Metallic Alloys

Heeyyy, you got your Black Metal in my Space Rock! Nooo, you got your Drone Psych in my Doom Metal...




Maybe my favorite new band, from Finland: Oranssi Pazuzu. Their third album is out somewhat recently now. Somehow, it's actually cheaper to buy the physical CD.

Here's a band SoundCloud mix including earlier material.




Hey, you got your Disco Funk Metal in my Zeuhl! I would swear I've at least heard of Chrome Hoof, but there are so many similarly named bands. I definitely would not have guessed their musical style(s) correctly.




Dude, you got your complete lack of guitars in my Brutal Death Metal. Geryon is made up of Nick and Lev, the rhythm section of Krallice (#13 Metal of 2009, #21 of 2011), with assistance from Indricothere (#9, 2007).

Quebec/All Request Live - Ween (#3, 2003)

As you might have heard, Ween broke up since this Top 10 list was originally posted (August 2012). But maybe they're talking again? Only time will tell...



"Transdermal Celebration" from Quebec (2003)

I think it's funny that the album's Wiki page says that "Music critic Mark Prindle named Quebec the best album of the 2000s (decade) in an interview." Mark Prindle interviews on Fox News, talking about Ween, referenced in Wikipedia?! Wild. Also, this Pitchfork review is completely ridiculous. I still don't have The Caesar Demos.

Here's all of Quebec. It will be difficult not to talk about almost every tune, but not quite so difficult to skip a couple of them.



"Zoloft" from Quebec (2003)

I like the mötorspeedthrash ("It's Gonna Be a Long Night") as much as anyone else, but it is just more goodness in the vein of White Pepper's "Stroker Ace." Z.O.L.O.F.T. is "an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class..." Serotonin reuptake inhibitor would make a good Ween lyric... maybe with some wordplay on serotinal (late summer). Just spitballin' here.

The sad alarm.



"Happy Colored Marbles" from Quebec (2003)

I started off disliking this song, then a friend said she loved it, then I listened more closely, now I dig it a lot more. Not perfection, but I'd overlooked the greatness within. Seein' it live a few times sure didn't hurt neither.

Groooovy...



"Chocolate Town" from Live in Chicago (2004)

Love that version! Really lays it down.

More sadness... and more psych-prog. There's so much different happening on this record, still true but a bit less so on the more theme-style albums. But much of it's kind of a downer - which can be cool too. And sometimes majestic.

Won't go too deep here - you can listen to All (of) Request Live streaming. It was a live webcast, with setlist by request.



"Where'd The Cheese Go?" from All Request Live (2003)

Yeah, the Pizza Hit. It featured, among others, "Awesome Sound," and "Mononucleosis," & also "Demon Sweat." And that's not even all of The Pod (1991) tunes to be featured here.

Check it out - a great year!


"... by Ween."

Genre - Alt-Psych Prog Nightmare
Official - ween.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/ween
Location - New Hope, PA

Review - Dusted Magazine
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Chocodog Merch

Krautrocksampler Top 50 Albums

Yeah, I've listened to a few of these records - the alphabetic Top 50 from Julian Cope's genrexploding tome, Krautrocksampler (1995). But not near enough for someone who actually claims to be a fan. (Maybe it's the lack of Agitation Free that agitates me?)

Okay, so I'll link at least one big tune from each... Try to say (or learn) something about each one... And if the full album stream is available, I'll put that one linked from the record title.

1. Amon Düül - Paradieswärts Düül (1970)
They had a single, which was "Eternal Flow." So, Amon Düül was like a hippie arts & music commune happening. But things didn't go so smoothly, leading to a break. Of which the regular version was the lesser.

2. Amon Düül II - Phallus Dei (#13, 1969)
The splitters (II) got the better of it. Amon Düül II let loose and certainly get crazy - all over the place on their debut. I'd just listen to the album from the start (title link), but here's one of the later tunes: "Henriette Krotenschwanz."

3. Amon Düül II - Yeti (1970)
See how there's like a 4-to-1 albums advantage here? Another top-notch record of jammin' out - dig this killer video for "Eye-Shaking King."

4. Amon Düül II - Carnival in Babylon (1972)
Okay, I've never gotten these next two... will have to check them out sometime. I found this 'vid from 1973' (almost at random): "All The Years 'Round."

