EAR/Rational Update Week 15, 2008

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This week's CD update contains releases by:

Alter Ego * Ancestors * Ando * Arca * Arcana * Attrition * Awesome Color * Balaam & The Angel * Beehatch * Ben Reynolds * BJ Nilsen & Stilluppsteypa * Brendan Murray * Brian Jonestown Massacre * Chop Shop * Clive Bell and Bechir Saade * Colin Meloy * Dan Dediu * Daturah * Dead Child * Deep Schulzz * Deepchord * Deutsch Nepal * DJ Hide/Dupuy & Bererian * DJ Krush/Killoffer * Drift * Elliott Sharp * Envy * Epsilons * Erik Urisch * Fire Room * Fireroom * Foot Village * Foundation Hope * Free Kitten * Frustration * Gal Costa * Harris Eisenstadt * I&Fused * Igor Krutogolov * Igor Stravinsky * Jake Holmes * Jessica Bailiff & Annelies MonserÉ * Jianhong * John Cage * John Wiese & C. Spencer Yeh * Kid Loco/jean-Christophe Menu * La Monja Enana * Liverpool Five, The * Lurker Of Chalice * M.O. * Mae Shi * Marek Bois * Married Monk, The * Matt Elliott * Microphones * Narcophony * New * New Bloods * Old Haunts * Omega * Osone * Pagans * Pete Molinari * Pete Namlook * Pete Namlook/Klaus Schulze * Peter Moren * Peter Wright * Philip Glass * Pluxus * Portico * Robin Saville * Rollins Band * Roommate * Runemagick * Seelenlicht * Sissy Spacek * Skitliv * Spiral Ascension * Stefan Wolpe * Teachers Pet * Ted Daniel Quintet * The Byard Lancaster Unit * Thee Oh Sees * Thomas Belhom * Titus Andronicus * Tony Allen * Tzoziles * William S. Burroughs * Young Republic * Zero

[ F E A T U R E D   R E L E A S E S ]

Clive Bell and Bechir Saade - An Account of My Hut CD (Another Timbre) [at08] $19.93
7 beautiful pieces for an unprecedented combination of instruments. The Japanese shakuhachi and the Arabic ney are both flute-like instruments which in the hands of 2 expert improvisers create an astonishing array of sound.

Deep Schulzz - Kurs CD (Discos Veveos) [DV2800] $16.00
Hartwig Schultz aka DEEP SCHULZZ, resides in Berlin and there he lets his phat bass have an absolutely inspiring symbiosis with impellent and nervous House-Music, the result of which sometimes is downright inflaming. At the same time a solid elegance pervades the whole thing delivering often enough cinematic moments. DEEP SCHULZZ performs on the acoustic bass, the materialization of analog sound, and in his cosmos of color and rhythm he lets it chase the digital scallywags down the alley. System and virtuosity however are immanent, the consequence of which are an immense tightness and the aforementioned inflaming effect. Cranking and majestic sometimes the bass plays a rhythmical melody like in the album's title-track KURS or in the jazzy URBANILAICUM, then it may come sequenced and staccato- wise like in GOLD CONTAINER... the grand omnipresence of this extremely likable instrument leaves your ears stimulated the whole album through. KURS is the departure to new territories in 21st century Housemusic; quite some boundaries are left behind and if you allow it you will be taken on a journey that entertains as well as it feeds the brain.

Pete Namlook - 4Voice II CD (Ambient World/Fax) [AW049] $16.50
RELEASE DATE: 04-15-2008
After extensivejourneys through the incredible worlds of futuristic and ancient sounds, Pete Namlook rediscovered the BASS DRUM. Now reintegrated into the most successful Trance-Product on FAX it is being taken to an area wheremelodic Dance, Electronic Listening Music and Ambient have their home. Check out the integration of monumental Hip Hop sounds on “New York, 25th of November 2089”, travel to the Cavesof Ancient dreams with Ambient, dance with Old Loves Dies Hard, go on a ride with The Driver and fall in Love with Anemra.

Pete Namlook/Klaus Schulze - The Dark Side of the Moog XI 2CD (Fax) [PK08/182] $25.00
RELEASE DATE: 04-15-2008
This CD is a further step in the collaboration of Klaus and Pete. The “old” collaboration parameters are expanded with very intense and emotional moments that take the listener on a journey of a new quality. Monumental, spacy, environmental and beat-oriented. The “new” way removes limitations. The Dark Side of the Moog up to “X” was a nice journey through the history of “Space- Music” in combination with the innovative music of today. “XI” is clearly a step further. Using alot of analog, digital and futuristic virtual equipment combined with vast computer power to generate a sound that goes beyond its predecessors. For the first time “The Dark Side of the Moog” comes in DTS 5.1 Surround. The monumental power of “The Heart of Our Nearest Star” and it’s imaginary scenery is clearly made for big sound systems.

[ . . . ]

Alter Ego - What's Next?! CD (Klang Elektronik) [KLANG017CD] $14.75
RELEASE DATE: 05-27-2008
2007's Why Not?! saw Alter Ego sky-rocket and chart into the stratosphere, and now Why Next?! features some of the most prominent names in techno tackling some of their favorite songs off the album. On Why Not?!, Jörn-Elling Wuttke and Roman Flügel confronted the nervous turmoil of the dancefloor in this era of NuRave and squiggly sounds with a treatment of techno that is humorous and extreme, with rave-reeling, sound exploration and roaring laughter. On this remix album, we see Why Not?! through the eyes of outstanding producers, ranging from Joakim to Deepgroove & Jamie Anderson, from Carl Craig to Supermayer.

Ancestors - Neptune With Fire CD (North Atlantic Sound) [NAS002] $13.75
ANCESTORS is a five-piece doom metal ensemble hailing from Los Angeles. Ancestors transmogrifies the epic nature of '70s psychedelic and progressive music into a form that also incorporates vintage, doom and drone metal. Their debut LP, Neptune With Fire-a conceptual, two-track record with a title track that tells of a metaphorical character and his cosmic, psychological ordeal through war, celebration, remorse and revelation. Packaged with artwork by psychedelic visionary ARIK ROPER, the artist behind such record covers as Sleep's Dopesmoker, and the new Earth LP: The Bee Made Honey in the Lion's Skull. UK import.

Ando - Habitat CD (Binemusic) [BINE017CD] $14.00
"Using the artist pseudonym of Ando for his outstanding project to separate it from his previous works, Taylor Deupree started working on this release in 2004 but had to interrupt every now and then since time wasn't right."

Arca - On Ne Distinguait Plus Les Têtes CD (Ici d'Ailleurs) [IDA038] $16.50
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
Arca is a french project initiated by Joan Cambon and Sylvain Chauveau at the beginning of the year 2000. Arca is inspired by music, cinema, literature, photographs, every day life sounds. Arca uses "warm" electronic sounds, mixed with organic instruments, rainy guitars and Sylvain's voice (since the third album) to draw melancholic landscapes not so far from David Sylvian masterpieces. Most of the songs are recorded and mixed at home by Joan Cambon. Sylvain Chauveau made five solo albums : instrumental music based on sweet harmonies of piano and strings. The latest one is "Down to the bone", a record of Depeche Mode covers. He was also part of the former projects Micro:mega and Watermelon Club.

Arcana - Raspail CD (Projekt) [09428] $13.50
Arcana's approach to neo-classical and symphonic-ambient could well be defined in the meaning of the word "Arcana" itself: specialized knowledge of something generally considered a mystery or a secret. On their sixth album, Raspail, the powerfully moving music of this Swedish quintet creates an atmosphere which weaves together lush elements familiar to Arcana fans old and new. Mystery, silence and revealed secrets are interconnected within the 10 new songs.

Comparisons to Dead Can Dance will be made, but it must be said that Arcana's approach picks up the tangent that DCD left behind and brings it to a new and fully realized place. Lush electronics mix with acoustic guitar, serene piano and intricate oriental percussions. Warm vocals return to the focus: a heavenly blend of baritone and soprano courtesy of Peter Bjärgö and Ann-Mari Thim. In fact, never before has an Arcana album contained so many vocals giving Raspail an emotional touch, a deeper thoughtfulness, a profound feeling of mysterious vision and a sense of secrets.

Attrition - All Mine Enemys Whispers (The Story pf Mary Ann Cotton) CD (Cold Meat Industry) [09426] $13.50
A surreal nightmareish journey into the mind of a Victorian serial killer from this darkAmbient pioneer. Mary Ann Cotton was Britain's greatest female mass murderer. Poisoning upwards of 20 of her own children and partenrs with arsenic. She was arrested, tried and hanged in 1873. Attrition's Martin Bowes is a descendant of the arresting officer, Police Sergeant Tom McCutcheon.

Completed on Oct. 31, 2007, this is no ordinary Halloween album; Mary Ann Cotton's story (augmented by the real-life connection between the album's composer and the killer herself) will do a much better job keeping you up at night than any slasher film killer or long-haired Japanese ghost child. The music is a haunting brew of electronic soundscapes, neo-classical strings, and eerie children's voices. Shuffling sounds, anxiously scraped strings and electronic drones create the mood, while ex-Courtney Love band violinist Emilie Autumn conjures up a momentary sense of pity for the condemned killer with her sorrowful vocal rendition on the album's climax, a submersive darkAmbient gem which incorporates the hymn "Rock of Ages."

All mine enemys whispers features Ned Kirby of Stromkern, Erica Mulkey of Unwoman and Rasputina, and Laurie Reade of High Blue Star and Pigface.

Awesome Color - Electric Aborigines CD (Ecstatic Peace) [E#104C] $10.25
No description available at this time.

Balaam & The Angel - The Greatest Story Ever Told CD (Anagram) [CDMGOTH33] $15.00
Staffordshire's Balaam & The Angel were at the forefront of the 80s Goth movement, playing alongside some of the biggest bands of the day, and releasing a succession of acclaimed records through both their own Chapter 22 independent label and the major, Virgin Records. This, their debut album, has been beautifully re-mastered and includes several of the band's most memorable singles; 'She Knows', 'Slow Down', 'Light Of The World' ~V as well as the spectacular 12-inch version of the latter song. In addition, the release includes bonus tracks selected from the accompanying single releases. Sleeve-notes have been written in collaboration with Des Morris of the band, who provides insight into the album and the times. Balaam & The Angel are now reforming and expecting to play a series of high-profile gigs at the turn of 2008. New Kind Of Love / Don't Look Down / She Knows / Burn Me Down / Light Of The World / Slow Down / The Wave / Warm Again / Never End / Nothing There At All / Walk Away / Day & Night / Bonus Tracks - Dreams Wide Awake / Travel On / In The Morning / Light Of The World (12-Inch Version).

Beehatch - Beehatch CD (Lens) [09433] $12.00
BEEHATCH is the new project from Phil Western and Mark Spybey, who met in Vancouver, whilst playing together in Download. Ten years have elapsed since they last worked together. During that time, Phil has released a number of solo and collaborative albums and has continued to work as part of both Download and platEAU (w/ cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy fame). He is also a producer and DJ. Mark has continued to release albums as Dead Voices on Air, Reformed Faction (a band formed with fellow Zoviet*France members) and has collaborated with many musicians, including members of Can and Faust.

BEEHATCH was initiated as the result of a "shall we make an album together" chat on the telephone. The album was recorded in Los Angeles and England via internet file sharing Far from being an impersonal way of making music, this technique has liberated the approach to the making of this album. Gone are the days of being locked in an expensive and often creatively dead studio-space. The musicians were able to make music at leisure, in familiar environments. Phil and Mark have developed similarities in an approach to music making but in essence, Phil emerged smiling from the generation electronic and Mark slowly crept out of the distant days of four tracks and homemade instruments. Both are seasoned improvisers who started life as drummers and tend to ignore as many of the so-called 'rules of music making' as possible.

Nothing is clear. Everything is possible. Accidents are encouraged.

This CD is packaged in a 6-panel digipak with original artwork by Mark Spybey. Audio mastering courtesy of Frankie Pett.

Ben Reynolds - Two Wings CD (Strange Attractors Audio House) [SAAH054CD] $13.50
No description available at this time.

BJ Nilsen & Stilluppsteypa - Passing Out CD (Helen Scarsdale Agency) [HMS013CD] $13.50
No description available at this time.

Brendan Murray - Commonwealth CD (23FIVE) [23FIVE013CD] $13.50
No description available at this time.

Brian Jonestown Massacre - My Bloody Underground CD (A Records) [AUK011] $14.50
RELEASE DATE: 04-15-2008
***The first new BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE album in over 4 years-the band's 13th overall-recorded with select members from the band, some Icelandic musicians and MARK GARDENER (RIDE). Thirteen tracks recorded in Liverpool and Reykjavik in August and October, 2007, that mix the band's traditional psychedelic rock sound with a more experimental and avant-garde approach.

Chop Shop - Oxide CD (23FIVE) [23FIVE012CD] $13.50
No description available at this time.

