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"

Return of the Radio Show!

K.C. Accidental - Anthems For The Could've Bin Pills [2000]

For Fans Of: Broken Social Scene, Brendan Canning, The Most Serene Republic

Genres: Post-rock, Instrumental, Indie

Preview:

I would be willing to bet that most of our readers have heard of Broken Social Scene, but I'm not sure the same can be said for one of their earlier projects, which would go on to become the basis for BSS. K.C. Accidental was Kevin Drew (BSS) and Charles Spearin (Do Make Say Think). Although their previous album involved just the two of them, Anthems for the Could've Bin Pills also featured contributions from various future members of BSS, which allowed for a fuller and more unified sound to the group. I've had this on repeat for a while now and have yet to grow tired of it. Here's hoping it'll do the same for you.

Streampad: K.C. Accidental - Ruined in '84

Ominous Silence by Tharsis They (2012)

Stop!....Hammer Time!

Kind of Like: Converge, Trap Them, Botch
Genres: Chaotic Hardcore, Hardcore, Thrash, Mathcore
Preview:


I got the chance to see these guys open up for The Armed and Capture the Flag in Detroit on Saturday.  It was a free house show at the Bear Cave.  It was my first time at this place, but I was surprised with how nice the neighborhood was.  I know, not all of Detroit is bad, but it was one of the few neighborhoods that not only held onto it's dignity but was a lot nicer than even neighborhoods in the burbs.

These guys put on a killer set.  My only gripe was that they were the opening band and they didn't show up until a couple hours after the show was supposed to start.  I know, I don't know what they had going on, there may have been an emergency or something.  However, when the band after you and the headliner are at the venue an hour before it is even supposed to start and you don't show up for a couple hours after that, it just doesn't look good.  Better late than never though, because they got the show started off really well.  Lots of energy to get people into it.

The Armed were up next, and if they didn't have bad luck they would have no luck at all.  They started off a great set and then right in the middle, the power went out.  I don't know if neighbors called to get the power shut off or what, but these guys kept it classy; they kept going on to finish the song with no power.  I would love to embed the following video, but it is uploaded to facebook, and there isn't an easy way to  put that here.  The power outage got captured on video, and 21 seconds into it, you get to see Randall break his hand.

Now that thing he hit didn't have a dent in it.  Randall is a big dude, so that thing had to be made of something hard.  The lights came back on, and his hand was clearly broken.  There was something protruding from it, and the nurse switch in me turned on.  I took a look at it, and first I thought a bone was sticking out, but it was just a flap of skin sticking out.  The bone may have very well came out when he hit it and gone back in.  He got bandaged up, and they decided to finish their set like bosses.

The bad luck continued though.  In the middle of their last song, a full beer fell onto Chris's pedalboard.  I cringed as I watched them lift up to drain the beer and foam out of it.  Needless to say, that guitar stopped working.  Luckily, it was the last song, and they all just broke their shit.  Kenny ripped his bass strings off with his bare hands.  Fuckin' christ.  I hope they can get more equipment before their show with Converge/Loma Prieta/Git Some in five days.

So yeah, check out this album by Tharsis They, and check out some of our previous posts on the Armed.

Pervertor by Lord Mantis (2012)

This has nothing to do with the band, I think.  It is a cool picture nonetheless.

Kind of Like: Bolt Thrower, Dethlok, Indian
Genres: Metal, Sludge, Doom, Noise Rock
Buy: Candlelight Records
Preview:
I am not huge on metal like this, but it's been awhile since I posted something of this nature, especially something sludgy.  This is visceral and gritty as hell and I love it.  As someone from Sputnik put it: "The atmosphere is doomy and grim, kind of like a big black tornado swooping you (and your house) away."

What pulled me in initially was the album art; it is dark and awesome-looking.  Also, these Chicago natives got this record produced by Sanford Parker, who has produced albums by Indian and Pelican.  Both of which have been featured on here in the past.

