Posted: May 16th, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: avant-garde, experimental, psych, trance, tribal | No Comments »
Baltimore’s Teeth Mountain are a “free collaboration” of members that perform live in a space called the Comfort Dome, employing bowed saws, electronic loops, droning cellos, multiple floor toms, and a communal symbol to craft their sounds. You may expect a sprawling hodgepodge of free sounds complete with weird freakouts, chiming bells, and the smell of burning incense from that description. However, that’s not the case with Teeth Mountain. What the eight-piece outfit does, and they do it incredibly well, is create a controlled mayhem of weighty neo-tribal trance music, packed with organic organ tones, distorted cello drones, and a skilled singing saw. Part Indian, part African, part Balkan, and part Baltimore, Teeth Mountain will enthrall you in a rhythmic musical spell.
The band is prepping a three-way release on Discos Compulsivos/Luv Luv (50 CDR’s) in Spain, Illinois’ Nail in the Coffin Records (100 CD’s), and Virginia’s Shdwply Records (500 LP’s). Teeth Mountain play Brooklyn on May 30th at Death By Audio Silent Barn and June 6th at Glasslands, followed by a June 8th date in Philly at Big Rock Candy Mountain. Full tour dates on MySpace.
[MP3]: Teeth Mountain ”Keinsein”
[MP3]: Teeth Mountain ”Black Jerusalem”
CDR; 2008
Posted: April 14th, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: garage, music, philly, psych, rock | No Comments »
This list of April favorites stands in stark contrast to what I was listening to last year around this time. If I remember correctly, it was all about The Field, Gui Boratto, Pantha du Prince, and other electronic acts keeping me company as I packed for my move to Philadelphia. A year later and the songs below show a turn toward more organic sounds, mostly psychedelia, folk, and some blues. Maybe it’s the change of scenery, with New York representing the minimal electronic sounds that fit its cold, stark landscape and the fact that Philly feels more in touch with the natural world. This city has its fair share of greenery and I don’t have to climb to my roof or traverse to the bikepath along the Hudson to catch a glimpse of the sun and sky.
FLEET FOXES
Fleet Foxes, Subpop; 2008
[MP3]: “White Winter Hymnal”
This record was the perfect listen on Saturday morning as I pulled myself together from the previous night’s haze. I sat on my bed soaking up the sun that poured into the room sipping on a coffee and kicking back some much needed Advil, this, of course, after spacing on Radiohead tickets.
THE WAR ON DRUGS
Wagonwheel Blues, Secretly Canadian; 2008
[MP3]: “Taking the Farm”
The War on Drugs were one of the first bands that I was introduced to after moving to the City of Brotherly love. I wasn’t initially thrilled on the first few spins of their Barrel of Batteries EP, as it took a few listens to adjust to Adam Granduciel’s Dylan-esque vocals. Eventually, the band won me over and the impressive
Wagonwheel Blues further cements them as one of my favorite bands in Philly.
DOMINIQUE LEONE
Dominique Leone EP, Feedelity; 2007
[MP3]: “Duyen”
Dominique Leone was the first act to be signed to Strømland Records, the imprint started by the people behind Norway’s Smalltown Supersound and Lindstrøm. On his genre spanning self-titled EP, the San Francisco-based Leone pulls together the best of both April’s for me with minimal beats stacked against sunny psychedelic pop, oddball samples, and classical arrangements. Stunning.
THEE OH SEES
The Master’s Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In, Tomlab; 2008
[MP3]: “Ghost in the Trees”
Another San Francisco-based act, Thee Oh Sees, follow 2007′s
Sucks Blood with
The Master’s Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In. The LP treds somewhere between the band’s supposed goo-rock and garage rock. John Dwyer (Coachwhips) is now supported by a three piece who pack catchy driving melodies, catchy background harmonies, heavy feedback, and pounding drums into this fifteen track LP.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
TBA; 2008
[MP3]: “Tiny Concerts”
Circulatory System are back with three new songs after a seven year hiatus. No one’s really sure if these hazy, lo-fi, jazz-infused psychedelic numbers are the beginnings of the new record, slated for a fall release. Here’s to hoping.
Posted: April 2nd, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: folk, mixtape, music, pop, psych, spring | No Comments »
Despite the cold isolation of winter, there is always something more coming…another spin around the sun.
We’ve been counting the days for warmer weather here in Philly and New York. A glimpse of spring showed its face yesterday but was blown away by strong winds and evening rain showers, leaving us with a chilly, yet sunny, Wednesday. In the hopes of less ravaging weather soon to come, we pulled together a mixtape to coax spring back out of hiding. It ranges from Jack Penate’s happy, clappy, and jaunty “Second, Minute or Hour” to the light psychedelic bubblegum pop of The Lemon Pipers, providing the perfect accompaniment for blooming flowers, morning songbirds, the warmth of the afternoon sun, and those inescapable spring allergies.
