Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights (2002)


First (and best in my opinion) album from yet another great New York City ensemble, Turn On The Bright Lights is dark and tragic and beautiful in its own indie/post-rock sort of way. Paul Banks' vocals resemble the quivery solitude that the late Ian Curtis of Joy Division once held, while the rest of the band backs him up tremendously.

Recommended Tracks:

Obstacle 1
Say Hello To The Angels
Stella Was a Diver and She was Always Down

Turn on the Bright Lights (2002)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/26lujn

The Strokes - Is This It? (2001)


The debut album by the New York City based 5-piece brought the United States and the rest of the rock n' roll world to its knees. It was as if over night rock music had been saved from the grips of the music industry and assholes behind a microphone, and thrust back into the hands of people who really cared about the genre. Thanks Julian and the rest of the boys in the Strokes for their contribution to a rebirth in good old fashioned song writing.

Is This It? (2001) (US Release)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/bmz50g

Friday, October 26, 2007

Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones (1983)


The first album in the brilliant trilogy also including Rain Dogs and Franks Wild Years, Swordfishtrombones is an instant classic. The rasp in Mr. Waits' voice has been described as a cup of razor blades followed by a bottle of scotch and a pack of cigarettes. Not to mention the sheer tragedy that flows within him as he belts into the microphone. Like a lonely cat in a November night, I picture him shuffling his feet with his collar up past an old lamp post just about to burn out. Rain and soot and alchohol soak the streets behind him as he walks aimlessly through the night and into the dreams of anyone not careful enough to lock their windows before they drift off to sleep.

Swordfishtrombones (1983)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ir5c5c

Celebration - The Modern Tribe (2007)


The second release from this Baltimore trio, The Modern Tribe is a mesh of swirling organ, wailing vocals, and thunderous percussion, all mixed together in order to establish some sort of authority. The first track "Evergreen," is one of the best songs I have heard in a while, and the rest of the album creates a sense of comfort that envelopes you as you delve through the 11 tracks.

The Modern Tribe (2007)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/3edf3h

Saturday, October 20, 2007

(+/-) - Self-Titled Long-Playing Debut Album - 2002


This album is really a breath of fresh air. Mixing electronic backdrop with heavy percussion and distortion, +/- really have a lot to offer. Songs range from quite and pleasant, forcing the listener into a dream scape full of questions and puzzles, to songs full of heavy noise/psychedelia, propelling one into a whirlpool of heavy machinery, dirt, and smoke. Plenty of samples make for a big sound, filling plenty of space. Later in the album, a specific statement rings true, almost summing up the entire album.

"Don't fall in love with anyone too soon."

fucking brilliant.

(+/-) - Self-Titled Long-Playing Debut Album - 2002
http://www.sendspace.com/file/e8p5fc

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Sea Wolf - Leaves in the River (2007)


The latest release from Sea Wolf is the perfect autumn album. The title track says it all. Give it a shot. Trust.

Leaves in the River (2007)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/cqsiys

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Broken Social Scene Presents...Kevin Drew - Spirit If... (2007)


(for Jasmine)

http://www.sendspace.com/file/107v5s

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin- Broom (2005)


Though their name is a bit extreme and even over the top, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin present simple indie-pop pleasures on their debut album "Broom." Full of subtle emphasis on what makes good song writing, these men, and they aren't boys anymore seeing how they are almost out of their early 20s, really have a great and confident sound. The real catch with this band, besides the fantastic instrumentation, are the lyrics. The first track on the album, entitled "Pangea," is brilliant. "Pangea, we used to be together, why'd we have to drift apart?" Songs like "House Fire," present a bit darker side of separation. "We did what we could to save this car from crashing. You're pretty face is soaked in blood, but you know I still find you dashing." Really quite lovely stuff. Their new album is due out soon, (so I've heard,) and if anything it will be a brilliant extension to this fantastic debut.

Broom (2005)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/p0lf6t

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Beach House (2006)


As summer has come to a close and all thoughts of beaches disappear into the backs of our minds for another winter, Beach House remains. This debut album is nothing short of heartbreaking and beautiful. It's simple really. Summer songs have a specific structure that make their listener feel. The beauty is that it doesn't actually have to be summer in order to feel this album. Victoria Legrand supplies the almost ghoulish vocals/organ, while Alex Scally adds the subtle guitar that makes you feel as though you are driving down a dead end street that is your only way home. The fact of the matter is that these two really have something here. I recently saw Beach House opening for Grizzly Bear. They were just as majestic live and Victoria's notes were enough to give me chills. After the show, I spoke with Alex and he told me to look for a new album out within the next few months.

The question you have to ask yourself is whether these songs make you feel like you're walking the beach eternally as a crying apparition, longing for your lost lover, or put you with the sand between your toes sipping a nice cold Corona. This album is perfectly capable of both.

(Video for "Master of None")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2YiUTh9dj4

Beach House (2006)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/0ijv8m

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

David's Last Summer


This is a short story that I wrote in October of 2006 entitled, "David's Last Summer." It is roughly based on song "David's Last Summer" by PULP, off of the album His n' Hers. I have attached both the song and the short story. Listen to the song before you read the story. Enjoy!

"David's Last Summer" by PULP.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/281zjp

"David's Last Summer" written by Doctor Sailor.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/mkwj9t

Monday, October 8, 2007

Raccoo-oo-oon - Behold Secret Kingdom (2007)


pysch/folk/freak/fuck/craziness for people who like it raw.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/s3d93l

Apostle of Hustle - Folkloric Feel (2004)


The lead guitarist for Broken Social Scene's Andrew Whiteman's first album with his project Apostle of Hustle. Heavily influenced by Cuban and Spanish guitars, this Latin-tinged indie rock masterpiece supplies the perfect amount of emotion for any situation. "I went to the wrong house last night, and I crawled into the wrong bed..." Enough said.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/by05cd

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Sleeping States - There the Open Spaces (2007)


beauteous. period.


The Shaky Hands (2007)


The Shaky Hands are easily one of the freshest sounding bands of the year. With an indie/folk apparatus changing from acoustic to electric throughout the album, these guys really have a great sound worth checking out. The songs "Why/How Come?" and "I'm Alive" are my personal favorites, but the album as a whole is truly well written and a real "grower." Definitely deserves multiple listens and by then, you will be hooked.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/d3uw0m

Animal Collective Live @ Webster Hall 10/1/07


Animal Collective's short residency (2 days) at New York City's Webster Hall was nothing short of amazing. Though Avey had a hard time the first night, Monday's 10/1/07 performance made up for any disappointment the night before. Playing mostly new material unreleased, as well as stuff from their latest release, Strawberry Jam, and their earlier album Sung Tongs, this performance was not to be missed. Thanks to nyctaper for the incredible sounding recording of this fantastic show!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/a8pkdo