The Snake The Cross The Crown

The Snake The Cross The Crown

It's time for me to 'fess up. I've been sitting on these guys for more then 6 months. To tell you the truth I thought they we just too fucking good to share. I'm sorry. I'm greedy.  

The Snake The Cross The Crown out of Huntsville, Alabama began as a Emo/Electro Pop near disaster recording their first LP and EP under the name Curbside Service. On tour the band began to dislike their own material and in a seldom seen change for the better completely reinvented themselves as The Snake The Cross The Crown. The band moved to Santa Barbara, California,  rented a house together, and recorded two of the most powerful albums in recent memory Mander Salis and the amazing Cotton Teeth. Drawing from influences such as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Band, and Louis Armstrong to name a few, TSTCTC makes folk/country/indie music meant to change your life in one easy listen. The first time I heard "Behold The River" I nearly cried for all the things the bittersweet ballad reminded of. They pull all of this off with such grace, melody, and rhythm that it is truly hard to ignore. 

I cannot more highly recommend downloading the five free tracks The Snake The Cross The Crown offer to us on thier Purevolume page. When you do however just turn down the lights, sit back, and breath for all the things we've lost and all the things we will. 

P.S.  God I love the banjo.

Myspace

PureVolume

Label

Atmosphere "Free Music Stub"

Atmosphere

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hip-Hop/Soul/Funk/Good Shit

Okay. Seriously, if you don't know Atmosphere just, just go. 

I'd call Atmosphere the Catcher in the Rye of Hip-Hop. Before I heard "Seven's Travels" I was like the rest of the "Rap is gay" crowd but after one listen my mind was opened up to great big world of "Rap that's not gay." Just check it out, it's the best Hip-hop you'll hear in the next twenty minutes. Anyway, I know all this is easily found on Atmosphere's Myspace but I thought "Hey, I really should hotlink all this shit and get some page hits" so here and hear. Buy the new album called "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold" and download:

Strickly Leakage (Atmosphere's free online album)

Free tracks off of:

Bad Clown Sad Fall 9: "Sunshine" 

Bad Clown Sad Summer 10: "Lyndale Avenue User's Manual"

Bad Clown Sad Winter 11: "Don't Stop"

and

"Shoulda Known" off of the new album When life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold.

Anyway, check out the Rhymesayers (Atmosphere's Label) catalogue and, even though I'm all about the free music, buy something. May I suggest Seven's Travels?

Rhymesayers 

Myspace

Neva Dinova

Neva Dinova

Omaha, Nebraska

(Folk/Rock)

The Scene: SXSW 2008 and I have the extraordinary ill luck to be sick as shit. Aimlessly meandering on one of those nights, slightly grouchy (Probably from the lack of either medicine or alcohol in my system) I wander into Emo's Jr. and happen upon the very end of the set by a band called Neva Dinova.  Immediately I was hooked into a song that I couldn't tell you then name of even if I tried to remember but in the good kinda way. Caught up in the unfailing coolness of the track (And overwhelming need to either pee or vomit) I now regret not going up and shaking that young man's hand but as we know, So it goes.

Now if ever one was in need of composing a mix of "Songs To Kill Thyself To" that list would undoubtedly be dominated by two bands: Bright Eyes and The Cure (Unless of course you're 12 then My Chemical Romance might rear it's ugly head) but hear this, for a newcomer should join that list and that newcomer should be flamingly obvious to you. Neva Dinova composes music that makes me think "Bright Eyes: Plugged in for the first time", While not sparse tracks like "Cloud" sound... selective and very intentional all while not letting you realize it. Now Lucky for us the Neva Dinova and Bright Eyes collaborated on a split EP entitled "One Jug Of Wine, Two Vessels" that when one of my humble readers purchases and sends to me :) will undoubtedly force my and many others premature death's via the virture of sadness. The EP and the band's signing to Saddle Creek records suddenly thrust the band into a spotlight that helped it produce some of it's best work to date.

