Alestorm - Back Through Time

I've been listening to Alestorm since the Pirate Metal band's debut, and after months of listening and singing along I've decided I need to expand.

I decided to check into their last album, Back Through Time, because there's not many other Pirate-Any-Genre bands out there anyway. Since they do it well, I'm happy to support their monopoly.. And I just really needed something else to sing along to.

Today's song is Shipwrecked, one of my favorites. It displays the accordion atmosphere of the album, the Metal riff potential, and the slightly more mainstream riffs that go really well with the catchy lyrics.

Give it a listen.

Grooveshark | Buy

It'd be good to note that a year ago this track didn't really impress me at all. Compared to how I feel now, the track was not worth giving the rest of the album a listen. If you feel that way too, Captain Morgan's Revenge is definitely the better place to start.

The song itself shows what the album will be like. It's simple, the lyrics are blunt, and most of the appeal comes from enjoying pirates. Not to mention the chorus is too much fun to sing along to. (And here's a link for those of you that don't know what banjanxed means.)

In reality I only like this album as filler. There was a hole being made and the only thing that could fix it was more pirates, so I found this and satisfied.

Buy: CD | mp3

All that being said, as long as you don't need substance the album is awesome. It's full of fun tracks like Rum, or those depressing songs one loves to hear while under the substance like Scraping the Barrel.

Needless to say, the album is probably best heard drunk.

If you think you may need a little swaying, try the title track out. It gives the album a background and better depth, but it might be a bit much to swallow for some. If you end up enjoying it; you'll probably like the album too.

Easy Star's Thrillah

I've been anticipating this album for months now. Since before it had been announced, my guess that the Easy Star label would be covering Michael Jackson's Thriller was something that excited me to no end. It's a difficult task covering a legend, but if they can cover The Beatles or Pink Floyd well, what's to stop them from Reggae-fying the King of Pop?

Sure, they didn't start off perfectly with the Billie Jean EP. But those of you who enjoyed that release will definitely love the rest of the album. I may have enjoyed the track, but compared to the rest of the album it's honestly one of the weaker covers made.

What might still throw you off is a strong change in tempo on just about every song. An upbeat track might be slowed and mellowed out, while the slower tracks are often picked and perked up.

Today's feature track is one of the slowed down ones. Give "Beat It" (featuring Michael Rose) a listen.

Grooveshark | Buy

Aside from the tempo change, we've got a more down-to-earth approach. The percussion plays along well until it finally turns full-Reggae at the chorus. From there everything pulls together nicely.

Michael Rose also does a sweet job with the vocals, his clear relaxed voice does the new direction well. Not the best vocals on the album, but solid for the track at hand. Something that as your listen goes on, you start realizing was very well thought out.

And if the particular track felt awkward but still managed to get you swaying in your seat, maybe consider giving it a second listen.

Buy: CD | mp3 | Vinyl

But if you were already considering giving the track another listen, maybe giving the album one is a better idea. It might just still take you by surprise.

I know that after hearing Billie Jean I expected the worst. Maybe if they'd used Thriller for the EP's single I would've considered the pre-order with the cool shirts and the vinyl and all that amazing stuff.

That very track shows a deeper Reggae side (the bass was practically made for Reggae in the first place) and the dedication they put into the details, like Michael's woohoo's.

Now the first time I heard it, the first few tracks weren't that convincing, but the album does run the same as the original, and as should be expected, once The Girl is Mine kicks in the whole thing does a U-turn into amazing. Though I do admit that maybe my mind was just starting to cope.

All in all a good album, best heard as fans of both Reggae and Michael Jackson, but there's enough of both influences to suit either music lover. It deserves its listen.

Victor Assis Brasil Quarteto - Pedrinho

I was recently recommended Victor Assis. Brazilian Jazz, supposedly top notch saxophone. There were supposed to be some amazing use of Bossa Nova influences, and the right musicians to pull it all off. I love it when someone recommends something and I get exactly what was told.

