Lunar Testing Lab - Seashore Blvd.

Some very stoned and relaxing electronic tunes out of Pennsylvania. Tobacco of BMSR is a fan, which means you will be too. This EP is another release to add to my "listen to this shit next time you're at the beach" playlist. On par with Boards of Canada and Casino Versus Japan.

- Dan

Download Seashore Blvd.

Deastro - Keepers + Moondagger

It might sound like a backhanded compliment, but the reason I know Deastro's music is so goddamn good is because every time I listen to him I can't help but think to myself "fuck, I should hate this". The thing is, despite all the synth-poppy goodness (which undoubtedly will have some whispering Postal Service comparisons under their breath) I can't bring myself to even mildly dislike Deastro. I'll even go so far as to say he might be the most interesting musician pumping out tunes from Detroit currently, and the shining star of the well-respected Ghostly International label. All this and I don't even think the guy can drink legally in the states yet. Not bad. Keepers is a "best of" selection of sorts from Deastro's 4578237589234589234 bajillion unreleased/self-released tunes. Moondagger, his latest proper full length, takes Deastro's space pop symphonies to new heights. Just download and listen and friends, I promise you'll enjoy what you hear.

- Steve

Download Keepers

Download Moondagger

Pageants - s/t

Ben of Pageants was gracious enough to send us a copy of their debut EP. I'm not sure what's in the water in "Melbz", Australia, but I want some. This is some gritty good ol' fashioned garage goodness, with some elements of surf and shoegaze mixed in. This EP would make an appropriate soundtrack for a dirty and sweaty high school prom in the middle of the desert. I can also imagine it playing in the background just before Kill Bill's Deadly Viper Assassin Squad makes their move. In other words, it's fucking cool. www.myspace.com/pageantstheband

- Dan

Download Pageants

Wrugs - Braided Gas EP

A very organic and relaxing brand of psych folk out of Chicago. This three song demo floats along beautifully and drifts by all too quickly. The track "Body Should" is the shortest but most intriguing of the three songs. It's relatively formless structure and three note bouncing guitar line gives it a very hypnotic and meditative quality. Although it's certainly different, if you enjoyed the Stag Hare album I posted weeks ago, you'll dig this. Let's hug some trees.

- Dan

Download Braided Gas

Thee Oh Sees - Zork's Tape Bruise + Singles and Unreleased Tracks

We got a request a few weeks ago for this one/I picked up this LP w/ bonus CD earlier today from a vinyl only shop here in Richmond called Deep Groove Records. I was also able to pick up a copy of Boredoms' Soul Discharge LP for a friend as well. A pretty successful day, I'd say. Anyways, Zork's Tape Bruise is an album of incredibly good demo's from John Dwyer. Many of the tracks on the LP are much louder and more creative versions of tracks found on their recently released Help LP, with a larger variety of instruments and noise than used than in the final product. Alvin of Alvin and the Chipmunks also makes a quick appearance in "Enemy Dustruct". The bonus CD contains every track they've released exclusively on vinyl. A great record in its own right. A must-own LP/CD combo from Kill Shaman Records.


- Dan

Download Zork's Tape Bruise

Download Singles and Unreleased Tracks

Jeans Wilder - Antiques

Extremely personal bedroom pop from a dude that seems like he could use a hug. The slow-moving, hazy and nostalgic tone of this cassette release is a perfect lullaby after an exhausting day. It's a very subtle collection of songs, but it's just enough to satisfy whatever mood you choose to associate it with. There's a few additional tracks of his that I've really been enjoying, which I also included in the download, and from the sounds of it, this guy is only getting better. I've been listening to "Tough Guys" over and over. You're such a motherfucking tough guy.

