Flashback MP3 - Plaid - Gel Lab

Growing up involved alot of Ninja Tune and Warp Records. Still some of the more expansive and thoughtful experimental electronic was being created. You'd have artists like Plaid, Squarepusher, Autechre, etc etc that are true diverse electronic artists. Not ever sticking to the same sound or structuce for too long.

This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. And other than maybe a special Aphex Twin song (those who know will know what I'm talking about) this is easily topping my lists.


Plaid - Gel Lab

Essential 7" - Moss Icon - Greta Garbo 7"

Well Mr. Jack Crawford, this one's for you. Hanging out in Belize I had many great in depth conversations with this invigorating young man. So here's that lo-fi garagey emotional punkish 7" from 1988 that pushed to eventually get a 'What They Lack' tattoo (pictures of the ink below the download). It might not be what these current ears wanna hear but in the 1990's this stuff really affected me in a positive way.

This is the best quality I could get and I'm pretty sure it's as close to a master as possible. Moss Icon (along with The Hated) are two of the most influential bands that never got their stuff properly re-released which is a shame not only because of the monetary gain they deserve to have (but never could back in the day due to poor distribution deals) but moreso because of the great music that is getting lost in the folds of time.

Enjoy this forgotton classic :)

1 - Hate in Me - 2:47
2 - What They Lack - 2:24
3 - Im Back Sleeping, Or Eating, Or..  - 3:07
4 - Kiss the Girls - 2:19


Moss Icon Greta Garbo 7" Download

Below are two pics of my Moss Icon tribute tattoo, What They Lack!

MP3 Compilation - Fanfare for Neutral Milk Hotel Vol. 1-3

Neutral Milk Hotel had a certain quality that turned their fans a bit squirrelish. They'd meet in groups swapping tapes, start fun and fanatical internet threads that never died, and hide like a brown recluse spider at times waiting to poison the next friend with this intoxicating NMH.

Well years ago members of the e6townhall message board decided to come together and make a fanfare cd. Some solo. Some rocky some punky some experimental. Some pretty damn good bands on there. Really worth checking out. They didn't do only one tho they have currently completed three compilations free for download over at neutralmilkhotel.org/fanfare aka The Carrot Flower Kingdom. I love it.

Check it Here

Stream - Shearwater - Animal Life

Double Will Sheff posts! I have to say when I first started to listen to Shearwater I didn't like them so much. Mostly in part because I was such a huge Okkervil River fan I didn't like the stylistic super arty approach. Mostly it was the singing I found it pompous.

Truthfully I felt that way because I liked Okkervil River so much that if there was spiff off project it better sound just like them. Of course that wasn't the case and I shunned them from my world. Eventually I gave them a real chance NOT EXPECTING to like it, and I found in a completely different way I truely did enjoy the music.

That's the multi-factism of music. It exists beautifully in countless angle and you can't see the reflection unless you adjust yourself to face that facet.

Animal Life a jaw dropping track off Shearwater's new release Animal Joy. Be sure to cop that shit at Amazon.

Essential EP - Okkervil River - Bedroom EP

Well folks here is a true rare gem of a EP. The first ever recording of the Austin powerhouse group Okkervil River. Actually one of my all time favorite bands. I love Will Sheff's writing I'm pretty sure he's on a Leonard Cohen level. While the band was thrust into popularity in large part of SXSW and their second home recording Stars to Small to Use, the Bedroom EP as its known as contains three songs in typical early Okkervil fashion that collectors in a large part are still searching for. The band doesn't even include it in their official discography.


Okkervil River Bedroom EP Download

Essential Music - Purity Ring

If anything in my twisted little head thinks that music of the future exists today, and has been delievered to us by some unknowing musical force of ingenuity and has been carefully placed to blend into current existing musical acts only to in turn to influence them on what the future of ears would be, that band would be Purity Ring.

Megan James and Corin Roddick (formerly of Gobble Gobble) began making music barely two years ago and about a year ago started assaulting the blog world with their hybrid techno pop with Ungirthed and then shortly after Loftcries. One other track, Belispeak is in decent circulation. The first two even ended up being on a EP with Montreal dream rockers Braids.

Since that the Edmonton based duo have been laying low. Obviously gathering an arsenal of new material to bombard to scene with. They have played a variety of shows over the last six months so anyone lucky enough to be at those has heard music still not ready for the general public.

Hope you enjoy these as much as I do
Ungirthed


Loftcries


Belispeak

Flashback MP3 - DJ Signify - 1993

When I think of DJ Signify I think of Commodore 2007 Van City at the Aesop Rock show where he basically destroyed the room with Blockhead tag teaming beats mixes warming up a nice atmosphere for what would be a stellar performance by Aesop Rock Rob Sonic and Big Wiz.

