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:

The Guiding Wave

The Guiding Wave - To Dance Around Love (2018)

Featuring members of Fiddlehead and Glory, The Guiding Wave share the same driving force while taking a sharp right down Suicide or Television memory lane. The Guiding Wave wear their influences on their sleeve, but they also have a dark, almost cold, sensibility to the post-punk being played today. Think more straightforward Protomartyr or a non-tongue-and-cheek Ought. Either way, take a trip and let To Dance Around Love guide you through these hot summer nights.



Similar acts/sounds: Fiddlehead, Glory, Big Bite, Alexander, Glitterer, Praise, Spiritual Cramp, Protomartyr.

Bandcamp
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Knife Worship - Targeted Individual

Knife Worship - Targeted Individual (2018)

Knife Worship, hailing from Bangor, Maine at the time of this release, have been tinkering away in sound recording classes and dirty practice spaces on and off again for a few years now. In that time, the sounds coming from those rooms have evolved. What once was powerviolence became post punk, then industrial and back again. At the end of the day, there's one thing that Knife Worship have always focused on - testing the limits of punk rock music. Targeted Individual is a synth-y, post-punk-drenched 4-song release that ends before you can even think of another sub-genre. Enough said. It's a quick trip, so dust yourself off and listen to it again.


Similar acts/sounds - Ceremony, Uniform, Caust, Limbs Bin, Night Life, Street Sects, So Stressed.

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Bandcamp

Mouth Washington - Don't Mean

Mouth Washington - Don't Mean (2015)

It's been some time since we last heard from the Hansen brothers and company, but Mouth Washington of Portland, Maine are not only still slamming on guitars and hacking on dusty drum kits, they are probably at their best right now with the release or their new album, Don't Mean.

Mouth Washington's blistering garage rock meets punk storytelling has matured since breaking out on the scene, but in no way has this maturing caused them to lose any of that baby-fat which made them who they are. Nope, Mouth Washington are still messy, still rough around the edges, and, most importantly, still shouting for your attention! So listen:



Damn, it seems just like yesterday I was seeing these guys play at the Apohadion Theater on my birthday in 2010.

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Bandcamp
Last.fm

AWAAS - It's Great Dying.

Awaas - It's Great Dying. (2014)

From the ashes of local legends, Conifer and Ocean came a new experiment to enter the dark dimensions of the musical subconscious. The year was 2011, and new bands from Maine were popping up left and right, including aformentioned louder-than-hell brigade, Awaas. Now it's 2014, and Awaas, like any cool local band should, are calling it quits.

Almost two Sundays ago, Awaas took there music, set it on fire, and rode off into the sunset, (almost) literally. Awaas's final performance was a viking funeral through Casco Bay. While there may or may not have actually been fire aboard the Casablanca booze cruise, from the sound of things it was quite the burial at sea. As a fan of both music and boating, that is probably the most badass way to go out.

Along with the Casablanca Cruise being the final show for Awaas in Portland, it was also the birth of their cleverly titled new album, It's Great Dying. Whether or not the 'waas team knew they would be releasing the damn thing on their death bed, It's Great Dying is certainly their swan song.

Riddled with the instrument of choice circa 1983, the synthesizer, Awaas goes completely in direction not yet heard on It's Great Dying. It seems a bit risky at first, mixing their minimal approach heard on the 2011 self-titled EP with a much more prominent gothic to industrial pop feel. Still, even with the fond interest in the synth, Awaas retained that heaviness that I remember quite well last time I saw them (opening for Thee Silver Mt. Zion in Portland).

It's Great Dying is not like a lot of music being released these days. Coming from Awaas, this is no surprise to me. Awaas is not music you can easily define other than throwing out a few meaningless phrases like krautrock, electro, industrial, or drone with names like Swans, Lungfish, Bauhaus, and The Birthday Party. At the end of the day, Awaas is just Awaas - as cheesy as that may sound - you can't put a finger on something that doesn't have any guidelines or rules other being completely DIY and has the need for really loud synth.

