Rock

MV & EE with Golden Road – Gettin’ Gone

Style: Country-Rock, Psychedelic Americana

Vibe: Sunny, Ragged, Warm, Freewheelin’, Messy, Tender, Romantic, Rustic, Raw

Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Loose, Vocal Harmonies, Jams, Dense

Daughters – You Won’t Get What You Want

Style: Industrial Noise Rock, Mathcore-Influenced

Vibe: Misanthropic, Aggressive, Pessimistic, Ominous, Cathartic, Apocalyptic, Powerful, Dark, Nihilistic, Mechanical, Angsty, Dystopian

Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Heavy, Noisy, Dense, Lyrical

Abronia – Obsidian Visions / Shadowed Lands

Style: Desert Rock, Spaghetti Western, Heavy Psych

Vibe: Adventure, Epic, Desert, Triumphant, Western, Cinematic, Focused

Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Riffs, Atmospheric, Dynamic

Instrumentation: Saxophone, Electric Guitars, Slide Guitar, Bass, Drums, Melodica

Rangda – Formerly Extinct

Style: Psychedelic Math Rock, Free Rock

Vibe: Desert, Serpentine, Epic, Adventure, Intertwined, Energetic, Bombastic, Mystical

Musical Qualities: Shredding, Riffs, Improvisation, Dynamic, Instrumental, Uncommon Time Signatures, Noisy

Sun City Girls – Torch of the Mystics

Style: Free Psych, Experimental Rock, Surf, Arabic Folk

Vibe: Desert, Mystical, Manic, Ritualistic, Tribal, Surreal, Eccentric, Playful, Psychedelic, Spiritual, Eclectic, Raw

Musical Qualities: Riffs, Dissonant, Fuzzy, Dynamic, Improvisation

Sunburned Circle – The Blaze Game

Style: Ritual-Psych, Free Rock, Krautrock

Vibe: Witchy, Ritualistic, Fiery, Tribal, Cathartic, Free, Hypnotic, Mysterious, Mystical, Primal, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Suite, Repetitive, Live, Collective Improvisation, Lo-fi, Percussive, Growling Vocals

The Silence – Hark the Silence

Style: Psych Rock, Prog

Vibe: Adventure, Epic, Mysterious, Fuzzy, Psychedelic, Retro, Energetic, Propulsive

Musical Qualities: Riffs, Dense, Jams, Progressive

Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Organ, Saxophone, Electric Bass, Drums, Synthesizers, Flute, Tanpura

Tortoise & The Ex – In the Fishtank 5

Style: Experimental Rock, Noise Rock

Vibe: Angsty, Hypnotic, Muscular, Deconstructed, Anxious, Aggressive, Surreal, Moody

Musical Qualities: Noisy, Dissonant, Repetitive, Rhythmic, Improvisation, Spoken Word

Bardo Pond – Adrop / Circuit VIII

Style: Free Psych, Space Rock, Shoegaze, Jam Band

Vibe: Primordial, Murky, Transcendent, Epic, Exploratory, Mysterious, Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Meandering, Cathartic, Spiritual, Psychedelic, Washy, Nocturnal, Stoned

Musical Qualities: Droney, Noisy, Suite, Dynamic, Climactic, Collective Improvisation, Riffs, Atmospheric, Repetitive

Tinariwen – Amadjar

Style: Tishoumaren, Desert Blues

Vibe: Desert, Hypnotic, Journeying, Spiritual, Flowing, Psychedelic, Mellow, Communal, Uplifting

Musical Qualities: Slow, Group Vocals, Repetitive, Percussive, Rhythmic

Guru Guru – This is Guru Guru

Style: Heavy Psych, Prog, Krautrock, Free Rock

Vibe: Adventurous, Hallucinogenic, Spacey, Exploratory, Playful, Messy, Primal

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Fuzz, Riffs, Bluesy, Progressive, Studio-as-an-Instrument

