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Best
of 2006/2005/2004/2003
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Every week we Parasol folks confess to what's been thrilling
us during the past week.
You can contribute as well, just email us your week's list (link
below) and we'll post it!
Personal Playlists
Send your entries to: angie@parasol.com
RE: Personal Picks |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, AUGUST 26, 2008 |
JIM:
|
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Mercury
Rev - Yerself Is Steam/Lego My Ego DCD
Count
me among those seducers, bonged-out lovers and fine-eager seekers
who was instantly transported to age 23 once again, re-experiencing
one of the finest debuts in post-modern psych-rockdom. Fans
of early-to-mid-period Flaming Lips need to re-embrace this
wiser and indeed weirder thing. |
ROY:
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Hey
Mercedes - Unorchestrated 12"
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| ANGIE: |
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Neilson
Hubbard - I Love Your Muscles CD Love Love Love
everything Neilson does...why isn't this guy famous???
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| PAUL: |
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Matthew
Sweet - Sunshine Lies
Pauly is out on tour playing guitar with Matthew! We miss him
so! |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, AUGUST 19, 2008 |
JIM:
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Eddie
Vedder - Into The Wild (OST) CD
It's been long time since I could even
listen to Eddie Vedder but his solo, mostly acoustic songs for
an pretty awesome motion picture has been my Summer soundtrack.
The perfect score for large-scale gardening projects, patio
re-reconstruction and gutter painting, along with countless
High Lifes, Red Stripes and Mothership Wits.
|
ROY:
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Bongripper
- Hate Ashbury (Cassette)
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| ANGIE: |
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CSS
- Donkey CD
I heard a CSS song on the local college radio station and fell
in love. It's everything I love the most. Like 2008's answer
to the Go-Go's (in a really good way!) HOOT
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| PAUL: |
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Matthew
Sweet - Sunshine Lies
(ON SALE / PRE-ORDER: SALEABLE AUGUST 26TH)
Pauly is out on tour playing bass with Matthew! We miss him
so!
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Welcome
to thrillsville, AUGUST 5, 2008 |
JIM:
|
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U2
- Boy [expanded deluxe re-issue] CD
U2
- October
[expanded deluxe re-issue] CD |
U2
- War [expanded deluxe re-issue]CD (ALL
ON SALE)
U2’s
first three albums have been remastered and were released July
22nd. Following the remastered release of The Joshua Tree last
year, Edge has overseen a similar remastering of Boy (1980),
October (1981) and War (1983). All of which have been remastered
from the original audio tapes. Deluxe double version including
a disc of b-sides, live tracks and rarities. The packaging on
all three titles has been restored and expanded, with new liner
notes for each record, previously unseen photos and full lyrics,
purportedly housed in a book like Joshua Tree.
|
ANGIE:
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Black
Kids - Partie Traumatic CD
Debut album produced by Bernard Butler (Suede. PITCHFORK: "Black
Kids make catchy, tightly executed songs that put a memorable
stamp on pop's classic themes."
|
| ROY: |
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Various
- Yee-Haw!: The Other Side of Country
CD
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| PAUL: |
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Dr.
Dog - Fate CD
Fate" sees the Philadelphia-based quintet
filtering the gamut of American popular music into its own idiosyncratic
brand of blue-eyed, dilated-pupil soul. As ever, Dr. Dog makes
magic from an enduring pop palette of intricate harmonies, shape-shifting
melodies, and ramshackle audio ingenuity - all presented through
the band's slightly skewed and utterly individualistic outlook.
Dr. Dog have toured with Wilco, Strokes, Raconteurs, Black Keys,
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Magic Numbers, Cold War Kids, and
more.
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Welcome
to thrillsville, JULY 29, 2008 |
JIM:
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{{{Sunset}}}
- The Glowing City CD
{{{Sunset}}}
follow-ups their spellbinding debut, Bright Blue Dream, with
The Glowing City, equal parts seamless song cycle and singles
collection. Skip around, spend some time with a suite of tracks,
or take it in all at once. Songs about reflection, exhaustion
of life and circumstance, join with pop sensibilities in a beautifully
comic-tragic fashion.
|
ANGIE:
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Band
Of Annuals - Let Me Live CD
An amazing combo of devastating heartbreaking alt-country earnestness
and perfect pop-hook craftsmanship. This 6-piece Salt Lake City
band will remind you of the likes of Ryan Adams, Magnolia Electric
Co., Neko Case, Damian Jurado and many others. A+
|
| ROY: |
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Beachwood
Sparks - Once We Were Trees CD
Cailfornian
country-rock & Essex Green-styled psych whimsey. Stereophonic
earcandy, countrified rock, pastoral psych, & Haight-Ashbury
collide.
