Animal Collective "Fall Be KInd" EP

More Audio experiments From Animal Collective..

Apollo Ghosts "Forgotten Triangle" Limited Edition Lathe cut 7"

Lathe cut Low-Fi coolness from Catbird Records and the Apollo Ghosts. This extremely limited special edition of 25 copies sold out in about an hour I hear. Lathe-cutting is a process where records are cut one-at-a-time by hand with a rotary lathe machine. Sweet Huh? This five song ep is still available on CD as well as their full length "Hastings Suprise."

Fulton Lights "Healing Waters"

Check out the great new recording (maxi ep?) from Fulton Lights. 6 songs in 27 minutes including a David Byrne cover. this is a great disc even if it is a little short...

Tom Waits "Swordfishtrombones" lp

Recently I returned to this Waits classic to immerse myself in the brilliance of his songwriting and the freedom with which he began to express himself. Filled with classics, this is a wonderful recording.

Handsome Furs "Face Control" lp

I love this Electro Punk record.

Yo La Tengo "I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One" 2xlp

Laying around in the evening still being punished by summers heat made me want to listen to the reissue of this Yo La Tengo Classic from 1997.

Grinderman "Grinderman" lp

Unrefined, immature, raw and unrelenting. I love this record.

In Nick Caves own words

"Grinderman was like a bomb going off within the Bad Seeds. It was like going back to the wife and telling her that you'd taken a mistress."

Akron/Family "Love is Simple" lp

Tribal chaos folk rock experimenters Akron/Family let this joint fly in 2007 and it still contains some of my favorite tracks. Ed is a Portal, Dont be Afraid Your Already Dead, Lake Song/New Ceremonial Music for Moms, There's So Many Colors and Phenomena are all outstanding. Aw, who am I kidding? They are all great.

Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions "Through the Devil Softly"

The much anticipated return (by me at least) of Hope Sandoval (of Opal and Mazzy Star fame for those who don't know) Will Be released September 15, 2009. Look for it.
Blanchard

Cat Power "The Greatest" lp

Haunted and beautiful. Just buy it

R.L. Burnside "A Ass Pocket Of Whiskey" lp

Probably the best description I have ever heard is "lo-fi storytelling garage punk-blues rock with explicit lyrics" and I am not sure I have the ability to expand on that statement very well. What I can tell you is the main reason I love this record is its rawness. It has a rebellious, in your face sort of hell-raisin' quality that I am rather fond of. I guess it is not really for fans of the cleaned up sort of blues. This recording has all the grit I could want.

Unbunny

Hey check out the Catbird Unbunny widget to the right. Follow the link for a free mp3. Lets help get this project moving... only about $700 to go!

Cursive "Mama, I'm Swollen" lp

While seeming slightly juvinile, I'm swollen is a fully realized, delightful descent filled with self pity and desperation. And suprisingly I heard some occasional Queenesque stylings amid all the hard emo indi post punk. Favorite track? We're Going to Hell. The lp is 180 gram Red + Black marbled vinyl with full length CD of the album in gatefold package came with a bonus download card for other songs, demos, and videos... the bonus tracks are as follows
1 "All I Know"
2 "Mama's Baggage"
3 "I Couldn't Love You (demo, alternate lyrics)"
4 "What Have I Done (demo, extra verse, alternate lyrics)"
5 "In the Now (demo, alternate lyrics)"

Ben Harper & Relentless Seven "White Lies for Dark Times" 2xlp

This is a tasty slice of blues rock from Mr. Harper and R7. I have been hoping/waiting for a solid "rock" record from Mr. Harper for a while now. This one mostly fills that bill, but I do wish it rocked just a little bit harder. That said, I do really enjoy this record very much.

Earth "Phase 3 - Thrones and Dominions" 2xlp reissue

Heavy and emaculate, like a morphine drip, the drone of Earth is the consumate sedative. Not for the feint of heart. IMO, this is the first Earth record to really have any Riff. I prefer to get lost in the droning soundscapes of the longer tracks. The shortest track on Earth2 is Seven Angels at 15:35. The Longest track here is Thrones and Dominions and it clocks in at 14:21 with several others under 3 min apiece. Still, this is a brilliant record from a band (Dylan Carlson) that keeps adapting to and pushing the boundaries of the drone/doom experimental doom metal genre they were instrumental in creating.