5. Amon Düül II - Wolf City (1972)
O "Deutsch Nepal" video, you had me at 'animation from Ralph Bakshi.'

6. Ash Ra Tempel - Ash Ra Tempel (1971)
Side A is "Amboss," the German word for 'anvil.' Whereas, side B is "Traummaschine." Traum means 'dream'... and I leave the rest of the translation to you. Ashra, Tempel. Ash Ra. Guitars, rock, ambient, space, long-form, cosmic drift, into... jams.

7. Ash Ra Tempel - Schwingungen (1972)
So, yeah - the self-titled one is the only Ash Ra that I've got. This is post-Klaus Schulze who left both Tangerine Dream and this band after like one album each. You could do worse than to explore this excerpt from "Suche und Liebe" maybe?

8. Timothy Leary & Ash Ra Tempel - Seven Up (1973)
I don't think Timothy Leary was German... maybe Irish? "Time," the B-side to "Space."

9. Ash Ra Tempel - Join Inn (1973)
I've never seen or heard of this album outside of Cope's list (and it's not the only one). Therefore, I'd bet it's just mind-blowing! Is it? "Jenseits [A]?"

10. Can - Monster Movie (#17, 1969)
Legendary band! I wish I could claim to be more of a fan of their original (American) singer, Malcolm Mooney. But that's not exactly the case. "Yoo Doo Right" though, right? Do you?

11. Can - Soundtracks (1970)
These are tunes from/for films. A bit o' Malcolm, and a bit o' Damo (Suzuki) - their subsequent (Japanese) signer. I'm not gonna look it up, but like someone named "Mother Sky" like 30th best 'guitar rock' song or somesuch. It is real good.

12. Can - Tago Mago (1971)
Entering in the classic period of awesomeness, Can's next few albums would be stellar. I'd love to get my hands on a 7" single of epic jam "Halleluwah." Bonus: some video for "Mushroom!"

13. Can - Ege Bamyasi (#4, 1972)
The krautfunkiest. Here's some real official video for "Vitamin C"... apparently? Not from 1972, I am thinking.

14. Can - Delay 1968 (1981)
I myself have never bothered to get this long-shelved Mooney-era album. One day, I'm sure. One song I do have would be "Uphill" - it's on the Anthology: 25 Years collection (1993).

15. Cluster - Cluster II (1972)
Is there even a Cluster I?? O yeah, with Conny Plank. He's gone by this time, so it's just the awesomely named duo of Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius - and makin' like "Live in der Fabrik." It's e-lec-tron-i-cal!

16. Cluster - Zuckerzeit (1974)
The video description for "Heiße Lippen" says this album was produced by Michael Rother, "their bandmate in Harmonia" and member of Neu! (foreshadowing)... That explains quite a bit actually. For some reason, only opening track "Hollywood" is blocked on YouTube - SoundCloud workaround!

17. Cluster - Sowiesoso (1996)
"Zum wohl" or the title track? On the way more mellow, from Rother's motorik movement towards Eno's ambience.

18. Tony Conrad & Faust - Outside the Dream Syndicate (1972)
Just drone out to the whole gig! Know your Dream Syndicate.

19. The Cosmic Jokers - The Cosmic Jokers (#6, 1973)
The whole album there starts with Side 1: "Galactic Joke." Or you could try Track 2 = Side 2: "Cosmic Joy."

The (possibly/partially true) urban legend was summarized in my Top 10 entry for this one:

Haha! The galactic joke is on you - and the musicians here. Kosmische label-head offered drugs to jam, recorded, ripped, and sold it up! You'd think Ash Ra Tempel and Klaus Schulze would be wiser upfront, but they had to find out by hearing themselves playing in the record stores. Not only that, but there were like four Cosmic Jokers albums mixed up out of these drug-jam-parties! It's a trip.

Their Wiki page might give a more technically accurate description, but basically...

20. The Cosmic Jokers - Galactic Supermarket (1974)
The whole album there starts with Side 1: "Kinder des Alls." Or you could try Side 2, parts 1 & 2: "Galactic Supermarket." These first two are the only TCJ that I've gotten - worth pursuing further, though. Let's find out!

21. The Cosmic Jokers - Planeten Sit-In (1974)
Wait, Harald Großkopf? I guess I never put it together, but he's been on all of these. Also, you can proceed straight to a more jamming middlish freak-out section.

22. The Cosmic Jokers - Sci-Fi Party (1974)
Looking at the tracklist, I think this one collects tunes from other projects - possibly alternative takes or mixes or whatever. Like "Der Herrscher" is probably from Tarot (#49).

