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for mike

2010-12-10T09:01:00.000-08:00

moutheater- ornament
ah, the record that never was. ornament was set to be released in june of 2009. there was even a record release show where you could purchase a vinyl copy of the album with a hand numbered jacket... minus the record. thrashed! records, ran by con artist/douchebag mike frazier, took everyone's $10 for a copy of the jacket, a cd-r of ornament, then took emails down insuring us when the vinyl arrived from the plant it would be promptly mailed to us. the slimeball never followed through. he pulled this same stunt with the heathens "II" lp as well. if this shithead ever comes back from tennessee i'm sure there's more than a handful of people ready to smash his teeth in. mike "assclown" frazier and the members of moutheater are the sole owners of the ornament test presses, the only copies of the record in existence. but i digress.
moutheater, not to be confused with richmond's snoozecore band mouthbreather, is a trio from hampton roads who like nirvana and the jesus lizard... let me rephrase that; moutheater is a trio from hampton roads who worship nirvana and the jesus lizard. their first full-length sticks true to the grunge inspired pseudo hardcore promised by their earlier releases. at times, i'm reminded of planes mistaken for stars. their delivery is meat and potatoes. simple and punishing. my favorite examples are "inept" and "guts". live, the three-piece is a joy... a loud, tone-packed joy. moutheater is soon to release a 12" ep titled "colonial" through last anthem records. hopefully this one will see the light of day. and for the record, fuck mike frazier.

post-hardcore/alternative
record release show at the kempsville ruritan, $10
http://www.mediafire.com/?mzlnm2zj2dw

pumice- quo
new zealand... a country i know only a few things about. first, it's lush natural beauty and array of landscapes set the perfect stage for the lord of the rings trilogy. second, it's inhabitants are not australian. and third, pumice is my favorite of their musical exports. this decade old solo effort is conducted by stefan neville. i've noticed a trend the past few years of using lo-fi recording techniques. for some, it comes off corny. for others, it comes off perfectly and without hitch. touching on many bases, from folk to psych, from psych to noise, from noise back to folk, pumice just works. if you enjoy this album, i highly recommend pebbles, which was released just one year prior to quo.

noise rock/ lo-fi
plan 9, $9 used
http://www.mediafire.com/?hrml2yzmmny

october leaves.

2010-10-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

fall 2010 mixtape
i'm sorry, blog, but i just don't feel the same way i used to. you used to be exciting, even invigorating. we've had a lot of fun, that's something no one can ever take away from us. it kills me to say this... but i think we should see other people. here's to autumn.

1. the american dollar- war on christmas.
2. cocorosie- werewolf
3. the city on film- forgiveness
4. mewithoutyou- a glass can only spill what it contains
5. joanna newsom- the book of right-on
6. giardini di mir'o- the swimming season
7. (smog)- somewhere in the night
8. elliott smith- all cleaned out
9. interpol- c'mere
10. fleet foxes- white winter hymnal
11. raein- 2 di 6
12. beach fossils- wide awake
13. gorillaz- empire ants
14. pelican- an inch above sand
15. the american analog set- know by heart
16. weed hounds- embrace (more or less)
17. jesu- the stars that hang above you
18. colour revolt- circus
19. embrace- dance of days
20. young widows- old skin
21. the hope conspiracy- suicide design
22. touche amore- swimming with sharks
23. pumice- bold/old
24. the suicide file- song for tonight

http://www.mediafire.com/?j4stt9n997f2hno

danke schoen.

2010-05-31T10:27:00.000-07:00

a little less than a week ago, i returned to the states from a european vacation with my girlfriend and family. we spent the majority of time in germany, with a weekend trip to amsterdam. great beer, great food, great people, great times. of course, the first thing i was concerned with was finding record shops. recordfriend in amsterdam is one of the coolest distros i've had the pleasure of emptying my pockets in. from top to bottom left:

morrissey "viva hate" LP

the smiths "hatful of hollow" LP

morrissey "suedehead" 12" single

the smiths "the smiths" LP

minus the bear "highly refined pirates" LP on blue marble.

sigur ros "takk" 2xLP+10"

fleet foxes "fleet foxes" LP

beach house "zebra" 12" single

i found that europe doesn't quite tailor to the needs of a hardcore fan as much as indie fans, however, i am more than pleased with my picks. review to be posted later.

should be studying.

2010-05-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

closure-closure
brandon from vinyl conflict told me i had to have this. i sat and listened to the first 45 seconds and new it to be true. it was raining that day.

screamo/post-hardcore
vinyl conflict, $20 used.
http://www.mediafire.com/?i1jiimznnwo

fool moon.

2010-04-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

hot cross- risk revival
what do you get when you take former members of saetia, off minor, you and i, and interpol? philadelphia screamo outfit hot cross. risk revival is an intricate and meticulous composing that sits well on one's palate, avoiding being overbearing or show-offy. this is a good entry point for people hesitant on screamo. vocalist billy werner's voice is among the most recognizable in the post-hardcore scene, due to his clean approach. this was their last album before disbanding a few years ago, and my personal favorite. just in time for spring.

screamo/post-hardcore
vinyl conflict, $12 used.
http://www.mediafire.com/?j0kmkmadkgx

happy birthday, hitler.

