The Four - LOFI (2014)

I've become envious of Amazing Larry's method of finding music to write-up, which is sometimes as simple as trolling around on bandcamp and following the rabbit-holes of odd tags. While I strongly encourage submissions, although some fall through the cracks and others aren't tickling our fancy, and I'd like to say the majority of them get written up sooner or later. Still, there's something to finding a thing and not waiting for it to come your way every now and then, and isn't that why you're reading an obscure music blog full of independent musicians? At least some of you should like something I dig up, I'd hope.

Preamble out of the way, what I've found is a Dutch band, specifically from the port city of Rotterdam. I haven't got much information on them as such a vaguely named band and album don't yield shit in a google search, however I got a nice fella on soulseek, which full of Dutch folk, to tell me what the little there was on this album's page. Basically, they were all recorded on a single microphone, at what can reasonably be assumed as live performance, with the exception of blues rock number "Hey Little Girl" which has a noticeably higher fidelity. Yet it is that lo-fi sound that they's chosen so aptly to name this album for is exactly what provoked my interest, and seeing how excellently they delivered it I couldn't help me talk it up. Now, it is obvious that the microphone situation is not ideal for a fully rounded out sound, the drums are weak compared to the vocals and the guitar and bess aren't helped by the speakers that surely aren't positioned in the singer's mouth. Nonetheless, this is how they achieved such a charming lo-fi album that causes me anxiety just thinking of how awesome it would have been to have seen it live. This is only made more intense by the fantastic album art, that I seriously wish is the band in actuality, but a group of four clean-cut, suit-wearing Dutchmen that look like gangsters or young Beatles deplaning to shock America's teenage girls makes me infinitely happy. If the Netherlands has more of this sort of thing I'd like to find out.

To be had here:
The Four - LOFI

The Gorlons - The Gorlons Live in Concert (2014)

Good news, everyone, a live album by the much-beloved Springfield, MO band, the Gorlons. Their full-length debut album just came out back in February, which has already been featured on this site and on first episode of the podcast. Therefore, the songs will seem familiar to those of you that had the good sense to download and hear that release, but as fans of garage rock know well, the best way to experience the genre is live and if you're not able to attend a show a live album is often the next best thing. This live set delivers what a fan of lo-fi rock and roll ought to hope for such as loud organ, fuzzy guitars and thundering percussion. Naturally, everything is a bit more washed out from the live recording, but who wants garage rock to be crystal clear? It is a sweet, cheap follow up that puts me near to tears wishing they'd come play a show in Detroit.

To be had here:
The Gorlons - The Gorlons Live in Concert

Kanoi - Miles Away From Home: Live At Arnbach (2014)

I am pretty fucking excited to share this album. Firstly, it was recorded live in the town of Osttirol, Austria. Secondly, found this album to be notable, and not just because it is a live recording, which is a relatively rare thing for this blog. Because while the live recording does give it an atmosphere that makes one wish to be at the venue, it also strips the whole album of a polished feel and makes it more lo-fi and visceral. I cannot stress enough that you just keep listening despite the sorta slow start, it really does grow into a genuine pleasure to hear the ambient soundscapes evolve into shoegaze tracks with twisty psychedelic guitar parts. I can't stress it enough, this guitar playing is like a slow motion rocket to the moon. Also the German banter between tracks has a charm that has sparked the strongest sense of wanderlust in me. It is sorta like reading the part of a novel by Hermann Hesse where the character realizes they need to pick their shit up and move. What I mean is that the tracks are epic. Sonic journey's in their own right that provide a sense of movement despite the physical passiveness of listening. The whole album is really fucking awesome and I cannot stop listening to it. 

