St. Germain- Tourist

I just happened to find this CD, and it's pretty gold. Jazz with some nice drum and bass type beats that really smooth things out. People that can't stand jazz or electronic music will probably enjoy this CD despite themselves. And if you like both, then you'll like it even more I guess.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TBHPETZN

Algernon Cadwallader- Hot Green

New 7" EP from Algernon. I really love this band a lot. I didn't even know this was coming out, I stumbled upon it by mistake. The drumming gets a little boring for me because it's kinda similar pop-punky beats on every song, but there's so much guitar work going on that you can look past it. Really great.

http://www.mediafire.com/?xz2ht32xfid

Buy their full-length to support them: myspace.com/algernoncadwallader

Sunny Day Real Estate- Diary

I felt like this album today, so I thought I'd post it. One of the best "emo" albums out there from the mid 90's.

Fun fact: The Appleseed Cast was originally named "December's Tragic Drive" after a lyric from the song "Seven" on Diary.

http://www.mediafire.com/?0sm911ot9xw

MERRY CHRISTMAS

New Appleseed Cast Song!!!

Soooo Appleseed Cast is my favorite band, but I'm not sure how this new album is going to be. Actually, I'm sure I will like it because it has the words "Appleseed" and "Cast" on the front.

However, I don't know. Listen for yourself.

http://stereogum.com/the-gum-drop/song.php?tid=41781

(It's at the top, just hit play.)

A Wonderful- Uncorked Understandings

Cool songwriter from NY. Uses lots of weird instruments on this album and all the songs are real short, making you want more.

http://www.archive.org/details/UncorkedUnderstandings2004

(Note: On that page, click VBR ZIP on the mid-right)

Bon Iver- Blood Bank EP

Blood Bank: A little dissapointing after the live video that's so energetic with full drums, but still a cool song. I hope a good live version comes round so we can have that version too.

Beach Baby: A shorter song, but nice as well. Lyrics are hard to make out, but what's new. Pretty sweet slide guitar halfway through.

Babys: Entirely on piano, a very unique song. Cool chord progression. Could have ended better.

Woods: Kanye? Imogen Heap? Strange.

Overall, a little dissapointing. It comes off more as a b-sides than a real EP. I think I just really wanted a full-on Blood Bank like in the live videos. Oh well... pretty cool nonetheless.

http://www.mediafire.com/?widdddzmjdz

Sargent House- Best Label of 2008

I feel like this needs to be stated. Below are some of their releases this year, and I must say, they are all stunningly great. They have a great variety of bands, from experimental to folky to metal to post-punk. Be on the lookout for this label soon, they are doing real well. Their current roster:

Maps and Atlases
This Town Needs Guns
Native
These Arms are Snakes
Daughters
Good Old War
Omar Rodriguez Lopez
Red Sparrowes
Russian Circles
Rx Bandits
Love You Moon
AND MOST RECENTLY: Bygones (Zach Hill and Nick Reinhart :drool:)

Maps and Atlases- You and Me and the Mountain
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LSJP8DQM

These Arms are Snakes/Russian Circles Split EP (couldn't find TAAS full length)
http://rapidshare.com/files/163120234/TAAS-RC.2008.Split.-SKHR-MF.rar

Tera Melos/By the End of Tonight- Complex Full of Phantoms
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YVV6LLKX

This Town Needs Guns- Animals
(see last month's blog)

Good Old War- Only Way to Be Alone
http://www.mediafire.com/?nltn0jzmmrw

Red Sparrowes- Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun (2006)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MEHHZ1VS

Phosphorescent- A Hundred Times or More

So yeah, I'm pretty obsessed with Phosphorescent right now. It's all I've listened to for about two months now. This is Matthew Houck's first CD under that moniker, and it might be my second favorite behind Pride, although I admire Aw Come Aw Wry for different reasons. This one is more raw and rockin.

http://www.mediafire.com/?rwyytdzd11n

Also, look up the music video for "A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise" on YouTube. It's strange.