Deerhunter – Cryptograms/Fluorescent Grey EP

Style: Noise Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Shoegaze

Vibe: Cryptic, Surreal, Hypnotic, Ethereal, Nocturnal, Anxious, Washy

Musical Qualities: Noisy, Fuzzy, Catchy, Atmospheric, Lo-fi, Reverbed Production, Repetitive

David Bowie – Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)

Style: Glam Rock, Art Pop, Funk Rock

Vibe: Sleek, Eccentric, Energetic, Anxious, Grandiose, Urban, Dystopian, Theatric, Playful, Passionate, Futuristic, Manic, Sleazy, Surreal

Musical Qualities: Groovy, Polished, Dense, Catchy, Riffs, Anthemic, Rhythmic

King Crimson – Lark’s Tongue in Aspic [Steven Wilson Mix]

Style: Prog, Chamber Rock

Vibe: Mercurial, Menacing, Bombastic, Cryptic, Muscular, Cerebral, Epic, Medieval, Aggressive, Bipolar, Heavy, Headphone Album

Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Complex, Progressive Structures, Uncommon Time Signatures, Percussive, Riffs,

Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Violin, Mellotron, Electric Bass, Electric Keyboards, Percussion, Drums, Vocals

Steve Hillage – Aura

Style: Progressive Pop, Space Rock, Synth-Funk, Canterbury Scene

Vibe: Playful, Spacey, Colorful, Anthemic, Groovy

Musical Qualities: Catchy, Progressive, Polished, Riffs, Rhythmic, Technical, Shred

Curanderos – Curanderos

Style: Free-Psych, Spiritual Stoner Rock, Drone-Rock

Influences: Shoegaze, Spiritual Jazz, Kosmische, Prog, Drone

Vibe: Mysterious, Nocturnal, Spiritual, Exploratory, Brooding, Amorphous, Witchy, Murky, Psychedelic, Ritualistic, Washy, Hypnotic, Stoned

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Repetitive, Atmospheric, Loose, Noisy, Instrumental

mewithoutYou – Brother, Sister

Style: Post-Hardcore, Art Rock, Folk-Influenced

Vibe: Spiritual, Poetic, Angsty, Introspective, Psychedelic, Energetic, Autumnal, Passionate, Sombre

Themes: Existential, Religious (Christian), Personal, Allegory, Symbolic, Philosophical

Musical Qualities: Spoken Word, Shouting, Groovy, Lush, Dense, Dynamic, Progressive

Bardo Pond – Amanita

Style: Psych, Shoegaze, Free Rock

Vibe: Cathartic, Searching, Cryptic, Heartfelt, Warm, Hypnotic, Sensual, Meandering, Nocturnal, Lethargic, Introspective

Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Dense, Washy, Riffs, Lo-fi, Loose

Sunburned Hand of the Man – Headdress

Style: Free Rock, Ritual Psych

Vibe: Communal, Mystical, Ritualistic, Meandering, Warm, Cathartic, Psychedelic, Primal, Fuzzy

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Suite, Chants, Lo-fi, Loose, Repetitive

Ash Ra Tempel – Schwingungen

Style: Freeform Psych, Krautrock, Space Ambient

Vibe: Ancient, Mysterious, Surreal, Exploratory, Cosmic, Spiritual, Warm, Psychedelic, Cathartic, Hypnotic, Amorphous

Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Atmospheric, Loose, Improvisation, Dynamic, Crescendo, Percussive

Can – Live in Stuttgart 1975

Style: Free Rock, Inner Space Music, Krautrock, Kosmsiche

Vibe: Adventurous, Epic, Exploratory, Mysterious, Hypnotic, Groovy, Psychedelic, Nocturnal, Meditative

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Repetitive, Live, Rhythmic, Atmospheric

Spirit of the Beehive – Entertainment, Death

Style: Noise Pop, Glitch Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Hyper Dream Pop, Shoegaze

Vibe: Disorienting, Woozy, Messy, Dreamy, Futuristic, Chaotic, Surreal, Dystopian, Cryptic, Alienation, Bittersweet, Colorful, Energetic, Washy, Urban,

