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Ltd. Ed. Yellowlion/saki shirts!

2012-01-28T14:34:00.005-06:00

Woah, check out that shirt, eh! If you want one, we'll be selling them starting Friday for the official opening of Roots: Original Hand Screen Printed Art by Yellowlion at saki!

We only had a very limited number of shirts made and when they're gone, they're gone! Come get yours this Friday!

Ode to the Credit Card Captains, or how not to moor a boat.

2012-01-27T15:30:00.000-06:00

Sailing in British Virgin Islands

2012-01-27T12:57:00.001-06:00

Sailing in British Virgin Islands, a set on Flickr.

Roctober #49 is here!

2012-01-26T15:02:00.003-06:00

Roctober #49 is here! Coming up on it's 20th anniversary, Roctober is one of the few survivors from the glory days of rock & punk zines and after just a few page flips it's clear to see why! This "Livin' In The 80's" Issue features Danzig, TSOL, Captain Sky, Zero Boys, Boyd Rice & more!

Patrick and John sport Team Zissou gear.

2012-01-26T12:24:00.001-06:00

We are either the geekiest or coolest crew in the Caribbean. Photo by Julia Adams.

Mr. Lemke, Dianne, Julia, and John heading for Jost van Dyke.

saki presents: Cheyenne Marie Mize w/ Secret Colours!

2012-01-25T16:00:00.000-06:00

saki is proud to welcome our old friend, Cheyenne Marie Mize back to Chicago for a show at Schubas with Secret Colours tonight! If you missed Cheyenne at saki before, here's your second chance! Come join us at Schubas for a great show tonight.

Chicago's Secret Colours will be opening for Cheyenne as well. They've been working on a new album at Engine with Brian Deck (Red Red Meat, Owen, Iron & Wine, Modest Mouse, Califone & many, many more) and they'll be offering a FREE download card to show-goers!

saki will also be offering a special deal for attendees as well. You have to come out tonight to find out what it is though!

Two Epitonic saki Sessions this weekend!

2012-01-25T14:30:00.000-06:00

We've got two pretty special Epitonic saki Sessions for you this weekend! First, on Saturday, Brokeback (members of Tortoise) & Miracle Condition (members of U.S. Maple) will play a double-bill session. It promises to be a pretty loud day of experimental post-rock. Come find out what happen when you get some of the best musicians in Chicago into a record store and let them run free!

Show starts at 5pm!

Then, on Sunday, we've got a bit of a last minute surprise (for you AND for us). Legend of slow, melodic indie-rock (we'll spare you the slowcore tag) Ida are stopping by to play a session! Elizabeth is playing some of her children's music at Old Town Sunday Morning, but that night, we'll have a full-on Ida set for you! It's the only show they're playing as Ida while they're in town and it's FREE, so don't miss it! As if it couldn't get any better, Ida will be supported by their old friend Geoff Farina (Karate, Glorytellers, Secret Stars) as opening act.

So, sorry for the short notice, but if you've got the time this weekend, we recommend making it out to saki for one or both of these shows. It will definitely be a memorable experience.

Show starts at 6pm!

Sunset Virgin Gorda

2012-01-25T14:00:00.001-06:00

Sunset Virgin Gorda. Two day old new moon with Venus riding high.
a photo by pmonaghan on Flickr.

Marissa Nadler to release "The Sister" on 05/29/12

2012-01-25T11:24:00.004-06:00

As the snow melts, and winter (hopefully) subsides into a few less than warm months, we hear that Marissa Nadler will be releasing a new album (thanks for the tip, Pitchfork) called The Sister on May 29th. This is a companion, if you will, to 2011's S/T LP/CD (all on her own imprint Box of Cedar). Check out the teaser for The Sister below.

We'll have more details as they arrive from Ms. Nadler, so stay tuned! For now, enjoy the teaser for The Sister.....

(pic courtesy of Alarm Press)

The A.V. Club Debuts New Megan Reilly Track

2012-01-25T11:10:00.001-06:00

We are very excited by the amount of love and support we're receiving over here at Carrot Top Records HQ for the upcoming Megan Reilly record The Well. It doesn't come out until April 24th, but we're sure to be talking about it until y'all can hear the whole thing. We're excited to announce that the A.V. Club premiered the track "Sew the Threads Into Your Heart" off The Well this morning! Here's what they had to say:

Claiming both Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott and Roy Orbison as influences-along with more obvious touchstones like Neko Case and Patti Griffin- Megan Reilly has the kind of pipes and grit that belie her singer-songwriter trappings. It's been six years since Reilly released her previous album, Let Your Ghost Go, but the forthcoming The Well (due out April 24) promises to be a strong follow-up based on the great "Sew The Threads Into Your Heart," which The A.V. Club is streaming exclusively. A thoroughly beguiling folk-pop song, "Heart" builds to a climactic guitar solo that Lynott himself would be proud of.

Check out the page and stream "Sew The Threads Into Your Heart" HERE.

CTD Press Update 1/24/12!

2012-01-24T17:28:00.000-06:00

CTD Press Update 01/24/2012
Now Available Exclusively/Semi-Exclusively from CTD:

FEATURED:
Windy & Carl
"We Will Always Be"
Kranky: krank163

FLUID RADIO UK:
“We Will Always Be is the first release from the duo since 2008, and sees Weber’s vocals take a backseat in favour of a more open, wide-field sound. Their lo-fi guitar-based dronescapes may well have spawned a thousand imitators, but from the hands of these masters the approach continues to enchant and delight, with a mood that is altogether brighter and more blissful than previous works.”
http://www.fluid-radio.co.uk/2012/01/windy-and-carl-we-will-always-be/

RCRD LBL:
“Listening to a Windy & Carl song is like being inside a seriously uplifting dream. 'Remember,' an ambient fanfare with a lovely, strong drone, goes at its own pace. It doesn't so much have a final destination – more an exploration of a mood that appears gaseous and uneasy to grab.”
http://rcrdlbl.com/2012/01/11/download_windy_carl_remember

PITCHFORK premier of “Remember”:
“Ambient pop duo Windy & Carl's last release was 2008's Songs for the Broken Hearted; on February 13, they return with a new full-length, We Will Always Be, via Kranky.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/2/

UPCOMING SOON:
V/A
"We Are The Works In Progress"
Asa Wa Kuru: awk001

PITCHFORK premier of Four Tet's "Moma":
“The comp includes tracks from folks like Deerhunter, Karin Andersson of the Knife/Fever Ray, John Maus, Pantha du Prince, Interpol, Broadcast, Terry Riley, Liars, David Sylvian/Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Four Tet, who contributes the song you can listen to below, ‘Moma’.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/3/

PITCHFORK:
“Blonde Redhead have put together the compilation We are the Works in Progress to benefit Japan in the country's ongoing recovery from the March tsunami and its aftermath. The release is curated by frontwoman Kazu Makino, who was born in Kyoto, Japan, and is out January 10. It's the premiere release on the band's new imprint Asa Wa Kuru, which is Japanese for 'Morning Will Come.' The comp includes exclusive tracks from Deerhunter, Karin Andersson of the Knife/Fever Ray, Four Tet, John Maus, Pantha du Prince, and more. It also includes contributions from Interpol, Broadcast, Terry Riley, Liars, David Sylvian/Ryuichi Sakamoto, and more.”
http://www.pitchfork.com/news/44771-deerhunter-fever-ray-interpol-four-tet-on-blonde-redhead-japan-benefit-comp/

Lindstrøm
"Six Cups Of Rebel"
Smalltown Supersound: sts221

THE EXAMINER:
“Six Cups of Rebel (Smalltown Supersound, 2012) shoots off in another direction. 'No Release' is a kaleidoscopic organ like in one Steve Reich’s rhythmic suites. Most of the album is in the vein of psychedelic funk EDM like his earlier project that he took the name of for the album. 'De Javu' and 'Magik' are super funky with strong acidic touches that float over the rhythms, with the latter being even more maniacal in its execution.”
http://www.examiner.com/album-reviews-in-cincinnati/lindstr-m-six-cups-of-rebel-smalltown-supersound-2012-review?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

BIG SHOT:
“Norwegian producer Hans-Peter Lindstrøm, who ELLE Norway says is Norway’s ninth Sexiest Man (who are we to argue?), is revered for his productions which run the gamut from acid house to prog rock. Lindstrøm’s decision to sing on Six Cups of Rebel indeed adds a bit of intrigue to the album and should set off debate in Internet forums around the world.”
http://newsflash.bigshotmag.com/featured-post/18034/

VALLEY ADVOCATE:
“With Six Cups of Rebel, his fourth solo album, Hans-Peter Lindstrom continues to explore the far reaches of the cosmic disco galaxy, this time using his voice for mantra-like lyric effect.”
http://www.valleyadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=14526

STEREOGUM FEATURE/INTERVIEW:
“I decided that I only wanted to make an album with my own voice and wasn’t sure at first how I would use it. I then came to the conclusion that everything was about tweaking and pitch shifting with my voice. I’m not trying to do this live. It’s only a studio thing, I’m not a vocalist and I don’t really want to try and perform it live. Over the years I haven’t really been exploring my own voice. It’s been too personal. I was seeing what I’d done on re-releases and grabbing the vocal parts I liked and then treating them as someone else’s vocals. It was important to me to just try it. I’ve always thought that it would be great to use the voice in different ways. When we played live in Europe after the release of my last album I was doing a lot of background vocals and enjoyed that. So this time I wanted to see what would happen.”
http://stereogum.com/907711/progress-report-lindstrøm/franchises/progress-report/

MTV HIVE #3 MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUM OF 2012:
“The mono-monikered Norwegian electronica producer may be most widely known for his remixes (for LCD Soundsystem, Glasser, Franz Ferdinand and others) and his collaborations. His last major opus was 2010’s sexy space-disco collaboration with singer Christabelle, Real Life is No Cool, and before that he had success with two albums that he made with Prins Thomas. But Hans-Peter Lindström is going it alone on his next album. Due February 6 via Smalltown Supersound, Six Cups of Rebel isn’t just Lindström’s return to solo music-making — his last lone effort was 2008’s Where You Go, I Go — it also represents his vocal debut.”
http://read.mtvhive.com/2011/12/28/most-anticipated-albums-2012/

FOAMHANDS #6 MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUM OF 2012:
“Record an album of tough, twisted funk grooves featuring his own digitally warped vocals. Colour me excited.”
http://foamhands.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/twelve-for-12/

FLAVORPILL MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2012:
“Does it contain another half-hour space disco opus? We hope so!.”
http://flavorwire.com/245228/flavorpills-most-anticipated-albums-of-2012?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Day%205%20%28Friday%29&utm_campaign=Unified%20Mailer#4

SPINNER "De Javu" #43 BEST TRACK OF 2011:
“The Norwegian beatsmith's largely indecipherable (but occasionally gospel-fired) vocals don't even drop until a couple minutes into the sprawling track. By then they're simply adding another element to the barrage of burbling bass, clattering drums, ominous horns and nu-disco groove that's gleefully welcoming us back to the retro-future.”
http://www.spinner.com/2011/12/14/best-songs-2011/

ALT SOUNDS:
“He may worship at the temple of godlike European DJs from the 80s like Daniele Baldelli and Beppe Loda, but the relentless, occasionally monumental scale of Six Cups Of Rebel has the power to move mountains all by itself.”
http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/139108-lindstorm-announces-release-cups-rebel.html

PITCHFORK Best New Track “De Javu”:
“The whole thing has a pop audaciousness that recalls ZTT Records in their 1980s prime, and as ‘De Javu’ is brought to an abrupt halt after so much building up and coming down, you’re left wanting to hear what follows all this ecstasy on the album proper. That’s the great thing about this guy: whatever he’s doing, you never want it to end.”
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/reviews/tracks/12743-de-javu/

STEREOGUM premier of “De Javu”:
“The album marks the first time Lindstrøm has added his own vocals to his mix. Below, download an album track called 'De Javu,' a skittery seven-minute funk workout with some breathless and incomprehensible singing from the man.”
http://stereogum.com/872632/lindstrøm-de-javu/mp3s/

XLR8R premier of "De Javu":
“‘De Javu’ is the first offering to shake loose from the record, and it's an especially funky selection, one that combines a thick disco groove with a decidedly '80s funk-pop fen.”
http://www.xlr8r.com/mp3/2011/11/de-javu

BETTER PROPAGANDA premier of "De Javu":
“Norwegian dance producer Lindstrøm, is set to unveil a new solo album. Six Cups Of Rebel is the first full length to come out under his own name in three years.”
http://betterpropaganda.com/content.aspx?id=1781

FILTER premier of "De Javu":
“‘De Javu’ showcases what the Norwegian artist does best, creating dance jams that cause a ruckus.”
http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/media/entry/mp3_lindstrm_suffers_de_javu/

RESIDENT ADVISOR:
“...it seems to show him trading the spaced out cosmic disco vibe for something a bit more dirty and raucous. It's also his first record to feature his own vocals.”
http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=15208

STEREOGUM premier of “De Javu”:
“The album marks the first time Lindstrøm has added his own vocals to his mix. Below, download an album track called 'De Javu,' a skittery seven-minute funk workout with some breathless and incomprehensible singing from the man.”
http://stereogum.com/872632/lindstrøm-de-javu/mp3s/

Whistle Peak
"Half Asleep Upon Echo Falls"
Karate Body: kbr017

YOU HEAR THAT:
“...it sounds like Half Asleep‘s slightly off-kilter universe is weighed down by an ever so slightly inflated gravitational pull, as if its inhabitants enjoy all the joys and excitement that us Earth humans do, just on a slightly muted basis.”
http://youhearthat.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/whistle-peak/

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME TOO:
“There is certainly much to recommend about Whistle Peak. They’re from Louisville Kentucky and are a sort of folktronica outfit mixing distant harmonies and echoy melodies with close-up, crisp breakbeats. That’s a bad description but don’t be put off, their album is a real grower.”
http://soundsgoodtometoo.com/2012/01/19/whistle-peak-wings-wont-behave/

BERKELEY PLACE:
“Music to be stoned to. Not high, stoned. Whistle Peak’s lo-fi Americana fits in well with bands like Yeasayer and Colossal Gospel–bands who take traditional elements and play them a little…strangely.”
http://www.berkeleyplaceblog.com/2012/01/24/whistle-peak-half-asleep-on-echo-falls/

OH SO FRESH MUSIC:
“Another solid band coming from Louisville, KY is Whistle Peak. With this band, you'll find a mix of experimental pop and electronic-folk, which works out to be quite a great listen.”
http://www.ohsofreshmusic.com/2012/01/whistle-peak-wings-wont-behave.html

COUNTERFEIT CULTURE:
“It’s rare a submission lands with such a satisfying fuzz.”
http://counterfeitculture.co.uk/post/16061473584/whistle-peak-half-asleep-upon-echo-falls

THE INDIE MACHINE:
“Whistle Peak are a 5-piece indie-pop outfit who hail from Louisville, Kentucky. Recently they sent us an email with a new song and boy are we glad they did. ‘Wings Won’t Behave’ will be included on their upcoming album Half Asleep Upon Echo Falls which is due for release on February 14th. With that said, have a listen to the song in the Bandcamp player below – something tells us this one is going to be on repeat for a while.”
http://www.theindiemachine.com/2012/01/10/tracks-whistle-peak-wings-wont-behave/

EL ROCCO:
“Melodic & hypnotic lines and a bluesy mood make the difference on Half Asleep Upon Echo Falls.”
http://www.elrocco.net/2012/01/wings-wont-behave-whistle-peak.html

SOUNDS BETTER WITH REVERB:
“Whistle Peak produce laid back atmospheric laments with a silver lining, walking a slim line between downcast ditties and indie pop. The colourful instrumentation keeps Whistle Peak afloat along with a seemingly effortless approach to their songwriting. Keep an ear out on Valentine’s Day folks.”
http://www.soundsbetterwithreverb.com/acoustic/whistle-peak-wings-behave/

THOUGHT ON TRACKS:
“The album’s first single 'Wings Won’t Behave' has a bounce in its step that makes me nostalgic for Motown, with vocals that maintain the uncanny ability to feel at once melancholy and deceptively cheerful. The lyrics of lead singer Billy Petot have a tendancy to wash over the listener like a brief summer rain on a lake – before you can adjust the drops have passed and the sun has returned.”
http://thoughtontracks.com/2012/01/06/band-to-watch-whistle-peak/

FENSE POST:
“'Wings Won’t Behave' blends synthesizers with acoustic guitars and lo-fi percussion on the instrument side, while vocals front the music with a peaceful, soft and dreamy coo.”
http://www.fensepost.com/main/2012/01/05/whistle-peak-feature/

SLOUCHER:
“The elements of many a tinker’s shop crash land into a pawn shop and the ensuing sounds generated and ululating through. Organic ideas meet inorganic instruments and executions. Thick, gloomy atmospheres that still linger after ‘stop’ has been pressed.”
http://sloucher.org/2012/01/09/whistle-peak-half-asleep-upon-echo-falls-2/

THOSE WHO DIG WEEKLY ROUNDUP:
“Jangly acoustic guitar and the drums plus tinkling percussion give it a nice groove, punctuated by electric guitar with a bit of a surf tone. When the vocalist comes in, I thought of Grizzly Bear. But instead of polished intricacy and studio wizardry, this sounds like a more relaxed toy chest jam..”
http://www.thosewhodig.net/?Weekly-Roundup:-Jan-1---7,-2012&article=680

WE LISTEN FOR YOU:
“Louisville's Whistle Peak have a crafted a song in 'Wings Won't Behave' that I like to image would be the music Tears For Fears could be making today if they were still around. The song opens with a cheery melody filled with strummed strings and wandering percussion that floats around throughout the track.”
http://welistenforyou.blogspot.com/2011/12/track-of-day-whistle-peak-wings-wont.html

Wild Belle
"Keep You"
Wild Belle/Sandhill Sound: shs001

BROOKLYN VEGAN:
“Wild Belle is one of Chicago's newest bands. They've only played a handful of shows, and so far only released a single song, but it's a good one. Listen to Keep You below and pick up the 12" when it comes out on 2/21.”
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/chicago/2012/01/meet_wild_belle.html

Dirty Three
"Toward The Low Sun"
Drag City: dc511

PITCHFORK premier of “Rising Below”:
“Australian post-rock gods Dirty Three return with a new album, Toward the Low Sun, on February 28. In the time since their last album, members Jim White, Warren Ellis, and Mick Turner have played with the likes of Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Cat Power, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Bill Callahan and others. Listen to the track ‘Rising Below’ above, via Drag City.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12992-rising-below/

Disappears
"Pre Language"
Kranky: krank164

PITCHFORK premier of “Replicate”:
“Pre Language is the new album from Chicago noisemakers Disappears; it's out March 1 via Kranky. Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley is behind the kit for this one; the album was recorded with John Congleton (Cymbals Eat Guitars, St. Vincent) at SY's Echo Canyon West studio in Hoboken, New Jersey. 'Replicate' is the psych-heavy leading cut off the album.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12966-replicate/

Mux Mool
"Planet High School"
Ghostly International: gi149

STEREOGUM premier of "Raw Gore":
“As the release date for Mux Mool approaches, the electronic musician also known as Brian Lindgren has uncorked another new track that explorse a woozy, but florid headspace while riding out stuttering but assertive beats.”
http://stereogum.com/897201/mux-mool-raw-gore-stereogum-premiere/mp3s/

RCRD LBL premier of “Palace Chalice”:
“On 'Palace Chalice,' Brooklyn producer Mux Mool (real name Brian Lindgren) has crafted a sneering piece of beat science with a rumbling trump, sparkling synthesizer arpeggios and nods to funk that'll keep your windows down no matter how cold it gets.”
http://rcrdlbl.com/2011/12/06/download_mux_mool_palace_chalice

PITCHFORK premier of "Raw Gore":
“In the new year, genre-busting producer Mux Mool's set to follow up last year's Skulltaste with a whole new full-length, Planet High School. The thing's out February 7 via Ghostly; we shared 'Palace Chalice' with you back in October, and here's the aptly titled LP cut 'Raw Gore'.”
http://www.pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12867-raw-gore/

HEADNOZ premier of "Palace Chalice":
“Mux Mool maintains the sonic sensibilities that make his music so relatable and all-encompassing, making for a track that many can access.”
http://headnodz.com/2011/10/mux-mool-palace-chalice-trk/

PITCHFORK Forkcast of "Palace Chalice":
“In February of 2012, Ghostly will release Planet High School, the new album from playful beatmaker Mux Mool. The record is Mool's proper follow-up to 2010's solid Skulltaste.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12618-palace-chalice/

EXTRA MUSIC NEW:
“Planet High School certainly sounds different than SKULLTASTE, Mux Mool’s Ghostly debut from 2010. It’s funkier, more confident, and more comfortable. It sounds less like someone trying to prove a point by arguing and more like someone trying to prove a point by just being who they are. It’s leading by example, sonically speaking.”
http://extramusicnew.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/mux-mool-planet-high-school-on-ghostly-international/

DAILY DREAD premier of "Palace Chalice":
“The tune is crisp; a laid back, chunky, nearly 90bpm foray into outer space.”
http://dailydread.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/mux-mool-new-single-available-taster-of-forthcoming-lp/

