GO TEAM: Tape Deck Mountain - Always Lie [MP3]

MP3: Tape Deck Mountain - Always Lie

"Always Lie" is a beautifully giant leap forward for gaze rockers Tape Deck Mountain. You can download the digital 7 inch for however much you'd like, plus an email address over at their Bandcamp page. Also, don't forget to pre-order/help them fund Sway, the release that this song will appear on - if this gem is any indication of what we're in for, it's gonna be a dope ass ride to the stars.

GO TEAM: The Appleseed Cast - Great Lake Derelict [MP3]

MP3: The Appleseed Cast - Great Lake Derelict

On the 23rd, The Appleseed Cast will release their 8th album Illumination Ritual. It's a record full of the lush soundscapes that they've been building all of these years, but with a mix of maturity and new blood. Very accessible and very essential.

GO TEAM: Widower - Fool Moon [ALBUM STREAM]

I'm pleased as punch to tell you that my pals Widower have a new record out today at long last! Stream Fool Moon now and buy it for 8 bux on their Bandcamp page, you won't regret it.

(NOTE: I don't know why the player is forcing the album to start at track 2, but please skip back one song to get the "full experience")

GO TEAM: D. GOOKIN - Prey on the Prize [STREAM/VIDEO/MP3]

MP3: D. GOOKIN - Ganja Farmer

Been meaning to spotlight this one earlier, but I only recently paid for it from Bandcamp. Prey on the Prize is a cool record if you like fun, vibin' in your heart and feeling like you wanna kiss someone pretty.

GO TEAM: Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk - I'm Not a Nintendo [MP3]

MP3: Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk - I'm Not a Nintendo

Lillerne Tapes released their second compilation, which you can buy on cassette or download for free - both great options for a release that is chock full of great bands (I went into this to hear new tracks by a few of my pals who are on it, but also heard some new dudes worth keeping up with in the process, which is what I hope for when delving into comps).

However, Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk are the gold medalists here: "I'm Not a Nintendo" continues their signature evolutionary skills, like a soundtrack to your favorite dream.

Grow a beard.

GO TEAM: 2 Ton Bug - School Stinks [MP3]

MP3: 2 Ton Bug - School Stinks

Music in Connecticut sucks, as Matthew and myself can personally attest to. It never really got over "pop punk", 2002, or being in high school - it's a real drag.

But 2 Ton Bug is beyond CT and are just plain great! As of yesterday they're offering a 2 song ripper called Thrillsville, available for whatever price you want. It's great. School DOES stink, duh!!

GET IT GIRL: http://2tonbug.bandcamp.com/album/thrillsville

GO TEAM: Kelly Hangauer - I Can Almost Feel [MP3]

MP3: Kelly Hangauer - I Can Almost Feel

My former Ladyparts bandmate Kelly Hangauer has finally embraced the internet, and I feel like if it doesn't embrace him back we're going to lose him.

He's hard at work on a semester in Prague, recording some new tracks along the way including the 5 day old "I Can Almost Feel". He probably hates the song by now, but I loved it and I just wanted to say that I miss him and I hope he's having a blast.

Keep up with him on his Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/huntersandgatherers

GO TEAM: Say My Name Triumphant

 

MP3: Say My Name - La Cygne

ALBUM STREAM:

Say My Name returns with Say My Name 2, an album that finds the Kid utilizing a grandiose pallet of intentions and ideas that hit the mark every single time.

Each track tells a story unique to your imagination, bursting with back handed pimps, gash fountain babes and drugs that haven't even been invented yet... or at least that's what I hear. Honestly what is so fascinating about SMN's music is that it's entirely open to interpretation, but is so brilliant that even the biggest village idiot has boost towards "getting it".

Take for example two of the Kid's all-star collaborators on this LP: Kenneth Kupfer's long fingered, skull cane ladden artwork for the cover makes complete sense, as does Range Life Records honcho and not-frequently-enough FY!GT! contributor Zach Hangauer's Wonder Woman vs. injustice video for single "La Cygne" (available for viewing below). It's seriously worth investing in a project of Say My Name inspired art projects, but in the meantime it's beyond worth investing in Say My Name 2 - and you can September 20th when it's available for digital consumption.