Colin Meloy - Colin Meloy Sings Live CD (Kill Rock Stars) [KRS468] $13.25
A fourteen-song set documenting THE DECEMBERIST's lead singer/songwriter's 2006 solo tour. The debut album from COLIN MELOY has been greatly anticipated by fans, and will be the first of it's kind available in retail stores. The live solo album presents him in a stripped-down, acoustic setting leading his audience on a spellbinding walk through his oeuvre thus far and providing a glimpse of some new material.

Dan Dediu - Piano Pieces CD (Neos) [NEOS10713CD] $19.75
No description available at this time.

Daturah - Reverie CD (Graveface) [GRAVE025] $11.00
RELEASE DATE: 04-15-2008
***Take the vaporous fumes from the heavy lilting post-rock likes of Isis, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Explosions in the Sky, splash in a little bit of the goose bump inducing cinematic vibes of Entroducing-era DJ Shadow, add a post-modern foray into the psyche a la the Blade Runner soundtrack, and you're still only touching the surface of DATURAH's creative impetus. Daturah cannot be merely explained or pigeonholed but, instead, felt by the listener. Hailing from Frankfurt, Germany, this instrumental combo stretch their riffs through audible taffy pulls and seep in crisp and thinly layered synths, along with half buried samples to create a listening experience that jolts the senses. While staying true to the Krautrock glide of Can and Tangerine Dream, Reverie is intricately woven headphone music for those who like their loudness plunging to the depths of the ocean trench, while treading upon a moody middle ground of pure resonance and dulcet friction. They may rock a bit heavy at times, but it's all woven into a trance-inducing and ambient sojourn of love, fear and anger, exhibiting how instrumental music can be sufficiently explanatory.

Dead Child - Attack CD (Quarterstick) [QS666] $13.25
Upon first glance at its gruesome exterior, DEAD CHILD appears to be a new creation. However, its jagged roots extend deep into the past, with a history that holds almost a century of collective experience. It all began when, as youngsters growing up in Louisville, KY during the '70s and '80s, the evil riffs of the heaviest bands were like voices beckoning them to a darker side. Attack, grew out of pure frustration-the band was sick of the vulnerable, pompous music of recent years, instead jonesing for the pure and simple chops-oriented music of their formative days. It's all serious. No cookie monster vox, and full of thundering drums and anthemic riffs. It's epic and it's real.

Deepchord - Vantage Isle Sessions CD (Echospace) [ECHOSPACE001CD] $14.75
RELEASE DATE: 05-27-2008
Echospace [Detroit] is the label launched by Rod Modell (Deepchord) and Soultek's Steven Hitchell, two leading lights of the minimal dub techno scene. And as with anything Deepchord, the entire release has an air of mystery to it. Previously, as a near-mythical vinyl pressing with minimal packaging and restricted pressings, everything about Vantage Isle was geared toward the underground, or "those who know." However, there's nothing but love of craft driving these grooves, and now a lot more people will finally be able to hear this absolutely brilliant collection of spacial dub wonder on CD. Vantage Isle Sessions consists of a whopping 13 takes of the title track, reworked by Modell and Hitchell in various guises (cv313, Deepchord, Echospace, Spacecho), as well as a guest spot (and first ever remix) from Gerard Hanson (Convextion). Vantage Isle Sessions is for anyone looking for the logical successors to the Basic Channel throne, or just looking for something mellow for those steamy late summer nights. A stone-cold classic of the genre. Don't miss it.

Deutsch Nepal - Dystopian Partycollection CD (Cold Meat Industry) [09424] $15.50
Dystopian Partycollection contains previously released material from compilations and limited edited vinyls. It is not to be seen as a major release from Deutsch Nepal but a small shop of horrors where everyone could shoplift whenever in the spirit. Quality and atmosphere is different from track to track as there is no theme or secret path to follow on this album - It's plain Deutsch Nepal - Just as we love it! So just C'mon get naked... remember nude improvised dancing is not only for fun it's also for free! This is Deutsch Nepals Dystopian Partycollection to be followed by many more sad experiences in your poor and empty lives...

DJ Hide/Dupuy & Bererian - Oumupo 5 CD (Ici d'Ailleurs collection Oumupo) [oumupo5] $14.75
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
Charles Berberian has already proved his love for music in the recent "Playlist" (Naive) and "Night Buzz" (Nocturne). The duo he's been making with Philippe Dupuy since the mid-80s (they gather their talents for drawings and scenarios, an uncommon distribution of tasks) has become a must in the world of illustration, cartoons and comics, with the "Monsieur Jean" series (Dupuis) but also with odder projects like "Le journal d'un album" (L'association). They took on the Japanese DJ Hide as a partner on this volume. As the "protege" of his fellow countryman DJ Krush (to be heard on OuMuPo 6 !), he only has a single solo album to his name ; and yet in this mix based on short samples he offers a splendid deconstruction/reconstruction of the numerous tracks he completely appropriates... to eventually create a very personal work.

DJ Krush/Killoffer - Oumupo 6 CD (Ici d'Ailleurs collection Oumupo) [oumupo6] $14.75
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
Abtract hip hop japanese master DJ Krush offers a wonderfull opus. Using almost only instrumental parts, progressively introduces his so characteristic own beats, and slowly makes us forget the rules and original songs. He uses the most exotic sounds from the label catalogue (E. Aldea, Narcophony, T. Belhom, Bästard, D Petitgand) and manages to develop his proper language to offer a record which sounds like his own ones. Freedom by the constraints for our great lessoning pleasure ! The booklet is signed by Killoffer, one of the creators of the independant publisher l'Association and of the OuBaPo. He retranscribes in 64 squares, and the same number of oubapian collages, the chess game between the surrealist Marcel Duchamp and the promoter of the Belgian chess association during the first Belgian championship in 1923.

Drift - Memory Drawings CD (Temporary Residence Ltd) [TRR134] $13.25
In the nearly three-year gap between their debut album, Noumena, and this follow-up, THE DRIFT have toured extensively throughout North America and Japan. All that tripping did wonders for their songwriting process, inspiring efficiency with their structures while maintaining the intoxicating song lengths they are known for. Though the music on Memory Drawings is familiar, there is a depth to both the performance and production that feels new all over again. With Memory Drawings, they have truly found their groove-and the deeper they dig, the more curious we become.

Elliott Sharp - Rheo~Umbra CD (Neos) [NEOS40706CD] $19.75
No description available at this time.

Elliott Sharp - Spring & Neap CD (Neos) [NEOS40708CD] $19.75
No description available at this time.

Epsilons - Kill'em Deader CD (Retard Disco) [RDZ15] $11.25
EPSILONS return with their stellar second album, recorded at The Distillery by MIKE McHUGH (Le Shok, John Spencer Blues Explosion, Rocket From The Crypt, Lightning Bolt, The Melvins, The Starvations, etc). Featuring fourteen all new songs.

Erik Urisch - Electronic Diffraction Patterns CD (Punch) [09434] $19.00
Ladies and Gentlemen, Erik Ursich is back! And 'back' is what his record is all about!!! With the use of his beloved and inseparable vintage analog machines, Erik gives us a ticket for a voyage to the past...to visit the spirit of the first electronic music pioneers of the 50s and 60s! Like the times in which electronic music was born, his record shows total disinterest in any commercial aspect..."distracting" elements like rhythm and melody are absent, pure electronic sound is the only thing that matters, with no compromises or winks! 5 long tracks of hypnotic, droney, dark, heavy, psychedelic, minimalist and wild outbursts of roaring vintage synths! A descent into the pits of Erik's most intimate electronic soul! And just in case this didn't do enough to punch you in the third eye, slip the cd in your computer and enjoy the sick, choking and hallucinatory video made for one of the songs...that should complete the service!!! In short, file this record under "UNEASY LISTENING"! Enhanced CD in Jewel-box with 6 page booklet.

Fire Room - Broken Music CD (Atavistic) [ALP183] $13.75
A tempest of e-jazz-noise erupts on the Atavistic debut from FIREROOM, a new project between longtime collaborators KEN VANDERMARK, LASSE MARHAUG & PAAL NILSSEN-LOVE. As core members of the initial lineup of (((POWERHOUSE SOUND)))-as well as an array of other adventurous small & large groups-these cats know each other well. The telepathic vibe necessary to make free music really work is tested and expanded upon throughout Broken Music-amplified literally and figuratively by Marhaug's penchant for darker forays on an gamut of of electronic gear.

Fireroom - Broken Music CD (Atavistic) [ALP183CD] $13.75
No description available at this time.

Foot Village - Friendship Nation CD (Tome) [TOME004] $13.75
NOW AVAILABLE ON CD!!! "As fad diets and food pyramids come and go, 'you are what you eat' still sounds like a pretty decent ground rule. After nearly three minutes of tribal percussion smackdowns, jungle growls, and cuckoo-house ululations, FOOT VILLAGE's 'Protective Nourishment' lets us know what recipes the no-electricity Los Angeles drum freaks love most: 'I like pee pee in my coke,' the band's GRACE LEE yowls, to which a robot voice supplements, 'I'm not afraid to eat my greens.' Lee and another Foot Village member, BRIAN MILLER, are also bandmates in Load/Ecstatic Peace noise act GANG WIZARD, and Miller's huge role in the local underground scene includes helping run art-punk hangout the Smell, organizing music festivals called Neon Hates You, and putting out music on his own Deathbomb Arc label. Along with Load band FRIENDS FOREVER's JOSH TAYLOR, Lee and Miller raise a controlled, communal racket on 'Protective Nourishment,' from forthcoming full-length Friendship Nation. 'There lies the low-hanging fruit,' Lee shouts later. That doesn't exactly describe Foot Village's music, but even if it turns out there's a snake involved, I'll bite."-Pitchfork. UK import.

Foundation Hope - Tunes For the Wounded CD (Cold Meat Industry) [09425] $15.50
'Tunes for the wounded' can be considered a lament. It is a defamatory accusation to the world and it's suffering. Foundation hope lodges complaints through gritty ambient-industrial structures, broken sounds and despairing moods. Always without losing touch with the beautiful and melodic. Always with that tiny bright spark of hope, overshadowed by doubt and cynicism.

This successor to 'The faded reveries' is a little more harsh. Incorporated are distorted guitar drones, tape-decks, broken strings and noisy outbursts. Firmly rooted in reality, this is tears dropping slowly, a herd crawling through mud and blood, and a call to a redeemer who isn't there.

Free Kitten - Inherit CD (Ecstatic Peace) [E#22C] $10.25
No description available at this time.

Frustration - Frustration CD (Mad At The World) [M007] $9.25
NOW AVAILABLE!!! Originally formed in Paris in September 2002, FRUSTRATION quickly gained the attention of folks across the ocean by virtue of their 7-inch on SS Records and their association with the French "weird-wave" scene-Cheveu, Volt, and Ultra Eczema, etc. Frustration have decided to explore the dark, cold, sad but tense side of rock'n'roll and come from a scene very well versed in the traditions of darker side of punk. Influenced by post-punk and coldwave bands such as Crisis, Warsaw/Joy Division, Killing Joke, The Fall, etc., they easily rose to prominence in their hometown and have opened for the likes of 999, Ausgang, Volt, Adult., Charles de Goal, and Section 25. This is actually the CD pressing of their very hard to find first EP, with two bonus tracks not included on their self-released 12-inch.

Harris Eisenstadt - The All Seeing Eye + Octets CD (Poobah Records) [PBS007CD] $12.00
No description available at this time.

I&Fused - Slow Eater CD (0101) [0101.15] $16.50
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
Autodidact, I&Fused is a genuine of sound machine. As a musician multi-instrumentalist, singer, author, compositor and producer, David Lavaysse seems not to want to stay or put himself on a particular classification but he keeps on touching all kind of styles with a sure ease. Like in his preceding albums, we finds in slow eater a lot of instruments (clarinet, piano, machines, guitars, percussions...) and compositions alternating between pop and electro, passing by the folk music with some winks to the hip hop... Each title is definitely produced with a smoothness and a rare elegance. I&Fused is a typical example of what the alternative music is still able to offer to us in France... I&Fused reveals us a personal and talented vision of a universal sound, with his thousand and one facets, subtle, light and fine.

Igor Krutogolov - Muzika Elektronica CD-R (Operator Produkzion) [09429] $16.75
Absolutely new view on the experimental music. 9 plays of those created with the aid of the rhythm- boxing, the washing machine, basses of guitar with the bow and voices demonstrate strong stylistic spread

Igor Stravinsky - Music for Four Hands 2CD (Arbiter) [ARB155CD] $31.50
No description available at this time.

