Shock Mountain

A week ago, my friends and I had the fortune of seeing the first ever Have A Nice Life show. We arrived four hours early, where we waited in the cold at the front of the line. The first song they played was a new one, then they went into Bloodhail, probably their best known song. These first two songs, while great, sounded a bit off. After some sound problems, the band really kicked it into gear, finally jelling and finding their sound. They ran through a handful of songs from Deathconsciousness with even more passion and energy than you hear on the album, with lead singer Dan Barrett thrashing around the stage, pointing to his history in Massachusetts hardcore band In Pieces. Not only could you hear the band putting their heart and souls into each song, but you could see it too. Watching all the members of the band scream along to the words, you could just see the passion in their faces. The band concluded their set with Hunter and Earthmover, two of my favorite tracks from their album, in what was definitely one of the most intense moments in live music I have ever heard. I’m not one to cry at shows, but the climax of Earthmover nearly brought tears to my eyes, right when the entire band screamed “We wish we were dead” before exploding into the climax. At that moment, every member of Have A Nice Life was just pouring everything they had into the song and it was almost overwhelming. I couldn’t be happier to hear that they are playing a show with Alcest here in April.

Anyway, after the show, they announced that they were selling special cassettes only for that night, so of course I bought one despite the fact that I didn’t have a tape player. I’ve been waiting days for someone to rip this online, when the band finally put it up themselves. Part of me wasn’t going to post this, as it still hadn’t leaked after several days, a tremendous feat in this day and age. When the band finally shared it, I decided I would spread it to the rest of you, hoping you can share my love for this incredible band.

Also, here a few cool pictures from the show. I did not take these photos, they are not mine. Thank you to Thao for taking these pictures and posting them on Flickr.

MySpace

-Max

Today, I was listening to On Fire, my second favorite album ever (behind the Velvet Underground’s White Light/White Heat) and realized I hadn’t posted anything by Galaxie 500 on here. Riding the line between shoegaze, dream pop and psychedelic rock, Galaxie 500 had a sound all to themselves. Tender and gentle, yet still moving, Dean, Damon and Naomi create music perfect for watching a light rain fall over the city on a Sunday afternoon. Earlier today, I did an interview to be a “campus cutie”, which asked what my perfect date was. My first thought was “rainy Sunday afternoon, laying around in our pajamas, listening to Galaxie 500.” These songs are just sad enough to fit the “funk” I’ve been in lately, yet light enough to not get me down. Basically, these three Galaxie 500 albums are perfect, with On Fire being the most perfect of the three, while This Is Our Music isn’t too far behind.

Today [1988]

On Fire [1989]

This Is Our Music [1990]

Buy Today

Buy On Fire

Buy This Is Our Music

-Max

I only found this album a few days ago, but it’s already starting to grow on me. Letting Up Despite Great Faults plays shoegaze-influenced dreamy electronic pop music in the vein of most of (probably) your favorite bands. I’m not too heavily entrenched into this style, so maybe I’m just being a n00b, but this band actually plays their music very capably and does their style proud. Far from relying on one hook repeated over and over, LUDGF (best abbreviation ever!) throws tons of catchy gems into this album without ruining the vibes, making it an enjoyable listen for anyone. Be sure to keep an eye on these guys, judging from their catchiness and the amount of hype they’ve already received, we’re likely to be seeing this band get pretty big pretty soon.

MySpace

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-McKenna

This has been out for a while now, and knowing the blogosphere’s obsission (with good cause) with Nadja, you’ve probably seen it around a fair amount of times. If you don’t have it yet, I highly recommend you pick it up now. For a while, Nadja have been power hitters in the world of drone and sludge, and A Storm of Light have been up-and-comers in the scene, riding on the support of groups such as Battle of Mice, Red Sparowes, and Neurosis. Creepy cult drone/doom combine to form one of the most beautiful and powerful releases of 2009. Plus, the packing on this release is absolutely gorgeous. I urge you to drop the $20, especially because Robotic Empire is one of the best/my favorite labels out there.

Nadja’s MySpace

A Storm of Light’s MySpace

Buy

-McKenna

On Sunday night, my girlfriend and I made the two hour drive to Columbus to meet up with Max Mckenna for the Atlas Sound Show at The Wexner Center for The Performing Arts. I’ve seen Deerhunter 6 times already, but this was my very first Atlas Sound show. Seeing as how the opportunity to catch Bradford Cox performing Atlas Sound songs is more rare, I decided that it was important for me to get good footage of the show. Man, was I right. Backed by opening band The Selmanaires, Bradford changed the mostly electronic Logos into an acoustic showstopper at every turn with a great deal of improvisation and witty on-stage banter. You can even hear Max ask Bradford to tell the “E.T. joke” in the beginning of video 9 only to be shut down.

