Ghastly City Sleep

Here is the debut EP from New York's Ghastly City Sleep and it couldn't be more impressive. Taking a tip from their namesake the tunes are haunting mix of beautiful and morose melodies. The four songs take lull the listener at one point and jar them the next all while wrapped up in a semi-ambient bliss. Great for the headphones or the turntable.

For Fans of: Gregor Samsa, Sigur Ros, etc.


Ghastly City Sleep EP

Rival Schools

Rival Schools is ending their six year hiatus at the Rock AM Ring festival in the UK in one fucking week! Yeah, they're also writing new material. Get pumped. I mean it.

Walter from Gorilla Biscuits and Quicksand started this project during early 2001, quickly gaining recognition from MTV audiences. They released only one full length then departed before their second album could release. Thanks to the internet, that second album plus many other unreleased tracks and b-sides are available to listen.

The new album should be out later this year. And as always, leave comments and enjoy.



United By Onelinedrawing 2001


United By Fate 2001


Good Things EP 2002

The "Lost" Album 2002

Unreleased Tracks & B Sides 2002

Cole

Yet another kick ass trio I have decided to post. Cole! Members include Mike Salmon, John Walker, and Steve Kuhn. If you are unfamiliar with this band but you like Rodan, June of 44, and Shipping News, then you will definitely be into Cole. I believe I am missing a 7" and their self-titled EP. But this band is to obscure to find details. Whatever, these two albums are baller and you should listen to them.



How The Crow Came To Be Black 1996


Idea Of City 1998

Refused

"I'd rather be forgotten than remembered for giving in!" Unfortunately for Sweden's Refused, they were not forgotten and after giving into the pressures of a low-budget shitty U.S. tour, they disbanded. However, their demise created a legacy that have livened many parties and other things I don't pay that much attention to. It doesn't matter. I love Refused and I am sure you do as well. They're great. Worthy of an Achilous post.

I added The New Noise Theology EP at the end of The EP Compilation. Sorry that I had to split that file up. Mediafire will not allow files over 100,000KB.

And as always, leave comments which will make my wiener hard and en-fucking-joy.


This Just Might Be The Truth... 1994


Songs To Fan The Flames Of Discontent 1996


The Shape Of Punk To Come 1998


The Demo Compilation 1997


The EP Compilation [Part 1] 1998
The EP Compilation [Part 2] 1998

31Knots

(I took the links down via polyvinyl's request. sorry)

One of the best trios making music. They've been around for a decade now. I would compare them to Cursive, only they create much better music as they continue releasing albums. As they progress, the music has become more atmospheric and "mathy", using different instruments and techniques including keys and samples.

I am missing The Rehearsal Dinner and It Was High Time To Escape. I will try very hard to get Worried Well for you guys and gals. Just keep checking back. =)

If anyone can put up the two albums I am missing, that would be greatly appreciated.


Climax/Anticlimax (2000)


Rehearsal Dinner (2002)


A Word Is Also a Picture Of A Word (2002)


It Was High Time To Escape (2003)


The Curse Of The Longest Day (2004)


Talk Like Blood (2005)


Polemics (2006)


The Days And Nights Of Everything Anywhere (2007)


Worried Well (2008)

Erik Mongrain

Another acoustic extraordinaire. He is known for lap tapping really. Catch him on the streets of Canada or huge theaters. Dude really keeps his art with the guitar and not with corporate money mongers.

You can catch him play Air Tap! on youtube.

This is his only actual release really. You can download different songs he records for free on his website here.

As always, leave comments and enjoy.


Fates

A Silver Mt. Zion

**I'd just like to take a moment and explain that you click the link BELOW the album cover to download the album. Lots of people have been asking, so I figured I'd clarify. Anyways, on with the show.**

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Quebec, Canada's Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, referred to as A Silver Mt. Zion (ASMZ) for the sake of simplicity, has been around the block. Some might even say that they helped make the block. When you were still in diapers and loving the Barney theme-song, ASMZ's mastermind (Efrim Menuck) was tearing the lid off of orchestrated, avant-garde post-rock in Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Much to the dismay of the entire planet, GY!BE went on an indefinite hiatus...and thus spawned the affectionate lovechild...A Silver Mt. Zion. If you listened to GY!BE then you can definitely feel the influence in ASMZ. On ASMZ's first three albums...it's almost like you're actually listening to a weirdly creative and orchestral version of GY!BE. It makes sense after all, considering three of the seven members of ASMZ played in GY!BE.

This isn't to say they're the same however. ASMZ sports some very jazzy and minimal tunes that weren't as typical of GY!BE. Undoubtedly, there's also a very old Jewish world-music type of style in some of their songs that just feels right. Furthermore...there's always that whole vocals thing they've started doing on their last two releases. Out of nowhere, ASMZ boasts some of the craziest folky "community-singing" you'll hear. They have a choir, all seven members of the band sing, etc. etc. The vocals might take some getting used to...but it pays off. Lyrically, they've proved to be as insightful and beautiful as they are musically.

Chances are, after 9 years, these guys still have a lot of life left in them. Things aren't looking good for GY!BE on the reunion front... so don't waste your time wishing for things that won't happen...especially when you can listen to the next best thing.

