The National - Alligator (2005)

[Indie Rock]

To anyone that knows me this comes as no surprise.

The National is one of my favorite bands, ever.

Of all time.

Ever.

For those of you unfamiliar with them, The National's sound is kind of like a sexy post punk.

Baritone vocals, guitars that intertwine in their riffage, a very creative rhythm section.

It's melancholic, relaxing and at the same time a little unnerving(in the best way possible)
Not to mention some amazing lyrics. It's got high energy points, it's got some very slow songs... it's got everything you need. Just check out the difference between tracks like "Secret Meeting" and "Daughters of the Soho riots"

Here's a little sample of one of my favorite tracks off of the album, "Looking for Astronauts"


Check it out, and listen to it on a rainy day.
Or any day, really.

http://www.mediafire.com/?nwy1xqndwgc

The Death Set - Worldwide (2008)

[Indie Rock/Electro Punk/Party]
note: I just used party as a music genre. #Fuckyeah

The Death Set are fucking fun.

Just... a fun band.

Like, drunk party with smoke machines and naked people fun.

Heavily distorted guitars with some low-budget beats, and shouted vocals. You can tell they're not going for polished... and they shouldn't. Cause this works.

Mix equal parts punk energy, party rock mentality, hip hop delivery and... Cocaine, I'm guessing.

Check out the video for "Negative thinking" and you'll get an idea:


http://www.mediafire.com/?izjzymyz2ym

Tame Impala - Innerspeaker (2010)

[Psychedelic Rock]

Tame Impala like to see themselves as a dreamy psychedelic flow-y groovy ... thing.

And once you actually listen to them, you'll get it.

What they do so well is create lush musical landscapes that are totally covered by waves of fuzz guitars, full on cavernous reverb and shoegaze-y vocals.

They're just one of those bands that make you feel better, just by listening to 'em. Or at least make you feel like you're on drugs. (And not the bad drugs. I'm talking super fun time happy drugs)

Check out Innerspeaker, if you don't like it, we'll give you your money back!

http://www.mediafire.com/?gbodcan9b84ij7g

We're back!

Ok... I'm back.

Cause it's not like... I have a production team.

Let's just say thing will be looking up in a few.

Stay tuned! A lotta good news.

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