Highlights: "A Simple Horror",  "Big Fun", "Tiny Monsters", "Magnetic P.I.", "Cauterize", and the rest of the album.


Also, feel free to read more about Awaas and their final show via Post Mortem, here.

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Last.fm

Carl Sagan Presents: The Body in the Kelp

The Body in the Kelp - The Body in the Kelp (2013)

The Body in the Kelp were born in 48 hours. These songs, they were born in 48 hours. Everything about this album, 48 hours.

Well sort of. The Body in the Kelp is a band made up of four musicians who, before participating in the 5th annual Portland Space Gallery 48 Hour Music Festival, had never played music together. See, the 48 Hour Music Festival is simple, you put a bunch of musicians together randomly and make them come up with a 20 minute set and a band name in 48 hours. Then they play said songs for a sold out crowd at the Space Gallery. The Body in the Kelp and this EP are just that; the 20 minute set the four musicians came up within 48 hours and played at the show. It's a bit more polished and re-recorded now, but the premise its still there: this is 48 hour music.

This EP opens with an amazing sample choice of Bert and I, a Maine humor classic, and then an ambient bassline leads in to rhythm guitars and drums before the vocals pierce through. From there we get more samples including a Martin Luther King speech along with more riffs, sliding guitar, doomy textures, and dirty rock 'n' roll vocals. Need I say more?



48 hours this stuff was thought up. Four amazingly original songs. Wickedly good stuff. Get it.

Soundcloud
Bandcamp (48 Hour Music Festival)
Facebook
Last.fm

Captain Hollow's Greatest Hits

Captain Hollow - Greatest Hits (2013)

When news first broke out on the internet that Captain Hollow were supposedly releasing their long-overdue debut album that has been in the works for at least 100 Maine band years, I was pretty pumped like the rest of you. But upon hearing the name of the new album, I initially snickered to myself saying, "laugh out loud, they are calling it Greatest Hits". I didn't laugh because I thought it was funny that they named what we all thought was going to be their first full-length release, Greatest Hits, I laughed because that is exactly what I wanted to call my first album when I was a youngster with a big dream of becoming a famous rock star. Despite my parents who tried so hard to keep me away from the rock star lifestyle seeing as they decided to name me Keith Thomas rather than Keith Richards, it was still my dream and prime focus for at least most of primary school.

But I digress.

Now that the album is out and about on the internet though, I can see why they named it Greatest Hits, and it's not because they read my inner monologue either. As a first-time listener to Captain Hollow, you may not see anything out of the ordinary about this album since everything is new to you anyways, but for someone who has been following these guys for too long now like myself, it is pretty clear what's up; this album is really Captain Hollow's greatest hits. The bulk of this album contains the innards of their first EP released a few years back ("Big Eyes", "Chewelah", and "The Bitter Tea of Yen") and one from their 2011 Tour EP ("Hour of Need"), plus a few previously unrecorded tracks, and a pretty much new to my ears at least track and single, "Blurry". And there you have it! The best hits of Captain Hollow all rolled into one eight song album for your listening pleasure, absolutely free while supplies last!

What's wrong with having a greatest hits album at this point, anyway? Adele already has at least 4 greatest hits albums and she's only been around since 2010 when Jack Penate donned a fat lady suit to get more attention in the US...

Who's Jack Penate?

Exactly.

Highlights: Every song is a highlight at 8 tracks. The new ones, "Meow Meow" (yep, they named their song that), "(All Fucked Up) Together", and "Stephanie Cornwitch"



Anyways, I guess that'a all I have to say about Greatest Hits. Was I hoping for more new tracks? Of course, but Captain Hollow just seem to be one of those bands you can't kill. They haven't gotten that Maine band memo that breaking up is way cooler than playing shows for maybe 50 people on a good night. Cappy Hollow will be coming out with a sequel to Greatest Hits five years from today; just you wait!


Thank You, Captain Hollow for never giving up! You were born and raised in a summer haze bound by the surprise of your glory. XOXOXOXOX

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Monday XXXXII

Dig in.