Today's feature track is the longest in the album, and that's probably exactly why it's the best display of talent there can be on this one. It shows off the piano, drums, bass, and sax, amazingly.

Give Penedo a listen.

Grooveshark Link

It starts suspenseful, the background to the track is on its tip toes, and it's the saxophone that's forced to bring it to life. A playful air, some amazing fingers and just when it's about to get a little monotonous the piano comes and changes everything. Unexpected but beautiful, a very real sensation often experienced in life itself.

But of course, even the delicious piano has its end, and the saxophone comes back, playful and tedious before it ends. A wonderful track the first time, but despite its length it's oddly predictable the second time around.

 Luckily the rest of the album really helps the track mesh and sit as the stunning piece it can be.

Buy

Pedrinho was not the recommended album, but it was the one I found. I'm happy I was able to give it a listen, but it's not the amazing piece of work I was hoping for.

 It's still a special album. Unique with songs like the very title track, where it mainly focuses on the sax and some vibes. Following the smooth note are those Bossa inspired tracks I was talking about, like O Cantador (which was originally made famous by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66).

All this is combined with a closer-to-Bebop sound that makes the album a bit awkward, but a talented and sophisticated listen all the same. There's probably better out there under Victor Assis' name, but until my ears find more I'll keep giving Pedrinho a listen.

Hundred Waters - Thistle EP

This one's been making a big splash for the wrong reasons. The Indie sounding/Folk-Tronica things have gotten a lot of attention for this EP solely because it's the first release with their new OWSLA label.

At just one original song and 5 remixes, I was wondering how they'd pull off capturing my attention like before. Hundred Waters is one thing, remixes by the OWSLA crew are.. intriguing.

But let's not get to that yet. The original track is decent. Not a favorite from the album, but a fun listen all the same. Give it a shot.

Grooveshark Link | Buy

I find it a little odd that they decided to use this song to remix off of. I find it a little bit odd that an EP would be released for a song that's already been released on an album, but you know what? That's great.

At least they're reaching out to new audiences. At least her smooth pixie vocals are being used in creative ways.

And thankfully if you don't like it you can always go back to the original album and forget this EP ever happened.

Stream | Buy

Not that I'll be forgetting it ever happened, but I'm probably much more content with their self titled album than I'll ever be with these extra tracks.

And that's definitely not to say they're bad, AraabMuzik has a very interesting Hip Hop remix, and Different Sleep and Troublemaker's remix was so odd that I ended up loving it. The problem for me is just that it doesn't mesh perfectly with the original.

Still worth a listen if those OWSLA names make you happy, otherwise I'd just stick to the original material.

Joe Cuba Sextet - El Pito (I'll Never Go Back to Georgia)

A couple of days ago I was out enjoying my day. I sat at the edge of a beach eating fresh fish dumplings and sipping on acerola juice. Topping it off, the local establishment where the goods were bought was blasting Salsa classics non-stop.

Needless to say, D4 was happy that day.

I heard some tunes I remembered, I heard some I'd never heard before, and quite a few of them have had the decency of lingering on my brain's audio player. Today, I'm sharing one of those catchy tunes.

El Pito (or "The Whistle") is a catchy song. Easy to sing along with, easy to dance to (even if you don't know how) and simple enough to remember even after it's stopped playing. Give it a listen.

Grooveshark | Buy

This is probably the most relaxed song on the album, and that's because it's almost completely improvised. They needed to finish the album, so Joe Cuba set it up so they would just do their thing. Laughing, enjoying themselves, talking in the background.

It's what a live show was supposed to sound like, which is probably why it was featured on the movie Crooklyn.

The song is also based on a Dizzy Gillespie song, Manteca, where on some versions you'll hear him say "I'll never go back to Georgia". It's song to the tune of the same bass line used in El Pito.

And just so it's absolutely clear, none of the sextet had ever even been to Georgia at the time of this recording.

Buy: CD | mp3

To join the classic song is a classic album, Estamos Haciendo Algo Bien! (We Must Be Doing Something Right!). This one in its entirety is grade-A material. From the amazing occasional vibraphone to the slowed down Boleros, this 1966 gem is still a must have.