Jessica Bailiff & Annelies MonserÉ - Untitled CDEP (Morc) [morc48] $10.50
RELEASE DATE: 04-14-2008
Numbered limited edition of 310 in an LP like sleeve. Annelies Monsere (Belgium/Bluesanct records) and Jessica Bailiff (US/Kranky) met back in 2002, during Jessica's first European tour. They've been frequently doing shows together since 2005. They've often joined each other on stage, but recording together didn't happen until they did a duo-tour in October 2007. On this occasion, they've totally reworked two rare tracks of Jessica, and two yet unreleased songs by Annelies. Although it's just the two of them, this ep has a very built-up sound, which is reminiscent of Jessica's earliest output and Annelies' most recent live shows. Vocals, guitars and cello- and keyboard drones get a very prominent role on these recordings, which were made entirely in the analog domain. The ep is limited to 310, and comes in a mini-lp jacket. All copies are hand-numbered and have hand-written liner notes by Annelies.

Jianhong - San Sheng Shi CD (Archive) [ARCHIVE41] $13.75
An incredible focused and formidable fifty something min. single track solo electric guitar wall of noise work from new face from the Chinese music scene. A release that will be sure to make more then a few people scramble to dig up LI JIANHONG's back catalog of work on his own 2pi imprint. Comes packed in a double sleeve with the outer sleeve being a semi transparent vellum fold around. Graphic work by CHASE MIDDAUGH. Single pressing of 500 copies.

John Wiese & C. Spencer Yeh - New York/Atlanta CD (Helicopter) [H049CD] $10.25
No description available at this time.

Kid Loco/Jean-Christophe Menu - Oumupo 4 CD (!K7) [oumupo4] $14.75
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
It was inevitable (and to be hoped) that Jean-Christophe Menu, already responsible for the collection's packaging, participates to one of the volumes as the author. Along with the self-taught Menu - the unforgettabe "Meder" (Futuropolis), the series "Muno Comix" (Cornelius) or autobiographic work like "Livret de Phamille" (L'association), but also the recent lampoon "Plates-Bandes" (L'association) - who would better match as a partner than the former punk-activist Jean-Yves Prieur a.k.a. Kid Loco, who let himself be tempted by hip-hop, reggae and eventually downtempo ? Master of rythm and melody, he affords a great fade-in fade-out overview of almost the entire catalog of Ici d'Ailleurs.

La Monja Enana - Humo y Espejos CD (Elefant) [ER-1135] $16.00
RELEASE DATE: 04-14-2008
LA MONJA ENANA is not your typical group with a defined path. Throughout their long, and at times, slower than usual career, they have played in Sweden, Russia, Paris and they put out a compilation in France and Mexico. The band has also been Single of the Week in Melody Maker. All of this happened without much effort from the group. LA MONJA ENANA is relaxed because they know that every once in awhile, without having to move a finger, something un-heard of happens and changes their career. Perhaps its largely due to their scientific-literary-paranormal theme in their music or it could simply be that when you listen to their music without preconceived notions, you appreciate all of the wonderful tunes with a catchy melody, a crystal and natural voice, together with surprising sounds. The fact is, LA MONJA ENANA has numerous fans in Spain anxiously awaiting for the release of their album, "Humo y Espejo." We are folks who sell out their concerts, sing along to their songs and know the perfect gestures which go along with each line. We understand the references of Philip K. Dick and Jack Clayton in their older songs and with their brand new songs, we'll catch on to the references of Lemony Snicket in "Cafe Kafka" and of Jorgen Leth in "Humano Perfecto." We are people who admire how all of this may convert into a song and sound so great, catchy and melancholic at the same time. We are people who are elated that a group like LA MONJA ENANA exists, because, someone finally has written a song like "Heróes del Pasado" about the glorious oldies and because they dare with one of the most unusual songs by Jonathan Richman, "I'm a Little Dinosaur," offered as a bonus track on the album. I have the amazing luck to have heard and learned all of the new songs and that's why I must recommend, a part from the previous new songs mentioned, the catchy "Canción de Amor nº 3"- a musical story about the things a technopop musician would do for love, with Battiato style guitars. The song "Ciencia Cotidiana" is about all of the scientific phenomena produced in our daily lives and is also another fine choice. Don't miss out on "Trucos de Salón," "Raccord," "Nomeolvides" or "Veinte Preguntas" all of these are fantastic songs about love, science and strange phenomena. This is one of the amazing things about LA MONJA ENANA: their terrific ability to speak about the rare stuff in life in a very simple and down-to-earth way.

Lurker Of Chalice - Lurker Of Chalice CD (Southern Lord) [SUNN45] $14.00
RELEASE DATE: 04-15-2008
***LEVIATHAN creator WREST returns with an entirely different incarnate LURKER OF CHALICE. Taking a nearly gothic approach to his vocals, Wrest incorporates melodies and harmonies that although are just as bleak as his previous works, create a uniquely grim atmosphere that explores the subtle dynamics of darkness. Limited edition of 777 hand-numbered copies.

M.O. - Where Are We Going? CD (Bloodlust) [B091] $11.75
The first full-length release in over ten years by PIERPAOLO ZOPPO (aka MAUTHAUSEN ORCHESTRA). Perfectly cold, austere, and dark analog synth material, yet carrying enough weight behind it to please all but the fans of his early, violent, primitive, and raw Mauthausen Orchestra recordings (recently revisited for the lavish Broken Flag box set released by Vinyl-On-Demand in 2007). Handsome digipak, designed by MEGAN EMISH (ex-BLOODYMINDED). 46 minutes.

Mae Shi - Hllyh CD (Team Shi) [TMH01D] $12.75
THE MAE SHI returns with fourteen tracks and 46 minutes of frantic no-wave electro pop bliss. This LA band brings on the swirling synthesizers and heavy party jams leaving crowds smiling, sweaty and ready for more.

Marek Bois - Boissche Untiefen 2CD (Rrygular) [RRY022CD] $17.25
RELEASE DATE: 05-13-2008
This is the debut full-length release by Marek Bois. Niklas Worgt is a man of multiple identities. Most commonly known as Dapayk, he has been releasing techno under the moniker Marek Bois since 2006, and it is under this guise that he presents to us the irrepressible Boissche Untiefen. Released (with differing track lists) on double CD, double vinyl and also two 12"s, this is a comprehensive package to follow up on 2007's critically-acclaimed Black Beauty - a culmination of Niklas' works as one half of Dapayk & Padberg.

Married Monk, The - Elephant People CD (Ici d'Ailleurs) [IDA045] $19.75
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
"Never being where they are expected: this is what seems to be the artistic catch phrase of The Married Monk. Unexpected successor of The Belgian Kick, this fifth album is the music of Elephant People, a pop opera which brings together emblematic figures of monstrosity. For this occasion, the guitarist and singer Christian Quermalet, the bass player Philippe Lebruman, the saxophonist Etienne Jaumet and the new drummer Nicolas Courret (Bed, Headphone), who are playing during representations, have prepared a soundtrack which is alternating exhilarating songs and transitions spoken by the show's actors. Incomparable french band pop singing in English, they have a strong fan base in Europe.

Matt Elliott - Drinking Songs CD (Ici d'Ailleurs) [ida027] $16.50
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
Matt Elliott has rather an atypical course... He used to work under the pseudo third eye foundation - emblematic figure of the English electronic scene recognized for his atypical electro tinted by drum' N bass. Since his first albums: "the mess we made" (domino records) and "drinking song" (Ici d'ailleurs--), Matt Elliott turns to compositions much more folk, forsaking the laptop and the machines - which go until disappearing on "failing songs", to return to more traditional instruments (guitar, piano, violin...). To succeed to "drinking songs", because it's really about songs, "failing songs" turns Matt Elliott into a true songwriter. He assumes completely his voice and sings very personal and dark texts.Songs whose subtle melodies contrast with the hardness of the words because "Failing songs" is a hard failure report. Between despair and cold anger, the texts talk about the liberal military evolution of the world that the author rejects. The Titles are as sublime as melancholic, bitter and sad, impressed by Slavic music, Greek, and besides, sometimes punctuated of Spanish guitars, sometimes close to Dimitri Chostakovitch or Pascal Comelade's sonorities at his beginnings an artist that Matt however reveals not to know).

Matt Elliott - Failing songs CD (Ici d'Ailleurs) [IDA037] $16.00
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
Matt Elliott has rather an atypical course... He used to work under the pseudo third eye foundation - emblematic figure of the English electronic scene recognized for his atypical electro tinted by drum' N bass. Since his first albums: "the mess we made" (domino records) and "drinking song" (Ici d'ailleurs--), Matt Elliott turns to compositions much more folk, forsaking the laptop and the machines - which go until disappearing on "failing songs", to return to more traditional instruments (guitar, piano, violin...). To succeed to "drinking songs", because it's really about songs, "failing songs" turns Matt Elliott into a true songwriter. He assumes completely his voice and sings very personal and dark texts.Songs whose subtle melodies contrast with the hardness of the words because "Failing songs" is a hard failure report. Between despair and cold anger, the texts talk about the liberal military evolution of the world that the author rejects. The Titles are as sublime as melancholic, bitter and sad, impressed by Slavic music, Greek, and besides, sometimes punctuated of Spanish guitars, sometimes close to Dimitri Chostakovitch or Pascal Comelade's sonorities at his beginnings an artist that Matt however reveals not to know).

Microphones - Glow Pt. 2 2CD (K Records) [KLP190] $14.50
An expanded remastered re-release of the fifth full-length album from experimental pop wizard PHIL ELVRUM. A twenty-track explosion of delicate pop songcraft, emo-blown yearning, and white-hot rockers, loaded with hooks, harmonies, well thought (and placed) lyrics, varied instrumentation, and imagination galore. Includes a bonus disc of demos and "destroyed" versions, as well as new packaging.

Narcophony - Play the Residents CD (0101) [0101.13] $16.50
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
Narcophony is not done with visiting houses, haunted by the memories of these last thirty years most frantic musicians. After Nurse With Wound, they are getting down to the mind-expanding work of the most phenomenal San Francisco pop combo: The Residents. Armed with a number of musicians balanced around the duet made by Eric Aldea and Ivan Chiossone, with Christine Ott (collaborations with Radiohead, Yann Tiersen... - Martenot's waves) , François Cuilleron (ex-Bästard- guitars and violin) and Hasmig Fau (cello), Narcophony recycles 13 tracks chosen among the very first works of The Residents (from 1974 to 1985) with the same characteristic unrestrained energy of the avant-garde band. Reached by the playfulness of contemporary Kraftwerk, the band turns on an amazing switch from analogical to acoustic. Keeping most of the patterns for the timeless Ondes Martenot (father of electronic music), the band takes up the mischievous orchestrations with impulsive strings and other intrusions of rare instruments. A weird masterstroke that intensifies the most resourceful period of The Residents.

New - Deadeye Tricksters CD (Bo Weavil Recordings) [WEAVIL030CD] $15.25
"Noble (drums/percussion), Edwards (bass) and Ward (electric guitar) play together on this CD. Simple statement, but playing is a serious business. Play incorporates language, ritual, myth, laughter."

New Bloods - Secret Life CD (Kill Rock Stars) [KRS488] $13.25
The first thing you notice is the violin. It saws out high and lonesome and earthy above the rumble of bass and drums. And then you'll realize this is more fiddle than violin; it's American-sounding, raw and sonorous, resonating deep into the ground, past the roots of trees, sighing up to shoot holes in the clouds and drifting back behind mountains. It's the sound of train-tracks, of boots caked with mud and farmhouses and factories and hard life in big cities. But this isn't country or Americana; it's punk-lean, engaging, minimalist punk songs topping out before the three minute mark with triple female vocals.

Old Haunts - Poisonous Times CD (Kill Rock Stars) [KRS492] $13.25
Hailing from Olympia, WA, THE OLD HAUNTS find themselves nestled deep in the roots of the Pacific Northwest punk scene with predecessors such as the Wipers, Sonics and Dead Moon. Currently the band is a solid trio with CRAIG EXTINE (vocals and guitar), SCOTT SECKINGTON (bass) and former BIKINI KILL drummer TOBI VAIL. Keeping the torch lit on the vibe and sound coming from the scene that they are so deeply a part of, the Old Haunts add their own personal touch to the garagey punk they forcefully spit out. They layer wirey guitars over a pounding backbeat and the quirky vocals are delivered with urgency. Comparisons to Television and the Gun Club are not far from the mark although their spooky and razor sharp riffs are all their own.

Omega - Trombitas Fredi Es A Retienetes Emberek CD (Hungaroton) [HUNG17390CD] $16.50
No description available at this time.

Omega - 10000 Lepes CD (Hungaroton) [HUNG17400CD] $16.50
No description available at this time.

Osone - Passerelle CD (And/oar) [AND029CD] $12.00
No description available at this time.

Pete Molinari - A Virtual Landslide CD (Damaged Goods) [DAMGOOD297] $13.75
PETE MOLINARI is a young blues genius from the Medway Delta. His second album, A Virtual Landslide, was recorded by LIAM WATSON at Toe Rag Studios, and showcases Molinari's remarkable falsetto-you'll here shades of Woody Guthrie, Jimmy Scott, Bob Dylan and Patsy Cline in a voice and a poetry that is entirely Molinari's own. UK import.

