Promised Land, Findlay Brown

Ok, well, I said the next post would be an upload, but I can't find this anywhere, so I thought I'd at least put up this song.... because it's nice. Enjoy.

Findlay Brown - Promised Land from Record Makers on Vimeo.

Dirty Old Town, The Pogues

Yeah, yeah... I know... just another music video and no downloads for ya. Had to go a little MIA for a while due to a.) finals, b.) a panic attack that my hometown was suffocating me, which resulted in a plane ticket purchase, which resulted in my absence in the middle of finals. So here's just something to let ya know I'm still here, and will be posting some more stuff soon.

Why this song? Because it's been stuck in my head for.... 4 days.

Burn, Beck

Usually on the Banjo Story album I go more for the funny songs, but today this song just seems to make sense.

Wood Spider

Is there REALLY any way to go wrong with Gypsy/Vaudeville music?

...No.

...The answer is no.

This is what I've been listening to all day today. It's awesome, goddammit. Especially the first two tracks off of The American Cassette ('Reaper's Waltz,' and 'Hell Bound Train'). They remind me a lot of Man Man, only acoustic, and less members, and you should really check them out. You can download both of their albums at the following links below, which they themselves have posted on their myspace page. Their myspace page music isn't working at the moment (least not when I checked last) so if you for some reason are still unsure if you want both albums (which is insane): they are both really short and together make up basically a full length album. So... yeah.

THE AMERICAN CASSETTE
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?fnytynzwjhz

TREE FLESH EP
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?geek1mzmhcd

The March Fourth Marching Band

I saw the March Fourth Marching Band a couple days ago, had no idea what to expect, and it was absolutely amazing. I don't think I have danced that furiously since George Clinton and the P-Funk Allstars. I don't know yet how to describe this band, I really can't even comprehend, it's a huge circus-like, funky, groovy, crazy marching band. If you ever made fun of the band geeks, they are back with serious revenge.

At least 4 people were on stilts the entire show, in the crowd, doing dangerous acts and roaming around being crazy and jumping over crowd members. Their were sexy dancers doing acts, one girl doing a crazy hoola-hoop dance act for what must have been 20 minutes without even dropping the hoola-hoop or stopping it once. As well as a bunch of other really silly circus-like acts. They have fire spinners sometimes, and even the flag-twirlers are badass--unlike high school (no offense).

Unfortunately, I don't have their music to give to you, but check out their MYSPACE page as well as youtube for all their really awesome videos. If you are ever in the area where they are playing--especially Portland, Oregon (as that's where they are from), it is a must-see show, for sure. I left that show feeling so high and happy, and I was laughing and dancing the whole time! AS were the musicians! One of the drummers had his mouth open and was screaming and laughing the entire show, I don't know how he did it without his jaw falling off. SO MUCH ENERGY, AHHHHH!!!!! LOVE!

Vignetting the Compost, Bibio

I know this sounds like it could be an over-statement, but EVERYTHING THAT BIBIO DOES IS WONDERFUL. It's like... this glorious hybrid of electronica and folk music. And believe me I'm not usually a fan of electronica, so if you aren't either, ignore that and just listen. Reminds me a little bit of The Books on occasion, who are also awesome. Fun Fact: Bibio (Stephen Wilkinson) has also recently done some stuff for Adult Swim commercial campaigns... you know, the really cool ones with sweet music.

If you like this album, I highly recommend another of his albums from 2009 called Ambivalence Avenue. Or you know, any of his other albums, because they are ALL AWESOME.

http://www.mediafire.com/?n8z8j483znx01zm

Never Come Around, La Sera

La Sera! Great new solo project from Katy Goodman of The Vivian Girls and All Saints Day. Katy plays the base in La Sera, and the other members include Jenn Prince (guitar) and Jonathan Weinberg (drums, keyboard).

Words cannot express how much I love this music video. If I were a musician, this is the kind of shit I would do. The best part is when all the corpses dance along with her in the end. Love, love.

Unfortunately, they haven't released a full-length album yet, only the single.... but if you want, you can download the single for free here!

Bad Luck Brew (Again)

Remember that last post? Well I have the actual CD now... so here you go! There's a few more songs than there are on the myspace.

This reminds me.... I should really put up that full-length Barefoot Surrender album like I said I would months ago. Someday, someday.

http://www.mediafire.com/?m9225bwma5y5xmu

Jeff Buckley, Mama You Been On My Mind (Bob Dylan cover)

Why? Because Bob Dylan is awesome, and so is Jeff Buckley.

Dark Dark Dark, The Snow Magic

Wow, I don't know what it is with me and lady singers lately. I'm usually not that into them, but I feel like most of my last posts have been women. I can think of a few more I want to post, too, so maybe for now I'll keep the chain going. :)

I tried really hard to get their new album, but it looks like (at least for now) I'm gonna have to just save some cash and buy it. However, I'll be putting up their first one entitled The Snow Magic!

This band is stunning. I don't even honestly know how to describe it. Great female singer, great music, everything, ah, very different and I just love it. My friend Jason told me to go to their show, which is how I heard of them, but of course the show was that very night and I was broke, so hopefully they'll be back soon! Would love to see them in action!