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| PAUL: |
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Guy
Clark - Old No. 1 CD
His debut from '75 is one of the all time classic
country singer-songwriter records. From the rollicking Texas
swing of opener "Rita Ballou" to the fingerpicked
heartbreak of closer "Let Him Roll" there is not a
stinker to be found. Feat. EMMYLOU HARRIS, RODNEY CROWELL &
a young STEVE EARLE.
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Welcome
to thrillsville, JULY 22, 2008 |
JIM:
|
|
{{{Sunset}}}
- The Glowing City CD
{{{Sunset}}}
follow-ups their spellbinding debut, Bright Blue Dream, with
The Glowing City, equal parts seamless song cycle and singles
collection. Skip around, spend some time with a suite of tracks,
or take it in all at once. Songs about reflection, exhaustion
of life and circumstance, join with pop sensibilities in a beautifully
comic-tragic fashion.
|
ANGIE:
|
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Various
Artists - Thank You For the Music (Licking Fingers) CD
Sweden's Licking Fingers label (home to Concretes, Frida Hyvonen,
El Perro del Mar) offer this new comp enshrining the best of
contemporary Swedish music. 21 songs, including a few unreleased
tracks, digipacked and ready to go! Features Anna Järvinen,
Jens Lekman, Lykke Li, Shout Out Louds, Concretes, Radio Dept,
Studio, Loney Dear, Wildbirds & Peacedrums, El Perro del
Mar, The Tiny, Frida Hyvönen, Nicolai Dunger, many more.
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| ROY: |
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Beck
- Sea Change CD
From 2002...
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Welcome
to thrillsville, JULY 8, 2008 |
JIM:
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Beaujolais
- Love At Thirty CD
Debut
album from Beaujolais, AKA Joe Ziemba, former frontman for Wolfie
(Mud, March, Kindercore, Parasol), Busytoby (Parasol) and The
Like Young (Parasol, Polyvinyl). Conceptual, personal, monumental.
|
ANGIE:
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X
- See How We Are (+6) CD
Remastered reissue with 6 bonus tracks. Includes 4th Of July,
See How We Are, & I'm Lost. 20 page booklet.
|
GEOFF:
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Wendy
& Bonnie - Genesis CD
San Francisco based teen sisters melodic confections
from 1968. Breezy Brazilian splashes, soft-rock strains &
sisterly harmony.
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| ROY: |
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Woods
- At Rear House CD
Combination
of campfire folk & strange assembly techniques that should
make mouth-breathers everywhere tingle with desire. Indeed,
there is muchto like about the way these guys play by the numbers,
then fall apart and reassemble themselves in different guises.
Gotta say, the new-folk reaction to noise is pretty damn dandy.-Byron
Coley, WIRE
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Welcome
to thrillsville, JUNE 24, 2008 |
JIM:
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Deadman
- Euphoria CD
Dead Man mine the birth of stoner rock, from the Grateful
Dead to Iron Butterfly, trippy and heavy in qual doses, and
now they've signed to Meteor City... Euphoria is much darker
and heavier than their debut self-titled album while maintaining
a thoroughly vintage vibe. There are bluesy up-tempo rockers
alongside melodic folk-pop masterpieces and an unexpected turn
into dark and psyched-out heavy rock. While their debut Self
Titled album made a huge impact on the stoner/prog rock fanatics,
Euphoria will establish Dead Man with cult-status like their
contemporaries Witchcraft and Black Mountain have achieved.
|
ANGIE:
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Beaujolais
- Love At Thirty CD
Debut
album from Beaujolais, AKA Joe Ziemba, former frontman for Wolfie
(Mud, March, Kindercore, Parasol), Busytoby (Parasol) and The
Like Young (Parasol, Polyvinyl). Conceptual, personal, monumental.
|
PAUL:
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Dennis
Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue [Legacy Edition] CD
Long
lost album, found. And augmented. Pure genius. After 30 years,
this lost classic reemerges to the delight of fans worldwide.
