Sunday 31 January 2010

Greenland is Melting - Our Hearts Are Gold, Our Grass Is Blue


I'm usually not a bluegrass fan, the closest I get is folk-punk that leans more heavily on the folk part, but Greenland Is Melting really gets me for some reason. Maybe it's because they are on Paper + Plastick, which has some pretty awesome bands, but I think its more the fact that they just sound so... sincere. Their music is just so overpowering without using any drums, or electric guitar (they have an electric bass, but you've got to hear it somehow right?), their voices all harmonize perfectly together... there's really nothing bad that I can say about Greenland Is Melting, except for maybe that they aren't playing anywhere near me in the coming months. Definitely check this out if you like folk, bluegrass, banjos, guitars, or heartfelt music, I promise you'll love it.

As the website says, "Name your price. No minimum."
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Friday 29 January 2010

La Quiete - La Fine Non è La Fine


La Quiete is one of my favorite screamo bands at the moment. They are from Italy and sound kinda like Thursday and Suis La Lune I guess. Really, they aren't comparable to any band I've listened to in reality, I just like naming bands they might sound like. It seems that it's easier to download this album then to find a link to buy it, but I found a UK site I think. If you find a place to buy it in the US for cheaper, comment and I'll add it to this post.

Try it!
Buy it!
(Shippings gonna be awful outside europe)




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Saturday 23 January 2010

Across The Border - Crusty Folk Music For Smelly People


A beautiful album full of very big sounding songs. I don't know a whole lot about this band, for the amount of plays they have on last.fm, there is a surprisingly little amount of information that I was able to uncover. What I can tell you is that they have been around and making music in Germany since the early 1990s and that what they do play is a very good mix of both German and Irish influenced folk, punk, protest music, and rock. Driven mainly by accordion and fiddle, they play some very long songs that manage to retain your attention the whole way through. The songs are very complex, very musically tight with a quite varied instrumentation, and occasionally include great vocal harmonies reminiscent of Chumbawamba. This album is a very fun listen, I recommend you download it.

Note: Not my link, it was too big to upload to mediafire.

Enjoy!
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Friday 22 January 2010

Teenage Cool Kids - Queer Salutations




Well, I'm sure you've heard of the famous Denton, Texas music scene (home to the always wonderful Fishboy), it just so happens to be a hotbed of indie magicalness as evidenced by Teenage Cool Kids. Recently this has been my music of choice for just chilling out and not doing anything because it doesn't beat down your eardrums it slowly taps at them with the beat of the ever so jammy drums. In the end who doesn't like laid back indie rock with a little fuzz in there for good measure? Oh yeah, and its supposedly supposed to sync up with an episode of "My So Called Life", I don't know what that means to you, but to me thats pretty snazzy.

Try It!
And here is where you can purchase it, my friend.

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Tuesday 19 January 2010

Tin Tree Factory & Brenna Sahatijan - Dream Warriors


OK SO WHEN I THOUGHT ABOUT PUTTIN SOME MORE MUSIC IN THIS BLOG I HAD LIKE 20 BANANAS SHOVED DOWN MY THROAT BUT THAT'S OK, BECAUSE I'LL THROW SOME FOLK INTO THE MIX BEFORE I OVERLOAD SOME BRAINS.

OK I PICKED THIS ALBUM UP FROM A LITTLE BOOKSTORE COFFEE SHOP IN BALTIMORE PACKAGED IN NEAT LITTLE HANDMADE CARDBOARD ALBUM CASES AND IT'S BY TWO LOCAL ARTISTS, SOME DUDE WHO GOES UNDER THE MONIKER TIN TREE FACTORY AND THIS GIRL BRENNA SAHATIJAN HOWEVER THE MUSIC IS DAMN GOOD. THE CHICK HAS A HELLA NICE VOICE (THE GUY CAN TAKE A LOT OF GETTING USED TO), AND THEY HAVE SOME PRETTY BANGIN LYRICS, OFTEN VERY FOCUSED ON NATURE AND STUFF BECAUSE THEY'RE PROBABLY INTO NATURE BUT THAT'S OK. A LOT OF CREATIVITY CAN ACTUALLY BE FOUND HERE LIKE IN THE OPENING FRIGGIN TRACK THEY USE A CELLO AND SOME BEER BOTTLES AND I GOTTA SAY AGAIN OH SNAP THOSE ARE SOME GOOD LYRICS LISTEN TO AT THE ORIGIN IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME AGGGH.

