Illumination Ritual by The Appleseed Cast (2013)

Kind of Like: Moving Mountains, Old Canes, Explosions in the Sky
Genres: Indie, Post-rock, Emo, Experimental
Buy: Graveface 
Preview: Pitchfork

Nowadays, it takes a lot to pull me away from school and label stuff to come visit this humble, little blog.  Appleseed Cast are just plain pioneers, and they have sense of nostalgia attached to them that few bands can emulate because, well, they have been around for awhile!  Mare Vitalis came out over 10 years ago, and there are songs on there that blow plenty of bands out of the water to this day.

I am only a couple songs into this release, but I really like it so far.  Sure, it isn't exactly groundbreaking, but it is fuckin' Appleseed Cast and they still have that sound that sets them apart, but there are hints of maturity along with an experimental vibe that bands tend to get to as they age.  Everyone come out of hibernation, come out from under the rocks and bad news, and greet the spring with this great album.

Listen Here:

Monet on the Dance Floor by Sugar Baron (2012)

Kind of Like: Rubik, Portugal. The Man, Stateless
Genres: Indie, Indie Pop, Electronica, Experimental
Preview:


"Sugar Baron is a beat-driven musical experiment that mixes Motown influences with a modern twist of driving guitars and buttery electronic beats. The Michigan trio consists of Ryun Weber (English, formerly The Lunar Calendar, Cerilia, IKILLJACK), Randy Nelsen (formerly The Lunar Calendar, Cerilia) and Jan Kruszewski (formerly Memory to Matter)."
- Bandcamp

Time for something different, guys.  I get a heavy vibe of downtempo Portugal. The Man song parts from this band, but overall, they are very different from PTM.  The mixture of electronica and indie results in swirling, catchy tunes.  They are in the midst of planning a new tour, so look out for that as well.

Listen Here:

The Sleep of Reason by BATS (2012)

Kind of Like: Adebisi Shank, Enemies, &U&I
Genres: Math Rock, Post-hardcore, Experimental, Progressive
Preview:

This is sadly the last release for the Richter Collective, which was home to greats like And So I Watch You From Afar,  Enemies and Adebisi Shank.  BATS brings music to the table that is something of a mixture of the three previous listed band.  These guys write tunes that aren't just catchy, but smart.  Lots of alternating time signatures and riffs.  Fun stuff.

Listen Here:

Until the Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus (2012)

Kind of Like: J Dilla, Quasimoto (Madlib), Teebs, Mono/Poly

Genres: Electronica, Hip-hop, Experimental

Buy: Bleep/Warp Records

Preview:

I think that video preview is enough, but the phrase "feat. Thom Yorke" in the track listing should also be pretty convincing.

Listen Here:

Duck Fight Goose - History 7" [2012]

For Fans Of: Shanghai-based supergroups

Genres: Indie, Experimental, Electronic

Spotify: Facebook

Preview:

Duck Fight Goose formed in 2009 out of the Miniless collective, and this is their newest release on tenzenmen. All members (Han Han, San San, Damen, and Panda) are active participants in important bands/projects of China's independent music scene. Han Han has even been described as "A leader of Shanghai's nascent alternative, experimental rock scene." Here's an interview where he discusses SXSW and first impressions of the U.S., and also gives advice to other bands looking to make the journey. This 7" is available on white vinyl for $9. Their full-length is coming soon!

Skai Nine - Ember [2012]

For Fans Of: Southern Shores, Washed Out, Radioseven

Genres: Electronic, Chillwave, Experimental

Spotify: Facebook

Preview:

Here's something from an electro-based music artist based in Washington DC. A self-proclaimed music schizophrenic (but otherwise normal person...or so we're told), Skai Nine draws inspiration from hip-hop and synth-pop sounds of the 80s. The song up in the preview is the electro-distorted funk single that just dropped as part of a string of free singles that will be released this spring. An EP containing all the singles as well as some other new material is set to come out on DhARMA (indie electronic label founded in 2012) this summer, so stay tuned for that!

(Updated) Eunoia by Invalids (2012)

Kind of Like: Maps & Atlases (old), Bulletproof Tiger, This Town Needs Guns
Genres: Math Rock, Emo, Progressive
Spotify: Here
Preview:




I talked about Maps & Atlases on the radio show last night, and I brought up how I still enjoy their new sound.  Their first EP was what initially blew me away, and it is still my favorite though.

When I heard this album by Invalids, I felt the same way I did when I heard Trees, Swallows, Houses.  It's as if a band kept going with the sound that Maps did in Trees and maturing it more instead of diverging towards a more indie, arguably safer sound.  Actually, it literally is exactly that.

