EP Grab Bag vol. 6

Time for the EPs. I've been playing these largely at work because of the speaker crisis my life is experiencing, and admittedly the speakers at my job are wretched. I've made the effort to listen to each of them in my headphones outside of work at least once and will say I stand by what I write here.


Abchaum - Collision EP

Seems like I might try to post a batch of 'squeals' because I get so many repeated submissions from artists. That's hardly a complaint though, I'm always happy to get more of a good thing. Abchaum here has released this EP hot on the heels of his LP. If you liked the album then this is an exciting bonus of more wild snyth-pop. Can't wait to play this for my boss, he digs this sorta music.





Kent State - Walk Through Walls

Another band that has been previously featured on this blog, it is a good thing to see the return of Kent State. The neatly named Walk Through Walls is fresh bundle of lo-fi psychedelic rock songs. Features a cover of Guided by Voices to boot. Streamable and downloadable by track or entire EP on their blog.





Federer - Easy Breezin'

Perhaps one of the least expected of all types of music I thought I might get submitted. Federer makes some lo-fi "easy listening" as they've termed it. It sounds like what I'd imagine hearing in a club 30 years ago in a best-of-all-worlds scenario. For real, when I first heard it I got that same feel I have when I rediscover some strange dance songs in my parents' collection of 7" singles. So hit up their site for links to soundcloud streaming as well as a site to buy the cassette copy of some really sensational music.









Certain Death to Salamanders - Certain Death to Salamanders EP [320 kbps]

This is another project involving Travis Franklin, a Texan chap that sent in Wrestling Club and YALL. However, this shit is not the same as those, as it is really really heavy metal. Super fast guitars and loud as all hell. Oh, and the screams, they're there in spades. Not my usual fare, but I listened through and was happy I had.

Astrud Gilberto & Walter Wanderley - A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness (1966)

Brazil is home to some wonderful music and perhaps the most famed is bossa nova. Astrud Gilberto was there for the height of the original craze for the genre, and in a spot to capitalize upon it because of her famously talented husband, João Gilberto. Once you hear her there can be little question as to why she was a vanguard of bossa nova. Her voice is sweet and sings in both English and Portuguese on this album. Perhaps what makes the album interesting in light of other bossa nova or even the French pop that was popular at the same time is the contributions of Walter Wanderley. As an organist, Wanderley is responsible for setting the musical mood, and it is a joyful one. The combination of the two artists' talents creates an epitome of what 60s pop should be in my opinion. Some of the songs might sound familiar to even those who haven't ever heard of Astrud Gilberto or listen to any Brazilian music, such as "Call Me" and "So Nice (Summer Samba)" as I swear I've heard them in movie soundtracks. Anyhow, this is a good album if you have an ear for easy-listening. I mean, damn it man, "Tristeza" is some fine music!

To be had here (might need slight tag fixes):
Astrud Gilberto & Walter Wanderley - A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness [192 kbps]