Listen Here:

People Live Everywhere by Nonagon (2012)

Kind of Like: Fugazi, Carrion Spring, The Blue Meanies
Genres: Math Rock, Screamo, Post-hardcore, Punk
Website: Nonagon.us
Preview: 

"Nonagon is a three-piece punk rock band that was formed in the early oughts and practices in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. The band is comprised mostly of Tony Aimone (who used to be in The Blue Meanies, Taylor, and The J. Davis Trio), Robert Gomez (who was in der lugomen and is one-oneth of Martian Law), and John Hastie (who used to be in Jumpknuckle). They play loud and abrasive rock with varying time signatures and screamy vocals."
-Last.fm

“…reminds of Fugazi, dirty basements, high school, and what made me fall in love with music so many years ago.”
-Deli Magazine

I know, said I had studying to do, but I saw the Blue Meanies association and thought this would definitely be worth a listen.  The band has asked to not have the whole album for free, but you can download a song from them.

Also, these guys are from Chicago and when they have shows, they usually commission local artists for the posters.  A lot of them are neat and can be checked out here.

Listen Here:

StreamPad: Nonagon - "Fresnel Lens"

Different Strokes for Different Folks by Walter & Perry (2012)

Kind of Like: Herocop, Animal Faces, Caravels
Genres: Emo, Screamo, Post-hardcore, Indie
Preview:


The winner for best band name goes to this band for referencing the best characters in Home Movies.  Unless they totally meant something else.

References aside, this is a solid debut that features members from another smallerish band that was featured on here called Herocop.  I wanna write more, but alas, exam tomorrow.  Six exams in the next three weeks, gotta love finals, right?  For now, enjoy these tunes, really good stuff from the first three songs I listened to.

Listen Here:

StreamPad: Walter & Perry - "New Drank"

Maps & Atlases - Fever [2012]

First Spin: Hear Maps & Atlases' Busy, Buzzy 'Fever'

Clicking the link above will send you to Spin.com, where you can hear the first track to surface from Maps & Atlases' upcoming full-length Beware And Be Grateful. The band recently paired up with Chicago coffee makers Intelligentsia to make their own Maps & Atlases Selects coffee. You can pre-order this album on vinyl, and get yourself some M&A coffee while you're at it!

Ghosts and Vodka - Addicts and Drunks [2003]

For Fans Of: Pele, Piglet, Noyes

Genres: Math Rock, Post-rock, Instrumental

Spotify: Uh-huh

Preview:

This four-piece from Chicago formed in the early 2000s via members of Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc, and Owls. They're one of my favorite off-shoots of that heritage. [Has anyone actually kept track of the multitude of bands that spawned from these same musicians? It's seemingly never-ending. Not that I'm complaining one bit!] They've been on hiatus for years, but Addicts and Drunks is still a must-have for any fan of instrumental rock.

Streampad: Ghosts and Vodka - Its All About Right Then

Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold [2008]

For Fans Of: Murs, Jay Electronica, Slug

Genres: Hip-hop

Spotify: Yip

Preview:

This duo from Minneapolis has been playing routinely on my iPod as of late. Rapper Slug and DJ/producer Ant came out with a couple more albums after the release of When Life Gives You Lemons, but this one will probably always be my favorite of theirs. Basically if you're into good Hip-hop, you'll have a good time listening to this.

Streampad: Atmosphere - Painting

The Mars Volta

Read all about it!

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:

Tall Ships - There Is Nothing But Chemistry Here EP [2010]

For Fans Of: Tellison, Tangled Hair, Vessels

Genres: Math Rock, Melodic Hardcore, Indie

Spotify: Roger

Preview:

Tall Ships are a three-piece experimental loop band from Falmouth, Cornwall. They are well-known for their live performances, and if you happen to live in the United Kingdom, I envy you, because you will have plenty of chances to catch them with Los Campesinos! and Maps and Atlases. The band just released a single from their upcoming EP which is set to come out April 16th, called T=0. Hearing it got me pretty psyched about the direction in which the band is heading:

Big Scary Monsters along with Blood & Biscuits are to partner on the new release, which will be pressed onto seven inch vinyl. Only 500 copies will be available, with Tall Ships themselves helping out with the packaging. You can pre-order T=0, and/or There Is Nothing But Chemistry Here through the Blood & Biscuits site.

Listen Here:

Streampad: Tall Ships - Chemistry