Superchunk - Here's Where The Strings Come In Demos (1995/2011)

I picked up the new reissue of Superchunk's Here's Where The Strings Come In today and the free download comes with 2 bonuses: 4 demo tracks from Here's Where The Strings Come In, and a recording of an entire live set from 2003. Here's the demos.

Tracklist:
1. Yeah, It's Beautiful Here Too
2. Never Too Young To Smoke
3. Eastern Terminal
4. Detroit Has A Skyline

Download: mediafire

Pizza Man

Want me to love you?

If anyone can track down video's or mp3's of Sparklehorse covering Maggie May by Rod Stewart, and Smothered In Hugs by Guided By Voices, I'll love you forever.

fuck.

happy easter!

happy easter everyone.

The Beach Boys - The Beach Boys (1985)

I've been going through a big 1970's/1980's Beach Boys phase lately. Most of the 1970's stuff is really great but the 1980's stuff is generally pretty cheesy. This album, released in 1985, was their first album in 5 years and an attempt to regain past glories. While it's not an extraordinary listen, or really anything special at all, there are a few enjoyable moments through out the album. I'm a big fan of the Mike Love and Terry Melcher pennedopening single "Getcha Back", which has a similar feel to "Do It Again". It's a real heavy hitter.

Tracklist:
1. Getcha Back
2. It's Gettin' Late
3. Crack At Your Love
4. Maybe I Don't Know
5. She Believes In Love Again
6. California Calling
7. Passing Friend
8. I'm So Lonely
9. Where I Belong
10. I Do LoveYou
11. It's Just A Matter Of Time

Download: mediafire

Mark Linkous Is Sparklehorse (video)

A rare and intimate 50 minute biography on the great Mark Linkous released in 1998.

Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left (1969)

Last weekend Friar Chris told me that a local record store had asked him to price a record collection full of "punk rock" records that the record store owner had just bought off a collector. Friar Chris asked me to come along with him to assist him in pricing of these records, since he knows I'm also knowledgeable about that stuff. It turns out the collection was full of more than just punk rock. There were original pressings of records by The Flaming Lips, Dinosaur Jr., Joy Division, The Meat Puppets, The Velvet Underground, as well as rare pressings of Neil Young albums and countless more rarities. Everything was in absolutely mint condition, and when I say mint, I mean mint, they were also all entirely original pressings. Every single record I looked at looked as if it was brand new off a store shelf. (If interested in purchasing and records from this collection or checking out the collection, go to  That Old Retro Store ) In exchange for helping with pricing of the records, the owner of the store, Wade, told Friar Chris and I that we were each allowed to pick out a few records that we wanted from the collection for ourselves. I took this album, the Dream Syndicate EP I posted last night, the Howlin Wolf album I posted earlier, and a original pressing of The Velvet Underground's self-titled album.

I think this rip, as well as the others I've put up from this collection are a testament to how truly taken care of these records really are.

Anyways, enough of the story of how I got this, and the sales pitch for That Old Retro Store. Now it's time to talk about the record itself.

I'm not entirely sure how Nick Drake didn't sky rocket to the popularity of artists like Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen during his brief life, though he has become extremely popular and well-noticed since. His music is hauntingly beautiful. This album, recorded in 1968, was his debut, and is said to be inspired by Leonard Cohen's debut album. On this album, Drake was accompanied by British folk-rock groups Fairport Convention, and Pentangle. Because Fairport Convention played on this album, much of the album was rushed during down time while Fairport Convention was busy recording their own Unhalfbricking album, and there does seem to be a sense of urgency to this album. It has been observed that Drake was "tight and anxious" during these recording sessions.


Tracklist:
1. Time Has Told Me
2. River Man
3. Three Hours
4. Day Is Gone
5. Way To Blue
6. Cello Song
7. The Thoughts Of Mary Jane
8. Man In A Shed
9. Fruit Tree
10. Saturday Sun

Download: mediafire

Various Artists - The Rain Don't Fall On Me: Country Blues 1927 - 1952 (2010)

It's not secret that I'm a huge fan of old country blues music, so when I found this album, released on Mississippi Records, I didn't have to think twice about picking it up. Many of the artists here can also be found on Harry Smith's Anthology Of American Folk Music.