And of course, in my humbly biased opinion, Cheo Feliciano's voice is the cherry that tops it off. It might not be the same for those who can't understand the lyrics, but the quality of emotion is such that you might not need a translation anyway.

If you're liking it but still not sure you want it, give it a deserved listen. You'll be glad you did.

Saint Motel - Voyeur

I've been in a good music mood for a while now, ready to hear just about anything, which means it's the best time to give a listen to whatever somebody recommended a few days/weeks/months ago. I ended up spending some time with Saint Motel's debut album, and for Indie music it's not too bad.

Still not really my favorite genre, but they don't sound exactly like so many other Indie bands out there so they win some points.

A good example is At Least I Have Nothing. It shows off that tinge of a generic feel, but at the same time I would be extremely pleased to find out that this quality of music is starting to take over the radios.

Give it a listen.

Soundcloud | Buy

It's got its catchy bits, a base of simplicity, and Indie vocals that I actually like. It's not my idea of the perfect song, but all the same I'm impressed.

The video is also decently made. Strategic imagery well synchronized with the music and lyrics.. I'm just glad I heard the song alone before seeing the video, because I might have had a biased opinion thanks to it. It definitely beats a lot of what I've been seeing lately.

But I can be sure that the music did keep me, and I 'm impressed with most of the album as well.

Stream | Buy

Let me just make it clear that I don't usually like Indie-Pop-Rock at all before I say that Voyeur is a good album. It's an enjoyable, well produced, well executed, and well thought out album that definitely deserves more attention than it's been getting.

Now the whole Indie and Pop styles still aren't my thing, so just before the end got to me I started growing tired of the songs and styles. It was just too much, and an unexpected twist would've been welcome (much like in Daydream / Wetdream / Nightmare).

The change did happen, but it was the last song. Balsa Wood Bones is an excellent track to finish the album. Well used acoustic to tie it all up, but I won't recommend hearing that one without hearing the whole album first. Conveniently enough, they let you stream it right on their Soundcloud.

Kaori Kobayashi - SEVENth

I've been waiting to give this one a listen. After her last album, Kaori and her sax were on crumbling ground. She was talented, but whoever was in charge of producing her work seemed to be meddling with true potential. Or at least, I thought so.

Let's just give a song a listen. I'd like you all to know that today's featured track is not my favorite, as that one isn't all too easily accessible. Most of these tracks are pretty unheard of.

Instead we're giving a listen to something a bit simpler where she's comfortable to take a back seat but is more than ready to jump on in on her turn and shred with her sax.

Give Driver's Meeting a listen.

Grooveshark Link

I believe the string instrument co-leading this track is a shamisen (because of the swift string cuts) but it could also be a koto.. or maybe I'm wrong on both accounts and it's another Asian string-instrument. Those aren't my forte.

Whatever it is, it's what gives this track life. It's a traditional-seeming sound combined with the Jazz to make the Fusion that Kaori Kobayashi strives for. It's a good thing to aim for, and it's what she attempts with her latest album 'SEVENth'.

Buy CD

The album is a step in the right direction from her previous work, but there's still a way to go. At least I'd feel much more comfortable attending a live performance after this, as a lot of these tracks are of fine composition quality.

The flute track for example is great, displaying a nice little groove. Could be better, but it's an accent in an album with much funkier sounds.

Another odd switch up that I don't know how I feel about is the delving into Rock. Not just any rock usually, but "hard" stuff.

Though I admit that if not for the Rock influences, my favorite track, Europe, might not be in there. Go ahead and give that a listen, that's a cover of Santana's classic Europa. For a sax cover? I like it better than Gato Barbieri's version.

Overall the album is pretty sweet. Far from perfect, still a bit generic, but way better than her previous stuff. Being her own producer suits her. And if you like the day's track, you should consider giving the album a shot.

Wax - I Ain't a Real Man (Free Download)

A little while ago I heard of Wax for the first time. I gotta start admitting that over at Jim's Fear, I often accidentally find a few gems, and that is exactly what happened when I was introduced to Rosana.