PITCHFORK Forkcast of "Palace Chalice":
“In February of 2012, Ghostly will release Planet High School, the new album from playful beatmaker Mux Mool. The record is Mool's proper follow-up to 2010's solid Skulltaste.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12618-palace-chalice/

PITCHFORK Forkcast of "Palace Chalice":
“In February of 2012, Ghostly will release Planet High School, the new album from playful beatmaker Mux Mool. The record is Mool's proper follow-up to 2010's solid Skulltaste.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12618-palace-chalice/

PITCHFORK Forkcast of "Palace Chalice":
“In February of 2012, Ghostly will release Planet High School, the new album from playful beatmaker Mux Mool. The record is Mool's proper follow-up to 2010's solid Skulltaste.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12618-palace-chalice/

PITCHFORK Forkcast of "Palace Chalice":
“In February of 2012, Ghostly will release Planet High School, the new album from playful beatmaker Mux Mool. The record is Mool's proper follow-up to 2010's solid Skulltaste.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12618-palace-chalice/

XLR8R premier of "Palace Chalice":
“Brooklyn producer Mux Mool (a.k.a. Brian Lindgren) is offering a free download, the first real sampling of his upcoming album, Planet High School, which is slated for release on February 7, 2012 via Midwestern stalwart Ghostly. ‘Palace Chalice’ is a glimmering cut of electro-tinged instrumental hip-hop that pairs a relaxed, old-school vibe with lurching bass tones and summery synth melodies.”
http://www.xlr8r.com/mp3/2011/10/palace-chalice

RESIDENT ADVISOR premier of "Palace Chalice":
“The Minneapolis-based artist has been putting out records for the past few years, pushing a sound that's equal parts hip-hop and IDM. Based on the first single, ‘Palace Chalace’ (which you can stream over at Pitchfork), his new album seems to follow suit, though this time it's partly inspired by Mux Mool's response to the economic situation, a theme that's loosely reflected in the title.”
http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=15097

YES YES YALL:
“He explains the concept behind his new album, Planet High School, this way: 'Today, young Americans have very little to look forward to except endless war, endless debt, no Social Security, and [the fact that] none of us can live without the constant fear of poverty. We don’t need to have big houses and cars and a nest egg to get along. There’s nothing that says you can’t rent an apartment your whole life and not be happy.’”
http://yesyesyall.org/blog/mux_mool_palace_chalice/

NOISE VERSE NOISE premier of "Palace Chalice":
“I know that I am a couple weeks on this track, but holy cow its good. Mux Mool's 'Palace Chalice' is the sort of bass-beat tune that I love. Its got hip-hop, its got dustty groove, and its got a great break down in the middle. This is the sort of thing that I wish Flying Lotus would make more of again.”
http://noiseversenoise.blogspot.com/2011/10/mux-mool.html

PHUTURE LABS premier of "Palace Chalice":
“The US broken beat hip hop and electronica producer has always been generous with his tracks thanks to his relationship with Ghostly. The chat is that the track 'Palace Chalice' is a precursor to his new album due out in February 2012. Get that in the diary.”
http://www.phuturelabs.com/word/chatter/saturday-snacks-29/

POTHOLES IN MY BLOG:
“Mux Mool’s debut album Skulltaste came out just about a year ago, and I don’t think it quite got the exposure or acclaim that it deserved. The Brooklyn beat conductor pulled together a wide range of influences and somehow packaged it into a cohesive head-nodding album. With a few songs here and there over the past few months, plus joining Star Slinger at the start of his first US tour, it’s time to prepare for the release of his new album Planet High School. The first single 'Palace Chalice' is that hip-hop/electronic vibes that we’re used to from Mux Mool, and it’s got my interest piqued for the album’s release in early 2012.”
http://potholesinmyblog.com/mux-mool-palace-chalice/

SOME KIND OF AWESOME! premier of "Palace Chalice":
“Mux Mool’s debut album Skulltaste came out just about a year ago, and I don’t think it quite got the exposure or acclaim that it deserved. The Brooklyn beat conductor pulled together a wide range of influences and somehow packaged it into a cohesive head-nodding album. With a few songs here and there over the past few months, plus joining Star Slinger at the start of his first US tour, it’s time to prepare for the release of his new album Planet High School. The first single 'Palace Chalice' is that hip-hop/electronic vibes that we’re used to from Mux Mool, and it’s got my interest piqued for the album’s release in early 2012.”
http://www.somekindofawesome.com/journal/2011/10/18/download-mux-mool-palace-chalice.html

AUDIOPLEASURES premier of "Palace Chalice":
“First taste from Mux Mool upcoming album Planet High School on Ghostly International, Minneapolis Brian Lindgren warm bass lines and abstract beats are always welcome since last year's debut Skulltaste that landed of my favorite electronic albums in 2010 and for sure will please any Fly Lo fans.”
http://audiopleasures.blogspot.com/2011/11/mux-mool-palace-chalice.html

EXCLAIM:
“The new record is called Planet High School, and while the name suggests a Ramones-in-space vibe, a press release explains that the album is still a collection of instrumental hip-hop. Still, "it certainly sounds different than Skulltaste...it's funkier, more confident, and more comfortable. It sounds less like someone trying to prove a point by arguing and more like someone trying to prove a point by just being who they are. It's leading by example, sonically speaking.”
http://exclaim.ca/News/mux_mool_returns_with_new_album

DEATH & TAXES premier of "Palace Chalice":
“The track locks into a groove with deep, rumbling bass. It almost has a West Coast, stoned sound combined with electro flourishes.”
http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/152015/download-mux-mool-palace-chalice/

Mirroring
"Foreign Body"
Kranky: krank162

PITCHFORK:
“A new collaborative album from drone artist Liz Harris (Grouper) and abstract-acoustic musician Jesy Fortino (Tiny Vipers), partnering under the name Mirrorring, will soon see the light. The album, Foreign Body, will be out March 19 via Kranky.”
http://pitchfork.com/news/45177-grouper-and-tiny-vipers-announce-collaborative-album-as-mirrorring/

Unrest
"Perfect Teeth"
Teenbeat: tb119

PITCHFORK:
“Pioneering indie-pop label Teen-Beat has announced a reissue of Unrest's long out-of-print 1993 album, Perfect Teeth. Like the original release, the reissue will come as a 7" vinyl box set, on six colored records, with six additional non-album tracks. It will also include a 7-inch-sized, 24-page booklet, including photographs from the Perfect Teeth sessions, taken by Teen-Beat/Unrest founder Mark Robinson. The new edition will be printed with metallic gold ink, and shipped in spring 2012.”
http://pitchfork.com/news/45146-teen-beat-to-reissue-unrests-1993-album-perfect-teeth/

Seluah
"Red Parole"
Karate Body: kbr018

THOUGHTS ON TRACKS premier of "The Other Side of The Gun":
“Red Parole is due out on April 10th via Karate Body Records. ‘The Other Side of the Gun’ was released last week as the album’s first single. At nearly seven minutes, it’s a bold introduction. The guitar line, though simple, resonates immediately. Seluah creates a dense, driving atmosphere before drummer and vocalist Edward Grimes takes his crew into a jammier, synth heavy bridge. This is not light, easy listening, but it is certainly satisfying.”
http://thoughtontracks.com/2012/01/17/fresh-track-seluah-the-other-side-of-the-gun/

STILL FRESH & OUT NOW!

Todd Terje
“It’s The Arps”
Smalltown Supersound: sts21912

PITCHFORK 7.6:
“This might've been lost in the space disco explosion a half-decade ago, but with his contemporaries wandering off into prog, kraut, and sundry other forms of out-music, the clean lines and easy momentum of It's the Arps are really refreshing. And Jesus, it's fun. The trouble with moments, of course, is extending them. Terje has the imagination.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16173-its-the-arps/

PITCHFORK premeir of “Swing Star Pt. 1”:
“Norwegian DJ/producer Todd Terje will release the EP It's the Arps on January 16 internationally and January 17 in North America via Terje's new Olsen imprint on Smalltown Supersound. The tracks on the EP were made using the analog synthesizer the ARP2600 (hence the EP's title). Below, listen to 'Swing Star Pt. 1'.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12930-swing-star-pt-1/

Bjorn Torske
"Oppkok"
Smalltown Supersound: sts21812

PITCHFORK premier of "Langt Fra Afrika (Todd Terje's Enda Lengre Miks) (Fra Afrika Altså)":
“Smalltown Supersound just recently released Bjørn Torske's Oppkok 12"; the release contains remixes of tracks from the Scandinavian producer's last album, 2010's solid Kokning. Remixers include DJ Harvey and fellow space-disco wiz Todd Terje, whose contribution is available to grab below.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12997-langt-fra-afrika-todd-terjes-enda-lengre-miks-fra-afrika-altsa/

Laura Gibson
“La Grande (Single)” & “La Grande (Album)
Jealous Butcher: jb093 / jb096

NPR FIRST LISTEN:
“La Grande is a different beast with a different energy to it...and even a hint of otherworldly menace. It's the sound of a confident artist stretching her own limits, without losing sight of the warmth, richness, subtlety and haunted beauty that made her worth celebrating in the first place.”
http://www.npr.org/2012/01/08/144623414/first-listen-laura-gibson-la-grande?ps=mh_frhdl2

Hauschildt, Steve
“Tragedy & Geometry”
Kranky: krank160

TINY MIX TAPES:
“That is the way Hauschildt operates: improvisations based on steady explorations of the synthesizer, where eloquence arises from applying subtle changes to complex, arpeggiated progressions.”
http://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/steve-hauschildt-tragedy-geometry

BRAINWASHED:
“The album's key strength (and its replayability) is in its almost mathematical adherence to melody. If Tragedy and Geometry were depicted as an image of the night sky, littered with stars, then each melodic pattern would be a constellation, simultaneously self-contained and part of the greater whole.”
http://brainwashed.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9059%3Asteve-hauschildt-qtragedy-and-geometryq&catid=13%3Aalbums-and-singles&Itemid=133

PITCHFORK 7.4:
“Throughout, Hauschildt deftly treads the fine line between guiding his instrument and letting its cyclical mechanisms do the work. You get the sense that he's basically happy to get out of his own way-- a common goal with anything this mantra-like-- and is as awed by the hypnotic aspects of overlapping synths as the emotional ones. Maybe that's the key to Tragedy & Geometry's sneaky power-- by letting his synths tell tales instead of forcing them to, Hauschildt finds stories bigger than his own.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16119-tragedy-geometry/

ONE THIRTY BPM:
“Tragedy & Geometry proves that Steve Hauschildt is unafraid to paint in clear and vivid hues. Some might lament the lack of tension in this album, but when the music’s this beautiful, who needs it?”
http://onethirtybpm.com/reviews/album-review-steve-hauschildt-tragedy-geometry/

PLASMODIUM:
“As many of Hauschildt’s synth driven contemporaries bury their compositions in post production trickery and useless sonic adornment, Tragedy & Geometry almost seems bare. It is that spareness that ultimately allows the songwriting, lush analog warmth and arpeggiated chord progressions to shine through.”
http://www.plasmodium.net/music/steve-hauschildt-tragedy-geometry/

SSG MUSIC: 8.5/10:
“At the heart of Tragedy & Geometry is the truth that Emeralds fans (and fans of the members’ solo works) have long been on a collision course with discovering: these guys know pop. Tragedy & Geometry doesn’t betray the outer-spaced sounds of Hauschildt’s more adventurous work, it just re-imagines it for an audience of potential new ears as it is aimed to excited longtime listeners.”
http://www.ssgmusic.com/november-in-review/

EXCLAIM:
“...Hauschildt's cosmic ambience comes with a very European touch, sounding much more elegant and urbane when compared to the work of his peers in the American electronic underground.”
http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/DanceAndElectronic/steve_hauschildt-tragedy_geometry

XLR8R:
“...the artist transforms what might otherwise be formless clouds of plinking melodies and deep synth chords into illuminating explorations of the subconscious, a feat that is achieved merely with the use of swirling, polyrhythmic arpeggiators and subtle drum machine sounds. The propulsive backbone that those elements provide immensely helps in setting Tragedy & Geometry apart from its peers and creating a much more satisfying listen, as it feels like you're actually in the midst of a long sonic journey with every rise and fall of the eclectic tracklist.”
http://www.xlr8r.com/reviews/steve-hauschildt/tragedy-geometry

ALTERED ZONES premier of "Batteries May Drain":
“In ‘Batteries May Drain,’ there's a sense of liberation from the endless chatter of myriad devices as they silence themselves; there's a brief and sweet respite in its modern take on classic kosmische sounds.”
http://alteredzones.com/posts/2073/steve-hauschildt-batteries-may-drain/

FADER premier of "Already Replaced":
“Some of you might recognize Steve Hauschildt as the dude from Emeralds, while others might just be looking to end their Monday with gorgeous, spaced out twinkles of synth. Whatever the case, this song will calm you down. Like, if you are midway through a heart attack you can put this on, and you will magically be healed.”
http://www.thefader.com/2011/11/14/steve-hauschildt-already-replaced-mp3/

SPIN 7/10:
“It's a visceral display of synth prowess that makes exhilarating use of contrasting textures and subtle dynamics.”
http://www.spin.com/reviews/steve-hauschildt-tragedy-geometry-kranky

FLUID RADIO:
“‘Batteries May Drain’ boasts much of the same drifting analog synth melodies and indelible warmth that we loved on Emeralds' Does It Look Like I'm Here? record, but without the guitar noodling and with some driving, krauty rhythms carrying it all into spacey oblivion.”
http://www.fluid-radio.co.uk/2011/11/steve-hauschildt-tragedy-geometry/

XLR8R premier of “Batteries May Drain”:
“... for those listeners already converted, Hauschildt has presented you with an hour’s worth of unscented analog bliss. And for those others hoping for a primer, look no further.”
http://www.xlr8r.com/mp3/2011/10/batteries-may-drain

BOWLEGS:
“The purposeful usage of analog technology means the record has a strong personality. The music is ambient in its delivery and the album as a whole is a fine offshoot from the Emerald family.”
http://www.bowlegsmusic.com/2011/11/steve-hauschildt-–-tragedy-geometry/

RAVEN SINGS THE BLUES:
“The two beacons of the album's namesake hover over every note of Tragedy and Geometry and becomes a precision delivery of the former as refracted through the technological prism of the latter. Here, Hauschildt has taken his step out from the fold of Emeralds and truly created something that stands alone; a pulsing, bittersweet sweep through the kosmiche wires of the heart.”
http://ravensingstheblues.blogspot.com/2011/10/steve-hauschildt.html

TREBEL ZINE:
“Using his own chosen forms of technology, Hauschildt has done something massive and emotionally gripping in inexplicable ways. I can't often explain why or how his music affects me, but I can most certainly feel it.”
http://treblezine.com/reviews/3943-Steve_Hauschildt_Tragedy___Geometry.html

NIGHTLIFE CA:
“Steve Hauschildt has crafted one of the finest albums of its genre this year.”
http://www.nightlife.ca/musique/cleveland-musician-steve-hauschildt-crafts-one-finest-electronic-albums-year l

Jacaszek
“Glimmer”
Ghostly International: gi147

PITCHFORK 7.7:
“Think of Glimmer as a little symphony, just with singles, and made by a musician who can't decide between the roles of producer or composer. Really, he shouldn't anytime soon.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16150-glimmer/

NPR FIRST LISTEN:
“The music of Jacaszek drifts along the fringes of classical, electro-ambient music and experimental jazz — and ultimately transcends them all. There's nothing quite like it.”
http://www.npr.org/2011/11/27/142705348/first-listen-jacaszek-glimmer?ps=mh_fl

FOXY DIGITALIS - 9/10:
“As astounding as Treny was, Glimmer is equally as brilliant. Jacaszek has truly created another masterpiece.”
http://www.foxydigitalis.com/foxyd/?p=22196#more-22196

IMPOSE:
“...if the track "Dare-gale" is any indication, Glimmer could make a good companion to Hecker's Ravedeath, 1972 that came out earlier this year.”
http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/week-in-pop-cormans-crystal-stilts-jacaszek

DUSTED:
“... a largely successful effort...Jacaszek’s wedding of disparate styles pays off in Glimmer‘s evocation of certain moods and expert shifts from mode to mode.”
http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6834

TINY MIX TAPES:
“Certainly, one of the most blatant and appealing characteristics of Treny was how outwardly emotional it was and how inspired it felt. Therefore, it can only be a positive that Jacaszek appears to have taken a similar approach with Glimmer.”
http://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/jacaszek-release-ominous-new-album-glimmer-naturally-signs-label-ghost-its-name

EXCLAIM:
“Part ambient, part avant-garde, part baroque, this is some intriguing stuff.”
http://exclaim.ca/News/jacaszek_to_glimmer_on_new_lp

RCRD LBL premier of “Dare-Gale”:
“Jacaszek is back and coldly serious as ever on ‘Dare Gale.’ The Polish composer treats airy, abandoned noise with classical hands to make dark ambient music that could easily soundtrack the next time you get trapped in a cave.”
http://rcrdlbl.com/2011/10/17/download_jacaszek_dare_gale

RESIDENT ADVISOR:
“Like much of his past work, including last year's RA Podcast, the LP blends classical music with modern ambient production.”
http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=14989

THE NEEDLE DROP:
“'Dare-gale,' armed with loads of classical timbres, drones ominously in waves of sound that progressively get louder. The concept seems like a simple and uninteresting no-brainer, but the layers and detail here make this track absolutely gorgeous!”
http://theneedledrop.com/2011/10/jacaszek-dare-gale/

CULTURE ADDICT:
“Jacaszek’s latest album, Glimmer, is marked by a noticeable battle between melancholy and beauty, like it’s hovering in some gaseous grey area between both.”
http://cultureaddicts.com/tag/ghostly-international/

BOOKMAT:
“...his most satisfying transmission yet...one of the most satisfying, accomplished examples of its genre...Astonishingly beautiful.”
http://boomkat.com/cds/469043-jacaszek-glimmer

GOOGLE MUSIC - STAFF PICKS:
“The tone of it, wordless from beginning to end, is at once uplifting and downcast—music suited for those looking either to dive in or drift off.”
https://market.android.com/details?id=music_featured

IBIZA VOICE - INTERVIEW WITH JACASZEK:
“Clearly, the album marks music’s evolution in the first decade of the 21st century.The Polish musician joins the ranks of artists such as Francesco Tristano, Brandt Bauer Frick Ensemble and Arandel who have crossed from conservatories filled with wood wind, strings and percussion to computer programmes and machines presents new album.”
http://www.ibiza-voice.com/story/news/3629

ALARM MAGAZINE:
“The album's inconspicuous complexity and professional performances make it a gem among ambient releases.”
http://alarmpress.com/40842/blog/columns/morrow-vs-hajduch-jacaszeks-glimmer/

EXCLAIM!:
“...without a doubt some of his best work and one of the most beautiful albums of the year....”
http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/DanceAndElectronic/jacaszek-glimmer

BBC:
“Glimmer is an immediately immersive work.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/fj8r

FLUID RADIO:
“…masterpiece…Jacaszek and those composers who are refurbishing modern classical for the new century have stumbled upon the sprung rhythms around us, and an entirely undiscovered art form is coming into view.”
http://www.fluid-radio.co.uk/2011/12/jacaszek-glimmer/

IMPOSE - WEEK IN POP:
“…Jacaszek too creates music for the spaces we can not describe through the delicate teasing of classical instrumentation and the mystic aura from the sound of running air.”
http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/week-in-pop-the-bago-bleached-illls

SILENT BALLET - ARTIST OF THE WEEK & 8/10:
“...a work of stellar flow and haunting resonance...Glimmer is the ore that the prospector overlooked, the book that the librarian misshelved, the dying sentence spoken after the family had left the room: a modern artifact, encased in clay and left to deteriorate in a way that only adds to its glamour.”
http://www.thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/4538/Default.aspx

Baird, Meg
"Seasons On Earth"
Drag City: dc470

NO DEPRESSION 2011 ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
“Seasons on Earth was released last September and I believe that Meg is in the UK now touring and promoting it. I know it's received incredible reviews and is popping up on other end of the year lists besides mine. The instrumentation is beautifully done, with her amazing finger-picking augmented by harp, pedal steel and tastes of electric guitar. It's the type of album that can defy typecasting...folk but not quite, alt. country but not really...and one that might easily get lost in the endless release stream of indie artists these days. Which would be a tragedy.”
http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/the-thing-about-meg-baird

Touch People
"Show Me Your Dimensions / Sound Expression"
Illegal Art: ill126, ill127

POP MATTERS:
“...impossibly fascinating and genius in its ability to blend the fragile frigidity of the digital world with the warmth and wit of the human body and the human mind. These two records are two music-have releases that will no doubt take their rightful places as classic recordings from an artist who is wise, unpredictable, and always inventive.”
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/151546-touch-people-show-me-your-dimensions-and-sound-expression/

Stone Breath / Mike Reed with Language of Light
"The Aetheric Lamp"
Hand Eye: h/e049, h/e050

ALL MUSIC:
“Expanding their side of a split vinyl release with Mike Seed but retaining the same overall title, Stone Breath's 2011 CD The Aetheric Lamp has the kind of assured flow that comes from not simply exploring a preferred sound but both refining and varying it.”
http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-aetheric-lamp-r2357752/review