GO TEAM: SIDE A

Nothin' but streams today (though you can pay what you want to download this): Fag Cop coughs up side a of their upcoming LP Whimpers from the Pantheon, out October 10th on Rank Toy Records. It's gonna be a k i l l e r.

GO TEAM: On the fuzz.

Great clip that puts you in the exact mindset you wanna be in for Midnight Television's self titled tape, out now from my pals at Beer on the Rug. I need to snag a copy of this, like you should, and together we'll take flight through memory lane - hazed through age. Like a fine cheese, on VHS.

Stream n' buy:

HOT TRAXXX: Make U Move

MP3: Juvelen - Make U Move

The mighty Juvelen is now back, after three years of laying dormant with a straight banger. "Make U Move" comes from the EP of the same name, and picks up right where the one man boy band left off with 1. You can purchase this phenomenal EP from Amazon and start the party instantly. Juvelen shows all of those other weak-ass pop acts how it's to be done. Enjoy.

GO TEAM: The woods are full of killers.

MP3: Lord Dying - Greed Is Your Horse

Lord Dying is not only the new band from my old co-worker Erik, but also they are a fucking gnarly band from Portland. Big riffs, lots of thunder, bong kong. They just released their 5 song demo online, get a digital copy now.

GO TEAM: Nord & Syd

MP3: Nord & Syd - Äckla Mig

Nord & Syd is a rather mysterious and unsurprisingly excellent band from Sweden, featuring my friend David Nygård (who is also in the mighty Laakso) and Martin Abrahamsson of the Vapnet/Sibieria/Kommun fame. He told me about this project a few months back, and the songs are catchy and beautiful. All very mellow, with that Nordic air about them—no matter how sunny, it's always a bit cold (perhaps also due to the hands of Abrahamsson). Hop on over to their Soundcloud page, which they've updated with an even newer song. Enjoy.

FUCK YEAH/GO TEAM: Exes.

MP3: Fag Cop - Hardon Crime

So I downloaded the newest Fag Cop 7 inch which we'll call "Ex-Fag Cop" even though that's their band name now but whatever. Anyway, it's awesome. Good job guys. Buy a copy from Batshit.

GO TEAM: New BRAHMS video

MP3: BRAHMS - Add It Up

BRAHMS debuted (via Stereogum) a new video for "Repeat It", the b-side on their single for "Add It Up" and it's very creative (unlike today's other video post). These guys have been killing it since they started, so obviously we should support everything they do.

The Add It Up/Repeat It 7 inch single is limited to 300 copies and is available now from Insound. Buy it here and get the mp3s instantly.

Also, dudes are on tour and I can confirm they put on a superb show. Check them out:

Feb 24 Glasslands w/ Acrylics, New Moods & Tanlines (DJ) 8.00pm - $10.00 Brooklyn, New York
Feb 25 Brighton Music Hall w/ Asobi Seksu 8.00pm - $12.00 Boston, Massachusetts
Feb 26 Casa Del Popolo w/ Asobi Seksu 9.00pm - $12.00 Montreal, Quebec
Feb 27 Horseshoe Tavern w/ Asobi Seksu 9.00pm - $10.00 Toronto, Ontario
Feb 28 Empty Bottle w/ Asobi Seksu 9.00pm - $12.00 Chicago, Illinois
Mar 1 7th Street Entry w/ Asobi Seksu 8.00pm - $10.00 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mar 3 The Palace Lounge w/ Asobi Seksu 9.00pm - $8.00 Missoula, Montana
Mar 4 Chop Suey w/ Asobi Seksu 9.00pm - $12.00 Seattle, Washington
Mar 5 Biltmore Cabaret w/ Asobi Seksu 8.00pm - $15.00 Vancouver, BC
Mar 6 Doug Fir Lounge w/ Asobi Seksu 8.00pm - $10.00 Portland, Oregon
Mar 8 Bottom Of The Hill w/ Asobi Seksu 8.30pm - $12.00 San Francisco, California
Mar 9 Troubadour w/ Asobi Seksu 8.00pm - $12.00 Los Angeles, California
Mar 10 Soda Bar 9.00pm - $8.00 San Diego, California
Mar 11 Neon Reverb Festival time tbc Las Vegas, Nevada
Mar 12 Detroit Bar w/ Starfucker & Unkown Mortal Orchestra 9.00pm - $10.00 Costa Mesa, California
Mar 13 Trunkspace w/ Starfucker & Unkown Mortal Orchestra 7.30pm - $10.00 Phoenix, Arizona
Mar 16-19 SXSW (check sites for full details soon) Austin, Texas
Mar 20 The Mink w/ Superhumanoids 8.00pm - $8.00 Houston, Texas
Mar 22 The Earl w/ The Joy Formidable 8.30pm - $10.00 Durham, North Carolina
Mar 23 Casbah 8.00pm - $8.00 Durham, North Carolina
Mar 24 Rock And Roll Hotel w/ Fujiya And Miyagi & Warm Ghost 8.00pm - $14.00 Washington, DC

GO TEAM: Whale Belly

MP3: Whale Belly - Louise, Queen of Greenwood

MP3: Whale Belly - You've Got the Heart

I'm sure Joey can also attest to this, but it's really difficult to write about your friends' music. Not because your description will be biased, or your worried about any comments being misinterpreted—but because the music they create is not the basis for any friendship. Most of them I didn't find through music, and the relationships are based on almost every other aspect of their lives but the songs themselves. It's a strange way to think of what your good friends' do in that almost exclusionary, removed way—because it obviously does make them part of who they are—but at the same time it's the least important part for each other, for the friendships.

Whale Belly's debut album may be downloaded here: http://www.whalebellymusic.com/

New BRAHMS: Add It Up

MP3: BRAHMS - Add It Up

Stereogum premiered the a side to an upcoming single from New York's beyond excellent/stellar/phenomenal BRAHMS. After a legendary demo, the dudes are finally releasing a 7 inch which if "Add It Up" is any indication (spoiler: it is) is going to rip faces apart all throughout these United States.

Can't wait for this one to spin on my turn table!

GO TEAM: Vegetables

MP3: Even Artichokes Have Hearts - If

The most frustrating thing about returning to Connecticut is that 98% of anyone who plays an instrument in this state chooses the wrong path, and that 99% of the listening population here could give a shit. That's fine. I gave up trying to change that a long time ago, but every now and then you get a glimmer of hope and today I present the new brightness: Even Artichokes Have Hearts.

Two pals just killing it sweetly, I don't know what their future is beyond a digital single on February Records (who themselves don't have a very promising lineup), but I'm really hoping for the best. Seriously guys, if there's anything we can do, let us know.

They play tomorrow at BAR in New Haven for FREE with friends of the blog Elizabeth and the Catapult and I'll be there for sure.

GO TEAM: USF, brah.

MP3: USF - Lunar Halo

This USF piece has been blowing my mind for a straight week now!!

These dudes need to do more (labels, pick up your cell phones) and I can't wait to hear more. Meanwhile, "Lunar Halo" is mad fresh and appears on a compilation titled " The Cold Jungle" put together by the Cairo Gallery which can be purchased on LP/tape/CD here.

GO TEAM: Children of the Light

MP3: White Flight - Children of the Light

Roll your windows down over and over friends: White Flight's "Children of the Light" may only be one song, but it warrants multiple rides around the neighbourhood, with your speakers bursting with an energy not felt since WF's "Panther".

Another track taken from the so-anticipated-it-hurts "White Ark", COTL is available as a digital single with b-side "Thunder Over Thunder" giving you a chance to cool off before diving right back into the jacuzzi water.

Thanks Range Life! Cop this single on iTunes, yo.