Jeff Beam - Be Your Own Mirror + Now (Single/EP)

Jeff Beam is a talented multi-instrumentalist psych-rocketeer out of Portland, Maine, and Be Your Own Mirror is his latest brainchild. Elliott Smith-ish vocals with instrumentations that will appeal to fans of Apollo Sunshine, Deerhunter, Lilys, MMOSS, and that one band that you listen to. Pick it up on CD or Cassette or name-your-own-price digital download. He's also kicking off an East Coast tour next Friday. Check it all out on bandcamp.

- Dan

Download Be Your Own Mirror

The first single, "Now", + 3 non-album bonus tracks.

Download Now (Single/EP)

V.A. - Shiftless Decay: New Sounds of Detroit

EDIT: LINK FIXED 4/17/2012

Released a few years back on X! Records, Shiftless Decay is the best (and to my knowledge, only) compilation showcasing the finest modern underground garage/punk/rock/weird shit the motor city has to offer. X! is one of my favorite labels so make sure you head over to their website and pick up this comp on wax along and check out the other great LP's they've got for sale.

- Steve

Download Shiftless Decay: New Sounds of Detroit

Terminal 11 - Partial Exorcismix

Last month's Bit-Phalanx podcast featured an exclusive 20-minute live mix from the eleventh Terminal, Michael Casteneda. It's the slippery experimental breakage you'd expect, but presented from the REM-dream state. Feel it in the forebrain, see it in the visual cortex. As always, thanks to Mike for keeping us in his loop.

- Dan

Download Partial Exorcismix

Grass Cannons - Vet Dream

Top notch EP from this Auckland, New Zealand foursome. There are elements of no-wave and shoegaze in their sound, but it's the straight-up indie pop sensibility that will charm the hipster right out of you. For fans of Swirlies, Grooms, and Deerhunter. Stick it in your earholes.

- Dan

Download Vet Dream

VIDEO: the Band in Heaven - High Low

Way behind getting this up. From demos (2010-2011). Oh yeah, and don't forget about that 7" on HoZac. Steve and I will be catching these guys/gal at Austin Motherfucking Psych Fest in April.

- Dan

Tachycardie - Be Nice to Music

This was the third release sent to us from Cocktail Pueblo Rcrds back in February, but I just now got around to listening to it. Solid solo experimental noise rock out of France. Plenty of feedback and swarming guitar. Sounds like the bastard child of Liars and AIDS Wolf.

- Dan

Download Be Nice to Music

Hazel's Wart - Together We Didn't

When I was in college I spent a lot of my free time drinking cheap beer in cramped basements watching bands playing loud music. I would frequently get drunk enough and convince myself that the shitty college town band in front of me was the musical messiah. Eventually I'd sober up, download a few mp3's, and realize that I really need to cut back on my drinking. Hazel's Wart reminds me a lot of these bands with one key difference--when you sober up the music still delivers. Great riffs and A+ production with a strong 90's Pacific Northwest influence. Just what I needed when I'm balls deep in 10,000 garage rock bands. If I had a mulligan for our best of 2011 list Together We Didn't would easily secure a spot. Check out their bandcamp for more music and tumblr page for upcoming shows. They've also got an upcoming cassette release on Skrot Up. Give these motherfuckers some money so they can play a show in L.A.

- Steve

Download Together We Didn't

VIDEO: Midday Veil - Moon Temple

Newly released video for the 24-minute slow motion acid trip, "Moon Temple", from their improvised live EP, Subterranean Ritual II, released on cassette back in August on Seattle label Translinguistic Other. Midday Veil will be en route to SXSW to play the Austin Psych Fest: Levitation showcase with the likes of Amen Dunes, Royal Baths, Sun Araw, Night Beats, Psychic Ills, and a ton of other incredible bands on March 15th. Oh yeah, and it's FREE w/ RSVP. 

- Dan