This 2008 painting by Richard Price is worth over 3 million $$$. Gettin' paid, son.

Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II by Earth (2012)

Kind of Like: Grails, Sun O))), Electric Wizard
Genres: Drone, Doom, Stoner Rock, Sludge, Post-rock
Spotify: Ya
Preview: Myspace


You may remember Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I, from last year.  That was one of my favorite albums of last year.  I was wondering if the "I" at the end implied there would be more to come, and looky here.  This leaked a while ago; I saw Music As Heroin featured this.  But, this is my first go at listening to it. I am only a minute into the first song and can tell this is going to be another stripped-down, laid-back, introverted adventure (introverted adventure? LOL).  As a listener, you really get to bask in the tones of the instruments.  Compared to their earlier works of drone metal, Angels I and II is more like being in a desert.  A dark, heavy, experimental desert.  Perhaps one of Dali's deserts?

Listen Here:

I Have Supped Full On Horrors by Romance Of Young Tigers

Kind of Like: Signal Hill, Earth, Explosions in the Sky

Genres: Post-Rock, Experimental, Ambient

Preview: Bandcamp

Earlier today I was sitting on Tumblr and came across a post about a band called Romance of Young Tigers. After some further investigation, it turns out that they:

1. Hail from Dayton, Ohio,

2. are no longer making music together,

3. and have made a few unjustly underrated albums during their time together.

But don't just take my word for it. Here's a review via Buzzgrinder, another great music blog, from their 2009 release, I Have Supped Full on Horrors (Shakespeare anyone?):

"I was first introduced to Dayton, Ohio post-rockers Romance of Young Tigers a few years ago on a free Silent Ballet compilation. In a large collection of instrumental songs by God knows how many Explosions in the Sky cover bands and college students putzing around in GarageBand, they stood out.

The track I heard was Long Withdrawing Roar, the opening song on their first full-length release, I Have Supped Full on Horrors, which apparently came out sometime last year. I, however, have just gotten my hands on it for the first time. It turns out to be perfect timing: it’s been too long since I’ve heard a new instrumental release worth listening to more than once.

No percussion is found here; this is pure guitar experimentation (with the occasional keyboard for good measure). Nothing should be added or taken away. Every strung-out noise and cloud of static lives up to an overarching sense of significance. So much can be read between these lines, but one might get the feeling that he is perhaps reading into himself instead."

The guys over at Buzzgridner gave that album a score of 9.934. Although it's probably my favorite album of theirs, I could not for the life of me find a link to download it (if anyone else can, please feel free to post it in the comments!). However, the whole album is available on their Bandcamp for you to enjoy. I did find a link to their February 2009 release, Maria, which you can download below, and is also pretty good. Had I known about them at the time, I probably would have asked for this album on vinyl for Christmas. Each copy comes with a hand-screened cover and hand-screened protective sleeve.

Listen Here:

Best of 2011: Post-rock/Math Rock/Instrumental

I am going to put this one out now, and hopefully get to the final one during/after the Red Wings game tonight.  The Emo/Punk/Indie one has turned into a monster that will be a top 40.  Oh, found out we aren't doing anymore radio shows until next semester, so no countdown thing.  Just gonna put it on here later tonight or possibly tomorrow.  I have been trying to avoid other people's top 2011 album lists, really looking forward to what other people are saying after I finish this.

10.

This Will Destroy You- "Tunnel Blanket"

Read the SIGD Feature

Instead of steady flowing and climaxes characteristic of post-rock bands, This Will Destroy You makes this album more about ambiance and subtleties.  Still there are the occasional build-ups into sonic walls of sound that still fit into the overall feel of the album.  It's definitely not something for the impatient or easily distracted, it's not for everybody, but I don't think this band really gives a shit.

9.

Battles- "Gloss Drop"

Read the SIGD Feature

This album was definitely a grower, at least for me.  You can see it in my initial review that I was unsure of it from the beginning.  After going through it a few times throughout the year, there are just a few too many songs that are just too damn good to deny this from being one of the better releases of the year.  Especially the one featuring Matias Aguayo.

