Tokyo Police Club - Friends Of P and New New Song (2008)

Exclusive b-sides from the UK edition of Elephant Shell, "New New Song" which we first heard in their Daytrotter sessions, and The Rentals cover, "Friends Of P" which they've been performing live recently. Here it is, in its recorded glory.

Download Friends Of P and New New Song:


Buy
Tokyo Police Club on Myspace

VA - Rushmore OST (1999)

Because I'm stuck at home with my new friend "Gout" and taking a break off Crisis Core:FFVII, I've decided to do my long delayed update of the blog and I'm starting off with a soundtrack from my favorite Wesley Wales Anderson film (because every film he has done is gold) which has a killer soundtrack as well that is oozing with subliminal messages telling you to "press repeat, press repeat" every time the record finishes, chock full of UK invasion bands (The Kinks, The Whoe, The Creation, Faces, Unit 4 + 2), Pop Gems (John Lennon's "Oh Yoko!", Cat Steven's "Here Comes My Baby") and of course, Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo, Badass MO'Fo who scored Pee wee's Playhouse/Pee Wee's Big Adventure, and RUGRATS especially the theme song).

Some songs on the film didn't make the cut like The Rolling Stones' "I Am Waiting" because the old farts rarely allow their material to appear on any soundtracks. I wonder how "Play With Fire" made it on The Darjeeling Limited's OST, prolly a lot of moolah plus Anderson's brilliance.

Thus, I conclude that Wes Anderson makes killer mixtapes, the kind you'd wish you could've made or you're friends with him irl so you'd prolly receive mixes with detailed and quirky artwork done by his hermano, Eric Chase Anderson, and a belated Happy Birthday to Mr. Wes Anderson, he turned 39 on the first of May.

Update: I've uploaded the following songs from the film that didn't made the cut on the ost, you can get them by clicking the on the image above.

Lost songs:

1. "Take Ten" - Paul Desmond
2. "Jersey Thursday" - Donovan
3. "I Am Waiting" - The Rolling Stones
4. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" - The Vince Guaraldi Trio
5. "Manoir de Mes Reves" - Django Reinhardt


Download VA - Rushmore OST:


Buy
Rushmore on Criterion
Rushmore Academy (Wes Anderson Fansite)

Converge - Deathwish Live Series 02: Minneapolis, MN 09.21.05

The Deathwish Live Series is a series of FREE live recordings of Deathwish/Malfunction affiliated artists. These recordings are from a variety of sources: Radio shows, official live recordings, bootlegs, and more. We are giving these recordings away as a thank you to the listeners who continue to support independent music. If you dig what you hear, please support these artists by seeing them live and by purchasing their releases and apparel in the DW Estore @ www.deathwishinc.com.

Deathwish Live Series 02 features Converge performing an explosive set in Minneapolis, MN @ the legendary Triple Rock Social Club on 09.21.05. The entire set radiates with the cathartic energy and chaos the band is known for. Songs from the "You Fail Me" era of the band are performed, as well as some classic early Converge material. This bootleg was circulating for a bit with an improper tracklisting, so consider this the definitive version.

Support Independent Music."

Track list:

1. First Light
2. Eagles Become Vultures
3. The Broken Vow
4. Drop Out
5. Hope Street
6. Bitter And Then Some
7. You Fail Me
8. Black Cloud
9. Heartless
10. Homewrecker
11. Last Line
12. Concubine
13. Conduit
14. The Saddest Day

Download Deathwish Live Series 02: Minneapolis, MN 09.21.05:




Support Converge
Converge's official webpage

-... - .--. --- --. ... - For Daniel, Laura, Ian, And Paul EP (2008)

I know for one fact that the people behind this project are Lynchians and Aronofsky fanboys (based on the tracklist and their myspace page), with that said, I really don't know anything much about them than the fact that they play noise in the vein of Sonic Youth/Nervous Cop (on a ym conversation with buddies, I told them na "d00d, nervous cop!!) lulz, so if you're happy campers of the bands I mentioned, you'll totally eat this up.

