NFT's Got You Covered 2018

2018 has been a rollercoaster if rollercoasters had more trials and tribulations than thrills and excitement. I had high hopes of bringing Nostalgia For Tomorrow circa 2010 back to reality, but again the rollercoaster of life had an open seat for me in the front row. Despite all that, I won't apologize. Instead, I'll write about some things that make me happy. So, here is a list of my favorite cover songs from the year 2018. For listening and enjoyment purposes only.

Always Crush Me - Wreck and Reference



Wreck and Reference take Guided By Voices' lo-fi recording and all its roughness, amplify it by 100, and project it into twisted industrial metal. The monotonous guitar strumming is traded in with synths and slacker vocals become panic-induced yelling. "Always Crush Me" is the perfect little cover for a perfect little song in Guided By Voices' giant-ass catalog.


Agony - Beach Fossils

Yung Lean's under the influence love song from last year gets an upbeat treatment thanks to New York rockers, Beach Fossils. "Agony" is an ice cold number about tripping balls that seems indulgent at first, but give it a few listens and you will discover a haunting song that boarders on claustrophobic. With Beach Fossils' addition of light guitar and a steady bass, the walls seem to move even closer in on you. BF's version might be a bit more upbeat than the original, but it's far from the most rock n' roll rendition of a Sadboy-type song; that award goes to a similarly named band, Beach Goons, who covered Spooky Black's "Without U" back in 2015.


I Started a Joke - Marissa Nadler



A number of songs from Marissa Nadler's second cover album could have been posted here. There's one of my favorite Leonard Cohen tracks ("Avalanche"), a heartbreaking Daniel Johnston track ("True Love Will Find You in the End"), and a somber Danzig deep-cut ("Blood and Tears"). I have to give the spotlight to Nadler's rendition of "I Started a Joke" by Bee Gees though, since the original turned 50 years old this year. Plus, it's really good.


Bark at the Moon - Integrity



Integrity haven't slowed down a bit since releasing their barn burner, Howling, For the Nightmare Shall Consume last year. This year, the metal/hardcore crossover vets released a split with American black metal outfit, Krieg, and for Halloween released a cover of an Ozzy Osbourne classic. Despite the essential choice, Integrity's deliver is anything but tongue-in-cheek. Yes, it's still clearly an Ozzy track, but Integrity's signature sound breaths new life into the old beast. Take a listen above and go off the rails of the crazy... err, bark at the moon.


The Book of Love - bedbug



A few years back, a work friend invited me to his wedding and mentioned that the wedding song would be "The Book of Love". He asked me if I had ever heard of the song in hopes that I would guess The Monotones' song by the same name. Instead, I did my best Magnetic Fields impression without drawing too much attention to myself. He was impressed but also a little confused. I never ended up attending the wedding, but I did learn that "The Book of Love" is a very popular wedding song. The twist, of course, is "The Book of Love" by The Magnetic Fields on the album, 69 Love Songs was later covered by the more-known-by-co-workers, Peter Gabriel. Flash forward to this past Halloween, I'm attending one of the 8 Halloween cover shows the Boston-area had to offer, and bedbug was performing as the Scrubs Soundtrack, a medley of songs from the hit show. One of the songs bedbug played happened to be "The Book of Love", which appears in the season 8 finale a la the Peter Gabriel version. I joked about whether bedbug covered The Magnetic Fields version or Peter Gabriel to myself. Flash forward to a few days ago, when a 69 Love Songs tribute album was released by Living Statue Records. There, waiting for me among the 69 songs, was bedbug's "The Book of Love". This recorded version might be missing the Scrubs samples that were weaved into the rest of bedbugs' Halloween set, but it's still really awesome to see my pointless anecdote about "The Book of Love" grow each year.


By My Side - Ben Walsh



Ben Walsh of Tigers Jaw's cover on Don't Stop Now II: A Collection of Covers is a perfect example of a gateway song to the original. Without clicking on Ben's cover, I would have never given much of a thought to the new Porches album. Now "By My Side" is among one of my favorite songs of 2018. As for the compilation itself, if you got the cash I highly recommend grabbing all 33 covers which benefits RAICES (Refugees and Immigrants Center for Education & Legal Services). RAICES seems like a great place to throw your money at; throw your money at anything and everything that is not a giant fear-mongering wall.


