Crystal Antlers - EP

It’s all too rare anymore whenever I check out a band that has some hype building around them that they actually live up to the amount of praise that is being heaped upon them. Sometimes not listening to what my gut feeling tells me to do is a good idea and despite it telling me over and over again not to buy into the things being said about Crystal Antlers, I did anyway. And boy am I glad I did as the band falls into one of those rare cases of actually being really damn good…just like everyone else was making them out to be in the first place. Stupid me, right? Obviously, yeah.

The Long Beach based Crystal Antlers are riding high off the growing success of their recently self-released EP simply dubbed as “EP”. Rightfully so though, as EP absolutely smokes through six songs that somehow blend elements of blues, psych, post-punk, prog, and god only knows what else into this finely crafted 25 minute package. Typically I don’t get too into what comes off as strictly derivative psych, so it’s incredibly refreshing to hear a band like this take it to a completely different level to the point where I don’t even really know what I am listening to at times. Crystal Antlers seem like a band that could go anywhere with their sound, and I think that’s what ultimately makes them the exciting listen that they are. Who knows what their next record could sound like; it’s pretty much a wild card after listening to EP.

Crystal Antlers – A Thousand Eyes [MP3]

For those interested in picking up a copy of the Crystal Antlers EP then just head on over to their MySpace.

Experimental Aircraft - Third Transmission: Meet Me On Echo Echo Terrace

Third Transmission: Meet Me On Echo Echo Terrace is the third album from the Austin, Texas based Experimental Aircraft. Having been absent for quite some time now, the band has come back as strong as ever with this wonderful album. As far as spacey/shoegaze releases go so far this year, this has definitely found a place among the top of the early pile. In actuality I should use the word shoegaze somewhat loosely with them, as they are much more than your average distortion heavy “wall of sound” type of band. They manage to blend elements of indie-rock and hints of psychedelic influence within the distant sounding fuzz. Experimental Aircraft sound very much like a product of where they are from, with songs that stretch and reveal a hint of haunting loneliness that one can easily be consumed by living in such an area. It sets the mood perfectly. Adding to it all is one of my favorite aspects of the band, which are the gorgeous vocals from singer Rachel Staggs. Her soft drifting vocals complement the bands overall forlorn sound perfectly with her injecting that slight ounce of hope among it all. Also making an appearance, more here than on their previous albums, are the additional vocals from TJ O’Leary. Who often sounds a bit more fluctuant but adds nicely to the bands palette. This is definitely an album to check out for fans of hazy/spacey indie-rock. Good stuff all around.

Experimental Aircraft – Stellar [MP3]
Experimental Aircraft – So Simple [MP3]

If you’re interested in picking up Third Transmission: Meet Me on Echo Echo Terrace, then head on over to Graveface Records and order a copy. Definitely comes recommended. Enjoy!

The Vera Violets - Dirty Rainbow

Safranin Sound is steadily working its way up the ladder as one of my favorite current running labels. Helping propel their ascent on said ladder is one of their latest offerings from the Tampa, Florida based band The Vera Violets. Now unlike quite a few of the bands on Safranin’s roster, I have been familiar with The Vera Violets for quite awhile now and it’s great to see they’re part of that family and releasing their latest album Dirty Rainbow through it.

On Dirty Rainbow the band has returned once again with twelve solid tracks of their fuzzy psychedelic influenced rock. Stepping away a bit more from the shoegazey drone found on their past efforts, The Vera Violets have dove a bit further into the depths of 60’s psych and garage rock and have come out with an even hazier druggy swirl than before. While the songs are definitely wrapped in a smoke screen type of fuzz, there is a noticeably evident jangle pop vibe going on that hasn’t revealed itself as much in the past. It serves the band well as it works as a nice change of pace mixed in with some of the bands more strung out and darker influenced songs which have particularly dominated their earlier albums. Those out there who are already fans of The Vera Violets definitely won’t be disappointed with this release as it features everything that is great about the bands past releases while still managing to work in some newer key focuses.