Anyways, here is a song by them off their new album. I'm throwing it up here beause a) it's unfortunately not on the album I have, and b) it's amazing and you should hear it, especially if you want to hear them before you download them. I love love love love this song.

http://www.mediafire.com/?vpsvxyy5dxnz7re

M-M-M-Music

Alllright. So here's another giant list of bands that you guys should check out on myspace. I'd put their albums up but, again, I can't actually get them, as they live far away and if they have albums recorded at all, they only sell them in their hometown/on tour. They are all fantastic though, and you should check 'em out if you get the chance. Maybe they are in your location, or will be coming your way someday!


EARLY NOISE. http://www.myspace.com/earlynoise
Timothy James Favreu from Allston, Massachusetts. Ahh... I adore this music. It's this wonderful guitar and banjo melancholy puddle that makes you also want to dance along on occasion. When I say melancholy, I don't mean sad, and it's definitely not a downer, not music that will actually make you bummed out when hearing, just lazy and rainy and SO GOOD! Please, definitely check this one out if you check any of them out.


NIKO. http://www.myspace.com/nikosometimes
Folk/pop from Leverett, Massachusetts. Great lyrics, interesting songs. The way he sings reminds me a lot of The Mountain Goats. You'll probably like him if you like them.


MALLORY. http://www.myspace.com/mallorytheband
Punk/americana from.... you guessed it, Massachusetts. These guys are awesome, they are a lot like Barefoot Surrender if you remember that post. If you like Barefoot Surrender you'll love these guys. Which reminds me... I should probably put that album up... OH! Also, if you dig Mallory enough to have them on CD or Itunes, you can get their album FREE on their official website.


WE ARE DOGS. http://www.myspace.com/theyarefun
Also a very very lovely boy. PJ Horoszko from Brooklyn, New York. Another folk kid, his influences include Eliott Smith and Leonard Cohen, so you can tell already what kind of music it is. Ha, and just as he states "I will play your birthday party, but it won't be very festive."


SONS OF AN ILLUSTRIOUS FATHER.
http://www.myspace.com/sonsofanillustriousfather
Amazing soul/americana band from New York. The band is composed of a lot of wonderful and talented people. Sofia Albam does vocals/accordian/acoustic guitar/banjo/violin, (The girl from Squinch Owl, so you KNOW the voice is amazing), her voice reminds me a lot of Janis Joplin in this band, especially in the song Love & a 40oz. I'm so in love with her, can you tell? Band members also include Jake Generalli (vocals, guitars, mandolin, air organ, piano, banjo, harmonica), Lilah Larson (vocals, guitars) -- Remember her name because she will be listed in this post with her solo stuff below, Ezra Miller (vocals, shirts & skins, air organ, piano), Josh Aubin (bass), and Jake Sokolov-Gonzales (cello). God, please listen to this, it's so great.


LIZZIE WRIGHT SUPER SPACE SHIP.
http://www.myspace.com/lizziewrightsuperspaceship
Cute girl with cute songs from Jackson, Mississippi. She reminds me A LOT of Azure Ray. She's adorable, and pretty unique. Also sometimes sounds to me a bit like Laura Goldhamer & The Silvernail.


LILAH LARSON. http://www.myspace.com/lilahlarson
Told you to look out! This is Lilah Larson from Sons Of An Illustrious Father's solo music! She, like Sofie Albam, has a gorgeous voice. Another cry-in-your-beer singer like Sofia as well as all those lovely women out there like Cat Power, etc.


BROWN BIRD. http://www.myspace.com/brownbird
Brown Bird is a duo made up of David Lamb (guitar, banjo, percussion, vocals) and Morganeve Swain (fiddle, cello, upright bass, vocals). They are pretty cool, they are a dark and foot-stomp ensuing americana/folk/blues/gypsy band. Very interesting to listen to. Definitely check these two out!


THE GROWLERS. http://www.myspace.com/lbcgrowlers
This is pretty much the only non-folky band I've put in this post, I just realized. I should put more variety out there these days, huh? Anyways, this is an awesome surf rock/gothic band from Costa Mesa, California. They are so much fun to rock out to. You can't really ever get enough great surf rock!


Alright, well, that's all for now. I'm sure there will be more posts like this, because somehow I just keep finding awesome bands that I of course can't seem to get a hold of their albums.

BY THE WAY: If you are in the Boulder/Denver area, COME to Gogol Bordello and/or DeVotchKa this weekend at the Boulder Theater! I'll be at the thursday (Oct. 28th) show of Gogol and the 29th show of DeVotchKa, COME, it's gonna be wonderful!

The Kinks, Sunny Afternoon

Music video tiiiiime.

Happy Halloweeeeen!

[EDIT] SORRY guys about the wrong link.... whoops, it's fixed now, so download the halloween mix! [/EDIT]

It's just around the corner, folks! So here's a mix dedicated to the most wonderful holiday of the year--Halloween! Unfortunately I am a dullard when it comes to putting playlists in zip files, so when you download it, every song is going to be out of order. LUCKILY I am typing out the tracklist so you can jump right into your itunes and put the songs in the correct order so it will sound less like a crack machine.

