Wednesday 30 April 2008

VA - David Shrigley's Worried Noodles

Worried Noodles is, similar to Mermaid Avenue, a compilation of various artists' interpretations of somebody else's lyrics. That somebody, in this case, is Glasgow-based artist David Shrigley. Boasting contributions from some indie big-namers such as Hot Chip, Liars, David Byrne and Franz Ferdinand, this double disc slog can, as should be expected, be a bit hit-and-miss. However, the hits easily outweigh the misses, but maybe not in the places you'd expect. Personal favourites include Hank's "Baby's Bible" and James Chadwick's "The Wooden Floor", two artists who I'd admittedly never heard of before listening. Listen to it for yourself, and find your favourites; there's plenty to be found here.

http://www.davidshrigley.com/worriednoodles/newcd.htm
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Tuesday 29 April 2008

Powderfinger - Odyssey Number 5

Powderfinger are a popular Australian rock band, having received a number of awards at the ARIAS, including best Rock Album and Album of the Year. This is their 4th album, a softer rock piece that focuses on various political as well as personal issues. However, it has been stated by the band that although songs like "Like a Dog" (incidentally my favorite song on the album) was about a political issue, they didn't see it that way, just as themselves merely voicing their opinions. That being said, it's not necessary to understand the context to appreciate the album for what it is - a solid rock album.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E3JSJHDH
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Monday 28 April 2008

Circle Jerks - Group Sex


Formed from the lead singer of Black Flag and Greg Hetson which will join Bad Religion, this hardcore punk band's debut album is that of a landmark quality. Group Sex consists of fourteen songs and is only 15 minutes and 40 seconds. The highly fast paced hardcore punk sound is prevalent in this short but awesome album.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2K3F8N4K
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Saturday 26 April 2008

Magnolia Electric Co. - What Comes After the Blues


Released in 2005, this is Jason Molina's second release under the Magnolia Electric Co. moniker (formerly Songs: Ohia). As far as I'm concerned, it's an impressive slice of alt-country that, while not free of the Neil Young influence (but not really overly derivative of good ol' Dr. Shakes), primarily serves to enrich and broaden Molina's prolific body of work without marring it with excessive monotony.

The crunchy guitars and melancholic lyrics have an undeniable initial impact that is more reminiscent of whiskey-soaked Midwest indie rock than whiskey-soaked Midwest folk, which is probably why it's critically reviewed as not up to Songs: Ohia standards. The truth is, it's a different beast with the same heart - I'll be uploading more of Molina's music soon, because if you like this album, his other works will garner much praise from yo' earholes.

http://www.mediafire.com/?g4bxmz2zq3y

P.S. "The Dark Don't Hide It" is some rockin' ass shit.

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Now playing: Crystal Castles - Untrust Us
via FoxyTunes
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Lightning Bolt - Hypermagic Mountain


Lightning Bolt is a noise rock duo consisting of Brian Chippendale on drums and Brian Gibson on bass. Lightning Bolt is well known for their guerrilla gigs in which they play on the floor often starting and startling the audience which gathers around a masked drummer and bassist in battered awe. Vocals by Brian Chippendale are screamed through a distorted modified phone microphone and are barely audible. Brian Gibson uses complex noise techniques into an awesome overlapping riff that will leave you amazed. Immensely fast speed and rhythm drumming and a noisy bass guitar makes it hard to realize that there is only two people playing. Hypermagic Mountain is Lightning Bolt's latest album from 2005. It is their fourth studio album and they also have a DVD of their touring in which they show how they have played on sidewalks, shacks, and other makeshift shows for as little as 14 people.



The DVD is available on youtube here.
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Thursday 24 April 2008

A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory


Second album by ATCQ, released in 1991. It was one of the defining moments in the establishment of alternative hip-hop, and has made numerous "Best Of" lists. Q-Tip and Phife Dawg wax poetic about socially conscious subject matter, while the jazzy samples and thick basslines work their way into every crack, creating an album that is every bit as solid and groundbreaking as the reviews might suggest.

Now I'm well aware that this may not be the most exciting post for dudes and ladies already up on their hip-hop history, but for those of you that aren't, this album may be the wakeup you needed. If you don't believe me, listen for yourself.

http://www.mediafire.com/?efvtzmvj22r

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Now playing: Fugazi - Break
via FoxyTunes
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Page France - And the Family Telephone


Page France is an indie folk-pop music band. Their music tends to be emotional and their songs tend to have simple melodies. Page France is sometimes compared to Sufjan Stevens for their use of uncommon instruments such as the glockenspiel and banjo.
This is an awesome relaxed album for the summer.

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


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Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow And Blue

Born Ruffians are an indie-rock band, hailing from Canada. Using the simple set-up of guitar, bass and drums (with each musician contributing vocals) these guys have left a lasting impression on everyone I've shown them to so far. Don't be fooled into thinking simple set-up translates to simple (or boring) music; it doesn't. This'll leave musicians asking "Why didn't I think of that?"

