Rainer Maria S/T EP

This is one of those records you don't think about for awhile, but it pops up and you're in love again. You know those? Everybody's got those , right?

This debut EP is an excellent exercise in counterpoint. Her delicate voice vs. shrill guitar and feedback. His loud and off key voice vs. her fragile and thin bass tone. Drums to the front and on top of everything. There's a good amount going on in here for a simple standard set up three piece.

The first track, Summer & Longer, has made it onto more mix tapes than I can count. The idea of mixtapes is kind of what sparked the idea for this blog. Sharing not mixes though but full records. As we all listen/hear in entirely different ways, with different agendas in our pursuits of whatever it is that drives us to listen. I hope to discuss these records with you to understand better what you hear or how you listen.

Enjoy:

http://www.mediafire.com/?47w6xjysyyo31p7

Millions Now Living Will Never Die

For those of you turned off by Godspeed You! Black Emperor and the like, for shame. However this might be your way in. A redemption, an eye opener, a revelation? Now I'm completely off a subject I haven't even gotten around to. This is a much lighter approach to the usually foreboding arena of instrumental or post-rock.

Tortoise has a few records, and sadly this is the only good one. It's fantastic actually. The others? Well they're just sort of boring and uncohesive. They're not bad, they just "don't," if you follow. Millions Now Living however, is a journey the way great records tend to be. The kind of record that when it ends you kind of want to wait a while before you move onto to something else. As if the silence that follows is still a part of the piece. This is what great records do.

( I'm finding it easier to have something to say about these without the, "I first heard/became aware of this..." blargy barf.)

Come on in:

http://www.mediafire.com/?hbu6ectzenh5gkb

The Worse It Gets the Better

Last time we played with Shellshag, Jenn gave me this record. They always throw awesome shit at me when they come through.

This is Songs For Moms, a Bay Area band in the vein of This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb. Get on it. These girls demand a wider fan base. If you like it please order it from Star Cleaner Records. They're not near big enough for it to be okay for you to steal this. You're just borrowing it from me.

Go Here.

Young Bodies Heal Quickly, You Know

In the last year or so John Congleton made three fantastic records. Pink Mountaintops, Baroness, and Mount Righteous. Back in the day he made great records of his own. This is one of them.

I thought I'd have quite a bit more to say than this about these records. Oh well.

At any rate:

http://www.mediafire.com/?53ypya2zcbvi2ql

Into the Labyrinth

There are several who know of their magic. There are more who have heard the name. Even more still who have no idea. This is magic.

DCD have several albums (this is 6 of 8.) However, this is where to start. You should not listen to this record just any old time. It must be taken alone. It is not for driving. It is not for cleaning. It demands your full attention, decent volume, and a comfortable seating arrangement.

Oh, and don't call it goth.

You're welcome:

http://www.mediafire.com/?qygz1dks9t4o2uy

Bust the Action

You probably have no urge/reason to read this. It is a blog however, so blog I will (try.)

Shell and Wade (more Shell) will forever be two of my main influences. Not in lyrics, not in sound, not in anything tangible. The genius is in their approach. Use what you got, where you are, and make a great record. They're not tied to a genre, but their limited resources keep the album focused and flowing. I could tell you the story of how James and I...but you couldn't care less. You're either gonna love it or not love it. Give it a few goes. If you don't, too bad for Elvis. If you do, welcome to the club (cult.)

I'm aware that I've done little to persuade you on this record.

Hopefully this will do it:

http://www.mediafire.com/?i9vd9f7r52yi2a9