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See
our top picks for 2006
See
our top picks for 2005
See our
top picks for 2004
See our top picks for 2003
|
|
Every week we Parasol folks confess to what's been thrilling
us during the past week. You can contribute as well, just email
us your week's list (link below) and we'll post it!
Personal Playlists
Send your entries to: angie@parasol.com
RE: Personal Picks |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, MAY 6, 2008 |
JIM:
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Sunset
- Bright Blue Dream CD
Bright Blue Dream" is the first widely available
LP from Bill Baird's new project, {{{Sunset}}}, following the
break up of Sound Team. The record is a follow-up to his previous
CDR and cassette albums, "{{{Sunset}}}," "Silence!,"
and "Pink Clouds", which were released independently
through 2006 and 2007. (MORE)
|
ANGIE:
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Sunset
- Bright Blue Dream CD
Bright Blue Dream" is the first widely available
LP from Bill Baird's new project, {{{Sunset}}}, following the
break up of Sound Team. The record is a follow-up to his previous
CDR and cassette albums, "{{{Sunset}}}," "Silence!,"
and "Pink Clouds", which were released independently
through 2006 and 2007. (MORE)
|
ROY:
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Sunset
- Bright Blue Dream CD
Bright Blue Dream" is the first widely available
LP from Bill Baird's new project, {{{Sunset}}}, following the
break up of Sound Team. The record is a follow-up to his previous
CDR and cassette albums, "{{{Sunset}}}," "Silence!,"
and "Pink Clouds", which were released independently
through 2006 and 2007. (MORE)
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Welcome
to thrillsville, APRIL 22, 2008 |
JIM:
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Motorpsycho
- Little Lucid Moments
CD
(ON SALE / PRE-ORDER: SALEABLE APRIL 15TH) Motorpsycho
was founded in 1989 in Trondheim, Norway's third biggest city,
when mainstays Bent Sæther (bass, vocals) and Hans Magnus
"Snah" Ryan (guitar, vocals) were joined by drummer
Kjell Runar "Killer" Jenssen. The first album, Lobotomizer,
was released in 1991 after which Killer quit and Håkon
Gebhardt took over the drums for many years to come. (MORE)
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PAUL
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Tapes
N Tapes - Walk It Off CD
The Minneapolis-based band's first record
since 2006's widely lauded "The Loon" which established
them as ones to watch. Tapes 'N Tapes' signature sound is distinctly
their own concoction: shaky vocals, bursts of lo-fi guitars,
and haunting keyboard refrains. Jittery rock that's found the
sweet spot where experimental song structure meets melodic accessibility.
"The album...is unique in an era of slick 80s chic, mixing
the opaque jams of Pavement with the bruised-teen freakiness
of The Pixies, while adding cocktail jazz and Tex-Mex folk music
like thrift store finds" - Spin.
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ROY:
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Woods
- How To Survive In The Woods CD
Initially issued as a double-cassette on the Fuckittapes
label, was recorded in 2 bedrooms w/ no intention of being shared
w/ the outside world. 13 cuts of home-cooked measles & grout
gingerly pulled out of the spleen of a tape deck. |
GEOFF:
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Gram Parsons & the Flying Burrito Brothers - Archive Volume
1 DCD
(Digipack
Packaging) Two-CD, high-fidelity live set ‘Gram Parsons
Archives Vol. 1: The Flying Burrito Brothers “Live”
at the Avalon 1969’ on Amoeba Records.
Material
from 1969 found in Grateful Dead vaults – The two CD,
27-track set includes a number of never-before-heard -- though
long rumored – rarities including 10 songs never recorded
by Parsons and never before available. (more)
|
ANGIE:
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Sera Cahoone - Only As The Day Is Long CD
Despite being an accomplished guitarist and songwriter,
Sera preferred to stay behind the drum kit (drumming for the
likes of Carissa's Wierd, LA musician Patrick Park, and on
the Band Of Horses' debut, "Everything All The Time")
until one tour across the US with Park in 2006. She found
herself inspired by the landscape and she wrote an album in
her thoughts as they drove along the blue highways and back
roads of the expansive west and the plains. "...a breathtaking
collection of sad and dusky songs that reveal an artist of
remarkable depth as well as a truly stunning voice" -
The Stranger.
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Welcome
to thrillsville, APRIL 1, 2008 |
JIM:
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Motorpsycho
- Little Lucid Moments
CD
(ON SALE / PRE-ORDER: SALEABLE APRIL 15TH) Motorpsycho
was founded in 1989 in Trondheim, Norway's third biggest city,
when mainstays Bent Sæther (bass, vocals) and Hans Magnus
"Snah" Ryan (guitar, vocals) were joined by drummer
Kjell Runar "Killer" Jenssen. The first album, Lobotomizer,
was released in 1991 after which Killer quit and Håkon
Gebhardt took over the drums for many years to come. (MORE)
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PAUL
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Nick
Lowe - Jesus Of Cool [Bonus
Tracks] (Digipack Packaging) CD
Reissue of his classic first solo record.