Initially I wasn't too impressed, it's a decent track about nothing too important. Well made video, decent rapper, whatever. I looked no further until I showed some friends the video some days later, and continued on to watch Coins. Suddenly, I was impressed, but I moved on.

Just a few days ago he was mentioned again by Watsky giving Wax praise for the talents displayed on today's track, I Ain't a Real Man.

If you're not a fan of rap, you probably just won't like it (so shoo!). The music behind the lyric is nothing amazing at all, what you're gonna get is a blast of well formed lyrics. This is what won me over and shoved me onto the Wax Bandwagon.

Give it a try.

Free Download

As soon as he opened his mouth I was hit by something I rarely see in the world of Hip-Hop. He was humble. The first thing he says is that he's not a real man. There's no sarcasm, there's no play on words to turn it to his favor, but instead a series of words to make you understand why he thinks this way.

And that first verse just melts together and blends to make something talented and smart. And somehow free, the video came with his own MediaFire link.

Sure, the chorus thing isn't that smooth, but his point gets across. The rest of the song makes up for that, and if you liked that song anyway, I will highly recommend his free Scrublife Mixtape.

Stream/Download @ Bandcamp

I just finished listening to this maybe 3 hours ago, actually, and I would've been done sooner if I hadn't heard an exceptional piece of writing that I had to replay way too many times called Mary. I'd say it's the best rapped out story I've heard since Eminem's Stan, but I'm probably forgetting something...

I'd say I love a third of the mixtape. There's some average tracks, some alright ones, but even the 'meh' tracks have a load of fine rapping talent displayed right through them.  Some of my favorites include Old Ways and Two Wheels.. which you could say are related.

If you still want more, like I did, there's another free mixtape at djbooth.net which I'm not a huge fan of because of the terrible audio quality. Just buy the tracks, people.

And if you think you'd like some unplugged stuff, go check out his youtube (or website) because that series is starting today. A new episode every Monday for two months. I already saw a sneak peek with Rosana Unplugged, and I'm pretty sure the rest of it is gonna be awesome.

Laszlo - Radial Nerve

After yesterday's post, I decided it was time to delve a little deeper into the worlds of multi-instrumentalist/producers. To my surprise, and ultimately to my happiness, I found one hell of a gem when I stumbled onto Aaron Wheeler, AKA Laszlo.

What I found here is mostly happy music. The occasional slumber track, or maybe that of a mixed signal, but the general flow is nothing but sweet happiness.

Today's featured track is Lydia's Dream, one of the more shown off tracks on the album. It'll start a bit slow, and it'll display a lot of those odd instruments Laszlo likes to use.

Give it a listen.

Alt Link | Buy

As pretty as the beginning might be, the first few seconds couldn't really prepare you for what's in store, I don't even think my telling you will. But if you like it so far, stop reading and give it an unbiased listen.

It's the build-up that starts making the track for me, the unexpectedly placed vocals, the flute, the unnameable instruments like what seems to be the gears of a bicycle. He makes it all work well, and he never really lets it get boring either.

The same goes for the rest of the album. Different sounds will find themselves reminding you of something when you give in. It's a great feeling.

Promo Stream | Buy

Radial Nerve is an interesting album composed with a lot of love and happiness. You can confirm that when you find out that it was made after Laszlo had thought he would no longer compose because he'd broken his right arm and radial nerve (it all makes sense now, doesn't it?)

After he found out his doctors were wrong, he started making music again. The first track he composed, the first and title track of the album, displays the rush of emotions he experienced.

The the next 42 minutes of music are similar to a roller coaster, if roller coasters handed out cotton candy and hugs on the drops and turns. The individual tracks are still great, but it's really best heard in its order and in its entirety.

Or, if the above stream isn't quite fitting right for you but you enjoyed the day's track, you could give Satori a listen/free download, or give the acoustic version of Lydia's Dream a listen. That acoustic version is magical..