The Vera Violets – As You Are Mine [MP3]
The Vera Violets – In the Sun [MP3]

For those looking to pick up Dirty Rainbow it is available through Safranin Sound. Definitely pick this up if the tunes above are to your liking. Enjoy!

Gravitar - You Must First Learn to Draw the Real

It’s tough when a bands discography is littered with enough highlights and good albums that it makes it entirely too hard to go back and justly cover it all. In that case I have to make the grand old hard decision of plucking one album out of the bunch and using it as reference point of some sort. Facing that dilemma today for Detroit avant-garde noise/psych greats Gravitar, I decided to go with one of my absolute favorite records they put out, You Must First Learn to Draw the Real released on Monotremata Records in 1999.

You Must First Learn to Draw the Real is sort of one of those albums that I feel could divide opinions among pure noise enthusiasts. It’s definitely full of noise and packs enough visceral punch to it that it’s by no means going to be mistakenly filed under “pop” in a record store. However, there is a structure here and even the occasional riff buried underneath all of the fuzz and tumbling feedback. It all falls on borderline noise, but it’s a hefty slab of very well done skronk that takes on a psychedelic groove in more than few instances. As with almost all Gravitar albums though the one constant highlight is the freaked out free jazz inspired drumming by Eric Cook. The track “U.R.R.” is worth listening to alone for that very reason as he basically drives the whole 8 minute tune with a barrage of beats and crashing cymbals. The live track tacked on to the end of the disc is another favorite that displays Gravitar’s overpowering and relentless volumed attack.

As a bonus I uploaded one of my favorite tracks by the band off their split with Universal Indians on American Tapes. Great stuff.

You Must First Learn to Draw the Real:
Gravitar – U.R.R. [MP3]

Split w/ Universal Indians:
Gravitar – Automaton [MP3]

You Must First Learn to Draw the Real is still available over at Amazon and most other online retailers. If that doesn’t happen to work out, then it’s also available through Emusic. Enjoy!

The December Sound - The Silver Album

Boston’s The December Sound managed to nab a fair amount of attention with their debut EP Kill Me awhile back and have now just self-released their debut full length The Silver Album, which should surely net them some favorable responses once again. Just like on their EP, the band remains in their unpredictable ways by compiling together thirteen tracks that approach the areas of psych, shoegaze, and post-punk while meshing them together excellently. I can imagine it’s not easy for a band like The December Sound with the style that they play to set themselves apart from the past. There is always going to be comparisons to The Jesus and Mary Chain whenever there is an element of overblown distortion and dark moody psychedelic textures thrown into the mix. The December Sound certainly has that, but they’ve done so in a way that seems to cover so much more ground than that of just another rehash. It seems unfair to even mention that word in this write up. The Silver Album is just as much a shoegaze album as it is a full fledged rock album, and the heightened focus on songwriting instead of pure volume most definitely pays off for this band. I don’t think I’ve really heard a band that incorporates a true rock n’ roll aesthetic into their sound as well as The December Sound does here on this album since maybe Swervedriver. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t sound much like them but it most definitely has the same sort of rock under current and recklessness to it. The December Sound is yet another great addition to the rapidly growing amount of bands that are breathing new life into this type of music.

The December Sound – No Heaven Like Hell [MP3]
The December Sound – Reminder [MP3]
The December Sound – Maker [MP3]

For those looking to pick this up then head on over to the bands MySpace where they have both The Silver Album and their fantastic EP Kill Me available for order. For the time being, enjoy!