ONE....................The Sighting... (The Ghastly Ones)

TWO...................Shockmonster Stomp (The Ghastly Ones)

THREE...............Green Fuz (The Cramps)

FOUR.................Monsterpussy (The Vaselines)

FIVE...................Bone Machine (The Pixies)

SIX......................Red Right Hand (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds)

SEVEN................Season of the Witch (Donovan)

EIGHT................Devil Got My Woman (Skip James)

NINE...................Moanin' At Midnight (Howlin' Wolf)

TEN.....................I Put A Spell On You (Screamin' Jay Hawkins)

ELEVEN..............Rats (The Kinks)

TWELVE.............The Horror (RJD2)

THIRTEEN.........Halloween (The Dead Kennedys)
FOURTEEN........Real Child of Hell (X)

FIFTEEN.............I Was A Teenage Werewolf (The Cramps)

SIXTEEN.............Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground (The White Stripes)

SEVENTEEN.......If You Shoot The Head You Kill The Ghoul (Jeffrey Lewis)

EIGHTEEN..........Simean Groove (The Folk Implosion)

NINETEEN..........Casper The Friendly Ghost (Daniel Johnston)

TWENTY..............Vampire (Antsy Pants)

TWENTY-ONE....Pumpkin Seeds (Devendra Banhart)

TWENTY-TWO...Trick Or Treat (Otis Redding)

http://www.mediafire.com/?dklle7dndtrt7uw

First Aid Kit

For all of you interested, the two young swedish sisters that made me MELT into nothing but a puddle with their youtube cover of the Fleet Foxes' Tiger Mountain Peasant Song, they have their own myspace page now and are putting out their first debut album.

Their voices are so gorgeous, I can barely stand it. Love their band name, too. The bottom of this is their video of another cover by them I adore: Fever Ray's When I Grow Up.

Go LISTEN!

Bad Luck Brew

I'd tell you who they are and where these two folks are from, however, they have chosen to remain anonymous. If you know what's good for you, you'll go listen to this music, and if you like it, spread the word!

Until then.... BAD LUCK BREW

I'm really impressed, I'd never heard any of his songs with a banjo along-side and I think it really makes it. And as they put it: "What happens when you find 20 gallons of homebrew under a recently burnt down trailer."

Seriously though, I know that because he's my friend it makes me seem biased, but if I didn't know him at all, I would still love this shit. It's really great. Love the song "Witches Mouth" and the song "Poor Emily" is absolutely beautiful, in my opinion.

Trashy Boys, Tickley Feather

Found this on another music blog a bit ago, I just fucking love the girl running aroud with her streamers. She looks like a street jelly fish and that is AWESOME! I am pro-streamer girl, however I am con-rat tail. Rat tails will never be cool, I don't care how many of you hipsters think you look rad. Fuck off.

don't need nothin' but a mattress on a floor and my darlin' to keep me warm....

Wow. Post more soon guys, I got some tricks up my sleeve including a sweet Halloween mix. However, all I can seem to listen to right now is Squinch Owl on repeat, and seeing as how all I ever post is the shit I'm listening to at the moment and feel like sharing.... it's gonna be at least a couple more days before I care enough to throw something else up here.

Seriously though, I can't stop listening to this shit.... it's so wonderful.

That said, PLEASE if you are in the area come to the Yard Dogs Road Show ft. The Devil Makes Three show! October 8th at the Ogden! Tickets are only $20 if you get 'em at the venue! I'll be there with bells on, so show up lovelies, it's gonna be an amazing show!

Squinch Owl

Holy shit. I could not have stumbled across this music at a better time, this is exactly what I've needed this past week.

Above you will see the bloody fingers of Sofia Albam of Squinch Owl which sounds like, as she says, "a pack of wild animals ripping your throat out, gently." In other words this gal is a bad ass. Listen to be the judge at her myspace, and if you like, download the EP for FREE on her website here.

Play 'til it bleeds, baby.

Jaan Pehechaan Ho, Mohammed Rafi

That bitch can dance.
...Now I wanna watch Ghost World.

Some Of My Best Friends Are DJ's, Kid Koala

Again... really shouldn't still be putting these albums up when all I wanna do is run out of here and drink, especially for ones like this where there really is quite a bit to say.

Kid Koala is a DJ who's real big on creating his own characters and storylines, whether it be with pencil on paper or within his music. For example, he's got a comic book out that you can buy, which comes with a CD soundtrack and a mini-chess set. If you wanna check it out, it's called Nufonia Must Fall and it's about a robot trying to impress a girl. There are definitely not enough audio soundtracked comic books out there these days.

He's pretty popular with other musicians too. Both Radiohead and Bjork have asked him to open for their shows. I would definitely recommend getting the rest of his albums if you enjoy this one.

Here's one of his videos for a song on this album, which is absolutely stunning (aka SICK AS SHIT):

http://www.mediafire.com/?y48na441ejv894y

Dim the Lights, Chill the Ham, Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet

Time for some surf rock kiddos! 1984 surf rock band from Canada. These guys are awesome, some pretty goofy shit on top of great tunes on top of lots and lots of Rocky and Bullwinkle sound clips.

Fun fact: They are mostly known for the song "Having an Average Weekend" which ended up being used as the theme song for The Kids in the Hall. HA!

Check 'em out, eh?

http://www.mediafire.com/?s74v77g1burad7d

Ambulance LTD

I absolutely love this band. I figure everyone out there already has this but just in case, I adore their LP, as well as everything else. They have a lot of influences from the 70's and you can definitely tell, I think. I had a bunch I wanted to say about these guys, but it's 8:30pm and I'm trying to go get drunk. Moral of the story: It's some pretty up beat, fun and alltogether soothing stuff. Listen to it.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sag3yvn6xs7oj5e

Red, Yellow And Blue, Born Ruffians

Figured I'd toss this album up because I'll be seeing these guys in October. I actually don't have much information on them, they are a lot of fun, his voice vaguely reminds me of Alec Ounsworth's (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!). Well, instead of explaining this band then, since I can't really in this case, just listen to this song:



http://www.mediafire.com/?4gw72phoouwgdg3

Don't let the hair scare you, babies.

