Tuesday, February 24, 2009

((( EVENT ))) DARK MATTER | Friday, February 27 | 10PM

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: Vinyl ))))) City Center, Black Dice dood, Fennesz, Benoit Pioulard

CITY CENTER / GROUPER split 7"
*** Fred Thomas (SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME) and Liz Harris do a call-and-reponse on this limited split. Don't sleep!

CITY CENTER Because + 2 7"
*** Fred Thomas and Ryan Howard deliver three songs in a beautifully silkscreened package.

ERIC COPELAND Alien In A Garbage Dump 12"
*** VINYL ONLY "Taking off where his last record left off, these seven jams are steeped in modern media overload; dense, overloaded, over-processed, often fragmented blasts of ideas and sounds, representative of a half hour of prime-time TV (or something like that)."

FENNESZ Transition 7"
*** Two new songs from Fennesz, both exclusive I believe, both unavailable in any other format.

BENOIT PIOULARD Fir 7"
*** LAST COPIES! Benoit Pioulard's EXCELLENT 7" for England's Type label is not to be missed. Now out of print, these three songs are some of Pioulard's very best. No hyperbole!

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: CDs ))))) Van Morrison, Trail Of Dead, Black Lips & more

v/a POP AMBIENT 2009 CD
*** "The bliss is finally back -- presenting the 2009 edition of Kompakt's highly-anticipated fan-favorite series, Pop Ambient. On this year's edition are many new faces, compared to the historically familiar roster that has graced previous editions." Includes TIM HECKER, KLIMEK, THE FUN YEARS and more.

AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD The Century Of Self CD
*** New album! Post-major label post-prog.

DAN AUERBACH Keep It Hid CD
*** BLACK KEYS frontman steps out for a solo joint after ::cough:: keeping it hid for so long.

BIBIO Vignetting The Compost CD
*** RECOMMENDED "Seamlessly amalgamating nature and electronics, Vignetting The Compost is at once timeless and innovative; 60s-esque folk guitar and mechanic manipulations of sounds whose instruments of origin are less important than the feelings they evoke, layer upon each other with ease and intricacy. Just when you expect to hear Nico's moan escaping your stereo, Bibio himself comes through with a voice that could have sung next to her."

BLACK LIPS 200 Million Thousand CD
*** "Simple, straightforward songwriting mesh perfectly with the Black Lips distinctive howl to create a time capsule rife with nods to simple pleasures and a world of worry."

JOE HENDERSON & ALICE COLTRANE The Elements CD
*** RECOMMENDED Whooooooaa! Joe Henderson dishes up some transcendent brilliance alongside Mrs. Coltrane -- this is an excellent album of spiritual/cosmic jazz.

ETTA JAMES Tell Mama CD
*** Subtitled: The Complete Muscle Shoals Sessions. "The original classic LP plus 10 bonus tracks."

BEN KWELLER Changing Horses CD
*** Apparently Kweller went all "Whassup, country music!!" on this one. Names like Leon Russell have been bandied about.

THE LAFAYETTE AFRO-ROCK BAND Darkest Light CD
*** RECOMMENDED "Features tracks sampled Jay-Z, De La Soul, Public Enemy & more."

VAN MORRISON Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl CD
*** Van Mo' takes his most-classic of classics and flips it upside down, chops and skrew's it(!!) and puts it out on his own label. The sequenced has altered slightly and shorties become jams, jams become shorties.

THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart CD
*** "The Pains of Being Pure At Heart is an instant classic, packed with brilliantly executed pop gems that blend the rush of youthful enthusiasm with crafty arrangements, well-honed tunes and buckets of guitar racket."

THE SISTERS OF MERCY Some Girls Wander By Mistake / Vision Thing 2xCD
*** A two-disc pairing of Sisters singles collection and their final album.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: Vinyl ))))) Mi Ami, Royal Trux, M Ward & more

CAMERA OBSCURA Underachievers Please Try Harder LP
*** BACK IN PRINT ON VINYL!

MI AMI Echonoecho b/w version 12"
*** "An energy-intense exploration in space, anxiety, sexuality, repetition and percussion. Side A, the title track, is flush with yelping vocals, a wailing guitar and bubbling bass lines. Shadowy noises are layered into the mix with plenty of echo and reverb to create a cosmic airspace. Side B, “Version,” is a rapturously eerie remix of the A."

MI AMI Watersports LP / CD
*** "When D.C. punk band BLACK EYES disbanded, Daniel Martin-McCormick and Jacob Long joined forces with Damon Palermo and became Mi Ami. The new trio cranks out pounding, dubby, clasutrophobic jams covered in delayed yelps and skuzzy guitars. With the group’s first full-length, Mi Ami has pushed this mode even further, embracing, on one hand, more abrasive vocals and guitar work, and on the other, more complex bass lines and rhythms."