Havana - Superorganism

Superorganism's intoxicating rendition of "Havana" feels like it manifested via a long night of partying at a local karaoke bar. Something that could not have been duplicated at the karaoke bar, however, is their candy-coated production that has been ever-so-carefully melted into digital goodness for the ears. There might not be as much going on as there is in every other facet of Superorganism's recordings, performances, and wild Spotify music videos, there's still no mistaking the dedication to their commitment to ultra quirkiness.


I Wanna Be Adored - King Woman



A major appeal to the Stone Roses' hit number, "I Wanna Be Adored" is the misheard chorus which I always sing as "I Wanna Be A Door", while others mishear it as "I Wanna be a Dog" or, similarly, "I Wanna be Your Dog". King Woman's version adds a new layer to the already misunderstood lyrics by draping the song in doom-y drone atmosphere. "I Wanna Be Adored" seems unrecognizable at first, until Kristina Esfandiari AKA Miserable's wispy vocals come in. Eventually the song picks up and echoes the aforementioned line that sounds especially like "I Wanna Be A Door" until coming to an untimely end. It might not go down as smooth as the original, but give it a few listens and let it grow on you like a small rash or black mold.


Infinity Guitars - Sunflower Bean

What better way to celebrate a record label's 10 year anniversary than taking a swing at a song that is surprisingly almost 10 years old. Sunflower Bean manage to shed some of the over-amplified guitar work without losing any of the energy that rarely is heard from Sleigh Bells these days. The result almost sounds like "Pepper" by Butthole Surfers, but maybe that's just me wanting something to sound like "Pepper" by Butthole Surfers. Either way, I highly recommend playing this cover full-blast in a beat-up 90's Volvo just as the original was meant to be played.


Moon River - Frank Ocean

Despite being a day late, Frank Ocean's "Moon River" is this years' Valentine cover song. Channelling his inner Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffanys, Ocean delivers a poignant rendition of a timeless classic only the way he could. "Moon River" is just a reminder how incredible Frank Ocean is even if this wasn't his best take.


People / Halfsleeper - CJ Boyds



CJ Boyds has been traveling all over the country for 10 years playing with all sorts of wonderful talent. Boyds' cover album in honor of 10 years on the road might not be the biggest, but it's definitely the most ambitious cover album on this list. Not only are Boyds' covers carefully picked to reflect the bands and musicians he has shared stages and spaces with, all the covers are by musicians he has played with covering all 50 states plus Washington, DC and an unknown bonus track for US territories. Along with that, Boyds recorded each song in the respected state as to which the song is associated with. Currently, only "People / Halfsleeper" is available for listening, but judging by this drone-y Dilute meets Chelsea Wolfe combo-cover recorded in California, Boyds ode to the US is going to be mighty impressive.


Pontiac 87 - Preoccupations



A few bands seem to loose some steam when they change their name. Preoccupations, formerly Viet Cong, however are keeping the hype train going. This year they released an album called New Material (Which might be there new name next year) and a split with top-tier post-punkers of the '10s, Protomartyr. Preoccupations prove they are here to stay with their spaced-out rendition of "Pontiac 87". The cover might not be the most challenging, especially since both bands are so similar, but maybe not appropriating someone else is a good thing for Preoccupations right now.


Same Drugs - Free Throw



With a band tackling Chance the Rapper's "Same Drugs", one might think that Free Throw are putting a special spin on a hometown favorite. However, Free Throw are not a Chicago emo band. Hell, they're not even an East Coast emo band. Free Throw from Nashville, Tennessee already take on the task of being a long shot, a surprisingly not "southern" emo band. Free Throw aren't defined by where they reside, but rather by how moving their music can be. It's a surprise to most, and a cover of Chance seems like the biggest surprise Free Throw could have come up with, yet here we are. "Same Drugs" comes as a surprise at the end of Missing Pieces, a small compilation of re-imagined songs from their 2017 album, Bear Your Mind.


Playlist w/bonus covers:

NFT's Got You Covered - Favorite Covers of 2014!

Some covers from 2014!