Tracklist:
1. Gary Davis - You Got To Go Down
2. Sam Hopkins - Needed Time
3. Henry Thomas - Bull Doze Blues
4. Bukka White - The Panama Limited
5. Willie Mae Williams - Don't Want To Go There
6. William More - One Way Gal
7. Sonny Boy And His Pals - Don't You Leave Me Here
8. Eddie Head - Down On Me
9. Memphis Minnie - Frankie Jean
10. Texas Alexander - Levee Camp Man
11. Bayless Rose - Black Dog Blues
12. Garfield Akers - Cottonfield Blues Pt. 1
13. Lulu Jackson - You're Going To Leave The Old Home Jim
14. Willie Johnson - The Rain Don't Fall On Me

Download: mediafire

Howlin' Wolf - His Greatest Sides: Volume One (1967)

Howlin' Wolf's one of my favorite blues musicians. His sound's raw and gritty and I love it. Most of the songs on this LP feature Hubert Sumlin on guitar, who's famous for teaching Eric Clapton how to play. Hubert Sumlin's nephew, Gary Martin, lives in Calgary and plays in a really great band called Gary Martin And The Heavenly Blues, if you ever have a chance to check them out, I would highly recommend it. I've seen them about 20 times and they always put on a great show.

Tracklist:
1. Down In The Bottom
2. No Place To Go
3. Sitting On Top Of The World
4. Smokestack Lightnin'
5. The Red Rooster
6. Spoonful
7. Evil
8. Killing Floor
9. Do The Do
10. I Ain't Superstitous
11. Who's Been Talkin'
12. Three Hundred Pounds Of Joy
13. Back Door Man
14. Wang Dang Doodle

Download: mediafire

Chris Bell - I Am The Cosmos (1992)

Chris Bell from Big Star's sole solo album. Though this album recalls the energetic power-pop of Big Star, the songs on this album are much more reflective and highly personal. At the time this was recorded, Chris Bell had claimed he had dropped out of music, and took a management position at his fathers fast food restaurant in Memphis, while he continued to grapple with clinical depression. The only songs from this album ever released during Bell's life time are "I Am The Cosmos" backed with "You And Your Sister" (which features backing vocals from former band mate Alex Chilton). Though the "I Am The Cosmos" single was well-received, it wasn't until 1992, 14 years after Bell was killed instantly in a car accident after driving home from working at his fathers fast food restaurant, that these recordings were ever officially issued.

Tracklist:
1. I Am The Cosmos
2. Better Save Yourself
3. Speed Of Sound
4. Get away
5. You And Your Sister
6. Make A Scene
7. Look Up
8. I Got Kinda Lost
9. There Was A Light
10. Fight At The Table
11. I Don't Know
12. Though I Know She Lies

Download: mediafire

The Beach Boys - Surf's Up (1971)

After I saw that Disney Girls video I posted here last night, I dug out my copy of Surf's Up. This is one of my absolutely favorite Beach Boys LP's. The final 3 songs are an absolute masterpiece.

Tracklist:
1. Don't Go Near The Water
2. Long Promised Road
3. Take A Load Off Your Feet
4. Disney Girls (1957)
5. Student Demonstration Time
6. Feel Flows
7. Lookin' At Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)
8. A Day In The Life Of A Tree
9. 'Til I Die
10. Surf's Up

Download: mediafire

mtt

"sure is! i was thinking about that song today and i think i had the lyrics all wrong-- it is not a song about a guy who thinks he can get these things (the old-fashioned girl etc) but rather that he knows it is all a FANTASY, --see the lyrics "reality, it's not for me"" - Probyn

The Dream Syndicate - The Dream Syndicate EP (1982)

The Dream Syndicate's debut EP. Apparently recorded for only $100. Sounds extremely similar to The Velvet Underground's White Light/White Hear. Two of the songs here also appeared later on The Days Of Wine And Roses, however the versions here are more raw and fuzzier.