I've kinda been obsessed with instrumental hip hop since I first hear DJ Shadows Endtrouducing. It's provided a colorful backdrop to nature and life. Anyways back to that show I can remember Signify drop this and at the time it was one of those rare unreleased but not unplayed bangers that got the crowd moving.

For anyone who missed DJ Signify's Of Cities I strongly recommend giving that a shot. There's some amazing cuts with Aesop. But now let the brass bellow with 1993.


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Oh yeah here's a video of that show:)

†††

This pretty cool and completely unexpected. Chino from our lovely 90's heavy band The Deftones has released a solo project titled †††. Pretty badass. To tell you the truth I haven't even downloaded this yet, I just have assumptions surrounding Chino that it won't be premediated garbage, but am just as excited as you. Providing you even give a fuck about him or the Deftones.

†††: † Tracklist:
01 †his Is A †rick
02 Op†ion
03 Bermuda Locke†
04 †hholyghs†
05 †

Picture - Tikal Sunset

Essential Demo - Husker Du - Northern Lights Demo 1979

Recorded in 1979 by Colin Mansfield, Husker Du had fully embraced the change from Land Speed Record. Recorded in 1979 in his basement as nice gesture for good friends. Needless to say it's one of my favorite Husker Du boots. Exceptional quality and delivery. Colin Mansfield had this to add,
 
"I was involved in recording most (probably all --
it's a long time ago) of the recordings made in
the basement of Northern lights. Both Greg and I
were working there (Greg in the record/head shop,
and I was setting up Twin Cities Imports in the basement). My band at the time, Fine Art, had already released an LP and was getting some radio play, and the boys (well, Greg and Grant, I think Bob was satisfied with their choice) asked me if I would record and produce some demos for them. (I owned a 4-track reel-to-reel, a mixer and mics and was more than happy to help out some friends). Anyway, the sets [on the 'Northern Lights' and 'Colin Mansfield' demos] are pretty much the same thing and while it may be of interest to collectors to separate them out, I did record more than the three tunes."

1. Picture Of You
2. Can't See You Anymore
3. The Truth Hurts
4. Do You Remember
5. Sore Eyes

 Download Here

Essential New Mixtape - Titus Andronicus - LLC Mixtape Vol.1

If there were historians in punk rock the head of their council could very easily be Titus Andronicus. Fuelled by genereations of great New Jersey punk, The Civil War, modern pop culture and hordes of people that seem to really be embracing this punk rock revival Titus has seemed to be not only stirring the underground into the mainstream but staying in the limelight the entire way.

At their SXSW set a couple days ago they sold 500 (correct me if i'm wrong) hand numbered copies of this mixtape. The mixtape contains material, b-sides, cover songs, and general goodness that we haven't had compiled all in one place. After selling all the CD-R's they promptly put the album up on their tumblr for download.

All of this is great material but whats most special is the inclusion of a new song, Upon Viewing Oregon's Landscape with the Flood of Detritus. Soundcloud available for those who just wanna hear that.



I apologize for the lack mp3 info in the .zip file. Below is tracklisting.


1. Intro
2. The Boys Are Back In Town (Thin Lizzy)
live at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ 3/4/2012, recorded by Tommy R the soundman
3. Upon Viewing Oregon’s Landscape with the Flood of Detritus
from the forthcoming split seven inch single with Diarrhea Planet, recorded 2/2012 by Kevin MacMahon at Marcata Recording, New Paltz, NY, featuring backing vocals by Alex Levine of the So So Glos
4. Arms Against Atrophy
The band’s very first recording, made summer 2005 at the Graetzer residence, Glen Rock, NJ
5. My Time Outside the Womb
Patrick’s acoustic demo, recorded at Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ, sometime early 2006
6. Every Time I See The Light Part Two
From the live album “The Innocents Abroad,” recorded at the Hoxton Bar and Grill, London, England, 2/2009
7. Anxiety Block (Television Personalities)
Recorded by Kevin MacMahon at Marcata Recording, spring 2009
8. First Inaugural Address, take two
‘The Monitor’ outtake, words of Abraham Lincoln, 1861, spoken by Okey Canfield Chenoweth III at his home in Oakland, NJ summer 2009
9. A More Perfect Union
10. Titus Andronicus Forever
11. No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future
Four track demos for ‘The Monitor,’ recorded by Sarim Al-Rawi at the Graetzer residence, 6/2009
12. Four Score…
Four track demo for live violin arrangement, recorded at home
13. …And Seven (Remix)
‘The Monitor’ outtake, recorded by Patrick on four track at Marcata Recording, summer 2009
14. El Scorcho (Weezer)
15. Interlude
16. Undone [The Sweater Song] (Weezer)
From the Vice Halloween Party 2009, recorded by NYC Taper
17. I Fought The Law (Bobby Fueller)
Rehearsal for OWS benefit at Shea Stadium, 11/2011
18. Riot Squad (Cock Sparrer)
Live at that very benefit, recorded by Adam ‘Bomb’ Reich
19. Hot Pockets Theme (TV)
Rehearsal recording, autumn 2011
20. Heroin (Velvet Underground)
11-piece lineup live at the home of Sam Franklin, Ridgewood, NJ, 12/2005
21. Interlude
22. Waking Up Drunk (Spider Bags)
Live at Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ, Spring 2010, featuring Dan McGee of Spider Bags on lead vocals, recorded by NYC Taper
23. Treatment Bound (Replacements)
Rehearsing at Patrick’s home, spring 2011