23. The Cosmic Jokers - Gilles Zeitschiff (1974)
I'm tellin' you - Julian Cope really digs The Cosmic Jokers. Intended videos have been removed at the last minute.

Adapt!! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.

24. Faust - Faust (1971)
There's no denying Faust is legendary, but... There's something that keeps me from getting on board with them. Some thing(s) pretty significant. I've never been a huge fan of cut-and-paste (unless you're like Teo Macero), and I really don't care for much of the components that Faust actually cutted-and-pasted. The problem might be mine, but there it is.

25. Faust - So Far (1972)
This was supposed to be their Faust Sell Out album. I'm pretty good with the lead-off track, but yeah. Maybe the inscrutability of the debut (and the legend) casts too much shade on the rest? I'm going to listen to this record now - until I need to listen to something else for posting.

26. Faust - The Faust Tapes (1973)
Or maybe I should listen to The Faust Tapes, for possibly the first time? "It's a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl" isn't halfway over. [It was at this point, I began reconsidering the wisdom of putting all fifty albums in a single post. 'Will this benefit anyone... besides me?' Best to plunge through, so as to avoid an existential crisis of confidence. 'What is blog... for?' J'ai mai aux dents. Lalalalala!!]

27. Faust - Faust IV (1974)
So later on, Faust named one of their songs "Krautrock" - why not? The Flaming Lips included "It's A Bit Of A Pain" on their Late Night Tales comp (#5 Repertoire, 2005).

28. Sergius Golowin - Lord Krishna von Goloka (1973)
What's up with these Swiss non-musician, spoken-word figures of mystical youth culture? Like hippie poetry slam in a language I don't speak, with a better soundtrack. "Die Weiße Alm" is The White Alpine Meadow.

English lyrical translation = Kṛṣṇa Consciousmess Wow.

29. Guru Guru - UFO (1970)
No Hinten (1971), no Kanguru (#9, 1972)? Strange. Guru Guru is somewhat notable for their drummer, Mani, being the singer & bandleader. Yet more jazzy-jammy-trippy rock explorations into outer-space. Finishes up with "Der LSD-Marsch."

30. Harmonia - Musik von Harmonia (1974)
Okay, so - Harmonia is all of Cluster (Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius) plus half of Neu! (Michael Rother). I think maybe it started off just a side-project lark, but turned out really good. Check out the "Watussi" and the "Dino."

31. Harmonia - Deluxe (1975)
Haha, "Gollum." Produced by Connie Plank (original member of Cluster)! Drums by Manu Neumeier (of Guru Guru)! I'm gonna get me this one. Gollum.

32. Kraftwerk - Kraftwerk (1972?)
Not sure which one this is supposed to be - the 1971 self-titled debut, or the 1972 sequel? There's links to both. I'm not saying Cope doesn't believe it, but it's questionable to leave off the entirety of Kraftwerk's more famous & influential later work. His list, though.

33. La Düsseldorf - La Düsseldorf (1976)
The other half of Neu! (Klaus Dinger), plus his brother, plus a '72 Olympian. (Maybe? seems unlikely...) "Time" from another 'Konrad Plank' production.

34. La Düsseldorf - Viva (1978)
What?! La Düsseldorf had some hits? Like Wiki-worthy singles? Best-selling "Rheinita" (#3 in Germany), and the higher-charting "Silver Cloud" (#2)... whoa.

35. Moebius & Plank - Rastakraut Pasta (1980)
Yeah, this is Dieter Moebius of Cluster and Conny Freakin' Plank, but still. I don't think this one's ever making my personal (lesser than Julian Cope's) Krautrock Top 50. Hmmm... post idea. Anyway, maybe I just take issue with the name and year and entire concept of this one: "Feedback 66" and also "News."



36. Neu! - Neu! (#3, 1972)
I love Neu! Who doesn't? Maybe I should have started the list with this one. Maybe I do need to make my own Krautrock Top 50 Albums list. I love making lists! Who doesn't?

So this starts off with "Hallogallo," and that's enough to rank it high in any year. And guess who produced? Yup, Konrad 'Conny' Plank again. When you hear motorik, you should first hear Neu!, and then the other bands that followed them. We don't need no syncopation. "Sonderangebot" cymbal-swirls into your cerebral vortex. If you like what Pink Floyd was doing in 1972, or what The Alps were doing in 2008, you should like "Weissensee." Penultimate track "Im Glück" is drone/ambient ultimate. "Negativland" will destroy you. There's another part at the end ("Lieber Honig"), but I want to talk about how Side 2 comprises a three-part suite called Jahresübersicht [year overview]. There's no mention of that anywhere on my copy, but it's all over the internet. Always something...

