Essential Demo - Pet Milk Demo

Although it was only released in May 2010, the Pet Milk Demo is one album that has totally been slept on. These Philadelphia rockers are still relatively fresh in the scene they embody an essence of what independent music sounded like in the 80s. Download it for free at their bandcamp page and be sure to check it out their new album. You have to click Buy Now to download it, but they offer it as a free download if you choose not to pay. Its totally worth supporting this band tho be sure to check out their new album their asking $3 bucks for it.

Download it here

Picture - Where the Trees Meet the Clouds at South Fork BC

Snowshoed straight up the mountian for a few hours to get this one

New Frank Ocean MP3 - 4 Tears

Late last night on his tumblr Frank Ocean dropped a new track off his upcoming debut '. Others have reported this as a demo, probably cause its under two minutes in length. Guess this song is kinda holiday-ish. Either way makes many of us happy on boxing day. Now go spend your chrstmas money and rock out in some bars. I'm destroying Nelson this weekend.


Frank Ocean - 4 Tears

NEW BLOCKHEAD/Illogic MP3

Just in case you've been sleeping under a fucking rock your whole life Blockhead is the premier beat producer in the world. He's better than RJD2, better than your commercial Just Blaze and Alchemist, he helped get indie hip hop legend Aesop Rock off the ground by providing his early albums with insane beats, he is the best thing that ever happened to Ninja Tune, etc etc etc (as my friend Hugh would say). If you doubt me just check out his discography.

So it made my holidays when Blockhead announced that he had been working with Illogical on a full length album, a few free EPs, and this free track. OMFG that shit is amazing! Just incase you missed the amazing collabo they did years ago, 'An Ocean', peep it below the MP3 link.

NEW BLOCKHEAD/ILLOGIC MP3

Mixtape - The Weeknd - Echo of Silence

Well the prophecy came true. The third of the already legendary Weeknd mixtape trilogy has been released. It may be a little later than expected, but here it is. I imagine the internet is gonna be plugged and backed up with this one so anyone who needs a mirror here it is. Oh I hope he comes to Victoria.


Echo of Silence Mixtape

MP3 - Big K.R.I.T. - Moon & Stars (Clams Casino Remix)

So much good shit being dropped all over the place right now i wish i had more time to share more. Here's a little gem. Not your typical Clams Casino beat but I absolutely love it. Its a bit bouncier and funkier. Gonna post his instrumental album soon, the shit is gold.

MP3

Picture - Kaslo River

MP3 - Dan Mangan - Leaves, Trees, Forest

Its tough to post with increasing holiday activity on the homefront. The kootenays are beautiful it snowed like mad earlier. I set up a 10 ft christmas tree. Seasons greetings whoever's out there this the newest from Dan Mangan, a local BC hero. Much love.

MP3

New Shins Album Release Date/Tracklisting

Its no secret that The Shins are probably my favorite band ever. The only one that may edge them out is Jawbreaker. Even though James Mercer fired the rest of the band built a little supergroup around him I don't think the music is going to suffer. James Mercer has always been the creative force behind The Shins so as long as he's around Im not worried. The album is due for a march 2012 release, so maybe if we're lucky there will be a leak in february:) I just can't wait for them to tour again. I'd imagine they're going to do a huge festival run next year. Heres the tracklist. Three of the songs have been performed live, I chose the video of the song that jumped out the most me, which is the album opener The Rifles Spiral. I'm going to do a massive Shins B-Side and Rarities Collection I've been working on when i get back to Victoria.


01 The Rifle's Spiral
02 Simple Song
03 It's Only Life
04 No Way Down
05 September
06 Bait and Switch
07 Fall of '82
08 For a Fool
09 40 Mark Strasse
10 Port of Morrow

MP3 - BUSTA - Koots Roots Feat. SES (Original Mix) - Ghetto Funk

This is great banging track representing the Kootenays! BOOOYA! I love my homeland! Ghetto Funk greatness!

BUSTA - Koots Roots Feat. SES (Original Mix) :FREE DOWNLOAD:

Mixtape -The Hood Internet - The Hood (2011)

MISHKA has absolutely been killing it on the music they've been supporting lately. The Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire hosted production and cameos from El-p, Despot, Necro, and Das Racist and was nothing but drunk gritty street hip hop. That was released september 11. A month before that they released Main Attraktionz 808s and Dark Grapes 2. Alot of people will tag that as hip hop album of the year. wtf is going on not but a few months later and they drop what i will possibly argue to be the best Hood Internet album/mix/whatever you wanna call it. This strongly pumps and is great for parties. Totally worth the download.

Be sure to peep their site they have tons of good music and clothing going on.