Well you all know how much I love the Brian Jonestown Massacre. I watched the documentary for the 2nd time last night and I forgot how fucking hilarious it is. Well, and also fucked up (Thanks Anton 'Jesus'), but still hilarious. This is one of the deleted scenes that's not on the 2nd disc or in the first special features.

Hope you think it's as funny as me, but I have a huuuge crush on Joel (because he's the silliest of sillies and has the coolest sunglasses collection around) so I might be biased.

Oh, and if you haven't yet seen the documentary (Dig!) please please please watch it. It may make you hate the Dandy Warhols, though. Fair warning.

Man Man

Man Man is an experimental band that incorporates Eastern European and circus-esque styles in their music. In other words: they are fucking awesome. The band is comprised of incredibly talented characters, as well. The members (Honus Honus, Sergei Sogay, Pow Pow, Critter Crat, and Chang Wang) are known for their multiple instrument playing all centered around a usually honky tonk style piano. They're also known for synchronizing outfits and warpaint as well as (can you guess?) using pseudonyms instead of their real names.

Among the use of the piano, the band is made up of: a clavinet, microKORG, sousaphone, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, flute, drum set, euphonium, fender jazz bass, Danelectro guitar, xylophone, marimba, melodica and various percussive instruments including pots and pans and toy noise makers and horns.

Are you intrigued yet?

Honus Honus is planning to make an album in the future with Nicholas Thorburn (Islands, The Unicorns) in which they will be creating a new sub-genre called "Doom Wop" which is esentially "Low frequency, and extremely slowed down music atop traditional doo wop harmonies. Or something."

I have heard from multiple folks that the members of Man Man actually used to be carnies but were "too weird for the circus" and got kicked out. So they ended up creating a band. I do not actually know if this is true, I haven't been able to find any valid information explaining this, but either way, I hope it's true, because folks who get kicked out of a circus for being too weird.... well... that's just wonderful. And mind boggling.

Anyway, here's two of their albums. I don't have their oldest one, but here's the two newest ones.

Six Demon Bag (2006)


http://www.mediafire.com/?07ti1wsiyj9c7fc




Rabbit Habits (2008)


http://www.mediafire.com/?sbl4u4b8p8terk3

Dracula Boots, Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds

This album is ridiculous. It's ridiculous and wonderful. I have this on vinyl just for the time being while my friend Jason remains out of town for a few months, and I'm pretty stoked about it. Someone cut out a clipping and taped it to the album cover before Jason bought it, which is a way better description of this music than I can give, so here you go:

"The legendary KID CONGO POWERS returns to the psychedelic jungle with a stripped-down, no-frills set of volcanic songs. The premier voodoo guitarist for seminal sexy, swampy bands like GUN CLUB, NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS, and THE CRAMPS, Powers is a restless aesthete whose earlier solo efforts are explored and mixed genres. With Dracula Boots, he comes back to his roots as a crackerjack guitarist playing the primitive music that inspired him-the raw sounds of garage and early Chicano rock. Includes covers of songs by Thee Midniters and Bo Diddleym and the original songs on Dracula Boots go from loud, fuzzy biker rock to greasy rump-shaker groove; from a scary movie soundtrack to The Meters having an acid flashback."

See? How can you read that and NOT want to listen to this immediately? You may not know this about me but I FUCKING. LOVE. THE CRAMPS! Also a huge fan of Nick Cave, and well, yeah, every other band they mentioned in that paragraph. Good album.

http://www.mediafire.com/?zttyhudgzyd

Psycho, Eddie Noack

Bahaha. Seriously, this song is awesome. Really fucked up old school country song. Gotta love it.

Medway Wheelers, The Buff Medways

Wild Billy Childish is an awesome human being. He is a painter, author, poet, photographer, film maker, singer and guitarist. He's often described as "one of the most outstanding, and often misunderstood, figures on the British art scene." He writes a lot about his strange love life and his childhood sexual abuse, but don't let that scare you away, he truly is fantastic.

He was also a co-founder with Charles Thomson of a pretty cool international art movement called Stuckism. It was founded in 1999 and it's main goal is to promote figurative painting in opposition to conceptual art. Started with 2 guys, then to 13 different groups of British artists, and is now up to 209 groups in 48 countries as of May 2010.

He has gone through so many bands: The Pop Rivets, The Milkshakes, The Mighty Caesars, The Del Monas, Wild Billy Childish & The Blackhands, Wild Billy Childish & The Natural Born Lovers, Thee Headcoats, Wild Billy Childish & The Buff Medways, and has made albums with at least 10 different artists. He has written over 100 books (poetry, fiction and nonfiction), and made 6 different films. This guy really has his shit together.

Something else I find pretty funny though, is Billy Childish's longstanding battle with Jack White. Jack White loved Billy Childish and for some reason or another Billy Childish hates Jack White and has actually written songs about how stupid he is!

Anyway, check it out. My FAVORITE song on the album is called "Dustbin Mod." I rarely use this word, but that song is seriously just so. fucking. tough.

http://www.mediafire.com/?mnozmwoj2lf

The Spooks

FINALLY an update! Sorry kids, I'm throwin' a few of 'em up here right now. First one is this band The Spooks. They're a really rad garage/surf rock band from Philly. I absolutely LOVE his voice. Kinda raspy, kinda creepy, just great all around.