Since coming out in 1977, this CD had only been released for
six months in 1991. This collections contains never officially
released tracks from Dennis' Bambu album which only existed
as bootlegs for decades. Per Dennis Wilson 'Everything that
I am or will ever be is in the music. If you want to know me,
just listen.' Features 'Holy Man' an unfinished track that never
received Dennis' vocal part with Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters
laying down brand new vocals. This limited edition deluxe packing
feature 50 page, full color book with two brand new essays and
never-before-seen photos and memorabilia.
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| ROY: |
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Ron
Sexsmith - Exit Strategy of the Soul CD
Sexsmith
expands his musical canon w/ vaulted yet direct string arrangements
& sweeping horn sections, resulting in a work equal in musical
breadth & emotional depth. Delving deep into Cuban music,
Sexsmith recruited legendary Cuban musicians AMAURY PEREZ &
ALEXANDER ABREU as well as experienced arranger JOAQUIN BETANCOURT
to lend latin punch & style to his sweeping, yearnful melodies.
The standout track 'Brandy Alexander,' was co-written w/ fellow
Canadian singer-songwriter FEIST.
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Welcome
to thrillsville, JUNE 17, 2008 |
JIM:
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Endless
Boogie - Focus Level CD
This NYC four-piece started out as an "old man
hobby" and turned into the best psychedelic rock 'n' roll
band in the city (maybe country, possibly world). Endless Boogie
jam, then jam some more. They lock in grooves so tight there's
no escape - like entering a black hole, that last second stretches
out forever. The only thing keeping them from living up to their
name is the physics of the compact disc. The perfect soundtrack
to hot summer nights. Hanging out in the basement. Smoking figs
in the yard. (MORE)
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ANGIE:
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Loretta
Lynn - Van Lear Rose CD
The Coal Miners daughter produced and arranged
by Jack White of the White Stripes.
|
PAUL:
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Notwist
- The Devil, You + Me CD
The
Notwist make music that's at once impossibly personal and hugely
inviting. This release is their most important and moving to
date, in the band's nearly 20 year career. Markus Acher's singular
voice surrounds you with all the comfort of familiarity, the
euphoria of re-acquaintance. It takes a while before the words
and the scale of the musical language sink in.
|
GEOFF:
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The
Monks - Monk Time CD
2004
re-issue of this 1966 proto-punk classic, with bonus tracks.
"One of the strangest stories in rock history, the Monks
were formed in the early '60s by American G.I.s stationed in
Germany. After their discharge, the group stayed on in Germany
as the Torquays, a fairly standard beat band. After changing
their name to the Monks in the mid-'60s, they also changed their
music, attitude, and appearance radically. Gone were standard
oldie covers, replaced by furious, minimalist original material
that anticipated the blunt, harsh commentary of the punk era.
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| ROY: |
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Notwist
- The Devil, You + Me CD
The
Notwist make music that's at once impossibly personal and hugely
inviting. This release is their most important and moving to
date, in the band's nearly 20 year career. Markus Acher's singular
voice surrounds you with all the comfort of familiarity, the
euphoria of re-acquaintance. It takes a while before the words
and the scale of the musical language sink in.
|
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Welcome
to thrillsville, JUNE 10, 2008 |
JIM:
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Fleet
Foxes - S/T CD
Fleet Foxes are five. There are five of them, and
they are from Seattle. They are, for lack of an imminently more
marketable descriptor, a group trafficking in baroque harmonic
pop. And the joy they derive in doing so is palpable. We feel
it too. They are, self-described, not much of a rock band. With
the help of credit cards, minimum wages, tip money, friends
and family, Fleet Foxes crafted their first demo, and subsequently
the Sun Giant EP and this debut full-length album, with family
friend Phil Ek manning the rudder. (MORE)
|
ANGIE:
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Joan
As Policewoman - To Survive CD
ALL MUSIC GUIDE: "If To Survive is any
indication, Joan Wasser's life after Real Life is calmer, but
no less thoughtful, than it was before her beautifully stormy
debut album. Real Life was a major statement, filled with a
lifetime's worth of catharsis. To Survive doesn't try for that
scope -- as the title suggests, these songs are about day to
day concerns that are no less vital: aloneness, togetherness,
love, hope, and righteous anger. However, Joan as Police Woman's
"beauty is the new punk rock" aesthetic is used just
as powerfully here, with the same kind of delicate bravery and
strong vulnerability."
