Tops List of 2014

Better late than never... I guess. Not a very adventurous year for me at all - so we have a lot of returning favorites, local folks, and so on. Wouldn't call it a bad list by any means, but plenty of stuff I just never scooped up last year.

Let's get on with it!


#1 This World - Watter


"Rustic Fog" from This World (2014)
"Small Business" from This World (2014)

Full-Album Stream - Spotify
Genre - Post-Rock
Facebook - facebook.com/wattersongs
Location - Louisville, KY

Review - Treble Zine
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Temporary Residence Ltd., Amazon

This one just kind of lands in my wheelhouse (obviously). A few people from some stuff I like - Britt Walford, drummer of The Breeders (#6, 1990) and Slint (#???, 1991), and Zak Riles, guitarist from Grails (#1, 2011). And unsurprisingly, it sounds like post-rock instrumental jams with aspects of each. Sometimes lambent and mellow, sometimes arched up more. Nice diversity, some special guest stars... Hopefully, I'll write a full post about it - but for now, here's another good tune: "Seawater."


#2 Commune - Goat


"Hide from the Sun" from Commune (2014)
"Words" from Commune (2014)

Genre - Psych-Rock
Facebook - facebook.com/goatsweden
Location - Korpilombolo, Sweden

Full-Album Stream - Rocket Recordings Bandcamp, Spotify
Review - Paste Magazine
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Sub Pop, Amazon

Goat's debut was my #1 of 2012, but I didn't cotton to this one immediately. Although not completely gone, there's a bit less of the Afro-funk here. More regular psych, which is great too! Still very rhythmic & rockin', and once I'd adjusted my expectations, a really solid album. Hopefully they'll make it back to the states to play live. They were awesome at the 2013 Austin Psych Fest (I still need to make my live list for then).


#3 Gone - Pong


"Livin in the Future" from Gone (2014)
"Fish Sauce" from Gone (2014)

Genre - Electro-Rock
Facebook - facebook.com/pages/Pong/470512675233
Location - Austin, TX

Full-Album Stream - Pong SoundCloud, Spotify
Review - Austin Chronicle
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Saustex Records, Amazon

One of my known fav-o-rites (#3, 2010), I am a partisan for Pong. It's a testament to how much I dig most of this one, because I'm not really down with the one single (??) they made an official video for. O well...

Read my actual review (literally the previous post).


#4 Woodsman - Woodsman
Teleseparation EP - Woodsman


"Teleseparation" from Woodsman (2014)
"Healthy Life" from Woodsman (2014)

Genre - Psych-Jam
Official - woodsmanman.tumblr.com/
Location - Brooklyn, NYC

Stream/Download/Purchase - Woodsman, Teleseparation
Review - TinyMixTapes
Full Album Stream - Spotify
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Fire Talk Records

Jammy jams, but with one less drummer than before (#2, 2011). Formerly from Denver, but now sharing Brooklyn with almost half of America's bands. Psychedelic, instrumental, tribal, jamming?

I mean, the companion EP is described as "A long form stream of consciousness broken into 4 parts which the last track on that album was excerpted from. A glimpse into the recording process for the true zoners out there in this big world." True zoners.


#5 The Hum - Hookworms


"On Leaving" from The Hum (2014)
"Beginners" from The Hum (2014)

Genre - Post-Punk
Facebook - facebook.com/Hookworms
Location - Leeds, England

Full-Album Stream - Spotify
Review - The Line of Best Fit
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Domino Records, Amazon

Quite a bit of growth since last year (#4, 2013) - although still keeping it real, although there might be a ballad somewhere in there. Last year, I used the term "spikey" - still spikey!


#6 "C is for Cthulhu" single - Linus Pauling Quartet
The Rendered Life - Charlie Naked
Running Up That Hill: Kate Bush Covers for Reproductive Rights benefit compilation
Knights In Satan's Service compilation


"C is for Cthulhu" from the single (2014)
Knights In Satan's Service commercial (2014)

Genre - Heavy-Rock
WordPress - worshipguitars.org/LP4/LP4_WordPress/
Location - Houston, TX

Stream/Download/Purchase - "C is for Cthulhu," The Rendered Life, R.U.T.H. comp, K.I.S.S. comp
Full 7" Stream - Spotify
Review - The Obelisk

All related to local heroes, The Linus Pauling Quartet(#2, 2012). And hey, yeah, I dig the "Cthulhu" single (with Pain Teens cover b-side), and video - it's all great! But for whatever reason, I really listened to the ambient Charlie Naked album a bunch more. Check it out.

