Dinosaur Jr. - Farm

Dinosaur Jr. formed as Dinosaur in 1983 in Amherst, Massachusetts by J Mascis (guitar and vocals) and his high school classmate Lou Barlow (bass guitar), following the break-up of their hardcore punk band Deep Wound. Shortly afterwards, Murph (Emmett Patrick Murphy, drums) joined them.

The band changed its name following the release of its debut album Dinosaur in 1985, after a band called Dinosaurs, featuring ex-members of Country Joe and the Fish and Jefferson Airplane, threatened them with legal action. (They still used the name Dinosaur on their albums until 1987 at the latest, and some copies of You’re Living All Over Me still lack the “Jr”).

Despite no gaining much commercial success, the band has enjoyed something of a cult following. The success of singles Freak Scene and Just Like Heaven singles, and recommendations from the likes of Sonic Youth saw them signed by Warner Brothers. The signature Dinosaur Jr. sound is the melodic tunes saturated in layers of guitar noise and punctuated by J Mascis’ elaborate, yet laconic guitar solos. They were a major influence on the up-and-coming band Nirvana.

(taken from last.fm)

My favorite Dinosaur Jr. album and my secret favorite release of 2009. Maybe it's the approx. 1.3 million great riffs on this record or the vocals or the lyrics or how everything fits together, but I can return to this album as often as I want to and it will always sound and feel great.

[ Jagjaguwar | 2009 | Alternative Rock | 320kbps | 1:00:40 ]

Tracklist
1. Pieces - 4:32
2. I Want You To Know - 4:30
3. Ocean In The Way - 4:20
4. Plans - 6:42
5. Your Weather - 3:06
6. Over It - 3:47
7. Friends - 4:32
8. Said The People - 7:41
9. There's No Here - 3:39
10. See You - 5:47
11. I Don't Wanna Go There - 8:43
12. Imagination Blind - 3:21

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Clann Zú - Rua

Clann Zú was an Australian band that formed in Melbourne in 1999. The forming members drew inspiration from an eclectic mix of musical styles, such as punk, rock, folk, electronic & classical. Their fusion of Celtic folk, electronic music and rock has created a unique epic soundscape full of powerful atmospheric sounds and off-beat instrumentation. Their songs are bilingual, utilising both Irish and English lyrics.

They were with G7 Welcoming Committee Records, an independent record label established by Chris Hannah and Jordan Samoleski - of labelmates Propagandhi - and Regal in 1997.

(taken from last.fm)

Download this if you liked Crippled Black Phoenix, this is somewhat similar in the mood they create and the musical means they use.

[ G7 Welcoming Committee | 2003 | Folk Rock/Post-Rock/Indie/Celtic Folk | 256kbps | 48:12 ]

Tracklist
1. Words For Snow - 4:35
2. Five Thousand More - 4:12
3. Hope This Day - 3:15
4. All That You've Ever Known - 5:33
5. Everyday - 4:02
6. All The People Now - 6:30
7. Ri Rá - 3:20
8. Lights Below - 6:09
9. Crashing to the Floor - 3:44
10. You're Listening to a Dead Man Speak - 6:52

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+ Track 8

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Fear Is On Our Side

I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness are an indie rock band formed in 2002, based out of Austin, Texas, United States. I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness is often associated with the band Spoon, and Spoon’s lead singer, Britt Daniel, even produced their first album. The resulting EP, I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness, was a 5-song EP released under Emperor Jones Records in 2003. This was followed with a 2-song 12” EP in 2005.

The band consists of Ernest Salaz, Christian Goyer, Edward Robert, Tim White, with the addition of guitarist Daniel Del Favero after the release of their debut EP.

In March 2006 the band released their full-length debut Fear Is on Our Side on Secretly Canadian, based out of Bloomington, IN.

(from Last.fm)

Another Indie classic for you. Mixed with post-punk and some post-rock elements. Very dark and melancholic. Enjoy it!

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Fear Is On Our Side

(Secretly Canadian / 2006 / Indie/Post-Punk / 192 kbp/s)

Tracklist
01. The Ghost 4:50
02. According to Plan 4:37
03. Lights 4:08
04. The Owl 2:30
005. Today 2:03
06. We Choose Faces 6:09
07. Last Ride Together 4:30
08. At Last Is All 5:35
09. Long Walk 4:22
10. Fear Is on Our Side 4:05
11. Untitled 2:06
12. If It Was Me 6:38

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Roky Erickson with Okkervil River - True Love Cast Out All Evil

Roky Erickson (born Roger Kynard Erickson on July 15, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist from Austin, Texas. He was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators, who are considered to be the first band to ever use the word “psychedelic” to describe rock music.