To be had here:
Kanoi - Miles Away From Home: Live At Arnbach

Ray Charles - Ray Charles at Newport (1958)

If you read yesterday's post you might be able to guess why I've decided to put this album up. It is only album that's holding its own against Barra 69 in my regular listening, at least at work. While they mightn't be obviously similar, with Ray Charles being a prophet of soul music and Caetano Veloso being an instigating force in Tropicalia, there's the obvious connection of the power of live performance and excitingly fresh sounds (even if we're only receiving an audio recording thereof). The amazingly done versions of "I Got A Woman" and "Talkin' 'Bout You" are unforgettable, and the absolute skill in which every song is executed is astounding. I've gladly shave years off my life for the opportunity to go back and see such an event. Hope you've enjoyed my detour for these posts, for I think it is important to go and touch base with this sorta thing even if you're familiar as I am sure many of you are with this album.

To be had here:
Ray Charles - Ray Charles at Newport [320 kbps]

Robert Nighthawk - Live on Maxwell Street (1964)

With very little in the way of money and very much in the way of time I've been listening to a considerable amount of blues music to keep myself from just sleeping days away. Robert Nighthawk is a bluesman I'd heard of but had neglected to hunt down any recordings of for too long. Born Robert McCollum, he assumed the nickname Nighthawk after he released an album called Prowling Night Hawk. He was trained in part by his cousin, Houston Stackhouse, and in turn helped teach younger blues players including Muddy Waters. Nighthawk was a figure that helped move Delta blues to the Chicago style that became increasing popular. So fittingly he recorded this live album on the Maxwell Street in Chicago, where as the artist himself explains during the interview found at the end was a street favored by blues musicians. The street concert setting defines the album in many ways with the crowd shouting, the sound washing together from the outdoor recording, and the energy of the music the artist selected to please the particular audience one would find on Maxwell Street. Don't take my word for it, you can watch the first track being played on youtube. From what I read this is commonly held to be among the best live blues albums, and I must say I've no reason to disagree.

To be had here:

Robert Nighthawk - Live on Maxwell Street [192 kbps]

Acid Kicks - Live at Silk City on January 11th, 2012

Acid Kicks released this live album straight after their show, the internet and digital recordings are amazing things. There's that sweetly lo-fi aspect that comes with live recordings, but unlike many of the others I've posted this isn't garage rock. Acid Kicks play a sort of psychedelic rock that is shoegazey and ethereal, which they have brilliantly tagged as dream punk. Pretty smooth and hypnotic, and while not instrumental the vocals are incomprehensible and echoing in a fantastic way. Features some tracks they didn't release prior to this gig as well, which always makes a live show all that more neat. Streaming and downloadable in a name your own price scheme.

To be had here:
Acid Kicks - Live at Silk City on January 11th, 2012

Ty Segall/Charlie & The Moonhearts - 4th of July show tape (2008)

I still make a regular habit of listening to both Ty Segall and Charlie & the Moonhearts, even when customers look me me as if I'm running a nasty feedback loop through the terrible speaker at work. It is worth the horridly fucked up sound to get the intense garage rock these guys excel at. This release in particular has a warped effect, but I really must admit that makes me happier to play it. Recorded live on what I can only assume is the 4th of July in 2008, this was a show wherein both of these wonderful acts shared the bill. I wish I could have been there, for this shit showed righteous even in its remarkably lo-fi quality. Roughly eighteen minutes of garage punk delights. Finally, credit to where credit's due, I found this on iamtheleastmachiavelllian blog, which is filled with great garage rock downloads.

To be had here:
Ty Segall/Charlie & The Moonhearts - 4th of July show tape

Ty Segall - Live in Aisle 5 (2011) & Goodbye Bread (2011)

This is the only album that is appropriate to post now that my internet connection is finally giving me a window of functionality. I saw Ty Segall live here in Detroit last night as part of the most righteous Awesome Fest. They were to play on the third night, and after my second night I was roughed up my alcohol consumption and working my new nonsense job. Anyhow, who the fuck wanders in when I was just about to fall asleep from lack for customers than Ty Segall and his whole band in tow. Nearly fucking shit myself serving coffee to Mikal Cronin. Charles Moothart must be one of the friendliest guys I've met. I've been in a state of bliss since I saw them put on the best show I've seen in years. And the joy that replaced the guilt I felt when Mikal Cronin just shrugged at the idea of me illegally sharing his music and that he'd even read this blog before, tops. So here are the long over due for a posting 2011 releases from Ty Segall, Live in Aisle 5, and this summer's album, Goodbye Bread. They'll speak for themselves I am sure enough.