AFRICAN PAPER:
“The Aetheric Lamp contains some of the most enthralling sounds currently to be found in the much fragmented field of contemporary folk music.”
http://africanpaper.com/2012/01/07/stone-breath-the-aetheric-lamp/

HEATHEN HARVEST 5/5!!:
“The future for this humble group of spiritual psych folk artists looks as brilliant from my perspective as the lamp that leads them on their individual paths.”
http://heathenharvest.org/2011/12/20/stone-breath-mike-seed-with-the-language-of-light-the-aetheric-lamp/

PTOLEMAIC TERRASCOPE:
“Over two sides, this release oozes quality, creating a damn near perfect slab of vinyl, highly recommended..”
http://www.terrascope.co.uk/Reviews/Reviews_December_11.htm#StoneBseed

PSYCHEDELIC FOLK:
“The music very much is like a devotional chant for a world, which is in an apocalypse-like state of degrading, while concentrating on spiritual levels during the lamenting of its decay. Of course we have again the instruments with beautiful droning strings (comparable to a sitar), mixed with the already mentioned guitar pickings or banjo hypnotic repetitions occasionally with Timothy’s low voice accompanied by a second female voice. There are also present those sad flute improvisations to the music, some harmonium droning, and slow conga percussion. A very enjoyable release suited for repeated listening.”
http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/StoneBreath.html#anchor_175

AFRICAN PAPER:
“The long ‘The Sky's Red Tongue’ builds on the previous piece, is highly dramatic, and as a listener you feel in one of John Martin's paintings offset: break it on big days of anger, longing to which the ‘wings lots after wings and the winged after wind...’”.
http://africanpaper.com/2011/12/03/stone-breathmike-seed-with-the-language-of-light-the-aetheric-lamp/

VITAL WEEKLY:
“A trio here of Brooke Elizabeth on vocals, Don Belch on 6 and 12 string guitars and drones and one timeMotheye on banjo, moon guitar, whistles, wood flute, dumbek, stick dulcimer. A deep voice, tinkling of guitars, a bit folk like, but also a bit ethnic - maybe I am also reminded of some of the work by Dead Can Dance, come to think of it, but never too clean and with a certain wicked edge. One very short and two quite long pieces - epic I guess, in a sort of Mediaeval sense…Mike Seed's voice sounds tormented and the pieces almost like murder ballads. Much more radical, less musical, free form etc this side leaves a mighty impression on me.”
http://www.vitalweekly.net/806.html

Howling Hex
“Wilson Semiconductors”
Drag City: dc501

THE AGIT READER:
“This is a headphone album, one that needs to develop over time and will definitely keep revealing hidden gems of advice for ages.”
http://agitreader.com/reviews/album_reviews-12.06.11.html#the_howling_hex-wilson_semiconductors

Dwarr
“Starting Over”
Drag City: dc496

THE AGIT READER interview with Duane Warr:
“Though they were inspired by black-lit ’70s dinosaurs like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, the homespun fidelity and maniacal attention to infusing prog and theatrical excess give the sense that Dwarr was searching far and wide for something that hadn’t been done yet. Dwarr pre-dates the sludgy ooze of the Melvins, the rebirth of operatic doom, and has even been dubbed hypnagogic metal as its lumbering cretin-psych brings about an extremely warped dirt-weed high of nostalgia.”
http://agitreader.com/features/dwarr-11.14.html

Fang Wizard
“Pure Hex”
Teenbeat: tb477

THE AGIT READER interview with Duane Warr:
“The debut from the mysterious Fang Wizard (who could actually be Teen Beat's Mark Robinson in a lucha libre mask) was apparently six years in the making. What is more mysterious, though: that the record contains not a single lyric, or that it sounds like it was made by a kid genius on one rain-soaked Sunday afternoon? Like a number of other Teen Beat classics, Pure Hex has that perfect balance of incidental and elemental: ultra-strummy, homespun percussion, household noises clicking. In fact this is so right up Robinson's alley, that if this isn't actually him, it's a mix-tape devoted to his ethos.”
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/music/131214-fang-wizard-pure-hex/

Tycho
“Dive”
Ghostly International: gi145

E-MUSIC FEATURE:
“... an album to reach for repeatedly.”
http://www.emusic.com/listen/#/music-news/interview/who-is/who-is%e2%80%a6tycho/:

PREFIX - 8/10:
“His tunes provide the fuel to get him anywhere his imagination conjures up. Tycho is worth any self-respecting electronic fan's time.”
http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/tycho/dive/57408/

TREBLEZINE:
“The album's mechanical style creates mood and atmosphere that's feels organic and earthy, while never sacrificing the glitchy integrity of electronic music.”
http://treblezine.com/reviews/3950-Tycho_Dive.html

POPMATTERS - #3 ALBUM OF 2011:
“A ten-track statement that captivates in spades, defying shorthand descriptors at every stroke.”
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/152130-the-best-electronic-music-of-2011/P1

IMPOSE - BEST OF NOVEMBER 2011:
“Ghostly Intl. does it again with the latest offering from the Bay Area's Tycho with an end of the year stunner. With tracks that chronicle elements of the human experience of everything from ’A Walk,’ ‘Hours’ to ’Eulogy;’ Scott Hansen has created electronic arrangements for the soundtrack for every moment and movement of minutiae from our every day lives.”
http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/the-best-music-of-november-2011

FILTER - 88%/100%:
“A beautiful album with an amniotic vibe.”
http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/reviews/entry/tych

PITCHFORK 7.0!!:
“His attention to detail goes beyond highlighting individual instruments. It's there in the way Hansen simply builds a song, merging all the synth wooshes and percussive ripples to find a natural arc. ‘Daydream’, for example, starts out fairly simple with twinkly guitars and a sturdy, knocking beat, but the song's pulse quickens as it progresses, and by the end you've got something heady enough to live up to its title. Because Hansen clearly wants this to be a deep headphone experience, those subtle shifts go a long way in holding your interest.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16071-dive/

WIRED Feature on Tycho:
“When making his latest album, Dive, which came out last week on Ghostly International, Hansen fell in love with the Minimoog and ended up using it to create many of the sounds on the record. He also used string synths to get the ambient, atmospheric vibes he was looking for.”
http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/11/tycho-synthesizers/

PREFIX MAGAZINE Album Stream:
“You can find the work San Francisco-based artist Scott Hansen under two different names, ISO50 and Tycho. Here, he's embracing the latter on Dive, his excellent, shimmering sophomore album under the guise of Tycho.”
http://www.prefixmag.com/news/stream-new-albums-from-david-lynch-beach-boys-dece/58040/

XLR8R Interview with Tycho:
“From the propulsive drift of dreamy lead single ‘Hours,’ to the seaside-conjuring atmospheres of ‘Coastal Brake,’ to "Adrift’’s six minutes of understated melodic anthems and woozy bounce, Dive is an immersive record right down to the psychedelic album artwork.”
http://www.xlr8r.com/features/2011/10/tycho-scott-hansen-takes-his-aud

SPIN: Dive Album Stream:
“Tycho is Scott Hansen, a San Francisco producer who's gearing up to release Dive, his excellent new full-length under that pseudonym, on November 16 via Ghostly International. It's an elliptical, sun-shot slab of electro-pop that came to be during a break from Hansen's other gig as well-known designer and blogger, ISO50. Note how many of the bright tones that permeate his visual work are also at play here.”
http://www.spin.com/articles/first-spin-hear-tychos-effervescent-dive-lp

SPIN 6/10:
“Peaking with its eight-minute title track, Dive is a pretty and sturdily crafted collection of techno maybe-memories -- hypnagogic pop for a very discerning Ikea shopper.”
http://www.spin.com/reviews/tycho-dive-ghostly-international

PITCHFORK review of "Hours":
“While his world-of-tomorrow arrangements justify the boast, there's still something familiarly melancholic in those synths that could evoke someone's past, as the shimmer and echoes invite listeners to attach their own memories to the song's self-contained universe.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12279-hours/

ONE THIRTY BPM:
“There’s a warmth and vibrance to Dive that is unrivaled, but more importantly, and why this is album is undeniably important, is its ability to tell a story without words. Say what you will about Tycho, maybe you’re not a fan or maybe you’ve never even heard of him, but Dive is one of those transcendental records that should appeal to anybody with a rooting interest in independent music.”
http://onethirtybpm.com/reviews/album-review-tycho-dive/

DAILY TEXAN:
“Dive, his latest album, is by far his best, both in terms of quality and reception. The ambient electronica instrumentals manipulated by a guitar give the listener the closest feeling they will ever have to lounging around on an intergalactic space beach.”
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/node/8250

ALL THINGS GO premier of "Hours":
“The song immediately brings me to the beach just in time to watch the sun fall below the horizon. While the track could be categorized as ambient, the up-tempo beat gives it a steady dance groove perfect for some late-night head-nodding. 'Hours' comes from Hansen’s new LP, Dive, set to drop November 15 on Ghostly International, and if it’s any indication of what’s to come, this is a can’t-miss release.”
http://allthingsgomusic.com/tycho-hours

DEATH AND TAXES:
“Tycho achieves something totally new in his aesthetic—something that could have been extended…Perhaps he’ll expand on that flickering moment on future singles and the next LP, but he certainly deserves to be proud of Dive.”
http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/156675/review-tycho-dive/

ALL MUSIC POP LIST:
“The relaxed tempos, achingly pretty synthscapes, and sweet as punch melodies conjure up fuzzy, sun-saturated images of hazy summer days and cool neon evenings. Put him firmly in the Boards of Canada and Plone school of electronics, in other words.”
http://blog.allmusic.com/2011/11/03/the-poplist-with-tycho/

MAGNETIC:
“Says Tycho 'I always have visuals, but it was a crutch…The goal is to have moments when you get lost in the visuals and then bounce back and forth to the people playing instruments'.”
http://magneticmag.com/2011/10/tycho—a-balancing-act-between-sound-and-vision/

HUFFINGTON POST:
“San Francisco's Tycho makes rich sonic soundscapes that always calm me down when I'm stuck in bumper to bumper on the 405 at 5pm on a Friday and all I want to do is get home to my kung pao chicken leftovers from the night before. Quite a feat.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/30/los-angeles-live-music-za_n_941965.html#s344367&title=Tuesday_August_30

CHINASHOP MAGAZINE: End of Summer MixTape featuring "Quiet Place":
“This song seems to be about transition; something is leaving us and on the horizon is the unknown, but we can only sit in acceptance and ponder the space between. The lyric, ‘A quiet place and nature’s way, A season comes and whispers life’ is about as fitting as you’ll find, and while I prefer the warmth of summer to the grey of winter, there is a beauty in the quiet place that separates them.”
http://www.chinashopmag.com/2011/09/the-chinashop-end-of-summer-mixtape/

THE INDEPENDENT:
“Electronic artist Tycho just shared the first track, 'Hours,' from his upcoming LP, Dive, set to drop internationally November 14/15. The new track features a cascade of delightfully lazy, modulated melody and halcyon textures that have come to define Scott Hansen's aural project.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/most-blogged-artists-swedish-pop-duo-air-france-releases-new-track-2333911.html

WHOA MAGAZINE:
“As seamless as his two creative outlets have been, nearly a decade passed before the release of Hansen’s first proper Tycho LP, Sunrise Projector (originally released in 2004 on Gammaphone Records, later expanded and reissued under the title Past Is Prologue on Merck Records, and ultimately reissued again by Ghostly). And while three striking singles have emerged since then, the sum of all those sepia-toned parts is nowhere near the double-exposed soundscapes of his new, forthcoming album Dive.”
http://whoamagazineonline.com/2011/08/08/tycho-announces-dive-lp-out-1115-on-ghostly-international-2/

UNDER THE RADAR:
“The track puts out a nice analog warmth that recalls Boards of Canada's soundscapes.”
http://www.undertheradarmag.com/media/hours_mp3/

EAST BAY EXPRESS:
“Producer Scott Hansen — aka Tycho — could almost fit into the ‘glo-fi’ microtrend, since he has all the required attributes: warm, bubbly, laptop melodies; dinky programmed drumbeats; songs that loop on and on. By contemporary standards, though, he's sophisticated.”
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/local-licks/Content?oid=3012907

XLR8R premier of “Hours”:
“The song is just plain pretty, yet smartly avoids twee territory with its thick bassline and organic drum sounds. More like this one please.”
http://www.xlr8r.com/mp3/2011/08/hours

ALT SOUNDS:
“Dive pays tribute to Tycho’s prismatic past, but spends most of its time pointing to the project’s not-so-distant future. That can mean any number of things, really, from the halcyon hooks and hopeful horizons of ‘A Walk’ to the expansive, wildly expressive tone poetry of the title track, an eight-minute epic that unfolds like a compressed concept album.”
http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/136050-tycho-announces-fall-tour-dragon-dive-11-a.html

PREFIX MAGAZINE:
“Hansen says he tries to make music that's an artifact from a ‘retro-future, like what people in the '70s thought 2020 was going to look like.’ That cinematic and highly visual style comes through on Tycho's first full-length record for the Ghostly International label, Dive, which will be released in November.”
http://www.prefixmag.com/features/tycho/tycho-on-music-and-design-nostalgia-and-building-c/56797/

THE STRANGER:
“his beats will put you straight into one of those indescribable music moods—alert-yet-spacey, awake-but-dreamy, reaching a higher plane of existence.”
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/the-strangers-2011-bumbershoot-guide/Content?oid=9744076

EXCLAIM:
“With Tycho's upcoming new album Dive set to drop on November 15 via Ghostly International, we have high hopes for Scott Hansen's electronic project this year. Along with the new release, he's now got us all excited about a tour as well.”
http://exclaim.ca/News/tycho_to_take_dive_on_north_american_tour

SSG MUSIC DECIBEL 2011 FEST PREVIEW:
“Tycho mesmerizes listeners with warm, nostalgic synths, engaging beats, and occasional guitar riffs. Appropriately, Tycho performed for Decibel’s Optical series last year as well. This time, he’ll be previewing songs from his upcoming LP, Dive, along with beautiful visual projections.”
http://www.ssgmusic.com/decibel-2011-preview-tycho-simon-scott-and-mountains/

PERFECT MIDNIGHT WORLD premier of "Costal Brake":
“'Coastal Brake' is a great jam to kick off the weekend. The track has been floating around blogs for a while, but it’s featured on the new Tycho album coming out in November on Ghostly International. It’s a gorgeous, glimmering dream of a track that feels like the sun going down as you blast north on the PCH.”
http://perfectmidnightworld.tumblr.com/post/10861022635/coastal-brake-by-tycho-dive-2011-coastal

NITE VERSIONS premier of "Hours":
“Tycho returns with another great single, and even better – a new album. 'Hours' is the second track (out of 10) listed on his upcoming Dive LP, expected on November 15.”
http://niteversions.com/audio/tycho-hours/

SACRAMENTO NEWS & REVIEW:
“...his new single, “Hours,” a nearly six-minute, surfer-wax bumper that doesn’t belie Tycho’s trademark synths-and-keys atmospherics and penchant for more modestly uptempo and tripper-friendly jams.”
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/bum-rush/content?oid=3172683

INDIE SHUFFLE premier of "Hours":
“Ahh, Tycho. You’ve done it again. You’ve created a dreamy soundscape of soothing, ambient beats that lull the listener into a surreal alternate reality, where everything sounds softer and more subdued.”
http://www.indieshuffle.com/tycho-hours/

ELEMENTAL THEORY:
“Dive establishes its position as the most diverse musical statement of Hansen’s multi-medium career; the point where his skills as a performer finally catch up with his vaporized vision of a world that doesn’t belong to any particular time or place.”
https://elementaltheory.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/tycho-hours/

BOWLEGS:
“If ever a 400ft high Casio RZ-1 were to rise out of the waters off the coast of San Francisco, like an electronic kraken intent on spewing synthetic beats from its innards to sooth the people of the city at sunset, then Scott Hansen would be the man to soundtrack that moment. Otherwise known as Tycho, Hansen produces dreamy, electro beat, chillers.”
http://www.bowlegsmusic.com/2011/08/tycho-track/

KEXP BLOG:
“Ghostly International’s Tycho turned out to be one of my favorites of the festival. His music was warm, upbeat, more structured than the previous artists on the bill and involved visual themes of surfing, knee-boarding and winter landscapes. For me, it was a set full of nostalgia for sun-drenched beaches, reminiscent of Delorean or a warmer Boards of Canada, warm flashed of yellow and read synchronized with the downbeat. It set the stage perfectly for a night of harder electronic music that followed.”
http://blog.kexp.org/blog/2011/10/07/decibel-festival-2011-optical-showcases-nordstrom-recital-hall/

PORTLAND MERCURY:
“...the beautiful single ‘Hours’ invokes a vague and endless shoreline on a timeless beach somewhere in a contented recollection of the most meaningful September of your life. Each and every track on Dive carries a similar emotional weight.”
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/tycho/Event?oid=4601316

THE STRAIGHT:
“We’re praying for another hot day before August is done. Partly so we can crank this hazy slice of heat-shimmer electro in an appropriate climate, but mostly because we fucking refuse to believe that summer is over so soon.”
http://www.straight.com/article-420076/vancouver/instant-playlist-august-11-2011

200 Years
“S/T”
Drag City: dc467

PITCHFORK 7.7:
“The most impressive aspect of 200 Years, especially considering it as the debut of a new collaboration, is its overall aura of cool confidence. Chasny and Ambrogio are clearly two talented musicians with a wide variety of tools at their disposal, yet to their credit they don't feel the need to try and show every trick at once. Instead they show an innate sense of trust in one another and in this resonant collection of songs, secure in the knowledge that this should be plenty.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16018-200-years-200-years/

SSG MUSIC: 8/10:
“200 Years is meditative, yet cunning. The album’s ten tracks fall like dominoes, each rolling into the next with quick strikes. Before you notice, the ride is over just as it was beginning. It sticks under your thumb, gnawing away at your flesh until the next listen. And there will be many, many listens—either out of shock to Ambrogio’s ‘soft’ side or simply because 200 Years is that affecting.”
http://www.ssgmusic.com/november-in-review/

Kieran Hebden/Steve Reid/Mats Gustafsson
“Live At The South Bank”
Smalltown Superjazzz: stsj211

JAZZ AND BLUES:
“Shifting from dark and brooding textures to exciting, heavy and powerful features, the double album unfolds in a continuous suite waxing and waning like the unstoppable tide. This unique and fascinating performance is highly recommended for progressive jazz and rock fans.”
http://jazzandblues.blogspot.com/2011/12/best-of-2011-part-iii-top-ten-new.html

RIVERFRONT TIMES BEST USES OF SAXOPHONES IN 2011:
“'Lyman Place,' originally from Hebden and Reid's NYC, Gustaffson treats his instrument as a source of sounds rather than a melody generator. His growls are a tasteful addition to the Manhattan garbage truck-load of textures coming from Hebden's laptop. Hopefully Gustaffson and Hebden will continue collaborating. It's a surefire way to keep Steve Reid's spirit alive.”
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/rftmusic/2011/12/six_best_uses_of_saxophones_in_2011.php?page=2

JIMMY SIX #11 TOP ALBUM OF 2011:
“Their chemistry is evident in this performance, Hebden weaving a common thread through Reid’s complex rhythms with his key strikes and knobs twists. Add to that Gustafsson horn-blasting you into submission and this set must is one find-fuck of a revelation. What a scene this must have been to behold.”
http://jimmysixblog.com/?p=276

PREFIX MAGAZINE 7.5:
“Live At South Bank captures the trio's 1.3 hour improvised set, with six extended, highly adventurous jams. Reid motors relentlessly throughout, shifting between reckless, krautrock mania and colorful cymbal shimmers, while Gustafsson, as always, blows his damn brains out--raging, rampaging, head-butting and squawking like a sharp-clawed, pissed off velociraptor.”
http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/kieren-hebden/live-at-the-south-bank/58701/

TOM HULL JAZZ PROSPECTING:
“Hebden does laptronica under the name Four Tet, and is something of a star as those things go. Somehow he hooked up with Reid -- a drummer, had a couple of obscure but quite good 1970s avant records, plus a resume that includes Motown, James Brown, and Fela Kuti; sadly, Reid died in 2010, a couple years into a very productive comeback. Gustafsson is a Norwegian saxophonist -- plays tenor and baritone, not specified which here but sounds like mostly bari -- has a group called the Thing, plays a lot with Ken Vandermark and a little with Sonic Youth. He can be unbearably noisy, but holds to an interesting range here, adding soulful depth to the blips and beats.”
http://tomhull.com/blog/archives/1760-guid.html

THE AMERICAN:
“Another album worth its weight in replay value is the astonishing live recording from Four Tet's Kieran Hebden, Swedish saxophone veteran Mats Gustafsson, and long-time drummer Steve Reid on Live at the South Bank (Smalltown Supersound). This is the best thing they've ever released.”
http://www.theamericanmag.com/article.php?article=3040

HOUR COMMUNITY:
“File this one under a meeting of the masters. Together in this live setting, the trio breathe fire into Hebden and Reid’s sci-fi funk and punk experiments – a wash of gear manipulations and processed sounds, tidal waves of grooves and percussions and hell-bent reed madness.”
http://hour.ca/2011/12/01/kieran-hebdensteve-reidmats-gustafsson-live-at-the-south-bank/

