It's been a while, but I've just been too busy listening to new music and I am still discovering new stuff, so here are two tidbits for you.

 Cold Cave's latest album, "Cherish the Light Years" is a brilliant combination of the synth dance melodies of New Order and Human League with the darkness of Sisters of Mercy, some Cure, Joy Division, Heaven 17 and Bauhaus. I've been listening to Cold Cave for about 5 months now and I it like more each time I spin it.
I was suprised to find out that the singer/driving force, Wes Eisold, was the singer from 90's hardcore punk gamechangers, American Nightmare. Check out this American Nightmare video for comparison purposes.I guess all that screaming would be rough on the throat. It's pretty damn amazing to compare and contrast the two musical and vocal styles.
Any fan of 80's dark synth pop needs to get this record. The vinyl comes with a download code, so I suggest that you go that way, of course. Another video.

Junius is my latest obsession. I had heard their name mentioned, but had not investigated because they sounded like they might be some sort of crappy electronica band, I was definitely wrong. The best description I can give is say that there are moments of heavy darkness mixed with soaring light. Corny, I know, but this is achieved with effects heavy guitar and bass mixed with a Cure/Doves style vocals and almost monastic chants.
Their album, "Martyrdom of a Catastrophist" took three years to complete and is based on the writings of Immanuel Velikovsky, a controversial scientist who, among other theories, attempted to link major catastrophic events in the bible with the Earth's near catastrophic collisions with celestial bodies.
Junius have a new album coming out soon called, Reports from the Threshold of Death, which chronicles near death experiences. This band is in my top ten for the year.
 You can stream and download Martyrdom... here. Also a live video here.

Alright, back to football. Until next time, adios a bye bye!

Newest Slabs Of Wax

Even though I've been listening to the instant download of the latest album by Touche Amore, "Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me", it was great to finally get the vinyl. This record has quickly become one of my favorites of the year. I could really even go so far as to say I'm obsessed. It's a perfect balance of hardcore screamed out vocals, rapid fire drums, with the more melodic guitars that sometimes reminds me of the twinkling and propulsive bursts from instrumental band, Explosions In The Sky.
When I first heard Touche Amore(pronounced tooshay amoray) I didn't know if I liked them. It took repeated listenings of their first album before it finally grabbed a hold of me. I felt the same way long, long ago the first time I heard Black Flag, The Clash, The Smiths, The Pixies, and Johnny Cash, to name a few. To this day all of those mentioned are still vitally important to me. I think the same will happen with this band.
The new album contains all of the raw throat sincerity of their first album, "To The Beat Of A Dead Horse", but interspersed with a bit more vocal melody. You can also hear an even higher level of musicianship that, coupled with better production, results in powerful and dramatic contrasts, yet manages to avoid sounding overly produced. I've been listening to this on the way to and back home from work every damn day.
The first limited vinyl pressing of "Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me" from Deathwish Records Inc.  comes in green, white, blue, and a mysterious clear. Each comes with a digital download code.
Also available in a 180 gram deluxe version with a 12″LP sized, 28 Page hardcover book designed by TA guitarist Nick Steinhardt (I think the deluxe may be permanently sold out, but keep checking the Deathwish site, ya never know). This version is limited to only 1,000. I also like that Deathwish has kept the prices reasonable. The deluxe with the hardcover book is/was only 20 bucks!
A video for "Home Away From Home" Check it out!

I only just discovered Toronto based band, Fucked Up and I am still trying to completely understand them. Their name is perfect because they seem to fuck up all categories and expectations that people have about what hardcore, punk, rock, or indie should be. The singer has that hardcore growl, but the music is more art college rock, almost as if The Pixies were fronted by a punk singer. The aforementioned singer is a big bear fella who has been known to stage dive naked into the crowd.

Yeah, I know this picture above might scare some of you, but ya gotta admit it also strangely intrigues you as well. This is a band that pushes boundaries and buttons.They either have high aspirations or they simply don't give a fuck(probably the latter). Either way, I have a feeling this is a band that will be talked about with feverish devotion for many decades to come.
Fucked Up's latest album, "David Comes To Life" is a double vinyl concept album released on Matador Records.
I could go on and on, but watch this for the story and then here for a song.

Though I still have a stack of stuff to write about, that's all folks... for now at least. One last thing though, I do have direct links to indie labels in this blog, but please also support your local independent record stores. Some of the really limited stuff I can only get direct, but if I can get it at my local, that's where I go. Forget that Target, Best Buy, Walmart bullshit. When you buy there, you may sometimes save a couple dollars, but you are also giving them the power to dictate what music is available. Does the public really need to go GaGa over another Madonna clone? Get your record and CD fix from the small stores whenever possible. End of speech. Thank you for coming and please show yourself out.