Residual Echoes - Firsts

Fresh off the move to Los Angeles, Residual Echoes main man Adam Payne returns with a new lineup once again and the first release since said move. I don’t know why I was expecting something familiar when I first popped in the new EP from Residual Echoes, simply dubbed Firsts. I already knew that anything that comes out on Elevation has the potential to be something completely different than what someone might typically be used hearing, as that’s part of the idea behind it actually for the artists involved. Whether that’s the case or if it was just the move to the west coast, instead of the normal winding psych freakouts and krautrock tendencies, the first couple of songs off the EP greet me with two short cuts that could be best described as heavily influenced by 80’s west coast post-punk/indie-rock. Like I said, pretty different from what I would have expected, however it’s done very well and by the time the bands cover of the Blake Babies “Wipe it Up” comes on, I find am nodding my head, not only in what I guess is some sort of approval but because it’s pretty catchy stuff. The fourth track “Fresh Eyes”, which is probably my favorite of the bunch, reminds me of some of the better jangly and poppy indie-rock to come out the 90’s. The last track on the album steps back into what most fans of the band have come to expect from them, as Payne and the band rip off another 10 minute psych-rock masterpiece. For fans of the band, you won’t be disappointed. However they could be disappointed if they don’t pick this up in time, as this release is limited to just 2000 copies and will not be reprinted in the future. In the meantime, check out the tunes below from the EP.

Residual Echoes – Dosed Clothes [MP3]
Residual Echoes – Fresh Eyes [MP3]

Do pick this up if you’re enjoying the music posted. Firsts can still be had over at Elevation Records.

Zelienople - His/Hers

I honestly forget who told me to listen to Zelienople a few years ago, but whoever it was I owe them. Although I initially got into the band because of their dreamy ambient sounds, it’s been interesting to hear them grow into a much more psych-folk/drone sound, which they’ve done very well I might add. After releasing albums on various labels such as Root Strata and Last Visible Dog, the band has found themselves a part of the Type roster for the release of their latest effort His/Hers.

It only took me until the second song “Moss Man” to think that this might be some of my favorite material that they’ve released. As soon as His/Hers completed I was pretty much positive. The album is a slightly different one for Zelienople in the fact that it shows a bit more of an abrasive side to the band as in the past. Granted, past albums haven’t been completely void of this attribute, but I can’t recall where the band has displayed as much unrest as on this album. Obviously they have left the dreamlike vibe way in the past and aren’t looking back, as this is far from sounding like any dream that a person would ever want to have. With each track pushing the ten minute mark, there is still plenty of room for the bands psych folk noodling which is showcased most notably on “Parts Are Lost”. Regardless of what the band is dwelling in, Matt Christensen’s vocals are as hauntingly distant as I’ve ever heard them and it really couldn’t accompany what the members of the band are churning out behind them any better. The end result is forty five minutes of hazy drugged out murkiness that absolutely echoes with sadness and desperation throughout, a perfect record for a complete freefall.

Zelienople – Moss Man [MP3]

For anyone that is interested, His/Hers can be picked up over at Type Records. I strongly recommend it.

Clutch...

Last weekend I was at a get together with some friends and it was probably one of the most fun things I’d done in an awhile. However, at one point I remember standing close to the sliding glass/screen door that led out to the balcony where a bunch of people were standing. I overheard them mention something about the band Clutch and I quickly popped my head outside like the nerd that I am and questioned “what about Clutch?” Then, all I remember from that point was their response having something to do with them being boring sounding as they were driving/walking past the venue they were playing at that night. I was disappointed to hear this obviously. But then they conceded that they had never heard the band actually. I then went on to defend Clutch in some way I am sure. I doubt I defended them very well considering I'd probably had a couple drinks at that point. But I do remember saying that I was going to do a post on Clutch and let them revel in their greatness. So it’s Friday, and I don’t have anything else to post yet, and I want to live up to my promise to these unfortunate souls that have never partaken in listening to this wonderful band. I know some of you read the blog, so here it is…

First and foremost, one of my fellow friends in the blogosphere Hank Shteamer who runs the amazing Dark Forces Swing Blind Punches blog did a wonderful post on the band earlier this year in January. I would highly recommend reading his post on the band at some point as well.

