Swirlies - Blonder Tongue Audio Baton

Artist: Swirlies

Album: Blonder Tongue Audio Baton

Release: 1993

Label: Taang!

Tracklist:

1. Bell

2. Bell

3. Vigilant Always

4. His Love Just Washed Away

5. His Life Of Academic Freedom

6. Pancake

7. Jeremy Parker

8. Park The Car By The Side Of The Road

9. Tree Chopped Down

10. Wrong Tube

11. Wait Forever

I'm honestly surprised that it's taken me so long to post this album. You see, Swirlies' Blonder Tongue Audio Baton is my favorite shoegaze album and, as you know, I love posting shoegaze shit. It's all I got.

But, yes, I enjoy this album more than Loveless. Before you judge me, I would appreciate you allowing me a moment of your time in order to defend my taste. You see, Swirlies are noisier, faster, heavier, and punkier (they were on Taang!, after all) than most of their counterparts, My Bloody Valentine included. Where Loveless is this "perfect" and mythical beast, Blonder Tongue Audio Baton is wild and out of control, making for a less packaged deal. Oh, and the drums are actually real.

For their first two 7"s (compiled haphazardly on What To Do About Them) and this album, the Swirlies could do no wrong. Not to say they became completely terrible, but it all went downhill from there. However, Blonder Audio Tongue Baton remains not only a mouthful to say, but what I would argue is the best shoegaze album. It blends the best parts of the (somewhat) structured feedback and noise of Sonic Youth with Slumberland-esque noise pop and an enthralling sense of urgency found only in punk. This shit is electrifying and I can't recommend this album enough.

Download Here

-Adam

P.S. the one-two punch of "Pancake" and "Jeremy Parker" knocks me on my ass every time.

Organism - Hope...

Artist: Organism
Album: Hope...
Release: 2007
Label: Self Released

Tracklist:

1. Hope

2. Neet

3. Humanity

4. Hell

5. Judge

6. Production Of Desires

7. No Freedom

8. Self

I'm no scholar on Japan, but I know this: strange, over-the-top things happen there, culturally speaking. I mean, hentai? C'mon now! Also, the hand-painted toy market. It's almost as superficial as fashion, only less useful in one's day-to-day life. Hey, at least those damned Ugg boots hypothetically keep one warm-- what do these do aside from look good on your shelf?

But I digress. I also don't know anything much about Japanese thrash and hardcore aside from names like Disclose, Death Side, and G.I.S.M. I can only assume from the little bit of Death Side footage I've seen that they and other such Japanese thrash were influences on Organism, a speed-of-light hardcore quartet who also hail from the land of the Rising Sun. They have no US distribution and, on a whim, I bought one of maybe 12 copies of their Hope... album that Tony Pence brought back to Celebrated Summer Records after a trip to Japan. 8 songs in just under 17 minutes. Need I say more? THRASH LIFE! NO DEATH!

Download Here
Buy LP Here
Buy CD Here

-Asa

Sloth/Noothgrush Split 7"

Album: Sloth/Noothgrush
Release: 1997
Label: Dom's

Tracklist:

1. Sloth - Local Hunter
2. Noothgrush - Killed By Deer

Noothgrush's split with the enigmatic Sloth is actually my second favorite proper release by the great sludgecore merchants and is trumped only by their perfect split with Corrupted. The main reason I'm posting this, however, is that because this split is hard to find in digital format, as it was only released on vinyl in two different pressings of 100 each (first blue, then red.) On top of this, the Noothgrush track was not (to the best of my knowledge) included on any of their posthumous collections.

Both tracks are some of the best material that each band released. The Sloth song begins with a a three-and-a-half minute intro of nothing but a slow, rumbling bass, but turns into a heavy, wacky, and (while I hate to use the word) rockin' jam with the band singing about "eating some people" or something. It rules. The Noothgrush track is more along the lines of classic, later-era Noothgrush and is just fucking tight. It has some of their better production, as well as songwriting. You will love this.

If you can get past the surface noise (this is a vinyl rip,) then I am certain you will enjoy this great pairing of two excellent bands. Thanks again!

Download Here

-Adam

Frail - Brilliant Darkness

Artist: Frail
Album: Brilliant Darkness
Release: 2008
Label: Rusty Axe

Tracklist:

1. Bleeding the Sea
2. Enter Insane
3. Crooked Necks and Uneven Strides
4. Disemboweling the Soul

Frail (not the legendary 90s band) are a Virginia-based band that, apparently, mix non-metal sounds with black metal not dissimilar to Amesoeurs does (or did, as Neige has stated they're shedding their metallic elements in favor of a post-punk direction.) Here's a first-time-listen-play-by-play.