Unfortunately I don't live in Philly and I'm pretty sure that's the only way to get their album. However here is their MYSPACE PAGE with all of their songs on it. So it's basically like having an album.

Check 'em out!

love.music.love.music.

Aaaaaalright. I'm goin' to a sweet show tonight, so I thought I'd share the music with you guys. I don't have any of their albums, I plan on buying them tonight (assuming they'll have brought some with them) as they are all traveling groups. I'll throw the albums up if/when I get them, but you guys really need to check out their myspaces, because they are all great.


BIRDLIPS. http://www.myspace.com/birdlipsmusic
Virginia psych/folk/pop duo that is so incredible. Just lovely. If you like the Fleet Foxes, you will love them, guaranteed. Check out their official website and read about their "DRIFT Project," it's pretty cool. I do actually have one of their albums (Cardboard Wings) but I'd like to see if I can buy their other one tonight before I share this one. Anyways, check 'em out.


HORSE MARRIAGE. http://www.myspace.com/horsemarriage
Four guys from San Francisco. Kind of like if Yo La Tengo and Wilco had a baby.


RUBEDO. http://www.myspace.com/rubedomusic
Psych/Country/Punk? Denver based band. Pretty cool, though. The first song isn't my favorite, but the others are quite nice.

Happy Independence Day.

Well, here's a random assortment of songs compiled onto a mix for the 4th of july. They might have transferred out of order, so in that case, it might not make as much sense. Maybe give it a listen while you're barbequing, getting drunk and/or dropping acid.

01. This Land Is Your Land / Woody Guthrie

02. Volunteers / Jefferson Airplane

03. A Gun On His Hip and a Rose On His Chest / Megapuss

04. North American Scum / LCD Soundsystem

05. White Minority / Black Flag

06. Fireworks / Animal Collective

07. Independence Day / Elliott Smith

08. Britney Spears 4 President / The Samuel Jackson 5

09. Tractor Man / Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

10. Yankee Go Home / Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

11. Going Up the Country / Canned Heat

12. House Un-American Blues Activity Dream / Mimi & Richard Farina

13. America's Great National Pastime / The Byrds

14. Hickville USA / James Dean Driving Experience

15. We're An American Band / Yo La Tengo

16. American Beat 84 / The Fleshtones

17. American Music / The Violent Femmes

18. Star Spangled Banner [Live] / Jimi Hendrix Experience

19. America / Simon & Garfunkel

20. Out West / Hardy

http://www.mediafire.com/?iwkzgtgkod4

4 Shots EP, Barefoot Surrender

Barefoot Surrender! These crazy folks from Nashville were travelin' through town last week, and I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with them and hearing them play live downtown. They were very interesting and extremely genuine kids, and I wished more than anything I could have just dropped everything and skipped town with them.

I am putting this album up here considering these kids might not come to your area, but if they EVER DO, it is seriously your duty as a human being to give them a few bucks. They deserve it. They are a bunch of bluegrassy punks. They've got a myspace if ya wanna check that out as well, it's got a few youtube videos of them playing and the like. Their music is described on their page as sounding like "riding a train through a swamp in the middle of a thunder storm blacked out drunk." I suppose I would agree.

The only problem with this album is that there just aren't enough songs on it....

http://www.mediafire.com/?kyyd2jwnz3g

Lusitania Playboys, Dead Combo

Allllright. I'm officially back from work and with some albums up my sleeve no less. These guys are portuguese, and seriously are the definition of "cool." This is the kind of music you would expect to hear straight out of a Quentin Tarantino movie, but you never have. I was unable to find the particular album I wanted of theirs, but this one is absolutely stunning. I have actually been kind of obsessed with Dead Combo since I started listening to them recently.

My brother was playing some video game involving evil shadow people and their music was featured in it, so after some research I found one of my favorite albums I've heard in a while. This album is very eerie, slightly grungy, and incredibly sexy. I will definitely be purchasing all other albums I can find by these guys asap.

http://www.mediafire.com/?5xnnywwyjz3

Tightrope, Janelle Monáe (ft. Big Boi)

SORRY GUYS AH. Once again I've drifted around couches and have not been near a computer at alllllll in the past, well, whenver. I don't have time to get the two albums I wanted to put up right now (I have to catch a bus to work in 10 minutes, and they are still uploading), however, I will be putting them up later today. And they are AWESOME, so stay tuned....

Until then, I'm going to bitch out and put up a video. I randomly tuned in to MTV a while ago and this was on, and well... to make a long story short, I think I am in love with this lady. Look at her sweet dance moves (not to mention shoes and hair). I don't know anything about her besides this video, but I think she's fantastic. My second random MTV crush since Lady Gaga.

Season of the Witch, Donovan

Today was a Donovan day. Almost put on Colours, but this seemed more appropriate all of a sudden.



By the way I hope some of you at least were able to snatch that Cotton Jones album I had up for... a day. I was emailed by the record label and asked to take it down, which, you know, I complied with. I love sharing music but I do not love being sued. Either way, you should seriously look into buying their album(s)... Until then, check out their myspace.

Life is a Problem... But Where There is Life, There is Hope.

A lot of people I know were feeling bummed out last week, so... this one's to you guys.

This album is compiled of rare gospel, sanctified blues and steel recorded sometime between the 40's and the 60's. It's basically an assortment of preachers and pious folk who know how to attack a tune, singing about how troublesome their life is, but how it's allllll gonna be just fine.

These guys could've been major rock stars in their day had they not had such disdain for the "devil's music." Some (like Reverend Lonnie Farris) were even offered a lot of money, but declined. Go figure.