I can’t exactly remember when it was that I discovered Clutch. I know it was whenever I saw the video for their single “A Shogun Named Marcus” on MTV many years ago when Transnational Speedway League: Anthems, Anecdotes, and Undeniable Truths was coming out. I was instantly hooked, not only by the song but by the bands then hick tobacco spittin’ vibe, which was greatly portrayed or mocked throughout the album and in the video for “Marcus”. Living in a small town myself, I think it probably appealed to me due to my everyday surroundings. It just seemed cool and it rocked in such an awesome care free way. Yeah, I wasn’t cool enough to be into the band whenever they were putting out their earliest material like the Passive Restraints EP or the Pitchfork 7’’. I however found myself quickly trying to track the material down.

Now back then, and by that I mean around 1993 or ’94, Clutch was almost a completely different band. Their sound was much more post-hardcore sounding with slow driving chunky guitar riffs that were often attached to Neil Fallon’s guttural vocals, which also eventually changed over time. When they released Transnational Speedway League I remember getting it and being pretty blown away by the whole thing. All the way from the insane lyrical content to it being full of top notch riffs and overall making me want to tear things to pieces. Yes, all 125 pounds or so of me back then. Regardless it was one of those albums that came at the absolute right time for me when I was younger and to this day I am still rocking it. You just honestly can’t beat some of the lyrics and riffs on it.

“Well I rolled Jesse Helms like a cigarette
And smoked him higher than the highest of the minarets
Jesse James couldn't even handle it
Started looking at me like I was Sanskrit”

A couple years passed and Clutch released their second album, which was simply titled Clutch. Upon hearing that disc I couldn’t figure out what had happened. What had happened to the Clutch I had heard on their previous album? This sounded like a completely different band. Instead of the plodding riffs that had been a staple on all their previous releases they had taken up a very spacey, almost jam band element to their sound. For someone that had gotten into Clutch due their previous recordings this was definitely something really hard to comprehend at first, but the more I eventually listened to it the cooler it became. They lyrics especially were quite redeeming. It really didn’t take long to fall in love with their new sound, but sadly for Clutch the change probably sealed their fate with their current label and they were eventually dropped. The self-titled album is still probably one of, if not, my favorite Clutch album. Songs like “Animal Farm”, “Escape from the Prison Planet”, and the mega spaced out “Spacegrass”. The album also ends with the insanely awesome complete jam fueled “Tim Sult vs. The Greys”. It’s just a ridiculously solid album, that’s about all I can say.

I’m always a bit torn as to which Clutch sound I most prefer, and as of this writing I still probably can’t tell any of you which one I am partial to. After the self-titled album, Clutch basically stuck with this sound and over the years has tinkered and continually added to it. Fallon’s lyrics eventually morphed into a story telling sort of method where the content of the songs were of these mythical proportions. Their third album Elephant Riders, which was released on Columbia in 1998, was very much in this vein. It continued with the jam aesthetic and probably upped it by a thousand notches. It was basically like the self-titled but on steroids and I completely ate it up. However as one might suspect the sound didn’t really catch on with enough people and the band again found themselves without a label. This would be a pretty common theme for them throughout the 90’s and early 00’s until they eventually found a home on DRT, which have released their last three records.

After they released Elephant Riders I somehow lost track of the band. Without a record label, I wasn’t even sure if they were still around. Then they made an appearance in 1999 by self-releasing a record called Jam Room and would eventually find a place on the Atlantic Records roster for 2001’s Pure Rock Fury, which ultimately continued to see the bands sound evolve more into a rock behemoth. With another solid album under their belts they eventually left Atlantic Records and eventually found their home with DRT.

In 2004 they released Blast Tyrant through DRT, which to me was the album that really catapulted them into that hierarchy of bands that can do absolutely no wrong. Blast Tyrant was such a swift kick in the ass upon first listening. Clutch felt more alive than ever and their sound had found the perfect mixture between balls out rock n’ roll and the psychedelic 70’s jam sound that they had quietly been working with throughout the last decade. Blast Tyrant is what I feel Clutch is all about; they really managed to capture the essence of the band on it so well. From that point on Clutch has released two more albums, 2005’s Robot Hive/Exodus and 2007’s From Beale Street to Oblivion, both available though DRT.