P.S. The drummer sound's like he's on life support

RIYL: Sonic Youth, Nervous Cop, Deerhoof, Morse Codes, pank rack

(the link's on the cover art)

-... - .--. --- --. ... on Myspace

NOFX - The Decline EP (1999)

Quite, possibly, the best NOFX song ever.

Download The Decline:


Support
NOFX's official website

American Nightmare - Background Music (2001)

"Kill the lights and let the rain fall.
Recall the memories of yesterdays and better ways
And know the innocence is gone, move on.
From this day on we'll never be the same."

Wes Eisold is easily one of my favorite writers ever, his writing just evokes of wit, sarcasm and brutal honesty, so if you're a fan of those, you'll enjoy Background Music. Clocking in at 23 minutes, you'll get treated to intense vocals, downtuned guitars and awesome bridge parts and breakdowns. One of my favorite hardcore records ever. You'll find yourself just singing along with the rest of the gang. Truly passionate music indeed.

RIYL: The Suicide File, Have Heart, The Hope Conspiracy

Download Background Music:



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To Be A High Powered Executive - We Don’t Want it Safe, We Want it Secret (2007)

To Be A High Powered Executive is an elegant instrumental band from the outskirts of Cleveland. Think post-rock with synth with some mathy and poppy sense, easily one of my favorites from last year. listen listen listen!!

Recommended Tracks: They Gaped, The Gasped, They Stared; To Morla;The King Has Bled, We Have Slept, And Now We Must Wake

RIYL: This Will Destroy You, Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson, Bone Thugz and Harmony, long band names :)

Download We Don’t Want it Safe, We Want it Secret:



To Be A High Powered Executive on Myspace

Boy Problems - Myspace Demos (2007)

(click image for link)

Boy Problems is from the Philly area and is composed of members from The Lady is not for burning, Street Smart Cyclist & Storm the Bastille.

RIYL: Cap N' Jazz, Make Me, Algernon Cadwallader, Street Smart Cyclist

Boy Problems on Myspace

American Football - 1998 01-17 Fireside Bowl, Chicago (IL)

(Click image for link)

Here's a decent bootleg from the Sky Corvair reunion show at the fireside bowl.

Set list:

1. The One With The Tambourine
2. The One With The Wurlitzer
3. I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional
4. Letters And Packages
5. But The Regrets Are Killing Me
6. For Sure
7. Never Meant
8. Stay Home

Uzi & Ari - It Is Freezing Out (2006)

I listened to one track on myspace based on their awesome name (I'm such a Wes Anderson fanboy). That said track was Mountain/Molehill which instantly prompted me to care about Ben Shepard and co. If you're still waiting for The Postal Service's follow-up to Give Up, you'd prolly wait forever (see here) Uzi & Ari could fix that dilemma.

On certain tracks, namely "Drowsy, Drowsy", "Trainwreck" and "Dont' Black Out" Ben kinda sounds like Thom Yorke at some point, which really isn't a bad thing at all. So just sit back, unrar the file, load on your media player of choice, and feast your good ears with It Is Freezing Out. New album "Headworms" due this year.

RIYL: The Postal Service, Mice Parade, The Album Leaf, Mogwai

Download It Is Freezing Out:



Support
Uzi & Ari on Myspace

The Weakerthans - Reconstruction Site (2003)

Reconstruction Site is the third LP from Canadian indie rockers The Weakerthans, armed with extremely clever lyrics and pop balladry with dashes of punk rock, folk, and even country.

Themes explored here are sonnets about a terminally ill patient, a cat's perspective about it's lazy and depressed owner (which could also be what my feline buddy insight about me if I ever had one), a love/hate relationship about John K. Samson's hometown, and conversations aboutAntartica.

John K. Samson's lyrics will forever make me green with envy. I could go on forever how this had a impact in my life but I'm frankly afraid that, I would dearly bore you with my sentiments. Thus, I would end that this is just a flawless album that you'll want to press repeat for the rest of your life.

RIYL: Smoking Popes, Jets To Brazil, good music

Download Reconstruction Site:



Support
The Weakerthans on Myspace

Charlotte Gainsbourg - 5:55 (2006)

I loved her in The Science Of Sleep, and I loved her more in I'm Not There and, I loved her even more after hearing 5:55. She collaborates with the french duo Air, Jarvis Cocker, Irish singer-songwriter Neil Hannon plus produced by the" sixth member" of Radiohead, Nigel Godrich. This album is perfect when you just wanna lay down on your bed, with the lights closed and just her sweet, whispering vocals echoing in the night. Just pure bliss. She's 36 already and I'm 22... Hmmmmm..