Peter Moren - Last Tycoon CD (Quarterstick) [QS109] $13.75
The highly anticipated solo album from PETER MOREN, the lead singer of Swedish indie megastars PETER BJORN AND JOHN. The Last Tycoon may be Peter's first solo album, but it has been several years in the making. Throughout the hectic years of songwriting, recording and touring with Peter Bjorn and John in support of their infectious breakout album Writer's Block, Peter's pen never rested. Out of that prolific pen emerged an intimate collection of songs that see their writer pondering the difficulties and resolutions of everyday life and the ever-present confusion of approaching late adulthood. The Last Tycoon features a decidedly more acoustic, low-key side of Peter than fans of 2007's ubiquitous indie anthem Young Folks are used to hearing. Built around the basic foundation of Peter and his guitar, the album has a distinctly homemade feel that feeds from the folk singer-songwriter tradition but still incorporates strings, synthesizers, vibraphones, percussion, a musical saw, and even a drum machine or two.

Peter Wright - Mushroom Cloud CD (Archive) [ARCHIVE42] $13.75
A five-track droner from this New Zealander via London. A mix of ambient guitar work, field recordings, and soundscapes recorded between 2005-2006. Housed in a double sleeve with outer sleeve being semi transparent LI

Pluxus - Solid State CD (Kompakt) [KOMP065CD] $14.00
RELEASE DATE: 05-27-2008
Sweden's Pluxus originally self-released Solid State in 2006. Upon first hearing it, DJ and co-owner of the Kompakt label, Michael Mayer, was immediately captivated by their inventive ways of veering away from the systematic approach typically taken with techno music. Sebastian Tesch, Adam Kammerland and Anders Ekert formed Pluxus back in 1998, when the Swedish electronic scene was comprised of dull, uniform club music or introverted art music. Influenced by Devo, Jean Jacques Perrey and Kraftwerk through Aphex Twin and Matmos, they set out to tell a very different tale by trading in their traditional instruments for vintage synths, computers and a sampler: thus, Pluxus began to emit a blend of cuddly instrumental electro-pop.

Portico - Progeny Blues CD (Copperspine) [CPS780] $13.50
Progeny Blues was recorded in the fall of 2006 at Vancouver's Mushroom Studios and co-produced with Shawn Penner and Aaron Nordean (Hot Hot Heat) and mastered by Alan Douches (Sufjan Stevens, Mastadon, Ben Folds Five) of WestWestSide Music NYC. "Portico are simply one of the best Canadian bands working today. Even if lead singer Lyn Heinemann wasn't a husky sweet powerhouse vocalist, the rest of the band have mastered the art of mixing delicate musical phrasing with mid-tempo urgency. Whether they function as a standard four-piece or flesh out the material with epic gang vocals, or a surprisingly effective horn section, there isn't one note out of place on Progeny Blues." ­FFWD "This release is a rock solid recording of a band that just has it. The songs are big and modest at the same time, and the vocals and lyrics are engaging and mysterious. This album has everything I love about top shelf independent music." ­Zunior's Top Picks 2007 "This is a confident-sounding sophomore release that is quite the thing of beauty when it connects. Although there is energy, it crackles just under the surface, only making overt appearances on some occasions. The band are going for atmosphere and they succeed quite nicely, as this album has a great consistent feel that makes it one of those listens that actually gets better if experienced as an album. Something great is indeed brewing." -!Exclaim "In a week with a plethora of record releases, Vancouver-based pop band Portico will have a tough time getting noticed. And that will be a shame, since the group's second full-length is definitely worth a trip to the record store. Standouts include All You Daughters and the relatively upbeat Stand Down, but all the songs, despite being mostly dark and serious, definitely deserve your attention." ­NOW Toronto (NNNN Critic's Pick) "This Vancouver band's sophomore album boasts some of the most understated, husky and unique female vocals I've heard-add to that some captivating melodies and just enough lyrical feistiness to lend some edge (take the previously featured scorcher, "Sincerely," for instance), and you've got the recipe for an enticing and highly recommendable album." ­Wolves, Hawks, and Kites' Top Unsung Albums of 2007 From winters of horribly cold snow and small-town grumpy relatives to boarded up downtowns and decaying infrastructure, Portico's sound and lyrics are a living soundtrack. The combination of Greg Murray (drums), Mimi Mahovlich (bass), Trent Hopton (guitar and keys) and Lyn Heinemann (guitar and vocals) creates "a blend of spectral melodies, tricky time signatures, and expertly intertwined guitar lines which is entirely it's own"(The Georgia Straight).

Robin Saville - Peasgood Nonsuch CD (Static Caravan) [VAN160CD] $17.25
RELEASE DATE: 05-05-2008
Lugubrious and minimal. Melodic and otherworldly. Hot on the blistering heels of his debut solo single (VAN 145) comes this full-length outing from the social worker turned gardener. Double digging over unlikely boundaries is something of a habit for Robin, and this record characteristically lurches between moods; from elegiac to wistful, and from meditative to bouncy, this record runs the full gamut. Creaking synths, loping bass and a succession of chimes seep from the nimble textures pressed tightly together. Lush and filmic, the nine tracks here cultivate and harvest a twinkling yet intense arc, with strange and alien sounds nestling snugly next to crumpled rhythms and gurgles, all peppered with tinges of acoustic guitar and eerie tones. 'Peasgood Nonsuch' works over nutrient-rich electronica soil, germinating an earthy hybrid of intricately woven melodies and pulses, stewed and heated to perfection. An organic journey from the pesticide-free plot to the kitchen table, it's a recipe full of beat-tastic ingredients ripe for picking from the orchard. As one of half of the duo which comprises isan, Robin Saville has long been part of that seminal act - masters of slow flow electronica, bridging the gap between different boundaries and atmospheres, not to mention untangling messy knots of wires and cables all around the world. With its roots closer in feel to isan's earlier, more sprightly offerings, 'Peasgood Nonsuch' is light and warm but with an underlying dark centre, so the audible tranquillity is imbued with an altogether tougher edge. Next to using a digital pipette to suck up the leaked new Portishead album this gunk of electronic DNA is ripe for unspooling and analysing in the Petri dish of your own home laboratories. A must for fans of isan, Inch-Time, Harold Budd, and all things Type Records ; Morr Music and Eno's Obscure label. Edition of 1000 copies in card gatefold.

Roommate - We Were Enchanted CD (Plug Research) [PLG85] $10.00
RELEASE DATE: 04-15-2008
***The full-length follow-up to ROOMMATE's critically acclaimed debut Songs the Animals Taught Us. Much like a dream, the album does not follow a purely linear structure; instead, it is formed from a series of startling images, both gorgeous and grotesque, from which a series of themes emerges: The escapism and anonymity of digital life; the endless, vacuous cycle of modern news; the struggle to connect meaningfully with the earth and other humans in a wasteful and destructive society; the seductive appeal of fantasy and nostalgia in a landscape defined by American Idolatry and Wars of Terror. Avoiding easy cynicism, Roommate examines these and other themes with earnest idealism and self-observant irony, finding hope, beauty and humor where little seems possible. While there are moments here and there that may spark a memory of '60s & '70s psychedelic rock or '80s synth-pop, a hint of Nilsson-esque bar-room piano, Faust-ian analog synths or delicate strings a la Talk Talk, this is music with eyes gazing into the future, seeking out new ways of expressing a poetic, ecstatic truth.

Runemagick - Voyage To Desolation / Dawn Of The Dead CD (Enucleation) [SOCKET07] $11.00
Hailing from the darkest depths of Surte, Sweden, RUNEMAGICK evoke feelings of utter desolation and despair with their new album, Voyage to Desolation/Dawn of the End. Started in late 1990 and focused on playing a mid-tempo death/doom style of metal, they took inspiration from the classic death/black metal bands: Celtic Frost, Bathory, Autopsy, and Hellhammer. Chock full of heavier-than-thou-riffage cohered with haunting leads and blackened undertones, this album brings to mind the darkness and despair of a plodding funeral procession. Crushing and deliberate at one point, moody and distant in the next, Runemagick aurally depicts the dreary murk and fog that embodies the coldest, most dismal graveyard Sweden has to offer.

Seelenlicht - Gods and Devils CD (Cold Spring) [09432] $15.50
This stunning debut release from Troy Southgate (H.E.R.R. / Horologium) and Butow Maler (Kammer Sieben) contains 14 darkly satirical compositions that strip bare the mechanism of human nature and the madness of the contemporary world. There are bittersweet excursions into social conformity, mass apathy and mindless consumerism, as well as Gothic murder ballads, an ode to nature in the raw and a devastatingly powerful tribute to Hermann Hesse's landmark novel, Demian. Comprised of electronic, folk and neoclassical elements, this album is brimming with originality, enthusiasm and creativity. Features guest appearances from Herr Twiggs (Kammer Sieben), Maria Southgate (H.E.R.R.) and Eustacia Vye (Horologium). Digipak.

Sissy Spacek - California Ax CD Box (Helicopter) [H050CD] $32.00
No description available at this time.

Skitliv - Amfetamin CD (Cold Spring) [09431] $15.50
Exclusive release from the Doom / Noise project of Maniac (ex-MAYHEM), featuring Kvarforth (SHINING), and with special guest vocals by Attila (SUNN O))), MAYHEM). From Black Metal through Funeral Doom and Demonic Noise, Skitliv cover all the bases in modern extreme sonics. The CD / download version includes bonus tracks from Skitliv's live performance at the Camden Underworld, London, 13th December 2007, with a special intro from CURRENT 93 (David Tibet & Andrew Liles). Forthcoming limited 12" etched edition (CSR90EP) on Cold Spring.

Spiral Ascension - Land, Sea & Sky CD (Desert Sky Music) [DSR006] $12.25
RELEASE DATE: 06-10-2008
Tribal virtuoso musician extraordinaire, Carl Roessler, and master Guitarist Clive Wright are Spiral Ascension. Clive has recorded a record with Harold Budd, which will be out on Darla in Fall 2008. Their wonderful debut recording is a refreshing addition to recent releases hearkening to the birth of a new, alternative world genre. It is fitting that the Image on the CD was captured during a recent lunar eclipse as it cast their shadows on the desert floor. Spiral Ascension is a fusion of sweeping, synthesizer-driven soundscape beds, overlaid with digitally delayed guitar, richly textured native wind instruments and breezy percussion. Wright is a master of the ebow which he used to effect the disc's distinctive guitar sound. With elements drawn from the Brian Eno/Harold Budd ambient sector, Spiral Ascension mix of modern and indigenous instrumentation also speaks to a kind of future/primitive fusion. As such, the CD runs the gamut from the sweeping atmospherics of "Northern Lights" (complete with chorus of dolphins) and the ethereal "Awesome Day", to the didjeridoo-infused, eerie suspense of "Spiral Ascension" and otherworldly, glissandi clockwork of "Nightime" --each piece on the record is the sonic equivalent of taking a deep, shamanic journey. The final track, "Land, Sea and Sky" is a transcendent, heart song of flute and guitar soaring somewhere close to Paradise. It's not really surprising that some of the music was recorded in the amazing Integratron space out in the California desert. Whether the Space Brothers have actually visited the place is anyone's guess, but there is no doubt that there were spirits in attendance when this talented duo created what promises to be the first of many future incredible collaborations. Carl Roessler is an esteemed member of the Raven Drum Artists Collective and Worked for 5 years at the Living Desert Museum in Palm Desert, California. He has also been involved in doing healing workshops in the Coachella Valley, including performing like a desert dervish in drum circles with swarms of children (and their transfixed parents) at the Museum's Village Watutu. Clive Wright is a record producer and composer of music for commercials and films. He has worked in the Hip Hop and R&B field collaborating with No 1 Billboard artist Montel Jordan and is currently working with Harold Budd. He is also lead guitarist for the newly reformed platinum selling band Cock Robin. "The vision of a peace bomb exploding in the hearts of the humane.. A Unity of people that want to find peace for real.. Kindness, compassion and a fearlessness to take a stand. To heal the injured souls and praise the warriors of light.. For together we have strength.. With a Spiral Ascension Towards a higher love.." The duo is now starting to present the Spiral Ascension experience in live performance. To stay/get in touch www.myspace.com/sprialascention

Stefan Wolpe - Lieder - Battle Piece CD (Neos) [NEOS10719CD] $19.75
No description available at this time.

Ted Daniel Quintet - Tapestry CD (Porter Records) [PRCD1503CD] $16.00
No description available at this time.

The Byard Lancaster Unit - Live at Macalester College CD (Porter Records) [PRCD1502CD] $16.00
No description available at this time.