O wait, there it is! It's written below Side 1's track list, at the bottom of a different column than its segment tracks' titles. I've never noticed that. Wild.

37. Neu! - Neu! 2 (1973)
So this one. The sequel is somehow simultaneously way overrated and unfairly maligned. Yeah, opener "Für Immer" borders on self-plagiarism of previous opener "Hallogallo." Who's complainin'? And sure, all of Side 2 is basically speed-shifted self-remixes of previous tunes. What I want to know is whether Chrome ever covered "Lila Engel." Also weird stuff about "Super 16" and the legacy from the wuxia Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976).

38. Neu! - Neu! '75 (1975)
So the opening track "Isi" was released as a British single but failed. Somehow it fails to surprise me that this wasn't 1975 UK chart material. I would recommend this one (black field, white letters) after the debut (white field, red letters) but before Neu! 2 (white field, gray letters, pink number). "Hero" is a great rock song - it is not about Batman, though.

39. Popol Vuh - Affenstunde (1970)
Although the original Popol Vuh is a corpus of mytho-historical narratives from the Postclassic Quiché Maya kingdom in Guatemala's western highlands, and the band has a prominent leader in Florian Fricke, the main connection that comes to mind will always be film-maker Werner Herzog. Wikipedia lists six soundtracks for some of his most famous movies, but it seems like more. Anyway, none of their albums listed here have anything to do with Herzog. Just thought I'd mention it.

Wiki also says their debut "can be regarded as one of the earliest space music works, featuring the then new sounds of the Moog synthesizer together with ethnic percussion." Not sure of the relevance, but here's 2004 re-release bonus track "Train through Time."

40. Popol Vuh - In den Gärten Pharaos (1971)
I dig this tripped-out, meditative spillage. The title track is the first side, and the second side is called just "Vuh." Organtastic!

41. Popol Vuh - Hosianna Mantra (1972)
Holy stylistic whiplash! So long electro-organ drones into the Pre-Columbian spirit mind, hello piano-forte exploration of European classical odes to Protestant joy. And here's a video for "Kyrie."

42. Popol Vuh - Einsjäger & Siebenjäger (1974)
Pretty sure this was the first Popol Vuh record I ever owned. Way more into a traditional jamband rock style than anything so far. Really nice, tuneful playing. I thought the title was something like "Earth and Sky," but maybe that came from the artwork - it actually translates literally as "one hunter & seven hunters." Starts off with "Kleiner Krieger / King Minos," ends with the massive title track. For more on later Popol Vuh, check out this old post.

Hey, maybe I will leave this as one single mega-post!

43. Tangerine Dream - Electronic Meditation (1970)
Alright, so the debut album - and the only one to feature Klaus Schulze (Ash Ra's debut) and Conrad Schnitzler (original Cluster line-up), as well as constant TG main-man Edgar Froese. I haven't spent a lot of time with it, but seems like a total late-'60s freak-out. "Ashes to Ashes" swings quite groovy.

44. Tangerine Dream - Alpha Centauri (1971)
Definitely the first Tangerine album I ever bought - probably not where I'd start with them. Like with some of the other bigger acts, I think I prefer the material later in or after Cope's timeframes. And as the title "Alpha Centauri" would indicate, here is where their space music begins.

45. Tangerine Dream - Zeit (1972)
Okay, these next two are definitely getting there. I mean OUT there. I realize this one's a double-album of space-drones, but I highly suggest going through the whole experience.

46. Tangerine Dream - Atem (1973)
Or maybe this one instead/as well... It's not a double, the overall tone is quite different. And to think, it actually / arguably gets better over the next handful of albums!

47. Klaus Schulze - Irrlicht (1972)
Nice video for "1. Satz: "Ebene"." Klaus Schulze has been mentioned before, as being present for the beginning phases of Ash Ra Tempel, Cluster, Tangerine Dream, in addition to facilitating the Cosmic Jokers' sessions. But he mainly worked alone, playing synthesizer music. Because I'd heard the most about Timewind (1975), I think that's his only solo record I've listened to. This was the first...

48. Klaus Schulze - Blackdance (1974)
And this was the third - skipping Cyborg (1973) for some reason. "Ways of Changes" serves as the launchpad. You may also remember Klaus Schulze because he was my first guess when the Maserati merch-tablist told me that Jonas Reinhardt were some German guy.

