Woodcraft Folk - Trough of Bowland

I came across this one a few days ago. Woodcraft Folk is a London-based duo who bring their own take on folk music. This is folk with electronica foundations. Their aurally focused arrangements and melodies are incredibly comforting and hooked me immediately. There are many individual moments that will remind you of something else you have heard (Múm, The Books, and Broadcast are a few that came to my mind), but the duo manages to maintain their own individuality. This 2005 album would serve as a wonderful soundtrack to some coming-of-age indie flick, or just a wonderful soundtrack for your next leasurely stroll.

- Dan

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Cheap Time - Handyman b/w Wildlife 7"

(Request)

Not much to say here. It's snotty, fuzzy, garage punk, and it's damn near perfect. 2 tracks both under 2 minutes. For fans of King Khan & BBQ, Black Lips, Jay Reatard, and the like.

- Dan

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Green Milk From The Planet Orange - City Calls Revolution

(Request)

I hadn't listened to this one in a very long time, but I forgot how good it was. Terrible band name, but a solid prog rock band with a little psychedelia thrown in. Any band who can make 20 minute songs that are continuously entertaining is well worth the listen. The riff from "Concrete City Breakdown" has been stuck in my head all day. Sounds like King Crimson, Soft Machine, or any progressive 70s band that comes to mind.

- Dan

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My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything (Remastered)

Like all things My Bloody Valentine related, this digital remaster of the groups sophomore LP, along with a remastered Loveless, were set to be released months ago only to be delayed indefinitely when Kevin Shields pulled his usual "LOL JK" routine. Forget about that followup to Loveless, how about that fucking box set I was promised 5 years ago? I digress...
I'm actually glad the band decided to finally give the thumbs up for this, because lord knows Isn't Anything could benefit from it. I love MBV, and I'll defend the perfect production on Loveless all day, but at this point Kevin Shields hadn't become obsessive-compulsive enough to really make this a great sounding record. I wasn't quite sure what to make of it at first, but after repeat listens I'm completely sold. Great band, great record. If it is ever released (I know, there's a set release date but I'll believe it when I'm holding a copy in my hands) make sure you pick it up.

- Steve

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Tweak Bird - Reservations

Courtesy of Amazon.com:

"Tweak Bird is the LA by-way-of Illinois brother duo of Caleb and Ashton Bird. Produced under the helm of the impressive production team Deaf Nephews (Melvins' Dale Crover and Altamont's Toshi Kasai), the duo's debut is a sweeping seven-song intro to a band exploring the depths of heavy experimental, progressive, and psych-infused rock. A sort of musical Armageddon that's constantly on the horizon, looming out of the unabated, swirling fuzz."

This is a pretty cool little record that seems to pick up where DFA 1979 left off a few years back. Heavy hitting fuzzed out rock with a toe-tapping back beat. My only gripe is with the vocals, but eventually you'll get used to them. There's a lot of hype around these guys so don't be surprised if you see and hear them everywhere a few months from now.

- Steve

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Brainbombs - Cheap EP

(Request)

I got a request for this one a while back, and a more recent general request for another Brainbombs post. This 12" from 2003 is a little different than their other material. It's even more "no-fi", with an added hiss, as well as some phaser, which makes the record more hypnotic/abusive. Also, Alec Empire's remix of "It's a Burning Hell" is quite beastly. A perfect record for when you're feeling uncultured and uncivilized.

- Dan

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These Are Powers - Terrific Seasons

I saw these guys (and girl) are coming to Richmond, VA soon, so I thought I'd check them out, and I was pleasantly surprised. Churning guitars, screeching vocals, and reverb galore. They've been compared to Sonic Youth, but I think Liars, HEALTH, and Teeth Mountain are a better comparison. I'm very much looking forward to walking down the street to see them play, which I've never had the luxury of doing back in Michigan.

- Dan

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OCS - 3 + 4

(Request)

John Dwyer = OCS = The Ohsees = Thee Oh Sees. Released as a 2CD set. OCS 3 is subtitled "Songs About Death and Dying Vol. 3" OCS 4 is subtitled "Get, Stoved". Both solid. It's amazing how Dwyer has been able to maintain this particular sound. Although it has evolved for the better, he has always been able to give the listener a sort of intimacy that not many artists can execute. With it's experimental noise and the perfected muffled Ohsees sound, 3 + 4 represents an intriguing stepping-stone in Dwyer's progression.

- Dan

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Oneida - Preteen Weaponry

There are only a handful of bands that I can think of off the top of my head that have the ability to fearlessly create whatever the fuck they want with each new release, regardless of expectations. For better or worse Oneida has been one of those bands for almost a decade now. I'll be honest, these guys have put out some things that I absolutely hate, but I have never lost an ounce of respect for them. Their latest psychedelic punk rock opus is the most daring and expansive record I've come across so far in 2008. Oneida doesn't want to be your friend, they want to challenge your patience, and reward you by rocking your fucking face off. Latter day Boredoms is the best comparison I can come up with, but even that is doing a bit of an injustice to a really original release.

- Steve

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