2010-04-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

today's outing proved incredibly successful. easily one of the best splurges of 2010 thus far. starting from the top left: jesu "heart ache", jesu "silver", jesu "pale sketches", jesu "lifeline", jesu "sundown/sun rise", black castle "male pattern bondage", poison the well "tear from the red", and weezer's "hash pipe" single on weed green. i suppose it was fate for me to find that 7" on april twentieth. thanks to brandon and lauren at vinyl conflict; easily my favorite record store in richmond. you simply don't find gems like this at the sister stores in richmond as often as you could at this pine street distro. in less than a month summer will be here, i'll be working, and continuing to feed my vinyl addiction. now, on to the reviews.

guru- jazzmatazz: street soul
a guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and uses said wisdom to guide others. keith elam, aka "gifted unlimited rhymes universal" founded hip-hop group gang starr in the late 80's, and proved himself to be one of the best emcee's of all time. highly influential, and highly respected amongst the hip-hop community, guru lost his long battle with cancer two days ago. jazzmatazz was a project in which guru combined the elements of live jazz and soul and infused them with hip-hop. this isn't his best work, but the only full length of his i own. R.I.P.

hip-hop
plan 9, used $4
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7BBFFIWP

jesu- lifeline
jesu is a band based out of abergele, wales. yeah, that's right, a welsh band. who'dathunkit? founded and fronted by the legendary justin broadrick, the man who piloted the industrial band godflesh, jesu combines the worst parts of ambient, post-metal, drone doom, shoegaze, downtempo, industrial, and electro pop into one package: only to produce some of the most enigmatic and crushing music imaginable. often, it is a difficult feat for music as textured and manufactured as this sounds to appeal to me, but somehow broadrick keeps it just organic enough to completely blow me away. this is one of the most hated and beloved bands in the post-metal scene. people will love one album and be quick to shit on the rest. the thing about jesu is that each work evolves from the prior, and it could go in any number of directions. that is where i think a lot of people get confused and frustrated. i however am a huge fan, and love 95% of what jesu has done. lifeline is one of the more uplifting albums, so i think it's a good entry point.
i definately recommend taking a closer look.

drone/shoegaze
vinyl conflict, $20 used but not played.
http://www.mediafire.com/?4m1kngtzdq3

exam.

2010-03-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

touche amore- to the beat of a dead horse
hailing from the city of angels, touche amore their debut full length in 2009; the best debut of the year as far as i'm concerned. they were recommended to me by a friend who lives out in california a few months before i had the chance to see them live. a van full of dorky, pasty kids in skin tight black clothing started unloading their gear. skeptical at first, but blown away minutes later, instantly i became a fan and joined the bandwagon of those hyping these young men. their sound is a combination of late 90's screamo, early 00's post-hardcore, d-beats, and throaty, at times shrill, vocals. definately not a stagnant band, touche amore impressively displayed a passion for performing, and left a big impression on me. the album features guest vocals from a hero of mine, modern life is war's jeff eaton, and geoff rickley of thursday. this band is blowing up, and is playing at the norva on may 5th with converge, lewd acts, and thursday. three of my favorite bands under one roof, regardless of how shitty it is, is going to be a ball.

post-hardcore
vinyl conflict, new $11.99
http://www.mediafire.com/?ozwo5gtdnmz

the mercury program- all the suits began to fall off
the mercury program are often lumped into the post-rock genre of music, but i don't really think that's fair. this new york based group packs an enigmatic blend of jazz, post-rock, shoegaze, and ambient sound scapes into a hypnotizing and soothing capsule that is easily digested. i stumbled across the mercury program three or four years ago while searching for bands similar to the american analog set. it clicked right away, and i haven't looked back. the majority of my studying sessions have been fueled by listening to them. my favorite album by them is 'a data learn the language', but i haven't had any luck coming across a copy of it. enjoy.

instrumental
purchased from the band 3/20/10 at gallery 5, $12
http://www.mediafire.com/?atntxfl1nvd

exception.

2010-03-03T16:31:00.000-08:00

glowworm- the coachlight woods
hands down my favorite post-rock album. completely stands out, and is exemplary in every aspect. just download it and enjoy. let me know what you think.

post-rock
http://www.mediafire.com/?y5wje2ezokk

two stay.

2010-03-02T19:28:00.000-08:00

the blood brothers- crimes
founded in seattle, washington, post-hardcore innovators the blood brothers soared fearlessly beyond the borders of what hardcore music could be. these bastards are bonkers, i can't even begin to fathom how much coke these fine gentlemen snorted in their decade long campaign. overtly spastic, incredibly deep and complex... there is so much going on with every one of these songs. haters know them for their annoying vocalists (yes, there are two) and loved by their fans for their uncanny ability to keep listeners guessing and overall lost in a strange, neon-lit dimension. this record may be a bit overstimulating to the untrained ear, but take my word for it and give it a second chance if it isn't love at first listen.

post-hardcore/avant-garde
vinyl conflict, $12 used.
http://www.mediafire.com/?7xwsy1kyrit

sunn 0)))- oracle
last week in my review of earth's hibernaculum, i described the album as "an excellent soundtrack to enjoy while watching a sunburnt corpse be torn apart by vultures." this is what the vultures would have been listening to. utter desperation, and abysmal hopelessness. there is not a single redeeming moment on this album, it just grows more and more depressing. a lot of people describe sunn o))) as evil sounding... i find nothing hellish or apocalyptic about this music. more disturbingly, i think this echoing in purgatory would be wildly more appropriate.

drone/doom
vinyl conflict, $15
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TPV7PJXR

youth in asia, euthanasia.

