Royal Pendletons - Oh Yeah, Baby (1998)

The Royal Pendletons are one of many bands that garage rock musician King Louie Bankston has been involved with. In fact he was a founder of the Royal Pendletons in 1991, who went on to put out a 7" on Goner Records and then this full-length on influential Sympathy for the Record Industry. I highlight King Louie Bankston has he's still out there making music with numerous bands over the years, including the Persuaders, the Exploding Hearts, King Louie's Missing Monuments, which I admittedly know little about. Hopefully I'll fix that soon enough. However, I've had Oh Yeah, Baby for years and periodically go back to listen to it. Each time I am happily reminded how stripped-down and upbeat this group was. There are instrumental tracks along with ones that prominently feature rather comical lyrics, but all of them are heavy on the organ and guitar. If the album art wasn't an indication enough tell you, it all possesses a large nostalgic element. Throws back to popular 60s garage rock and surf but maintains a healthy degree of modern saltiness and punk. A rather enjoyable album for garage fans who like things like the Compulsive Gamblers, Thee Oh Sees, or anything Billy Childish touched.

To be had here:
Royal Pendletons - Oh Yeah, Baby [160 VBR kbps]

EP Grab Bag vol. 11

Here a few things I found in my inbox along with an extremely wild EP I dug out of my hard drive. Sorry if your submitted material is taking time to appear on the blog, I've been sick lately and now they've got me on some strong painkillers that are knocking me out. Hopefully I get to most all of it soon.

To be had here:

Gills - GILLS IS DEAD (2011)

This is a band that makes what I'd call instrumental math rock or post-hardcore. It is mostly certainly best heard loudly, for the quality of recording doesn't do any favors for mellow listening. Can get awfully close to instrumental metal with the guitar parts, not that there's anything wrong in that. These guys know how to makes exciting and intense rock, perhaps just needing definition.





Sonic Youth & Yamatsuka Eye - TV Shit (1993)

Though this has been around for some time, it is still as avant-garde as shit gets. Boredoms' flamboyantly outrageous vocalist Yamatsuka Eye teamed up with the Sonic Youth to make what is perhaps one of the loudest, most distorted and nonsensical noise rock EPs ever here.







Pale Suns - Dead to Me EP (2011)

This was sent in without any background info, but I think they're of Midwestern origins. Droney/ambient shoegaze that has a gloomy mood. Subtle but effective. Their previous EP from earlier in the year, Here Is, can be gotten too.







DIMENSIONS - Medusa (2011)

This is a strange electronic project that I believe is from Brooklyn. Has tones and vague rhythms building up into oddly futuristic soundscapes. It would make a fine fit for scenes in a sci-fi film. The longer one sticks with listening to it the more mesmerizing it becomes.

The Northwest Ordinance - Walk Through Fire (2011)

This is a submitted album from Dayton, Ohio. I once spent one of the most boring weeks of my life in Dayton staying with an aunt as a teenager. It might've been better should I have had access to some garage rock as these fellas are offering up. It is broken down sort of garage rock, with vocals taking a rather prominent role, but musically reminds me of a band that could sound like The Flaming Sideburns or Reigning Sound. At risk of this become an all too common suggestion on the blog, I'll say this album is best heard on high volume. You'll hear all the wild and fun rock all that much more clearer with the distortion buzzing and cymbals ringing in your ears. Pretty good act that as the potential to make some great bluesy garage punk albums. Their previous albums are also available on their bandcamp page, just follow the links on the side.

To be had here:
The Northwest Ordinance - Walk Through Fire

Love Inks - E.S.P. (2011)

Maybe I should be ashamed that I haven't caught onto this shit sooner, but I am living in what amounts to a glorified prison cell in Detroit, so I must ask your pardon.I just Love Inks when the same day I downloaded Seapony, but it took me a minute or two longer to hear thoroughly. The holiday and shifting between the houses of family members, in addition a very annoying cold, has blocked me from being able to post it up to today. Nonetheless, it is a solid album of sleek indie pop featuring a most amazing female vocalist. If you're a fan of the Dum Dum Girls, Best Coast or the aforementioned Seapony. It is on the chiller side, of course, but this is a fine thing when done this well.