RIYL: Air, whispering vocals

Download 5:55:


Charlotte Gainsbourg on Myspace

Reubens Accomplice - The Bull, The Balloon, And The Family (2004)

From their myspace:

"The disc is an aptly titled affair as the band enlists several members of its extended “family” to aid in this impressive 13-song effort. Guests include producer Adkins, Howe Gelb (Giant Sand, Band of Blacky Ranchette), David Bazan (Pedro the Lion), Jon Rauhouse (Neko Case, Old 97s), as well as a talented crew of West Coast luminaries (Matt Maher, Ryan Kennedy, John O’Reilly Jr.).

Mixed by Chris Fudurich (Nada Surf, Matthew Sweet), THE BULL THE BALLOON AND THE FAMILY combines the plangent guitars and yearning, almost genetic harmonies of Bufano and Corak. The album is a mélange of urgent rock and bouncy pop, fantastically infectious anthems and haltingly emotive balladry."

You just, couldn't go wrong with the people who produced this album: Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World), David Bazan (Pedro The Lion), Jon Rauhouse (Neko Case, Old 97s). Act On (Feeling Alone) makes me giddy everytime I hear it. That being said, this underrated gem of a record is extremely recommended. Expect a new album in the coming months as they're currently recording one.

RIYL: Jimmy Eat World, The Format, No Knife

Download The Bull, The Balloon, And The Family:



Buy
Reubens Accomplice on Myspace

Rockets And Blue Lights - A Smashed City With Fames And Music In The Air/Demo

(Click the image for link)

From their Myspace:

"Rockets and Bluelights explosive but atmospheric, sensitive yet abrasive, instrumentally driven and thoroughly dynamic music springs from hardcore and punk intentions, strained through a fervent necessity for unity and the absolute force that resides within it. Remember the way your eyes were forced to close as your head bent toward an incredible, powerful musical climax, and re-imagine this spouted from four incredibly talented individuals turning twinkling guitar lines around solid rhythms, preparing you more at every moment to be contentedly battered. Lying just below the rumbling instrumentation, sparse screams and whispers add a hint of anxiety, release, or additional tension, and the minimalist lyrical style heightens the impact of chosen words.

These four musicians have grown musically inside each others heads over the years, periodically shredding musical paths which all led to the final base expression of their collective whole in Rockets and Bluelights. Though their Smashed City EP is the first record the band has not released themselves, its four tracks belie a band with inherent and unmistakable knowledge of where they are headed and what they want to give to you.

The band have a full length that they have written but are not going to record until the time is right and although they are scattered around at the moment Rockets and Bluelights will always live on!"

RIYL: Fans of Good Music, Mid 90's emo, Bells On Trike

Sauna - Hell Heart EP

Comprised of Ex members of Forgiveness Denied, Settle Down, and Trencher The Trauma, Sauna is one of the front runners in our local aggressive music scene today. Combining poetic lyrics, passionate vocals, and a harsh rhythm section plus a high octane live show, you'll truly champion this band. New LP "Deeper It Goes..." out later this year. Depression never sounded this good.

RIYL: CONVERGE, CONVERGE, CONVERGE!!!!

Download Hell Heart EP:



Sauna on Myspace
Take Four Collective on Myspace

This Town Needs Guns

Say hello to your new favorite band, Oxford's best kept secret This Town Needs Guns channel's bits and pieces of "math rock, post rock and some good ole fashioned midwestern emo". Seriously, the split ep and 2 singles have been getting me through this Winter-ish week (even though I haven't yet experienced winter to make those bold assumptions). Combining yelps and wicked instrumentals (not to mention the sick guitar tapping). So be the darling that you are and sample their stuff.

