NFT's Got You Cover? Hank Williams... The Old One!

Various Artists - Hank Williams Compilation (2013)

From the folks who brought us the Top 40 Compilation comes another look into reconstructing a persons work into simple acoustic lo-fi tracks. This is the Hank Williams Compilation, a collection of - yep, you guessed it - Hank Williams cover songs.

I recently wrote an essay about a certain cover album (which I will not name) that really got me looking at covers in the sense that what people do to a song will ultimately never be as authentic as the original and that the songs usually miss the point of what the original stands for all together. Granted some things should not be covered for the sake of art like church hymns or sea songs, I think taking someone's work like Hank Williams's and re-imagining it, added a little of yourself to it, and giving it away for free is not a bad thing at all. That is, unless you throw a bunch of club noises into it (I'm looking at you, Pill Friends).

Anyways, these covers are just for fun; that's really what covering music should be about anyway.

Artists/bands doing their best Hank Williams impressions (sorta) include: Pill Friends, Radiator Hospital, Free Cake For Every Creature, Teen Suicide, Told Slant, Florist, Lizard Kisses, Fog Lake, and Totally Ruined.


Birdtapes.com
Last.fm (Birdtapes)

Silver Jews - American Water

Silver Jews - American Water (1998)

Silver Jews were an explorational early 90s to late 2000s indie rock group that thrived mostly on the creative songwriting juices of David Berman. The original line-up of Silver Jews consisted of Berman and Pavement's Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich - who left after their debut full-length, Starlite Walker but returned for their 2005 album, Tanglewood Numbers.

To many, American Water is the essential Silver Jews album. It encompasses the perfect amount of somber Berman singing with the right amount of story-telling and the right amount of Stephen Malkmus.

Highlights: "Random Rules", "People", "Honky If Your Lonely", "Blue Arrangement", "Smith & Jones Forever"

While this album will never be the Silver Jews album that got me into Berman's stuff, that would be their last album from 2008, Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea, it does feature my favorite Silver Jews song: "Smith & Jones Forever". "Smith & Jones Forever" was the last song that the Silver Jews ever played live - a fact I hope never changes if they ever decide to go on a reunion tour and play something else:

Similar acts/sounds: Pavement, Smog, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Rites of Spring, Bonny "Prince" Billy, Songs: Ohia, Miighty Flashlight, The Modern Lovers, Calvin Johnson, Guided By Voices, and other 90's indie rock music.

David Berman's Blog
Drag City
Last.fm

The Act of Estimating as Worthless - Circadian Tremors

The Act of Estimating as Worthless - Circadian Tremors (2013)

It's a shame how long I forgot about The Act of Estimating as Worthless. Good thing I am on the Birthquake Records mailing list where I not only rediscovered this beautiful band, but also heard about their new album, Circadian Tremors.

Thanks internet!



Circadian Tremors is a 6 song journey through the vocal chords of Zoe Grant and Matthew Van Asselt. It's the kind of music that tries to hug you and - while you are usually not okay with random hugs or close encounters - it hugs you anyway...

But it's alright because it's really good at hugging and your body is infinitely ready.

This album and The Act of Estimating as Worthless all around are perfect for this transition into Spring. Which, for me at least, is really just that awkward and confused season before summer.

Last.fm

Monday XXXXXXVII

That Monday where the pope quit.

Dore Mear Beon - Dore Mear Beon EP (2012)

Here's some Canadian math rock for ya. Apparently it's that sort of one man (Andrew Sagriff) math rock stuff which always makes me wonder if it's naturally done or with the help of fancy technically and newfangled computer magic. However it's created though, it still sounds great and right up my alley.

Track 2 features a sample from Richard Linklater's philosophical talky film, Waking Life. You know, that kind of talky film where you feel really smart afterwards and totally better than anyone else who hasn't seen it before.


Last.fm

Tawny Peaks - Tawny Peaks (2012)

I'm a bit surprised I haven't shared these guys before seeing how long I've been holding on to this self-title and such.

Recently, I rediscovered these guys on Spotify no less and have been getting to know their music a lot more than before. So here they are now!

Tawny Peaks play twinkly, sometimes acoustic - sometimes electric, sometimes male vocals - sometimes female vocals - sometimes both, emotional  music out of New Jersey.



Last.fm


Real Kind - Hard Red Winter (sketches) (2012)

Real Kind is the warm and fuzzy-feel moniker of Marissa Owens from Portland, Maine when she plays warm and fuzzy music.

