01. Cinemechanica - Brain Trap - The Martial Arts (Hello Sir 2006)
02. Watchers - (We've Got) A Witness - Vampire Driver (Gern Blandsten 2007)
03. White Rainbow - Mystic Prism - Prism of the Eternal Now (Kranky 2007)
04. 33.3 - Quilted Giraffe - Self-Titled (Aesthetics 1999)
05. Unwound - Nervous Energy - Fake Train (Kill Rock Stars 1993)
06. Fursaxa - Black Haw - Alone in the Dark Wood (Eclipse 2007)
07. Black Swan - Altered - Demo (Self-Released 2007)
08. Blank Dogs - In a Web - Sweet Rot (Self-Released 2007)
09. The Units - I-night - Warm Moving Bodies (415 1979)
10. Desperate Bicycles - Holidays - New Cross, New Cross (Refill 1978)
11. Dow Jones and the Industrials - Can't Stand the Midwest - Self-Titled EP (Hardly Music 1980)
12. Factums - The Night is Freedom - Alien Native (Siltbreeze 2007)
13. A-Frames - Black Forest III - Black Forest (Sub Pop 2005)
14. The Pink Noise - Wicked Wasteland/Peter Pan World - Soundtrack (Self-Released 2007)
15. The Anals - Wake Up, You're Dead - Self-Titled 7" (Phil Scrotum 2006)
16. TV Ghost - Atomic Rain - Atomic Rain (Die Stasi 2007)
17. Daniel Striped Tiger - Disconnection - Capital Cities (Clean Plate 2007)
18. Envy - Thousand Scars - Abyssal (Temporary Residence 2007)
19. Ashtray Navigations - Hey Sunflower Motherfucker - Four More Raga Moods (Ikuisuus 2006)
20. Mouthus - Armies Between - Saw a Halo (Load 2007)
21. GHQ - Untitled 4 - Seven Sisters (Self-Released 2007)
22. Lorelei - Quiet Staid Debt - Everyone Must Touch the Stove (Slumberland 1994)
23. No Neck Blues Band - Live Your Myth in Grease - Qvaris (5RC 2005)
24. Racoo-oo-oon - Black Branches - Behold Secret Kingdom (Release the Bats 2007)
25. The Skull Defekts - Unholy Drums Are Singing - Blood Spirits and Drums Are Singing (Conspiracy 2007)
26. The Music Tapes - What the Single Made the Needle Sing - 1st Imaginary Symphony for Nomad (Merge 1999)
27. Anne Laplantine - Comment c'est a la Radio - Nordheim (Groom 1999)
28. Aphid Ant Constructions - For Fiery Hearts - Originary Presents (Shake Got the Beets 2004)
Feb 3, 2008
November 20, 2007 Playlist - O&E
01. The Jesus Lizard - Monkey Trick - Goat (Touch and Go 1991)
02. The National Acrobat - Triangular Wheel - TNA: The Complete Recordings (Initial 2004)
03. These Arms Are Snakes - Deer Lodge - Easter (Jade Tree 2006)
04. Amanda Woodward - Dans le Cas Ou les Flammes - La Décadence de la Décadence (Level-Plane 2004)
05. An Arrow in Flight - One Bold Stroke from Right to Left - Filling the Sky (Coldbringer 2004)
06. Ampere - Wormwood, Radiation - Split LP w/ Sinaloa (Ebullition 2006)
07. Black Eyes - Some Boys - Shut Up, I Never (Dischord 2002)
08. Former Members of Alfonsin - Itty Bitty - Split LP w/ Project Hate (Phyte 1998)
09. Fag Static - Another Day Another Name - Demo (Self-Released 2007)
10. Thank God - It's Like Fire on Fire - Split 10" w/ Monarcs (Mashnote 2006)
11. Jacob and I - Shadout Maps 3 - Shadout Maps (Self-Released 2007)
12. Hand-FED Babies - Simon - Self-Titled EP (5nakefork 2005)
13. The Creeping Nobodies - Red Weather - Augurs & Auspices (Deleted Art 2007)
14. Matias - Only My Hands Went Free - The Split Leaf EP (Self-Released 2007)
15. Tree Creature - Molten Tropics - Odyssey (Barbarian Tapes 2007)
16. Fur Elise - Ghost Tropic - The Pines (Stickfigure 2007)
17. Giant Lion - Children - Nature Split (Deadbird 2007)
18. Parade - Slow Tuesday - The P EP (Self-Released 2004)
02. The National Acrobat - Triangular Wheel - TNA: The Complete Recordings (Initial 2004)
03. These Arms Are Snakes - Deer Lodge - Easter (Jade Tree 2006)
04. Amanda Woodward - Dans le Cas Ou les Flammes - La Décadence de la Décadence (Level-Plane 2004)
05. An Arrow in Flight - One Bold Stroke from Right to Left - Filling the Sky (Coldbringer 2004)
06. Ampere - Wormwood, Radiation - Split LP w/ Sinaloa (Ebullition 2006)
07. Black Eyes - Some Boys - Shut Up, I Never (Dischord 2002)
08. Former Members of Alfonsin - Itty Bitty - Split LP w/ Project Hate (Phyte 1998)
09. Fag Static - Another Day Another Name - Demo (Self-Released 2007)
10. Thank God - It's Like Fire on Fire - Split 10" w/ Monarcs (Mashnote 2006)
11. Jacob and I - Shadout Maps 3 - Shadout Maps (Self-Released 2007)
12. Hand-FED Babies - Simon - Self-Titled EP (5nakefork 2005)
13. The Creeping Nobodies - Red Weather - Augurs & Auspices (Deleted Art 2007)
14. Matias - Only My Hands Went Free - The Split Leaf EP (Self-Released 2007)
15. Tree Creature - Molten Tropics - Odyssey (Barbarian Tapes 2007)
16. Fur Elise - Ghost Tropic - The Pines (Stickfigure 2007)
17. Giant Lion - Children - Nature Split (Deadbird 2007)
18. Parade - Slow Tuesday - The P EP (Self-Released 2004)
November 13, 2007 Playlist - O&E
01. 33.3 - Latex Matrix - Self-Titled (Aesthetics 1999)
02. Telegraph Melts - Indigo Azure Cyan - Illium (Absolutely Kosher 1999)
03. Tulsa Drone - The Plague - Songs From a Mean Season (Perpetual Motion Machine/Dry Country Records 2007)
04. Wata - Angel - She's So Heavy (Diwphalanx 2007)
05. Ai Aso - Islands - She's So Heavy (Diwphalanx 2007)
06. Miscarriage - Untitled - Infected Orgasm (Heavy Psych 2007)
07. Arab on Radar - 7.2 - Stolen Singles (ThreeOneG 2003)
08. Gay Beast - Mama, Wrap My Coffin In The A.I.D.S. Quilt Cuz It's Cold In Hell - Disrobics (Release the Bats 2007)
09. Rolo Tomassi - C is for Calculus - Self-Titled (Holy Roar 2006)
10. Belong - Red Velvet or Nothing - October Language (Carpark 2006)
11. Small Sails - Corners - Similar Anniversaries (Other Electricites 2007)
12. Japandi - 3 - Tour CD (Self-Released 2003?)
13. Library Tapes - Leaves Abstract In A Village Plunged Into Mourning (Feat. Colleen) - Feeilngs for Something Lost (Resonant 2006)
14. Ghastly City Sleep - Suchness - Self-Titled (Robotic Empire 2007)
15. The Wind-Up Bird - He Waited and Waited, and Now, at Last, in the Stillest Hour of Night, the Sounds Got Busy Once Again - The One Am Radio / Wind Up Bird Split (Alone/Paramnesia 2002)