Okkervil River began as a mutual project of Will Sheff (vocals, guitar), and Seth Warren (guitar). They met and collaborated together when both were still in high school in Meriden, NH. After relocating to Austin, TX in the late 90’s, the duo decided to re-assemble the band with the addition of Zachary Thomas (vocals, bass), Jonathan Meiburg (vocals, banjo), and drummer Travis Nelsen. In 1998, the group self-released their first disc, the “Bedroom” (EP), followed a year later with their debut album “Stars Too Small to Use”. During the succeeding years, the band regularly played live on numerous occasions, including an appearance at the South by Southwest festival in 2000.

(more on Last.fm)

Myspace

(Anti Records / 2010 / Indie/Folk/Psychedelic / 261kbp/s)

Tracklist
01. Devotional Number One 2:17
02. Ain't Blues Too Sad 1:23
03. Goodbye Sweet Dreams 4:26
04. Be and Bring Me Home 5:36
05. Bring Back The Past 2:02
06. Please Judge 4:26
07. John Lawman 3:56
08. True Love Cast Out All Evil 4:30
09. Forever 3:58
10. Think Of As One 5:21
11. Birds'd Crash 3:59
12. God Is Everywhere 2:41

Taken down by request

Murder By Death - Good Morning, Magpie

Indiana’s Murder by Death (formerly known as Little Joe Gould) layers the vocal sounds of an old saloon with the haunting strings of a Hungarian folk dance and the hard driving rhythms of pure rock ‘n’ roll, producing what Stuff magazine has called “lush, orchestrated songs,” somehow simultaneously reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Radiohead. Added to that thick and intriguing sound are a series of dark and ironic lyrics, combining the mood and tone of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds with the narrative force of The Decemberists or a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Adam Turla fills out these sometimes frightening, sometimes beautiful lyrics by conjuring up a cast of character voices, allowing the songs to speak with the force of the characters themselves, and providing the listener with a sense of ensemble unique in rock music.

(Read all at Last.fm)

I fell in love with this band some years ago when I was listenning to their debut album and since then I've seen them live and I was always digging their music. I didn't think that this was to happen that fast but here is the new record of this indie-folk-rock band. If you don't know them give 'em a try, their brilliant. Enjoy!

Myspace

[ Vagrant Records / 2010 / Indie-Folk-Rock / CBR@320kbp/s ]

Tracklist

01. Hentucky Bourbon (00:33)

02. As long as there is Whiskey in the World (03:14)

03. On the dark Streets below (02:36)

04. King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs (04:42)

05. Piece by Piece (04:27)

06. Good Morning, Magpie (05:24)

07. You don't miss twice (when you're skavin with a Knife) (02:36)

08. Yes (02:23)

09. Foxglove (03:06)

10. White Noise (04:52)

11. The Day (03:32)

---

37:31

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Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me

Joanna Newsom (born January 18, 1982) started taking piano lessons at a very early age and played for a couple of years, but switched to the harp at seven. Her approach to the harp, from the percussive aspects of her playing to her chord changes, was also influenced by West African and Venezuelan harp music, which she began studying at a folk music camp she attended in her early teens. At the same time, she also listened to more vocal-based folk, punk, and jazz like Karen Dalton, Texas Gladden, Patti Smith, and Billie Holiday. By the time she reached high-school age, Newsom decided she wanted to become a composer, and while that became the focus of her studies, in her free time she began writing and recording instrumental songs. Eventually, Newsom’s passion for songwriting won out, and she began studying creative writing to work with words in the same way she was accustomed to working with music.

(read more at last.fm)

I realize I'm a little late with this one, but since Have One On Me is probably my favorite record of 2010 so far, I figured I'd share it here anways.