Get several free tracks from the band's

Myspace

Purevolume

and a Punknews review of One Jug Of Wine, Two Vessels

Cold War Kids "Free Music Stub"

The Cold War Kids

(Soul/Punk/Gospel/Rock)

The Cold War Kids is another one of those so-called "Indie" bands that everybody knows and loves. If you don't know about The Cold War Kids then the case may be that you like Kraftwerk or something equally gay and waste all your time swooning over Wumpscut. But I digress; Universally understandable, eloquent,  poignant, and enduringly beautiful; all of them suitable adjectives to describe the music of The Cold War Kid's but each in it's own way falls short. Indeed it is hard to capture in words exactly how cut's like "We Used To Vacation", "Hospital Beds", or even jaunty struttin' tunes like "Saint John" make you feel. You can hear the Gospel, The Soul, and Especially the hard bitten Blues in their voices and guitars (and every other instrument but the kitchen sink for that matter) but also there is undoubtedly present, that special something that turns normal songs into classics that will be heard for a very, very long time. 

As I mentioned above you really have to hear a Cold War Kid's song in order to really, "get it" and lucky for us the band happens to be one of the most prodigious free music givers that I have had the pleasure to come across, with enough live versions, B-sides, and sample tracks to make you a fan without ever having to purchase any of their music (Or steal it for that matter.)

Official Site (With a Free Live EP and two tracks off of The Mulberry Street EP.)

Daytrotter Sessions (Four Free Live Cuts including the unreleased track "Pass The Hat" and killer versions of the moving "We Used To Vacation" and "Hospital Beds")

Last.FM (Steam Dozens of Songs)

RCRD LBL (Download the entire "Mulberry Street EP" and two tracks off of their debut "Robbers and Cowards")

WOXY (Free Concert)

KEXP (Another (better) free concert From KEXP)

KEXP 2 (Yet another free concert. This one however is interesting because it is a joint effort between CWK's, Dr. Dog., and Elvis Perkins each doing a few of their own songs with the other groups backing them.)

Myspace (Nothing that cool)

The Kickass

The Kickass

(Greenville, North Carolina)

Seldom if ever am I so completely taken with a new group as I was with The Kickass. After just one listen to this Prog Rock/Metal/Instrumental beast of a band I was impressed beyond my expectations for a band that hasn't played a show in almost six months. The music is a sterling example of metal musicians at their best, crafting a highly technical entertaining instrumental album that is never overbearing or inaccessible to the mainstream. 

After a well reviewed debut album in '03 and a successful '05 tour of Japan The Kickass seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. With their website un-updated since early 2005 and the band's myspace containing only a single blog unceremoniously announcing only two shows for the entire length of 2007 one is left wondering and wanting  more. 

While whatever happened to The Kickass might remain a mystery (At least until they pop up again and make me look like a jackass) what they left behind sure is, well, Kickass; Get five free downloads from the bands Myspace and Website.

Mini-reviews/ Free Music Stub

Some random gatherings for you all, since I've been slacking.

Toby Dammit

First up is Toby Dammit. Mr Dammit is a symphonic percussionist (am I losing you yet?) with a penchant for experimental/classical workings. He's worked on several soundtracks, toured and recorded with Iggy Pop, and has even worked for the likes of Rufus Wainwright. If you're in the mood for some strange (and strangely relaxing) instrumentals and you want to work your way away from synthesizers for a spell, try out Toby Dammit. He's got four tracks available for download from his MySpace, and more available on his website (links below).

Toby Dammit's MySpace

Toby Dammit's 'Sounds' Page

The Morning Benders

Moving on, we've got some light indie pop rock coming from The Morning Benders. Aside from the obvious good solid musicianship and songwriting (I wouldn't be writing this otherwise), there's nothing particularly striking about this band, but you should definitely check them out if you're a fan of The Kooks, or, say, The Beatles. And speaking of The Kooks, after The Morning Benders' debut LP drops on May 6th, they'll be touring behind The Kooks in various parts of the country. So if you hadn't heard and you're interested in that, be sure to look it up on the band's site (or blog, links below). Unfortunately for us, I was only able to find one mp3 for download by the band (that's Antonio's forté, not mine). Enjoy it, along with the tracks you can listen to on the band's MySpace!

The Morning Benders - MySpace, Official Site, and Official Blog

Edit: There are two tracks available for download on this site ! Enjoy!
[Note: Make sure to right-click and 'Save Link As' on their song links.]