2010-02-22T20:44:00.000-08:00

that didn't last long. i would like to note the purpose of this blog isn't for me to post the most obscure records i buy. one, because it's often hard to find digital formats of the album: two, because i don't wanna come off as a smug douchebag.

the casket lottery- choose bronze
anyway, it's strange to think that two-thirds of this band are in coalesce. hailing from kansas city, missouri, the casket lottery established an impressive following, and toured the country after only being together a short while. the drummer was only sixteen years old in 1999, the year they recorded "chooze bronze." all the necessary components for that great midwest emo feel is present. perfect fall music. recommended for fans of mineral, texas is the reason, elliott, etc. get your sappy on, young blood.

emo
plan 9, $8 used.
http://www.mediafire.com/?x3nnyjomujh

earth- hibernaculum
seattle natives earth spearheaded the drone/doom genre in the 1990's. since then, they have metamorphosed into a different beast. their 2007 release "hibernaculum", revisits three songs from years past and refashions them with a rustic, almost country like feel. i can't help but associate this music to portraits of dust bowl farmers. earth takes you on a journey to a barren field. both eerie and depressing; an excellent soundtrack to enjoy while watching a sunburnt corpse be torn apart by vultures.

drone/ambient
vinyl conflict, $12 used.
http://www.mediafire.com/?ozzizwr34ay

pause and affect.

2010-02-08T20:11:00.000-08:00

mogwai- zidane: a 21st century portrait, ost
without a doubt, mogwai is an elite amongst the clone ridden instrumental rock scene. highly praised for their ability to effortlessly coast from ambiance to towering volumes and visa versa. critics have given this album weak reviews in comparison to the scottish pioneer's other works: the main complaint being that the songs are repetitive, and "never seem to go anywhere." skewed views indeed, i say. these songs were meant to be background noise to a documentary about the greatest frenchman to ever strike a soccer ball, not some action packed, obnoxious blockbuster. personally, i don't always favor loud and overly epic mogwai. sometimes i like shy mogwai. sometimes, i prefer timid even, dare i say, bashful mogwai. it's a pitty that i've yet to watch the film, combining two of my favorite things: great music and greater footballers.

post-rock
deep groove, $9 used.
http://www.mediafire.com/?nx2mnzymwgm

betrayed- substance
honestly, 75% of the hardcore bands i loved in high school are hardly listened to anymore. it takes more than one-two beats and breakdowns to keep me captivated. it's bands like betrayed that remind me of what a great thing hardcore can be. california natives proudly boasting their overtly positive straight edge hardcore, and god damn me for loving it. vocalist aram arslanian, guitarist of seattle's champion, brings so much to the table. far better than anything champion ever did, substance has substance. tracks "bring it to life" and "time wont wait" still mean so much to me. even the tough guys gotta give it up.

hardcore
relative theory, $11.99 new
http://www.mediafire.com/?wyg03gym2wm

snowed in.

2010-02-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

i've been told by lurkers (who don't seem to want to subscribe) that i don't make enough updates. so, this is my promise to post a minimum of one album per week. enjoy.

raein- ogni nuovo inizio
raein is a screamo, or as the cool call it "skramz", band sharing members with "the other italian band" la quiete. raein disbanded in 2005 only to reemerge years later to release this album, and embark on a daunting world tour. don't let the language barrier deter you, it's not like english-barking screamo act's vocals are any easier to comprehend anyways. in my eyes, what makes them stand out among the post-hardcore crowd is their squeaky clean tone and melodic methodology. never once does it seem like they are attempting to be heavy, "brutal" or even loud. somehow raein manages to take the best elements of screamo and make it as listenable as possible, without compromising their innovative spark. it's a shame this record actually belongs to my roommate. i bought a t-shirt instead. i'll buy it off him one day. definately a record that you can listen to from start to finish. in fact, i always end up repeating it.

screamo/post-hardcore
$12, direct from the band in jasce's basement
http://www.mediafire.com/?fmxqovadxot

dead kennedys- give me convenience or give me death
this album is among my favorite punk albums. the dead kennedys took the things that made both 70's era english punk...punk, and mixed them with the aggressive nature of american hardcore resulting in pure leather-jacket bliss. the band became famous for their satirical left-wing commentary on then current social and political issues. acerbic, humorous, and frankly ingenious. led by one of the greatest vocalist punk rock ever spawned, jello biafra. most importantly, this is just fun music. if you can't smile while listening to this, you're a prick. this record is really important to me for sentimental purposes as well. my whole vinyl collecting obsession began when on my thirteenth birthday, my uncle jaime forked over twenty-two punk/hardcore records to me, this being among them. i listened to this album every saturday that school year.