A good friend of mine suggested I give Real Kind and her album Hard Red Winter a try - I did and it was a perfect accompaniment to my loner weekend stuck in Northern Maine thanks to that little snow storm we had. Ironically however, a folk show that I was invited to in Portland this weekend that was canceled due to Nemo, included... that's right... Marissa Owens!



This version of Hard Red Winter is just a "sketch" of what the real thing will sound like when it is officially released this April. Or maybe this is just an April Fools Day joke because this album is already perfect the way it is.

Whatever happens though, you'll be sure to hear about it right here on NFT.

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Friday Streaming!

Here's some music to listen to...

Modern Baseball - Sports (2012)

Modern Baseball are a little indie emo band from Philly.

While I'm not too sure what to think of Sports, Modern Baseball's debut album released back in November, I do enjoy the sort of 90's indie rock feel to it that I usually always enjoy.

These guys remind me of The Front Bottoms but a little less clever and not as catchy. Modern Baseball though, like The Front Bottoms, still possess that attitude of "yeah we sound like we are from the 90's or something but we're still going to sing about taking pictures with our phones and twitter".

Truthfully though, I also hate that twitter song Modern Baseball have called, "@chl03k". I really don't want to hear about "checking tweets" or "Facebook statuses" in my music. It's a pet peeve of mine; even if they are making fun of the whole loss of real human interaction with the invention of internet friends and all that jib-jab.

 It just makes my skin crawl. 

But this isn't about me, this is about music...

So check these guys out:

Last.fm

Creepoid - Horse Heaven (2011)

This debut album by Creepoid - also from Philly - entitled, 'Horse Heaven' is not your average No Idea Records release. 

Unlike what I expected from such a band that has recently been signed to No Idea Records, this is not Hot Water Music - Orgcore-type music (not that that is a bad thing) by any means. No, Creepoid is really much more of a grunge band than a punk band; the kind of grunge band that also incorporates a bit of slowcore and heavily distorts their music with old music recording devices and dirt.

Creepoid reminds me of another one of my favorite acts, Dead Confederate. The small differences here would be that Dead Confederate have a bit more of a southern tinge to them and Creepoid take more influence from bands like Low or Spain. However, the way that both bands have that nice and slow build-up into a big pile of layered sound is definitely what made me think of mentioning these two bands' similarity.

My current favorite track off 'Horse Heaven' would have to "Grave Blanket" which has a very visually-interesting music video to go along with it...

Creepoid also has a nice split with slowcore labelmates, Shores - which is very easy on the ears - as well. Hint, hint: It'll probably be featured in my next all-split post coming soon!

No Idea Records

Last.fm

Lord Earth - Napalm, Baby! (2012)

I'm not sure how I missed this one, but according to my sources, not only is this new instrumental metal group known as Lord Earth from the Portland (ME) area, they are actually from my hometown of South Portland - that place that is south of Portland with the big brick building (according to a Portland local I met once).

Lord Earth's debut album, 'Napalm, Baby!' was released last March without my knowledge and the boys behind this death machine called a band have supposedly been putting on some pretty rockin' metal shows all over Portland ever since.

Lord Earth play a mix of sludge-y doom and heavy metal with zero vocals, letting their sweet rhythms and guitar-work do the talking/singing/shouting for them.

I also must note that while 'Napalm, Baby! sounds incredibly good production-wise, I have a feeling that these guys are much heavier in person than what their album is sharing with us...

It looks like I'll be putting Lord Earth on my must-see list for 2013, no doubt.

Oh yeah, and No Doubt too!

They're back right?

Last.fm

Enjoy your weekend and stay out of the cold!

The Very Berry Best 0f 2012 part 1

HEEERRREEE WEEE GOOO!

Duck. Little Brother, Duck! - Don't Take Our Filth Away (2012)

I picked up Duck. Little Brother, Duck!'s 2012 release, 'Don't Take Our Filth Away' this summer when they returned to "the other" Portland after tearing the roof down (almost literally - mind you) a year before. And while their set was cut short by a police scare in the basement of Poland Street, these guys still got a chance to play some of their new (to us at least) numbers and return to one of the places DLBD! actually  wrote about and featured in one of their tracks from this release. I wish I could tell you which song that was that references Poland Street and the incident with the shit pipes breaking and leaking dirty punk water everywhere, but I can not.

I know it's in there though.