15. Resplendent - Stately & Graceful - Am I Free? I Am Free (Mixx Tape 2005)
16. Tom Burbank - The Chop - Famous First Words (Planet µ 2006)
17. Kemialliset Ystävät - Superhimmeli - Self-Titled (Fonal 2007)
18. Corsican Paintbrush - Mutable Earth - Aquarian Hymns (Digitalis 2007)
19. Talibam! - Lunch Break At Naan - Ordination of the Globetrotting Conscripts (Azul Discografia 2007)
20. Lichens - Vevor of Agassou - Omns (Kranky 2007)
21. Polliné - Continue a Hymn - Parallel Canvas (Boxcar 2000)
22. Siouxsie - One Mile Below - Mantaray (Universal/Decca 2007)
02. Telegraph Melts - Indigo Azure Cyan - Illium (Absolutely Kosher 1999)
03. Tulsa Drone - The Plague - Songs From a Mean Season (Perpetual Motion Machine/Dry Country Records 2007)
04. Wata - Angel - She's So Heavy (Diwphalanx 2007)
05. Ai Aso - Islands - She's So Heavy (Diwphalanx 2007)
06. Miscarriage - Untitled - Infected Orgasm (Heavy Psych 2007)
07. Arab on Radar - 7.2 - Stolen Singles (ThreeOneG 2003)
08. Gay Beast - Mama, Wrap My Coffin In The A.I.D.S. Quilt Cuz It's Cold In Hell - Disrobics (Release the Bats 2007)
09. Rolo Tomassi - C is for Calculus - Self-Titled (Holy Roar 2006)
10. Belong - Red Velvet or Nothing - October Language (Carpark 2006)
11. Small Sails - Corners - Similar Anniversaries (Other Electricites 2007)
12. Japandi - 3 - Tour CD (Self-Released 2003?)
13. Library Tapes - Leaves Abstract In A Village Plunged Into Mourning (Feat. Colleen) - Feeilngs for Something Lost (Resonant 2006)
14. Ghastly City Sleep - Suchness - Self-Titled (Robotic Empire 2007)
15. The Wind-Up Bird - He Waited and Waited, and Now, at Last, in the Stillest Hour of Night, the Sounds Got Busy Once Again - The One Am Radio / Wind Up Bird Split (Alone/Paramnesia 2002)
15. Resplendent - Stately & Graceful - Am I Free? I Am Free (Mixx Tape 2005)
16. Tom Burbank - The Chop - Famous First Words (Planet µ 2006)
17. Kemialliset Ystävät - Superhimmeli - Self-Titled (Fonal 2007)
18. Corsican Paintbrush - Mutable Earth - Aquarian Hymns (Digitalis 2007)
19. Talibam! - Lunch Break At Naan - Ordination of the Globetrotting Conscripts (Azul Discografia 2007)
20. Lichens - Vevor of Agassou - Omns (Kranky 2007)
21. Polliné - Continue a Hymn - Parallel Canvas (Boxcar 2000)
22. Siouxsie - One Mile Below - Mantaray (Universal/Decca 2007)
November 06, 2007 Playlist - O&E
I've been way behind on posting these. At the very least, it'll increase my hits from Google, right? Whether or not you actually listen to this shit is irrelevant.
01. Alasehir - Nazca - The Stone Sentinels (Archive 2007)
02. MV & EE - Get Right Church - Eye in the Pines (Child of Microtones 2007)
03. Red Favorite - Routine - Self-Titled (Spirit of Orr 2006)
04. Coach Fingers - Late Night Westtown - No Files on Frank (Locust 2006)
05. Matta Llama - Thetan Cruise - Self-Titled (Mad Monk 2007)
06. Alligator Crystal Moth - Mother Stars - Magic Swamp Kingdom (Foxglove 2005)
07. Plastic Crimewave Sound - Far In-Out - No Wonderland (Eclipse 2006)
08. Indian Jewelry - Lesser Snake - Invase Exotics (Monitor 2006)
09. Softwar - Psychic Shake - Self-Titled (Digitalis 2007)
10. Spectre Folk - Italian Tv 1 (Don Cherry) - Papa Smurf Smiles Down On Us From Heaven (Abandon Ship 2007)
11. The Phantom Family Halo - Electric God in Your Galaxy - The Legend of Black Six (EMI 2007)
12. Voice of the Seven Woods - Second Transition - Self-Titled (Twisted Nerve 2007)
13. Amps for Christ - AFC Tower Song - The People At Large (5RC 2004)
14. Jackie-O Motherfucker - Northern Line - Liberation (Road Cone 2001/ATP 2005)
15. Grails - Soft Temple - Burning Off Impurities (Temporary Residence 2007)
16. Gutevolk - Ao To Kuro - Tiny People Singing Over the Rainbow (Noble 2007)
17. Anna Ranger - Guitar - Above and Under Ground (Plastiq Musiq 2005)
18. Rocketship - People I Know - Hey, Hey, Girl (The Bus Stop 1994)
19. Cruise Control Pills - Here for the Show - Self-Titled (Bees Make Honey 1996)
20. The Music Tapes - Song for the Death of Parents - 1st Imaginary Symphony For Nomad (Merge 1999)
21. Hi Ho, Six Shooter! - It Don't Mean a Thang, If it Ain't Got That Twang - A Brief Discourse On Death and Dying; or, the Gravedigger's Muddy Shovel (No Signal House 2005)
22. A Plan So Crazy It Just Might Work - Trio (Rebels in the New World) - Self-Titled (Self-Released 2004)
23. Year Future - The Hidden Hand - The Hidden Hand (GSL 2004)
01. Alasehir - Nazca - The Stone Sentinels (Archive 2007)
02. MV & EE - Get Right Church - Eye in the Pines (Child of Microtones 2007)
03. Red Favorite - Routine - Self-Titled (Spirit of Orr 2006)
04. Coach Fingers - Late Night Westtown - No Files on Frank (Locust 2006)
05. Matta Llama - Thetan Cruise - Self-Titled (Mad Monk 2007)
06. Alligator Crystal Moth - Mother Stars - Magic Swamp Kingdom (Foxglove 2005)
07. Plastic Crimewave Sound - Far In-Out - No Wonderland (Eclipse 2006)
08. Indian Jewelry - Lesser Snake - Invase Exotics (Monitor 2006)
09. Softwar - Psychic Shake - Self-Titled (Digitalis 2007)
10. Spectre Folk - Italian Tv 1 (Don Cherry) - Papa Smurf Smiles Down On Us From Heaven (Abandon Ship 2007)
11. The Phantom Family Halo - Electric God in Your Galaxy - The Legend of Black Six (EMI 2007)
12. Voice of the Seven Woods - Second Transition - Self-Titled (Twisted Nerve 2007)
13. Amps for Christ - AFC Tower Song - The People At Large (5RC 2004)
14. Jackie-O Motherfucker - Northern Line - Liberation (Road Cone 2001/ATP 2005)
15. Grails - Soft Temple - Burning Off Impurities (Temporary Residence 2007)
16. Gutevolk - Ao To Kuro - Tiny People Singing Over the Rainbow (Noble 2007)
17. Anna Ranger - Guitar - Above and Under Ground (Plastiq Musiq 2005)
18. Rocketship - People I Know - Hey, Hey, Girl (The Bus Stop 1994)
19. Cruise Control Pills - Here for the Show - Self-Titled (Bees Make Honey 1996)
20. The Music Tapes - Song for the Death of Parents - 1st Imaginary Symphony For Nomad (Merge 1999)
21. Hi Ho, Six Shooter! - It Don't Mean a Thang, If it Ain't Got That Twang - A Brief Discourse On Death and Dying; or, the Gravedigger's Muddy Shovel (No Signal House 2005)
22. A Plan So Crazy It Just Might Work - Trio (Rebels in the New World) - Self-Titled (Self-Released 2004)
23. Year Future - The Hidden Hand - The Hidden Hand (GSL 2004)
Feb 2, 2008
MART 590e - Raw Danger!
So I'm taking this Media Arts class where one of our assignments is to play a video game every week and then write about it. Might as well use this blog since it already exists, so yeah.
This week: Raw Danger!, a PS2 budget title from Agetec.
I first heard about this game on the Something Awful forums, and what I'm writing here simply echoes much of what's already been said.
Raw Danger! is actually the sequel to 2003's Disaster Report, a game where players had to escape a city hit by an earthquake. This time around, however, it's all about escaping the safest and most advanced city in the world as it faces a flood disaster. In order to survive, players have to avoid water and keep their body temperature up while climbing, jumping, and crawling their way to safety, all while keeping an ear out for emergency broadcasts and crossing paths with other flood victims. Sound familiar? Oh, right.
First of all, Raw Danger! does more things right than it does wrong, and that's what makes it special™.