Pop record making at it's finest. A must own!! 2008 marks the
30th anniversary of Nick Lowe's seminal 1978 album Jesus of
Cool. The album, released in the U.S. as Pure Pop for Now People,
marks the beginning of one of the most storied and influential
solo careers in pop music and marks the true emergence of a
songwriting monolith. The album is a literal compendium of 25
years of pop music history. (MORE)
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ROY:
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The
Quarter After - Changes Near CD
New album from psych-pop kingpins. Lead by the
two Campanella siblings- songwriter/singer Dominic & guitarist/producer
Robert. Dom's prominent twelve-string Rickenbacker & rich
melodies set the tone for songs that range from dense guitar-driven
psychedelic attacks to further explorations into down home country
in the grand tradition of West Coast rock. (MORE)
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ANGIE:
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Montys Loco - Farewell Mr. Happy CD
New album from weird/winsome electro-pop mavens.
Highly recommended, more on this later. I'm picking this one
again! I love this one!!
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Welcome
to thrillsville, MARCH 18TH |
JIM:
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Paper
- An Object CD
Debut album from Swedish motorik-punk trio featuring
Calle Olsson from The Bear Quartet and Paddington DC along with
members of Audionom. The sound is based around the frustration
of punk, the delicacy of pop melody and the hypnotic power of
repetition. Think early Wire meets early Wire, simple, powerful;
with streamers of Neu!, Silverbullit/Citizen Bird, Joy Division...
Fans of The Bear Quartet’s recent electronic efforts,
Audionom’s hypnotic avant-punk, and Paddington DC’s
zoom-pop will be held in thrall, if you don’t mind a bit
of krautrockin’ cochlea-knocking. |
PAUL
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Bon
Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago CD
This debut is centered around a particular
aesthetic; Justin Vernon, the primary force behind Bon Iver,
moved to a remote cabin in the woods of Northwestern Wisconsin
at the onset of winter, alone for three months. This solitary
time fed a bold, uninhibited new musical focus. All his personal
trouble, lack of perspective, heartache, longing, love, loss,
and guilt that had been stockpiled over the past six years was
suddenly purged into song. The NY Times called this record "irresistible",
and it was given a "Recommeded" rating by Pitchfork.
RIYL: Iron & Wine, M. Ward, and Elliott Smith.
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ROY:
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Various
- New Folk Routes CD
When visionary UK underground scene-maker and entrepreneur
Joe Boyd started making records under his own Witchseason banner
in 1967, he could have had little idea of the staggering amount
of uber-influential artists he would go on to produce over the
next few years. Step up Fairport Convention, Nick Drake, The
Incredible String Band, Sandy Denny, Vashti Bunyan, Nico and
Dr Strangely Strange to name but a few. He licensed most of
these records out to the super-cool Island label where they
joined the likes of Traffic, John Martyn and The Amazing Blondel
and unwittingly formed the backbone of the now hugely revered
and collectable British folk-rock movement of the late ‘60s
and ‘70s. (more) |
ANGIE:
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Club 8 - The Friend I Once Had CD
Reissue. With a glittery mix of jangly guitars, bossa
nova and sophisticated, melancholic pop melodies, ”The
Friend I Once Had” was a big step forwards for Club
8. Their debut album ”Nouvelle” may be regarded,
as a twee pop classic by some but the band would happily rather
bury most the songs under a rock. This is the album they wish
was their debut. (more)
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Geoff:
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Paper - An Object CD
Debut album from Swedish motorik-punk trio featuring
Calle Olsson from The Bear Quartet and Paddington DC along with
members of Audionom. The sound is based around the frustration
of punk, the delicacy of pop melody and the hypnotic power of
repetition. Think early Wire meets early Wire, simple, powerful;
with streamers of Neu!, Silverbullit/Citizen Bird, Joy Division...
Fans of The Bear Quartet’s recent electronic efforts,
Audionom’s hypnotic avant-punk, and Paddington DC’s
zoom-pop will be held in thrall, if you don’t mind a bit
of krautrockin’ cochlea-knocking. |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, MARCH 11TH |
JIM:
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The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust CD
New album from Danish duo, can't wait! Coasting is
the easy option. Having the balls to recognize that things aren’t
right and doing something about them is much harder. It may
have taken The Raveonettes' Sune and Sharin a little while but
they made the right decision in the end- both personally and
creatively- and ‘Lust, Lust, Lust’ is where the
two worlds collide. The songs cover the toughest decisions,
the fondest of memories, the scariest of fears and the most
tempting of desires all from the most personal viewpoint yet
captured in The Raveonettes back-catalogue.
