Box Elders - Alice and Friends (2009)

My brain is fucked over from all the alcohol as of late so I stared at a wall until I got the moxie to post anything at all. Box Elders is a band that I was bound to find and love. They've got what I am often looking for in their British Invasion-esque garage rock. The songs aren't complex yet they do have a bunch of sounds swirling about. One neat thing I read is that the drummer serves as the organist simultaneously. Pretty righteous achievement. I do believe Alice and Friends to be their only full-length to date. Basically, the nature of hunting for work in Detroit has lead to considerable lengths of time in the car each day so whatever I can even vaguely hear over my loud engine and open windows is what I'm down with right now. They didn't do anything wrong and this album lends itself to singing along, so even though my mind wasn't blown I am happy these fellas.

To be had here:
Box Elders - Alice and Friends [192 kbps]

Sonny and the Sunsets - Hit After Hit (2011)

Although slow on the news about their charming first album, Tomorrow Is Alright, I kept my eye out for the follow up so I'm only a couple months antedated by the release of Hit After Hit. I'm surprised that Sonny and the Sunsets aren't even bigger in the realm of pop music, as their delightful brand of indie pop is as inoffensive as I can imagine. Like the Beach Boys, who surely are a significant influence on the band, they manage to experiment a little without being any less agreeable. In common with the first album, Hit After Hit is heavily reliant on the quirky songwriting that twists the point of view of the singer if you pay attention to the lyrics. Not that ambitious, it feels like a low-key affair, yet the laid back atmosphere the source of the majority of this album's enjoyable moments.

To be had here:
Sonny and the Sunsets - Hit After Hit [320 kbps]

Crystal Stilts - In Love with Oblivion (2011)

The new album by Crystal Stilts maintains the same qualities that provoked the popularity of the previous releases. Full of jangled guitars, organ and echoed vocals they're a quintessential retro noise pop outfit. While this is hardly a unique position, as we can recall The Jesus & Mary Chain did it in the 80s, Skywave in the 90s, and Girls Names nearly contemporaneously to Crystal Stilts. I don't mean to diminish the band's talent, they've got the sound down to a science. There is not a track on the album that isn't worth listening to. In Love with Oblivion is an excellent album to put on and get down to whatever it is you like. Put briefly, although there aren't really any standout tracks or much innovation, they're damn good at reverberated noise pop, thus worth getting merely for that.

To be had here:
Crystal Stilts - In Love with Oblivion [192 VBR kbps]

Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison (1968) & At San Quentin (1969)

Having somewhat brunt myself out on trying to consume new music from submissions and that I sought of my own accord, it is sometimes nice to go back to familiar albums to reset. Johnny Cash has long been among the artists I use to clear my head and reassess why I bother after overwhelming my eardrums. As I am sure many people did, I grew up listening to Johnny Cash on my parents' vinyl records. I'll always remember a summer afternoon when my father got out his copy of Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison and simply said something to the effect of, "Country music sucks but I like Johnny Cash." The couple of albums he cut in the late 60s in California's Folsom and San Quentin prisons are among the very best work he ever produced. Functioning similar to a pair of "best of" albums, the tracks are favorites that he knew would please the prisoners and the record buying public alike. What really makes the albums extraordinary is hearing the howls and applause of the the inmates along with Cash's snide commentary aimed at the penitentiaries. Both are truly intimate and engaging and one of the few things that can make me jealous of those unfortunate souls stuck in the 1960s Californian correctional system. Finally, Cash is one of the few people I'll abide preaching the word of God at me and love it, as those inmates must've if their reactions are any indication.

To be had here:




At Folsom Prison [192 kbps]












At San Quentin [192 kbps]

Tijuana Panthers - Max Baker (2010)

Tijuana Panthers are a Long Beach, California band that makes some modern surf rock. It is lo-fi and doesn't rely super heavily on reverbed guitar as has been the case in the past with surf bands. Rather they do craft some catchy, pop-like songs with quick-paced drums and mildly fuzzed guitar. Generally a pleasant and far from overwhelming affair. The songs where the get a bit more retro in their sound like "New Boots" and "Redheaded Girl" are neat. Almost feels like they could've been doing gigs with the Surfaris and their ilk back in the 60s when really work that way-back machine. They can pick it up and move it too, which is nice to hear both. Plus I saw they're playing a show with Ty Segall soon, so that is pretty rad.