It's even cooler that the two guys in this band met completely randomly and just decided to send music back and forth to each other.  Kenny says that there is no excuse why you shouldn't record your own music if you play, and this is another reason why.  With the amount of resources available for a fairly low cost, it is not really that hard to get an audio interface for a computer and a decent recording progran.  Then you just go with that, with the kind of drum programs you can get, you no longer have to pay for really expensive recording without the drums sounding obviously synthetic.

I am foreseeing heavy, heavy rotation and hopefully these guys will eventually meet in real life to do shows or something.

 I managed to find a link for this, but the digital album on their bandcamp is 8 bucks.  I hope they keep making music and possibly put this on wax, so I hope you use this as a promotional tool only and then delete it and then buy their sheet.

StreamPad: Invalids - "And Was It Worth It In The End?"

BBNG2 by Badbadnotgood (2012)

Kind of Like: Modern jazz (NOT smooth jazz), awesomeness, The Beastie Boys, Danny Brown
Genres: Electronica, Experimental, Jazz, Hip-hop
Preview:

I featured this great Toronto band's first album last year, and it is something I still listen to quite a bit.  I just found out about this second album, so I am going through it right now.  My testes dropped when I saw this had dropped.  So far, it sounds even better than their first album.  I feel like after the success of their first album they really came into their own for this one.  I tend to throw around the "experimental" tag a big, but these guys are really it.  They did this in true jazz fashion as well; letting the listeners get a look into the jamming/improv process (like the Office, ya know?).

All I can say is "Flashing Lights" cover.  Fuckin' christ, so many good covers/jams on here.  Are these guys touring?  Goddamn, should've gone to Coachella.  They also appear to be coming to the UK, ya damn brits.

Listen Here:

StreamPad: Badbadnotgod - "Flashing Lights"

Vessels by the Summer Pledge (2012)

Kind of Like: Moving Mountains (circa Pneuma), The Appleseed Cast, Broken Social Scene
Genres: Indie, Emo, Post-rock, Math Rock, Experimental
Preview:

These Detroit natives were one of the first few bands I featured on this site with their previous 2010 effort, You Are You.  The first time I saw them was a New Year's Party at the Trumbellplex with The State Lottery and others.  They made a really good impression with me right off the bat, and I have been eager to hear their latest album since they announced they were working on it a few months ago.  There aren't many Detroit bands that go for this sound, so it's always nice to see bands like this coming out of Detroit or Michigan in general.

These guys can really build up into songs, but with the first song, "Bloodclot", they get things started quickly so you dive right into it.  You can also notice as more sounds and instruments start popping up in the first song that they put a lot of effort in the production of this one.  They recorded at Drasik Studios in Chicago, and Roshambo Studios in Hazel Park, Michigan.  Drasik has been known for their work with CSTVT, Koji, Fireworks, Into It. Over It., the Swellers and many others.  And I can't find much about Roshambo...

Anyways, the boys keep going at full force until :40 into "Wonder", when things die down for a minute with a nice mathy Russian Circles-esque palm muting part.  After that is "The Ledges (Outsider)", which is quickly becoming a favorite out of the songs on this album.  Especially the guitar part at like 1:42.

There is a brief minute interlude thingy that lets you take a little break after the first 4 songs before going into "B's Teeth" which is probably the first song you will hear off of their bandcamp preview.  The vocals get edgier at certain points in this song which is quite welcome.

"Suspended by Sunbeams" reminds me a lot of You Are You, it takes awhile to get where it's going but if you are patient and get to the end of it you get a really great song that is overall slower and flowing, but has it's moment where it picks up as well.

The album ends with a long'un, clocking in at a little over 9 minutes.  The neat thing about this song is that it incorporates parts of "Bloodclot" in it, like certain melodies and vocal parts.  I am a sucker for bands that take the beginning idea of a song or album, and break it down and incorporate it at the end as well.

Overall, I definitely feel this album is a step forward from You Are You, not that that album was bad.  They seem to have made an effort to have more structure in their songs and not have parts that are dragged out too much.  That being said, this band/album is more for people that are patient with their music.  Their songs are generally longer, which can be a double-edged sword.  You get great parts that are really memorable that you always look forward to, but there is also room for parts that may not rub you the right way.  However, I would rather be a band like that instead of one that is short and sweet, but safe and unchallenging (not a word, but it should be).

This has not leaked yet, I got a few listens of it and it will be released digitally in a couple weeks, and then it will be available on wax as a double LP in about a month.