(more) |
PAUL
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Adorable
- Footnotes: Best Of (92-94) CD
First
compilation of songs from former Creation Records artists Adorable.
Contains tracks from both their albums on Creation released
in the early 1990’s, along with non-album singles and
B-sides -- all seven singles released by the band. Also included
is a new edit of ‘Glorious’ from the debut ‘Against
Perfection’, which is exclusive to this release. All tracks
included have been deleted & unavailable for several years.
Includes a 20-page booklet with exclusive new extensive liner
notes from all four band members – especially written
for this release – along with photos, classic sleeve images
& items from their personal archives.
|
ROY:
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Sandy
Denny - Sandy + 5 CD
Second solo LP for FAIRPORT CONVENTION singer digitally
remastered w/ 5 bonus tracks. |
ANGIE:
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Smile Smile - Blue Roses CD
Hailing from the Dallas, TX music scene, Ryan Hamilton
and Jencey Hirunrusme create their own modern blend of folk,
pop and rock in Smile Smile. Their songs range from heart
wrenching ballads to foot stomping sing alongs. Jencey’s
classical piano background teamed with Ryan’s self-taught
guitar style combine to create sounds, which both soar above
you and pull you in tight at the same time. (more)
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Welcome
to thrillsville, MARCH 4TH |
JIM:
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Black Mountain - In
The Future:
Favorite psych-and-prog-spiritual pioneers BLACK MOUNTAIN
are back with "In The Future", their second full-length
album that resonates with the same epic ring, beloved deep rock
touchstones and genuine folk fragility that made their self-titled
debut full-length an instant classic.
(more) |
PAUL
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British
Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music? CD
ALL
MUSIC GUIDE: "The band has crafted a wintry, nuanced, and
bold collection of epic songs that integrate the sweeping theatricality
of Arcade Fire-era indie rock without all of the insularity.
This is music made for people, not a person. The sound effects,
choral vocals, strings, and feedback that populate DYLRM feel
organic and necessary rather than just pasted in for drama's
sake. There has always been a sort of rough-hewn sepia-tone
unity to BSP songs, and that odd, inclusive wartime fervor permeates
each track." FOUR 1/2 STARS! (more)
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ROY:
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Common
Loon - Dinosaur vs. Early Man b/w Palestine Everywhere 7"
Blending classic West Coast harmonies with some cosmically-inclined
guitar-gush lushness and an otherworldly hi-fi-ness, local dream-rock
duo Common Loon rates as one of the C-U Music Scene's bands
to watch in 2008. Yes, there's an album in the pipe. Comes with
a digital download ticket, so you can have it both ways. Pink-noise-pop
for Sebadoh, Spiritualized, and Spacemen 3 fans. |
GEOFF:
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British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music? CD
ALL
MUSIC GUIDE: "The band has crafted a wintry, nuanced,
and bold collection of epic songs that integrate the sweeping
theatricality of Arcade Fire-era indie rock without all of
the insularity. This is music made for people, not a person.
The sound effects, choral vocals, strings, and feedback that
populate DYLRM feel organic and necessary rather than just
pasted in for drama's sake. There has always been a sort of
rough-hewn sepia-tone unity to BSP songs, and that odd, inclusive
wartime fervor permeates each track." FOUR 1/2 STARS!
(more)
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ANGIE:
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Menck - Hey War Pigs 7"
On his new 45rpm vinyl single Velvet Crush drummer
and very occasional solo singer-songsmith Ric Menck covers
former Soft Boys and Katrina & The Waves guitarist-songwriter
Kimberly Rew’s pissed-off protest anthem “Hey
War Pigs” (so very fitting) backed by his dry-hump version
of “Teenage Head” by The Flaming Groovies. Black
wax in a plain paper sleeve. In addition to founding Velvet
Crush Menck is and has been a member of The Drats, The Reverbs,
The Springfields, The Paint Set, The Big Maybe, The Stupid
Cupids, Pop The Balloon, Choo Choo Train, Duffy, The Tyde,
Frausdots, Aimee Mann and Matthew Sweet.
