A thread to post about 2009 albums that no more than 5 people are likely to have already listened to/mentioned. 2 or 3 people is even better, whilst you being the only listener so far is even better! (providing you think they're good of course) If it's popular/people have heard of it, then move on along the way please.

Some bands/albums don't get any attention until a handful of people have listened/commented, so here's the thread for those neglected ones. Post some words, and a myspace link, and see if people will listen. I intend on giving the myspace of each band mentioned here a listen.

So, without further ado, my first few:

Slaraffenland- We're On Your Side
www.myspace.com/slaraffenland
No mentions of this album yet. Excellent Danish band. 'Away' is my favourite song from the album, lovely piano, but definitely listen to 'Polaroids' from their previous 2007 album to see if you'll like them. That song is stunning. They almost remind me a bit of The Notwist's 12 album (at least in instrumentation) with lovely horns and vocals and sounds. Buy it from their Hometapes label for the nice cd packaging, or it's on emusic too.

Tvärvägen- Sånger från Tvärvägen
www.myspace.com/tvarvagen
From across the border in Sweden. Very strongly reminds me of Fog's Ether Teeth album- the piano and strange sounds- which is a very good thing for me. It's a short album (half an hour?), but that just makes it seem perfectly formed. I think it's only download only (?), so snatch it from emusic or some random American label I think. September would be my song to listen to on his myspace, just because maybe the singing would make it more immediate, but they're all nice.

Orphans & Vandals- I Am Alive And You Are Dead
www.myspace.com/orphansandvandals
From good old London town, big long sprawling verbose songs with a good dose of strings. The 10 minute epic Mysterious Skins is amazing (although just a live version on their myspace, so i'm not sure how that sounds, although they are great live). Listen to Terra Firma first (it's only 8 minutes long), then Christopher. His voice may be a bit love or hate in his talky-singy manner, but the sometimes dark and twisted lyrics work excellently for me. However, I think you may only be able to buy the album from their myspace (not really got a proper release) or itunes.

Bodebrixen- WHATSINSIDESWHATSOUTSIDE
www.myspace.com/bodebrixen
These guys are from Denmark, but definitely sound like they're from Sweden- a bit like Lacrosse, or a stripped down I'm From Barcelona, or a more poppy cheery Loney Dear. If you like cheery Swedish-sounding indie pop then definitely give them a go, otherwise steer clear! Probably another tricky album to get, other than from the band themselves (I managed to get it when they came over for a gig here), but it's good!

Okay, that's it for now. Please post your unknown lil' bands so I (and others) may listen and judge! and maybe even like!

Geographer- Innocent Ghosts

No myspace link! or description! But ta for even posting, I shall have a listen at some point.

I'm glad to see that Pitchfork gave the Slaraffenland album a good review. I like this paragraph they write:

'Put in more specific terms, the album sounds like Brian Eno fronting a more pastoral National, the familiar despondent tone and gentle melodrama of the latter intact, but the vocals a measured hum of collective call and response and warm intonation. To this Slaraffenland add unpredictable (but not distracting) percussion, mournful (but not brash) brass, and several striking but subtle embellishments ringing, swooshing, droning, and chiming away in the background, placing songs such as "Meet and Greet" or "The Right Place" in a compelling purgatory between drift and uplift.'

Vincent Moon, the Blogotheque chap, has done a cool video on bands in Copenhagen, Denmark.
He's filmed Slaraffenland perform their new album live: www.temporaryslaraffenland.com

and also done a 30+ minute live performance of Danish bands, all in a house/flat, playing continuously/together/one after the other, through various rooms. Of the 9 bands, I was already greatly in love with Slaraffenland, Efterklang, Choir Of Young Believers, Jong Pang, and Chimes & Bells. Listen/watch here:

www.temporarycopenhagen.com


I'll post some more favourite little albums for me in a coupla days I think.

Try my October band of the month (http://musictodiefor.wordpress.com/2009/10/03/band-of-the-month-11/)
The Cubical - Come Sing These Crippled Tunes

Or in similar vein my August band of the month :
Joe Gideon & The Shark (http://www.myspace.com/joegideonandtheshark) - Harum Scarum

Both are UK bands though I believe the albums have been released in the US too.

The Black Atlantic - "Reverence For Fallen Trees"

Reminds me of Bon Iver some with touches of Phosphorescent. Pretty sweet album considering that you can get it for free at their website.

quote:

Originally posted by DrAwesome:
The Black Atlantic - "Reverence For Fallen Trees"

Reminds me of Bon Iver some with touches of Phosphorescent. Pretty sweet album considering that you can get it for free at their website.

You sold me, downloading now.

Geographer sound quite nice. They don't jump out at me, but a good listen from their myspace. Although it looks like it was a 2008 release.

Not too fussed with The Cubical. Not a fan of jangly guitars or the vocals. Plus, The Divine Comedy did an infinitely better song called Edward The Confessor.