You can play as 6 different characters whose paths all cross, and where the decisions you make affect the lives of each character. Do you help your coworker or do you leave her to drown because she has an annoying voice? The choices can actually be much deeper than that, but they don't have to be. The sheer amount of options is impressive. The game can be the ultimate be-a-dick simulator or white-knight story, and while certain games never escape these two extremes, Raw Danger! allows for a lot of grey area simply due to the overlapping stories. One character may leave someone to die, but as you play the next character, she may find the co-worker from another perspective, and have to make a decision based on some other character's choices. It doesn't necessarily play out as if you have to continually outsmart yourself the entire game, but it does flirt with the concept a bit.
The most interesting aspect of the game? None of it involves combat. You explore the city, talk to people, drive vehicles, create makeshift survival tools from items you scavenge throughout the game, solve puzzles to reach safety, and (oh, no) collect fragments of your memory to rebuild your identity. Okay, so that's one strike against the game.
Mechanically, though, there isn't much to argue about. The biggest complaint is the lack of polish and production value. Oh, and the localization is kind of funny:
In the future, everyone in America is blonde. Call me a temporal conformist.
Anyway, Mass Effect can go to hell. Raw Danger! is the deepest game I've played this year. You want character interaction and choices with consequences? You want branching paths and multiple endings for EACH character in the game? Then hop to, and drop $10 on Raw Danger!
Also, I didn't really mean that about Mass Effect. I'm sorry, baby.
This week: Raw Danger!, a PS2 budget title from Agetec.
I first heard about this game on the Something Awful forums, and what I'm writing here simply echoes much of what's already been said.
Raw Danger! is actually the sequel to 2003's Disaster Report, a game where players had to escape a city hit by an earthquake. This time around, however, it's all about escaping the safest and most advanced city in the world as it faces a flood disaster. In order to survive, players have to avoid water and keep their body temperature up while climbing, jumping, and crawling their way to safety, all while keeping an ear out for emergency broadcasts and crossing paths with other flood victims. Sound familiar? Oh, right.
First of all, Raw Danger! does more things right than it does wrong, and that's what makes it special™.
You can play as 6 different characters whose paths all cross, and where the decisions you make affect the lives of each character. Do you help your coworker or do you leave her to drown because she has an annoying voice? The choices can actually be much deeper than that, but they don't have to be. The sheer amount of options is impressive. The game can be the ultimate be-a-dick simulator or white-knight story, and while certain games never escape these two extremes, Raw Danger! allows for a lot of grey area simply due to the overlapping stories. One character may leave someone to die, but as you play the next character, she may find the co-worker from another perspective, and have to make a decision based on some other character's choices. It doesn't necessarily play out as if you have to continually outsmart yourself the entire game, but it does flirt with the concept a bit.
The most interesting aspect of the game? None of it involves combat. You explore the city, talk to people, drive vehicles, create makeshift survival tools from items you scavenge throughout the game, solve puzzles to reach safety, and (oh, no) collect fragments of your memory to rebuild your identity. Okay, so that's one strike against the game.
Mechanically, though, there isn't much to argue about. The biggest complaint is the lack of polish and production value. Oh, and the localization is kind of funny:
In the future, everyone in America is blonde. Call me a temporal conformist.
Anyway, Mass Effect can go to hell. Raw Danger! is the deepest game I've played this year. You want character interaction and choices with consequences? You want branching paths and multiple endings for EACH character in the game? Then hop to, and drop $10 on Raw Danger!
Also, I didn't really mean that about Mass Effect. I'm sorry, baby.
Nov 5, 2007
Special 90s Hardcore Fundraiser Show Playlist
A long playlist. I omitted the NYHC and East Bay stuff and focused on a lot of lesser known bands. I also ran out of time to play the rest of the Council Records and Bloodlink stuff. And apologies to Eurich for not playing them.
01. Antischism - Scream - Discography (Prank 1998)
02. Initial State - Feast - Abort the Soul (Prank 1998)
03. .fuckingcom - Earth Mover - Self-Titled (Prank 1998)
04. A//Political - Free Trade in Death - Planting the Seeds of Revolution (Crasshole 1997)
05. Iconoclast - Battlefields - Discography (Ebullition 2002)
06. Los Crudos - Illegal y Que (Live Studio Session) - Discografia (Lengua Armada 2001)
07. Insult to Injury - Traitor - The Things Kids Say (Three Day Hero 199x?)
08. Tonka - Butterknife - Stupid By the Grace of God (Assorted Porkchops 1991)
09. Unherd - Blue - Self-Titled (Assorted Porkchops 1993)
10. Assfactor 4 - Deliri-Loco - Self-Titled (Old Glory 1995)
11. Salvo Rain - Jonsong - Shanked 7" (Self-Released 1995)
12. Marion - Favorite Patient - Self-Titled (KFLR-USA 199x?)
13. Eagle Bravo - You Said It, Chairman - 1/2 (Gridsector 199x?)
14. Cornelius - Terraforming - Discography (Assorted Porkchops 2001)
15. Palatka - Another Sort of Blacklist - End of Irony (No Idea 1999)
16. End of the Century Party - Ask My Exorcist or My School Psychiatrist - Discography 1993-1999 (Coaxt 2004)
17. In/Humanity - Super Plan B - Your Future Lies Smoldering at the Feet of the Robots (Stereonucleosis/Coalition/Prank 1997)
18. Index for Potential Suicide - How To Build a Silencer for a Semiautomatic Weapon - Sex, Violence, Whatever (Alone 2005)
19. End of the Line - Guilt - Self-Titled (Ebullition 1993)
20. Antioch Arrow - Somba - In Love With the Jetts/Lady is a Cat (Gravity 1997)
21. Clikatat Ikatowi - Too Simple - Orchestrated and Conducted By (Gravity 1996)
22. Angel Hair - Space Ape - Pregnant with the Senior Class (Gravity 1997)
23. Heroin - Meaningless - Self-Titled CD (Gravity 1997)
24. Honeywell - Expectafeelis - Electric Kool-Aid (Monotone Supersounds 1994)
25. Mohinder - To Satisfy - Everything (GSL 2001)
26. The VSS - Lunar Weight - Nervous Circuits (GSL 1997)
27. Drive Like Jehu - Caress - Self-Titled (Cargo 1991)
28. Swing Kids - Forty Three Seconds - Discography (Three One G 1998)
29. Guyver-One - Nine Pints - Obsessed With... (Inchworm 1996)
30. Universal Order of Armageddon - Desperate Motion - Self-Titled (Gravity 1994)
31. Gauze - Essa Hoi Sassa - Kao O Aratte Denaoshite Koi (XXX 1997)
32. Uutuus - Maailman Politiikkaa - Systeemin Rattaissa EP (Genet 1993)
33. Unhinged - Won't Be My Shelter - Resisting the Murder of Self EP (Nabate 1993)
34. Nausea - Battened - The Punk Terrorist Anthology Vol. 1 (Alternative Tentacles 2001)
35. Doom - Days Go By - Fuck Peaceville (Profane Existence 1995)
36. Hiatus - No Answers To Lead Me - Old Fashioned Shit for Consumers (Ataque Sonoro 1995)
37. Spazz - Not Even Phased - Crush, Kill, Destroy (Slap-a-Ham 1999)
38. Capitalist Casualties - Worker - Self-Titled (Slap-a-Ham 1997)
39. Econochrist - Behave - Discography (Ebullition 1999)
40. Code 13 - Criminal Empire - Complete Discography 1994-2000 (Havoc 2000)
41. Destroy - The Revolution Will Not Be Analog - Necropolis (Sound Pollution 1994)
42. Man is the Bastard - Volatile Cocktail - Abundance of Guns (S.O.A. 1992)
43. Rorschach - Lightning Strikes Twice - Autopsy (Gern Blandsten 1995)
44. Deadguy - Apparatus - Fixation on a Coworker (Victory 1995)
45. Born Against - Mount the Pavement - Patriotic Battle Hymns (Kill Rock Stars 2003)
46. His Hero is Gone - Automation - Monument to Thieves (Prank 1998)
47. Infest - Terminal Nation - No Man's Slave (Deep Six 2002)
48. Phobia - Blood Sport - Means of Existence (Slap-a-Ham 1998)
49. Crossed Out - Crown of Thorns - 1990-1993 (Slap-a-Ham 2000)
50. Amber Inn - Leave With Dignity - All Roads Still Lead Home (Ebullition 1998)
51. Torches to Rome - Young Arsenal - (Ebullition 1997)
52. Portraits of Past - Implications of a Sinkhole Personality - Self-Titled (Ebullition 1995)
53. Reversal of Man - Pieces of Eight - Discography CD (Schematics 2005)
54. The Nation of Ulysses - You're My Miss Washington, D.C. - 13-Point Program to Destroy America (Dischord 1991)
55. Hoover - Distant - The Lurid Traversal of Route 7 (Dischord 1999)
56. Jawbox - Tracking - Novelty (Dischord 1992)
57. Circus Lupus - Pacifier - Super Genius (Dischord 1992)
58. Fugazi - Smallpox Champion - In on the Kill Taker (Dischord 1991)
59. Unwound - New Energy - The Future of What (Kill Rock Stars 1995)
60. Four Hundred Years - Thicker Than Water - Suture and Other Songs (Lovitt 1999)
61. Frodus - The Misaligned Men of Flomation - Conglomerate International (Tooth & Nail 1998)
62. Sleepy Time Trio - Dear Hands, - Memory Minus (Lovitt 1998)
63. The Monorchid - Distortion - Let Them Eat (Lovitt 1996)
64. Young Ginns - Score - Self-Titled (Honey Bear 1998)
65. (Young) Pioneers - We Don't Believe in Criminals - Free the (Young) Pioneers Now! (Lookout 1998)
66. Anasarca - East Bunk Hill - Discography 1994-1997 (Second Nature Recordings 2001)
67. Policy of Three - 1 Percent - An Anthology (Ebullition 2005)
68. Frail - Obscene Jigsaw Puzzle - Make Your Own Noise CD (Bloodlink 2000)
69. Current - Continued Rantings - Discography (Council 1998)
01. Antischism - Scream - Discography (Prank 1998)
02. Initial State - Feast - Abort the Soul (Prank 1998)
03. .fuckingcom - Earth Mover - Self-Titled (Prank 1998)