Tracklist:
1. Sure Thing
2. That's What You Always Say
3. When You Smile
4. Some Kinda Itch

Download: mediafire

Small Faces - Playmates (1977)

Happy Easter long weekend everyone! I should be at work right now but I decided to take the night off to drink strongbow and rip a few records instead.

At the request of follower Lil Mike, here's the first Small Faces 1970's reunion album. I'm listening to this album for the first time as I'm ripping it because it was sealed until about 10 minutes ago. I'm only on the second track so far, and so far it's a fairly enjoyable listen, though definitely quite the departure from the psychedelic mod rock these guys were famous for in the 1960's, instead they've headed in more of a soul/r&b and at times country direction. Steve Marriott's voice has changed a lot in the 9 years since their previous album, often cracking and sounding much weaker than before, and there's quite a few references to cocaine (especially in the opening track "High and Happy") that show case the wreck that Steve Marriott's life had become.

Overall not a terrible listen, but don't expect anything as quality as Itchycoo Park (though there is a reference to it!), or Ogden's Nutgone Flake.

Tracklist:
1. High And Happy
2. Never Too Late
3. Tonight
4. Saylarvee
5. Find It
6. Lookin' For A Love
7. Playmates
8. This Song's Just For You
9. Drive-In Romance
10. Smilin' In Tune

Download: mediafire

Superchunk - Fishing/Cool 7" (1991)

Another record from Friar Chris

Tracklist:
1. Fishing
2. Cool

Download: mediafire

Eric's Trip - The Road South 7" (1995)

I picked up this 7" from Friar Chris's Sugar Shoppe today. There's something about Eric's Trip that I've always loved. I dated a girl for a year or more, and the day I met her I was buying a Eric's Trip album at a record store. I had a room mate that hated me for a while and we reconnected at an Eric's Trip concert. Friar Chris introduced me to Eric's Trip a few years back and I've been in love ever since. Classic Canadian lo-fi.

Tracklist:
1. The Road South
2. Smoke
3. I Exist

Download: mediafire

The Cryan' Shames - Sugar & Spice (1967)

The Cryan' Shames debut LP. The Song "Sugar And Spice" appears on the original Nuggets compilation. This sounds a lot like The Byrd's first few albums, and even has a cover of The Byrd's "She Don't Care About Time".

Tracklist:
1. Sugar And Spice
2. We Could Be Happy
3. Heat Wave
4. We'll Meet Again
5. Ben Franklin's Almanac
6. She Don't Care About Time
7. Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go)
8. If I Needed Someone
9. July
10. I Wanna Meet You
11. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place

Download: mediafire

The Velvet Underground - Foggy Notion/I Can't Stand It (2011)

So my record store day hunt was kind of a success, kind of not. I didn't get either of The Beach Boys records, or The Bruce Springsteen record, or actually any of the records I was looking for today. I actually only picked up 2 record store day exclusive records, but I also got a few 60's reissues, a Nazz album, and a compilation of old country blues for super cheap.

This is the first of the record store day exclusive records I picked up. A 45 featuring 2 songs by The Velvet Underground, which were supposed to first appear on the bands fourth album for MGM/Verve, but after the band left the label, these songs were shelved.

Tracklist:
1. Foggy Notion
2. I Can't Stand It

Download: mediafire

Hanson - Thinking 'Bout Somethin' Music Video

Maybe Weird Al's also responsible for this, but I actually really enjoy Hanson. Yes, I do mean those kids that had a major hit in the 90's with the song "Mmmbop". They're still around, except they're not kids anymore. In 2003, after their major record label declined about 80 songs from them because they felt they lacked marketability, the brothers dropped their deal with Island Records, and created their own record label, 3CG Records, for more creative freedom. And I think just about everything they've released since then has been stellar. I saw them live in NYC in 2009 and they put on a great show. It's not often in modern pop music that a band nails harmonies as good as these guys do.