Thee Oh Sees - Master's Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In CD (Tomlab) [TOM117] $14.00
Somewhere beyond nostalgia, beyond the garage, somewhere beyond the fireside song and supposed goo-rock, you will find the latest incarnation of THEE OH SEES, now a quartet composed of JOHN DWYER (OCS, COACHWHIPS, PINK & BROWN), BRIGID DAWSON, PETEY DAMMIT! and MIKE SHOUN. The prolific Dwyer contends again for best album of his career with his signature AM radio howl coupled with the catchiest of driving tunes, Dawson's gorgeous harmonies, heightened fidelity, thick spring-reverbed bombast, mighty drums, and an undeniable pull.

Thomas Belhom - No Border CD (Ici d'Ailleurs) [IDA036-2] $15.50
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
Today, whereas some dream of always more hermetic borders, Thomas Belhom asserts his musician and world citizen's freedom on a second album recorded between Munich, London, Nashville and Paris. "No border" is the travelogue of a musician who loves encounters and who cannot bear all that prevent them from happening. Thus his tightrope walker's melodies have been enriched with trips and the recordings of numerous musicians and friends' participation. Stuart Stapples (Tinkersticks) - accompanied by Thomas on stage, after he took part to the recording of his second album "Leaving songs" - sings on the magnificent "South over the seven hills". You can also hear Volker Zander (Calexico), who accompanied Amor Belhom Duo on the double bass at the occasion of their last tour and Kim Ohio (Mad River) - met at the time of Witches Valley, who sings along with Thomas Belhom on three titles. One of the two instrumental tracks of the album is even composed and interpreted by Viva Yazon, who is also painter and from now on Thomas Belhom's wife, accompanied by Paul Nihaus (Lambchop) and his so characteristic steel guitar.

Titus Andronicus - Airing Of Grievances CD (Troubleman Unlimited) [TMU] $12.00
RELEASE DATE: 04-15-2008
***The debut from New Jersey quintet TITUS ANDRONICUS-three guitars, frantic drums, keyboards, vocals. "They hit every mark, nailing noise and debris against shake-and-sing anthems. That's Titus Andronicus' ploy-aggressing and endearing audiences as a completely ramshackle crew of Jersey drunks, while somehow triumphing through perfectly clangorous pop songs. If this band can convince itself not to fall apart at the well-lubed, beer-soaked seams, watch out."-Pitchfork. ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH REVOLVER USA.

Tony Allen - Lagos Shake CD (Honest Jon's Records) [HJR034CD] $16.00
Two years ago, Honest Jon's travelled to Lagos with the great drummer Tony Allen, to make his first recordings there since his time with Fela Kuti - an album entitled Lagos No Shaking, a classic of contemporary Afrobeat. Since then, the label has widely commissioned numerous responses to those new sides: from legends of dance music culture like Basic Channel in Berlin, for example, and founding father of Detroit techno, Carl Craig; and young tigers like Dizzee Rascal's Newham Generals, MIA producer Diplo in Baltimore, and carioca sensations Bonde Do Role from Rio De Janeiro. There are also new recordings from Cairo, Saturn, Bogota and Kingston, Jamaica - fresh interpretations or complete reworkings by the space jazz pioneer Salah Ragab, a street brass band descended from Sun Ra's Arkestra, highlife-inspired Afro-Colombian drummers from the village of San Palenque De Basilio, and a veteran of Count Ossie's Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari. Afrobeat, dub, jazz, chalupa, electro, highlife, techno, grime, carioca, champeta and funk from all corners, fizzing away together here...

Tzoziles - Psalms, Stories and Music CD (Sub Rosa) [SR017CD] $14.00
RELEASE DATE: 05-13-2008
2008 reissue of these field recordings made by Thierry Zeno in the Tzotzile community in Chiapas, Mexico, originally released by Sub Rosa in 1999. This is a unique document that includes rare ritual music, psalms, dialogue and stories of revolt from the last descendents of the Mayan culture. For the past 20 years, Belgian author and filmmaker Thierry Zeno has regularly visited the Tzotzile community that can be heard on this record, archiving and filming. Because he is accepted as "the man who makes pictures," and has made a point of showing the preceding year's film on each of his visits, he has compiled a survey of prime importance. A few of the most important rituals in the life of this community are offered here - including the music for the Day of the Dead, the music heralding All Saints' Day, The Transfer of Power (chant of authority changing hands), sanctifying rituals, some dialogue in the language of the Maya, field recordings of Christmas night and Carnival and a fragment of speech of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

Various Artists - The Projekt Sampler 2008 CD (Projekt) [09427] $5.75



Various Artists - Juegos OlÍmpicos CD (Jabalina) [JAB-2042] $19.75
RELEASE DATE: 04-14-2008
The fifth volume in the "Teoría y Práctica Melódica" series. A slightly delayed release, as the series was conceived as an annual release, but one which has allowed us to relate it to one of the most relevant 2008 events: ladies and gentlemen, the Jabalina Olympic Games are officially open! And we're doing it just some months before the media inundate us with stories about the Beijing Olympics. Which, of course, have little to do with our own, more down-to-earth Games - they started as a project with an eclectic spirit, and the results speak for themselves. Maybe that's why "Juegos Olímpicos" has actually broken some records: number of contestants and total length. 23 olympic artists are featured on the record, some from our roster and some special guests, some Spanish and some foreign (Pinkie ~VUK-, heirs to the best British pop of the 90s and the sound of Sarah Records and Soulavki ~VChile- one of the greatest exponents of Andean indietronica, with a touch of 60s flavour). Together, they've taken this collection to the limit duration for a CD (79:03 minutes), which makes for one of the best sports-inspired indie pop compilation ever. The artists in the Jabalina team include Souvenir, J'aime, Montevideo, Polar, Nadadora, Uke, AMA and Apenino, and the team of guests features artists such as Francisco Nixon, Flow, La Costa Brava, La Estrella de David, Pumuky, Travolta or Prin Lal_. The junior team is full of promising athletes like the alluring Olivia de Happyland, one of the most promising acts of the new Spanish folk scene, Nebulosa (which might be the ultimate alias of Charlie Mysterio), who again oozes the best essence of the 80s songwriters, Llum (the solo project of Jesús Sáez, from Polar), slowly reaching maturity and the appreciation he deserves, eclectic DJ Aldo Linares, who croons his way to become the 'Elvis of Arequipa', Colorado (the solo project of Modesto, from Zipi Zape) or Linda Guilala, heirs to the energy pop of Juniper Moon. All in all, a 5th Volume to be proud of, and which establishes the series as the most prestigious of the Spanish indie scene. The power of the olympic spirit works miracles, so something special must have happened to make these twenty-three independent artists find an unexpected connection between their art and the heat of the olympic flame. It proves that you need not be an elite athlete, or even a sporty person, to feel the call of the olympic flame and reinterpret it musically in your own spirit. Let's not forget that the universal multi-sport competition from which this compilation takes its name was originally conceived as an amateur event, and not for professional sportspeople, a fact that really relates to the indie spirit of this series and the artists taking part in it. This is the strongest link there is between the actual definition of Olympic Games, and the reason that has moved our own celebration of the amateur spirit that this worldwide event should have. What we intend to show with this collection is that by applying the olympic postulates to the independent music, a discipline which is anything but orthodox, the results featured here, no matter how surrealistic they might seem, are as legitimate as what the official image of the Olympic Games might be. As they say, it is the taking part that matters, and for us it is. But not just that - entertaining and showing a different take on such an emblematic event was our aim too. But let's get back to the facts. These are the most relevant figures of "Juegos Olímpicos": the majority of the songs (16 of a total of 23) are unreleased tracks, and they make up a CD chock full of killer tunes and eclectic fun which will fascinate the listener. For the most valuable aspect of this collection is probably the unorthodox range of interpretations of the same event. Some of the artists focus on specific olympic sports, like Nebulosa and his song dedicated to badminton ("Ba-ba-badminton"), Souvlaki and swimming ("Nadadora"), Aldo Linares and boxing ("Soy el mejor") and Uke and table tennis ("Tenis de mesa"). Others champion a sport to become olympic (Souvenir and "Les surfeurs"). Then there are other artists who adopt a social point of view (Montevideo and "Olimpiadas sin medallas") and build a metaphor around the 'other' Olympics we fight for every day, or a more critical one, like La Estrella de David's "El parking más grande de Europa", their ironic take on the Barcelona 92 Olympics, or Pinkie and their bucolic "Dirty old town". Other songs are dedicated to the personal sacrifice of athletes (Olivia de Happyland's "Si existe cielo" or Pumuky and "Lobo estepario contra caballos desbocados en JJ.OO.", complete with a reference to the work of Herman Hesse). You will also find songs about sports celebrities (Polar's "Requiem for B. Johnson", Nadadora's "Evelyn Ashford", and two songs dedicated to the same athlete - Francisco Nixon's "Nadia" and Linda Guilala's "La fuga de Nadia Comaneci"). There are even some artists who have written about personal experiences from a sports point of view, like Colorado and "El último partido", La Costa Brava ("Olímpicos"), Travolta ("El día que más corrí de mi vida") and AMA ("Hasta el último instante"). Last but not least, the eclectic bunch: Suze's remix of a Flow song ("Se va el avión a Pekín"), or the lyrical "Naves que dan vueltas a un balón" by Prin' Lalá. There's room for instrumental tracks too: "After the game", J'aime (Jaime Cristóbal)'s cover version of a Brian Wilson's obscure b-side from a 1964 single by The Survivors (a Brian Wilson fake band which only released that record, with the song "Pamela Ann" on the a-side) and "Ceremonia de clausura" ("Closing Ceremony") which appropriately closes the collection. We cannot finish these notes about the 5th Volume in our "Teoría y Práctica Melódica" series without mentioning one of its defining features: the artwork. The series maintains the template that Javier Aramburu designed for it, and features the work of Nacho Olivares, who has created the beautiful cover illustration that accompanies this digipack CD. TRACKS: 1. Olivia de Happyland "Si existe cielo" 2. Nebulosa "Ba-ba-badminton" 3. Souvenir "Les surfeurs" 4. Llum "No more races" 5. Francisco Nixon "Nadia" 6. J'aime "After the game" (Brian Wilson) 7. Souvlaki "Nadadora" 8. Flow "Se va el avión a Pekín" Suze remix 9. Aldo Linares "Soy el mejor" 10. Montevideo "Olimpiadas sin medallas" 11. Colorado "El último partido" 12. La Costa Brava "Olímpicos" 13. Linda Guilala "La fuga de Nadia Comaneci" 14. La Estrella de David "El parking más grande de Europa" 15. Polar "Requiem for B. Johnson" 16. Pumuky "Lobo estepario contra caballos desbocados en JJ.OO." 17. Travolta "El día que más corrí de mi vida" 18. Nadadora "Evelyn Ashford" 19. Uke "Mesa de tenis" 20. Prin' Lalá "Naves que dan vueltas a un balón" 21. Pinkie "Dirty old town" 22. AMA "Hasta el último instante" 23. Apenino "Ceremonia de clausura".

Various Artists - Round Black Ghosts CD (Scape) [SCAPE052CD] $16.00
RELEASE DATE: 06-10-2008
From day one, the pursuit of dub's influence on contemporary electronic music has been one of ~scape's guiding principles. Round Black Ghosts continues this tradition and, at the same time, adds a new facet to the mix. This CD, compiled by label owners Stefan Betke (Pole) and Barbara Preisinger together with Tim Tetzner (the heart and mind behind Berlin's Dense Records shop), throws a spotlight on dubstep, a relatively recent genre, oscillating within and beyond its own fluid boundaries.

Young Republic - 12 Tales From Winter City CD (End of the Road) [EOTR005] $11.00
Highly anticipated debut from Boston eight-piece THE YOUNG REPUBLIC, these eight college kids return with a collection of their work so far, previously only available on CDR at live shows. Fusing the classical (Mozart, Beethoven) with the classic (Wilson, Lennon) the band produce their own particular brand of melancholy county-tinged pop. Taking the classic indie sound of Lloyd Cole, Camera Obscura and early Belle and Sebastian, The Young Republic add their own wistful, string-laden Americana, adding touches of folk, bluegrass, and country along the way. Recorded in classrooms, bedrooms and old churches with assembled friends (including at one point a twenty-piece choir!) 12 Tales From Winter City charts the beginning stages of this hugely promising band.

Zero - Joke Box CD (Ici d'Ailleurs) [IDA044] $16.50
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
Obviously, Zëro's music has more to do with creativity than with staying in the beaten path of rock with a specific identity. It's as much Jack Berrocal and Gene Vincent playing a "Drag Queen blues" under ecstasy and classic Devo's envigorating "Automotown / Space girl blues" as it is the krautrock by Can and Kraftwerk in "Luna Park", an entertaining song which provokes an addictive cerebral experience. You can also sense Neurotic Pavement, Eternally Young Wankers Sonic Youth, and a bunch of other freaks, who, all off the beaten path have constantly re-written the language of rock with intelligence and singularity. Each title escapes from the previous one, unclassifiable, escaping from the routine, leaving the listener with a smile and a chuckle. The "Joke Box" is like the smirk of an illusionist about to open his magic box. Pleasure and surprise are always present. The name Zëro, perhaps without the humble group member's realizing it, is well suited to the fact that their music is at the origin of this genre of music. "Joke Box" is a superb anthology.

