Catholic Spray/Zyklon Beach - Fruit of The Moons Split [2010]

[French Garage/Noise]

So I've been really busy with college work etc, and haven't posted in almost 2 months. If people still come here, sorry. Anyway, this here is a split between French bands Catholic Spray and Zyklon Beach (who feature members of Catholic Spray). It's good, noisey, reverbed, punky garage rock that I can't recommend enough.

The Lord Dog Bird - S/T [2008]

[Lo-fi acoustic]

This album was called bland, and lacking by several popular "indie" outlets when it was first released which I thought was unfair then, and still think is an unfair description. I found The Lord Dog Bird to be melodic and even with the reverb a little higher than I would have prefered the release isn't short of being great and I seriously recommend you listen to it fully.

Women - Public Strain [2010]

[Lo-fi/Noise-pop]

I understand my updates are generally unorganised in terms of time, and sadly it's going to end up getting worse as I'm being stretched out with college right now, so here is a great release to make up for lack of regular updates.
This album is a contender for my new Album Of The Year list, although I don't know if that's just because I've not long got it and am generally feeling that early quick orgasm before it becomes stale, time shall tell.

Also, here is a great site you could check out for all your music downloadings; http://stratosphering.blogspot.com/

No Age - Everything In Between [2010]

[FUCKING A']

This album is due out late september, you probably have it pre-ordered like me, but here's a leak version while you wait. No Age have always been good at making music with scuzzy guitars (now with added piano) and well, that's all you really need to know.

Sore Eros - Second Chants [2009]

[Dreampop/psych-folk]

This LP was limited to only 500 copies, it's dreamy experimental folk at its best and I highly recommend it. It's espeically good for listening to while sitting on the bus and watching out the window at the city around.

City Center - S/T [2009]

[Ambient/Experimental]

City Center remind me of Animal Collective pre-Sung Tongs, but that's not to say they're just an Animal Collective rip off, that's not true at all. They also incorporate a dreampop sound and together it sounds great. The band is also made up of Ex- Saturday Looks Good To Me and Lovesick members. That in its self has to be worth a download.

Veronica Falls -Beachy Head 7" & Found Love in a Graveyard 7"

[Tweegaze]

Beachy Head b/w Staying here is the latest 7" release from Veronica Falls it has a more shoegaze feel to it than their early 7" release Found Love in a Graveyard (See Below) which had a more twee feel to it. The twee sound is still in there, but it's not as prominent as with the first single. I just wish they'd record more but I'm okay with the few recordings they have because they are really good. Also, they're pretty neat live.

[Twee/Indie]

I first heard these guys thanks to Katy and her being from Camden (London) and knowing all the hip bands. She sent me this which I believe is the American version of the single, the British one is backed with the track Stephen, but I don't have that version. I really enjoyed them, then I seen them live and enjoyed them even more.

They also hail from Glasgow, you know the place that produced their biggest influences THE PASTELS.

So if you like The Pastels, and other C86 influenced music, then I'd say you'd probably enjoy these cats.

Tooth Ache. - Illogically Chronic [2008]

[Downer pop]

Self described as Downer pop, Alexandria Hall's minimalist approach is rather nice and beautiful. The above link leads to Tooth Ache.'s Bandcamp where you can download this album in nice FLAC/320/Whatever.
I realise I'm not adequate with descriptions so here's a sample.

Nodzzz - S/T [2009]

[Lo-fi/Garage-pop]

Nodzzz appeared when the lo-fi scene was popular with those trendy types that jump from scene to scene just so they could say they were part of the scene before it became stagnent and popular, missing the irony that it is them that make the scenes stagnent and popular. Anyway, Nodzzz arrived at that time like many other bands, but nodzzz kind of went a different direction. While some bands went for a more garage rock sound or surf-pop sound Nodzzz went for a style which pretty much intails them making pop hits with twangy and fuzzy guitars.
Some influences become very apparent within the first few tracks; Elvis Costello and Beat Happening came to mind to me when I first listened to this, and still does. It's a fun little album and it only comes in at 16minutes so you kids with ADD who want to digest everything now, now, now. This album is perfect for you.

Cloud Nothings - Turning On [2009]

[Lo-fi, fuck yes]

Well, last year was a good year. It revived lo-fi, everyone got out their guitars, tape decks and skwonked away including little Dylan, an 18 year old from Ohio, USA. While most of us kept our skwonking to ourself, Dylan got some friends involved and made an album, a bloody good album it must be said. I respect him for it, but I still want to beat him up for being better and younger than me. He'd probably be able to take me anyway.