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Welcome
to thrillsville, November 20th |
JIM:
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Shipwreck - Rabbit
in the Kitchen With a New Dress On
Champaign, IL combo Shipwreck's second full-length
album (on the heels of two awesome EPs), released by Polyvinyl
sub-label None Records. Shipwreck have a sound that somehow
evokes the enigmatic, haunting, and sometimes dangerous allure
of the open sea. It seems an all-too-convenient metaphor, but
in practice the metaphor feels true. (more) |
PAUL
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Various:
White Lace & Strange:
It’s Thurston’s first solo outing since
1995’s Psychic Hearts. Of course, Thurston’s been
releasing records here, there and everywhere mostly in the context
of rowdy and rambunctious noise/improv escapades but this new
one is killer diller SONGS! Unlike Psychic Hearts’ skeletal
trio rock, this new jammer, 12 years post, has a far fuller
bouquet of sonic depth and proves this Sonic dude to have a
very real songwriting life outside of the legendary Sonic Youth
(of which he is a founding figure, duh). (more)
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ROY:
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The
Band - Self-titled CD
2000 Re-issue remastered with 7 bonus tracks.
Roy + The Band = True Love Always.... |
GEOFF:
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Gram Parsons & the Flying Burrito Brothers - Archive Volume
1 DCD
(Digipack
Packaging) Two-CD, high-fidelity live set ‘Gram Parsons
Archives Vol. 1: The Flying Burrito Brothers “Live”
at the Avalon 1969’ on Amoeba Records.
Material
from 1969 found in Grateful Dead vaults – The two CD,
27-track set includes a number of never-before-heard -- though
long rumored – rarities including 10 songs never recorded
by Parsons and never before available. (more)
|
ANGIE:
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Whiskey Priest - Hungry CD
Whiskey Priest is the solo debut of Noah Hall of
Easterly. Hall trades Easterly's fuzz and jangle for an acoustic
and a celesta, but his trademark melodies and sad but hopeful
lyrics are present and in fine form. Take the more acoustic
Teenage Fanclub numbers, or even the quieter tracks on Big
Star's Third as a reference point.
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Welcome
to thrillsville, October 29th |
JIM:
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Anna Ternheim - S-T CD
Swedish songbird's US debut is a neat little collection
of some of her best to date, highly recomended for Cat Power
and Frida Hyvonen fans. A girl and a piano...yum. (more) |
PAUL
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Various:
White Lace & Strange:
Heavy Psych and Power Fuzz from the USA 68-72CD
White Lace & Strange is comprised of rare U.S.
stomp-rock from the '60s you've probably never heard before.
By the end of the '60s, psychedelia was pretty much a spent
force. Bands were looking for something simpler and more earthy.
Crosby, Stills & Nash had gone all acoustic and harmonious,
The Band had achieved a return to classic Americana, and James
Taylor was showing the world you could be laid back and hip
at the same time. However, not everyone wanted to ditch their
fuzzboxes. Inspired by such outfits as Cream, Blue Cheer, Hendrix
and the nascent Led Zeppelin, these American bands were moving
out of psych into something less cosmic and far heavier.
(more)
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ROY:
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Tulsa
- I Was Submerged CD
As comforting & timeless as the songs are, they
retain a melodic eeriness that could leave the listener feeling
unsettled were they not so impeccably crafted. A dreamy concoction
of reverberated vocals & sepulchral guitars layered upon
fervent percussion & the defining touch: the asymmetrical
tones of a Fender Rhodes, which cascade throughout the recordings.
Its often the Neutral Milk Hotel or Neil Young tag that is pinned
to Tulsas sleeve, and they wont deny that. But theres actually
much more that they try to accomplish. If theres a middle ground
between the Carter Family & Can, Tulsa has discovered it.
(more) |
ANGIE:
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Various Artists - I'm Not There [Dylan Biopic OST] DCD
Features exclusive Bob Dylan covers by Sonic Youth,
Eddie Vedder, Jim James & Calexico, John Doe, Stephen
Malkmus, Cat Power, Iron & Wine w/Calexico, Karen O.,
Yo La Tengo, Sufjan Stevens, Antony & The Johnsons, Dylan
w/The Band, Tom Verlaine, Willie Nelson, and many more!