Grab it from MISHKA here

Picture - Casey the Wonder Dog

Essential Album - Darc Mind - Symptomatic of a Greater Ill 2006

Although released in 2006 by the almighty Anticon this album was recorded in the mid 90's and was supposed to be released on Loud/RCA in 1997;however, this album was lost in the rubble of a collapsed label. It took nearly 10 years to then release.

The opening track 'Visions of Blur' was featured in the early 90's hood basketball doc Soul in the Hole. It is also the standout track on the album, but as a whole the album very listenable. Its nice to have 90s hip hop i havent blown into the heavens 10,000 times. enjoy

Darc Mind Symptomatic of a Greater Ill

Picture - Rock Creek

Essential EP - The Hated - Like the Days 7"

There is a obvious relationship between this and my Three Shades of Dirty post. I can't help but love this late 80's/early 90's Annopolis punk. Its got so much soul and spirit behind it. The Hated used to be one of the harder bands to gather decent quality recordings of and there was such a demand from people to re-release this stuff Troubleman Records decided to take it upon itself to compile and re-master the original masters. Nothing came of it though.

Then more recently internet blog superhero Stormy from Blogged and Quartered claimed he stumbled across the masters on the internet and compiled them into three complete collections. That means our lucky day. This is one of my favorite all-time recordings. I see it as a good introduction to The Hated, the band that somehow got lost in time. Be sure to grab the complete discography from Blogged and Quartered if you like this. They deserve so much more for this beautiful music its a shame that a proper release never made it.

I would also like to draw specific attention to Damned Heart, which is the a-side of the second 7". It is truely one of my favorite songs of all time. This song is the main reason that I'm putting up this EP over the Everysong EP. That one is next.

In pristine quality, do enjoy


The Hated - Damned Heart
The Hated - Like the Days 2x7" EP

Lyrics to Damned Heart :

out of reach
in the days of our lives
feeling gravity pull them apart
many words fail to say what we feel
as if we can't feel
through the darkness we come from a far
into the light but no strength to perceive
many worlds have we seen: we've not tasted one
still we gather, though no fruit has fallen
contradiction is all that we see
soon we find out
where we
(because) all these lives they
are come freely gone

these confrontations take all I have not all I can give

 

- so good!

Random Art Sightings

Rudlin Street Art

Hush Nightclub bathroom stall nowledge

The infamous Snak the Ripper?

Essential Mixtape - Excursions (ATCQ Rarities & B-Sides) - Mick Boogie

Mick Boogie has truely topped any mixtape he's ever done with this one.  A Tribe Called Quest is the pinnacle of hip hop in my world. I had thought I had heard every Tribe song a few times at least. That is, until this mixtape rolled in early this summer. Oh yeah Mick Boogie, who grew up in Poland Ohio was the dj for the Cleveland Cavaliers for a number of seasons. Maybe he made Lebron bounce.

I remember good times to and from Thetis Lake bumping this one. I figured its a great mix that brings us all a little sunshine in the dead of winter. Seasons greetings Tum Tum.

Mick Boogie Excursions Mixtape

Oh yeah and anyone who hasn't checked out Beats, Rhymes, Life: ATCQ Documentary

heres the trailer -

Picture - Goldstream Trussel

Essential MP3s - Wolf Parade Self-Released 2004 EP

Spencer Krug has always been a favorite, and local musician, of mine. Hailing from Penticton in the interior British Columbia Krug's other musical endeavors, namely Sunset Rubdown and Swan Lake, have been favorites of mine for years. So its no wonder when Krug and Dan Boeckner (of Handsome Furs and Atlas Strategic fame) teamed up they made hours of incredible audible delights.

What I like about the two self-released Wolf Parade EPs is that they don't have that early Isaac Brock sound. I always thought he made it sound too much like Modest Mouse.


MP3

MP3 - Solar Bears - Cub (Keep Shelly in Athens Remix)

This track hit the internet earlier this year, showcasing the power of new age beatsmith's Keep Shelly in Athens. Great breakbeat in this one. This downtempo electronic is a post-rave sensation tingling inside. Be sure to check out Keep Shelly in Athens EP In Love With Dusk and Haunting Me 7".

MP3

Picture - Indoor Saints

Flashback MP3 - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Black

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy aka Wil Oldham made one fucking dark creepy album at the end of the 1990's. 'I See A Darkness' has hailed universal amazing reviews, a bizarre perfect score from Pitchfork Media, and been stuck in most of us for over the last ten years. This is a track that absolutely gives me shivers.

MP3

Picture - Don't Salt My Game

MP3 - Mike G Ft. Vince Staples & SPEAK! - Michael Douglas

Mike G just released a free EP last week called Award Tour. Despite the Tribe Called Quest reference it still sounds very OFWGKTA. To me, sometimes the minimal beats accomplish a wicked old school sounds, but on most of their tracks the beats make it sound like high school production.

