Hood, well, they are simply one of the greatest. Hailing from Bristol, England, Hood have been putting out rural noise-pop (much like Flying Saucer Attack was rural psychedelia) since 1994’s epic Cabled Linear Traction. I say noise-pop ’cause they go from beautiful noise to pop and back again. Unfortunately for us, the only MP3 available from their brand new LP Outside Closer is at an unlistenable 48 kbps, so our selections cover an older range, from “Her Innocent Stock of Words,” one of my personal favorites from 1996’s Silent ’88, to softer fare like “Cross the Land.” Many more rare and miscellaneous MP3s are available at the sites listed below.
Blue Mountain
The words “country,” “rock,” and “Mississippi” evoke Blue Mountain in my ears and mind. A foundational band from the early days of the alt-country scene, Blue Mountain gave a needed soundtrack to Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha County (they really were from Oxford, Miss.) while I was doing time in grad school. Check out “Riley and Spencer” here for a sample of their roots rock style, or their 1995 debut album Dog Days for a classic of the No Depression genre.
The Fatáles
Vaguely detached, vaguely nostalgic, vaguely wonderful space pop. It’s really hard to believe these guys are unsigned…maybe they’re not in it for the money, just on a personal crusade to promote use of the accent aigu (á). Either way, I’m in.
DJ Soul Slinger
Hidden in the back of every music collection is a little rave music. Okay, maybe not every one, but there are plenty of us who keep a little something stashed away. I pulled out my personal rave-orite Altern 8 recently. My five year old was not impressed. Another from my collection who is actually still going strong is DJ Soul Slinger. A native Brazilian, Carlos is an early purveyor of rave/jungle/drum’n’bass music/culture/goods here in the good ol’ US of A, and a perfect way to welcome a dear friend to 3hive on her first visit.
Built to Spill
“OH MY GOD!” (do I have to, like, pay royalties or something to Dooce for using all caps in a blog post?) I thought when I found “Joyride,” off Built to Spill’s The Normal Years, a K Records gem. (Thanks to Jared and his homemade K Recs t-shirt for the reminder to check their website.) One of my favorites from a thoroughly brilliant collection of random tracks, “Joyride” is a perfect representation of its title — exuberant, juvenile, and out of control. I’d love to put the whole album up here; IT’S THAT GOOD! (The check’s in the mail, Heather & Jon.)
Juez
Ready for this? From their bio: “Juez is a breakbeat-klezmer-jazz band of Orthodox kids from D.C., Chicago and New York.” I could get my head immediately around all those concepts with the exception of “klezmer.” Translated it means “the human being becomes the bearer of the song.” I like that. I back it. I’m pretty sure klezmer is the flavor of these already spicy, improvisational jazz joints. If you’re an aficionado, hit the comments to shed further light on the klezmer scene…
Daydream Nation
No, this ain’t the sixth album from Sonic Youth released in October 1988 getting its own entry here on 3hive, and it’s not a Sonic Youth cover band. Daydream Nation is actually a Canadian duo doing their own thing, which is a mysterious combination of Brit pop from the ’60s invasion and the ’90s revival influenced by other notable Brits like the Cure and Swervedriver, although their sound is not as “shoegazer” as they and others would lead you believe. These songs are from Bella Vendetta, their second album.
Magnolia Electric Company
Apparently there’s this guy named Jason Molina whose jangly voice and honky-tonk geetar owe a great debt to Neil Young and who had a band called songs: ohia. Apparently he renamed his band after one of the latter band’s album titles. And apparently the hazy barroom rock sounds as sweet as Tennessee bourbon whiskey on Magnolia Electric Company’s debut live release. If you’re wondering why all the parenthetical talk, it’s because Molina’s as new to me as he might (or might not) be to you. And apparently I’m kicking myself for not discovering him about five years ago.
Flogging Molly
Allie told Jared about the Celtic punk intensity of Flogging Molly, and this is what he told me (Allie was at the dentist, or I’d have asked her, too): “Sometimes you’re just in a happy mood and want to listen to something upbeat, like when I’m driving around in Minnesota with my friends, running red lights and honking at people and acting crazy. That’s a good time to listen to Flogging Molly, you know.” But of course, young man, but of course. And thanks, kids.
Personally, I’m loving the memories these tunes evoke, like the time when Sam and I went to see The Pogues but Shane MacGowan passed out dead drunk during the first song (I’m pretty sure it was “Boat Train”) and Spider Stacy sang the rest of the set. Yeah, Flogging Molly should have been the opening act who ended up playing all night long.
I Am Robot and Proud
Great minds really do think alike! I Am Robot and Proud has been queued up here at 3hive just waiting for the right day to post, and a kind reader of 3hive sent in an email to the suggestion box, well, suggesting I Am Robot and Proud. It gives us the chance to again ponder the question, “What is it with big corporations and their raiding of indie-dom for music for their commercials?” This time it’s adidas, and they’re using “Winter at Night.” I Am Robot and Proud is Toronto’s Shaw-Han Liem, and he makes a beguiling electronic (but not robotic) pop that is both warm and refreshing. Layers of melodies, alternately purposeful and tinkering, merely hide the rhythms that can get a little groovy. Proud indeed.