Serpent Throne - White Summer-Black Winter (2010)

Serpent Throne's White Summer-Black Winter is a gnarly instrumental album that's more rock and less stoner/doom than usual (although a few church bells do ring out here and there for good measure). So if you're in the mood for some pretty straight-up 70s throwback metal without the trebly caterwauling of the old-timers, scope this out. There are plenty of dynamics from track to track to keep it interesting, even if the album as a whole dully aches for some Greg Lake-ish vocals. The only major drawback in my opinion is that this band suffers from "boring drummer syndrome," which would typically be an instant deal-breaker for an instrumental band like Serpent Throne, if it weren’t for such righteous riffage. All in all, White Summer-Black Winter feels like a classic, something you’d pluck out while rifling through your dad’s old tape cassettes and be left scratching your head, which is unique given that it was released a year ago. I give it three chicken wings and a celery stick, without the ranch. This is a good thing.

Serpent Throne - White Summer-Black Winter (2010) - 320 kbps

metaghostin' Vol. VII - Your Life is Hella Noir

Your Life is Hella Noir - 59'16"
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In creepy-as-shit news, a former student of mine was murdered last night (or the night before, depending on how your perceive time). This is a true story.

That said, I had already compiled this mix to help people live a life of high adventure in search of jewels and the solution to unsolved mysteries, and damn the nightmarish convergence!
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1. Reign of Kindo - "Thrill of the Fall" / This is What Happens (2010)

You are in an opening credits sequence; your life is fancy: you enjoy bourbon, Lucky Strikes, and fine broads with them curls. You've led a distinguished life and now you're retired, Detective Whoeverthefuckyouis — enjoy these technicolor titles while you still can.

2. Bjork - "An Echo, a Stain" / Vespertine (2001)

Chief calls you up, tells you to high tail it to the scene of crime. Which crime? Some crime. Oh, you want specifics, you needy bastard? John Doe, found dead on the steps of a building with a neon sign, his legs are missing and so are the contents of the briefcase splayed open atop his crushed head.

3.  Rachmaninov - "Prelude in B Minor, Op. 32/10"

Something fishy in the air, but at least you got the dough to put yourself up in some swank digs. You're sorting your thoughts in the lobby, gettin pissed so you can forget the image of that legless stooge, when in comes one of those fine broads from the opening credits.

4. Wayne Shorter - "Speak No Evil" - Wayne Shorter (1964)

The two of you adjourn to a nearby club, where the booze is cheaper and a semblance of privacy can be found in the squall of a saxophonist's soloing.

5. Stan Getz & João Gilberto - "Corcavado" - Getz / Gilberto (1964)

The band cuts to a different tune and so does the broad, saying oh mister oh mister you gotta solve a thing, my brother's a mess, he's in over his head, and oh no oh no mister, I'm afraid. She passes you a note then excuse me I have to powder my nose in the ladies room.

6. Fela Kuti - "Monday Morning in Lagos" - Expensive Shit / He Miss Road (1975)

On some wild goose chase as always, Detective. How'd you find your way all the way out here, halfway across the Earth, searching for a man with no name and the contents of briefcase that may never have existed?

7. Deftones - "Passenger" - White Pony (2000)

Trouble always finds you, instead of the other way around, and of course you got kidnapped dummy. At least they gave you some drugs.

8. Dirty Projectors - "D. Henley's Dream" - The Getty Address (2005)

But why mescaline? How's that supposed to benefit the situation? What's Don Henley doing here? What's he got to do with that dead body you can't seem to forget? Can't they drive any slower? You start to vomit.

9. dredg - "Traversing Through the Arctic Cold We Search for the Spirit of Yuta" - Leitmotif (1999/2001)

Who knows how long you were out, but your mouth tastes rancid, and goddammit they seem to have left you in the desert. You're thinking about how strange it is that the desert is actually the coldest place you've ever been, when a man pulls up astride what looks to be Llama but you were never good at naming animals because fuck zoos.

10. Big Wreck - "Overemphasizing" - In Loving Memory of (1997)

Coulda sworn there was supposed to be happy ending somewhere, but then the ending credits just snuck up and bit you in the ass. You get home, depressed as shit, thinking about writing existentialist fiction and quittin the liquor because it never did you no good. Sure as shit ain't gonna answer no phone calls from the chief.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow...