There are exceptions. On specific songs. Everything Frank Ocean does is an exception. Like this this song Michael Douglas is an exception. There were some other ok tracks on it but this one really jumped out at me.

MP3

Essential Bootleg - Neutral Milk Hotel - Accordion Peas

 Accordion Peas is an essential piece of NMH history. It is often circulated amongst circles of friends and,of course, the internet as a demo. This is understandable, as there are many NMH demos in constant circulation (Hype City, Invent Yourself a Shortcake, Beauty...); however, Accordion Peas is a collection of two live performances. This tape was mostly likely originally constructed by Jeff Mangum.

The first live recording takes place 12.31.98 (New Years Eve!) at a venue called The 40 Watt Club in Athens Georgia. It contains three rare NMH tracks 'Oh, Sister', Little Birds, and Engine. Engine was later released as the b-side to the 7' release of 'Holland,1945', 'Little Birds' was just released in late 2011 as a bonus 7' in the NMH boxset, and 'Oh, Sister' is an In An Aeroplane Over the Sea outtake. Pay special attention to the last one as it contains hauntingly similar parts to ' Oh, Comely'.

The last recording is also from 1998. It is take from Chris Bilheimer's birthday party on 12/5/98. I'm pretty sure he was the art director for In An Aeroplane Over the Sea. These are the last four tracks. Basiclly when you hear Aeroplane again its the next recording.

I cant stress the brillance or importance of this music spiritually and culturally. I do hope you enjoy. Ps Josh this ones for you bro.

 Oh yea, and to keep up with all the undercurrents of Neutral Milk Hotel check The Kingdom of Carrot Flowers for all the info you need.

Neutral Milk Hotel - Accordion Peas

Picture - Quadra Cemetery

Flashback MP3 - Burial - Fostercare

Released on the Hyperdub 5th Year Collection, Fostercare is serious biz. This track which echos with his first releases bangs out heavy on the low end. Be sure to turn it up. People often say that Burial needs to switch up his style, that he's already accomplished that sound and he needs to push it further. I say if it ain't broke don't fix it. Word.




Burial - Fostercare

Essential Demo - Three Shades of Dirty - Paper Roses

This is the greatest demo tape you've never heard. It was the greatest demo tape I ever discovered. There is virtually no information on Three Shades of Dirty surfing around the internet. They were a trio from Annapolis, MD who released a 8 song EP in 1990 called Paper Roses on the Vermin Scum label. Vermin Scum housed the best of late 80's indie/emo/hardcore with bands like Moss Icon, The Hated, Choke, and even Glass Candy (yes, Glass Candy. I saw them for like 20 minutes at Rifflandia it was better than I expected).

Three Shades of Dirty were formed out of the ashes of The Hated. I wish there was more info about this band, and I stand by the belief that if this EP were released today as a demo it would be devoured and then fought over by a number of labels. The music was ahead of its time, and because of poor distribution they band had moved on way before anyone heard it. Theres a bit of a cult following on the internet but still its relatively small. So, behold Paper Roses. The stereo balance is a bit screwed at the start of the first track but it sorts itself out halfway through.

Three Shades of Dirty - Paper Roses EP

Picture - Incite Printing/Upstairs

MP3 - The Weeknd - The Birds pt.1

It appears Tum Tum (to anyone who doesn't know its who the blog was created for) is going to a Weeknd show out east. I'm pretty fucking jealous. It'll be so unbelievable. I bet its going to be years until The Weeknd even makes it out to Vancouver. Im just going to put a mp3 up as tribute to the rnb I love so much and go pout in the corner. Oh, and Tum Tum. You better tell me how awful it was after.

The Weeknd - The Birds pt.1

Picture - Telegraph Bay

MP3 - Drake - Over My Dead Body

Ok first off anyone who doesn't believe in the true RnB revival involving The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, and Drake needs to take note: the true RnB revival is taking place. Drakes new album, Take Care, touches all the nice places of hip hop and RnB. This is the opening track and where Drake raps more than sings. I love it.


MP3

Oh yeah, THERES A FUCKING GOLDEN OWL on the new album cover. I think that speaks for itself.

MP3 - Your Love (Small Black Remix)

Sure this is the second Rihanna remix I've posted but whatever. It's not my fault her voice cut up and sampled works so well on so many different levels. The first,and last, time I heard this was on a mix Small Black did for Gorilla vs. Bear last November.

MP3

Video - Alice in Chains - Nutshell Unplugged

This takes me right back to winding tapes with a pencil. RIP Staley.

MP3 - Koreless - Away

I don't know too much about Koreless; however, I've been seeing his tracks pop up in various Jamie XX & Damu mixes. While I've had trouble tracking down his releases there is a ton of their beats on YouTube. With that being said this is a web rip, still love this song tho.

