The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding
Released in 2017 on Atlantic Records Format: LPx2
The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding Read More »
Released in 2017 on Atlantic Records Format: LPx2
The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding Read More »
Released in 2017 on Constellation Records Format: LPx2, etching on side D
Do Make Say Think – Stubborn Persistent Illusions Read More »
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
Zombi – Shape Shift Read More »
Released in 1973 on Harvest Records
Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon Read More »
Released in 2011 on True Panther Sounds Format: LPx2
Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost Read More »
Released in 2009 on Southern Lord Records Recorded live in 2007 and 2008 Format: LP
Earth – Radio Live Read More »
Originally released digitally in 2007 2008 pressing on TBD Records Format: LP
Radiohead – In Rainbows Read More »
Originally released in 2000 on Epic Records 2010 Repress Format: LPx2
Modest Mouse – The Moon & Antarctica Read More »
Released in 1974 on Atlantic Records Format: LP
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black Read More »
Released in 2017 on 4AD Records Format: LPx2, Blue Vinyl
The National – Sleep Well Beast Read More »
Originally released in 1969 on Warner Bros. Records 1973 Pressing Format: LPx2
Grateful Dead – Live/Dead Read More »
Released in 2001 on Temporary Residence Recorded in 2000 Format: LP
Released in 1970 on Atlantic Records Format: LP
King Crimson – In the Wake of Poseidon Read More »
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.
King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King Read More »
Originally released in 1991 on Polydor 2011 pressing on Ba Da Bing Records Format: LP
Talk Talk – Laughing Stock Read More »
Released in 2007 by Gold Standards Laboratories Recorded November 2005 in Amsterdam Format: LP
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez – Se Dice Bisonte, No Bùfalo Read More »
Originally Released in 2007 on Ipecac Vinyl released in 2008 on Black Diamond Format: LPx2
Hella – There’s No 666 in Outer Space Read More »
Released in 2012 on Southern Lord Records Format: LPx2, etching on D-side
Earth – Angels is Darkness, Demons of Light II Read More »
After 20+ years of using his introspective songwriting as a playground for psychedelic lo-fi experimentation, underdog hero Emil Amos hands the production reins to John Angello (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.) for his most polished album yet, capturing the best aspects of 70’s rock classics without ever feeling cliché. The hi-fi analogue production brings a newfound clarity and depth that allows Amos’ songwriting and instrumental performances to bloom; the choruses are anthemic, the atmospheres are darkly psychedelic, and his lyrics are just as philosophical and contemplative as ever.
Holy Sons – In the Garden Read More »
The Whole Thing is Just There is another beautiful and life-affirming release from Young Jesus, the second with the current L.A. iteration of the band. Their inter-band chemistry seems stronger than ever, with telepathic improvisations, symbiotic catharses, and a mutual love for each other that is easily felt from a listener’s perspective. The lyrics deal with self-exploration and one’s relationship with the world around them, finding solace in spirituality, existentialism, literature, and the ethos of free jazz. Stylistically the music seems rooted in late-90’s indie rock and emo, with seamless but adventurous detours into post-rock, noisy post-hardcore, and free improvisation. Excited to see where these guys go next.
Young Jesus – The Whole Thing is Just There Read More »
The new album from guitarist Yonatan Gat finds cohesiveness in its sprawling diversity. Stylistically it combines the rawness of garage rock, the thematic improvisation of Free jazz, and the experimental editing of musique concréte with psychedelic production, Arabic and Klezmer scales and surfy tremelo guitars.
Yonatan Gat – Universalists Read More »
Released in 2004 on Constellation Records Format: LPx2, Side D is blank
Do Make Say Think – Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn Read More »
Released in 2018 on Yakketeeyak Music Review: Right out of the gate Little Boat sounds like an homage to the country-tinged classic rock and Americana of the 1970’s. It is full of soaring choruses, bluesy riffs, slide guitars, polished production, and perfectionist Eagles-esque harmonies (especially on “Start Living Again”). Mathur’s lyrics contain all the introspection and
Ajay Mathur – Little Boat Read More »
Information: Originally released in 1971 This deluxe pressing was released in 2013 on Klimt Records Format: LPx2 (second LP contains bonus tracks)
Caravan – In the Land of Grey and Pink [Deluxe Edition] Read More »
Fuzzy riffs, driving rhythms, and spacey synths tear through the speakers like a blistering comet through the solar system.
For fans of Black Sabbath, Neu!, Jethro Tull
Hawkwind – Doremi Fasil Latido Read More »
Album Information: Originally released in 1970 on Atlantic Records 1974 Repress
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin III Read More »
After a prolific career as a noise/improvisational/experimental guitarist and a few forays into folk and chamber pop, Jim O’Rourke surprised his audience with an album closer to straightforward rock than his audience could have ever expected of him. Yet underneath it’s catchy, cheery, and polished exterior, his lyrics are full of humorously bitter resentment. Like his debut singer/songwriter album Eureka, Insignificance is full of the meticulous and lush arrangements that Jim would become known for.