Highlights: "Everybody Loves Screamo", "OMGMT", "I'm Just happy To Be Around So Many Docks", and "Calvin Young"

Topshelf records put out so many good records by so many good bands this year. So much good.

Topshelf Records

Bandcamp

Last.fm

The Tallest Man On Earth - There's No Leaving Now (2012)

The Tallest Meng On Earth is no stranger to this blog, neither is what he's playing here on his release from last year, 'There's No Leaving Now'. What I mean by that is this is just classic TTMOE doing what he does and has been doing for some time now. But is it? Is this just another generic Swedish Bob Dylan release about running away?

To me, following Kristian Matsson's work for a few years now, this is just the next chapter for him in the Tallest Man On Earth storybook. It started off just him and his guitar basically and now he's off using moving-drums with brushes and piano. Matsson is exploring the possibilities best he can without losing that signature sound of his and without that natural/organic feel. Is it a slow progression? Very much so, but I can't complain really - It's another TTMOE album and another one I can listen to beginning to end over and over again.

Is it for everyone? Nah. Is it a good TTMOE to start with? Nah. Is it his best? Nah. Am I asking to many questions like this? I think you get the picture.

Highlights: "Revelation Blues", "1904", "Wind and Walls", and "On Every Page"

Dead Ocean

Official site

Last.fm

Aesop Rock - Skelethon (2012)

"Here is how a great escape goes when you can't take your dead friends names out your phone"

Need I say more?

Highlights: "ZZZ Top", "Cycles To Gehenna", "Zero Dark Thirty", "Gopher Guts", and the bonus track, "Dokken Rules feat. Rob Sonic"


Rhymesayers

Official site

Last.fm

Spook Houses - Trying (2012)

Spook Houses' debut LP, 'Trying' really impressed me right from the start. I mean immediately after posting this release on MONDAY XXXXXI I felt I should have given these guys their own post and more of an actual review. I'm not too good at doing either I suppose so I kept listening to Spook Houses and their powerful debut album more and more until it really clicked and I knew this was a top contender for AOTY. So yeah, that's why this album is back.

Plus singing saws still rule!

Highlights: "Bad Sound", "Old Folks", "Family Plan", and "Search For"

Eevil Weevil Records

Bandcamp

Last.fm

Serengeti - C.A.R. (2012)

Serengeti is the first member of this list to be a new find for me in 2012. While a member of one of my favorite collectives, Anticon, I think I just found this Chicago alt-rap native by accident one day. Long story short, I was spinning his Shaq inspired track, "Shazam" from his Kenny Dennis alter ego EP also from last year on a mixtape I made for my c.a.r., and I had to hear more of this guys stuff. Luckily for me he had plenty of solo and collab material in his catalog  Three of which from 2012: 'Kenny Dennis EP', 'C.A.R.', and his collaboration with Sufjan Stevens and Son Lux as s / s / s who also released their album 'Beak & Claw'.

Clearly Serengeti was on top of his game this year, something that really deserves some kind of recognition.

C.A.R. was his last release of the year and produced by Jel & Odd Nosdam as I've mentioned before. It also features Yoni Wolf of another one of my favorite acts, Why? on Geti's track, "Geti Life". Yoni also co-produced Geti's solo album in 2011 with Casiotone for the Painfully Alone's Owen Ashworth (who is also from Advance Base who have collaborated with Serengeti on a single called, 'Be A Man').

Highlights: "Greyhound", "Amnesia", "Geti Life (with Yoni Wolf)", "Peekaboo", and "Go Dancin"



P.S. That movie that Shaq was in where he as a genie was called "Kazaam". I think Serengeti is aware of this though since he has the superhero "Shazam" on the cover of the Keny Dennis EP, and is probably just a reference to the fact that people forget what that Shaq movie was called and commonly refer to it as "Shazam" because it really doesn't matter what it was called anyway. I could be totally wrong though...

P.P.S. Geti  is the namedropping master!

Anticon.com

Last.fm

Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm especially thankful for the new Butcher Boy EP...

Butcher Boy - Shoreless Sea (2012)

These boys have come a long way since the first time I laid my ears on them (including two members getting tendinitis), and it's really cool to see that they are still kicking it and even going on big ol' American tours and such!

Their new EP, Shoreless Sea was released yesterday and features 5 new recordings of either new material or some familiar classics of theirs (Hand in the Window/Empty Ocean). Check it out:



For the eyes: check out this sweet video for the opening track, "Hand in the Window" shot by Mike Cunnane (brasscankles.tumblr.com), who I might add, always shoots quality videos of great bands these days in Portland:

Facebook

Bandcamp

Enjoy and have a filling and thankfully-giving-thanks Thanksgiving!