To be had here:
Tijuana Panthers - Max Baker [256 VBR kbps]

EP Grab Bag vol. 2

Another series of EPs I was sent (for the most part). All these are to be had for free on bandcamp so let's do it to do then, pilgrims.

To be had here:

Moon/Ruin - Ocean (2011)

A lovely psychedelic pop EP coming out of Austin, if the tag on bandcamp is to be believed. The guy that submitted it was also in Liquid Skulls but this is a different beast. The psychpop nature of this makes it irrestable for me not to make an E6 reference, but they're certainly doing their own thing here. Very nice.






The Post Riot Era - On Zero Sum Living (2011)

This is some really chill ambient music. Minimal, experimental and quite atmospheric. Easy to lose track of oneself while listening. Interesting and worth the download for sure.








Seabuckthorn - In Nightfall (2011) [320 kbps]

This was sent in by Bookmaker Records, the folks that released Henryspenncer. However, the UK's Seabuckthorn is of another variety of music. In Nightfall is a 23-minute exploration of instrumental psych-folk. Real mellow and melodious. Give this guys a go and support the label should you like what you hear.







Grandpa Was A Lion - Archaic EP (2011)
or Download via mediafire

This one I found on my own just knocking about bandcamp. Pretty decent glo-fi/dream pop. Very soft and sleepy making it rather suitable for a good evening listen. Like let's say get hit by a bus and you're now among the cloud folk, you might hear something like this.

Shannon and the Clams - Sleep Talk (2011)

Jazzed as all fuck when I caught sight of this album on the Aggregatibacter blog. Even though it is posted up there, I feel compelled to do so over here as well, if simple to stress its majesty. Shannon and the Clams' first album I Wanna Go Home was a wonderful bunch of lo-fi garage punk tracks with deep soulful vocals. Sleep Talk takes that base and works a considerable degree of nostalgia and retro-vibes so as to make the band very Spector-esque or to cite a more modern comparison, very much like the King Khan & BBQ Show. Howling, shouting and crooning are all given a place in the hectic and brassy songs. Where the similarities to something Mark Sultan might record is strongest are in the slower numbers such as "The Woodsman" and "Done With You" which feature an intense throwback style. The softer trilling songs are paired with heavier, distortion-laden retro punk tracks to ensure a fast-paced listen, making the album feel much shorter than it is in reality. This is really topnotch and even though it is well-trodden ground, Shannon and the Clams keep it fresh, lively and most importantly irresistibly appealing.

To be had here:
Shannon and the Clams - Sleep Talk [192 VBR kbps]

Battles - Gloss Drop (2011)

I was quite the fan of Battles when their debut LP Mirrored came out. I recall seeing that at a festival that same summer and really enjoying it as well. However, they took their sweet ass time coming out with another album, and it isn't exactly what I remember liking about Battles yet it isn't bad. Although Tyondai Braxton left the group last year, there's certainly enough talent left to keep them going. Gloss Drop summoned images of a circus or carnival to my mind when I heard it for the first time. I do think the different style was a intention shift in their sound and it was pulled relatively successfully, especially in the instrumental tracks that make up most of the album. However, they decided to have some collaborative songs with Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead and Gary Numan that I could take or leave. Matias Aguayo's input is a bit more worthwhile, yet the brilliant idea was getting Yamantaka Eye from Boredoms in on one. That song is strange and fantastic as most things involving Yamantaka Eye are. Battles perhaps got overhyped after Mirrored so longish time it took them to follow it up makes hearing them interesting anew and Gloss Drop is a satisfying foray back into the spotlight.