Wavelets - Athaletics (2011)

"Emotionally charged indie rock" blah blah blah twinkly stuff from Gainesville, Florida featuring members of Dikembe and a thousand other bands past and present.  Really digging their EP's and recently got into this one. 

Bandcamp
Last.fm

The Hotel Years - It Never Comes Out (2011)

Very emotional pop-punk from Mass. It gets a bit mushy here and there but is definitely a fine listen. The last three songs top the album off splendidly.


Bandcamp
Last.fm

Merchant Ships - For Cameron (2010)

Merchant Ships were a very influential and influenced screamo act that called it quits in 2010. 

"Dying" is probably the best track on For Cameron in my opinion but the mostly spoken word track, "Sleep Patterns" is definitely a stand-out all on its own.

Bandcamp

Last.fm

Grass is Green - Chibimoon

Grass is Green - Chibimoon (2011)

Basement noise post-punk from Boston. Chibimoon is their second release. It's really dirty.

I know these guys are going to be having a good time tonight.

These guys also have their new album, 'Ronson' on sale now at their Bandcamp site, along with this bad boy and Yeddo.

Similar acts/sounds: The Dirty Dishes, Dogs Without Borders, Huak, The Waldoes, olvov, Vending Machetes, Grass Widow, Screaming Females,

Bandcamp (seriously check it out)
Fbook
Last.fm

It's always 4/20 somewhere, right?

BATS - Red in Tooth & Claw

BATS - Red in Tooth & Claw (2009)

BATS are another Irish math rock band. That's not all they sound like though. And what do they sound like? They sound like well, catchy dance math post-punk with post-hardcore influences alla These Arms Are Snakes or We Versus The Shark. But they don't really sound all too much like those guys either. Maybe it has to do with the unique vocal arrangement by the frontman's speek/shout mouth spasms. Whatever it is or whatever they sound like, it's pretty damn fun. Especially for, and not exclusive to, fans of math rock, heavy post-punk or post-hardcore.

Definite starters would have to be tracks 1 and 2. Once those are over listen to tracks 3 and 4, and then 5,6,7,8 and 9. After that you should probably keep listening on for track 10 and, well, track 11 since that's the last song. So yeah, listen to everything I guess.

Also: BATS is STAB spelled backwards.

Similar acts/sounds: These Arms Are Snakes, Adebisi Shank, Enemies, Time Columns, Q and Not U, Huak, A Voice Like Rhetoric, Faraquet and HORSE the Band. LOL jk.

Party.

Bandcamp
Last.fm

Huak - Sleep Debt

Huak - Secret Trees EP (2009)

I feel bad that I haven't mentioned Huak, the noisy post punk a la Fugazi gang from Portland, Maine and how they also played with Paul Baribeau and Spraynard last monday night. So now I'm mentioning it.

This is their EP from 2009 and is the material that I was first introduced to by Huak. Last monday was the first time I had seen Huak since they released Yorba Linda, of which I reviewed last September. It was nice to see them again, especially after the small hiatus they were on while their Jake absence was participating in Occupy Wall Street. It was pretty fun to see Jake trying to stand in the Poland Street basement again. Jake may be the tallest person I know.

It was also nice to hear some older tracks like "Monument" from Sleep Debt in between tracks from their full-length and a new one about a friend who was tasered at Wall Street for no reason. He was in charge of the fun committee. Some of the other tracks played last monday were "Teenage Idealist", "Our Friends" and "Stuffed" for the closer.

My favorite track on Secret Trees would have to be "Sleep Debt". If I remember right, I believe I put it on the first Nostalgia For Tomorrow mixtape I ever made, which is where I got the name for this blog from. Someday when I'm a little more internet savvy, I'll post the whole mix for everyone. Every time I've tried getting it out to the world before, I've just ran into errors or my computer has crashed.

I mean exploded!

Similar sounds/acts: Fugazi, Q and not U, Red Medicine, Grass is Green, The Waldos, Metal Feathers, Pamola, and more-ish.

PS: Both Snoop Dogg and Barack Obama are in Portland today.

A beautiful event to cap off Diversity Week here in Maine.

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Last.fm

Monday XXVII

Happy birthday Tupac.

