STRATOSPHERING: January 2008

January 30, 2008

The Raincoats - Looking in the Shadows (1996)

Not as good as their first, self-titled album, but that's like saying Surfer Rosa isn't as good as Doolittle.

Try it - 225kbps(VBR), .mp3, sharebee
Buy it!

Whispertown2000 - Livin' in a Dream

Simple, sweet, feel-good folk pop.

Also they used to call themselves "Vagtown2000," so, yeah.

Try it - 230kbps(VBR), .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

January 29, 2008

Sainkho Namtchylak - Who Stole the Sky? (2003)

At least one person wanted to hear more, so here is more Sainkho! And if I find the other album I've misplaced, I will eventually have even more for you.
If you're more interested in her vocals than anything, this is the album to get. It's less accessible than Stepmother City, but that also means it's more interesting.

Try it - 230kbps(VBR), .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Pelican - After the Ceiling Cracked (2008)

This is the 3-song EP included with their new DVD set.

Try it - 185-225kbps(VBR), .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

January 28, 2008

Sainkho Namtchylak - Stepmother City (2000)

Sainkho is a Tuvan throat singer, and though I couldn't begin to adequately explain what throat singing is exactly, it's incredibly interesting and she has a range of seven octaves. Her music has too many influences to list, but it's often jazz-like and improvised.

Comment if you actually download this and enjoy it and would like more of her work.

Try it - 230kbps(VBR), .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Broom (2006)

Old news, I know, but I saw them play last night and they were great and really cute, so I feel a need to pass this on to the few people still missing out.
And their new album is done, so I'll be keeping an eye out for it!

Try it - 192kbps, mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Colleen - The Golden Morning Breaks (2005)

Try it - 192kbps, .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

January 27, 2008

Castanets - In the Vines (2007)

This was one of my favorite albums of last year. The best way I can describe it is it's like being home alone a summer evening with the house settling restlessly all around.

Try it - 320kbps, .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Hauschka - Room to Expand (2007)

"Hauschka is the alias of Düsseldorf–based pianist and composer Volker Bertelmann. His work is based upon an exploration of the possibilities of the prepared piano - a playfully disruptive intervention into the preconceived idea of the piano as a pure-toned, perfected instrument waiting for a gifted virtuoso to play on it. Instead, Volker explores and influences the outcome of his playing by getting right down inside the instrument - clamping wedges of leather, felt or rubber between the strings; preparing the hammers with aluminium paper or rough films; placing crown corks on the strings, weaving guitar strings around the piano's guts, or pasting them down with gaffa tape. These little modifications throw up an array of rustling, drumming, shivering, scraping, resonating sounds which either provide the focus / drive for a piece or hook the ear into an intriguing, slightly unusual frame." Wikipedia

Try it - 192kbps(VBR), .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Lucky Dragons - Widows (2007)

Try it - 192kbps, .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

January 26, 2008

Karate - The Bed is in the Ocean (1998)

I can't understand why Karate never reeeally caught on. They didn't make especially challenging or unaccessible music, but their sound was still brilliant and every album was solid. I think maybe 10 years from now they'll have a big rediscovery and fourteen year old kids will be buying their albums along with Pixies records.

Try it - 320kbps, .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Black Tambourine - Complete Recordings (1999)

This band was around for a very brief period of time, not even long enough to release a full album. This is a compilation of singles and demos recorded in the late 80's. They were very much ahead of their time.

EDIT 4/4/10 :: LINK UPDATED. should work now.

Try it - 192kbps, .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

El Perro del Mar - From the Valley to the Stars (2008)

This is NOT a full leak. It's only 12 of the 16 songs. If I find a complete copy I will upload it.
EDIT: I'm reading now that the album may only have 12 tracks after all, so this might be a proper leak :)

Try it - 320kbps, .mp3, mediafire
Please buy it when it's released, the 22nd of April in the States.

January 25, 2008

Magik Markers - Boss (2007)

Try it - 205kbps(VBR), .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing (2008)

They're touring with Caribou - you know they've got to be good.