Then there were the cover compilation covers. First Linus played "Watching You Without Me" by Kate Bush. Then later, LP4 covered "She" from KISS. Check both of those out - pretty nice...


#7 Dude Incredible - Shellac


"The People's Microphone" from Dude Incredible (2014)
"Surveyor" from Dude Incredible (2014)

Genre - Noise-Rock
Related - Electrical Audio
Location - Chicago, IL

Full-Album Stream - YouTube, Spotify
Review - The Quietus
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Purchase - Tough & Go Records, Amazon

Shellac (#3, 1993) is made up of Todd Trainer, Bob Weston, and Steve Albini (#4, 1987 and #6, 1988). I actually forgot that this was released for most of the year, then finally got it down the stretch. Not sure what I was expecting, but yep! That's a Shellac record. Unsure what trajectory this ranking will take with more exposure, but it's old-school like from my youth.


#8 Ganymede - Jonas Reinhardt


"Skeptical Seventh Sun" from Ganymede (2014)
"Lox Moon" from Ganymede (2014)

Genre - Space-Synth
Official - jonasreinhardt.com/
Location - San Francisco, CA

Full-Album/Video Stream - Vimeo, Spotify
Review - Was Ist Das?
Download/Purchase - Constellation Tatsu, Amazon

Whew... I was actually getting kind of concerned that Jonas Reinhardt (#9, 2011) was heading irretrievably into rhythm music. But this is comfortably back into space, and it came with a bonus DVD of experimental films set to the music. Or maybe scored by Jonas? Looks like the ltd. ed. (300) LP with download + DVD is still available. But after this Top 10 post, not for long!!


#9 Lost in the Dream - The War On Drugs


"Red Eyes" from Lost in the Dream (2014)
"Under the Pressure" from Lost in the Dream (2014)

Genre - Alt-Rock
Official - thewarondrugs.net/
Location - Philadelphia, PA

Full-Album Stream - YouTube, Spotify
Review - Consequence of Sound
Download/Purchase - Secretly Canadian, Amazon, iTunes

Finally a new album from the Traveling Wilburys (#9, 1988)!! What, Dire Straits?

Ahhh, this is The War on Drugs. I'm not trying to be insulting - this is a good album. But it's as retro as any '80s club night synth-pop, or whatever Kraut-flogging hippies you care to name. And kinda with a little bit of both, but mostly quality MOR from the late-'70s through mid-'80s. The "Post-Eagles" for an Alternative nation?


#10 FREEMAN - FREEMAN


"Covert Discretion" from FREEMAN (2014)
"I Couldn't Play My Guitar Like A Man" from FREEMAN (2014)

Genre - Post-Boognish
Official - freemantheband.com/
Location - Brooklyn, NYC

Full-Album Stream - YouTube, Spotify
Review - The New Yorker
Download / Purchase - Partisan Records, Amazon, iTunes

It's a new band from Gener of Ween (#3, 2003, etc.). I'd regularly forget this one, then regularly be surprised how much I liked it whenever I listened, then I'd forget it again for awhile. If that continues for another 5-10 years, that would be pretty amazing.

I have no idea what's next. Maybe some more record mini-lists? Top 10 Live Shows of 2013 and 2014? Probably something along those line. YEAH!!

More of Unknown Psychists

The annual official APF Al Lover mixtape will do a better job than me - but unfortunately, not yet downloadable. Whyyy???




Okay, let's 'finish' (?) the work started in previous 2014 Psych Fest Big Names, Stuff For Me, and Unknowns I posts. This shall be: Unknowns II... I'm sure I still haven't covered some.



"30 Past 7" by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, from Float Along - Fill Your Lungs (2013)

'Stralia! Well, in one post we've gone from unorthodox Psych Fest participants to perhaps a prototypical one. Nice selection scheme by me! Here's another official video: "Head On/Pill" and their Bandcamp-ish page.



"Lucifernandis " by Boogarins, from As Plantas Que Curam (2013)

I've generally liked the modern psych rock coming out of South America, and this sounds to me good & hippie. Here's another official video: "Despreocupar."



"These Days" by Lorelle Meets The Obsolete, from On Welfare (2011)

Guadalajara, Mex. Just like Has A Shadow, but different music. Here's another official (?) video: "What's Holding You?" Little more rockin' one there... and their Bandcamp.



