Tera Melos - Demos [2004]

This is exactly what you think it is, demos put out by Tera Melos. Only 4 tracks long, the CD is still a great one for the collection. The last two songs are exclusive to this EP (I suppose you can call it that) while "7th Heaven" and "Flowers" were rerecorded and became "Melody 6" and "Melody 7," respectively with slight alterations. The 2 missing tunes are really cool as well and great for anyone who is a fan of untitled or Tera Melos in general.

Genre: Math Rock
For Fans Of: Melt Banana, By the End of Tonight, Hella
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. 7th Heaven
2. Flowers
3. Magical
4. I Hate The 80's



- A

RX Bandits - Live At Park Ave CDs [2010]

This 5 track live EP was recorded July 20th, 2009 at (you guessed it!) Park Avenue CDs in Florida. It's an acoustic set, which adds a completely new feel to the songs performed. It's got a good collection of songs from the past 3 records as well as a cover of The Wailers. This was originally released on Record Store Day, and I happened upon it while buying some other albums, a nice little grab if I do say so myself. After doing some research, it looks like the CD doesn't actually have all of the songs performed (such as My Lonesome Only Friend) but the few that it does have make up for it. At one point, a fan calls out for an older song (Secret Agent Man) and Matt Embree, singer/vocalist goes on a rant about how he's trying to claim RXB cred, just a funny little break in the EP.

Genre: Progressive Ska
For Fans Of: Zechs Marquise, The Mars Volta, The Wailers
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Prophetic
2. 1980
3. Hearts That Hanker For Mistake
4. Only For The Night
5. The Youth



- A

Billy Talent - Billy Talent [2006]

I'm not really sure how to describe Billy Talent. It's not that they're so far out there and weird (which I can surprisingly describe well), it's that they're pretty normal, but you can still tell there's something different. The singer, Ben Kowalewicz, does a yell-scream which is really unique and fits the music well, complementing the punk rock sound of the band. The lyrics range from heavy topics like heroine-addicted hookers and teenage suicide to exes and lies. Also an interesting fact: The group's line up has remained the same since 1993. Not many bands can say that.

Genre: Punk Rock
For Fans Of: At The Drive In, Sum 41, Rise Against
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. This Is How It Goes
2. Living In The Shadows
3. Try Honesty
4. Line & Sinker
5. Lies
6. the Ex
7. River Below
8. Standing In The Rain
9. Cut The Curtains
10. Prisoners of Today
11. Nothing the Lose
12. Voices of Violence



- A

Foxy Shazam - Oh Lord [Official]

Foxy Shazam. Awesome name, awesome band, awesome song, and awesome music video. This excellent song is from their latest album, and it is really fun music. And the video is almost as entertaining as their live shows, which are crazy.

-T

The Fall of Troy - The Ghostship Demos [2004] (Includes Keys Demos)

Released shortly after thier self-titled record, The Fall of Troy recorded the Ghostship Demos (or Ghostship EP) which consisted of parts 1, 4, and 5 of the Ghostship story as well as a demo of Macaulay McCulkin which was later put out on 2005's Doppelganger. Though most versions have only those 4 tracks, I was able to recover a more complete version which has the keys versions of 1 and 5 (which includes keyboard parts and no vocals) as well as live demos of parts 2 and 3. The EP is actually a concept album about a Spanish galleon helmed by the group's members (or characters based off of them) that runs into a ghostship from another dimension and all hell breaks loose. The story supposedly can be taken many different way so there's no perfect story, but it's still a cool idea. After 5 years, the album was re-recorded in secret and released in limited quantities in 2008. Some versions are better, some are worse, but it's nice to have it finally finished.

Genre: Progressive Mathcore
For Fans Of: Protest the Hero
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Ghostship Part 1
2. Ghostship Part 1 (Keys)
3. Ghostship Part 2
4. Ghostship Part 3 (Live)
5. Ghostship Part 4
6. Ghostship Part 5
7. Ghostship Part 5 (Keys)
8. Macaulay McCulkin (Demo)



- A

Manchester Orchestra - Now That You're Home

Here's an entertaining, uniquely animated music video for one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands. I'll have to put up a review for an album of theirs sometime. For now, enjoy this cool stuff:

-T

Saosin - The Grey EP [2008]

This is the album I woke up to this morning, and might I say, despite the boring artwork and album name, it is a great one. It was released in the time period between their self-titled album and their newest album. Saosin has always impressed me with several of their attributes. The first is their lyrical prowess. Even this short, five song EP shows it. Stand out lines like "If we've got something going, tell me why is he here?" and "Why can't you see with my hands holding your eyes open? It's hard for me to think when your mouth is always moving," and "If I run as fast as I can, The thought of your memory, Will catch up with me," abound on the album.