Their Brilliant Darkness demo cassette opens with a somewhat soothing cut titled "Bleeding the Sea," which contains approximately zero blast beats, screeching, or distortion. Instead, mellow and clean guitar tones and subtle synths dance under whispered vocals. It's the aural equivalent of a pleasantly foggy day. "Enter Insane"'s opening sounds are somewhat desolate, but similarly subdued and acessible. The whispers are becoming more and more hoarse. So far this record is like Fenriz confessing the longitme influence of The Cure's Disintegration record and clearly indicating this in a Darkthrone album-- which is hardly a bad thing. Sure enough, now the vocals are shrouded in reverb as they become full-on black metal.

Motion gets going when "Crooked Necks and Uneven Strides" cruises into a lo-fi, but still melodic midtempo part that is indeed reminiscent of Amesoeurs, but more in concept than in direct sound. Now, the vocals imply the singer has fallen down a well, and in order to cut the vocals the other band member has had to lower the mic as far down it can go-- and it ends up being a bit short. Again, the mellow guitar and tasteful synth backing provide excellent atmosphere.

Finally, "Disemboweling the Soul" sustains the beautifully melancholic aura of the previous songs with a steady bass line and simple guitar melodies. The vocalist has crawled a bit up the well now, but his vocals still have a wonderfully "hushed" sound about them. In the last minute of the song, the keys seem to indicate light fading and coldness coming.

It may not be Ruines Humaines 2, but Brilliant Darkness is an enjoyable listen. The four songs manage to evoke a similar but ultimately more pleasant soundscape. Where Neige and crew apply spikey melody, double-bass drumming and an overall sense of urban decay and misery, the two gents of Frail are content to create a deviously sublime mix of lo-fi mystique and semi-shoegazey atmosphere.

Download Here

-Asa

Punch - Eyeless 7"

Artist: Punch
Album: Eyeless
Release: 2008
Label: 625 Thrashcore

Tracklist:

1. Thank You Come Again
2. Nothing Left
3. Waste Land
4. Convenience Store
5. Semantically Challenged
6. No Such Thing As A Stupid Question
7. Words

Angry-as-fucking-hell, female-fronted Hardcore from the San Fransisco Bay Area. PUNCH features ex-members of Rosenbombs, Bullets In, Doppleganger and many others. But all that hardly matters, as this is a fucking ripping 7” from start to finish and a total surprise stand out from 625, a label I’d long lost hope for. This most reminds me of bands like Kill The Man Who Questions and Inept, as well as some other late 90s ragers. Other parts bring to mind old time faves Combatwoundedveteran, but with a lot of Youth Crew flavor thrown in. I really can’t back this enough. It’s a fucking killer EP and I look forward to more from this band, even though I think their name is lame.

Download Here
Buy Here

-Evander Holywar

No Comment - Common Senseless 7"

Artist: No Comment
Album: Common Senseless
Release: 1989
Label: Snare Dance

Tracklist:

1. For Tommorow's Sake
2. Saying Uncle
3. A Mother's Crime
4. Community Slugs
5. In The Name Of Stupidity
6. Farmer John Hitler
7. World Of Difference
8. Special Circumstances
9. Open Face Down

When I told my not-so-sharp-in-the-head friend James that I would be posting No Comment's 1989 EP Common Senseless, he told me "well why don't you just post their discography, bro?" Oh, James. You see, not only am I a fan of individual releases being heard in their original form, but the discography CD/LP of No Comment possesses an additional reason for me to post this 7" in its original form: A MISSING TRACK. You see, the song "Special Circumstances" was written with pro-capitol punishment sentiments, which the singer later (rightfully) realized was foolish. We all make mistakes. As a result, the song was not included on the discography, which is a damn shame.

Lyrical issues aside, the track is classic No Comment, as is the rest of this release. For those who may have missed the boat, No Comment is powerviolence before it had a name and, therefore, is not shitty like the glut of bands unsuccessfully attempting to achieve the sound. This shit is extremely fast hardcore, somewhat similar to Infest, but better. I said it. Gone are the somewhat awkward samples of political speeches from their demo tape and, in their place, is better production and a tighter sound. While not quite as perfect as their masterpiece, Downsided, this 7" trumps most everything else from the era. Get into it and let's all judge James.