Tupac Amaru II that is.

Music:

Rites of Spring - End on End (1991) 

Very early emo from the DC area and rocked the Dischord label for only one full length and a 7". Oh, and they defied musical and stylistic rule or something. I guess you could say they were quite the trend setters. I could talk about how unfortunate it was that bands people don't like had to follow them and tarnish the name of emo by creating something different out of years of inspiration and hard work, but I'd rather just listen to whatever I want and not care about that gibba-gabba. If you really wanna cut out the fat all together, then call it punk. See if I care.

Brendan and Guy from the band went on to star in the influential film series Fugazi that spawned many sequels such as Margin Walker, 13 Songs, Red Medicine, Repeater, and The Argument. If you haven't seen any of them I'd suggest you go check 'em out. Ask your local library if they may have some of their laserdiscs lying around in the back there.

Dischord

Last.fm

Pianos Become The Teeth - Saltwater (2010)

Another band with an even more trolled genre, Pianos Become The Teeth play a mega emotional mix of "screamo" and post rock goodness. It gets really gushy and swirly all over the place but still hooks me every time. I was listening to a lot of PBTT last night and remembered that I have yet to post anything my them on here.. so here you go! Saltwater is their 2010 EP release and is probably my favorite all in all. I like to think it leans much more on the post rocky side at times especially with "All Children Make Mistakes" and the interlude. That side of it definitely tells the story of the album with much more ease and adds on another 100 pounds of emotion in the process. 

Last.fm

Zachg - sonTER MASic (2012)

For fans of Das Racist, Grand Buffet, Anticon,  and let's face it - we are white and aren't gangster so let's just be funny and goofy rap. 

I can't say I know a lot about Zachg other then he has this piece and is most likely associated with Rad Reef, "a collective for artists, and other people looking to survive life without it costing so much" because I found it on Rad Reef's bandcamp after randomly clicking through links and things. For anyone interested, I starting here. I also know that he wants to release 20 records this year; sonTER MASic being his fifth release and first LP of 2012. 

I'm also trying to figure out the name of the album. If you mix the letters of sonTER MASic around you also get MASTER sonic and A sic MonsTER. Not sure if I cracked the code there, but yeah... 

Bandcamp

Last.fm

Coma Cinema - Baby Prayers (2009)

Indie pop and what not. I noticed the name Coma Cinema once and a while last year but thought it was something else. I thought it was like Wu Lyf or Reading Rainbow, but Coma Cinema actually have much more of a listenable sound. I wouldn't have been surprised for a second either, if I saw "Elephant 6" somewhere next to the name. Don't get me wrong, that's not a bad thing. That's a good thing!

I also didn't know that Coma Cinema was actually just one guy. A guy named Mat Cothran who plays real instruments and records them on a bunch of different devices, no less. 

If Coma Cinema is really chillwave like I have read, this release, Baby Prayers surely is not. 

Last.fm

Friday Streaming + more!

Sorry for my laziness this week but I was pretty lazy and did not want to be not lazy. I must also apologize for the absence of NFT's Got You Covered this week and hope to have one hot and ready for all y'all next week. If all goes well, that is.

A lot of my laziness came about due to the sweet day off from a snow day! And while I was all set to surprise you all with a link to one of the greatest Nickelodeon movies of all time (Drum roll, please), Snow Day (2000)! A perfect movie to watch on such an accession that this year in Maine where I reside, seemed like was never going to happen (Believe it or not). I remembered that for one, YOUTUBE does not like seeing copyrighted material on their site with such unprecedented awesomeness as Snow Day and Megavideo, well, is associated with SOPA's bitch, Megaupload. I'm not really a big fan of torrenting movies either and would rather complain about how much the MAN is bringing us down and keeping us from doing things we are going to do even though they do not want us doing them. Why? Because they are corrupt and we are broke ass individuals who, even if we had the money, definitely would not be giving it to them. So, that's why I didn't post a Snow Day post... Something no one was even looking forward to anyways because I did not even advertise it but rather hinted at an upcoming surprise on the first snow day of this winter season for my school district here in Southern Maine in a post way back when.

