Everyone I Ever Met by Spokes (2011)

Kind of Like: Godspeed You!, Sigur Ros, Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene
Genres: Post-Rock, Ambient, Folk, Shoegaze

There are too many shitty regurgitated post-rock bands.  This is not one of them.  This is actually much more chorus and melody driven than most post-rock bands.  Probably because this is nowhere near a conventional post-rock album.  One issue I'm having: is Everyone I Ever Met even a sentence?  Shouldn't it be Everyone I've Ever Met?  Oh well....

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The Cartographer by The Republic of Wolves (2011)

Kind of Like: Tigers on Trains, Brand New, As Tall As Lions
Genres: Indie, Post-Hardcore, Emo, Experimental

I was taken aback by this album.  I never heard of this band, and I certainly wasn't expecting this when I started the download.  This is what they call an extended play, it came out a few months after their debut Verona. The Cartographer is the band’s way of reaching out beyond what they already know, and exploring the boundaries within themselves and within a genre.  I haven't had a chance to hear Verona, but many people are claiming this extended play is better than their debut album.  If that's the case, I hope they keep going in this direction.

Download Here

All Through the Night by The Sand Band (2011)

Kind of Like: Bright Eyes, Elliot Smith, Neil Young
Genres: Folk, Indie, Ambient

Another great soft folk band.  The only problem I have is that sometimes they have a lack of deliberateness at certain points and just fall off into too much atmosphere and not enough melody.  That does not outweigh all of the good things going on with this album though.  At any rate, this album is sensuous; just plain luxurious.

Download Here

The People's Key by Bright Eyes (2011)

Kind of Like: A rockier version of Bright Eyes, Belle & Sebastian, City and Colour

Genres: Indie, Folk, Emo

The new album set to be released February 15th.  What does it sound like? “Just heard half of the new Bright Eyes record. Best sci-fi emo album of the last 20 years!!!"-Bright Eyes/Rilo Kiley drummer Jason Boesel.  Here ya go.

Download Here

In Search of Elusive Little Comets by Little Comets (2011)

Kind of Like: Foals, Vampire Weekend, Bloc Party
Genres: Indie, Experimental, Math Rock

This album just came out today.  Definitely can tell where they are from early on.  I am listening through this album right now, and my first impressions are good, but I'm gonna take this with me to class and see how I like it after a few listens.  I can see a lot of people loving it.  So here it is for you to enjoy.  I'm sure people are going to eat this up.

Download Here

The Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Emanuela Orlandi by End of a Year (2011)

Kind of Like: Adorno, Make Do and Mend, Life at these Speeds

Genres: Hardcore, Post-hardcore, Punk

These guys are pissed at Jesus/catholicism.  This is a short EP; only three songs.  I like the middle one the most.

Download Here

Good Old War Discography (2010)

Kind of Like: Fleet Foxes, Days Away, Avett Brothers
Genres: Folk, Indie

I saw these guys for the first time last night after first listening to them 3 years ago.  I don't know why I never got around to it before, they are from Chicago after all.  It was in Kalamazoo and after we drove out their I was wondering if it was really going to be worth it.  It turned out to be a great show.  They had good beer on tap at the Strutt (I had some Short's Good Humans, a hoppy brown ale).  The first two bands weren't that memorable, which is probably why I had my doubts until Good Old War played.  They played a great set; mostly stuff from their first album which I like more and after playing on stage for awhile they came down into the crowd to play four or five songs, kind of like what Maps and Atlases did in Toledo.  When they came down into the crowd I asked their lead guy, Keith, if he's ever been told he looks a lot like Charlie Day, to which he replied: "Everyday".

Download Only Way to Be Alone Here

Download their self-titled newest album here

Phenomenomenons by Love Axe (2011)

Kind of Like: The Avett Brothers (ambient version), Those Transatlantics, Destroyer (folkier version)

Genres: Folk, Indie, Ambient

A great debut for this band.  The only thing I'm disappointed about this album is that it isn't called: "Phenomnomnomnoms".  The link is to their bandcamp where you can download the album for free or choose to donate if you want.

Download Here

Caravels EP by Caravels (2011)

Kind of Like: We Were Skeletons, Defeater, Kidcrash, Touche Amore
Genres: Post-Hardcore, Screamo

This is only two song long EP.  This EP clocks in a little over 8 minutes.  However, it's what some good reviewers may call a "tour de force".  But that isn't something I would say naturally.  Anyways, I want this band to come out with more stuff, and guess who is distributing this?  Topshelf Records; this label has a beast of a roster.