AMERICAN MAG:
“Another album worth its weight in replay value is the astonishing live recording from Four Tet's Kieran Hebden, Swedish saxophone veteran Mats Gustafsson, and long-time drummer Steve Reid on Live at the South Bank (Smalltown Supersound). This is the best thing they've ever released.”
http://www.theamericanmag.com/article.php?article=3040

JAZZ AND BLUES:
“This is a truly inspired performance, with the band performing six long improvisations, featuring Hebden’s bubbling and zooming electronics and sampling and Reid’s ever changing rhythms, which shift like dunes of sand in the desert wind.”
http://jazzandblues.blogspot.com/2011/11/steve-reid-kieran-hebden-and-mats.html

ALT SOUNDS:
“This is so far beyond jazz that the term becomes useless: instead, it’s a liberating, occasionally anarchic group sound that evolves as organically as a frank, spirited conversation.”
http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/139426-kieran-hebden-steve-reid-mats-gustafssons-live.html

BBC:
“The trio are adept at maintaining their building-and-building motion, sustaining a climax over the distance.”
http://www.smalltownsupersound.com/2011/11/20/kieran-hebdensteve-reidmats-gustafsson-bbc-review/

GUARDIAN:
“This is crossover free-jazz of a rare power.'”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/nov/24/hebden-reid-gustafsson-cd-review

PITCHFORK 8.0!!:
“On South Bank -- the most vital and essential document of Reid and Hebden's five-year partnership-- it feels clear that, at least onstage, they were finally able to go the distance. The invocation ‘Morning Prayer’ opens slowly, circling in space with a meditative calm. For 17 minutes, the pair traces lines around the other's rhythm, Hebden's electronics and keys shaping a cradle for Reid's busy tom-and-cymbal patter, and vice versa.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16063-live-at-the-south-bank/

SOUND COLOUR VIBRATION:
“The order at which they chose to perform these tunes shows a deep mastery of conveying a message through the constraints of abstract instrumental music. From start to finish, this album plays like a day of life, from 'Morning Prayer' to 'The Sun Never Sets'. The message is timeless: in the eternal present, one is always alive - there is no death among the living.”
http://soundcolourvibration.com/2011/11/03/reid-hebden-and-gustafsson-live-at-south-bank/

PITCHFORK Forkcast of "Lyman Park":
“On June 20, 2009, Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet), late jazz drummer Steve Reid, and Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson performed in the foyer of the Queen Elizabeth Hall at London's Southbank Centre as part of that year's Ornette Coleman-curated Meltdown Festival. That performance was recorded, and on November 15 Smalltown Superjazz will release a recording of the performance, Live at the South Bank. "Lyman Place" is taken from that release.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12727-lyman-park/

ALL MUSIC:
“Given that this is likely the final entry in Reid's catalog, it is a very fitting one: it showcases his astonishing skills as soloist and ensemble player; it also delightfully illustrates deeper and wider aspects in both Hebden's and Gustafsson's musical personas.”
http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-south-bank-r2303854/review

RESIDENT ADVISOR:
“'Steve (Reid) is the greatest musician I have ever encountered,' Hebden once said. 'Not only was he the best player I've worked with but he was into music like no one else I know... Knowing someone be that into it was truly inspiring.'”
http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=15117

EXCLAIM:
“After playing with the likes of Miles Davis, Fela Kuti and Ornette Coleman, jazz drummer Steve Reid linked up with Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet) for a number of projects before passing away last year. Now a new live disc believed to be the final authorized recording of Reid is primed to demonstrate the bond between the pair.”
http://exclaim.ca/News/kieran_hebden_steve_reids_final_concert_issued_as_life_at_south_bank

XLR8R:
“Recorded in 2009 and evocative of the four LPs the pair recorded before Reid's death last year, the set approaches a kind of electronic free jazz, with Reid's complex live percussion providing the bedrock for Hebden's electronic experimentations and Gustaffson's powerful sax work.”
http://www.xlr8r.com/news/2011/09/smalltown-superjazz-release-live

STEREOPHILE:
“Live at the South Bank is a double CD documenting a performance held on June 20th, 2009, in the foyer of Queen Elizabeth Hall at London’s Southbank Centre, part of the Meltdown Festival curated by Ornette Coleman. Kieren Hebden on laptops and electronics; Steve Reid on drums and percussion; Mats Gustaffson on saxophone. I’ll have to have this record, too. Why should I deny myself such beautiful pleasures?.”
http://www.stereophile.com/content/looking-forward-kieran-hebden-steve-reid-and-mats-gustaffson’s-ilive-south-banki

TINY MIX TAPES:
“It would be fair, then, to consider this fifth and final recording between the two to be a tribute to Reid, and what ended up being a providential confluence of two innovative musical figures.”
http://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/kieran-hebden-and-steve-reids-final-concert-gets-november-release-give-thanks

FACT:
“What’s happening here is a special relationship, like Miles and Coltrane, or Dizzy and Bird,” said the jazz drummer and percussionist of his work with Hebden (aka Four Tet)….”
http://www.factmag.com/2011/09/09/kieran-hebden-and-steve-reids-final-concert-receives-release/

PITCHFORK New Release Announcement with video:
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/43942-new-release-kieran-hebden-steve-reid-mats-gustafsson-live-at-the-south-bank/

Silver Tongues
“Black Kite”
Karate Body: kbr016

DECEMBER'S CHILDREN:
“On their debut album Black Kite, Silver Tongues have finally given a voice to despondence. Something so dark but passively optimistic that you can’t help but want to submerge yourself completely in the quiet madness these nine tracks.”
http://decemberschildren.blogspot.com/2012/01/album-review.html

THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE:
“This new Louisville band is both confounding and fascinating — the former because of their occasional 'big rock' moves, the latter because of the clear gospel-via-Spiritualized influence we hear ringing throughout.”
http://othersideoflife.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/some-last-minute-reviews-for-2011/

KFHC:
“Sounds like the soundtrack to the best movie that you've never seen.”
http://kxfxhxc.squarespace.com/music/2011/12/31/best-albums-of-2011.html

WAKING UP TO:
“this debut from Silver Tongues shows skyward ambition, opening with a prayerful exhortation and closing with an angelic vision.”
http://wakingupto.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/372-silver-tongues-ketchup/

LEO WEEKLY BEST OF 2011:
“This lion-hearted, genre-bending debut seamlessly rubber-bands slow to mid-tempo tunes, flourishing arrangements, crafty instrumentation and reflective lyrical themes, many of which are saturated in reverb that would find solace in a cathedral — not to mention in one’s headphones.”
http://leoweekly.com/music/local-music-man-sean-bailey-shares-his-picks-best-2011

THE 405:
“Incorporating some of the soulful melancholy that originates from their Kentucky home, Black Kite glides opaquely from beginning to end.”
http://thefourohfive.com/news/article/cloud-corner-19th-november-2011

DUSTED:
“Cronin’s voice is, by the way, one of the main draws here. Cool and unruffled, without much vibrato, it carries easily, the kind that seems to dominate without much strain. You never hear a real break in it, even at the highest registers. And yet there’s an untouchability to it, perhaps coming from the way Cronin surrounds his sound with echo. Even the earthiest songs, blues-vamping ‘Wet Dog’ for instance, have a remote quality, their warmth seeming to come from a long way away.”
http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6731

SLOUCHER:
“It’s a spiritual encounter of more than 30 minutes, offering vocals with trails of prayers, nostalgia, gospel structures and a smooth integration of music elements. Music that gives wings to your soul, that’s how Silver Tongues sounds to me.”
http://sloucher.org/2011/10/26/silver-tongues-black-kite/

Paredes, Carlos
“Guitarra Portuguesa” & “Movimento Perpétuo”
Drag City: dc492/dc493

POP MATTERS:
“Guitarra and Movimento are distinctly enraptured. Whether enraptured in newfound freedom, sadness in the recent past, or persistent romantic and sexual longing…well, that’s up to us. But 'enraptured' is surely the word.”
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/150812-carlos-paredes-guitarra-portuguesa-movimento-perpetuo

Kerretta
“Saansilo”
Midium Records: mid018

ULTIMATE EARS premier of “A Ways To Uprise”:
“When you march your barbarian horde through the streets of a fallen city, atop a fifteen hands high silver wildebeest (using their horns as handles), laser beams sparkling and shimmering over the smoking battlefields, a thousand million pearlescent snakes coiling slowly through the dead city streets, tiny unicorns cowering in their cages, ‘A Ways to Uprise’, the first single from Kerretta’s sophomore album Saansilo, will be your soundtrack.”
http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/06/check-out-kerretta-a-ways-to-uprise-cos-premiere/

CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND premier of “A Ways To Uprise”:
“'A Ways To Uprise' kicks off the album with a sludgy trudge through the trenches of something like The Melvins or the sharper edge of post rock.”
http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/06/check-out-kerretta-a-ways-to-uprise-cos-premiere/

GUITAR WORLD:
“On their sophomore album, Saansilo, New Zealand–based instru-metallers Kerretta unleash as much mythic riffing as a Peter Jackson–led Lord of the Rings script meeting. The group covers a lot of ground on the CD’s seven tracks, which abound with snaking guitar lines and delicious hypnotic effects.”
http://www.guitarworld.com/hear-it-now-kerretta-ways-uprise

THE AQUARIAN:
“The New Zeland trio’s latest release, though merciless and fierce, is heaven in disc form. Saansilo is nothing shy of stunning and quite possibly one of my favorite releases of the year.”
http://www.theaquarian.com/2011/10/07/kerretta-saansilo/

Pigeons
“They Sweetheartstammers”
Soft Abuse: sab053

THE DECIBEL TOLLS #14 ALBUM OF 2011:
“They Sweetheartstammers exudes the same resonating sense of mystery, sedation, and austere melodic sensibility as last year’s Liasons, but with an added sonic density this turn, as well as expanded lineup (roping in members of No Neck Blues Band and Black Twig Pickers). Despite Pigeons’ nocturnal, cavernous aura, a visceral whimsy rampantly flows behind the spooky façade, yielding a pastiche of ornate prismatic pop that lands somewhere between The United States of America and Pram. An engrossing, ghostly listen.”
http://thedecibeltolls.com/the-year-end-list-2011

ALTERED ZONES Artist Profile:
“They Sweetheartstammers, out next week on Soft Abuse, is packed with hypnotic psychedelia, Francophilia, cobweb-laden sonic spaces, and shadowy retrofuturism, balancing moods of wonder and foreboding with an artisan's acumen.”
http://alteredzones.com/posts/2035/artist-profile-pigeons/

BROOKLYN VEGAN video for "Tournoi”:
“Speaking of Pigeons, who play the Chouette/De Stijl/FatCat/Soft Abuse day party at Bruar Falls, their LP They Sweetheartstammers will be released November 8 via Soft Abuse..”
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2011/10/amen_dunes_play.html

ALTERED ZONES:
“Their forthcoming They Sweetheartstammers LP exudes the same sense of mystery, sedation, and austere melodicism as last year's Liasons, but with an added sonic density and an expanded lineup (roping in members of No Neck Blues Band and Black Twig Pickers).”
http://alteredzones.com/posts/1811/pigeons-dead-echo/

ALTERED ZONES video for "Tournoi”:
“The result is a fuller-sounding Pigeons that still maintains their brooding beauty, but with pronounced hints of Hope Sandoval and brighter guitars that meander densely.”
http://alteredzones.com/posts/1933/pigeons-tournoi/

Cave
“Neverendless”
Drag City: dc472

LOUD LOOP PRESS #2 CHICAGO RECORD OF 2011:
“I might just be a sucker for instrumental krautrock, but Neverendless is just a really good record. It takes prog slash psychy antics and folds them up tightly into a very clean cut and accessible package. Yes, Cave does include a couple 10-minute plus epics, but even those are anchored by shifts are are somehow both subtle and obvious. Oh, and the band has a lot of fun with synths on this record, and that’s never a bad thing.”
http://loudlooppress.com/features/richard-giraldis-top-11-chicago-records-of-2011/

PITCHFORK 7.9:
“With hit after hit of urgent-sounding synths and drums, CAVE never let up or get faster, either. That's what they do best on Neverendless -- they just keep going.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15921-cave-neverendless/

NEW YORK TIMES:
“On Neverendless (Drag City), it comes up with a tour de force: the 14-minute 'This Is the Best,' virtually a one-chord wonder that morphs from quiet hum to crashing rock, from power riffs to Morse-code keyboard phase patterns, from duple to triple meter and back, merging drive and disorientation. The album’s other tracks set up their own repetitive systems and evolutionary whims; some even change chords. But with 'This Is the Best,' more is more.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/arts/music/music-by-crooked-fingers-cave-kathryn-calder-and-janes-addiction.html?_r=1

WBEZ PUBLIC RADIO:
“...on its third album, Neverendless, the Chicago quartet Cave gets everything right and then some, adding unexpected twists and turns during a metronomic rush into the darkness that befits the groundbreaking spirit of the band's more obvious influence.”
http://www.wbez.org/blog/jim-derogatis/2011-08-22/album-review-cave-‘neverendless’-drag-city-90425

Mannequin Men
“Mannequin Men”
Addenda: nda006

LOUD LOOP PRESS #7 CHICAGO RECORD OF 2011:
“On their latest self-titled effort, Mannequin Men remind us why great, smart songwriting will always defeat the chillwave and blip-blop rock that has seemingly infiltrated the indie landscape these days.”
http://loudlooppress.com/features/richard-giraldis-top-11-chicago-records-of-2011/

SPIN preview of "Hobby Girl":
“The gloriously ramshackle Lose Your Illusion, Too by Chicago's Mannequin Men was one of 2009's highlights, so pardon our excitement over the follow-up (self-titled so as to avoid the problem of having to top that gag). The first track from the band's fourth record, out Nov. 8, is the midtempo cruiser ‘Hobby Girl’....”
http://www.spin.com/articles/editors-pick-new-track-mannequin-men

HUFFINGTON POST #2 CHICAGO ALBUM OF 2011
“This is terrific garage rock with swagger featuring a propelling rhythm section that fuels the intensity. These songs would not sound out of place on an early 70's Rolling Stones record.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/28/best-chicago-music-of-201_n_1170998.html

A.V. CLUB preview of "Hobby Girl":
“'Hobby Girl' marks a more mature age for the Mannequin Men. Replacing the band’s formerly rowdy sound with pop briskness, the track begs a lover to get her life together instead of wasting space on the couch”
http://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/mannequin-men-and-jc-brooks-and-the-uptown-sound-d,62950/

CHICAGOIST preview of "Hobby Girl":
“Last fall, rough-around-the-edges Chicago garage rockers Mannequin Men debuted two new tracks from an then-upcoming Hozac Records single. One of those songs, 'Hobby Girl,' has re-emerged as the first single from their upcoming self-titled third record, which sees release in November on Addenda Records..”
ttp://chicagoist.com/2011/10/06/download_mannequin_men.php

LOUDLOOP:
“Whether Mannequin Men meant to or not, this so called ‘mature record’ of theirs is probably their best, and that’s a hurdle that many bands who start young simply fall flat on their face trying to jump.”
http://loudlooppress.com/reviews/mannequin-men-mannequin-men/

I ROCK CLEVELAND BLOG:
“This track is so smooth, the hooks are so clean, it’s as if they’ve been a power pop band all along.”
http://blog.irockcleveland.com/2011/10/10/a-fistful-of-jams-feat-mannequin-men-wussy-sex-church-and-eddy-current-suppression-ring/

THE OWL:
“With tracks like 'Hobby Girl,' Chicago-based Mannequin Men are proving that bands can be influenced by Van Morrison and not suck”
http://www.theowlmag.com/tag/mannequin-men/

Hecker, Tim
“Dropped Pianos”
Kranky: krank161

HEADPHONE COMMUTE:
“Some might say that Dropped Pianos, with all of its gorgeous washes of double and triple tracked piano, is one of the more accessible oeuvres in Hecker’s vast catalog. And although that may well be true, neglecting the warnings of the label’s press release, Dropped Pianos stands on its own as a significant piece of music.”
http://reviews.headphonecommute.com/2011/12/07/tim-hecker-dropped-pianos-kranky/

PITCHFORK 7.8:
“It’s rare that two sides of one’s personality can co-exist in the same orbit but Dropped Pianos proves that Hecker’s inclinations will always lead to a state of bliss. Music this beautiful and unpretentious is a rare commodity. There is no fuss or no filler; Tim Hecker is a man that will always deliver the unexpected through the expected.”
http://blog.kexp.org/blog/2011/11/18/agitated-atmosphere-tim-hecker-dropped-pianos/

PITCHFORK 7.8:
“They're compelling mostly because they sound intimate. Where Ravedeath, 1972 had a widescreen flavor, these sketches feel personal and individual. You can imagine Hecker sitting alone at a piano spinning simple yarns, rather than at a huge organ generating worlds of sound.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15906-dropped-pianos/

ONE THIRTY BPM:
“At the heart of those works are the piano and delay experimentation of the sketches present on Dropped Pianos. Though we’re given that glance it doesn’t diminish either work. When you see demo collections you’re often given a glance at the progression of a song from idea to fully formed song. The difference here is that even Hecker’s sketches came out fully formed and ready to be consumed on their own merit.”
http://onethirtybpm.com/reviews/album-review-tim-hecker-dropped-pianos/

PITCHFORK FORKCAST of “Sketch 5”:
“Ambient noise deconstructionist Tim Hecker already released an album this year, Ravedeath, 1972; on October 10, Kranky will release Dropped Pianos, an album of sketches recorded by Hecker last year while preparing to record Ravedeath, 1972.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12482-sketch-5/

ALTERED ZONES preview of “Sketch 5”
“Kranky just announced a follow-up to the release by the name of Dropped Pianos, though its contents-- a series of preparatory sketches for Ravedeath, 1972 -- suggest a wry reversal of narrative causality. ‘Sketch 5’ showcases some delicate alchemical reactions between piano and delay pedal that, in addition to providing a glimpse into his working process, are pretty bewitching in themselves.”
http://alteredzones.com/posts/1975/tim-hecker-sketch-5/

Charalambides
“Exile”
Kranky: krank158

EVERYTHING IS CHEMICAL Interview with Tom & Christina Carter:
“Exile has to do with subversion, inversion, decadence, dissolution, withering, extinction… A lot of reviewers try to find messages of hope on the record, but there really aren’t any messages of hope, per se. There is human fortitude in the face of these things.”
http://everythingischemical.blogspot.com/2012/01/eics10qs-w-charalambides.html

PITCHFORK:
“The album's patient songs stop time in its tracks, freezing moments of thought and emotion so they can be viewed from all angles.”
http://pitchfork.com/features/the-out-door/8670-history-in-the-remaking/2/

SPECTRUM CULTURE:
“This is a record for the somber and focused. Yet more than anything, Exile is defined by a skeletal atmosphere that threads through every track despite the varied density of the instruments and voices droning along, stark in the way more friendly folk music often avoids.”
http://spectrumculture.com/2011/10/charalambides-exile.html

SELF-TITLED:
“...a series of spellbound songs that shimmer and shake for as long as 14 minutes at a time. Getting caught in a K-hole just got its free-folk counterpart.”
http://www.self-titledmag.com/home/2011/09/29/coming-soon-charalambides-exile/

DUSTED:
“...the struggles they recount are individual ones, and the tongues they speak in now are their own. This is a heavy record, and yet, a reassuring one.”
http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6723

DUSTED:
“Tom and Christina have returned to concentrating on their duo work in more recent years, fusing introspective, open-ended, and often spacious song structures with blasts of feedback and explosive sound often startling to fans familiar only with the band’s deceptively low-key reputation.”
http://www.fluid-radio.co.uk/2011/09/charalambides-exile/

STILL AVAILABLE

Wussy
"Belt 7” Series: The Green Belt"
Karate Body: kbr008

DAYTON INFORMER:
“Cincinnati band Wussy, who recently landed two records in the top ten of Rolling Stone Magazine music critic Robert Cristgau’s top records of 2011, visited the South Park Tavern to give Daytonians a listen to their sound.”
http://daytoninformer.com/?p=3703

Wipers
"Is It Real?", “Youth Of America”, “Over The Edge”
Jackpot Records: jpr82801, jpr82802, jpr82803

PITCHFORK UNDERSCORE FEATURE:
“Just listen to the first few seconds of 'Return of the Rat' from Is It Real? and you'll hear it-- the guitars are sludgy but still articulate and colorful. I always imagine hot lava slowly spilling out of headphones…Songs on Youth of America are slower yet more propulsive. It's a defiantly un-rock move to rip out the backbeat and let the songs stretch out with little more than a kick/snare timekeep, the bassline just rolling along, indifferent to what it buoys…Over the Edge, which came next, has the needle moving back toward straight-up punk. There are tricks here, but they're under the hood, not as explicitly artsy as what was happening on Youth of America. Sage seems to have baked the psychoacoustic context in which he wants us to hear this music into the recordings themselves: punk-inflected pop songs you stumble on while turning through the AM dial late night, maybe, and curse yourself for missing the band names.”
http://pitchfork.com/features/underscore/8751-wipers/

