gregor samsa - young and old

i saw gregor samsa open for interpol about 4 years ago and since then i'd been patiently waiting for a full length from them. on april 4th, the band finally released "55:12" on the kora records and let me just say the long wait was well worth it. robotic empire also just released the cd version of the band's split 12" with red sparowes. their sound contains elements of shoegaze and post-rock and feature dual male/female vocals.

mp3 | gregor samsa - young and old
bonus:
mp3 | gregor samsa - makeshift shelters
mp3 | gregor samsa - what i can manage

brian glaze - well did ya mean it?

back in february, brian glaze (formerly of the brian jonestown massacre) released his debut solo album "let's go to the sea" via birdman records. this psychedelic folk-rock record was not only produced by greg ashley (of gris gris) but also features him playing on it as well. easily one of the most overlooked albums of the year thus far.

mp3 | brian glaze - well did ya mean it?
bonus:
mp3 | brian glaze - oh baby don't go to the sea

asobi seksu - new years

here's a track from the upcoming asobi seksu album entitled "citrus". it's being released by friendly fire recordings on may 30th. these japanese shoegazers have a sound reminiscent of lush and my bloody valentine.

mp3 | asobi seksu - new years
bonus:
mp3 | asobi seksu - red sea (live)

imaad wasif - spark

imaad wasif has played in alaska! and lowercase and is currently the touring 4th member of the yeah yeah yeahs. on april 11th, kill rock stars released his self titled solo debut and i think it's amazing. i can easily see his folk-pop sound being compared to jeff buckley, elliott smith and maybe even a less ambitious sufjan stevens. highly recommended.

mp3 | imaad wasif - spark
bonus:
mp3 | imaad wasif - out in the black

the loved ones - arsenic

the loved ones play catchy melodic punk and consist of former members of paint it black, kid dynamite and trial by fire. this past february, they released their debut full length "keep your heart" on fat wreck chords. here's my favorite track off the album.

mp3 | the loved ones - arsenic
bonus:
mp3 | the loved ones - suture self
mp3 | the loved ones - jane

yeah yeah yeahs - deja vu

the yeah yeah yeahs released their sophomore album "show your bones" last month on interscope records and i think it's a big step forward for the band. more solid songwriting and a less spazzy sound. pitchfork recently did an interview with them and you can read it here. check out this bonus track not on the domestic version of the album.

mp3 | yeah yeah yeahs - deja vu

caspian - further up

in november of last year, caspian released their debut ep "you are the conductor" via dopamine records. they play instrumental post-rock and the ep is basically one continuous song broken down into 6 sections. fans of saxon shore and explosions in the sky will probably dig this.

mp3 | caspian - further up
bonus:
mp3 | caspian - further in

feathers - to each his own

feathers are an eight piece freak-folk ensemble based out of massachusetts and vermont. they're self titled album was originally self released last year exclusively on a limited run of vinyl. earlier this month, gnomonsong finally gave the album a proper cd release. recommended for fans of animal collective and devendra banhart.

mp3 | feathers - to each his own

mgr (mustard gas and roses) - i

mgr (mustard gas and roses) is the solo endeavor of mike gallagher (of isis). his debut album "nova lux" was released a couple weeks ago via neurot recordings. 5 instrumental tracks of ambient drones with sparse guitar work. perfect music to fall asleep to.

mp3 | mgr (mustard gas and roses) - i
bonus:
mp3 | mgr (mustard gas and roses) - iv

moccasin - ezra's ghost

moccasin, the band formerly known as nightingale, is 4 guys based out of denver colorado. they play a interesting blend of psych-rock thats heavy on the fuzz and reverb. in june, invisible cities will be re-releasing their debut ep entitled "last leaf" along with 2 extra songs the band recently recorded. think spacemen 3 meets the verve.

mp3 | moccasin - ezra's ghost
bonus:
mp3 | moccasin - r.t.f.

lucero - wish me luck (demo)

just what i needed, another reason to post about lucero! this past tuesday, the boys reissued one of their earlier recordings "the attic tapes" on their own liberty and lament label. included with the original album are 5 bonus tracks comprised of rare demos along with their "my best girl" 7". "the attic tapes" has been out of print for a while so do yourself a favor a pick up this new pressing. here's one of the demos i mentioned.

mp3 | lucero - wish me luck (demo)

drag the river - hybrid moments (live)

here's drag the river covering a song by the misfits taken from their "live at the starlight" album. it was reissued last year by mars motors and includes a bonus cd of their "live at the green door" album that was previously only available on vinyl. the band recently put out a new 7" entitled "has a way with women" with the aforementioned label. they also just announced their next full length "it's crazy" will be out on june 6th via suburban home records.