I still feel all bad inside of my tummy for lack of postage this week, maybe it is just that odd looking quesadilla I had for lunch today (was it full of chicken? Or was that steak?), but I'd like to believe it is guilt I'm feeling and to make up for all this and what have you, I present: Friday Streaming...

Every week I look for some of the best stuff that I can find for the Monday post (stuff I've already found usually gets its own post or is an exception/showcase or don't have to much to say about it). Usually at the end of the week, say friday, all I have left from or for the Monday post(s) are either things to be posted on Monday, things that are too much like other stuff already posted that week, or cool gems that I do not have DL links to and don't necessarily even want to find possession of... I just like listening to them and then put 'em away ("streaming" is what they call it in the blog business). All of which is what I've got for you today.

Check 'em out:

Grass is Green - Ronson (2012)

Nitty gritty post punker noise makers from Mass, Grass is Green just released a new one for us the other day, yesterday actually! (Woah, NFT's on top of things for once... almost!) It's got all that splintering guitar work that we've heard from these guys from Yeddo and Chibimoon but this one seems to also have a bit of a more listener friendly sound that goes along with it as well. I don't mind it though and even if it lacks the angular down play of Chibimoon and the stoner math rock approach of Yeddo, Ronson still carries its weight and features a lot of variety. Variety examples would be the noisy Pavement jams like "Life of Mike", classic GiG loud basement tracks like "Three Little Chickens"and "Riff Sibling", super melodic tracks with baritone guitar like "Ruffleball", funky mclusky sounding stuff like "Jesse's Fashion Show" and "Downward Bound" and even some dance punk revival with the track name like "Dance Punk Revival School For Kids". This release could easily become by favorite of theres...

Only time will tell.

Soundcloud ("Riff Sibling" is currently free)
Last.fm

Our Daily Fix - elephant. (2012)

This is a little something something I stumbled across after seeing that Cattle Drums had posted it on their Facebook. Cattle Drums being one of those bands I found out after the fact that had come to Portland and could have possible had seen them (something that happens a bit too much in my life), I figured I check these guys out even if Cattle Drums are just shamelessly promoting their friends or something. I don't see anything wrong with that.

Our Daily Fix can be described as math rock with a saxophone. Now when I heard the word saxophone I thought of two things, 1. They sound like that band A Troop of Echoes who always advertise themselves on other math rock bands' Last.fm accounts with the question, what would (name of math rock band of your choosing here) sound like with a saxophone? it might sound like this: http://atroopofechoes.bandcamp.com/ or 2. a math rock band that used to play ska but now play math rock but kept their saxophone player.

The combination was a little something like A Troop of Echoes who I just advertised despite making fun of them for shameless advertisement (dammit!) and a band that may have also been a ska band at one time... but I think these guys are really in it for the math rock. While the beginning of the first track suggests that they might blare there horns and start skanking all over the place, that does not happen. What actually happens is the music stays very unpredictable, never breaking out into a ugly off-beat frenzy and instead takes a turn for a fusion sound almost. Eventually vox are introduced and we even get to hear the sax playing in unison with the guitars. It all sounds good to me.

Last.fm

Julie Christmas - The Bad Wife (2010)

Julie Christmas is that emotional sounding lady in those songs by Made Out Of Babies, Battle of Mice, and Spylacopa. And I love it. This is Christmas's first debut album, The Bad Wife, and just as the artwork displays, this release is a delectable treat. As a buddy of mine once said when this first came out, "it's like Made Out Of babies except not as technical... but come on, it's Julie Christmas!" I'm not sure if Christmas is your thing but if you don't know, check her out! Oh yeah, check her out...

I always forget about her solo release and I just recently revisited it from beginning to end this week. I really don't want to forget it again next Christmas, so I'll just post it know. Here it is.

People other than Julie Christmas in this solo release include production by Andrew Scheinder (who's worked with Cave In, Unsane and The Blue Men Group if you can believe that), music written by fellow band mates from MOOB and Spylacopa, Mel Lederman of Victory at Sea and helping hands from Joe Tomino of Dub Trio, Oddity and Tony Maimone (who has also helped Pere Ubu and Tom Waits).

