Tiny Hawks - Fingers Become Bridges

Tiny Hawks - Fingers Become Bridges

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4A6TZY9K
I guess Tiny Hawks TECHNICALLY is a math rock band. They’re angular guitar playing and over the top drumming certainly pigeon hole them into that genre. But, they seem to draw subtly from two other realms; the Midwest emo scene mostly in the form of the praised Kinsella projects and also the post-hardcore scene that seemed to spring up after Slint’s demise. The band is cheerfully noisy and their vocals sometimes range from Kinsella cute yelps to Maximillian Colby like shout. Tiny Hawks originated from the Providence warehouse scene that has taken the world by storm in the form of Lightning Bolt, so obviously they do love their noise as well. Essentially, I guess they are an art rock group but with only two members (guitar and drums) they certainly have a lot of room to fill. And oh how they fill it.

Shels - Sea of the Dying Dhow

Shels - Sea of the Dying Dhow
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KY8J9FLO

So, what is Shels exactly? In my opinion it is one of the finest attempts to incorporate metalcore aesthetics into a progressive rock setting. Basically, they succeed where other bands have failed. They are able to be progressive without being overtly cheesy (like, say, Between the Buried and Me's "Alaska"), and they are able to be progressive without entering realms of unnecessary pretension (like the middle of Pax Cecilia's "Blessed are the Bonds"). Sure, I could throw out a list of comparisons to groups like Kayo Dot or Isis in hopes that some of their fans might streamline through this review and check them out, but Shels really doesn't embrace the arty atmosphere of either band. Everything on this album is meticulously arranged, but is also grounded in a solid base genre of metalcore. Essentially, I guess it is the best of both worlds; complete originality and full blown clichés. Whatever is the key to Shels successful formula, it works and "Sea of the Dying Dhow" effortlessly proves that.

I Have Eaten The City - Feral Geography

I Have Eaten The City - Feral Geography
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=09J39IKG

"Look at this band's influences: "Alice Coltrane, Supersilent, Pharoah Sanders, Faust, Morton Feldman, This Heat, Giacinto Scelsi, John Cage, balinese & javanese gamelan, John Coltrane, Albert Ayler, Sarah Peebles, Autechre, Electric Miles Davis, Don Cherry, Nilan Perera, Polwechsel, Krakatau, Squarepusher, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Derek Bailey, Nels Cline, Peter Brotzmann, Fennesz, LaConnor, Barnyard Drama, Keith Fullerton Whitman, Jackie-O Motherfucker, Mephista, Black Dice, Arthur Russell, The Silt, Iannis Xenakis, Shalabi Effect, Boredoms, Deep Dark United, Kayo Dot, Sonny Sharrock, Brian Eno, Laura Barrett, Evan Parker Electroacoustic Ensemble, Terry Riley, Paul Bley & Annette Peacock, Can, Eric Dolphy, Last Exit, Awesome, Paul Schutze, Brian Ruryk."

In all honesty, how could this band not be great?"

Not to mention the Toby Driver association.

Kayo Dot - Live WMBR

Kayo Dot - Live WMBR
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8OAKFA9G

An early performance of the MA collective featuring two violinists and most of the members that were found on the recording of Choirs of the Eye. The performance starts off with a beautifully layered arrangement of The Antique followed by a monologue lacking Marathon and finally closes with an almost perfect Wayfarer. A great recording and an interesting perspective on one of my favorite bands.

Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice

Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=39849ZGI

A continuation of the sound Minus the Bear has been perfecting for the last two albums. The amount of variety on this album is excellent as well as the talent that is found in every members technical skill. This is a fun, pop album that is sophisticated and emotionally eccentric. All around just a great listen.