Forest Swords

Too lazy to post but holy shit Forest Swords is slaying me right now. Best thing I've heard in a long, long time.

Creators of a new genre? Dronestep?

Who knows?

DRONESTEP. That's what they call it. A fusion of dark post-rock ambient drone music and skittery spaced out dubstep. Warm languid guitars, brooding atmospheres, and laid back downtempo grooves. --AQ

Oh, Oh! Best part, there is an Aaliyah cover on this album! Fuck yeah.
In any case, I can't take this off the turntable. I'm adding a bonus track that is a bit heavier and doesn't really flow with the album. Still good though.

Dagger Paths

Roy Montgomery / Grouper Split

Roy Montgomery / Grouper
(December 1, 2009 - Root Strata)

Do you like "year-end lists?" I don't either. Therefore, I won't do one. But if I did, this....THIS would be on it. I'm so excited this came in the mail today. It's a split 12" with Roy Montgomery and Grouper.
Roy Montgomery pays homage to the late, great Sandy Bull by playing Fantasia On a Theme. This is a live track that was recorded at St. Lukes in Christchurch on March 19, 2009.

On the flip side, Grouper gives us 4 new tracks--highlighted, in my humble opinion, by "Hold the Way." Dark, moody, atmospheric and just down right awesome. Listen to this now.
And just for kicks, the packaging is great and it comes with a print of Liz's artwork.

Tracklist:

1) Fantasia On a Theme By Sandy Bull (Slight Return)
2) Hollow Press
3) Vessel
4) Hold the Way
5) Pulse

Download The Split

Grouper - Hold the Way from Weston Currie on Vimeo.

Dreamt On

Bobb Bruno
Dreamt On - EP
(February 17, 2009 - Vosotros)

This dude rules! In an attempt to be lazy, I googled (I love how that's a word--googled) Bobb Bruno so I can just cut and paste whatever someone else had already written about him. Sadly, there isn't much info about him.
Well, this dude is in pretty much every cool band out there today--Pocahaunted, Sun Araw, Best Coast, and Magic Lantern to name a few. Like all good EPs, this one ends too soon.

Tracklisting:

1) Night Lights
2) Dreamt On
3) Fairy Tale Ending
4) 14k
5) Psychics
6) Microloop

Download Dreamt On

Magic Mountain

On a musically-unrelated note....
I'm going to Magic Mountain tomorrow!!!! I can't wait to ride this one, again!
"Summer breeze makes me feel fine, Blowing through the jasmine in my mind."




Check out this video...pretty much sums up the experience.

Calistonia Dreamin' Sessions

Pearl Harbour
Calistonia Dreamin' Sessions - CD-R

I had this waiting for me when I got back from Yosemite and I've pretty much been listening to it everyday since. Pearl Harbour are Sky and Piper (stoner names if I've ever heard one) and they put forth some pretty groovy jams. In an effort to post more I'm probably going to write less. So, hopefully you'll just take my word for it and listen to some of these.
Oh, and they've got something coming out on Mexican Summer in October.

Tracklisting:
1) Sunburn
2) High Road
3) Vapor Girls
4) Lost@Sea

Download Calistonia Dreamin' Sessions

Crystal Stilts

Crystal Stilts
Love Is A Wave - 7"
(March 31, 2009 - Slumberland Records)

I just got this 7" in the mail today from Slumberland Records. The Crystal Stilts put out one of my favorite albums of last year and this follow-up single does not disappoint. A perfect two-minute pop nugget.

Tracklisting:
1) Love Is A Wave
2) Sugerbaby

Download Love Is A Wave


Crystal Stilts
Alight Of Night
(October 28, 2008 - Slumberland Records)

Moody, dark, brooding, garage rock at it's finest. Their heavily reverbed sound may be nothing new, but the good and simple pop writing is what makes this album so repeatable. That and the organs. The organs! Oh, and these dudes are from Brooklyn. This album is actually new recordings from older songs from their self-titled EP, as well as new material.