EBO - Life Love Beats Volume I

It's not every day that an unexpected chillax album finds its way to you in your email, but when it does happen I tend to celebrate.

Early yesterday morning I started listening to EBO's first instrumental album. If the name rings a bell, some of my followers might know him from Balance and the Traveling Sounds (who I shared as my top pick for over a month at one point).

What we've got here is relaxing use of beats displaying Jazz, Soul, Hip-Hop and a healthy dash of Funk. For a good display of most of what's mentioned, give one of my favorite tracks a listen.

It's probably cheating that this track has got an amazing little sax running through the background, as not all of them do, but I can't help it if that's what draws me in. If it helps any, that's pretty much the mood the album strikes, and I love it.

The sweet bass is common too, not being too heavy or defined, but just thrown at the background for good measure. It does help, but what really tugs this all together and makes it a piece is EBO himself, mixing and matching and knowing what works well together.

Stream/Download @ Bandcamp

Life Love Beats isn't perfect, but for the effort and the price of your choosing I'd say it's a great little find. It's a collection of beats that EBO's been working on for 4 years, so even if to some of you it sounds a bit repetitive, dig a little deeper and you hear all these beautiful intricacies.

If you liked today's feature track, I recommend you go give the rest of it a listen above. Don't grow disappointed if it starts off a bit repetitive, it takes 4 or 5 songs before it grows on you and you start looking forward to "putting some feelings into music".

But if you're still getting a feel for the jams, check out the video for Time first. It's chill.

If you end up enjoying it, consider a donation for it, or at least a follow on his twitter. And if you're just more comfortable with Mediafire, he provides a link for that too. Enjoy.

Ciclo - Fragmentos

A little while ago I was on Grooveshark when I found an interesting looking music ad. I went through and saw the awesome album cover and read that the band was Nicaraguan, so I gave it a listen.

Initially I found them a bit generic, but I found myself humming some of their tunes just a while ago, a few weeks after the initial listen. They're not too catchy, but their blend of Alt, Hard, and Prog Rocks seems to work in their favor.

Give 'em a listen.

Now this is not my favorite track, but it is the title track and it's the title track for a reason. It's probably one of the best displays of what their sound is on the album.

It starts off gentle with some nice guitar work to keep you through the decently clear vocals, before switching to something post-ish at around 1:20. It's probably that combination that ends up intriguing me.

The vocals, while clear, aren't something I really love. I admit that maybe if they were in a language I didn't understand I might appreciate it more, so maybe some of you will end up really digging it. And if so, well, you'll probably like the album.

Stream/Buy @ Bandcamp
Temporary Free Download

The first time I heard Fragmentos (fragments) I thought it was a little generic, a bit 90's Rock inclined, and that the vocals were nothing special. I'm still not a giant fan of the vocals, but I can accept the talent and admit that there's more to it than I initially found.

There's the occasional catchy riff, the bass player knows what he's doing, and while on occasion the vocals seem the wobble, for the most part he does a pretty sweet job too. Even though I was apathetic towards the sound at first, from the second listen onward I've been able to treat them with more respect.

At the very least the album deserves its listen, and if you find it decent, you can grab the 15 track album for a humble $7. I'd say the price is right for what it is, but that's just me. It might be a deal for some of you.

Andy & Larry Harlow - Miami Sessions

I was writing yesterday, a guest post, and I drew some inspiration from some of my favorite piano playing. The combination of Latin with African sounds twirling around a piano is delicious to me.

Naturally, I couldn't just be done with the sound after I finished writing, I went and listened all the way until just now, enjoying every second of this one beautiful little album.

Give one of my favorites a listen: Philadelphia Mambo.

Grooveshark | Buy

You get an instant blast of chillax when the vibes slide in. The hearty bass accompanying, and some odd synths just because. It's the only instrumental track on the album and that makes me pretty happy too.

Of course when the piano kicks in I close my eyes and enjoy. The flow is the same as the vibes, but there's an extra flair.

