28.12.05

The disappointment of 2005.

I've been seeing everyone's "TOP 10 of 2005" lists pop up, and it's made me realize how disappointing this year was. The only full-length released this year that I can honestly remember listening to multiple times was the latest Depeche Mode record. I'm sure there have to be at least a few more... I'll have to keep thinking.

DOWNLOAD
Depeche Mode - Precious MP3
Depeche Mode - A Pain That I'm Used To [Jacques Lu Cont Remix] MP3
Depeche Mode - Clean [Bare] MP3

27.12.05

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness are releasing their first full-length, Fear Is On Our Side, March 7th on Secretly Canadian. A less dancey, more rock, but equally as good version of "According To Plan", the a-side of their Artikal Records 12-inch is posted below.

DOWNLOAD
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - According To Plan [album version] MP3
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - When You Go Out [from their s/t 2003 EP] MP3

LINKS
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - official site
Artikal Records
Secretly Canadian Records

23.12.05

Peter Saville discography

Angryrobot was kind enough to point out that there's a Peter Saville discography here. It's great to browse through... there are a few surprising album covers that I had no idea he had designed.

21.12.05

Joy Division rarities

20.12.05

Trashcan Sinatras

Today, I had SXSW on my mind. One of the best things about the last two years of SXSW, was that one of my favorite bands, Trashcan Sinatras played loads of shows at each. I have my fingers crossed that this will make it three years in a row. When I had first heard them in 1990, I thought they sounded like The Smiths, and to be fair, their first album, Cake, did have a slight tinge of Morrissey and Marr to it. This wasn't a bad thing. In fact, it's the main reason I paid attention to them. The same thing can be said for Gene and Voxtrot. Surprisingly enough, all three of these bands soldiered on and became each their own amazingly unique and individual selves.

DOWNLOAD
Trashcan Sinatras - How Can I Apply? [live May 1996] MP3
Trashcan Sinatras - Hayfever [acoustic version/KUT radio 10.18.04] MP3
Trashcan Sinatras - Leave Me Alone [acoustic version/XM satellite radio 04.21.05] MP3
Trashcan Sinatras - Weightlifting [live at ABC/Glasgow 06.10.05] MP3
Trashcan Sinatras - All The Dark Horses [KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic 12.09.04] MP3
Trashcan Sinatras - A Coda [KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic 12.09.04] MP3
Trashcan Sinatras - Drunken Chorus [live at Fez/NYC 11.10.03] MP3

LINK
Trashcan Sinatras

18.12.05

The Tears


Suede's Brett Anderson & Bernard Butler return as The Tears. Although I initially had low expectations for this, the tracks I've heard from their debut Here Come The Tears have me pretty excited to hear more.

DOWNLOAD
The Tears - Refugees MP3
The Tears - Brave New Century MP3

LINK
The Tears official site

16.12.05

Bark Psychosis

PolloxNiner's Ulrich Schnauss post made me shudder with three words - "drum and bass". At first, I lost a little respect for Schnauss, but once I collected myself I was quickly reminded that the past is the past, and that sometimes, such things are forgivable.

In 1994, I recieved a package that had two albums in it. One was Seefeel's Quique, the other was Bark Psychosis' Hex. I immediately immersed myself in both. Seefeel, I understood right away. It was all new for me, but it clicked. The washey loops, pattering electronics, the structure, it was all foreign, but it all made sense. Bark Psychosis, on the other hand was atmospheric, yet minimal, and no matter how many times I listened to it, I wasn't able to place where it should be filed. And I kept on coming back to it. Four years later, I discovered Talk Talk's Spirit Of Eden and Laughing Stock and Bark Psychosis makes a whole lot more sense to me. They've even shared members at times.

As it is with a few great records, I believe that Hex is something that should be heard rather than chalked up to a few words.

So, what does this have to do with Ulrich Schnauss? Yes, it's a roundabout babble, but Graham Sutton disbanded Bark Psychosis for years after Hex to concentrate on his drum 'n bass project, Boymerang. Although I felt somewhat stabbed in the back upon learning this, it was all made up for with a return to Bark Psychosis with 2004's Codename: Dustsucker.

DOWNLOAD
Bark Psychosis - From What Is Said To When It's Read MP3 [Codename: Dustsucker]
Bark Psychosis - Burning The City MP3 [Codename: Dustsucker]
Bark Psychosis - Miss Abuse MP3 [Codename: Dustsucker]
Seefeel - Polyfusion MP3
Seefeel - Plainsong MP3

LINKS
Bark Psychosis offical website

13.12.05

Voxtrot van breakdown | Announce NY show


After a glorious sold-out NYC Mercury Lounge show Voxtrot headed north, played a few shows in MA and sound themselves stranded in Worcester for 3 days. They've had to cancel the second half of their tour and are playing last minute show at Magnetic Field in Brooklyn.

I'm there.

Weds, December 14th @ Magnetic Field
doors @ 8pm, Voxtrot at 9pm / $5
97 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11201
718.834.0069

Reviews from the Mercury Lounge show at Yeti, Central Village, and Good Times Roll.

6.12.05

Chameleons UK

Earlier this morning, I randomly found a Chameleons song referred to in a blog column, which inspired me to listen to just about everything that I have by the band, on repeat. Here's everything I could find online for you. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD
The Chameleons - Perfume Garden
The Chameleons - Up The Down Escalator
The Chameleons - Monkeyland
The Chameleons - Nathan's Phase [Live In Cambridge]

LINK
The Chameleons official site

5.12.05

Vote Gervais.

1.12.05

Belle & Sebastian :: ANOTHER new MP3


Daily Refill has posted another new Belle & Sebastian song from the new album.

DOWNLOAD
Belle & Sebastian - Sukie In The Graveyard MP3

Belle & Sebastian :: new MP3

Yes, Stewart Murdoch rhymes "football" with "fuck all". Genius.

DOWNLOAD
Belle & Sebastian - Another Sunny Day MP3