RIYL: American Football, Penfold, Maps And Atlases

Download Hippy Jam Fest (The Likes of Which Has Never Been Seen):



Download Wanna Come Back To My Room And Listen To Some Belle And Sebastian?:


Download This Town Needs More Guns/Cats And Cats And Cats Split EP:


This Town Needs Guns On Myspace
Big Scary Monsters

Northstar - Chesterfield King (Jawbreaker Cover)

Northstar recently released the long overdue "Broken Parachute EP", a collection of b-sides and demos, and in that EP lies a behemoth of a cover waiting to be woken up. They/Nick Torres did an awesome job of reworking one of my favorite Jawbreaker songs into a folky/alt-countryish ditty. The lead guitar parts never fails to leave this certain twang that keeps me smilin after hearin it. Basically, Nick Torres made this cover his own and I love the man for that. :)

Download their version:
http://www.mediafire.com/?b1wn1r2jfx3

Buy

Download the original:
http://www.mediafire.com/?3sgfmnuxroy

Buy


Jawbreaker
Northstar on Myspace

Major Organ And the Adding Machine

From last.fm:

"Major Organ and the Adding Machine was originally thought to be a side-project of Jeff Mangum and Julian Koster (Neutral Milk Hotel).

But the project has grown to include the Elephant Six Orchestra and many others. In March 2001, a CD entitled [b]Major Organ and the Adding Machine was released on Orange Twin Records.

While the mysterious Major Organ is the apparent leader of this project, some of the contributors were Kevin Barnes (Of Montreal), Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel), Julian Koster (Music Tapes, Neutral Milk Hotel), Eric Harris (Olivia Tremor Control), Will Cullen Hart (The Circulatory System, The Olivia Tremor Control), Andrew Rieger (Elf Power)."


Basically the who's-who of the Elephant 6 collective, the album is a collection of pyschedelic jams, weird effects, samples and noises but in the midst of all that is a pop gem waiting to explode. A movie is set to be released this year (Jeff Mangum in a lobster suit!)

RIYL: an amalgamation of the elephant 6 collective, magical mystery tour on better acid

Download:




Buy
Major Organ And the Adding Machine Trailer

Arrows

Taken from their bio on hobbledehoyrecords:

"Tucked away in the calm of the Queensland Sunshine Coast, there’s four friends playing the music that they love. ARROWS is the simple blend of the aforementioned. Despite members rotationally jetting in and out of the country for months at a time, when these boys are all together they certainly keep busy.

Since forming in mid-2006, ARROWS in amongst playing shows swiftly recorded and self released their ‘Don’t Write Poetry’ CDep, toured nationally, then followed up with a 12” vinyl split release with friends These Hands Could Separate The Sky. Their debut full length is currently being written and will be out on Hobbledehoy sometime in 2008."

I first came across Arrows (around early Nov. last year) when someone randomly recommended them to me on a message board that i frequent. I went to their page and dl'd "Clever" and "Don't Interrupt Me While I'm Working" and I instantly got hooked and craved for more, I was even nagging my friends to ask their Aussie friends if they've got a copy of the 12" split with These Hands Could Separate The Sky but to no avail.

Until Carl (bassist) left me a message with the links for "They Don't Write Poetry" and "Arrows/These Hands Could Separate The Sky" which you could grab below, thanks to them! :) and after listening to their disco as a whole, I've come to the conclusion that Arrows play good, passionate and emotive music. period.

RIYL: Mineral, Boy's Life, Emo Diaries 1-6 (cause the latter ones suck)


Download:




Arrows on Myspace
Indoor Children on Myspace
Hobbledehoy Records

*Special thanks to CarlARROWS for letting me post this link* muwahhh :)

Andy Hull - Daytrotter Sessions

Andy Hull is the vocalist/guitarist/lyricist for indie rock band Manchester Orchestra and is also the driving force behind Right Away, Great Captain!.

Daytrotter recently posted the sessions with Andy performing "Badges And Badges", "Made Quite An Impressive Noise", and "Where Have You Been".

Manchester Orchestra's infectious 2006 debut LP "I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child" was on my top 10 that year, and I'm really looking forward to their 2nd LP which they are gonna record over the summer, and yes, Andy Hull just deflowered my blog.

Download Here

Manchester Orchestra on Myspace
Right Away, Great Captain! on Myspace