Department of Eagles- In Ear Park

This album took over four years to make, and I think it paid off. Featuring members of Grizzly Bear, this album is pretty perfect for a chilly Thanksgiving Day.

RIYL: Grizzly Bear, Band of Horses, Bon Iver

http://rapidshare.com/files/152651353/DOEIEP.rar

Happy Thanksgiving.

Marvins Revolt- Killec

Pretty awesome mathy band from Denmark. In the vein of This Town Needs Guns, O! the Joy, and Cats^3.

http://www.mediafire.com/?jzjymwyijyy

Chrono Trigger

Such a tight game. I'm addicted. It's on PS1, Super Nintendo, and now DS. Find it.

Bon Iver- Blood Bank

ahhhhh i can't wait for this EP.

Tera Melos- Various Live Shows

Tera Melos put up a bunch of live sets on their blog, and Tera Melos rules, so grab them. Looks like there's some unreleased songs in some of these. I'd recommend the Silverlake Lounge one, but the Live from the Boardwalk one is good too even though the quality isn't as nice.

http://www.teramelos.blogspot.com/

Azure Ray- Hold On Love

This is about the most pussy album ever written, but it's so good. Drift away into depression and tears...and love it. Until the album's over- then you'll just be sad.

http://rapidshare.com/files/133205291/Azure_Ray_-_Hold_on_Love.rar

Phosphorescent- Aw Come Aw Wry

This album took more time to get into than Pride, and Pride is still my fav, but there are some really great song on this album. I could listen to "Endless Pt. 1 and 2" on repeat for the rest of my life. There is also a really great variety on this album that isn't found so much on Pride. I love how Houck works in the little theme chorus in a bunch of different songs, too.

http://www.mediafire.com/?b41ymt0mzm9

RIYL: Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Neutral Milk Hotel

The Appleseed Cast- The New Stage (For So Long)

B-side song from the new Appleseed Cast CD. It's only included on the vinyl version of their upcoming LP, Sagarmatha, so it's probably not the best the new album has to offer. However, I enjoy it more each time I listen (which is like five times since I bought it off their myspace). The whole song could be off Two Conversations, save the ending which combines the soft vocal harmonies of Low Level Owl with the glitchies of Peregrine. The ending bothered me at first because you want it to be more epic than it is when the drums come in strong, but I think they wanted to up the energy while still keeping it chill, and it's effective in that sense.

http://www.mediafire.com/?hziewr3mmzo

Overall, I'm pretty excited for this CD. There are two new demo songs on their myspace as well, which I recommend.

The Samuel Jackson 5- Goodbye Melody Mountain

A friend up here recommended this CD while we were playing Mario Kart, and it's quite good. Melodic, faster post-rock along the lines of El Ten Eleven, possibly Mercury Program, maybe even Tenebre. Some really cool ideas in here, especially with using string instruments and piano.

http://rapidshare.com/files/159392444/The_Samuel_Jackson_Five_-_Goodbye_Melody_Mountain.rar

Tenebre- S/T

This album is much chiller than "In Everything Give Thanks," but I enjoy it. The other is better though, I posted it a while back. Both are some really beautiful mathy post-rock.

http://www.mediafire.com/?nzzu452yjyo

Anathallo- Canopy Glow (actual CD rip)

Everything I said before applies. The mixing on this is MUCH better than the other I posted. More dancey than their other stuff, but quite good. It's growing on me.

http://www.mediafire.com/?4zxmgwzyzyw

Girl Talk- Night Ripper

Greg Gillis mashes up 20 to 40 different songs per track on each CD, and this is truly a masterpiece. Will make the most stony indie kids smile when "Get Low" comes in over the guitar riff from a Van Halen song.

http://rapidshare.com/files/108739907/GrlTlk-NghtRppr.rar

The Sea and Cake- Car Alarm

This is the chillest album ever, and it's super good. Check it out and then check out the rest of The Sea and Cake's excellent catalog. Features members of Shrimp Boat, Tortoise, and other Chicago scene folks.

