We’re still trying to clear the dust from the emergency remodel around here. Still lots of work to clean up the visuals, and the posting schedule is likely to be a bit erratic for a while. Apologies!

Jonathan Coulton, “Still Alive”

Yes, the song from “Portal”. But even though some of the worst dudes you know get far too excited about this, it’s a fun tune. Don’t let the nerds ruin shit!

Hockey Night, “For Guys’ Eyes Only”

[don’t mention Pavement don’t mention Pavement don’t mention Pavement]

Hey, that doesn’t actually sound much like Malkmus! It’s more like Spiral Stairs.

[nailed it!]

Beck, “Sexx Laws”

Midnite Vultures starts off like this, letting us know that we are in for Party Beck instead of Sad Beck. I like Party Beck a lot more, personally.

Cannibal Ox, “Ox Out the Cage”

It’s always fun to hear a record that still sounds fresh more than twenty years later. El-P’s production on this record is so good that it still sounds futuristic even after all this time. A great record!

Overwhelming Colorfast, “Coming Down”

It’s another largely forgotten mid-90s underground rock band! Overwhelming Colorfast put out three records, all of them pretty solid exercises in Hüsker Dü-esque melodic loud rock. That comparison, by the way, is pretty much required due to Bob Reed’s singing so strongly resembling Bob Mould’s. Although, truthfully, this is more like Sugar than it is like Hüsker Dü. Anyway, it’s decent stuff if you’re into this sort of thing.

WE’RE BACK, BABY! The historical record of this blog won’t show anything, but for the record: on the 18th, I blew this damn thing up so thoroughly trying to update it that I had to re-install it from scratch, and then remember all the custom modifications I did to get a music player in here. It was a mess, but we’re back. And we have a new logo! Kick off the tunes, Plexasaurus Rex!

We Be The Echo, “Shredder of Wheat and Souls”

I have no recollection of getting this record, but I can say: that is a very funny song title.

Unrest, “Firecracker”

On Imperial F.F.R.R. (that stands for “full frequence range recording”), Unrest not only delivered an excellent album of jangly indie pop, but also managed to sneak in some fun experimental stuff. Like this bad boy. This whole album very much does not sound like this, but it’s nice to break things up.

Tortoise, “Charteroak Foundation”

Tortoise had five years between this record and the previous one (not counting their collab with Bonnie “Prince” Billy), and when they came back, they were sounding pretty energized. This track is a good example - it starts out sounding like a contemplative piece of post-rock, but it eventually turns into what sounds like at least two different songs being played at the same time. Fun stuff!

Touché Amoré, “Limelight”

Now, I’m kinda sitting here wondering what it would sound like if Touché Amoré covered Rush. Or the other direction! Maybe a split single, with them covering each other. I’d listen to that.

Harvey Milk, “Brown Water”

Just had Harvey Milk the other day, this is nice. Well, not nice exactly. It’s nice they came up again? Anyway, it seems like I don’t even see much discussion of the band, they don’t seem to be anybody’s touchstone or point of comparison. I guess I don’t really know why that is, except that I suppose I don’t ever reference them either. Anyway, this record (Courtesy and Good Will Toward Men) is excellent, you should listen to it.

Xenia Rubinos, “Cherry Tree”

A thing that always strikes me about this project is that it seems like past me always had better judgement and taste than present me. It’s very strange living in your own shadow and constantly having your own diminishment displayed so clearly.

Tilt, “Lips Tits Hips”

I mean, sometimes.

Sacred Son, “The Blind and Feral Whiteness”

Well, here’s another one of those records that I remember buying, and even recall listening to, but don’t remember why I picked it up. I actually usually retain some context around albums and why I pick them up, but occasionally, a contextless record bobs along in here. I guess it just arrived on my doorstep one day.

Lambchop, “Up With People”

A difficult question to answer is “what is the best Lambchop record?” Part of the problem here is that they’ve evolved gently over their existence, but don’t really have recognizable periods where one could really say that that style is your favorite. Another problem is their consistency, where the albums are pretty uniformly excellent, but there’s not really noticeable jumps and dips. It’s all a big, good plateau.

Seaweed, “Punchy (The Clown)”

Not much to say about the song, but I do think it’s funny that Hollywood Records (a Disney label!) had Seaweed signed at one point.

DJ Vadim, “Your Revolution”

Damn, that drum resonating in this beat, that’s delicious.

Teengenerate, “Stink”

Perfect name for a band like this, perfect song title, no notes. Looks like a short one today!

No Use For A Name, “Exit”

Oh god, nine minutes. Nothing on Fat Wreck Chords should last nine minutes, unless it’s an entire release. I don’t remember if this is one of those CD things where they merged two songs together, with some silence in-between, to create a hidden track. Often a cover. Let’s find out together!