The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin Outtakes

This is just a small post I'm making because I care.

The Flaming Lips are one of my favorite bands and I recently bought (hey, some of us have to do it) The Soft Bulletin 2009 reissue and was happy to discover it came with a little bonus CD that contains 3 songs that were cut from The Soft Bulletin. Now I'm sure a lot of you guys already have these since they also came with The Soft Bulletin 5.1 but that wasn't released everywhere so a lot of people missed out on these songs.

They're great tracks, real top notch stuff. The Captain, has to be one of the coolest Flaming Lips songs I've heard, with a sort of shoegaze (a la My Bloody Valentine) sound to it. There's also the undeniably sweet Satellite of You, which is just one big ol' metaphor for love. Awww, bless.

So, grab it if you don't already got it.

Give it a listen

Double 180 gram LP reissue of one of the greatest albums of all time, complete with bonus cd of outtakes that are as good as the stuff that made the cut? Huh...I might buy that

Sea Snakes - Clear as Day, the Darkest Tools (2004)

So, your hipster cred is down and you need an album to boost it back up. Well, I've got this album...let's get the checklist and see how it fares.

1. Must be by a non-british/non-american band. Check
2. Must be the only album by said band. Check
3. Must have less than 2,000 listeners on last.fm. Check
4. Album art must not have the name of the band or album on it. Check

Oh, well there you go. You'll have to check out this slice of indie pie.

Sea Snakes only put out one album (this one, hurr durr) before each member went off to do his own thing (maybe you heard of one or two of them). It's a darn shame as well, because this is one of the best albums that I've heard in a long time.

Not too dissimilar from A Weather I suppose, they have that same quiet/quiet dynamic and both bands kick out some beautiful songs, but Sea Snakes have a certain sound to them. They're quite wintery, I guess. They sound like they're playing in a shed in the middle of winter, that's what it is. And I suppose the lack of a female vocalist makes their songs less sweet and more emotional. Think A Weather and American Football mixed together with a pinch of I Am Robot And Proud and you might get an idea of what I'm talking about. Better yet, get the damn album.

Quiet, acoustic-ish, wintery, indie cred boosting indie pop. Get on it.

Give it a listen

I would spend money in order to boost my indie cred. COME ONNNNNNN.

UT - In Gut's House (1987)

Okay, so now that the holiday season really has come to an end I should hopefully be updating this thing on a regular basis. Don't quote me on that, though.

So what's todays album all about, then? Nothing much, really. Just an amazing, long forgotten, punk album that came out of artsy New York way back in the mid 80s. Disorientated, multi-part vocals are layered over some jagged, atonal guitars with some rather minimilistic drumming that sort of fades into the discordant noise the guitars and vocals produce. It's all very artsy and raw.

Of course, you could argue that it's one of those albums that's easier to appreciate rather than enjoy. Something about a bunch of women playing experimental punk rock must've been pretty impressive back in the day, and it probably holds some significance even now.

But fuck that, I just think it sounds awesome.

Give it a listen

This album is so different, just like me. I'm actually going to BUY this.

Top 10 LPs of 2009

10. Watercolor Paintings - Open Your Mouth

This right here is one of the sweetest albums to come out this year. You've got two kids, brother and sister, throwing out some simple yet beautiful tracks. Think Nana Grizol meets Joanna Newsom in your basement with a tape recorder and you'll have an idea of what these guys sound like. Check it out.

Give it a listen
They're so sweet I think I'll visit their myspace


9. The Loneliest Cowgirls - I Shall Be Free

Some people will judge me for liking this record but I don't care. For those out of the loop The Loneliest Cowgirls is the brainchild of some 16 year old kid living in Montana. And it's painfully obvious that these songs are the bedroom recordings of a heartbroken kid with a guitar, but that just makes it all the better. It's raw, emotional trash and it's excellent.

Give it a listen


8. Ramona Falls - Intuit

Ramona Falls is one third of awesome indie band Menomena and this is his debut solo effort. And man-oh-man is it good. Catchy tunes, beautiful instrumentation and powerful lyrics. At times it actually gets pretty dramatic and almost theatrical, providing a truly interesting listen. It's creative, it's different and it's a little bit special. Couldn't recommend this more.

Give it a listen
I'm so artsy and cool I'm actually going to buy this


7. The Starlets - I Wake Up Dreaming

Nobody seems to know who The Starlets are. Let me tell you now, they're one of the best bands to come out of this decade. Hauntingly beautful dream pop is this Glascow bands forte and they push the boat out on their latest album. At times it's painfully melancholic but sometimes, just sometimes, a beautiul ray of joy pokes its head out of the lush soundscape. Sure they've recycled some of the songs of their earlier albums (particularly Further Into The Night) but you've not heard those either so shut up.

Give it a listen


6. The Leisure Society - The Sleeper

Calm, soothing, wonderous, relaxing, beautiful. All of these words (and no doubt more) can be applied to this album, and indeed the band responsible for it. This is another one of those albums that seemed to come out of nowhere and unfortunately only a few people found out about it. This album shows what this band is capable of and is definately one of the best debuts this year. I wish them nothing but luck in the future, and I'll always be keeping an eye out for them.

Give it a listen
These guys sound so cool I'm going to buy their LP AND EP


5. fun. - Aim and Ignite

Marmite.
This album is marmite. Some people love it like no other and others hate it with a firey passion. It's an odd thing, really. Some people really love the upbeat, broadway-esque music and the often overly-dramatic vocals and these people take nothing but joy in singing along to All The Pretty Girls which just oozes Queen. But then some people hate all that. I have my suspicions that those people are boring.