Monday XXXXXIV

It's getting a bit nippy out there...

TotorRo - Home Alone EP (2012)

TotorRo are post rock/metal act out of Rennes , France. These gents (or should I say, hommes) are on the same label as KYOTY and AmanRa, if that says anything. Which it should since those aforementioned cats are crazy good, too. The label is Tokyo Jupiter Records, of which I've hopefully mentioned before to y'all.

'Home Alone' is the name of this new EP here and is just a taste of what's to come via their upcoming album.



Tokyo Jupiter Records
Last.fm

Brightside - Seconds Matter (2012)

Brightside of Pittsburgh play a wonderful array of emotionally fun-filled indie rock and punk-y music. The band itself is comprised of ex-members of Code Orange Kid and The Edukators. And that's 'bout all we need to know.

Oh, and their bandcamp page hurts my eyes.



Last.fm


if and it - Grrr Boo Hiss (2012)

Local dreary folk warlords, if and it have been releasing so much music this year that I can hardly keep track of it all. It probably doesn't help matters that I heard about as much if and it I wanted to listen to for a whole year, last New Year's Eve, but that's beside the point. 'Grr Boo Hiss' is their newest work to be released this year following Bleeding Moon (released last summer) and Sparkly Gold (released in May) and honestly, I don't think I would have given it the time of day - until, say, next year - but the fact that it was recorded in a cabin somewhere in New Hampshire during hurricane Sandy, well.... how I couldn't not give it a proper listen? That would be un-American of me or something.

Cheers to these guys for daring the elements for the love of rock 'n' roll last week. Wish I could say the same for the HMS Bounty...



Facebook
Last.fm

Legs Like Tree Trunks

Legs Like Tree Trunks are a band out of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia that incorporate the subtle sounds of folk music with the twinkly integrity of math rock. In the little time Legs Like Tree Trunks have been formed and ready as a band, they have released two EPs, 'Future Reference' being the new one, and a demonstration tape filled with outtakes, remixes and live cuts. LLTT also recently recorded a set for Daytrotter. But you can only listen to if you are a member; a paying member.

I bet it sounds great though!

Future Reference (2012)

Favorite track: "Anchorage"

Fun fact: Guitarist and vox man, Matt Holden is the older brother to Jake Holden of Little Kingdoms and Little Pirouettes. 

Legs Like Tree Trunks EP (2011)

Favorite track: "Winter"


Also, I wasn't going to mention it but it's unavoidable -so sorry if I'm beating a dead horse here - but if you miss the old math-y side of Maps & Atlases, you'll most likely love Legs Like Tree Trunks.

Legs Like Tree Trunks definitely have the earthy and organic math-folk-technical-pop qualities that Maps & Atlases had on their 2007 EP, 'Tree, Swallows, House'. But LLTT also have a little more of an emo influence that sounds like it's staying with them... I don't think these guys will be watering their sound down anytime soon.

Similar acts/sounds: Little Kingdoms, Little Pirouettes, (early but not really really old) Maps & Atlases, A Great Big Pile of Leaves, Cage Match, Two Knights, Shapes Like Dinosaurs, Girlfriends, Watchworld, Diving, and other smooth (twinkly-ish) criminals.

Bandcamp
Facebook
Last.fm

Okay- Huggable Dust

Okay is the moniker of Marty Anderson of sporadic math rock band, Dilute. While Dilute was filled with start and stop, taps, and distant bloops and blips; Okay is filled with light-hearted indie rock instrumentation with Marty Anderson really displaying his vocals and all around unique voice... this time... without coming off a little creepy sounding. I love the two bands equally, don't get me wrong, but there is a vastly different approach between them that I felt needed pointing out.

Okay - Huggable Dust (2008)

'Huggable Dust' is Okay's (and Anderson's) 18 song, 2008 release. It features many great little indie gems like "Only", "Natural", "Panda", and "Pretend". I don't listen to as many "indie rock" bands that I did maybe a few years back but there's something about Okay and the way Marty Anderson sings over the music. It's almost as if these songs shouldn't be as delicate as they are; like there's supposed to be chaos in it all and instead it was replaced by beautiful major music. The closest it gets to chaotic is the tracks, "Beast" or "Truce" or "Already" I guess, but even then those still feel like the right amount of noise and balance. All of 'Huggable Dust' is like that actually... really well put together and balanced. With 18 songs on it, I don't think there is ever a time when I listen to it all the way through that I really start to get bored.