Now, if the chill nature and vibraphone aren't for you, I posted a Larry only version (which is to say, no vibes, just a piano) over at that guest post I was talking about at Mel's No Really You Can Eat It. I also mention some local food and a fire breathing dragon.

If however the chillness suited you, I'd recommend giving the rest of the Miami Sessions a listen. The vocals might switch it up a tad, but it works.

Buy: CD | mp3

Vocals might throw a few off after today's featured track, but for the most part they fit. Talented, varied (different vocalists) and with the purpose to carry a rhythm as well as a story.

If you're ready to get into the vocal addition, I'd check out something talented but not too over-the-top like Mortifica. The instruments get really good on that one. Larry shows us a nice little piano solo at 1:52, and his brother Andy brings us the sweet sounds of his flute at 3:08.

It's a pretty sweet little album and I'm glad to bring its presence through my ears on occasion. Even the sad/ballad-y songs have a nice edge to them. Easy to get tired of when over-played, but for the most part a nice mood setter.

If the day's track and Mortifica caught your attention, I'd recommend the listen before the purchase. Enjoy.

Marcus Miller - Renaissance

It's not very often Marcus Miller releases an album, so when I saw this one had come out recently I had to give it a listen.

Now, it's been a while since his years with the greats, and I wasn't expecting much and for good reason. But if there's one thing you can expect, it's an amazing bass in every single track. The only problem is that sometimes the music gets a bit cheesy.

Today's track, Revelation, isn't my favorite track of the album. I still enjoy it, but I put it up because I think it's the most accurate representation of what the album is.

Give it a listen.

Grooveshark | Buy

The track sounds a bit superhero-y to me. That one recurring riff just places the image of a caped soul-hero. Maybe for a TV show or something. I dunno.

I think if you put an orchestra behind this composition it'd sound like that moment at the end of the movie where the good guy accomplishes what you knew he would do at the beginning. Cliche, but it takes a lot to create that feeling with music.

The thing is that regardless of the occasional generic switch, there's talent seeping through from everyone involved. It's obvious if you pay attention to each instrument, and you don't even need to pay much attention to hear the greatness of the bass. And that is what the rest of the album is like.

Buy: CD | mp3

Renaissance has its fair amount of cheesy and overused R&Bish sounds. You can feel those right at the beginning where I almost stopped listening to the whole thing altogether. I skipped that song and gave it a full listen afterwards. Terrible way to start a decent album.

Despite all that generic you're-on-hold sound that can be found, the rest of it tends to grow on you. The talent just oozes, you get used to one sound and let the other creep in for you. I think had it not been for Miller's effort to make the music for the band, the album would've flunked.

There's a few special out of genre tracks that I really like, like Tightrope featuring the slick raps of Dr. John, or Setembro (Brazilian Wedding Song) with Gretchen Parlato and Rubén Blades, which I enjoyed more than the original and Quincy Jones' version.

But what topped it off was his talent. A simple bass and a little piano at the end accompanied by snapping fingers for a cover of The Jackson 5's I'll Be There.

Overall it's a very enjoyable album if you let it sink in for a bit or if you're a lover of excellent bass playing. Otherwise, I'd make sure to give it a listen first.

Sarah Vaughan - Come Rain or Come Shine

It's fun listening to different kinds of Rock, but there comes a point where it doesn't matter how many sub genres you've ran through, you just need  something completely different.

Or at least that's what's happening to me. And  while vocal Jazz isn't usually my favorite, there's something about a classic silk voice over minimal yet excellently produced music that makes for a great escape.

Or maybe my mood just changes too quickly.

Give it a listen yourself.

Grooveshark Link | Buy

A Jazz standard  performed by a classic voice. The blissful air of simplicity and talent can almost pick you up and caress you. Almost.

The music is what ends up getting me though, as vocal-based as a Sarah Vaughan track can get, the music here has too many greats for me to name. Really worth looking into.

And given how this switches my mood right up, the rest of the album was wonderful too.

Buy: CD | mp3

At just over an hour, Sarah Vaughan in Hi-Fi is a lovely little listen. Not too short, and just long enough to feel complete.

