John Abercrombie - The Third Quartet (2007)

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By this point in John's life, he'd already recorded over 100+ albums as a leader or with other groups, and with a sizable number of those recordings with the prestigious ECM records. Herein the guitar virtuoso plays open, playful tunes, while allowing Feldman an opportunity to shine as well. The album carries a relaxing and upbeat vibe that's a welcome change from all the thunderous noise I've been filling my head with, as I battled these few remaining days of the cold. 

The Third Quartet

Mammatus - Mammatus (2006)

 

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This record is absolutely stoner rock ear candy. It's fantastic on long roadtrips, bike rides, or out baking in the sun. The group has developed an incredible wall-of-sound that seems to attack your senses from every single direction. This is highly recommended for anyone into sludgy, doomy space rock.  

Mammatus 

Deerhunter - Rainwater Cassette Exchange (2009)

 

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I try my hardest to keep up with Cox and Company. I enjoy their antics, how weird their interviews are, and the chill sometimes drony, always catchy tunes. Besides their debut, this is the record I reach for the most when I get a good ole fashion Deerhunter hankering. This is a great bike riding record.

Rainwater Cassette Exchange

Pig Destroyer - Natasha (2008)

 

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This single 38 minutes long track is a sidestep from PD's normal  mind-draining, earfucking maddness. The group considers this record a continuation of themes shown on the end of their Terrifyer record, released just 3 years prior. It's sludgy, and sometimes features elements of drone. It definitely satisfies, nonetheless. This is one hell of a soundtrack for a day before spring bike ride. 

Natasha

Elder - Elder (2008)

 

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Elder's first full length LP, full of slow and heavy jams. This is a beautiful Sunday soundtrack. 

Elder

Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Frozen Corpse Stuffed with Dope (2002)

 

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There is absolutely nothing I can write about these dudes, to make this record appealing to anyone. It's 34 minutes of complete batshit crazy nonsense. This record came out when I was a teenager and made it's way through my cicrle until it landed in my stero in my bedroom at like 8 pm on a random school night. All I could do was laugh at how brutal and stupid it all sounded to me. Fastforward 20 years later and I can't help but chuckle when I press play. 

Frozen Corpse Stuffed with Dope

The Dodos - Beware of the Maniacs (2006)

 

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San Francisco's The Dodo's debut effort is still my go-to in their catalog. I like the fuller sound they drifted towards in their more recent efforts, however I just love the feel of this set. The music and vocals just blend so well together. It's just these 2 dudes in a room, jamming the fuck out, and occasionally having a guest play the trumpet. Grab this, be kind to your neighbors, and wash you fucking hands. 

Beware of the Maniacs

Cult Ritual ‎– LP1 (2009)

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I am way late to the party on this massive, hard-hitting epic fucking record. It literally deserves all of those words. Gut-punching riffs over thunderous beats, so much feedback, and the howls of a lunatic. I fucking love this record. This Floridian quartet regrettably only lasted about 3 years. They all went on to do a million other bands, that will eventually make their way here. Grab this, slam-dance your ass off, and feel good. 

LP1

 

Vashti Bunyan - Some Things Just Stick in Your Mind – Singles and Demos 1964 to 1967 (2007)

 

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Vashti has a pretty interesting story. She recorded numerous demos and singles, and a debut record in 1970. Sadly, her beautifully haunting voice didn't make that much of an impression on the English folk scene in the 1970's and Vashti willingly faded into obscurity to raise her children and live a pretty normal life. 

Fast-forward nearly 30 years and the world [myself included] discovers Vashti's sweet voice once again. This time it made the impact she was hoping for all those years ago, unbeknownst to her. Here collected are 29 singles and demos recorded during the 1960's, over about 3 years. Stand out track and how I was introduced Train Song really climbed inside me and hasn't left in years. Vashti' popularity has allowed her to record 2 new records since 2005, which will eventually make their way here. Pour a drink and take this for a spin.

Some Things Just Stick in Your Mind – Singles and Demos 1964 to 1967

Beth Gibbons and Rustin Man - Out of Season (2002)

 

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I grabbed this album for $1 from the famed Reckless Records in Chicago my freshman year of college. Sadly, it was dumped in the discount bin. I ran back to my apartment and promptly listened to this album 3 times that night. Beth's voice is both sultry and inviting, however on this album it feels to me very mournful. In this collection, her voice very briefly touches on the strength she shows with Portishead,  and often times is low, almost at a whisper. I like how intimate the set feels, like you're there in the room with them. Put this on, dim the lights, roll up, and relax. 

Out of Season

Headdress – Lunes (2009)

 

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Lunes marks a deviation in sound and growth from their first album. Turquoise felt like a long walk through the desert, while Lunes feels like a hallucination brought on by dehydration and too much sun. Big ass wall of sound, disembodied voices, and densely layered guitar drones make their second effort a beautiful follow-up. Put on some sunglasses and take this album for a walk. 

Lunes

Headdress - Turquoise (2008)

 

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About a decade ago I used to carry around one of those 6th Gen iPod Nano's. The little one with the screen and a measly 32gb to cram in all of the necessary records you needed to get through the workweek. So whatever made the cut and sync to the device actually meant something to you. Headdress was the one groups that always made the cut. This is a straight-up hazy ass smoke filled slow burning record. I easily listened to this at least once a day everyday in the summer of 2010. I highly recommend giving Turquoise a spin. Works best at early morning/late evening.

Turquoise

Inca Ore ‎– A Knit Of My Own Fibers / When You're Sleeping I Tell You Secrets (2005)

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Lush ambiance meets ghostly voices. This album came to me at the most appropriate time in my life. Even to this day when I listen to it, the word unraveling comes to mind. Good for early morning/late night listening. 

A Knit Of My Own Fibers / When You're Sleeping I Tell You Secrets