My favorite track off the album is "Angels Keep Watching Over Me" by the Straight Street Group.

http://www.mediafire.com/?yzru1gwbnje

Little Pad, The Beach Boys

I'll probably end up putting this whole album up later (if anyone wants it), but for now I was really just feeling this song on my incredibly hung over morning. Enjoy!

Best Hits, Etta James

Everyone knows this woman. Even if you were some how born under the heaviest of rocks in all the land, her amazing voice would have creeped under the cracks somehow in "At Last." Everyone knows that one. Either from old movies, new movies set in old times, old radio stations, OR that awful commercial advertising a delicious looking cheeseburger from (Burger King?)

Either way, however you've heard of her, or however you haven't, this woman... ever since I was a child... if I could sing, THIS is the voice that I would want. It's fucking incredible.

http://www.mediafire.com/?drkuwkzymlh

Chicken Scratch, Lee "Scratch" Perry

You know, I could try and argue as to why you should click the link at the bottom of this post, but really, I'm getting drunk, it's 1:16 AM on a wednesday night, and I just don't feel like it.

You want a reason to click the link? I'll give you one--
It's necessary for your health.

And as for Lee Perry himself? Well... he's kind of a big deal.

http://www.mediafire.com/?0mocattnjmn

Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside

Portland's alternative newspaper the Willamette Weekly named Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside the city's best new band for 2010 today. They are super cute and have been on tour with the Avett Brothers a whole bunch. Seriously, go look up something live by them on youtube--they are the nerdiest people ever. It's adorable. Sallie has a really distinct and jazzy voice... I love it.

I don't have the EP for you (however, you can buy it for just $5 on their website) but I will be giving you the link to their live at Crystal Ballroom in Portland album. Which to be honest, I'm not sure actually exists, I think someone just recorded it, but it doesn't sound half bad.



http://www.mediafire.com/?by4taznyzfi

Ok, so I lied when I said I wouldn't post an actual album today. I haven't left for work yet, and decided I may as well post a thing or two while I was sipping my coffee.



Little Joy (named after a bar) formed in 2007 and is made up of Rodrigo Amarante (Los Hermanos singer/guitarist), Fabrizio Moretti (drummer of The Strokes), and Bikini Shapiro. Amarante also collaborated with Devendra Banhart on his Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, and Shapiro contributed to Beck's Songs of Leonard Cohen album.

This album is great, good for sunshine, good for fun, and definitely does have that little bit of a Strokes sound to them.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ytkezinjgzt

Terrapin, Syd Barrett

Alright, I took a bit of a hiatus from this thing trying to get used to working all the time. I think I'm finally starting to get into the work groove and be alive afterwards rather than just coming home and going to sleep, and I've got lots of plans for what's next up here! So prepare yourselves!

Until then (as I am out the door to work this morning) I'll just leave you with this song for now, because it has been stuck in my head since friday... (and Syd Barrett is a wonderful human being).

Gris Gris, Dr. John

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?oziziznjizi

Do you trust me?

Dr. Dog

Oi, it's been a while, huh?

Dr. Dog's new album was requested, so here ya go! Good timing too, because they're playing a show tomorrow night on 4/20! Go see it! They are so much fun live! And I can guarantee you smoking pot at the Dr. Dog show will be much more satisfying for you than smoking pot in your mom's basement.

Side note: Seriously if anyone out there (watch me pretend people actually look at this thing) ever wants to make a request for an album, go for it. Just leave me some kinda comment on one of these posts, eh?


Shame, Shame (2010)


http://www.mediafire.com/?441tdhrj1fh


If you haven't really heard Dr. Dog before, I really wouldn't suggest downloading the newest one first. I like their older stuff way better because it's a lot.... weirder, I guess? I wish I could post all of their stuff, but that seems silly, so I'm going to post up my two favorite albums and you can do what you will with it.


Easy Beat (2005)


http://www.mediafire.com/?m2h1i1mmcjw


And last but not least, here is Toothbrush. I think it was their second album, and it's also got my favorite song by them on it (The ABC's).


Toothbrush (2002)


http://www.mediafire.com/?35oztmtwymz

S/T, The Builders and the Butchers

Another awesome band from Alaska! I don't really know much about them, but I do know I put this album on repeat for a week straight when I first heard it! The lead singer's voice actually reminds me a lot of Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes. They've got a newer album out called "Salvation Is A Deep Dark Well" which I'd also definitely suggest if you like their first. They are a mix of punk and old American roots music with Southern Gothic themed story-songs.

They are playing live in TWO days. Go, because you will not regret it. I bet they put on a great show.

• April 8th. w/ Rx Bandits and Zechs Marquise @ The Marquis Theater DENVER, CO

http://www.mediafire.com/?nilzwuzmbkr

Young Punks, Bad Weather California

Hooray for Denver local bands! When their main musical influence is the sun... How can you say no? They've been described as "acid tinged boogie country punk."

They've got some upcoming shows if you're interested and live in the area:

• May 14th. w/ Akron Family @ Quixtotes DENVER, CO
• May 15th. w/ Akron Family @ Quixotes DENVER, CO
• May 16th. w/ Akron Family @ Quixotes DENVER, CO
• June 27th w/The Donkeys @ Hi-Dive DENVER, CO

http://www.mediafire.com/?nzok1mdmmnm

God Bless Tiny Tim

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



http://www.mediafire.com/?mmutzi5ecmg

Prison Songs: Historical Recordings from Parchman Farm 1947-48 (Volume 1)

If I could describe how I've felt lately, having a ball and chain around my ankle isn't far from the truth, I'll tell you. I can't stress enough how important these songs are to blues history. This album was a bitch for me to find, but I am so glad I did, the damn thing has practically fallen off the face of the earth. I am still, however, searching for Volume 2... and when I find it, by God you'll know about it.