|
PAUL:
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The
Quarter After - Changes Near CD
New album from psych-pop kingpins. Lead by the
two Campanella siblings- songwriter/singer Dominic & guitarist/producer
Robert. Dom's prominent twelve-string Rickenbacker & rich
melodies set the tone for songs that range from dense guitar-driven
psychedelic attacks to further explorations into down home country
in the grand tradition of West Coast rock. They are joined by
a collection of LA musicians including friend & mentor Ric
Menck (Velvet Crush, the Tyde), Matthew Sweet, Miranda Lee Richards,
Mara Keagle, Eric Heywood (Son Volt), Christoff W. Certik (Winter
Flowers), Kirk Hellie (Meow Meow), Probyn Gregory (Wondermints,
Brian Wilson Band), & Matthew Sigley (Lovetones, Daytime
Frequency). (MORE) |
ROY:
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Byrds,
The - Live At Royal Albert Hall 1971 CD
From their earliest days as 12-string-wielding folk-rockers,
to the thrilling psychedelic excursions of their raga-rock period
to their 1968 birthing of country-rock, The Byrds were always
accorded a hero's welcome in England. What better place to record
founding Byrds member/guitarist/singer Roger McGuinn's new version
of the band-featuring fretboard ace Clarence White, bassist
Skip Battin and drummer Gene Parsons, than London's Royal Albert
Hall! (MORE) |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, JUNE 3 , 2008 |
JIM:
|
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Wildbirds
& Peacedrums - Heartcore CD
Together, the Swedish duo of charismatic singer Mariam
Wallentin & drummer Andreas Werliin have forged an extraordinary
hybrid of spiritual pop, primal blues, & ecstatic soul music.
Seesawing between pagan rhythms & sparse, bewitching ballads,
this self-produced debut is a declaration of intent: immediate,
exhilarating, & just plain new. (MORE)
|
ANGIE:
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Aimee
Mann - @#%&! Smilers CD
"I've always been drawn to dark, eccentric
personalities," says Los Angeles singer songwriter Aimee
Mann. On Smilers, her 7th solo CD, Mann presents thirteen exquisitely-crafted
new songs about the inner life of people living far from the
bright lights of success or fame.
|
PAUL:
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Dillard
& Clark - Fantastic Expedition Of Dillard & Clark CD
The '68 debut, originally released on A&M, from
one of the first & finest LA country-rock outfits. Comprised
of Gene Clark, hot on the heels of his departure from the BYRDS
& Doug Dillard, the virtuosic banjoist/guitarist of the
Dillards. Feat. help from fellow Byrd Chris Hillman, future
Burrito Brother "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow, & future
Burrito/Eagle Bernie Leadon, this is an absolutely essential
piece of country-rock history, not to mention an out & out
masterpiece. Contains 3 extra tracks & liner notes. |
ROY:
|
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Grateful
Dead - American Beauty [Bonus Tracks] (Remastered) CD
Roy really really loves it! |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, MAY 27, 2008 |
JIM:
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22
Pistepirkko - (Well You Know) Stuff Is Like We Yeah! [limited
DCD w/book]
Limited edition DCD version of their new 2008 full-length
packaged in a little hardback book. Bonus CDEP features "Suburban
Ladyland", "Close" (exclusive), the yummy Macchiato
Bubble Mix of "Coffee Girl" and, most compellingly,
the English-language version of a 390 page book about 22P in
PDF form! (MORE)
|
ANGIE:
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Pixies
- Surfer Rosa (reissued) CD
The
Pixies reissued at a low, low price! 1988 debut by groundbreaking
Boston band captured brilliantly by Steve Albini (Big Black/Rapeman/Shellac).
