Le Loup - Family (2009)

I had high praise for this group's first album, which I still feel is a fantastic release. However, I feel even more enamored with this album, it just blows my fucking mind. I had a certain timidness towards listening to it at first as I enjoyed the first album so much I as fearful of disillusionment with the new songs, and I was holding out hope that somebody would tell me it had more crazy sweet guitar parts like the first. The guitar parts are not really there, but I couldn't care less to be honest. Once I finally got over my fears and plunged into giving it a whirl, it turned into about 15 whirls I loved it so much. I could not pin down a word for it on my own, but the music gave me a strange feeling like I was hearing it on a tropical island or forest. On last.fm the description is a mixture of tribal and experimental rock, and I guess that works, but it isn't like world music if you follow me. The singing is amazing, just like the last album, but the overall composition of the songs are far superior I believe. Additionally, they cut out the electronic aspects found in a few tracks of the first release. This is a improvement for the style they capture in Family. If you're the type that doesn't want to search the tracks for your favorite song (why are you bothering with life by the way?), the favorites are "Grow," "Sherpa" and "Family."

To be had here:
Le Loup - Family [192 VBR kbps]

Peaking Lights - Imaginary Falcons (2009)

Recently Detroit has wronged me. Some of the city's more nefarious characters roughed up my deplorable automobile. As you might be able to surmise, I was a bit taken aback and dispirited from the circumstance. Seeking solace in music, I have developed a minor obsession with Peaking Light's spectacular album, Imaginary Falcons. I'm not sure about you, but I really find something eerie, depressing, or mournful to be excellent at fortifying my mood when in a wretched state. While Imaginary Falcons is not depressing, it was abundance of eerie sounds and otherworldly effects. After realizing I had heard it a several times in one day, I found myself wondering why I hadn't gotten into it sooner; vexing my stupidity and lackadaisical ways. Should've remained closer to home with "Wedding Song" creating a park in my mind than trying to visit the new greenway in the city. Anyhow, Peaking Lights is sensational, as it might be expected with members of Numbers at the helm. So if you're hankering for psychedelic, lo-fi noise-pop this cannot be missed, that is unless you're even dumber than me.

To be had here:

Peaking Lights - Imaginary Falcons [320 kbps]

Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement (2009)

This fella started catching a deal of positive press in the Detroit area weeklies a bit back. To give credit to gumption where it is due, I was not the one that decided to download it and give it a spin, but rather my older brother is to thank for this. Mayer Hawthorne not like any of the other album I've posted. Therefore, I haven't much to compare it to in my usual frame of reference. First thing to avoid though is judging the album by Hawthorne's appearance on the album's art. He might look like he's making something stereotypical like sweet sounding indie pop. While the music is sweet, it is certainly not like the usual pop. The best way I can think of to describe it is a modern version of Blue-Eyed Soul of years back. Most certainly R&B, but so incredibly enjoyable I can't hardly believe there isn't a special genre just for A Strange Arrangement. His soul sound shows he was exposed to much of the same Motown soul stars that most Michigan kids grew up with on the radio such as Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield and Smokey Robinson. I am unsure if this guy is getting the same attention elsewhere, it could just be pride of a local boy that garnered him some friendly press, but it wasn't unjustified. After all, Madlib saw fit to place him on his Stones Throw label. I suggest taking a good listen. I apologize for the low bit rate, my brother doesn't understand...

Not to be had here: jig is up, stones throw found out fast about this one

Rye 'n Clover - Pencils Paper & Scissors (2009)

Absolutely adorable anarcho-folk. That is something I feel is said all too uncommonly. Nonetheless, it is fully merited in use of this artist. I originally discovered it on the underutilized Collective Family website. Therefore this is a free album and another one of my guilt-free shares. As to the music itself, it sounds like a young man with a banjo and ultra-left literature on his mind. Perhaps it is because I am sympathetic to his political views, but it doesn't come off as preachy, but then again I find myself singing along to blues songs about Jesus with even more vigor despite being no fan of his. The songs are about liberation and utopian ideals, or in the case of "Get Away Song" merely a display of banjo-playing skills. The whole thing is barely describable as an album at only 19 minutes, but they're highly enjoyable and I claim good for any fan of folk, banjos, anarchy, or just cute shit.

To be had here:
Pencils Paper & Scissors [160 kbps]

Majmoon - Shimponauts Journey (2006)

Our old love, math rock, has reared its head again in my musical rotation. Majmoon isn't exactly breaking news, but they were sort of overlooked by me and I am pretty sure others when this album came out. The German band has considerable skills at making energized instrumental tracks that is on the fine, beautiful line betwixt math rock and post-rock. If you've been a reader for a bit you'll know of my intense desire to have long, building, epic songs on an album of this sort. Shimponauts Journey does not disappoint on this account. All in all, a finely-crafted addition to any math rock or post-rock collection.