Invalids - Lemmings from I Guess this is Growing Up (Volume 1)



Every wondered what it would be like if Blink 182 jumped into the twinkle daddy game in 2014? Well, Pete Davis AKA Invalids has the answer in his virtuoso-has-nothing-on-me cover of "Lemmings" from Cheshire Cat (1996).

Pharmakon - Bang Bang from Bestial Burden (bonus track)



I first heard Nancy Sinatra's original after witnessing it in Kill Bill Vol. 1 when I was too young to really appreciate either. This version by Sacred Bones noisemaker Margaret Chardiet definitely would have fit right in with Tarantino's revengesploitation fetish.

You Blew It! - Surf Wax America from You Blue It!



Not as different as the Blink 182 cover above, but this Blue Album Weezer cover is a very fun rework of a song that gets barely any recognition. Props to You Blew It! for making a song that could easily fit in a future Tony Hawk game (I can wish) as well.

The Body & Thou - Terrible Lie (live from Gilead Fest)

While I will never actually know what this song sounded like (recordings were destroyed by the sheer power and heaviness of this performance and only a Youtube video surfaced), I'm gonna have to go with this video over the original by Nine Inch Nails.


These Arms Are Snakes - Energy Drink And The Long Walk Home from Sex Beat



The original is actually less synth-y than this final recording ever made by post hardcore legends, These Arms Are Snakes. This track was originally going to be released on a Split with another band that came about after Botch's breakup, Minus the Bear, but it never saw the light of day. The aforementioned original is by Lost Sounds, a band featuring Alicja Trout and Jay Reatard.

Black Math Horseman - All Apologies from In Utero: In Tribute



This Record Store Day Nirvana tribute was another release that took years to finally materialize. While it also includes a never-before-released track by These Arms Are Snakes (covering "Heart-Shaped Box"), I have to give praise to the now-defunct Black Math Horseman for their re-imaged apocalyptic doom cover of "All Apologies". I also have a very soft spot for dueling female/male vocals.

Chance the Rapper - Wonderful Everyday (Arthur Theme) [ft. The Social Experiment]



This is not your everyday cover of Arthur's Theme song by Ziggy Marley. I might elaborate on this more later when I talk about my favorite albums of the year but something about listening to a lot of reggae music including the original Arthur's Theme went from being a playful joke to really getting me through some bummer summer moments. This song might not be reggae or even a straight-forward cover, but it still has that uber-positive message to it. Plus, it's sung by Chance the Rapper, someone who is never always positive-sounding (see his next single: "No Better Blues").

Graves at Sea - Orchid/Lord of this World from This Place is Poison



There's people that say they like metal and don't listen to Black Sabbath in 2014. I Know, I've read it online. Luckily for you, I got the memo and wanted to remind you that it's still cool to listen to Black Sabbath - including their 1971 release Master of Reality. Once you are done listening to Master of Reality check out this incredible two-part sludge cover of "Orchid" and "Lord of this World" by Graves at Sea.

SLOTHS - Breadcrumb Trail from Casa de Diversion Covers Vol. 3



Portland, Oregon's SLOTHS could not have released this Slint cover at a better time. Along with Slint's documentary entitled Breadcrumb Trail released this year, the grown-up kids from Kentucky decided to get back together and have a real reunion tour. I can't say I have been to too many reunion shows in my day, but I wasn't gonna miss this one. SLOTHS incredible rendition of "Breadcrumb Trail" will forever remind me of finishing a day of finals in Northern Maine to my lone trek through Boston traffic for the perfect parking spot. The Show? Well, Slint will remind me of that...

Bonus:

Have you heard Primus's re-imagination of the Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory soundtrack? I had not until I watched this fan-made sync-up of the classic 1971 movie with Primus and the Fungi Ensemble's Willy Wonka renditions:

Ted Nguyent - Don't Vote

Ted Nguyent - Don't Vote (2014)

Philly punks, Ted Nguyent got this whole punk rock thing figured out.

From their pizza-themed magnum opus, Pizza & Regret, Ted Nguyent have know moved on to much more thought-provoking themes such as biology, stalking, why Dave (Grohl?) killed Kurt Cobain, the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and, of course, the Temple of Doom and what it would feel like if it was their body.

Get With it.