13 eye openers including Bone Machine, Broken Face, Gigantic,
Rive Euphrates, Where Is My Mind?, and more. Raw, energetic,
beautiful, witty... absolutely ESSENTIAL! Named to Mojo Magazine's
list of "100 Greatest Guitar Albums"
|
| GEOFF: |
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Neil
Young - Live at Massey Hall 1971 CD
"The second volume of Neil Young's long-promised,
suddenly thriving Archives series is Live at Massey Hall, preserving
a 1971 acoustic show at the Toronto venue. Where the first volume
captured a portion of Neil's past that wasn't particularly well
documented on record -- namely, the rampaging original Crazy
Horse lineup in its 1970 prime -- this second installment may
seem to cover familiar ground, at least to the outside observer
who may assume that any solo acoustic Young must sound the same.
That, of course, is not the case with an artist as mercurial
and willful as Young, who was inarguably on a roll in 1971,
coming off successes with Crazy Horse, Crosby, Stills &
Nash, and his second solo record, 1970's After the Gold Rush.
(MORE)
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PAUL:
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Sykes,
Jesse and the Sweet Hereafter - Oh, My Girl CD
Syke's stark songs roil with themes of loss, resignation,
and love laid bare, placing them sonically and lyrically somewhere
between "Pour Down Like Silver"-era Richard and Linda
Thompson or vintage Neil Young, the warm country-gothic-noir
of Nick Cave, and the elegant indie rock of Cat Power. (MORE) |
ROY:
|
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Mason
Jennings - In the Ever CD
Sixth album for Minneapolis singer-songwriter &
debut on Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records. Coming off his 2006
majorlabel bow, Boneclouds, for Modest Mouse leader Isaac Brock's
Epic-distributed Glacial Pace label, Jennings retreated to a
studio in the woods, where he set himself up with a laptop and
two microphones. The title comes from his son talking about
where he came from before he was born, "Ya know dad, when
I was in the Ever?' It continues his spiritual journey, informed
by his love of influences like Leadbelly, Mississippi John Hurt,
Hank Williams, Johnny Cash's American recordings and Led Zeppelin,
his favorite band of all time. (MORE)
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Welcome
to thrillsville, MAY 20, 2008 |
JIM:
|
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Mudhoney
- The Lucky Ones CD
Worldwide lovers of the finer things are rejoicing
at the news that Mudhoney, yep Mudhoney, is back in action in
2008 with The Lucky Ones, the band’s eighth full album
in a mere 20 years of triumphant rocking. Deliberately and aggressively
raw, The Lucky Ones sounds as lean and as full-on as any modern
equivalent one cares to mention. (MORE)
|
ANGIE:
|
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Notwist
- The Devil, You + Me CD
The
Notwist make music that's at once impossibly personal and hugely
inviting. This release is their most important and moving to
date, in the band's nearly 20 year career. Markus Acher's singular
voice surrounds you with all the comfort of familiarity, the
euphoria of re-acquaintance. It takes a while before the words
and the scale of the musical language sink in.
|
ROY:
|
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Sunset
- Bright Blue Dream CD
This is succinctly all-encompassing, from the faux-simplicity
of the title to the beautiful distortion of its sound, to the
packaging that incl. a 68-pg full-color bk packed w/ photos
& art pieces. The record opens w/ a symphony of noise &
sometimes creeps, sometimes smashes through a sonic headlock
befitting Daydream Nation-era Sonic Youth, Kiwi pop, My Bloody
Valentine, & experimental noise. (MORE)
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|
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Welcome
to thrillsville, MAY 6, 2008 |
JIM:
|
 |
Sunset
- Bright Blue Dream CD
Bright Blue Dream" is the first widely available
LP from Bill Baird's new project, {{{Sunset}}}, following the
break up of Sound Team. The record is a follow-up to his previous
CDR and cassette albums, "{{{Sunset}}}," "Silence!,"
