Outer Space - 0000278928993 (2009) (Cass.)

Yet another fantastic cassette release (C10's) from the wonderful folks at Pizza Night. This one is rather short, which keeps it fairly captivating, but I could have easily sat through both of these tracks if they'd have droned on for double the time allotted. Side A is a pulsing tour through time and space. Wavering drone floats slowly through your head, like the feeling of drifting through a black hole possibly. Side B is an atonal buzz hammering over a soft synth, rhythmically humming about. Then without warning, just as quickly as it started, an immediate stop. The end of all. I totally love almost every release I hear from these guys, and so should you! Clocking in at just under 10 minutes, this tape is well worth a listen.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzpt.



Thanks to We Are Up For Sale for the original post!

Greg Ashley - Medicine Fuck Dream (2003)

From the master of contemporary psychedelia comes this remarkably touching and beautifully produced gem of lo-fi psych-folk magic! If you've never heard it before then you must. Greg Ashley is at the very least two things; a brilliant producer, and a markedly good songwriter. Combine the two and you can't lose. This is his first solo record, and I think he succeeds hauntingly well with it. You may know Greg from his outstanding psychedelic outfit The Gris Gris, and when I say psychedelic I mean it in the truest form, but this is a much more personal outing. So curl up with a lady and/or man friend and nod off sweetly.

Apple pie and genocide!

Les Rallizes Dénudés - Heavier Than A Death In The Family (2002)

Riding the barren terrain long and hard, dust flying, road running, the wheels of a dragon spin on. This is the here and now brothers and sisters, and we take what we want when we want it, for certain. Don't give us the shove or we'll make meat of yas! Cool. Composed. Cats on the prowl, hot as the city night, breathing fire from our bellies, smoke rolling from our souls. Don't look, don't touch. We run this road on grease and violence baby, and it comes rushing with force; savage and cruel, heavier than a death in the family.

Dig on sweet babies, dig on!

Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Nancy & Lee (1968)

I haven't lost that lovin' feelin'.. and if you don't like it, you don't know nothin fr nothin. From deep down in the depths (oh yes) comes Hazlewood's voice, spinning lonesome gospel, creating a subtle comfort unlike any other. It's like listening to grandpa tell stories about the war. Then in comes Nancy with her freshly baked cookies, making everything seem fine and free. "It's OK everyone! We've made it!" she shouts, bursting with innocence. They're the cutest duo in music history, and at the same time the saddest.

"She took my silver spurs, a dollar and a dime..."

The Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy (1985)

I've been doing this blog for over a year now, and somehow have managed to go the entire time without posting this, possibly my favourite album of all time. So here it is, another classic that most of you have probably heard and liked or disliked (stupid). For those of you who have not, you are in so much luck; the best dream-pop rock and roll ever made is on this album! With tiny aspects of early rockabilly and the like, combined with an airy noisey space-rock acid fuzz reverberated curmudgeon of sound that will blow your ears and move your feet, all while still maintaining its true pop aesthetic, it really doesnt get much better than this. So enjoy or die worthless you fucking fuckers, it's pretty obviously great.

"I get ahead on my motorbike! I feel so quick in my leather boots!"

Vibes - You God It (2009) (Cass.)

Good Vibes indeed. By looking at this cool cover, reading the cool album name and listening to this cool tape, you can draw only one conclusion from this band; they're cool, it's true. Lo-fi no-wave, funkadelic soul-punk, black magic dance-groove space rock. Sounds like a lot to swallow, I know, but trust me it goes down smooth! Featuring Amanda Brown (Pocahaunted) as well as members from Robedoor, Magic Lantern & Sun Araw, Vibes will put you into the groovy and jam on yr bones like a haunted voodoo dance party. Toes are tappin', shake it off! Recorded live at Bored Fortress and released as a limited edition of 100 cassettes on Not Not Fun, featuring cool artwork by Amanda Brown.

You god it dudes!

More info: Discogs.com
Also, vegan desserts for everyone! NOW!

The Vaselines - The Way Of The Vaselines: A Complete History (1992)

Hey honeybabies! I come with another classic album for all to enjoy. Many of you have probably already gone through this, but I personally know a lot of people who don't know this album and I aim to rectify that situation. For those of us who spent much time in the early 90's "grunge-ing" out and listening to whatever Kurt Cobain wanted us to this will come as no surprise, but for the rest of you listen up. Guy/girl flopping vocals with poorly played, poorly recorded jangly pop-punk rock and roll for stoners and weirdos.. Enjoy sweet babies. You'll dig. This really is quite great!

Monsterpussy!

Mars - Mars LP: The Complete Studio Recordings (NYC 1977-1978) (2003)

Get ready for Mars. Superb New York no wave from the golden age. If you're not familiar with them then now is your chance to get with it. Pulsing and feral, this will rape you and withdraw again and again. It's really a shame that they don't have more recordings but here's all of it, save for some live recordings, in one nice little package. Enjoy!