8.

Giraffes? Giraffes!- "Pink Magick"

Read the SIGD Feature

This is the duo's first release since Milk Mouth in 2007.  I find it to be a bit crisper and less sloppy.  It is better overall than their last release, although there are still parts in Milk Mouth that I find awesome.  This album is just much better executed, this would especially please fans of Tera Melos's older work like their Drugs EP.

7.

Cloudkicker- "Let Yourself Be Huge"

Read the SIGD Feature

I have a great respect for the reclusive artist, it makes a lot of their work that much more personal and genuine when you know it's an outlet more than anything.  He is mostly known for being a progressive/metal artist, but this release shows his take on softer music but still incorporating aspects of his other work.  That is another thing I am big on, taking an art you are comfortable in and applying it to something you aren't necessarily comfortable in to make it your own.  

6.

Vessels- "Helioscope"

Read the SIGD Feature

These guys are based in Leeds and I remember scouring for this album after getting a few samples of it.  They aren't completely an istrumental or traditional post-rock band, but this should definitely appeal to fans of bands like Explosions in the Sky that are looking for something a different, but not too different.  Either way, it is an amazing album that I don't think many people states-side has given a chance.

5. 

Stage Kids- "Killer Tofu"

Read the SIGD Feature

I think I was destined to stumble upon this band, there is just too much I like about them let alone their unique take on the math rock genre that incorporates a electronica swing to it.  Generally, a band's taste and outlook on many other facets only intensifies an interest in them.  At least that's what happened with me.  Not only am I excited to hear what they will be up to next, I hope to work with them at some point.

4.

Russian Circles- "Empros"

Read the SIGD Feature

This made my list for being some great steps back in the right direction.  After the falter with Station, I had everything but given up on this band as far as studio releases (nothing can deny their showmanship).  Geneva was better, but it wasn't enough to make me really get back into this band.  Then this album came out this year, and it is even better.  It will be hard to woo me in the way that Enter did, but this album went a long ways for me in regards to this band.

3.

And So I Watch You From Afar- "Gangs"

Read the SIGD Feature

I called this band "Gangs" so many times, and called the album "And So I Watch You From Afar", when it was the other way around.  With Adebisi Shank not being able to make this list because their latest release fell just short of being in 2011, this other Irish math rock/post-rock band does not disappoint.  Their biography says it best: "We are the bull.  You are the china shop.  That is all."

2.

Earth- "Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I"

Read the SIGD Feature

Honestly, I keep going back and forth between this one and the number one on which one is better.  It's a tough call.  This one is stripped down, featuring drums, guitars, bass and a lone cello.  When I first reviewed this I called this the chillest album of 2011, and that was way back in February.  It certainly has held up to that tag as 2011 winds down.  The tones of the instruments are absolutely perfect, and I keep kicking myself for not picking this up in record stores whenever I see it.

1.

Grails- "Deep Politics"

Read the SIGD Feature

This band won it for me mainly for the fact they are an extremely underappreciated "post-rock" band up until this year.  I feel like this album has garnered some attention, but still may be destined to collect dust like their other albums.  I would like to do my best to get people to at least give it a try.  This isn't the typical post-rock band that draws from classical epic arrangements, but is in more of a world of "grind house fringe music" as one reviewer called it.  This is truly a meeting of eastern and western sounds in the best way.  And just like the Earth album, I keep kicking myself for still not having this in my record collection yet.

Actually I have a $20 gift card for the Record Lounge in East Lansing.  Hopefully they have one of these...

Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1 by Earth (2011)

Kind of Like: Sun O))), Boris, Electric Wizard
Genres: Drone, Doom, Sludge

Chillest album of 2011.  An hour long of guitars, drums, bass, and a lone cello.  Surely, this will be boring to some.  The guitar tones are delicious though, and it's just the kind of music you let wash over you.

Download Here