The Abyssinians - Satta Massagana (1976 [1993])

The date on this post seems confusing because this album has been released numerous times with additionally song or in reworked ways, and I do apologize if I got the details of this one wrong at all. I believe this is a 1993 reissue with some added tracks. This is the first roots reggae album I've ever post, and it holds a legendary status among them. The Abyssinians are from Jamaica, as could be assumed, and sung song deeply informed by their Rastafarian beliefs. While religious tenants are obvious in the album, it does not come off a proselytizing, and I don't believe that was the intention for the band. As people who read this blog regularly might have concluded, I am not really worried about particularities of lyrics that much anyhow. I am not a fan big fan of some reggae yet I do especially like dub music, which is what The Abyssinians moved toward in successive years. This is really an awesomely smooth album that I imagine can be enjoyed with or without mind-altering substances. The fact that it had a relatively large cultural impact on Jamaican music and indeed music beyond the island is an interesting bonus. I've taken a liking to listening to it before I go to bed as it really calms me down after work. I have to thank my buddy Johnny for suggesting I download it and hope you'll do likewise and get it.

To be had here:
The Abyssinians - Satta Massagana [192 kbps]

C.W. Stoneking - Jungle Blues (2008)

Found this album on a blog I don't subscribe to, this I've already forgotten its name and for that I apologize. A funny thing about this album is that I automatically wanted to give it to my father, but then I remembered he uses CDs or whatever and I haven't touched those in years. Maybe he'll lucky if I feel sufficiently nostalgic from the retrospective mood of C.W. Stoneking's style of music. He was born and raised in Australia but has American parents, so an enthusiasm for American genres of folk and blues maybe traveled with them across the Pacific. If haven't pieced it together yet, he plays folk song that are purposefully designed to sound like they far older than they actually are. Reminds me of Woody Guthrie and Bo Carter in the sort of self-aware comedic feeling in his singing. The whole thing seems like it could have been conceived of as a soundtrack yet better because it isn't one. To put it briefly, it is like a stroll through a past you never lived.

To be had here:
C.W. Stoneking - Jungle Blues [320 kbps]

CFCF - Continent (2009) & Drifts (2010)

I haven't any inkling how popular this guy actually is, but I get the sense that he is gotten his name out there rather well. CFCF is the pseudonym of one Michael Silver from the great city of Montreal. These releases are not like much of the previous stuff I have posted, but it is good to mix it up with some modern electronic shit now and then. In all honestly what provoked me into sharing this was his Drifts EP wherein he remixed several bands I am familiar with, including Young Galaxy and the previously posted Memoryhouse. I'm far from sufficiently versed in electronic music to really provide a truly meaningful analysis here, but let's leave it with me telling you I enjoyed hearing them and they're rather unique from my past experience with random electronic musicians.

To be had here:




Continent [192 kbps]












Drifts [256 VBR kbps]

Charlie & the Moonhearts - Thunderbeast (2008)

This is basically a follow-up to the last post on here of Ty Segall and Mikal Cronin. This is Cronin's band that I alluded to. After being impressed with what he did paired up with Segall I decided hunting down this group would likely be worth my trouble. I was not disappointed either, so I've just gotten off of work and thought that it be a mighty fine use of my morning beer consumption time to pass this out. If you listened to the EPs in the previous post you have a general idea of what this will sound like, garage punk/surf rock but this is a bit more surf while being a bit less intense on the loudness. Naturally, it is quite lo-fi as well. If I recall they're based in Los Angeles. This is suitable for their surf rock influences, as they are somewhat like a modern Surfaris (or better yet The Original Surfaris, there is a difference). Something to listen for is an wonderful cover Del Shannon's classic hit, "Runaway," which is stuck in the middle of the album. Thunderbeast is amazing title for a handsomely done album that epitomizes what surf after the coming of punk rock should be like in my humble opinion.

To be had here:
Charlie & the Moonhearts - Thunderbeast [192 kbps]

Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin

I've previously posted both of Ty Segall's previous albums on here, but as some of you will doubtlessly agree: the second album was a lackluster follow-up. While this is technically older than Lemons, this set of EPs done by Segall teamed with Mikal Cronin of Charlie & the Moonhearts is the remedy for those seeking more of the fuzzed-out, wild garage/surf rock. They're brief and spastic songs that fill me with vigor. However, I must keep this post short as I am going to a concert tonight, something I haven't done in a bit. Have fun listening.

To be had here:





Pop Songs (2009) [256 VBR kbps]











Reverse Shark Attack (2009) [256 VBR kbps]








Bonus:

Just giving a heads up for those interested on yet another excellent blog, The Last Swand of Zapan. You should really check out the brand new shit throw up on there, it is quite remarkable. I must recommend the full-length by Best Coast, as it is pretty mondo cool.

Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid (2009)

The blog that I grabbed this off of has escaped my memory and for that I apologize, but if another blog posted it they should feel free to leave a comment directing people to check their shit. Additionally, I know this came out last year and this shocked me that I missed it until I realized I had stopped listening to the Black Keys newer releases as they strayed further from the blues rock that I began listening to them for. Not that that is a bad thing, just moved into something I wasn't hankering for, but I know brother liked them more as they collaborated with hip hop artists. Anyhow, the album at had in Dan Auerbach, the guitar-wielding half of the Black Keys, released this, first solo album. It has many of the things I like about bluesy rock like organs and fancy guitar work, but also it possesses that lovely sound of fuzzed out bass in abundance. The second track, "I Want Some More," really grabs your attention if you were multitasking through the first song and the album does a decent job at sustaining the excitement until "When The Night Comes" where shit slows the fuck down. As solo projects often are, this is an outlet for Auerbach to try out things he feels might not jive well with his main gig, but these were certainly worth making a record of.

To be had here:
Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid [192 kbps]

Bonus:
The other half of the Black Keys, Patrick Carney, composed a track for a online commercial for a book from the most excellent small publisher, McSweeney's. Enjoy this most righteous track and amazing animation in this ad for Art Speigelman's Be A Nose!

Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra - Kollaps Tradixionales (2010)

Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra is one of the many names that the reworked membership of A Silver Mt. Zion have assumed. Like the Panoply Academy they seem to fancy variation of a theme in renaming. Despite the confusion this might wrought on the less-than-avid listener, it is worth muddling through to hear this latest work from the Canadian collective of musicians. Kollaps Tradixionales has a pair of epically long tracks beginning and ending the album, with shorter songs filling in between. This is good cause it can be hard to get through a bunch of really lengthy songs in replaying albums, can't remember where that damned exciting part was that in stuck in your brain and all. Another neat thing about his release is that there is singing that seems like it could just as easily be heard on a math rock or electro song in it, however it is smoothly integrated with the experimental/post-rock instrumentation. A very delightful album for anyone who's a fan of post-rock or math rock really.

To be had here:
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra - Kollaps Tradixionales [320 kbps]

A Hawk and A Hacksaw - Delivrance (2009)

This night shift as continued to throw me off, but even more so is finally having money to spend for the first time in months so I have been living like a slightly-less-poor menial laborer for a few days. Anyhow that means I am just gonna post something I am familiar with but overlooked in posting a while ago. I already shared another album by this group earlier in the blog's history and went into the various musical outlets of the man behind it, Jeremy Barnes. This album is really a continuation of the sound found in the previous releases produced under this moniker, namely Balkan-esque, string and horn heavy compositions. I really like the beginning of this album because of the especially lo-fi sounding track found there, "Foni tu argile." When I listen to this stuff it makes me think of wars with Turks and merchants traveling for the goods of the Mideast through Balkan lands. Moreover, A Hawk and Hacksaw are largely instrumental, which is exactly what one needs for productivity at times. Lastly, I must say that I enjoy A Hawk and Hacksaw continually despite the other bands that are similar to it (Beirut for example) fade into vast un-listened-to pile.

To be had here:
A Hawk and A Hacksaw - Delivrance [192 VBR kbps]

COOLRUNNINGS

Okay, right off the bat I am gonna acknowledge I didn't discover these guys through my own diligence. There was a link on Somatose (which is a very righteous blog) that gave me the heads up. I was a bit concerned about stepping on their toes over there, but I really fucking can't stop listening to this band so I figured promoting them more was better than just yelling at the few people in my day to day life that might take a music recommendation seriously. Also, I have started fresh employment that has be working the night shift, so as I've adjusted my posting has suffered but now and I'm getting in the swing so hopefully there will be more to come soon. Now, on to the albums on hand: COOLRUNNINGS is not only the best name for a band I have heard in years with the best album art I've seen in even longer, but they make some wildly amazing music. I know I praise shit often on here, but I can't stress this enough. This band is super fucking awesome. They're lo-fi, noisy, and sleazy while being marvelously exciting with skillful in use of electronic elaboration of their sound. Perhaps one of the things that I find most endearing is how such as in the titled track of Babes Forever they take their time getting into the catchy parts of the song making it feel more like an experience instead a radio-ready wannabe hit. They're sharing the songs for free in most any format you'd like it in on bandcamp so I am just gonna link you there, and I think you can pay them if you are looking for places to put money other than big record labels.

To be had here:





Babes Forever EP (2010)















Buffalo EP (2010)