(Track
Listing) |
GEOFF:
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Richard Hawley - Lady's Bridge CD
New full-length release from exquisite Brit strummer,
former Longpigs guitarist and Pulp sideman, with a voice that
elicts comparisons to Scott Walker and Roy Orbison. The heady
follow-up to his very wonderful 'Coles Corner' album. ALL MUSIC
GUIDE: "Songwriter, guitarist, and producer Richard Hawley
is celebrated by everyone from Scott Walker to former Pulp vocalist
and bandmate Jarvis Cocker to Robbie Williams. The reason is
simple: Over three albums and an EP, Hawley’s rich blend
of rock and roll's past, sophisticated pop and emotionally engaging
music is undeniable in its integrity and its beauty." |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, October 8th |
JIM:
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Johnossi - S-T CD
Domestic release for one of 2006's BEST Scandinavian
releases. ALL MUSIC GUIDE: "Johnossi are singer/guitarist
John Engelbert and drummer Oskar "Ossi" Bonde, and
for a duo, this Swedish pair packs quite a punch. You wouldn't
think so from the folky, acoustic intro to "The Show Tonight,"
which opens their eponymous debut album, not, at least, until
Engelbert's electric guitar storms in and kicks the song toward
hard rock. (more) |
PAUL
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Pearlfishers,
The - Up With The Larks CD
Glasgow's The Pearlfishers return refreshed and improved
with Up With The Larks, their sixth album for Marina Records
-- the latest in a line of orch-pop masterpieces. The album
is clear evidence that main Pearlfisher David Scott continues
his unique musical journey with renewed joy and verve -- and
that classic songwriting and well-crafted arrangements are alive
and well in 2007. The Pearlfishers, firmly rooted in the classic
tradition of three-minute cinematics as pioneered by Webb, McCartney
and Rufus Wainwright, are back and as brilliant as ever.
|
ROY:
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Krukid
- African CD
C-U emcee Krukid was officially selected to be part
of the Rawkus 50, Rawkus’ new underground hip-hop campaign.
Krukid’s sophomore album features many of his talented
friends. These include John Doe, Ryan Groff, Kayla Brown, Sanyankanta,
Yes Yes, SMI, Larry Gates and Brandon T Washington. |
ANGIE:
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Fionn Regan -End Of History CD
Universally hailed by the Brit & Irish press, both
musical & mainstream, Regan plays a version of folk music
"similar to Dylan's early albums, but with the flow of
a Nick Drake-a stunning combination.****"-THE TIMES "Ireland's
answer to Bright Eyes."-NME |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, September 18th |
ROY
+ PAUL both picked:
|
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Wooden
Shjips - S-T CD
Debut album? Might come with a bonus CD including
all of the group's early vinyl-only releases including a previously
unreleased unedited eight minute version of "Dance, California"?
It might! Wooden Shjips, a quartet from San Francisco heavily
influenced by the experimentalism of psychedelia, classical
minimalism, and garage rock excess, started as an experiment
in rhythmic primitivism and group improvisation... (more)
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JIM:
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Pulsar
47 - Slow Motion Quest CD
Pulsar47 (ex-At Knifepoint) strives to expand from
their post rock roots by incorporating more electronics and
noise by way of circuit bent synths and children's toys, laptop
programming and samples, and even modified scientific equipment.
Their songs feature layered melodies, intense dynamics, and
noise that combined create vast musical soundscapes. Influences
include Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Spiritualized, M83, Mogwai,
Isis, Lanterna, Sigur Ros, Centaur, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin,
Goblin, A Silver Mt. Zion, Radiohead, etc. Guitars intertwined
with bass, bells, strings, keyboards, a little bit of the past,
and some doses of the future. |
ANGIE:
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Lucinda
Williams - West CD
I saw her live over the weekend in Dallas. It was my
first time seeing LW live, and it was amazing and so inspiring!
YAY! -angie
Perhaps her most personal work to date w/songs touching on both
darkness & redemption. At turns strikingly spare & compellingly
muscular. Produced by HAL WILLNER.drinkers in general. |
|
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Welcome
to thrillsville, September 11th |
ROY:
|
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Blues
Control - S-T CD
Up & coming NYC guitar duo that just might be
the missing link between Van Halen & legendary experimentalist
Henry Flynt. Hazy. Spaced out pulsing electronics laid to waste
by fuzzed psychedelic distortion.
|
PAUL:
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David
Vandervelde - Moonstation House Band CD
DAVID VANDERVELDE appeared before us one hot summer
day like a dynamo. The sound we heard coming through in stereo
was that of our coming-of-age years screaming back at us -
a faithful reminder that our beauteous days of bowing before
pin-up rock stars and carving iconographic logos on desktops
and in famous treetrunks have not passed us by. No, David
Vandervelde is here to remind us that the truest, most primal
and addictive properties of rock n' roll are ageless. (more)
|
JIM:
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Black
Cab - Jesus East CD
New album from Australian psych-o-nauts. Jesus East
is something of an antidote to the fear and loathing of their
debut album, Altamont Diary, blending late '60's and early '70's
rock sounds with loops and subtle electronica over pulsing percussion
and driving guitars reminiscent of some of the great German
rock bands of the '70's. Jesus East evokes ghosts of the Velvet
Underground, Can, Neu and coolest Beatle George Harrison's fascination
with eastern sounds. |
ANGIE:
|
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New
Pornographers - Challengers CD
The fourth album is airier, more spacious, and more
relaxed than its jackhammer predecessors. In general, Carl Newman's
songwriting is slightly more scrutable this time around; his
lyrics still ring with wry perception and political metaphor,
but they betray some of the magnanimity that comes with new
love. The sophisticated, rich production values and complex
range of songwriting allow us to extend the group's audience
to new groups: AAA radio listeners, fans of Neko Case's solo
work, and coffee drinkers in general. |
GEOFF:
|
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Greg
Brown - Yellow Dog CD
"Notebook Songs Live in the Upper Peninsula!"