Tracklisting:
1) Dazzled
2) Crystal Stilts
3) Graveyard Orbit
4) Prismatic Room
5) Sinking
6) Departure
7) Shattered Shine
8) Verdant Gaze
9) Bright Night
10) Spiral Transit
11) City In The Sea

Download Alight Of Night

Twinsistermoon

I don't know much about this other than that it is the solo work of Mehdi Ameziane, one half of French ambient/folk/drone duo Natural Snow Buildings. Apparently, their stuff is SUPER-DUPER limited and hard to find. One album saw them release 20 copies, while another 30. So unless you are related by blood, chances are you've never heard it. Ironically, I found some dude from Garden Grove selling a copy on eBay.

MP3: Twinsistermoon - Bride of the Spirits

Tony Conrad

The SF Art Institute is having a three-day special engagement with Tony Conrad. I don't feel like writing too much about Tony Conrad but he was an early member of the Dream Syndicate, or Theater of Eternal Music, which included the likes of John Cale and LaMonte Young.
Tony Conrad is a pioneer of the school of minimalism. His weapon of choice is the violin. He is also an avante-garde filmmaker, which I assume he will incorporate into his live performance.
You can read more about the show and buy tickets here.
Dates are April 3-5.

More conventional posting when I have the time. Enjoy the weekend!!!

Tonight @ Cafe Du Nord

Jeremy Jay does his thang at Cafe du Nord.
Should be good.
I don't have time to upload his album so this teaser will have to do.

MP3: Jeremy Jay - Love Everlasting

True Story of Abner Jay

Abner Jay
True Story of Abner Jay
(March 2009 - Mississippi Records)

There isn't much I could find on the obscure, one-man band known as Abner Jay. He described himself as, "the last great Southern black minstrel show."
This was a description from the Mississippi Records Wikipedia page:

Compilation culled from Abners' self released LPs & 7"s featuring hits such as 'I'm So Depressed,' 'Cocaine', 'Vietnam,' & 'The Reason Young People Do Drugs.' Abner Jay was a one-man band singer/songwriter deserving of a wider listening audience than he received in his day. This is the first vinyl release of his material since the 1970s. Great soulful folk & R&B music. Most (but not all) copies of the LP include a press photo of Abner, transcriptions of his spoken word pieces, a reproduction of an informative pamphlet about Abner & a press statement penned by Abner himself.

The music sounds very soulful and genuine. "Cocaine" is one of my favorite songs--I never knew someone could love cocaine so much. For breakfast!!!! Why didn't I think of that!?!

Download True Story of Abner Jay

Here is a video of him playing his last gig in NY.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

Sorry for the overkill on this lo-fi pop shit. I can't promise there won't be more to come but I promise I will post something different next time.

This is the newest release from Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti called Oddities Sodomies Vol. 1

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
Oddities Sodomies Vol. 1
(January 2, 2009 - Vinyl International)

This is a collection of odds and ends (hence the title) recorded from 1997-2004 and it ranks right near the top of his recorded oeuvre. This record is just so fantastic, the sort of record that's perfect to have spinning in your bedroom or living room on those days you just wanna lay around all day and get lost in the alternate universe in which these songs swim and splash and frolic.

Perhaps an intro would be nice. This is the album that got me hooked on this cat and most of his contemporaries. If anything give this one a thorough listen. It still ranks as my favorite.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
House Arrest
(January 24, 2006 - Paw Tracks)

Let's pretend that Ariel Pink isn't Animal Collective's pet artist. That he's not unabashedly L.A. and doesn't get off on tickling our FM culture pleasure areas. That he doesn't deliberately sculpt his Brian Wilson/California weirdo-songwriter mythology to a T. That he doesn't pretend he invented genre-bending lo-fi. Got all that? Good, here's the kicker-- House Arrest is just another slightly above average album from Pink; controversy and fanfare be damned.