The Last Shadow Puppets

In other exciting indie rock news, Alex Turner (of Arctic Monkeys fame) has unveiled his new project's first single! The band is called The Last Shadow Puppets, and the single is titled The Age Of The Understatement. Fans of Turner's more well-known band absolutely must check this out, and I'd recommend it to non-fans too. The song itself, for obvious reasons, is not available for download, but the video for the single can be downloaded in various format and quality combinations. Everything you need to know (and can know, at this point) can be found at the band's MySpace! Check it out, spread it around.

The Last Shadow Puppets - MySpace

That's all for this post, kiddos. Let me know in the comments how you feel about this post format (preferably in comparison to previous posts) so I can figure out exactly how I should go about this!

The Black Angels

The Black Angels 

(Austin, Texas)

Psychedelic

The slow build, the frantic clattering climax, the constant drone. Yep, it's all there. All the elements of the 60's/70's Texas Psychedelic freakout band. The music consists of reverb drenched guitars set to "Scary" mixed with clanging sitars and deep repetitive Native American drum beats. The lyrics, which are nothing short of disturbing, focus mainly on the Vietnam conflict that force one to draw heavy parallels between that and todays war in Iraq.

While TBA isn't necessarily adding anything new to the mix, they are definitely jumping in, rolling around the in established conventions and producing a sparkling example of what good Psychedelic music should be. They do this in such a familiar way I am often left with the impressions that  if Jim Morrison did Mescaline instead of LSD the Doors would have produced records like Passover, TBA's first LP. The band can be easily placed among the genre's current leaders including The Spacemen 3, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The only difference being that they accomplish a "Classic" sound without wandering to far into Experimental movement.

Myspace

Website 

Live recordings:

Concert 1 with KEXP 

Concert 2 with KEXP

32 Live Bootlegs via The Internet Archive: Link

Live at KVRX

El Paso Hot Button

El Paso Hot Button (Norman, Oklahoma)

One cymbal, one guitar, two drums, one extremely overactive young man; El Paso Hot Button, Rock and roll.

It takes a lot of courage just to walk out on stage and put on a show with a couple of you best buddies. Imagine however strolling out in front of a crowd, wether it be ten people or a thousand, all by yourself. That friends, takes what I call Cojones De Oro and for Mickey Reece it's the only way to do it. The young Oakie already on tour behind his third record entitled "When I Needed Sympathy" sings like he just might be Jack White's younger brother and performs like a maniac. Driven by strong and simple rhythms songs like "Rubies and Pearls" and "Beat on the Drums" work their ways into your ears and don't let go all while retaining their danceability. Check him out, buy his music, show some love.

{Addition - I saw him live. He rocked the boat. Catch him during SXSW '08 at The Backspin Records day party or at The Chuggin' Monkey, both on the 14th.}

Website

Review W/Free Download: Link

For Another rockin' one man band check out The Matt Kurz on Quote Unquote Records:

The Matt Kurz One

Also Matt Kurz

Quote Unquote Records

The Hold Steady "Free Music Stub"

The Hold Steady

{A little Aside: I often find fantastic links to some free music that, while worth hearing and having, is not worth writing a long winded article about. This may be it because it is only one track, or because it is by an already established band, or I may just be too hung-over to care. Whatever the reason I'm saying now, that just because a band is in a Free Music Stub does not mean it is inferior in any way to a band that receive a full article. So in this half-assed attempt to spread the word about good free music (And fill my monthly quota) I will occasionally be posting these "Free Music Stubs" which will just be short reviews that will always be accompanied by links to download worthy music. Enjoy. }

If you don't already know who The Hold Steady is then you have probably been living under a rock. The Brooklyn/Minneapolis five piece has been ripping it with a heavily classic rock influenced sound and lyrics that are guaranteed to knock you on your ass. I recently ran across some killer free music downloads/ Mp3's and hoped to share them with you:

Three Rare Tracks, Two Album Tracks, and a Podcast: Link
(Make sure you hear: "Cattle And Creeping Things".)