Last.fm

Have a nice weekend.

Victor! Fix the Sun again

Victor! Fix the Sun - Person Place or Thing (2009)

Person Place or Thing is Victor! Fix the Sun's follow up to their 2007 release, Retractable Claw. It was also their last. It still had that funky post hardcore goodness that their previous full length had while still being active as Victor! Fix the Sun. Jowls is cool but I don't think anything can replace Victor! Fix the Sun.

Last.fm
Myspace
Paperthin Feather F
Retraceable Claw (NFT review)

Mouth Washington Demo

Sorry for the lake of regular posts on NFT recently. I've been doing a lot of scheming and planning on some big projects for the future. I've also been planning on excuses to write.

Mouth Washington - Dichotomy Demos (2011)

Mouth Washington are a Portland, Maine noisy and loud post punk band of today. Frontman Max really brings this band to life even before the music plays when explaining the next three songs will be about police brutality and another about what "you are sippin' on". Then when the music comes in like a disabled dog out of the starting gate and filthy nonsense is spilt from the bands instruments you know they are alive and kicking. And only alive and kicking to bring you the funniest time you have ever had at a punk show. The lyrics are none more serious and the drummer (Max's brother I believe) plays like he hasn't had the chance to get on the drums in years! Just a four limb free for all. I don't mind though... I would do the same. 

Every time I see these guys play I am entertained. They don't even have to play music. They are just those kind of people. It's cool that they do though!

This is only their Demo and while i thought it wouldn't do them justice at first, I really am surprised to hear that it actually does capture some of what these guys have to offer music wise. It's still missing their live atmosphere and ridiculous introductions by Max but in a demo aspect the recording couldn't have come out any better for these guys and if it did, well then, it would not have been Mouth Washington.

These guys play some sweet shows down here and around Portland and are the kind of local band ever city should have. They stay true to themselves, aren't looking to be famous, don't care if they aren't the next Iceage or Wavves, don't need to sound like gold records and most of all entertain the audience and love playing music. Whether they love playing with each other is their own business. Whether they like playing with themselves is really their own business.

They also just played a show with Cattle Drums, who I have posted here before, last month and I missed it.  Always a drag when that happens! Hope those guys come back up here some day and play at least a 18+ show so I can see 'em. For Mouth Washington though, I know I'll be seeing them again. 

NFT's Got You Covered! Wednesdays!

Well I was thinking about making another sweet ass weekly post and felt it would be cool to do one on Wednesdays! Wednesdays? Who does that? I thought. No one! ....Maybe my self-conscious just made me forget that some other site already does this. That's bonkers! Every Wednesday? And only Wednesday? Hmmmm...

So I decided that I love songs by people done by other people and wanted to give them their own little special post. NFT's Got You Covered! is just the post for that and is on Wednesday (hopefully every Wednesday but we'll see about that in time). In other words I will post a band's release that is either a straight up cover album, features all cover songs or just a really good album with (a) really good cover(s)!

Still don't understand? That's weird. Check it:

We Versus The Shark - Murmurmur (2008)

We Versus The Shark were a pretty special Athens, Georgia band that experimented with the powers of math rock, punk, post-punk, dance and in 2008, covering a different inspirational band's song for every one of the months! That's 12 totally legit cover songs! I counted! From Pattern is Movement to Tears For Fears.

While the name of the project, the album art and the fact that are from Athens all seems to wanna lead to you thinking there is a R.E.M. cover song, there is not. So there. And while the album does feature heavy hitters like Radiohead ("Idiotheque"), Tom Waits ("Dirt in the Ground"), and Ben Folds Five ("Regrets"), there is also some lesser known names like The Matt Kurtz One ("Mow You Down Then Put You on a Pedestal") and Drakkar Sauna ("Dog Like This"). There's also the artists who have made a name for themselves in their "little circles" but definitely no R.E.M.