To be had here:




Live in Aisle 5 [256 VBR kbps]












Goodbye Bread [256 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]

Tyvek - Third Man Live (2011)

A few months ago Tyvek's spectacular release Nothing Fits was posted on Spacerockmountain by sleep walk. He did a good job at describing their sound inasmuch that'll "make you shit your pants and bleed from your ears." Indeed this live album lives up to that reputation as well as demonstrating how live performances are nearly always as fine or better than studio albums of garage rock. This was recorded in September of 2010 at Third Man Records in Nashville, where Jack White has decided to make the studio and vinyl pressing operations of his label. Despite my feelings toward that particular son of Detroit, I must say fine work was done in the making of this album. Loud and raucous, yet surprisingly understandable, I do recommend this.

To be had here:
Tyvek - Third Man Live [256 VBR kbps]

The Velvet Underground - Live At Max's Kansas City (1972)

I'm not gonna waste anytime describing the Velvet Underground, but my favorite British internet denizen asked me what my favorite band was and this is the closest one to an honest answer I could muster. Assuredly I nabbed this copy of Live At Max's Kansas City from a blog but it was long ago and I've forgotten where. Into it though, this is a live, unsanctioned recording of the Velvet Underground just before the departure of Lou Reed, which signaled the end of the band notwithstanding that shunned album helmed by Doug Yule. Despite being a "bootleg" (it was taped by an associate of Andy Warhol, Brigid Polk) it was bought by the record company and released as a live album. Perhaps because of this semi-clandestine fashion of production it is rather candid, the songs are suggested by the crowd and drinks are ordered by the band and all the shit you'd expect at a small rock concert. Anyhow, what is notable that although this was bootleg it captures much of the spirit of the band, with them being able to take them time with the songs, slowly getting into them without the constraints of engineers. As well there are multiple takes of the same song, namely "Sweet Jane" and "Lonesome Cowboy Bill." Certainly this functions better than any "best of" album might have, though there is no version of "Heroin" as as the band states they no longer play that song by this time. I find myself listening to this with a six pack of beer more often than I care to admit.

To be had here:
The Velvet Underground - Live At Max's Kansas City [192 VBR kbps]

Caribou - Caribou Vibration Ensemble featuring Marshall Allen (2010)

I downloaded and decided to dive right into this album. I looked up what it was and the idea immediately piqued my interest. This is a live set of Caribou in which additional musicians were enlisted to shore the performers on stage to 15 in all, hence the "Caribou Vibration Ensemble" in the album title. The horn section was provided by Marshall Allen who is best know for his work with Sun Ra. Also there are a few drummers going at it; something that never harms a live show. While it must've been even better to see what was going on, I can completely understand why they released this as an album. Lastly, the songs they've recorded in studio and the versions hereon are rather different so it is worthwhile even for those tend to shy away from live recordings. I only wish I re-familiarized myself better with their songs before listening.

To be had here:
Caribou - Caribou Vibration Ensemble featuring Marshall Allen [320 kbps]

Auto?Automatic?? - Live @ Crowbar 3/12/10

A time ago I posted Auto?Automatic?? and praised them as a good example of the math rock I enjoy. This remains the case, and to my surprise the band is appreciative of my passing out their album for the readers of this blog and sent me a live recording for everyone to listen to. Recorded at a bar in Tampa it is a remarkably clear set of excellent instrumental numbers. Now, I'm not a musician, but these guys sound like the really know what they're doing as they plow through these longish songs. I must say a big thank you to them for sharing it with me for I've been listening to it as I am stuck inside writing papers, and nothing because instrumental music for writing. So say thank you to Auto?Automatic?? and maybe go see them if they come by your town.

To be had here:
Auto?Automatic?? - Live @ Crowbar 3/12/10 [192 kbps]