it was just the drug for me: 07.10

31.7.10

Les Savy Fav - Root For Ruin

This is their new one, and every track totally fucking slays. The band says they were influenced by the early 90's sounds of Britpop and Chapel Hill, like Superchunk, Archer Of Loaf and Blur all mixed together (filtered through their signature dance-punk meets fugazi sound, natch), and they aren't that far off the mark. I've always been moderately interested in this band, and have dug a lot of their prior outings, but I've really been enjoying the shit out of this new one. One of the years best for damn sure.

27.7.10

Superchunk

Superchunk - Tossing Seeds (Singles 89-91)

Superchunk - Here's Where The Strings Come In

Superchunk - Indoor Living

Superchunk - Come Pick Me Up

Superchunk - Here's To Shutting Up

Superchunk - Cup Of Sand: Disc 1

Superchunk - Cup Of Sand: Disc 2

Superchunk - Leaves In The Gutter EP

I've already posted a bunch of this bands albums, but here is everything else (minus a shit load of EP's, whose tracks are on the two singles collections here) from one of the greatest punk/alt/indie bands of all time. Everything this band has released has been totally rad, but if pressed to pick my fav of the bunch it would be Here's Where The Strings Come In, which has some of my favourite songs by the band (especially the track"Detroit Has A Skyline). Tossing Seeds and Cup Of Sand are the aforementioned singles collections and they are also essential. Today, the Onion's AVClub posted a rad video of the band covering The Cure song "In Between Days", so here is that as well.

Superchunk covers The Cure

26.7.10

Naked on the Vague - Heaps of Nothing

Droney psych. No wave. On stillbreeze/sacred bones. Picture yourself at a concert in the 70's and Hunter s. Thompson asks if you want anymore acid except you can't move to acknowledge him so he walks away. That's what Naked on the Vague sounds like.

Download

25.7.10

Ty Segall

Ty Segall - S/T

Ty Segall - Lemons

Ty Segall - Melted

This one-man-band dude writes ultra catchy and simply garage rock stompers that manage to be both noisy and tuneful. Everything this dude has recorded is totally rad. His new album, Melted, is a near-perfect slab of fuzzed-out 60's style psychedelic garage rock and it is one of the year's best releases. Anyone who digs the Nuggets compilations would be wise to check out this man's music.

Best Coast - Crazy For You

This is the bands debut full-length release (on Mexican Summer Records) after putting out a slew of singles and EPs for multiple labels over the last year and a half. Best Coast are vocalist Bethany Cosentino and multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno who together craft breezy lo-fi 60's style garage/surf rock that is soaked in reverb, melody and melancholy. This album is getting tons of buzz right now, which is cool and all, but the band already peaked back in March when Bill fucking Murray turned up for their South By Southwest gig, and we all know that it just doesn't get any better than that.

24.7.10

Jacuzzi Boys - No Seasons

Miami, FL indie garage rock band. Rad Nuggets-style ragers that any dude hip to The Black Lips, Woven Bones and Harlem should totally dig. I first heard of these dudes from Buddyhead who called them "the only cool thing about Florida", truer words have never been spoken.

17.7.10

CLOUDS

Clouds - Legendary Demo

Clouds - We Are Above You

Clouds - We Are Above You Bonus LP

Clouds - New Bombs.mp3

Clouds was the brainchild of Adam McGrath (Cave In) and Jim Carroll (Hope Con, Suicide File and The A-Team). They play sludgy psych-punk with a heavy rock edge that is both melodic and punishing. After releasing their demo and the full length on Hydra Head Records the band has since called it quits, which is a shame because they seriously fucking slay. The song "New Bombs" is from a 4-song 12" that was supposed to have been released on Hydra Head (and may still), it is one of the best songs in the bands cannon and shows how truly amazing this band could be. The demo was recorded by Steve Brodsky in their practice space and everything else was put to tape by Kurt Ballou in his God City Studios.

14.7.10

Handsome Boy Modeling School - So...How's Your Girl?

Handsome Boy Modeling School was the collaboration between two of hip-hop's most influential producers, Dan The Automator and Prince Paul. Guests abound on this thing, most noteworthy though is Del Tha Funkee Homosapien. The real reason I'm posting this is that it makes reference to, takes its name from and samples one of the greatest television shows of all time: Get A Life starring Chris Elliott as a 30 year old paper boy.