04. A//Political - Free Trade in Death - Planting the Seeds of Revolution (Crasshole 1997)
05. Iconoclast - Battlefields - Discography (Ebullition 2002)
06. Los Crudos - Illegal y Que (Live Studio Session) - Discografia (Lengua Armada 2001)
07. Insult to Injury - Traitor - The Things Kids Say (Three Day Hero 199x?)
08. Tonka - Butterknife - Stupid By the Grace of God (Assorted Porkchops 1991)
09. Unherd - Blue - Self-Titled (Assorted Porkchops 1993)
10. Assfactor 4 - Deliri-Loco - Self-Titled (Old Glory 1995)
11. Salvo Rain - Jonsong - Shanked 7" (Self-Released 1995)
12. Marion - Favorite Patient - Self-Titled (KFLR-USA 199x?)
13. Eagle Bravo - You Said It, Chairman - 1/2 (Gridsector 199x?)
14. Cornelius - Terraforming - Discography (Assorted Porkchops 2001)
15. Palatka - Another Sort of Blacklist - End of Irony (No Idea 1999)
16. End of the Century Party - Ask My Exorcist or My School Psychiatrist - Discography 1993-1999 (Coaxt 2004)
17. In/Humanity - Super Plan B - Your Future Lies Smoldering at the Feet of the Robots (Stereonucleosis/Coalition/Prank 1997)
18. Index for Potential Suicide - How To Build a Silencer for a Semiautomatic Weapon - Sex, Violence, Whatever (Alone 2005)
19. End of the Line - Guilt - Self-Titled (Ebullition 1993)
20. Antioch Arrow - Somba - In Love With the Jetts/Lady is a Cat (Gravity 1997)
21. Clikatat Ikatowi - Too Simple - Orchestrated and Conducted By (Gravity 1996)
22. Angel Hair - Space Ape - Pregnant with the Senior Class (Gravity 1997)
23. Heroin - Meaningless - Self-Titled CD (Gravity 1997)
24. Honeywell - Expectafeelis - Electric Kool-Aid (Monotone Supersounds 1994)
25. Mohinder - To Satisfy - Everything (GSL 2001)
26. The VSS - Lunar Weight - Nervous Circuits (GSL 1997)
27. Drive Like Jehu - Caress - Self-Titled (Cargo 1991)
28. Swing Kids - Forty Three Seconds - Discography (Three One G 1998)
29. Guyver-One - Nine Pints - Obsessed With... (Inchworm 1996)
30. Universal Order of Armageddon - Desperate Motion - Self-Titled (Gravity 1994)
31. Gauze - Essa Hoi Sassa - Kao O Aratte Denaoshite Koi (XXX 1997)
32. Uutuus - Maailman Politiikkaa - Systeemin Rattaissa EP (Genet 1993)
33. Unhinged - Won't Be My Shelter - Resisting the Murder of Self EP (Nabate 1993)
34. Nausea - Battened - The Punk Terrorist Anthology Vol. 1 (Alternative Tentacles 2001)
35. Doom - Days Go By - Fuck Peaceville (Profane Existence 1995)
36. Hiatus - No Answers To Lead Me - Old Fashioned Shit for Consumers (Ataque Sonoro 1995)
37. Spazz - Not Even Phased - Crush, Kill, Destroy (Slap-a-Ham 1999)
38. Capitalist Casualties - Worker - Self-Titled (Slap-a-Ham 1997)
39. Econochrist - Behave - Discography (Ebullition 1999)
40. Code 13 - Criminal Empire - Complete Discography 1994-2000 (Havoc 2000)
41. Destroy - The Revolution Will Not Be Analog - Necropolis (Sound Pollution 1994)
42. Man is the Bastard - Volatile Cocktail - Abundance of Guns (S.O.A. 1992)
43. Rorschach - Lightning Strikes Twice - Autopsy (Gern Blandsten 1995)
44. Deadguy - Apparatus - Fixation on a Coworker (Victory 1995)
45. Born Against - Mount the Pavement - Patriotic Battle Hymns (Kill Rock Stars 2003)
46. His Hero is Gone - Automation - Monument to Thieves (Prank 1998)
47. Infest - Terminal Nation - No Man's Slave (Deep Six 2002)
48. Phobia - Blood Sport - Means of Existence (Slap-a-Ham 1998)
49. Crossed Out - Crown of Thorns - 1990-1993 (Slap-a-Ham 2000)
50. Amber Inn - Leave With Dignity - All Roads Still Lead Home (Ebullition 1998)
51. Torches to Rome - Young Arsenal - (Ebullition 1997)
52. Portraits of Past - Implications of a Sinkhole Personality - Self-Titled (Ebullition 1995)
53. Reversal of Man - Pieces of Eight - Discography CD (Schematics 2005)
54. The Nation of Ulysses - You're My Miss Washington, D.C. - 13-Point Program to Destroy America (Dischord 1991)
55. Hoover - Distant - The Lurid Traversal of Route 7 (Dischord 1999)
56. Jawbox - Tracking - Novelty (Dischord 1992)
57. Circus Lupus - Pacifier - Super Genius (Dischord 1992)
58. Fugazi - Smallpox Champion - In on the Kill Taker (Dischord 1991)
59. Unwound - New Energy - The Future of What (Kill Rock Stars 1995)
60. Four Hundred Years - Thicker Than Water - Suture and Other Songs (Lovitt 1999)
61. Frodus - The Misaligned Men of Flomation - Conglomerate International (Tooth & Nail 1998)
62. Sleepy Time Trio - Dear Hands, - Memory Minus (Lovitt 1998)
63. The Monorchid - Distortion - Let Them Eat (Lovitt 1996)
64. Young Ginns - Score - Self-Titled (Honey Bear 1998)
65. (Young) Pioneers - We Don't Believe in Criminals - Free the (Young) Pioneers Now! (Lookout 1998)
66. Anasarca - East Bunk Hill - Discography 1994-1997 (Second Nature Recordings 2001)
67. Policy of Three - 1 Percent - An Anthology (Ebullition 2005)
68. Frail - Obscene Jigsaw Puzzle - Make Your Own Noise CD (Bloodlink 2000)
69. Current - Continued Rantings - Discography (Council 1998)
Nov 2, 2007
October 30, 2007 Playlist - O&E
01. Woods - Silence is Golden - How to Survive In/In the Woods (Release the Bats 2006)
02. Jack Rose - Kensington Blues - Kensington Blues (Tequila Sunrise 2005)
03. The Tower Recordings - Lunar Discotheque - Furniture Music for Evening Shuttles (Siltbreeze 1998)
04. Ignatz - Degradation of the Best - They are Quiet as Mice (Bennifer Editions 2006)
05. Blues Control - Frankie's Problem - Self-Titled (Holy Mountain 2007)
06. Noxagt - Histrionix - Self-Titled (Load 2006)
07. Times New Viking - Lion and Oil - Present the Paisley Reich (Siltbreeze 2007)
08. Death Sentence: PANDA! - New China Blazers - Live Recording
09. My Cat is an Alien - C1 - Landscapes of an Electric City/Hypnotic Spaces (Ecstatic Peace 2002)
10. Magik Markers - Body Rot - Boss (Ecstatic Peace 2007)
11. Pink & Brown - Black Pearl - Shame Fantasy II (Load 2003)
12. So So Many White White Tigers - We Shoot Arrows - Self-Titled (Weird Forest 2005)
13. Night Wounds - Allergic to Heat - Allergic to Heat (Corleone 2007)
14. Epic45 - The Stars In Spring - May Your Heart Be the Map (Make Mine Music 2007)
15. Sharks Keep Moving - Cashmere, Washington - Desert Strings and Drifters (Second Nature Recordings 1998)
16. Japancakes - Double Jointed - Giving Machines (Darla 2007)
17. Landing - Loft - Brocade (Strange Attractors 2005)
18. July Skies - Coastal Stations - Dreaming of Spires (Rocket Girl 2002)
