ladyhawk - came in brave

ladyhawk is a vancouver based four piece that recently released their self titled debut on june 6th via jagjaguwar records. the album is filled with drunken indie rock tunes that are influenced by classic rock artists such as the band and neil young. it also features contributions/production from members of black mountain, so you know it's good. most likely the best debut effort you'll hear all year.

mp3 | ladyhawk - came in brave
bonus:
mp3 | ladyhawk - the dugout

the who - bargain

i've been listening to the who a lot this past week. if for some reason you've never got into them, then i suggest starting by picking up their album "who's next" (1971). be sure to get the 2-disc deluxe edition that was released by mca back in 2003 because it has a ton of extras. here's one of my favorite tracks off the album.

mp3 | the who - bargain

brightblack morning light - amber canyon magik

today marks the release of brightblack morning light's second full length. the album, which is self titled, was put out by matador records. this male/female duo makes syrupy blues/country influenced folk tunes perfect for sleepy summer evenings. here's my favorite track off the album.

mp3 | brightblack morning light - amber canyon magik
bonus:
mp3 | brightblack morning light - everybody daylight

neal casal - sundowntown

neal casal is a singer/songwriter that recently released his 8th solo album entitled "no wish to reminisce". it came out last month on fargo records. if you didn't already know, neal is also the lead guitarist for ryan adams and the cardinals. recommended if you like the southern pop/rock charm of bands like big star, tom petty or the eagles.

mp3 | neal casal - sundowntown

the donkeys - come on virginia

the donkeys are a 4 piece country/blues/soul/indie/psych band based out of san diego. their self titled debut was released back in april on antenna farm records. if you're down with dios (malos) or my morning jacket then you're going to dig these guys. this is my new summer jam.

mp3 | the donkeys - come on virginia
bonus:
mp3 | the donkeys - in the morning

jesu - silver

back in april, jesu released a new ep entitled "silver" on hydrahead records. with this release, justin broadrick has given his band a slightly more hopeful tone. the 4 songs are backed by electronic drums and have a more upbeat sound compared to previous efforts. hands down, this is some of the best music being made today. in the world of neo-shoegaze, jesu is king.

mp3 | jesu - silver

anoice - kyoto

anoice is an instrumental post-rock band from japan. on may 23rd, they released their debut album "remmings" via important records. they use pianos, electronics, violins and guitars to round out their classical yet modern sound. recommended if you're a fan of mono or tarentel.

mp3 | anoice - kyoto
bonus:
mp3 | anoice - liange

slowdive - alison

i figured since i mention these guys so much, i'd finally post something by them. slowdive were one of the pioneers of shoegazer music and "souvlaki" is probably the second most popular album in the genre (my bloody valentine's "loveless" being #1). the album was originally released back in 1993 by creation records but in november of last year sanctuary records reissued it along with a bonus disc full of extras. here's one of my favorite tracks off the album.

mp3 | slowdive - alison

drag the river - dirty lips

this week, drag the river released their new album "it's crazy" on suburban home records. if you don't already know, the band features former members of all and armchair martian and they recently picked up a member of hot rod circuit as well. these guys are easily one of the most underrated alt-country bands around. pick this album up along with a twelve pack of pbr and enjoy.

mp3 | drag the river - dirty lips
bonus:
mp3 | drag the river - leavin' in the morning
mp3 | drag the river - me and joe drove out to california

the marked men - a little lesson

on may 16th, swami records released the marked men's third album "fix my brain". these guys play catchy angular garage-punk that is sure to rock your socks off. just imagine hot snakes meets the ramones. yeah, it's that good.

mp3 | the marked men - a little lesson

my education - armistice day

my education is a 7 piece post-rock band from texas. last year they released a full length entitled "italian" via thirty ghosts records. the label also recently put out their new ep "moody dipper". it features 3 new songs along with remixes from the likes of dalek, red sparowes, teith and kinski. the band has plans to record a new full length sometime this fall. here's a track from the new ep.

mp3 | my education - armistice day

don caballero - sure we had knives around

the legendary instrumental math-rock band don caballero have returned with their new album "world class listening problem". the album was released on may 16th via relapse records and it's their first in nearly 5 years. even though the only remaining original member is the drummer, i'm sure this will still please long time fans of the band.

mp3 | don caballero - sure we had knives around
bonus:
mp3 | don caballero - mmmmm acting, i love me some good acting
mp3 | don caballero - savage composition