Camper Van Beethoven - Key Lime Pie (1989)

Camper Van Beethoven, a California group active mainly throughout the '80s, were one of the lesser-known forerunners of the alternative rock movement, playing a brew of punk, folk, country, world music, jangle pop, ska, psychedelia, and pretty much whatever else you can think of; this band experimented almost non-stop with their sound, and ended up far-removed from even the 'typical' alt rock sound of the period, which is what makes them so important, and also what makes them so criminally overlooked; this album was the last released on their original run (they've since reunited), and it was their most financially - if not critically - successful album, and therefore their most recognizable and a great place to start; whatever your musical tastes, this is a band you need to know

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Furry Things - The Big Saturday Illusion (1995)

Fuzzed out shoegaze stuff from California, it's totally gnarly (I don't even know what stereotype I'm mocking anymore); anyway, yeah, skuzzy psych rock with lots of swirls and shit like that (what?) going on, get into it

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Tripping Daisy - I Am an Elastic Firecracker (1995)

This album has elements of grunge and psychedelia, as well as the indie rock that now dominates the music world, and their members have gone on to form the groups the Polyphonic Spree, Secret Machines and School of Seven Bells; this band is a somewhat-forgotten part of the 90s alt rock scene, but they shouldn't be

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Afraid! - Megaloklift (2009)

Italian post-hardcore/screamo band, with heavy influence of post-punk and psychedelia, this is a quick listen but it's really great, I find myself listening to it three or four times in a sitting because it's so addicting

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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)

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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

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John Frusciante - To Record Only Water for Ten Days (2001)

This is Frusciante's third album, which was released when he started to kick his drug habit and incorporate a lot of electronic and synth-based elements into his unique brand of psychedelic alt rock

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Spindrift - Songs From the Ancient Age (2007)

Spindrift is a so-called 'psychedelic western' band from the east coast, yes I'm as confused as you are

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The Wind Harp - Song from the Hill (1972)

Alright so here's the deal, a bunch of hippies stuck a huge harp up on top of a hill in California and made earthy drone music about seasons and elements, drugs may have been involved

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Steve Burns - Songs for Dustmites (2003)

Flaming Lips-esque indie rock by the dude who used to host Blue's Clues, I love this album way more than I probably should but it's got a certain charm to it so I make no apologies

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Hush Arbors - Row Life (2007)

Obscure cassette-only psychedelic folk album, I'm so underground I piss oil and shit dirt

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Hush Arbors - Landscape of Bone (2006)

I know this cover looks like some lame new weird america band but it isn't I promise

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Hush Arbors - Hush Arbors (2008)

Psychedelic folky dude with a knack for weird album covers

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Black Moth Super Rainbow - Start a People (2004)

Earthy psychedelic ambient craziness

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