The beloved songwriter debuts a bouquet of new songs -- and
some old favorites -- one evening at the Peterson Auditorium
in Ishpeming MI; with special guests on two songs: Drew Howard
on pedal steel, bassist Dominic Suchyta, Seth Bernard on guitar
and the humming Daisy May Erlewine. Proceeds to benefit the
area's Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve -- all in an earth-friendly
bifold digipak. Contents: 1. Intro 2. Cold + Dark + Wet 3. Dream
Cafe 4. Better Days 5. Conesville Slough 6. Oily Boys 7. All
of Those Things 8. Canned Goods 9. "Pitchin' In..."
10. Laughing River 11. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone |
|
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Welcome
to thrillsville, August 28th |
| ROY: |
 |
Perishers
- Victorious CD
New album of soft-pop melancholies and majesties from
excellent Swedish mopes. ALL MUSIC GUIDE: "With their third
album Victorious, The Perishers should finally put an end to
the hackneyed references to their Swedish homeland, and the
cliched use of such modifiers as "icy," "glacial,"
"glassy," et al. (more)
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| PAUL: |
 |
Neil
Young - Live at Massey Hall 1971 CD
"The second volume of Neil Young's long-promised,
suddenly thriving Archives series is Live at Massey Hall, preserving
a 1971 acoustic show at the Toronto venue. Where the first volume
captured a portion of Neil's past that wasn't particularly well
documented on record -- namely, the rampaging original Crazy
Horse lineup in its 1970 prime -- this second installment may
seem to cover familiar ground, at least to the outside observer
who may assume that any solo acoustic Young must sound the same..."
(more)
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| ANGIE: |
 |
Bangles
- Return to Bangleonia: Live in Concert DVD
One of the most successful female groups of all time,
The Bangles make a triumphant return to their hometown of L.A.
with their first ever concert DVD. The queens of power pop pull
out all of their hits, from "Walk Like An Egyptian"
to "Eternal Flame," along with early fan favorites
like "Hero Takes A Fall." Extras include acoustic
performances of "Ride The Ride" and Prince's "Manic
Monday," a candid interview with the band about their storied
history and a photo gallery with rare and never-before-seen
photos. |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, August 14th |
| GEOFF: |
|
The
Beatles - 1962-1966 CD
Assembling a compilation of the Beatles is a difficult
task, not only because they had an enormous number of hits,
but also because singles didn't tell the full story; many of
their album tracks were as important as the singles, if not
more so. (more)
The
Beatles - 1967-1970 CD
Picking up where 1962-1966 left off, the double-album compilation
1967-1970, commonly called The Blue Album, covers the Beatles'
later records, from Sgt. Pepper through Let It Be. (more) |
| ROY: |
 |
Tallest
Man On Earth - S-T CD
Debut mini-album from new Gravitation signing The Tallest
Man On Earth. Raw, rootsy, ragged folk stylings performed by
The Tallest Man On Earth, with his Bunyan-esque voice (OK, really
it's more Dylanesque) and his similarly-oversized acoustic guitar.
Influenced by Bob Dylan, Son House, Charley Patton, Nick Drake...
The Gravitation label is home to Bjorn Olsson, Elope, and Diamonds
In The Rougth (among others), one of Sweden's finest rock imprints.
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| PAUL: |
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The
Flaming Lips Late Night Tales CD
The Flaming Lips' contribution to the Late Night Tales
series -- which also includes volumes curated by Four Tet, Jamiroquai,
and Nightmares on Wax -- shows off the band's wide-ranging but
almost always impeccable taste in music. (more)
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| ANGIE: |
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Tegan
& Sara - The Con CD
ALL MUSIC GUIDE: "Produced by Death Cab for Cutie's
Chris Walla, the album is full of quirky, Aqueduct-like keyboards,
punchy bass from Weezer's Matt Sharp and AFI's Hunter Burgan,
and even some guitar help from Kaki King that stretch and shove
their way into the spaces between Tegan and Sara's hook-driven
melodies and clean harmonies, more complex than anything they've
done before... An impressive step forward in their already commendable
discography." |
| JIM: |
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Sonic
Youth - Daydream Nation CD
Marketing 101: the band will be playing this entire
album start-to-finish for their set at the upcoming Pitchfork
Festival. Disc One features the original 1988 album, remastered
under the band's supervision and adds with a bonus home demo
of "Eric's Trip". Disc Two, the 'Live Daydream' is
comprised largely of previously unreleased tracks, features
15 live performances from the band's Daydream Nation Tour...plus
four studio bonus tracks: "Within You Without You"
(Beatles cover), "Computer Age" (Neil Young cover),
"Electricity" (Beefheart cover), and a cover of Mudhoney's
"Touch Me, I'm Sick", originally released as a Sub
Pop 7" single. |
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Welcome to thrillsville, July 24th |
| ROY: |
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Tallest
Man On Earth - S-T CD
Debut mini-album from new Gravitation signing The Tallest
Man On Earth. Raw, rootsy, ragged folk stylings performed by
The Tallest Man On Earth, with his Bunyan-esque voice (OK, really
it's more Dylanesque) and his similarly-oversized acoustic guitar.