Before i get too far into this recollection of the last few weeks, possibly month, of my life and the resulting neglect of the Swords, I want to post up this list (with linked Swords articles in the artist name that include DL sources, and youtube vids for the tracks) which i feel are my top 5 songs for the start of the summer, a summation of my favorite snippits of albums i have dug deeply since this Swords bizness came up. And the list:

1.Wallpaper- Gettin' Drip
2.Organ Beats- Sleep When We Are Dead
(Also: their cover of Heaven is a Place on Earth)
3.The Pharcyde- Soul Flower
4.Ra Ra Riot- Shadowcasting (nice live acoustic version here)
5.Toe- Kodoku No Hatsumei

As a runner up who i have yet to post about, Sam Cookes Wonderful World deserves some recognition, not only because of his nostalgic and timeless perfect pop sound, but also because its use in Animal House makes such a great soundtrack for my favorite John Belushi scene.

Classic Summer Album Alert

This post is one solely for that feeling you used to get in high school, about the first week of june, when all of your classes were wrapping up and the finish line to summer was fast approaching and all you had on the horizon for the next 10 weeks was maybe a part time summer job, driving around to all kinds of places in your parents car with your newly acquired license, long days and late breakfasts, maybe a family vacation... the freedom and excitement you felt about having no one prescribe what you needed to be learning and discovering things for yourself, with all the best company.

Animal Collective - Sung Tongs (2004)

There are few musical moments I can remember more vividly than the first time I heard Sung Tongs. It was my second year in college and I was only slightly familiar with their previous release (the excellent "Here Comes the Indian") Checking out Sung Tongs was only natural.  Upon first listen my mind was blown all of over the surrounding floor in my dorm room. I was spending a lot time working on solo material and this music was seemed to be oddly in line with what I was trying to do. What was called "freak folk" at the time seems like such a distant and laughable memory, this is above all that Devendra Banhart posturing. In retrospect I now realize that there was some heavy president for Animal Collective's take on acoustic guitar campfire sing a longs. The 60's progressive folk movement held many an odd bird and most notably sound wise someone many are familiar with, a Mr. Marc Bolan ("Bang a Gong" anyone?)  Then known as Tyrannosaurus Rex a sort of hippie bongo loving acoustic freakout with lyrics to match. The other influence (the more obvious of theirs) is The Beach Boys. Classic classy harmonies stripped straight from a canned session of Smiley Smile creep in and out of Sung Tongs. The true secret in this album is the emotion pouring from Avey Tare and Panda Bear's lyrics and their choice of chords. Its a record almost dedicated to nostalgic childhood moments and it translates so well that you begin to place your own to each song. Its an incredibly difficult feat to accomplish as an artist but it clicks here. I know they are pretty flipping popular these days but again if your only familiar in passing then now is your chance.

PS. For you "Visiting Friends" haters it is a gorgeous soaring piece of music. everyone should take the time to relax in a room to it.

Sung Tongs (2004)

Refused-The Shape of Punk to Come

I was just surfing through some of the older posts on this site to get to some more downloading, and while doing so I was reminded of Refused for some reason; I was listening to A Troop of Echoes when i decided to look up the universally revered album that lead to the dismantling of the band behind it.

I remember seeing the video for New Noise back in highschool on some MTV afterschool and loving it, but never picking up the album; i would forget about them, and until just now I haven't heard anything else from their definitive masterpiece. Just from the first few tracks, i can tell how much they must have influenced bands like Mars Volta, Dredg, Bloc Party.. the list could go on. The range of sounds on this is truly special; in 1998, they were mixing a lot of sounds together that at the time was very new; great production for a punk-rock band, first and foremost, but then how they also added sampling in both spoken vocal snippits, but also sections of cool electronica; singing, screaming, winding song structures, and just limitless creativity for a 4 piece hardcore band. Here is New Noise:



It builds up some sweet heavy tension, before letting go to a cool electronic interlude before the vocals enter; The track is the centerpiece of the album, and after hearing the first 4 tracks that lead up to it, i can see how it is a song they decided to put dead center because it really solidifies the themes and sounds they spend the first 20 minutes of the album building, and put it to use for a very cool 5 minute single. I wont say anything more as I am just now starting to dig into the rest of The Shape of Punk to Come, but i am very glad i have rediscovered these guys. Dig it, fools!

the shape of punk to come

Time of Orchids - Namesake Caution (2007)