Jim O’Rourke – Insignificance Read More »
Album Information: Originally released in 1999 as Jerusalem on London Records, and then in 2003 as Dopesmoker on Tee-Pee Records. This is the 2012 pressing on Southern Lord Format: LPx2, Blue vinyl, limited to 1000 copies
Sleep – Dopesmoker Read More »
Compilation of 3 EPs released in 2013 on Temporary Residence Format: LPx2, etchings on each side
Grails – Black Tar Prophecies vol’s 4, 5, & 6 Read More »
Album Information: Released in 1972 on Reprise Records 2009 reissue, mastered from original analog tapes
Neil Young – Harvest Read More »
Album Information: This album was self-released on CD in 1997 This pressing was released by Constellation Records in 2013 Format: 2xLP, 180g, Includes die-cut sleeve with 4 alternative cover inserts
Do Make Say Think – Do Make Say Think Read More »
Style: Progressive Rock, Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Folk Rock
Moods: Confident, Mystical, Epic, Hedonistic, Passionate, Masculine, Triumphant, Eclectic
Musical Qualities: Riffs, Rhythmic, Progressive, Dense, Heavy, Dynamic
Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti Read More »
While each Grails album uses instrumental rock as a means to explore a vast record collection’s worth of influences, none have done so with the subtlety and focus put into each track of this latest offering, allowing us to see the intangible essence of their sound more clearly than ever.
Grails – Chalice Hymnal Read More »
Taking a detour from his usual loner-droner psych folk style, Ben Chasney enlists former Comets on Fire bandmates to jam some heavy rock burners with a a cosmic amount of electric guitar shredding, evoking Neil Young & Crazy Horse blasting off on a rocket. The new electric energy brought to this album is balanced out by an equal amount of the fingerpicking prog-folk and meditative acoustic ballads that have been developing in his music since the 90’s. While I will always love his more melancholy, nocturnal records that sound like he’s lost in a forest somewhere, I welcome the fiery energy of Ascent.
Six Organs of Admittance – Ascent Read More »
Album Information: Released in 2011 on Partisan Records Produced by Emil Amos Jeff Stuart Saltzman recorded tracks B1, B3, B5 and mixed track A2. Ash Black Buffalo – Synths on A1, B1, B4 and B5 All other instruments by Emil Amos A3 written by The Troggs Recommended Tracks: Slow Days, Look of Pain!, Reckless Liberation
Holy Sons – Survivalist Tales Read More »
Album Information: Released in 2009 on Downtown Music Exposion originally released in 2008 and is included as a bonus LP Origin: Austin, TX Format: LPx2
White Denim – Fits/Exposion Read More »
“Recorded in an old wooden barn, this second album is swaddled in twilight autumnal ambiance. While the record is bookended by the band’s awesome psych-rock explosions, much of the material here shows increased referencing of jazz influences (modal horns, brushed percussion) and a more organic deployment of micro-electronics. Raw and polished, visceral and cerebral, the band combines rock and jazz traditions of space music with the ‘instrumental’ potentials of mixing room to present a true gem of a record.” (Press Release)
Do Make Say Think – Goodbye Enemy Airship, The Landlord is Dead Read More »
Soft Machine’s second album is an eclectic suite packed full of whimsical psychedelia, Dadaist detours, complex prog structures and jazz-inspired musicianship.
Soft Machine – Volume Two Read More »
Styles: Post-Rock
Moods: Autumnal, Focused, Hypnotic, Contemplative, Warm, Driving, Soothing
Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Atmospheric, Melodic
Do Make Say Think – Other Truths Read More »
Styles: Noise Pop, Art Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Math-Pop
Moods: Playful, Cryptic, Energetic, Eclectic, Colorful, Angular, Tangled, Deconstructed
Musical Qualities: Uncommon Time Signatures, Catchy, Flux Tempo, Dynamic, Riffs, Progressive
Deerhoof – Friend Opportunity Read More »
Progressive alt-rock that prioritizes dynamics and atmosphere over flashy solos or superfluous complexity. Recommended for fans of Oceansize, Deftones, Mogwai, or the last two Isis albums.?
Style: Art Rock, Ambient (Side B)
Moods: Manic, Cryptic, Surreal, Alienation, Anxious, Abstract, Lonely, Futuristic
Musical Qualities: Studio-as-an-Instrument, Groovy, Atmospheric
This album is full of energetic, psych-prog maximalism that occasionally settles down into (relatively) slowed down, spacious grooves. I recommend this to fans of The Mars Volta or anyone looking for a manic blend of psych, prog, fusion, punk and latin influences.
Omar Rodriguez-López – Xenophanes [Review] Read More »