To be had here:
Battles - Gloss Drop [192 VBR kbps]

Rocco Allegrezza-Ruggiero - Neapolitan Songs (1965)

Rocco Allegrezza-Ruggiero has very little information regarding himself floating around on the internet. I guess updating for the times isn't something Allegrezza-Ruggiero was concerned with, if he is even around anymore which is doubtful. Being no expert on the different varieties of Italian folk music, I'm forced to go with the little info implicit in the album. This is a 2004 reissue by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings of the original release from 1965, which lends creditability to the idea that this is legitimate Neapolitan folk music. I am sure there are those that read this that can actually understand him and I do often wonder what he's singing about. Regardless it is stripped down, beautiful acoustic guitar folk. If you can get over any hangups you might have regarding the stereotypical shit they play in Italian restaurant chains it is straight up some wonderful music.

To be had here:
Rocco Allegrezza-Ruggiero - Neapolitan Songs [224 VBR kbps]

Nohopekids - Nohopekids EP (2011)

The submission to this blog always find a way to surprise me. Nohopekids is one guy from Hungary that makes really fuzzed out garage rock that takes cues from Wavves, Ty Segall, and the Stooges by his own admission. For sure the surf influence is easily heard bleeding through the reverb making me think of Charlie & the Moonhearts and Thee Milkshakes as natural comparisons. This EP is astoundingly catchy and even though it just brought to my attention last night I've probably listen to it over half a dozen times. Very good for this hot and humid summer indeed. Nohopekids plays with another band called Piresian Beach on this album, which has lo-fi psychedelic tracks up for grabs.

To be had here:
Nohopekids - Nohopekids EP

Killa - Silmät sulkaset (2004)

My love of Finnish experimental folk has not waned as evidenced by my post of Kemialliset Ystävät earlier this month. Whenever I get back to listening to Kemialliset Ystävät I have a desire to go out and hunt down more Finnish experimental music, and this time I came back with Kiila. Their album, Silmät sulkaset, is more overtly folksy than either Kemialliset Ystävät or Paavoharju for example. The traditional acoustic instruments used by Kiila are largely responsible for this tone to the album, although they do still utilize electronic instruments and effects albeit more sparsely and subtly. Their sound is likely better compared to Six Organs of Admittance or Islaja. Probably should've caught on to Kiila sooner, seeing as this album is already seven years old, but better late than never and I am glad I found them at all.

To be had here:
Killa - Silmät sulkaset [192 kbps]

Prypiat - Demo (2011)

This is a submission from a noisy, lo-fi rock band from Lyon, France. A roughly done demo but that compliments their style of fuzzed out rock. I do mean rather dramatically lo-fi in a lovely way. Reminds me of louder version of Bubonic Plague or Pocahaunted. The vocal effects the singer uses is downright creepy at times, which also pleases my ears. It is a real motherfucker of distortion and howling lyrics to put it simply. Overall, quite solid for a demo and I hope to here more from this band as they make it available.

To be had here:
Prypiat - Demo [224 VBR kbps]

Gem Trails - Timeshares (2010)

Timeshares is electronic music riddled with loops and effects throughout to create a trippy feel. The resulting psychedelic soundscape invokes thoughts of sci-fi movies where characters are dressed monochromatically engaged in excessively liberal pastimes of the future. Nonetheless, the Gem Trails seem surprisingly modest compared to many electronic artists. Most of the tracks are instrumental and not terribly complex. Sometimes keeping it relatively simple is the key to making a relaxing yet provoking album. Won over by this lightweight electronic music, I find myself wishing it was the soundtrack to an undiscovered film. Instead I am satisfying myself by imagining futuristic wind chimes that produce sound when light beams strike them. Also this guy is in Woodsman.

To be had here:
Gem Trails - Timeshares

Os Mundi - Latin Mass (1970) & 43 Minuten (1972)

Despite what looks like the name of a band from Portugal, Os Mundi is a German band from Berlin. Found them after I got the German Oak album, but found they weren't very similar. They released two strange, in fact differently strange, albums in the 1970s. Both can be called generally progressive rock but carry in them disparate conceits. Latin Mass is a conversion of a Latin mass from church into a dreamy, meandering sonic adventure. Therefore the lyrics are really just the words of the mass sung over the wild progrock they deftly produced. Rarely, but not unique, as I did read that this was done previous to their go at it. Pretty wild nonetheless. Their second full-length, 43 Minuten, is not a concept album. Instead it is more run-of-the-mill progressive rock album, but I suppose that is a relative term in the world of progrock. 43 Minuten infuses folk and jazz, the latter mostly in horn flourishes scattered all about. In case the linguistic references has you wondering, it is sung in English, but several tracks are instrumental.