19. Discolor - Sparkle Plenty - III (Mimaze/Lizard 2001)
20. Koushik - Battle Rhymes for Battle Times - Be With (Stones Throw 2005)
21. Haiku D'Etat - Coup de Theatre - Coup de Theatre (Decon 2004)
22. Dr. Octagon - Aliens - The Return of Dr. Octagon (OCD 2006)
23. Dabrye - Piano - Two/Three (Ghostly 2006)
24. Hieroglyphics - It's About Time - Over Time (Hieroglyphics Imperium 2007)
25. Yellow6 - I Loved You More Before I Knew You Loved Me - Painted Sky (Resonant 2007)
26. Arc Lab - Flood Case - One Five Zero (n5MD 2007)
27. The Octopus Project - Mmaj - Hello, Avalanche (Peek-A-Boo 2007)
28. Flying Lotus - Massage Situation - Reset (Warp 2007)
29. Health - Lost Time - Self-Titled (Lovepump United 2007)
02. Jack Rose - Kensington Blues - Kensington Blues (Tequila Sunrise 2005)
03. The Tower Recordings - Lunar Discotheque - Furniture Music for Evening Shuttles (Siltbreeze 1998)
04. Ignatz - Degradation of the Best - They are Quiet as Mice (Bennifer Editions 2006)
05. Blues Control - Frankie's Problem - Self-Titled (Holy Mountain 2007)
06. Noxagt - Histrionix - Self-Titled (Load 2006)
07. Times New Viking - Lion and Oil - Present the Paisley Reich (Siltbreeze 2007)
08. Death Sentence: PANDA! - New China Blazers - Live Recording
09. My Cat is an Alien - C1 - Landscapes of an Electric City/Hypnotic Spaces (Ecstatic Peace 2002)
10. Magik Markers - Body Rot - Boss (Ecstatic Peace 2007)
11. Pink & Brown - Black Pearl - Shame Fantasy II (Load 2003)
12. So So Many White White Tigers - We Shoot Arrows - Self-Titled (Weird Forest 2005)
13. Night Wounds - Allergic to Heat - Allergic to Heat (Corleone 2007)
14. Epic45 - The Stars In Spring - May Your Heart Be the Map (Make Mine Music 2007)
15. Sharks Keep Moving - Cashmere, Washington - Desert Strings and Drifters (Second Nature Recordings 1998)
16. Japancakes - Double Jointed - Giving Machines (Darla 2007)
17. Landing - Loft - Brocade (Strange Attractors 2005)
18. July Skies - Coastal Stations - Dreaming of Spires (Rocket Girl 2002)
19. Discolor - Sparkle Plenty - III (Mimaze/Lizard 2001)
20. Koushik - Battle Rhymes for Battle Times - Be With (Stones Throw 2005)
21. Haiku D'Etat - Coup de Theatre - Coup de Theatre (Decon 2004)
22. Dr. Octagon - Aliens - The Return of Dr. Octagon (OCD 2006)
23. Dabrye - Piano - Two/Three (Ghostly 2006)
24. Hieroglyphics - It's About Time - Over Time (Hieroglyphics Imperium 2007)
25. Yellow6 - I Loved You More Before I Knew You Loved Me - Painted Sky (Resonant 2007)
26. Arc Lab - Flood Case - One Five Zero (n5MD 2007)
27. The Octopus Project - Mmaj - Hello, Avalanche (Peek-A-Boo 2007)
28. Flying Lotus - Massage Situation - Reset (Warp 2007)
29. Health - Lost Time - Self-Titled (Lovepump United 2007)
Oct 24, 2007
October 23, 2007 Playlist - O&E
Download, um, this, uh, show, um...
01. The Field Mice - Fabulous Friend - Snowball (Sarah 1989)
02. Paddington Distortion Combo - Humming Lost Song - Songs in D-struction (actionpop! 2006)
03. Blank Dogs - It Was - The Doorbell Fire (Sweet Rot 2007)
04. Tar...Feathers - Mother of Three - Rumours Travel Fast (Release the Bats 2007)
05. Blockhead - Insomniac Olympics - Music By Cavelight (Ninja Tune 2004)
06. Pre - Scenes from a 1963 Los Angeles Love-in - Epic Fits (Skin Graft 2007)
07. Coachwhips - Thee Alarm - Bangers vs Fuckers (Narnack Records 2003)
08. Six Finger Satellite - Dark Companion - Severe Exposure (Sub Pop 1995)
09. This Moment in Black History - Tape Don't Lie - It Takes a Nation of Assholes to Hold Us Back (Cold Sweat 2006)
10. Burning Star Core - Operator Dead...Post Abandoned - Operator Dead...Post Abandoned (No Quarter 2007)
11. Growing - Lightfoot - Vision Swim (Troubleman Unlimited 2007)
12. Tim Hecker - Aerial Light-Pollution Orange - Mirages (Alien8 2004)
13. Heller - St. Jean - Soundtrack for Variable Fiction (Ytterbium 2006)
14. Anne Laplantine - Pour - Nordheim (Gooom 2000)
15. cLOUDDEAD - 3 Twenty - Ten (Mush 2004)
16. Bohren & der Club of Gore - Crimson Ways - Black Earth (Ipecac 2004)
17. Sublux - Trail Guide to the Soul - Becoming Innocuous EP (Selective Focus 2005)
18. The Robot Ate Me - We Ate Each Other - They Ate Themselves (Swim Slowly 2002)
19. ES - Sateenkaarisuudelma II - Sateenkaarisuudelma (K-RAA-K 2005)
20. Lau Nau - Kivi Murenee Jolla Kavelee - Kuutarha (Locust 2005)
21. Hala Strana - Wedding of the Blind - Heave the Gambrel Roof (Music Fellowship 2007)
22. The North Sea - Take It From Me Brother Moses - Exquisite Idols (Type 2007)
23. Area C - Outside the Flaming Body - Haunt (Last Visible Dog 2007)
24. Paavoharju - Tavataan 12-7-2004 - Tuote Akatemia/Unien Savonlinna EP (Miasmah 2006)
25. Aidan Baker - I - I Will Always and Forever Hold You in My Heart and Mind (Small Doses 2007)
01. The Field Mice - Fabulous Friend - Snowball (Sarah 1989)
02. Paddington Distortion Combo - Humming Lost Song - Songs in D-struction (actionpop! 2006)
03. Blank Dogs - It Was - The Doorbell Fire (Sweet Rot 2007)
04. Tar...Feathers - Mother of Three - Rumours Travel Fast (Release the Bats 2007)
05. Blockhead - Insomniac Olympics - Music By Cavelight (Ninja Tune 2004)
06. Pre - Scenes from a 1963 Los Angeles Love-in - Epic Fits (Skin Graft 2007)
07. Coachwhips - Thee Alarm - Bangers vs Fuckers (Narnack Records 2003)
08. Six Finger Satellite - Dark Companion - Severe Exposure (Sub Pop 1995)
09. This Moment in Black History - Tape Don't Lie - It Takes a Nation of Assholes to Hold Us Back (Cold Sweat 2006)
10. Burning Star Core - Operator Dead...Post Abandoned - Operator Dead...Post Abandoned (No Quarter 2007)
11. Growing - Lightfoot - Vision Swim (Troubleman Unlimited 2007)
12. Tim Hecker - Aerial Light-Pollution Orange - Mirages (Alien8 2004)
13. Heller - St. Jean - Soundtrack for Variable Fiction (Ytterbium 2006)
14. Anne Laplantine - Pour - Nordheim (Gooom 2000)
15. cLOUDDEAD - 3 Twenty - Ten (Mush 2004)
16. Bohren & der Club of Gore - Crimson Ways - Black Earth (Ipecac 2004)
17. Sublux - Trail Guide to the Soul - Becoming Innocuous EP (Selective Focus 2005)
18. The Robot Ate Me - We Ate Each Other - They Ate Themselves (Swim Slowly 2002)
19. ES - Sateenkaarisuudelma II - Sateenkaarisuudelma (K-RAA-K 2005)
20. Lau Nau - Kivi Murenee Jolla Kavelee - Kuutarha (Locust 2005)
21. Hala Strana - Wedding of the Blind - Heave the Gambrel Roof (Music Fellowship 2007)