Joe Gideon & The Shark- have seen their name about in the UK press, with the impression that I wouldn't like them (NME praise is generally a good warning sign). Not as bad as I thought, but not my cup of tea. Much better UK sounds/bands than these guys.

The Black Atlantic sound quite nice, despite me being a bit put off by a Bon Iver comparison (don't mind him, just doesn't do anything for me). Had a listen on myspace and it was good, but am a bit rubbish and unknowing about bit torrent downloading or funny .rar's, so no download for me.

Eric Margan & The Red Lions- Midnight Book
A very good chamber pop record from a band I feel is up and coming, they are very young but have loads of talent.
http://www.myspace.com/theredlions

Ooh ta (and for the link!)- I like these guys. Not too keen on The Blues Will Have To Do, as it sounds a bit like an overblown Andrew Bird, but the rest of it sounds good.
Do you know if the album packaging is any good, or should I just download from emusic? Darn the ease and cost of emusic...

The packaging isn't all that necessary, I would just use emusic. I'm glad you like them.

Slaraffenland's album is great, but so is Oh No Ono's "Eggs." In fact, it's my album of the year right now. The album's currently only available in Denmark, but a worldwide release is happening January of next year. Also, it's got the best music video of the year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukxu8FgrW10

I really like The Mumler's album "Don't Throw Me Away." It's a great marriage of garage bands and Motown/R&B sensibilities.

http://www.themumlers.com/

The Love Language's self-titled debut is another great lo-fi pop album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbRq369H5Js

And finally, Spitzer Space Telescope's folk recalls Dylan-esque folk ala Thee Tallest Man Alive, except more eccentric, which I think is a good thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXoUyWYFjnM

Ta for the Oh No Ono rec- gosh I love Denmark. The song didn't jump out at me at first, but the video was definitely cool, and I quite liked the song by the end of the video. Am now streaming their album from their website, and am listening to Swim again (only second track so far!), and like it more!

Shame the worldwide release is next year/January- I hate cross-year releases! But it's just too expensive to order from Denmark- £17, plus possible postage I guess.


I don't quite like your description of The Mumlers (I do like a band called The Mummers though), but I'll listen after this album.

The Love Language are a band I've heard of/listened briefly. They're on my emusic saved for later list, but think they've slipped to one side a while ago. Maybe I'll revisit.

Not heard of SST. Will also listen later.

ta!

Signals & Cities Are Forever ~ The London Apartments
Thick, digital shoegaze with the standard compliment of distorted guitars and ethereal vocals plus pop hooks, along with the not-so-standard emphasis on heavily processed electronics. Wonky, imprecise mastering only adds flavor. It mostly sticks to the same style, but at 9 tracks I don't think it overstays its welcome. The opener is my favourite song of the year.

Also a free download.

Methadrone - better living (throught chemistry)

drone doom, shoegaze, post-punk.

sounds like: Jesu, Iroha, Pelican, Joy Division, The cure, ....

@Airboy Paul

You don't need to use Torrent or any other thing to download the The Black Atlantic's album "Reverence for Fallen Trees". You can download it directly, for free, via their website: www.theblackatlantic.com

All you have to do is fill in your e-mail address + city...

thanks, but it says that it's a .rar file? I'm quite useless with anything that's not a plain ol' mp3!

It's a compressed folder. Download Winrar here (the top one), then you can unzip any .rar files by right-clicking them and selecting something like "extract here", at which point they will simply be plain ol' mp3s.

quote:

Originally posted by Dork:
Signals & Cities Are Forever ~ The London Apartments
Thick, digital shoegaze with the standard compliment of distorted guitars and ethereal vocals plus pop hooks, along with the not-so-standard emphasis on heavily processed electronics. Wonky, imprecise mastering only adds flavor. It mostly sticks to the same style, but at 9 tracks I don't think it overstays its welcome. The opener is my favourite song of the year.

Also a free download.

Wow, good call! From the first listen, it sounds a little same-y, but it's the kind of sound that I can see myself coming back to often. Very solid throughout, and like you said, free! If you like the Shoegaze/Dream-pop sound, this will definitely be something you'll enjoy.

Cool thread. I'm downloading some of the free stuff recommended right now. Here's a couple albums I haven't seen mentioned on these threads too much.

Amesoeurs - "Amesoeurs"
Black metal, shoe gaze, & post-punk. Female vocalist that's french as well. It's been really growing on me. Seen a lot of metalheads talking about it on last.fm though I've only seen one other person recommend it here.
http://www.myspace.com/amesoeurs

Reverie Sound Revue - "Reverie Sound Revue LP"
Dream pop. The lead singer Lisa Lobsinger was involved in Broken Social Scene but the sound is vastly different.
http://www.myspace.com/reveriesoundrevue

quote:

Originally posted by Mad_Dingo:
Amesoeurs - "Amesoeurs"
Black metal, shoe gaze, & post-punk. Female vocalist that's french as well. It's been really growing on me. Seen a lot of metalheads talking about it on last.fm though I've only seen one other person recommend it here.
http://www.myspace.com/amesoeurs

I'm down.. alcest is legit.