Bandcamp
Facebook
Last.fm

CZARFACE

CZARFACE - Inspectah Deck + 7L & Esoteric = Czarface (2013)

Czarface is literally (yes, literally) everything I look for in a hip-hop album - from sweet 90's beats, Wu-Tang Clan, comic book themes, and, of course, pro wrestling references AND samples. This bad boy featuring the duo of 7L & Esoteric and Inspectah Deck from Wu-Tang fame has all that good stuff I mentioned above and more. Plus, I'm not just taking about one song here: this album is a beginning-to-end banger stuffed with only the coolest things you can find in hip-hop without being nerd rap. Well, without being tacky nerd rap.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a song of any kind would include a sample of the National Wrestling Alliance's first and only 80's tag team from 2002, The New Breed and their long since forgotten Transformers inspired promo. Alas it exists and therefore has to be one of my favorite things ever put in a song. The song is called "Czar Refeali" featuring Oh No of Gangrene and is only one of many more action packed numbers.

If I did have to pick just one song off of Czarface to draw someone in though, it would certainly be "Savagley Attacked" featuring the one and only, Ghostface Killah. If this song does not hook you in, I don't think we can be friends. I'll still talk to you, I guess, but we won't be hanging out or getting ice cream together any time soon. Check this out:

Other guests in this comic book on HGH include: Roc Marciano, Cappadonna & Vinnie Paz, Mr. MFN EXquire, and Action Bronson as well as sample appearances by Iron Man, Batman, Sam and Vincent from Ronin, George Carlin, Vince McMahon, Tony Schiavone, The Road Warriors, and many more.

Last.fm

NFT's March Mix

Never thought I would ever make a mix with Cee-Lo Green in it, yet here we are in 2014 with a Nostalgia For Tomorrow mix about Cee-Lo Green.

Shaq's in there, too.

Enjoy!

Monday LXXXXIV Best of 2013 part 1

Just some stuff that's not Yeezus, Reflektor, or Sunbather.

Mylets - Recton (2013)

Mylets is a one-man math rock excursion by Henry Kohen. Using the power of loop pedals and a super catchy vocal arsenal, Mylets is a simple meets complex listening experience. A must for any fan of Tera Melos, Girlfriends, Boyfrndz, Monster Machismo, or Adebisi Shank.

Favorite track: "Hungover Tehran"


Last.fm

Listener - Time is a Machine (2013)

I was surprised to see that Time is a Machine did not receive much attention after the large praise that Wooden Heart got a few years back. Still, Time is a Machine is not far behind where Wooden Heart left off and will certainly hold up in time for when people really start listening again.

Favorite track: "Eyes to the ground for change"


Last.fm

The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die - Whenever, If Ever (2013)

2013 was definitely The World is...'s biggest year to date. From the raise of the shitty "mememo" terms to someone behind Buzzfeed figuring out there's still a genre called emo and it doesn't suck, The World is... seemed to be the front runners of a cool new thing. They have a really long ridiculous name and just as ridiculous lineup, why wouldn't they be the stars of the next "emo revival" generation? Hell, maybe next year The World is... will be on SNL!

Whenever, If Ever really is a solid album though whether you wanna believe the hype or not.

Favorite Track: "Fightboat"



Serengeti - Kenny Dennis LP (2013)

Serengeti's alter ego, Kenny Dennis returned this year with a bang when the Chicago native dropped his LP on the world.  K.D.'s repetitive and sometimes incoherent rap style puts me in a hypnotic trance that makes me want to watch old NBA games and play Sonic on my aunt's Sega Genesis.

Favorite track: "Directions"

Along with Kenny Dennis's LP, Serengeti also released Saal, C.A.B. (a follow-up to C.A.R.), a single featuring a b-side about "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, and his Yoome project's (along with Renee Louise Carafice and Tony Trimm) June album.

Last.fm

Russian Circles - Memorial (2013)

Russian Circles just being Russian Circles. The groovy post metal lords even throw in a little number featuring vocal duties by Chelsea Wolfe which resembles a True Widow track that never was.