Listen Here:

StreamPad: The Summer Pledge - "The Ledges (Outsider)"

Self-titled EP: 3 by Mini Prophets (2012)

Kind of Like: Antarctic, Pretend, Giraffes? Giraffes!, The Mercury Program
Genres: Post-rock, Math rock, Experimental, Emo, Jazz
Preview:

Really digging these guys right off the bat from Florida.  They are a self-proclaimed "experimental/jazz/rock" band, but I am having a hard time hearing the jazz part of this.  I'm sure the use of improvisation and experimentation could be somewhat of a use of jazz, but without the syncopation, blues notes, and swing note it just doesn't really sound like jazz.  I feel like they are more of a "experimental/post-rock/math rock" band.  But what they want to call themselves isn't really important, right?

Jazz or no jazz, these guys are smart and do a lot of things right with their music.  They seem to flow/write really well together and the music is really catchy for me.  I could see that maybe they want to distance themselves from the crowded "math rock" genre, and I wouldn't blame them.  It's hard to set yourself apart from other bands in a fairly saturated genre, but if you do then more props to you.  These guys kept me interested right from the get go, and that's all I needed, and the use of different instruments (xylo, horns), effects along with what they already got going on is a big plus.

I'm having a really hard time trying to express what I want to say.  Hopefully you at least give it a listen and see for yourself.

Listen Here:

StreamPad: Mini Prophets - "The Lonely Book"

Neshama EP by Hollow Stars (2012)

Kind of Like: Grails, King Crimson, The Globes, Yeasayer
Genres: Indie, Rock, Experimental, Psychedelic, Noise Rock
Preview:

Hollow Stars began as a side project for ex-Deerhunter guitarist, Chris Mee.  Chris no longer appears to be part of the band, but they didn't let that get them down.  Instead, they forged ahead and recently came out with this effort. This reminds me of Grails, but instead of being a post-rock band with eastern music influences, this is like an indie/noise rock band with eastern music influences.  It is nice to see bands taking on music like this because it can be really hard to translate the scales and tendencies of eastern music and making it accessible to people here.

Apparently, this Atlanta group is up to big things, so look for more news coming in the near future?

Listen Here:

Phantasmagoria coming to UMD!

Phantasmagoria (not to be confused with the Japanese visual kei band) is an indie pop/electronica/experimental band from Detroit. Lianna Vanicelli and Christopher Jarvis are the two members, and they've agreed to grace the University of Michigan Dearborn campus with their presence as part of the WUMD music series!

If you're gonna be around the area on Thursday, March 22nd and wanna stop by, here's more info. There will be a live performance at 11:30 on the University Center stage, and an interview with the band will follow. And hey, it's free and open to the public! If you want to listen to more of the band, head on over to their Bandcamp, where you can purchase their newest 7" on clear green vinyl for about ten bucks.

(Classic) Plague Soundscapes by the Locust (2003)

"I wanted to change the way people perceive music, or maybe just destroy it in general."- Justin Pearson, bassist/singer

Kind of Like: Daughters (old), An Albatross, Ed Gein

Genres: Experimental, Mathcore/Grindcore, Electronica, Noise Rock

Spotify: Here

Preview: Myspace

Oh boy, found this cd in my car the other day, and boy did I have fun with it.  This album clocks in at just over 20 minutes and features 23 songs.  So, standard grindcore song lengths.  It is a quick album, but it is extremely memorable to me.  From the hectic accellerandos of "Earwax" to the awesome synthesizer break down thirty seconds into "Virgin" to the time signature switches flowing back in forth at the end of "Halfie in your Pants" to the final intense laser gun shots/beats in the closer "Pickup Truck".  That is a fragment, consider revising.  All of those song names are shortened versions of course, the names are quite long.  This is how grindcore should be.

Listen Here:

StreamPad: The Locust - How to Become a Virgin

Skullgrid by Behold...The Arctopus (2007)

FUCKIN' NERD!

Kind of Like: PsyOpus, Dysrhythmia, Between The Buried and Me
Genres: Metal, Mathcore, Experimental, Instrumental, Post-rock
Spotify: No
Preview:

"Behold... The Arctopus play instrumental music inspired by both metal and 20th century classical music. This technical and progressive style is executed on a regular electric guitar and drum kit but involves a 12-string Warr guitar, an instrument that covers the range of a bass and guitar and is generally played by tapping with either one or two hands. Their music often includes dissonance, polyrhythms and jazz-like elements."
-Wikipedia

Another oldy that resurfaced in my collection.  If you want to be blown away by three musicians and are into really technical music.  This shit is hard to digest, but if you are into that kind of thing, then you will really love exploring this album.  "Canada" has one of the best flowing transitions into one of the most metal solos ever. This album is short, but extremely mind-bending.  Last news from this bands was that they were getting a new drummer and going to release new, even more extreme material from scratch.  That was back in 2009, so I am wondering if they ever will come out with something else.

We have a radio show tonight!  Remember?

UPDATE:  Someone posted a youtube link in the comments below of a live set from last month of BtA playing all new material.  Click Here.