[ D V D ]

Envy - Transfovista DVD (Temporary Residence Ltd) [TRR133] $16.25
The first long-form video documenting the long and winding history of ENVY'S sound and vision. Presented here are seventeen of the band's most notable live performances, spanning a dozen years and countless pieces of murdered equipment. Beautifully edited from a variety of sources culled from hundreds of live shows, Transfovista is a perfect documentation of where the band started, where they've been, and where they are now. From tiny basements to massive outdoor stages and back, this is how the first fifteen went for a band that is becoming more legendary with every passing moment.

[ H I S T O R I C A L ]

Balaam & The Angel - Live Free Or Die CD (Anagram) [CDMGOTH34] $15.00
Staffordshire's Balaam & The Angel were at the forefront of the 80s Goth movement, playing alongside some of the biggest bands of the day, and releasing a succession of acclaimed records through both their own Chapter 22 independent label and later, the major, Virgin Records. This, their second album released in the summer of 1988, has been beautifully remastered and repackaged with the direct assistance of the band. Includes the singles 'I Love The Things You Do To Me", 'I'll Show You Something Special', and bonus tracks especially selected by the band. In addition to the Goth movement, Balaam & The Angel were also hugely popular with rock critics. Sleeve-notes have been written in collaboration with Des Morris of the band, who provides insights on the album and the times. Balaam & The Angel are now reforming and expecting to play a series of high-profile gigs at the turn of 2008. I'll Show You Something Special / I Love The Things You Do To Me / Big City Fun Time Girl / On The Run / It Goes On / Live Free Or Die / Long Time Loving You / Would I Die For You / I Won't Be Afraid / Running Out Of Time / You Took My Soul / I Feel Love / Let It Happen / You're In The Way Of My Dreams / As Tears Go By / Bonus Tracks - Live Free Or Die (Texas Red Beard Mix) / Eagle

Gal Costa - Gal (1969) CD (Dusty Groove) [DGA3009CD] $11.50
"This Brazilian classic finally gets a proper US release - one of the greatest psychedelic albums of the late 60s, and a key part of the Tropicalia movement as well! The record is easily the most tripped-out album ever from Gal Costa - far more sinister than Gal's debut of a few months before."

Jake Holmes - "The Above Ground Sound" of Jake Holmes CD (Phoenix Records) [ASH3004CD] $16.00
RELEASE DATE: 05-13-2008
originally appeared on the Tower label in 1967. The album is considered a folk-rock masterpiece, and was described at the time as "a songwriter, three guitars and a mirror." The guitars of Holmes and Ted Irwin (later to play with Elliot Murphy, Roy Buchanan and various country singers) are the only backing for Holmes' voice and the 10 short tracks are outstanding, but especially the sparer, stripped-down original version of "Dazed And Confused."

John Cage - Seven/Quartets I-VIII CD (Neos) [NEOS10720CD] $19.75
No description available at this time.

Liverpool Five, The - The Best of Liverpool Five CD (Sundazed) [SC11158CD] $17.25
No description available at this time.

Pagans - Blue Album CD (Smog Veil) [SV70] $12.00
Recorded on the last proper tour and featuring an incendiary lineup, these nine tracks of blistering punk rock as it came to be known in Cleveland, Ohio have never been previously released and should keep the purists as well as the newcomers pleased. "What started out as a Rolling Stones cover band became a punk powerhouse. THE PAGANS released four 45's between 1977 and 1979-songs such as "Dead-End America" and "What's This Shit Called Love"-that still influence punks and fetch $300 a copy.

Philip Glass - Complete String Quartets 2CD (Signum U.k.) [SIGNUM117CD] $34.50
No description available at this time.

Rollins Band - Life Time CD (2.13.61) [213CD2808] $9.75
"Life Time is the first studio record by the ROLLINS BAND We did our first practice on 04-07-87 and went out on a long tour of America and Europe. On the road we wrote songs and put them into the set. By late October we finished the shows in London, UK. We went up to Leeds where Chris had a place to live and booked studio time at the same place that he and I did the Hot Animal Machine recordings a year before. I had no producer for this record and feared that since everyone in the band had strong opinions on how it all should be done that if we tried to do it ourselves we would do more harm than good. I called IAN MACKAYE and asked for help. He got on a plane and came right out. That's Ian. We got straight to work as we had little time or money. All twelve songs were cut and mixed in a few days. Thanks to you for checking this out."-Henry Rollins

Teachers Pet - Teachers Pet CD (Smog Veil) [SV71] $12.00
A fifteen-song, all unreleased, power pop classic from Akron, Ohio circa 1979. Enhanced with bonus 2-camera vintage video (Quicktime format). While Northeastern Ohio gets its share of punk rock accolades, the area is often overlooked for its power pop prowess. Lucky Pierre, Wild Giraffes, and TEACHERS PET make up the original fearsome threesome, each incorporating what the area is known for: a healthy cynicism, a smart ass attitude, and the chops to keep the punters interested. Teachers Pet incorporates those elements the best, Whether it was an ode to a few stomped souls in Cincinnati, or some teenage treats down at the hot dog stand, this is the band that stuck to the ideals.

Various Artists - Auteur Labels: Les Disques Du Crepuscule CD (Ltm) [LTM2517] $16.50
RELEASE DATE: 07-07-2008
21 tracks. LTM present a new volume in the ongoing compilation series Auteur Labels, here profiling cult Brussels imprint Les Disques du Crepuscule. Crepuscule ('Twilight') was founded in 1980 by Michel Duval and Annik Honore with the release the epochal cassette From Brussels With Love (TWI 007). The chic, cosmopolitan label went on to assemble an extensive cross-genre catalogue, much of it dressed by celebrated designer Benoit Hennebert. Associated labels included Factory Benelux, Operation Twilight and Another Side. The 72 minute, remastered CD covers the years 1980-1984 and features a detailed label history by Frank Brinkhuis, together with interviews and archive images. Tracklist: 1. MICHAEL NYMAN mozart 2. MARINE life in reverse 3. THICK PIGEON subway 4. JOSEF K sorry for laughing 5. REPETITION a still reflex 6. BILL NELSON dada guitare 7. PAUL HAIG running away 8. TUXEDOMOON ninotchka 9. IKE YARD night after night 10. DURUTTI COLUMN party 11. THE NAMES life by the sea 12. STEVEN BROWN waltz 13. RICHARD JOBSON autumn 14. THE FRENCH IMPRESSIONISTS pick up the rhythm 15. ISOLATION WARD lamina christus 16. ANTENA camino del sol 17. THE PALE FOUNTAINS (there's always) something on my mind 18. MIKADO par hazard 19. ANNA DOMINO land of my dreams 20. BLAINE L. REININGER mystery and confusion 21. DEVINE & STATTON bizarre love triangle Also available in this series: New Hormones (LTMCD 2492), Factory Benelux (LTMCD 2521).

Various Artists - Auteur Labels: New Hormones CD (Ltm) [LTM2492] $16.50
RELEASE DATE: 07-07-2008
17 tracks. LTM present a new volume in the ongoing compilation series Auteur Labels, here profiling cult Manchester imprint New Hormones. New Hormones was founded in 1977 by punk pioneers Buzzcocks and their manager Richard Boon to release the epochal Spiral Scratch ep (ORG 1). The label went on to release approximately 25 records, the catalogue combining post-punk, pop and avant-garde by Ludus, Diagram Brothers, Biting Tongues, Dislocation Dance, Eric Random and others. These key groups are featured here, together with five more recent recordings by New Hormones artists. The 65 minute, remastered CD covers the years 1977-1982 and features a detailed label history by Justin Toland, together with interviews and archive images. Tracklist: 1. BUZZCOCKS boredom 2. THE TILLER BOYS big noise from the jungle 3. LUDUS my cherry is in sherry 4. DIAGRAM BROTHERS bricks 5. DISLOCATION DANCE stand me up 6. BITING TONGUES denture beach 7. ERIC RANDOM skin deep 8. THE DECORATORS twilight view 9. LUDUS hugo blanco 10. DISLOCATION DANCE you'll never, never know 11. DIAGRAM BROTHERS discordo 12. ERIC RANDOM hardcore + 13. DISLOCATION DANCE what can the matter be? 14. LUDUS acknowledgement 15. ERIC RANDOM free agents 16. BITING TONGUES heart disease (live) 17. HOWARD DEVOTO the presentation of the self in everyday life

Various Artists - Room Of Loud Sound: Henry Psych From The Usa 1968-72 CD (Psychic Circle) [PC7020] $17.50
A follow-up to the White Lace & Strange compilation, further delving into the less-frequented areas of late '60s and early '70s heavy psych rock from the USA. Gone are the twee excesses of psychedelia. Whimsy has been given a swift boot in the groin and in its place we find a mean bunch of longhairs getting down to some heavy riffing. Post-Hendrix, sub-Cream, quasi-Zeppelin, some of it primitive, some of it sophisticated, all of it rockin' with amps turned up to eleven plus. Twenty never-before comped burners from HOT SOUP, BUMP, FUSE, CARLO, FIVE BY FIVE, PLANT & SEE, MORNING SUN, TODAY'S SPECIAL, FANTASY, MISTER BEELER, PEACE & QUIET, SIX PAK, SALEM WITCHCRAFT, THE VAGRANTS, HAMMER, BLOWTORCH, LOCOMOTIVE, EAGLE, THE MYSTIC NUMBER NATIONAL BANK and SILK.

Various Artists - Melenudos! CD (Gorilla Records) [GORILLA001CD] $20.25
"15 floor-filler tracks taken from rare Spanish 45s and LPs, 1967-1974: a fantastic journey through Spanish freakbeat, soul, beat and garage-psych scene, featuring killer tracks"

William S. Burroughs - The Instrument of Control CD (Archivio Letterario) [09430] $15.50
Collection of rare recordings of William Burroughs in conversation and readings from the 1970s/80s. This is an essential insight into the mind and writings of arguably the most influential writer from the Beat generation. "Through his mordant satire of cultural aspirations, homosexual eroticism and political power, Burroughs focuses our gaze into the abyss. His cold, surgical language creates beauty through a terror that we are just able to bear". A great collectors' item! Italian import.

This week's VINYL update contains releases by:

Airbus Modular * Andy Stott * Audision * Black Monk * Brendon Moeller * Bukaddor & Fishbeck * Bulbs/Wobbly * Bunnybrains 88 * Conrad Schnitzler * Dirk Leyers * Donk Boys * Exploding Star Orchestra * Goon Moon * Guaranteed Katch * Henryk Debich * John Starlight * Junior Boys * Juno6 * JW Farquhar * Kaito * Kawabata * Landing * Lucio Aquilina * Marek Bois * Mark Broom * Meneguar * Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band * Mincemeat or Tenspeed * Morning After * New Blockaders & Das Synthetische Mischgewebe, The * No Means No * Pluxus * Protest the Hero * Raglani * Russian Tsarlag/blue Shift * Sacros * Saves the Day * School, The * Sebastian Russell * Shit and Shine * Shonky * Snow Patrol * Speedmarket Avenue * Steel An' Skin * Swat Squad * Thank You * Thanksgiving * Thomas Belhom * Thomas Muller * Titus Andronicus * Tommy Jay * Tony Allen * Wareika Hill Sounds

Airbus Modular - Destinations 12 inch (Traum) [TRAUM098EP] $9.75
Greek duo Airbus Modular release this 3-tracker in anticipation of their debut full-length. "Destinations" is a brainy, melodic avalanche with sequences wandering up and down, randomly creating a Latin-like flavor. "Poise" is technical and energetic, with lots of different parameters and small details that develop into a dubby, relaxed, techno-house track. "Manoeuvres Time Seconds" is more experimental and occasionally hits with organ stabs and cool breaks.

Andy Stott - Bad Landing 12 inch (Modern Love) [LOVE043EP] $12.25
Bad Landing finds Andy Stott delivering arguably his most evolved, developed material to date. The title track is a throbbing mass of dub reduction fuelled by deft space and compression. A towering valve organ presents a looped refrain slowly opening up to reveal a catchy hook. "Fine Metallic Dollar" constructs itself out of sparse percussion and an elongated bass line. The chords here are gnarly and disfigured, slowly disintegrating into an oscillating wave of late night wonkiness.

Audision - Red Sky 12 inch (Mule Electronic) [MULE043EP] $9.75
No description available at this time.

Black Monk - Black Monk 7 inch (Poobah Records) [P7003EP] $8.75
No description available at this time.

Brendon Moeller - Elixir 12 inch (Echocord) [ECHO029EP] $9.75
No description available at this time.