Another thing that impresses me about Saosin is that they are a band that, for me, always sounds good to listen to, whatever time of day or mood I'm in. I think this could be because they just make quality music. Cove does a great job of singing on all the songs and every member of the band really seems to be putting their best into the music on this album. The only downside to this EP is that it is so short; it's only five songs, and two of the songs are acoustic versions of their other songs. But every song is so perfect that it makes this album, in my opinion, some of Saosin's best work. Even the acousic songs are awesome, matching or possibly surpassing the original versions of the songs.


Genre: Post-Hardcore
For Fans Of: Circa Survive, Secret And Whisper, Emarosa
Contact: Website
Tracklisting:
1. Keep Secrets
2. Love Maker
3. Why Can't You See?
4. Come Close (Acoustic)
5. Love Maker (Acoustic)


-T

The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium [2003]

The first LP release by The Mars Volta, Deloused was a musical slap to the scene in 2003. Led by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the band's sound is a mixture of prog-rock, experimental, jazz, and Latin American. The guitars are crazy and create epic musical landscapes which are accented by the equally eccentric lyrics and vocals. Deloused is a concept album that follows a character named Cerpin Taxt (based off a friend of the bands') who fell into a coma and after waking up, killed himself. Though grim, the lyrics are very obscure and exciting as well, making Bixler-Zavala one of the more intriguing wordsmiths of the era. Well worth a listen, especially if you're into experimental music.

Genre: Experimental
For Fans Of: De Facto, Zechs Marquis, RX Bandits
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Son Et Lumiere
2. Inertiatic ESP
3. Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)
4. Tira Me A Las Arañas
5. Drunkship Of Lanterns
6. Eriatarka
7. Cicatriz ESP
8. This Apparatus Must Be Unearthed
9. Televators
10. Take The Veil Cerpin Taxt
11. Ambuletz
12. A Plague Upon Your Hissing



- A

Portugal. The Man Concert

Last night I went to see a Portugal. The Man concert. Needless to say, it was amazing. I expected them to be good, but their show completely exceeded my expectations. It started out with a great opening performance by Morning Teleportation. I had never heard of them previous to the show, but they were very enjoyable with both good music and an entertaining performance. Next was The Builders And The Butchers, who were alright, but not as good as the other two bands.

Then the moment I had been anticipating all evening. The stage filled with fog and then, in the midst of it, Portugal. The Man started their set. They sounded just as good, possibly even better, than on their albums. Their live performance had so much energy, which really brought the music to life. It was accompanied by a dope light show, which matched their music perfectly, and was one of the best light shows I have seen. They played a good variety of songs, both newer (The Sun, Do You, People Say) and older (Chicago,) and they even played an epic version of my favorite song of theirs, AKA M80 The Wolf complete with an improvised jam session in the middle. They played this song last, and when they finished the last crowd assisted, "I am but a man, but a proud, proud man," the place erupted in applause and then chanting for one more song. Portugal. The Man was happy to return to stage to play the beautiful acousic song Created, and then 1989, which was a great closer for the night. I'd recommend definitely attending Portugal. The Man when they play near you; I know I'll be going back to their next show.

-T

Tera Melos/By The End of Tonight - Complex Full of Phantoms [2007]

Ah post-math... how I love you so. And what's better than a post-math album? 2 bands splitting a post-math album, of course! I originally tried out this album because of Tera Melos, but eventually turned over to side a and checked out By The End Of Tonight and I loved it too. Both sides are great, full to the brim with the technical ambiance that we expect from them. A splendid split overall and worth owning. Also notable, I accidentally stumbled upon this vinyl at a record store once and immediately bought it. I didn't even know it was out on vinyl, but I still spin it to this day.

Genre: Post-Math
For Fans Of: Hella, Giraffes? Giraffes!, Melt-Banana
Contact: TM Myspace BTEOT Myspace
Tracklisting:

By The End Of Tonight:

1. Delaware Is Depressing
2. Philthy Collins
3. Jealous Of A Ghost
4. Cool Hands
5. Ghost Boat
6. Elvis Never Didn't Die

Tera Melos:

7. 555-9676
8. Party With Tine
9. When Worms Learn To Fly
10. Melody 9
11. Last Smile For Jaron


- A