22. The North Sea - Take It From Me Brother Moses - Exquisite Idols (Type 2007)
23. Area C - Outside the Flaming Body - Haunt (Last Visible Dog 2007)
24. Paavoharju - Tavataan 12-7-2004 - Tuote Akatemia/Unien Savonlinna EP (Miasmah 2006)
25. Aidan Baker - I - I Will Always and Forever Hold You in My Heart and Mind (Small Doses 2007)
Oct 20, 2007
October 16, 2007 Playlist - O&E
01. Lungfish - Organ Harvest - Indivisible (Dischord 1997)
02. Echo is Your Love - Peace Song - Humansize (If-Society 2006)
03. Milemarker - Virtual Sex - Ominosity (Eyeball 2005)
04. Cinemechanica - Bruckheimer - The Martial Arts (Hello Sir 2006)
05. Wooden Shjips - We Ask You to Ride - Self-Titled (Holy Mountain 2007)
06. Death Chants - For Good - Self-Titled (Time-Lag 2006)
07. Six Organs of Admittance - Attar - The Sun Awakens (Drag City 2006)
08. The Durutti Column - Birthday Present - Sporadic Three (Kooky 2007)
09. Ecstatic Sunshine - Tuscan - Freckle Wars (Carpark 2006)
10. Tar... Feathers - Build Me a Wreck - Make Way for the Ocean Floor to Fall to the Surface (Adagio830 2006)
11. Odawas - Beware - Raven and the White Night (Jagjaguwar 2007)
12. Espers - Mansfield and Cyclops - II (Drag City 2006)
13. Letters Letters - We'll Make Our Home - Self-Titled (Type 2007)
14. Arve Henriksen - Black Mountain - Strjon (Rune Grammofon 2007)
15. Badgerlore - Duet - We Are All Hopeful Farmers, We Are All Scared Rabbits (Xeric 2007)
16. Fennesz + Sakamoto - Mono - Cendre (Touch 2007)
17. Odd Nosdam - Hollow Me - Untitled Three (Anticon 2005)
18. White Rainbow - Warm Clicked Fruit - Prism of the Eternal Now (Kranky 2007)
19. Zaimph - Jeweled Hand - Mirage of the Other (Gipsy Sphinx 2007)
20. Stars of the Lid - Another Ballad for Heavy Lids - And Their Refinement of the Decline (Kranky 2007)
21. The Skull Defekts - The Secret - Blood Spirits and Drums Are Singing (Conspiracy 2007)
22. Psychic Ills - Vice - Early Violence (The Social Registry 2006)
23. Mouthus - Armies Between - Saw a Halo (Ecstatic Peace! 2007)
24. GHQ - Untitled 1 - Seven Sisters (Arbitrary Signs 2007)
25. Shearing Pinx - Blood Corridor - Poison Hands (Gilgongo 2007)
02. Echo is Your Love - Peace Song - Humansize (If-Society 2006)
03. Milemarker - Virtual Sex - Ominosity (Eyeball 2005)
04. Cinemechanica - Bruckheimer - The Martial Arts (Hello Sir 2006)
05. Wooden Shjips - We Ask You to Ride - Self-Titled (Holy Mountain 2007)
06. Death Chants - For Good - Self-Titled (Time-Lag 2006)
07. Six Organs of Admittance - Attar - The Sun Awakens (Drag City 2006)
08. The Durutti Column - Birthday Present - Sporadic Three (Kooky 2007)
09. Ecstatic Sunshine - Tuscan - Freckle Wars (Carpark 2006)
10. Tar... Feathers - Build Me a Wreck - Make Way for the Ocean Floor to Fall to the Surface (Adagio830 2006)
11. Odawas - Beware - Raven and the White Night (Jagjaguwar 2007)
12. Espers - Mansfield and Cyclops - II (Drag City 2006)
13. Letters Letters - We'll Make Our Home - Self-Titled (Type 2007)
14. Arve Henriksen - Black Mountain - Strjon (Rune Grammofon 2007)
15. Badgerlore - Duet - We Are All Hopeful Farmers, We Are All Scared Rabbits (Xeric 2007)
16. Fennesz + Sakamoto - Mono - Cendre (Touch 2007)
17. Odd Nosdam - Hollow Me - Untitled Three (Anticon 2005)
18. White Rainbow - Warm Clicked Fruit - Prism of the Eternal Now (Kranky 2007)
19. Zaimph - Jeweled Hand - Mirage of the Other (Gipsy Sphinx 2007)
20. Stars of the Lid - Another Ballad for Heavy Lids - And Their Refinement of the Decline (Kranky 2007)
21. The Skull Defekts - The Secret - Blood Spirits and Drums Are Singing (Conspiracy 2007)
22. Psychic Ills - Vice - Early Violence (The Social Registry 2006)
23. Mouthus - Armies Between - Saw a Halo (Ecstatic Peace! 2007)
24. GHQ - Untitled 1 - Seven Sisters (Arbitrary Signs 2007)
25. Shearing Pinx - Blood Corridor - Poison Hands (Gilgongo 2007)
Oct 16, 2007
Wildebeest
It seems like every day more and more punk rock kids are picking up acoustic guitars and writing folk songs. I see 2007 as a sort of culmination of this since it's had some pretty major releases from Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music and Tim Barry of Avail. Of course, there's always Plan-It-X Records for all your folk punk needs and the kids down in Gainesville who used to be in hardcore bands.
Matthew Winn (Wildebeest) is a musician who started out in Athens, GA and moved up to Brooklyn. I first came across his music thanks to another singer-songwriter who's also familiar with the quaint, southern town. A lot of his music borders the folk punk lines, but the gems are his more understated songs like "Tractors" where the real folk influence takes over even when it's played live with his band. Don't get me wrong, the trumpet, drums, and feedback are wonderful and deafeningly pleasing, but there's a more intimate feeling to his solo songs. So far he's released a full-length and a couple very limited EPs that you'd be lucky to get your hands on. His upcoming album Dead Pets was recorded in a cabin in the Catskill mountains, but until that is let loose, we're going to have to settle for some awesome live performances.
"Host and Hostage"
"Tractors"
"Tractors" (Solo)
"Animals"
From If You Make It:
By the way, do you hear some Unwound in that or is it just me?
Matthew Winn (Wildebeest) is a musician who started out in Athens, GA and moved up to Brooklyn. I first came across his music thanks to another singer-songwriter who's also familiar with the quaint, southern town. A lot of his music borders the folk punk lines, but the gems are his more understated songs like "Tractors" where the real folk influence takes over even when it's played live with his band. Don't get me wrong, the trumpet, drums, and feedback are wonderful and deafeningly pleasing, but there's a more intimate feeling to his solo songs. So far he's released a full-length and a couple very limited EPs that you'd be lucky to get your hands on. His upcoming album Dead Pets was recorded in a cabin in the Catskill mountains, but until that is let loose, we're going to have to settle for some awesome live performances.
"Host and Hostage"
"Tractors"
"Tractors" (Solo)
"Animals"
From If You Make It:
By the way, do you hear some Unwound in that or is it just me?