First Batch of Reviews/Recommendations

Alright, since this is the first one there is a huge backlog, so I will try to be brief with each description. Most of this stuff is vinyl, but you can of course buy the cd or download.
Let's start with the harder stuff-

OFF! - If you haven't heard yet, Keith Morris(Black Flag, Circle Jerks) has a new band and they are the new old saviors of punk rock. Punchy, angry blasts that practically throw you in the slam(mosh for you kids) pit. If Black Flag continued with Keith, this is what I would expect would have been recorded. Grand riffs from Dimitri Coats(Burning Brides), solid bass from Steven McDonald(Redd Kross), and drums by Mario Rubalcalba(RFTC, Hot Snakes) all add up to punk perfection. ANYONE into classic punk rock MUST get this! Yeah YOU! VIDEO.

DEEP SLEEP- Hardcore punk out of Richmond, Virginia. Fans of early Black Flag and the Descendents would probably dig this band. Their newest lp is "Turn Me Off" on Grave Mistake Records . It comes in all formats, but my advice would be to get the limited to 300 on white vinyl version(or black if sold out). Like many vinyl releases these days, it comes with a download code, so even if you don't have a turntable you would still get the music to put on your mp3 player/burn to cdr and you can sell the lp to some kid on ebay for mucho money later. Unless you really need to have a plastic cd cover this is the smart way to go for anything released on vinyl with a download code- you won't get much of anything in the future if you try to sell a used cd.
This sample is from their "Paranoid Futures" 45. You can also find a collection all their 45's on cd.

Black God- first 7 incher from this Louisville band. Good stuff sure to be fervently followed by all the kids. Listen here.You can get directly from No Idea Records or in a vinyl/shirt combo from shirtkiller.com.

The theme of the punk section seems to be hardcore for this post, so I will also share another band that all the hardcore kids seems to worship, Touche Amore. They seem like a fun band to see live. I guess if you don't like screamed vocals, this wouldn't be for you. I don't always appreciate this style, but it works for me here. Their new album is going to be released soon on Deathwish Records.

Now, on to completely DIFFERENT music...

Explosions in the Sky - They have released a new album on Temporary Residence called, "take care, take care, take care". The lp package is an insane multi-piece foldout work of art and actually turns into a house. If you are not familiar with this all instrumental band, their name pretty much sums it up, all the mystery and calm of a nighttime sky lit up with soaring bursts of sparkling light. Here's a track off of their new album. This track called, "Greet Death" is off of their second album called, "Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Live Forever".

Jail Weddings - I would describe them as a mix of the B-52's, Roy Orbison, Nick Cave, the Arcade Fire(mostly because there are a lot of members), with the drama of a Meatloaf album, all produced by Phil Spector via a time machine to the early 60's. Watch a video and another glimpse. It truthfully took me a little while to decide if I liked them. Now I am sold! They are also a treat to see live.

Mansions - I haven't received my vinyl copies yet, but have been listening to the instant download. Very chill, reminiscent of Bright Eyes with a tiny bit less preciousness, a touch of The Jealous Sound, and maybe a little Bon Iver. The more I listen to them the more I am liking it a lot. Check it.
Pressing Info:
pink – 50
white – 120
red – 150
red/white swirl – 170

To buy- http://cliftonmotel.bigcartel.com/

Alright, I have been taking too long writing this stuff. I need to go drink a beer. I am done for today.

Why the hell am I starting this blog?

Good question, if I do say so myself, and I do. I am always searching for new music and always wanting to share my thoughts about new bands with friends and you other people. Why not just start a blog and make it a one stop shop for everything I think you should listen to. Vinyl narcissism.

My tastes in music varies by mood and yet varies widely. My parents would constantly spin Hawaiian music by the Makaha Sons of Nihau and Arthur Lyman. My dad also introduced me to albums by Fleetwood Mac, Queen, and later Bob Marley, which knowing my dad is all really strange and out of character. When I was in the third grade I remember buying Kiss Alive at K-mart. I was probably one of the few third graders who memorized the lyrics to almost every Kiss song there was. I don't remember one damn line today.

My first concert was Haircut 100, and when the drummer threw out his drumsticks to the crowd I wrestled two girls before finally ripping it free and sticking it securely down the front of my jeans. My first punk show was at the Olympic Auditorium in LA with the Adicts, Toy Dolls, and Agnostic Front. I've been lucky enough to see many many bands. Glad to say that I got the see the Ramones, The Cramps, The Smiths. and a strange show with GWAR in Tijuana. I feel lucky to have been able to see Jay Reatard(R.I.P.) playing with the Reatards.

Bands/musicians I admire, in no particular order include: The Dead Boys, The Clash, Tom Waits, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, The Pixies, Arthur Lyman, Explosions in the Sky, Johnny Cash, Black Flag, High on Fire, Crass, The Germs, Patsy Cline, Bad Brains, Bob Marley, Mastodon, The Cure, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, The Misfits, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lee Morgan, Rufus Thomas, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Japan, Generation X, Nick Cave, The Reatards, Adolescents... Now, most folks will read this "off the top of my head" list and be able to find something they like. I would also bet that most would also find something they absolutely fuckin' hate. That's okay. My goal with this blog is to present reviews of new music to you that you MAY/MAY NOT dig, kinda more of an all-you-can-eat buffet. Choose what you like and flush the rest. Hopefully, you will find something new to obsess over. If music is a big part of why you keep breathing, then you are one of us. Stay tuned!