Blind Melon - Nico (1996)

I trust that now everyone's sugar high has died down from eating Halloween candy and sweets, we can all get back to discovering new music and returning to old favourites. I use to listen to quite a bit of Blind Melon when I was younger, they were definitely the more cheery side of grunge, looking more like hippies than the rest of the Seattle scene. You don't see the "Nico" album that much anymore, so I thought that I'd upload it. Here you guys and gals go....enjoy!

1. The Pusher
2. Hell
3. Soup
4. No Rain (Ripped Away Version)
5. Soul One
6. John Sinclair
7. All That I Need
8. Glitch
9. Life Ain't So Shitty
10. Swallowed
11. Pull
12. St. Andrews Hall
13. Letters From A Porcupine

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Albert Kuvezin & Yat-Kha - Re-Covers (2005)

Since I am such a nice guy I'm going to do a second upload for today. Let me introduce Albert Kuvezin and Yat-Kha who are Mongolian "throat singers" I am guessing that you have never heard thorat singing before? Well you are certainly in for a good surprise. I first heard their cover of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" on the radio and was blown away by the vocals and the Eastern flow that ran through it. This entire album is basically covers...of covers (hence the title). The main problem that I have with cover songs is the fact that for the most part they sound the same as the original. Not in this case, let me tell you, they transform them into their own material. You have to hear this,ENJOY!

1. When the Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin)
2. Man Machine (Kraftwerk)
3. Ramblin' Man (Hank Williams)
4. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (Iron Butterfly)
5. Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division)
6. Her Eyes Are a Blue Million Miles (Captain Beefheart)
7. A Song About a Giraffe (Vladimir Vysotskiy)
8. Orgasmatron (Motorhead)
9. Will You Go, Lassie, Go (Mc Peake Family)
10. Toccata (Paul Mauriat)
11. Black Magic Woman (Carlos Santana Version)
12. Exodus (Bob Marley)
13. Play With Fire (Rolling Stones)
14. The Song Of Mergen (Alexei Tchyrgal-ool)

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Elliott Smith - Live, Washington D.C. (17.04.98)

Hello again, you know what I find difficult to believe? That is it October already...it'll soon be Christmas (yes Christmas, not the holiday season). So as I sit here and lament on where this went and how I wasted it. I thought that you guys and gals might enjoy some live Elliott Smith. This is probably my favourite live bootleg of his. It captures his gentleness and innocense perfectly. The highlight on the album has to be his cover version of "Thirteen" by Big Star, it sounds great and he really makes it his own. Well, ENJOY!

1. Angeles
2. Division Day
3. Clementine
4. Walts #2
5. Between the Bars
6. Southern Belle
7. Jealous Guy (John Lennon Cover)
8. Say Yes
9. Oh Well, Okay
10. No Name #4
11. Rose Parade
12. Almeda
13. Pictures of Me
14. Some Song
15. Biggest Lie
16. Care of Cell 44 (Zombies Cover)
17. Speed Trials
18. Thirteen (Big Star Cover)
19. No Name #3

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Future Sound of London - Dead Cities (1996)

OK, now I have really neglected this blog. I have been busy painting my place, painting sucks...that's all I have to say about that. Also my laptop desided to crap out on me. Stay away from HP, they have given me nothing but grief.

On to bigger and better things. "Future Sound of London" was really the first ambient/ electronic artist that I came across. A friend at the time was heavily into them and "Aphex Twin" so he pushed it all on me. It didn't take me long to love it and begin my journey into that genre. "Dead Cities is an amazing album, dark and mysterious yet appealing. Set in a post-Apocalyptic London, it really sets the feel for the entire album. Enjoy.