Here's a review that also gives you some band history: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/146668-the-sea-and-cake-car-alarm

http://rapidshare.com/files/137172989/tsac-ca.rar

O! the Joy- Zen Mode

Daniel showed me these guys a while ago and I just got around to getting their CD because I was curious. They are definitely trying some new things in the somewhat stale "mathy" genre, throwing in solos and super repetitive parts, and a lot of the time it works. I get a Fall of Troy vibe sometime, an early Tera Melos vibe others, with maybe some like Unwed Sailor thrown in? Just give it a listen all the way through, as each song is quite different from the last.

Note: I would almost just skip the first track, as it is way more "rock" than all the others, and come back to it so that's not your first impression.

Recommended tracks: Under the Radar, We Write the Next Chapter, Zen Mode

http://www.mediafire.com/?diocy2owzzn

Toe- RGBDVD

This is the audio from Toe's live DVD, and it sounds really great. Like one of the best live recordings I've ever heard. And Toe is quickly becoming one of my top bands, possibly like top three. So if you like Pele, Mouse on the Keys, Tenebre, etc. you should get this.

http://rapidshare.com/files/56473873/toe_-_RGBDVD__2006___VBR_V0_.rar.html

Mouse on the Keys- Sezession

Imagine if Toe had a baby with Jaga Jazzist. Pretty tight.

http://www.badongo.com/file/11683433

Anathallo- Canopy Glow

Not nearly as good as Floating World, but still pretty cool. A little boring actually, but Floating World was a revolution in music, so I don't know how you can really follow that up.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?zmnntixwqlr

Note: They've stated that this isn't the final release. They liked this mix but sent it somewhere else to be mixed again, which is what is being released on the CD, so this isn't what the final CD will sound like. So you (we) might like it more on the final versions, and you might not even want to listen to this one because it will spoil the final version.

Annuals- Such Fun

Be He Me was pretty tight, but I actually enjoyed the Frelen Mas EP more, I think. This new album is a little more low-key, but still groovy. Well, let me clarify. The first album's songs were either crazy or real low key. These songs all find a nice medium, floating just below rockin out. It makes for a slightly less immersive album, but good nonetheless. I miss all the yelping though.

http://tinyurl.com/4yyzve

Today

I went to Western Supermarket about 12:30 tonight, and was surprised to find Liam Finn playing in the store. Crazy.

There was also a super cute check-out girl named Olga that I will always regret not talking to.

Delta Spirit- Ode to Sunshine (revision)

The rip I put up for the Delta Spirit CD was really crappy, so here is one that I hope is better.

http://www.mediafire.com/?moezm4tjzyv

This Town Needs Guns- Animals

Haven't listened to all of this yet, but it's gonna be tight. If you enjoy pop music or mathy things, get it. Also check out their split with Cats and Cats and Cats that I posted a while back, which is stellar. Best tracks are Gibbon, Chinchilla, and Elk, IMHO LOL

http://www.mediafire.com/?gljejmy2ifn

Edit: After listening, the only downfall is that all the songs kinda sound the same. But they have developed their sound more, I guess, but I may have liked the old style better. We'll see.

Tenebre- In Everything Give Thanks

Slightly mathy instrumental rock that is very nice to listen to. The bass player uses an upright, which gives a different feel than similar bands. A similar band might be Unwed Sailor or even Toe.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=L3YVWO2Y


And as a disclaimer, please buy things from these musicians if you like them, or try to catch them on tour, or at least tell your friends about them. I've thought about taking this down, but I think there are both pro's and con's, so just try and support good music, and I will too.

