Metroid Metal - Varia Suite
What can you say about an album consisting entirely of songs from the Metroid game series done in an intensely metal style? It sounds exactly as you'd imagine and it works perfectly... assuming that you're down with hard rock songs based on epic sci-fi journeys.
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Caitlin Rose - Dead Flowers
If someone had played this for me two years ago I would have immediately said No Thank You and thought nothing of it. However, after having seen Caitlin perform these songs I think GET it. I think I'm "ready" to have them in my musical life. This is an atypical listen for me - grounded in proper country music - but it's shortsighted to write it off because of that. Honestly think this will open some new (old) artists to me that I hadn't thought to explore previously.
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Cortney Tidwell - Boys
While the comparison is unfair the constant mention of Bjork and Tidwell in the same breath make sense - in as much as they both make atmospheric musical journeys fueled by a healthy mix of electronic and traditional instrumentation. How anyone could hear Watusii or 17 Horses and not enjoy it is beyond me... the rest of the album finds a nice balance between the quietly languid and quality pop upbeat.
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Richard Swift - Ground Trouble Jaw
A digital only release containing earlier versions of several songs later found on Atlantic Ocean and two tracks unavailable elsewhere - namely The Bully; a Richard Swift must-have. Hell, it's a must-have for anyone that enjoys music. Period. Get it.
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Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer
A solid EP is always a treat as it rarely has time to mess things up. Such is the case with this single from Furr mixed with a bunch of tracks previously only available on CD-R's from the bands show. The majority of tracks are the more quiet, storytelling Blitzen Trapper style but enjoyable from top to bottom. 'Black Rock' has my favorite quiet BT style all over it - recommended just for that.
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Matt Berry - Opium
Part of me wants to say that if you're not a fan of the Matt Berry persona just steer clear of this but that's selling this album short. That being said only Matt Berry could create this style of album. Lots of 70's inspired songwriter tunes intermixed with narrative dialogue, odd pronunciations and spacey overtones. If you're a Snuffbox fan you'll hear some familiar sounds throughout - an extra bonus.
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Ramona Falls - Intuit
I love Menomena side projects because they inevitably sound like Menomena in some fashion. This is no different as it sounds like elements of Menomena.. similar production style, familiar vocals and instrumentation. If Menomena never existed I think it is safe to say I would still enjoy this record from top to bottom but the familiarity makes it that much sweeter.
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Yonlu - A Society In Which No Tear Is Shed is Inconceivabl
For me, this record can not be appreciated without knowing the back story. As a work independent of context it is an indie pop record inspired by the likes of Tropicalia, Elliot Smith and bedroom pop everywhere. Knowing the backstory of sixteen year old Vinicius Gageiro Marques and his suicide puts the record in a different light; one that adds emphasis to the forelorn bits found throughout.
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Jeepster - What If All the Rebels Died?
Sort of dancey, sort of dark, sort of slow, sort of constant rising tension. It's a lot of different things and it's sort of hard to pin down. Feels like a record I might not ever think to conciously put on but whenever it comes around it's pleasing, enjoyed and appreciated.
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And The Relatives - Animals Organ Morgan Remix
As a collector of local releases I was pleased to see a new free download from my favorite local band. It's just a single song but it's a nice alternate take on the original without ever diving too far into dance-remix territory.
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Nurses - Apples Acre
I got really into the few preview tracks that trickled out from this release prior to its release but upon hearing the whole thing I can't help but think they sound like a Yeasayer Lite. That's a completely unfair comparison (and lazy writing) but once the notion struck me, it's all I could think when I heard it. I do enjoy the spacey production and somewhat odd vocals on their own merit but I just want everything to sound like the preview tracks.
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Random Harvest - Friends of Dean Martinez
Recommendations from friends are often the most rewarding. This is a prime example. Typically I would not think to dive too far into 'desert-inspired instrumental Americana' but I gave it a shot and it turns out to be some of the best instrumental / working music I have had the pleasure of hearing. Get this.
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Alan Parson Project - Best Of
I was always under the impression that there was something distinctly uncool about enjoying the Alan Parson Project but after hearing this Best Of offering I can't wrap my head around how such a thing came to pass. It admittedly sounds like Pink Floyd but I've no problem with Pink Floyd. Approved.
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Fantastic Planet - Motion Picture Soundtrack
I have always had a fascination with this movie and owning the soundtrack seemed like a smart move. It is as weird and funky as I remember but in the best of ways.
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Octopus Project - Golden Beds
More of Octopus Project doing what they do... a bit of a return to form from their prior full-length and I welcome it. Maybe not an essential EP unless you're a fanatic fan but a very enjoyable 5-song jaunt.
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Richard Swift - Atlantic Ocean
Yep, still loving this. This is his latest release and its every bit as good as the prior two. Oddly, this one seems more upbeat than the previous and its quite welcome. I feel like his Randy Newman freak flag really shines on this one.
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Most Serene Republic - Ever Expanding Universe
Definitely some jams on here but I think they are going a little farther off the deep end than I am able to follow. I miss some of their more obvious pop elements. I need to spend more time with this and find the gems throughout.. thus far Catharsis Boo is the frontrunner for Album Jam.
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Codaphonic - Edisons Rival
The second release from my own yk records and an excellent, albeit short, dose of smart pop music. I've always considered Codaphonic influences to be among the likes of Jason Falkner, XTC, Jellyfish, etc and it's great to hear each of his releases getting stronger each time. Obviously I'm quite biased on this front but anyone that enjoys upbeat music with clever lyrics should be getting this. Oh, and the packaging will blow your mind.
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Random Patterns - Creatures of Teeth
Psychedelic Jazz Pop is such an odd label to see given to a band but it seems to work in this scenario. The Jazz portion is not what you'd think aside from the pleasurable incorporation of horns throughout. It honestly reminds me of They Shoot Horses Don't They? in terms of the energy, horns and pop elements emerging from it all.
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Dredg - The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion
These guys were once enjoyable to my late college self but I can confidently say I'm over it. Either they've gone too far into softening their sound or it just doesn't do anything for me anymore but I'll be giving a pass on future releases. This just doesn't seem to go anywhere or grab me on the whole.
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The Jam - Best Of
Furthering my musical education on music popular before my lifetime (or at least before the time I was aware of it). This compilation paints the band as an offshoot of The Clash. Snide vocals, some memorable hooks and that recognizable high-hat speedy delivery. Enjoyable but doesn't feel like I was missing out without it.
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Budos Band - III
Thank you Budos Band for doing what you do. It's nothing out of left field but it's everything you'd expect and want.
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Ghost Baby - Ghost Baby
Ian Sefchick from Creeper Lagoon has a new project and it is Ghost Baby. Aside from the awful cover art I'm pleased this exists. Ian writes some excellent pop songs and his vocal style has always been welcome to my ears. I hear much Creeper Lagoon in this but do miss a bit of the weirdness, as this is some straight up pop rock in its purest form.
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Spoon - Got Nuffin
It might be awhile before another full-length Spoon album so this is provides a nice bridge to the proverbial gap. It's got plenty of standard Britt Daniel vocal delivery and some nice guitar sounds. Just three tracks but a welcome listen.
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The Bronzed Chorus - Im the Spring
I downloaded this on a whim after reading someone rave about their label, Hello Sir. It's post-rock / math-y instrumental stuff but I often need a good dose of that to get me going. All things considered, if you're into that style of music it's well worth a listen.
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