Bukaddor & Fishbeck - Live Is Life 12 inch (My Best Friend) [MBF12042EP] $9.75
No description available at this time.

Bulbs/Wobbly - Div/orce Series #7 split 7 inch (Ache) [ACHE035] $7.75
The seventh installment of our DIV/ORCE series, a split 7" series devoted to transcending the trivial boundaries of genre, pairs up two Bay Area acts. Wobbly, a San Franciscan with a vigorous back catalog, including releases on Tigerbeat6, and collaborations with MATMOS. His track, Tiny Tongue, features guest vocals by Kevy B (AKA Kevin Blechdom) and, as a first in the series, guest instrumentation by his 7" partners, BULBS. It's a wiggly road, teeming with wet noodle guitar waver, elastic drums, and the type of vocal manipulation that evokes DAT POLITICS references; a beautifully dizzy track. Bulbs, a two piece of live-processed guitar and drums (although you'd never guess it), assemble a marvelously composed melange of harmonious static. The track lazily transitions from various degrees of dynamics, eventually locking into a rhythm led by ghost drums. Best listened to at loud volume. Another delightfully clumsy addition to the DIV/ORCE SERIES.

Bunnybrains 88 - Squirrel Attack EP LP (Equation Records) [E=MC006LP] $16.50
2005 release. "333 copies only. 21 min long 10" EP pressed on split red-clear vinyl. Over 21 minutes of hard-hitting studio and live tracks that defy simple categorization."

Conrad Schnitzler - 00/360 + 00/380 Mixes 1 12 inch (Orac) [ORAC029EP] $9.75
No description available at this time.

Dirk Leyers - Alma 12 inch (Klang Elektronik) [KLANG131EP] $9.75
Dirk Leyers presents his first record for Klang Elektronik. "Azul" is an impulsive track, with an anxious, meandering bass line and bright synthesizer sounds, while the beat unerringly gallops directly towards dancer's heaven. On the B-side, Dirk calms down a little bit and begrudges us with a conveniently laid-back, almost ambient piece of music called "Azur" before he relieves us with the spheric, whispering "Alma."

Donk Boys - Jambalaya 12 inch (Trapez) [TRAPEZ086EP] $9.75
No description available at this time.

Exploding Star Orchestra - We Are All From Somewhere Else 2xLP (Shortwave) [SHORTWAVE003] $29.50
RELEASE DATE: 04-15-2008
***NOW AVAILABLE ON VINYL!!! A brand new release from this all-star group of Chicago avant-garde improvisers led by ROB MAZUREK (CHICAGO UNDERGROUND, ISOTOPE 217), along with NICOLE MITCHELL (FREQUENCY, BLACK EARTH ENSEMBLE), TORTOISE members JOHN McENTIRE, JOHN HERNDON, and JEFF PARKER, and a ton of other prominent Chicago players. Ten tracks delivered in three distinct sections that correspond with a story involving an exploding star, cosmic transformation, a sting ray, and the destructive power of humans among others ideas and subjects.

Goon Moon - Licker's Last Leg LP (Black Diamond) [BDX03] $16.25
GOON MOON is the spooky and dirgey alignment of a sorted and celebrated bunch. The band features JEORDIE WHITE, who is better known as TWIGGY RAMIREZ from MARILYN MANSON and current bassist for NINE INCH NAILS and CHRIS GOSS, record producer for the likes of Kyuss and Queens Of The Stone Age, while also being the frontman of desert rock band MASTERS OF REALITY. Musically, the album is a true musical potpourri, which reflects the group's across-the-boards influences. No denying the recognizable sounds of both NIN and Queens Of The Stone Age, but also the influences of the new folk scene such as Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom and Deerhoof. Also, included on the sessions are ZACH HILL (HELLA), JOSH FREESE (VANDALS, A PERFECT CIRCLE, NIN), JOSH HOMME (QOTSA), DAVE CATCHING (EAGLES OF DEATH METAL, MONDO GENERATOR), WHITEY KIRST (IGGY POP) and PETER PERDICHIZZI (THE FLYS).

Guaranteed Katch - In A Sumptuous Brown Gravy LP (Equation Records) [E=MC010LP] $12.00
"333 copies only. Brown vinyl full-length LP. Born from the ashes of bands Post Mortem, Siege and Colon On The Cob, Guaranteed Katch carves a unique, indescribable niche in a world of copy cats and wannabes, providing the adventurous listener with a true alternative to the alternative. This LP is loaded with an unforgettable roster of action-packed songs, whirling the listener into a state of inexplicable dementia and psychiatric ineptitude. Described as 'jazz-core,' 'powdered-wig punk' or 'experimental noise-rock,' this recording provides a host of musically disorienting songs from who-knows-where through a combination of many different music styles played with irreverence and abandon: be it Killdozer-esque 'Baron Of Beef' to the haughty posturing of 'Trash-Knight.'"

John Starlight - Road Rage 12 inch (Ukw Records) [UKW009EP] $9.75
One-sided 12". John Starlight is ridin' dirty and kickin' up some dust with this one-sided bass-o-mator. Forward, reverse, bump, bump, reverse... "Road Rage" is a fine example of electronic music that isn't afraid of experimentation. That's the distinctive John Starlight sound which he defined in 2003 with the milestone Blood Angels: organic, bass-grinding and massive! That beer must be chilled, the engine must be thrilled, lame pling-plongs get out of the way.

Junior Boys - No Kinda Man 12 inch (Get Physical Music) [GPM087EP] $10.75
No description available at this time.

Juno6 - Salamis 12 inch (Broque) [BROQUE011EP] $11.00
No description available at this time.

Kaito - Alive/Everlasting Dub 12 inch (Kompakt) [KOM173EP] $9.75
No description available at this time.

Kawabata - Persuasion 12 inch (Drumpoet Community) [DRUMPOET013EP] $11.50
No description available at this time.

Landing - Gravitational IV LP (Equation Records) [E=MC012LP] $17.75
"450 copies only.180 gram virgin vinyl LP in a heavy 350 gram gatefold sleeve. Up until now, Gravitational IV has been known as Landing's 'lost' album. Mostly recorded during the sessions that led to 2004's Sphere (K Records), Gravitational IV is a varied and multi-textured album. Sound experiments, free flowing drone freakouts, and softly lilting lullabies make up what may be the most accomplished and interesting release of Landing's 8-year career. This is music to stay indoors with. This is vessyl music."

Lucio Aquilina - Squared Circle & Disco Bus Rmxs 12 inch (Trapez) [TRAPEZLTD063] $9.75
Italian DJ and producer Lucio Aquilina has already released two records with Trapez. In anticipation of his upcoming remix record, one track from each of his previous recordings are remixed here. "Squared Circle" was remixed by Red Robin & Jakob Hilden, and has a playful, quirky, massive bass line. On the flipside, Roland M. Dill remixes "Disco Bus." He has created a peak-time rocker, cutting up the vocal and other parts to make it a funky and mixable techno tool.

Marek Bois - Boissche Untiefen Part 1 12 inch (Rrygular) [RRY022A-EP] $9.75
No description available at this time.

Marek Bois - Boissche Untiefen 2xLP (Rrygular) [RRY022LP] $17.25
RELEASE DATE: 05-13-2008
This is the debut full-length release by Marek Bois. Niklas Worgt is a man of multiple identities. Most commonly known as Dapayk, he has been releasing techno under the moniker Marek Bois since 2006, and it is under this guise that he presents to us the irrepressible Boissche Untiefen. Released (with differing track lists) on double CD, double vinyl and also two 12"s, this is a comprehensive package to follow up on 2007's critically-acclaimed Black Beauty - a culmination of Niklas' works as one half of Dapayk & Padberg.

Mark Broom - Grab Pasta 12 inch (Platzhirsch Schallplatten) [PLATZLTD007EP] $10.25
No description available at this time.

Meneguar - The In Hour LP (Woodsist) [WOODSIST013LP] $13.50
No description available at this time.

Mincemeat or Tenspeed - All Critters 12 inch (Deathbomb Arc) [DBA083] $11.75
One day, young DAVEY HARMS wanted to make some techno music. But unlike every other red-blooded American boy, he had no drum machine, no sampler, no sequencer, and not even a computer. Despite being such a deprived little punk, Davey was resourceful and so he looked around his room for something else that he could make some beats out of. Gathering up all his guitar pedals and a mixer, he made the cyberpunk dream come true. In a recent Pitchfork poll, friend Dan Deacon named MINCEMEAT OR TENSPEED one of the best acts of 2007. This is magic on a plate. The feel good hit of 2008!

New Blockaders & Das Synthetische Mischgewebe, The - The Monosyllabic Bicycles Tri-Coloured Quadruples LP (Equation Records) [E=MC018LP] $32.00
Immaculate package and great concrete-influenced sound on this new ultra-limited release. "All-new full-length LP + 7" set pressed on the highest-quality 180g virgin vinyl with the 7" coming in its own picture sleeve. The LP coming in a super-heavy casebound sleeve (like those old 1970s US LP sleeves - very heavy, sturdy and lovely!). We offer here nearly an hour of new sound collages and spheres by the long-established and influential & infamous nihilists The New Blockaders working in close collaboration with the hugely acclaimed and long-running sound artists Das Synthetische Mischgewebe. It is a little surprising that these artists have not collaborated before. This is both a challenging and important anti-work that demands close listening as it took ages to craft the sonic textures contained in these spinning circular vinyl grooves." 305 numbered copies.

Pluxus - Solid State 12 inch (Kompakt) [KOM174EP] $9.75
No description available at this time.

Protest the Hero - Fortress LP (Cobraside/Vagrant) [CSDLP1121] $13.25
The vinyl version of this Whitby, Ontario band's latest studio album. The band's sound combines elements of Coheed & Cambria, At The Drive-In, and Everytime I Die, merging technical metal and post-hardcore instincts.

Raglani - Web Of Light Part 1 LP (Kvist) [KVIST002LP] $16.50
No description available at this time.

Russian Tsarlag/blue Shift - Thank You For The Plastic Surgery You've Given Me/The Burrow LP (Rare Youth) [RY011LP] $13.50
No description available at this time.

Saves the Day - Under The Boards LP (Cobraside/Vagrant) [CSDLP1118] $12.25
Cobraside vinyl for the band's latest studio album, second in a trilogy that began with 2005's Sound The Alarm and will be completed with yet another new studio album in spring of 2008. Hard to believe, but the Chico, California-based band will celebrate their tenth anniversary next year!

School, The - All I Wanna Do 7 inch (Elefant) [ER-259] $7.25
RELEASE DATE: 04-14-2008
Limited edition - Pink colour vinyl. It may be possible that you may have never heard of them, but this is totally understandable- they have only played four different concerts since signing to Elefant at the beginning of the summer of 2007. Since then, their live shows have increased in number and the group toured throughout the United Kingdom in October and November with THE LOVES. Skipping about on stages throughout Great Britain, from Scotland to the south of England and of course, London, this group has played on numerous occasions to their fans who come out in the plenty. Before the extensive tour, in September, they entered the studios with producer Ian Catt (SAINT ETIENNE, TREMBLING BLUE STARS, SHAMPOO, THE BOO RADLEYS, Kahimi Karie, THE FIELD MICE) to record two songs which will be a part of their debut single, "All I Wanna Do," among other songs. This special edition pink vinyl single will be the waiting room for the second single and their posterior LP debut, which will be out at the end of 2008. The fact is that this group of seven, led by the peppy Liz offers a well-rounded presentation (Amen to the delicious "Kiss You in the Snow" which came out on our holiday single!), where their handwriting marks are above and beyond excellent. More importantly, the pop tunes are filled with emotion. "All I Wanna Do" reminds us of CAMERA OBSCURA and embraces passion with the legacy of Phil Spector, with a chorus filled with moving romanticism and a song that grows with the intensity as each compass is played, embellishing the melancholy until it stops and it leaves you shivering. "Valentine" has something else in store for the listener, as it is on the other side of the single, with a tight chorus (a must to dance to!), an agile rhythm and Diana Ross thinking that THE SUPREMES never ended. An amazing B side! Pitchfork, Plan B and Under the Radar have all spoken highly of them, comparing them to classic bands such as THE BEATLES, ELO and THE BEACH BOYS and more modern groups like SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME, BELLE & SEBASTIAN and LUCKY SOUL, among others.

Sebastian Russell - Sexus 12 inch (Adjunct) [ADJUNTILL011] $10.25
"London resident, French-born Sebastian Russell has credits to his name on labels like Milnor Modern, Telegraph and Safari Electronique. A producer with a distinct sonic signature and a talent for creating infectious jacky grooves, Sebastian is now a proud new member of the Adjunct faculty. Acid shower drizzle kicks 'Sexus' off, melts down the tile floor and drops all the way down to the eternal basement of Seb's studio. The party is joined by squealing inorganic beings, ferocious drum computer and turns into a micro-fireworks-tech-house celebration. [a]pendics.shuffle effectively neutralizes the acid with bubbly alkaline, mischievous beats and a syncopated re-sequence of the original's acid stream. 'The Wing Chun Punch' and 'British Fart' continue the journey beneath the city streets. Swung and extra-tight beat programming, FX knobs on max, diabolical vocal warnings and other unexpected occurrences lead the way through the abstract realm of Sebastian's land of wonders."