punk rock
it was a gift
http://www.mediafire.com/?tryuz4tvyjm

this will destroy you- this will destroy you
this is an album to listen to when you are just begging to be silenced. in the post-rock scene, it's really hard to stand out among your peers; especially when being compared to pioneers like mogwai and explosions in the sky. however, this debut double-lp holds it's own. the opening track "three legged horse" somehow possesses the power to shut me up every time it resonates against my eardrums. get ready to contemplate over former love interests, lost friendships, missed opportunity and broken promises. an above satisfactory composite of epic heartache, unworldly perplexity, and baffling melodies. if this album had been released five years before it had been, the hierarchy of instrumental rock titans may have looked a lot different. listen to at a mid-high volume. patriotic as fuck album art, to boot.

post-rock/instrumental
vinyl conflict, $13.99 new
http://www.mediafire.com/?5twldbar9y4

back.

2010-01-27T19:45:00.000-08:00

wolves in the throne room- malevolent grain
over the past year, more and more speak of an american black metal band has revealed itself in my peripheral. a bad ass band name, and supposedly riffs to back it up. black metal has always struck a 'lolwut' nerve with me. it simply never clicked. after watching until the light takes us, it felt just to give the scandanavion export another go. i admit, i bought this record blindly, and with high expectations. fingers crossed; hoping that this would be the one who converted me to the dark side. this two song 12" ep, lasting over 20 minutes, offers two very different tracks. opening with "a looming resonance", i find myself smirking at the chorus pedal melodic intro. moments later, rolling my eyes at the terrible female vocals. however, i felt compelled to remain seated, and truly soak this in. like the first time i drank scotch, the first impression was of embarrassment and discomfort. however, after letting it sink in, the subtle beauty of this music began to sink in. the blast beats of the drums are almost lost in the sfumato of foggy guitar and synth. there is a certain antiquity to this record that summons an inexplainable feeling of dread and relaxation. in renaissance art, emulation was considered a form of flattery and respect: wolves in the throne room innovates the formula gifted by forefathers burzum and darkthrone. i have seen the void.

black metal
plan 9, used $10
http://www.mediafire.com/?n2lmmieingo

old man gloom- seminar ii:the holy rites of primitivism regressionism
in full, the old man gloom alien simian defense league, was one in a million. a dream team of big leauge "heavy band" dudes, the brain child of members from cave in, converge, and isis. it is unfortunate that they only performed one live show. the studio project released a number of full length records between 1999, and an indefinate hiatus in 2004, seminar ii being my favorite of the mall. interstellar soundscapes leading into neck-crushing sludge loop, omg brings the beef with very little marbling: this aint no chuck. definately recommend it.

sludge/post-metal
magic bullet distro, new $19.99
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W2K5LLAJ

marry chris, miss.

2009-12-18T22:48:00.000-08:00

black flag- my war
this is one of my all time favorites; a milestone album that divided not only devoted fans, but expanded the very definition of what hardcore was, and the horizons of what it could be. instead of the fast music easily categorized as "punk rock" that LA's black flag had become (in)famous for... things got a bit slower. a bit sludgier. a bit heavier. a bit angrier. when henry rollins first joined black flag and recorded their 1981 classic "damaged", there was something missing in the delivery of the vocals. he wasn't pissed enough. it took three years of touring, sleeping on floors, getting sworn at, spat on, fighting, and growing up for rollins to evolve. in 1984's "my war", he grows into his own. the A side tracks aren't a far cry from their roots, however, the B side (the last three tracks) recordings stand out. this is where sludge/stoner metal owes a lot of gratitude. "nothing left inside" is one of the heaviest songs i have ever heard. you have to put yourself back 25 years in order to appreciate how fucking epic that song is.

hardcore-punk/sludge
vinyl conflict, $12 used
http://www.mediafire.com/?jyxnbxv4yuw

cursed- I
forming in 2001, hailing from ontario, canada, cursed was a hardcore supergroup with members from the swarm, ruination, haymaker, fronted by left for dead's chris colohan. cursed released three full lengths on deathwish inc. throughout their eight years of activity. technical, dark, frilless, and effortlessly heretical. their campaign was cut short last year in europe by some douchebag who decided that stealing a tour's worth of money and equipment would be a positive thing in his life. thanks, you eurotrash motherfaggot.

hardcore/sludge/crust
volume, $11.99 new
http://www.mediafire.com/?zmqjkn5mumr

holy ghost- holy ghost
evil doesn't begin to describe this... apocalyptic is more suiting. birthed from the demented psyche of ringworm vocalist, human furnace (yes, that's his legal name), holy ghost takes the best elements of heavy acts crowbar, eyehategod, and integrity, shoves them through a meat processor, consumes the concentrated hate and regurgitates the dregs onto your face.

hardcore
reptilian records, $10 used.
http://www.mediafire.com/?zixzatn5mwa

request 1.0.

2009-12-14T20:49:00.000-08:00

too tired to post any new reviews. i'll try to compile a large entry for sometime this week. winter break starts so i'll have plenty of time on my hands. here, sarah.

cap'n jazz- an alphabetology
as requested. god, i wish i actually owned physical copies of any of the tracks. this discography sums up the career of one of the emo greats. enjoy.

emo/post-punk
part one: http://www.mediafire.com/?qnz2njmzj00
part two: http://www.mediafire.com/?gotzjjvzyym

decememberer.