All the tracks are super well done and really show off the bands ability to understand the original intensions of the band and their message. They still did a great job mixing things up and giving them a much more technical sound. They did not throw every song into a triangle arm bar of math rock muscle spasms but it is still very apparent that WVTS had the skills to pay the bills. They really studied each song that were picked and like it says on the site Quote Unquote (That I've put up as the DL link), "We here at We Versus The Shark believe that "interpreting" (whatever) other artists is a good way to learn about structure, melody, and other things we're generally confused by..."

Along with picking some really good jams, Murmurmur by We Versus The Shark introduced me to some rad bands like Pattern is Movement and Future of the Left, and some super far out tracks by Those two bands, Tom Waits and Deerhoofs. They also cover "Head Over Heels" by Tears For Fears for all you Donnie Darko lovers out there or just really love Tears For Fears and Songs from the Big Chair. I have it on vinyl. But who didn't in the 80's...

My favorite covers have to be the Waits' one, Pattern is Movement's "Right Away", Future of the Left's "Suddenly It's A Folk Song", and The Tears For Fears cover. I've actually listened to WVTS's cover of Dirt in the Ground by Tom Waits so much, I wouldn't think the Tom Waits version was the right on if I heard it... Scratch Acid, Television and Shudder To Think also get name dropped covered.

P.S. You can DL all the tracks individually

Last.fm
Myspace
RIP

Pamola

Pamola was once a legendary spirit that resided on top of Maine's tallest mountain, Mt. Katahdin. The
spirit was half man, half eagle and half moose.

In Abenaki Mythology, Pamola caused the storms!

Pamola is now a rad rock band also from Maine that has been making the storms for a good couple of years.

The sounds they produce draw on heavy influences from Slint's Spiderland, early Modest Mouse, DC punk, their friends and many more... the sounds themselves are very much a nice treat of noisy guitars and post whatever. There's also a bit of jazz and I am even starting to hear some folk now (ever since pete, also of Butcher Boy, lends some crazy fiddle work on top of the already out of nowhere sound these guys inflect on their small audiences).

Pamola -  2009 Demo

This summer I caught these guys again with The Waldos and Red Medicine on Poland Street at the Rough Draft House and I was really impressed with their performance since seeing them a year or so ago in Fahmtown, Maine at the show with a very young incarnation of Butcher Boy that I mentioned during their respected post. The drums were tighter and more together, there was some fiddling (not just from the guitars but also from Pete's fiddle which took me by surprise), and some sweet vocals which I previously hadn't heard live. All in all, I'm just glad these guys are still playing!

Along with Pete (perc/vox/fiddle/bass) killing bitches via music moonlighting in Butcher Boy, Bill (guitars) also plays in The Waldos, and Matt (guitar and anything he can get his hands on) also plays in Red Medicine.

Pamola used to also feature Travis of Butcher Boy on the singing mouth drum. Before his introduction to the band, Pamola was simply known as Schrute. Free stuff of interest from Schrute can be found on their Last.fm page as well as here.


Last.fm
Rough Draft Records
Facespace (because these folks are real people and should be personally insulted for their mess they call music)

REVUAK

HUAK is a Maine based noisy post-punk group that has been giving Portland kids bloody ears for years. When I say they are noisy I mean they are LOUD and noisy! I have seen these gentlemen perform a few times and every time they play, they make it very clear that they are here to play and not just fiddle with their instruments until you are put in a state of slumber. No. These folks will stump a mud hole in you and roll you into your grave. (Maybe not that aggressive but definitely a site to see, especially Jake the guitar and vox who is as tall as a tree and can barely stand up in your basement).

HUAK also has a new album. Did you know that? I Did.

Huak - Yorba Linda (2011)

The album kicks off where they left off with Sleep Debt. But once you get into it, you may soon realize that Huak has surely sharpened up their sound/skills from their previous efforts. The unpredictable instrumentals accompanied by the unpredictable vocals (and lyrics) become much more effective and refined. And maybe that's just because the recording is polished or time was taken. Maybe it's all the cool new FX they put in the album that you can hear right out of the gate. I think it's the overall direction and how easily you could listen to every song one after another without feeling full or lost.