Download Here

Deerhoof Vs. Evil by Deerhoof (2011)

Kind of Like: Women, Lightning Bolt, Zach Hill
Genres: Indie, Experimental

Whenever I think of or mention the band Lightning Bolt, I smile because I always think of this:

Download Here

What Do You Mean We're Just Friends EP by Mane Horse (2010)

Kind of Like: Snowing, Palmkite, Prawn
Genres: Emo, Math Rock, Screamo

This was on my recommended list for last.fm, this EP reminds me a lot of Snowing's first EP; it has potential but the recording kind of sucks.  Also, the screams are corny at times.  Not the yelling, that's all good.  They just do this screaming in one song that just doesn't fit...yea like a minute into "No Man Left Behind", sounds like he's throwing up the words.  Stick to the yelling stuff, boys.  Essentially, this band has potential, and I'm interested to see what they do after this album.

Download Here

Black Masses by Electric Wizard (2010)

Kind of Like: Boris, Weedeater, Latitudes
Genre: Sludge, Doom

"Their sound is a crushing behemoth of funeral march psychedelia. Violent, bleak and ritualistic."


That's from their last.fm, better than anything I can think to say of them.

Download Here

Agonist by Latitudes (2009)

Kind of Like: Boris, Talons, Russian Circles, Pelican
Genres: Sludge, Post-Rock, Post-Hardcore

That is probably one of the most epic covers for an album I've seen.  That dog better run.  From their last.fm:

"Produced by Chris Fielding (Napalm Death, Electric Wizard), Latitudes debut album ‘Agonist’ - which features the addition of new keyboardist Rich Harper and vocal contributions courtesy of vocalist Adam Symonds - is an awe-inspiring piece of work. Symonds’ delicate yet piercing delivery hauntingly intertwines with brutal slabs of heavy and emotive riffagery. The complete picture is mesmerizing in its originality and breathtaking in its power."


Download Here

Kaputt by Destroyer (2011)

Kind of Like: The New Pornngraphers, Deerhunter, Broken Social Scene

Genres: Indie, Ambient, Electronica

The songs on here range from warm, ambient stuff that one could drift to sleep to (in a good way), and warm, soft, dancy, funk music.  Basically, this is a very clever, warm album.

Download Here

Ascent by Maths (2011)

Kind of Like: La Quiete, Kidcrash, Daitro
Genres: Screamo, Hardcore, Post-Hardcore

New EP from the UK La Quiete-esque band.  This comes after their first LP "Descent".

Download Here

The Sound of Snowfall by Palmkite (2011)

Kind of Like: American Football, Algernon Cadwallader, Snowing

Genres: Emo, Indie, Math Rock

"All the fellas in the band are away at school currently but play whenever they get a chance. Over the next year, the azzholes hope to tour a bit and record some more."


Download Here

Hilarious by Louis C.K. (2011)

Kind of Like: Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, David Cross
Genres: Comedy

Here is a new comedy act from Louis C.K.  If you haven't seen his new show Louie on FX or seen/heard his act before, you should.  I kind of want to get the DVD for this because seeing and hearing a comedian just isn't the same as just hearing them.  But, this is funny regardless.

Download Here

F O R T R E S S by Miniature Tigers (2010)

Kind of Like: The Morning Benders, Portugal. The Man, fun.

Genres: Indie, Experimental

I decided to look into one of the bands opening for the Get Up Kids because Lori already got tickets.  The more I listen to the new Get Up Kids the more worried I am about seeing them.  The more I listen to this album, however, the more I am interested in seeing this band.  So, all is not lost.

Download Here

Cloud Nothings by Cloud Nothings (2011)

Kind of Like: Smith Westerns, The Promise Ring, The Get Up Kids, Blink 182
Genre: Indie, Emo, Pop Punk

Another fuzzy lo-fi indie band, but why listen to me when I have someone I know you'll listen to: Pitchfork.

"...And while the latter motions toward the skittering Midwestern pop-punk of the Promise Ring and recently reunited Get Up Kids as much as Buzzcocks, its final gasp echoes (as though in tribute) that of Wavves' Nathan Williams, another former lo-fi kid who's made impressive use of the studio. "Should Have" opts however for the suburbs instead of the beach and the unabashed melodicism of Gin Blossoms over Nirvana, Baldi's voice moving even lower. Once "Forget You All the Time" arrives, he sounds as strong and confident behind the mic as he does unspooling all those gorgeous strands of guitar."