Radical Face- Ghost

This guy is also in an electro-pop band that Casey turned me onto, Electric President, but this is his folkier stuff. Has lots of fun whistling and handclaps and stuff, but still remains somewhat solemn. Really beautiful folky/pop stuff for fans of Page France, Pedro the Lion (maybe?). I'm pretty bad at comparing bands, so. yeah.

http://www.mediafire.com/?0jzgmzj5z1j

Four Tet- Rounds

My roommate turned me onto Four Tet, and it's pretty awesome. Folky-electronic-post rock at its finest. Really chill and nice. Um.... check it. The file is a little bigger because I went with a higher quality rip. This stuff deserves it.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BDJNR7AH

Blitzen Trapper- Furr

New album from Blitzen Trapper. I really liked some of the songs off "Wild Mountain Nation," but some songs strayed too far from the others and hurt the cohesiveness of the album. This new one seems to definitely be a step in the right direction, as all the songs seem like they should be on the same record. It's much folky-er and less rockin than the last album, but there's still some upbeat songs.

http://rapidshare.com/files/141931677/BTrF_Vic.zip

Pandora

This is what I wanted last.fm to be. You put in artists you like and it makes a custom radio station based on that artist's characteristics. Nice for listening at work.

http://www.pandora.com/

The Octopus Project- Hello, Avalanche

Dancey, slightly mathy rock with lots of post-rock influences. Check out "Truck" for the happiness noises ever.

http://rapidshare.com/files/93252665/ThctpsPrjct-Hllvlnch.rar

See them at Bottletree Oct. 18th with MY BAND Shapes Like Dinosaurs :)
myspace.com/shapeslikedinosaurs

Delta Spirit- Ode to Sunshine

I saw these guys with Dr. Dog tonight and was pretty blown away. They have a great live show and some really interesting ideas in their music. If you enjoy Dr. Dog or Rocky Votolato or anything alt-country/folk rock, check it out.

http://www.mediafire.com/?moezm4tjzyv

ALSO, if you're in Birmingham, you MUST go see Dr. Dog at Bottletree tomorrow. Soooooo good. Like amazing.

Heavenly Days- Old Demos

Yay for good local bands! These guys are all my really good friends, and they make some cool music. Very Radiohead-esque.

http://www.mediafire.com/?g5bztfjhlw5

myspace.com/heavenlydays

Phosphorescent- Daytrotter Sessions

Phosphorescent did a session for the excellent Daytrotter site, and it offers four-piece versions of his songs- just guitar, piano, bass, and drums. I might actually prefer this version of "Picture of Our Torn Up Praise," which is saying a lot, because I greatly enjoy that song. You can download them all here:

http://www.daytrotter.com/article/1200/phosphorescent

You should bookmark that site, they do live sessions with some sweet bands; a new one every weekday.

Mount Eerie- Lost Wisdom

I'm on a kick, so I thought I'd post this one too. This album has some of the same songs, but with guest female vocals and electric guitar. Very veryy good.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/n4re4t

Mount Eerie- Dawn

This is the songwriter from The Microphones stripped down and acoustic. I must say that this is one of the best CDs I've heard in quite a while, at least from a songwriting standpoint. I would say Phil Elverum can stand with any of the indie songwriter heavyweights of today. If you enjoy acoustic music or The Microphones, check it out. Kinda reminds me of Peter and the Wolf at points, Pedro the Lion at others, and maybe a little Death Cab sometimes.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/c2gpyr

Page France- Hello, Dear Wind

This is one of my favorite CDs ever. Folky indie with cryptic lyrics playing with biblical images and metaphors. Satisfies something deep down that is hard to get a grasp on. At least for me.

http://rapidshare.com/files/138315290/Page_France_-_Hello__Dear_Wind.rar

So Many Dynamos- Flashlights

I've been looking for this album FOREVER and a friend finally hooked me up. Think along the lines of Les Savy Fav, Q and Not U, and other quirky, experimental kinda rock bands. "Search Party" is a really awesome song, along with "progress" (i think that's what it's called). Check it out.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AB6Q316L

also: "Smells Like Content" by The Books is my favorite song of all time.