49. Walter Wegmüller - Tarot (1973)
This is a real fun one - like a loonier Sergius Golowin (#28), backed by mostly The Cosmic Jokers (#19-23). It's mystical spoken-word in Swiss German, over rockin' Krautjams. Almost at random, check out "Der Herrscher" [The Emperor?] - less Tarotish, but more hilarious are the band introductions of "Der Narr" [The Fool]. But go ahead & explore around. Here's some Major Arcana of the Wegmüller deck, which I think came with this original album.

50. Witthüser & Westrupp - Trips und Träume (1971)
And of course we should finish on an album that I know absolutely nothing about, at all. From a quick trip around the web via the search engine machine, I'm going to say: acid-prog-folk. The last song "Nimm doch einen Joint, mein Freund" sounds in line with the first - a bit more jangly, jaunty and music-hall. Maybe not exactly my thing, but can't everything be.

Halve Maen - Double Leopards (#4, 2003)

So, as I've said before...


"Sound Holes" from Halve Maen (2003)

"This here's one dank record...



"The Fatal Affront" from Halve Maen (2003)

The spell of mystical undead shaman, chanted from the ocean's floor, the waves are slow & hypnotic...



"Druid Spectre" from Halve Maen (2003)

... phosphor light burns aqueous like distant lanterns, tendrils of seaweed envelop from below...



"A Hemisphere in Your Hair" [excerpt] from Halve Maen (2003)

... or some creature of the blind depths grasping for prey?



"Viking Blood" from Halve Maen (2003)

As you approach the surface, you start to worry about the bends..."



"The Forest Outlaws" from Halve Maen (2003)

Yes, dank & deep. Hold your breath and dive for the bottom. Drowning in drone, grasping towards the sky, towards sanity.



"Secret Correspondence I and II" from Halve Maen (2003)

These final two tracks had been unavailable for streaming...
So there.

Genre - Murk Ambient
Info - The History of Rock Music
Location - Brooklyn, NY

Review - Pitchfork
Download - later album from Insound & on iTunes
Purchase - used 2xLP's, used CD's

It Still Moves - My Morning Jacket (#5, 2003)

I'm sure I've told or mentioned this story a couple of times here, but this is probably my last opportunity. Other than going way way back in the past, it's been a long long time since I've looked to rock 'n' roll for my record-buying needs. And I'm talking beyond 2003, so even by then... Around that time, I read a review of this album somewhere - mostly likely a British music mag with the free comp CD, I'd guess Uncut over Mojo for MMJ. But I read both, so probably something like that.



"One Big Holiday" from It Still Moves (2003)

Soon after, I found myself in Corporate_Record_Store_005 either looking for something specific or just killing time. This was in Shepherd Plaza (pre-Cactus), so either a Sound Warehouse, a Wherehouse, or whatever struggling chain came in after that. (Music Whorehouse??) Then either I remembered the review, or I just happened to notice the album cover. But it was already half-price! Which was like $8 at the time, so I bought it.



"Mahgeeta" from It Still Moves (2003)

So yeah, they were traditional. My Morning Jacket at this point was still kinda-rootsy, American, southern rock 'n' roll. I'd probably peg their latest obvious, direct influence at maybe 1973. They would start to modernize gradually on their next album, Z (#5, 2005). But I still think this ol' timey stuff is what they did best.

Can't find it now, but someone else (not me) pointed out the similarities between MMJ's song "Dancefloors" and The Band's version of "Don't Do It." So maybe that's part of it.



"Golden" from It Still Moves (2003)

I mean, it's kinda difficult to discuss any post-1969 Americana artist without reference to The Band, right? (co-#12, 1969) But I think a couple of points are still valid & necessary... This style of music requires that you hold back occasionally - a lot of these songs are mid-tempo at best. The other point is that you've got to be able to both rock, and to mellow it down without completely laming out. The back part of the album settles into a cozy vibe, especially through the real nice trio of "Rollin' Back," "Just One Thing," and "Steam Engine."



"Run Thru (live)" from Okonokos (2006)

That one was particularly well-done when I caught them at Austin City Limits Festival, I'm thinking after Z. [Checking...] Nope, looks like it was the final song from 2004's ACL. And then, the last time I saw MMJ live (#14 Live, 2011), they only played the gnarly synth-breakdown jam, but not the whole song. Seemed kinda odd to me. Here's also the studio version, if you want.