Download Here

-Adam

Cult of Youth - Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World

Artist: Cult of Youth
Album: Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World
Release: 2008
Label: Self Released

Tracklist:

1. Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World
2. Hungry Animals

Salvation at last. Cult of Youth is one of a small handful of bands currently restoring my faith in underground American music, along with Failures, Bone Awl, Blessure Grave, and Vile Gash (as well as a few others, but really those are the standouts in the seas of shit we call underground music). Cult of Youth really doesn’t offer too much new to the table, even. It’s pretty straightforward Neo Folk ala Death In June, Strength Through Joy etc, but it’s just very refreshing right now.

The perfect soundtrack to Midwestern winterdays of snow-covered everything and blistering cold winds. This is a concise, yet perfect release. Two songs limited to only 25 copies on CD-Rs released in honor of their very first show. The first being a brilliant cover of The Ramones' “Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World” and the second an original martial drum-driven moaner entitled “Hungry Animals.” Don’t hold your breath looking for a copy of this, but quit wasting time and order their stunning debut LP from new upstart label DAIS and their self released 7” EP, as well.

Download Here

-Evander Holywar

Nocturnus - The Key

Artist: Nocturnus
Album: The Key
Release: 1990
Label: Earache

Tracklist:

1. Lake of Fire
2. Standing in Blood
3. Visions from Beyond the Grave
4. Neolithic
5. Undead Journey
6. BC/AD (Before Christ/After Death)
7. Andromeda Strain
8. Droid Sector
9. Destroying the Manger
10. Empire of the Sands

Keyboards shimmer in the darkness of some distant, cold galaxy. After a minute, guitars clash like derelict starships in a death metal skronk meltdown, then stop. A primal beat begins, then adds double kick as lethally catchy riffs begin. Where are you? "Lake of Fire," the first of ten slabs of fantastic death metal courtesy of Nocturnus.

The band is known for a few things. The first and most blatantly obvious is the keyboard use. Before you can say "Children of Bodom," rest assured: the instrument is used tastefully throughout the record. Second, singer/drummer Mike Browning was initially in Morbid Angel before the other dudes replaced him with Pete "Commando" Sandoval and then-manager David Vincent. Finally, when the other Nocturnus members were disenchanted with Browning, they went behind his back, trademarked the name, and gave him the boot.

Keyboards, histories, and backstabbery nonwithstanding, The Key is a death metal classic. The album's roots are firmly nested in the old school Florida sound, but its branches reach toward the progressive direction many extreme bands pursue unto today. Let's begin with the cover art. Badass enough in that it's by Earache Record's virtually-in-house artist Dan Seagrave, but this is no average, 1990s death metal album artwork. While the band logo is in some twisted font, the artwork depicts a cyborg enthroned in some space module, holding up a small pentagram-like object to other machinery. When I interviewed Mike last summer, he revealed that the cyborg is in fact a man referred to in many songs on the record. The guy discovers alien time-travel technology-- ie, the Key itself-- and plots to travel back in time to kill Jesus so he can rule the earth.

As you may well guess from that synopsis, the album is as 100% awesome soundwise as it is plotwise. Simply put, all of the songs on The Key are fantastic death metal composition. The riffs are a perfectly balanced between the poles of technicality and simplicity. Browning's vocals are deep and growling, but quite audible and intelligible; his drumming is simple, but driving. Sean McNenney and Mike Davis trade solos like circus jugglers.

"Lake of Fire" is a fantastic opener. "Standing in Blood" has one of many catchy choruses. "Neolithic"s verse stomp like the title implies and are excellently backed by Louis Panzer's keyboards. In "BC/AD (Before Christ/After Death), Panzer's intro opens the floodgate of kickdrum and downpicking. But the ultimate treat on this record remains underrated classic death metal tale of android invasion: "Droid Sector." As Panzer flies your ears into outer space, blasts of laser fire zoom by. Distant sirens sound across starship bridges. Warning: hull breach. Evacuate immediately. Game over. Out of the impending doom, Captain Browning croaks through his vocoder: "ENTER THE DROIDS!" The song becomes a whirling galactic cyclone of tricky and catchy guitar riffs and solos, punctuated by a section wherein McNenney and Davis' six-strings morph into mechanical wasps, buzzing loudly and encircling the remaining crew. Browning outlines his plot: "Caught within my tractor beam/bringing the craft to me/disable the robot for my own use/to aid in my escape!"