To be had here:
Love Inks - E.S.P. [224 VBR kbps]

Albino Father - Chrimbus (2011)

A Christmas themed psychedelic/garage rock EP from Albino Father. Felt it might be best to get this out before the holiday rather that other years where I posted Christmas shit on the day of. This band released an album earlier in the year, AGE, which had several varieties of lo-fi rock incorporated. This hold true for Chrimbus, with the addition of comical seasonal lyrics and song titles. If more holiday music was able to use fuzzy guitars like this then I might be inclined to enjoy Christmastime somewhat more. Lord knows that lame Beatles song I have to hear everywhere doesn't do the trick. Oh, do check out that bizarre Star Wars Christmas album I posted two years back, for some reason I was angry when I wrote it.

To be had here:
Albino Father - Chrimbus

Crystal Stilts - Radiant Door EP (2011)

A new EP by Crystal Stilts is always welcome news. I play these cats at the coffeehouse all the damned time. Not so much as they seem to think it is wonderful news to cut my hours and then place us all on furlough for a week to boot. Merry Christmas to me, eh? However justified my ranting may be, it is unrelated to the Radiant Door EP. It was a pretty quickly put out after the release of In Love With Oblivion earlier this year. Two of the five songs are covers, namely Blue Orchids' "Low Profile" and Lee Hazlewood's "Still as the Night." Both covers and originals have the same lo-fi, mildy droning sound that Crystal Stilts are masters of. The opening track "Dark Eyes" does have some real neat organ and handclaps that cheered me somewhat up from the funk my employer has placed me in. Yet my favorite must be the EP ending, the Velvet Underground-esque "Frost Inside the Asylums."

To be had here:
Crystal Stilts - Radiant Door [224 VBR kbps]

Los Saicos - ¡Demolición!: The Complete Recordings (2010)

This is a compilation of the singles done by Los Saicos in the 1960s. Coming out of Peru, Los Saicos were on the cutting edge of the garage rock sound of the age, which is all the more remarkable as I read they were aware of the louder, surf-inspired bands of North America or Europe. Rather they likely began with the same raw materials as their counterparts (British Invasion and surf music) and quickly began making wildly lo-fi rock. The songs are written in Spanish, but I am sure they're not easily understood by anyone because of the intensity of the reverb and lo-fi recording techniques. Moreover, the tracks are originals unlike some other non-English garage rockers of the time, such as Les Napoleons. I was blown away at how amazing these guys sound, and you'd hardly be able to place them as a 60s band if you compare them to modern garage rock. Their guitars are awesome and they've got organ on here that really wails. I wish I'd heard of these cats sooner.

To be had here:
Los Saicos - ¡Demolición!: The Complete Recordings [192 kbps]

Les Sexareenos - 14 Frenzied Shakers (2001)

It was only a matter of time until I got to throwing up Les Sexareenos. This was Mark Sultan's band after the Spaceshits but before his solo albums under the moniker BBQ and rejoining his former bandmate in the King Khan & BBQ Show. As one might suspect, Les Sexareenos does sound like a chain in the evolution of that sound. Toward a more rockabilly, bluesy garage rock that became stronger in later projects and the heavily punk style of the Spaceshits. This is the second of two albums, but the one I'm more familiar with. It is naturally enough loud and distorted, to such a degree that the lyrics are muddled and drums like droning beats throughout. Mark Sultan, even when incomprehensible, is one of my favorite singers. My bread and butter sort of rock and roll.