Influenced by Bob Dylan, Son House, Charley Patton, Nick Drake...
The Gravitation label is home to Bjorn Olsson, Elope, and Diamonds
In The Rougth (among others), one of Sweden's finest rock imprints.
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| PAUL: |
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Autumn
Defense, The - S-T CD
It's easy to tag the Autumn Defense as a band striving
to re-create the sun-splashed sound of the classic California
folk-rock and chamber pop albums of the '60s and early '70s,
but while their musical influences are clear, the truth is that
Patrick Sansone and John Stirratt have delivered an album every
bit as satisfying and beautiful as the artists they've followed
with their self-titled third release. The Autumn Defense is
a rich and mature collection of songs that sparkle with melodic
beauty without ignoring the more difficult emotions that are
often part and parcel of commitment; thankfully devoid of self-pity
or a deluded joy, these songs speak of passion and experience
in equal portions, and the superb arrangements and crisp, nearly
flawless playing bring forward the impassioned material with
inspired accuracy.
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| ANGIE: |
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Barbara
Manning - Super Scissors (3XCD)
Remastered versions of the classic "Scissors"
album and its' follow up LP "One Perfect Green Blanket,"
both currently out of print in any format. Plus 24 previously
unreleased songs & recordings from the same time period
(mid 1980's-early 1990's). Packaged in a hardshell box set with
3 mini LP innersleeves, plus a thick booklet of photos and liner
notes by Nigel Cross, Steve Wynn (Dream Syndicate) and others.
(more) |
| JIM: |
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The
Triffids - Born Sandy Devotional CD
Originally released in 1985 by one of Australia's best
bands of the era. Easily one of the finest albums of the decade,
and one of Jim's Tope Ten Albums Ever. Sadly, Triffid's frontman/vocalist
David McComb died on February 2nd 1999, he is mourned and missed
by fans and friends around the world. Re-issue includes the
original album lovingly remastered from the original half inch
tapes. (more) |
Welcome
to thrillsville, July 13th |
| ANGIE: |
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Green
Pajamas, The - Box Of Secrets CD
New album of psychedelic pop from Seattle veterans
The Green Pajamas, mining childhood nostalgia on their new album...
Box Of Secrets is a conceptual album, a follow up if you will
to 'Northern Gothic' (Camera Obscura, 2002), with three intertwining
themes running through it: local legends, characters, and personal
mythology. Inspired less by arcane literature and more by The
Green Pajamas three songwriters’ own childhood experiences:
70's TV movies dealing with gothic themes of murder, secrets,
the supernatural; along with small town life in the Pacific
Northwest, the vague setting for many of the songs is the Washington
coast. (more) |
| PAUL: |
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Penniless
- The Attraction
New album from Finnish power-poppers/edgy-rockers Penniless,
think Pixies, Weezer, Posies, Beatles, Kinks... Idiosyncratic
and Finnish (which might be redundant), Penniless continue to
re-invent themselves, emerging as popsmiths from a coccon of
distortion, while pouring all the energy and aggression of their
10-year career into these frantic majestic indierock songs.
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| JIM: |
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Prefab
Sprout - Steve McQueen CD
Upon the UK release of Steve McQueen in 1985 frontman
Paddy Mcaloon explained "I'm probably the best songwriter
on the planet... Seriously...on my day, who are my rivals?"