Oct 14, 2007
Review
Alaska the Tiger
The Truth About Earthquakes
RIYL: Slint, Unwound, Shellac, Lungfish
"Hater, Lover, Fucker"
Alaska the Tiger are a recently defunct band from Columbia, South Carolina. Hopefully you got around to seeing them play because otherwise you missed out. Big time. Columbia has a long history of being bashed for lack of a good rock scene, but the truth is that the city has always had incredible bands. Of course, my word is only as good as far back as the mid 90s go with bands like Assfactor 4 (All right, Tonka and Unherd. Anyone remember Marion?) because that's about as far back as I'm familiar with the music scene here. But living in California, names like In/Humanity still stuck out among our Drive Like Jehus and Antioch Arrows. And still today, Columbia continues to be rewarded and adorned by bands like Alaska the Tiger (to the ignorance of most it sometimes seems).
The Truth About Earthquakes is a 3-song EP that sounds like a whole bunch of my favorite bands, and that always puts a smile on my face. Slint and Unwound are no doubt the inspiration for the band's gloomy sort of indie rock sound. Alaska the Tiger are one of the more unique bands I've heard from Columbia, but in way of bands with their influences stemming from Unwound (as well as bands whose members write for the Free Times), I treat you to Death Becomes Even the Maiden, another Columbia great with a lot of history behind it.
3 songs may not be much to discuss, but it's plenty of room for a band to let out anything they want. The overwhelming clutter of buzz and feedback, the quiet-but-tense vocals and loud-but-melodic high energy music recalls this history. It really doesn't matter if Alaska the Tiger don't play something we’ve never heard before. It’s people playing what they want to play, and it’s really fucking good. Alaska the Tiger are another proud Columbia memoir, and The Truth About Earthquakes is a conspiracy to make you smile.
Oct 13, 2007
October 09, 2007 Playlist - O&E
01. Efterklang - Mirador - Parades (The Leaf Label 2007)
02. Mom - The Gradual Instant - Little Brite (Pancakes for Mattie 2007)
03. Woods - How To Survive In - How To Survive In/In The Woods (Release the Bats 2006)
04. Kattoo - Place 8 - Places (Hymen 2004)
05. Khonnor - An Ape Is Loose - Handwriting (Type 2004)
06. Mahogany - Mantissa - Connectivity! (Darla 2006)
07. Chihei Hatakeyama - Towards a Tranquil Marsh - Minima Moralia (Kranky 2006)
08. Howl On, Despicable Wolves - I Just Want Us To Be Clean - Self Titled EP (Makeshift Origami 2006)
09. The Deep and Holy Sea - The Warning Light of the Moon - Demo (Self Released 2006)
10. Hop Along, Queen Ansleis - Bride & Groom Hot Air Balloon - Freshman Year (Self Released 2005)
11. Jason Choi and the Sea - What'd Ya Call Me - Sampilation (Team Grizzly 2007)
12. Aphid Ant Constructions - Rest Assured - Demo (Self Released 2005)
13. Flower Travellin' Band - Satori Part II - Satori (Atlantic 1971)
14. Raccoo-oo-oon - Antler Mask - Behold Secret Kingdom (Release the Bats 2007)
15. Watchers - S.I.S.I.A.I. - Vampire Driver (Gern Blandsten 2007)
16. Pivot - Incidental Backcloth - Make Me Love You (Sensory Projects 2005)
17. Dirty Three - This Night - Cinder (Touch & Go 2005)
18. Egypt Is The Magick # - The Astronomer's Stone - How Many Pieces Of The Puzzle Can The Mind Go Without? (Sound@1 2000)
19. La Rumeur - A Minuit L'égorgeur - Nous sommes les premiers... (EMI 2003)
20. Mindflayer - Azaglians Troupe Hat Ribbons Fite Dance - It's Always 1999 (Load 2004)
21. No Neck Blues Band - Boreal Gluts - Qvaris (5RC 2005)
22. Luck of Aleia - Burning Bridges - Six Songs (Caulfield 1999)
23. Mainspring - Primrose - Discography (Cass 1998?)
24. Honeywell - It's a Wonderful Life - Industry (Mollycoddle 1994)
25. Antioch Arrow - Space Age - In Love With the Jetts (Gravity 1994)
26. Pre - I Met Her in the Bin - Epic Fits (Skin Graft 2007)
27. Health - Crimewave - Self Titled (Lovepump United 2007)
28. Letters Letters - Between the Seams - Self Titled (Type 2007)
02. Mom - The Gradual Instant - Little Brite (Pancakes for Mattie 2007)
03. Woods - How To Survive In - How To Survive In/In The Woods (Release the Bats 2006)
04. Kattoo - Place 8 - Places (Hymen 2004)
05. Khonnor - An Ape Is Loose - Handwriting (Type 2004)
06. Mahogany - Mantissa - Connectivity! (Darla 2006)
07. Chihei Hatakeyama - Towards a Tranquil Marsh - Minima Moralia (Kranky 2006)
08. Howl On, Despicable Wolves - I Just Want Us To Be Clean - Self Titled EP (Makeshift Origami 2006)
09. The Deep and Holy Sea - The Warning Light of the Moon - Demo (Self Released 2006)
10. Hop Along, Queen Ansleis - Bride & Groom Hot Air Balloon - Freshman Year (Self Released 2005)
11. Jason Choi and the Sea - What'd Ya Call Me - Sampilation (Team Grizzly 2007)
12. Aphid Ant Constructions - Rest Assured - Demo (Self Released 2005)
13. Flower Travellin' Band - Satori Part II - Satori (Atlantic 1971)
14. Raccoo-oo-oon - Antler Mask - Behold Secret Kingdom (Release the Bats 2007)
15. Watchers - S.I.S.I.A.I. - Vampire Driver (Gern Blandsten 2007)
16. Pivot - Incidental Backcloth - Make Me Love You (Sensory Projects 2005)
17. Dirty Three - This Night - Cinder (Touch & Go 2005)
18. Egypt Is The Magick # - The Astronomer's Stone - How Many Pieces Of The Puzzle Can The Mind Go Without? (Sound@1 2000)
19. La Rumeur - A Minuit L'égorgeur - Nous sommes les premiers... (EMI 2003)
20. Mindflayer - Azaglians Troupe Hat Ribbons Fite Dance - It's Always 1999 (Load 2004)
21. No Neck Blues Band - Boreal Gluts - Qvaris (5RC 2005)
22. Luck of Aleia - Burning Bridges - Six Songs (Caulfield 1999)
23. Mainspring - Primrose - Discography (Cass 1998?)
24. Honeywell - It's a Wonderful Life - Industry (Mollycoddle 1994)
25. Antioch Arrow - Space Age - In Love With the Jetts (Gravity 1994)
26. Pre - I Met Her in the Bin - Epic Fits (Skin Graft 2007)
27. Health - Crimewave - Self Titled (Lovepump United 2007)
28. Letters Letters - Between the Seams - Self Titled (Type 2007)
Oct 6, 2007
Reviews
A few more mini-reviews.
Moving Units
Hexes for Exes
RIYL: The Rapture, The Faint, You Are The Drum, Death From Above 1979
"Blood Beats"
A mix of post-punk and dancy indie rock, Hexes for Exes is the next logical step for the band. While it no longer relies on a minimalist charm and is more The Faint than ever, the album still fits right along with everything Moving Units have released since their ThreeOneG debut. To put it bluntly, they're one of the few “dance punk” bands who don't immediately stand out as garbage. Compared to bands like VHS or Beta or Death From Above 1979, Moving Units avoid rock star ripoff status because they aren't a carbon-copy of their influences. That, and they just have so many of them. Sure, there's Gang of Four, ESG, Pixies, The Cure, Daft Punk ad nauseum, but listen closely enough and you can hear a little bit of Can, Wire, and even Captain Beefheart. Moving Units have been a long time favorite of the Southern California scene, but then again Palatka's "The Truth About San Diego" sums it up pretty well.
Jens Lekman
Night Falls Over Kortedala
RIYL: El Perro Del Mar, Belle and Sebastian, Architecture in Helsinki, Morrissey
"The Opposite Of Hallelujah"
Either you like him or you don't, and I doubt that will ever change. Night Falls Over Kortedala is all and more that we've come to expect from Jens Lekman, and like his previous albums, there are small shimmers I can only describe as incredible whereas everything else tries desperately to remain a complete bore. There's some appeal in that, though. It's why people like Belle and Sebastian probably. The difference is that Night Falls Over Kortedala is playful with its depression. Piano, ukulele, wordsmithing—dig it.