[MP3]: Jack Penate ”Second, Minute Or Hour” [Theo]
Matinée, XL; 2007
[MP3]: Belle & Sebastian ”There’s Too Much To Love” [Nghia]
Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant , Jeepster; 2000
[MP3]: Journey ”Any Way You Want It” [James]
Departure, Columbia; 1980
[MP3]: Hercules & Love Affair ”Blind” [Pat]
Hercules & Love Affair, DFA; 2008
[MP3]: Bon Iver ”Skinny Love” [Ray]
For Emma, Forever Ago, Jagjaguwar; 2008
[MP3]: George Michael ”I Want Your Sex” [Paul]
Faith, Epic; 1987
[MP3]: Edwin ”Alive” [Ric]
Another Spin Around the Sun, Sony; 1999
[MP3]: The Lemon Pipers ”Green Tambourine” [Justin]
Green Tambourine, Buddah; 1968
Above image © Esox Lucius
Posted: March 31st, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: life, music, noise, psych, punk | No Comments »
Artefacts For Space Travel are a young dystopian three piece from South London consisting of Joseph Walsh, Sam Walsh, and Alex Griffiths. The trio plays a loud and energy packed mix of punk and apocalyptic pop. Themes of the group’s songs are centered on death, childhood, the cosmos, romance, and a dystopian future. Songs bend from noisy and growling psychedelia to panic stricken punk packed full of modern and haunting melodies.
I’ve had “Recoop,” the b-side of the band’s single “Lucy” on repeat for the last week or so, sucked in by the catchy chorus line sung by guitarist Joe Walsh; “recoup because you’re so young”. It’s funny that I discovered the track (and band) around this time, because it’s perfectly fitting for my dad, who’s currently recouping from a busted up arm. The poor guy took a nasty fall about two weeks ago and not only broke his radius in half, but also dislocated his ulna from his wrist sending it tearing three-inches out of his skin. The image accompanying this post is the actual x-ray from his left arm about two hours after the accident took place. Awesome! Here’s to “recooping” dad and also providing some rad “exclusive” content for the site. Ha! Try not to bust yourself up any more and make sure to get your ass to physical therapy!
Artefacts For Space Travel embark on the “Stolen Tour” in the UK on April 8th followed by an appearance at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton and more local shows in June. “Lucy” is out now on Stolen Recordings and available for download. More info on the band’s MySpace page.
[MP3]: Artefacts For Space Travel ”Recoop”
Lucy Single, Stolen Recordings; 2008
Posted: March 26th, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: FRICTION, electro, events, music, new wave, noise, psych, punk, tropical | 1 Comment »
GET HYPE! Crystal Castles, HEALTH, Team Robespierre, and Apache Beat are primed to mess with your ears tonight at the Mercury Lounge for our SOLD OUT installment of FRICTION. Crystal Castles bring their distorted electro all the way from Toronto, while HEALTH’s blasts of noise mess with your head, this of course, after locals Team Robespierre and Apache Beat freak you out with their spazzed-out pop-screamo and tropical psychedelia. Dayton Ohio’s, Ruckus Roboticus will be spinning his own tracks between sets. Afterparty to follow at The Annex.
Doors open @ 7:30PM. MP3′s, full details, and more. Here
Crystal Castles cover photo © Ren Rox 2007
Crystal Castles (above) © Patrick Parault 2007
Posted: March 14th, 2008 | Author: Nghia | Filed under: music, psych, sxsw, tx | 2 Comments »
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Days 1 | 3 | 4
[MP3]: These New Puritans ”£4″
Beat Pyramid, Angular/Domino; 2008
[MP3]: Black Mountain ”Tyrants”
In the Future, Jagjaguwar; 2008
[MP3]: The Fiery Furnaces ”Restorative Beer”
Widow City, Thrill Jockey; 2007
Posted: March 7th, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: music, philly, pop, post-punk, psych, tour | No Comments »
The last time we checked in with Violens, the group had just played their first live show and made available an unmastered version of their psychedelic pop gem “Violent Sensation Descends.” The New York-based five-piece consisting of keyboardist Iddo Arad, bassist Ben Brantley, Jorge Elbrecht on vocals/lead guitar, Jay Israelson, and drummer Kris King has just dropped the mastered edition of the song and are kicking off a tour supporting Montreal’s Handsome Furs. The band also has a couple of new tracks up on their MySpace page including the ringing and melodic “Spectator and Pupil” along with “Circles Intertwine.” The Handsome Furs/Violens tour hits Philadelphia on April 4th at North Star Bar and New York on April 6th. Full dates below.
Here’s what we had to say about “Violent Sensation Descends”
“Violent Sensation Descends” begins with a dark, almost haunting psychedelic swirl before breaking into warm, jangly, sunny psych-pop. Warm harmonies and delectable melodies are book-ended by another delve into dark psych whirl. It’s like being tossed around in an ocean of dark waves before they spit you out onto a sunny beach. By the time you stand up to dust the sand off of yourself and let your eyes adjust to the bright sun (and begin to enjoy it), the waves reach out and drag you back into the swirling eddies and crashing waves.
[MP3]: Violens ”Violent Sensation Descends”
Single, Static Recital; 2008
Violens Tour Dates supporting Handsome Furs
3/27/08 PS 14 – Miami, FL
3/28/08 Respectable Street – West Palm Beach, FL
3/29/08 Cafe Eleven – St Augustine, FL
3/30/08 The Social – Orlando, FL
3/31/08 Common Grounds – Gainesville, FL
4/1/08 Village Tavern – Mt Pleasant, SC
4/2/08 Local 506 – Chapel Hill, NC
4/3/08 Satellite Ballroom – Charlottesville, VA
4/4/08 North Star Bar – Philadelphia, PA
4/6/08 Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