Anyways, after making that last post about Weird Al, I decided to do some research to see if he would be coming through Calgary again. Though nothing has been announced for a Calgary return, I did find a link to the newest Hanson music video. It's for a song called "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'" and it sounds more like classic soul and r&b than modern pop music. Super catchy, and awesome. You're probably thinking, how did I find a Hanson music video while searching for Weird Al tour dates? Well, watch the video and check out who's rocking the tambourine!

Weird Al Yankovic - Greatest Hits (1989)

I was at my parents house last weekend cleaning out some stuff and I rediscovered this gem. I think this is actually the first album I ever owned, and therefore, it's not only responsible for making me who I am today, but also responsible for my taste in music, and everything you see on this blog. Classic stuff. It's been forever since I heard any of this but it still rules. I've also seen Weird Al in concert, twice, and I think as far as entertainment goes, he easily puts on one of the top 5 concerts I've ever been to. Produced by Rick Derringer, who's responsible for tons of other great hits such as Hulk Hogan's Theme Song "I Am A Real America", and some shit with Edgar Winter.

Tracklist:
1. Fat
2. Eat It
3. Like A Surgeon
4. Ricky
5. Addicted To Spuds
6. Living With A Hernia
7. Dare To Be Stupid
8. Lasagna
9. I Lost On Jeopardy
10. One More Minute

Download: mediafire

Happy Record Store Day!

I hope everyone's heading out to support their local record stores and picking up some limited edition vinyl today! I plan on heading out within the next half hour in search of the 2 new Beach Boys records, the new Bruce Springsteen 10", The Big Star reissue, and a couple others. I'll update later tonight with what I end up getting!

Sorry that I haven't done much updating at all this week. It's been a super busy week with work and parties and stuff. To be honest, I've taken on a second job again so I've been working 14 hour days from monday - friday again. Trying to save up a ton of money for when I get laid off in January next year so I can take a couple months off and travel. I'll be devoting a few hours every weekend, or whenever I have time to putting some new rips up here for you guys though.

The Dudes - This Guy's The Limit (2002)

Cover art stolen from this blog: http://youshallknowourdiscography.blogspot.com

Another lame Calgary band from 2002. Sounds like Modest Mouse kind of.

Tracklist:
1. Addicted To My Love
2. Dropkick Queen Of The Weekend
3. Destroy My Heart
4. The Prize Of Distance
5. I Want To Be You
6. The Dude Bomb
7. Mom 100m
8. They're A Comin'
9. They're A Comin' (2nd Coming)
10. Still Standing
11. Release The Daughters
12. A Cup To Put Your Blood In
13. Love & Destruction
14. Sundays

Download: mediafire

Fake Cops - Absolutely Your Credit Is Excellent But In A Certain Way We Also Need Cash (2003)

Calgary band from 2003. Dancy post-punk stuff similar to North Of America, Drive Like Jehu, Fugazi, and early Hot Hot Heat.

Tracklist:
1. Snake Eyes
2. Sir, You're Not Blowing
3. We Will Turn The Five Year Plan Into A Four Year One
4. Two Mutes Two Not
5. Roche Aux Fees

Download: mediafire

Leon Russell - Leon Russell (1970)

Before this solo debut from Leon Russell, he had already established himself as a virtuoso pianist and member of Phil Spector's famous studio band The Wrecking Crew, playing on many hit records for bands such as Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Byrds, The Rolling Stones, among countless others.

Though his rough bluesy voice may be a bit of an acquired taste for some, this is a great album of Americana country-blues.

Tracklist:
1. A Song For You
2. Dixie Lullaby
3. I Put A Spell On You
4. Shoot Out On The Plantation
5. Hummingbird
6. Delta Lady
7. Prince Of Peace
8. Give Peace A Chance
9. Hurtsome Body
10. Pisces Apply Lady
11. Roll Away The Stone

Download: mediafire

Spiritualized Electric Mainline - Pure Phase (1995)

Spiritualized's second album, credited to "Spiritualized Electric Mainline" instead of just "Spiritualized". Jason Pierce has stated that the band was actually called "Spiritualized Lazer Guided Melodies", after the first album, and he wanted to change it to "Spiritualized Rocket Shaped Songs" for the second album, but soon rejected the idea and settled on "Spiritualized Electric Mainline" before finally settling on "Spiritualized".