"No Place to Go" by The Oscillation, from From Tomorrow (2013)

I have a feeling I might be going to catch this band. Check out their YouTube channel for more official videos, going back a full 6 years! (TAFKA The Orichalc Phase). Waitasecond! I'd actually heard this one song before: "Saturn 5" (live). Here's their Bandcamp as well.



"Trouba" by Steve Gunn, from On A Steady Diet of Hash, Bread, and Salt compilation (2012)

That's from a free download comp of Greek folk covers. I've seen this guy's name around some, and would have associated it with free-/freak-folk - so far, so good! Bandcamp's are mostly from various labels: Paradise of Bachelors, Three Lobed Recordings, and 3-Lobed again.



"Lithonia " by Circuit des Yeux, from Overdue (2013)

Indiana, huh? I've lived there! Here's their Bandcamp. Like all Indiana bands, since I wrote that first sentence, they've now relocated to Chicago.



"Livin' Free" by The Young, from Dub Egg (2012)

Is this the right The Young? That's one ungoogleable band name. Here's another official video: "Dance with the Ramblers." Ah, just noticed they're from Austin, TX. Okay, cool.



"Redness Moon" by Fantasmes, from Redness Moon (2012)

Because of geography, I was going to guess Mexico (again), but they're from Puerto Rico. This does not make me racist! So... here's another official (?) video: "Play It Wrong," and their Bandcamp.



"Zo No Senaka" by Kikagaku Moyo, from Kikagaku Moyo (2013)

[***very NSFW Jodorowsky film video***]

Hey, I guessed Japan correctly!! Bandcamp!

Unknown Psych Festives Explored

Well, we've taken a couple of looks at announced line-up for the 2014 Austin Psych Fest: first the top-billed, and then more of the known quantities. So now, I'm going to try to explore some of the complete unknowns - probably not covering every band named for the fest.



"No. 1 Against The Rush" by Liars, from WIXIW (2012)

"Brooklyn dance-punk"... yeah. Supposedly, that doesn't say it all, but everything I heard was pretty in line with exactly that.



"From the Sun" by Unknown Mortal Orchestra, from II (2013)

What is this? I just... Okay, "So Good at Being in Trouble" is a bit closer, but these seem a bit odd choices for Psych Fest.



"Lamborghini Meltdown" by Tobacco (ft. Zackey Force Funk), from LA UTI (2010)

Hey, I know a little bit. The guy in Tobacco is also from Black Moth Super Rainbow, and has worked with Beck. Although I probably have more sympathy for this experimental maximalism electro-funk, these 'unknowns' are ranging pretty far afield from trad 'psychedelic' music.



"Nous Etions Deux" by La Femme, from Psycho Tropical Berlin (2013)

That's French tropicália coldwave, non?



"Rat House" by Shannon & The Clams, from Dreams in the Rat House (2013)

Garagey weirdos, with an electric jug? Bones Brigade as directed by John Waters? Okay, making more sense...



"Awa Adounia" by Terakaft, from Kel Tamasheq (2012)

Not what I was expecting from the band name. I'm down with this kinda stuff, although I do realize you could make an equally valid argument against its Psychfestivity as I would against, say, Unknown Mortal Orchestra.



"One" by Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, from Uzu (2013)

I'm a little confused. What does it mean to "pay tribute to the extended group's indigenous upbringing?" I'll check out some more of the music before delving into the upbringing of the extended group.



"Sonic Pearl" by Destruction Unit, from Two Strong Hits 7" (2013)

Stonery grungeness, or post-punk gothic?



"Shine Your Light" by Gap Dream, from Shine Your Light (2013)

Sparkly. Now that's exactly what I thought it would sound like, based only on the band name. What do I win?!

Looks like I might have the makings of 2nd 'unknowns' post. This one left me a little... unsatisfied. (Not that I've totally passed judgment anywhere just yet.)

Austin Psych Favorites

Gonna be a lot like the previous APF post yesterday - but this time, it's personal! Some of the involved bands that I'm already super-geared up for...

Once again with a minimum of yakkin'.



"Sonic Prayer Jam" by Earthless, live at Winter's Womb III,
The Casbah, San Diego, CA (01/21/2012)

YES!!! Never seen Earthless before - #3 of 2008, shoulda-been's of 2007, and #3 of 2005. Psyched!

Barn Owl - Turiya from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

Wait, I mentioned these drone magicians at the end of the last time, right? O well, we're talking #8 of 2011 and #11 of 2010, and greatness beyond.