To be had here:
Les Sexareenos - 14 Frenzied Shakers [192 kbps]

Seapony - Go With Me (2011)

Finally got my shit together for a minute and looked into what had come out lately that I hadn't the good fortune to have been sent. So even thought this came out in the spring, I just got it this week. Seapony is a band I very quickly came across, and that could be a sign that they're pretty popular already. I'm posting anyway as I did find their debut album, Go With Me, quite charming. Anyone who reads the blog knows how much a love fuzz in any kind of music. Seapony's fuzzed out pop sounds like somewhere between the noise pop of Best Coast or Beach Fossils and the sweet indie pop like one might heard commonly out of Nordic countries. Perhaps some of you are a slow as I've been and might wanna grab this.

To be had here:
Seapony - Go With Me [320 kbps]

Lou Reed - The Blue Mask (1982)

I love Lou Reed. He belongs small group of people that I consider to be everlastingly cool (allowing for the wreck he recently did with Metallica, no one is free of follies). Lou Reed does something for me that very few artists achieve, I hang on every messed-up, strangely-sung lyric. Sometimes Reed is quite straightforward, but many of the tracks on The Blue Mask are odd as shit. To think this is the album he made after sobering up from drugs and alcohol. Even if I can't figure out why he's singing what he does, it is mighty captivating. Hope some of you like Reed as much as I do, because I've been listening to a different albums of his each morning as I walk to work, and I doubt I am gonna stop posting them now.

To be had here:
Lou Reed - The Blue Mask [320 kbps]

East-Ra - Cold Summer (2008), Sutra (2009), & Substitute 3 (2011)

These guys dropped a psychedelic bomb on me last week. Three albums of lo-fi psych-rock for writing up at once is a doozey, and normally might've taken longer for me to post it up if it wasn't that I enjoyed the albums so much I've had no problem listening to them repeatedly. East-Ra are from Croatia, but if you heard their first album, Cold Summer, you could easy be made to believe they're a British psychedelic act that rose and fell in the late 60s. Even reminds me of Detroit's late 60s psych band, The Index. Absolutely mesmerizing and a wonderful representation of what psychedelia can produce. The second, Sutra, has a large difference insomuch that it's sung in their local dialect, which they told me is unique to their town. Also has some recognizable krautrock influences. Finally, there is Substitute 3 sounding more experimental. The exotic instruments and echoing chants caused me to think of the Finnish avant-garde music I love so much. Got hooked with the first track, "Amanita," and though the rest isn't as avant-garde it kept my interest steadfastly. All their albums are free on their label's blog, OSA Media, and I've linked to the albums directly below.

To be had here:




Cold Summer













Sutra











Substitute 3

EP Grab Bag vol. 10

This is a real hodgepodge of submitted EPs. None of them the usual lo-fi rock I post, but all worth a try if my description intrigues you.

To be had here:

Smilelove - Live @ Gok Sound (2010)

Japanese twee pop, you know the sort that is as near to cloying as you'd like. It's been a bit since I've gotten any music like this, but some sugary and happy pop sounds are nice treats. This is a live EP from last year. They did write me about their new single, Njajaja, but as this is the free download I'll send you here and let you jump over to the single as you'd like.




Shy Girls - Sex in the City (2011)

This is not the usual fare on the blog either, in fact the only thing I can think of that is close to Shy Girls is the Federer EP I posted back in Grab Bag Vol. 6. They called the music "smooth jamz" and confessed to boy band inspirations. I can't help but think there is a huge level of irony all mixed up with genuine enthusiasm. Strangely alluring, must be why all the kids go nuts for this sorta thing every few years.



Glish - Blast Off (2011)

An alternatively dreamy and poppy shoegaze band out of New Orleans. Features a member of High In One Eye, who I posted up on a previous Grab Bag. Sounds well-produced and has some real fine vocals. A very solid debut EP and should bode well for an album if they release one.