 Download the Mixtape

MP3 - CFCF - Arctic

I've been having mad trouble tracking down some of this highly acclaimed Montreal based producer CFCF. Here's a YouTube feed and a rip so don't complain too much about the quality its simply the best possible at this moment...although I know if I dig and dig and dig around on the internet....then dig a little more....haha...great beat tho on this one apparently its a few years old as well...I only heard it for the first time on KEXP yesterday..

CFCF - Arctic

Essential MP3 - Thrid and Seneca - Sun Kil Moon

A powerful piece master songwriter Mark Kozelek of the last Sun Kil Moon release Admiral Fell Promise in 2010. Sun Kil Moon is just Mark Kozelek sometimes with a band backing him. I love the whim of dark folk with classical guitar.This hypnotic display of guitar is beautifully paired with his poetic trips around a variety of rooms he stays in and the streets that intersect them.

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Video - Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know feat. Kimbra

Some may be sick of this song by Belgian born but Australian raised Gotye. There's no denying how big he is all over the world except for North America for some reason. Anyways my buddy josh is loving this one and I think the video is pretty spiffy as well.

Picture - 2 Birds

Flashback MP3 - Death Cab for Cutie - We Looked Like Giants

When Transatlanticism was released there's no doubt it was a big album for at the time was a somewhat smaller niche of people. It broke the Billboard charts, went gold, and was featured in countless popular television (CSI, The OC, Six Feet Under, Harpers Island, Californication), movies (Disturbia, Easy A, Mean Creek, Wedding Crashers).

This is not one of those songs found on those shows or movies, but rather one that I find stands out among the album 9 years later. And it really was more than tv or movies or going gold. It was visible that the general taste people have in music may be changing. Now in 2012 our world is flooded with bands I playing types of music I wouldn't have had any inclination back at the end of the 90's it would shift this way. Back to the music here is Death Cab, We Looked Like Giants.

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New Remix - Lana Del Ray - Blue Jeans RAC Remix

I try to stay away from Lana Del Ray stuff because everyone and their mother have already posted a quasi-millions posts regarding it by the time I get around to give it a shot. I was more inclined to try this one out because of previous experience with RAC. They've been nailing remixes for quite some time now and this is no exception. Great summer vibes now it just needs to warm up.

New Burial + Four Tet Collaboration - Nova

This song has been hiding on white labeled records in a few dj's treasure chests over the last year or so. I'm not sure what sparks these yearly spurts of music Burial shares with us. Imagine what he must have on his laptop. Anyways I love this track hope that you do as well.

Essential MP3 - Wintersleep - Avalanche

Wintersleep is one of those Canadian bands that deserve more attention. while their last album New Inheritors didn't quite live up to the calibre of their earlier stuff, it's silly to simply disregard their amazing back catalog.

Formed in 2001in Halifax Nova Scotia on the eastern seaboard of Canada Wintersleep quickly became one of those bands that came through every town with a decent scene and always brought their A game to the table.  So lets not forget Wintersleep, here's a beauty from their first self-titled album.

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Picture - Knockout Sunset from Cook Street Beach Groundhogs Day

Essential Bootleg - Jayhawks - Live at The Hyatt Hotel Ballroom - 09.1.90

I just wanted to start off that this treasure of a live set is dedicated to John, Lizzy, Cameron and Jack Crawford. I was fortunate to meet these lovely Atlantians on the intrepid Central American journey I recently undertook. Now, I may not be from the south and I realise that people from Atlanta don't call themselves Atlantians but I figured that it has a certain magical tone that truely is most fitting.