Listen Here:

Stream Pad: Behold...The Arctopus - Sensory Amusia

Ancre - Nacre [2011]

For Fans Of: Maserati, Sed Non Satita, From Monument

Genres: Math Rock, Instrumental, Post-rock

Spotify: Facebook

Preview:

Ancre is a

math-post-rock trio (formerly a duo, up until the bassist joined) hailing from France, whose sound lies somewhere between Maserati and Sed Non Satita. The Nacre 12" (pictured above) is available through Echo Canyon Records, and looks pretty nifty. Only 300 copies were released, so they are sure to run out quick!

Streampad: Ancre - Narval

Delta Sleep - Mega Hits Vol. 1 [2011]

For Fans Of: Part Dinosaur, Mimas, Quadrilles

Genres: Math Rock, Experimental, Indie

Spotify: Facebook

Preview:

Delta Sleep is a fivesome from Canterbury that formed in 2008. From their Lastfm: "Their music combines guitar-driven melodies, held together by jazz-influenced percussion and relentless bass, topped with sprinkles of left-fiele electronica." Basically, if you like fun Math Rock, you'll enjoy these guys and gal. They are currently recording an EP, so look out for that soon. In the meantime, clicking below will send you to their Bandcamp, where you can download the album for free.

Streampad: Delta Sleep - So Say We All

Ahleuchatistas - Location Loacation [2011]

For Fans Of: Sleeping People, Cinemechanica, Them Roaringtwenties

Genres: Math Rock, Experimental, Instrumental

Spotify: Facebook

Preview:

I was a bit surprised to learn that we had not put these guys up yet. Ahleuchatistas, who take their name from a Charlie Parker composition, are two guys from Asheville, North Carolina. This is the first album released sans-bassist (he was featured on their previous five albums), and although the sound has morphed from it's jazzy-punk roots, the band still grinds pretty hard. Instead of feeling a little hollowed out by the lack of bass, the frantic arrhythmic heartbeat sound is still just as erratic as ever, which is what made me like them in the first place. They have just finished tracking for their new album, so look out for that on SIGD soon!

Streampad: Ahleuchatistas - Heraclitean

Opus at the End of Everything by The Flashbulb (2012)

Nerd alert.

Kind of Like: Cloudkicker, Library Tapes, Venetian Snares

Genres: Electronica, Experimental, Ambient, Breakcore, Jazz
Spotify: Yesh
Preview:


I featured Benn Jordan's last album under his alias, The Flashbulb back earlier last year.  That album, Love as a Cold, Dark Hallway, was heavily jazz influenced; more so than most of his other albums.  Most of his work still has a minimal jazz influence whether it be chords or what not, and this new album is no exception.  However, this album reminds me more of the ambiance of Cloudkicker's latest album, Let Yourself Be Huge.  There is very limited jazz and even very limited breakcore involved in this album which ends up being quite a deviation from what you usually hear from Benn Jordan.  That's probably the best part about this guy's music though is that he is always experimenting with himself and his equipment.

I actually found out this new album dropped last night, and it really helped me get through my studies.  It is simply massive as well.  He just came out with Love about a year ago, and then he drops this hour long 25 track album.  Granted, it isn't his most technical and impressive music I have heard, but I highly recommend all of Benn's work, he is a really great musician/composer.

Listen Here:

Streampad: The Flashbulb - It Never Ends

Calista Divine - Calista Divine [2011]

For Fans Of: God is an Astronaut, This Will Destroy You, Mono,

Genres: Post-rock, Ambient, Experimental

Spotify: Nah, but here's their Facebook.

Preview:

We've really been digging bands from overseas as of late, and these four lads are no exception. Hailing from Italy, Calista Divine has some of the coolest band member names I've come across, such as Marco Bologini (bologna?), Riccardo Scaramagli, and Lorenzo Ansenchi. Admittedly, they aren't really doing anything new with their sound, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. They also make great videos to go along with their songs. They're a perfect addition to one's "to be watched whilst tripping" list. Here's an example:

You can get the album via the link below, below, or from their bandcamp. They're working on new material right now - looking forward to that.

††† (Crosses) - EP †† (EP II) [2012]

For Fans Of: Matthew Dear, Deftones,

Genres: Electronic, Experimental, Ambient

Spotify: Yes'm.

Preview:

††† (pronounced "Crosses") is the side project of Deftones singer Chino Moreno, Far guitarist Shaun Lopez, and Scott Chuck. They came out with EP † (I) last year, and this is the follow-up. Pretty catchy electronica with some darker elements mixed in there as well. Moreno described the project as "minimal and soothing and it's sort of like the stuff I like listening to when I'm not screaming my head off." If you like this, you can download their debut EP on their website.

Ps. Click "Download"