Along with Okay, Marty Anderson also has been known to call himself Jacques Kopstein. He has released one album under the name and it's called 'A'. It also features "dreamy and damaged folk pop" (Aquarius Records) but a little more stripped down and experimental.

Similar acts/sounds: Dilute, Jacques Kopstein, Natural Dreamers, Sarcastic Dharma Society, François Virot, car seat headrest, Coma Cinema, Misophone, Phil Elvrum, Karl Blau, Kickball, Foot Ox and other stuff I like...

Myspace
Last.fm

Monday XXXVI

Instagramed for more likes.

Hold Tight! - Call The Zoo (2011)

Lego pop punk from Richmond, Virginia. Every song is under a minute and stuff.

Death To False Records
Last.fm

Rainbow Tornado - Fancy Cookies (2007)

Twinkly emo with goofy lyrics/vox. They were originally called Oh My God Elephant but switched to Rainbow Tornado, released Fancy Cookies, and then called it quits. Members went on to form Clarissa Explains It All (the awesome band not the awesome show), tussin, Hawkward, and do dnt spk. If you like this, you'll absolutely like (or love, if that's what you're into) Clarissa Explains It All and/or vice-versa.

Are You For Spiritual?
Last.fm

Weekend Nachos - Worthless (2011)

There's not a lot I can say about this one that other blogs haven't already said.... so I won't. I remember giving these guys a listen a while back before the release of Worthless last year and I distinctively remember them being quite the grindcore outfit. The more I listen to them now though, I can also hear the hardcore and 'powerviolent' sounds that their music displays. Worthless however, is much more on the hardcore driven side of things (not that grindcore isn't a good direction) and even has people saying that it was not only the best hardcore album of the year but also "the most vitriolic hardcore album of the new millenium". I don't know about that, or even what that means, but I would have to admit that it is pretty damn good. Balls-busting good.

Bandcamp
Last.fm

Hop Along - Get Disowned (2012)

Hop Along, formerly 'Hop Along, Queen Ansleis' (the side project of singer/songwriter, Frances Quinlan), just released their first full-fledged album a couple weeks ago after two years of recording and jamming in a warehouse in Philadelphia. I don't want to scare you away by saying it's not as good as 'freshman year' but that was a masterpiece in my eyes (and ears). Get Disowned is still a super sweet treat and has all the tasty bits we heard from Frances Quinlan and her super additive and catchy vocals when it was just her but now it's not just her. AKA it has more instruments playing in the background and occasional back-up vocals, but other than that it is everything I could have asked for, no doubt. Give it a try for yourself though, please!

My favorite track as of right now would have to be, "Tibetan Pop Stars".

I would sure love to see these outstanding musicians come up to my neck of the woods to play sometime...

(sorry no DL)

Last.fm

Happy May Day! + more

Get your maypole out, kids. It's May!

Appendix Out - Travels In Constants Vol. 13 (2001)

Appendix Out (or Appendix: Out) was a one-time moniker and band lead by the scottish folk singer-songwriter, Alasdair Roberts. Some may know him by his solo career or that he is the other guy from Amalgamated Sons of Rest along with indie folk superstars, Jason Molina (Songs: Ohia, etc.) and Will Oldham (Palace Music/Brothers/Songs, Bonnie Billy, etc.) or maybe you know Appendix Out, that's cool too. Well anyways, Appendix Out lasted from about 1994 to 2001 and in that time of releasing a few EPs and full-lengthers, the band also released a limited edition CD called 'Travels in Constants Vol. 13' (right around the end of their tenure as a band) which is the name of the now defunct recording collection series by Temporary Residence records that was essentially a big studio release version of Peel Sessions or like the In the Fishtank series. In other words, it was just a cool little thing that Temporary Residence would do by inviting artists from and outside of their label to come and record some stuff. But enough about that, it's what is inside that matters here.