Dr. Dog- Fate

I've always thought Dr. Dog was kinda mediocre, but this new CD is pretty sweet. Sounds like if Josh Ritter spent a few years in Mississippi. Great for fans of folk and folk rock.

http://rapidshare.com/files/125615462/Dr._Dog_-_Fate__Modern_Life_is_Rubbish_Blog_.rar.html

A Lily- Wake:Sleep

A little gem of electronica/indie goodness. I don't listen to much stuff like this, but it kinda reminds me of Telefon Tel Aviv mixed with Tycho. The main guy in the band also just put out a three song EP that is acoustic guitars and folky sounding, so, pretty good stuff all around.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=06Z3GGL3

Benjamin Wetherill- Laura

I've been a little lacking in new music lately, but this songwriter is pretty cool. Imagine if Sufjan decided to be melancholy instead of really jaunty all the time. there's some assorted clarinet, saxophone, etc. in here, and some pretty nice guitar work. Not the most memorable, but worth a listen.

http://rapidshare.com/files/135853520/Be_We_-_La.zip

Red Dog Alley- Dear and Absurd

Shameless promotion for my band's new CD. Folk rock with some jazzy tendencies. We worked pretty hard on it and I think it turned out pretty good. Comments appreciated!

http://www.mediafire.com/?nrhofyhoirn

Tortoise and Bonnie "Prince" Billy- The Brave and the Bold

This is a pretty interesting collaboration. Tortoise is an experimental jazzy band from Chicago while Billy is a folky songwriter. They make some pretty interesting music together, as it turns out. Many of the songs have a sort of jungle feel to them, which is somewhat characteristic of Tortoise, but Billy fits his singing to the music very well, despite his out-of-place-ity. Sometimes dancey, sometimes mysterious, this is worth a listen.

http://www.mediafire.com/?v9whdvyypgv

Wild Sweet Orange- We Have Cause to be Uneasy

I figured I'd show these guys some love, as they're all great guys, even though I don't particularly love their music. Very poppy stuff with some indie thrown in for good measure.

http://www.mediafire.com/?1qxdupg4tj2

Man Man- Rabbit Habits

If you can resist the deep-seated urge to immediately turn this CD off, you will find some really cool songwriting with some of the most unique arrangements you've ever heard. This CD constantly reminds me of imp/troll music, or maybe songs from an 1800's circus. Either way, it's really cool, and if you can take the weird noises and random percussion, well worth your time.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8AKZYDM0

Other notes for today:
-Random grandma money came in the mail, so I can finally get Metal Gear 4. hooray!
-I'm going to Hawaii for 10 days on Friday morning, so no updates for a while.
-Routers hate me.

Kickball- ABCeFGHIJKickball and Everything is a Miracle, Nothing is a Miracle

Kickball is a pretty sweet band from Seattle, WA that is quickly becoming one of my favs. Picture dancey pop music that is in no way generic and has just the right amount of technicality. If you don't mind a little off key singing, you're gonna love these CDs. I included two because they are very similar and seem to me to be continuations of each other.

Stand-out tracks: Polarbears, Orion, Pocketknife, Little Thing, Shoulders, Party

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9LRPNSM9

Peter and the Wolf- Lightness

(For red, negativity)

Honestly, these guys aren't my favorite, but I haven't given them much of a chance. Very minimalist, lo-fi folk stuff. This is their first album released in 2006.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M527D25K

Maps and Atlases- You and Me and the Mountain

(For Casey)

I saw these guys live last night and it was everything I hoped it would be. If you love dancing and/or tapping on the guitar, you will probably like this. It's like if American Don was mostly in 4/4 and had more structure. Only 5 songs, but those 5 are all better than most of Trees, Swallows, Houses (in my opinion).

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LSJP8DQM

Carissa's Wierd- Songs About Leaving

I haven't listened to this band all that much, but I like them a lot. Melancholy indie rock about everything sad in the world. Lots of male/female harmonies and somber piano stabs in between plucked minor guitar. They remind me of another defunct band, Very Secretary.