Rachel Grimes
"Book Of Leaves"
Karate Body: kbr007

LOUISVILLE MUSIC NEWS INTERVIEW/FEATURE:
“For the whole of Book of Leaves, I was exploring the interior contemplative life as it relates to being outdoors, where nature dictates. I was also looking at the idea of past lives and their present influence, both people we have known or are related to, and those who have shaped our world through their decisions and work.”
http://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/webmanager/index.php?WEB_CAT_ID=50&storyid=7489&headline=Rachel_Grimes&issueid=275

Nig-Heist
“S/T”
Drag City: dc30

VICE interview with Mugger of Nig-Heist:
“In August, Drag City reissued the Nig-Heist discography. It’s a vinyl LP and comes with a compact disc with live sets provided by none other than Henry Rollins. It’s the kind of record that ought to be hidden from parents and jettisoned before marriage. It’s hormone-driven, pussy-obsessed, wild rock. The sort of sound and attitude that lesser shock-punk acts have attempted, though they require a certain type of West Coast dude who really knows how to stir the honey pot.”
http://www.vice.com/read/mugger-nig-heist

Mungolian Jetset
“Schlungs”
Smalltown Supersound: sts209

RESIDENT ADVISOR:
“The whole thing is reeled off with such intention and gusto that to call it trite would be like criticizing a steamroller for being big. While it would be sad to see them go too far down this road, Schlungs does nothing to diminish Mungolian Jet Set's reputation as one of the most genuinely entertaining acts around.”
http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=9923

FOXY DIGITALIS:
“This Norwegian techno duo of Pal Nyhus and Knut Saevuk serve up a giddy mix of club-friendly disco combined with delightfully cheesy EM effects and intricately layered counterpoint.”
http://www.foxydigitalis.com/foxyd/?p=18759

Christina Vantzou
“No. 1”
Kranky: krank159

BEARDED MAGAZINE:
“This is music of small changes – but fans of ambient classicism and drone won't feel short changed.”
http://www.beardedmagazine.com/albums/article/christina-vantzou-no.-1-kranky

FUTURE SEQUENCE:
“If ever there was an album to soundtrack Autumn, this is it.”
http://www.futuresequence.com/article/christina-vantzou-no-1/

GOOGLE MUSIC MAGNIFIER:
“This is the rare number that should bring together both electronic chill fans and listeners who enjoy classical music.”
http://magnifier.blogspot.com/2011/11/christina-vantzou.html

DUSTED:
“No. 1 calls to mind massive vast spaces and forms that have loomed for millennia. It’s a tautly constructed, tightly played work, and a fine re-introduction to a talented composer.”
http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6785

THE SLOUCHER:
“A concept growing in our minds, sounds that need to escape our dreams somehow, so they will stop haunting our feelings like words we are certain we have never ever listened or spoke before. This kind of music reminds me of that feeling.”
http://sloucher.org/2011/11/08/christina-vantzou-no-1/

TEXTURA Spotlight Series Christina Vantzou interview:
“Our third chapter in the Spotlight series presents a diverse quartet of artists, namely the orchestral mini-symphonies of Christina Vantzou's No. 1, which amply rewards one's attention.”
http://www.textura.org/reviews/spotlight_iii.htm

THE SKINNY:
“...her solo debut is filled with the kind of lush symphonies and gentle rushes of ambience that make the average Stars of the Lid performance seem like an exercise in exuberance. It’s beautifully controlled and quite, quite mesmerizing.”
http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/300231-christina_vantzou_no_1

AMBIENTBLOG:
“No.1 will definitely be enjoyed by all those that love the sound of the Stars of the Lid and, more recently, A Winged Victory for the Sullen. Like the latter, the compositions are somewhat more 'down to earth' than those of the Stars of the Lid. They are carefully balanced, introspective but never too sweet. Sometimes somewhat melancholic, maybe - which perfectly fits this autumn time of year.”
http://www.vancooten.com/blog/?e=421ß

ALTERED ZONES premier of “Homemade Mountains” video:
“Vantzou has a knack for delicate contrasts. Here, her juxtaposition of absence in darkness and existence with color enhances the track's natural, whimsical ambiance.”
http://www.alteredzones.com/posts/2034/christina-vantzou-homemade-mountains/

THE PLAYGROUND:
“The album, made with synthesizer, vocals and samples - reinforced with strings, brass, clarinet and flute, thanks to the collaboration of Minna Choi from the Magik*Magik Orchestra - holds ten songs between weightless ambient and neo-classical, melancholic instrumentals. Fans of Max Richter, Stars Of The Lid and A Winged Victory For The Sullen won't be disappointed.”
http://www.playgroundmag.net/noticias/25485-christina-vantzou

Bonnie “Prince” Billy
“Wolfroy Goes To Town”
Drag City: dc502

PITCHFORK INTERVIEW:
“His new one, Wolfroy Goes to Town, came out last week. It's friendly, slow, and spare. Like all of his work over the past five or six years, it feels like a half-turn away from what came before it-- a new stage with a familiar scene, or vice versa.”
http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/8684-will-oldham/

FACT:
“Already this year, the singer-songwriter has dropped a series of singles and an audiobook, and on October 4th, he’ll return with a new full-length record. Titled Wolfroy Goes to Town, the 10-track effort features a supporting cast of Ben Boye, Van Campbell, Shahzad Ismaily, Emmett Kelly, Danny Kiely, and Angel Olsen.”
http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/09/bonnie-prince-billy-announces-new-album-wolfroy-goes-to-town/

PITCHFORK:
Bonnie Prince Billy announces new album:
http://pitchfork.com/news/43892-bonnie-prince-billy-announces-new-album/

Arborea
“Red Planet”
Strange Attractors Audio House: saah067

TEXTURA TOP ALBUMS OF 2011: #03 Red Planet:
“Arborea's fourth album, Red Planet, captures the group—multi-instrumentalists Shanti and Buck Curran as always, with cellist Helena Espvall (of Espers) guesting—in perfect form. The Maine-based group's sound has matured and reached a stage of refinement without becoming overly polished, and there's still a raw quality to the material but a rawness that feels natural and honest.”
http://www.textura.org/reviews/2011top10s.htm

Belong
“Common Era”
Kranky: krank155

DUSTED TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2011: #4 Common Era:
“It’s remarkable how coherent this assemblage of sounds and references ends up being. Jones and Dietrich are simply two great producers.”
http://dustedmagazine.com/features/1013

HEADPHONE COMMUTE:
“The songs themselves are akin to radio transmissions received from another time and place, just as likely to be the future as the past, or even from a contemporary alternate universe. They are both passionate and dispassionate, grey yet technicolor, ghostly and palpable, distant yet immediate, grainy and focused.”
http://reviews.headphonecommute.com/2011/12/09/belong-common-era-kranky/

Cronin, Mikal
“S/T”
Trouble in Mind: tim031

SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN BEST OF 2011:
“Mikal Cronin finally made the move to San Francisco in 2011. Raised on surf and garage rock down south, he brought with him a distinctive nostalgic sound; his solo self-titled record — released this year on Trouble in Mind — was one of the most intriguing of the year. Like many now living and playing in SF, he's drawn to vintage rock'n'roll and garage, but his style stands out above the pack. This year he released a multifarious record of crusted garage-punk and swirling psych-pop, glamorized with the hazy, sand-swept beach days pictured in vintage Polaroids. Opening track 'Is It Alright' could be plucked from a psychedelic Beach Boys LP, laid thicker with grime.”
http://www.sfbg.com/2011/12/13/rearview-mirror?page=0,1

BOWLEGS #40 ALBUM OF 2011:
“It is hard, in fact, to fault a album so likeable, so full of energy and so effortlessly able to drop moments of melancholy into the shadows that are cast by the record’s love for the Californian sun (and a passing love for jamming in the garage).”
http://www.bowlegsmusic.com/2011/12/the-bowlegs-top-40-albums-of-2011/

THE BAY BRIDGED:
“The Bay Area has long been a leader in garage rock — see the annual Budget Rock Fest, which celebrated its tenth and final installment this year — and, from our perspective, that doesn’t seem likely to slow down any time soon. Put another way, there’s a reason so much of the national media spotlight has focused on SF garage bands. Shannon and the Clams, Bare Wires, and Mikal Cronin all put out some killer full-lengths…Steps suggest that there is plenty more great local rock and roll to come.”
http://www.thebaybridged.com/2011/12/27/2011-in-review-mixtape-another-winning-year-for-local-rock-and-roll/

THE DECIBEL TOLLS # 30 ALBUM OF 2011:
“This retro prodigy might serves as the most salient garage rock prodigy since The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and maybe even the ’60s. Don’t get it twisted though, Mikal Cronin’s eponymous debut does not simply rehash celebrated sounds without adding additional distinct flavors, prolific instrumentation, and an acumen for theatricality. The fact that Cronin and company could employ a flute solo at death metal speed on album opener 'Is It Alright,' then turn around and produce over-fuzzed stadium-ready psych punk anthems like 'Apathy' and 'Green and Blue' makes Mikal Cronin a shoe-in for an album that ought not get slept on in 2011.”
http://thedecibeltolls.com/the-year-end-list-2011/

SF WEEKLY 10 BEST BAY AREA BANDS OF 2011:
“Cronin seems to naturally focus the grungey heft of his local peers into the kind of tuneful cuts that Segall has only recently begun to explore. So even if it wasn't the debut from an S.F. newcomer, this would be a hugely impressive record.”
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2011/12/the_10_best_bay_area_rock_reco.php

WHAT'S UP MAGAZINE:
“Mikal Cronin has stepped out from his role as bass player and vocalist for the Moonhearts (formerly Charlie and the Moonhearts) to create a solo album that has been heralded as a revival of good ol’ fashioned summertime beach rock.”
http://www.whatsup-magazine.com/2011/12/16/mikal-cronin-garage-pop-goodness//

OH MY ROCKNESS:
“This is just good old fuzzy garage rock that will leave no one in a worse mood after hearing it. There are so many hooks to this guy he might as well open a bait 'n tackle shop when his rock 'n roll days are behind him. That's good retirement living, right there.”
http://www.ohmyrockness.com/bandbio.cfm?bandid=37427

ALL THE YOUNG PUNKS #32 ALBUM OF 2011:
“Mikal Cronin: Ty Segall’s buddy shows he has some garage rock chops of his own.”
http://alltheyoungpunks09.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/top-40-best-albums-of-2011/

UNCUT TOP ALBUMS OF 2011: #45 S/T:
http://stereogum.com/891311/uncuts-top-50-albums-of-2011/list/

NPR Song of The Day “Apathy”:
“Mikal Cronin's self-titled debut came as a pleasant surprise: a bracing, 30-minute blast of unpolished but smartly arranged garage-punk. Musically, Cronin sticks with bare-bones production and standard classic-rock tropes, but his ear for inventive arrangements sets him apart from the pack. Cronin even finds a way to fit a free-jazz sax solo into ‘Apathy’ without breaking a sweat or compromising its punky dishabille. Although Cronin likely hasn't yet figured it out himself, it'll be exciting to see where he heads next.”
http://www.npr.org/2011/11/02/141909161/mikal-cronin-making-sense-of-it-all

LEICESTER BANGS:
“This is music for folks who want to freak out, and not worry about the consequences. It’s possible you may hear some California sunshine in here, and a bit of Glasgow downpour, too, but you’ll certainly wake up somewhere else, and I can’t guarantee what the weather will be. Not that that actually matters, as it’s going to be throbbingly marvelous wherever you wash up.”
http://leicesterbangs.blogspot.com/2011/10/review-mikal-cronin.html

BOWLEGS interview with Mikal Cronin:
“We’ve been hooked on Mikal Cronin’s self-titled album ever since it was released. Its garage pop sound has been intravenously dripped into our ears on a daily basis, feeding our new music gland a treat.”
http://www.bowlegsmusic.com/2011/11/mikal-cronin-call-back/

FIXIN THE CHARTS:
“Mikal Cronin, who's self-titled debut is a fully formed swaggering confident garage rock masterpiece....A joyous surprise.”
http://fixinthecharts.blogspot.com/2011/10/mikal-cronin-mikal-cronin.html

PITCHFORK 8.1!!:
“On his eponymous debut, Mikal Cronin proves he can hold his own. It's an album of wistful, psychedelic pop that pits lush and layered arrangements against needle-pinning power chords.”
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15844-mikal-cronin/

CT:
“...sonically, it’s a powerpop fan’s dream, a stew of falsetto harmony vocals, heavy acoustic strumming, fuzzy powerchords, psychedelic guitar leads, surf stomping, doo-wop reverie and garagey bashing. Cronin is a punk at heart, but with the mind of a classic pop sophisticate, and he has the smarts to stitch together his broad ambitions seamlessly.”
http://www.ct.com/entertainment/music/cd-of-the-week/wtxx-cd-of-the-week-mikal-cronin--20110928,0,4760533.story

L MAGAZINE:
“...we’d like to again draw your attention to one of his longtime collaborators in the San Francisco scene, whose self-titled solo debut, Mikal Cronin, provides answers to such questions as, ‘Would it sound ok if this flute solo were to sit atop the crunchiest of guitars? How about if someone started whistling out of nowhere? Can another hook be squeezed in here somehow?’ The answers, in the hands of Cronin, would seem to be yes.”
http://www.ct.com/entertainment/music/cd-of-the-week/wtxx-cd-of-the-week-mikal-cronin--20110928,0,4760533.story

NME:
“...his new solo album is all kinds of aceness and he's always been in the shadows until now. Out on Trouble In Mind, the album starts with 30 seconds of harmonies nicked straight out of Brian Wilson's back pocket, before turning into a mid-90s Evan Dando demo and then going haywire when a load of REALLY FUCKING LOUD drums kick in.”
http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=15&title=radar_tip_of_the_day_75_mikal_cronin&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

BROOKLYN VEGAN:
“Mikal's self-titled LP on Trouble in Mind (produced by Ty) is far and away the best thing he's ever done, is one of my albums of the year, and I like it more than Segall's Goodbye Bread to be honest. The album has great song after great song, killer hooks and harmonies -- SoCal garagey surf-pop at it's finest.”
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2011/09/anika_ddmmyyyy.html

OWL MAG:
“like many of California’s rock revivalists, Cronin’s debut is incredibly loose and feels fresh and innovative on repeated listens.”
www.theowlmag.com/album-reviews/mikal-cronin-by-mikal-cronin

BLACK & WHITE:
“Mikal Cronin is more believable as a garage outcast. The surf-rocking punker opens his self-titled debut with lots of bashing and blurry greatness. Even the acoustic moments maintain a Beatlesque pop fury.”
http://www.bwcitypaper.com/Articles-i-2011-09-15-243508.113121-The-Set-List.html

ALLMUSIC GUIDE:
“Mikal Cronin knows all sorts of examples of what can be described as classic pop/rock is obvious from the first notes of ‘Is It Alright’ -- harmonies out of the Beach Boys, a building burst of melody that the Raspberries could have loved, and an echo-swathed verse that's both Phil Spector and the Jesus and Mary Chain. But by the time the keyboard drone pop of ‘Slow Down’ arrives, it's clear that Cronin's debut release, however tied together by his singing, seeks to not simply be yet another power pop showcase above all else, whether served up clean or with layers of scuzz.”
http://www.allmusic.com/album/mikal-cronin-r2250625/review

UNCUT:
“(Ty) Segall moves fast, though, and the very latest recordings that he’s been involved with - both involving a new name to me, Mikal Cronin - are pretty fantastic…Cronin’s S/T is no less exciting, but draws from a much wider range: the very first seconds are filled with a capella harmonies indebted to The Beach Boys’ ‘Our Prayer’.”
http://www.uncut.co.uk/blog/index.php?blog=6&title=mikal_cronin_mikal_cronin&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

CLLCT:
“A rare pearl of gritty yet melodious garage fun tucked away amidst the usual bevy of electronic offerings. This is spot on execution of great songwriting and the venerable melody hook with lots of grease on the collar to boot by one Mikal Cronin.”
http://cllct.com/feed/burromusic/quicklynowgetalongbymikalcronin

EVERYBODY TASTE:
“as heavy and guitar-dominated as the mix is on tracks like "Get Along" and "Apathy," it's Cronin's vocal melodies and delivery that really shine and sink their hooks into the listener as they cut their way through walls of fuzz. Two listens deep and I promise you'll be singing along.”
http://www.everybodytaste.com/2011/08/mikal-cronin-get-along-apathy.html

DEATH AND TAXES:
“Judging from ‘Get Along’ and ‘Apathy,’ the upcoming LP sounds pretty promising. The two tracks build on the lo-fi fuzz of Mikal’s many West Coast affiliations but noticeably follow a more pop route with cleaner vocals, plenty of harmonies and nods to ’60s psych. It all creates a heavily infectious blend of garage rock.”
http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/123711/listen-mikal-cronins-apathy-and-get-along-produced-by-ty-segall/

CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND Top 10 MP3s of the week - “Apathy”:
“This song is all kinds of amazing, from the machine-gun snare fills to the catchy-as-shit chorus where Cronin implores that he “don’t want apathy”, and you’ve no choice but to believe him. It’s a perfect mix of pop and fuzz to draw ears of all kind. Put it on, and put it on loud, why don’t ya?.”
http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/07/top-10-mp3s-of-the-week-729/

SF WEEKLY:
“‘Apathy’ sounds like a forgotten MTV Buzz Bin hit from about 1994, with its soft acoustic intro and relentlessly catchy chorus. The song then rises into a noisy climax complete with what sound like off-kilter saxophones. It's pretty rad.”
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2011/07/hear_apathy_by_mikal_cronin_ty.php

KATIE DARBY RECOMMENDS:
“As soon as the first few lines of ‘Apathy’ flew out of my stereo, I was sold on Cronin– not just as a musician, but as a composer. The way this song fits together reminds me of the way I felt when I was listening to early Beck records; this isn’t a completely new venture, but it feels new and fresh. I love the way the instruments in the song jump in and out; I love the controlled chaos. If ‘Apathy’ is any indication, this guy is fantastic.”
http://www.katiedarbyrecommends.com/2011/07/27/keep-listening-for-mikal-cronin/

CITIZEN DICK.com:
“Just like his work with Segall, Cronin's LP promises a collection of gritty and attitude-laden garage rock. I've professed my undying adoration for Segall's Goodbye Bread too many times to count on this here blog. I'm already considering this album a perfect counterpart for the second half.”
http://citizendick.org/2011/07/25/mikal-cronin-apathy-mp3/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CitizenDick+%28Citizen+Dick%29&utm_content=Twitter

ALTERED ZONES:
“Opening itself up wider with each play, this is a good record in the truest sense of the word.”
http://alteredzones.com/posts/1682/mikal-cronin-apathy/

RAVEN SINGS THE BLUES.com:
“Cleaner than we've heard him in a long time, the record packs a huge whollop in its three-minute garage-pop punches. Scraping its way through fuzz, jangle, slow burn motions and even a few psychedelic breakdowns, the record is nothing if not infectious; opening itself up wider with each play.”
http://ravensingstheblues.blogspot.com/2011/07/mikal-cronin.html

AUSTIN TOWN HALL.com:
“If you toss in a little more melody on Segall’s formula for psych-rock, perhaps remove a bit of hazy tones, and this is pretty much what you’re going to get. I know, right! Sounds pretty awesome, so jump on the wagon now…”
http://networkedblogs.com/kIX8n

IMPOSE MAGAZINE.com:
“Much like Segall's excellent Goodbye Bread, Cronin is maturing beyond the grimy scuzz with little hint of growing pains.”
http://www.imposemagazine.com/bytes/mikal-cronin-bros-down-with-ty-segall-again

THE BAY BRIDGED.com:
http://www.thebaybridged.com/2011/07/27/mikal-cronin-get-alongapathy/

CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND: TOP 10 MP3s OF THE WEEK:
http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/07/top-10-mp3s-of-the-week-729/

CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND LIVE REVIEW:
“Cronin’s band of six people were an excellent show opener, busting in with ‘Is It Alright’, flute solo and all (apparently Cronin’s first time playing live with a flautist). It’s a record that deserves the proper live treatment, and it was well done, to say the least.”
http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/10/live-review-ty-segall-mikal-cronin-at-chicago%E2%80%99s-empty-bottle-101/

TIME OUT CHICAGO:
“Mikal Cronin started the evening off with selections from his recent solo debut, a record that Segall turned in production for. After playing a selection of psych-pop odes delivered with a lighter touch than most of his contemporaries, Cronin ended his set with a cover of the Flamin' Groovies' ‘Shake Some Action’ with vocal assistance from Trouble In Mind's Bill Roe.”
http://timeoutchicago.com/music-nightlife/music/14967535/ty-segall-human-eye-mikal-cronin-at-empty-bottle-live-review-photo-ga

WHITE BOARD PROJECT:
“The eponymous album from Mikal Cronin is a lo-fi mixed bag with moments that reflect on grunge, surf-pop, and psychedelia. It’s a youthful, daring debut that will delight those who like their music to be full of unexpected twists.”
http://thewhiteboardproject.tumblr.com/post/10928564334/the-albums-round-up

