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(Untitled)
Diego's Umbrella - Kung Fu Palace (2005)
[Barndoor]
Commonly referred to as Latin pirate-rock or Mexican surf-ninjas (don't ask me), these guys make for a truly unique blend of Latin, acoustic, pop, surf, alternative, and flamenco music. This is the 3rd full-length release for these San Francisco natives.
Recommended tracks: The Revenge of ( Read more... ) -
Top Albums of 2006
Because everyone else is, and I'm all for jumping on bandwagons, I give you...
THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2006 (IN MY OPINION):
1 Man Man - Six Demon Bag
2 TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
3 The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
4 The Black Heart Procession - The Spell
5 Tool - 10,000 Days
( Read more... ) -
(Untitled)
Moros Eros - I Saw the Devil Last Night and Now the Sun Shines Bright (2006)
[Victory]
Aggressive indie/garage/dance-rock from Atlanta, similar to the Rapture, Modest Mouse, Cursive, Minus the Bear. Some great tracks, some decent tracks. Overall, very impressive debut.
Recommended tracks: Short of the Shore, I Saw the Devil Last Night, Now ( Read more... ) -
(Untitled)
Sparrows Swarm and Sing - Untitled No. 2 (2006)
[Perpetual Motion Machine]
Instrumental post-rock from New England. This is a reissue of a 2005 EP (previously vinyl only). They fit somewhere between Explosions in the Sky and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Part I and Part III layer spoken-word samples over music. Part II proves epic post-rock ( Read more... ) -
(Untitled)
Wet Confetti - Laughing Gasping (2006)
[Pampelmoose]
Portland, OR trio release 2nd LP. Female-led electro-indie rock with post-punk aggression. Both catchy and quirky. Similar to Blonde Redhead if they studied with Ladytron and upped the intensity to crazy levels. Finds itself alongside fellow post-punk new-wave revivalists the Faint at ( Read more... ) -
(Untitled)
Wax on Radio - Exposition (2006)
[Downtown]
Chicago-based rock group with debut album. Similar to the Mars Volta, the Fire Theft, and, to an extent, Coheed and Cambria. Progressive-metal with strong emotional investment.
Recommended tracks: Today I Became a Realist, The General of Medicine City, Dawn Architects
( Read more... ) -
(Untitled)
The Herms - Record Machine (2006)
[Jackpine Social Club]
Debut full-length from SF-based indie rockers with a post-punk / art-rock tinge. Vocals constantly switch between Lou Reed and the Strokes' Julian Casablancas. Angular guitar, occasional wacky synth, good pop hooks. Some songs could be stronger, but enough catchy tunes for a worthwhile ( Read more... ) -
(Untitled)
Alcian Blue - Alcian Blue (2006)
[Elephant Stone]
Neo-post-punkers from Washington DC present their debut full-length. While there seem to be quite a few groups these days boasting this Joy Division / Depeche Mode / My Bloody Valentine fusion, these guys seem to get it right. It’s brooding, well composed, and doesn’t come off like a bad cliché ( Read more... )