren's music, Foxes in Fiction. The e-mail they sent me related that they are a Polish-Italian band and this is their first full-length album. It is certainly in the experimental vein, but that isn't giving too much detail. It has a bit of a noise/sound art feel to it but maintains a rather steady and enjoyable beat to it. Similar praise as the previously posted album, though this one has vocals it is they are hardly the sort the is gonna shake you out of concentration while nonetheless being handsomely done. Overall, it possesses a very modern tone to the album that is refreshing.

To be had here:
NacHut Report - 9th Overflowing...Milky Slaughterhouse...Dream Of Incubator [128 kbps]

Yamamoto Seiichi - Nu Frequency (2003)

A change of pace of with this album. Yamamoto Seiichi is a Japanese musician that is a fixture of the independent scene in Osaka and he gained some notability when he worked with the illustrious noise rock group Boredoms. This is merely one of his several solo releases that he's been actively producing for over a decade. It is closer to this blog's namesake in that it could actually be classified as space rock. Naturally, as much space rock can be described it is like a crossing of ambient and noise without really being either genre, instead demonstrating something unique. Nu Frequency sounds like a collection of samples until you give it a long enough listen, so be warned. It has been really going well with my homemade wine I've been drinking due to lack of funds these days. Because it is instrumental it is a really good album to play when reading or writing, which I have trouble listening to lyrical driven songs during. Calmer than most of the things I have been posting lately yet not devoid of liveliness.

To be had here:
Yamamoto Seiichi - Nu Frequency [192 kbps]

King Khan & The Shrines - What Is?! (2007)

Finally able and willing to post something since by return from the great nation of Canada. Suitably in honor of Montreal I am sharing one of my favorite musicians from that glorious city, I'd murder for a metro like that. I've previously shared The King Khan and BBQ Show on the blog, and that is the most recent King Khan project. However, there is the band preceding that, King Kahn & The Shrines. Khan is one of those musicians that shows is control of the genre by being able to seamlessly blend in various influences and styles into his songs. What Is?! doubtlessly has the traditional garage rock inspirations like The Stooges and MC5, but also borrows from the sleazier 90s garage scene without mimicking. Overall, a very happy, mildy-psychedelic album about having a good time.

To be had here:
King Khan & The Shrines [192 VBR kbps]