To be had here:





Latin Mass [192 bkps]











43 Minuten [192 kbps]

German Oak - German Oak (1972)

German Oak is an album with an odd tale behind it. German Oak was an instrumental krautrock band that went to an air raid shelter in Düsseldorf to record. The band went over like a lead balloon at the time and nearly all of the LPs produced remained unsold and went into a band member's basement for over a decade. Therefore, unlike their contemporaries, such as Faust and Can, they didn't enjoy any success of the initial enthusiasm for krautrock. Despite this lack of support early on the band was discovered and embraced in later decades as genuine krautrock from the period was sought out by fans and collectors. German Oak didn't have lyrics obviously, but I can't help but wonder if the song titles had some part in people not gravitating toward it in the beginning, as the seem to mostly reference Nazi Germany and the Second World War. How offensive it can be in a song without words I question though, but in any case the band didn't rise out of the ashes as a novelty. They are legitimately quite good at making music and really made a fabulously cohesive album. Feels like a precursor to acts like Eternal Tapestry and Voice Of The Seven Thunders as well as a neat to compare to other krautrock bands.

Also I didn't mean to, but I did seem to do this a year after Edo at Know Your Conjurer did. Getting harder to find something he hasn't from the 70s or 60s though, he is good.

To be had here:
German Oak - German Oak [192 kbps]

Random Singles part three

These are submitted singles that have been showing up in my inbox. They're good but not long enough to merit an entire post to themselves, just like parts one and two in this series. Basically, they're short and sweet, so hear it up, dog.

Yall - Gum (2011) [320 kbps]

This band has previously had their release Drink From Between Our Hair posted on the blog. This single is a follow up that demostrates the same chaotic math rock. Rather intense for sure.
Also don't forget to check his other band Wrestling Club.







Kent State - Spahn Ranch EP (2011) [192 kbps]

Lo-fi shoegaze that's catchy and extremely easily relistened to. The artist described it as, "Maybe something like Guided By Voices meets Ride or Swervedriver." Pretty apt and pretty neat. There's also a cool single available on the same page called Challenger B/W 2814. And like always I put an EP in the singles post...







Kyle Haish - Ibercius Fasms (2011)

A very brief set of tracks from a musician that's been shilling his stuff over p2p chat rooms. I can't imagine that gets one very far, but seeing as how I found his noise experiments (for lack of a better name) pretty neat, figured I'd throw it up here. It is abstract and not really melodic at all, but interesting nonetheless.






The Clap - Juvenile Cassingle b-side (2011)

The Clap, the funniest of STD's to talk about, as well as a wild band. This is really just the b-side to a cassette single put out by Pink House Tapes. It is strange though, like it is a great psych-garage track of sorts then it fades what I assume is a cat purring with sparse sounds laid over. Can't claim to have heard that before.

Kiss Kiss Fantastic - The Red/Blue Shift EP (2010)

This was a lucky find on bandcamp the other day. Actually think I got pointed in the direction of this band by last.fm recommended page, which fails me regularly as the damn site can't keep what I've scrobbled and not straight anymore. Regardless often the method of discovery it is really a better EP than I even anticipated. The Red/Blue Shift EP has some very melodious and lovely dream pop left me hankering for more than just six tracks. I'd say its a god bet you might dig this if you were into Candy Claws, Lovesliescrushing, or perhaps even Broadcast. Hopefully there will be more to come from this group.