So as a post-script: I figured people I knew who preferred more 'normal' (non-weirdo) rock music might really get into this great band/album that I'd discovered. At least more than Halve Maen, right? Nah, not really... Took another few years & different albums for some friends to dig them, but it wasn't really this one. And they never took over quite like Ween did, just one year later.

Genre - Rock 'n' Roll
Official - mymorningjacket.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/mymorningjacket
Location - Louisville, KY

Review - Pop Matters
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Amazon

Desert Sessions 09 & 10 (06, '03)

Since Queens of the Stone Age have just announced some 2014 tour dates, I guess I could re-start the 2003 countdown. These are the last two EP's of Josh Homme & associates' Desert Sessions project. PJ Harvey features prominently, and a buncha Dean Ween, plus all the regulars.

Here's both EP's in full.



"Crawl Home" from I See You Hearin' Me (2003)

As with so much that happened before the last few weeks, I don't remember this. Official Desert Sessions videos in 2003? Where did they even play?



"I Wanna Make It Wit Chu" [live] from I See You Hearin' Me (2003)

Live promotional appearances?! A few years later, this track would appear officially on a proper Queens of the Stone Age release, Era Vulgaris (2007).



This one's got some convoluted credits, but other than the original studio "Make It Wit Chu," Deaner appears mostly on Vol. 10: I Heart Disco, the final chapter


"In My Head... or Something" from I Heart Disco (2003)

And much like that tune, QOTSA later recycled "In My Head" for Lullabies to Paralyze (2005). There's a lot of different stuff going on all over the place... I'm just hittin' the highlights here.



"Subcutaneous Phat" from I Heart Disco (2003)

Like, see how different that one is that the previous "Creosote?" Diversity!

And yet another thing that I'd never heard of was the "Crawl Home" single, with exclusive B-sides. PJ Harvey cover: "The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore" (7")... and a Prince cover: "It" (CD). Glad I have the blog to make me learn things!

If you're into Queens of the Stone Age & the like, the rest of those people involved here are basically 'the rest of those people': Dave Catching, Twiggy Ramirez, Alain Johannes, Troy van Leeuwen, Chris Goss, Josh Freese, and Joey Castillo.

Genre - Hangin' out & Messin' around...
Official - desertsessions.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/desertsessions
Location - Joshua Tree, Calif.

Review - Ultimate Guitar
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Amazon

Mexico Psych-Out

If you like a certain type of garage-drone-psych rock that I will sometimes post about, get yerself ready...

This one's from Mexico!



"Sky is Hell Black" from Sky Is Hell Black (2013)

That's the title track from the new LP from Guadalajara's Has A Shadow. Order it on ltd-ed clear vinyl "with Hell Black Haze." And/or follow them on Facebook.

What else we got here?



"Drive" from Sky Is Hell Black (2013)

I was expecting clips from the film Drive, but I've never seen that one.



"May Never" from Sky Is Hell Black (2013)

Same YT user, different movie. Plus here's a live version of that same tune.



"John Lennon" from Sky Is Hell Black (2013)

Come on up to Houston, H.A.S. A Shadow!!

And... thanks for the tip, Reader X!

Bend Beyond - Woods (#9, 2012)

As always, I have very little of interest to say about Woods' music. I like it, think it's good. I know decent, law-abiding people that can't stands 'em. O well...



"Cali in a Cup" from Bend Beyond (2012)

Judging by the video exposure (which escaped me), I guess there was a pretty big push to make this record happen. Not sure how it went, but that would be nice.

Another good tune would be "Is It Honest?"



"It Ain't Easy" from Bend Beyond (2012)

I guess I could say that Woods have pretty consistently cleaned things up since Songs of Shame (2009). They can still let things rip (especially live), but have trended more towards an easier vibe overall.

But not always: "Find Them Empty."



"Size Meets the Sound" from Bend Beyond (2012)

Y'know, maybe I took Woods for granted last year... underestimated them... maybe #9 is too low. Or maybe all these official videos are working on me? It's happening.

Kinda classic: "Impossible Sky."



"Bend Beyond" [live] from Bend Beyond (2012)

And there's the sprawled-out live jam of that tune. I think you can select from all the videos of that 2012 outdoor show here. Okay, and here's the studio title track.

Genre - Psych-Folk-Pop
Official - woodsist.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/woodsfamilyband
Location - Brooklyn, New York City, NY

Review - Tiny Mix Tapes
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Amazon [& on vinyl]

Video Concerto Milanese

Ecce, URSSS!