Though assuredly just stirring up the press, the fact is, he
was right. It remains one of The Best Pop Albums EVER... This
is a 2007 digitally-remastered double-disc expansion of the
popular UK band's much loved second album, originally released
in 1985. Original producer Thomas Dolby did the remastering
Job, ensuring that all the band's original artistic sound and
intent remains intact. Include a second disc with eight of the
album's 11 tracks in re-arranged acoustic form, beautiful versions
that prove the songs' genius, recorded by Paddy in 2006 |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, June 25th |
| ANGIE: |
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Ryan
Groff - People In The Midwest CD
People In The Midwest’ is the debut solo album
from local hero Ryan Groff, frontman for regionally-acclaimed
Americana-Folk-Rock act Elsinore. Joyful, transcendent songs
with a spiritual vibe, some sporting a sweet seventies soft-rock
vibe, others exploring more ’00 experimental pop idealism.
Ryan’s songwriting runs a bit more expansive than your
normal human as he lets the instrumentation simmer somewhere
between restrained and minimalist and puts front and center
a voice (what a voice!) that recalls icons like Jeff Buckley,
Nick Drake and Elliott Smith (and Thom Yorke and Freddie Mercury
and Morrissey). The kid’s got more range than Amana and
Hotpoint put together! |
| ROY:
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St.
Vincent - Marry Me CD
WOW! St. Vincent is the moniker of singer/multi-instrumentalist/composer
Annie Clark and this is her debut full-length. She's opened
for such diverse acts as Television, Jose Gonzalez, and Sufjan
Stevens, and she's an inventive and versatile guitarist who
has also performed with avant-garde composer Glenn Branca. On
this record, she writes cinematic pop epics that feel at times
like Paris in the 20s before all the fun ended. Or, conversely,
an orchestra of pure modernity - a new American music, informed
by jazz, gospel blues, Southern folk music, and classical composition
but, in the end, an animal original unto itself. She's been
compared to everyone from Bjork to Kate Bush to Jeff Buckley,
and her beautiful voice melds perfectly with her intricate guitar
work.
*looks like St. Vincent is the new Midlake...do I sense a crush??
-angie |
| JIM: |
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Ricochets
- Isolation CD
Dirty Norwegian bohemian redneck blues, crooner rock-n-roll
for hearts that aren't just broken, but shattered. Like fellow
countrymen Madrugada Norway's garage-rock throwbacks The Ricochets
get the hips shakin', and their big guitars and a bigger voice
get compared to The Doors and The Animals alot (plenty of Hammond
organ and Fender guitar), although fans of Nick Cave, The Gun
Club and even The Afghan Whigs will find plenty to love here...
Welcome to the new beat of bohemian rock, brought to you by
five guys from Scandinavia who strike a near perfect balance
between tradition and innovation, knowledge and energy. (more) |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, June 4th |
| PAUL: |
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At
Swim Two Birds - Returning to the Scene of the Crime... CD
CD DIGIPACK + 8 page booklet. Returning to the scene
of the crime is the new album by AT SWIM TWO BIRDS, the solo
project of Roger Quigley - singer of the acclaimed duo from
Manchester, The Montgolfier Brothers and undoubtedly one of
the biggest talents in the English music scene. AT SWIM TWO
BIRDS shocks with the very stillness of the music: undulating
guitar lines with a hint of the sound of pubs and fairgrounds,
moodchanging music full of deep beauty. (more) |
| ANGIE: |
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Johnette
Napolitano - Scarred CD
An L.A. daughter whose name is synonymous with songs
about the city’s honking traffic blur and Hollywood Boulevard’s
forgotten dreamers, Johnette Napolitano has followed her musical
fancies for more than two decades, most famously with Concrete
Blonde, as a singer-songwriter-musician whose boundless voice
was an instrument of power and passion. Scarred’s 12 songs
are startling, spectacular and sublime. (more) |
| ROY:
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Arthur
& Yu - In Camera CD
This Seattle duo made an album with soft, layered vocals
that float over textural acoustics, "In Camera" is
an audible effigy of a time past, and an album made for forgetting
and remembering. Drawing sonic inspiration from the Velvet Underground
as well as the studio experimentation of Lee Hazlewood, each
track is a study in expansion, centered loosely around chiming
guitars and swirling melodies. (more) |
| JIM: |
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Elope
- 9 Distilled Dreams CD
Perhaps Elope's finest album to date...and that's saying
something consideing how brilliant 'The No Name Record' and
'3WD' are... It is also their very mellowest. '9 Distilled Dreams'
is the mainly acoustic companion piece to the rocking '3WD'
released earlier this year. Check out Jim's Pick page for a
sound sample. |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, May 22nd |
| PAUL: |
 |
Rick
Hayward - Self-Titled CD
Having played lead guitar for psychedelic legends The
Accent, formed a late incarnation of The Zombies with Rod Argent,
collaborated with Christine Perfect (later of Fleetwood Mac),
joined boogie rockers Jellybread and recorded innumerable sessions,
Rick Hayward finally recorded this solo album for the Blue Horizon
label in 1971. (more) |
| ANGIE: |
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