And yes, they are the ones off Skins.

http://www.gigasize.com/get.php?d=bvz2jjddygc
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Tuesday 22 April 2008

M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts

This album is the French Group's second release. This is probably one of the few electronic albums that i've heard that actually delivers emotional content. A headphones must record, from track 1 - end you are enveloped in sounds that will make you actually feel something. The instruments used are probably some of the most techno/cheezy 80's dance synths ive ever heard, but M83 uses them in ways that can only be described as breathtaking. My favorite track on the album is Unrecorded, but all of them are equally as good. If you decide to pass this one up, then its your loss. There are albums that have a sense of space to them, some are very intimate and personal, and some are massive and expansive. This album is the latter.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P3CQVETO
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The Presets - Apocalypso

The Presets are an electronic band from Sydney, Australia. This is the final of the three Australian techno albums I'm uploading. Although I've knew of the band before the Daft Punk concert last year, I discovered that moshing to their first released song My People was made of win, and put quite nicely by the web wombat, "Hit single My People poses a structural threat to any venue that plays it."

This is their second album, Apocalypso. It's pure electro and quite in your face for most of the record. The second released track, This boy's in love has already proven a popular request for Australian radio station Triple J and probably my favorite song on the album, simply because it's been a long time since I've heard a good piano sample on a techno song. Like most techno artists, they also have some awesome video clips, which can be found here.

http://www.mediafire.com/?znnnt1zgzto
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Monday 21 April 2008

Scar Symmetry - Pitch Black Progress



Scar Symmetry is a Melodic Death Metal band from Sweden. Pitch Black Progress is their second album and it's less heavy compared to their first. The album has a good mix of clean vocals and growls, so it isn't too harsh and it's a good album to introduce you to the genre.

In my opinion Scar Symmetry is one of the better Melodic Death Metal bands if you're new to this sort of thing and want to get into it.

This is the first album I've uploaded, so if you have any problems or suggestions leave a comment. This copy has the two bonus tracks. Enjoy.

Album: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2F5K493V
Music video to the song The Illusionist:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=o2LTaNb9zQQ

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Sunday 20 April 2008

Mill a h-Uile Rud - Ceàrr

Three punks from Seattle became highly interested in keeping Scottish Gaelic alive. Now they live in a commune that speaks only Scots Gaelic and play in Mill a h-Uile Rud, a melodic punk band that (like their commune) communicates in Gaelic. Fairly simple chord progressions and Ramones-esque chants back up vocal delivery of a beautiful language.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3ADNVEX5
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Thursday 17 April 2008

[distatix] - Medication

[distatix]'s album, Medication, is a hardcore festival of grinding beats and crunching synths. The beats and thumps on this album will pound you, the helpless listener, into a pulp and hold you hostage. This album is not for the faint of heart. The tracks 'Medication' and 'Disappear' are the best, but this album is full of good songs, with no filler. Enjoy your christraping hardcore electronic music :).

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RIG1N3WB
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Beach House - Devotion


http://www.megaupload.com/?d=02RILML4

Devotion is Beach House's 2nd album. Was released on Feb 26 of this year. Classified as Dream Pop, the Baltimore Duo brings alot to the table for this installment. Lush organ parts with dreamy, sweeping electric guitar parts make up the entire album. My top tracks from this album include: you came to me, turtle island, holy dances, and the opening track wedding bell.
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Wednesday 16 April 2008

Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea


Neutral Milk Hotel is a band formed by Jeff Magnum and is part of the Elephant 6 Recording Company. This is one of my favorite albums because of it’s folksy/indie greatness with some poetic lyrical content. The story of the album is based on recurring dreams he had about Jewish families during WW2 and Anne Frank. Jeff show’s his talent in “Oh Comely” by playing the entire 8 minutes in one take which received an applause and an almost inaudible “OH SHIT” on the track (TURN UP YOUR SPEAKERS MAX TO HEAR IT). Jeff Magnum’s guitar work is splendid.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=X59YWMR2

If you are interested in the mastermind behind this band, Jeff Magnum, look into other Elephant 6 Recording Company bands. The Apples in Stereo will be posted shortly, another great band.

Enjoy.


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James Carr - You Got My Mind Messed Up


James Carr was a soul singer born of a gospel preacher. He battled drugs, alcohol and Bipolar disorder. Guy's got an ace voice though.




http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O6LPM9UR
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Now playing: This Et Al - Can You Speak European?
via FoxyTunes
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Four Tet - Rounds


Working under the guise of Four Tet, Keiran Hebden is somewhat of a remix whore, splicing up everyone from Kings of Convenience to Aphex Twin and back again. However, it's his own work on which he really shines, as proven on 2003's 'Rounds' which scored a well-deserved 89 on Metacritic: translating to universal acclaim. Dipping in and out of genres, Hebden creates atmospheric electronica, rich in melody and charm. Frequently beautiful, occasionally giddy yet always fascinating, this record never fails to enchant and sweet-talk its way back to being one of my favourites with each listen.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O2PBZJ3B
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Tuesday 15 April 2008