To be had here:
Kiss Kiss Fantastic - The Red/Blue Shift EP

Bonifrate - Um Futuro Inteiro (2011)

My pal just sent me the link of this yesterday and I was jazzed as all hell to see it. Bonifrate is a Brazilian musician that outside of his solo work is in the outstanding band Supercordas. Admittedly I do vaguely know Bonifrate from years ago downloading music over p2p. However, I am never unbiased on this blog, so it hardly makes a difference if he is an acquaintance. Um Futuro Inteiro is one stellar example of lo-fi psychedelic pop. It is completely in Portuguese but not understanding lyrics has never diminished the enjoyment of an album for me in the past and this remains true when I hear Bonifrate's beautiful vocals. Truly an exceedingly skillfully crafted album that really shows how great stripped down psych-pop can be. I'm raving for a reason, pilgrims, for it is so fine.

To be had here:
Bonifrate - Um Futuro Inteiro [320 kbps]

Kemialliset Ystävät - Ullakkopalo (2010)

Kemialliset Ystävät are the bee's knees. Really I should've been more on top of getting this up sooner to its release, but my shit is done scattered all the time if you haven't noticed. Regardless, I doubt enough of the people that read this thing have followed my advice and grabbed up enough Finnish pscyh/folk/drone music. Seriously, these Finns know the score and Kemialliset Ystävät is the top of the stack, along with Paavoharju naturally. Ullakkopalo is more of the band's amazingly eerie songs that employ electronics and acoustics in equal vigor to create an otherworldly soundscape. While this sounds like a good deal of ambient and post-rock, I do have to same the favor of this and like acts is so much more the sum of the parts. Perhaps what sets Ullakkopalo apart is that it has some degree of video game-ness to the sound. Almost like they took sounds from an unreleased dungeon crawler and twisted it nearly beyond recognition and then plopped nature on it. Some of the very best in avant-garde.

To be had here:
Kemialliset Ystävät - Ullakkopalo [256 VBR kbps]

Guitar Wolf - Dead Rock (2007)

I'm fully aware this came out four years ago, but I really just got into it now. Sometimes I forget how much a genuinely enjoy Guitar Wolf's noisy punk. I posted Jet Generation previously, and the version of "Summertime Blues" on that will forever be an anthem of mine. This was the first album to feature a new bassist as the bass wolf from the earlier albums sadly died before this release was recorded. Therefore it is dedicated to him and it strikes me as a strange, yet potentially very punk, act to call an album dedicated to a deceased friend Dead Rock. Naming choices aside, the album is heavy on the fuzzy bass and pounding drums and cymbals that have long defined the group. While none of the songs in particular stand out, I rarely have felt any Guitar Wolf's tracks do, it is more about the album as a whole being outrageous in its degree of garage punk enthusiasm.

To be had here:
Guitar Wolf - Dead Rock [192 kbps]

Tape - Revelationes (2011)

New album from Tape, just out last month. Tape was one of the very earliest bands I ever posted on Spacerockmountain, and their albums have held up spectacularly since the day I first heard one. Revelationes is not a departure in mood or style so much as a honing of both. Maintains the purely instrumental spacey/ambient electronic post-rock cocktail that endeared me to them to begin with. Perhaps not the best album to hear when working in the garden digging holes and whatnot, put me in a dazed mood. However, after garden work it is performing some wonderful sonic massages on my brain. In summation, an album that shows Tape is still on the top of their game and maybe only improving.

To be had here:
Tape - Revelationes [320 kbps]

EP Grab Bag

These are a more or less randomly selected group of EPs that I don't feel merit posts of their own but I either meant to post or have been considering how to for a bit. They're all good and I think all the artists have been posted or something else they were connected with was.

The Traditional Fools - I Got A Baby (2007) [256 kbps]

An EP that one of Ty Segall's bands before he focused more on solo work. I already posted up their full-length and a live album by the band. Exetremely lo-fi garage punk that Segall is beloved for.







Moe Tucker - Moejadkatebarry (1987) [224 VBR kbps]

An EP from Maureen Tucker's post-Velvet Underground solo career. The title is a portmanteau of first names of the first names of the four main musicians featured: Moe Tucker, Jad Fair, Kate Messer, and Barry Stock. Jad's brother David plays harmonica on a track as well. Mostly Velvet Underground songs that are reworked along a Jimmy Reed cover and an original song.