One thing that has made me appreciate Clutch so much over the years is that they are a band that has continued to exist completely on their own terms, despite being yanked around time after time by various labels. Even with all the ups and downs throughout the bands existence they have managed to sustain a large enough cult following that will surely inspire the band to continue making music into the foreseeable future. And how did they get this fan base you ask? Well, by simply forging on and making the music they fucking want and at the same time it being mighty damn good music too. Clutch is simply one of the greatest rock bands to exist in the past 15 or so years in my eyes. There is no question.

As much as I would like to post every single Clutch song I love, that would be way too many songs for me to post in one night, so I am limiting it to my absolute favorites. Here you go folks and to those of you that were standing on the balcony that night speaking poorly of Clutch.

Pitchfork:
Clutch – Juggernaut [MP3]

Passive Restraints EP:
Clutch – Impetus [MP3]

Transnational Speedway League:
Clutch – Walking in the Great Shining Path of Monster Trucks [MP3]

Clutch:
Clutch – Escape from the Prison Planet [MP3]
Clutch – Animal Farm [MP3]

Impetus EP:
Clutch – Pile Driver [MP3]

Elephant Riders:
Clutch – The Soapmakers [MP3]

Blast Tyrant:
Clutch – Mercury [MP3]

Every single one of Clutch’s releases is still available through Amazon. Go pick some of them up if you already haven’t. You’ve been missing out, that’s for sure.

Pink Reason - Cleaning the Mirror

Welcome to Kevin DeBroux’s world of disappointment and depression. Debroux, who records under the moniker of Pink Reason, released the album Cleaning the Mirror on Siltbreeze a couple of months ago and I must say it’s absolutely fantastic. As most out there know, it’s incredibly difficult to feel good all the time and for those moments when you think you’ve hit rock bottom, well then Cleaning the Mirror is the type of record that should be at the top of the list to be thrown on during that oh so enjoyable period of time. The album follows up an equally amazing 7 inch that was put out in 2006 on Savage Quality/Criminal IQ.

Cleaning the Mirror is a journey through six songs that while all featuring bare bones guitar work and the warmth of lo-fi production, is able to really utilize a lot of different instruments while keeping with the ultra sullen sound. The song “Up the Sleeve” is particular impressive with its usage of a banjo. My favorite moments are however “Goodbye” and “Storm in Heaven”, both of which wrap themselves with the distant and haunting vocals from Debroux along with a slight touch of feedback making them both excellent murky displays of frustration and sadness. The album is full of variety and interesting ideas, which keeps it from falling into any sort of rut. This is highly enjoyable stuff to accompany any self-loathing that may take place in the future.

Pink Reason – Goodbye [MP3]

Cleaning the Mirror can be currently had over at Amazon. Do be sure to pick this up if you enjoy what you hear.

The Seventh Ring of Saturn - Self Titled

I was lucky enough to receive this album a few days ago by a band called The Seventh Ring of Saturn. Before even listening to it I was fully prepared to be greeted with a nice heavy dose of psychedelic inspired music. However, what I wasn’t prepared for was its very deep rooted influence in sixties pop/rock, which at first I couldn’t decide whether this was a nice addition to the bands very throwback psychedelic sound or not. After listening to it off and on throughout the week, I’ve really warmed up to it and thus now I figured would be a proper time to write about it.

The albums opener “In Time” is actually one of my favorite songs off the album, despite my mixed reactions upon hearing it for the first time. It’s a wonderful wave of sunny feel good sixties rock that really thrives on its sort of laid back hazy vibe. That and I honestly find the riff during the chorus to be amazingly catchy. The rest of the album sort of runs with this theme, although opting to vary it up every once awhile and relish more in the psych side of things. The albums last two tracks are prime examples of this. The eight minute freak out “The Cassini Division” is yet another highlight on the album, which to me is the most impressive track off of it. After hearing repeated songs that were practically all smiles and sunshine, this instrumental piece is almost disturbing to hear as it quickly establishes itself as a very menacing and unsettling affair. The album is then wrapped by a track that sort of combines the bands varied influences, mixing in another improvisational jam before capping it off with a tiny portion that slightly reminds of The Beatles.