Cutthroat Convention - Peeling the Sea (2011)

Sumbitted by the DYI label Doubledgescissor >8<, this is a rather absurd noise rock EP. I guess most all noise rock would be absurd though. Sampling, hollering, wild instrumentation with horns, electronics and percussion. I'm linking to the label site where it can be downloaded for free by follow the link to "downloads" at the bottom, obviously enough. It can be streamed at bandcamp too though.



Lovers and Reflections - Lovers and Reflections (2011)

As this is only two tracks I might've put this with the singles, but the length of an EP is arbitrary when you're writing your own blog. This is a duo that makes new wave/dream pop in Chicago. One of the pair, Chris Moore, apparently has a good record as producer. Not a free download, but streamable of course.

Demolition Doll Rods - There Is A Difference (2006)

The Demolition Doll Rods are a Detroit garage rock band I've wanted to post up for a long time now. However, like many of these Midwestern garage rock albums that I collected when I was a teenager, most of my albums by this group are lower bit rate than I'd like for sharing. There Is A Difference is the exception, so that's why I picked this album in particular. First, some background on the Demolition Doll Rods, they are main group that Dan Kroha has played with after the Gories, in which is was a guitarist and singer along with Mick Collins. Teaming up with two other musicians, they formed the Demolition Doll Rods and made up a backstory for the group with neat little nicknames. I generally ignore all the jazz save for the music itself, which is some real trashy, lo-fi rock. There Is A Difference is the last album they've released, but I have heard of them playing shows since so I do believe they're still active. Regardless, it's a good idea for anyone that's a fan of the previous Detroit garage I've posted or trashy rock like Pussy Galore to check out.

To be had here:
Demolition Doll Rods - There Is A Difference [192 kbps]

Doop and the Inside Outlaws - What Am I Supposed Do? (2011)

A new release from this alternative country/roots rock group from Detroit. Again I'll admit I mightn't have gotten turned on to these guys if it wasn't from me having made the acquaintance of a member of the band. However I heard of them, I'm rather happy I know of them now. Luckily in my life I don't have to hear much popular country music, which serves me in not being sour toward country music altogether. So I'll also confess that if any of the popular stuff is half as sincere regarding heartbreak, regrets, and drinking away sorrows as Doop and the Inside Outlaws then I can understand how it is so dominant. This is especially well expressed in the song "Sittin Here" which I immediately liked. Also, there's a rather fine rock song, the aptly titled "You Gotta Rock 'n' Roll Sometimes." Good remorseful music, which can be streamed on bandcamp or bought for $10. Can't get down on Detroiters trying to make a buck too much.

To be had here:
Doop and the Inside Outlaws - What Am I Supposed Do?

MaoTzu - Doodles (2011)

This album is about a pleasant as any I've ever received. MaoTzu is the solo work of member of Forestcousin, whose demo single I posted a little while ago. This is a different sort of music though, one that incorporates nostalgic elements, washed out vocals, and pop-music hooks. Borrows from 8-bit, twee pop and experimental styles nearly equally. The result is that sort of an attractive blend that praised Nate Henricks and Pill Wonder for. MaoTzu is another artist that works in those lo-fi genres I so very fondly enjoy, certainly bearing influence from 90s psych-pop, and does so in a unique style. Perhaps what makes this album stand out is the great difference in the mood expressed on the various tracks, from dreamy and mild to loud and frenzied. There's a drum solo on "Red, Dead, Duck, Goose!" that's the bee's knees. The next track "Life Is Food" is one of my most oddly catchy songs I've heard in some time. I could go on, but instead I'll say that MaoTzu has really charmed me thoroughly with Doodles.