This last paragraph comes from Pitchfork as they proceed to give it a 6.2 on their almighty scale. They are so overrated. "Animal Collective's pet artist" because he was the first person signed to their label? That's fucked up.

Download Oddities Sodomies Vol. 1
Download House Arrest

Just for fun:
One of my favorite songs off his Worn Copy album.
MP3: Ariel Pink - “Life In L.A.”

God Is Saying This To You...

Kurt Vile
God Is Saying This To You...
(March 3, 2009 - Mexican Summer)

This came in the mail yesterday along with a few other things from Mexican Summer, but this is the real deal. I'm still kicking myself for not having gone to see his show at Amnesia last week when I had been anxiously looking forward to it. I was just getting sick though so I might have had a miserable time but I should have at least attempted. Well, this description comes straight from the label:

More than a mere odds-n-ends collection, Kurt Vile's latest LP is a compilation of tracks from Overnite KV, a tour-only CDR made in conjunction with a European tour of Kurt's other project (The War on Drugs), along with a handful of extra tracks recorded specifically for this release. Here we find Kurt solo, four-trackin' as usual, and blowing minds with his mix of bluegrass guitar, blazed singer-songwriterisms, and the knowledge of how to balance these contexts out with laidback precision. Psychedelic to its core, these twelve tracks speak to the will of the casual perfectionist, honing his craft with effortless aplomb. You'll be hearing plenty more from this Philadelphian wizard in the months to follow, and we're happy to keep the ball rolling with God Is Saying This to You.

For fans of Ariel Pink, Gary War, John Maus, Night Control, etc...

Tracklisting:
1. God Is Saying This To You
2. My Sympathy
3. Red Apples
4. Beach On the Moon (Recycled Lyrics)
5. Can't Come
6. Overnight KV
7. Prom King
8. My Best Friends (Don't Even Pass This)
9. Songs For John D
10. White Riffs
11. Doctor Orgatron
12. Frip Job

Download God Is Saying This To You...

Nite Jewel

Nite Jewel
Good Evening
(March 17, 2009 - Gloriette)

Galactic Sounds is back by popular demand. My two adoring fans have been insistent that I resume, and who am I too refuse them? I have a million things I want to put up so I hope people actually download and listen.

So, without further ado...

This has been slaying me lately. Lo-fi shit with a dark-80s twist. Something like that. Band members are Ramona Gonzalez and Emily Jane. Totally solid from start to finish. The last song, "Lover," is a Roxy Music cover and it's so rad. Check out Nite Jewel's myspace page for a couple extra tracks that are not on the album.



Tracklisting:

1. Bottom Rung
2. Suburbia
3. What Did He Say
4. Weak For Me
5. Heart Won't Start
6. Universal Mind
7. Artificial Intelligence
8. Let's Go (The Two of Us Together)
9. Chimera
10. Lover

Download Good Evening

I Woke Up To Molten Light

A superb video created by the musician himself!

Turbo and Ozone

What better way to celebrate the U.S. men's basketball gold victory than these two, totally sweet videos!

Pacific Ocean Blue

Dennis Wilson
Pacific Ocean Blue (Legacy Edition)
(June 17, 2008 - Sony Legacy)

Damn! This album is crazy good and has had me mesmerized from the start. I wanted to get something up for my five readers before I head to Chicago for Lollapalooza, and here it is. The talk of the town--Dennis Wilson's reissue of Pacific Ocean Blue.

Dennis Wilson led one hell of an interesting life--from being a founding member of the Beach Boys, living with Charles Manson, dating Christine McVie (of Fleetwood Mac), to starring in movies. Unfortunately, his "fast life" sent him spiralling out of control and would be his demise. In some circles he was simply regarded as the "troubled alcoholic drummer."

