Similar - EP (2009)

As requested by my buddy Ariel, here's a little music by some of our close friends from Puerto Rico. In the same vein as bands such as Dinosaur Jr.

EP available at their site:

www.soysimilar.com

Black Tambourine - Complete Recordings (1999)

"Black Tambourine were one of the earliest Slumberland groups, consisting of members of Whorl and Velocity Girl, plus their pal Pam Berry on vocals. Conceived as an explicitly pop band at a time when pop bands were pretty rare in America, Black Tambourine wore their influences on their sleeves: The Jesus & Mary Chain, of course, but also folks like Phil Spector, Smokey Robinson, Love, The Ramones, Shop Assistants, The Pastels, 14 Iced Bears, Orange Juice and the list goes on

Though they only played a handful of gigs in their brief career, their two singles on Slumberland and Audrey’s Diary wielded a large influence, and were key artifacts in the birth of US indie pop. This compilation includes all the songs from both of those singles, plus two cuts from compilations and a previously unheard demo song."

tiny tigers

Port O'Brien - All we could do was sing.

The cover art is a fitting portrait of the soundscape captured in this album. Nautical themes throughout. I heard these fellers thanks to a Neil Young themed issue of some music mag I fail to remember, the included cd had a five-finger discount(my favorite) with Neil inspired diddies. The only ones that really stood out were them and Bowerbirds.

The album starts out with the title track, a rompous catchy outlet about waking up in a good mood(a staggering feat).

The album flows(literally) between sentimental country-tinged tunes like "stuck on a boat" and "Don't take my advice" but the real show stealer has to be "Fisherman's Son". Ive been listening to that song all week long. Extra geezy just like I like em.

It continues with some Billy Bragg-licks and "Desire"-era Dylan string arrangements. But hey thats just me. If you like the videos check out the album.

All the while I am here I’ll have some liquor and some beer and I’ll wait for another year to come.

The Jesus And Mary Chain - Darklands (1987)

MMMmmmmmMmmmmm bitch!

"Back in the 80's, the Jesus & Mary Chain blasted onto the scene with Psychocandy, an aural assault of fever-drenched guitars, spare lyrics, and a knack for crafting catchy, hook-ladened anti-pop. 1987, the JMC released Darklands, to the cowsternation of some and the warm embrace of many udders. Some original JMC fans decried the "cleaned up sound" of Darklands, but in truth the pared down accoustics in this masterpiece merely pushed the Chain's drenching wall of feedback into the background, allowing the Brothers Reid to focus on moore traditional melodies."

nicolas cage's face eaten by a bunch of bees

Low - The Great Destroyer (2005)

Sean Coonery is back again with his weekly contributions! First up we've got Low.

Their music is commonly described as “slowcore,” a subgenre characterised by slow tempos and minimalist arrangements. They are one of the earlier bands to adopt and popularize the style, making them considerable contributors to the slowcore movement. (It is worth noting that the band dislike this label. In an interview Alan Sparhawk says of descriptions of their music: “What’s the cheesiest? Slow-core. I hate that word. The most appropriate is anything that uses the word minimal in it, but I don’t think anybody’s made one up for that”) Parker and Sparhawk’s striking vocal harmonies represent perhaps the group’s most distinctive element.

all around the pants

La Monja Enana - Un Secreto Terrible (2005)

First post of '09!. The album is actually titled "Un secret terrible". This might be one of my guiltiest of pleasures. It reminds me of the last two summers. La Monja Enana has been making music since 1997 and consists of Ana and Juan. Some might recognize Ana from her other musical project Cola Jet Set. Just plain fun!

"Since their formation in 1997, LA MONJA ENANA, never cease to surprise us with the most bizarre and amazing talent that any Spanish indie group could possibly possess. Their debut single was nothing more and nothing less than “Single of the Week” in the prestigious English magazine, Melody Maker, and the deceased and adored John Peel sang their praises each time he played one of LA MONJA ENANA’s songs on the air."

"LA MONJA ENANA is not your typical group with a defined path. Throughout their long, and at times, slower than usual career, they have played in Sweden, Russia, Paris and they put out a compilation in France and Mexico. The band has also been Single of the Week in Melody Maker. All of this happened without much effort from the group. LA MONJA ENANA is relaxed because they know that every once in awhile, without having to move a finger, something un-heard of happens and changes their career. Perhaps its largely due to their scientific-literary-paranormal theme in their music or it could simply be that when you listen to their music without preconceived notions, you appreciate all of the wonderful tunes with a catchy melody, a crystal and natural voice, together with surprising sounds." -Belén from L-Kan

todo es mas sencillo sin gente alrededor