Knut - Wonder

This is the new album from Knut that was five years in the making. If you felt that their last one, Terraformer, was a bit of a departure for them then this is their return to form. Punishing hate-filled hardcore with dissonant riffs and pounding beats. This fucker is heavy.

13.7.10

Jaill - That's How We Burn

The new one from Jaill, and their first for Sub Pop Records. I posted their previous effort, There's No Sky (Oh My My) here, which was one of my favourites from last year. Everything about this album is big; Bigger sound, bigger label, bigger choruses, bigger riffs. Great little garage-rock songs with soaring melodies, walking bass-lines and pounding drums. One of the better albums to come out on Sub Pop this year.

Abe Vigoda - Skeleton

Abe Vigoda emerged from the same L.A. scene that produced the bands No Age and Health (Skeleton was even released on Dean Spunt from No Age's PPM label). Abe Vigoda's sound has been described as arty, noisy and tropical punk music. If you like No Age, Tanlines and Male Bonding then check out this 2008 release.

Neon Neon - Stainless Style

Neon Neon is producer Boom Bip and Super Furry Animals' frontman Gruff Rhys. Stainless Style is a concept album about the life of automaker John De Lorean (maker on the DMC-12, the time machine in Back To The Future). The first half of the album is super catchy 80's style synth-pop, the second half is dark synth-pop (with many guest appearances from hip-hop artists including Fat Lip, Yo Majesty and members of Spank Rock). Every song brings something special to the plate, and the album as a whole is totally fucking rad.

Tame Impala - Innerspeaker

Australian psych-rock band that is creating some serious buzz. Frontman Kevin Parker's voice reminds me of John Lennon in a big way. Musically these guys create dreamy, fuzzy and melodic psychedelic rock that sounds like Peppers-era Beatles mixed with Brian Jonestown Massacre. This beast was recorded by the band in a ramshackle beach-front studio and mixed by frequent Flaming Lips collaborator Dave Fridmann. This band makes me want to eat shrooms again.

12.7.10

The Dodos - Time To Die

The Dodos are a three piece that play intricate and extremely percussive indie rock. Guitarist Meric Long has two of the busiest hands I've ever heard and drummer Logan Kroeber slams the skins like he is Neil Peart's bastard son. Time To Die was produced by Phil Ek and any fan of The Forms, Fleet Foxes and The Shins will find something to like here.

Beatsteaks - Launched

This is the debut full-length album from this German hardcore band. Launched was released by Epitaph records in 2000. After the release of this album they became mega-stars in Germany, selling out arenas and headlining festivals. Their sound on this album was like a cross between Refused and The Foo Fighters: Big rock songs rooted in hardcore.

Off With Their Heads - In Desolation

New album from these Minnesota punks, and their first for Epitaph Records. More of the same gruff and melodic punk with ultra bleak lyrics. This is the best thing Epitaph has released in a long time.

10.7.10

The Drums

The Drums - Summertime! EP

The Drums - S/T

If you enjoy any aspect of 80's dance rock, then you will totally love The Drums. Super catchy indie rock that references New Order, The Cure and The Psychedelic Furs but still somehow manages to sound fresh. This is great, upbeat and fun summertime music. These guys are a big deal in the UK, but don't get talked about much over here which is a shame because in a perfect world these guys would be huge. Are some of the lyrics cheesy? Fuck yeah but who gives a shit, these guys are one of the best 80's throwbacks I've ever heard and last time I checked every aspect of the 80's was fucking cheesy so don't sweat it.

8.7.10

Good Riddance - Capricorn One

This is the latest (and final?) release from one of my boyhood favs. This is a rarities compilation that contains a lot of their out-of-print single and split tracks, my favourites being the two tracks from the split with Ignite, and some never before released tracks. Great melodic hardcore.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - S/T

Debut from this Philadelphia/Brooklyn indie band. They went from being a band nobody had heard of to the most talked about indie band in America, seemingly overnight. This self-released album eventually sold over 100,000 copies in America alone. The sound of this band is Talking Heads mixed with Modest Mouse. You know you've hit the big-time when both Davids (Byrne and Bowie) are spotted at your gigs. The track "The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth" is a total banger.

