Dead Blog

Hey all,
This blog is pretty much dead. it hasn't been updated in forever but im still getting comments about re-ups, etc. Thanks to all who checked me, and what i thought was rad, out. Take what you want, a lot of the links still work.

Enjoy, I May come back to it during the summer

-Gog

M.I.A & Fujiya & Miyagi

Hey all. Another delay, i know. At least now i can own up the fact that i can't seem to properly commit to this blog. I'll update every once in a while. On those days when i've found something so good that i can't seem to sleep without having first told the Internets about it. So please check back when you hear that blog-nag in the back of you head. It probably means i've added something awesome. Speaking of awesome! :

M.I.A - Kala
M.I.A's new record, "Kala", kills. It was to be expected though, since, so far, anything she's touched she's turned to Electro-Grime-HipPop gold. This MAY not be the final mix, as the entire record was posted on her Myspace with slight variations. But with a more hip-hop feel than Arular (her debut), an adaptation of a Pixies song, a super-disco cover of an old Bollywood hit, not to mention one of the best, most gangsta pop songs of the year ("Paper Planes"), this is a record not to pass off.

M.I.A - Piracy Funds Terrorism vol.1
You want more you say?? M.I.A's collaboration with Diplo called "Piracy Funds Terrorism vol.1", released even before Arular, is an incredible mixtape which includes early versions of many of the songs found on her first two records as well as tons of other fantastic unheards. Not convinced? Diplo produces an insane hip-hop track on this release, combining the beat from Snoop's "Drop it like it's hot" with a Boards of Canada song. Oh yes.

Fujiya & Miyagi - Transparent Things
Finally, i know i've missed last years hype, but i just heard Fujiya & Miyagi's "Transparent Things" for the first time, and i'm in Krautrock, Funk, Brit-pop bliss. Check this one out, if you haven't already.





OK, so: As always, click on the covers to download.
Also, i'll be getting everyone who cares up to date on the "Y: The Last Man" series of comics that i started posting earlier. There are only 4 more issue to wait for so start catching up. It's so fucking good!

UPDATE! :
Y: The Last Man - Issues 21 - 30
Y: The Last Man - Issues 31 - 39
Y: The Last Man - Issues 40 - 50
Y: The Last Man - Issues 51 - 56
Y: The Last Man - Issue 57

Thats's all of them!

Radicalfashion & Lucky Dragons & Y: The Last Man

Radicalfashion - Odori
Keeping on the experimental side for this post, the first artist is Radicalfashion: this is some wonderfully light, ambient cut-and-paste in the same vein as the already-posted Tape. Piano is the only unaltered, consistent instrument here and it forms the context for the seamlessly mixed samples and the subtlest of rhythms (which often sound like the disc itself is skipping). A record as enjoyable in your headphones as it is filling the room you're in.

Lucky Dragons - Hawks and Sparrows
Next is an experiment on the part of the Lucky Dragons (also featuring members of Aa). A highly-enjoyable series of sound-collages made from the field recordings of four anti-war protests. This was recorded with the intent (in their words) "to remove any rhetoric, any dogma, incantations, chants, or spoken language of any sort, and leave musical constructions culled from in-between pauses, whistles and yells, drums, sirens, helicopters, electric hums, boomboxes, etc...". The sound-editors/musicians (however you see it) behind this recording are highly-talented: each tracks is different: some turn these protests into ambiance, others into chaos. Either way, this short statement is consistently interesting. (NOTE: There ARE no track names to this record.)

Y: The Last Man (Issues 11-20)
A pretty good number of you downloaded the first batch of this brilliant comic. So here's the next 10 issues. Check out last weeks update for info and the first 10.

(As always, click on the images to download. Enjoy!)





OK! WEIRDNESS REPAIRED! GOING BACK TO RAPIDSHARE TO AVOID MORE PROBLEMS.

Justice & TTTTTTTTTT & Y: The Last Man

Justice - †
This here dance record is going to make some noise when it drops in a couple of days. French band Justice have made a dance album, yes -- and a great one, yes -- but would they play at the same house Daft Punk is playing at? Justice's party is the glitch-party inside us, where no one else is invited. It's darker, and can make us a little nervous, but in the end, who knows us better then we know ourselves?