OK I HOPE YOU LIKE IT IF YOU DON'T SUCK IT UP YOU NEWBORN BABIES

http://www.mediafire.com/file/mw2xeztwnnk/ttf&bsdreamwarriors.rar

Editor's note: I took out the offensive words and bolded things I changed.
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Cog - Sharing Space

Cog is a three piece prog-rock band from Bondi in Sydney. This is their second album, Sharing Space. Their anti-establishment views complement the energy of both the vocal work and their experiemental guitar riffs. Perhaps my favourite contemporary Australian rock band.

http://rs326.rapidshare.com/files/109098593/cog.rar
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Sunday 17 January 2010

Spraynard - Copy Paste


Alright, this album is titled Copy & Paste and its by Spraynard.They are a small band from Pennsylvania that sings pop-punk. Their music is catchy as all get out, and the way the guitars and drums work together is wow. Seriously, just listen to the album and you'll understand. It kinda reminds me of Latterman's "No Matter Where We Go..!".Anyway,this is an awesome band and thanks go to Andy for suggesting it.

As an added bonus you can Legally download it from ifyoumakeit.com by clicking here. You can also buy the LP at runner up records.

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Saturday 16 January 2010

Signal to the Ocean Estate - Tunes for the Bird of Chittenden


The singer/guitarist of the Pittsburgh band Signal to the Ocean Estate, Caleb (full disclosure: a friend/former co-worker of mine) asked me to do a review of his band’s first full-length, Tunes for the Bird of Chittenden, and I gladly obliged. I’d heard a few of their songs before on their Myspace, but I’d honestly never bothered to explore further for reasons that need no explanation. That’s a shame – this band has the skill, influences, and overall sound to appeal to a HUGE audience. They’ve got Neutral Milk Hotel and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy on the alt-folk end, straight up rawk hooks and attitude, The Shins’ pop sensibility, and an overarching Tom Waits kind of Americana grit (but with way fewer years and cigarettes on Caleb’s vox). This really isn’t a band to be taken as derivative, though – as with any true artistic endeavor, its whole is more than the sum of its parts, and if you don’t believe me (i.e. you’re sick of hearing all the new folk rock popping up recently), try on “Safety” for size. Not enough? How about “No Place I’d Rather Be”? It’s classy, catchy, road-worn, pretty music, and you can tell they’re having fun. Remember, too, that this is a debut, and as such is an impressively solid base. I’d scope this band if I were y’all. They’ve got a spark.

Personally, it exceeded my preconceived notions by a mile; see, I expected it to be something I’d enjoy. I didn’t expect it to give me goosebumps at all the right moments. Good job.


FREEFREEFREE GETGETGET

----------------
Now playing: Blitzen Trapper - Sci-Fi Kid
via FoxyTunes
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Rum Rebellion - Cruisin' for a Boozin'





I had forgotten how happy this album made be feel. One of the only "Celtic Punk" bands I can stomach, this band sounds like Mutiny (who they stole their name from) but much more exciting. They come from Portland and their music makes you want to jump up and dance. Their music draws from many influences, from Celtic music to sea shanties, to punk and hardcore. If you're ready for a good time with an uplifting album, I suggest you download this immediately.

Take the Rambler's Road
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Friday 15 January 2010

Matt Sajn - Three EPs


It's been a while! Now that exams and holidays are over and done with, I'm finally able to post some music that I've been way too excited to share. Readers of this blog are lucky enough to have the opportunity to hear not one, not two, but three EPs produced by one of my favourite musicians in Ontario. Matt Sajn is constantly surprising me with everything he releases. Looking past his obviously brilliant, distinguished, and almost haunting vocals, the high quality of his writing is undeniable and deserves to be recognized. If folk-based, singer/songwriter stuff isn't up your alley, I recommend Northern Primitive (Sajn's full-band music project) just the same.

Matt Sajn:
Cordially Yours [2007]
Warehouse Sessions [2008]
Old Routines [2009]

Nothern Primitive:
Myspace
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Tuesday 12 January 2010

Smith Westerns - Smith Westerns


Sorry for not posting in such a long time, first my computer was dying, and then mediafire was telling me crazy things... oh well, everything is fine now. So here is an album that is pretty different than most of the stuff I've posted so far, and you might have heard of this band before. The Smith Westerns are super low fi, poptacular , garage rock. It's really awesome when all the... "lofi-ness" actually adds to the song instead of feeling like a cheap gimmick, and they totally pull it off in songs like "Gimme Some Time" which sounds like a simple pop song played in a bathroom and recorded on a four track. And its perfect. Oh, and they are on the same record label as Nobunny, nothing else needs to be said.