Shit and Shine - Cigarette Sequence 7 inch (Skulltones) [SKT005] $6.25
Sewer hiss lullabies from beyond (read ENGLAND) for heavy kitchen appliances and foolish acid children. Recorded at Todd Ranch by CAKE. Pressed in a numbered edition of 300 copies.

Shonky - Time Zero Remixes 12 inch (Freak N' Chic) [FNC027EP] $10.75
No description available at this time.

Snow Patrol - Shut Your Eyes 12 inch (Endless Flight) [EF005EP] $9.75
Presenting a heartfelt remix of "Shut Your Eyes" by Naum Gabo.

Speedmarket Avenue - Way Better Now 7 inch (Elefant) [ER-260] $7.25
RELEASE DATE: 04-14-2008
Limited edition - white colour vinyl. SPEEDMARKET AVENUE, a Swedish group with a refined atmosphere, will prove to be, without a doubt, one of the most talked about musical references in 2008 for all POP lovers in capital letters. In "Way Better Now" they leave a good mark of their roots, as an advance to their second album, titled "Way Better Now" as well. On one hand, the title song is electric and fast-paced, finished off with a glorious chorus, in a more distorted THE ESSEX GREEN kind of sound, while "The New Idea" emanates a certain air of the songs that Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood played, offering a more innocent facet of the group, yet elegant at the same time. Two songs produced by Jari Haapalainen (producer of ED HARCOURT, INTERNATIONAL NOISE CONSPIRACY, THE CONCRETES and CAMERA OBSCURA, among others) which gives us one of the best virtues of the group; their all-terrain inspiration covers multiple styles and sounds, but has always embraced the pop and melody flag. Groups such as THE AISLERS SET, THE LUCKSMITHS, LADYBUG TRANSISTOR guide us to their sound but SLOWDIVE, THE CURE and TREMBLING BLUE STARS do as well.

Swat Squad - Sleep Traveller 12 inch (Galaktika Records) [GLK015EP] $11.50
No description available at this time.

Thank You - Terrible Two LP (Thrill Jockey) [THR198LP] $12.00
No description available at this time.

Thanksgiving - Welcome To Nowhere 2xLP (PWE and Sun) [ELV011] $18.25
RELEASE DATE: 04-15-2008
***Welcome Nowhere by THANKSGIVING was PW ELVRUM & SUN first release, (ELV000), way back in 2004. It was poorly mastered, pressed on flimsy thin vinyl, made on rough torn up covers, came with a weird CDR with pops and hiss and shit, the silkscreening had chunks of wood and stone in it, etc. Still, it sold out and ended up on eBay for some reason so the label figured they might as well rerelease it and might as well include all the other amazing songs from the sessions that didn't fit onto the first version. So here it is! Two records and a real CD (of the records), in a beautifully printed full-color glossy gatefold sleeve. Side 3 is the famous rare Pregnancy Series EP released by States Rights Records, now on vinyl for the first time. Side 4 is unheard songs of the era, including "Waterfalls." Everything was remastered by the excellent John Golden.

Thomas Belhom - No Border LP (Ici d'Ailleurs) [IDA036-1] $16.25
RELEASE DATE: 04-28-2008
Today, whereas some dream of always more hermetic borders, Thomas Belhom asserts his musician and world citizen's freedom on a second album recorded between Munich, London, Nashville and Paris. "No border" is the travelogue of a musician who loves encounters and who cannot bear all that prevent them from happening. Thus his tightrope walker's melodies have been enriched with trips and the recordings of numerous musicians and friends' participation. Stuart Stapples (Tinkersticks) - accompanied by Thomas on stage, after he took part to the recording of his second album "Leaving songs" - sings on the magnificent "South over the seven hills". You can also hear Volker Zander (Calexico), who accompanied Amor Belhom Duo on the double bass at the occasion of their last tour and Kim Ohio (Mad River) - met at the time of Witches Valley, who sings along with Thomas Belhom on three titles. One of the two instrumental tracks of the album is even composed and interpreted by Viva Yazon, who is also painter and from now on Thomas Belhom's wife, accompanied by Paul Nihaus (Lambchop) and his so characteristic steel guitar.

Thomas Muller - Ride On 12 inch (Zero G Sounds) [BPC168EP] $9.75
A French transplant to Berlin, Thomas Muller presents Ride On, his impressions of Parisian nightlife and a voyage though Europe's metropolises. "Ride On" slowly forms a hypnotic atmosphere until a long, deep break brings us back to earth. "X Nights" invades the ears with an awesome and dark bass line with small details that create a new space within the track. "Puppet's Dream" is Thomas' homage to Berlin's Bar 25, bringing back the spirit of summer onto the turntable.

Titus Andronicus - Albert Camus 7 inch (Troubleman Unlimited) [TMU195] $5.75
No description available at this time.

Tony Allen - Lagos Shake 2xLP (Honest Jon's Records) [HJR034LP] $19.00
Two years ago, Honest Jon's travelled to Lagos with the great drummer Tony Allen, to make his first recordings there since his time with Fela Kuti - an album entitled Lagos No Shaking, a classic of contemporary Afrobeat. Since then, the label has widely commissioned numerous responses to those new sides: from legends of dance music culture like Basic Channel in Berlin, for example, and founding father of Detroit techno, Carl Craig; and young tigers like Dizzee Rascal's Newham Generals, MIA producer Diplo in Baltimore, and carioca sensations Bonde Do Role from Rio De Janeiro. There are also new recordings from Cairo, Saturn, Bogota and Kingston, Jamaica - fresh interpretations or complete reworkings by the space jazz pioneer Salah Ragab, a street brass band descended from Sun Ra's Arkestra, highlife-inspired Afro-Colombian drummers from the village of San Palenque De Basilio, and a veteran of Count Ossie's Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari. Afrobeat, dub, jazz, chalupa, electro, highlife, techno, grime, carioca, champeta and funk from all corners, fizzing away together here...

Various Artists - Drumpoems Verse 1 12 inch (Drumpoet Community) [DRUMPOET012EP] $11.50
No description available at this time.

Wareika Hill Sounds - Proverbs of Proverbs 7 inch (Honest Jon's Records) [HJP044EP] $7.25
RELEASE DATE: 05-13-2008
Unexpectedly uplifting, shuffling, percussive rug-cutter, with the Light Of Saba veteran bringing a little go-go to the grounation, and a lovely dub mixed by Moritz von Oswald.

[ H I S T O R I C A L ]

Henryk Debich - String Beat LP (Bureau B) [BB011LP] $16.00
RELEASE DATE: 05-27-2008
LP-only release. One of the most legendary and eagerly sought-after treasures of Polish jazz funk is about to see the light of day again. First issued in 1975, Henryk Debich's String Beat is now released on vinyl by Bureau B, thanks to a friendly tip-off by Roskow Kretschmann of Jazzanova, an expert on jazz and groove obscurities.

JW Farquhar - The Formal Female LP (Shadoks Music) [SHAD099LP] $41.25
"All tracks where recorded by JW Jarquhar in 1972. The songs on The Formal Female were written as an outcry against the materialistic nature of the woman during that time period in 1972. It is amazing electric fuzz album full of effects and it's a masterpiece such as D.R. Hooker. Extra heavy psychedelic."

Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band - Bongo Rock 2xLP (Mr. Bongo Recordings) [MRB043LP] $19.25
Double LP version, as originally reissued in 2006. "Bongo Rock or The Story Of The Incredible Bongo Band features the two original Bongo Band albums in their entirety (Bongo Rock and The Return of the Incredible Bongo Band) The Incredible Bongo Band's cover of track 'Apache' originally made famous by The Shadows is simply legendary in the world of dance music. Not only arguably one of the most sampled tracks of all time and a staple for Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash as they invented the art of DJing at the Bronx block parties of the '70s, it has become an all-time hip hop and breakers' anthem and is revered as the original break of all original breaks with the rhythms of this LP coining the term Breakbeat. Formed by MGM A&R Michael Viner in 1972 to supplement the soundtrack to the virtually anonymous B film The Thing With Two Heads. The IBB went from loose studio collective to an instrumental pop covers consortium, interpreting classics of the day in their own inimitable percussive fashion. B-Movie soundtracks, The Beatles, drummers gone bad, Frank Zappa, Kool Herc... The album has a remarkable story behind it, detailed in Angus Batey's extensive sleeve notes. 'Apache' has been sampled by: Missy Elliot, Coldcut, Will Smith, Goldie, Jurassic 5, Moby, Run DMC, Sugarhill Gang, Beastie Boys and Massive Attack and many many more. A must in every record collection."

Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band - Apache 12 inch (Mr. Bongo Recordings) [MRB12035EP] $10.25
@ cuts from the album, with loud 12" pressing. Plus 2 remixes, not on the 2LP version; the extended Flash remix is pretty cool. A1. Apache (Grandmaster Flash mix) A2. Apache (Original) B1. Last Bongo In Belgium (Breakers mix) B2. Bongolia (Original).

Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band - Bongo Rock/Apache 7 inch (Mr. Bongo Recordings) [MRB7043EP] $7.75
Limited 7" featuring "Apache" and "Bongo Rock."

Morning After - Blue Blood LP (Shadoks Music) [SHAD103LP] $41.25
"Here we have a completely unknown album from England from 1971. Morning After recorded this LP as a demo only to acquire a record deal (as so many bands did in the late '60s early '70s). So the album was pressed only in tiny amounts. The music on this album is pure British Underground, electrifying, pure and raw, no Sgt. Pepper sing along tunes. Just superb!"

No Means No - Day Everything Became Isolated And Destroyed LP (Wrong) [WRONG34V] $16.25
A ressue of NO MEANS NO's first release with the legendary Alternative Tentacles label. Small Parts Isolated And Destroyed was their third full-length first released in 1988 compiled together with the EP The Day Everything Became Nothing, aptly titled The Day Everything Became Isolated And Destroyed. These recordings show NMN at the height of their creativity and their early obsession with social order in its many strands. The band's trademark genre-defiance is in full effect, with blistering punk/hardcore tracks like "Dead Souls" and "Teresa Give Me That Knife" to the long, noisy jazzcore of "Small Parts Isolated And Destroyed" and the amazing "Brother Rat/What Slayde Says", the latter functioning almost like a spoken word piece.

No Means No - 0 + 2 = 1 LP (Wrong) [WRONG35V] $16.25
"0+2=1, that strange equation that never seems to add up, unlike those units flying out the door back in the day! Oh those rosy days in mid July, 1991. The last hurrah for guitarist ANDY KERR, etching the schecter into what would be his final NO MEANS NO release. What would be a turning point is punctuated here with an unconcluded vision of a world not understood. A rockin' vision that is, balls to the walls baby! OWWW!!! Remastered and 'edgy,' this blast from our past couldn't have come at a more convenient time...for us."-John Wright, NMN

Sacros - Sacros LP (Shadoks Music) [SHAD098LP] $41.25
"Sacros ('The Sacred') was a Chilean rock band... The music goes in the same direction as Los Jaivas, Los Blops and El Congreso (all from Chile) and Lula Cortez from Brazil. It has a great 12 string Rickenbacker sounds, effects, great vocals and rhythms with an experimental touch. You can call this easy one of the rarest albums from Latin America since only a handful of copies survived. The band recorded only this one album in 1973."

Steel An' Skin - Afro Punk Reggae (Dub) 12 inch (Honest Jon's Records) [HJP045EP] $10.75
RELEASE DATE: 05-13-2008
From the Honest Jon's 'hood - Ladbroke Grove, late 1970s - stomping disco, dubwise reggae and regal steel-band.

Tommy Jay - Tall Tales Of Trauma LP (Columbus Discount) [CDR020] $12.50
The long-awaited reissue of the 1986 Old Age/No Age cassette, Tall Tales of Trauma. A collection of DIY barn and basement-recorded classic from 10 years (out of 30) worth of recording by TOMMY JAY-member/songwriter and co-producer of EGO SUMMIT, MIKE REP & THE QUOTAS, and the (Ohio) TRUE BELIEVERS. The tracks are of a musical dark matter, an unseen cosmic force connecting 1970s Ohio punk/folk 4-track experiments to the Cowtown lo-fi explosion of the early-'90s and beyond. Limited edition of 500 copies on both formats. CD includes eight bonus tracks.

Various Artists - Melenudos! LP (Gorilla Records) [GORILLA001LP] $22.25
"15 floor-filler tracks taken from rare Spanish 45s and LPs, 1967-1974: a fantastic journey through Spanish freakbeat, soul, beat and garage-psych scene, featuring killer tracks"