Low "Drums and Guns" lp

I love this record. Low create chill Slowcore and atmosphere better than almost anyone.

Find it.

Turn it up.

Ride the waves.

Iron & Wine "Around the Well" 3xlp

"Around the Well" is a much needed compilation of b-sides and rareties including japanese bonus tracks. A delight for fans of the understated Beam, you will find your rare ones here including the epic The Trapeze Swinger. I absolutely love the progression laid out. You can hear Mr. Beams performance grow as you listen. I am only dissappointed that side F. is just dead wax. Perhaps I am just greedy.

A.

1. Dearest Forsaken
2. Morning
3. Loud as Hope
4. Peng! 33 - Stereolab
5. Sacred Vision
6. Friends They Are Jewels

B.
7. Hickory
8. Waitin’ for a Superman - The Flaming Lips
9. Swans and the Swimming
10. Call Your Boys
11. Such Great Heights -The Postal Service
C.
1. Communion Cups & Someone’s Coat
2. Belated Promise Ring
3. God Made the Automobile
4. Homeward, These Shoes
5. Love Vigilantes - New Order
6. Sinning Hands

D.
7. No Moon
8. Serpent Charmer
9. Carried Home
10. Kingdom of the Animals
11. Arms of a Thief

E.
12. The Trapeze Swinger

Portishead "Portishead" 2xlp

Well, this weekend, it came to my attention that perhaps I should listen to this, Portisheads second album again. So, I dug it out, laid it down, dropped the needle and immersed myself in the memory of its seductively pleasant dark groove. As always, its the ache in the voice of Beth Gibbons that grabs ahold and envelops me while the groove pounds its way into my brain. Delicious.

Elliott Smith "s/t" and "Either/Or" lp

Ok. here's the deal. Years ago a friend of mine (Lauren) suggested I check out Elliot Smith. So, I did and no sir, didn't like it. I just didn't get it. Fast forward here to 2009 and a friend of mine (Heather) suggested I check out Elliot Smith. She had listened to him alot when her brother passed. So, I did and it hit me full in the face, this is a beautiful album. Damaged? Yes. Beautiful? Absolutely. I have recently found out that I love the two records he made for Kill Rock Stars. ( Elliott Smith and Either/or) This is the wonderful thing about music. Our ears grow and change. I am glad mine did.

Michael Franti and Spearhead "All Rebel Rockers"

Michael Franti & Spearhead "All Rebel Rockers" is the perfect soundtrack for a beautiful spring day. His particular blend of Hip-Hop, Funk, Jazz and Folk with Reggae is particularly fitting and hey, the poetic lyrical content might just challenge you a little bit. Spread some peace and social justice. It is after all, a beautiful day.

Social Distortion "Social Distortion" lp

This is the classic Social D recording. On this third record, they finally settled into their classic sound, a blend of punk, blues, country and rockabilly that can really only be described as cowpunk or perhaps just gut level rock and roll. It is also their most well known recording. I was delighted to reminisce as I spent the weekend listening to this.

Cloud Cult is coming...

to The Blvd on May 7th. This kicks butt. Cloud Cult are perhaps my favorite "green band". Think organic farm , 100pc recycled, energy offsets from NativeEnergy.com as well as having planted nearly 1,000 trees. They live it. Their shows generaly feature back screen video and live paintings to be sold off at the end of the concert. Ooh yeah.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs "It's Blitz!"

Yeah, I like it.

Akron/Family "Akron/Family" lp

Beautiful freak-folk-psych-ameri-tripiness from the akron boys hiding inside a jam band. Gatefold double lp has different tracklist from cd.

side a

1. before and again

2. suchness

3. part of corey

4. dylan pt. 1

side b

1. italy

2. i'll be on the water

3. running, returning

side c

1. afford

2. interlude

3. sorrow boy

4. shoes

side d

1. positive vibration force

2. how do i know

3. franny/you're human

U2 "No Line on the Horizon" LP

Ok, Ok. I know. But, this is ( excluding Get on Your Boots) perhaps the best group of songs U2 has cobbled together in many years. It is my personal opinion that they have yet to achieve again what they did early on, with the holy trinity of Boy, October and War. Not quite the gut punch of their early work but I was pleasantly suprised with this record and found myself actually enjoying it.