The album was originally released in August of 1977 but was never widely received. It was the first solo project from any member of the Beach Boys, and the only officially-released album made by Dennis. As is often the case, only years later is it widely regarded as the finest solo album from any of the Beach Boys. Aquarius put it best:

...the overall feel of Pacific Ocean Blue marks the end of that vibrant sun-dappled seventies west-coast sound; a coke and whiskey sunset to the sunrise wake-and-bake of David Crosby's If I Can Only Remember My Name.

With that being said, this will appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in The Beach Boys.

Quotes from Dennis Wilson:

"They say I live a fast life. Maybe I just like a fast life. I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world. It won’t last forever, either. But the memories will."

"I give everything I have away. What I am wearing and what’s in that suitcase is it. I don’t even have a car. I have a 1934 Dodge pick-up truck which someone gave me. I could have anything I want. I just have to go out and get it. If it’s worth having, it’s worth giving. The smile you send out will return to you!"


Tracklisting:

Disc: 1
1. River Song
2. What’s Wrong
3. Moonshine
4. Friday Night
5. Dreamer
6. Thoughts Of You
7. Time
8. You And I
9. Pacific Ocean Blues
10. Farewell My Friend
11. Rainbows
12. End Of The Show
13. Tug Of Love (Previously Unreleased bonus track)
14. Only With You (Previously Unreleased bonus track)
15. Holy Man (Instrumental) (Previously Unreleased bonus track)
16. Mexico (Previously Unreleased bonus track)

Disc: 2
1. Under The Moonlight (Previously Unreleased)
2. It’s Not Too Late (Previously Unreleased)
3. School Girl (Previously Unreleased)
4. Love Remember Me (Previously Unreleased)
5. Love Surrounds Me (Previously Unreleased)
6. Wild Situation (Previously Unreleased)
7. Common (Previously Unreleased)
8. Are You Real (Previously Unreleased)
9. He’s A Bum (Previously Unreleased)
10. Cocktails (Previously Unreleased)
11. I Love You (Previously Unreleased)
12. Constant Companion (Previously Unreleased)
13. Time For Bed (Previously Unreleased)
14. Album Tag Song (Previously Unreleased)
15. All Alone
16. Piano Variations On Thoughts Of You (Previously Unreleased)
17. Holy Man (Taylor Hawkins Version Previously Unreleased bonus track)

Download Pacific Ocean Blue
Recommended Tracks: Definitely Everything on Disc 1

MP3: Dennis Wilson - “What's Wrong”

Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill

Grouper
Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill
(June 10, 2008 - Type Records)

Tonight, I've been working on capturing some of the footage I shot in Guatemala. It has taken me a lot longer than I had anticipated--maybe because I have gotten a little too meticulous about the process. In any case, I've been listening to the new Grouper album while doing so and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums of 2008.

Portland's Liz Harris is the talented musician behind Grouper, and Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill marks her 4th proper release, and in my humble opinion her best to date. Once you get past the disturbing cover art and title, you'll find the psych-folk aesthetic to be as good as it gets. Haunting, yet soothing, vocals under the stripped down guitar and looped recordings will quickly move you into a deep and relaxed state. Great for late night, rainy, dreamy, just before bed, isolated and quiet, reading, or contemplating sort of music. Long bus rides would also be good. Heck, it's damn good listening anytime.

Tracklisting:

1. Disengaged
2. Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping
3. Stuck
4. When We Fall
5. Traveling Through A Sea
6. Fishing Bird (Empty Gutted In The Evening Breeze)
7. Invisible
8. I’m Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill
9. A Cover Over
10. Wind And Snow
11. Tidal Wave
12. We’ve All Gone To Sleep

Download Dragging a Dead Deer Up A Hill

MP3: Grouper - “Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping”


This is a beautiful video from an EP that Grouper did with Xiu Xiu in 2006. The name of the song is called "In Dreams." Absorb!

Sunset Show On The Edge Of San Francisco Way Down By The Water Bay

Sorry if the map isn't large enough to clearly follow.

