Epsilons

It is best just to admit I've come to be hugely enamored by all of Ty Segall's music, so it is only fitting that results of backtracking his career be shared as well. Epsilons was Segall's band before he launch his solo work, and it sounds absolutely like you would hope from a band he was involved with. Utterly garage punk throughout, the Epsilons provoke memories of the Mummies, the Drags, the Dirtys, and New Bomb Turks. Ultimately the group released two albums in rather close secession. The first is a self-titled that if I wasn't so familiar with Segall's voice by now could almost be mistaken. What is knowable about it is the use of keyboards or an organ (I'm no expert) in the last couple of tracks on the album that gives them a considerably different feel. However, in the second album, Killed 'Em Deader 'n A Six Card Poker Hand, he stands out like a torch on a beach. Now, the music produced by the Epsilons isn't wildly different than Segall's early solo releases, and I don't know the tale explaining why he branched off. It does make me wonder if there are other band members than have been putting their skills to use though.

To be had here:




Epsilons (2006) [192 kbps]














Killed 'Em Deader 'n A Six Card Poker Hand (2007) [192 kbps]

Pill Wonder - Jungle/Surf (2010)

"Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!" That is what immediately ran my mind when I started listening to Pill Wonder. It was one of those moments where you feel you've found that mysterious something that just stratifies your every need. This is like an wildest Elephant 6 band ran into a forest of animals and rhythms, forced to combine them into untamed, psychedelic, spastic bursts of sonic joy-beasts. Got me all riled up in a jiffy. In fact I've so quickly decided that this must be posted that I've only gotten the chance to listen to this album so far. If the others live up to the high standard set here there'll almost certainly be more posted. This album is absurd in the best kind of way.

To be had here:
Pill Wonder - Jungle/Surf

Working For A Nuclear Free City - Jojo Burger Tempest (2010)

I recall when Working For A Nuclear Free City made a considerable splash in the music media back when their debut as well as second albums were released. This is because they were pretty good at what they were doing then and luckily enough it holds true still. And what they do is a elegant blend of shoegaze, electronic and noise pop that naturally lends itself to a dreamy, atmospheric style. Perhaps it is the fact that Michigan's perpetually overcast skies have set in for the winter, but sometimes hazy sounds are what one needs. This is not to say that it is all really mellow, in fact the mellower tracks allows others to seem relatively energetic while remaining spacey. This was a two disc release, with the second album being just a the titular track, which times in over 33 minutes long all the while being rather experimental. Overall, a solid album that keeps me a consistent fan of the band.

To be had here:
Working For A Nuclear Free City - Jojo Burger Tempest [256 VBR kbps]

BBQ - Tie Your Noose (2005)

For months now I've been listening to this album in my all to frequent, long drives to college and back to the lifeless suburb I dwell in. And for nearly as long I've debated putting it up on the blog, unsure if it is just one of those really quirky things people do, in this case taking excessive pleasure in something rather simple. Like many of the albums posted to the blog over that last several months this is a prime example of lo-fi, fuzzed out, bluesy garage punk. Also, I'd be remiss not to re-explain that BBQ is Mark Sultan, who's been posted before and obviously part of the King Khan and BBQ Show and the Almighty Defenders. This is actually the second album that Sultan did solo, and I have had some real trouble locating this self-titled debut. If you got it, sharing is caring folks. Anyhow, I genuinely love this album and I doubt the reason of anyone that doesn't like the song "Shake Me Low."

To be had here:
BBQ - Tie Your Noose [192 kbps]

Benni Hemm Hemm - Retaliate (2010)

Just as I thought I'd come to no longer take pleasure in slow, sappy folk songs Benni Hemm Hemm releases a new EP that reminds me how good that sorta thing can be. While Benni Hemm Hemm possesses and utilizes a wider range throughout their discography than many bands, they've been known to focus a bit more intently on making lovely folk at times. Basically, I am referencing most excellent Ein í leyni, an album that is somewhere between a full-length and an EP. The most noticeable differences in Retaliate is that the songs use English from the lyrics their use of horns seems to be phased out. As a result, for non-Icelandic speakers at least, it is feels like a more stripped down and easy to comprehend album. If any of the other Nordic indie pop or folk that I have previously posted appealed to you and especially if you liked Benni Hemm Hemm's early work then this is a necessary addition.