Although Ladies And Gentleman We Are Floating In Space is often considered to be Spiritualized's magnum opus, I think this album is better. The album flows together perfectly and has amazing balance in the sequencing. At times it will make you want to melt into the floor, and right when you're on the verge of completely zoning out and embracing nothing but the pulsing drone of a song like "Electric Mainline" until you're caught in a almost meditative stupour, you're thrown right into a space-pop gem like "Lay Back In The Sun" that you'd rather be listening to outside in the summer while enjoying a cold beverage than in your basement in the dark with headphones on. The album's made up of three type of songs: droning ambient instrumental tracks, pop/rockers, and ballads. And they're sequenced in such a way that they flow together seamlessly. This album is meant to be listened to from start to finish. It's an experience.

Ripped from the 2010 reissue on Plain Records.

Tracklist:
1. Medication
2. The Slide Song
3. Electric Phase
4. All Of My Tears
5. These Blues
6. Let It Flow
7. Take Good Care Of It
8. Born Never Asked
9. Electric Mainline
10. Lay Back In The Sun
11. Pure Phase
12. Spread Your Wings
13. Feel Like Goin' Home
14. Good Times
15. Pure Phase

Download: mediafire

Order some of my official merchandise!

Visit the link below to order some of my official merchandise, and I'll make a special bonus offer! For a limited time lasting until I die (probably another 50 years or so, assuming I die of some natural cause caused by old age), if you buy any of my merchandise, I'll give you a EXCLUSIVE!!! mailing address in which you can ship your merchandise to me, get it autographed, and returned in the mail within 6 - 8 weeks!! And you pay the shipping!!!!!! This is an offer only an idiot would pass up!!!! buy buy buy!!!

order psychocybernetic merchandise!!

Portastatic - I Hope Your Heart Is Not Brittle (1994)

After Superchunk broke up the first time, Mac McCaughan started releasing solo material under the name Portastatic, which later actually became a band. This album sounds more like Superchunk than Superchunk's last album did, however even though there's a few rockers on this album, for the most part the music is a lot softer.

Tracklist:
1. Mute2
2. Polaroid
3. Gutter
4. Naked Pilseners
5. Tree Killer
6. Creeping Around
7. Weird Time
8. Silver Screw
9. Beer And Chocolate Bars
10. Had
11. Memphis
12. Reciever
13. Why Have You Come Back
14. The Main Thing

Download: mediafire

The Red Light Sting - We're The Red Light Sting And Our Love Is Soaking In It (2001)

The Red Light Sting's second EP and the best thing they ever put out.

Tracklist:
1. We Are The Red Light Sting
2. And Then I Grew Pubes
3. I Wouldn't Touch You With A Tampon
4. My Penis Looks Big All Night Long
5. I Think My Sisters A Slut
6. When In Rome, Collect The Bone

Download: mediafire

Superchunk - Majesty Shredding (2010)

Superchunk's newest album and first album in 9 years, released last year. This album fucking rules. Total return to their earlier styles, think of Foolish mixed with No Pocky For Kitty, with a bit of Come Pick Me Up thrown in. Fucking awesome.

Tracklist:
1. Digging For Something
2. My Gap Feels Weird
3. Rosemarie
4. Crossed Wires
5. Slow Drip
6. Fractures In Plaster
7. Learned To Surf
8. Winter Games
9. Rope Light
10. Hot Tubes
11. Everything At Once

Download: mediafire

The Evidence - Damn That River music video

I think it must have been about 2000 or 2001. JBK (which was a local all ages punk collective that promoted shows at the time) had a boxing day show with some of Calgary's best bands at the time including The Martyr Index, Chupacabra, and The Minks. There was also a "secret" band billed to play the show. This secret band was the third band to take the stage I think, and it turned out to be members of The Everymen, who were a popular punk rock band in Calgary who had disbanded about a year or two prior to this show, and they were performing this evening under the name Casey And The Sunshine Band, with a whole new sound. They played three songs that night, and this was one of them. Eventually they decided on the name The Failure, and put this song out on their first album, and then a couple years later changed their name to The Evidence. They've recorded this song for their new album, and made a music video for it, and it's rad.