and "Pink Clouds", which were released independently
through 2006 and 2007. (MORE)
|
ANGIE:
|
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Sunset
- Bright Blue Dream CD
Bright Blue Dream" is the first widely available
LP from Bill Baird's new project, {{{Sunset}}}, following the
break up of Sound Team. The record is a follow-up to his previous
CDR and cassette albums, "{{{Sunset}}}," "Silence!,"
and "Pink Clouds", which were released independently
through 2006 and 2007. (MORE)
|
ROY:
|
|
Sunset
- Bright Blue Dream CD
Bright Blue Dream" is the first widely available
LP from Bill Baird's new project, {{{Sunset}}}, following the
break up of Sound Team. The record is a follow-up to his previous
CDR and cassette albums, "{{{Sunset}}}," "Silence!,"
and "Pink Clouds", which were released independently
through 2006 and 2007. (MORE)
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|
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Welcome
to thrillsville, APRIL 22, 2008 |
JIM:
|
 |
Motorpsycho
- Little Lucid Moments
CD
(ON SALE / PRE-ORDER: SALEABLE APRIL 15TH) Motorpsycho
was founded in 1989 in Trondheim, Norway's third biggest city,
when mainstays Bent Sæther (bass, vocals) and Hans Magnus
"Snah" Ryan (guitar, vocals) were joined by drummer
Kjell Runar "Killer" Jenssen. The first album, Lobotomizer,
was released in 1991 after which Killer quit and Håkon
Gebhardt took over the drums for many years to come. (MORE)
|
PAUL
|
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Tapes
N Tapes - Walk It Off CD
The Minneapolis-based band's first record
since 2006's widely lauded "The Loon" which established
them as ones to watch. Tapes 'N Tapes' signature sound is distinctly
their own concoction: shaky vocals, bursts of lo-fi guitars,
and haunting keyboard refrains. Jittery rock that's found the
sweet spot where experimental song structure meets melodic accessibility.
"The album...is unique in an era of slick 80s chic, mixing
the opaque jams of Pavement with the bruised-teen freakiness
of The Pixies, while adding cocktail jazz and Tex-Mex folk music
like thrift store finds" - Spin.
|
ROY:
|
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Woods
- How To Survive In The Woods CD
Initially issued as a double-cassette on the Fuckittapes
label, was recorded in 2 bedrooms w/ no intention of being shared
w/ the outside world. 13 cuts of home-cooked measles & grout
gingerly pulled out of the spleen of a tape deck. |
GEOFF:
|
 |
Gram Parsons & the Flying Burrito Brothers - Archive Volume
1 DCD
(Digipack
Packaging) Two-CD, high-fidelity live set ‘Gram Parsons
Archives Vol. 1: The Flying Burrito Brothers “Live”
at the Avalon 1969’ on Amoeba Records.
Material
from 1969 found in Grateful Dead vaults – The two CD,
27-track set includes a number of never-before-heard -- though
long rumored – rarities including 10 songs never recorded
by Parsons and never before available. (more)
|
ANGIE:
|
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Sera Cahoone - Only As The Day Is Long CD
Despite being an accomplished guitarist and songwriter,
Sera preferred to stay behind the drum kit (drumming for the
likes of Carissa's Wierd, LA musician Patrick Park, and on
the Band Of Horses' debut, "Everything All The Time")
until one tour across the US with Park in 2006. She found
herself inspired by the landscape and she wrote an album in
her thoughts as they drove along the blue highways and back
roads of the expansive west and the plains. "...a breathtaking
collection of sad and dusky songs that reveal an artist of
remarkable depth as well as a truly stunning voice" -
The Stranger.
|
|
|
Welcome
to thrillsville, APRIL 1, 2008 |
JIM:
|
|
Motorpsycho
- Little Lucid Moments
CD
(ON SALE / PRE-ORDER: SALEABLE APRIL 15TH) Motorpsycho
was founded in 1989 in Trondheim, Norway's third biggest city,
when mainstays Bent Sæther (bass, vocals) and Hans Magnus
"Snah" Ryan (guitar, vocals) were joined by drummer
Kjell Runar "Killer" Jenssen. The first album, Lobotomizer,
was released in 1991 after which Killer quit and Håkon
Gebhardt took over the drums for many years to come. (MORE)
|
PAUL
|
 |
Nick
Lowe - Jesus Of Cool [Bonus
Tracks] (Digipack Packaging) CD
Reissue of his classic first solo record.