1. Herd Killing
2. Dead Cities
3. Her Face Forms In Summertime
4. We Have Explosives
5. Everyone Is Doing Something Without Me
6. My Kingdom
7. Max
8. Antique Toy
9. Quagmire
10. In a State of Permanent Abyss
11. Glass
12. Yage
13. Vit Drowning
14. Through Your Gills I Breathe
15. First Death In the Family
16. Dead Cities (Reprise)

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Black Water Rising - Black Water Rising (2009)

I officially suck, I've neglected this blog for 10 days...so much for my daily posts. I'll try to keep on top of this...but I'm not making any promises. What with summer coming to a close and the final days of sun upon us (well here in Canada anyway) I thought it best to seek out some good old rock n' roll to keep my spirits up. One band that has impressed me lately is "Black Water Rising" a still relatively unknown hard rock band. They have some grunge/ stoner rock elements that make them stand out compared to the rest of the "cookie cutter rock" genre. The sludgy song "Brother Go On" is great and a solid single...I'm really liking these guys I have to admit. Until next time, peace out!

1. The Mirror
2. Brother Go On
3. Hate Machine
4. Black Bleeds Through
5. Blessed
6. No Halos
7. Living Proof

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Tim Buckley - Happy Sad (1969)

Tim Buckley was another of those "they died too young" clichés. He gained little recognition during his recording career. It wasn't until his son (Jeff Buckley) some 20 years later recorded one of the most popular records of the 90's that people began to notice his father's work. Jeff also died tragically young, mirroring his father in more ways than one. For two men who only met one another a couple of times, they both had amazing similarities in their music. This is one of my favourite Tim Buckley albums, on "Happy Sad" he delves into a jazz sound...this would also be the key for his next two albums. Enjoy!

1. Strange Feelin
2. Buzzin' Fly
3. Love from Room 109 at the Islander (On Pacific Coast Highway)
4. Dream Letter
5. Gypsy Woman
6. Sing a Song for You

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Summoning - Oath Bound (2006)

Symphonic Black Metal is a genre that has really taken off over the last few years. I've come across some impressive music, Austrian band "Summoning" is certainly makes for a worthwhile listen. The first track "Bauglir" has that "Lord of the Rings" middle earth feel to it. "Might and Glory" should also be mentioned...as it just captivates you. Enjoy!

1. Bauglir
2. Across the Streaming Tide
3. Mirdautas Vras
4. Might and Glory
5. Beleriand
6. Northward
7. Menegroth
8. Land of the Dead

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Koenjihyakkei - Angherr Shisspa (2005)

The genre of Zeuhl is not the most popular. Spawning from the French band "Magma". Koenjihyakkei could be the most interesting music you hear this year. Solo's galore on this album, from every instrument imaginable. Enjoy the strange rollar-coaster ride, and feel free to comment.

1. Tziidall Raszhisst
   
2. Rattims Friezz
   
3. Grahbem Jorgazz
   
4. Fettim Paillu
   
5. Qivem Vrastorr
   
6. Mibingvahre
   
7. Angherr Shisspa
   
8. Wammilica Iffirom
   

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Mark Kozelek - What's Next to the Moon (2001)

Here is a treat for you AC/DC fans out there. Mark Kozelek creates his own version of the Australian rockers' songs and turns them into folk/bluegrass style tunes. It makes for a nice change and works amazingly well.

My current plan is to try to add a post a day....we shall see how that works out. Any requests are welcome, I can't promise anything though.

1. Up to My Neck in You
2. Love at First Feel
3. Love Hungry Man
4. Bad Boy Boogie
5. What's Next to the Moon
6. Walk All Over You
7. You Ain't Got a Hold on Me
8. If You Want Blood
9. Riff Raff
10. Rock 'n' Roll Singer

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The Incredible String Band - The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion (1967)

For my very first post we have the psychedelic mumblings of "The Incredible String Band" these Scottish rockers recorded the truly enlightening album "The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion" in 1967. Best enjoyed in the dark on good quality headphones to really capture the surreal, psychedelic, other worldly feel it achieves.

1. Chinese White
2. No Sleep Blues
   
3. Painting Box"
   
4. The Mad Hatter's Song
5. Little Cloud
   
6. The Eyes of Fate
7. Blues for the Muse
8. The Hedgehog's Song
9. First Girl I Loved
10. You Know What You Could Be
11. My Name Is Death
12. Gently Tender
13. Way Back in the 1960s

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