The joke is:

Q: Why does E.T. love Reeses Pieces so much?

A: Because it tastes like cum!

P.S. I know it’s really annoying to see these long posts with youtube videos, but WordPress doesn’t allow playlist embedding and this is my blog, so deal with it.

- James

I’ll admit to being a devout fan of Deerhunter/Atlas Sound, but I really didn’t see the point in spending $25 on buying Logos on vinyl through an overseas vendor just for a 6 song bonus EP when Kranky can get it to me on release day for only $15. Lucky for you, some other “Deer-heads” were willing to cough up the cash and one uploaded it for me at 320 kbps. Logos has changed the way I feel about downloading leaks. You see, the man leaked the album himself twice so we all had a pretty good idea as to what it would sound like. Then back in early August, I was one of 10 people who were privileged enough to hear the mastered tracks at 192 kbps before anyone else in a controlled leak. It made me feel a little sick to have something that everyone on the internet wanted. I can’t even imagine what musicians go through in the months leading up to their release date. In any event, I didn’t leak the album, but I did listen to it constantly for months. However, when the album was finally released, it didn’t have the profound effect on me that I had hoped for. I knew what to expect from the album. I guess that’s why I’ve been dying to hear this EP. I just had the opportunity to listen to these fresh tracks for the first time without any preconceived notions as to their sound. I suggest you do the same.

Myspace

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- James

Deerhunter’s first album, which gets it’s name from a heckle aimed at Bradford Cox, was released by Stickfigure Records in January of 2005 and is dedicated to deceased band member, Justin Bosworth. The album was released on cd and a limited pressing of 300 LP’s. On the cover is a nude photo of Jared Swiley of Black Lips  taken by Cox. It is known for it’s gritty and untamed sound-something that is less present with later releases. In fact, the 9 tracks are a constant rush of unrelenting terror echoing through your eardrums from start to finish. Many attribute this to the inventive psych-rock guitar playing of Colin Mee, who left the band in August of 2007. Bradford has stated his dissent for the album in multiple interviews, but it remains a fan favorite for it’s original sound and as an integral point in the band’s history. Personally, I’m happy that Deerhunter evolved past this state to create incredibly different and compelling music, but if they had milked this cow for a couple more albums, I would love them just as much. I posted this album on my old blog, but I’m guessing there are many of you who have yet to grab this. However, the real reason I am posting this is because I spent quite a bit of money yesterday to obtain a copy of it on vinyl.

Myspace

Buy

- James

When The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart released their self titled debut album in February, it took the internet by storm. In fact, it’s still hard to find a blog that isn’t writing about the Shoegaze band from New York City. Not to be outdone, the band are set to release this EP on September 22nd. There is definitely a more electronic feel to the sound, which isn’t a surprise to anyone privy to their side project The Depreciation Guild. I’ve been looking forward to this EP ever since first hearing the songs live at Pitchfork Music Festival this summer.

This EP is set to be released on September 22, 2009.

Myspace

Buy

- James

Sub Pop Singles Club allows subscribers to pay $100 in order to receive 12 exclusive 7″ records throughout the year. Their most recent release is that of Atlanta, GA shoegaze outfit, Deerhunter. The two songs are re-workings of songs that appeared on Microcastle/Weird Era Cont. This 7″ is unavailable anywhere else and due to the fact that the singles club has been sold out for some time, you’re not going to get this release without dropping major bucks on ebay.

Myspace

- James

Today it is my pleasure to introduce you guys to two stellar “new” bands. Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk and Boo and Boo Too are two bands based out of Lawrence, Kansas. Apparently, they are both involved in the Chomp Womp scene down there, which has a multitude of other good bands. I stumbled across BBDDM a few days ago when I saw that they had released a 7″ with Hermit Thrushes, but it wasn’t until after receiving an email by up-start Loevely Sea Records that I had a chance to actually listen to them. Side A of the 7″ is BBDDM’s “3″, which has a slow reverb build with seemingly random strokes on the guitar until the ambient delay pattern finds itself in harmony and rhythm. Soon enough, the tempo changes again to accompany the storming guitars and rapid drumming for a seemingly pleasant exit right up until the bombardment of noise for the final breakdown. Side B is Boo and Boo Too’s “I Am The Lorax”. Though it is definitely a much more straightforward rock trakc there is still a great deal of depth to their sound. There is a definite post punk influence coupled with the klangy guitars of garage rock and a bit of creepy old horror show vibe to the keys. Both songs offer quite a bit and are definitely worth the listen/support.

Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk Myspace

Boo and Boo Too Myspace

Chomp Womp

Lovely Sea Records

- James

It’s sad how this album is overshadowed by the earlier Cure albums, considering this is their best work. That’s saying a lot too, because Pornography is a damn fine album and Disintegration isn’t much worse. But here, Robert Smith and the gang find themselves crafting their darkest album yet, 11 albums and 24 years in. Somber, etheral and dark as hell, Bloodflowers has a very atmospheric shoegaze feel to it. Considered by Robert Smith himself to be part of the defining “trilogy” of The Cure (alongside the aforementioned albums), this is definitely a great album to delve into their discography.

MySpace

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-Max

*Note: I’m not sure how the rest of the week will pan out, so this might be my last post for a few weeks, as I’m moving to New York on Saturday and will be super busy getting acquainted with my new environment and new classes. If any of you are in the city, leave a comment and we’ll go see a show or something. I still need someone to come to Sunn O))) and Earth with me!

Released in 1993, this album is hands down one of the best albums of the shoegaze variety and the dream pop variety. They broke up in 1995, with most of the band going on to form Mojave 3. This is what My Bloody Valentine would have sounded like if Kevin Shields preferred Cocteau Twins to Sonic Youth. Produced by the Brian Eno, pioneer of ambient music, Souvlaki is reminiscent of junkie girlfriends, the early 90’s, fresh thunder fuzz and being half-awake early in the morning. Probably gonna jam to this as I watch the meteor shower.

MySpace

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-Max

Well, shit. I’ve been in a similar slump that James has been in lately, all the music I’ve been listening to has either been blogged by most blogs on the internet or something I figured you folks wouldn’t enjoy too much. This is one album I’ve been listening to fairly regularly, so I figured I’d post it, since it is, in my opinion, one of the best albums from last year, shame I didn’t hear it until now. Mixing elements of shoegaze, ambient, post-rock, industrial and black metal atmospherics, Have A Nice Life have crafted a double album that manages to do something a lot of music doesn’t seem to do anymore: feel. Whether it is making me feel alive or, more commonly, depressed, this album always stirs an emotion somewhere within me. I don’t really know what else to say about this album, it’s beautiful, supposedly a concept album (I didn’t pick up on it from the few sparse vocals, haven’t really tried reading about iteither) and suggested if you like anything ranging from My Bloody Valentine to Stars Of The Lid to Agalloch to the ambient Nine Inch Nails work. Just download please.

MySpace

Buy

-Max

FUCK YES, THE NEW DEERHUNTER EP JUST LEAKED! Actually, it leaked last night, but I spent the night at my girlfriend’s apartment so I’m hearing it for the first time here at school. In fact, I’m in class right now with my headphones on, not giving a damn about whether or not my Sociology teacher notices. Deerhunter have set themselves aside from their contemporaries by making every thing that they put out pure gold. I feel a bit bad about posting this album because Bradford and I have hung out a couple of times, but he has told me that he “likes that people download his albums early, just doesn’t like that people feel entitled to”. The band has come a long way from their Turn It Up Faggot days with a more refined approach to their eclectic sound. This release doesn’t see the band delve into their garage rock days or the shoegaze that they have relied on in their past two releases. Instead, it’s a more upbeat production that can’t really be classified as any one thing although the feeling that was present on Microcastle/Weird Era is still there. This should be expected however as it was recorded by Nicolas Vernhes, the same engineer from the aforementioed albums. Honestly, I think that this band can do no wrong. Deerhunter could put out a trip hop album with guest vocals by Miley Cyrus and T-Pain and I would still eat it up.

This album is set to be released digitally on May 18th and in CD/12″ vinyl format through Kranky on June 8th.

It should be noted that this is only in 192 kbps so if you’re looking for a higher quality recording then BUY THIS ALBUM!

Buy

Myspace

-James

The latest from drone/doom outfit Nadja completely blew me away. While I’m not a huge fan of the drone-y doom groups, I really enjoy Nadja for some reason and this latest release solidifies my enjoyment. An album of covers, drawing from songs by My Bloody Valentine, Swans, Elliott Smith, Slayer, The Cure, A-Ha, as well as a handful of others, this album draws all its source material out, turning each track into a shoegazing, atmospheric drone track, while still retaining a trace of the original. I’ll admit that I was nervous upon the start of the first track (My Bloody Valentine’s “Only Shallow”), worried that the Canadian duo would butcher one of my favorites, but I ended up being incredibly pleased at the result. While the diversity in the track selection might initially suggest a “joke” record, the quality of each song proves that Nadja is serious business.

MySpace

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Also, before you leave, take a second to check out the new blog from my friend Audrey, Thunder Jolt! Not only does she have impeccable taste, but she has already shared a ton of great music with me, so I know you’re all in for a treat. Thanks yall!

-Max