Download Here

Maps & Atlases Discography (2010)

Kind of Like: This Town Needs Guns, Piglet, Native

Genres: Math Rock, Indie, Experimental

I figure I would throw this up here because I think their discography is a must at this point.  I've seen them like a few times (Chicago isn't too far from here), and these guys are just plain nice guys.  Oh, and they make great music too.  I started listening to them back when they released Trees, Swallows, Houses (pictured), and I first saw them with RX Bandits and Portugal. The Man (talk about a great line-up).  This includes the said album, You and Me and the Mountain, and their newest release Perch Patchwork.  Some call Perch Patchwork a disappointing album, but they should've seen it coming a mile a way with how You and Me and the Mountain sounded.  Either way, I like their new sound and their old sound, and I think you will too.

Download Here

Zonoscope by Cut Copy (2011)

Kind Of Like: Daft Punk, Two Door Cinema Club, The Avalanches

Genres: Electronica, Ambient, Experimental

The last I listened to this band was Bright Like Neon Love .  Apparently, they came out with another album between that one and this one I'm about to talk about now.  Bright Like Neon Love sounded a lot like Daft Punk; this new album does not at all.  There really aren't any really catchy dance songs.  They've evolved.  I like posting what other people said more than trying to explain, so here:

"Dan Whitford explained that the music on here was created in a more more open environment through “weird, extended jams.” As a result, he said the album tends to have a more “repetitive, hypnotic, rhythmic” sound and a less straightforward approach than prior records."


Also, this is a leaked album; it isn't due out til early Februay.  So if this is something different than what is to be released then...oops.  I think this is it though, seems like there was too much effort put into this to be a fake.


Download Here

The Big Roar by The Joy Formidable (2011)

Kind Of Like: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Rainer Maria, The Pixies, The Arcade Fire

Genres: Indie, Ambient, Post-Punk

To be up front, I never had a big thing for female vocals.  I don't know why, probably for the same reason I don't like female comedians (comediennes, whatever the fuck).  Just kidding, that's kinda chauvinistic.  Honestly, it's hard to find good female vocalist/comediannezzase.  Anywho, as you would guess, this band has a female vocalist, and she won me over.  People are calling this album "shit-gaze".  Apparently shit-gaze is a mix of grunge and shoegaze.  Pretty fucked up, huh?  I didn't think shoegaze could even be expanded.  Either way, I had a hard time pinpointing who this band sounded like, so I asked Lori what they sounded like as I played them on my laptop, and that's who she came up with.  I encourage you to critique her severely.  I like this band though.

Download Here

The Recordings of the Middle East by The Middle East (2009)

Kind of Like: Fleet Foxes, Jose Gonzalez, Bright Eyes

Genres: Indie, Ambient

I remember how I first heard of this band.  I was going back and forth from my room and watching IFC (great channel) and all of sudden while I was in my room I heard this band playing from the TV on IFC.  They were doing a live set of their song "Blood".  I immediately liked them.  I really soft ambient band.  Definitely, worth a listen, at least "Blood" anyways.

Download Here

Dye It Blonde by Smith Westerns (2011)

Kind of Like: George Harrison/The Beatles, Beach Boys (minus everything about surfing)

Genres: Indie

Now for something different:  these lads are a fuzzy indie band.  These songs are pretty damn catchy and...well...you oughta just give them a listen.  Here is what somebody said that puts it pretty well:

"Also, impressively, despite all those influences it’s an album that manages to sound modern, steer clear of being nostalgic and create the sound of being young today... they’ve taken something old and classic and warped it to fit their own devices"

Where do they pull these crazy sentences from?

Download Here

Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons (2010)

Kind of Like: Good Old War, Noah and the Whale, Fleet Foxes
Genres: Folk, Indie

2010 was a big year for this brisith bluegrass/folk group.  They managed to get #2 on Last.fm's top listened to bands in 2010.  That's actually how I first started listening to them.  All of their songs tend to swirl into catchy folk epicness.  The lead singer is quite the crooner.

Download Here

Cavalcade by The Flatliners (2010)

Kind of Like: The Suicide Machines, A Wilhelm Scream, The Lawrence Arms

Genres: Punk

I first listened to this band when they released Destroy to Create, when I was way too into ska/punk.  I kinda stopped listening to them when I stopped listening to ska.  Well, I started hearing from people that this was the best punk album to be released in 2010, so I picked it up.  The Flatliners at some point decided to stop playing/singing as fast as they could and focused more on slowing things down a tad and flexing their musicianship muskulls more.  This album is not slow by any means, just compared to Destroy to Create.  They also dropped their ska influences a lot and focused more on punk/rock.  It's a very catchy album that I have been listening to quite a bit this year.