The tradition of work songs originated on the 17th century Mississippi Delta, where slaves brought over from Africa suffered all day in the heat with hard work and torturous punishments. The songs were a form of passing time, and making work easier and more 'enjoyable.' They also served as a big 'fuck you' to their masters.

Prison on 20th century southern U.S. had mandatory work as well. Prisoners had all kinds of manual work and heavy jobs like chopping down trees or building railroads. The tradition of work songs were heavily influenced from the previous 300 year-old slave songs.

This album in particular was put together and recorded live by Alan Lomax, a folklorist and musicologist. He went to several jails around the area to record and preserve some of these songs before the tradition of work songs would die out entirely.

A lot of prisoners actually ended up working themselves literally to death on these camps. So these songs which were very much like the blues, had the power of passing an emotion that each singer might be feeling at the time.... which really is one of the most important similarities between blues and work songs, don't you think?

If this subject interests you beyond just this album, I would highly recommend watching this awesome documentary for free.

http://www.mediafire.com/?tjnvivntyml

Wildering 7", Kría Brekkan

Finally listened to her solo debut abum, and I can safely say her music has taken over my entire day. It is absolutely beautiful. Kría Brekkan was formerly the voice of múm (also awesome), and let me tell you.... if Sirens truly existed, Kría Brekkan is one herself. (I'm on to you, Kría!)

It sounds kind of like she utilized the same recording techniques used in 1860 only..... underwater.

The words "haunting," "beautiful," "bizarre," and "otherwordly" are an understatement for these magical lullabies of hers.

It is understandable if it's too weird or creepy for you, but give it a shot at least. It's an intense experience if you are alone. The album only has 3 songs, so you may as well download it no matter what. Actually, if anything, PLEASE please download it, just so you can listen to the song "Gömul Vísa Um Vorið." It is so beautiful... and the entire reason I became so intrigued by her. It still gives me the chills just thinking about it.

Couldn't find that particular song of hers on youtube to show, so here's another one (not on this album, done with her husband Avey Tare) that I also find ridiculously lovely. Give it a shot guys, give it 40 seconds and you'll be in love.



http://www.mediafire.com/?nmy0mmkhmam

The Ink Spots: Greatest Hits 1939-1946

Ok. Just one more for the day.
One of my top favorite voices of all time.



http://www.mediafire.com/?d3myxn4ocgi

The Beat Generation

Some music, some spoken word, both equally delightful to your ears.

Tracklist:

1. San Francisco (The Beat Generation) / Jack Kerouac
2. The Beat Generation / Bob McFadden & Dor
3. Footloose in Greenwich Village / Unknown
4. Blues Montage / Langston Hughes
5. Manhattan Fable / Babs Gonzales & His Orchestra
6. Reaching into In / Ken Nordine
7. Parker's Mood / King Pleasure
8. Route 66 Theme / Nelson Riddle
9. Diamonds On My Windshield / Tom Waits
10. Naked Lunch (excerpt) / William S. Burroughs
11. Bernie's Tune / Lee Konitz & The Gerry Mulligan Quartet
12. Like Rumpelstiltskin / Don Morrow
13. Oop-Pop-A-Da / Dizzy Gillespie & His Orchestra
14. Basic Hip / Del Close & John Brent
15. Christopher Columbus Digs the Jive / John Drew Barrymore
16. The Clown / Charles Mingus & Jean Shepherd
17. The Murder of Two Men by a Young Kid Wearing Lemon Colored Gloves / Kenneth Patchen & The Chamber Jazz Sextet
18. The Hip Gahn / Lord Buckley
19. Twisted / Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
20. Yip Roc Heresy / Slim Gaillard
21. Ha / Charlie Ventura & His Orchestra
22. Pull My Daisy / David Amram Quintet with Lynn Sheffield
23. October in the Railroad Earth / Jack Kerouac & Steve Allen
24. The Cool Rebellion / Howard K. Smith
25. Cosmic Rays / Charlie Parker
26. Kookie's Mad Pad / Edd Byrnes
27. Bebopper / The Gordons & Hank Jones Trio
28. Hunger Is From / Ken Nordine
29. No Pictures, Please / Rod McKuen
30. Like Young / Perry Como
31. Married Blues / Kennet Rexroth
32. Psychopathia Sexuals / Lenny Bruce
33. Jack & Neal/California Here I Come / Tom Waits
34. Readings From 'On the Road' and 'Visions of Cody' / Jack Kerouac & Steve Allen
35. Interview with Ben Hecht / Jack Kerouac
36. Kerouazy / Don Morrow
37. Cool / Del Close & John Brent
38. But I Was Cool / Oscar Brown Jr.
39. Uncool / Del Close & John Brent
40. High School Drag / Phillipa Fallon
41. Opp-Bop Sh-Bam / Kenny Clarke
42. Professor Bop / Bab's Three Bips and a Bop
43. Beatnik's Wish / Patsy Raye
44. Like Having Fun / Elmer Bernstein
45. On Beatniks / Carl Sandburg
46. Swinghouse / Gerry Mulligan Quartet
47. The Greenwich Village Poets / Charles Kuralt
48. America / Allen Ginsberg

Disc 1: http://www.mediafire.com/?nz2mnjmdzjd
Disc 2: http://www.mediafire.com/?qzm2ye0dmnz
Disc 3: http://www.mediafire.com/?cyobjjzojjz

Up From Below, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

I found out about Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros pretty recently from a couple different friends, and they are fantastic. Lovely, and uplifting and light hearted. I'm just going to go ahead and give you last.fm's definition of them, because it's wonderful. (I love the fact that the color of the sun is F#!)