To go with the flow of things:
Buy it!
Try it!
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Monday 11 January 2010

Merchant Ships - Bummer Times Demo


Same as above again. This is their demo.

http://www.mediafire.com/?5ysxom9sg9x
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Merchant Ships - I Want To Forget Everything Bad That Ever Happened


Same as above, only older and equally as awesome.

http://www.mediafire.com/?oammxmi2mtp
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Merchant Ships - New Jams


I haven't posted Merchant Ships yet, but I will in the future and have been meaning to. If you already know Merchant Ships, here are new jams that have just been released. If you haven't heard of Merchant Ships, get the new jams and wait for the other jams to be posted. Excellent screamo.

http://www.mediafire.com/?knmgo4mkjtm
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Dirty Projectors - Ascending Melody 7"


Ok Dirty Projectors, make up your mind. Are you going to digitally release albums and let users buy it if they like it or are you going to get angry when I put this up? Digital Projectors have their latest single Ascending Melody on their website for free so get it while it's hot. All you need is a valid email address.

http://www.dirtyprojectors.net/
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Beastie Boys - Doublecheck Your Head


Free release by Beastie Boys which is a remix album of the original piece Check Your Head. It is a mix done by the same guy that did Jaydiohead found at www.jaydiohead.com Max Tannone.
Anyways, get Doublecheck Your Head for free at
http://www.doublecheckyourhead.com/
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Hot Water Music - Moonpies for Misfits


Pretty much a no brainer, Hot Water Music, nuff said, enjoy
download
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Wednesday 6 January 2010

Future Islands - Wave Like Home



I'm not totally sure why, but this is one of my favorite albums ever. It has some of the catchiest songs ever written, great lyrics, and very interesting musical parts. Their singer's voice is almost hypnotizing, scratchy and raw sounding but somehow very comforting. I saw them opening for Dan Deacon about a year and a half ago and I was blown away by their set. This album has a really great flow as well, it should be listened to beginning to end over and over again.

Here it is, old friend.
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Vampire Weekend - Contra


Vampire Weekend is a much esteemed band that gave us one of the best summer albums in 2008 going on extensive touring, leaving fans wondering when a new album would come out. Well, here it is, coming out January 12th, be sure to pick it up. It's definitely weird to hear a new album after 2 years, but it's a refreshment that Vampire Weekend never fails to bring.

Buy it!
Stream it!

I got a DMCA notice about this post, yet I didn't post a download link. I am promoting your band without posting any sort of illegal content. I would appreciate it if you did not remove my legal posts. Thanks.

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Tuesday 5 January 2010

Mountain Asleep - 2009 Tour Demo




Mountain Asleep is one of my favorite bands. Their first release "Hello Anxious" is excellent and you can get it at If You Make It. This is their tour demo and it only has one new song on it, but the songs are all recorded much nicer than in their full length. The band writes amazing poetry to accompany the off beats and complexity of their music. If you ever get a chance to catch this band live I highly recommend not missing it, they play a badass Refused cover song as well.

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


- alexkillscops
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Monday 4 January 2010

Snowing - Fuck Your Emotional Bullshit Demo



A five-song EP from a Lehigh Valley, PA band pumping out some seriously rad punk/emo that won't disappoint. These guys haven't been a band for very long, but are already gaining momentum and I can't say I haven't seen it coming. This is a well-recorded demo, but it's too bad it's only a demo. It will leave you wanting more, for sure. There's a lot of raw energy bleeding out of my speakers whenever these guys are blasting. I'm just surprised they haven't made their way over to this blog yet.

Download "Fuck Your Emotional Bullshit" EP
Snowing Myspace
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Sunday 3 January 2010

Starflyer 59 - Americana


Starflyer 59 is an amazing band. Jason Martin is an amazing musician. Americana is an amazing album. This album is the Starflyer 59 that comes to mind when I think of Starflyer. The guitars roared with some of the heaviest and best used distortion on any Starflyer release. Jason's voice was just as quiet and haunting on this album as it was on Gold. The songs crafted for this release are some of the best, not always the most memorable, but amazing songs. If the first three songs don't blow your mind then I don't know what will
Download
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Spires/1994 - Split


Some good punk/hardcore/screamo from Spires and 1994 in the form of a split. Kinda math rock, kinda post hardcore. If you like anything from these genres, try it out.


Try here!
Buy here!
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Friday 1 January 2010

Girl Talk - Night Ripper


Gregg Gillis turns mashup into a reputable genre making it mainstream using unheard of amount of layers. Going by Girl Talk, this one man party brings no instruments to his concerts, just his laptop. He uses obscure samples from all genres, but manages to mesh them together flawlessly. By the way, all links of 2010 by me will have a sample track now and a link to buy the album so it's now easier to "try before you buy".

Try it!

Buy it!
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Atom and His Package - Redifining Music



Atom (or Adam Goren) and his Package (or his guitar/sequencer combo) is synth punk awesomeness. If you like Math The Band, you will definitely enjoy this album. Danceable, hummable, and singable, are all apt names for one of the best synth punk albums around. Also, how can you not like a guy who has a song called "If You Own The Washington Redskins, You're A Cock" (listen to the lyrics, good stuff). Now a Physics teacher at a school in Pennsylvania, Atom(Adam) doesn't release any more albums under the AaHP moniker, but he is still kicking around in a band called Armalite if you are interested.

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