MP3

Flashback MP3 - The Smiths - Pretty Girls Make Graves (Troy Tate Demo)

Nostalgia can be a great thing. Something about The Smiths is perfect on a day that's hovering around freezing with showers in the area. I'm gonna load up the ipod, strap on the rain jacket, and hit the  beach. The former art-punk band from Seattle named their band after this song which solidifies its greatness even more.

MP3

Picture - Ship Point

MP3 - Astronautalis Freestyle - 'I Don't Always Dream of Rappers...I Promise'

I was turned onto this guy kinda late. Which is strange, cause he's in the same vein of Aesop Rock and Sage Francis whom are two of my favorite non-ghetto thug rappers. Call them backpackers if you must but I'm going to refrain. We saw him at the Lucky Bar last year and it was fuckin rad.

Here's a MP3 freestyle of his i found floating on the net and really enjoyed.

'I Don't Always Dream of Rappers...I Promise' - MP3

Video Clip - Dog Stick Cam

This guy attached his camera to a stick and gave it to his dog then chased to dog around. wtf its too funny.

Video Clip - Dick of the Week

I saw this on the new Tosh.0 and it blew me away. Had to share it.

Picture - Duncan Lake

MP3 - The Roots ft/ Big K.R.I.T. - Make My

Make My is the lead single of the new conceptual album Undun from Philadelphia rapppers The Roots. I got a feeling this albums gonna be really good. This songs been around the internet for a few weeks but heres a link if you haven't peeped this shit yet.

MAKE MY - MP3 :)

Oh yea - theres a video too

Video Clip - POS Live from Philips Brewery Sept. 22 2011

Rifflandia was nothing short of amazing and this was most definately my highlight. I like how he did the entire set from the audience. The nearly endless flow of cheap Philips beer and a large venue helped as well.

Flashback MP3s - The Shins Live KXCI Tucson 17.01.03

Anyone who knows me knows that The Shins hold a very dear place close to my heart. Possibly because for years they were one of the only artists i listened to that wasn't hip hop or electronic. Maybe its all the memories I have attached to their ballads. It could easily be James Mercers amazing writing. Either way they always come up nothing short of spectacular (I wish i could say the same about Broken Bells).

Yesterday I was digging through the old music vault when i came across something I just had to share. The Shins brief, but typical radio style, appearance at KXCI in early 2003. The selection of 'When I Goosestep' and 'Those Bold City Girls' (which are both pre- Oh,Inverted World) are two big reasons why this set always jumped out at me. The other is the amazing recording quality. Enjoy.


1- Caring is Creepy
2- Pressed in a Book
3- Those Bold City Girls
4- When I Goosestep

DOWNLOAD

Picture - Out My Window

Picture - Cook St Beach

Vintage Grabs

PRICE - $2.99
RATING - 3.2 / 5


The price was right on this on this late 80's throwback. I was intially attracted to the softness of the cotton ( 50/50 cotton/poly for that nice AA feel) and the summer feeling involved with beaches sand reggae and pot. Upon deeper inspection i noticed the shirt was made in Jamaica as well, which must be why its in such dope condition.

PR

PRICE - $12.95
RATING - 5/5

This was the Holy Grail of my thrift store grabs this year. A mint condition ( no stains no rips no odd shrinkage) late 70's LACOSSE ZIP UP. Little fuckin alligator right over the heart.Just to add the cherry on top of the sunday it was canuck colors. I had this for two days until I was at Big Bad Johns trashy tavern when some goon stole my backpack, containing the zip up as well as another Adidas jacket and water bottle. The culprit didn't even show their face.Its a really shitty feeling having people steal from you, so i suggest to everyone not to steal from anyone.

Classic Spinal Tap Clip

These go to eleven

Picture - Fishermans Wharf

MP3 - Only Girl (In the World) (Rickey Eat Acid Remix)

Yes this is a Rihanna remix except its not quite what you think. This track needs to be played with low end lots and lots of deep bass, its got a dubby mudded out feel with a wicked vocal sample. No bass no justice here but give it a whirl.

MP3

Flashback MP3 - Bad Company - Hornet

When )EIB( ,aka Bad Company, released the Shot Down on Safari EP in 2002 it marked a few different things. First, it was the last music they released together as Bad Company. After this record dropped Fresh,D-Bridge,Vegas, and Maldini parted ways to pursue other endeavors. Second it marked the crumbling of an era. The golden era of dark amen/tramen based Dnb was ending.

The hornet is about as bouncy and anthemn as you can get for drum and bass, but it still maintains a certain edge that Bad Company has always found.


Get that old school shit on your comp right now right here