To be had here:
MaoTzu - Doodles

Michael Beach - Mountain + Valley (2011)

It is one hell of a wet and blustery day in Detroit. Therefore I've given up on trying to make it home straight away, I've even left my bike in the back room at work as it's of little use in heavy winds. Brilliant reason just to duck into a place with wifi and post this submitted album I didn't get a chance to write-up before. Michael Beach's label, Twin Lakes Records, likes to send me many albums, and I don't always give them enough due. Mountain + Valley is sort of eclitic album with tracks that remind me of somber country of Mayday and others that are far closer to guitar-driven post-punk. Neatly enough he doesn't sing differently, and this really called to my attention the changes in the music. I like the album enough that I'll probably go through the trouble to hunt down his previous release, and those of his band Electric Jellyfish. This isn't a free download, though streamable in the entirety, and I won't ruffle their feathers by passing it out blatantly here.

To be had here:
Michael Beach - Mountain + Valley

Random Singles part six

Here are some of the singles I've been meaning to post, mostly following up with artists I've previously posted.

To be had here:

Go Cozy - Silver Lining (2011)

The newest couple of songs from Go Cozy. After the two wonderful tracks they released back in August's Glimmer single, I've been looking forward to hearing more from this band. Excellent lo-fi shoegaze/dream pop.






Kitchen Wallet - Triparte (2011)

Experimental noise/math/whatever. It jumps around and attacks the ears in a real exciting fashion. Sometimes it reminds be of warped video game music but differently than chiptune. I posted this fella's music before, specifically Ibercius Fasms, under the name Kyle Haish.





Psychic Blood - Strain 7" (2011) [192 bkps]

This is a digital 7" I was sent without terribly much info. I can say it is loud, distorted punk rock. Tons of energy and pretty psychedelic guitar. A solid 7" in my opinion.







Bad Indians - The Path Home 7" (2011)

This isn't a free one, but it is rather local to me and is exactly the sort of music I love about southeast Michigan. Ypsilanti's Bad Indians are garage rockers who can serve as successors to groups like the Hentchmen, the Go, or the Gories. I posted about their 2010 album, Don't Hang That (On Me), which is free digitally.

King Khan & the Shrines - Mr. Supernatural (2004)

King Khan is coming to Detroit, well, technically his Indian themed duo with Bloodshot Bill, the Tandoori Knights are. However, I've posted the only album by that outfit so I have resorted to an album I've been playing at the coffee shop lately, Mr. Supernatural. With was an earlier phase of King Khan's ever-changing styles of lo-fi rock. This album nearly straight-up funk. Soulful singing, horns galore, and jangling guitars make for a funky sound that can easily summon memories of James Brown. Super exciting and wildly busy with instrumentation it is a great album for getting worked up. Sadly this digital version still has that horrible, disdainful hangover from the era of compact discs where there's a long blank spot to "conceal" an obvious "hidden track." Excepting that technologically outdated feature, it is a wonderful listen and grab up the later album, What Is?! if you haven't got it already.

To be had here:
King Khan & the Shrines - Mr. Supernatural [192 VBR kbps]

EP Grab Bag vol. 9

Trying to keep on top of things. Damned cold makes me less eager to get to the library. Along with listening to the back catalog of Thrilling Adventure Hour podcasts eating into my leisure time. However, I have got a chance to hear these mostly sumbitted EPs, so a new grab bag is born.

To be had here:

Bonnet People - Demo(n) (2011)

The is a debut EP by Floridian band, specifically Fort Lauderdale. Jazzy, psychedelic, rock experimentation may be a good way to put it. Despite the large degree of dissonance to be heard on in these tracks, I really liked to listen to this while I worked away at reading a novel. Possesses a kind of lovely sedative effect. The sort that allows one to relax and enjoy noises or written words in my case at least.



The Heatheners - Slow Lineage EP (2011)

Out of Portland, The Heatheners are making some dreamy pop music that has a dark, romantic tone. Just a bit gothic, they've got it tagged darkwave, but I'm not to familiar with what that term means. I do know that I found it pleasant (as much as gloom should be) and well-produced. Moreover, they actually released two EPs this month, so check out the Nocturnes EP as well.