TTTTTTTTTT - s/t
Next, Montreal No-Wave band TTTTTTTTTT create wonderful noise for us. With no electronics (as far as i know), limited effects, this is noise-rock at it most basic, and in turn most difficult to accomplish successfully. Without walls of electronics or guitars turned to 11, it takes sheer creativity to make cacophony bearable. This is a limited CD-R release that was sold at shows only. These guys are truly up-and-comers so if you like what you hear and have any opportunity to support them in your city, do so. You'll see they deserve it.

Y: The Last Man
Lastly, with an off-topic post, I'm putting up the first 10 issues of the absolutely brilliant, beautiful comic Y: The Last Man, about an unknown plague that wipes out every living being with a Y chromosome except for Yorick Brown and his pet monkey. Dispelling all notions of "the world being more peaceful if it were run by women", this post-apocalyptic story is utterly original and the cinematic approach to the artwork is breathtaking. Give it a chance, and if you all are interested in reading the rest, I'll post 10 issues every update until I get to the latest 54th. Comment, let me know.


(Click on the images to download. Enjoy!)

Jane & Sunburned Hand of the Man & Spoon

Hello all. I know there's been a bit of a delay in the updates. I don't really have an excuse, so let's get on with it! (By the way, now you click on the album art to download. Technology!)

First we have the Boston band Sunburned Hand of the Man, known for their jam-based psych- tribal sounds. The songs on 'Headdress' move from intentionally sloppy, to wonderfully tight. Anyone into Raccoo-oo-oon or the recently posted Aa should not miss this release.


Now, while I know there has been no shortage of links to Spoon's latest 'Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga', I couldn't in good conscience avoid doing my part in getting the word out. With elaborate pop arrangements, a prominent horn section for the first time, Spoon hand us their most creative and involving work since 'A Series of Sneaks'. This is what they've been working towards. It's sunny, eccentric while still able to maintain the bands awe-inspiring grasp of spaciousness and ability to avoid excess 100% of the time. Hear this.

Lastly, Jane is a project from Animal Collective's Panda Bear and friend Scott Mou. The early "Collective" influence is obviously present on 'Berserker' with the warm but edgy electronics that were most present in 'Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished', backed by Mou's pulsing rhythms and Bear's soft, flowing vocals. Interesting stuff, especially for fans of the Collective.

Lastly, I'm going to stop using Rapishare and I hear Sharebee is better. But if anyone has any better ideas, post a comment. I want this to be as easy as possible for all of us. Enjoy!

Frog Eyes & Animal Collective

I first heard a handful of these latest Frog Eyes tracks as recordings for the Daytrotter Sessions and they absolutely blew me away. They were overflowing with the same intensity that lead singer Carey Mercer imbued his past albums with, while the rest of Frog Eyes complimented him perfectly with more spastic percussion and hyperactive synths than ever before. I was hoping that these Sessions would translate well onto the new record and they do in spades. Where before there was an underlying eagerness (not impatience, though ) to their albums, they take their time with this one (5, 7, 9-minute tracks), giving each song the time it needs to mature before moving on. Highly recommended.



Campfire Songs by most of the Animal Collective is just this: they went to a cabin in the forest and recorded this acoustic album on its front porch. Chants and airy vocal harmonies backed by each of the members strumming an acoustic guitar, this is as lo-fi and mellow at the Collective get. It's as if the forest itself was making this music for us, with a little help from pouring rain, the wind through the trees or the birds in the audience. Pretty stuff.


Frog Eyes - Tears of the Valedictorian
Animal Collective - Campfire Songs

p.s: Be sure to check out the Daytrotter Sessions by other bands as well, they're always very impressive (link above).