mp3 | drag the river - hybrid moments (live)
bonus:
mp3 | drag the river - all in all (live)
mp3 | drag the river - calloused heart (live)

blood meridian - oh oh oh

blood meridian is a canadian band that shares members with black mountain. earlier this year they put out an ep entitled "soldiers of christ" via outside music. the band also recently announced that they have signed with v2 records in the states and their next full length "kick up the dust" should be out later this year. the track i'm posting comes from their 2004 debut "we almost made it home" (teenage usa recordings). they play southern gothic inspired americana similar to magnolia electric co. and simon joyner.

mp3 | blood meridian - oh oh oh

black mountain - behind the fall

i'm sure by now everyone has heard of black mountain and you know just how amazing they are. last year jagjaguwar released the band's self titled debut along with their "druganaut" companion ep. next month they will be releasing a limited edition 7" with suicide squeeze records. the track i'm posting today comes from the upcoming kemado records compilation "invaders". more info on that comp, which features mostly unreleased material, can be found here.

mp3 | black mountain - behind the fall
bonus:
mp3 | black mountain - druganaut
mp3 | black mountain - heart of snow

the weight - dragged back in

when the weather starts to get warm i can't help but have more alt. country in my music rotation. there's just something great about being able to sit on a porch and listen to some twangy guitars, harmonicas and lyrics about drinking. the weight fit right in with these specifications. their sophomore album "ten mile grace" was released back in 2004 by sabot productions. bruce springsteen meets lucero.

mp3 | the weight - dragged back in
bonus:
mp3 | the weight - ten mile grace
mp3 | the weight - ships

oceanographer - stations

this past january, oceanographer released their debut full length "on leaping from airplanes" via one mountain records. this sure to be overlooked album is filled with country-tinged indie tunes that are both atmospheric and dreamy. reminds me a little of mojave 3 or owen. have a listen for yourself.

mp3 | oceanographer - stations
bonus:
mp3 | oceanographer - polaroid prince
mp3 | oceanographer - ash and rags

russian circles - new macabre

russian circles is an instrumental math-metal band based out of chicago. on may 16th, flameshovel records will be putting out the band's debut full length "enter". 6 songs that clock in just under 45 minutes. definitely worth checking out if you're into pelican or collapsar.

mp3 | russian circles - new macabre
bonus:
mp3 | russian circles - death rides a horse

vetiver - maureen

when it comes to the freak-folk scene, andy cabic better known as vetiver is probably the most accessible of the bunch. on june 23rd, his sophomore album "to find me gone" will be released via dicristina stair. while recording, he used a rotating cast of friends as his backing band. the last track on the album even features vocals from devendra banhart. i know it's only april but i have a feeling "to find me gone" will end up being one of my favorites of the year. it's that good.

mp3 | vetiver - maureen

the bronx - history's stranglers

the bronx are a punk band from california that will be releasing their second self titled album in july on island records. the band also recently put out a live dvd entitled live at the annandale which i recently got my hands on and recommend checking out. if you haven't heard these guys before just imagine hot snakes meets queens of the stone age meets refused. fucking crazy.

mp3 | the bronx - history's stranglers
bonus:
mp3 | the bronx - shitty future

pia fraus - chromatic nights

pia fraus is a six piece shoegaze/dream pop band hailing from estonia. february marked the release of their third album "nature heart software" via their own seksound records. as far as i know, it's only available for purchase in the states over at tonevendor. hazy 'wall of sound' guitars with hushed male/female vocals. beautiful.

mp3 | pia fraus - chromatic nights

the black angels - the sniper at the gates of heaven

next week, the black angels will be releasing their debut full length "passover" by way of light in the attic records. ever since i heard their self titled ep i've been patiently waiting to hear more from these guys and they haven't let me down one bit. their drone/garage/fuzz sound should appeal to fans of black rebel motorcycle club and the brian jonestown massacre. highly recommended.

mp3 | the black angels - the sniper at the gates of heaven
bonus:
mp3 | the black angels - bloodhounds on my trail

billy bragg - a new england

i've been listening to a ton of billy bragg lately so i figured i'd share. earlier this year, yep roc reissued 4 of billy's releases completely remastered plus a bonus disc of rare material for each. he recently signed with anti- and plans on putting out something new early in 2007. if you like your music with heart, it doesn't get much better than this.

mp3 | billy bragg - a new england
bonus:
mp3 | billy bragg - bush war blues (unreleased)

coliseum - head down and burn

in their short existence, coliseum has become a major force to be reckoned with in the punk/metal scene. lead by ryan patterson (of black cross), last year they released an eight song ep "goddamage" via auxiliary records. they play very fast, loud and aggressive music similar to high on fire and motorhead. the perfect soundtrack for destruction.

mp3 | coliseum - head down and burn

mono - the remains of the day

on april 11th, japanese post-rockers mono will be releasing their fifth album "you are there". the record was produced by steve albini and is being put out by temporary residence. check them out if you're a fan of explosions in the sky.

mp3 | mono - the remains of the day
bonus:
mp3 | mono - the flames beyond the cold mountain (edit)