[ Drag City | 2010 | Indie Folk | VBR | 2:03:58 ]

Tracklist
Disc 1
1. Easy - 6:03
2. Have One On Me - 11:02
3. '81 - 3:51
4. Good Intentions Paving Company - 7:01
5. No Provenance - 6:25
6. Baby Birch - 9:30

Disc 2
1. On A Good Day - 1:48
2. You And Me, Bess - 7:12
3. In California - 8:41
4. Jackrabbits - 4:22
5. Go Long - 8:02
6. Occident - 5:31

Disc 3
1. Soft As Chalk - 6:29
2. Esme - 7:55
3. Autumn - 8:01
4. Ribbon Bows - 6:10
5. Kingfisher - 9:11
6. Does Not Suffice

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Songs: Ohia - The Lioness

Songs: Ohia is largely a solo project for singer-songwriter Jason Molina. Critics and fans alike have found considerable difficulty in trying to define the band’s sound, usually settling on more general labels such as indie rock and folk rock. Most are quick to draw comparisons to Neil Young and Will Oldham, (the latter of which Molina has collaborated with, alongside Alasdair Roberts, as the Amalgamated Sons of Rest).

So sad, so beautiful. A masterpiece.

[ Secretly Canadian | 2000 | Folk Rock | 192kbps | 39:29 ]

Tracklist
1. The Black Crow - 7:16
2. Tigress - 3:20
3. Nervous Bride - 2:43
4. Being In Love - 5:41
5. Lioness - 6:37
6. Coxcomb Red - 4:05
7. Back On Top - 4:22
8. Baby Take A Look - 3:06
9. Just A Spark - 2:19

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Yeasayer - Odd Blood

Yeasayer (pronounced “yay-sayer” /’jeɪseɪ.ər/) is an experimental band based in Brooklyn, New York. Live performances sometimes include trippy, psychedelic visuals projected in the background.
The band members are Anand Wilder, Chris Keating, and Ira Wolf Tuton. They describe their music as “Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel”.

Yeasayer recently revealed in an interview with Pitchfork that they had finished their sophomore album and it would be released on February 9, 2010. On October 30th, 2009 Yeasayer revealed details for the first single release from “Odd Blood” entitled “Ambling Alp”. As of early December 2009 this album was leaked on the ‘net. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Yeasayer revealed that the album came out of a massive acid trip in New Zealand. Odd Blood is partially inspired by inventor Ray Kurzweil’s theory that computer intelligence will eventually supersede the human mind. Also, Peter Gabriel’s drummer Jerry Marotta helped record Odd Blood in an upstate New York studio packed with rare synths and percussion instruments from around the globe.

(Taken from last.fm)

Tracklist
1. The Children
2. Ambling Alp
3. Madder Red
4. I Remember
5. O.N.E.
6. Love Me Girl
7. Rome
8. Strange Reunions
9. Mondegreen
10. Grizelda

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Knapsack - This Conversation Is Ending Starting Right Now

Knapsack was a emo/indie rock band that was formed in 1993 by Blair Shehan (vocals/guitar) and Colby Mancasola (drums). Shehan and Mansacola were two high school friends studying at the University of California, Davis. Guitarist Jason Bokros and bassist Rod Meyer completed the lineup.

By 1994, the band had recorded a single for independent label Goldenrod Records and signed with Alias Records later that year. Their debut album Silver Sweepstakes was released in 1995. They then toured extensively playing with bands such as Pavement, Rocket from the Crypt, Jawbox and Drive Like Jehu.

(Taken from last.fm)

Tracklist
1. Katherine The Grateful
2. Change Is All The Rage
3. Shape Of The Fear
4. Cold Enough To Break
5. Skip The Details
6. Arrows To The Action
7. Cinema Stare
8. Hummingbirds
9. Balancing Act
10. Please Shut Off The Lights

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Black Tambourine - Complete Recordings

Black Tambourine were one of the earliest Slumberland groups, consisting of members of Whorl and Velocity Girl, plus their pal Pam Berry on vocals. Conceived as an explicitly pop band at a time when pop bands were pretty rare in America, Black Tambourine wore their influences on their sleeves: The Jesus & Mary Chain, of course, but also folks like Phil Spector, Smokey Robinson, Love, The Ramones, Shop Assistants, The Pastels, 14 Iced bears, Orange Juice and the list goes on.

Though they only played a handful of gigs in their brief career, their two singles on Slumberland and Audrey’s Diary wielded a large influence, and were key artifacts in the birth of US indie pop. This compilation includes all the songs from both of those singles, plus two cuts from compilations and a previously unheard demo song. Liner notes from Jennifer Silver of Swingset Records round-out this important record - check it out!