2009-11-25T10:21:00.001-08:00

absinthe- absinthe
sludgy, crusty, dirty, and incredibly heavy. this band came about after groundwork broke up. considering it's the same members, the music sounds rather similar. instead of the radical political lyrics groundwork were known for, absinthe focused on religion. more specifically, against it. this is why i love ebullition records. this is one of the most criminally unpopular hardcore bands of the 90's. i'm keeping this one short and simple: download it. 666.

hardcore/90's metalcore
vinyl conflict, $5 used.
http://www.mediafire.com/?7ujttp3xmnt

lewd acts- black eyed blues
we've all heard of metallic-hardcore, but to describe lewd acts... you'd have to think a little harder. their debut full length, 'black eye blues', is an onslaught of matured punk ethic, delivered with a dissonant heaviness. metallic-punk? seems to be the only suiting title. it's always refreshing when a hardcore band tosses things up a bit by moving away from power chords every once in a while. this album is full of ragers. vocalist tyler densley has a voice that the marlboro man would be envious of. he's one hell of an artist as well. he tattoo's in between gigs and tours. check some of this shit out: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=568633&albumId=3449141=
punk/hardcore
vinyl conflict, $12.99 new
http://www.mediafire.com/?tmjr12mtgfh

windmills by the ocean- windmills by the ocean
isis and red sparrowes are two bands that instantly spring to mind when i think of heavy, instrumental music. however, as aaron turner's vocals continue to slip down the slippery slope to butt rockdom, i need a break from isis after two disappointing releases. this comes as a refreshment. members from both said bands came together in 2003 to record this five song full length. the result is something to resembles pelican's approach to the genre, but with an emphasis on drone and repetitiveness, and less on progression.. what i can really appreciate about this album is that the tracks stands out from one another. if you aren't played out on post-rock yet, give this a try.

post-rock/sludge/ambient
vinyl conflict, used $8
http://www.mediafire.com/?lymjb1nmote

clouday.

2009-11-18T13:41:00.000-08:00

joshua fit for battle- to bring our own ends
possibly the only "cool" thing to ever come from delaware were screamo outfit joshua fit for battle. fervent and provoking, melodic and poetic, joshua fit for battle are the poster children for the post-hardcore movement in the late 90's, alongside bands such as pg 99, orchid, and saetia. they continued to perform and record until 2005 when they broke up. in my opinion, this album is their peak. intelligence embodied in brutality, this is one of my favorites. first-wave screamo, or "skramz" (a term i hate using), is a sub-genre of hardcore that is hard to describe. it's loud and noisy, not necessarily heavy. there is an aesthetic woven into it that a lot of heavier music lacks. the thing is, there are a lot of good screamo bands, but very few great ones. like any heavy genre of music, it's hard to stand out because everything has been done before. bands like et tu brute, l'antietam and kidcrash are among the few doing something different. i recommend them if you enjoy this listen.

screamo/post-hardcore
$13, relative theory new.
http://www.mediafire.com/?kxxos34muol

108- a new beat from a dead heart
in the 90's, the krishna religion became very popular amongst straight edge hardcore kids. some as (in)famous as john joseph. bands like shelter, cro-mags, and new york's 108 began a movement known as krishnacore. the idea of religion in hardcore has always been seen as taboo, but not when the guidelines of said religion mirror those of the straight edge movement. krishna disapproves of consumption of alcohol or any mind altering drug (including caffeine), consumption of meat, eggs, and promiscuous sex. wait... this doesn't need to be a history lesson. this album is heavy, metallic, dischordant, and fucking raw. it was recorded at godcity studios by converge's kurt ballou, meaning it probably sounds better recorded than live. enjoy.

hardcore/krishnacore
volume, $12.99 new.
http://www.mediafire.com/?4cydqnjibmw

autumn mix vol 1 & vol 2,

2009-11-04T00:01:00.001-08:00

i decided that every once in a while i'll make a mixtape. keep things fresh for the two or three of you who look at this blog. here is a list of twenty songs that i have been really into this fall. some of them i have been listening to for years, some are still fresh. the song order may be different in the folder than they are listed here, but whatever. enjoy vol 1.
-'here come the sirens' on the might of princes
-'puddle splashers' cap'n jazz
-'&serenading' mineral
-'mattresses underwater' colour revolt
-'another day' the album leaf
-'liar' built to spill
-'confessions' city and colour
-'god condition' pygmy lush
-'the lament of pretty baby' cursive
-'the brilliant dance' dashboard confessional
-'subtle disaster' ghastly city sleep
-'simple economics' pedro the lion
-'dragonaut' sleep
-'my father was a locomotive' lewd acts
-'wishing well' converge
-'head of the baptist' cursed
-'day nineteen: fucking viva' trap them
-'untitled one' windmills by the ocean
-'blue lambency downward' kayo dot

a little bit of everything. hopefully there are one or two songs that you enjoy. if you do, let me know if there's anything you want in it's entirety and i'll get you a copy.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VOERAHEP

and for a more melancholy blend, vol 2.
-'the sad waltzes of p...' owen
-'loro' pinback
-'all things equal' et tu brute
-'ice creaks' ghastly city sleeps
-'old year' jesu
-'asphalt' pygmy lush
-'cardboard box' slowblow
-'the ocean' sunny day real estate
-'unveiled' tides
-'she's half' american analog set
-'but the regrets are killing me' american football
-'solitude' black sabbath
-'afghamistan' botch
-'wretched world' converge
-'you should do it now while it's on your mind' owen
-'speed of film' elliott

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=10VHH2LT

monday.