What is inside exactly, is perfect music for this season and/or the month of May in general. With Robert's scottish accent and laid-back folk landscape that is either accompanied by little sound collages or interrupted by spoken word and even the time and temp lady, there is so much to take from this album. I'm not even joking about the time and temp thing either; I swear the female voice in the song, "Daylight Saving, Gibson Room (Part Two)" says, "today is Tuesday... May...". Wait a minute... today is tuesday... and it's May... and this album's about the first day of May...  and it's the first day of May...! It's crazy to believe, I know, but it's true. Honestly though, I have been trying to figure out this album out and its story it tells for some time now, especially the song, "Speech" about May 1st festivities that are either called 'melting day' or 'belting day'. I'm really not sure which one it is and if it is a real thing, but I find the speech itself very interesting, maybe even more so due to another scottish band, There Will Be Fireworks who have a very simular sample/speech in the hit song, "Columbian Fireworks". The speaker sounds exactly the same in both band's songs and even mentions festivities and kids getting excited. Yep, I'm going to leave it that way... 

What I'm really trying to say here, is this: this album is perfect for May Day and this time of the season (or 'that time of the season' as I like to call it), it's full of fun little noises and samples, and has a nice spring time folk flare to it. I haven't even really listened to a lot of Appendix Out's stuff other than this and I'm not sure how I even came across it... All I know is that I have it and listen to it every May Day.

All jokes aside, check out the Travels In Constants releases. bands like Explosions in the Sky, Mono, Mogwai, Low, Jason Molina as Songs: Ohia, Papa M, and even Rumah Sakit have really sweet Travels In Constants releases. 

Last.fm

The Tallest Man On Earth part 2

Nothing says springtime like Kristian Matsson AKA The Tallest Man on Earth's beautiful folk work. As I was getting lunch at a nice little local place yesterday, I noticed that they were playing some TTMOE and I couldn't help but sing along to myself. I knew I was going to post this soon and felt that I must not be the only person who thinks it's almost that time of the season again. Not just The Tallest Man on Earth season either...

The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt (2010)

After hearing all of Matsson's wonderfully folky stuff sometime in 2010, I rushed out to get this new album at the time just to hear what he had for us next. I was a little hesitant, as all listeners should, about what he could have done to try to top Shallow Grave or his S/T and if it was something totally different for better or worse. Well, after my first couple listens I definitely didn't hear anything that wasn't classic TTMOE raw folk delivery, but did it stand out above the rest? That's hard to say. I had a feeling that this was even more polished and less raw than Shallow Grave but it also had a lot to hold on to, from my favorite Bob Dylan song "Boots of Spanish Leather" references ("King of Spain" *example down below*), a standout title track, and something we had yet to hear... a piano ballad. "Kids on the Run" is the name of the piano ballad closer and it reeks of Ben Folds Five (especially his 90s abortion hit, "Brick"). That sounds like a bad thing, oops. I still think that the track is priceless and something different from Matsson that we hadn't heard before (at least recording wise). Any who, I think The Wild Hunt is still one of my favorites, maybe just because I like to play it a lot and was the first TTMOE I actually bought or maybe just because it is.

The Tallest Man on Earth - Sometimes the Blues Is Just a Passing Bird (2010)

The Tallest Man on Earth's 2010 follow-up EP, Sometimes the Blues Is Just a Passing Bird is probably the most unfamiliar release for me. Not because I think it's anything less of what TTMOE is capable of or nothing new, it's just that I choose to only listen to this only once and a while so it always stays new to me. Maybe when he releases a new full length I'll outplay the shit out of this Extended Play but for now, I'll play it like it was his last.

Official site
Myspace
Last.fm

Part 1

Elsewhere but still The Tallest Man on Earth Relation:

Check out Kristian Matsson covering "Dancing in the Moonlight" with a full band on a Swedish show called "Pa Sparet". It must be some kind of game show because everyone looks really serious rather than super excited that this is happening right now. I think overall it looks really funny with Matsson dancing around with just a sweater and pants on while all these dressed up musicians behind him play a spot on interpretation of the original track. This is definitely not the kind of cover that we see from Matsson as it is not a stripped down version of the original; just him and his guitar and that voice. I still love it because this is not a King Harvest "Dancing in the Moonlight" cover but a "Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in Its Spotlight)" Thin Lizzy cover... and boy do I love Thin Lizzy! Plus it's cool to see what Matsson can do with a tune by another legendary voice, Phil Lynott.

Enjoy!

Monday XXIV

Everybody do the Warner Bros. Family Entertainment trademark owned region beyond the earth's atmosphere jamboree. It's Monday.

Brave Bird - Ready or Not EP (2010)

Brave Bird is a twinkly emo punk band from Ann Arbor, Michigan. I did some research on Ann Arbor and learned that it is the sixth largest city in Michigan, home of The University of Michigan, and that people from Ann Arbor are called Ann Arborites or townies for the long-termers.

