Campo Formio - EP (2009)

[punk/indie/other?]


Puertorrican band week, Episode 2 (Electric Boogaloo)

Campo Formio's first musical contribution is a self-released 7 track EP recorded, three months after the band was formed, live from 6:00pm-11:00pm on November 28, 2008 at Monopolio Records recording studio. It was released on June 13, 2009.

What you've got here is pure, unadulterated, raw energy. Campo Formio rip through these 7 songs like nobody's business. Creating a torrent of a bunch of different styles, feels and tempo changes, and it never feels forced, or unnecessary.
Their style draws a little from all sides, you got some clear influences here that range from Garage Rock, to Psychedelia, to Surf, to some Indie Rock... You name it.
This is, in my opinion, one of the best things to come out of the island in a while.

I also hear some Dino Jr. and Sonic Youth influences somewhere around there, so it makes me happy in the pants.

Give them a taste why don't you?

check em at: http://www.myspace.com/campoformio

And download the EP here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?zeny4mtnmq4

Ha!

Juventud Crasa - Amor en el Zafacón (2009)

[Punk Rock]

My first post of the promised "local band week" And what a post it is...

I'm starting off with one of my favorite local bands, Juventud Crasa.

With notches under their belts, and an impressive tour record (especially for a Puertorrican DIY punk band) These guys bring the energy, especially on "Amor en el Zafacon", a 6 song EP from the puertorrican Punk rock extraordinaire. From the start, it's a relentless assault on the senses, filling you up with excitement, and pumping you up to the point where you can't help but sing (or scream) along. The guitar riffage is excelent, as are the basslines. The drumming is excellent as well (really standing out on tracks like "Borracho en el Cairo") and the vocals, being a guy+girl combo really set these guys apart from everyone else.

It's melodic, agressive, and catchy as hell (Especially on my personal favorite, the classic "No Funciona")
Simply put, Juventud Crasa don't really sound like anyone but Juventud Crasa.

Check 'em out at http://www.myspace.com/juventudcrasa


Straightforward, good ol' Punk rock for your life.

http://www.mediafire.com/?mytw2mz41fj

Polysics - Karate House! (2007-2008)

[New Wave/JRock]

It's like devo... On Cocaine! =D

Karate House is the seventh release by Japanese Newwaveelectropunk-revivalists Polysics. (Yes, I totally made that up) Released in Japan in 2007, and to the US and rest of the world on 2008.

This album is full of some of the most exciting, energizing and electrifying music ever, A perfect mix of the usual J-Rock flavor (Ok, maybe unusual), with some Devo and punk-ness thrown in. Mix of hard guitars, smooth basslines, lighting fast drums and some catchy-as-hell synth work.

These guys wear their influences on their sleeve too, as perfectly exampled by the song POLYSICS OR DIE! which has a very similar structure to Jocko Homo, by Devo. (Who are their biggest influence and favorite artist)

To give you guys a little taste:

Electric Surfin' Go Go!

You should definitely check this out if you're a fan of new wave, hyper-music, punk rock, or JRock in general. Though some are sometimes put off by the language barrier, I urge you to give this album a try. You'll bounce up and down the walls. I swears

POLYSICK!

http://www.mediafire.com/?bxasazzaazk

Team Teamwork - Vinyl Fantasy VII (2010)

[Hip-hop]

After listening to this for the first time today, i just NEEDED to post this so more people could get into it.

I'd also like to start by saying, in behalf of the geek in me, THANK YOU Team Teamwork.

Geeks and Hip-Hop fans rejoice! Vinyl Fantasy 7 is the newest mixtape by the master of Geek-hop, Team Teamwork. (Yes, I just coined that term, now give me money)

What you got here is a mash-up of the FF7 soundtrack, with some kick ass hip hop tracks. Featuring the likes of MF Doom, Jay Z, Ghostface Killah and even Tom Waits... This is something you shouldn't miss.

From those who brought you Ocarina of Rhyme.

Perfect for listening to while hanging out in Midgar.

http://teamteamwork.bandcamp.com/album/vinyl-fantasy-7

(The guys let you name your own price when downloading, so if you got a couple of dollars to spend, show some love. Me? I'm broke as hell. So I went with 0$... Sorry guys =p)

The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow (2003)

[Indie Pop/Rock]

Pa' Orlando.

The Shins are one of my favorite bands ever, they have been emulated, but never duplicated. (Rhyming! Fuck yeah!)

Led by James Mercer, the Shins play a brand of Indie pop/rock very reminiscent of old time greats like The Beach Boys, but with a flair all their own. This album, in particular, showcases some of their most developed and profound songs.

Chutes Too Narrow, is a gem of indie pop/rock, as well as their other two albums, and while most people may choose to pinpoint Oh, Inverted World as their crowning achievement, I choose this one out of nothing but personal love, and well... because this is my blog dammit.

Some must-listen songs here are: Saint Simon, Pink Bullets, and my all-time favorite Shins song... A Call To Apathy(Gone For Good)

That said, be sure to check out their other releases: Oh, Inverted world and Wincing the Night Away. Pop perfection.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2EL8L9BO

Man Or Astro-Man - Experiment Zero (1996)

[Space Surf/Punk]

So basically, take the review for Destroy All Astromen! And copy paste it here.

I pretty much uploaded this because of my love for these guys, but also because this album is another of my favorites.

So yeah, pretty much the same concept, some good ol' Space Surf to keep your toes tapping and your arms swinging.

Jumping into hyperspace with this one.

Just in case you need more convincing:

Go!

http://rapidshare.com/files/314157396/Experiment_Zero.rar

Ratatat - Classics (2006)

[Electro/Indie Rock]

Mix equal parts electronica, hip-hop, and alt/indie rock... And what you get is a very nice young man, who takes his dates out to nice restaurants and always pays the bill, then later on, makes sweet sweet love to them. Let's call him Ratatat.

This is an instrumental album, and it's especially nice to listen to while driving at night, it's very chill-outy (not a word) and funky at the same time. These guys do their influences proud, as you can definitely hear the old-school hip hop influence, as well as the newer electro flow.
They make very good use of guitars, and effects... Not a sound feels out of place, or forced. Which is awesome considering the mix in their influences could lead to that.

In short, it's a great album to just chill out, drive around, or dance. It's your choice.
Makes me wanna shake it.

http://rapidshare.com/files/74060494/Ratatat-Classics.zip