Get Set Go - Selling Out & Going Home (2007)

This band needs some more fucking attention; they play funny (but not comedy) singer-songwriter-esque alternative rock, perhaps somewhat in the vein of early Weezer but with the nerdiness replaced by choruses like "You look pretty cool / I think I wanna fuck you / I do! I do! I do! / I wanna fuck you hard", but they also have a sweet side, with lines like "You are the song that I sing without knowing the words / you are the song that I sing that no one has heard before"; these guys are one of my favorite bands and it's sad that more people don't know them, so check 'em out

Myspace
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Snowing - Tour Tape (2009)

Two-song tape that these guys would have sold on their tour, had their van not broken down; this is more of the great emo/post-hardcore stuff that we've already come to expect from this band, and the track "So I Shotgunned a Beer and Went to Bed" in particular is fucking GREAT; I'd tell you to go buy a copy of this, but there were only 50 and they already sold out (I got one woooo), so instead go pre-order a copy of their soon-to-be-released 7" from Square of Opposition Records

Myspace
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Previous Posts:
Fuck Your Emotional Bullshit

Piebald - We Are the Only Friends We Have (2002)

Despite the 2008 breakup of this Massachusetts-born band, the debate rages on as to what exactly they should be referred to as; indie rock? pop-punk? emo? alt rock? powerpop? I would say all of these apply in some way, but it doesn't really matter what you call them, because Piebald are one of the best bands I've ever heard; everyone should listen to them, and this album is as good a place as any to start

Myspace
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Why? - Eskimo Snow (2009)

Why?'s 2005 sophomore release, Elephant Eyelash, is probably my favorite album of all time. Alopecia was my second-favorite album of 2008, and in retrospect, probably deserved the number one spot. And as of a few weeks ago, they are without a doubt my favorite active band, always amazing me with their unbelievably original mixture of folk, hip-hop, pop and indie rock, all with Yoni Wolf's trademark dream-like lyrics. So, it goes without saying that Eskimo Snow has been my most anticipated album of the year (by a large margin), and getting it this early (its street date is September 22nd) is like an early birthday present (whereas if it hadn't leaked, it would have been a day-late birthday present).

Let me just cut straight to the point - this album not only meets any expectations I had; it exceeds them. I've had it less than 24 hours, and it's already looking like it's got a lock on album of the year 2009. It's that good.

Not only is this my favorite album of the year so far, "Into the Shadows of My Embrace" has already become my favorite song of the year as well. It's Eskimo Snow's answer to Elephant Eyelash's "Gemini (Birthday Song)"; that's how much attention it commands. This song builds and builds and builds across its 4-and-a-half-minute runtime, and when Yoni drops the line "I know saying all this in public should make me feel funny / But you gotta yell something that you never tell nobody!" it's like every inhibition I've ever felt about anything just drops away in an instant, and my body starts moving and flailing like I've never moved and flailed before; I think it probably looks a lot like Ally Sheedy dancing to "We are Not Alone" in the Breakfast Club (for those of you who somehow haven't seen that movie (what the fuck is wrong with you), she's the one in black). And when he howls out "Am I clean? / Lord please / WHY ME?" and lets the last minute of the track be taken over by a guitar solo (yeah, a guitar solo in a Why? track, but it works), I essentially start having a seizure. I'm more than a little scared to listen to this song in my car, because there's a very good chance I would veer off the road and die in some fiery catastrophe. But at least my death would have a kickin' soundtrack.

Seriously, I can't emphasize how good this album is. Download it. Love it. Buy it when it comes out, because this band is one of the last truly unique acts out there, and we don't want them to go anywhere anytime soon. Whatever you do, hear this album.

Myspace
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The Octopus Project - Golden Beds EP (2009)

This is only five tracks long, but it's still an excellent addition to the Octopus Project's already-impressive catalog; this release shows them further experimenting with the addition of vocals to their unique brand of relaxed-yet-danceable indietronica, and I must say, I really like the direction they're heading (and can't wait to go pick up a copy of this tomorrow)

Myspace
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Previous Posts:
Hello, Avalanche

Lemuria - The First Collection (2007) and Demo (2004)

More from this awesome pop-punk/power-pop trio; The First Collection gathers together their early material on splits and EPs and such, and I've also uploaded their 2004 demo CD

Myspace
Try It (The First Collection)
Try It (Demo)

Previous Posts:
Get Better

By Surprise - Four on Seven in Eight (2008)

EP from these Jersey-based punk/emo/'indie rock' dudes, really good stuff; as the title implies, this release is only eight minutes long, so you've got no excuse for not checking this out

Myspace
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Previous Posts:
Split w/ Hightide Hotel

Various Artists - Gaol Ferry Bridge (Sarah Records)

Another compilation from Sarah Records, serving all your lo-fi jangly twee pop needs; there will be more of these comps posted when I get around to uploading them

Myspace (unofficial)
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Previous Posts:
Various Artists - There and Back Again Lane

Lullaby for the Working Class - Blanket Warm (1996)

Calm, soothing and comforting debut from Nebraska-based acoustic indie folk band Lullaby for the Working Class, features members of Cursive, Bright Eyes, and the Berg Sans Nipple

Myspace
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Andrew Jackson Jihad - Can't Maintain (2009)

So, these Phoenix-born folk-punkers have just released their best album to date, filled with the same frantic acoustic guitar strumming we've all come to love, along with - get this - a KAZOO

Oh...and they have a pillowcase for sale

Myspace
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By Surprise / Hightide Hotel Split 7" (2009)

As promised, here is the brand new split between these two indiemo (I hope that term doesn't catch on, it's kinda stupid) groups; if you're familiar with Hightide Hotel, you know this is worth checking out, and they're certainly the reason I bought this release, but By Surprise was, well, a surprise; they really stood out and impressed me with their three tracks on this 7" (they're also more on the punk side of things than Hightide); also, I included some scans of the sleeve and insert in the download, because I felt like it

You guys NEED NEED NEED to go buy a copy of this, not only because it's only 5 bucks, and not only because these bands totally deserve your cash, but because both of these bands have very bright futures, and they're only pressing 300 of these things, so if you let that indie cred slip through your fingers you'll be kicking yourself forever

Myspace (By Surprise)
Myspace (Hightide Hotel)
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Previous Posts:
Hightide Hotel - Porch Luck
Hightide Hotel - Secret Somethings

Roman Candle - Oh Tall Tree in the Ear (2009)

Deliciously twangy alt-country/indie rock five-piece out of North Carolina; this is what we all wish Wilco still sounded like

Myspace
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Sadsic & Essue Dove - Somnolange! (2009)

I've got a few things to post today, and first up is this KILLER collab between two internet-based artists, Sadsic and Essue Dove, which was sent to me by the artists; according to them, this album is "lo-fi electronic experiments which don’t fit into any particular genre, and that even before the record starts [is] taking unexpected left-turns"; this album takes the idea of bedroom electronic recording to new heights, and never once sounds tired, generic or played-out like so many of its contemporaries

Last.fm (Sadsic)
Myspace (Essue Dove)
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Deastro - Moondagger (2009)

Spacey psychedelic electronic dream-pop made with (apparently) sampled children's toys and synthesizers by some crazy bastard in a basement in Detroit; this is like Passion Pit on crack

Also, if anyone could clue me in as to how to make the amount of downloads on my Megaupload files show up, that would be bomb

Myspace
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Fanfarlo - Reservoir (2009)

Semi-folksy indie pop that sometimes bears a striking resemblance to Arcade Fire (and I mean that in the best way possible), lots of singalong harmonies to be had here as well

Myspace
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