(Taken from last.fm)

Tracklist
1. For Ex-Lovers Only
2. Black Car
3. Pack You Up
4. Can't Explain
5. I Was Wrong (Previously Unreleased)
6. Throw Aggi Off The Bridge
7. Drown
8. We Can't Be Friends
9. By Tomorrow
10. Pam's Tan

Mediafire | Rghost

Crocodiles - Summer of Hate

Crocodiles are a two-piece from San Diego, USA formed in 2008 playing lo-fi new wave, featuring former members of The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower. So far they have released a 7” on Zoo Music, and have two forthcoming split 7”s with a number of artists plus an LP entitled ‘Summer of Hate’.

(Taken from Last.fm)

I picked that one from a blog on a hot summer night. I just got it because I was amazed by the title "Summer of Hate" and the description that was given on the blog that Crocodiles combine lo-fi new wave with indie elements. And hey, Summer of Hate is a damn sexy name for a indie record. The music is awesome, so enjoy it.

Myspace

Tracklist

1. Screaming Chrome

2. I wanna kill

3. Soft Skull (in my Room)

4. Here comes the Sky

5. Refuse Angels

6. Flash of Light

7. Sleeping with the Lord

8. Summer of Hate

9. Young Drugs

Mediafire | Rghost

The Microphones - Mount Eerie

The Microphones is the name of a project that Anacortes, WA’s Phil Elverum has headed since the late 90s. Its sound is best described as lo-fi “fuzz folk,” ranging from drum-crashing, bass-thrashing sonic freakouts, strummy classical guitar love songs, angelic vocal choirs, and almost-whispered vocals over harmoniums and bell kits. In 2004, Elverum abandoned the “Microphones” name to begin recording as Mount Eerie.

(Taken from last.fm)

Yeah you guessed it: more strange-beautiful fuzz folk by Phil Elverum, just as requested.

Tracklist
1. The Sun
2. Solar System
3. Universe
4. Mt. Eerie
5. Universe Conclusion

Mediafire | Rghost

Mount Eerie - Wind's Poem

Wind's Poem is the name of the fourth full-length album by Mount Eerie. It is largely inspired by black metal, and showcases Phil Elverum in his "relatively newfound affinity for Xasthur and other lynchpins of the unholy genre".

(Taken from wikipedia)

The follow-up to this post. Definitely download this if you like either of the following genres: (indie) folk, atmospheric black metal, drone, dark ambient. Even better if you like two or more of these. This record cannot be pigeonholed into any of the aforementioned styles, but it borrows aesthetics and techniques from all of them and it's masterfully done.

Tracklist
1. Wind's Dark Poem
2. Through The Trees
3. My Heart Is Not At Peace
4. The Hidden Stone
5. Wind Speaks
6. Summons
7. The Mouth Of Sky
8. Between Two Mysteries
9. Ancient Questions
10. (something)
11. Lost Wisdom Pt. 2
12. Stone's Ode

Mediafire| Rghost

Mount Eerie - Lost Wisdom

Mount Eerie represents the latest evolution of Phil Elverum’s musical vision. Formerly known as The Microphones, Phil changed his project’s name to Mount Eerie while maintaining his subtle, lo-fi, and lyrically dense fuzz-folk aesthetic.

(Taken from last.fm)

What a beauty this record is. Just above 23 minutes of wonderful dreamy lo-fi folk with both male and female vocals. Based on this record it's hard to imagine how Mount Eerie could ever open for a Wolves in the Throne Room show, but they actually do so in February - mostly of course because one of Elverum's favorite bands is Xasthur and he introduced black metal aesthetics in his music on the 2009 record "Wind's Poem" which I'll share soon.

Tracklist
1. Lost Wisdom
2. Voice in Headphones
3. You Swan Go On
4. Who?
5. Flaming Home
6. What?
7. If We Knew...
8. With My Hands Out
9. O My Heart
10. Grave Robbers

Mediafire | Rghost

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Higher than the Stars

That's another new EP from 2009, too. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart put this out as their third record after a demo and the first full length, self titled album. A nice mixture between Dream-Pop and Shoegaze. Especially the Saint Etienne Remix of Higher than the Stars is sweet as honey.

Myspace

Tracklist
1. Higher Than The Stars
2. 103
3. Falling Over
4. Twins
5. Higher Than the Stars (Saint Etienne Visits Lord Spank Mix)

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