Try it - 128kbps, .acc (Sorry, it's all that's around at this point), mediafire
Buy it when it comes out next month!

January 24, 2008

Flowers From the Man Who Shot Your Cousin - Hapless (2006)

The debut album of Morgan Caris' recording name. Nice mellow bedroom folk.

Try it.
Buy it!

Hella - Acoustics (2006)

The cover is a melted chocolate bunny. If you get the CD and open up the jacket, you get to see it at different stages of being melted in a frying pan. There is also for some reason a gnome in the upper left-hand corner.
The songs are all re-workings of previous songs on acoustic instruments. If you've listened to other Hella albums, you know how intriguing this is.

Try it - 320kbps, .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Eliot Lipp - Eliot Lipp (2004)

I found this in the 25 cent bin at a local record store a couple of years ago. He seems to just now be generating a little buzz, probably due to the album he released last year. This is his first.

Try it 230kbps(VBR), .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Yellow Swans - At All Ends (2007)

Try it - 192kbps, .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

David Shrigley's Worried Noodles Compilation

This compilation is book of bizarre, heartwarmingly funny lyrics by Shrigley put to music by all of these fantastic artists.

Try Disc 1 Try Disc 2 - 192kbps and + (VBR), .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Dave Longstreth - The Graceful-Fallen Mango (2002)

Dave is the localist and general mastermind for Dirty Projectors. The album was recorded in his bedroom prior to any releases as Dirty Projectors. It's mostly acoustic guitar and his delicious vocals, and really, that should be enough to sell you.

Try it - 192kbps, .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Gowns - Red State (2007)

Try it - 165kbps(VBR), .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

January 22, 2008

Booka Shade - Movements (2006)

German electro house minimal techno club daaaance duo.

Try it: Pt. 1 Pt. 2 - 192kbps and + (VBR), .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Bodies of Water - Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink (2007)

Try it - 192kbps, .mp3, sharebee
Buy it!

Boubacar Traoré - Mariama (1994)

Boubacar Traoré is songwriter and guitarist from Mali. I don't know much about African music (though I will say that this is an incredible recording), so here is some info from Wikipedia:

"Traoré first came to prominence in the early 1960s. He had taught himself to play guitar and developed a unique style that blended American Blues music, Arab music, and pentatonic structures found in West Africa's Mande cultural region. He was a superstar in Mali and a symbol of the newly independent country (see History of Mali). His songs were immensely popular and he enjoyed regular radio play. However, he made no recordings, and since there were no royalties paid to musicians, he was very poor and had to work odd jobs to make ends meet.

During the 1970s Traoré's popularity faded, until a surprise television appearance in 1987. Soon after this "rediscovery," Boubacar's wife died. Grief-stricken, he moved to France and did construction work to support his six children. While there, a British record producer discovered a tape of one of Traoré's radio performances, and he was finally signed to a record deal. His first album, Mariama, was released in 1990. Since then, Traoré has enjoyed international popularity, touring Europe, Africa, and North America."

Try it - 128kbps, .mp3, mediafire
Buy it!

Half Japanese - Charmed Life (1988, Reissue 2001)

Half Japanese is the classic awesomely bad band. Jad doesn't need to know how to play guitar or sing, okay!

Try it - 192kbps, .mp3, megaupload
I don't think you can buy this new anywhere. Ebay?

The Marshmallow Kisses - I Wonder Why My Favorite Boy Leaves Me an EP (2005)

Nauseatingly cute Hong Kong twee band. There are only four full songs on this EP, but they are all perfect. Like frosted, exactly sprinkled sugar cookies.

Try it - 192kbps, .mp3, mediafire
I don't know where you can buy it. Their website is down.

Woelv - Tout Seul Dans La Forêt En Plein Jour, Avez-Vous Peur? (2007)

Woelv is a French Canadian artist by the name of Geneviève Castrée. She is Phil Elverum's wife. She sings in French and is just charming.

Try it - 128kbps, .acc, mediafire (Give me something better!)
Buy it!