The Seventh Ring of Saturn – In Time [MP3]
The Seventh Ring of Saturn – The Cassini Division [MP3]

While I probably prefer the more improvisational explorations that the band performs near the end of the album, it’s a still a solid album all the way through. And for folks that want to take a bit of an intergalactic trip, then this is definitely something that you’ll want to check out. Those interested can do so by heading over to CD Baby. Definitely check it out, it’s worth it.

Boris w/ Michio Kurihara - Rainbow

I am admittedly a sucker for anything that Boris puts out, so I try not to write about them to often since they release stuff pretty frequently. Rather it is an actual album or collaboration, the group seemingly always has something ready to come out, and I am usually more than willing to listen to it. Continuing their list of collaboration releases, their latest which just came out on the Japanese label Pedal is called Rainbow and is with mega talented Japanese guitarist Michio Kurihara. For those not familiar with Kurihara, he can also be found in Ghost, White Heaven, and The Stars.

The reason I am taking the time to talk about this particular release is because I honestly do feel it’s a bit different than most of their back catalog. While almost every Boris release brings something new to the table, this one seemingly does so more than many of the others. On Rainbow, the addition of Kurihara helps push the Boris sound into more of a psych/kraut-rock friendly area. Definitely an interesting expansion to the groups sound. While it does contain at times bits and pieces of the more drone related side of Boris, it’s the interesting and talented guitar work of Wata and Kurihara that truly make this album worth listening to. Some fans might be a bit disappointed with this albums overall sound, but I think it contains a very cool and laid back feel to it. More like a jam session between the involved minds.

Boris w/ Michio Kurihara - Starship Narrator [MP3]
Boris w/ Michio Kurihara – Sweet No. 1 [MP3]

While this is only currently available as an import, for those that must absolutely have it…the album can be found here. However, those who can hang on until May 15th Drag City will be bringing the album to the US for release and it is said to contain a completely new track no found on the current version. So that is some added incentive I suppose. Regardless, for whenever May rolls around, I do suggest picking this up. Fans of a more spacey and psychedelic Boris will surely be pleased.

The Chiefs Suck and Brian Jonestown Massacre...

Well, the playoff run for the Chiefs was pretty short lived. I don’t think many thought they were going to pull it off anyway, but I doubt anyone expected the level of miserable football that many of us witnessed on Saturday. It seems impossible to go a whole first half without one first down; however I now know, thanks to the Chiefs, that it is indeed QUITE possible. That game was simply embarrassing. The Chiefs have no offense other than Larry Johnson and apparently if teams (even the defensively challenged Colts) stack the line we can’t do a damn thing. Trent Green looked like he should be sitting in a retirement home somewhere. While I wasn’t necessarily screaming for Damon Huard to come in and replace Green, I most definitely was thinking about it. That game was just bad, bad, bad, and bad. That’s all I can say about that. Anyway, how about that Tony Romo?

When most people think of shoegaze they think about bands like My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Ride, and etc. Not that they shouldn’t, because those were obviously some of the best and most influential bands to come out of the movement, however there are often a few records I believe people tend to forget whether they were just overlooked or just released a bit late in the genres prime. One of those records that come to mind is Methodrone by Brian Jonestown Massacre. While maybe not a full blown shoegaze reverb/fuzz fest, Methodrone still reeks of enough distortion and feedback that I feel safe lumping it into that category. It makes sense that this record isn’t immediately thought of when naming off great shoegaze records, as Brian Jonestown Massacre isn’t really commonly thought of as a shoegaze band, and rightfully so. They recorded Methodrone and then for the most part abandoned that sound in favor of Anton Newcombe’s love for 60’s rock/psych, which is also quite distinguishable on Methodrone as well. That and the album came out in 1995 when the genre had all but disappeared.

