Swans - Swans (V2)

Swans first release was markedly different from later works, especially in its applications of the no-wave mentality that would continue to influence them later on. Rather than generating sheets of noise, or pulsating mechanical thumps, M. Gira uses many of the same techniques popularized by Joy Division: short, punchy guitars backed by blastbeat drums and vaguely psychedelic chord progressions. Although much more experimental and tonally dissimilar to Joy Division and other landmark post-punk acts, Swans' self-titled EP seems more like an elaboration on Unknown Pleasures than Confusion Is Sex.

Download.

Toby Driver - In The L..L..Library Loft (V0)

Toby Driver is the brain behind Kayo Dot, Tartar Lamb and maudlin of the Well. He has also done work with Gregor Samsa, and in addition to having a great knack for suspense and composition, he also has a perfect voice for the type of music he plays. Although In The L..L..Library Loft does not stray far from his avant garde style, it probably resembles the long-form ambient stylings of Lichens moreso than the jazzy, often confrontational style typical of most Tzadik Records labelmates.

In The L..L..Library Loft is prophetic: timid, and searching, but also quietly brilliant and powerful.

Download.

This Heat - Deceit (V0)

I think the best things to come out of the 80's were all the experimental and weird artists.

People like This Heat, Daniel Johnston, MBV, so on and blah blah blah. Point being, 80's experimental is pretty damn amazing, and this album is of course part of the dynasty of important 80's albums. Don't be fooled by the post-punk tag, it barely fits the bill of anything more than experimental or outsider music, and you'll be surprised that something so a-melodic could leave you actually hauntingly stunned.

This Heat – A New Kind Of Water

We hold these truths to be self evident,
that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain rights.

Women - Public Strain (V0)

Know what, I'm going to let the album speak for itself.

This is Eyesore, by Women, from Public Strain.

And this is the album itself.
2010 has been a good year.

Warpaint - The Fool (V0)

After Warpaint's Exquisite Corpse was released on the Manimal Vinyl label in 2009, their small but devoted Los Angeles fanbase grew enormously. Warpaint has toured with several bands since then, including The xx and Akron/Family, probably the two best representatives of their genre-bending tendencies. The Fool is an exercise in everything haunting; I have heard few records this beautiful and blood curdling at the same time. Although postulations about the album of the year are typically imprudent and even at times overwrought, Warpaint stand a good chance of making their mark not only on this year, but, assuming that they keep releasing music like this, the coming decade.

Your brown eyes are my blue skies.
They light up the rivers that the birds fly over.

The Blood Brothers - Crimes (V0)

"This is the sound of anorexic middle school girls being dunked into a vat of acid."

I think I stared at this blank page for about 30 minutes before realizing that I can't think of anything more perfectly descriptive of The Blood Brothers, and I think we need to organize a team to test whether or not its true. I'll get the acid, you get the middle school girls.

Check it, son, and be amazed.
The Blood Brothers - Peacock Skeleton Crooked Feathers
Download here.

Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn (320)

Ommadawn is a completely unique work. It's progressive rock only in the sense that it is actually progressive: it bears little resemblance to the giants of the genre. Oldfield has a dense and layered approach to songwriting; there are many instruments being played at the same time but they are all Oldfield himself using tape loops and editing. The result is a trance-inducing, ethereal, mystical work that should be required listening for anyone interested in modern instrumental music. It's the foggy Scottish countryside in audio form.

Don't let the new age tag scare you away, trust me.

Foxy Shazam - The Flamingo Trigger (320)

Back in 2008, a friend of mine had become obsessed with a then relatively unknown band called Foxy Shazam. Despite my initial reluctance to give a band with such a name a chance, I ultimately decided to download The Flamingo Trigger, their debut album. After listening to it a few times, I concluded that it was a choice I certainly didn't regret. In fact, Foxy Shazam was my first foray into the genre that is post-hardcore, and after hearing many different bands from all sorts of places, I still believe that Foxy Shazam is one of the more unique acts that I've had the joy of listening to. Beyond all of the eccentric madness, the humorous lyrics, the unconventional keyboard solos, and general over-the-topness, there is a group of five boys (now six) full of unrelenting wit and talent.