Download Here

When the Night Comes by The State Lottery (2010)

Kind of Like: The Lawrence Arms, Against Me!, Get Bent
Genres:  Punk, Folk

This is a great folky punk band.  I got to see them New Year's Eve in Detroit, and they tore it up.  Great band to sing-along to, much like the Lawrence Arms are.  The site that you download this album from is actually run by one of the guys in this band.  It's a website called If You Make It, and it is a great place to find new music.

Download Here

Kidcrash Discography (2010)

Kind of Like: Daitro, Native,  L'antietam
Genres: Emo (first album), Post-Hardcore, Hardcore, Math Rock

This band is extremely underrated.  If you were to listen to their first album New Ruins, you would think anything after was a different band.  Funny enough,  I like both of Kidcrash's split personalities.  They are one of those cool bands that has a webpage dedicated to downloading their work.  They even did this after getting screwed out of a lot of money from their first album (read below):

“Please don’t order this cd (New Ruins). After spending more than $10,000 of our own money recording it, Lujo Records continues to try to justify their right to continue to collect 100% of the royalties from mp3 sales, after four years of selling the album on itunes and amazon. At one point we requested a box of cds for a show, they sent them way too late and they didn’t arrive for the show. We never ended up selling them, but according to them we still owe them $400 for those cds and with that included they are still out about $500 recouping their $2000 investment. Reality is, we are still out about $8000, and they are honestly out maybe $200-$300 and have plenty of copies of the cd left. But there is no way for us to know how much they have made off of the sales of our mp3s. We have, on multiple occasions demanded that four years is long enough, and that the mp3s be removed from itunes."

So feel free to download all of their stuff below.  Don't know where to start?  In my opinion their demo is their best production.  Kind of weird I think a demo is their best work.  The LP "Jokes" they released after the demo didn't nearly capture the feel the demo had and the mixing sounded worse in the LP than in the demo.  So first get the demo, then download their newest LP "Snacks", then give "New Ruins" a listen.

Download Here

Acolyte by Delphic (2010)

Kind of Like: Two Door Cinema Club, Foals, Klaxons
Genres: Electronica, Indie

This band has been on my recommended list for awhile on Last.fm.  They are only like Two Door in the way they are both british electronic bands, except Two door is more of an indie band whereas Delphic is more of an electronic band.  Delphic isn't nearly as upbeat/catchy either, Delphic seems more into broad soundscapes.  But they are still good.

Download Here

Fake History by Letlive (2010)

Kind of Like: Glassjaw, Thrice, Everytime I Die

Genres: Post-Hardcore, Chaotic Hardcore, Hardcore

I only like this band at certain parts.  However, this was voted as best Post-Hardcore album of 2010 in a lot of places, and I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy this if they downloaded it.  People are comparing this to At The Drive-In, and I think that's only the instance at certain points in this record.  It has it's chaotic parts.  I think it's closer to Glassjaw or Thrice, two bands I don't listen to a whole lot, but I know that if people like those bands they will like Letlive a lot.

Download Here

Valleyland by Empire Express (2011)

Kind of Like: Explosions in the Sky, Do Make Say Think, Godspeed You!

Genres: Post-Rock, Ambient

The resources for post-rock music are endless.  This band brings a couple unique things to the table: ambient singing/keyboards, horns.  Definitely sounds like if DMST and EITS had a love child.  Which isn't saying too much because those two bands have their similarities; just think of EITS with horns and ambient shoegaze effects/keyboards.  Either way it will provide some good background music for chilling.

Download Here

What We All Come to Need by Pelican (2009)

Kind of Like: Boris, Russian Circles, Red Sparrowes
Genres: Post-Rock, Sludge

I hacen't listened to this band since City of Echoes.  Kinda forgot about them.  Saw them awhile ago with Russian Circles (while in their prime), and Young Widows.  Great show,  It's always nice to come back to bands and realize they came out with a new album to explore.

Download Here

Pennines Discography (2011)

Kind of Like: American Football, Penpal

Genres: Emo, Math Rock, Indie

This title is a tad misleading.  They haven't come out with anything recently that I know of; this is just their full discography up to this point.  If they come out with something new I'll put it up.  Their last.fm describes them well: "Four men that enjoy playing music together. Extremely lazy though."  My friend Kenny put it well when he said they sounded like, "American football sped up".