"Birthed by Mouth in the year two-thousand and five, young Edward Sharpe had to wait nearly two years before he was to grow his arms and legs and fingers and toes.

Immaculately conceived, his father (a Robot who had magically become a real boy…but that’s another story) declared his undying devotion to the creature. He perched the fleshy bust upon a teetering pedestal fashioned from stacked cereal boxes and positioned the display at his window for all the town to see. Young Edward soon proved no ordinary boy.

Though his father had figured him deaf for his unresponsiveness to sounds, he in fact had the universally unique condition of being deaf from hearing too much or, more correctly put, too well. In plain words, he heard EVERYTHING AT ONCE.

At first it proved rather painful like a wretched whining winding all hours, but very soon those who whisper visited young Edward and revealed to him the Tricks and Truths, the Ways and Plays, the Chords and Dischords of the Universe. He did not need to eat but the color of the sun, which was F#, and moved his bones to grow.

His arms and legs and fingers and toes grew ‘til the tower of boxes collapsed and he laughed. He moved thru the door which was C over B# and ran thru the village hearing ALL of its music! The workers and children and painters of buildings and dogs barking madly and trees bristling softly and OH!!

Young Edward could not resist! He began playing the tree which are the chords E and D ‘gainst the mice in the grass which are A played with brass and the wooden fence F and then C and repeat with a drone of B Minor to bring in the street and the Birds B to B Sharp with fluttering strings and the sky mostly C unless he wants to bring in the rain and for rain bring the F Chord bombastic with organ’s distortion and symbols a’crashin!

Yes, and a music was born."

http://www.mediafire.com/?k4wdnw2nzzt

Dear Andrew Bird,

Please, marry me already.

...Please?

Jeffrey Lewis

This is gonna be another one of those like Jolie Holland, specifically because I can't decide which album to post, so I'll post multiple. In fact, I wish I could post everything he's ever made, and post thoughts from his head that he hasn't even recorded yet.

I don't run into many people who don't know who he is, but I've noticed that while everyone loves him, no one has any of his stuff. So this is for everyone who has wanted it, and everyone who doesn't know they want it yet. I really can't tell you enough how much you need to download at least one of these albums, and then come back for more (because you will).

There are so many of his songs that bring tears to my eyes every time I hear them. I don't know what it is. The lyrics? The music? The voice? Nostalgia is a common theme in a lot of his music... maybe that's it.

Aside from that he's down right ridiculous. He is still such a kid at heart, and is so goofy, funny and silly. Did I mention the things that belong inside his heart are absolutely adorable? I was fortunate enough to see him live with Dr. Dog at the end of 2009 and he puts on such a great light-hearted show, filled with great music, comedy, comic book art, and even history lessons.

I'd also recommend checking out his website, because there are a lot of awesome illustrations and comic book art by him on there.... and you can even play space invaders!

Anyway, here's the goods. If you never heard of him, and are unsure about which to download first (if you don't want to immediately download all of it) I'd highly suggest downloading the top two, regardless. And if you are a huge Crass fan.... well, download that one too.

It's The Ones Who've Cracked That The Light Shines Through (2003)

http://www.mediafire.com/?1wdyjnmka2n

Highlights: Back When I Was 4, Alphabet, No LSD Tonight, Arrow, If You Shoot The Head You Kill The Ghoul, I Saw A Hippie Girl On 8th Ave, You Don't Have to Be A Scientist To Do Experiments On Your Own Heart.

The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane (2001)

http://www.mediafire.com/?ngnjzyj2z44

Highlights: The East River, Seattle, The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex Song, Heavy Heart, The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane, Springtime, Life.

Twelve Crass Songs (2007)

http://www.mediafire.com/?tnyjdjlw2qw

HONORABLE MENTIONS.... If you give any kind of a shit as much as I do about this guy, and you want more, I'd definitely get 'Em Are I, City & Eastern Songs, and Kimya Dawson & Jeff Lewis. Hell... I'll probably just end up posting them later, anyway.

You May Already Be Dreaming, Neva Dinova

Just heard this for the first time last night. It's lazy, rainy, folk music. Suppose that works quite well for such a rainy day, huh? Don't know too much about these guys except if you are a fan of Bright Eyes, they did a collaboration album with Conor Oberst called One Jug Of Wine, Two Vessels. I personally was never the biggest fan of Bright Eyes (I enjoy a few songs here and there, mind you)... I think Conor Oberst is a whiny little bitch. (No disrespect Conor, I mean that in the best way possible.)

I had this on in the background while I was reading, and from the 50% attention I was paying to the album vs my book, I enjoyed it. It's just nice mellow-out music to put on when you don't want to pay too much attention to things. Or, as Last.fm put it "It is an album of lush, relaxing and fluid dreams." It definitely speeds up towards the middle of the album, then slows down just a touch again at the end, which is always nice with this kind of music.

http://www.mediafire.com/?g225mizztky