ROYAL TRUX Twin Infinitives LP
*** BACK IN PRINT ON VINYL!

SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE rtz 3xLP / 2xCD
*** "The double-CD, triple-LP epic called RTZ (named after the button on a Tascam 484 that “returns to zero”) fashions several lesser-known pieces from Six Organs of Admittance’s early years into a massive prismatic arc, colossal and organic like some wonder of the ancient world. How could it be otherwise?"

M WARD Hold Time LP / CD
*** "Hold Time is an eloquent and startlingly beautiful album. While past critics have compared him to everyone from John Fahey to Tom Waits to Howe Gelb, it’s clear that M. Ward, with his brilliant guitar playing and innate sense of melody, is one of those rare and special talents who defy comparisons and compartmentalization."

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: CDs ))))) Morrissey, Mi Ami, Six Organs, Beirut & more

v/a DARK WAS THE NIGHT 2xCD
*** This is, like, the ultimate indie rock compilation. 31 exclusive tracks from the top bands of NOW.

ABE VIGODA Reviver 12" / CD
*** "The follow-up to 2008's 'Skeleton' is a new five song EP. 'Reviver' slows the mood of 'Skeleton' and crashes over your senses, getting more experimental but oddly more catchy."

ALL THE SAINTS Fire On Corridor X CD
*** "Don't be fooled by the piss-stained mattress on the cover, the debut from this power trio is moderately clean for one of Atlanta's most thunderous groups. Reference points include Loop, Gun Club, Verbena, In Camera, Federation X, and Swans. The band has earned fans in groups like Deerhunter, Battles, and A Place To Bury Strangers."

BEIRUT March Of The Zapotec 2xCD
*** One-half of this set is an EP of material Zach Condon recorded with a large local band in a small Mexico city. The other half is a collection of songs Condon conceived and completed at home.

FOL CHEN Part I: John Shade, Your Fortune's Made CD
*** A transmission from Fol Chen: "We sound like Prince with Amon Duul II and a children's religious revival, not to mention Hot Chip, Pink Floyd, Gwen Stefani, Pere Ubu, Danielson Famile, Scritti Politti, Boards Of Canada, The Blow, and Pulp. (Mostly). We are cryptic and joyful and we would like you to dance."

GOBLIN COCK Come With Me If You Want To Live CD
*** "The second album from the hyperactive mind of ROB CROW (PINBACK, HEAVY VEGETABLE, etc.), an over-the-top, fantasy/comic book heavy metal ode to power, virility, and penetration."

MI AMI Watersports LP / CD
*** "When D.C. punk band BLACK EYES disbanded, Daniel Martin-McCormick and Jacob Long joined forces with Damon Palermo and became Mi Ami. The new trio cranks out pounding, dubby, clasutrophobic jams covered in delayed yelps and skuzzy guitars. With the group’s first full-length, Mi Ami has pushed this mode even further, embracing, on one hand, more abrasive vocals and guitar work, and on the other, more complex bass lines and rhythms."

MORRISSEY Years Of Refusal LP / CD
*** Perhaps you've heard of him! This new album is supposed to be the bee's knees and I s'pose I wouldn't doubt it...

SHOLI Sholi CD
*** "The clattering of the snare drum that welcomes listeners to Sholi’s debut might as well be the death rattle of the slick indie rock that makes music supervisors froth at the mouth. The San Francisco group throw cacophonous sonics on top of swinging bass lines and jazz-inspired drums, creating a lazy, lo-fi thingamajig."

SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE rtz 3xLP / 2xCD
*** *** "The double-CD, triple-LP epic called RTZ (named after the button on a Tascam 484 that “returns to zero”) fashions several lesser-known pieces from Six Organs of Admittance’s early years into a massive prismatic arc, colossal and organic like some wonder of the ancient world. How could it be otherwise?"

VOLCANO SUNS The Bright Orange Years CD
*** "The Bright Orange Years is 1985 post-Mission Of Burma masterpiece so chock full of catchy songs that it could be any other band’s greatest hits album. A must-have for any self respecting fan of post-punk, indie rock or hardcore music."

M WARD Hold Time LP / CD
*** "Hold Time is an eloquent and startlingly beautiful album. While past critics have compared him to everyone from John Fahey to Tom Waits to Howe Gelb, it’s clear that M. Ward, with his brilliant guitar playing and innate sense of melody, is one of those rare and special talents who defy comparisons and compartmentalization."

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: DVD ))))) The second coming of Tim & Eric's Awesome Show, Great Job!

TIM & ERIC AWESOME SHOW, GREAT JOB Season 2 DVD
*** Perhaps you've heard of this television show! Whatever you heard is probably true.