Spectrals - A Spectrals Extended Play (2010) [224 VBR kbps]

This one I uploaded myself, but I will admit I found it on another blog months ago, forgotten which exactly. Basically, a one-man band from England with noise pop/garage tendencies. Somewhat employees wall of sound, but really just the guitar is what I liked, especially the jingle that serves for the final track.





Narrow Sparrow - Snythworks (2011)

Hailing from Chicago, Narrow Sparrow sent me this EP because my posting Elephant 6 albums, namely my recent Apples in Stereo post. Therefore, I might not be off base in saying this band sounds like they're quite directly influenced by E6-style psychpop. They're otherworldly sweet and heavy on the snyth (if the title didn't give that away). Plus vocal effects out the wazoo. Happy to have had this send me way.

Trauma Harness - Trauma Demolitional (2011)

This is a post-punk/noise rock band from Belleville, Illinois. Fortunately I recently posted up Le Shok, which I think can serve as a good reference point for Trauma Harness's sound. Very lo-fi, hollering vocals, fast and fuzzed guitars, you know, the good stuff. It is very exciting and has the affect of getting me rather pumped up. By experience I'll say it's good music for riding a bike in the cold. The sort of rock that'll fill your head and push out all those annoyances of the body, such as hangovers or chilling winds. I will warn it is odd to listen to it on headphones when you're in a bar filled with children playing chess (Detroit, I don't understand you). Regardless, if you like loud and fast punk give Trauma Harness a go, it'll be over before you realize and you'll be going back for seconds.

To be had here:
Trauma Harness - Trauma Demolitional

Tearjerker - Rare (2011)

Tearjerker has released a new full-length album that they were kind enough to give me a heads up on. I continually play Strangers at work, both the remade version and original. Obviously I was jazzed as could be at the release of even more music from these Canadian wizards. Didn't even wait to go home to hear it, streamed it write from the workplace computer to the soundsystem in the cafe. Just as lovely and dreamy as the previous work and does so without being too similar. Lo-fi soundscapes, light use of sample for mood, hyponotic singing all with easily recognizable fine musicianship. Top notch sums it up well. If I can pedal my bike in cold winds and some of the season's first snowfall, you should at least have the decency to give this a listen.

To be had here:
Tearjerker - Rare

Apples in Stereo - Fun Trick Noisemaker (1995)

I've posted many Elephant 6 bands on the blog, and it shouldn't be any news that I remain an unabashed fan of nearly every project connected to the collective. The real question is how the blog went this long without my posting this founding band. The force behind Apples in Stereo, Robert Schneider was a fulcrum upon which much of the begins of the collective were balanced along with the label that at one time existed. He grew up on Ruston, Louisiana along with many other E6 musicians I've posted, like Jeff Mangum, Bill Doss, and William Cullen Hart. Beyond this group he was involved in producing Olivia Tremor Control and Neutral Milk Hotel albums. As for Fun Trick Noisemaker in particular, it was the full-length debut of Schneider's band and can still be considered one of the best albums to ever come out of the whole mess of E6. Incredibly lighthearted and charming, every song on this album is fantastic psych-pop gems. If my arm was twisted I'd say "Glowworm" and "Green Machine" are likely my very favorites, but any time I've gotten a chance to sit down and heard the whole album it's been a treat.

To be had here:
Apples in Stereo - Fun Trick Noisemaker [160 kbps]

Nate Henricks - Horse Carrot//Lemonade Guarantee (2011)

A submitted album from Denver. Nate Henricks has made some bizarre psychedelic pop music. It really has that charming bedroom pop vibe, a mixture of acoustic guitar, garageband effects, sampling and sweet-sounding vocals. The album reminds me of Pill Wonder, Leafes and Lou Breed, which is a backward way of saying it has Elephant 6 psychpop features as well. While I can listen to many types of music for days of end, really only lo-fi garage rock and this kind of strange pop have the ability to cheer me up in any real way. The simplistic nature but fullness of sound are held in common between them and I bet is what I fancy. Nate Henricks has made a release that I'll surely be adding to my rotation of music to hear on otherwise boring days to improve my mood. What more could one ask for from musicians?