In summary, The Key: one part raw Floridian death metal, one part occultism, and one part sci-fi awesomeness.

Download Here

-Asa

Swallowed Up - This Is, and God Damn Is It 10"

Artist: Swallowed Up
Album: This Is, and God Damn Is It
Release: 2009
Label: Self-Released

Tracklist:

1. Inadequate Apology
2. Stunder
3. 12 Years
4. Fairing's Parish
5. No I Do Not Welcome The New Year
6. Nunya
7. Edifice Complex
8. _________
9. Peregrine
10. Eulogy
11. Cold Night

Swallowed Up is a newish band from New Hampshire, Richmond, and the Hudson Valley, by way of Brooklyn. In fact, they are all my roommates. Technically, I'm the manager, but what that really means is that Benny wanted me in the band but all of the instruments were taken so I just hang out. On the bright side, I get to go on tour with them later this month without being obligated to carry anything heavy, and this is more meaningful with Swallowed Up than with many other bands, as Benny insists on playing out of one regular-sized full stack plus an extra one consisting of a Sunn 4x12 and an Electric 6x12, just for one fucking guitar. It is completely unnecessary, although it does have a rather intimidating visual effect. Ex-members of Black My Heart, Kingdom, This Present Darkness, Cassius, and whole bunch of other bands that they are kind of embarrassed about now. We all make mistakes.

This Is, and God Damn Is It will be their first record (if the records ever get here) and they are self-releasing it. The 45 rpm 10" will come with limited edition silk-screened inserts, which are the artwork of Kyle Bryant, and will be meticulously hand-assembled at the last minute before tour by whoever is so unlucky as to be in our house when we make everyone put together record packaging. Trust me, it's going to look cool. The music sounds like early 2000's Boston stuff but crustier. Heavy downtempo parts, fast fast parts interspersed with blast beat parts, midtempo parts that you might consider moshing to if they lasted more than five seconds, and the occasional quiet part or build up. The recording sounds good, because they shelled out to have the dude who recorded a bunch of their favorite records (Dying for It, Background Music, and some Hope Conspiracy stuff I think) record it. They sound even better live because the lyrics were only just done being written when they went into the studio and the recordings have some moments of slightly awkward delivery, which you might not even notice if you aren't paying attention, but since I've heard them play those sounds a thousand times I've come to the opinion that the way Matt paces his vocals now makes the songs hold together and flow better. See them (us) on tour on the east coast between 1/23 and 2/15.

Download Here

-Jack

What Was Left Unsaid: My Favorite Releases of 2008

As the year progressed, I constantly told myself (as I do every year) that there were barely any releases of high quality put out this year. However, as I compiled my list for this entry thinking I would barely reach my goal of ten, I realized that I was struggling to limit my list to that. As a result, I would like to mention some worthy releases that are not making my list in a special notables section. These releases, in no particular order, are:

Harm's Way S/T 7" - From Infest to Integrity worship. Hard as fuck, yet not too dudely. New LP is out now, though it's nowhere near as good as this.

New Gauze LP - It's fucking Gauze.

Cult Of Youth LP - Amazing neo-folk. Even better than forbearer Death In June's new album, The Rule Of Thirds, which sucked.

Bookburner 7" - A more hardcore, less "weird" version of Man Is The Bastard. Nowhere near as good (obviously,) but this is still an amazing release on one of the best labels going at the moment, 16oh. Buy Here.

Sex/Vid - Nests 7" - Their new mini-LP may be boring, but this 7" is flawless. Hopefully they fix their shit, right?

Altars - II - NAZIS!

Order 66 - Demo I - Hardcore. Cincinnati. Star Wars name. Amazing.

Faithealer - Bound And Chained - Awesome debut album from one of Austin's finest hardcore bands. Slightly screamy, slightly metallic, but actually good.

Turboslut - Order Of The Turboslut - I'll get shit for this one, but fuck you, I loved this cassette. Imagine riot grrrl merged with grunge. Dirty-ass grunge, not Candlebox. Bayaaayaaayaaayaaabay.

Timber - S/T 7" - I swear this isn't hype for fellow blogger (and dear friend) Flynn; This shit is the real deal. Unfortunately, members soon grew tired of this project and went their separate ways: Flynn has become an exotic dancer (dancing exclusively to Krautrock) donned in tin foil, equipped with flesh-colored super soakers and performs under the name J.O. Crystals. Drummer Matt undertook a spirit quest in the vast expanse of woods behind his house and has not been heard from since. Erik began enjoying college and plans on spending the next decade there. Lastly, Kenny signed up for a mission trip to Thailand to indoctrinate the uninterested locals with his zine. R.I.P.