Live Show: Link

The Hold Steady cover "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" Myspace

feed://www.kexp.org/podcast_instudio.xml

Some Craig Finn ( Lead Singer/driving force ) tracks including his last (equally badassed) band Lifter Puller and his not so equally "badassed" band Brokerdealer.
Link

Quote Unquote Records

Last month as I was sifting through about a dozen or so whiny interlinked suburban hardcore groups I found something quite interesting. An indie label called Quote Unquote Records with the strangest marketing strategy I've ever heard about, that is to say they don't have one. All records produced and marketed are available for free download on the label's website, no catch. Founded in 2006 by Jeff Rosenstock (Who also fronts the band Bomb The Music Industry!) the label operates on a "Donation Only" basis, which includes suggested donations of about five bucks for any of the already fifteen releases the label has racked up in the past year, of course however the albums themselves are completely free. 

Quote Unquote Records

At Myspace



--

The Bands Of Quote Unquote

Bomb The Music Industry!
(Various, USA)

Think- Centered around Jeff Rosenstock, the Ska/Punk/Electronic collective is somewhat of a hit or miss. Depending on which of its 20+ "members" happens to be on hand for recording or touring the bands sound can sway from horrid drunken crap to well crafted punk and ska. In 2004 after The Arrogant Sons of a Bitches went on hiatus Rosenstock opted to, instead of becoming a vapid alcoholic, record an album under the name Bomb The Music Industry. Doing so alone he crafted Album Minus Band, From there things took off as old band-mates, friends, and fans all seemed interested in performing the songs live and from this stemmed BTMI's revolving door membership system. The music is always unrelentingly energetic and erratic which sometimes rocks (Free Bird) and sometimes does not rock, does not rock a whole lot.

Try-
Frrrrrrreeeee Biiiiirrrrrrd! (Album Minus Band)
Even Winning Feels Bad (Goodbye Cool World)
Side Projects Are Never Successful (Goodbye Cool World)

Total Downloads- Total Download

(Try this first: Quote Unquote Records)

Website

Myspace

Purevolume

-


The Matt Kurz One
(Richmond, Virginia)

Think- Primarily banished to the world of Mary Poppins rip offs and various forms of computer made crap, the one man band has long been thought dead. But alas! we find our hero Matt Kurz a shining example among a sea of completely retard ed idiots banging on steel string acoustics. After playing for several bands Kurz thought his music days were over. However after recurring dreams of an old bluesman who played with his feet and a trip to San Francisco, he was inspired to start his band in which he is featured simultaneously playing five instruments...on every track...even during recording.

Try- Everything Is Boring Now

Total Download- His two albums "If You Can't Join 'Em, Beat 'Em" and "Impending Doom Is No Excuse"

(Try this first: Quote Unquote Records)

Website

Myspace

-


The Livingbrooks
(Long Island, New York)

Think- The Long Island Trio (Featuring our old friend Matt Kurz) formed during that hazy pre-myspace world of 2001 and unfortunately dispersed after releasing its debut; Easily one of the best albums on Quote Unquote records Night Of The Livingbrooks has a timelessly great "Surf Punk" sound. Really!, no joke check out the undeniable charm (Well, Punk charm) of Baldwin or Big Muff Buddah.

Try- Big Muff Buddah

Total Downloads- The debut album Night of the Livingbrooks

(Try this first: Quote Unquote Records)


-


Pegasuses-XL
(Athens, Georgia)

Think- The only band on the label that raps. Although rap they do Pegasuses-XL is not a rap band. What Peagasuses-XL is, is one set of killer drums, two synthesizers, beat boxing, and a shit-load of cool. As you read this the band is putting the final touches on it's new album Antiphon which can be sampled at their myspace.

Try- Welcome To It(,) Me , Every House Is Not A Homie, and 600$ Man.

Total Downloads- The bands three EP's The Midnight Aquarium, Pegasuses XL, and Third EP and the upcoming full length Antiphon.


(Try this first: Quote Unquote Records)

Myspace


-


Chotto Ghetto
(Santa Monica, California)

Think- After releasing its debut on another label Chotto Ghetto switched to Quote Unquote for it's followup EP entitled simply "Rampage". While not actually "Hardcore" the band is often labeled that way, In reality they give off a feel more akin to The Refused or The Bronx.

Try- Holy Wars

Total Downloads- The Rampage EP and one track off of their debut Shooting Devils.

(Try this first: Quote Unquote Records)

Website

Myspace

-
Other bands (That I'm too lazy to write about) that are associated with the label include:
-

Cheeky
(Long Island/Brooklyn, New York)

Bi-gender punk band with a great guitar and strange lyrical subject matter.

