The Young Tradition - Galleries

I came across these guys back in college when I was first fully discovering the 60s British folk revival, but I didn't give them much of a listen since Comus was completely dominating my playlist at the time. Medieval vocal trio with some occasional instrumentation. I've been listening to this quite a bit on the bus to and from work for some reason. Might as well bump the whitest music possible while being the only white person on the bus, right? 

- Dan

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Shapes Have Fangs - Dinner in the Dark

(LINK REMOVED 04/15/2011)

The much anticipated full-length debut from this Austin, TX foursome is finally here and it certainly doesn't disappoint. In fact, this is probably the best fuzzy garage pop record you're going to hear all year. Jangly, sweaty, hip-shaking tunes that are just begging for some summer weather. It's safe to say that they've solidified themselves as one of the best bands in all of Austin, TX, which is saying quite a bit. Vinyl drops courtesy of The Reverberation Appreciation Society on March 8th, and can be pre-ordered through austinpsychfest.com.

- Dan

Boas - Grave Dreams

Grave Dreams is Tyler Newbold's follow-up to his self-titled debut we brought to you in March of last year (check it out here), and is quite the achievement, to say the least. Still maintains the indie/electronica/idm approach of Boas, but with a more organic vibe. Heavy bass, lush synths, and hypnotic rhythms. There's a few comparisons I could throw out there, but I'd rather your first listen be devoid of those. I even gave tracks 3 & 4 a few consecutive listens, which is always a good sign. I had said this about his previous release, and the same is true of Grave Dreams; this is worthy of some end of the year lists. Now spread the word. Thanks to Tyler for the submission.

- Dan

Download Grave Dreams 

Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments - Bait and Switch

The early 90's were pretty fucking stupid. After the whole "grunge explosion" thing record labels started running around like lunatics picking up every band that sounded like the opposite of Motley Crue. This cash in resulted in some shit (see: candlebox, silverchair, etc etc) and a few gems. Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments fall into the latter category but the fact that they put out this album on a major label in '95, well after the aforementioned grunge fad, and are from Ohio of all places make this release even more mind boggling. This sounds like a bunch of 80's punk rock burn outs banding together to record the best music of their lives. The urgency and rough nature of the album gives it a lot of charm, and as chaotic as it can be, the hooks are still great. While I wouldn't recommend downloading things based only on an awesome band name, this one will certainly impress you.

- Steve

Download Bait and Switch

Earl Sweatshirt - EARL

The hype train has been rolling lately for Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, particularly defacto leader Tyler, (yes that comma is necessary) The Creator. That being said, I won't waste your time and tell you how good his album Bastard is or how great his upcoming release Goblin is likely to be. Unless you've been under a fucking rock or just gently rubbing your flacid penis to the thought of The Arcade Fire's Grammy win lately I'm not not dropping anything earth shattering in your lap.I feel like some of the other Odd Future guys have been overlooked a bit, which is a shame. Without going all "nerdy white loser reviewing a hip hop record" on you, I'll go ahead and say that Odd Future is pumping out the most interesting and raw rap music I've heard in awhile. Earl's album is no exception, and stands out as one of their finest releases. These guys are still teenagers too which makes their accomplishments all the more impressive. If you're looking for something other than the standard Ongakubaka fare, this one is definitely worth your time.

- Steve

Download EARL

...and watch this shit while you're at it:

Friendo - Cold Toads

I actually was never able to come across a link for this back when the vinyl came out last year (cassette was released in '09), and had completely forgot about it until a friend asked for some help tracking it down today (thanks for the reminder Davedge). Friendo is the side project of Mike Wallace of your favorite Canadian band Women, and honestly much of this record sounds just like them, although not quite as bleak or as.....good. Overall relistenability will probably be pretty low for me, but there's some really great moments on the record, with "Callers" being my personal highlight, and I can only imagine this band getting better with time. 

- Dan

Download Cold Toads

Howlin Rain - The Good Life EP

Finally came across a digital copy of this. Longtime followers of Ongakubaka are already aware of Steve and I's love for Comets on Fire/Howlin Rain, and anyone who has had the chance to see either band live is sure to share that same love. This is Howlin Rain's cleanest and most accessible release yet, and is intended to be more of a sneak peek of what is to come on their upcoming full-length, which they've just began recording. Three soulful workin' man jams (one of which is a Hendrix cover) totaling 18 minutes, and I'll most certainly be pre-ordering my copy of the 12" EP from Birdman in the near future. 

- Dan

Download The Good Life

Strange Hands - Dead Frozen Deer 7"

French 60s garage throwback jammies that you'll need to queue up for summer weather. Cleaner sound than the last few French garage acts I've posted. 4 track EP out on A Fistful of Records. If you're in the mood for some peen, the NSFW video for the Twist-worthy track "Living Dead" is posted below.

- Dan

Download Dead Frozen Deer

VIDEO: Swimsuit - Evaporation

(Submission)

Ongakubaka follower/L.A. filmmaker Greg Lazcano discovered this Detroit indie/twee/Fred Thomas project when Steve posted their demo back in October, and decided to make this nifty little video, which has already met the approval of the band. Also, Swimsuit's got a new cassette you can download for free over at their bandcamp.

- Dan

GENUS INKASSO/ADDITIV - Split EP

(Submission)

Seems like it's been a while since I've posted some weirdo electronic fuckedbeats. Additiv brings the raw, glitchy, progressive early Doormouse-esque fuzzplosions, and Genus Inkasso dishes out the completely fucked rhythmic noise clippings. There's enough distortion here to last you a lifetime. Brought to you by electronic netlabel, WeirdandWired.

- Dan

Download Split EP

YALL - Drink From Between Our Hair

(Submission)

Mathy, mildly progressive noise rockage duo out of Austin/Denton, TX. Something about this took me back to my late high school/early college days. Fuck the Superbowl btw.

- Dan

Download Drink From Between Our Hair

Para Siempre - Hysteria

Solo guitar/drum machine project out of San Ramos, California. Hi-lo-fi garagey shoegaze. Loads of potential here. Definitely has the East Coast sound, with a few vocal hooks that brought early ultrafuzz Wavves to mind. Lets hope this dude never decides to clean up his sound.

- Dan

Download Hysteria

Sports Bar - Demo

Raw, loud, high-energy, unabashed sing-along garage punk rock n fucking roll out of Richmond, VA. Many of you are going to like this. A lot. Drink/smoke/fuck music. Cassette out on Sweet Dreams Records.

- Dan

Download Sports Bar Demo