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: Vinyl ))))) Eccentric Soul 4xLP, Bikini Kill, & Thank You!!

ost VAMPYROS LESBOS: Sexadelic Dance Party 2xLP
*** BACK IN PRINT! Recordings by Manfred Hübler and Siegfried Schwab from 1969 and 1970 were used as the score for three of Jess Franco's cult films. The best tracks have been culled for this compilation, sounding somewhere within red-light swing, sleazy psychedelic and strip ballads."

v/a ECCENTRIC SOUL: Twinight's Lunar Rotation 4xLP
*** NOW ON VINYL! "This is the Big Dig, the Tutankhamen of R&B: Twinight. Beyond the legendary label's hits are the records that never had a shot at the charts but should have. Comprising a massive 54 tracks in all by 23 artists, including 14 unreleased songs."

BIKINI KILL / HUGGY BEAR Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah / Our Troubled Youth LP
*** "1992 split album.

THANK YOU Terrible Two LP+MP3 / CD
*** RECOMMENDED "Thank You is an athletic rhythm/action unit -- three free individuals, subsumed into a collective form that spits out dank, skittering tracks filled with light and dark. The basics of drums, organ, and guitar build the foundation, but are augmented by whistles, cowbell, hobo harmonica, snappy loops, car horns, and whatever else might be at hand."

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: CDs ))))) Lily Allen, Arabian Prince, & Loney Dear

LILY ALLEN It's Not Me, It's You CD
*** "On the follow-up to Lily Allen's debut, Lily's characteristically sharp observations find expression in a variety of musical styles, with influences ranging from the Jazz Era to country and western to dance music."

ARABIAN PRINCE Innovative Life: Anthology 1984-1989 CD
*** "The finest of the recorded catalog from pioneering Southern Cali producer Arabian Prince, who was actually a founding member of N.W.A. and influenced not only Dr. Dre with his electro-driven beats and grooves, but also an entire burgeoning scene in the mid 80s!"

LONEY DEAR Dear John CD
*** "Emil Svanangen's new album of contrasts will cozy up to you through the bleakest of winters and be your shade in the blistering summer sun."

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

((( EVENT ))) MI AMI w/ guests | Monday, February 9 | 9PM

MI AMI / CITY CENTER / TYVEK / BRAD HALES
Monday, Fenruary 9 @ YELLOW BARN
*** Whaaaat!?! The best line-up to hit Ann Arbor in yyyyyears. Mi Ami (SF, ex-Black Eyes/Dischord), City Center (aka Fred Thomas, Saturday Looks Good To Me), Tyvek (What's Yr Rupture), and Brad Hales (Funk Night, Soul Club). Do not sleep on this excellence.
416 W Huron, A2 / $5 / 9PM

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: Vinyl ))))) Burroughs, Art Ensemble, Benoit Pioulard & more

ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO Les Stances A Sophie LP
*** NOW ON VINYL! On SOUL JAZZ.

BEACH BOYS Pet Sounds LP
*** BACK IN STOCK!

BEACH HOUSE Devotion LP
*** BACK IN STOCK!

WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS Break Through In The Grey Room LP / CD
*** NOW ON VINYL!

DEVO Mongoloid 12"
*** "'Mongoloid' and 'Satisfaction' taken from the album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!. 'S.I.B.' taken from the album Duty Now For The Future." Silkscreened lettering on jacket.

JAY-Z The Black Album 2xLP
*** BACK IN STOCK!

ROD LEE Money Lotion #6 12"
*** "Money Studies was recently given access to the vault of a true Baltimore club king, and we emerged with our pockets crammed and enough hand-picked gems to form the sixth installment in the Money Lotion series."

M83 Before The Dawn Heals Us LP+CD
*** NOW ON VINYL!

BENOIT PIOULARD Temper / Precis 2xLP
*** BACK IN STOCK!

ZOMBI Sapphire 12"
*** "Achieved using only electric bass, drums, and a collection of analog synthesizers, their sound is deceptively lush, considering its two-man ensemble. Here, Zombi display a more dancefloor-oriented side, injecting some Italo disco to their unique brand of instrumental prog. The result is somewhere between Giorgio Moroder and Goblin, Vangelis and Venom 18."