(Try this first: Quote Unquote Records)
Myspace
-

Rick Johnson And The Rock And Roll Machine

What isn't already explained in the title?

(Try this first: Quote Unquote Records)
Website
Myspace
-

The Riot Before

My Favorite, I had the pleasure to see these guys live. They have an amazing back catalogue and based on the songs from their upcoming release they played during their show here we can expect great things to come.

(Try this first: Quote Unquote Records)
Blog
Myspace
Purevolume

Taqwacore

The Taqwacore Network
Hardcore/Punk/Metal/

I first learned about what I'm calling The Taqwacore Network in the most unsuspected of places, the pages of Rolling Stone magazine. While not terrible the article only scratched the surface of exactly what Taqwacore is. Needless to say I was intrigued. Now don't go thinking this is some mainstream fad, Taqwacore has it's roots in a novel written by one Michael Muhammad Knight (aptly named The Taqwacores) about a group of rambunctious, stinky, and outspoken punks living in Syracuse, New York. Knight's fictious musical genre has since it's written premiere in 2003 become a reality. That is, the reality of Islamic punk music. The book, called by one professor "The "Catcher in the Rye" for young muslims", has inspired several groups to form Islamic hardcore, punk, and even metal bands similar to those in the novel. Though few and far between Taqwacore bands began to emerge as early as 2004 and several of the most prominent groups have recently united for the nationwide Taqwatour. (The word Taqwacore itself is a portmanteau of Taqwa, The Islamic concept of a constant awareness of God's omnipresence, and Hardcore.) It is fairly easy to assume that the bands catch criticism from inside the Islamic community however when I recently spoke to Michael Muhammad Knight he had this to say: "There are all kinds of Muslims, so we get all kinds of reactions. Some wish death upon us, others identify with us, and some are much more conservative than we are but they still respect and appreciate what we're doing."

Despite requests to abstain from quoting The Koran, common themes within the genre include The nature of prayer, The meaning of being a "True" Muslim, Anti- Drug/Alcohol themes, And a healthy dose of political criticism. In the end I suppose Taqwacore can be summed up by the words of Islamic playwright Riazatt Butt "(Taqwacore) means being true to myself, having my own faith, and interpreting Islam the way I want to, without feeling guilty..."


Links:

The Taqwacore Forum on Myspace


Several other articles on or around Taqwacore:

Article about The Kominas (Includes Mp3)

Rolling Stone Article 

Mike Knight's poem "Mohammad was a Punk Rocker"

The Bands:

The Kominas (Boston, Massachusetts)
Think- The most visible Taqwacore band can be described as straight punks that bust out guitar hooks that sometimes harken to ska or reggae and sometimes resemble surf music. The Kominas, in the punk tradition, all contribute to vocals and share duties with the audience themselves.
Try- Basim Got Beat Up and CHAKU
Total Downloads- 5 including the one found on the Muslim Wake Up! link found above.
Myspace
Lyrics

Vote Hezbollah (San Antonio, Texas)
Think- The two man group straight from our little hometown, offers only one track to listen to on it's myspace page, but I simply fell in love with it.
Try- Poppy Fields
Total Downloads- 0
Myspace

The Dead Bhuttos (Pakistan)
Think-A band much calmer (in my option funner) then the rest. Catchy verses, chorus in a different language, and I swear to god I hear a kazoo somewhere in the mix.
Try- The Teri Assi Ki Tassi album version
Total Downloads- 2, a radio and an album version of the same song.
Myspace

Al-Thawra (Chicago, Illinois)
Think- Al-Thawra is definitely the hardest band here. With growling metal vocals, ugly distorted bass, machine gun blasts and explosions breaking through the music, and the seemingly most out of place Tablas and, Sitar? loops.
Try- Whadi
Total Downloads- 4
Myspace

Sagg Taqwacore Syndicate (Hotel Divisadero Barrancas, AL-Safran)
Think- Probably my favorite, The Sagg Taqwacore Syndicate claims to have no political or religious affiliation but, come on it's in the name. The STS differs from most the other Taqwacores because it is based more in Hip Hop then any of the harsher rock genres. Slow, beat heavy, cool near rap vocals but with obvious reggae inclinations.
Try- Steal This Government
Total Downloads- 3
Myspace


Al-Qaynah ("Afghanistan" and elsewhere)
Think- Self-described "Eastern Metal" Al Qaynah is actually a group of collaborators from around the world. The music itself sounds precisely what they call it, metal from the east, think Al-Tharaw but with cleaner production.
Try- Ground Zero Pilgrims
Total Downloads- 3
Myspace

The Bedlam in Goliath

Okay, so this review is late, but if you're reading it, you obviously wanted another view of this album. Here goes.