TV Ghost - Cold Fish (2009)

[Garage/Punk/noise]

I had a friend who once said to me "Sam, me and you are going to make one hell of a band, it's going to be Fugazi meets Big Black meets Sonic Youth" that friend, he now works in an office selling Printer Ink and Toner to businesses in Glasgow. The reason I mention this is because a few months ago I was given the pleasure of hearing TV Ghost's debut full-length album Cold Fish and the first thought that came to mind was of my friend and his dream when we were younger before his mother cut off his trust fund and he had to start paying rent himself. See, TV Ghost sound pretty much how I'd imagined our Sonic Youth, Big Black, Fugazi bastard child would sound... only, better.

The album is only 10 tracks long and comes in at something like 25 minutes. It's short, but not an unforgetful experience. It's fast, loud, chaotic and everything music should be. The fuzzy distorted guitars, the harsh drumming the unassuming vocals, it's the kind of album you play at 11 and tell your neighbours in that dingy shitty apartment you stay in to fuck off.

Although don't really do that, it just ends up with you coming off as a dick and the landlord telling you to pack your shit because here is your six weeks notice and he wont be writting you a positive reference letter so you're going to have to move back with your parents or into another shitty apartment where the don't want references because you possibly can't do anything that hasn't already been done. Figuratively speaking of course..

Jaill - That's How We Burn [2010]

[Psych-pop]

When someone says cool "indie-pop" for cool kids. The first thing that comes to mind is New York or California, not Milwaukee. Well, Jaill put that aside with this rather enjoyable sophomore release (You should also check out their debut There's No Sky). There self described Psych-rock borders on lo-fi pop and features some tunes reminiscent of the 90's lo-fi scene as opposed to new, lo-fi surfpop craze that kids seem to be making these days.

Sic Alps - Pleasures and Treasures [2006]

[Lo-fi/Noise/Garage/Psyche]

Sic Alps remind me of what a 60's psyche band would sound like if they recorded music in an old Volkswagon van. Some tracks on this album also have a shoegazing feel to them, albeit sans the production that a lot of shoegaze goes through. But yeah, download this anyway because I like it and would like the band to get more exposure.

SLOTHBEAR - QIDS [2010]

[Lo-fi/indie]

SLOTHBEAR are a fun bunch of people. They make music that doesn't suck and give away free 128kbps versions of their album Qids(see above) and if you like it you can get a better quality version in exchange for monies over at Amazon.

Daniel Johnston - Fun [1994]/The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered [2004]

Alternative Rock]

Daniel Johnston is a talented guy, yet, out of his 17 studio albums, only this one had a major label release. It's a good alternative rock album that was released while Daniel Johnston himself was in a "mental hospital".

[Alt-rock covers]

This is a two disc album that features on Disc one the likes of Tom Waits, Teenage Fanclub, Eels, Beck and Bright Eyes covering songs of his, Disc two features his original versions.

I hope you enjoy him as much as I do.

The Seven Fields of Aphelion - Periphery [2010]

[Beautiful Ambient electronic?]

I don't know how this passed me by or when exactly it was released, but I know it was this year, and that's good because at least I know I'm not THAT slow.

Stolen from last.fm: Over twelve tracks, Periphery acts as a travelogue through otherworldly, yet somehow soothingly familiar sonic landscapes. Synth layers grow slowly and organically into swells of pulsating and palpable tone while piano lines effortlessly dart their way in and out of the mire, like a group of pilot fish fearlessly zipping around a Great White.

Lichens - The Psychic Nature of Being [2005]

Experimental/Ambient

I posted this elsewhere already and I like it, so I'm posting it here too. It's kind of droney, ambient rock, I really suck at descriptions so here's a youtube video.

[ignore the intro, it's the only good quality youtube video out I can be assed finding]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c71a-wq8ndY

Nice Face - Immer Etwas [2010]

[Distorted lo-fi rock]

Nice Face is a lo-fi rock project by Brooklyn based Ian Magee, it mixes a DIY punk sound with garage rock and other such genres which have been getting the lo-fi treatment lately. To be fair, there is little information about this band online, and describing the music is kind of hard outside of lo-fi goodness. So yeah, download it. If you enjoy it, keep it/buy the album, if not, then that's what the Delete button is for.