The music on Methodrone works off of a druggy hazy vibe that is much like Jesus and Mary Chain but maybe a bit less noisy. Like I mentioned before, there is a pretty large 60’s nostalgia influence going on underneath all the guitar layers and distortion that it gives it a bit of a unique flavor. For anyone that might have missed out on this album, I suggest checking it out. The song “Evergreen” is one of the better songs that I’ve heard produced from any band that was making that sort of music before and during that time.

Brian Jonestown Massacre – Evergreen [MP3]
Brian Jonestown Massacre – That Girl Suicide [MP3]

Methodrone is still available and can be had over at Amazon. Do please give it a listen for those that get a chance.

Green Milk From the Planet Orange - City Calls Revolution...

I send apologies for the lack of a Tuesday playlist on BoaWs yesterday. I honestly sat here for a long time trying to think up something to use for it, but my brain just wouldn’t cooperate. I should seriously start compiling these a little sooner. If anyone has suggestions for a playlist, shoot me an e-mail or something. It would actually be a lot more fun to do that way. So yeah, do that because it would be really cool.


Anyway, while looking for some other stuff this past week I ran across a band called Green Milk from the Planet Orange. On just the band name alone I gave their latest record City Calls Revolution a shot, which was released last year. Knowing nothing about them prior to hearing this, it didn’t take long afterwards to convince me to go scouring the Internet for whatever information I could find on them. Thankfully, that wasn’t a difficult task in part to their insanely peculiar name.

The Japanese trio apparently comes from a background in the grindcore scene, however you’ll find little to none of that in Green Milk from the Planet Orange. The band reiterates on their website and myspace that “progressive rock is not dead”. While it may seem that way since the 70’s ended, it’s still a genre that commonly sneaks its influence into a ton of other bands. While immediately associating their selves with prog, the band also declares that they are the “new wave of progressive rock”, which after listening is probably a statement they can easily back up. The band combines and plays just about every style of music that would display their musical proficiency. The music is the combination of acid jazz freak outs, frenzied garage rock, psychedelia, and so much more. Squeezing it all in is no problem with songs that range all the way up until the 40 minute mark. However, not once did I find myself disinterested in it. It’s just so remarkably well done.

Green Milk from the Planet Orange – OMGS [MP3]
Green Milk from the Planet Orange – Demagog [MP3]

Apparently the band has put out a number of other releases; however the majority of them are out of print due to the incredibly limited runs of them. Regardless, you can still pick up City Calls Revolution and everything else that is still in print over at Beta-Lactam Ring Records. Also, you can find more MP3 samples on their site from some of their older releases as well, so check that out.

Bardo Pond...

Bardo Pond is nearing the release of their next official studio album Ticket Crystals, due out on 06/06/06 on ATP Recordings. Some date, huh? For those that may have taken a listen to any of Bardo Pond's previous albums, then you pretty much expect more of the same deal here with them giving you yet another giant slab of their completely psyched out drifting fuzz rock. Bardo Pond happens to be one of those bands I couldn't possibly keep up with collecting or tracking down their output, as it is quite prolific. A lot of it being out of print as it is, makes that task look even more impossible. However, they are a great band and I am probably just a lazy asshole for not trying. Thankfully they are very good about archiving the majority of their output and keeping that information handy on their website over at Hummingbird Mountain where you can purchase various improvised jam sessions that are released in volumes of self made CD-R's. A very cool deal for those that are fans.

While Ticket Crystals probably won't change anyones opinion of the band, for fans of psych/folksier rock, it's yet another solid release from the group. A massive one at that, and possibly one of the heavier releases from the group. Regardless, be sure to pick up the album from ATP Recordings on June 6th if you dig it.

Bardo Pond - Destroying Angel [MP3]
Bardo Pond - Endurance [MP3]