Full-show live videos, mostly or all from Milan - such as...

MASERATI part 1 from URSSS on Vimeo.

On this most recent tour - says April 2013. They'd already been my own #3 Live Show of 2011 and #2 of 2009.

Oh, and also Part B.

DEMDIKE STARE from URSSS on Vimeo.

I also caught Demdike Stare this year, about 5 months after that. Nice to have a(nother) good quality video of them live.

Most recently featuring as #4 of 2012. And now a super-new *NSFW* official video: "Transmission."

ROBEDOOR from URSSS on Vimeo.

And that's the one that tipped me off, courtesy of Rocket Recordings blog. Thanks!


Robedoor probably peaked blogwise at #11 Album of 2011, but I think Rancor Keeper (2007) is still my favorite.

MOON DUO from URSSS on Vimeo.

Hey, look, it's Moon Duo! Whom everyone enjoyed at Austin Psych Fest earlier that same year & at Rudyard's that exact same month (#1 and #7 Live Shows, 2012).

MASTER MUSICIANS OF BUKKAKE from URSSS on Vimeo.

Wow, not much about MMoB around here since #37 Record of 2010. Probably my fault, eh?

Anyway, feel free to explore around, and check in from time to time. URSSS!

Various releases - Gnod (#8, 2012)

I'd actually say 2012 was kind of a mess for Gnod overall. But it was an interesting year, though maybe the last that I'm fully into... But no tellin' for sure!



"Genocider" from Chaudelande, Vol. 2 (2012)

If you've been following Gnod closely, you've probably heard this old-school tune quite a few times. Maybe even have a few live recordings of it. Volume II eases in spare & slow with "Man on the Wire," switches up to a Buttholesque double-drum tribal segment, then cools out smooth for the drone-disco final third. And the party ends with another live staple "Entrance" (last 10 minutes of silence optional). Most of it's comprised of jammed-out berserkr drones and anguished howls. Typical.

Check out the combined V.1/V.2 CD-edition over at Bandcamp. Also includes a different-version bonus track of...

"5th Sun" from 7" single (2012)

Then there was the ltd-ed ["very"], now-OOP surprise single from Ireland's Trensmat Records. A label worth closely watching... Plus I think I like the trippy b-side version even better!



Innerspace Broadcasts, Vol. 3 by Black Gnod [Gnod + Black Bombain] (2012)

Further, there was a super-ltd-ed [of 160], now-OOP surprise livejam collaboration with Portugal's Black Bombain on Leeds' Cardinal Fuzz. That's the whole CD right there!




Wow. I'm a little surprised to find it, but there's Rocket Recordings' own ltd-ed [of 1,000], now-OOP split-EP with $hit + $hine. Just don't find myself listening to this one all that often.



"Visions of Load" from Chaudelande, Vol. 1 (2011)

O yeah, and there's a 2013 official video for "Visions of Load" off Chaudelande, Vol. 1 (part of #3, 2011). That tune appears on the only live Gnod tape currently downloadable from their SoundCloud.

Genre - Machine Noise-Drone
Official/tumblr - ingnodwetrust.tumblr.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/gnodgnod
Location - Salford, England

Review - Writing About Music blog
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Chaudelande, Vol. 2

Octopus Projector

I saw this new record at End of an Ear in Austin a couple of weeks back, but hadn't heard any of the tunes. Pretty cool, yeah?



"Sharpteeth" by Octopus Project, from Fever Forms (2013)

I think the only real Octopus Project I've covered so far is the Thunderbeam game Soundtrack (#10 of 2012's Top Ten Archival / Re-releases / Soundtracks / Compilations / Live / Misc...).



"Whitby" by Octopus Project, from Fever Forms (2013)

Lo-fi stop-motion origami-mation?

I swear I discovered Octopus Project opening for Pong years ago. Not like Brian Epstein discovered, just 'learned about.'



"Stereoscopic Trailer #2" for Fever Forms (2013)

And check out #1.

Plus there's a free download of the song "Perhap" right here.

Of course there was a limited edition with sold-out 3-D Viewmaster + reel! Here's where you order.

VII - Maserati (#7, 2012)

Another quality record from Maserati, after a few all-timers.

Top Ten!



"The Eliminator" from VII (2012)

Pseudo-single, or whatever you call an internet-released preview track to hype your upcoming album. In the old days, it was a single... and it came on a vinyl disc!