Or... maybe it's just because the album artwork by Kris Johnsen (owner of Pinecone and Chickadee and the chill guy who sometimes works front door at the Space Gallery) is super good as well as mind-fuckingly pretty epic. Is that a mountain of hair?

All in all I'm just glad that Huak are still playing and are gracing us with new shit!  They didn't lose any creativity or funk... hell, they gained some! It's clear, it's noisy, and it's new!

A nice marketing tool (more advertising tool really) these guys came up with to promote their single "Ex Ghost", was having a butt ton of local acts remix the hell out of the thing. This Ex Ghost Overload Maxi-Single for Your Smoothest Enjoyment Times includes re-mixtures by the likes of Glass Fingers, Of The Trees, Foam Castles, Computer at Sea, Matt Houston of Pamola/Red Medicine, and a mysterious Tree Fingers (who should collaborate with Glass Fingers and Of The Trees to form Of The Glass Tree Fingers). It's a sweet listen and racks up about 14 remixes (one that's even a rework of the Tree Fingers remix by J Flash) that are begging to but on your car mixtapes.  It also includes the single version of Ex Ghost along with pt. 2 and a couple of songs that didn't make it on Yorba Linda. One of those songs is Sleep Debt pt. 2 which I was really excited about because Sleep Debt is my favorite Huak song. It's mostly just an improve song and nothing more though. Oh well. Maybe some day they will make a Sleep Debt pt. 3 that will fill my hopes back up!

For the remixes, the best one for me has to be the Of The Trees mix then the Glass Fingers mix in second place.

Huak - Ex Ghost Overload Maxi-Single for Your Your Smoothest Enjoyment Times (2011)

This one's artwork was created by Milo Moyer-Battick (cousin of super hip cat on the street, Jakob Battick).

Check these albums out! And while your are at it... Check these loud mother-effers out! They know how to have a good time in Maine.

Last.fm
FBOOK

Victor! Fix the Sun

Victor! Fix the Sun is or should I say were a totally tubular post hardcore band from Michigan. I don't know exactly when they broke up but it was not to recent because last time I checked out their Last.fm page there were no RIP sad faces. Last time I checked there was only the constant comparisons to fellow michigan post hardcore bands like La Dispute and Bear Vs. Shark. Now, I'm not saying that they don't sound like those cats but they definitely brought something else to the playing field. They are a little funkier than La Dispute but less alive. There's my comparison.

Victor! Fix the Sun played some rad post hardcore mixed with a little post punk and a lot of emotion.

Victor! Fix the Sun - Retractable Claws (2007)

Favorite track: Karma Suits Ya

last.fm

Watch out for the eyes! They're coming for you!

Be sure to also check they're new bands: Jowls and Blank States. I know I will. Eventually...

I - In The Beginning

To kick off this blog, I'm going to start with some pieces of work that really got me into different types of music.

Black Eyes - Black Eyes (2003)

This s/t of Washington, D.C. Dischord band really blew my brain! I found these gents while on Myspace back in the day after clicking on their page on some bands friend list or whatever. Long story short, I've forgotten the band I was looking for in the first place and ended up finding BLACK EYES! Their blend of post-punk, noise and even no wave just killed it! This band featured two drummers and two bass guitars really adds to the excitement that goes into the noise and frenzy that also includes duel vox. I used to think this band had a girl in it for some reason. hmmm.  Anyways, once I ran out and bought this album from my local compact disc store, I really began to hunt for more sounds like the ones that these men were producing.  Their second album Cough, known for being released just two months before their dimise, is just as spastic and uncontrollable. Cough either gets more attention on blogs or is disregarded because of the crazed horns that bleed through the whole album. I personally love the screaming saxophone sound and believe that every high school jazz band should take note. I once saw Cough in a record store once in the rap section and I still kick myself to this day for not buying it. Daniel McCormick and Jacob Long now play in Mi Ami. This album is a gem and will always be one of my favorite albums!

Similar acts/sounds: Mi Ami, Fugazi, Q and Not U, Teenage Jesus and The Jerks & more.

I'm 16 driving south to Baltimore