Download Here

Lava Land EP by Piglet (2005)

Kind of Like: Don Caballero, Volta Do Mar
Genres: Math Rock, Experimental

I have been referencing this band a lot to give a sense of what other bands sound like; I figured they should be on here.  Piglet was a short-lived beloved band from Chicago.  They made this one EP and then broke up to never provide us with any more technical, catchy, well-structured original music.  There are so many bands that try to do what Piglet did, but these three guys did it best.  And maybe it's better that they went out with such a good album.  The song "Little Bubble" is the epitome of this band: there is so much thematic development and just when they introduce a brand new theme at the very end, you are thinking "man I can't wait to hear what's next."  Then the song ends very abruptly, much like this band did.

Download Here

More Skin With Milk Mouth by Giraffes? Giraffes! (2007)

Kind of Like: Tera Melos, Piglet, Volta Do Mar

Genres: Experimental, Math Rock

Look at that album cover; that's the cluster fuck that Giraffes? Giraffes! will put you through.  They are pretty trippy and have a unique sense of direction.  There's some really catchy stuff between all the weird noodly guitar stuff.

Download Here

Anthology 1997-1998 by Faraquet (2008)

Kind of Like: Cinemechanica, Volta do Mar, Piglet

Genres: Math Rock, Indie

The oldest one I posted so far.  This band did math rock in the 90's like nobody's business.  Give it a try.

Download Here

There Are Rules by The Get Up Kids (2011)

Kind of Like: Tokyo Police Club, Joy Division
Genres: Indie, Emo, Electronica

I'm really not sure how I feel about this album.  First off, if you were expecting the band to go back and remake an album like Something To Write Home About, you shouldn't bother listening to this.  Honestly, I think that album and that sound should be untouched.  It would just get old.  Guilt Show pissed people off, and this album isn't like that one either.  The keyboards were more poppy and sounded like a piano on that album.  On this one the keyboards are much more atmospheric.  I've heard time and again from interviews that the Get Up Kids did not want to stay where they were, and were disgusted by the bands that spawned from them.  Well, this album is a testament to that.  There are more atmospheric ambient songs, more keyboards, and apparently no love songs.  There are also a few fuzzy indie songs in there, the second song sounds like the Strokes.  I had a hard time stating which bands this sounds like, so disregard that if you want.  I think there a couple songs that are going to grow on me, and a few that are just not going to at all.  We'll see.

Download Here

Patagonian Rats by Tera Melos (2010)

Kind of Like: Bygones, Piglet, Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower, Giraffes? Giraffes!
Genres: Experimental, Post-Hardcore, Math Rock, Progressive

I listened to Drugs to Our Dear Youth, and that's how I knew Tera Melos.  This album is actually quite different than that EP.  It sounds a lot more like a related project, Bygones.  I had the pleasure of seeing Tera Melos play with Maps & Atlases in Toledo a couple months ago and the whole set was pretty much from Patagonian Rats.  The reason I am bringing up this album is because they are about to come out with another album called Zoo Weather, and they just put one of the MP3s from it out on the innernette called "Manar the Magic".  You can listen to that track below, and download it if you wish.  This song is a bit less disjunct than much of the material off Patagonian Rats.




If you want to download Patagonian Rats here's the link, brah:
Download Here

Wrestling Moves by Native (2010)

Kind of Like: Kidcrash, Grown Ups, Castevet

Genres: Math Rock, Post-Hardcore, Progressive

I know this isn't a really new album, but I don't see many people putting this on their sites available for the public.  I listened to these guys when they released We Delete; Erase.  That album was a bit more upbeat then this album.  This album is a bit heavier, but I loved when they played these newer songs live.  When I went to buy a shirt, their bass player/lead guy gave it to me for free.  I told him I stole their albums, so I wanted to support them somehow.  He said they probably wouldn't have gotten any money from an album sale anyways, but I insisted I at least buy a shirt for a friend.  Long story short, I don't think they'd care if you downloaded this.  I don't think any band would care if it meant they would have somebody else come see them play.