Favorite track: "Memorial (Ft. Chelsea Wolfe)" and "Lebaron" (for the more traditional RC experience)



Last.fm

Honorable mentions/already talked about:

Foxing - An Albatross
Toasted Plastic - June Highs
A Great Big Pile of Leaves - You're Always On My Mind
Phantom Glue - A War of Light Cones
One Hundred Year Ocean - Where Were You While We Were Getting High?
Rosetta - Anaesthete
The Reptilian - Low Health
Leveret - Infinity

So... what's left?

NFT's Interesting Albums of 2013

Some things sound the same... these aren't those things.

Clipping - Midcity (2013)

Clipping is hip-hop laced in harsh noise featuring members from True Neutral Crew. I thought I would like Midcity a lot more than a I did; not because I don't like the noise/anti-beats - that's actually what kept me listening - I just can't get passed the stereotypical rap lyrics. Still, it's a very interesting listen:

Last.fm

Hill/Cameron/Weiss - Drumgasm (2013)

Simply put, Drumgasm  is a 39 minute drum solo by Janet Weiss (Quasi, Wild Flag, Sleater-Kinney), Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam), and Zach Hall (a thousand other things). It's not an album for everyone, especially for anyone who doesn't like drumming, but it certainly deserves a spot on my most interesting albums of 2013 list. Drumgasm is also now a nice treat for myself since Zach Hill is so busy with Death Grips that he is not appearing in all sorts of supergroups and experimental tag team projects that he used to. Plus, this album is only drumming... so, we the listeners get to hear Hill's gloriously spastic drumming in full color.

Matt Cameron and Janet Weiss are great drummers in their own right, but let's be honest: if Zach Hill wasn't on this drum expose, there probably wouldn't be much to talk about.

Last.fm

Jungbluth - Part Ache (2013)

Politically fueled by the ghost of German communist and antifascist, Karl Jungbluth, this post-hiatus Alpinist side project is a crusty hardcore battle cry. I'm not a big follower of politics by any sense but I have noticed how powerful of a tool it can be when it comes to making art and music... and noise. 

All proceeds to Part Ache go to Anarchist Black Cross: Belarus - a group that supports anarchists and antiauthoritorian people (and other words I remember hearing in Amnesty club) that are imprisoned for their political beliefs and public activities.  

Last.fm

Kal Marks - Life Is Murder (2013)

Boston freak indie rock fueled by the ghost of Karl Marx.

Seriously though, Kal Marks is a classic last minute find from the always impressive record label, Exploding in Sound. No time like the present to get addicted to this stuff:



Did I mention the vocals are hauntingly freaky?

Last.fm

Botanist - IV: Mandragora (2013)

Probably my most interesting find this year has to be Botanist.

Botanist is plant-inspired black metal using only drums and a dulcimer. It's a one person effort by a man named Otrebor who plays this green metal of sorts from the perspective of The Botanist. The Botanist's mission in life is to return Earth back to its natural form before humanity moved in and destroyed everything. At first it sounds like a guy with an electrical voice box banging on metal and a marching snare drum, but it gets enjoyable in a weird way once you listen to it a few more times.

It's definitely something.

Last.fm

Monday LXXXIV

Moondate.

Glocca Morra/Summer Vacation - Split 7" (2013)

Good stuff from both bands right here. If you don't know either of these guys yet please do yourself a favor and get acquainted. For your health!

Seriously..

Last.fm (Glocca Morra)

Last.fm (Summer Vacation)

Wood Burning Cat - Karate Trophies (2013)

Wood Burning Cat are a three-man power pop band. I guess that means they are Weezer, right?

Whatever it is, it's pretty fun and even includes some upbeat keyboard action. 

Karate Trophies was recorded via Mike Cunnane's Cut The Shit mobile recording studio. 

Last.fm

Milo - Milo Takes Baths (2012)

Milo AKA Rory Ferreria takes Baths AKA Will Wiesenfeld instrumentals and puts obscure references on top of them.

Hopefully if I talk about him enough I can get a Nostalgia For Tomorrow pop some day. 

Really digging the last track, "The Mumblings of Mr. Wav". I had never heard Baths "Seaside Town" before this and nearly jumped out of my seat when I first heard those Kiki's Delivery Service samples. I'm a real softy for Hayao Miyazaki flicks...

Last.fm 

Monday LXXX

Good to be back!