Well, you probably aren't reading this entry for the losers listed above (or my terrible jokes, inside or otherwise,) so here is the TVP of the article:



10. Aerosols - 3rd EP

Chaotic hardcore from somewhere in New England. While they really are a Youth Attack band (with every major release of theirs being on the label,) they are fucking phenomenal. Actually, it's not the music on Youth Attack that is bad, just the fans of the label itself. Anyway, I don't think I like their 3rd EP as much as the 2nd EP (which is perfect,) but this is still one of the best hardcore releases this year. I wish I hadn't miss them play with Cult Ritual and Salvation. Shit.

Download Here (+ earlier 7"s)

9. Lemuria - Get Better

All you need to know about this release can be found here.

Real Talk: I was disappointed with this release when stacked up against their earlier, punkier material. With the transition from "mature" pop-punk to 90s alternative, weak moments are to be expected and there certainly are a few duds on this. However, the stronger songs are among their best work, particularly "Pants" and "Dog" being two favorites of mine. Not perfect. Not as good as their older material. Still amazing.

Download Here

Buy Here

8. Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull

I love early Earth. Earth 2: Special Low-Frequency Version and Extra-Capsular Extraction are among my favorite drone albums (and albums in general,) despite my complete sobriety. However, after those releases, Earth REALLY dropped the ball. When they made their comeback with 2005's Hex, I was still disappointed. It was an alright album, having some moments, but was still forgettable. However, when finally convinced to listen to their new album, The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull, I was blown away. Earth adds more instruments to the mix, like an organ, and it works magically. Earth is finally back. And fuck Southern Lord.

Download Here

7. The Endless Blockade - Primitive

God, I love this band. They can do no wrong. Their 2005 album Turn Illness Into A Weapon is fucking flawless, as is most of their other material. When Primitive came out, I was not surprised that it was a high quality release. The only thing that really surprised me was the different production values and the noise parts, both of which rule. They are certainly taking a more Man Is The Bastard angle, yet what they are doing is not a rip-off. I gotta say, my most anticipated release of 2009 is their collaboration with Bastard Noise. You have no idea.

Download Here

Buy Here

6. Wale - The Mixtape About Nothing

Read Trey's review of this for the goods. This is not your typical ringtone rap or minstrel hip-hop (I'm looking at you, Soulja Boy.) All I gotta say is that this mixtape is perfect. Every song is fucking fantastic, even the goofy Baltimore club song. Further proof (not that we needed anymore after Tha Carter III) that Lil Wayne sucks: he is completely outshined by Wale on "The Cliche Lil Wayne Feature (It's The Remix, Baby!)" aka "Nike Boots (Remix.)" I love hip-hop that can balance street and socially conscious, and that isn't made strictly for backpackers.

Download Here
If above link doesn't work...
Download Pt. 1 Here
Download Pt. 2 Here

5. Drunkdriver - My Chinese Sister

Drunkdriver are the best Brooklyn band right now. Hands down. While I would probably put their LP in my top ten list (in place of this,) I'm pretty sure that it is still in-print, so you will have to do with the cassette, which is just as good. Noisy, chaotic hardcore with fucked-up vocals. Cot damn.

:Edit: Fuck it, the cassette is better. Both rule. Also, I found out the cassette was recorded after the LP. The more you know.

Download Here

Buy LP Here

4. Brain Handle - Smiling/Smiling Again 7"

While I spent my first review of Brain Handle's newest release making fun of the city, Pittsburgh has consistently remained one of the most fertile and creative cities in punk and hardcore. Released on Iron Lung records, this 7" is everything a hardcore single should be. If you don't like this, I don't know what to tell you other than that you are an idiot.

Download Here

3. P.S. Eliot - The Bike Wreck Demo

This was the biggest surprise of the year for me. I downloaded this on a whim from Catherine's blog and holy shit was I blown away. Combining (intentionally or otherwise) two of my favorite things in noisy pop and female-fronted pop-punk, P.S. Eliot has rocked my world. I find myself listening to this in every mood imaginable and almost everyday since I first heard it. I've missed them in Baltimore and I've missed them in Brooklyn and I hate myself.