Aa & Modest Mouse

Aa (pronounced "Big A little A") release a debut CD full of infectious tribal rhythms. Yelps and chants, run through gadgets with their dials set to 11. This is music at it's most primal and energetic with the occasional breather track that offers us some fantastic harmonies to groove to. Something in the same vein as Raccoo-oo-oon (posted earlier and highly recommended), very early Animal Collective or Gang Gang Dance. I urge you to check these guys out: there are big things coming their way.


Second is Modest Mouse's classic and arguably best record. A few years after "The Moon and Antarctica" was released, lead singer Isaac Brock returned to the studio to put his own spin on the record's production. The changes are subtle but you'll find you never enjoyed listening to the record more with headphones on.



Aa - gAame
Modest Mouse - The Moon & Antarctica [Expanded Edition]

Also worth checking out: A new track from M.I.A off of her forthcoming album. Check the myspace here.

Black Moth Super Rainbow & The Velvet Underground

This latest record by electro-psych fuckarounders Black Moth Super Rainbow is tough to pin. These are dense pop songs hidden behind vintage synthesized tones and vocals that would feel right at home hanging out with Moon Safari-era Air during the day, and Boards of Canada by night. A killer record, just in time for the summer.

Next, a copy of The Velvet Underground's White Light/White Heat. One of the greatest, harshest, most influential and (in saying so) controversial records of all time. If you don't have it, get it. If you already have it, this one's been ripped in 320 kbs which = great great quality. Enjoy.

Black Moth Super Rainbow - Dandelion Gum
The Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat

Deadly Snakes & Black Angels & Creeping Nobodies

The Deadly Snakes, usually playing highly Stones-influences blues rock, tone it down a little in Porcella, their last record since parting ways last year. It may not be the most energetic of Deadly Snakes albums, but the appeal had changed along with the approach: the blues influence is still very much present but the strings are at the forefront much of the time with only a couple of tracks reflecting their past work. It sounds to me like they knew this would be their last one.

Next, The Black Angels give us one of the best psych/sludge/classic/straight-up mothafuckin' rock record in the past few years. Full of powerful songs that call us to arms for some untold cause and riffs that I can't believe have never been played before. If you get the opportunity to see them live, don't pass it up.

Finally, Toronto-based The Creeping Nobodies sort of ride the Pixies train with their spazzy, stream of consciousness vocalist and lay out some creative post-punk with the occasional Sonic Youth-type breakdown. Pretty good stuff.

The Deadly Snakes - Porcella
The Black Angels - Passover
The Creeping Nobodies - Stop Movement, Stop Loss

Menomena, Dr. Dre & Ratatat

Menomena got tons of praise recently for their latest record, with many critics fitting it into their "best of the year" slots. If you haven't heard it, do so now. "I Am the Fun-Blame Monster" precedes "Friend and Foe" but nonetheless carries with it the same high-energy, displaying the bands talent for crafting unique and complex pop songs.

Second on the list is Dr. Dre, the legendary hip-hop producer. When he made his come-back with the solo album "2001", he also released it rhyme-less, which was news to me until recently. While Dre's intention, i understand, was to encourage aspiring MC's to free-style over it, listening to it as a stand-alone is an interesting experience. It can feel empty, and repetitive without lyrics (as is to be expected), but Dre's abilities as a producer are irrefutable and "2001 - Instrumentals" gives us a welcome behind-the-scenes look at the process of crafting the kind of beat that inspires rappers to record timeless tracks.

Finally: Ratatat. A leak from one of my favorite bands has them giving us a sequel to their "Ratatat Remixes Vol. 1". An inevitability, looking at the title, this is more of the same thing as the first: clever beats, keyboards and electric guitar (sometime backwards!) replace the original instrumentals of songs by artists like: Notorious B.I.G, Young Buck, Kanye, etc. These guys are talented as fuck as producers.

Menomena - I Am the Fun-Blame Monster
Dr.Dre - 2001 (Instrumentals)
Ratatat - Remixes Vol.2

Doug Martsch & The Blow

"Now You Know" is a solo record from Doug Martsch, lead signer of the fantastic early-90's indie band Built to Spill. But instead of the reverb-soaked, hook-filled music he makes with B2S, this album is centered entirely around Martsch and his slide-guitar: it's sparse, consistent (musically but especially lyrically) and entirely wonderful.