The Bedlam in Goliath will not be shocking to long-time fans of The Mars Volta. It serves as a perfectly logical follow up to Amputechture. That being said, this album is amazing. Better than Amputechture, even. In fact, I'd be willing to say that whether you're a long time fan of the Volta, or maybe you've ever liked 10 seconds of their music and couldn't stand the rest, you will like The Bedlam in Goliath.

The album manages to be every bit as frantic as its predecessors (minus the horrible Frances the Mute), yet manages to finally form a cohesive chaos. Omar pulls it all together again, as producer and writer for the album, and he pulls it together well. Cedric's vocals are as spirited as ever, though it seems as though Omar finally realized that he, as producer, can do whatever he wants to the vocals at any time. There are a lot of interesting moments in the album where Cedric's vocals become a snarling amalgamation of the spiritual and the digital. Or as I like to think of it, Cedric becomes infested with a demon... Don't ask.

The lyrics are brilliant, and for the most part, it seems like Cedric's lyrical writing has expanded by great leaps into the direction of the coherent! I never saw this coming, not in a million years. This may be the album's greatest triumph. I, for one, never guessed that Cedric could write anything meaningful-sounding without reducing himself to the usefulness of a ten cent psychic medium. The lyrics on this album don't just flow, they are gorgeous. There are touches of the romantic and wistful on tracks like "Cavalettas" and "Tourniquet Man" (my favorite track, also the shortest).

Speaking of time, you know exactly what to expect from this band if you've ever heard an album by them. The Bedlam in Goliath runs a spectacular hour and 16 minutes, none of which is filler. Sure, there are a few long, drawn out breakdowns, but we accept this, and on this album more than the others, we embrace this. The Mars Volta has nearly turned the breakdown from a mere musical fascination reserved for instrumental aficionados into a full-fledged spiritual moment, one that the music could not be complete without. For the most part, it seems, though, the filler has been eschewed for momentous pieces that actually enhance the songs, rather than bring them to a standstill.

Again, this album is amazing, regardless of your past affinity for the band. I can only say so much, and still not be able to convince you. Go buy this album, now. At very least, borrow it from a friend. You won't regret it. Oh, and listen to the track "Ilyena" in the player on the right, as a special treat.

'It's only a matter of time and space, before I become your epidemic'

4.75/5.00

The Greenery

The Greenery 

(Long Beach, California)

A show on sunday night is one of two things: Empty or nonexistent. That being said a show on the night before most high schools go back after winter break might as well have been booked on the moon. 

The Scene: A Sunday night show booked the night before San Antonio high schools go back after winter break. Picture this, about three paying customers and a smattering of band members totaling to about 12 people show up to see The Greenery. The young band's first tour supporting it's first EP was on it's third date when it rolled through San Antonio, which is, of course, when I got to sit down and chat with lead singer Matt Lanners about the band's outlook on life: 

"We all decided that we weren't going to be the next Beatles or Rolling Stones but we are going to have a lot of fun."

at which point Brandon Richardson chimed in

"That's our motto, No Music, All Movement"

.. The set was filled with more raw energy then anyone expects to see with such a poor attendence.
The band (Jokingly calling the show their best practice session ever) pulled off an amazing performance,no doubt, fueled by the members astoundingly young ages ranging from 19 to 20.

The Greenery's First EP entitled The Party Animal is available free at the band's Myspace.

Myspace

Pure Volume

For Fans Of: The Bronx

Grand Ole Party

Grand Ole Party
(San Diego, California)

Grand Ole Party appeared out of nowhere and blew out my brains.

