I'll admit that the above image is somewhat terrifying but before you judge - know that it is the album cover to a brand new Hands Down Eugene album, Narceologist, that was just yesterday released for free download. Recorded a few years ago and then lost amongst a shuffle of mislabeled hard drives and other studio nonsense after a robbery it was assumed that it would never see the light of day but Christmas is kind and the album has been revived. I realize few people are interested in procuring new albums this late in the year but I'm smitten with how good it sounds. Their previous record - White Stone / Black Witch - was one of my favorite releases of 2008 and I can easily see this making its way into heavy rotation in no time flat.

So, despite the slightly creeptastic album art, please take the time to download it and then read the absurd backstory to it all.