Download Here

2. Cult Ritual - 2nd & 3rd EPs

2008 was the year of Cult Ritual, the best (functioning) hardcore band in the world. This is technically two different releases, but this is ICDT and I don't give a fuck. Both of these have drastically different production values, so they aren't exactly twin releases, but there is one constant between the two (aside from being from the same band. Shut up) that cannot be denied: both of these are perfect. I haven't been this impressed by a hardcore band since I started listening to the classics (SST and Dischord, mostly) and, as a result, I can't help but gush about them way too much. If you don't download this, I quit.

Download 2nd EP Here

Download 3rd EP Here

1. Moscow Olympics - Cut The World

I called it in September and I was right: no other release trumped Moscow Olympic's Cut The World. Moscow Olympics are amazing dream pop from the Philippines and have crafted the most interesting release of both the year and in the genre, at least in recent memory. I wouldn't place the band or the album in the top echelon of dream pop or shoegaze just yet, but perhaps one day...

Download Here

-Adam

What's the deal with all these best of the year lists?

It's a bit late for a best of 2008 list, but whatever, we do what we want. This is my list of the top ten albums. Besides these ten, there are two other albums worth mentioning. Paint It Black's newest album is tremendous and different from their previous releases. Blacklisted also switched their style and it definitely works for them.

10. The Roots - Rising Down

The Roots finally gave up on entertaining white college students (Phrenology is pretty good and Tipping Point is garbage). They were thrown to the side of the road by Geffen. Consequently, their music then became darker and Black Thought got pissed off. They signed to Def Jam (not much better then Geffen, I know,) and released Game Theory. It was a huge step in a great direction and Rising Down took that style and almost perfected it. They released quite a few videos and all are awesome. Their go-go song with Wale is the best song on the album.

Fuck corporate america.

Download Here

9. Timber - EP

Local post-hardcore. Imagine Drive Like Jehu (R.I.P.,) but rockier. Flynn was a member. D.C. reppin' hard.

Seriously, buy this record. It's great and dirt cheap. Email Ambrose at ambrose.nzams@gmail.com. $4ppd. Free shipping!

Download Here

8. Erykah Badu - New Amerykah, Pt. 1 (4th World War)

Erykah Badu had fallen off the map for quite a while. Her last release worth speaking of was 2000's Mama's Gun and New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War is really her best release since 1997's Baduizm. With this album, she returned with breath of fresh air. This release lets the world know that neo-soul isn't dead. New Amerykah has less live instrumentation then any of her other releases. Frankly, this shit is kind of weird (in a great way.) Ms. Badu had one single off of the album and it's the hidden track, Honey (produced by 9th Wonder.)

Neo-soul is far from dead. Look out for Part 2 coming out this year. AND look for a new D'Angelo album too.

Download Here

7. Bookburner - Self Titled 7"

Short and uber fucking sweet. This is noisy Man Is The Bastard worship. Seeing how I don't get down on MITB (inside joke, you're all excluded,) I think this is better. Powerviolence made with hardcore sensibilities in mind will always get straight to my heart.

Download Here

Buy Here

6. Young Widows - Old Wounds

When Breather Resist ceased to exist, three out of four of the members went on to extend their love for The Jesus Lizard. This is post-hardcore with a Louisville flare. They have taken the blueprint from the first release, Settle Down City, and knocked it out of the park.

Download Here

Buy Here

5. Trapped Under Ice - Stay Cold

From the ashes of NickxFury (Still fucking straight edge!), Trapped Under Ice appeared. Mixing modern hardcore with Biohazard and Next Step Up, they have created something that no one else is doing. They definitely have it in them to become one of hardcore's major bands (touring with Terror will get you there.) I heard rumors of a tour with Hatebreed on the horizon, but I'm not sure how credible that is.

Although I prefer their demo, this is the best straight up hardcore record of the year. I love seeing them in basements.

Download Here

Buy Here

4. Cult Ritual - 2nd EP

Strange hardcore on Youth Attack. Caught a bad rep because this record cost a lot on Youth Attack's site, but let me assure you that they sold them at their shows for $4 and lost money with each sale. The music was best described by Adam, here.

Download Here

Buy this record from the band.

3. The Endless Blockade - Primitive

Some more MITB worship. Endless Blockade stepped up their production and released a near perfect full length. They definitely proved they are worthy of being called one of the powerviolence/grindcore elites. Look out for their work with ex-MITB, Bastard Noise, coming out this year.