BOW LEGS:
“It is hard, in fact, to fault a album so likeable, so full of energy and so effortlessly able to drop moments of melancholy into the shadows that are cast by the record’s love for the Californian sun (and a passing love for jamming in the garage).”
http://www.bowlegsmusic.com/2011/10/mikal-cronin-mikal-cronin/

CHICAGO READER:
“It's a crime that Ty Segall isn't ten times more popular than he already is, and the fact that Mikal Cronin isn't even as popular as Ty Segall suggests even more strongly that something's out of whack with the universe. Cronin has earned what small popularity he has by making a collaborative album with Segall and fronting Charlie & the Moonhearts, so his recent self-titled solo debut for local label Trouble in Mind - his best work to date - ought to raise his profile at least a bit. The influences that seem to have gone into the album (Smile-era Beach Boys, maybe a little of Thee Oh Sees, the Beatles' DayGlo period filtered through Apples in Stereo) aren't terribly surprising, but the quality of Cronin's execution—particularly on ‘Get Along,’ which ought to be a smash - very much is.”
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/ty-segall-human-eye-mikal-cronin/Event?oid=4148555

JEFFREY MORGAN:
“Jing-janglin’ pop-infused guitar ditties lacquered with a charming patina of primitivism that’ll have you hunkered down and hankering for a hanky, they’re that heartfelt.”
http://www.jeffreymorgan.info/2011.10.09_arch.html#1318174782679

AQUARIUS RECORDS RECORD OF THE WEEK:
“This week's list is chock full of contenders for pop record of the year, but if any of the other ones are gonna come out on top, this is gonna be the one to beat.”
http://www.aquariusrecords.org/

LET'S GET BENT:
“Everyone’s favorite Moonheart is touring up and down the West Coast this December with several other fine artists. Anyway, with a pretty killer solo LP now under his belt, it’s safe to say Mikal Cronin has gotten down a smooth combination of sweet ‘n’ noisy. If you haven’t picked that one up yet, get yourself over to Trouble in Mind. What was I saying? Oh yeah, this whole touring thing. Go see him! Do it for those of us who are stranded in the snow! Basically, since there are a shitload of California dates, all Californians have no excuse to miss their home state hero when he rolls into town.”
http://letsgetbent.tumblr.com/post/13595592749/mikal-cronin-tours-invades-the-west-coast

EARBUDDY:
“Cronin lets fly with a sonically diverse, but nevertheless ripping, cache of tunes on his self titled debut for Trouble in Mind, right out of the gate.”
http://www.earbuddy.net/2011/11/mikal-cronin-mikal-cronin-review.html

WEEKLY VOLCANO:
“The first few moments of 'Is It Alright,' the opening song on Mikal Cronin's debut LP, are filled with gentle, isolated vocal harmonies that immediately fill the listener with anticipation for Brian Wilson-esque pop reverie. Suddenly, in come crashing guitars, and the rest of the song begins to feel like a tug-of-war between Cronin's thrashing garage rock ways and his beatific pop aspirations. Luckily, Cronin seems equally capable of attaining either of these sounds, even arriving at some truly unexpected places in the process (when those Jethro Tull flutes pop up, it's a legitimately surprising turn that puts you on your heels). Cronin seems unencumbered by restrictions placed on the garage revivalist population, free to explore pathways that have been left for dead by those wanting to repurpose music's past.”
http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/events/werecommend/2011/11/Mikal-Cronin-seems-unencumbered-by-restrictions-placed-on-garage-revivalist-population/

Implodes
“Black Earth”
Kranky: krank156

FOXY DIGITALIS #1 ALBUM OF 2012:
“It’s as varied an album as I’ve heard all year but one which never loses its focus or drive.”
http://www.foxydigitalis.com/foxyd/?p=23680

Crock
“Grok”
Jackpot Records: jpr019

THE NEW YORKER BEST OF 2011:
“An album that isn’t afraid to combine delicate technical skill, sludgy sounds, and melody. Why is that scary? Because a less hyperactive version of this music might be popular, which is apparently (and happily) not a concern. Hella’s Spencer Seim plays the drums and Quasi’s Sam Coomes plays keyboards and sings.”
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2011/12/best-music-2011-lists-of-lists-and-endings-of-endings.html

BROOKLYN ROCKS:
“Seim is credited with the spazzy, sputtering drum work so I assume that Commes handled all of the other instrumentation and vocals. Most of Commes' melodic vocals are low in the mix so the listener can hear his melodic harmonies but his lyrics are mostly unintelligible. Coomes delivers his vocals with the punk fervor of Nation of Ulysses' Ian Svenonius but when the vocals are on top of the mix.”
http://brooklynrocks.blogspot.com/2011/09/crock-grok-cd-review-jackpot-records.html

AQUARIUS RECORDS RECORD OF THE WEEK:
“...it's a pretty irresistible combo, one that definitely straddles the line between indie rock and full on noise rock, in fact we'd probably qualify this as noise rock if it weren't so warm and melodic and dreamily fuzzy. But it IS noisy, and loud, and kaleidoscopic, and weird as fuck, but somehow still crazy catchy. The perfect mad scientist fuzz pop concoction, and quickly becoming one of our new favorite records.”
http://www.aquariusrecords.org/

YOUTUBE video for “Eat Your Hat Out”:
“‘Eat Your Hat Out’ by Crock featuring Sam Coomes of Quasi and Spencer Seim of Hella.”
http://www.jackpotrecords.com/products/view/4633/7

BROOKLYN ROCKS:
“The band's sound is built off the fuzzed-out / freaked-out urban electonica of bands like Suicide to which the band add elements of space rock, Zappa / Pavement style free-form deconstruction, dark stoner riffs and pounding industrial squiggles and rhythms.”
http://brooklynrocks.blogspot.com/2011/09/crock-grok-cd-review-jackpot-records.html

PORTLAND MERCURY:
“This collaboration really does appear to be equal parts Hella and Quasi...”
http://endhits.portlandmercury.com/endhits/archives/2011/08/03/crock-no-more-dumb-fun

A Winged Victory For The Sullen
“S/T”
Kranky: krank157

TEXTURA TOP ALBUMS OF 2011: #12 S/T
“Like the music of Stars of the Lid, A Winged Victory For The Sullen is music of quiet grandeur that's all the more powerful for being delivered with such understatement.”
http://www.textura.org/reviews/2011top10s.htm

NPR SONG OF THE DAY: "Steep Hills of Vicodin Tears"
“‘Steep Hills of Vicodin Tears,’ from the band's self-titled debut, sounds just like a combination of classical and electronic ambient music should: incredibly delicate, meditative and soaring all at once. But it's also filled with stunning, unexpected moments that induce intense clarity felt somewhere between the mind, heart and soul.”
http://www.npr.org/2011/12/05/143077187/a-winged-victory-for-the-sullen-intense-clarity?ft=3&f=4703895&sc=nl&cc=sod-20111205

SLOUCHER:
“Not a dry eye in the house. Take a bow, A Winged Victory for the Sullen, you’ve made a beautiful piece of art.”
http://sloucher.org/2011/12/02/a-winged-victory-for-the-sullen-a-winged-victory-for-the-sullen/

TINY MIX TAPES:
“On A Winged Victory For The Sullen, Adam Wiltzie provides the blissful seas of sound he perfected with Stars of the Lid, while Dustin O’Halloran’s piano work, mixed with evocative string arrangements, pushes out from that sea of sound to create a sonic landscape that both experiments with classical progressions and shows a mastery of emotional resonance.”
http://www.tinymixtapes.com/features/winged-victory-sullen

PITCHFORK 7.3!!
“What's interesting about the sound they've hit on isn't so much what the two musicians bring to each other's styles, as it is what each sacrifices from his own.” http://www.pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15809-a-winged-victory-for-the-sullen/

DUSTED:
“In the end, Wiltzie and O’Halloran’s collaboration stands as an impressive album on its own merits and one of the strongest efforts in the world of Stars of the Lid offshoots. No small achievement.”
http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6675

EVERYTHING IS CHEMICAL 8.5/10:
“Music like this only comes along so often, its even better when it comes out during the proper season. What you would expect from these two artists has indeed unfolded in a grand manor that will hopefully be replicated on a new album sometime in the near future. If this (see track 5. 'Steep Hills..') is only the beginning of this bands career ..I don't know how much more emotion my ears can handle, but I'm willing to risk it. More please?”
http://everythingischemical.com/

EVERYTHING IS CHEMICAL 8.5/10:
“Wiltzie shapes patient drifts of sound while O'Halloran contributes melancholy, minimal piano melodies, and the components feel organically linked—the ethereal orchestrations are like rays of light emerging from each one of the piano's hammer strikes as they float, refract, and decay.”
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/a-winged-victory-for-the-sullen-with-the-acme-string-ensemble-benoit-pioulard-ken-camden/Event?oid=4489995

MAGNET:
“Don’t sleep on this record; it’s probably the best collection of ambient music you’ll hear all year.”
http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2011/08/16/mp3-at-3pm-a-winged-victory-for-the-sullen/

TEXTURA:
“The material breathes with a natural grace, and the occasional ambient trace of the recording context that sneaks in only makes the recording feel more alive. Listeners familiar with the work of the participants won't be surprised by the music's stately and oft-reverent character, with the album's seven exquisite settings filled with longing. Like the music of Stars of the Lid, A Winged Victory For The Sullen's is music of quiet grandeur that's all the more powerful for being delivered with such understatement.”
http://www.textura.org/reviews/wingedvictory.htm

ON TOUR NOW
(UPDATED JANUARY 24, 2012):

Action Beat
04/04 - Paris, France @ Glaz'art

Amen Dunes
01/29 - Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
02/02 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
02/05 - Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo
02/10 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
02/16 - Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
02/18 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live

Ed Askew
02/07 - NYC @ The Cake Shop
02/16 - Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool
02/17 - Brooklyn, NY @ Vaudeville Park

A Storm Of Light
03/01 - NYC @ Grammercy Theatre
03/02 - Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
03/03 - Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
03/05 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
03/06 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
03/07 - Chicago, IL @ Double Door
03/08 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
03/17 - New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack's
03/18 - Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco

Atlas Sound
02/18-19 - Tokyo, Japan @ Ebisu Garden Hall

Azita
02/02 - Chicago, IL @ Schuba’s

A Winged Victory For The Sullen
02/15 - Rennes, France @ La Route Du Rock Winter Edition
02/25 - Hasselt, Belgium @ Cch
02/26 - Bruges, Belgium @ Cactus Club
03/19 - Catania, Sicily @ Le Ciminere
03/20 - Palermo, Italy @ Teatro Dante
04/14 - Genk, Belgium @ C-mine Jazz
04/30 - Brussels, Belgium @ Bozar

Aidan Baker
02/17 - Bochum, Germany @ Christuskirche Bochum
02/19 - Utrecht, Netherlands @ dB's Studio
02/21 - Esslingen, Germany @ Jugendhaus Komma

Balloon Magic
02/10 - Vordingborg, Denmark @ Stars
02/11 - Lyngby, Denmark @ Templet
02/16 - Albertslund, Denmark @ Forbrændingen

Chris Bathgate
01/27 - Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
01/28 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders

Benoit Pioulard
01/28 - Zwolle, Netherlands @ Papenstraatheater/Odeondespiegal Theaters

Andrew Bird
03/05 - London, UK @ Barbican Cantre
03/06 - Paris, France @ La Cigale
03/08 - Brussels, Belgium @ Cirque Royal
03/09 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
03/15 - Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre
03/16 - New Orleans, LA @ The Howlin’ Wolf
03/17 - Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
03/19 - Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
03/20 - Columbus, OH @ Southern Theatre
03/22 - St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
03/23 - Kansas City, MO @ The Uptown Theatre
03/24 - Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theatre
04/09 - Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
04/10 - Vancouver, BC @ The Vogue
04/11 - Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
04/13 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theatre
04/18 - Mesa, AZ @ Ikeda Theatre at Mesa Arts Center
04/19 - Santa Fe, NM @ Lensic Performing Arts Center
04/20 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
05/03 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
05/04 - NYC @ Beacon Theatre
05/05 - NYC @ Beacon Theatre
05/06 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues
05/08 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
05/09 - Baltimore, MD @ Ram’s Head Live
05/10 - Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
05/12 - Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre

Sir Richard Bishop
03/15 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
03/16 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
03/23 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios

Black Bananas
02/02 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
02/16 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
02/17 - NYC @ Terminal 5
02/18 - Toronto, Ontario @ Phoenix
02/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Mayan Theatre
02/23 - San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
02/24 - Seattle, WA @ The Showbox

Black Pus
01/27 - Brooklyn, NY @ Secret Project Robot

Bodycode
01/28 - Provence, France @ Second Nature
02/03 - Capetown, South Africa @ Fiction
02/24 - Frankfurt, Germany @ Robert Johnson

Bohren & Der Club of Gore
01/27 - Mannheim, Germany @ Alte Feuerwache
03/23 - Dachau, Germany @ Dachauer Kulturschranne

Bonnie “Prince” Billy
01/23 - Utrecht, Netherlands @ Tivoli
01/24 - Gent, Belgium @ Vooruit
01/25 - London, UK @ Hackney Empire
01/29 - Glasgow, UK @ The Fruitmarket
01/31 - Dublin, Ireland @ Vicar Street
02/01 - Cork, Ireland @ Cork Opera House
03/02 - South Brisbane, Australia @ Gallery Of Modern Art
03/09 - Melbourne, Australia @ National Theatre
04/26 - Holmfirth, UK @ Holmfirth Picturedrome
04/28 - Cheltenham, UK @ The Frog & The Fiddle
05/02 - Penzance, UK @ Acorn Arts Centre
05/04 - Oxford, UK @ Bullingdon Arms

Peter Brötzmann/Paal Nilssen-Love/Fred Lonberg-Holm
02/19 - London, UK @ Cafe OTO
02/20 - London, UK @ Cafe OTO
02/25 - London, UK @ Cafe OTO

Brute Heart
02/14 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue

California Guitar Trio
01/24 - Osaka, Japan @ Billboard Live
01/25 - Tokyo, Japan @ Billboard Live
02/24 - St. Louis, MO @ The Old Rock House
02/25 - Indianapolis, IN @ Radio Radio
02/26 - Lexington, KY @ Natasha’s Bistro
02/27 - Frankfort, KY @ Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe
02/29 - Athens, GA @ Melting Point
03/01 - Charlotte, NC @ The Evening Muse
03/02 - Asheville, NC @ The Altamont
03/03 - Atlanta, GA @ The 5 Spot
03/04 - Chattanooga, TN @ Rhythym & Brews
03/05 - Birmingham, AL @ Workplay Theatre
03/07 - Jackson, MS @ Duling Hall
03/09 - Houston, TX @ Mucky Duck
03/10 - Austin, TX @ Cactus Cafe
03/11 - Dallas, TX @ Poor David’s Pub
03/12 - Edmond, OK @ UCO Jazz Club
03/20 - Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
03/22 - Okoboji, IA @ Pearson Lakes Art Center
03/23 - Cedar Rapids, IA @ CSPS
03/24 - Hartford, WI @ Knoll Theatre
03/25 - Evanston, IL @ Evanston Space
03/28 - East Lansing, MI @ Lakehouse Music Concerts
03/29 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Grand Rapids Community College Center
03/30 - Rockford, IL @ Memorial Hall
04/01 - Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
04/05 - Caimbridge, MA @ Regatta Bar
04/07 - Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall
04/12 - Terrebone, Quebec @ Theatre du Vieux Terrebonne
04/13 - St. Hyacinthe, Quebec @ Espace Rona du Centre des Arts
04/14 - Quebec City, Quebec @ Palais Montcalm
04/17 - Burlington, Ontario @ Main Theatre Burlington PAC
04/21 - San Louis Obispo, CA @ Spanos Theatre
04/22 - Saratoga, CA @ Carriage House
04/25 - Napa, CA @ Mondavi Theatre
04/27 - Bend, OR @ Tower Theatre
04/28 - Forest Grove, OR @ McReady Recital Hall
05/12 - Pomeroy, OH @ Fur Peace Ranch

Bill Callahan
02/08 - NYC @ Lincoln Center/Allen Room (American Songbook Series)

Cave
04/20 - Grinnell, IA @ Grinnell Gollege

Choir Of Young Believers
03/14-17 - Austin, TX @ SxSW Festival

Circle
02/17-18 - Oulu, Finland @ Rotos Loves Paskis VI 2012

Com Truise
01/27 - Buffalo, NY @ Soundlab
01/28 - Toronto, ON @ Wrong Bar
02/07 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
02/11 - Miami, FL @ Bardot Miami
03/14-17 - Austin, TX @ SxSW Festival

Mikal Cronin
02/10-13 - Miami, FL @ Bruise Cruise Festival
03/02 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
03/03 - Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
03/04 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
03/05 - Tucson, AZ @ Plush
03/11 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
03/13 - Houston, TX @ The Green Room At Warehouse Live

Matthew Dear
01/25 - Melbourne, Australia @ Novel (DJ Set)
01/26 - Sydney, Australia @ AGWA Yacht Club (DJ Set)
02/17 - Mexico, City, Mexico @ Club Social Rhodesia (DJ Set)
02/22 - Los Angeles, CA @ Center for The Arts Eagle Rock
02/24 - San Francisco, CA @ Noise Pop Festival
03/02 - NYC @ Bowery Ballroom
03/14-17 - Austin, TX @ SxSW Festival
04/13 - Chicago, IL @ Spy Bar (DJ Set)
04/14 - St. Louis, MO @ 2720 Cherokee (DJ Set)
04/20 - Miami, FL @ Electric Pickle (DJ Set)
04/21 - El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace (DJ Set)

Mario Diaz de León
01/24 - NYC @ The Stone

Dirty Three
03/16 - Melbourne, Australia @ Palace Theatre
03/22 - Fortitude Valley, Australia @ The Tivoli
05/25-27 - London, UK @ All Tomorrow’s Parties I’ll Be Your Mirror Festival 2012
05/30 - 06/03 - Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Sound Festival 2012
06/07 - 06/10 - Porto, Portugal @ Primavera Sound Festival 2012
06/08 - 06/10 - Mansfield, UK @ No Direction Home Festival 2012

Disappears
02/18 - Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
02/19 - Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
02/20 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
02/23 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
02/24 - Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet’s
02/25 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
03/21 - Groningen, Netherlands – Vera
03/26 – Colmar, France @ Supersounds Festival at Le Grillen
03/27 – Paris, France @ Glaz’art
03/28 – Tourcoing, France @ Grand Mix
03/29 – London, UK @ Corsica Studios
03/30 – Brussels, Belgium @ Atelier Claus
03/31 – Hasselt, Belgium @ Kunstencentrum
04/01 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso (upstairs)
04/13 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
04/14 – Ann Arbor, MI @ The Yellow Barn
04/15 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
04/16 – Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo
04/17 – Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt
04/18 – Albany, NY @ Valentine’s
04/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands
04/20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
04/21 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings Barcade
04/22 – Knoxville, TN @ Pilot Light
04/24 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
04/25 – Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree
04/27 – Austin, TX @ Austin Psych Fest
04/28 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
04/29 – Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Cafe

Diskjokke
01/30 - 02/05 - Berlin, Germany @ CTM Festival 2012

The Ex
03/15 - Dresden, Germany @ Scheune Kulturzentrum
03/16 - Strasbourg, France @ La Laiterie Club
03/17 - Dijon, France @ La Vapeur
03/19 - Limoges, France @ La Fourmi
03/21 - La Rochelle, France @ La Sirene - Espace Musiques Actuelles
03/22 - Rennes, France @ L’Ubu
03/23 - Rouen, France @ Le 106
05/18 - Brighton, UK @ Concorde 2
05/19 - Berlin, Germany @ Lido

Faun Fables
01/25 - Oakland, CA @ Artbarn At The Place

Fredrik
02/12 - Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theatre
02/13 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hotel Cafe

The Fresh & Onlys
02/18 - Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
02/19 - Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
02/20 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
02/23 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
02/24 - Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet’s
02/25 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah

Laura Gibson
01/25 - Boston, MA @ TT The Bear’s
01/26 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
01/27 - Arlington, VA @ Iota Club & Cafe
01/28 - Norfolk, VA @ Attucks Theatre
01/30 - NYC @ Mercury Lounge
02/03 - Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
02/03 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
02/04 - Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
02/08 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
02/10 - Tucson, AZ @ Plush
02/12 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk
02/13 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s
02/15 - Norman, OK @ Opolis Production
02/16 - Albuquerque, NM @ Low Spirits Bar & Stage
02/17 - Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
02/18 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
02/19 - Boise, ID @ Neurolux Lounge
04/17 - Hamburg, Germany @ Dachgarten, Ubel & Gefahrlich
04/19 - Berlin, Germany @ Gruner Salon
04/20 - Gera, Germany @ Buhnen Der Stadt Gera
02/24 - Dusseldorf, Germany @ Zakk
02/25 - Frankfurt, Germany @ Das Bett
04/26 - Erlangen, Germany @ E-Werk Erlangen
04/27 - Geislingen, Germany @ Ratschnmuhle
04/29 - Zurich, Switzerland @ El Lokal