2009-11-02T11:30:00.000-08:00

pedro the lion- winners never quit
an auteur effort by david bazan, 'winners never quit' tells the tale of two brothers. one a conservative, pro-jesus politician, and the other an alcoholic. the story develops over the course of the album, giving insight into the characters and the events in their lives that led them to be the way they are. while the drunk brother's problems are more out in the open, the other's are a secret from all. 'winners never quit' brushes on the surface of topics such as alcoholism, neglect, falsities politicians convey, and suicide. religious views aside, bazan's efforts resulted in an enjoyable album that is easy on the ears and captivating to the listener. whether you're in it for the superb story telling or the music alone, a good listen.
indie rock/acoustic/post-folk
plan 9, $8 used.
http://www.mediafire.com/?mjymdnezvym

cursive- domestica
in 2000, saddle creek released cursive's "domestica". vocalist tim kasher married the year prior, leading fans to believe this album was heading in a slow, lovey-dovey, and (probably) boring direction. however, divorce acted as a roadblock, causing the album to suddenly rear off an exit onto a much darker, and lonelier highway. a detour that made this a classic. 'domestica' tells the tale of two sour lovers, known simply as 'sweetie' and 'pretty baby'. a romance saturated in dishonesty, infidelity, deceit, and loathing. perfect for fall if your heart is broken, and slightly discouraging if you are spoken for. most critics consider this cursive's best release, although i tend to think higher of 'the ugly organ'. however, this album is essential to any indie-rock fan.
indie rock/alternative
plan 9, $15 original pressing used.
http://www.mediafire.com/?tthdztfgz2w

trap them- seizures in barren praise
one of the best acts in heavy music, trap them's latest release 'seizures in barren praise' is a black cloud smothering the happiness out of anything it's casted shadow shrouds. as far as i'm concerned, trap them are the his hero is gone of this decade. grind influenced d-beat hardcore at it's finest. ryan mckenney's vocals are fueled by rusted over iron lungs. lyrics are socially and politically fueled. opening track, titled 'day 19: fucking viva' creeps up on the listener like a tick lurching it's way through the fur of a wolf. right before it sinks it's teeth in and consumes, mckenney fires “line them up and we’ll see, what every fucking black communion can take”. the artwork and packaging complements of jacob bannon and deathwish inc, are amazing. triple gate fold? holy fuck.
d-beat/hardcore
vinyl conflict, $13.99 new.
http://www.mediafire.com/?nwyyzzjzti0

kayo dot- blue lambency downward
'blue lambency forward' is the background noise to a very distant world: both in the literal, and figurative sense. the third album by kayo dot takes us to a place where consciousness and dreams are one. a sound that can only be described as astral: a symphony of dyslexic performers led by composer not of this world. the endless array of instruments at their disposal will keep you on your toes. an ocean with waves of bricks and concrete blocks crush the unsuspecting listener as crumbling walls of sound fall from all direction. this album is eerie, but not in a scary way. simply everything that is thrown at you is unpredictable, the beauty of the strings quartet is startling, and the crushing weight of the guitars is soothing. an inside out landscape where trees grow into the ground and you are walking amongst the clouds. enigmatic, and fascinating. one of 2009's best.
avant-garde/post-rock/prog-metal
vinyl conflict, $17.49 new.
http://www.mediafire.com/?bxlymzdnn3t

soundtrack for the weekend.

2009-10-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

pelican- australasia
this weekend i'm driving west to the mountains for a day of relaxation. it is inevitable that this album will be played. cold weather and long drives is what this music was made for. thick and atmospheric, pelican's "australasia" is a swarm swelling. if hurricane katrina were wearing headphones... well, you get the picture. i don't want you to think that this album is just heavy nonsense, don't be afraid of the 'sludge' genre just because of it's often unfitting name. if you've seen donnie darko you might recall his english class studying a story in which the main character says "destruction is a form of creation." there is beauty woven into the juggernaut's armor. give it a listen, only if you have time to yourself. this is meditation music to me.
post-rock/sludge
ebay, $24
http://www.mediafire.com/?jdmiemey51y

pygmy lush- bitter river
pygmy lush is the phoenix that rose from the ash of the legendary richmond band pg. 99. their debut, titled "biter river", is delivered in a doctor jekyll- mr. hyde matter. the opening track, "nonsensical tremor" sets you up for seventeen tracks of two minutes screamo songs right before you're blindsided by the second track, "hurt everything": a down-key, low-fi folk ballad. this audio-bipolarity isn't a fluke. this manic-depressive musical state of mind continues to blunder. it's hard to find a band quite like this. i'm glad to be seeing them live for the first time live this saturday at gallery 5 with ghastly city sleep.

post-hardcore/folk
rumors boutique, richmond va, $10 new.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DJJZA4LJ

ghastly city sleep- ghastly city sleep
flowing effortlessly track to track with a feeling of liquidity: like rushing rapids in slow motion. eminence orchestrated elegantly, ghastly city sleeps is a river that will sweep you off your feet. flowing effortlessly, this seems natural...almost organic. an album as moving, loud, and awing as a waterfall. perspicacity.

post-rock/shoegaze
plan 9, $7 used.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Y4WFQBDY

fall break.