Download Here

Buy Here

2. P.S. Eliot - Bike Wreck Demo

Even since Adam gave me this demo, I haven't been able to go 3 days without listening to it. It's been a couple months now and I still can't get enough of this fuzzy pop punk trio (now a 4 piece). They really need to come to D.C. (this blog gets a lot of traffic, hopefully this will get back to them.)

Download Here

1. Wale - The Mixtape About Nothing

Fuck Mark Ronson and fuck Pitchfork. If you're not from the D.C. metro area you'll just never be able to fully appreciate Wale's "northface rap" style. Even with my geographical biases aside, Wale is the best rapper out right now. He flows perfectly on any beat and his word play is bananas.

Wale has released one mixtape a year since 2005. 2008's The Mixtape About Nothing outshined all of his previous work. Obviously, this is a Seinfield concept release. The attention to detail is ridiculous. The intro is a mix of the Seinfield theme's bass line mixed with go-go, all songs are called The (name here), he addresses Michael Richards being racist against "afro-americans", he uses sound clips from the show to transition into other topics. It's just nuts. "The Perfect Plan" is his best song to date, it addresses the problem with hip-hop today and, in my opinion, is completely on point. This mixtape is perfect.

He is dropping a new mixtape sometime soon and is finally releasing an album in 2009. I hope Pitchfork and Mark Ronson doesn't ruin him. I also hope the hype doesn't get to him and he stays with the go-go/hip-hop producers, Best Kept Secret.

Oh my god, download this.

Download Here
If above link doesn't work...
Download Pt. 1 Here
Download Pt. 2 Here

-Trey

Slowdive - Souvlaki Demos & Outtakes

Artist: Slowdive

Album: Souvlaki Demos & Outtakes

Release: N/A

Label: Bootleg

Tracklist:

1. Hide Yer Eyes [Demo]

2. Silver Screen [Demo]

3. AB [With Brian Eno]

4. Bleed

5. Dagger [Demo]

6. Drunken Nonsense

7. Hide Yer Eyes

8. I Saw The Sun

9. Instrumental 1 [Take 1]

10. Jazz Odeon [Song 1]

11. Joy

12. Shine [Splendiferous Locust Mix]

13. Silver Screen

14. Sleep [Vocal]

15. Summer Day

16. Untitled #2

17. Untitled #3

18. Colours In Spin [Live]

19. Curtains And Carpets [Live]

20. It's Not For You

21. Song Number One

22. Stars That Shine

23. I Thought I Saw

Greets. I'm submitting reviews to this fine piece of bloggery not only to spread what I perceive to be quality tuneage, but also to put an end to Adam's virtual shoegaze monopoly.

Slowdive were a three-guitar band from Reading, UK. They were among a slew of bands to follow in the footsteps of My Bloody Valentine's Isn't Anything record, but truly made their own stamp on the guitar-heavy shoegaze sound. Swervedriver always called themselves a rock band, and Ride were more pop-focused, but Slowdive had secret weapons in the beautiful voice of Rachel Goswell and songwriting of Neil Halstead. Slowdive had their own aura of beautiful contemplation and, sometimes, solemnity, and ultimately sound far more stoned than any of their contemporaries save for MBV at certain points.

The band's high point is their second full-length, 1994's Souvlaki. While this record is damned good in its own right, the unused recordings cut around this time should not be overlooked; they offer some interesting looks into what could've been. This collection of rarities is all around the net with varying names and tracklistings including I Saw The Sun, but has been labeled Souvlaki Demos & Outtakes for your uncluttered convenience. Its highlights are many. "Silver Screen" was played at least once (see Youtube,) and has a Beatlesy catchiness in the most foggy-day, totally-unlike-Oasis-and-for-the-better sort of way. "Dagger" is the only song included here to appear on the Souvlaki album in some form, but is recorded here solely by Halstead with an electric guitar (the final version was acoustic and features Goswell's backing.) The Splendiferous Locust Remix of early song "Shine" applies sexy electronic dance curves to the dreamy summeriness of a tune driven prominently by Goswell's vocals. "Instrumental [Take 1]" offers insight into how modern post-rock bands owe more to Slowdive than they'd like to admit-- even if they knew of the band in the first place.

Ultimately, the band's first two records are must-haves. But before you go right out and buy (or open a tab and pirate) them, check out this tiny treasure trove of unused gems.