- LINK REMOVED -

Read it... NOW!

Musica Transonic - А Πιλγριμδ Σολαχε (1996)

More ear bleeding, face melting, japanese rock and roll spasm from hell! Asahito Nanjo, Tatsuya Yoshida, & Kawabata Makoto are here to murder your loved ones, and with haste. This super group of assault will destroy you. Though definitely my favourite of their releases, the others aren't quite as balls-on-the-table, it's all really great. Dig it, before it digs you!

Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! KILLL!

Michael Yonkers Band - Microminiature Love (1968)

Goodness god damn, thank goodness for albums like this. They make the whole thing more interesting. A genre bending fever of psychedelic groove, it just gets better and better the more it plays. Totally fucking great! I enjoy the analogy "sort of like a fusion of stripped down Black Sabbath, The Troggs, Pere Ubu, and The Cramps??” (SUB POP). Not exactly how I'd put it, but I definitely dig the fervor! Recorded in 1968, released by SUB POP in 2003, favourite moments include Boy In The Sandbox, Kill The Enemy, Returning (!!), Smile Awhile (!!!), and almost every second of every song. Put this on for the first time and shit right in your pants. Adam and Troy and Erin and Luke, this means you.

"Oh, come into my golden home and sit on my silver throne!"

Mainliner - Solid Stick Attack (1999)

Mainliner are such a great rock 'n' roll band it's scary. They bring audacious jams that melt the brain, and scar the ears. Bloody is the word she's been looking for. This is probably my 2nd or 3rd favourite album of theirs, next to Mellow Out (1995). The songs Static and Ride Blue in particular really get my goat. Psychedelic as a mutha.

Get on if you like to howl sweet mammies!

Up-Tight & Makoto Kawabata - Up-Tight & Makoto Kawabata (2005)

This is exactly what you might hope it would be. Up-Tight and Makoto Kawabata come together to form a brutal yet hormonius psychedelic assault. Crushing guitars wail on sweet babies, this is Rock 'n' Roll! I'm definitely a fan of Acid Mothers Temple, but I find this much better. Up-Tight are a welcome and fantastic addition! It's blistering fun, ear-bleed screamin' good times! Yes, that cover does look familiar! Yes, they do a fucking Bob Dylan homage! Yes, this will perpetually blow your fucking mind! God damn! I proudly give you the best in japrock psychedelic freak outs brothers and sisters! Enjoy.

Ride Sally, ride!

Spacemen 3 - Sound Of Confusion (1986)

The debut release from the gods of space rock.
Highly recommended if you like good music.
The End.

Sweet, sweet Rock 'n' Roll.

* The album is incorrectly labeled "1989" despite being released in "1986".

Mark McGuire - Tidings II (2009) (Cass.)

This is such a beautiful tape. Mark McGuire (Emeralds) is probably one of my favourite people in music these days. There is a lot of his work that I'm not a fan of at all (his acoustic recordings for example) but there are some moments of decided brilliance. This limited edition C20, self-released, is one of those moments. Stunning washes of tranquil motion, guiding one through light and matter into outer regions not yet defined. Whoaaaa maaan...

Dig it gracefully sweet babies.

Faust - So Far (1972)

As per request.
Well, it doesnt get too much better than this when discussing the pro's of Krautrock (2nd only to Can in my opinion). Many of you are probably already well versed but some people may not be so lucky and this is here for them. Faust are a superhuman entity that defy all logic. If you're not already a fan then you simply havent heard them yet, or you have shyte taste in music (get fucking lost tossers!). If you simply havent heard them yet then get into it thickly and sickly babies, and dont stop listening until you see the golden gods a-cryin'-over-yonder. Dig?

- LINK REMOVED -

Jandek - Foreign Keys (1985)

This is one of my favorite Jandek records. If you've never heard him then you're either in for a treat or a canker sore. Jandek is a brooding force of primitive naiveté. His meandering guitars (and in this case drums as well) float about curiously while a thick and furious melancholy bursts and drips down the walls, burning holes in the floor. I really dig it, others think it's the worst music ever created. If you're a fan of The Shaggs, or Beat Happening, or anything where it sounds like the band may not know how to play their instruments (or maybe they're just fooling you and trying to create some new kinda kick), then you've definitely got the spirit to enjoy Jandek. Whether you do or not is entirely up to you.

Give a little bit...

Chief Thundercloud - Bathtime Fun (2010)

More Halifax goodies for yuh fuzz fucks. This noisey brain blaster comes from one of the founding members of Scribbler, Craig Currie. One of the things I've always really liked about the Chief Thundercloud project is the diversity in sound. Every time I've ever seen him live it's been different, and the same goes for his recordings. He's consistently reinventing his sound, with the use of various pedals and different amps and boxes, while still maintaining a unity within the songs. I particularly enjoyed this stuff. Very noisey and spaced yet seemingly confined, and the Beatles covers are great too! It's 29 tracks of the heaviest blasting folk goodness yr likely to hear. Complete with artwork by young heart throb Matt Samways, of Pig.