The Flamingo Trigger is twelve songs of pure entertainment. Many of the songs break down into unintelligible, incoherent screaming at some point or another; however, this works for what the band seemed to be going for at the time, which seems to be desiring to provide the listener a wonderful ride on a musical roller coaster. Many songs have a theatrical, almost circus-like nature to them; a circus in the realm of insanity. Eric Sean Nally is a beast of a frontman, and makes a perfect "ringmaster" for this show of grandeur. One highlight of the album is "Seagulls Over Rhinosuarus Bay," parts I & II. Both parts showcase Sky Vaughn White's impressive proficiency as a pianoman, especially part two, which is the first instrumental track featured. Another highlight is "Brains Of Vegas," a song with an spectacular, brutal ending that I did not expect at all. The most bizarre song of all, "------------," is an interlude that takes a classical approach: one man, one piano, and a simple song structure. All in all, the album seems to be all over the place, and that is not a bad thing in the slightest.

Give them an honest try.

Battles - Mirrored (V0)

Mirrored is truly unlike anything I've heard. Most experimental rock you hear out there is very bizarre, and this is no exception, but what this album has that I haven't seen much with experimental is an incredible sense of playfulness. The majority of these songs are very upbeat and will have you bouncing in your seat. It's refreshing to hear a very friendly sounding album in a genre mostly filled with dark and creepy vibes all around. If Mirrored was a person it would be a ceaselessly hyperactive child. Not the one that gets on your nerves within the first five minutes, but the one that keeps you amused for an entire evening while enjoying the attention.

Now Battles is a "super-group," composed entirely of musicians who've already been made famous through other work. But since I've heard very little of this band's related projects, I'm not going to go into detail on that. But it is very apparent that every single person in this group is incredibly talented. The vocalist has a very bizarre way of doing things, in one song sounding just like those videos you find on youtube of songs being sped up so that the singer sounds like he just sucked a bunch of helium. If you can understand anything that he's saying without reading the lyrics at the same time, then I applaud you because I sure couldn't. But it works so well with the tone of the album that you'll be loving it before long. However the vocals aren't the biggest part, they aren't even featured on all of the songs. Some songs even have some elements of progressive rock, with long breaks and odd song structures that you wouldn't expect.

Now, it's hard for me to specify what kind of person I'd recommend this album to. I can see how a lot of people would just find this stuff way too weird and would dismiss it after a few songs, if that, but I think the majority of people who would read this blog would at least find some enjoyment in it, so I just say give it a listen and judge for yourself.

Highlights: Atlas, Tonto, Snare Hanger

Download here.

Grails - Black Tar Prophecies Vol. IV (V0)

Grails are a band I didn't know about until recently, and I was already kicking myself pretty hard for not hearing this earlier when I gave their Black Tar Prophecies Vol. I, II & III its first listen. I had never heard such an experimental foray into post-rock quite like this. At times atmospheric and ambient, and at other times presenting itself with an energy that feels electric and eclectic, it gave me chills and made the hairs on the back on my neck stand at attention.

The first track, I Want A New Drug, leaves you really bewildered and inquisitive, and then it breaks into the epic building maze of a song that is Self-Hypnosis. I think they purposefully made the album vary drastically from one song to another, so as to keep the listener guessing, which is something that not enough bands (especially those of the post-rock variety) do these days. There's even a hint of blues rock in the aforementioned Self-Hypnosis. Pianos grace the beautiful atmosphere of Up All Night, almost creating a lonely feeling, offset by the dissonance found in blues and experimental music. It's almost like a self-conflicting album, in that the darkness and melancholic feel of the songs contrasts with the funky and psychedelic tone of certain songs. It's all I've been listening to since I got it, and I can't recommend it enough. You will feel like a satellite orbiting the earth, and you will feel your soul tingle.

Get it here and buy it here.

Ruins - Tzomborgha (V0)

Trying to describe the sound of Tzomborgha in relation to most popular math rock bands makes little sense, as their extreme technicality, odd chanting/yelling vocals, and overall wackiness isn't likely to remind anyone of Minus the Bear. What I can say is that that Ruins have taken bits and pieces of groups like Magma and Primus and twisted their sounds into an aggressive, awe-inspiring beast like little else in modern rock. For nearly 50 minutes, Tzomborgha grabs you by the balls and doesn't let go.

What is this I don't even...

The Dear Hunter - Act I: The Lake South, the River North (V2)

The Dear Hunter is one of those bands that reminds me how well music can be used as a medium for story-telling.