"Abracadabracab" from VII (2012)

As catchy & all-out as that one was, I suggest exploring the elektro-deluxe landscapes of this epic mid-album centerpiece. The whole record's real nice - another one with the textured LP cover as well...

Hey, who is that on "Synthesizer [Assisted By]"?? Why, if it isn't Steve Moore of Zombi (co-#5, 2012)!



"Solar Exodus/Lunar Drift" from VII (2012)

Just because, I made this video of a coupla atypical Maserati tracks. Vocoder & synths & something different. I like it.

Here are two recent, officially-sanctioned live bootlegs from Georgia: Athens, 10/26/2013 & Atlanta, 07/18/2013.



"Saw Her" by Vincas, from Blood Bleeds (2012)

Garage-rockist side project of Maserati's bassist. Pretty good stuff, I'd definitely go see 'em live.

Nevertheless, uncool that they got major gear ripped off in Chicago recently. If you can spare any help, check this out.

And here's a recent, officially-sanctioned Vincas bootleg from Athens: 08/03/2013!

Genre - Motorik Delay-Action Post-Rock
Official - ihaveadagger.net/
Myspace - myspace.com/maseratirocks
Location - Athens, GA

Review - American:Aftermath
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Temporary Residence Ltd.

Lilacs & Champagne (#6, 2012)

Well, yeah. Take two of the guys from Grails (#1, 2011), and continue delving into backbeat library music collage - pretty dang sweet.

Warning: All videos probably have some level of NSFW-ishness.

EVERYWHERE, EVERYONE from The Fact Facer on Vimeo.

And Emil continues to make the appropriate-styled official videos too. The album cover also features some swank art with a 2-texture embossed treatment.

L&C opened for Grails most recent mini-tour, and you can watch their Brooklyn show at this link (and the Grails set here.)

LILACS! from The Fact Facer on Vimeo.

Semi-title track, almost. Themesong?

And guess what... The 2nd Lilacs & Champagne record is already out! I do like it too.



"Sensations" from Lilacs & Champagne (2012)

Since I'm blowing through these pretty fast. There's one last official video, and something else to read. Ta!

Genre - Soft-Prog Mash-Up Edit
Facebook - facebook.com/Lilacs-Champagne/
Location - Portland, OR

Review - Pitchfork
Purchase/Download - Mexican Summer
Download - Amazon, iTunes

Zombi-esque (#5, 2012)

Long way to go & a short time to get there. Both of the two guys from Zombi (#5, 2011) were super-busy last year, and there's a ton of fun out there. Let's start with their side-splitting LP project, Brainstorm. I guess the single was Steve Moore's "Enhanced Humanoid," but here's a cool fan-vid to scope...


"Dawn of Primordial Life" by Steve Moore, from Brainstorm (2012)

Majeure's album side is the 20-minute "Atlantis Purge." Haha, epic.

Also, here's the whole album on Bandcamp.



"Tyken's Rift" by Steve Moore, from Light Echoes (2012)

Course that's not sufficient for either of these dudes - solo releases! Moore had this one, with the massive Part II of the title track, not surprisingly a ST:NG reference.

[Edit, 11/21: Wow, I botched that pretty good - bad "Light Echoes II" link, unclear that "Tyken's Rift" was the Star Trek reference... Fixed.]



"Extreme Northern Lights" by Majeure, from Solar Maximum (2012)

But don't forget about A.E. Paterra... he's gotta have his own (OOP) record too. And with its own catchy title track as well.

Zombi will be hitting the road again for December, opening for the fantastic Goblin reunion. Do try to catch them if you can!




Not only that, but these guys (bandmates in Zombi) have also started up a limited-edition cassette-tape label - VCO Recordings. You want some weird? Try the sold-out Rusting Cyphers of a Forgotten Sky from Jonas Reinhardt & Abyss of Fathomless Light.

On the lighter side, Abul Mogard's 2012 s/t debut tape (ed./100) is still available!



"Post-Crisis Remembrance" by Abul Mogard, from Drifted Heaven (2013)

And they're taking pre-orders for the follow-up right now... with a super-new official video preview. Each cassette order comes with full & free digital download.

Genre - Spaced Electronicals
Steve Moore/tumblr - stevemoore2600.tumblr.com/
Label Bandcamp - vcorecordings.bandcamp.com/
Location - various, including Serbia

Review - Consequence of Sound
Download - Amazon search, iTunes, VCO online
Purchase - Majeure @ TRL / SM @ Cuneiform