Two members of Carissa's Wierd went on to form Band of Horses, which some people like. Also, "weird" is supposed to be spelled like that.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9XSTB3W1

Pele- Enemies

Sorry for the long dry spell. Summer has been hectic. This is one of my favorite instrumental CDs and it's great for summer. Pele has a very musical approach to their music and is unique among the somewhat stale instrumental rock genre.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MCHP8BXX

Iron and Wine- Home Sessions '01 and '02

Includes demo versions of songs from Sea and The Rhythm, In the Reins, and Endless Numbered Days. I like some of them better than the actual versions. Something about Sam Beam's voice lends itself to crappy 4-track recorder noise. If you like Creek Drank the Cradle, you have to get this.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BCU9QVDJ

Mirror- Or, So, Now

This is a Japanese instrumental band very similar to Toe. A little more aggressive and rock-ish. Very good, worth a listen.

http://www.mediafire.com/?o0gxtzdjnwi (Link updated: 4/28/09)

Death Cab- Narrow Stairs (for real)

This is actually the new Death Cab album. I enjoyed it, although I must say it's probably my least favorite Death Cab album. It's a little boring to me. The lyrics are still good, as is Ben Gibbard's silky voice caressing my thighs, and there are definitely some really good songs. Check it out.

http://www.mediafire.com/?wvxcr4uxh0y

The Microphones- The Glow Pt. 2

" That easy but deliberate rhythm, along with Elvrum's mossy production, makes The Glow Pt. 2 feel uncommonly organic. Many of his songs move with the naturalistic but formalized cadence of an iambic meter. "I Want Wind to Blow" is cut by a heartbeat, plunked out on an acoustic guitar's low E string. The hardier pulse of "The Gleam Pt. 2" turns pitch-shifted guitars into a stately march. These could have been average indie pop tunes were they not shaped by Elvrum's unique sense of non-linear arrangement and space: He often gives us a few moments to acclimate ourselves to the Dub Narcotic studio's seething room tone before, with a sudden flourish, flooding it with energy, as he does on "Map" and "My Roots are Strong and Deep". Therefore, everything he records sounds huge and hollowed out, a little bigger on the inside than on the outside. Death Cab for Cutie would have written the frilly arpeggios of "You'll Be in the Air" and stopped there, but Microphones fans wait on tenterhooks for the moment when it inevitably shudders and begins to pile up on itself." -Pitchfork (9.2)

indie pop songwriter masterpiece. look up the lyrics, they are nice.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=383B8TQO

Andrew Bird- Soldier On EP

This is one of my favorite releases by Andrew Bird because every song is so different. The highlight is Track 1 which features a driving drum machine, but every song is tight. Give it a shot.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CA4EWYEP

Bear vs. Shark- Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands...

CLASSIC BEST ALBUM EVER DOWNLOAD IT

http://clanlogic.com/nerve/music/rightnow.rar

David Karsten Daniels- Fear of Flying

Alt folk is just gettin better everyday. Some insightful lyrics on this one with more folky, rock feel. Less ambient harmonies and such, but cool songs.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PJC22LHD

RIYL: Faster Iron and Wine, Fleet Foxes, Phosphorescent, slower Annuals

Rob Crow- Living Well

I don't know. I just like his voice. The dude from Pinback, you know. Everything he's done (save The Ladies which was quite good) has been almost really cool, but just stops short. He's just always missing something. This album's pretty short and there's some cool stuff I guess. I've just been in a music slump lately, or I've already posted everything cool.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DQVUQ1XI

You guys should really download that Phosphorescent album I posted a while back. It's so cool.

Death Cab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs

FAKE.this was fake. sorry. sounded kinda real though. The link I posted was actually an album by some band called the Velveteens or something.

Fleet Foxes- Ragged Wood

This is a great alt-folk kinda album. Every song has really excellent harmonies that, from what I've seen, can be reproduced live, which is quite a feat. I think the band still has a little evolving to do, but this is definitely one of my favorites this year. It's quite magical when you're in just the right mood.