Of course it's vocal based, and that might not always be the mood, but it worked for me and I'm happy I listened to it in its entirety.

The alternating round of amazing musicians make it rounded enough to tolerate for its length, be it with the sweetness of a well played bass, or the sharp twists of a great sax.

If today's track grabs your attention, it'll be worth a listen. It's a classic, respected little album.

Juventud Crasa - Escapar (Free Download)

I've had the time to look into my arsenal of unattended music, and found myself a sweet little EP I got at a 2009 festival. I was waiting for The Prodigy to go on, I was maybe 5 hours early, and Juventud Crasa got up on stage and threw a few dozen CD's at the crowd. I was lucky enough to grab 2 different EPs.

My favorite was/is Amor en el Zafacón. It had its gems, it had its cool artwork, and it was memories of that awesome Punk Rock sound I heard on that one awesome day, completely sober.

My favorite track is probably Escapar (Escape). If noisy/raw Punk Rock is for you, give it a listen.

It's Punk enough for my head to bop and wish for a Mohawk. Catchy riffs and and even a change of sound and pace after a while. That's pretty impressive considering it's not even 2 minutes long.

But of course, understanding Spanish makes me like it a bit more. The lyrical content is spunky. Raw, uncensored, no beating around the bush to get your point across. Punk at its simplest; at its best.

I could appreciate it then.. but now, after hearing all the terrible "Punk" the world has created, I can appreciate it so much more.

This very song is about escaping the very same stream of bullpoo that's clogging up peoples mind in massive amounts. Beautiful.

I call this a gem. Amor en el Zafacón can't be purchased anywhere. It was thrown at the public, probably just to get rid of what was left, after they came back from touring Japan.

And the proof of that story lies in the peculiar folding case, the Japanese distribution agency's email/address, and the tiny slip of paper with Japanese and badly translated English text. It makes me happy every time I touch it.

But if you're interested you can still grab just about every song they've made so far on ReverbNation (go ahead, click and listen/download). And if you're interested in this particular EP, the track listing is:

1. Ataque Telepático
2. Escapar
3. Borracho en el Cairo
4. Amor en el Zafacón
5. Pidiendo Cacao
6. No Funciona

It ends as less than a 15 minute listen, but it's a great display of what they do. Pidiendo Cacao is probably my second favorite, and No Funciona is some of their older material. Slightly more 90's Punk.

It'll all be worth a listen if you enjoyed today's track. And it's all free anyway, go grab it.

Deantoni Parks - Touch But Don't Look

I have eagerly anticipated Deantoni Parks' solo release for a few weeks now. I waited beyond its release date due to technical difficulties, and because of that extra wait I started to grow bored of the idea. Which is a good thing because if not I would've been a little let down.

I really got taken by surprise when I ended up listening to a very 80's synth influenced sound with an occasional accent of Industrial Rock. It was just odd considering his forte is drumming.

My favorite track is (technically) the last on the album. It features Betty Black.

Give it a listen.

I'm not exactly crazy about the track, but I could listen to it on various occasions and be alright with it. Not something I share with the entirety of his album, but not an uncommon feeling either.

I also think it's a shame that this is the only track featuring vocals. The second track on the album is pretty much a lyric-less version of this one, and you can tell this one is more filling. Maybe it's just me, but I think the music he made would suit some pretty voices quite well.

Stream/Buy @ Bandcamp

I don't dislike Touch But Don't Look, it's just definitely not my style. It's very 80's influenced and that's probably my least favorite musical decade (sorry!) so this was a bit difficult for me to grasp.

Despite my lack of love for the synths found throughout the album, it's not hard to notice there's effort and talent put into it. All it took was Let's Go Hazy its go for me to realize as much.

In the end I don't know how this one will sit with people. I find it a bit repetitive at times, I really think vocals would make it easier to listen to, but then again I do realize how elaborate the production of a single song can be.

If you enjoyed today's track, I'd really consider giving the album its listen. I still think it could be better, especially as far as Deantoni's drumming skills go, but it's not bad and the stream is free.