Pop record making at it's finest. A must own!! 2008 marks the
30th anniversary of Nick Lowe's seminal 1978 album Jesus of
Cool. The album, released in the U.S. as Pure Pop for Now People,
marks the beginning of one of the most storied and influential
solo careers in pop music and marks the true emergence of a
songwriting monolith. The album is a literal compendium of 25
years of pop music history. (MORE)
|
ROY:
|
 |
The
Quarter After - Changes Near CD
New album from psych-pop kingpins. Lead by the
two Campanella siblings- songwriter/singer Dominic & guitarist/producer
Robert. Dom's prominent twelve-string Rickenbacker & rich
melodies set the tone for songs that range from dense guitar-driven
psychedelic attacks to further explorations into down home country
in the grand tradition of West Coast rock. (MORE)
|
ANGIE:
|
 |
Montys Loco - Farewell Mr. Happy CD
New album from weird/winsome electro-pop mavens.
Highly recommended, more on this later. I'm picking this one
again! I love this one!!
|
|
|
Welcome
to thrillsville, MARCH 18TH |
JIM:
|
 |
Paper
- An Object CD
Debut album from Swedish motorik-punk trio featuring
Calle Olsson from The Bear Quartet and Paddington DC along with
members of Audionom. The sound is based around the frustration
of punk, the delicacy of pop melody and the hypnotic power of
repetition. Think early Wire meets early Wire, simple, powerful;
with streamers of Neu!, Silverbullit/Citizen Bird, Joy Division...
Fans of The Bear Quartet’s recent electronic efforts,
Audionom’s hypnotic avant-punk, and Paddington DC’s
zoom-pop will be held in thrall, if you don’t mind a bit
of krautrockin’ cochlea-knocking. |
PAUL
|
 |
Bon
Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago CD
This debut is centered around a particular
aesthetic; Justin Vernon, the primary force behind Bon Iver,
moved to a remote cabin in the woods of Northwestern Wisconsin
at the onset of winter, alone for three months. This solitary
time fed a bold, uninhibited new musical focus. All his personal
trouble, lack of perspective, heartache, longing, love, loss,
and guilt that had been stockpiled over the past six years was
suddenly purged into song. The NY Times called this record "irresistible",
and it was given a "Recommeded" rating by Pitchfork.
RIYL: Iron & Wine, M. Ward, and Elliott Smith.
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ROY:
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Various
- New Folk Routes CD
When visionary UK underground scene-maker and entrepreneur
Joe Boyd started making records under his own Witchseason banner
in 1967, he could have had little idea of the staggering amount
of uber-influential artists he would go on to produce over the
next few years. Step up Fairport Convention, Nick Drake, The
Incredible String Band, Sandy Denny, Vashti Bunyan, Nico and
Dr Strangely Strange to name but a few. He licensed most of
these records out to the super-cool Island label where they
joined the likes of Traffic, John Martyn and The Amazing Blondel
and unwittingly formed the backbone of the now hugely revered
and collectable British folk-rock movement of the late ‘60s
and ‘70s. (more) |
ANGIE:
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Club 8 - The Friend I Once Had CD
Reissue. With a glittery mix of jangly guitars, bossa
nova and sophisticated, melancholic pop melodies, ”The
Friend I Once Had” was a big step forwards for Club
8. Their debut album ”Nouvelle” may be regarded,
as a twee pop classic by some but the band would happily rather
bury most the songs under a rock. This is the album they wish
was their debut. (more)
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Geoff:
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Paper - An Object CD
Debut album from Swedish motorik-punk trio featuring
Calle Olsson from The Bear Quartet and Paddington DC along with
members of Audionom. The sound is based around the frustration
of punk, the delicacy of pop melody and the hypnotic power of
repetition. Think early Wire meets early Wire, simple, powerful;
with streamers of Neu!, Silverbullit/Citizen Bird, Joy Division...
Fans of The Bear Quartet’s recent electronic efforts,
Audionom’s hypnotic avant-punk, and Paddington DC’s
zoom-pop will be held in thrall, if you don’t mind a bit
of krautrockin’ cochlea-knocking. |
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Welcome
to thrillsville, MARCH 11TH |
JIM:
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The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust CD
New album from Danish duo, can't wait! Coasting is
the easy option. Having the balls to recognize that things aren’t
right and doing something about them is much harder. It may
have taken The Raveonettes' Sune and Sharin a little while but
they made the right decision in the end- both personally and
creatively- and ‘Lust, Lust, Lust’ is where the
two worlds collide. The songs cover the toughest decisions,
the fondest of memories, the scariest of fears and the most
tempting of desires all from the most personal viewpoint yet
captured in The Raveonettes back-catalogue.