Give it a listen
You BUY marmite? Hahaha, oh wow


4. Jeffrey Lewis And The Junkyard - 'Em Are I

Folk-punk seems to be the hip new thang with bands like Andrew Jackson Jihad and Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains becoming ever more popular with their short, sweet songs that get stuck in your head for days on end. Andrew Jackson Jihad even released a new album this year, but it ain't got a patch on 'Em Are I. Sure, each to their own but this album doesn't have a kazoo sonata whilst it does have an 8 minute experimental epic that is equal parts folk-punk, jazz and post-rock. Sound interesting? You bet your ass it is.

Give it a listen
I would pay good money for an 8 minute folk-punk/jazz/post-rock track alone


3. Stardeath And White Dwarves - The Birth

If you've seen The Flaming Lips on tour recently you no doubt saw this bunch of kids supporting them. Stardeath And White Dwarves are an excellent band who have but out one of the most remarkable albums this year. Flaming Lips comparisons aside this is a beautiful, psychedelic, experimental and downright groovy album. Each track is different, from the funky, noisy masterpiece that is Those Who Are From The Sun Return To The Sun or the amazingly beautiful album closer Smoking Pot Makes Me Not Want to Kill Myself.

Give it a listen
Smoking pot makes me want to buy albums


2. Pomegranates - Everybody, Come Outside!

I dont know how to describe these guys. Uhh...as if Vampire Weekend weren't as boring and had a tonne more influences? And they're signed to Lujo Records (proud parents of Look Mexico) so you know they can't be bad. This album is immensly enjoyable, with each track being a little quirky indie gem. I don't know what else to say, it's just a really great album and I honestly can't wait to hear more of these guys.

Give it a listen
Quirky indie music? I'm going to buy a copy and show it to all my hip indie friends


1. Future of the Left - Travels With Myself And Another

I always knew this was my #1, from the moment I pushed play. Maybe it was the quiet opening that made me turn up the volume only to be scared to death by some guy shouting "C'MON RICK, I'M NOT PRIZE" at the top of his voice. But I always knew. This is the second album from the welsh noise rock band made up from the broken pieces of the always relevent Mclusky. This album is an agressive, noisy, sometimes funny collection of songs about everything from the army to plastic forks. With its awesome riffs, catchy-as-fuck songs and shout along choruses it certainly deserves the title of my album of the year.

Give it a listen
C'MON RICK, I'M NOT A PRIZE. I'M NOT A CYNIC OR ONE OF THOSE GUYS.


Well that's it for my top 10 LPs but I think I might compile a short list of favorite EPs as well, so keep an eye out.

Various Artists - XMAS MIX (2009)

It's the most wonderful time of the year (give or take a few days) so it's time to ditch all that good music you've been listening to for the majority of the year and stick on some Christmas themed tracks that everyone can enjoy!

Actually, fuck that. How about some music that wouldn't be out of place in your music collection whilst still retaining something that warrents them a spin at this most festive season? How about a Christmas playlist?

So this is a playlist lovingly created by some indispensable lass that I'm lucky to know. "What's on it?" I hear you ask. Well...I ain't gonna tell you, that's like giving people presents without wrapping them. Everyone knows half the fun is not knowing what the gift is going to be, thinking it's going to be that Archers of Loaf tshirt you asked for and ripping off the festive paper to discover it's actually a few pairs of socks.

But y'know what? Socks are fucken ace, and so is this playlist. So see what you make of it, and see if you can get yourself into the festive spirit without having to listen to WHAM!

Give it a listen

Archers Of Loaf tshirts? I'll take 20!

The Lillingtons - Death By Television (1999)

I was thinking of what to upload and post about today. I still have a lot of emo albums I want to share (left over from emo week!) but I feel like you, the reader, need a break from all that emocore nonsense. But then I was struggling to think of what I could possibly upload. Hmm...

Oh, what this? One of the greatest pop-punk albums ever? An album that is criminally overlooked by the public and critics alike? Sounds like the kind of thing I usually post around here, so why change now?

Well...actually, I feel like I've overhyped it now. Don't be expecting some album that will change your life and make you a better person, because this album ain't gonna do the trick. Don't get me wrong, it certainly is a masterpiece but only in the sense of it's the best at what it does. And what it does is throw countless two-minute punk tracks at you, each with catchy guitar hooks and melodies and choruses you'll be shouting *ahem* singing along to in no time.

Give it a whirl. You need some decent, manly punk to get you away from that sissy, emotional stuff.

Give it a listen

I want to be man and men BUY their music

A Weather - Cove (2008)

Well, long time no post. I think I've posted enough emo albums to last you all a good while (which is a shame, because I actually had a few more I wanted to share but I guess I'll save those for a rainy day). So to take a break from all that noisey, angsty, emotional bullshit here's a quiet, innocent and truly heartfelt album by some band you've never heard of. Does that sound good? Well, ever onwards then!

Again, this is one of those albums I've completely forgotten the story to - that is to say, I have no idea how I heard about it or got my hands on it but I have to admit, I wouldn't have it any other way. It seems so magical as a result.

A Weather are from all over the place, but they're based in Oregon which is where they make all those quiet, innocent, heartfelt songs I went on about before. And as far as I'm aware this is their only album as of now, and it's beautiful. Nine songs. That's all it is. Nine wonderful songs, each with its own story and personality. It's one of those albums were it's so hard to choose your favorite track because they're all amazing and unique. The one thing they all have in common is this very "hush" sound that makes listening to this album a very personal experience; it's like the band is whispering to you (telling you everything is going to be alright...ish). The lyrics are part of their charm as well, telling tales of heartbreak and the like. It's all stuff we can relate to and it really does add to that personal element I was just chattering on about.

And come on, the band themselves describes their songs as “The things that stuffed animals might tell you if they’d had a few too many.” If that doesn't appeal to you then I honestly think there's very little hope for you.

Give it a listen

It's like the band is whispering to me...they're saying "buy our album"