RIYL: Iron and Wine, Great Book of John, Jeremy Enigk?, Grizzly Bear

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JUZ6J4MP

Annuals/Sunfold- Wet Zoo EP

So I was pretty excited about this. Annuals' last EP (Frelen Mas) was really good and I've liked what I've heard from Sunfold (one song). However, this EP was not that great. The Annuals' songs are mostly acoustic and a little boring. They lack the crazy antics that I love and all sound the same to me. The Sunfold half is comprised of pretty standard pop-rock kinda songs that have specs of impressive playing, but fall short of anything remarkable. However, the album art work is pretty sweet, so I put it on here. If you're an Annuals fan, it's worth a download.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0JOLFIU9

Make Believe- Goin' to the Bone Church

Haven't listened to it yet, but it's really weird from what I've heard.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UACNV64B

Algernon Cadwallader- Some Kind of Cadwallader

Somehow, this album didn't live up to my expectations. I got a little bored, honestly. There are, say, four or five faster songs that I really liked, and a couple slower songs were really pretty, but overall I got a little bored. Still really good music that you can dance to.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GL2G38O6

William Fitzsimmons- Goodnight

A nice little acoustic album. Sounds like more poppy Iron and Wine. The occasional drum machine adds some variety.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W0VU97JH

Phosphorescence- Pride

I haven't actually listened to this CD yet, but it seems pretty good. Like a weird meshing of Peter and the Wolf, Neil Young, and the softer moments of Explosions in the Sky. Or something.

http://www.mediafire.com/?hnj320tly2m

(it's telling me the link is temporarily unavailable... if that continues, I'll upload it somewhere else. Not that anyone reads this or cares.)

The Dodos- Visiter

I've been excited for this CD for a while because the first single, Fools, is a tight song. The entire album pretty much fulfilled my expectations. Its simpler than the S/T full length- less crazy picking and more strumming, and there are a few songs that don't really go anywhere, but that's how the first CD was too. Overall, I like it just as much as the first CD- not more, not less.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BK621QGJ

Dirty Projectors- Rise Above

This is definitely the best Dirty Projectors album. Dancey technical stuff with a really unique flair. the dual female vocals are awesome and add so much to the dude's wailing. try it out if you like minus the bear, maybe? or if you think you'd like a less crazy kinsella project.

http://www.mediafire.com/?n9imxgaiyel

Freakin out.

Today I was going to run with my mp3 player when my right headphone popped out of my ear. I didn't think anything of it until I realized the tip had come off in my ear. You couldn't even see it, it was so far in. The RD had to pull it out of my ear with scissor tweezers and it took him like 15 minutes. Everyone stared. Pretty traumatic.

Antlers- S/T EP

Pretty awesome instrumental tech band. a little heavier than some things. every song is named after a tree.

http://www.mediafire.com/?js3t5j4msn2

America is never doing good things for good reasons.

"But assassination can seldom be employed with a clear conscience. Persons who are morally squeamish should not attempt it."

-CIA's "A Study of Assassination"

March is here

and it's really nice outside.

Holler, Wild Rose!- Our Little Hymnal

I found this CD randomly and downloaded it based on the name and album art. It's a very unique crossover between folk and post-rock. Think Sigur Ros meets The Cave Singers (if you've heard The Cave Singers). Definitely worth the download if you're into post-rock and even one folk band. The lyrics are great, the singing is cool, and the arrangements are really powerful.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XUP30HM5

This Town Needs Guns/Cats and Cats and Cats EP

Daniel showed me this little band out of the UK that has tickled my fancy. I enjoy This Town Needs Guns more than Cats and Cats and Cats, but I definitely like the latter's name more. Reminds me of more aggressive American Football.

http://www.mediafire.com/?vdbjx0yzhtu

The Cold War was dumb.

Never take a class on the history of the Cold War. Even if it fits your schedule really well and you need the credit, it's not worth it. Oh, and if any of you know anything about the effects of the Cold War on Latin America, let me know. I have a very large paper on that due soon.

Future Sandwich is still quite tight. As is The Cave Singers.

Them, Roaringtwenties- Future Sandwich

Yep, two entries in one day because this is really one of the greatest EP's ever released. If you have ever enjoyed a book, this album is for you. Maybe you enjoy the occasional cold soup along with hot. Then you'll like this. If you ever cried over the death of Mother Nature, you will enjoy a nice Future Sandwich.

http://www.mediafire.com/?hhxdyljt0w3

watch out or the sandwich will eat you.