To be had here:
Majmoon - Shimponauts Journey [256 VBR kbps]

Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele - The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele (2009)

A good friend of mine and I all too infrequently are allowed to actually meet in person. In the few times a year this happens we normally spend half of it giving one another music. This is one the albums that he recommended and therefore gave to me. After shelving the album for an undue amount of time, I finally got to checking it out. I saw his picture on the cover and was really hoping that what he lacked in good looks he made up for in talent. He chiefly does so, with my focus lying on his deep, mesmerizing voice. Although billing the ukulele overtly the music doesn't hinge on the lone instrument to the determent of the overall performance. The pop songs are well rounded with my favorites being "You Can't Force A Dance Party" and "Oh, Paris!" The album isn't anything earthshaking, but the comparisons to Stephin Merritt are apt and justified and that alone makes it worth a spin.

To be had here:
The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele [160 VBR kbps]

Circulatory System

Circulatory System is a member of the vast Elephant 6 collective like the previous posts of Beulah, Marshmallow Coast and Bablicon. Will Cullen Hart, John Fernandes, and Peter Erchick made this group after the dissolution of the E6 world's prime mover, the Olivia Tremor Control. My girl is here so I need to keep the description breif as she's staring me down. Basically, they're psychedelic pop that is both cute and dream-like at different times. Their new album, Signal Morning, only came out recently and has been in constant rotation on my iPhone ever since. Before anyone sends me comments, I'm gonna give you the heads up the the second album, Inside Views, doesn't have any names for the tracks. In fact the album has no beginning nor end, when they made it they intended for it to be heard in random order, so ignore the numbers and enjoy.

To be had here:




Circulatory System (2001) [256 kbps]










Inside Views (2002) [192 kbps]










Singal Morning (2009) [320 kbps]

Mr. David Viner - Mr. David Viner (2003)

Now, I am sorry if I am messing this info up but I can't be bothered to confirm it all at the moment. Mr. David Viner is British and would play blues all the time for people. A Detroit garage band found him, and I can't recall which one at the moment. He came back to our lovely city and recorded with help from Detroit's adopted sons, the Soledad Brothers. This is his first album and I got it back when it was spankin' new. Merely that I still desire to here it from time to time is a testament to its value. It is strong it the tradition of folk and blues, going as far as to pay homage to the legendary John Fahey on a track. Overall it possesses a light-hearted feeling, although the first song "Nobody's Fault" is beautiful yet melancholy. So if bluesy folk is something you like here is a still active artist worth giving a whirl.

To be had here:
Mr. David Viner - Mr. David Viner

Leafes - In The Mountain's Belly (2007)

I apologize for my long absence. The summer was treating me too well to stop by at the internet. Birds, bees, and my black cat were distracting me, as well as my new hobby of homebrewing (beer, meads and country wine). However, I've moved yet again (I do believe I've lost count) and I'm ready and willing to restart my proselytizing. No place better to begin than with my favorite driving EP of the summer, In The Mountain's Belly. My access to information about Leafes is limited. I understand that it is a Swedish act and the small label is giving this album out for free, so no need to feel guilty today comrades. What the music is I feel more capable in describing. Lo-fi. That is the pivotal descriptor. The entire thing sounds like, and likely is, a bedroom or basement recording. Nevertheless it is unimaginably charming. The second and third track alone will make getting this EP more than worth the trouble to download. They're fuzzy, layered and unsophisticated yet that suits how I've felt this season perfectly. It has thoroughly impressed all my friends thus far and I willing to bet you'll like it too.

To be had here:
Leafes - In The Mountain's Belly

The History of Michigan Garage Bands in the 60s Vol. 1

This shit is pure gold. I found this in the Port Huron public library years ago. Certainly one of the best discoveries of my entire life. Basically, this is a assemblage of tracks which were laid down in the 60s by a bunch of small time garage rock acts, and as the name suggests they're from Michigan. As was usual for the amateur (as in unpaid) garage rocker of that era, many of the songs are covers of popular hits. Nonetheless, I've never heard a version of Diana Ross's "Come See About Me" like the one done by Dearborn City Limits, and yes that is a name of one of the bands. In fact the names these young gentlemen chose for their bands are among the best parts of the album. There are great names such as House of Commons, Lykes of Us, Innsmen, The Hearsemen, Solitary Confinement, and Felix da Housecat (no relation to the modern electronic act). The selection of songs played is equally brilliant with numbers like "Ooo Poo Pa Doo," "A White Shade Of Pale," and "Hootchy Cootchy Man." The compilation is comprised of three discs with 60 tracks, nearly three hours of playtime. Because of the number of them sometimes I'll still find one I'd passed over too quickly and have a new favorite. Although definitely garage rock in the original meaning, these groups aren't going to sound exactly like the more recently garage sensations. In the majority of the cuts the singing is still clinging to the desire to be melodic, whereas being stunning is more important as far as I can tell these days. No fuzz, no crazed drum solos, no screams in this more conservative time of musicianship, yet to my humongous relief falsetto may be found herein. Despite the relatively calm attitude compared to modern garage, don't make the mistake of listening to it as a low volume, this shit need be pumped up. Unfortunately, the name is misleading in one thing, there is no second volume, but if I do recall correctly there's a compilation from the same people containing Texas garage rockers, which I sadly don't have but desperately yearn for.

To be had here @ 160 kbps:
Disc 1

Disc 2

Disc 3