Girl Talk
01/26 - Sydney, Australia @ Big Day Out Festival
01/28 - Sydney, Australia @ The Enmore
01/29 - Melbourne, Australia @ Big Day Out Festival
01/31 - Melbourne, Australia @ Palace
02/03 - Adelaide, Australia @ Big Day Out Festival
02/05 - Perth, Australia @ Big Day Out Festival
04/13-15 - Indio, CA @ Coachella Festival 2012
04/20-22 - Indio, CA @ Coachella Festival 2012
06/01 - Ozark, AR @ Wakarusa Festival 2012

Glorytellers
04/09 - Rochester, NY @ Boudler Coffee Company
04/10 - Rochester, NY @ Boudler Coffee Company
05/09 - Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place
05/10 - Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place

Godspeed You! Black Emperor
04/15 - Big Sur, CA @ Henry Miller Library
04/16 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
04/17 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
04/18 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
04/19 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
04/20 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall

David Grubbs
04/20 - Berlin, Germany @ Hebbel Am Ufer HAU1

David Grubbs & Susan Howe
02/26 - Chicago, IL @ Bond Chapel at The University of Chicago
03/06 - NYC @ The New School
04/05 - New Haven, CT @ Yale University

Half Japanese
03/09 - 12 Minehead, UK @ All Tomorrow’s Parties 2012

Neil Hamburger
02/10 - Miami, FL @ Bruise Cruise Festival
03/28 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
03/29 - Visalia, CA @ The Cellar Door
03/30 - Sacramento, CA @ Sacramento Comedy Spot
05/16 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
05/17 - Glasgow, UK @ St. Andrew’s In The Squre
05/19 - Bristol, UK @ Spring And Airbrake
05/21 - Bristol, UK @ The Fleece
05/23 - Liverpool, UK @ Leaf Tea Shop & Bar
05/24 - Manchester, UK @ St. Clements Church
05/25 - Oxford, UK @ The Bullingdon Arms
05/27 - London, UK @ 100 Club

Handsome Family
02/12 - Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theatre

Harvey Milk
05/30 - 06/03 - Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Sound Festival 2012

Tim Hecker
01/30 - 02/05 - Berlin, Germany @ CTM Festival 2012
02/06 - London, UK @ St. Giles-In-The-Fields Church
02/09 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Sodra Teatern

The Howling Hex
01/25 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
03/24 - Denver, CO @ Oriental Theatre

Implodes
04/15 - Paris, France @ La Maroquinerie

Jealous Sound
02/03 - San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
02/04 - Scottsdale, AZ @ Rogue
02/06 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
02/07 - Fort Worth, TX @ Lola's Sixth
02/08 - Little Rock, AR @ Stickyz Rock'n'Roll Chicken
02/09 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
02/10 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
02/11 - Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
02/12 - Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
02/14 - Allston, MA @ Great Scott
02/15 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn
02/16 - Philadelphia, PA @ MilkBoy Philly
02/17 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
02/18 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
02/19 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
02/21 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
02/22 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
02/24 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
02/25 - Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
02/27 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
02/28 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite

Doug Jerebine
02/11 - Owhango, New Zealand @ Owhango Hotel

Chuck Johnson
01/26 - Charlotte, NC @ The Double Door Inn

Kerretta
01/28 - Auckland, New Zealand @ Kings Arms
02/10 - Bytom, Poland @ Bytomskie Centrum Kultury
02/13 - Budapest, Hungary @ Szabad az Á
02/14 - Kecskemét, Hungary @ Kilele Music Cafe
02/15 - Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Channel 0
02/16 - Graz, Austria @ Club Wakuum
02/17 - Chemnitz, Germany @ Weltecho
02/18 - Offenbach, Germany @ Hafen 2
02/19 - Strasbourg, France @ Mudd Club
02/21 - Le Havre, France @ Mac Daids
02/23 - Freiburg, Germany @ White Rabbit
02/24 - Esslingen, Germany @ Komma
02/25 - Leipzig, Germany @ Uschis Hardcore-imbe
02/26 - Hamburg, Germany @ Hafenklang
02/27 - Münster, Germany @ Gleis 22
02/28 - Zwolle, Netherlands @ Eureka
02/29 - Metz, France @ La Lucarne
03/01 - Siegen, Germany @ Vortex
03/02 - Mannheim, Germany @ Juz Mannheim
03/03 - Brunswick, Germany @ Nexus

Sophia Knapp
02/29 - NYC @ Sway

Pokey LaFarge
01/26 - St. Louis, MO @ Blues City Deli
3/15 - Kilkenny, Ireland @ Cleere’s Theatre
3/16 - Dublin, Ireland @ Ubangi Stomp @ The Grand Social
3/17 - Cork, Ireland @ Crane Lane Theatre
3/18 - Belfast, Ireland @ The Black Box
3/20 - Manchester, UK @ The Deaf Institute
3/21 - Glasgow, UK @ Stereo
3/22 - Aberdeen, UK @ The Blue Lamp
3/23 - Edinburgh, UK @ The Bongo Club
3/24 - Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK @ The Cluny 2
3/25 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
3/27 - Bristol, UK @ The Cooler
3/28 - Brighton, UK @ The Haunt
3/29 - London, UK @ Bush Hall
4/03 - Tonder, DK @ Hagges Musik Pub
4/20 - Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso

Sondre Lerche
02/09 - Oslo, Norway @ Kulturkirken Jakob
02/11 - Bergen, Norway @ Hulen

Lindstrom
01/26 - Bukuresti, Rumenia @ The Gang Club
01/28 - Perugia, Italiy @ Red Zone Club
02/11 - Geneve, Switerzerland @ Antigel Festival
02/17 - Berlin, Germany @ Watergate
02/18 - Oslo, Norway @ Sunkissed
02/25 - London, UK @ Scala
03/03 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Trouw
04/08 - Paris, France @ Social Club
04/09 - Mayrhofen, Austria @ Snowbombing
04/20 - St. Petersburg, Russia @ Dom Beat
04/21 - Moscow, Russia @ Solyanka
05/05 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Debaser

Little Annie
02/19 - Turin, Italy @ Musica 90
02/23 - Milan, Italy @ Bitte
02/25 - Naples, Italy @ obSession, Galleria Toledo
02/26 - Dessau, Germany @ Kurt Weil Fest
02/27 - Dessau, Germany @ Kurt Weil Fest

Lotus Plaza
03/07 - Atlanta, GA @ 529
04/17 - Ithica, NY @ The Haunt
04/18 - Albany, NY @ Valentine’s Music Hall

Low
02/27 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
03/09 - Minehead, UK @ All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival
03/26 - Sevilla, Spain @ Teatro Central
03/27 - Barcelona, Spain @ Apolo
03/28 - Madrid, Spain @ Teatro Kapital
03/29 - Santiago de Compostela, Spain @ Sala Capitol
03/30 - San Sebastian, Spain @ Kursaal
03/31 - Madrid, Spain @ Carculo de Bellas Artes
03/31 - Toledo, Spain @ Carculo de Bellas Artes
04/02 - Birmingham, UK @ Glee Club
04/03 - London, UK @ Royal Festival Hall

Mount Eerie
03/03 - Bristol, UK @ Arnolfini
03/05 - Dublin, Ireland @ Button Factory
03/07 - Manchester, UK @ The Ruby Lounge
03/08 - Edinburgh, UK @ The Caves
03/09-11 - Minehead, UK @ All Tomorrow's Parties 2012
03/09 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
03/11 - London, UK @ Union Chapel
03/12 - Brighton, UK @ The Haunt
03/13 - Haarlem, Netherlands @ Patronaat Kleine Zaal
03/14 - Leuven, Belgium @ Het Depot Nieuw Adres
03/15 - Paris, France @ La Maroquinerie
03/16 - Bordeaux, France @ I Boat
03/19 - Barcelona, Spain @ City Hall
03/21 - Feyzin, France @ L'Epicerie Moderne Merge
03/25 - Lausanne, Switzerland @ Le Romandie
03/26 - Wiesbaden, Germany @ Schlacthof
03/31 - Berlin, Germany @ Festall Kreuzberg

Major Stars
02/29 - Boston, MA @ Church

Michna
02/04 - NYC @ Drom (DJ Set)
02/18 - NYC @ Tammany Hall (DJ Set)

Mux Mool
02/11 - Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
02/16 - Denver, CO @ Cervantes
02/17 - San Francisco, CA @ 1015
02/18 - Missoula, MT @ Palace Theatre
03/15-17 - Austin, TX @ SxSW Festival

Joanna Newsom
03/09 - Minehead, UK @ All Tomorrow’s Parties
03/13 - Brussells, Belgium @ Ancienne Belgique

Night Beats
03/24 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle

No Means No
04/04 - Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
04/07 - St. Germain en Laye, France @ La Clef
04/08 - Bordeaux, France @ Le Rocher De Palmer
04/09 - Andoain, Spain @ Gaztetxe
04/10 - Vigo, Spain @ La Iguana
04/12 - Porto, Portugal @ Porto Rio
04/13 - Lisbon, Portugal @ ZDB
04/14 - Granada, Spain @ Sala El Tren
04/15 - Madrid, Spain @ La Sala Live
04/16 - Zaragoza, Spain @ Arena Rock
04/17 - Barcelona, Spain @ Apolo 2
04/19 - Firenze, Italy @ Auditorium Flog
04/20 - Milano, Italy @ Cox 18
04/21 - Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Cvetlicarna
04/22 - Brezice, Slovenia @ MC Brezice
04/23 - Osijek, Croatia @ Mini Theatre
04/25 - Zagreb, Croatia @ KSET
04/26 - Vienna, Austria @ Arena
04/27 - Prague, Czech Republic @ Futurum
04/28 - Nurnberg, Germany @ K4
04/29 - Frankfurt, Germany @ Exzess
04/30 - Venlo, Holland @ Perron 55
06/02 - Koln, Germany @ Gebaude 9
06/03 - Bremen, Germany @ 25 Years of Trust Magazine Festival
06/04 - (near) Hamburg, Germany @ Wilwarin Festival
06/05 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Loppen
06/07 - Tønsberg, Norway @ Total
06/08 - Stavanger, Norway @ Checkpoint Charlie
06/09 - Bergen, Norway @ Garage
06/10 - Lillehammer, Norway @ Felix
06/11 - Trondheim, Norway @ Blaest
06/12 - Oslo, Norway @ Blitz
06/14 - Turku, Finland @ Klubi
06/15 - Tampere, Finland @ Klubi
06/16 - Kuopio, Finland @ Henry's Pub
06/17 - Helsinki, Finland @ Nosturi
06/18 - Järvakandi, Estonia @ Rabarock Festival

Olivia Tremor Control
03/07 - London, UK @ Cargo
03/09-12 - Minehead, UK @ All Tomorrow’s Parties
05/30 - 06/01 - Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Sound Festival 2012
06/07 - 06/10 - Porto, Portugal @ Primavera Sound Festival Porto 2012

Om
03/08 - Denton, TX @ 35 Denton

Osborne
01/27 - San Francisco, CA @ Public Works

Papa M
06/02 - London, UK @ Field Day 2012 at Victoria Park

Phantom Family Halo
02/11 - Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus

Pigeons
02/09 - NYC @ Mercury Lounge

Rangda
02/29 - Boston, MA @ Church

Razika
02/24 - London, UK @ Koko

Alasdair Roberts
01/25 - Glasgow, UK @ Old Hairdressers
02/12 - London, UK @ The Lexington
03/08 - Leeds, UK @ Howard Assembly Rooms
03/30-31 - Barcelona, Spain @ Mini Festival 2012
05/23 - London, UK @ The Slaughtered Lamb
11/14 - Torquay, UK @ Princess Theatre

Laetitia Sadier
02/02 - Castellon, Spain @ Teatro Principal (Tanned Tin Festival)

Ty Segall
02/02 - Middletown, CT @ Wesleyan University
02/03 - Hanover, NH @ Dartmouth University
03/02 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
03/03 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
03/04 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah

School of Seven Bells
02/28 - NYC @ Mercury Lounge
03/01 - NYC @ Mercury Lounge
04/04 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's
04/05 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
04/06 - Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle Tavern
04/07 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
04/08 - Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
04/10 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
04/11 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's Downstairs
04/13 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
04/14 - Fort Worth, TX @ Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
04/15 - Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
04/16 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
04/17 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
04/19 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
04/20 - San Francisco, CA @ TThe Rickshaw Stop
04/22 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
04/23 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
04/24 - Vancouver, BC @ Electric Owl
04/27 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
04/28 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
04/29 - Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
04/30 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
05/02 - Toronto, ON @ The Hoxton
05/03 - Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa
05/04 - Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
05/05 - NYC @ Le Poisson Rouge

Shigeto
02/15 - Los Angeles, CA @ Low End Theory
02/16 - San Diego, CA @ Kava Lounge
02/17 - San Francisco, CA @ 1015 Folsom
02/18 - Missoula, MT @ Palace Lounge
02/25 - Amherst, MA @ Hampshire College

Silver Tongues
01/28 - Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall

Skoal Kodiak
01/27 - St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club

Ben Sollee
02/10 - Louisville, KY @ Bellarmine University
02/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hotel Cafe
03/07 - Sydney, Australia @ The Basement
03/10-12 - Victoria, Australia @ Port Fairy Folk Festival
03/14 - Melbourne, Australia @ The Toff in Town
03/16 - Brunswick, Australia @ Mechanic Institute Performing Arts Center
03/17 - Victoria, Australia @ MossVale Music Festival 2012
03/18 - Katoomba, Australia @ Blue Mountain Music Festival 2012
03/21 - Canberra, Australia @ Street Theatre
03/22 - Sydney, Australia @ The Vanguard
04/13-14 - Louisville, KY @ Whitney Hall with the Louisville Ballet
04/26-28 - Charlotte, NC @ Knight Theatre

Solvent
01/27 - San Francisco, CA @ Public Works

Southern Culture On The Skids
03/23 - Greenville, SC @ The Handlebar
03/24 - Isle Of Palms, SC @ The Windjammer
04/21 - Wilmington, NC @ Riverfront Park
05/26 - Booneville, MO @ Pedaler’s Jamboree

Sun Araw
01/24 - Raymond Terrace, Australia @ Hunter River High School
01/25 - Sydney, Australia @ Goodgod Small Club
01/25 - Sydney, Australia @ Goodgod Small Club
01/26 - Wollongong, Australia @ The Owl's
01/26 - Wollongong, Australia @ Yours And Owls
01/28 - Melbourne, Australia @ Buffalo Club

Torche
03/01 - NYC @ Grammercy Theatre
03/02 - Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
03/03 - Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
03/05 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
03/06 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
03/07 - Chicago, IL @ Double Door
03/08 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
03/09 - Kansas City, MO @ The Beaumont Club
03/10 - Little Rock, AR @ Downtown Music & Records
03/11 - Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Cafe
03/12 - Dallas, TX @ Trees
03/17 - New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack's
03/18 - Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco
04/06 - Gainesville, FL @ The Atlantic
04/07 - Miami, FL @ Churchill's Pub

Tycho
01/24 - Gainesville, FL @ Double Down Live
01/26 - Orlando, FL @ The Social
01/27 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar
01/28 - Miami, FL @ Bardot Miami
01/30 - Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre
01/31 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
02/01 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
02/02 - Washington, DC @ Rock And Roll Hotel
02/03 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Rotunda
02/16 - Amsterdam,Netherlands @ Paridiso
02/17 - Luxembourg, Luxembourg @ Exit 07
02/18 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Gretchen
02/19 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Loppen
02/22 - Milan, Italy @ Magnolia
02/24 - Paris, France @ Batofar
02/26 - Antwerp, Belgium @ Trix
03/14-17 - Austin, TX @ SxSW Festival

Ume
02/12 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
02/14 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
02/15 - Boise, ID @ Neurolux
02/17 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos
02/18 - Vancouver, BC @ The Media Club
02/19 - Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar
02/22 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall (Noise Pop Festival)
02/24 - Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour
02/25 - Pamona, CA @ The Glass House
02/26 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
02/27 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom
02/28 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
03/02 - Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar
03/03 - Omaha, NE @ Slowdown

Unsane
04/11 - San Jose, CA @ Blank Club
04/12 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
04/13 - Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
04/14 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
04/19 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
04/24 - Gainesville, FL @ Double Down
04/25 - Atlanta, GA @ The Loft
04/29 - NYC @ Webster Hall
05/02 - St. Louis, MO @ Firebird
05/07 - Dallas, TX @ Trees
05/24 - 27 Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest 2012

Whistle Peak
03/03 - Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar

Wild Belle
02/28 - Santa Barbara, CA @ Soho Restaurant & Music Club
02/29 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
03/01 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex

Wussy
03/03 - NYC @ Cake Shop

Young Dreams
02/21 - London, UK @ Madame JoJo’s
02/24 - London, UK @ Koko
02/24 - London, UK @ Madame JoJo’s

Jaw Howell + Trash Talk

2012-01-24T16:44:00.000-06:00

Via Juxtapoz. More on Trash Talk's EP featuring the song "Slander" here.

Directions and animation by Jaw Howell. You can order Jay's phenominal Pages From Books right here at saki.

The first collection from the ongoing "Pages From Books" series by artists/illustrator JAY HOWELL. Features all the skinny guys w/ boners, naked chicks on skateboards, dogs, beers, rockers, & endless good times you've come to expect from his whimsical-yet-crude artwork. Along w/ designing the characters for the Fox series "Bob's Burgers" Jay Has illustrated for Vans, Burton, Anti-Hero, Creature, & created his own zine Punks Git Cut & animated series "The Forest City Rockers. 4" x 7" 48 pp full-color. LTD TO 500

Ida covering Brian Eno's "Golden Hours"

2012-01-24T16:22:00.003-06:00

Just a teaser for their upcoming saki/Epitonic session (Sunday, 1/29 @ 6pm) -- here's Ida doing a cover of Brian Eno's "Golden Hours". Pretty bloody marvelous.

Cheyenne Marie Mize on LaundroMatinee!

2012-01-24T14:55:00.002-06:00

Just to whet your appetites for the Schubas show on Wednesday, here's Cheyenne Marie Mize & band performing two of their finest for LaundroMatinee...

Cheyenne Marie Mize - It Lingers from LaundroMatinee on Vimeo.

Cheyenne Marie Mize - Wishing Well from LaundroMatinee on Vimeo.

How good is Wishing Well???? So good. Don't forget, you can pick up a FREE download card from Secret Colours and a special surprised from saki at the door!

New Releases @ saki 1/24/12!

2012-01-23T17:08:00.004-06:00

Ilyas Ahmed "With Endless Fire" LP
Apples In Stereo "Fun Trick Noisemaker" LP (re-issue)
Michael Chapman "Rainmaker" CD/LP (re-issue)
Cleared "Breaking Day" LP
Cloud Nothings "Attack On Memory" CD/LP
C.R.A.S.H. "A War On All Fronts" 7''
Karen Dalton "1966" CD/LP (archival recordings)
Expo 70 "Journey Through Astral Projection" CD
First Aid Kit "Lion's Roar" CD
Gauntlet Hair "My Christ" 7''
Laura Gibson "La Grande" LP
Gonjasufi "Muzzle" 10''/CD
Maribel "Jezebel Jive'' 7''
The Maxines "Drugstore" 7''
Nada Surf "The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy" LP/CD
Pop. 1280 "The Horror" CD/LP
Porcelain Raft ""Strange Weekend" LP/CD
Rhyton "S/T"
John K. Samson "Provincial" CD/LP
Jason Urick "I Love You" LP
Tom Waits "The Complete Review" DVD
Zomes "Improvisations" LP

Making Your Own Job

2012-01-23T16:28:00.000-06:00

Because many many people these days aren't working out of traditional offices--either by choice or circumstance--WBEZ is hosting a pretty awesome FREE event called "Making Your Own Job" this Thursday, January 26th in the Loop. It's an hour and a half long with presentations, a resource fair, and some food and drink along with it.

Sounds the event can provide at least some valuable information for people in many different employed, unemployed, self-employed, partially employed positions.

Check out the details HERE

2012 Community Arts Assistance Program (CAAP) Application and Workshops

2012-01-23T16:13:00.001-06:00

The Community Arts Assistance Program (CAAP) is an annual grant opportunity open to new, emerging and mid-career artists and nonprofit arts organizations with annual operating buedgets up to $150,000. Applicants can request a maximum of $1,000 for projects that address specific professional and artistic development needs. Individual applicants must be residents of the city of Chicago for at least 6 months prior to the application deadline and not enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or other degree granting program. Organizations must be incorporated, located in and serving the city of Chicago, have a valid Federal Employer Identification Number, and have acquired, or be in the process of applying for, or seeking funds to apply for 501(c)(3) status.

The applications are due soon!! January 30, 2012 at 5pm! Find the application here.

via Robert Loerzel

Last Night

2012-01-22T16:03:00.001-06:00

Last Night, a photo by nvaughn on Flickr.

Beautiful new photo from Noah VaughanQ

Sharon Van Etten pre-order and ticket giveaway!

2012-01-21T17:29:00.002-06:00

Sharon Van Etten's new album, Tramp, comes out 2/7 on Jagjaguwar & saki is offering a pretty crazy deal for pre-orders! First, all pre-orders are 15% off! Just pay in advance and pick up the record on or after 2/7. In addition to the pre-order discount, we also have a pair of tickets for each of Sharon's shows at Lincoln Hall on 2/16 and 2/17! The first two customers to order will be put on the guest list for the night of their choice (with a +1! In addition to all of this, we'll also have a limited number of Sharon Van Etten promo 7"s and posters to give away with purchase. If you pre-order, you'll get your poster and 7" when you pick up your record.