Download Here

As The Spirit Wanes by Codes in the Clouds (2011)

Kind of Like: Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, The Six Parts Seven

Genres: Post-Rock, Ambient

Want some more post-rock music to relax and study/read/relax to?  If you're like me and you like having something playing while you cram for exams then you'll probably get some use out of this album.  They also have a couple songs are slightly more upbeat and poppy then other post-rock songs.  Are you as pumped for the new album by Explosions in the Sky "Take Care, Take Care, Take Care" as I am?  It will be up here as soon as it leakz.

Download here

Ritual by White Lies (2011)

Kind Of Like: Editors, Klaxons
Genres: Indie, Post-Punk, Electronica

My buddy just showed me this band the other day.  They are pretty catchy.  This is going to be the shortest, vaguest review ever.  Honestly, I hate music reviewers; the ones that get paid to review music anyways.  They spew bullshit for ten paragraphs and use a thesaurus a lot.  I think this music is good, here's what they sound like, maybe a story about them and where you can download it.  The end.

Download Here

I Could Do Whatever I Wanted If I Wanted by Snowing (2010)

Kind Of Like: Street Smart Cyclist, Algernon Cadwallader, Castevet
Genres: Emo, Math Rock, Indie

I figured I might as well put this up here because it's where I got the name for this thing.  I knew these guys were sweet when I heard their first album, but the only problem I had was their first album was that it was so poorly produced.  This album is different, it doesn't sound nearly as rough.  Some people think that's a bad thing, I don't.  I always feel like you can sound raw and full of emotion without having to do cheap sounding records, IMO.  LAWLZ

Download Here

The Armed Discography (2009-2010)

Kind of Like: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, Botch
Genres: Mathcore, Chaotic Hardcore, Hardcore

I'm just gonna fess up right now, this is my friend's band.  But if I didn't know he was in this band I would have liked them anyways.  That's actually exactly what happened to one of our other friends; he started listening to the Armed before he even knew one of his good friends was in it.  Anyways, these guys did it right, they went out and got a good producer (somebody from Converge), and made a solid LP and put it out for free.  They did it again with their new EP, but this time they even got Chris Pennie (the best drummer Dillinger Escape Plan has had) to do guest drums on a track.  Basically, if you like spastic, in-your-face hardcore, you'll dig these guys.  And if you ever get a chance to see them like, you should because they have crazy lights and they go insane and usually end up breaking a bunch of stuff.

Download All of Their Music Here

This Is The Second Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank by Adebisi Shank (2010)

Kind of Like: Yeasayer, Fang Island, Daft Punk, Lite
Genres: Experimental, Electronica, Math Rock

I have no idea how to properly pronounce this band's name, so whenever I try to tell people about this band I look like an idiot.  They have been gaining some hype this past year, and they are pretty intense.  I knew I would like them as soon as I saw they had a song called: "(-_-)".  I expect them to come to the United States soon; Sargent House (perhaps one of the greatest music collaborations presently) is going to be releasing this on CD and Vinyl this March.  They also just signed some guy from the Agency Group for all of their North American tours.  So, a tour is coming.  So if you haven't already pick up this unique album, and learn the jams before they come.  Here is what Adebisi Shank's own Vin McCreith has said what they listened to while recording this album:

“A lot of classic rock, Paul Simon and the ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Crash Bandicoot’ theme music”.

Download Here

You Are You by The Summer Pledge (2010)

Kind of Like: Broken Social Scene, Modest Mouse, Explosions in the Sky

Genres: Indie, Progressive, Ambient

I saw this band on New Year's Eve.  It was at the Trumbullplex in Detroit, and I had gone to see State Lottery, and get fucked up.  There were a couple openers, and then this band played right before midnight; I  pretty sloshed at this point.  After hearing them play, I went to their merch table and I already knew I was going to get a State Lottery record, but I also ended up getting both of the Summer Pledge's records.  The next morning, I was mad at myself because I thought I bought the Summer Pledge albums on a drunken whim, and didn't think I should have wasted money on a band I only liked while I was drunk.  After listening to this album though, I was actually happy I purchased this album.  I will probably go see them again sometime.

Download Here

Hollow Realm by Talons (2010)

Kind of Like: Pelican, Boris, Russian Circles 

Genres: Post-Rock, Sludge, Ambient, Progressive

The most recent band to be distributed by Topshelf Records, it appears as though the label has picked another great band to add to their already amazing roster.  The album begins with a song that starts like it's just gonna be another delay pedal fest like most post rock these days.  Then the dual violins kick in and the sludge shows up along with all the aforementioned genres, and the great musicianship of this UK group becomes increasingly apparent.  Many critics are claiming this to be a late contender for album of the year, and I can see why. 

Download here