Thursday, July 30, 2009

Fireball - Blessed Be



Fireball
"Blessed Be" (2006)
Stoner / Rock
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Four tracks of dirty, grooved-out, distorted to shit heavy psychedelic rock just aren't enough. I don't think they've put out anything before or since, but this record never fails to hit my auditory g-spot. I fucking love it. On yeah, it's like 5 girls from NY... Everyone likes to point that out for some reason. Also, I think the actual album cover doesn't have the black border, it might be all white but whatever.

Finntroll - Nattfödd



Finntroll
"Nattfödd" (2004)
Metal
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The name really does say it all. Finnish folk metal that makes you want to slay imps. This album includes their double platinum multinational top hit, "Trollhammaren," that is not only the Oprah Winfrey Show's theme song, but also featured in the timeless movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back.

Slowdive - Souvlaki



Slowdive
"Slouvlaki" (1993) [Re-Release] (2006)
Shoegazing
DOWNLOAD: Disk 1
DOWNLOAD: Disk 2

Slowdive hail from England and really only released work between '90 and '95, but they definitely left their mark along with bands like My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Lush, and Chapterhouse. Slouvaki is one of my favorite shoegazing albums. I know everyone's favorite track is Machine Gun, but the entire album is flawless and a fantastic accompaniment to just about every activity I enjoy. This is the Castle Music re-release from 2006 which includes an additional disk of remastered tracks and 2 mixes. Enjoy!

Mind Eraser - Cave



Mind Eraser
"Cave" (2005)
Hardcore
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One of my favorite Power Violence albums to come out in recent years. They take pretty blatant queues from Crossed Out, and I love them for it. Barking vocals, depressing/pissed ass lyrics, mid-paced hardcore, sludgy riffing, start-and-stops, and peppered in blasts make for a fantastic listen. I'll up these Boston boys' 2006 album "Glacial Reign" later on.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Beck - One Foot In The Grave



Beck
"One Foot In The Grave" (1994)
Indie / Rock
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Friend request. Apparently Beck's fourth album. I don't know shit about it... It's a request. I'll listen to it just like you should. Also, I wonder if it will go link-dead very quickly.

Jel - Soft Money



Jel
"Soft Money" (2006)
Hip Hop / Electronica
DOWNLOAD

Here we have Jel's (I think) second solo album. I'm sure I'll get around to uploading his previous release, "10 Seconds," in the next few weeks, but I wanted to start with this one because I think most people would find it more palatable. He's done some great production work for groups like Themselves, Subtle, and 13 & God... Though I'm not a particularly big fan of any of those groups. Anyways, it's worth a listen. If you get curious about how he makes beats, check out his shit on Youtube.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Machine Gun Romantics - Everything So Far...



Machine Gun Romantics
"Everything So Far..." (2005)
Hardcore
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Although this doesn't include what I consider their best material (their side of the S.S.E. split), this stuff should not be missed. Four dudes from the Houston, Texas area that love Infest and Crossed Out tearing it up with fun, catchy, adrenaline-soaked Fastcore / Power Violence! Damn, this stuff gets me pumped!! If you were lucky enough to see them at the 625 Barbaric Detonation Thrash Festival in 2005 @ Gilman, you would know what I'm talking about. Get ready for tri-vocals, head lock pits, Olympic-worthy stagedives, scream alongs, and to wish they were still together. MGR fucked it up. Check out the member's newer stuff: Knuckle Scraper, Insect Warfare, Hatred Surge, 50/50, and Dark Forces.

Telefon Tel Aviv - Immolate Yourself



Telefon Tel Aviv
"Immolate Yourself" (2009)
Electronica
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Since I didn't introduce them before, Telefon Tel Aviv were two dudes from Chicago that made some great "IDM" electronic music (excuse the redundancy). I'm sure if you're into this stuff at all, you heard that one of them, Charles, passed away. This is their third release. They took a different direction, incorporating the added vocals of the second album and adding some darker tracks. Track 3 sounds like they were listening to a little Depeche Mode. I don't think there will be anything else released under the name, since it would just be a solo project at this point. I'll add the second album later... I still think Fahrenheit Fair Enough is the best.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Pinback - Blue Screen Life



Pinback
"Blue Screen Life" (2001)
Indie / Rock
DOWNLOAD

I don't know shit about indie rock, so I don't have much to say about these guys. I think they're from California and I like to listen to them when I'm hanging out in my boxers on Sunday nights. Lazy music for rainy days. I really enjoy all of their stuff, but this was the first Pinback album I heard back in 2002 from my friend Sara Deal. What of it?

Dystrophy - Nice Kids



Dystrophy
"Nice Kids" (2004)
Hardcore

From the Bay Area, these kids loved Charles Bronson and Satan... So from the get-go we have that in common. Some good, fast, and relatively simple Charley-inspired Fastcore with catchy breakdowns and no copyright infringement. Check 'em out! Unfortunately, they didn't release anything else that I know of.

Edit: Apparently they released a few tracks on some comps... But I don't have them.