Buffalo Daughter - I [2001]

[Get it while it's hot]

Buffalo Daughter are an experimental pop/rock group from Japan. That's pretty much it they make music I like and think is worth sharing, thus I am. The downside is despite being an experimental pop group, the j-pop kids seem to like them too which may ruin your hipster cred, I know it ruined mine.

Top Sunrise/COLORAÇÃO DESBOTADA

So Brazil may have been put out of the World Cup and that's a shame, but Brazillians are still making good music so it's all good right? Here is Two Brazillian bands I think you should look into. They are both "lo-fi" and you can read descriptions of them, and download their releases here
http://www.pugrecords.com/discography/

Deep Cut - My Thoughts Light Fires [2009]

[Shoegaze/Noise-pop]

Deep Cut are a London based shoegaze revivalism band. They take influence not just from Shoegaze and noise-pop bands however, there is also influences from Dinosaur Jr sneaking through as well. The female vocalist manages to add some beauty to this already wonderful album and it mixes in well. I realise I'm no good at being descriptive, tis why I won't ever make it as a music reviewer, so yeah... Just download it.

Borrowed Beams Of Light - S/T EP 2009

[Lo-fi/pop/Rock]

Okay, so I know the tracks are available freely on their last.fm but I'm posting them here in a collected .zip anyway. Borrowed Beams of Light are a pretty tight band from Virginia USA or some place that way. They may only have 382 listeners (at the time of writing this) but trust me, they are going to be the next big thing for sure. So yeah, check these hip cool cats out.

Black Moth Super Rainbow - Falling Through a Field [2003]

[Psychepop]

Black Moth Super Rainbow are an odd group of souls. They have silly names and up until their 2009 album Eating Us recorded music in some field in Pittsburgh or something. This Album, their debut under the moniker Black Moth Super Rainbow is in my opinion probably their best work. Their music is somewhat experimental with psychedellic pop influences coming through. The vocals are all done on vocoders but I think it kind of adds to the sound. Anyway Check 'em out.

Girls - Albun [2009]

[Lo-fi/garage-rock]

Girls frontman Christopher Owens grew up in the Children of God cult. His older brother died as a baby because the cult didn't believe in medical attention. His dad left. He and his mother lived around the world, and the cult sometimes forced his mother to prostitute herself. As a teenager, Owens fled and lived as a Texas gutter-punk for a while. Then a local millionaire took Owens under his wing, and Owens moved to San Francisco. There, he and Chet "JR" White formed Girls, and recorded Album, their debut album, under the influence of just about every kind of pill they could find.

Projekt A-ko - Yoyodyne [2009]

Yoyodyne
[Post-punk/lo-fi/Shoegaze]

Projekt A-Ko are a Scottish band that formed out of the ashes of 90's post-punk Lo-fi band Urusei Yatsura (The most astute of you will have realised both bands have titles of animes but don't let that put you off), a band who I enjoyed a lot. Well, Projekt A-Ko overtook them as my new favourite Scottish band and this is their only release to date, although they are working on something new. This is lo-fi/post-punk at it's finest. I hope you enjoy it as much as myself.

Top albums of the year (so far)

So the first half of the year is coming to a close and we've had a good one for music, don't ya think. Well, I do. Any I decided to compile my top 11 best albums so far, why 11... well, 10 just isn't enough. I've had trouble making this list because I've had so many good releases, but here it is anyway.

Los Campesinos! - Romance is Boring
[Twee/indie-pop]

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles (II)
[Electronica, New-rave, 8-bit]

65daysofstatic - We Were Exploding Anyway
[Post-rock]

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
[Alternative-indie/hip-hop]
   
Male Bondage - Nothing Hurts
[Lo-Fi indie-rock]

The National - High Violet
[Indie-rock]

The Drums - The Drums
[Indie/Surf-pop]

A Silver Mt.Zion - Kollaps Tradixionales
[Post-Rock]

Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
[Surf-rock/Indie-Rock]

Sleigh Bells - Treats
[Lo-fi, noise-pop]

Beach House - Teen Dream
[Indie-pop/Dreampop]

Best Coast!

Apparently lo-fi noise-pop is dead, well, I don't care. I like it, and Best Coast are simply the fucking bomb. It makes Cali not suck as much, although let it be said, I still don't like California.

Anyway, this post has every release by Best Coast that I have, so if you have any others post a link in the comments.
Demo [2009]
California Girls (DemoII)
Make You Mine 7" [2009]

Art Fag 7" [2009]
Where The Boys are 7" [2009]
When I'm With You [2009]
Something in the Way [2010]
Far Away Everyones Gone [2010]

Lo-Fi High-Five megapost... does a trio count as mega?