Every track on Ready or Not brings something new to my ears. The vox are nothing I haven't heard before but then again, that's not all they are going for or have to offer. I can't say there is ever a dull moment but I never get more excited then when I hear the first 30 minutes of Scared Enough.

Bandcamp
Last.fm

Treehouse - Treehouse (2011)

Emotionally aggressive and constantly moving, Treehouse brings some life back in to the SLC punk scene.

That's what it would sound like if they needed a really cool quote for the back of their autobiography.

I did some research on Salt Lake City and learned that it is most populous city in Utah, the 45th state and 34th most populous in the US. All the High School Musicals, Independence Day, and Touched by an Angel have all been recorded in Salt Lake City.

My favorite track has to be "Processing..." and it's little whistle solo in the middle there.

Last.fm

Caddywhompus - Remainder (2010)

Caddywhompus mix the ever indulgent sound of noisy pop with the even more indulgent midnight cravings of psychedelic music. Luckily for us, the two gentlemen behind the control pannel of this spiraling out of control music machine gloss on a layer of distortion and lo-fi soot just so our brains don't explode from clean beauty and art. I'm not hating on them for keeping a lo-fi sound where things could just be heard loud and clear and still have the say outcome. That's really no big deal. It's also what sets them apart from the rest in a way, I would have to say...

I gave these guys an honorable mention last year as one of the more interesting pieces of work in 2011 with their release of The Weight, a mention they rightfully deserve in my book. Their 2010 full length, Remainder is just as exciting and definitely something to go all music nerd about.

Community Records

Last.fm

Jordaan Mason & the Horse Museum - Divorce Lawyers I Shaved My Head (2009)

I first learned about Jordaan Mason and his capability of playing some deep folk music from CLLCT and the scattered tracks of his that are up on the current site. My attention wasn't totally attached my this guy all that much, that is, until I heard Divorce Lawyers I Shaved My head, a truly complex tell of "failed marriage between two people of confused genders and identities" along with a bunch of popular topics such as glandolinian war, swallowing shotguns, horses, shaving your head, vomiting and the 1990 apocalypse. With all these different themes it's bound to keep me listening just to figure it all out.

The First time I heard Divorce Lawyers I Shaved My Head was definitely like the first time I heard Neutral Milk Hotel's In An Aeroplane Over the Sea, not just because they both feature singing saw (which I love), stories that only Mason and Mangum could understand, requires a bunch of extras to sit around until they can play a few simple notes on their horn or that the dark depths of the internet eat shit like this up for breakfast - A breakfast that consists of Cookie Crisp and Haterade - but eaten up completely none the less. The internet loves to hate and hates to love things like this; a work of art that no one can really relate to... except (and maybe not even them) it's creator.

That's what I heard at least.

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Monday XXI

Monday's all grown up! Go drink the weekend away! Stay safe Monday!

The Act of Estimating as Worthless - Among These Splintered Minds//Leaden Thoughts Sing Softly (2012)

The Act of Estimating as Worth are a really splendid indie folk band from New York. The duel vocals of Zoe and Matt are very cute in a Good Luck sort of way and remind me of some kind of Kimya Dawson project like Moldy Peaches or Antsy Pantsy but with a frontman like Bill Callahan or David Berman. It's much more relaxed than Dawson overall though and, while songs like "My Left Thumb" and "Nickels and Dimes" are very cute, there is still a bit of a "hey this is just a song and I want to sing it without trying to 'awwww' you" type of attitude. If that makes any sense.. 

I guess cute wasn't a good adjective.

Among These Splintered Minds//Leaden Thoughts Sing Softly is due out on Cassette February 24th. You can get if for free at their bandcamp, however, if you do not have a cassette player or walkman anymore. You should probably get one of those if you want to be cool though...

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La Quiete - La fin non è la fin (2004)

Think Italian Daitro or Raein's drummer's other band. Very screamo. Very real. Very emotional. Very Italian.

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Why? - Elephant Eyelash (2005)

I guess I'll diversify this Monday post a little more with one of my all time favorite bands, Why? Why? Why not?!