Surfer Blood - Astro Coast

I meant to post this a couple of months ago, but never got around to it until now. The hype machine that was surrounding these guys seems to have totally died down now, but 4-5 months ago every publication known to man was swinging from these dudes' nut sacks. Its a good record, a really amazing debut, but its far from the second coming. The best way to describe Surfer Blood is "Vampire Weekend with fuzz pedals".

5.7.10

Wild Nothing - Gemini

This was released a couple of months ago on the Blank Dogs label Captured Tracks. Wild Nothing is the work of one man, Jack Tatum, who plays everything. If you like The Cure and My Bloody Valentine but wish both bands used more synth then Wild Nothing is for you. Some really sad songs played with lots of melody that will be swimming around in your head for days after you hear them (not unlike the most recent M83 album). This record is owning my life right now, its so fucking good.

Top Surprise - Everything Must Go

Another totally rad Brazilian band. Top Surprise play fuzzy lo-fi indie punk that reminds me of The G, The Pixies and early Dinosaur Jr. mixed together. This was a free download from Transfusão Noise Records (as was the Babe Florida EP) and its totally killer, even if I have no idea what the fuck they are singing about.

Minutemen - Double Nickels On The Dime

43 tracks of jazzy, intricate and original punk rock from the kings of San Pedro. This one famously contains the song "Corona" which would later be used as the theme song for the hit MTV show Jackass. D. Boon was an unbelievable talent that died way too young. Every album by the Minutemen is totally rad, but for the uninitiated, there is no better place to start than right here.

Schleprock - (America's) Dirty Little Secret

This band started out on Dr. Strange records in the early 90's, but released this album in 1996 on a major-label. Great punk rock that any fan of Rancid, The Bouncing Souls and 22 Jacks will surely dig. Since it came out in the mid 90's there are a couple ska-influenced tracks, but other than that this thing is a rad blast of pure punk rock.

Jughead's Revenge - Image Is Everything

Classic west coast melodic punk rock. Some would argue that this is their best album (I prefer Just Joined) and every track on here is real rager. Just listen to "The People's Pal" or "Tearing Down The World" and try not to circle-pit around the room, its impossible.

Silkworm - Developer

Second (and last) album by these dudes to be released on Matador Records. Steve Albini was behind the boards once again for this one. As always Andy Cohen just fucking tears it up on the guitar and his song "Never Met A Man I Didn't Like" (which references borrowing money from Matador boss Gerard Cosloy to procure the company of a lady) ranks among one of the best the band ever wrote/recorded.

Hüsker Dü - Flip Your Wig

This was the bands last album on SST Records, released right after they jumped ship for the greener pastures of the majors (Warner Bros.). This album contains one of the bands best songs in "Makes No Sense At All" and has all the pop-hooks and punk energy that the band will forever be famous for. This was also the bands second full-length released in 1985, coming only a couple months after the release of New Day Rising.

Babe Florida - Vol. 1

I don't know much about this band because everything written about them online is in Portuguese, what I do know is that they play really great laid-back lo-fi punk rock and that they are from Rio De Janeiro. Short fuzzy and fun songs like Sonic Youth, but with a real sun soaked vibe. Eight songs in eight minutes, these guys aren't fucking around.

1.7.10

End of a Year - You Are Beneath Me

Download

I know this album has been on every blog so far, but I am going to explain why it is so good from my point of view. First of all, deathwish has released some pretty sub-par albums in the last while, lots of bands sounding the same. End of a Year has that DC post hardcore vibe and it's very obvious when you see them live. The band I was in at the time played a few shows with them in PA and in their home town Albany (which was a free show and barely anyone came out). The Albany show was a flop and Pat (the singer) gave my band 20 dollars out of his own wallet and a place to stay. Very sincere guy.

Pat loves to express his opinions on certain subjects which take more time up then the music they play. The lyrics are fantastic however, this album isn't for everyone. Give it a few listens and let me know what you think.

Armalite

Armalite - Self Titled

Dan Yemin is one of those guys that everything he touches turns to gold. I don't know how much of a role he actually plays in writing these tunes (he plays bass in this band, instead of guitar), but you can definitely hear his influence in certain tracks. The band also features the 6-year-old soundalike vocals of Atom Goren from Atom and his Package. This record is undeniably catchy and in the five years since it was recorded, it still feels fresh. This self-titled was recorded in a completely analogue domain at Philadelphia's Permanent Hearing Damage studio by Steve Roche. And to my knowledge, it's the only thing this band has released.