To be had here:
Nate Henricks - Horse Carrot//Lemonade Guarantee

Kemialliset Ystävät - Kellari Juniversumi (2002)

Constant sleepiness has been a fixture of my life lately, and I'll be damned if I've even stopped to wonder why. What I can report is that now I don't wish to resist the drowsiness. Been throwing on some strange sounds and letting myself move in and out of consciousness. In the mood I listened to nearly my entire collection of Kemialliset Ystävät. Dulled awareness doesn't diminish the unworldy beauty of Finnish avant-garde electronic-folk. Kellari Juniversumi was the album playing when I had my longest bout of alertness, so the selection thereof was easy enough. However, the randomness in picking to share this now shouldn't be confused for a lackluster endorsement, for this album is a spectacular release by the band I consider the paramount example of a unique style from Finland. Be sure to grab 2008's Harmaa Laguuni and 2010's Ullakkopalo, which I've posted up already. This won't be the last from these guys though as I've got more albums by them just waiting for the right time to be thrown up here.

To be had here:
Kemialliset Ystävät - Kellari Juniversumi [192 kbps]

Car Seat Headrest - Twin Fantasy (2011)

My computer is trying to make writing this blog as tricky as it can, for now iTunes is taking epically long just to import the songs people are sending me. Oh well, when I eventually got Car Seat Headrest off bandcamp and into the library I gave it a go while I read Darkness at Noon and drink some tasty beers. Such a splendid experience was this that I played the again over again kept on reading. Twin Fantasy at first held some unknown nostalgic influence over me until I was able figure that Car Seat Headrest has a certain similarity to the Strokes, largely the first two albums. I don't say this to diminish the quality of the album, but to point out perhaps the best comparison in sound I can muster. It should be said that these guys aren't nearly as subdued as Julian Casablancas murmuring vocals often make the Strokes feel, in fact they've got all manner of shouting, crooning, and even something close to spoken word. Moreover, two tracks are over ten minutes long and don't hardly let up for a moment in their lo-fi rock. All in all, highly enjoyable and well-made if hang-ups aren't allowed to hamper oneself.

To be had here:
Car Seat Headrest - Twin Fantasy

Forest Porridge - Thunder Bunder (2008)

This album appears to have been out for a bit, yet I was just sent it. Apparently it was released a few years back and I'm just becoming aware of it. The musician is a friend of mine, so I won't lie and say I have predisposition to have a favorable view toward the album. Therefore you'll just have to trust me when I tell you that this is as good or better than most art-folk album I've been sent. The songs are lo-fi, not flashy but charmingly composed. Lyrically witty and at times instrumentally bizarre, Thunder Bunder makes for an exciting listen throughout. So give my buddy a go and I bet you'll be satisfied.

To be had here:
Forest Porridge - Thunder Bunder

How Scandinavian - Dolorous (2011)

Sorry for the break in posting, I was in Toronto for a bit, mostly trying to see how their beer measured up to Michigan's. They're not close to being as good. This album was sent in by a fella that says he enjoys my posts "to various degrees." However, that ambiguity won't be held against his music. How Scandinavian is a moniker for California's Bryan Santizo. He's producing sorta melancholy-toned post-punk/slowcore tunes. I think it might be the first album posted that could even be called slowcore. This is odd as I have good examples of and do enjoy the genre. Nonetheless, these songs are well done and emotionally provoking without being cloying, overly sappy or depressing. As one might describe it is a well balanced representative of the style. Finally, he tagged it mid-fi, which made me smile with the possibilities of such a term.