Musical Qualities: Noisy, Dense, Catchy, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Vocal Manipulation, Suite, Melodic, Progressive

Fly Pan Am – Frontera

Style: Post-Rock, Dance Score, Experimental Rock

Influences: Krautrock, IDM, Industrial, Drone

Vibe: Dystopian, Motorik, Mechanical, Ominous, Paranoid, Gloomy, Cold, Suspenseful

Musical Qualities: Driving, Repetitive, Rhythmic, Atmospheric, Droney

Media Jeweler – The Sublime Sculpture of Being Alive

Style: Post-Punk, Math Rock, Art Rock

Vibes/Moods: Alienation, Overstimulated, Anxious, Urban, Eccentric, Anthemic, Satirical, Dystopian, Angular, Chaotic, Colorful, Urban, Philosophical, Playful

Musical Qualities: Catchy, Dissonant, Riffs, Dynamic, Dense, Melodic, Rhythmic

Circuit Des Yeux – -io

Style: Neoclassical Darkwave, Symphonic Rock, Singer-Songwriter

Moods/Vibe: Cathartic, Brooding, Sombre, Mystical, Epic, Ominous, Motorik, Spiritual, Cinematic, Powerful, Mourning, Funereal

Musical Qualities: Orchestral, Driving, Lush, Dense

Van Der Graaf Generator – H to He Who Am the Only One

Style: Progressive Rock, Jazz Rock, Symphonic Prog

Vibe: Alienation, Longing, Sentimental, Dramatic, Heartfelt, Cathartic, Introspective, Existential, Theatric, Lonely, Sad, Passionate, Epic

Musical Qualities: Technical, Progressive, Complex, Dynamic, Ballads

Instrumentation: Piano, Organ, Acoustic Guitar, Saxophones (Alto, Tenor, Baritone), Flute, Drums, Tympani, Electric Bass

Gong – Camembert Electrique

Style: Space Rock, Canterbury Scene, Prog, Jazz-Rock

Vibes: Eccentric, Surreal, Playful, Epic, Psychedelic, Theatric, Energetic, Spiritual, Conceptual, Energetic

Musical Qualities: Progressive, Complex, Driving, Technical

Kendra Amalie – Intuition

Style: Space Rock, Folk Rock

Vibe: Desert, Spacey, Western, Moody

Musical Qualities: Riffs, Repetitive, Driving, Atmospheric

Fly Pan Am – Sédatifs en fréquences et sillons

Style: Post-Rock, Experimental Rock, Tape Music, Drone

Vibe: Deconstructed, Hypnotic, Meandering, Stark, Motorik, Abstract, Urban

Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Pulse, Loops, Minimalistic, Repetitive, Drone, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Field Recordings, Noise

Faust – Something Dirty

Style: Experimental Rock, Krautrock, Post-Rock

Vibe: Gritty, Motorik, Deconstructed, Hypnotic, Heavy, Raw, Shadow, Visceral

Musical Qualities: Repetition, Fuzzy, Noisy, Vignettes, Riffs, Dense

King Crimson – Beat

Style: Art Rock, Progressive Pop

Vibe: Anxious, Eccentric, Romantic, Cerebral, Complex, Catchy, Bombastic, Dramatic, Surreal, Slick, Intertwined

Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Uncommon Time Signatures, Polished, Progressive, Technical, Rhythmic

Neil Young – On the Beach

Style: Singer/Songwriter, Ditch Americana, Country Rock, Folk Rock

Moods: Loner, Introspective, Melancholy, Alienation, Bittersweet, Apocalyptic, Depressive, Lonely, Sombre, Rebellious

King Crimson – Islands

Style: Progressive Rock, Jazz-Rock, Chamber Music

Vibe: Pastoral, Mythical, Mysterious, Epic, Bombastic, Mellow, Aquatic, Dreamy

Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Progressive, Complex, Improvisation, Uncommon Time Signatures

Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Mellotron, Saxophones, Flute, Piano, Drums, Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Cornet, Oboe

King Crimson – Three of a Perfect Pair

Style: Art Rock, Prog, Experimental Rock, Progressive Pop

Vibe: Anxious, Angular, Cerebral, Mechanical, Catchy, Ominous, Philosophical, Suspenseful, Dystopian, Urban, Confident

Musical Attributes: Complex, Uncommon Time Signatures, Polyrhythmic, Polished, Progressive, Technical

Brainticket – Celestial Ocean

Style: Kosmische Musik, Prog, Space Rock, Progressive Electronic

Vibe: Cosmic, Ethereal, Aquatic, Groovy, Exploratory, Hypnotic, Meditative, Hallucinogenic, Spiritual, Futuristic

Musical Qualities: Progressive, Suite, Raga, Headphone Album, Raga, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Dense

Lyrics: Conceptual, Egyptian Book of the Dead, Spiritual, Philosophical

Horse Lords – Interventions

Style: Experimental Rock, Totalism, Math Rock, Tishoumaren-Influenced

Vibe: Anxious, Complex, Energetic, Exploratory, Hypnotic, Disorienting

Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Microtonal, Odd Time Signatures, Percussive, Polyrhythmic, Repetitive, Minimalistic, Technical, Drones, Glitchy, Dissonant

Mogwai – Rave Tapes

Style: Post-Rock, Space Rock, Electronic-Rock, Kosmische-Influenced

Vibe: Futuristic, Nocturnal, Mechanical, Focused, Cinematic, Restrained

Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Dynamic, Pulse, Studio-as-an-Instrument

Neil Young – Tonight’s the Night

Style: Country-Rock, Singer/Songwriter

Vibe: Raw, Heartfelt, Sentimental, Mourning, Drunk, Reflective

Musical Qualities: Loose, Vocal Harmonies

Beak> – >>>

Style: Kosmische-Influenced Experimental Rock, Space Rock

Vibe: Motorik, Ominous, Spacey, Futuristic, Cinematic

Musical Qualities: Progressive, Rhythmic, Atmospheric

Hawkwind – Hall of the Mountain Grill

Style: Space Rock, Stoner-Prog, Heavy Psych

Vibe: Rebellious, Heavy, Driving, Spacey, Sci-Fi, Triumphant, Confident, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Riffs, Progressive

The Third Mind

Style: Psychedelic Jam Band

Vibe: Bluesy, Cosmic, Meandering, Pastoral, Rustic

Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Riffs

Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime

Style: Tishoumaren, Desert Blues, Psych

Vibe: Hypnotic, Desert, Groovy, Energetic, Warm, Uplifting, Conscious, Passionate, Psychedelic

Circa Survive – On Letting Go

Style: Progressive Post-Hardcore??

Vibe: Angsty, Existential, Cryptic, Anxious, Surreal, Epic, Intense, Intricate

??Musical Attributes: Odd Time Signatures, Progressive, Technical, Polished

Slint – Spiderland

Style: Post-Rock, Math Rock, Post-Hardcore, Slowcore

Vibe: Angsty, Angular, Cold, Heavy, Impressionistic, Suspenseful

Lyrical Themes: Alienation, Existential, Poetic, Storytelling

Musical Attributes: Dynamic, Slow, Dissonant, Raw, Repetitive

Black Sabbath – Paranoid

Style: Heavy Metal, Stoner Rock, Doom
Vibe: Heavy, Fuzzy, Anthemic, Dark, Ominous, Paranoid, Rebellious, Riffs, Stoned, Confident
Themes: Alienation, War, Political, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Tame Impala – Lonerism

Style: Psych Pop, Dream Pop, Shoegaze, Neo-Psychedelia

Vibe: Dreamy, Catchy, Lush, Warm, Alienation, Psychedelic, Studio-as-an-instrument

Musical Attributes: Melodic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Headphone Album