The show looks like it's going to be really fun. BYOB; the last B is for blanket, obviously.

The spot looks like it's right off 3rd St., near a cement factory, and some dirt pyramids. Go figure. According to the map, it's walking distance from the T.

Here is a better look using Google Earth.

View Larger Map

Prism Of Eternal Now

White Rainbow
Prism of Eternal Now
(August 7, 2007 - Kranky)

Shit! I can't believe it's been about 5 months since I last touched this blog; not that anybody has noticed. I've been jones'n to write lately. I just returned from a month-long excursion all over Guatemala and have a little free time on my hands. I first bought this album in January (I think) and it has quietly become the sleeper hit in my collection. I constantly come back for more.

Adam Forkner, otherwise known as White Rainbow, is contributing to an already prominent music scene in Portland, Oregon. He runs the Yarnlazer cd-r label with his girlfriend, Honey Owens [Valet], a damn-good musician in her own right. He defintely dabbles in a minimalistic mindset, and is clearly influenced by the pioneer of the minimalistic school of thought, Terry Riley (even recorded a track in his honor). Don't be scared off by the length of the tracks, or the long, single-note drones. It's blissful.

White Rainbow will be playing in San Francisco July 16th. The venue has yet to be announced, but according to Mr. Forkner's website (or blog?) it will be, "somewhere within the city, but remote and strange and awesome." It's not to be missed!

Tracklisting:

1. Pulses
2. Middle
3. For Terry
   
4. Mystic Prism
   
5. April 25th 11:14PM
   
6. Warm Clicked Fruit
   
7. Guitars
8. Waves
9. Awakening
   

Download Prism of Eternal Now
Recommended Tracks: "Pulses" "For Terry"

MP3: White Rainbow - “Pulses”

Distortion

The Magnetic Fields
Distortion
(January 15, 2008 - Nonesuch)

I have to be honest, I don't think I like The Magnetic Fields all that much. Well, that might not be a fair statement to make considering I had only heard one album prior to this one; that album being i. It didn't do much for me. I mean, it had modest sentimental value because it was given to me as a gift from a girl I was seeing at the time, but frankly, I thought it was pretty boring.

I was discussing this with a friend of mine a few nights ago at my place while we were listening to this album and she said I MUST listen to 69 Love Songs. Apparently it's widely regarded as their best album...thus far. I like to think their newest album, Distortion, will threaten that sentiment.

The Magnetic Fields are headed by singer-songwriter (I know we're all tired of that term) Stephin Merritt. I've got to hand it to him, he is a very good songwriter. His wit and humor, usually about romantic despair, are distributed all over the album. A couple songs that come to mind are California Girls and Too Drunk To Dream. The former, about the superficial beauty of Hollywood, reminds me of some silly parody; sort of like this one. Meanwhile, the latter reeks of self-loathing nicely disguised by clever lyrics and lots of feedback.

You can stream a few songs from Distortion on their Myspace page. Stephin and Co. are currently amidst their first tour since 2004. They will be in San Francisco for a two-night stint at Herbst Theatre on February 28th and 29th. Unfortunately, both shows have already sold out. There's always eBay or Craigslist!

Most, if not all, of their albums are concept albums--this one is no exception. The album is very good and even though it is very early in 2008, I think that Distortion is going to hold up well throughout the year.

Tracklisting:

1. Three-Way
2. California Girls
3. Old Fools
4. Xavier Says
5. Mr. Mistletoe
6. Please Stop Dancing
7. Drive On, Driver
8. Too Drunk to Dream
9. Till the Bitter End
10. I’ll Dream Alone
11. The Nun’s Litany
12. Zombie Boy
13. Courtesans

Download Distortion
Recommended Tracks: "California Girls," "Old Fools," "Drive On, Driver," "Zombie Boy."

BTW
I'm using a new file-sharing site so if there are any problems let me know. It's slightly more indirect, but allows for larger file sizes.