- Dan

Download Antiques

Lord Scrummage - From the Future

The image above isn't actually the album cover for From the Future, just a random picture jacked from the group's Myspace. Even though I couldn't find the real artwork, I think this is a pretty good visual representation of what you're about to listen to. Lord Scrummage is part of Scrummage University, an art collective of sorts that has been releasing rad records and putting on amazing shows (with bands like Prussia) in the sketchiest parts of Detroit for several years now. Shit, when Jason Lytle of Grandaddy had a flight layover he came out to Scrummage where they cooked him dinner and he played an impromptu show. How cool is that? I won't get too deep into Scrummage-lore though. I'm too far removed from Detroit music at this point to even scratch the surface of what Scrummage is all about. I will say that they represent a strong DIY aesthetic and actually have fun with the great music they create. From the Future seems to be a culmination of those ideas. The music is primarily electronic, and recalls the sounds of groups like Animal Collective, but quickly veers off into uncharted musical territory. The songs are incredibly dense but at the same time so catchy that you'll find it difficult to keep yourself from dancing around the room. Make sure you check these guys out when they roll into your town so you can buy their record and tell them how fucking great they are.

Jun 14 2009 8:00P
K Records Den
Olympia, Washington

Jun 15 2009 8:00P
The Jolly Rogers
Portland, Oregon

Jun 16 2009 8:00P
Punk show
Roseburg, Oregon

Jun 18 2009 8:00P
Argus Lounge
San Francisco, California

Jun 19 2009 8:00P
House Party San Francisco

Jun 26 2009 8:00P
w/ Gary Wilson Location TBA
San Diego, California

Jun 27 2009 8:00P
MIA’s Lounge
Flagstaff, Arizona

Jun 28 2009 8:00P
The Hang Art
Tucson, Arizona

Jun 29 2009 8:00P
Help us get a show
somewhere New Mexico

Jun 30 2009 8:00P
Mountain House w/ Daughters of the Sun
Dallas, Texas

Jul 1 2009 8:00P
SuperHappyFunLand
Houston, Texas

Jul 2 2009 8:00P
Dragons Den
New Orleans, Louisiana

Jul 3 2009 8:00P
Greencup Books
Birmingham, Alabama

Jul 4 2009 8:00P
Spazzatorium
Greenville, North Carolina

Jul 9 2009 8:00P
Whartscape
Baltimore, Maryland

- Steve

Download From the Future

Mars - The Complete Studio Recordings NYC 1977-1978

For many, Mars is best known for their four track appearance on Brian Eno's No New York compilation, but they also released a 7" and EP in their brief two year existence. This compilation of all eleven recorded tracks has gotten a few releases from various labels over the last five years or so, but it still feels as if this band doesn't get the recognition they deserve. The progression of these eleven tracks and their approach to recording greatly embodies the relatively short-lived but hugley influential New York No Wave scene. The tracks start to slowly lose form, coherence, and convention as the band began to stretch the limitations of their instruments. Their sound eventually became far more primitive than many of the other bands of the same scene with uncontrolled Black Eyes/Boredoms-esque squeels and grunts, clunky drums, and messy distorted guitars.

- Dan

Download The Complete Studio Recordings NYC 1977-1978

That Fucking Tank - Tanknology

(LINK REMOVED 07/17/09)

Tanknology is not quite as consistent as 2006's The Day Of Death By Bono Adrenalin Shock, but, then again, I did not fully appreciate that record until I blew out the speakers in my car listening to it, which I have yet to do with Tanknology. They've kept the same formula overall, with some pretty killer baritone guitar work and danceable rhythms, but the duo's classic rock influences shine through even harder now, incorporating some slightly familiar and straightforward guitar lines throughout the album (and a brief cowbell appearance). Good stuff. I'd love to see these guys live if they ever make it over to the States. Great album cover, btw.

- Dan

Dan Deacon/Adventure - Split 12"

A vinyl only release, limited to 1000 copies featuring tracks from hipster electro-messiah Dan Deacon and the 8-bit obsessed group, Adventure. The Dan Deacon tracks provide a nice bridge between the more pop oriented Spiderman of the Rings and the more mature sound of his latest release, Bromst. The Adventure tunes are just as good, and sound like a musical selection from the best NES game you've never played.

- Steve

Download Split 12"

Woven Bones - Janie 7" + With You Alone 7"

Austin's Woven Bones utilizes and exaggerates some of the greatest aspects of some of the greatest musical genres, resulting in a fuzzier shoegaze, a heavier garage, and a dirtier lo-fi. All of these things are executed so well that I'm convinced that they should become the first official "lo-shoegaraze" band. There's a healthy dose of rock and roll attitude as well. Looking forward to an LP.

- Dan

Download Janie + With You Alone