The Scene: I download about 20 new songs a week and I pride myself on the fact that I never, ever, forget a band or song. January 2nd, my iPod on shuffle and the opening lick of "Look Out Young Son" swings in. Immediately I am perplexed and intrigued by this creeping, driving music (Enter Kristen) the young female drummer of the group begins singing "I must be the Devil's daughter". I have never heard this song or this band before and somehow it not only found it's way onto my iPod but ended up stuck in my brain immediately making me a fan of the band after only one song. I check the screen and it was Grand Ole Party who appeared out of nowhere and blew out my brains.

The drums, bass, axe trio leave little to improve upon. Impressing someone with a 7000 track iPod on the strength of one song is not an easy feat but Grand Ole Party did it. Debuting with all the swagger of early White Stripes anf the vocal presence of Joplin on some form of crack or heroin the first album Humanimals should be on everyone's music buying list.. While the sound is laid back and almost bleeds an essence I like to call sexy/cool it manages not to sound too corny or dare I say, gay. WIth big beats, creeping guitars, and most of all the most beautifully rhythmic voice that ever sang Grand Ole Party really is something to keep your eyes on.

Try: Look Out Young Son

Total Downloads: Unfortunately some things in life aren't free. Lucky for us we can bootleg the shit out of those things. There are two concerts on the Internet Archive both from 2006, both at The Casbah.
2006-05-28

2006-03-21

Myspace

{(Addition 3/1/08)}

I found some higher quality live tracks on Daytrotter.

Link

Explosions In The Sky

Explosions In The Sky
(Austin Texas)

Think-Explosions In The Sky are practitioners of the underrepresented , almost unheard of, Post-Rock Genre. As Wikipedia puts it: "Post-Rock makes use of 'rock instrumentation' for non-rock purposes". What that boils down to is Four Sons of Texas, Three Guitars, One Drum Kit, No Vocals and hours of soaring, emotionally charged music. The idea of instrumental music being emotional may feel strange at first but once you hear EITS, one immediately understands. 

Forming in 1999 Explosions In The Sky originally went under the moniker "Breaker Morant" but after playing their very first show on July, 4th the band decided on its current name after watching the fireworks that night. After four albums the band is still going strong and due to a constant touring schedule the band enjoys a very dedicated fan-base.

Try- Day Six, Yasmin The Light, and Welcome(,) Ghosts

 

Total Downloads- Several Live Performances, Mp3's off all four albums, and a Free Online Album. 

EITS Official Website including Album MP3's as well as an online album.:
http://www.explosionsinthesky.com/albums.html

Link to the first ever preformance/recordings:
http://www.kvrx.org/locallive/performance.php?pid=183

Other Live Preformances, via I.A.:
http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=Explosions%20in%20the%20Sky

columbine.

columbine. is a three-man electronic death wish out of Detroit, Michigan. Seriously. This is absolutely, the best, truest industrial music I have heard. The music is the essence of violence and vitriol, in some sense ironic, in some sense not. Take, for example, the track "For the Children", which some would misconstrue as a song glorifying pedophilia. The song is actually a satire/criticism of the "recent" church-pedophilia scandals that are all too common these days. It's this type of thing that gets a band like columbine. a bad reputation very quickly, simply because people refuse to use their heads a little when listening to music.

The music itself is a perfectly executed grating of static and synths. columbine. has not yet put out any album, citing one of the reasons as a refusal to make the same 4/4 beats that the majority of the rest of the industrial community is putting out these days. Sevin and Daniel Columbine (the band's original two members) refuse to put out an album that is anything less than perfect, and their hard works shows. There is currently 1 track available for download on the band's MySpace, and happens to be my personal favorite, "You Should be Ashamed".

If you're a fan, at all, of ebm, industrial, electronica, or any synth-based music, you absolutely have to give columbine. a try. I think this may be the "great gnashing of teeth" that we've been waiting for. Keep an eye out for Religious Equipment, their (eventual) upcoming release to rock the industrial/gothic community.

Think: Ghosts traveling through sound waves, Satan being elected president of USA, gas masks becoming chic, synthetic hair.

Sounds like: Wumpscut with meaning, or a chat with meandering demons.

Recommended tracks: Ask Yourself and You Should be Ashamed

http://www.myspace.com/columbinemusic
vampirefreaks.com/columbinemusic