No, Boy - Was That It? Was That Really It? (2013)

Vancouver indie rock/punk/emo sensation from Vancouver. Lots of stuff about the city and staying cool. 

I think.



Last.fm

Bummer - Kids on the Run (2012)

Bummer is also a band from Cananananada. Montreal, though.

I actually heard about these guys through one of my favorite bands (I got to see them this weekend for the first time!), Chalk Talk. They had just played with Bummer up north and brought a few couples of Kids on the Run in 45'' form with them to the show. I kick myself for not picking up a copy but promised I would check these Canadian punkers out. So here I am, checking them out. And so should you.

Because Chalk Talk said so. Because I said so.



Your body will thank you.

Last.fm

Milo - Cavalcade (2013)

Milo is not from Canada. He (Rory Ferreira) is actually from all over... starting off in a land called Saco, Maine. Milo now lives in Wisconsin, I believe, but that's not going to stop me from mentioning his roots in a very familiar town. 

Milo is also not punk rock... Milo is that hip-hop stuff. Good and smart hip-hop stuff, too. Hip-hop that is often filled with references of another familiar thing to me - pro wrestling. An easy example of wrestling from this new mixtape, a follow-up to his past two EPs (things that happen at day and things that happen at night), is the distorted sample of Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig giving a promo to the champion at the time, the Ultimate Warrior. The sample opens up the 5th track, entitled, "ba al chiliagon swords" featuring YC the Cynic and is a top-notch number.

Other samples and guests of miscellaneous sorts include: America and their hit songs, "A Horse with No Name" and "I Need You", a speech about dogs and the language of dogs which I don't recognized, Nocando, the highly underappreciated and always impressive Busdriver, and a pig load more of samples he probably didn't get permission to use. 

Get Cavalcade for free via Hellfyre Club right now!

... unless you don't want to listen to the next big thing... that's cool these days, too. I guess...

Last.fm

PS: I'm about to drink the Filipino chocolate energy drink, Milo. Hope it's as good. 

NFT is Back!!!

After two months tugboating the Gulf Coast, Nostalgia For Tomorrow is back from the dead and ready to fill your empty music holes on the side of your head some call ears with the steamiest of steaming piles of music from all over the internet and my home state of Maine. Fuck apologies. Here's music:

Atlas At Last - Atlas At Last (2013)

Atlas At Last is a clever name. So is their music. But what could they possibly sound like?

Well, while their description on Last.fm may suggest post-hardcore and are heavily influenced by the Blood Brothers and At The Drive-In, I would have to say they sound a bit more like the punk groups Joyce Manor and Big Kids that I sometimes refer to as "aggressive pop punk". Cringe-worthy, I know, but that's the best I got...

Just listen for yourself:


Last.fm


mnttaB - Welcome to the planet, dear. (2013)

Don't really know what to say about this one... found it in my mailbox and played it while I fell asleep one night. It gave me weird nightmares. One included Queen Latifah when she was on Fresh Prince of Bel Air that time. I don't feel comfortable going into detail on that one.



Last.fm

Snort - Ron (2013)

Snort is a band from a friend of mind's college in Wisconsin. As you can see above, it's one of those hip colleges... but hey, I love me some instrumental rock music described as "twinkly" or "mathy', so really, who am I to judge?

Actually, I'm just jealous I don't go to a hip college.

Anyways, I highly recommend Snort to anyone who enjoys those things I said in those last couple sentences. Especially instrumental twinkly math rock.

Or hip Wisconsin twinkly judge.



Last.fm

NFT's Got You Covered with the Cover of the Year

There was a few good covers to choose from this year but this one definitely stands out as numero uno...

That means number one.

Deafheaven - Punk Rock/Cody (Mogwai cover) (2012)

This intense cover of two songs originally by Mogwai from their album, 'Come On Die Young' comes from Deafheaven's 12'' split with Bosse-de-Nage. While the "Punk Rock" (the intro), and "Cody" are two different tracks on Mogwai's 2006 release, Deafheaven has combined them into one big post black post metal post rock track.

Deafheaven also mix things up with their choice of a spoken word sample for "Punk Rock". While Mogwai's original featured Iggy Pop discussing punk rock no less, Deafheaven's rendition features the words of William Faulkner (talking about fear I'm guessing) followed by some atmospheric black metal piano!