There is some division here at The Swords over this group, but I'm here to say while not a large fan of past releases 2007's Namesake Caution has some honest to Christmas amazing songs going on. Time of Orchids during their....time were a group very in love with classic prog rock and putting a modern day spin on it. Guitar's play off key melodies as much as they play catchy progressions but they are usually always met with the opposite vocal treatment. Vocals are very often layered with odd harmonies on top but its a technique that works and really gives it that throwback progressive sound. Its a balanced way of carrying out their songs and even a few times the two end up meeting for some actual moments of melodic harmony. Things do tend to get a bit technical but it never sounds ends up sounding academic.  With most things progressive though without proper song structure things can fall into the indulgent rather quickly with nothing to hold you. There are plenty of intelligent twists and turns to keep you engaged thankfully. I can not however say these guys are for everyone. Just something you'll have to figure out on your own. You know where I stand at least.



Namesake Caution (2007)

Polvo - Today's Active Lifestyles (1995)

Lets get this straight first and for most, Polvo did not invent math rock. If you really want to get into it a strong argument could be made for Bastro's 1989 album Diablo Guapo. Consider that Polvo formed in 1990 and the above mentioned argument is dead, I digress. This does not take away the fact that of the 90's Polvo remained one of the most creative and engaging indie rock/experimental bands around. oddly enough they were constantly compared to Sonic Youth which I find to be a rather large error in thought. What you can expect is the heart of an indie rock band, powerful eastern influenced angular guitars, inspired rhythmic song structures and some really tasteful vocals. As luck would have it Polvo also recently reformed and released new material, 2009's In Prism. With adding more progressive elements to the mix, Polvo has been surprisingly relevant in the 2000's. With many releases under their belts my personal favorite has always been Todays Active Lifestyles. It strikes a balance between their experimental side and their eastern leaning influences. While many groups of today draw inspiration from  them there are very very few groups that actually sound like them. I'd say The Joggers being one of the only in my approximation. (there are Joggers songs that actually lift entire chord progressions from them) If your unfamiliar or even if you have heard a couple times sit down and give them a hard listen. Its in your best interest.


Todays Active Lifestyles

In Prism

Cor Crain Secret

Exploded Drawing

Colin Stetson - New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges (2011)

This is the most jaw-dropping piece of musical genius I've heard in a long time.

Colin Stetson is an explosive saxophone soloist. And by this I don't mean that he rips sick licks while some funky jazz band lays it down. I mean that Colin Stetson plus one saxophone is all you need for a completely enveloping musical experience.

Colin Stetson uses an array of saxophone tones, screams, hums, vocalizations, key clicks, and magic to create a densely-layered steamroller of sound. For this record, his performance was captured by a total of 24 microphones, allowing each subtle sound to be EQ'd and mixed independently. This gives the record an incredibly rich, full sound with thumping bass and rich throaty highs. The record sounds fuller than most full bands.

Stetson is joined on a few tracks by female vocals, spoken word by Laurie Anderson, and a french horn interlude. The accompaniments are sparse, and the emphasis is really on his otherworldly saxophone performance.

The best part about this record? It is tasteful, intelligent, engaging, and fun. This guy has played sax for everyone (Bon Iver, The National, Tom Waits, The Arcade Fire, G!YBE, etc. etc. etc.) and its awesome that he has stepped out to create such an awesome record on his own.

Fill yr ears with this record HERE.

And in case you need to see to believe, skip to 2:15 below (or watch the whole thing).

Drummers - Self-Titled (2011)

With a name like "Drummers," you might expect a sound with more than one drummer, guitarists who play their instruments percussively, or some jaw-dropping stick work. Although none of this is evident on Drummers' debut LP, it is a pretty solid post-hardcore/post-punk/screamo/whateverthekidsarecallingitthesedays effort. Guitars jangle, crunch, and drive throughout, punctuated by rich screamo vocals. The production has an interesting gritty quality that works pretty well stylistically. Drummers are at their best playing catchy, rhythmically interesting music. Some of the deeper cuts are clunkers, but some uninspired chugging and failed experiments are to be expected with any fledgling band's debut. Looking forward to more from these guys.

Drummers' self-titled debut is available to download for free at their Bandcamp.

