Lou Breed - Stoned Out: Miami Beach (2010)

Do believe I was just looking around at what was tagged "Michigan" and "Detroit" on bandcamp when I was stuck somewhere without my hard drive and a dead iPhone. I thought the name Lou Breed was a rather nifty pun and downloaded the album Stoned Out: Miami Beach. Pretty sure I remember they are from Ann Arbor, about an hour jaunt from where I dwell. What I got was better than I could have hoped for considering what most of the other stuff I was finding sounded like. However, the more I listened the more it summoned memories of many bands I've enjoyed, in particular Elephant 6 groups like Apples in Stereo and Olivia Tremor Control as well as the recently posted Pill Wonder. Sampling and funky electronic effect are of course liberally used throughout the album, and those with lyrics have that high register indie pop charm. It is delightful as all get out and puts me in an exceptionally pleasant mood. Naturally it is free for download from bandcamp. Pretty good for a random discovery based on none more than a punny name, although I'll admit to seeing it about since then on good blogs like ongakubaka.

To be had here:
Lou Breed - Stoned Out: Miami Beach

The Oxford American Southern Music CD No. 12

I apologize for the reduction in frequency of posting lately, there is a lot of family functions to attention around this time of the year and no time to sit on my ass means no posting music. Luckily for everyone though the holiday did yield something relevant for a blog such as this. The Oxford American, a Southern culture magazine published by the University of Central Arkansas given to me by my brother, does an issue about Southern music. Included is a compilation CD that has a collection of tracks from from across recorded musical history that hold some valuable cultural heritage in the minds of their writers. This year is an assemblage of songs from Alabama in particular and range in date of original release from 1949 to 2010. Beyond being chronologically expansive the compilation stretches across genres liberally, featuring blues, country folk, funky rock and roll, to a contemporary indie pop number. There are some real gems on that they cover in beautiful detail in the issue, and for those articles alone it is well worth purchasing. Like the history of the song "Matchbox" and Ralph "Soul" Jackson's version of it that made it onto the compilation. As well there are wonderful singing voices I feel like I've been missing out on for my whole life such as Lil Greenwood and Dinah Washington. Even has a fantastic funky, organ-drenched gospel track by Robert Brown And The Sons Of The South. An astounding examination of the amazing music that can produced by a place that many give precious little thought to in other parts of the world.

To be had here:
The Oxford American Southern Music CD No. 12

Northlanders

The third edition of my integration of comic book recommendations into the blog features Northlanders. This is a series from DC's "adult" imprint, Vertigo, and is about Vikings. Firstly, who the hell doesn't like a good tale involving Vikings, seafaring and battle? The spectacle of medieval combat is exceptionally suitable for comic books in my opinion. I'm surprised there aren't more series set in the Middle Ages. As to this particular story, like all good comics it is the writing that makes or breaks the value of the series. The writer is Brain Wood, who is also notable for his work with another Vertigo series, DMZ. Wood does a wonderful job at addressing the existentialist dilemma of humans in the story line of Northlanders. Through the narration and actions of the main character Sven the story explores the nature of identity, modernity, warfare and death in the brutal warrior culture of medieval Europe, especially in her northern lands. Sven, a former member of the Varangian Guard employed by the Byzantine emperors, returns to his homeland in the Orkney Islands to confront his past and experience some good old Bildungsroman. That is, he comes to realize how much of an ass he is, but not before being a bloody lunatic. I find all that jazz is quite appealing, but that is coming from a guy that just finish an anthropology degree. And as such a fellow, I'll say the use of ideas like identity and sentiments of nationhood seems somewhat anachronistic for a man in the 10th century but examination of the self is universal and timeless. Accordingly, I've decided to share the first story arc of Northlanders, called "Sven the Returned" and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have and forgive that the scans seem to be of varying quality if you may.

To be had here:
Northlanders - Sven the Returned

The Blue Squares - Hard Times (2010)

If the retro garage rock sound of yesterday's Shannon and the Clams offering had you wanting more, or if you wanted to try a different band in that style for whatever reason, the Blue Squares could just what you're looking for. Mellower than most all the other garage rock I've been posting, this band is from our bittersweet city of Detroit. They sound incredibly like the 4-Wheels compilation I mentioned yesterday, but also they are uncannily akin in sound to Cincinnati band the Greenhornes (half of whom teamed with his Detroit rockers Jack White and Brendan Benson in that shitty band). Despite my unfavorable disposition toward some the member's of the Greenhornes later projects, I do still like to hear their albums and having a band pick up a similar sound is a boon for me. The Blue Squares therefore can't be called original but that isn't the point of making retro music. They do a damned good job at making this music though, and the crooning of the singer is dead on. Good to see Detroit has forgotten how to make music like this.

To be had here:
The Blue Squares - Hard Times [128 VBR kbps]

Shannon and the Clams - I Wanna Go Home (2009)

More lo-fi for my sorely abused brain. I think I overdid it just a bit in my celebrations after finishing my final exam and thus clearing the road for graduation from Wayne State. Anyhow, what is important is that this really lo-fi garage sound is doing wonders by allowing me to ignore my hangover. Shannon and the Clams is a garage band from Oakland, California who've good a mess of good influence in the music they're making. You know from stuff like The Beach Boys and The Shangri- La’s to Nobunny and the Mummies. I'm digging the rough but sweet singing of Shannon's singing, she can belt out some good shouts. I Wanna Go Home is overall a pretty solid, if not mind-blowing garage rock album. What this band has going is a good hold on the 1960s garage rock sound that will be familiar to anyone that's heard Nuggets compilations or History of Michigan garage bands I posted awhile ago. A good addition to a rotation of such things, this is for sure.