A Silver Mt. Zion (1999 - Present)


A Silver Mt. Zion - He Has Left Us Alone but Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corner of Our Rooms… (2000)


A Silver Mt. Zion - Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward. (2001)


A Silver Mt. Zion - "This Is Our Punk-Rock," Thee Rusted Satellites Gather + Sing, (2003)


A Silver Mt. Zion - Horses in the Sky (2005)


A Silver Mt. Zion - 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons (2008)

Godspeed.
-Tarik

Minus the Bear

There are three amazing things in this life that get me out of bed every morning:

1. Women
2. Traveling
3. Drinking & occasional substance abuse

Seattle, Washington's Minus the Bear does a great job of helping me keep my life in perspective. Not only do they almost exclusively sing about #s 1-3, but they do it with some snazzy musicianship. They bring a lot to the proverbial table, such as some incredibly incredible guitar tapping on the first couple of albums. They throw in a lot of electronic goodness (crazy drum machine beats, synth effects, etc.) as well and you can definitely feel some math rock influence in the mix too. It's just a really great blend of different styles that they manage to make work well together.

The thing about Minus the Bear is that they sell everything about their music. I listen to them and I'm transported to some European coastline where I'm drinking wine & laying on the beach...all with some imaginary European girl that plans on going home with me that night. If you don't want that...then I guess maybe you might not enjoy them quite as much as I do.

They've put out three great albums in a few short years, each offering its own legit qualities. For what I like about MTB, Highly Refined Pirates is definitely the stand-out album. It all comes from a band that puts time and effort into their vinyl, brings a great live show, and if their song-titles (or the band name itself, which is a reference to BJ & the Bear) are indicative of anything...they don't take themselves too seriously in this overly serious world of ours.

Minus the Bear (2001 - present)




Minus the Bear - This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic (2001)



Minus the Bear - Highly Refined Pirates (2002)



Minus the Bear - They Make Beer Commercials Like This (2004)



Minus the Bear - Menos El Oso (2005)



Minus the Bear - Interpretaciones del Oso (2007)



Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice (2007)

Godspeed.
-Tarik

Harkonen

This band had way too many line-up changes and releases to keep track. They formed in 97' and split up after their last release 05'. They had a couple releases under Hydra-Head and splits with These Arms Are Snakes and Breather Resist, so they got some credit. I am not that big into metal/hardcore, but this band is one of the few that I really enjoy listening to. Hopefully you do as well... because they ruled.

I have both their full lengths available in separate files and their Grizz, Dancing, and Like A Virgin EP's compressed into one file. The Like A Virgin EP was a split release with TAAS.

I am missing their S/T & Hung To Dry 7"s, Demo & Charge CD, and their split with Breather Resist. If anyone has them, please post in the comments.

And as always, please leave comments on what you think and requests. Enjoy. =)


Harkonen (1999)


Shake Harder Boy (2002)


Grizz (2001), Dancing (2003), Like A Virgin (2005)

90 Day Men

It's true. All the best bands come from my city, Chicago. And in this case, all the bands that want to achieve great excellence move to Chicago. I don't have to tell you, the freakin' title says it all!

This band originated in St. Louis sometime in 95' then moved to Chicago and recorded a single shortly-there-after, which was released on a 7". They quickly got signed to Temporary Residence and released the "1975..." EP. All albums followed in completely different footsteps.

If you happened to see Explosions In The Sky last year, you probably saw their opening act, Lichens. That was Rob Lowe. Not the Rob Lowe, but the member who really helped this band out.

Their earlier material is completely different from their later. If you have not listened to this band, I would seriously recommend downloading everything I made available for you. If you have, I hope there are some files here that you have not been able to find previously.

Don't ask what they sound like. All their albums are different. You can put their earlier stuff with Slint, Don Cab, and Rodan and their later with Anathallo and your fucking mother for asking so many questions.


1975 ~ 1977 -1998 (1998)


(It (Is) It) Critical Band (2000)


To Everybody (2002)


Panda Park (2004)

Joan Of Arc

My favorite album of the year. Hands down. Enjoy.
(Also, from now on, can you please leave comments telling us what you think and make requests)


boo! human

Small Brown Bike

These guys rule so fucking hard!!! I'm sure you're thinking, "why do these dudes rule so hard?"

Well, if I knew the answer to that question then I wouldn't be posting on some blog, and instead I'd be ruling as hard as these guys ruled. Needless to say, I don't rule that hard since I'm obviously posting on this blog. I think part of it probably has to do with their dual vocals, the punk/melodic thing they got going on, and lyrics that cater to an older fan of the genre. I dig it. If I dug any harder my arms would fall off from digging so hard!!! OH MAN, SMALL BROWN BIKE BRINGS THE LOLZ. Download this shit or bite the curb you fuck.

P.S. I am sure they didn't ride fixed gear if it makes you any happier.

Small Brown Bike (1996 - 2004)


Small Brown Bike - Our Own Wars (1999)


Small Brown Bike - Dead Reckoning (2001)


Small Brown Bike/Casket Lottery Split (2002)


Small Brown Bike - The River Bed (2003)


Small Brown Bike - Nail Yourself to the Ground (2004)

Godspeed.
-Tarik

Sigur Rós

Why is post-rock so delicious? First, Explosions and now Sigur Rós?

So this band hails from Iceland and they sport some crazy melodic, experimental craziness with amazing falsetto vocals. If you're not one of the 300,000 people on the planet who understands Icelandic, then most of their musical titles won't mean a damn thing to you, but it doesn't really matter. It turns out most of his vocals are actually just gibberish and in all honesty, it doesn't really make a bit of difference because these guys rule so hard regardless. Definitely check out their music videos if you have some spare time, they're all pretty incredible. Really epic, orchestrated, beautiful music...it almost brings a tear to my eye.

Sigur Rós (1994 - Present)


Sigur Rós - Von (1997)


Sigur Rós - Ágætis byrjun (1999)



Sigur Rós - () (2002)


Sigur Rós - Takk... (2005)

Godspeed.
-Tarik