((((( NEW ARRIVALS: CDs ))))) Kranky & Soul Jazz new releases, Dubstep, Burroughs, reissues & more!

v/a FLY GIRLS 2xCD
*** Subtitled: B-Boys Beware:Revenge Of The Super Female Rappers. "Killer new compilation of funky, female rap on Soul Jazz Records featuring classic tracks alongside super-rare cuts from the queens of hip-hop spanning over four decades."

v/a GOLDEN APPLES OF THE SUN CD
*** BACK IN STOCK! "The acclaimed 2004 compilation of current underground folk music, as selected by Devendra Banhart. This is more than a compilation -- it's expertly sequenced and paced, like one long, slow flow of a particularly rich vibe."

v/a STEPPAS' DELIGHT 2xCD
*** "Steppas' Delight tells the story of dubstep -- from its South London roots up to its present status as the most vibrant musical sub-culture in the UK -- and its subsequent virus-like growth throughout the world. The album is made up of exclusive new tracks alongside some choice tracks from dubstep's recent history and features many of the original groundbreaking names alongside the current underground new wave of dubstep producers."

BENGA Diary Of An Afro Warrior CD
*** BACK IN STOCK!

BODUF SONGS How Shadows Chase The Balance CD
*** "This album is a further step away from the 'folk' label, which never seemed all that appropriate to Mathew's work in any case. The results might more rightly be construed as 'acoustic death metal' considering the themes of death, alienation, fear, hatred and isolation that are his forte, as well as his affinity for gothic imagery."

WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS Break Through In The Grey Room LP / CD
*** "Extraordinary cut-up voices recorded during the mid-60's in hotel rooms in New York, Paris, London. It's impossible not to recognize the writer's voice. An explosion of styles -- a blasting of borders -- the silence after a gunshot -- the overtaking of the fetishized word -- from the exploded painting to the cut tape."

DON CHERRY + JON APPLETON Human Music CD
*** "This 1969 avant-garde collaboration between trumpeter Don Cherry and electronics pioneer Jon Appleton consists of four compositions." Includes two bonus tracks, "Don" and "Jon."

THE DEAD TEXAN The Dead Texan CD+DVD
*** "Music from Adam Wiltzie (STARS OF THE LID) on compact disc and a DVD containing music videos by Adam Wiltzie and video artist Christina Vantzos. The eleven tracks on The Dead Texan are sonatas to Stars of the Lid's noctambulant fugues. Or as Adam Wiltzie describes them, mini symphonies."

FLIPPER Sex Bomb Baby CD
*** "A collection of Flipper material dated no later than 1982, comprised of singles, B-sides, and compilation tracks. The single version of 'Sex Bomb' is an all-out classic, a frenetic, yelping punk answer to 'Louie, Louie' and the rest is no slouch either, outrageous, harsh, sludge-punk from San Francisco's finest."

GROUP INERANE Guitars From Agadez (Music Of Niger) CD
*** "Group Inerane is the now sound of the Tuareg Guitar Revolution -- rebel musicians of the Sahara. These ten tracks are a combination of amplified roots rock, blues, and folk in the local Tuareg styles, at times entering into full-on electric guitar psychedelia."

GROUPER Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill CD
*** BACK IN STOCK! "The third full-length for Portland-based Liz Harris. Harris turns down the fuzz boxes which caged (and to some degree defined) her sound and allows her voice to ring out above everything else. It is an album steeped in the world of dream-pop -- a genre pioneered by the likes of Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil -- perfect, left-field pop songs."

HEARTLESS BASTARDS The Mountain CD
*** "The album, entitled The Mountain, delivers the powerful howl that fans expect from the Heartless Bastards, but also weaves in adventure with mandolins, banjos, strings and Erika's transcendent voice."

JONAS REINHARDT Jonas Reinhardt CD
*** "Jonas Reinhardt is a love affair between analog electronics, sweeping atmospherics, and driving motorik beats. Consider this the soundtrack for an inner-eyelid space epic that never was." On KRANKY.

KTL iv CD
*** Fourth album. "Stephen O'Malley (SUNNO))), KHANATE, etc.) and Peter Rehberg's (PITA). Whereas the first three records were blurred washes of fog and noise polished by ambient shine, IV is a more direct and demanding beast, referencing such diverse projects as: volume-era Swans, Red Mecca period Cabaret Voltaire, phase one Wire, Fushitsusha and This Heat."

TELEFON TEL AVIV Immolate Yourself CD
*** Third album. "Immolate Yourself is newer, longer, more intimate synth-pop cross-processed to make everything saturated, grainy, distorted, dusty and distressed."

JD TWITCH 10 Inches of Fear / 60 Minutes Of Fear 10"+CD
*** RECOMMENDED "For the 10", Twitch re-edited four tracks by Flux of Pink Indians, Honey Bane, Zounds, and The Mob. The mix CD featuring 22 classic and obscure punk rock tracks expertly selected and mixed by Twitch."

THE VON BONDIES Love Hate And Then There's You CD
*** SPIN(!!) says "Over punchy, driving riffs and crackling drum work, Stollsteimer howls like a guy with much to be pissed about, while the sharp production and dark pop hooks offer a vision of garage rock that's more grand than grimy."