We love Sharon Van Etten and we're so excited to offer this promotion for all of you! Don't miss out. Come pre-order Tramp right away!

*If the show sells out before we claim our guest list spots, then we lost them! All the more reason to act fast on this one!*

Eight Bit Tiger at Schubas

2012-01-21T16:58:00.003-06:00

Eight Bit Tiger will be getting funky at schubas on the 26th of January
with Audiences and Il Tandre Neu.

This is a show worth checking out.

Eight Bit Tiger - "Bad Advice"

POSTPONED! saki After Hours: Predictive Gaming

2012-01-20T12:04:00.002-06:00

Predictive Gaming has been postoned, new date TBA!

Predictive Gaming for Substandard Filmsis an evening of entertainment that incorporates game show elements into a screening of a "so-bad-it's-good" style movie. Halfway between Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Scene It!, Predictive Gaming invites movie fans to place bets on the plot of a campy B-movie throughout the screening in hopes to take home fabulous prizes - like Schubas, Lincoln Hall & Metro guest list spots & saki gift certificates! So as to prevent precocious predictors from premeditating their prizewinning, the ﬁlm being screened will not be announced in advance, but bad movie fans (and game show enthusiasts) must trust that saki has dug up a real winner!

Predictive Gaming for Substandard Films, the bad movie game show, is tonight at 8pm at saki. RSVP on the book of faces if you wanna be social about it... As with all our events, Predictive Gaming is FREE & BYOB if you've got your ID.

INDIE RETAILERS & VINYL SALES IN THESE, OUR MODERN (END OF) DAYS

2012-01-20T10:47:00.004-06:00

I'll just let the picture do the talking, here. Of vinyl albums sold in 2011, indie retailers accounted for a whopping 67% of said sales. That purple area on the chart, that's the indies. But we're not out of the woods yet....

According to stats recently shared with Digital Music News by Nielsen Soundscan, more than two-thirds (or 67 percent) of all vinyl albums in the US were sold by indie record stores last year. And this is a booming niche: last year, vinyl sales reached 3.9 million units, the biggest mark in two decades and a 39 percent gain over 2010. That's still about one-percent of broader album sales, but a rare example of growth in the physical category.

All of which raises a major problem: vinyl is on a serious comeback, but the main driver of those sales is drying up. Last year, neighborhood fixtures like Atlanta-based Criminal Records were threatened with shutdown, and even bigger outlets like Amoeba Records are struggling to find their footing.

In 2010, indie retailers accounted for an even more impressive 71 percent of all vinyl sales in the US.

Wait, What?!?!?!?!

2012-01-19T14:49:00.002-06:00

So, as many of you have heard by now, file hosting service Megaupload has been shut down by the feds. Wait 'til you hear who the CEO is. Can't say I saw that coming... http://www.factmag.com/2012/01/19/swizz-beats-is-the-ceo-of-megaupload/

The Wettest County In The World by Matt Bondurant

2012-01-19T14:19:00.003-06:00

For fans of The Proposition, Assassination of Jesse James..., The Road, or, well, Nick Cave, Warren Ellis & John Hillcoat - they've teamed up again! The Wettest County is an upcoming film directed by Hillcoat with original music from Cave & Ellis, & screenplay by Cave. The screenplay is based on a historical novel by Matt Bondurant called The Wettest County In The World. It is an account of 3 brothers (Bondurant's actual grandfather & great uncles) who ran a bootlegging operation in rural Virginia. It's pretty much a done deal that this movie will be great, but we highly recommend checking out Bondurant's novel before seeing the film. You can read the New York Times review of the book here and pick up the book at saki for $9.50 (paperback).

Caine #164

2012-01-19T01:34:00.001-06:00

office ambience 1.18.12

2012-01-18T17:15:00.000-06:00

OVERTURE (for OTHER HALFS) - Brian McBride from ZF FILMS on Vimeo.

Antietam National Mailing

2012-01-18T16:01:00.000-06:00

Antietam the Band, being the self-described "very curious children who can't sit still" that they are, have launched several blogs worth following recently.

You can keep up to date with all the blog updates through the Antietam the Band Facebook page. But here's the in-depth goodies we got from Tara Key that we are very excited to keep up with!

"First- About the antietamtheband.com site. I will definitely be updating it through time, but it is largely a historical (and a mighty one, at that) site. I would encourage anyone who wants to know more in depth about us prior to this year to still poke around. But it is not the place to go for the latest news. The site to keep up to date on our current band exploits is: Antietam Weekly Reader.

Second- TK has a photo blog up and running. You can follow that at: Antietam Daily Eye.

Third- We are so excited to launch Tim's blog on art, travel, sensory perception of all sorts and, who knows what, this week. The first set of posts will be his book/essay, Antonello's Moment, broken down into 12 parts. TK did most of the photos for the book. The intro and first chapter are up with more to come very shortly. It can be found at: Aesthetic Diary."

While you're at it, don't forget to read the diary entries from the Yo La Tengo Hannukah shows. Nights 5 & 6 written by Antietam's Tim Harris and performed in by Tara Key, and night 8 written by Antietam & Other Music's Josh Maddell.

Metro ticket giveaways!

2012-01-18T14:25:00.002-06:00

We've got one pair each for these upcoming Metro shows! Just buy one of the band's releases at saki and we'll put you and friend on the guest list for that show. We only have one set to give for each show, so act fast!

~~Smith Westerns 2/3~~ Smith Westerns tickets have been claimed!

Charles Bradley 2/18

~~Of Montreal 3/28~~ The Of Montreal spots have been claimed!

~~Youth Lagoon 4/4~~ Youth Lagoon spots have been claimed!

Neon Indian 4/6

Psych Fest ticket giveaway!

2012-01-18T14:25:00.000-06:00

We've got a pair of tickets for each day of Chicago Psych Fest 3 to give away! Just pick up any release from CAVE, The Velcro Lewis Group, Dark Fog, Plastic Crimewave Sound, Rabble Rabble or Verma and you get the pair for the day of that band's performance!

Today is the last day to claim these guest list spots! Hurry up!

saki in Time Out Chicago!

2012-01-18T12:56:00.002-06:00

Madeline Nusser of Time Out Chicago had some nice things to say about us and our friends at Logan Hardware and Bucket O' Blood! Read Madelines "Record Store Renaissance" article for Time Out here! Madeline really seems to get what we've got going on here at saki, and we appreciate it. If you want to appreciate it too, you should come out for our saki After Hours: Predictive Gaming for Substandard Films event on Friday! The game starts at 8 and it's FREE. We'll supply the popcorn and the prizes, you just get to have fun and bring whatever libations you prefer... see you then!

The Return of Unsane!

2012-01-17T17:52:00.002-06:00

Blurt has the scoop:

Legendary NYC rock powerhouse UNSANE has completed work on its long awaited new album, titled "WRECK". Their seventh full length, it gets a March 20 release date via Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles label.

Recorded by the band and producer Andrew Schneider at Brooklyn's Translator Audio (Pelican, Keelhaul, etc.), "WRECK" is described by the label as "an unfettered burst of pent up emotions and frustrations channeled into song and an unflinching glance into a type of life others probably should not lead.... darkly abrasive and poetic music delivered with a fearsome intensity."

They will also team up with The Melvins for a 21 city tour that curiously includes DeKalb, IL but not Chicago. 8-P

First Concert

2012-01-17T09:37:00.001-06:00

Sign #48

2012-01-16T22:02:00.001-06:00

Epitonic: "Could vinyl save music retailers?"

2012-01-16T16:00:00.000-06:00

Bob Hopkinson over at Epitonic writes:

...there are more sales of vinyl records than in the previous ten to fifteen years. Couple this "cool factor" with the record store's ability to offer of a product that subscription streaming services can't (music ownership) and what digital outlets lack (a physical product of superior audio quality that is impervious to computer crashes) and the independent record store has a viable product to help sustain its business. Only two years ago there were claims that albums were becoming obsolete. Now it appears as though albums may be revitalizing the music industry and saving the record store.

It's important to remember that while vinyl sales are increasing, they still occupy a teeny, tiny niche of all music sales. Through October 2011, overall music sales were at 249 million albums, with the booming vinyl market occupying a mere 1.6% of overall sales. The good news? Indie record stores, labels, and distributors have always occupied a niche, and most of us like it here. We are nimble.

I think it's disingenuous to imagine that file sharing doesn't affect album sales. When I talk to kids, kids that buy albums, they almost all say that the majority of their friends don't buy music and never have. How can this not affect music sales? Saying that piracy doesn't affect sales is like telling somebody that their hernia surgery is "only minor." The good news is that there is still a subset of music consumers who find value in purchasing music. Some combination of sound quality, ownership, and supporting artists compels them to actually pay for music. Serving this subset keeps us in business, and for them, we and the artists they support through purchases, are grateful.

New Releases @ saki 1/17/12!

2012-01-16T15:28:00.005-06:00

Aidan Baker "The Spectrum Of Distraction" CD
Bazan & Deerhoof "Split 7" 7''
Deerhoof "Reveille" LP (re-issue)
Guided By Voices "Let's Go Eat The Factory" LP/CD
Mark Lanegan Band "The Gravedigger's Song" 7''
Los Nombres "*9" CD/LP (re-issue)
V/A "Intended Play" LP (Matador/True Panther vinyl sampler - only $1.50!)
Cut Hands "Afro Noise" Vols. 1 & 2 LPs
Herculaneum "Uchu" LP
Junior Kimbrough "You Better Run: The Essential Junior Kimbrough" LP
Mickey Murray "People Are Together" LP
Neverever "Shake-a-Baby" LP
Todd Terje "It's The Arps" 12"
Mark Van Hoen "Revenant Diary" LP

Carter Tanton Epitonic Session @ saki Today @ 4pm!!!

2012-01-16T14:16:00.002-06:00

We'll be hosting a live session with Carter Tanton today at 4pm. Rolling Stone had this to say about him: "His indie-seraphim voice is not of this world - set in the same alpine reverb where Jim James of My Morning Jacket lives - while the iridescent bloom of the guitars is a quality flashback to the clean-twang & country-fuzz blend of the 1968-69 Byrds." We'll also be offering 15% off all Western Vinyl titles through this weekend, so be sure to stop in!!!

A freaking life-sized storm trooper cake sculpture!

2012-01-16T14:00:00.000-06:00

Are you kidding me?! Holy Kaw indeed!

Who thought the dark side could taste this good?

600 attendees of the Arisia Sci-Fi Convention in Boston took a bite out of galactic injustice thanks to the efforts of ten people working for two weeks on this 6’4”, 300 lbs treat.

The Daily News

2012-01-16T13:58:00.001-06:00

1926 N. Halsted, Chicago.

4 Best Words in the English Language

2012-01-16T12:00:00.000-06:00

Pitchers and catchers report.

Cubs Feb. 18
White Sox Feb. 22

(Uncredited photo from MLB Vineline.)

Catch Pitchfork raving about THE WIPERS in their new feature "Underscore"

2012-01-16T09:13:00.009-06:00

I mean, who can deny the influence of The Wipers? C'mon. The answer is NOBODY. CTD has been fortunate enough to carry all of the Jackpot Records LP releases by The Wipers - Is It Real?, Youth of America, Over The Edge, The Herd, Silver Sail and Out Takes. Even Pitchfork knows it...and they love boasting their knowledge to the world at large ~

"Sage was truly a studio artist. A gearhead too. He had a particular softness for vacuum tube technology. To hear him tell it, this made Sage an anomaly. Guitarists in the late 70s and early 80s were apparently trading in their tube amps for solid-state ones, which were newer and lighter and less breakable. I find all this hard to believe, as I've never met a working guitarist who would choose solid-state over tube amps. Either way, Sage was obsessed with the musical way a signal distorts when you overdrive a tube. He tinkered at the level of valves and voltage to attempt a guitar sound that was scary as hell but still had a thick, warm tone. That's what you're hearing on Is This Real?, Wipers' first LP. Just listen to the first few seconds of 'Return of the Rat' and you'll hear it-- the guitars are sludgy but still articulate and colorful. I always imagine hot lava slowly spilling out of headphones."

"What we get here is a marvelously weird and emotive record about feeling trapped and fucked over, but also resenting one's own victim complex. While Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Black Flag, et al. were figuring out ways to make punk faster and rawer, Sage went the other direction: long, expansive guitar anthems that leveraged krautrock motorik and psych-rock feedback-delay effects. Songs on Youth of America are slower yet more propulsive. It's a defiantly un-rock move to rip out the backbeat and let the songs stretch out with little more than a kick/snare timekeep, the bassline just rolling along, indifferent to what it buoys."

"Over the Edge, which came next, has the needle moving back toward straight-up punk. There are tricks here, but they're under the hood, not as explicitly artsy as what was happening onYouth of America. To me, these are his best songs on nearly every level: concise and immediate but recorded in that contrarian, distinctly Sage-like way. Sage seems to have baked the psychoacoustic context in which he wants us to hear this music into the recordings themselves: punk-inflected pop songs you stumble on while turning through the AM dial late night, maybe, and curse yourself for missing the band names. The songs are, to use a James Murphy phrase, "too old to be new, too new to be classic."

Todd Terje "It's The Arps" 12" 7.6 on Pitchfork

2012-01-16T08:59:00.004-06:00

CTD is fresh on the heels of the latest 12" release from Smalltown Supersound, titled It's The Arps by Todd Terje,...crafted entirely with an ARP2600 analog synthesizer. And Pitchfork woke up on a Monday in January and gave it a 7.6!

"This might've been lost in the space disco explosion a half-decade ago, but with his contemporaries wandering off into prog, kraut, and sundry other forms of out-music, the clean lines and easy momentum of It's the Arps are really refreshing. And Jesus, it's fun. The trouble with moments, of course, is extending them. Terje has the imagination."

"On It's the Arps, he trades the sturdy eight-minute structures of Ragysh for a baggier and more colorful sound. 'Inspector Norse' would be a pro-forma space-disco jam in lesser hands - it has that bulbous bassline, the tint of humor - but Terje transforms it into a daytime noir, one that spreads its pinging notes wide."

Megan Reilly Photo Shoot

2012-01-15T20:30:00.001-06:00

Megan Reilly Photo Shoot w/Jason Creps, a set on Flickr.

Spent Saturday doing a great photo shoot with Jason Creps for Megan's new album, "The Well". These are iPhone 4 pics from the shoot. Can't wait to see the finished products!

Tom Scharpling reviews Lulu track by track

2012-01-15T14:09:00.004-06:00

So Tom Scharpling (perhaps best known as the host of The Best Show on WFMU), along with a handful of other talented music writers, recently started a podcast that features in-depth, long form interviews with musicians. The way I've been pitching the show to people is "WTF with bands instead of comedians", and that's mostly accurate. The show is called Low Times (as in not High Times, it took me a while to get it, too), and three episodes in, it's already become one of my favorite podcasts. One of the best things about the show is that the interviews are structured to ensure fans of the featured artists can enjoy the discussions as much as non-fans.

One of the best conversations thus far has been with Geoff Rickly from Thursday. He's incredibly candid and self-aware, holding nothing back in his assessment of his band's career. Low Times is clearly made for and by indie rock nerds, so this intelligent account of the world of Warped Tours and Victory Records-sponsored pornography is probably not something most listeners (and readers of this blog) would be familiar with. It's a fascinating talk that I can't recommend enough.

That's not why I'm writing this, though. The Low Times web site also features blog entries, exclusive conversation snippets, and the occasional long-form article. Scharpling is currently in the midst of reviewing the universally panned Lulu, a record that was borne from an ill-advised collaboration between Lou Reed & Metallica. The album quickly became a punching bag/punch line for amateur Twitter comedians and armchair music critics, and Scharpling's analysis of the knee-jerk critical reception surrounding the project, as well as his more visceral gut reactions to the album are incredibly compelling from his rock fan perspective.

The conceit of the project is that each track gets it's own entry, prefaced by a reflection on the album and the reception to the reviews themselves. Lucky for us, the Lulu website has the whole album available for streaming, so there's no reason to not listen along to the track being reviewed as Scharpling offers his analysis of the song, and it's position within the careers of both Reed and Metallica.

At the time of this writing, he's on track seven of ten and seems to have almost entirely lost patience with the album at this point; like a disappointed uncle, wishing his nephew's would get their act together, stop fucking around, and put their talents to work, rather than writing concept albums about a young woman's descent into prostitution in mid 1920s Berlin or whatever.

Read Scharpling's reviews here

John Belushi's Joliet Prison Employee ID

2012-01-12T16:00:00.000-06:00

Cut Hands

2012-01-12T14:22:00.002-06:00

CUT HANDS “Volume 1 & 2” -- On paper, “Afro Noise” might seem like a faintly ludicrous idea. It’s testament to the abilities of William Bennett, however, that the end result is no such thing. Since the dissolution of Whitehouse several years ago (at the very least - the iteration featuring longtime collaborator Philip Best), Bennett, a serious music collector and enthusiast of all genres of music including Italo Disco (!), immersed himself in the indigenous musics of Ghana, the Congo, and Haiti, finding new inspiration in these largely percussion-based forms of music. Yes, this is occasionally abrasive, but far more accessible than most of the Whitehouse material (even though several Whitehouse tracks are incorporated into the fold) and while some might find a double album’s worth of material like this daunting and somewhat exhausting, one has to admit that it sounds like nothing else around -- the visceral yet heady brew Bennett creates here is remarkably intoxicating and invigorating. This 2-part vinyl release also includes 3 bonus tracks that were recently featured on a Japanese-only EP. Now in stock at saki and on tour in February -- Cut Hands plays live at the Empty Bottle on 2/18.

Carter Tanton: Epitonic saki Session & ticket giveaway!

2012-01-12T13:15:00.001-06:00

Yeah, it's a Monday, but January 16th will be one of the best Mondays ever at saki! Western Vinyl's new guy, Carter Tanton is playing an Epitonic saki Session! Carter has worked with some pretty amazing artists, and some our favorites around these parts: Marissa Nadler, Twin Shadow & Lower Dens. His new solo record "Freeclouds" has seen Carter Tanton quickly ascending to the top of the indie-singer/songwriter pile, garnering praise from NPR, Pitchfork, Consequence of Sound, SPIN & many, many more.

So take off work early on the 16th! It's a free show and the experience is well worth the lost wages!

We've also got 2 pairs of tickets for Carter's 1/15 Tomorrow Never Knows show at Lincoln Hall w/ Two Gallants, Boy & Death Ships! All you've got to do is come in to saki and buy ANYTHING to enter. If you buy Carter's, Melissa's or Lower Den's stuff you get to enter your name twice! We'll draw the winners on the 12th!

We also have Epitonic saki Sessions in January with Hospitality, The Damn Choir, Paper Thick Walls, Brokeback & Miracle Condition!

Epitonic saki Session w/ Hospitality!

2012-01-12T13:15:00.000-06:00

Merge Records' new "it" kids, Hospitality are playing an Epitonic saki Session @ 6pm on Friday, January 13th! They're New York transplants who sing about being young adults in the city that never sleeps. Hospitality are an indie-pop group that seems perfect for this moment, but show a promise to stick around long past it too. Their set will be filmed and recorded for an Epitonic saki Session!

Chicago's own Deep Sea Mammal will be opening for Hospitality. Deep Sea Mammal is the collaboration between veteran Chicago drummer/vocalist Daniel Majid (Panoramic & True, Woo-man and the Banana, Julia Klee), Cleveland, Ohio guitarist/vocalist Shawn Flowers (CHUM, Flat Black Tornado) and Indiana University Masters of Music graduate bassist/vocalist Peter Debelak. They will play a fitting host for our out of town friends!

We will most likely have a tickets to give away for Hospitality's Lincoln Hall show on the 14th, but stay tuned for details on that. We're not sure yet...

Get Photos Sent Directly From Mars to Your Phone

2012-01-12T12:48:00.000-06:00

From Wired Science blogs:

Text messaging and e-mail is so yesterday. Why not use your smartphone to get pictures from the surface of another planet?

The Mars Images app fetches images from the NASA Opportunity rover’s latest downlink as soon as they’re available. On Mars since 2004, Opportunity has far exceeded its planned mission life and is still making groundbreaking discoveries, such as the recent unambiguous evidence that water once flowed on Mars.

Developed by computer scientist Mark Powell of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the app also allows you to browse older photos from the rover’s archive. It is free and available for both iPhone/iPad and Android phones.

NASA will add the image archive from Opportunity’s twin, the now defunct Spirit rover, in later versions of the app. The agency is also planning to release a similar app for the Mars Science Laboratory, once it gets on the ground and starts snapping photos in August.

via @JenLucPiquant

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell/ASU

Great Society Mind Destroyers "Spirit Smoke" LP

2012-01-12T12:41:00.004-06:00

You're going to want to take a good look at the image to the left. Let it sink in... now come buy Great Society Mind Destroyers "Spirit Smoke" LP at saki! These guys have played saki a few times and if you're one of the lucky ones who caught their show you should have no doubt in your mind that you need to own this record. This is rock music as it's meant to be - loud, psychedelic and LOUD.