Believe it brothers and sisters!

The Clean - Anthology (2003)

As per request, a re-up of this almighty and glorious beast.
Formed in 1978, The Clean are part of the first wave of the Kiwi punk movement. I'm not sure what they remind me of really, but about four* years ago I was in Zoinks in Toronto, good store!, and it was playing. I asked who it was and bought this album that day. It's amazing beyond any comprehension. Kinda like The Feelies at times, but not really. There's surf rock, lofi sad songs, garage rock, full blown punk, and everything in between almost. This is a collection of pretty well everything they did. Double album. I dig the first one best, but meh.

- LINKS REMOVED -

"If you drew a tree of New Zealand rock, The Clean would in all likelihood be the trunk." - Pitchfork (8.5/10)

*edited for historical accuracy.

J.D. Emmanuel - Wizards (1982)

More gorgeous synth from J.D. Emmanuel (James Daniel Emmanuel). I don't know much about this guy, but do to a large post over on EXP ETC (thanks again!) I've been binging like crazy, and to say the least falling in love. I almost fell asleep on the bus today listening to this, Wizards, my second favorite of the work I've heard thus far. Now, I promise I'll chill on the synth drone posts for a while and we'll get into some other stuff, but in the meantime...

Onward to the celestial chasm pretty babies!

More info: Discogs, Myspace

Suicide - Suicide (1977)

It's Suicide! Yip! Jump! You probably already know and love 'em, but perhaps not. Someone requested this a while ago and I forgot to put it up so here it is. If you've never heard the magic darkness that is Martin Rev and Alan Vega's Suicide then please do. Pulsing drum machine drones with brilliantly simple and moving synths, and a voice to kill the family. Get on it and jive mutha's, this is the meanest mutt you've ever heard. "Synthpunk" you say? Har Har silly fools, me thinks not. This Is Punk. Everything else is just going through the motions. Dig?

Sick em sickos!

J.D. Emmanuel - Solid Dawn (Electronic Works 1979-1982) (2009)

Unbelievably great synth stuff. Kind of just meanders around a bunch and drones out. The sound is beautiful and aesthetically it doesn't sound dated in the least! Just very very tranquil and still. Highly recommended for melodic electronic heads or sleepy dreamers. I'll be posting more of his stuff soon, so stay tuned. (first 5 tracks = PT.1 / last 3 tracks = PT.2)

DIG IT - PT.1 / PT.2

Thanks to EXP ETC for the original upload.

Mist - Mist (2009) (LP)

MIST again.

Released on Amethyst Sunset, Mist's debut vinyl release is really something. Fantastic even. Chew on it softly friend. Better still let it rest as Arrowroot melting fine on your unfettered tongue. As ice in a bowl of soup.

NOW.

Read it... here.

- DD

Mist - Stole Colors (2009) (Cass.)

As promised here is the second release by Mist (Sam Goldberg & John Elliot [Emeralds]). This 2xC10 cassette release (limited run of 150) again comes from the swell chaps at Pizza Wagon. This is slightly different from the first one, perhaps a bit more intricate, but still basically just brilliantly smooth synth drone; warm and wholly hypnotic!
I'll put up the self-titled LP pretty soon but in the meantime enjoy Stole Colors.

Get it now scuzz fugs, or you'll die with regret!

Orrrrrr, you can buy it HERE!!! DO IT!

- DD

Mist - Certain Expansion (2009) (Cass.)

Mist are Sam Goldberg & John Elliot (Emeralds). Released on Pizza Wagon (1 part Pizza Night, 1 part Wagon), Certain Expansion is the first release, a limited run of 100 c20 cassette tapes, by this gorgeous duo. To sum it up nicely; extremely serene and glistening synth drone from the heavens, not dissimilar to Emeralds in ways, but also managing to create it's own identity. I wouldn't pass this up if you're in any way interested in melodic, peaceful drone. I'll be posting their second cassette release and their new vinyl release in the next few days, but I really love this stuff and I hope you enjoy it for the time being.

Now float away you fugly scags! FLOAT!

"... it just felt like two synthesizers oscillating as yr hurtled through zero gravity in an epic, endless somersault. Really beautiful black hole, blind folded centipede leg jams." - Cassette Gods Review

- DD

Minoy - Pretty Young Negro Man (1986) (Cass.)