Crucial Unit - Moshzilla



Crucial Unit
"Moshzilla" (2001)
Hardcore
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Here we've got my favorite Crucial Unit release! Crucial Unit is a guitarshredding Metal-loving Fastcore band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their albums are peppered with well-placed blast beats, some yell-alongs, and crossover flavor that get your head bobbing. The album is full of hilarious, though sometimes serious, lyrical content with enough speed to satisfy that no-toothed amphetamine head that lives under the bridge. So invite him over, slip the record on, and prepare to be robbed blind while trying to find the right speed to headbang to the crossover riffs and time changes.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Rodrigo Y Gabriela - Rodrigo Y Gabriela



Rodrigo Y Gabriela
"Rodrigo Y Gabriela" (2006)
World Music
DOWNLOAD

Here is some classical guitar for your asses. You might like it, you might hate it... But it's free, so why not? As I'm sure you can find on wiki, they started off in a metal band in Mexico (that I'm pretty positive was pretty terrible) and decided to try something else. I'm not too into the covers (Orion and Stairway To Heaven), but whatever. It's worth a listen if you're feeling spicy.

Have Heart - The Things We Carry



Have Heart
"The Things We Carry" (2006)
Hardcore
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Some more straight-edge hardcore, this time from Massachusetts. Well-written and distinguishable songs, good energy, and a positive outlook. Their subsequent album, "Songs To Scream At The Sun," got a bunch of (in my opinion) well deserved hype, but I still prefer this album. Check it out. (NOTE THE NEW FORMAT!)

Monday, July 20, 2009

Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures



Joy Division
"Unknown Pleasures" (1979)
Post / Punk
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Track List:
1. Disorder
2. Day Of The Lords
3. Candidate
4. Insight
5. New Dawn Fades
6. She's Lost Control
7. Shadowplay
8. Wilderness
9. Interzone
10. I Remember Nothing

I know everyone knows this album, but for those of you who either don't have it or haven't listened to it recently... It's about time. Kick back and soak in the despair.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Denali - The Instinct



Denali
"The Instinct" (2003)
Indie / Rock / Pop
DOWNLOAD
Track List:
1. Hold Your Breath
2. Surface
3. Run Through
4. The Instinct
5. Do Something
6. Real Heat
7. Nullaby
8. Normail Days
9. Welcome

About two months ago, the dudes at bad year media uploaded Denali's self-titled album. Although they had been floating around my library, I hadn't listened to them in a good long while. Thanks to their upload, I've been dosing their self-titled album and The Instinct about once a week.

Wait In Vain - Seasons



Wait In Vain
"Seasons" (2008)
Hardcore / Punk
DOWNLOAD
Track List:
1. Another Year
2. Q And ..
3. Forget Me Not
4. A Blind Eye
5. Seasons
6. Passions Just Like Mine
7. Puritan
8. Original Sin
9. The Fix
10. White Picket Fences

Awesome all-star straight edge hardcore from Seattle. This album has been on heavy rotation since I left Mexico in April. I can't wait to catch them once I'm living up there!

Ictus - Imperivm



Ictus
"Imperivm" (2007)
Hardcore
DOWNLOAD
Track List:
1. Imperivm

One long-ass epic crust/hardcore/metal song straight from Spain. Don't worry, it's dynamic enough to not get boring.

GZA - Liquid Swords



GZA
"Liquid Swords" (1995)
Hip Hop
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Track List:
1. Liquid Swords
2. Duel Of The Iron Mic
3. Living In The World Today
4. Gold
5. Cold World
6. Labels
7. 4th Chamber
8. Shadowboxin'
9. Hell's Wind Staff / Killah Hills 10304
10. Investigative Reports
11. Swordsman
12. I Gotcha' Back
13. B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)

Who ISN'T into Wu-Tang Clan? The GZA brings the ruckus. In my opinion, one of the better solo Wu-Tang releases.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt



Jay-Z
"Reasonable Doubt" (1996)
Hip Hop
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Track List:
1. Can't Knock The Hustle
2. Politics As Usual
3. Brooklyn's Finest
4. Dead Presidents II
5. Feelin' It
6. D'Evils
7. 22 Two's
8. Can I Live
9. Ain't No Nigga
10. Friend Or Foe
11. Coming Of Age
12. Cashmere Thoughts
13. Bring It On
14. Regrets

Mob Deep - The Infamous



Mobb Deep
"The Infamous" (1995)
Hip Hop
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Track List:
1. The Start Of Your Ending
2. The Infamous Prelude
3. Survival Of The Fittest
4. Eye For An Eye
5. Just Step Prelude
6. Give Up The Goods
7. Temperature's Rising
8. Up North Rip
9. Trife Life
10. Q.U. - Hectic
11. Right Back At You
12. The Grave Prelude
13. The Grave
14. Drink Away The Pain
15. Shock Ones Pt. II
16. Party Over

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Brazilian Girls - Brazilian Girls



Brazilian Girls
"Brazilian Girls" (2005)
Trip Hop
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Track List:
1. Homme
2. Don't Stop
3. Lazy Lover
4. Sirenes de la Fete
5. Corner Store
6. Long
7. Pussy
8. Die Gedanken Sindi Frei
9. All We Have
10. Dance Till Morning
11. Me Gustas Cuando Callas
12. Ships In The Night