Enablers - Blown Realms and Stalled Explosions

Now this is a real treat in my opinion. You don't see nearly enough dark math rock like this these days. So if your familiar with the OG's such as June of 44, Slint, Rodan, Shipping News then you can certainly start getting a head on what these gents sound like. But instead of recycled riffs you are served with a heaping portion of dark and strange chords thats cut at an angle just for you. If it ended with just the music I would be A-Ok with that. Thankfully we have Pete Simonelli on vox to complete this incredible package. Pete lays down the spoken word blitzkrieg, slinking through the labyrinthine guitar lines and actually producing some truly great poetry from what I was able to suss out.  May not be for everyone (If you dont like it your the suck) but its a great update on a style laid down years ago.

HIGHLY RECOMENDATATIONED



Blown Realms and Stalled Explosions

Angels of Light - The Angels of Light Sing "Other People" / Akron/Family

After leaving the amazingly excellent and influential band "Swans" Michael Gira settled into his new project Angels of Light. That's when it happened.... the "settling".

The Settling - When an aging musician picks up an acoustic guitar and begins spinning intimate lyrical themes.

This as we all know can go one of two ways be incredibly mediocre or translate the musicians vision to a new genre perfectly.  In the case of Mr. Gira he pulls this off without nary a hitch. He even brings along his newly discovered hopefuls "Akron/Family" (A Brooklyn based "freak folk" group) to back him for his next album The Angels of Light Sing "Other People".  They themselves just released their first album which by all approximations was and still is a flipping great album. Let just not talk about anything after their split release it tends to get a little muddled after that.

Back to the whole point of this post. The Angels of Light song "My Sister Said".  Yea its a good album no doubt but this song is unimaginably gorgeous in every way. One of my favorite songs of all time.  I don't have many songs I would say that personally speak to me but this one rocks my very core. EVERYONE at some point in their life needs this song and I cant say that strongly enough.

The Angels of Light Sing "Other People"

Akron/Family (2005)

Akron/Family and Angels of Light Split

1994! / Algernon Cadwallader / Snowing / Boys and Sex. Summer Singles

 

 Let me begin by saying I am extremely excited to be attended this Wednesday's show at the Bug Jar in Rochester NY. Playing will be none other than previously mentioned Algernon Cadwallader and equally awesome Snowing and 1994! as well as some local fair. I highly recommend anyone in the area to check this shit out as it will be an earthquakingly good time, info below.

Wednesday Bug Jar Rochester NY 

While I have already covered Algernon let me speak of the awesome that is 1994! and Snowing. These three groups share a location of Philly PA with one another and also sound wise are reconnecting with that classic 90's emo sound in different ways.

Snowing has a nice two guitar indie rock attack going that mixes some catchy ramshackle vocals with some hot as hell math lite instrumentation. 

1994! Has the emotional shouting vocals and amps up the speed and math quotient by 2.5. For a two piece they are extremely interesting especially the drums which are restless and intricate.


Its a nice little split to get your beak wet on these groups so check your ears at the door.


Summer Singles

Zvoov - Everbrown (2011)

This is a sleeper album. On first listen, nothing really pops. Everything is well-executed and sounds nice, but there's nothing really jaw-dropping.

After a few listens, the album definitely starts to grow. The guitar parts are subtle, sneaky, and dark, highly reminiscent of Slint. The rhythms have an understated but groovy swagger. Its clear that a lot of thought went into composing each song. The parts are polished, interesting, and stand up to repeated listens.

In contrast to a lot of math-rock albums I've been listening to, there is nothing extreme or astonishing on this record. But a face-melting chopsfest does not appear to be Zvoov's intention here. Instead, they use restraint and have created a thoughtful, well-crafted album. Its an interesting approach to the genre and well-worth a listen.

Also, the drummer is one of the tallest men on earth.

Everbrown is available for free on Zvoov's Bandcamp.

Derek Bailey - Ballads (2002)

Fact:          I love Math Rock.


If you haven't figured that out yet then you clearly don't follow this blog. But it can be exhausting if too much is consumed, hence today we have Derek Bailey. As its fathers day today for some reason it reminded me of this album. Bailey is a taste that divides listeners, Avant-garde improv. acoustic guitars. Now if that doesn't sound awesome then this is just not for you. Many of his releases even for me are just too much as far as an enjoyment stand point which is why I've always clung to Ballads. This was actually in response to many critics claims that maybe Derek had no clue how to "normally" play the guitar.  Well it kinda splits the difference with actually playing "straight" and his crazed picking and plucking.  Discontinuity between notes is one of the many things listeners will notice with his playing style. An idea or rhythm will disappear as quickly as it's played.  There is a longing feel to the album even a slight romantic bent but I cant say exactly why. Again most people are not going to be jamming this shit with their windows down this summer but I cant say I know too many acoustic guitar players that use this much emotion in their composition and playing style.