This is the only release I've heard by Minoy, but it's absolutely amazing and I've been meaning to get more of their stuff for a long long time! Picture Eric Copeland (or Black Dice if you'd prefer) jamming out noise-pop grooves a way back in the 80's. Doth sound fucking good to me! There really isn't too much else to say, I just really love it. It's two tracks, Pretty Young Negro Man followed by Outback, both coming in at just over 30 minutes each. The tracks are muti-layered noise grooves and tape manipulations, and stylistically it's surprisingly undated. Get it and love it sweet babies.

DIG IT - PT1 / PT2

More info: Discogs, Myspace

Thanks be to the great and powerful Mutant Sounds for the original upload.

- DD

Mindflayer - Expedition to the Hairier Peaks (2005)

Imagine Black Pus (literally) and Mayyors hooking up and creating some sort of freak out proto-noise, kraut influenced, drone-punk outfit. That's this in an over exaggerated nutshell. I found it a couple of years ago and I always end up going back to it. Its pounding and unending brutal rhythms rip yr head open from ear to ear, while somehow forging this sort of surreal and ethereal wave of numbness that I find calming. It's strange really. It just bangs and bangs and bangs in your head and you space out. I fucking love it! I'm getting far to wordy with this so I'll just say grab it if yr into things that are loud, things that are fast, things that drone on, or things that just kick balls. Dig it?

DIG IT! PT1 / Pt2

More Info: Wikipedia.com

- DD

Tonetta Shock - Drugs Drugs Drugs

Les Kapital Industrea #2 (2009)

This (pdf) is the 2nd edition of Les Kapital Industrea, a fantastic little zine put together by a great Halifax artist, and good friend of mine, Matthew Duffy. He's a visual artist and musician, and is becoming somewhat of a cult icon around town due to some unfortunate incidents resulting in some rather absurd internet banter and general hatred among members of the community. He gets into trouble and keeps things interesting with his spastic though heartfelt creations. Some of his projects include царь of (NEO) & Jiba-Zapz, as well as playing cacophone & clarinet (not to mention dancing) for the psych-punk band The Ether, all of which based out of Halifax. This is a great zine, put together with contributions from a ton of fantastic artists and writers, most of which from Halifax and Montreal.

Check it out, it's free art!

Also, check out this interview with Matthew Duffy done by another friend of mine now in Montreal, Zachary Fairbrother of Omon Ra. They discuss the origins and intentions of the zine, as well as various other things. Zach's blog, Avant-Lard, is great too so check out the rest of it while yr there.

The Miramichi - Live On Robie Street (2009)

What a smooth record. The Miramichi (formerly Savaa Boom) are dark spaced out lo-fi drone from Halifax. This, their first release (albeit self-released) will irk your inner peace into believing It's all about to blow up in your face, but It doesnt. It just haunts you, over and over again. Despite all that, it still manages to make me feel fairly at ease, and sleepy. It's like a sick warmth though, a cold sweat. A large majority of this was recorded, as far as I can remember, at a live show in late February/early March (??) of 09, and it was a great fucking show. Deerskull played a great set that night as well, and I'll hopefully have something up from them in the next week or so. Anyhow, what Joseph Mclaughlin and Dan Miller decided to do with those recordings was slow them down, really slow them down, and let it sludge on for days. I really like what happened. As I mentioned, the result is a haunting journey through darkened caves and dystopian valleys, not for the dreamers or impatient lollygaggers. I really recommend it if you're into putting something on and laying in bed, forgetting about everything. Dig it now you fugly cankers!

TRACK LIST: 1. Gasses Sound Light / 2. 2 point 4 / 3. Barbarella / 4. Remedy / 5. Michael David Michael Angelo

Omon Ra - The Spirit Of Jerry Garcia Playing The Rolling Stones (2009)

Easily one of the best bands in Halifax, Omon Ra has been pumping out handsome grooves at a relentless pace for the past few years. Dan Miller and Zachary Fairbrother write soulful spaced out rock n roll folk groove love songs with stirring presence, for the poor and anxious bastards, and if you haven't heard then get up and open yr ears. This is what's happening, all around and in between. To quote a review from Weird Canada, "It’s catchy, droney, vaguely-emotional, and a certified trip. Omon Ra will become a leading creative mind in Canada and I’m assuming there’s a lot more at the source". Complete with a slew of guest appearances from a ton of great people, not to mention the fantastic cover art by Andrew MacGregor (GOWN / Bark Haze), this is a choice little record that you need to hear now. Fav tracks: Its Recreation, Good Friend, Mountain Day After, You Made Me Ill. This is still unreleased but will hopefully make it's way to vinyl sometime in the next few months, so get it now, and bliss out fools.

Also, you should buy Omon Ra's albums HERE & HERE from Fixture Records!

TRACK LIST: 1. Its An Omen / 2. Of Loving / 3. Station Street / 4. Its Recreation / 5. Good Friend / 6. Dragging By / 7. For Strickland / 8. Mountain Day After / 9. We Slept In A Field / 10. You Made Me Ill / 11. Eurydice