Colour Revolt- Plunder, Beg, and Curse

I've been waiting for this CD for quite a while. It pretty much met my expectations. Tracks 2 and 3 are a little weak in my opinion, and the album as a whole is much chiller than I expected, but overall it is a more cohesive and focused effort than the EP.

http://www.mediafire.com/?tozgzgjuycx

NC shows

I played two shows with Red Dog in North Carolina this weekend. It was real fun, but driving 7 or 8 hours is not cool. I think things could go pretty well for that band, if we all stick it out.

Piglet is like for real broken up. Very sad.

I'm pretty excited about the Them, Roaringtwenties CD and the Great Book of John CD.

The Books- Smells Like Content

Probably some of my favorite lyrics ever.

Balance, Repetition
Composition, Mirrors

most of all the world is a place
where parts of wholes are described
within an overarching paradigm of clarity
and accuracy
the context of which makes possible
an underlying sense of the way it all fits together
despite our collective tendency not to conceive of it as such.

but then again
the world without end
is a place where souls are combined
but with an overbearing feeling of disparity,
disorderliness
to ignore it is impossible
without getting oneself
into all kinds of trouble
despite one's best intentions
not to get entangled with it so much.

and meanwhile the statues are bleeding green
and others are saying things
much better than we ever could
as the quiet becomes suddenly verbose.

and the hail is heralding the size of nickels,
and the street corners are gnashing together
like the gears inside the head
of some omniscient engineer
and downward flows the garnered wisdom
that has never died.

when finally we opened the box
we couldn't find any rules
our heads were reeling with a glut of possibilities, contingencies
but with ever increasing faith
we decided to go ahead and just ignore them
despite tremendous pressure to capitulate and fade.

so instead we went ahead
to fabricate a catalog
of unstable elements
and modicums
and particles with non-zero total strangeness
for brief moments which amount
to nothing more than tiny fragments of a finger snap.

and meanwhile we're furiously sleeping green
and the map has started tearing along it's creases due to overuse,
when in reality, it's never needed folds.

and the air's withholding the sound
of its wellspring,
and our heads are approaching a density
reminiscent of the connectivity
of the center of the sun
and therein lies the garnered wisdom
that has never died.

expectation leads to disappointment
if we don't expect something big, huge, and exciting
usually, uh
i dont know, it's just not as, yeah.

The Littlest Viking- Mafia EP

Today's band was nice enough to send me a CD for free, just for inquiring about them. They play technical rock that is rockin, yet not abrasive. It kind of flows through you. Very nice work on all instrument fronts, although the songs sound a little like a bunch of parts thrown together, albeit very good parts.

http://www.mediafire.com/?8ixuggoluw3

Toe- The Book About My Idle Plot On a Vague Anxiety

owen is here! yay!

Here is a really nice CD by a Japanese band called Toe. They play instrumental rock with a slight mathy edge. Very awesome, and the drummer is good.

http://www.mediafire.com/?1vxgwjc2f1j

Today's Events and The Books- Lost and Safe

today I was on the stage crew for a really big show in an arena. eight subs, sixteen PA speakers from the ceiling, four full lighting racks... it was pretty crazy to set up and take down. my official title was "keys tech" meaning I took the keyboard and wurlitzer on and off the stage. it was kinda fun, although it was very tiring and took two whole days.

in honor of my being tired, I will post some music I listen to when I'm tired: The Books. This album is my favorite because it's the only one I've listened to. very chill and some really cool samples and lyrics.

http://www.mediafire.com/?6lyisl9ldzk

Anathallo- Floating World

This is really one of the most beautiful, unique CD's ever released. Please download it.

http://www.mediafire.com/?a7fyjewd1jo

Birthmark- The Layer

This is what I listened to instead of having a girlfriend. Nate Kinsella's solo album. kinda funky, kinda melodic, pretty fun.

http://www.mediafire.com/?bl4giz4u0vo

happy valentine's day!!!!

first post

HEY. i'm gonna post on this sometimes.

false alarm.

i hope to put some albums on here that I want everyone to hear. maybe talk about some issues. we'll see.