order the new album

The Beach Boys - Merry Christmas From The California Legends (1977)

 

Volume 3 of Making Wave's Ltd.'s Beach Boys Collectors Series. ( I also have Volume 1 up here). This bootleg is a collection of songs recorded for a Christmas album in 1977 which Warner Brothers ended up rejecting probably because it's actually pretty bad. A lot of the tracks on this are actually just other Beach Boys songs from the mid-70's re-written with new terrible lyrics about Christmas, there's even a Christmas version of a song from Dennis Wilson's Bambu sessions. Musically I think this is actually a good album, but the lyrics kind of ruin it.

Tracklist:
1. Alone On Xmas Day
2. Go And Get That Girl
3. Santa's Got An Airplane
4. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
5. Xmas Medley
6. Winter Symphony
7. Michael Row The Boat Ashore
8. Holy Evening
9. Xmas Time Is Here Again
10. Child Of Winter
11. Seasons In The Sun
12. Kona Christmas

Download: mediafire

Keith Moon - Two Sides Of The Moon (1975)

Keith Moon's solo album. For whatever reason, one of the best drummers in rock n roll who claims to be tone def decided to record a solo album where he would only touch the drums on 3 tracks and sing lead instead. He employed quite a few talented musicians to provide the music, including Ringo Starr, Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan, Harry Nilsson, Steve Douglas, Rick Nelson, Joe Walsh, John Sebastian, a few (uncredited) members of The Beach Boys, and more. The cover of Don't Worry Baby is so terrible that apparently Brian Wilson cried the first time he heard it, and they weren't tears of joy.

Tracklist:
1. Crazy Like A Fox
2. Solid Gold
3. Don't Worry Baby
4. One Night Stand
5. The Kids Are Alright
6. Move Over Ms. L
7. Teenage Idol
8. Back Door Sally
9. In My Life
10. Together

Download: mediafire

The Dream Syndicate - The Days Of Wine And Roses (1982)

The Dream Syndicate's debut full length album. Kind of sounds like a mix of Joy Division and The Velvet Underground.

Download:
1. Tell Me When It's Over
2. Definitely Clean
3. That's What You Always Say
4. Then She Remembers
5. Halloween
6. When You Smile
7. Until Lately
8. Too Little, Too Late
9. The Days Of Wine And Roses

Download: mediafire

Celebration - Celebration (1978)

Mike Love's 1970's side project. Better than The Beach Boys. Better than Music. Best album ever, but tied with this.

Tracklist:
1. Gettin' Hungry
2. Sailor
3. Lovestruck
4. She's Just Out To Get You
5. I Don't Wanna Know
6. Starbaby
7. Go And Get That Girl
8. How's About A Little Bit
9. Song Of Creation
10. Country Pie

Download: mediafire

Payola$ - Introducing Payola$ (1980)

Payola$ are  lame as fuck 1980's new wave garbage from Vancouver. And I guess every Metallica fan ever hates Bob Rock because of St. Anger. But this EP fucking owns. Pretty sloppy punk rock, reminds me a lot of The Clash's first two records.

Tracklist:
1. China Boys
2. T.N.T.
3. Rose
4. Jukebox

Download: mediafire

Ian Tyson - Cowboyography (1987)

One of the only Ian Tyson albums to be released in the United States. Ian also named his coffee shop, The Navajo Mug, after a song on this album. Another record from the King of Trades in Medicine Hat.

Tracklist:
1. Springtime
2. Navajo Rug
3. Summer Wages
4. Fifty Years Ago
5. Rockies Turn Rose
6. Claude Dallas
7. Own Heart's Delight
8. The Gift
9. Cowboy Pride
10. Old Cheyenne
11. The Coyote & The Cowboy

Download: mediafire

hey

I recommend everyone reads the writings of Pinckney Benedict. I just finished reading his first collection of short stories titled "Town Smokes" and I think the book touches base a little bit on just about everything I've ever loved in an entirely relateable way.