2009-10-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

dashboard confessional- the swiss army romance
let's just say this album is more than nostalgic. i still rejoice this album today as i did when i was fourteen years old. at that graceless age, these songs were the anthems of heartbreak i had not yet experienced, but my over imaginative teen psyche made it that these songs were based on my exploits. this album was made when chris carrabba, the sole member of dashboard confessional at the time, was in his early twenties, an age where it's startling how your heart can be just as frail as it was in highschool with the prospect losing love. the older i get, the more i realize growing up is far more different then i had originally thought. you fear being alone more than you enjoy solitude. i couldn't believe it when i saw this at plan 9. fantastic fall weather music if you're a cornball like me.
post-emo/acoustic
plan 9, $15 used.
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?4xslmcunjue

the suicide file- twilight
since when does brash have to be a negative term? the suicide file delivered their brand of hardcore mericelessly, crushingly, and most of all...eloquently. this is refined hardcore. now, by that i don't mean overambitious assholes playing around with pedal boards making music unreproducable live. this is intelligence embodied in brutality. vocalist Dave Weinberg is a grizzly bear with a type writer; a scholarly brain powered by a locomotive. these may be among the more ridiculous analogies i've ever written, so you'll have to listen to find out what i'm getting at. one of my top ten albums of all time. fuck. the dude i bought it from had yet to remove the shrink wrap. when i got home and saw it was a cream color, i punched the air in excitement. i'm a dork.

hardcore/punk
from a guy at a show with crate full of records, $10
http://www.mediafire.com/?9kwg20ejrde

monday evening.

2009-10-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

small brown bike- dead reckoning
four bike mechanics from michigan got together to make punk music in 1996. catchy, melodic, and very easy to sing a long to; something many bands go for but very few do it well enough to make a name for themselves. obviously, small brown bike made the cut. if you are a fan of pop-punk and are branching out into the heavier side of music but not quite ready to take a plunge, this album would make a decent first stepping stone. it's not one of my favorites, but a good listen regardless.

post-hardcore/post-punk
plan 9, $10.
http://www.mediafire.com/?fyddg8mdwsr

make believe- of course
an acid trip for your ears? i can't formulate a bizarre enough line to draw you into this record. it's strange, but in the best of ways. blend together the better elements of bands like minus the bear, cap'n jazz, and kayo dot and you get make believe: an avant-garde, dissonant, all analog/electronic pop band. like the album art, your first impression of the opener of the album is likely going to be confusion. depite so much going on, it's definately not overwhelming. i would recommend this to anyone who enjoys picking out the small details in things and relishing the beauty amongst chaos.

post-punk
plan 9, $5
code soon to come

10 PM

2009-09-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

the gersch- the gersch
in the winter of 1995, four men came together to form a band. the main inspiration? the poetic dialogue from 'conan the barbarian' and the anatomy drawings of andreas vesalius. meaning, this shit is heavy. breaking the standard five-man-band rule and disregarding "the need" a bassist, the gersch was a four piece machine: three guitarist and a drummer. what does it sound like? imagine four cars hauling ass into an intersection. the first vehicle has the best of black sabbath blaring, the next playing the b-side of black flag's "my war". the third driver fell asleep at the wheel with neurosis blasting his ears into oblivion, and the final vehicle being driven by Anton Chigurh. the sound of tires squealing, metal twisting, bones crushing, flesh burning, and the radiowaves fucking coalesce into one pissed off behemoth named the gersch.
sludge/stoner metal
vinyl conflict, $13.99 new
http://www.mediafire.com/?ymnjnohefly

swallowed up- this is, and goddamn is it
continuing with the dark and heavy theme, i am pleased to present you with brooklyn's own, swallowed up. atheistic, anarchistic, humanitarian, and vegan straight edge, the new york hardcore act unleashes an aural assault with their debut 10" ep. the album is painfully emotional, reminiscent that of early 2000's hardcore acts flawlessly intertwined with frantic, sludgy riffs. not making a fist while listening and reading along the politically fueled, and socially sparked lyrics is a near impossible task. "..this is newscasters and the Electoral College replacing the Apostles as government becomes the new force the people follow religiously... this is, and godamn is it. we are fucking dead."- No, I Do Not Welcome The New Year.
live, swallowed up is an exploding bomb: an erupting volcano. the guitarists and bassist flail their instruments around like fresh krylon cans, ready to paint the town red, as the vocalist seizes back and fourth across the floor, spitting, screaming, and convulsing. with them comes towering amplifiers, similar to front gate of helms deep. the wall of sound isn't just for show. they have a message, and their making damn sure you hear it. reminding us the values of doing things yourself. wasn't that the point of hardcore in the first place?
hardcore/crust/sludge
from the band, $7
http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vaG9tZXBhZ2UubWFjLmNvbS9zd2FsbG93ZWR4dXAvU3hVLVRJQUdESUkuemlw