To be had here:
How Scandinavian - Dolorous

The Greenhornes - Gun For You (1999)

After posting Holly Golightly I in turn found myself wanting to post other artists I've always enjoyed in garage rock but haven't posted as of yet. The Greenhornes were the most evident, largely because I've found it is one of the few albums that doesn't drive me insane to hear at the shitty single speaker that is all that works at my job's sound system. The Greenhornes are from Cleveland but two of them have managed to get themselves mixed up in that mess that Jack White and Brendan Benson have unfortunately unleashed on us all. Regardless, I really like the Greenhornes, and especially this album's heavy use of organ. Along with the Hentchmen, the White Stripes, the Dirtbombs, and the Compulsive Gamblers this band was one of my entries into the fantastic world of lo-fi rock and roll. Golightly did do a song with them, but not on this release, so I with more than likely be throwing up more of these guys.

To be had here:
The Greenhornes - Gun For You [192 kbps]

ScotDrakula - CRACKSTRENGTH (2011)

A garage rock submission, think from Australia if their tag is to be thought creditable, which caught my eye with the really spiffy album art and the wild title. However, things pretty to the eye don't keep me listening, the quality of the music does as you'd imagine. The songs are fine examples of garage rock that's intense, quick yet oddly sedated and soulful at the same time. Seems like there's some country-esque twang to be found in here as well. The contrast makes the album wonderfully quick to get into and easily reheard. I through it on my iPod soon as I got a listen. The sediments I expressed about the Revelators could just as aptly describe how I feel about ScotDrakula, just the sort of lo-fi garage I crave.

To be had here:
ScotDrakula - CRACKSTRENGTH

Astro Al - The Purple Mushroon (2011) & The Neighbor's Giraffe & Other Children's Songs For Psychedelic Adults (2011)

I meant to post this up yesterday, as it seemed rather appropriate for Halloween. Astro Al is a psychedelic band that's quite outlandish. They've got spoken word stories that are rather creepy over suitably unnerving backgrounds, nostalgia-inducing reinterpretations of children's music, and some of the most absurd and strange instrumentation I've yet have sent to me. Mood shifts from silly all the way to haunting on these albums. The songs are really enjoyable, though you need be prepared for an unusually bizarre listen. I really liked "Big Rock Candy Mountains" in particular. Finally, these guys did me a solid and sent to physical copies of the CDs listen to, and though I am passing them out here they're selling the albums on their website. Think you need pay pal for that.

To be had here:



The Purple Mushroom [320 kbps]












The Neighbor's Giraffe & Other Children's Songs For Psychedelic Adults [320 kbps]

Random Singles part five

There's been a back up of singles, but when isn't there a back up of anything. So here are the one's I've been sitting on and didn't lose in the messiness of my email inbox.

To be had here:

Greg Cee - White Moon Digital Single (2010)

Loud, distorted guitar and howling, nearly abrasive vocals out of New Jersey. Basically, my bread and butter as far as rock music goes. It has that wonderful combination of garage rock, psychedelic and punk. Reminds me of Useless Eaters, the Flaming Sideburns and the Traditional Fools.





Forestcousin - Demo (2011)

Never mind that this is a demo, it is a really brilliant couple of tracks. The first song, "Crops," begins like rather solid single along the lines of the last decade's psychedelic pop, does push beyond. The sweet singing transforms into shouting in an interesting twist, yet somehow never loses a sort of upbeat-ness that shouldn't be dismissed. The second song expands this contrast to a fine climax.




Álfheimr - Predatory Nature (2011)

It's been a minute since I've put on post-rock on the blog, and I don't get a terribly large amount of it sent in. Yet I am glad Álfheimr did so. It's really remarkable how post-rock allows my mind to wander to huge aspects of the world such as oceans and seasons. The title Predatory Nature is spot on for the epic and naturalistic qualities of this sort of music.




Zorch - Cosmic Gloss / E.M.F. (2011)

Zorch is from Austin, TX and described themselves as noise pop, but I'd more easily think of them as electronic psychedelic. Regardless of the tag you wanna place on them, they've got a couple of really exciting songs that between them both are over 17 minutes of trippy, evolving, joyous music.