Download Here

-Asa

Vitamin Piss - Demo

Artist: Vitamin Piss

Album: Demo

Release: 2007

Label: Self Released

Tracklist:

1. G.G. Allen Is A Fucking Poser

2. White Power Violence

3. Quit Your Job, Burn Your Money

4. Cops Evolved From Pigs

5. Mom And Dad Paid For My Art School

6. Animosity Kicked My Ass

7. Babies

8. Death Wish

9. Time To Lose Your Mind

Now, usually I don't do this, but as a result of not being near my main hard drive for the past few weeks (and for a few more,) I am not near most of the music that I want to add to this site, so (as I have no music) here is a demo that was sent to us by the band itself. We don't usually (or ever) put up submissions, but I have that blogger itch. However, this is not the main reason for Vitamin Piss' appearance on the blog, as this demo rips.

Vitamin Piss is a grind/powerviolence band from the San Francisco, which I can assume actually means Oakland. Shits is expensive. This is their CD-R demo that they released in conjunction with a tour last summer and, while there is nothing absolutely original or mindblowing about this material, it immediately had me tapping my feet and gently headbanging (I have a sensitive neck. Say something.) Mostly fast, but with enough get low, get slow parts to warrant the PV label, this shit rules. Also, there's a song attacking political correctness, which I totally back. It's the tool of the liberal racist. Fuck you, Democrats.

Ranting aside, the only thing about this demo that I'm not super fond of are the song titles, but that's just a minor complaint. As long as that shit isn't racist, homophobic, sexist, etc., (wait, does this make me a PC liberal clown?) I don't give a fuck what the songs are called. It's about the music, maaaaan. Get into this sick demo and get pumped because apparently the band has an album's worth of material ready for recording. Thank you, East Bay.

Download Here

-Adam

:Edit: This band isn't racist, homophobic, or sexist. Just want to clear up any possible confusion. BEAST BAY '08

Saves The Day - I'm Sorry I'm Leaving 7"

Artist: Saves The Day

Album: I'm Sorry I'm Leaving

Release: 1998

Label: Immigrant Sun

Tracklist:

1. I'm Sorry I'm Leaving

2. Hold

3. Jessie & My Whetstone

4. Take Our Cars Now!

5. I Melt With You

I'm not sorry I'm leaving. In less than four weeks [ICDT: WOOPS! She already left. We're slow. Sorry, Bev!] I will be living in Costa Rica and I'm STOKED. I know I will miss a lot of things here, but c'mon, I'll wake up everyday in a cloud forest and speak Spanish and study environmental science and social sustainability. Two thousand and eight has been a solid year, but I'm ready to begin this new chapter and be severed from these roots again, at least for a little while.

So, to commemorate this departure, I give you I'm Sorry I'm Leaving, because, in truth, I am sad to leave. Oh, and this album remains a gem flying under the radar. Just short of thirteen minutes, this EP is one of the best releases Saves the Day put out. Every song is faultless, including the cover of Modern English's "I Melt With You."

For anyone who's ever been on tour or studied abroad (I've done both!) or just left home for a considerably long time, this release may tug at your heartstrings a little harder, make you smile a little bigger, and make you love this band even more than you already do. You will love it.

And I will keep my fingers crossed for someone to cover "You Vandal" before I leave [ICDT: this didn't happen either. Woops!].

Download Here

-Hillary

Henry's Dress - Self Titled 10"

Artist: Henry's Dress

Album: Self Titled

Release: 1995

Label: Slumberland

Tracklist:

1. Definitely Nothing

2. Title Forthcoming

3. Sally Wants

4. (You're My) Radio One

5. 'A' Is For Cribbage

6. Three

Happy New Years from I Could Die Tomorrow! Hopefully, 2009 will be less shitty than 2008. But really, we all know it won't be. ftw.

Henry's Dress is the best Slumberland band. Period. While most known for their flawless and infectious 1996 full length Bust 'Em Green, the rest of the band's recorded output stands up to that behemoth, particularly their self titled 10", which, for reasons beyond my comprehension, is not already plastered all over the "blog circuit."

Released a little more than a year before the LP, this record is of a slightly different sound. The full length seems to be split evenly between fast, bouncy tracks and slow jamz, while this release is comprised mostly of the latter. However, this does not mean this 10" is boring; quite the contrary. The effect of the slower songs (with vocals still split between Amy Linton and Matt Hartman) is that of some of the best shoegaze, albeit much sloppier, and the result is a much dreamier release than Bust 'Em Green. If you missed the Henry's Dress ICDT boat the first time around, then I encourage you to download not only the classic Bust 'Em Green, but this phenomenal 10", as well.

Download Here

Buy Here

-Adam