Act I: The Lake South, the River North is the first of what is planned to be a six part concept album. Only three of these "acts" have been released thus far, with the fourth one under TBA. It's certainly an ambitious goal, with equally ambitious music. This album is eight tracks long, with the most of them being about six minutes in length, often incorporating breaks and intros that often sound very orchestral and rock-opera-esque before going right back to the heavy guitar and drum work. In it's most basic form, the story itself is that of a boy born to a prostitute and his life that follows. Not the most unique of premises, but the music gives it a depth you wouldn't expect. There are plenty different moods and emotions spread across this album expressed through the almost bipolar song construction to keep your mind busy and entertained. At times it feels like you're listening to the soundtrack to a rather bizarre musical.

Now I should come out and say that as with most progressive rock, this isn't going to be everybody's cup of tea. They're part of that "love it or hate it" category. The main reason being the vocals/lyrics, which feel a bit lacking at times, with corny names such as Ms. Terri (bet you couldn't guess the word play there) and some songs being sung a bit more on the whiny side. I myself don't mind it, but I'm well aware that some people can't get past things like that.

So my suggestion is that you give this album a listen, even if you're feeling a bit skeptic after my previous paragraph. You just may be able to enjoy the vocals, or at least tolerate them. And if they just bother you too much I'll gladly take the blame for your wasted time, because I think this album is worth a try at the very least.

Highlights: City Escape, 1878, The Pimp and the Priest

Download here.

Sing softly, bring me to the lake.

Feral Children - Brand New Blood (V0)

The following is a police report of an event that occurred sometime in the early months of 2010 regarding the murders of Animal Collective and most of Modest Mouse.

According to one "Isaac Brock," disillusioned with what was once his own "indie rock," he finally grew tired of his bandmates, pulled out a shotgun (yet to be found) and burst into the studio where the other members of "Modest Mouse" were recording, killing each of them one by one. Brock made no attempt to hide his deed(when cops arrived two days later all the bodies were still where they fell and blood was everywhere). Isaac then began to leave, but noticed that one of his band mates had brought an album (titled: "Strawberry Jam" by Animal Collective) with him and left it on a desk. Mr. Brock was unable to explain why he had decided to stop and listen to the album, but stated after he had listened to it he had yet another urge to kill. He called a friend who quoted, "He asked me for some odd request, the address of Animal Collective’s studio."

We estimate that four days later Mr. Brock arrived at the studio, killed the band (Animal Collective) that had been practicing inside and then, in his own words, "ate their hearts to gain their power." Brock then remained in the studio for 48 hours and used Animal Collective’s instruments to create the attached album. We found him there, still covered in blood, bodies still on the floor, blood everywhere. When we took him in for questioning (and a soon to be conviction) he kept screaming for us to take the enclosed album with him.

Find the aforementioned album attached within.

Unwound - Leaves Turn Inside You (V0)

It's like, if when you were born, you got to choose the size of your dick.
It's that good.

Download it here.

Radiohead - Live in Prague (DVD)

Recorded in August 2009 and released in 2010, Live in Prague is a completely free band-supported and fan-made live concert DVD. Radiohead gave out recording equipment and provided soundboard recordings and master tapes in order to make this excellent footage. Live in Prague is available in several different formats and resolutions, so if you're a fan of Radiohead you shouldn't miss out on this. This is a band making music for the love of music, not for the love of fame or money. And Johnny Greenwood isn't too bad either.

"On 23rd August 2009 a group of Radiohead fans descended on the Výstavištĕ Holešovice Exhibition Hall in Prague on a mission – to capture the band playing using as many different angles as possible. Bringing together the exceptional talents of many contributors, here is the result."

Get it here.

Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden (V0)

Spirit of Eden was recorded, like several of my favorite albums, in the dark. Talk Talk took several hours of musical improvisation and edited it down to a digestible six-piece album. But Spirit of Eden is a lot more than an album; it's a musical suite. The vast, lush instrumentation and the sobriety of Mark Hollis' voice creates an ambiance that transcended entirely what the conventions of music were at the time of Spirit of Eden's recording, and almost singlehandedly launched an entire genre, a feat very few bands can lay claim to.

Talk Talk's influence on experimental and post-rock is enormous: linear song structures interweave with verse-chorus-verse forms and motifs, timbres and textures materialize at exactly the moment that they are needed. Musically, there are few works in the 20th century as musically complex as Spirit of Eden, and to think that it came from what was previously considered a new wave pop band gives Talk Talk's listeners optimism as to what all musicians may be capable of.

Enjoy.