Speaking of sparse, The Blow are two music-makers and a beat-machine. Sometimes embodying the same playful, erratic sound as the Unicorns did, other times leaning more towards Peaches' danceability, either way this record is a ton of fun.


Doug Martsch - Now You Know
The Blow - Paper Television

Frog Eyes, Aids Wolf, Iron Horse

Frog Eyes offer this discreet acoustic EP of covers from past albums. Carey Mercer tones it down without losing any of his intensity which makes it a nice contrast to their latest "Tears of the Valedictorian". Which rocks, don't get me wrong.

Aids Wolf's latest show in Montreal (and last for a while) was highly energetic. If you don't know them, they've been causing a ruckus for a bit now with their spastic, artsy noise-rock. For anyone who thought their studio recording didn't quite do them justice, this will surely redeem them.

Finally, Iron Horse gives us Modest Mouse covers done in bluegrass. Strange, novel and very well arranged, i doubt you'll be listening to this two weeks from now, but you'll be glad you heard it.

Frog Eyes - Ego Scriptor EP
Aids Wolf - Live at Friendship Cove - 01.25.07
Iron Horse - Pickin' on Modest Mouse: A Bluegrass Tribute

Thee More Shallows

Thee More Shallows went into the studio and recorded this album, in one night, sometime during the evening right on into the early AM's, and it sounds like it. A low-key sleepwalk of a rock record that slowly becomes something big and bright.

Thee More Shallows - A History of Sport Fishing

Experiments.

A few experimental albums: Yellow Swans are masters at kicking you in the fuckin' head and making you want more. Walls of electronics and feedback kept together by simple, pounding rhythms. One of my favorite records to overwhelm my self to.

"Venice" by Fennesz is a masterpiece. One of the most well-respected ambient electro (IDM?) artists, his latest record, made of such simple components, is so full of life. If this is your thing, you will be impressed.

Yellow Swans - Dreamed Yellow Swans

Fennesz - Venice

Portishead live February 2007

Portishead come out of nowhere with a surprise gig. Their first in 2 years. This is a video from that show (above, i believe): a haunting, 6+ minute rendition of "Wandering Star". I ripped the audio into wav format, too, for download.
Secondly, Feist's new album leaked. I havn't heard it yet, but i'm sure it's the same sort of thing as the first one: as great or even greater.
...But i'm only keeping optimistic because i keep losing at Roll up the Rim....

Feist - The Reminder

Portishead - Live in Bristol 2007 - "Wandering Star"

Aphex Twin

I Aphex Twin

Aphex Twin - Richard D. James Album


Also:

Modest Mouse link is back up:

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

Avey Tare - Kria Brekken

Tare from Animal Collective and Brekken from Mum got married and made this stripped down, folk album. Very pretty stuff.

Avey Tare & Kria Brekken - Pullhair Rubeye

Alpha Part 2

This is Part 2 to the "Lost in a Garden of Clouds" series by Alpha. I posted Part 1 earlier. It's really the same sort of thing, but its light, ambient instrumental, so it doesn't really get old. They have other more electro-jazzy stuff. Oh look! a "comments" section!

Alpha - Lost in a Garden of Clouds pt. 2

Junior Boys

A sparse electro/pop album from the Junior Boys. Sort of consistently depressing, but really solid nonetheless.

"the rare disc that you can put on during sex one week, then cry to the next week after she dumps you"
- Cokemachineglow

Junior Boys - So This is Goodbye

Also!

A Mario bros. 3 Firefox theme! Pretty wicked.

New Modest Mouse and RJD2

The New Modest Mouse is rad: rougher than "Good News" in most places but sometimes even poppier in others. I'm tempted to say its better, i think, but we'll see after a few more listens. RJD2's "Dead Ringer" is a hip hop record that i have no doubt everyone will love. It for sure has an "Endtroducing" feel to it, but with more hip-hop than DJ.

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (down)
RJD2 - Dead Ringer