Deradoorian – Find the Sun

Style: Psych Rock, Kosmische-Influenced

Vibe: Introspective, Mystical, Spiritual, Confident, Conscious, Existential, Hypnotic, Motorik, Psychedelic, Uplifting

Klyfta – Cosmic Pilgrimage: The Klyfta Tapes (1972-1975)

This lost slab of mythical prog doesn’t shy away from indulging in the retro pleasures of instrumental psych-jammage and triumphant jazz-rock. The atmospheric guitar, spacey Moog, and Hammond organ playing are both epic and economical, nary a note wasted. Philip Grondahl’s violin playing on the opening track is especially heroic, recalling the flights of Jean-Luc Ponty or Mahavishnu’s Jerry Goodman. Despite their collective starward gaze, Klyfta remains firmly grounded by the tightness of the rhythm section. Aside from the explosive entropy of the first track (beginning with Anders Strand’s expansive upright bass solo), the grooves focus on repetitive momentum with unwavering determination.

Yes – Fragile

Released in 1971 on Atlantic Records Format: LP Style: Progressive Rock Vibe: Triumphant, Epic, Complex, Energetic, Warm, Lush Musical Attributes: Progressive, Polyphonic, Melodic, Odd Time Signatures, Technical

Young Jesus – S/T

Style: Indie Rock
Influences: Shoegaze, Post-Rock, Free Improvisation, Emo
Vibe: accessible, cathartic, contemplative, dynamic, lyrical, passionate, philosophical, poetic

David Bowie – Station to Station

Style: Art Rock, Funk
Vibe: Energetic, Groovy, Spacey, Alienation, Anxious, Catchy, Eccentric, Futuristic, Longing, Passionate, Rhythmic, Spacey, Confident, ?

The Mars Volta – Amputechture

Style: Progressive Rock, Experimental Rock

Vibe: Epic, Psychedelic, Chaotic, Bombastic, Cerebral, Complex, Cryptic, Energetic, Ominous, Intense

Musical Attributes: Dense, Polyphonic, Technical, Odd Time Signatures, Headphone Album, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Progressive

Radiohead – Hail to the Thief

Released in 2003 on EMI Records Format: LPx2, 45rpm Style: Art Rock Vibe: Cryptic, Anxious, Angsty, Paranoid, Moody Musical Attributes: Complex, Eclectic, Dynamic, Dense, Lyrical Themes: Political, War, Death

Fly Pan Am – N’Ecoutez Pas

Released in 2004 on Constellation Records Format: LP Style: Experimental Rock, Post-Rock, Noise Rock Influences: Kosmische Musik, Shoegaze, Post-Punk Vibe: Chaotic, Noisy, Anxious, Messy, Spacey, Exploratory, Abstract Musical Attributes: Repetitive, Dense, Rhythmic, Studio-as-an-instrument, Sound Collage

This Heat – Deceit

Originally released in 1981 on Rough Trade Modern Classics Reissue (2016) Format: LP

Bark Psychosis – Hex

Originally Released in 1994 on Circa Records 2017 Fire Records reissue Format: LPx2, 45 RPM

Trans Am – Trans Am

Originally released in 1996 on Thrill Jockey Records 2017 Reissue on clear vinyl Format:: LP

Zombi – Shape Shift

LPx2, 45rpm, Relapse Records Style: Space Rock, Progressive Electronic Vibe: Sci-Fi, Driving, Futuristic, Spacey, Motorik, Focused, Muscular, Cinematic, Ominous Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Instrumental, Repetitive, Odd Time Signatures, Technical, Dynamic Instrumentation: Analogue Synthesizers, Drums, Electric Bass

Earth – Radio Live

Released in 2009 on Southern Lord Records Recorded live in 2007 and 2008 Format: LP

King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King

Released in 1969 on Atlantic Format: LP Pressing quality: While this album is a masterpiece, these early pressings/masters sound a little tinny and lacking in low end. The recent reissues I’ve heard seem to be improved quality.

Beak> – >>

Released in 2012 on Invada Records Format: LPx2, orange vinyl Limited to 500 copies