But to the music this is a true gem of a very early 90's Alt-Country set. It catches the Jayhawks at a pivotal time in their existance as their biggest albums were yet to come. The phone call made by George Drakloulias to the office's of Minneapolis based Twin/Tone came right around the time of this set. George Drakloulias became a future manager producer and mentor for the Jayhawks and the signing to Twin/Tone propelled the band into the 90s and to some of their best music yet. The show was recorded in a large spacious ballroom that Mark Olsen once described as 'a werid gig'. If only he knew how much larger and stranger they would get! There is some very interesting unreleased music n here as well.

I spent a little time cleaning up this recording but I believe its about as good as it gets. Enjoy friends. Download after the tracklist.

Many consider this the most important Jayhawks bootleg out there.

• Martin's Song
• Won't Be Coming Home
• Warm River
• Take Me With You (When You Go)
• Bloody Hands
• Red Firecracker
• Mother Trust You To Walk To The Store
• Worn Out Cotton Dress
• Settled Down Like Rain
• Two Angels
• Cold Dark Night
• Will I Be Married
• Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man
• Keith & Quentin
• I'll Be There
• Stone Cold Mess
• Nine Stiches
• Ain't No End
• Pray For Me
• Up Above My Head
• Nevada CA
• Dead End Angel
• Wichita
• Precious Time

Jayhawks Live at The Hyatt Hotel Ballroom 09.1.90 Download

Video - Porcelain Raft - Drifitng In and Out

Everyone in the world has been eagerly anticipating Italian producer's Porcelain Raft debut album Strange Weekend. I love the resurgence of beyond decent shoegaze. I haven't peeped the album yet but I think this afternoon I might just give it a full rotation.

MP3 - Alkaline Trio - Web in Front - Live Acoustic at AV Club

The best acoustic cover ever of the indie tide turning track Web in Front orginally composed the amazing Archers of Loaf. I'm pretty sure they just remastered that iconic album Icky Mettle. I'm not really a huge fan of Alkaline Trio or any poppy 90's ska.. except maybe Goldfinger. Sorry getting sidetracked. I find myself playing this song over and over they do a great acoustic job. I found this on the AV Club Undercover.


MP3

Essential Mixtape - Porier - Dubs For Ninjas -2012

Porier is a great artist on Ninja Tune that most of you haven't heard of. With great warm breezed influences he is a genuine beatsmith. This mix collects the great Caribbean and Dancehall songs that standout over Ninja Tune's 20 vast and expansive 20 year sonic sound scape.

Roots Manuva - Organ Skit
Roots Manuva Vs Wrongtom - Proper Tings Juggled (Instrumental)
Roots Manuva - Dub For The Worms
Roots Manuva - Styles Dub
Poirier - Cool Baby (Poirier Remix) feat. Busy Signal
Sixtoo - Jackals and Vipers in Envy of Man - Part 2
Cham - Rude Boy Pledge (Acapella)
Roots Manuva - Witness Dub
Poirier - Let Them Hate feat. YT (Mungo's Hifi Remix)
Roots Manuva Vs Wrongtom - Rebel Art (Instrumental)
Poirier - Enemies feat. Face-T (Dub I.D. Remix)
Roots Manuva - Double Drat
Toddla T - Pum Pum feat. Double Kay
The Bug - Angry feat. Tippa Irie
TTC - Catalogue (Instrumental)
Poirier - Trust None Of Dem feat. Burro Banton
Erup - Click Mi Finger (Poirier Remix - Untrust Riddim)
Poirier - No More Blood feat. Face-T (Megasoid Remix)
Diplo - Diplo Rhythm feat. Sandra Melody, Vybz Kartel, Pantera Os Danadinhos
Poirier - Blazin feat. Face-T (Modeselektor Remix)
Toddla T - Sky Surfing feat. Wayne Marshall (Benga Remix)
Toddla T - Want U Now feat. Ms Dynamite
Poirier - Wha-La-La-Leng feat. Face-T (Uproot Andy Remix) 

Coldcut - Man In A Garage (King Jammy Dub)

Picture - Angels in the Graveyard

Well my friends I've returned from an absolutely spectacular journey into Central America, mainly Guatemala and Belize. It was the most refreshing time of my life and coming back to the rain and the West Coast isn't the greatest so I dug this picture out of a beautiful day earlier this year at the Ross Bay Cemetery.

It is good to be home tho:)

MP3 - Aesop Rock - Odessa feat. Dose One

As the final cut on 1999's best underground hip hop EP , Odessa by Aesop Rock, it closes the door on the end of a decade and the begining of new underground hip hop the would tap and draw from a much different audience than before. This reminds me of rolling around in a Jetta with my homeboy Josh and living large with my homie Just A Man.

MP3