[Post-Nothing, No singles and Art Czarz in one RAR]

First, off apologies for the following being hosted on 4shared, I get a bigger file size upload over there. This post will consist of lo-fi Garage Rock bands as opposed to lo-fi noise, which will be my next post FYI.
This Japandroids link is for their 12" records No Singles (collection of two out of print EP's) and Post-Nothing (Their debut LP, and best release to date). It also has the Art Czarz MP3 from the 7". When I get the Younger Us 7" I'll post that too. Till then enjoy, Japandroids are a band I really, really enjoy, and you should too.

[Nouns, Weirdo Rippers and Sick People are Safe]

NO AGE - Nouns came third in Pitchforks 2008 top 50 so if you're smart, you probably own it, in which case I'm sorry for making you download it again, but this .rar also includes their first 12" Weirdo Rippers, and the fun 7" EP Sick People are Safe. So if you like your lo-fi grainy and a little on the 'noise' side, get it here.

[Monitor and The Airing of Grievences]
Last.Fm says they are lo-fi, I guess they kind of are, but they're good so I'll post them anyway. The above post contains both their Full Lengths. They seem like they are the missing link between Fugazi and 90's emo like Sunny Day Real Estate, but with fuzz. The monitor is a some what conceptual album based around the American Civil War, you know, the one with Abe.

Hipster Garbage

[I luuuv u Jesus Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiist]

You know Neutral Milk Hotel, I know Neutral Milk Hotel, everyone knows Neutral Milk Hotel, so really there is no point in introducing Jeff Magnum's masterpiece. Everyone has a copy of In The Aeroplane Over The Sea, even if they don't want to admit it. But very few have his first album and even less have the demos he recorded under the moniker Milk. That is where I come in. The above link is to his Demos recoreded from 93-95 and the link below... yeah, On Avery Island.

[Pretenious folk-pop, I love it]

1990's Britain

[Get it here]

Sleeper are one of the best things of the 90's. Lead by Louise Wener, now a novelist, sleeper had that distinctive sound that kept them from falling into the generic sound a lot of brittish pop musicians were falling into. This album was possibly the best one they released although it does have some flaws it's worth getting and listening to. Also just to hit home how good they were, ELVIS MOTHERFUCKING COSTELLO coverd one of their songs.

[Let's done this!]

I posted this elsewhere already, but it's worth posting again, here. Spitfire were a band who hada forever changing line up despite only ever releasing two albums. They had members who would later go on to be in bands like Elastica and The Auteurs. This was their first Full Length, so yeah, enjoy.

Betty Brant

[Downlaod Betty Brant Now!]

I use to work in let's just say the charity business, while doing a stint there I met a talented musician named Paul. Paul made music, and it was really good. Some of that music was in Betty Brant a no-fi indie band who made no-fi twingy pop cool again.

Also check out his other project Major Major which was more Bloody Valentineesque and even more awesome. Sadly I don't have any downloads for them.

Xiu Xiu

[Shew Shew]

One of my favourite bands and one of my favourite albums. The Air Force usually makes my top 10 album list everytime I'm drunk enough to get into the conversation about what my top 10 albums are.
Xiu Xiu can be considered Art-rock in the sense that they don't 'conform' to any structure/sound that would be consired the 'norm' of other genres

Jamie Stewarts soft vocals make this album for me, the lyrics while being mostly about love and death come off as beautiful, but they also merge well with the flow of the album. The main seller here though is the use of instrumentation. Ranging from 'beeps and boops' to keyboards, guitar and drums (and drum machines) this album mixes it all and manages to do it without it just coming off as plain noise and mess like some bands try to call 'art'.

[I won't rest until you take it]

The first time I heard Xiu Xiu I was 17 years old in avalanche in Edinburgh when the song I Luv The Valley came on. I heard this song and instantly I was in love. I asked the guy working who was the band was and he told me it was Xiu Xiu and pointed me in the direction of the album. I happily picked it up for a mere £6 and well, that was when my love affair with James Stewart and Xiu Xiu began. It was also my first real connection with Experimental Rock. I had Sonic Youth CDs and I really enjoyed them, but I hadn't taken them in for their serious artistic merit, I just liked them being loud. Xiu Xiu really introduced me into understanding experimental music and I've been hooked since.