Take a listen:

Be sure to also check out Bosse-de-Nage's side of the split as well.

...and Mogwai's tracks "Punk Rock" and "Cody" if you haven't heard them before:

Both Deafheaven and Bosse-de-Nage are from the "Bay Area" (San Francisco, California). They both play a unique blend of black metal without being from Norway or looking the part. Some like to call that hipster black metal.

I could care less what they wear or where they're from...

The Flenser records
Official site
Last.fm

11th Day of Christmas + Monday XXXXXXI

Day 11.

Monday:

Lvl Up - Space Brothers (2011)

Lvl Up features the likes of Dave Benton and Nick Corbo from Spook Houses and Sirs. This is sort of their side project featuring a bit more bedroom recording/acoustic/lo-fi stuff than those other bands.

Favorite track would have to be "NIGHTSHADE". Check 'em all out though!



Last.fm

The Chewers - Chuckle Change and also (2012)

The Chewers are a two-man outfit based in West Virginia that make "deliberately off-kilter" music.

Off-kilter is definitely one way of putting it...

I found out about this interesting band/album after looking through my spam mail the other day. I'm not sure how it ended up in there but I'm pretty glad I decided to check. It really makes me wonder how much stuff I miss when I don't check my spam!

Ayeyeyeye!

Official site
Soundcloud
Last.fm

/mu/ - A Very Merry Gripsmas (2011)

4chan made this last year. It's a Death Grips Christmas remix album.

Highlights include: "Takyon the Housetop", "Shock the Halls", and the bonus track, "I've Seen Jingle Bells".



That's all I got.

Monday XXXXXX

Figured I'd do a regular Monday post before you receive your 4th day of NFT Christmas present.

Spoiled brats.



Apart - Gray Light (2012)

Apart is a group of hip looking kids with nice haircuts. They don't look that angry but they sure sound it... What's up with that?



Last.fm

Leaves Leaves - Tuna Boots (2012)

So good they named themselves twice.

Seriously though, this is another fresh face to the local music world of Portland, Maine. It seems just as one door closes on some of our favorite local acts (RIP: Red Medicine, Huak, and The Waldos soon), another one opens (hello: Conjjjecture, An Anderson, Leaves Leaves).

I guess I can't complaining...

Anyways, Leaves Leaves play lo-fi punk-noise-rock-pop, or as they have cleverly labeled it as on Bandcamp, 'slouch rock'. I kind of actually like the sound of that. I might even use that again sometime.

This debut whatever, entitled, 'Tuna Boots' was mastered by Mike Cunnane at 131 Washington Ave. in Portland, Maine.



No contact/sites yet.

The Taxpayers - "God, Forgive These Bastards" Songs From The Forgotten Life of Henry Turner (2012)

This morning I was just browsing around the scary parts of the internet when I came across a discussion about the new Taxpayers album and why no one added it to their best of 2012 lists yet. Most people just responded with, "oops, I forgot about this album" and, well, I did too honestly. It's too late to take it back, though. Whether I was going to put this on my best of list this year or not, I still feel this album needs some more goddamned listeners! So listen!

Now!



Where a 'Rhythm in the Cages' was a crusty/folky punk mess and 'To Risk So Much for One Damn Meal' sounded just like a Jeff Rosenstock side project with horns gone right, "God, Forgive These Bastard" has some sort of no wave infused folk sound that is overwhelmingly addictive.

All of The Taxpayers' albums are different. Different in a good way of course. However, the forgotten '"God, Forgive These Bastards" Songs From The Forgotten Life of Henry Turner' is clearly becoming my favorite.

Bandcamp
Last.fm

Monday XXXXXVII

Not as goofy as Das Racist's break-up...

Here's Monday 57!

Madson - Madson (2012)

Madson is a twinkly female-fronted act out of CT. It's got a very laid-back, jazzy, edge to it that makes very listenable. The fact that Madson's vox are a female's is also a nice treat since there is so many winy guys singing over noodle-y music these days.It's like that one white lady who works at The Panda Express in the mall...

No.. it's not like that at all.