To be had here:
Benni Hemm Hemm - Retaliate [256 VBR kbps]

Demon's Claws

I guess it was inevitable that I shared this band. They are garage punk, from Montreal, and remind me of Oblivians. From what I've read this one of several garage acts to emerge in Montreal after the Spaceshits and others started bouncing around there in the 90s. Anyhow, also like the fellas from the Spaceshits (albeit in later projects) they've made friends with Black Lips and eventually got albums released by In The Red. What I've got posted here today are the three full-lengths I could find by them, and I haven't gotten around to the more tedious search for any singles and splits that undoubtedly must be floating about. The self-titled is quite fuzzed out but somewhat generic of what is around. This is not to say it isn't good though. On the next, Satan's Little Pet Pig, the production quality is reasonably enhanced and they stylistically come into their own more. Finally, The Defrosting Of... is a well-rounded release that shows them sounding more like one of their influences, the Rolling Stones. Rather swell sounds.

To be had here:





Demon's Claws (2005) [192 kbps]












Satan's Little Pet Pig (2007) [192 kbps]












The Defrosting Of... (2010) [320 kbps]

The Strange Boys - Be Brave (2010)

This is another band that recommended to me through last.fm, which is surprisingly more accurate in recommendations that most other sites or programs designed to do such things. To the point though, the Strange Boys are a real solid act from what I heard on this album. They're garage, I suppose, but they're on the opposite end of the spectrum from the fuzzed out punk influenced bands I've posted previously. Just as easily this could be described as more lo-fi, less folksy version of The Tallest Man on Earth. In fact the singing reminds be on the Tallest Man on the Earth, that and Bob Dylan at his more high pitched moments. Pretty much the Strange Boys have done amazing job at combining aspects of different trends together to make a unique and powerful sound of their own. It is country, folk, garage, and even a bit rockabilly all at the same time without any influence overwhelming the others for the most part.

To be had here: they forced me to take this down...

Fela Kuti & the Afrika '70 - Live! with Ginger Baker (1971 [2001])

This is the 2001 reissue of the amazing collaboration of the king of afro-beat, Fela Kuti, and the former drummer of Cream, Ginger Baker. Fela Kuti's band the Afrika '70 numbered 12 preformers for the live sets recorded here, which accounts for the intense complexity of the music and truly shows the talent of all those involved to maintain the timing and cohesion so astoundingly. I find, as I'm willing to bet many others share, that the psychedelic hybrid of genres that is afro-beat is something to lose yourself in. The length of the tracks in conductive to this mood and I'm sure Kuti would've recommended enhancement via mind altering substances to those inclined (if you've never read the man's story you're really missing out on some wild shit). Anyhow, there is a difference between the original release and this reissue, namely the addition of the final song. This is a track of exclusively drumming by Ginger Baker and the drummer of Afrika '70, Tony Allen, recorded at the 1978 Berlin Jazz Festival. Well I've read reviews that disparage this track, but I don't agree. I think it is pretty righteous and unique. Judge for yourself, naturally. Note this is the album art of the original release displayed here.

To be had here:
Fela Kuti & the Afrika '70 - Live! with Ginger Baker [160 kbps]

Säkert! - Facit (2010)

Quite similar in tone to yesterday's posting, Seabear, this is another Scandinavian indie pop album. This is the second release by Säkert! after self-titled album in 2007. However, that is a bit misleading, for this is really just one of several outlets for the Swedish songwriter Annika Norlin. She has another two full-length out under the moniker of Hello Saferide. Anyhow, if you liked Hafdis Huld, Benni Hemm Hemm, or Leafes you might find this a most agreeable.

To be had here:
Säkert! - Facit [320 kbps]

Seabear - We Built A Fire (2010)

Those Nordic folks sure do seem to make a lot of pop music that tickles my fancy. Seabear came out with another LP this year and it is of the caliber one should expect from a band with such a solid track record. As is the norm for the band and its peers, there is plenty of sweetness and soft, warm feelings about. The thing I like about Seabear is the excellent employment of string instrumentation, gives the whole deal some real class. If take a shining to this you should be sure to hunt down their previous albums and I posted the album by Sin Fang Bous, which is just a pseudonym for the lead singer of Seabear, Sindri Mar Sigfusson. Gotta love those wild Icelandic names.

To be had here:
Seabear - We Built A Fire [224 VBR kbps]