Tobacco "F***ed Up Friends" LP

Fuzzier (if that is actually possible) and slightly darker than the last BMSR release. This is just Fec by himself mostly but still, this is all around a killer record.

Moviola "Dead Knowledge"

This is a tasty slab of Americana that drifts around a little style wise since everyone in the band writes. Most enjoyable.

Fleet Foxes "Fleet Foxes" lp

To my pleasant suprise, Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes lp from Sub Pop is actually a double gatefold that includes the gorgeous Sun Giant ep and comes with a code for a digital download of the album. This is currently the only way to get the Sun Giant ep on vinyl. I know they are media sweethearts at the moment but this record really is that good and the unique instrumentation is a bonus.

Joy Division "Unknown Pleasures" lp

Filled with dread and devastatingly powerful even in its sparse ambience this reissue of Joy Divisions iconic debut album still retains its amazing impact. The artwork has been replicated down to the textured cover and includes "This is the way" in the dead wax of Outside and "Step" in the dead wax of Inside just like the original european version. A fitting reference to "Atrocity Exhibition". This has been and remains my favorite Joy Division album

Tarun Bhattacharya "SARGAM"

Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya hammers and plucks his shathathanthri veena thru a amazing set of ragas and folk melodies. Accompanied by Tabla and Shenai (double reed oboe) this is a beautiful recording

John Coltrane "A Love Supreme" lp

I forgot what an amazing record this was. I listened to it most of the weekend. It was easy to get lost in this and remember why it is one of jazz' greatest records.

The Decemberists "The Hazards of Love" 2xlp

Wow, The Hazards of Love is a beautiful, long and deranged song cycle, rock opera or what ever you want to call it but it may just be The Decemberists at their peak. 17 songs tell the tale of Margaret. Special guests abound.

The Black Keys "The Big Come Up" Limited clear vinyl LP

So I managed to get a copy of this on vinyl. I was pleased to get a clear copy. (you know online orders) and I absolutely love it. I first heard The Black Keys when I picked up a copy of the Chulahoma EP and thought it was the second coming. Then I picked up Attack and Release and was a little let down(damn that shine you put on this Danger Mouse). It seemed to clean up all the things that I love about The Black Keys. I mean the blues should sound dirty, maybe even a little harsh, it should have a little grease and grit. Perhaps even a little blood and sweat. I definitely don't want it to sound all clean and shiny or even new. So, needless to say I put this record on and thought this is how a record should sound. I know I am about 7 years late here but this is good enough to hold up. So come on everyone lets Do the Rump.

Fulton Lights self titled

I float alone in an ocean of droning. Lifted up in this swelling of sound. Somehow sad, beautiful and majestic. I find a quiet peace.

This limited edition of 150 is a 2 disc version including a 4 track bonus disc of unreleased material and remixes with mini artcards for the song titles. This is a sweet little package. Originally on Android Eats Records, find this special edition at Catbird Records before there gone.

Catbird Bliss

The other day while drifting the net I found Catbird records, a boutique indi label that puts out limited edition small run hand printed discs for a affordable price with the inclusion of a tip the artist option, and early orders generally get some sort of bonus goodie. Current "available" releases from Maestro Echoplex, Manishevitz, Fulton Lights, Moviola as well as Mathew Sawyer & The Ghosts.
As far as I am concerned, you should run out and buy all these records. Give your money to the little guy. Promote more indi art. Dont just download the songs. support it.

Blitzen Trapper "Furr"

This subpop release of exerimental folk rock is perhaps my favorite album of 2008. My favorite track has got to be the amazing Black River Killer with Furr a close second. In my opinion this is a exciting and brilliant record all the way thru.

Woven Hand at the Empyrean (trembling and ecstacy)

Last nights show at the Empyrean was brilliant.

David Eugene Edwards and associates led us thru a rock filled traveling mystical evangelistic medicine show that bordered on trance inducing entrainment.


Trembling the entire time, the sweat and spit flew, the ground shook.


For the uninitiated, D.E.E. is formerly of 16 horsepower whose music has been described as civil war traditional and even goth psychobilly or thrashgrass. The influences are all over the place and that is a brilliant thing. I even managed to pick up a copy of Ten Stones on vinyl.