ampere/ das oath- tour split
two of the post-hardcore scene's biggest names got together and made one awesome split. i'm not going to go into grave detail describing every nook and cranny of this record, but i will say this was an awesome find. das oath was a spastic, over distorted, feedback ridden thrashcore band, originating from the netherlands before immigrating to new york. ampere is a screamo band from massachsettes, known for their powerful noise bursts that stop and turn on a dime, with erratically shifting melodic pieces. the two bands recorded four covers each for this split. the bands range from nirvana to born against, making this an entertaining as well as sonically pleasing release.
post-hardcore/punk/screamo
plan 9, $9 used
http://www.mediafire.com/?4nezk1zmn2h

dos mas.

2009-09-24T16:30:00.002-07:00

doom- born like this
definition of villain
: an uncouth person : boor
: a deliberate scoundrel or criminal
: a character in a story or play who opposes the hero
: one blamed for a particular evil or difficulty
daniel dumile, a man of many names and faces released 'born like this' earlier this year under his most celebrated alias, (mf) doom. a veteran who's aged like a fine wine, dumile continues to transcend the limits of hip-hop, and never disappoints. this album is to ears what indian cuisine is to palates: subtle, simple beats that grow in complexity the more you pay attention to it. the villain orchestrates an ominous yet humorous reality where police, politicians, and even ourselves at times are crooked. an essential album to any hip-hop fan. "he wears a mask so when he dons his face, each and every race could absorb the bass."
hip-hop
plan 9, $17.99 new.
http://www.mediafire.com/?zgtd3lmwznm

righteous jams- rage of discipline
it isn't often that a hardcore can be well respected and fun at the same time. punchy and fast, righteous jams was boston straight edge hardcore the way it was meant to be. rage of discipline's message of self-improvement is delivered with a fury. being catchy without being corny is a daunting task to achieve, yet this obstacle is overcome throughout the entire album. within a few lessons, you are bound to be singing along.
hardcore
bought off a friend, $10
http://www.mediafire.com/?zwtmzuimtja

thursday

2009-09-24T01:15:00.000-07:00

just getting back from the ER at the medical campus hospital, i'm too antsy to head to bed quite yet. the first record was bought on a whim, the second out of necessity.

slowblow- slowblow
a lo-fi indie duo hailing from of all places, iceland, deliver a soothing and eclectic album with their self titled lp. the textured, english vocals are layered between analog warmth and electric blankets of digitality. this combination of new and old fuses together flawlessly and results in something that some would refer to as timeless. "aim for a smile" is the perfect addition to any fall or winter playlist lacking that last bit of apathy.
indie/post-rock/folk
plan 9, richmond, $7.
http://www.mediafire.com/?zzywnomymyl

christie front drive- untitled
if you are a fan of rites of spring, drive like jehu, or sunny day real estate, you are in good company. the members of this denver indie rock outfit paid homage to the gods of emo with their 1994, untitled release. the opening track, "saturday", hides somewhere in the background with an over reverbed, timid piano and guitar duet. the fainthearted intro continues to escalate in volume and emotion, with the simplest of drum beats reminding you that you have a pulse. anticipation builds more and more. around 3:30, you are blindsided with a dauntless serenade, both brave and bold. as soon as you're comfortable enough to bob your head, the song abruptly ends. the song is performed like that scene in the breakfast club, where the mute girl speaks up and everyone just stops and stares.
emo/post-hardcore
plan 9, $10
http://www.mediafire.com/?0jyezlymtmn

tuesday

2009-09-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

today, i decided to actually follow through and update this thing at least once a week. since i have purchased a few hundred records since april, i will occasionally make posts with records i bought between then and now, for variety's sake. today, i went to vinyl conflict and deep groove, and picked up these two gems.

sigur r'os- með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

the icelandic superstars have been putting out phenomenal music for a number of years now. renowned for their pioneering efforts in the music industry, with an "ungenerable" approach to post-rock. no one sounds like sigur r'os. enchanting melodies, sublimely orchestrated build ups, and the beautiful ambient landscapes will entice you, the listener, and pilot your emotions through an audible adventure that i guarantee will capture you.
deep grove records, richmond $23 new
http://www.mediafire.com/?cw2y3mmfbmm
also recommended, "takk".

some girls- all my friends are going death
many words can describe the frenzy that was some girls; chaotic, frantic, fast, artsy... one comes to mind more than any other. pissed. a compilation of the band's first two ep's, 'all my friends are going death' introduce you to the san diego hardcore scene's black sheep. consisting of members from several legendary bands, (including unbroken, american nightmare, the locust), the unreplicable jams this band pumped out show that it is possible to crushing and angry without being 'tuff'.
hardcore/progressive
vinyl conflict, richmond, $15
http://www.mediafire.com/?twitnrm1zmm

post one

2009-04-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

whats going on? i spend entirely too much money on vinyl records. hardcore, hip-hop, indie: what have you. i collect it. how this blog is going to operate is very simple: when i purchase records, i'll post links.