Ballads 

Brontide - Sans Souci (2011)

Brontide (definition)- A sound like distant thunder

This hotly anticipated outing by relative newcomers Brontide seems to be living up to expectations. An English trio dishing out an instrumental math rock sound that can be likened to a more energetic Russian Circles with a bit of Battles thrown in (think early Ep's). Theirs is a varied post rock approach set up in such a way that no songs become stale. The Obvious metal influences surface when the distortion is kicked on and it gets the job done pretty competently.  What I believe to be the star lion tamer going on here though is when they actually buckle down with some looped guitars and up the melody factor. It allows the group more rhythmic freedom which they have a strong grasp of when they are in that mode.  the Production is crystal clear which I am always thankful for. A small gripe is that it appears they never quite try to break the mold but it's seriously such a consistent and enjoyable album I can bet you twenty bones you'll never even notice.

San Souci (2011)

Jaga Jazzist - One Armed Bandit (2010)

A Norwegian jazz ensemble that has a clear passion for electro-jazz kings Tortoise. They even have a small obsession with the vibraphone like Tortoise does! This of course can be excused instantly as the vibraphone is awesome. But thats really only a launching point for this adventurous young band who have been honing their craft over several releases. Their latest (and best in my opinion) has some very real proggy proggings . They of course have always flirted with such progressive trappings on previous releases but here the flag is waving high and proud. I enjoy the upbeat nature of the songs with different instruments being used almost at random.  For those of you that are not super into Jazz well I'd even say that this is for you also as it could be considered post rock as well.


One Armed Bandit (2010)

Girlfriends - S/T (2009)

Gotta say that the one man math rock band thing is something I'm really loving these days. Portland Oregon's "Girlfriends"(AKA Jerry Joiner) is an attack force of guitar and drums with post hardcore style scream singing that is very easy on the ears.  There is certainly some sort "dance" element going on as well. Dare I say even a Foals sort of vibe. The drumming runs tasteful to fairly inventive which is always a step in the right direction. The first two songs are incredibly strong with the second (brobocop) being one of the finer tracks I've heard lately. This (as always) is some really great stuff and there shouldn't be anything else that needs to be said.


S/T

Sick Electric - Haywire (2008)

Lazer. Laundry. Buffalo. Accident.

In 2008, the four aforementioned members of Sick Electric released their magnum opus, Haywire. Clocking in at 16 tracks, the album is a math/surf/prog/metal epic about surfing, robots, headless lovers, some more surfing, zombies, the future, nuclear war, outer space, and the apocalypse. While thematically this album sounds like fodder for a MST3K episode, the band manages to pull everything together by employing tight, concise song structures while remaining outrageously mathy, aggressive, and intricate. Most reviewers have attacked the schizophrenic genre-bending action as a source of confusion, but for me the multitude of sounds has kept the album interesting listen after listen.



Post-Haywire, Sick Electric put out a straight-alt-rock LP in 2010 which tanked hard. Then they broke up. But Haywire remains an essential piece of experimental rock.

Sick Electric - Haywire

The Fire Show - Saint The Fire Show

      Sometimes a bands last effort can be a trans-formative affair.  Other times it finds them run down and beaten into the ground.  All I have to say is thank god for this swan song by The Fire Show.  Sadly, for as much press in online publications that this band has received they were forgotten by time even before they went there separate ways.  I hope to let more know of this great album.
     A post-punk band in the loosest of definitions, Seth Kim-Cohen and Michael Lenzi make a beautifully controlled racket on Saint the Fire Show.  With Brian Deck (Califone) behind the boards you know your going to get some excellent percussion sounds.  Programed drums along with live kit playing, introspective lyrics, sampling, buzz saw guitar and a low end that provides a thundering bed for the rest to flow on is the area which these boys inhabit.  This is certainly not your daddies post-punk.  If your wondering as a point of reference musically it  has shades of Wire, Public Image LTD and This Heat sprinkled throughout.
     This release is always on rotation for me and for a lot of people i show this to it remains the same.  I really can not say enough good things about this release.  It is truly a portrait of a band at its creative peak and would beg to question “where would the band go from here” I am somewhat thankful I dont know the answer because cliche or not it really doesn’t get much better this high on the mountain.

 Saint The Fire Show