Vince Mole And His Calcium Orchestra - Spend The Future In 1994 7" (1998) [128 kbps]

This is a project of Chris Parfitt who was a founding member of the Apples in Stereo and therefore of the Elephant 6 label/collective. Also members of Kingsauce, a lovely indie pop band in their own right, belong to the band. Sorry for the shitty bit rate.




Woven Bones - The Minus Touch EP (2009) [320 kbps]

Woven Bones is a garage rock act I've consider many times to post up but I kept getting sidetracked somehow. Anyway, should I make a more lengthy post I likely wouldn't include this EP just for the sake of making myself less work, but a grab bag is a good place for it certainly. Heavy on the reverb and gruff with the vocals it is some quality shit.

Party Fowl - Party Fowl CS (2006), Party Fowl 7'' (2008), & STD's 7" (2008)

Party Fowl is another relatively short-lived band that involved Ty Segall (The Traditonal Fools, Epsilons) on drums and Mikal Cronin (Moonhearts) on bass. While I might not be the best completist when it comes to discographies, I do try sometimes. Therefore I felt Party Fowl merited a post of their own like all the other bands of theirs I rave about. Party Fowl is really, really lo-fi, to the point I haven't a qualm saying no-fi. This isn't helped by the fact that I could only find it in 128 kbps. The self-titled cassette's fidelity is so minimal that it is next to impossible to even understand a word on it, but who needs words, right? The mildly more clear self-titled 7" and STD's 7" sound something like the Charlie & the Moonhearts because of the surf influence that can be heard. An interesting addition to a Segall fan's library for sure.

To be had here:





Party Fowl CS [128 kbps]















Party Fowl 7" [320 VBR kbps]












STD's 7" [320 VBR kbps]

Mento Madness: Motta's Jamaican Mento 1951-56 (2004) & Jamaica-Mento 1951-1958 (2010)

I was at the ballgame the other day and on the jumbotron, or whatever they call it, they'd display huge letters spelling out "Day" and "Oh" alternately. Now as everyone that remember the film Beetlejuice, which I do as much as I wish I could forget it, this is from the "The Banana Boat Song" made famous in America by Harry Belafonte's version. Now this song is commonly mistaken as Calypso music, but Calypso originated in Trinidad whereas "Day-O" is a Jamaican dockworker chant. Technically, the song began as Mento, the Jamaican folk music that preceded and influenced the later musical styles of reggae and ska. Now, I won't profess to be an expert on how it composed, but there is a really good overview of the tradition on another blog that specializes in "Latin" music (though Jamaican is a anglophone nation they did a fine job anyhow). To say it overly briefly, it rhythmic folk that heavily features bamboo-fashioned wind instruments, banjo, and rumba boxes. Makes me wish I could be an ethnomusicologist whenever I find traditions like this squirreled away around the world. Couldn't pick which compilation to post up so I decide to share two. There is Mento Madness: Motta's Jamaican Mento 1951-56 featuring 18 tracks of well-selected Mento, and Jamaica-Mento 1951-1958 that holds twice as many more songs. Hopefully you'll appreciate these charming tunes in these sunny days summer should bring.

To be had here:





Mento Madness: Motta's Jamaican Mento 1951-56 [320 kbps]









Jamaica-Mento 1951-1958 [128 VBR kbps]

Little Brothers - Nostalgia Trip 2011 (2011)

Forgive my laxness on posting, I've hardly even been anywhere I can call home since arriving back in Michigan. I'm getting the shuffle as I am trying to figure out how I am gonna feed myself. Anyhow, while I was gone this band, Little Brothers, sent to the link to their tiny album. Thus, I am making an effort to clear my docket and so I gave this a good whirl today. Rather pleased I did as it goes. The album begins like some cheerful and moderately complex indie pop that reminds me of the Sunset Rubdown, yet as it goes it the group demonstrates they're no carbon copy. Both with quick and slow numbers the soulfully sung and well arranged sounds make for a suitably fine indie pop/rock release. Nice to have something so pleasant in this godforsaken heat that is beating Detroit like a baby seal. So thanks to this Louisville three piece for this jigger.

To be had here:
Little Brothers - Nostalgia Trip 2011