Last.fm

Jel & Odd Nosdam - Geti Beats vol. 1

Geti Beats is a compilation of beats created for the one and only, Serengeti by Anticon mates Jel and Odd Nosdam (maybe you've heard about them from their numerous other projects via Anticon). The beats come straight off Serengeti's 2012 releases, Kenny Dennis EP and C.A.R. along with three other instrumentals that aren't marked where they belong so maybe they are new beats that Serengeti will be working his magic on very soon. I'd love to talk more about these wonderful beats and 'Geti, especially since he is my favorite rapper of this year, but I don't want to spoil anything before I write the all important AOTY's. So for now, these beats are here as teasers to what's to come (and teasers to anyone who has yet to hear the majestic mic skills of Serengeti).



Last.fm (Jel & Odd Nosdam)

Dan Deacon - Wish Book Volume 1 (2012)

This is Dan Deacon's gift to all us Mainers since he had to cancel his show last month at the Space Gallery in Portland.

Actually, this is a DJ set Dan Deacon created while on tour. It features some great chooses of music such as Animal Collective, Roy Orbison, Silver Apples, Lightning Bolt, The Misfits along with some relevant names and sounds by Psy, Diplo, Rihanna, Death Grips, Grimes and some classics i.e. Marvin Gaye, The Ronettes, Rod Stewart, and Wiz Khalifa. 

All those things are, of course, mashed together and spit back out to bring you a very fun and enjoyable time for any occasion. Because hey, that's the only way you're going to get me to listen to Rihanna... other than the green-screen performance she did on SNL which I actually thoroughly enjoyed. And yes, even while I was sober.

Last.fm

Neutral Bling Hotel

Neutral Bling Hotel - In My G4 Over Da Sea (2012)

Neutral Milk Hotel + rap. Featuring classic hip-hop hits like: "Ice Cream Paint Job", "Look At Me Now", "Teach Me How to Dougie" and that whistle song all the girlies love.

All tracks mashed-up by Psycosis, a video game programmer turned mash-up extraordinaire - sorta.

Anyways, enjoy!

Just imagine a swag Jeff Mangum while you're at it.... oh wait...

Sweet Anne Frank arm tat, dude! Oh, too soon?

Bandcamp
Last.fm

Wonka Beats

Darwin Deez - Wonka Beats

Wonka Beats is a rap project featuring samples and other goodies revolving around the 70's film adaption of Roald Dahl's chocolate-childhood-dream-fest, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It is curated by indie pop and worst hair contest winner of the year, every year, Darwin Deez. 

Throughout this wonderfully thought up tape, Darwin Deez isn't rapping so much as playing word association. Deez's goofy style can easily be compared to that of Das Racist and other "funny" rappers who are clearly Deez's influences and inspirations. Kool AD of Das Racist actually rears his ugly head in track 2, "Where's the Chocolate" and provides us with some more word associated raps and silly vocal antics. Other special guests include Xaphoon Jones of Chiddy Bang (who you may or may not know sampled Darwin Deez in their song, "Bad Day"; the same name as the Darwin Deez song they sampled.), Dev Hynes, and Donovan Deez who is not Darwin's brother, but Mash Deez's (Michelle Dorrance, the one to come up with the 'Deez' name). Darwin Deez's real name is Darwin Smith. A lot less hip.

There is also too extra tracks at the end of this tape after the outro. One is a remix of "The City" featuring DJ Hummus, and the other is a song called, "Today Was Dumb" featuring Scary Mansion. 

A really good idea of what I'm talking about with the whole "word association" rapping style would be the remix of "I Don't Like The Look" (originally by Lil Wayne or whoever). There's so much word play and clever little rhyming, it'll make your head spin:

All in all, you can't go wrong with Willy Wonka themed samples. Unfortunately though, there's a lot of good material you can use just from the 70's version that not all of my (and maybe yours) favorite bits and quotes get used. I would have loved to hear the "You lose! Good day, sir!" rant or any of the unexpectedly scary tunnel bits. Other than that, this is a quality mixtape with a lot of Wonka nostalgia mixed with non-stop, line-after-line, Darwin Deez rapping... or what ever it is he is doing. 

Enjoy!

Official site
Bandcamp
Last.fm