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