Chicago Afrobeat Project
(A) Move to Silent Unrest
RIYL: Fela Kuti, Antibalas, The Budos Band, Nomo
"Superstar Pt. 7"
Afrobeat is working its way closer into the mainstream every year, and 2007 is no exception having seen so many releases. CAbP keep a bright spotlight on their influences while dancing around a lot of obscure genres. Jeff Parker from Tortoise is noted as working with the band frequently, but since they're from Chicago, it's pretty much a given that a Tortoise member is somehow involved. Silly me, thinking that the similarities were a coincidence. Most of the songs have long runtimes, but they transition so much that you'll never feel worn out. (A) Move to Silent Unrest is simply the best orchestrated Afrobeat album of the year.
Moving Units
Hexes for Exes
RIYL: The Rapture, The Faint, You Are The Drum, Death From Above 1979
"Blood Beats"
A mix of post-punk and dancy indie rock, Hexes for Exes is the next logical step for the band. While it no longer relies on a minimalist charm and is more The Faint than ever, the album still fits right along with everything Moving Units have released since their ThreeOneG debut. To put it bluntly, they're one of the few “dance punk” bands who don't immediately stand out as garbage. Compared to bands like VHS or Beta or Death From Above 1979, Moving Units avoid rock star ripoff status because they aren't a carbon-copy of their influences. That, and they just have so many of them. Sure, there's Gang of Four, ESG, Pixies, The Cure, Daft Punk ad nauseum, but listen closely enough and you can hear a little bit of Can, Wire, and even Captain Beefheart. Moving Units have been a long time favorite of the Southern California scene, but then again Palatka's "The Truth About San Diego" sums it up pretty well.
Jens Lekman
Night Falls Over Kortedala
RIYL: El Perro Del Mar, Belle and Sebastian, Architecture in Helsinki, Morrissey
"The Opposite Of Hallelujah"
Either you like him or you don't, and I doubt that will ever change. Night Falls Over Kortedala is all and more that we've come to expect from Jens Lekman, and like his previous albums, there are small shimmers I can only describe as incredible whereas everything else tries desperately to remain a complete bore. There's some appeal in that, though. It's why people like Belle and Sebastian probably. The difference is that Night Falls Over Kortedala is playful with its depression. Piano, ukulele, wordsmithing—dig it.
Chicago Afrobeat Project
(A) Move to Silent Unrest
RIYL: Fela Kuti, Antibalas, The Budos Band, Nomo
"Superstar Pt. 7"
Afrobeat is working its way closer into the mainstream every year, and 2007 is no exception having seen so many releases. CAbP keep a bright spotlight on their influences while dancing around a lot of obscure genres. Jeff Parker from Tortoise is noted as working with the band frequently, but since they're from Chicago, it's pretty much a given that a Tortoise member is somehow involved. Silly me, thinking that the similarities were a coincidence. Most of the songs have long runtimes, but they transition so much that you'll never feel worn out. (A) Move to Silent Unrest is simply the best orchestrated Afrobeat album of the year.
October 02, 2007 Playlist - O&E
Not a whole lot in the way of "oddities" this time, but hopefully I snuck in a few things you've never heard before.
01. Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain - Ocean Rain (Korova 1984)
02. Fursaxa - Alone in the Dark Wood - Alone in the Dark Wood (Eclipse 2007)
03. Hrvatski - Paint it Black - Swarm & Dither (Planet Mu 2002)
04. Islaja - Muukalai-silma - Ulual YYY (Fonal 2007)
05. 13th Floor Elevators - You're Gonna Miss Me - The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (International Artists 1966)
06. Dead Moon - Running Scared - Echoes of the Past (Sub Pop 2006)
07. The Boggs - Forts - Forts (Gigantic 2007)
08. Shotmaker - Shortwave Radio - The Complete Discography 1993-1996 (Troubleman Unlimited 2000)
09. By the End of Tonight - If That Diamond Ring Don't Sing - The Imaginary EP (Temporary Residence Limited 2006)
10. Lullatone - Sleepytime Samba - Plays Pajama Pop Pour Vous (Audio Dregs 2006)
11. You Are The Drum - Take Out the Trash (My Friend) - Step In, Step Out (Self-Released 2000?)
12. The Appleseed Cast - Ring Out the Warning Bell - Low Level Owl Vol. 2 (Deep Elm 2001)
13. When Clouds Attack - Ebb and Flow - Self-Titled EP (Infidel 2007)
14. Múm - Moon Pulls - Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy (Fat Cat 2007)
15. Picastro - Friend of Mine - Whore Luck (Polyvinyl 2007)
16. Skallander - Haala - Self-Titled (Type 2007)
17. Caribou - After Hours - Andorra (Merge 2007)
18. Ghastly City Sleep - Ice Creaks - Self-Titled (Robotic Empire 2007)
19. Alaska the Tiger - Self-Portrait of a Drinker - The Truth About Earthquakes (Self-Released 2007)
20. American Football - The One WIth the Tambourine - Self-Titled EP (Polyvinyl 1998)
21. Heart Monster - Communities - Discography (Self-Released 2007)
22. Tiny Masters of Today - Radio Riot - Bang Bang Boom Cake (Great Society 2007)
23. M83 - By The Kiss - Digital Shades Vol. 1 (Mute 2007)
24. Dälek - Trampled Brethren - From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots (Ipecac 2002)
25. El-P - The Day After Yesterday - Collecting the Kid (Definitive Jux 2004)
26. Shape of Broad Minds - Buddafly Away - Craft of the Lost Art (Lex 2007)
27. Mono - Memorie Dal Futuro - A Collection of EPs: 2000-2007 (Temporary Residence Limited 2007)
01. Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain - Ocean Rain (Korova 1984)
02. Fursaxa - Alone in the Dark Wood - Alone in the Dark Wood (Eclipse 2007)
03. Hrvatski - Paint it Black - Swarm & Dither (Planet Mu 2002)
04. Islaja - Muukalai-silma - Ulual YYY (Fonal 2007)
05. 13th Floor Elevators - You're Gonna Miss Me - The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (International Artists 1966)
06. Dead Moon - Running Scared - Echoes of the Past (Sub Pop 2006)
07. The Boggs - Forts - Forts (Gigantic 2007)
08. Shotmaker - Shortwave Radio - The Complete Discography 1993-1996 (Troubleman Unlimited 2000)
09. By the End of Tonight - If That Diamond Ring Don't Sing - The Imaginary EP (Temporary Residence Limited 2006)
10. Lullatone - Sleepytime Samba - Plays Pajama Pop Pour Vous (Audio Dregs 2006)
11. You Are The Drum - Take Out the Trash (My Friend) - Step In, Step Out (Self-Released 2000?)
12. The Appleseed Cast - Ring Out the Warning Bell - Low Level Owl Vol. 2 (Deep Elm 2001)
13. When Clouds Attack - Ebb and Flow - Self-Titled EP (Infidel 2007)
14. Múm - Moon Pulls - Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy (Fat Cat 2007)
15. Picastro - Friend of Mine - Whore Luck (Polyvinyl 2007)
16. Skallander - Haala - Self-Titled (Type 2007)
17. Caribou - After Hours - Andorra (Merge 2007)
18. Ghastly City Sleep - Ice Creaks - Self-Titled (Robotic Empire 2007)
19. Alaska the Tiger - Self-Portrait of a Drinker - The Truth About Earthquakes (Self-Released 2007)
20. American Football - The One WIth the Tambourine - Self-Titled EP (Polyvinyl 1998)
21. Heart Monster - Communities - Discography (Self-Released 2007)
22. Tiny Masters of Today - Radio Riot - Bang Bang Boom Cake (Great Society 2007)
23. M83 - By The Kiss - Digital Shades Vol. 1 (Mute 2007)
24. Dälek - Trampled Brethren - From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots (Ipecac 2002)
25. El-P - The Day After Yesterday - Collecting the Kid (Definitive Jux 2004)
26. Shape of Broad Minds - Buddafly Away - Craft of the Lost Art (Lex 2007)
27. Mono - Memorie Dal Futuro - A Collection of EPs: 2000-2007 (Temporary Residence Limited 2007)
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