"Dream Odyssey" by Mono, from For My Parents (2012)

Occasionally mellow, until they aren't. Mono (#4, 2009 and #5,2006 among others) have been very good to see live (#7 Live, 2009 and #10 Live, 2010).



"Mazes" by Moon Duo, from Mazes (2011)

From year before last, Moon Duo (#11, 2013) were awesome fun (at A.P.F. and #7 Live, 2012).



"To Clean" by Woods, from Songs of Shame (2009)

Woods has been on a 3-album Top 10 tear, and mighta gotten the previous in there somehow: #9 of 2012, #7 of 2011, and #6 of 2010. They were a highlight for me at APF5 (#1 Live, 2012)... and I often forget I discovered them as a terrific opener (#4 Live, 2009).



"H-p1" by White Hills, from H-p1 (2011)

Got to meet some of White Hills (co-#5, 2010) at my first Psych Fest (#4 Live, 2011), which was cool. I'm glad to hear we'll get another shot. They do so much so good - check out their bassist-director's official video channel: Ego Sensation.



"Blue Velvet Blues" by Acid Mothers Temple, from Pataphisical Freak Out MU! (1999)

I keep missing AMT! Must not miss AMT again.



"Ready to Fly" by Aqua Nebula Oscillator, from Aqua Nebula Oscillator (2002)

I've only heard Aqua Nebula Oscillator's 2002 self-titled album. Guess which year is next for a historical 21st-century Top 10 list??



"Entrance Song" [***NSFW video***] by The Black Angels, from Phosphene Dream (2010)

Oops, almost forgot the main hosts! The Black Angels, since #3 of 2006, and... let's say: co-#6 Live Show, 2010.

Might be the last of these for awhile. But if I do another one soon, it will be more exploratory of currently unknown players.

Finally!! Austin Psych Fest 2014

After more than 3 weeks since the initial line-up announcement for Austin Psych Fest (#1 Live Show, 2012 and #4, 2011) was promised "this week," we now have info!

Here's the initial line-up:

Primal Scream - Loop - Black Angels - The Zombies - The Horrors - of Montreal - Black Lips - Liars - Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks - Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Mono - Tobacco - Dead Meadow - Oneohtrix Point Never - Moon Duo - Toy - Woods - La Femme - Jacco Gardner - Earthless - Zombie Zombie - Acid Mothers Temple - Kadaver - The Golden Dawn - Shannon & The Clams - Barn Owl - Terakraft - Yamantaka//Sonic Titan - White Hills - Destruction Unit - Quilt - Joel Gion & The Primary Colors - Gap Dream - King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizzard - Boogarins - Aqua Nebula Oscillator - Lorelle Meets The Obsolete - The Oscillation - Steve Gunn - Circuit des Yeux - The Young - Fantasmes - Kikagaku Moyo

Some returning alumni, some old-time faves, some new faces... What's at the top?



"Loaded" by Primal Scream, from Screamadelica (1991)

From the early-'90s, and since...



"From Centre to Wave" by Loop, from A Gilded Eternity (1990)

From the early-'90s only!! Here's fan video for "Be Here Now" too.



"Time of the Season" by The Zombies, from Odessey And Oracle (1968)

Hits from the actual '60s!

THE HORRORS - MIRROR'S IMAGE from on Vimeo.

From... more recently?? Hopefully you have your tickets already.



"Problem Areas" by Oneohtrix Point Never, from R Plus Seven (2013)

I haven't been listening new OPN since around the #39 of 2010 - but I'll still probably try to go live.



"Join the Dots" by Toy, from Join the Dots (2013)

I think that's the correct Toy (artist).



"Clear the Air" by Jacco Gardner, from Cabinet of Curiosities (2013)

This was the first unknown artist I randomly looked up, and: not too bad...



"The Bank Robbery (Escape from New York)" from Zombie Zombie Plays John Carpenter (2010)

Might not be the Carpenter fest of a few years back, but maybe they'll theme it up proper.



"Creature of the Demon" by Kadaver, from Kadaver (2012)

I'm glad the heaviness is creeping in!



"uᏞuᏒu ᏒᎾᏟᏦ" by ᎬᎪᏒᏆhᏞᎬss, from From the Ages (2013)

I'm only gonna mention a couple of super-pleasant surprises.

#1: EARTHLESS!! (I believe they were one of my answers when asked by Psych Fest on Facebook who we'd like to see.)



"Void Redux" by Barn Owl, from V (2013)

And #2: Barn Owl!! Yusssssss...