To be had here:
Shannon and the Clams - I Wanna Go Home [192 VBR kbps]

Sonny And The Sunsets - Tomorrow Is Alright (2009)

More than likely I am only the latest in a stream of people to recommend Sonny And The Sunsets. Personally I've heard it popping up in all sorts of strange places, such as the Sklarbro Country podcast. It is impossible to resist the compulsion to share the cheerful tunes of that they put together on Tomorrow Is Alright. They sound very much like the Beach Boys from the Pet Sounds and Smiley Smile period. Simply put, it's softly glowing pop music that is sweet, romantic and catchy. The best part is that they take that motif and twist it up, with lyrics that are a bit salty and absurd for the style, such as in "Planet of Women." You'll understand once you hear it. Almost in a weird nod to the Beach Boys they even titled a song "Bad Vibes & Evil Thoughts," but that's pure speculation on my part. An interesting note is that this band was formed by a filmmaker in San Fransisco and its membership doesn't seem hard and firm, but rather involves the talented musicians he knows, including the recently posted Tim Cohen. If you're late to the party on this band like I am I suggest you hesitate no longer and give them the old college try.

To be had here:
Sonny And The Sunsets - Tomorrow Is Alright [192 VBR kbps]

Wrestling Club - Third Reformed Church (2010)

A member of this band sent me a link to their bandcamp and I gave them a whirl. As I did like what I heard I've decided to share the news. The guy is sent to be link didn't provide me with too much information about the band, but from poking around on the internet I was able to discern that they're more than likely a Texan band. The music is math rock, both with vocals and without on this relatively short EP. Reminds me of Auto!Automatic!! and Sleeping People but the vocals in some of the tracks makes them sound considerably more poppy, but in the most likable fashion. The recording quality of does seem like it could be better, yet nothing horrible especially for a new band. I sense a lot of potential for Wrestling Club and if you wanna check it for yourself it is for the taking currently.

To be had here:
Wrestling Club - Third Reformed Church

Not Squares - Yeah OK (2010)

Another band from Belfast, Northern Ireland that I actually heard about reading an interview with the previous Northern Irish act to be posted on this blog, Girls Names. Needless to say, I was thoroughly impressed by and I could hardly wait to share this. The sound of Not Squares though is not like Girls Names lo-fi post-punk, but rather is some exciting fast-paced electronic music easily suitable for the dancing of humans. I do believe they self-describe themselves as disco house, but I am as unfamiliar with that term as many of you doubtlessly are. There are some wickedly catchy beats and bass is mesmerizing, yet my favorite part is the singing of all thing. It fluxes between solo and ensemble all the while carrying the music to a different place in tracks like "Asylum" and "Bi Kan Na." However, it some tracks it is less prominent or masked with a robotic sound such as in "In Front" and you'll sense that the band still knows completely what they're doing. Although a late in the game declaration, likely my favorite electronic album of the year.

To be had here:
Not Squares - Yeah OK [192 VBR kbps]

Useless Eaters

As usual I was looking for more garage punk and I easily found some. Useless Eaters is the music of a young man named Seth Sutton from Memphis, Tennessee. While I have uncovered no evidence for a full-length album as of yet, Useless Eaters has been pumping out 7" singles in such quantity that it hardly makes a difference. As far as what this sounds like you should know the drill, it is noisy, loud, distorted garage punk in a pure form. Very much like early Ty Segall, The Spaceshits or The Gories at their roughest. I've been able to dig up five 7" singles so far, but for all I know there very well could be more out there. If you've been into the garage punk and noise rock that I've posted previously then this'll be right up your alley for sure.

To be had here:





Agoraphobic (2009) [256 VBR kbps]











Hear See (2009) [256 kbps]













Mr. Oscillations (2009) [112 VBR kbps]












Panic Attack (2010) [256 VBR kbps]











Sucked In (2009) [256 VBR kbps]

Ignition City

Time for another comic book as the last seemed to go over moderately well. This time a more recent series, or mini-series to be correct. Ignition City is a five issue mini-series written by the notable author Warren Ellis, known for previous work such as Hellblazer and Transmetropolitan. The characters are based loosely on those from the old Flash Gordon serials, as well as other sci-fi classics like Commander Cody and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. However, in this world the former heroes of space exploration are disavowed and banished to the semi-recognized community of Ignition City. The mood of Ignition City is dystopic, with a mixture of classic sci-fi elements like aliens and space travel with steampunk style imagery from penciller, Gianluca Pagliarani. The art makes the characters and setting alike seem all the more grimy and forlorn, with figures like Yuri the ex-cosmonaut who shambles about drinking vodka and proclaiming his erstwhile fame while still wearing a spacesuit. The main plot itself isn't that unique; basically a daughter out to seek closure and revenge for a recently departed father, but the trappings around the main character more than make up for the formulaic nature of her motivations. Unlike the previous comic I posted, which was more for novelty, I am sharing the whole thing, but as you can imagine owning a physical copy of a comic is superior just as owning a vinyl record is always better than a digital version.

To be had here:
Ignition City #1-5