Godskitchen Australia

At the request of "uploading more shit like Scooter," I decided to kill two birds with one stone with the latest upload, and take an opportunity to advertise the Godskitchen brand, one that I've mentioned many times, but not taken an opportunity to share. You guys are in for a treat today. This is a 2 CD trance album, with DJ's Steve Strangis and Above and Beyond mixing it up. To be honest, I'm not familiar with most of the artists on this album, but it's a solid creation, the first CD offering an ambient, softer style of trance, and the second CD a much faster pace, described as "electro trance" which consists of tracks from Above and Beyonds label Anjunabeats.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=C6LLB3EN <- CD 1
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q1A0QCQP <- CD 2
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Monday 14 April 2008

Sigh - Highman's Hymn

Sigh has been in the metal scene for nearly two decades, and is one of Japan's most well known metal bands. They started off playing black metal but have drastically changed since then, and now play a bizarre progressive style with some black influence. This is very strange music, but highly recommended.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PSAVHNAD
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Sunday 13 April 2008

Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters Colon the Soundtrack

Heavy metal, hard rock, and rap and badassery. Basically, it's everything you'd expect from the television show on steroids. Even the movie poster is epic. #1 in the hood, G.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=49U6SITQ

PS: today is the anniversary of the movie's opening. Happy anniversary!
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Friday 11 April 2008

Modeselektor - Happy Birthday!


Berlin-based electronica duo Modeselektor, real names Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary, cemented the impression they had made in 2005 with 'Hello Mom!' with this, 2007's 'Happy Birthday!'. Featuring guest vocals from Maxïmo Park and professed Modeselektor fan Thom Yorke, the pair's glitch mastery works and flows well, leaving the impression that one's time has not been wasted by listening. An energetic, not demanding, yet enjoyable listen.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0p7yo1pj
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Wednesday 9 April 2008

At the Drive-In - Relationship of Command


At the Drive-In is a post-hardcore band from El Paso, Texas. Lead by Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s cryptic and energetic vocals, they create complex and indescribable sound. They have broken up and formed The Mars Volta and Sparta which are more well known than their predecessor but not nearly as amazing in my opinion.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CSSRH4C0


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Tuesday 8 April 2008

Architecture in Helsinki - Places Like This

Architecture in Helsinki is an Australian band from Melbourne. This is their most recent album, Places Like This. It's a mixture of electronic and indie combined with a lead vocalist that for a few songs reminded me of the vocalist from The Aquabats. Quite a unique sound, and a refreshing one after tolerating the intense amount of crap I've heard on radio this week.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=S4RVL1BR

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Saturday 5 April 2008

Anti-Flag -- The Bright Lights of America


This is Anti-Flag's latest album, you've probably heard of them. I found them when I was doing a project for English class on 1984 and came across a song by them, I have been listing to them since. Their latest album,"The Bright Lights of America" still holds their original punk influenced sound, but they have really toned down their lyrics, and have become really mainstream(they endorse PETA, have a myspace, and their label is RCA records). It lacks the enthusiasm and anger I've come to expect from the band while maintaining excellent quality which surprised me. If you're into mainstream music,or mainstream punk then you'll probably enjoy this album.

Get it at
http://www.filedropper.com/anti-flag--thebrightlightsofamerica--2008

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Friday 4 April 2008

Radiohead - In Rainbows


This is a request upload. Radiohead's newest album, In Rainbows, received critical acclaim upon it's release. Although it was aloud for digital download for whatever price the buyer wanted, many fans showed their dedication and payed normal price for it. It's one of my favorite Radiohead albums up to this date. It combines soft electronic tones with the smooth sound of Thom Yorke's distinctly awesome voice. A must get for any Radiohead fan.

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

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Thursday 3 April 2008

New Day Rising - Hüsker Dü

A band named after a Dutch memory game ("husker du" sans umlauts means "do you remember" in Dutch). Three men, two of them gay (and surprisingly, neither of them are the one with the handlebar mustache) write six of the most blisteringly passionate and melodically smart albums of the 80's Hardcore Era. Hüsker Dü never really fit in anywhere. Alternative Rock before it existed, they slammed out six stellar hardcore/post-hardcore albums and never got the recognition they deserved. This is their third attempt at hardcore acceptance, following the two amazing records Land Speed Record and Zen Arcade. It was incredibly tough to pick my favorite Hüsker Dü album, but this is about as close as it gets to perfection, Hüsker style.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2EWPI2C9
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Wednesday 2 April 2008

Bat For Lashes - Fur And Gold,

Bat For Lashes is the work of Natasha Kahn. She says the song Horse and I came to her in a dream. She's a bit of a nutter, she makes beautiful songs. Also she's supportting Radiohead. Thats it I guess: http://sharebee.com/2efdb460

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Tuesday 1 April 2008

The Cat Empire - The Cat Empire

Let's face it - I've been posting a number of techno albums lately, some with better reception than others, but I've neglected some of the fine Australian acts solely because they aren't techno. I wish I'd posted this album sooner. One of my favorite Australian bands this decade, The Cat Empire's debut album is a mix of Jazz, funk and a bit of ska. An upbeat album, most of the songs are about friendship and simply enjoying life, a good combination that also describes the vibe at their live shows.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F5L4Q5GM
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