(more) |
PAUL
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Adorable
- Footnotes: Best Of (92-94) CD
First
compilation of songs from former Creation Records artists Adorable.
Contains tracks from both their albums on Creation released
in the early 1990’s, along with non-album singles and
B-sides -- all seven singles released by the band. Also included
is a new edit of ‘Glorious’ from the debut ‘Against
Perfection’, which is exclusive to this release. All tracks
included have been deleted & unavailable for several years.
Includes a 20-page booklet with exclusive new extensive liner
notes from all four band members – especially written
for this release – along with photos, classic sleeve images
& items from their personal archives.
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ROY:
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Sandy
Denny - Sandy + 5 CD
Second solo LP for FAIRPORT CONVENTION singer digitally
remastered w/ 5 bonus tracks. |
ANGIE:
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Smile Smile - Blue Roses CD
Hailing from the Dallas, TX music scene, Ryan Hamilton
and Jencey Hirunrusme create their own modern blend of folk,
pop and rock in Smile Smile. Their songs range from heart
wrenching ballads to foot stomping sing alongs. Jencey’s
classical piano background teamed with Ryan’s self-taught
guitar style combine to create sounds, which both soar above
you and pull you in tight at the same time. (more)
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Welcome
to thrillsville, MARCH 4TH |
JIM:
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Black Mountain - In
The Future:
Favorite psych-and-prog-spiritual pioneers BLACK MOUNTAIN
are back with "In The Future", their second full-length
album that resonates with the same epic ring, beloved deep rock
touchstones and genuine folk fragility that made their self-titled
debut full-length an instant classic.
(more) |
PAUL
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British
Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music? CD
ALL
MUSIC GUIDE: "The band has crafted a wintry, nuanced, and
bold collection of epic songs that integrate the sweeping theatricality
of Arcade Fire-era indie rock without all of the insularity.
This is music made for people, not a person. The sound effects,
choral vocals, strings, and feedback that populate DYLRM feel
organic and necessary rather than just pasted in for drama's
sake. There has always been a sort of rough-hewn sepia-tone
unity to BSP songs, and that odd, inclusive wartime fervor permeates
each track." FOUR 1/2 STARS! (more)
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ROY:
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Common
Loon - Dinosaur vs. Early Man b/w Palestine Everywhere 7"
Blending classic West Coast harmonies with some cosmically-inclined
guitar-gush lushness and an otherworldly hi-fi-ness, local dream-rock
duo Common Loon rates as one of the C-U Music Scene's bands
to watch in 2008. Yes, there's an album in the pipe. Comes with
a digital download ticket, so you can have it both ways. Pink-noise-pop
for Sebadoh, Spiritualized, and Spacemen 3 fans. |
GEOFF:
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British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music? CD
ALL
MUSIC GUIDE: "The band has crafted a wintry, nuanced,
and bold collection of epic songs that integrate the sweeping
theatricality of Arcade Fire-era indie rock without all of
the insularity. This is music made for people, not a person.
The sound effects, choral vocals, strings, and feedback that
populate DYLRM feel organic and necessary rather than just
pasted in for drama's sake. There has always been a sort of
rough-hewn sepia-tone unity to BSP songs, and that odd, inclusive
wartime fervor permeates each track." FOUR 1/2 STARS!
(more)
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ANGIE:
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Menck - Hey War Pigs 7"
On his new 45rpm vinyl single Velvet Crush drummer
and very occasional solo singer-songsmith Ric Menck covers
former Soft Boys and Katrina & The Waves guitarist-songwriter
Kimberly Rew’s pissed-off protest anthem “Hey
War Pigs” (so very fitting) backed by his dry-hump version
of “Teenage Head” by The Flaming Groovies. Black
wax in a plain paper sleeve. In addition to founding Velvet
Crush Menck is and has been a member of The Drats, The Reverbs,
The Springfields, The Paint Set, The Big Maybe, The Stupid
Cupids, Pop The Balloon, Choo Choo Train, Duffy, The Tyde,
Frausdots, Aimee Mann and Matthew Sweet.
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Welcome
to thrillsville, November 20th |
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