The indie rock band with a little pep in their step's classic, Elephant Eyelash from the year 2005 is right up there with Alopecia (for me at least and probably many others). The thing I love about Why? is that I can hear a track from them I haven't yet, went to hear again a minute later and then let it become my new favorite. Elephant Eyelash is a prime example of this. Where it lacks in standout tracks that Alopecia had like "Vowels Pt. 2" and "The Hollows", Elephant Eyelash lets you enjoy tracks like "Gemini (Birthday Song)" and "Fall Saddles" that while aren't super over produced become really lovable growers. Once you listen to the album you will want to go back and listen to it again. The standout track in Elephant Eyelash would have to go to "Rubber Traits". The dark horse; "Act Five". "Act Five" might be my favorite Why? track that'll probably never get the respect it will deserve. Especially with superb lyrics like "All the people who taught me card tricks are dying/I've been trying/To steal my grandfather's handsome from old photographs". That line gets me every time.

Damn, I actually had to listen to that song two times in a row right after mentioning it! So good.

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And since the New York Giants won that fantastic puppy bowl last night... Here's their other release:

Giants - They, The Undeserved (2007)

Very similar to Old Stories but with a little more glock.

"Withered Life: Communal Rhythm", "Under the New Sun" and "Steps In Static Progression" definitely have to be standout tracks on this one. Listen to them all though!

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Great job.

Monday XIX

Eat up.

Wilhelm and the Dancing Animals - The Forests Have no Name (2011)

Wilhelm and the Dancing Animals play mostly acoustic music that incorporates indie folk and 

The band is a boy/girl due of Guille and Helen who, by hearing their accents and seeing the language on their Bandcamp, are Spanish or from a Spanish speaking country. I'm not exactly sure, however. Maybe that's not even Spanish.

Wilhelm's 2011 EP release, The Forests Have No Name, comes with three tracks; Twice Alone, Wake Up (not an Arcade Fire cover but definitely reminds me of Where The Wild Things Are) and TEN, GO!. They are easy to get through and Guille has a very unique voice that kind of sounds like the spanish version of Françios Virot. 

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The Octopus Project - Identification Parade (2002)

The premiere album of The Octopus Project, Identification Parade, doesn't seem to get discussed too much around music circles it seems. So I checked it out and made an amazing discovery in the track Porno Disaster! If I was a rapper I would rap over Porno Disaster! That's how awesomely dope that track is! 

You better check it out. Since porno might be uncomfortable to search for in Youtube (who are we kidding, there's no porn on Youtube anymore) I took the liberty of searching it for you:

Identification Parade is probably the most scattered work of The Octopus Project with no song really matching the others and everyone could go off on their own and start something else... like some kind of eight armed project... holy moly would you look at that. Too bad this album had nine songs!

I would not necessarily recommend this release to anyone who wanted to get in to The Octopus Project. That job is for One Ten Thousand Million, Hello Avalanche and The House of Apples & Eyeballs with Black Moth Super Rainbow. But there is still tons of amazing works of electronic and instrumental experimentation. It just doesn't had that pop that those other albums feature. And by pop... I mean pop music. Don't believe me? Go listen to Rorol (track two of identification Parade and later rereleased on the 2009 EP, Golden Beds) with Truck (from Hello Avalanche) and you will definitely see a diference in direction. Not that any of these directions are right or wrong. Hah, or left.

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Tokyo Cigar - Felt 3.0 (A Tribute to Nancy Sinatra) (2010)

Here's a pretty sweet mashup album for you this week. It's a combination of Felt A.K.A. Slug (of Atmosphere) & MURS (an acronym for Making Underground Raw Shit, for real. No lie) and their album Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez with Nancy Sinatra (Frank Sinatra's daughter who also made music, for real. No lie) and a whole array of her work. The original was also produced by Aesop Rock 

The contrast is solid and yes! there is Bang Bang. Don't worry.  Track 7, "deathmurdermayhem". The only thing that is offsetting about the mashup production is how Tokyo Cigar (the productor of this mix) jacked the vocals up on Nancy so they are bit more high-pitched than what they should be. It does work really well on the first track, I must admit. 

I figured that this would be appropriate with all the hype of Lana Del Rey and her common comparisons to the original Icon of Cool. 

Speedy Ortiz - The Death of Speedy Ortiz (2011)

Speedy Ortiz on this release is just Sadie recording some super tunes at summer camp but she is now accompanied by two gentlemen. I don't know how gentle they are though.

Be sure to check out the video of them on BTR here for a better understanding of what this band is all about! Grass is Green posted it on their Facebook, so I gave it look. I will be checking back on Speedy Ortiz for any further releases! 

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(Editors note: I got a chance to see Speedy Ortiz with Grass is Green and a few others at a house show and Sadie was actually accompanied by three gentlemen (bass, guitar and drums)... I still don't know how gentle they are though)