Nirvana Top 10

While Novak is admittedy mildly obsessed with Trent Reznor, I am very much obssessed with Kurt Cobain. Rather than bore all of you (as well as freak most of you out) with the reasons why or face the rage that comes along with defending this band at times, I'll just list my top ten favorite songs by them. Nirvana changed my life, made me want to play music, and is so much a part of who I am that the band almost feels like a member of my family or a relic from my childhood like a stuffed animal or a photo of an old house I lived in. In recent years I've heard many fans complain that certain artists should quit because they are over the hill, have lost touch with their passion for playing, or just can't relate to their audience anymore. Cobain feared this probably more than any other artist in history and, although I would give almost anything for new material, it makes what was left behind all the more important. Here are the best of the best.

10.) "Scoff" (Bleach, 1989)

Beginning with its cheesy "My Sharona" drum beat, "Scoff" has a very light hearted spirit to it. Lyrically hastily thrown together and juvenile, the song doesn't appear to stand out until the chorus where, out of nowhere, Cobain's trademark vocal harmony kicks you in the face. Listen to the B Side of this album in its entirety and you will truly appreciate how much this song stands out from the pack. Although not played live after the release of "Nevermind," "Scoff" remained a favorite track of the Sub Pop faithful and was also Buzz from the Melvins favorite song off of Nirvana's debut record.

9.) "Pennyroyal Tea" (In Utero, 1993)

Probably Cobain's most descriptive song about suffering from depression, Cobain wrote "Pennyroyal Tea" in his tiny and filthy apartment he shared with Dave Grohl while they were working on material for "Nevermind." While the singer orignally wrote off the song's meaning as a satyrical nod to Hippie Culture (particularly the use of herbal remedies for problems faced in life), Cobain always considered this a deeply personal song about his inability to relate to his surroundings effectively while coping with his mental instability. Many fans mistakenly believed that Cobain wrote this song with Courtney Love (mostly due to the two performing this song together on several occasions), but it may have been a song that his then wife enjoyed simply for its introspective approach.

8.) "School" (Bleach, 1989)

Most songs about music scenes are poorly done, just listen to any Youth of Today record and you'll understand what I mean. "School" is possibly the only song written by a band from a critical point of view of a scene that they are at the center of without including the kind of prescriptive claims that come along with many others. As the tiny Seattle scene grew into a major money making pawn of the music industry, Cobain documented the artist's disconnection from the spirit of music and the dissillusionment that comes along with it. It was business, it was responsibility in the same manner as school but without most of the fun, no recess.

7.) "Lithium" (Nevermind, 1991)

I was torn between this song and "Rape Me," but I chose "Lithium" because, simply put, it's a better song. Written in Pixies-style children's song format, the corky bass line precedes the heavy chorus that perfectly represents the song's meaning. Written from the perspective of the manic depressive, "Lithium" embodies the confusion, contradictions, energy, and uncertainty of youth and invites listeners to relieve themselves of such tension through music in the same vein as its protagonist.

6.) "Drain You" (Nevermind, 1991)

This was actually the first Nirvana song I ever listened to. My sister, who at one time was more obssessed with this band than even I, recorded the band playing a live show on MTV in 1992. I sat on the couch, cereal in hand, wondering why the singer had pink hair and an ugly sweater. My dad told me that "he was a fag and that I better not end up like that." Perhaps dad knew what was in store in the coming years, or perhaps he was just an asshole. "Drain You" has a build up that no other rock song can touch and it always seemed to set the crowd into a roaring frenzy, especially when it includes the layers of feedback. Dave Grohl stands out on this song more than any other as well with some a fantastic drum beat. Overall a gem.

5.) "Sliver" (Sliver / Dive 7", 1990)

Before there was "Nevermind," there was "Sliver," the single that truly introduced Nirvana to the masses. I always have a soft spot for songs written about Cobain's youth, a topic that he rarely touched upon but always discussed cleverly and interestingly. Written always with a half-sense of satire, these songs are fun, energetic, and to the point. This song is no exception and, while not as aggressive as a hardcore track may be, is as well put together as any punk song in history.

4.) "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter" (In Utero, 1993)

One of the things I love most about Nirvana is, although they have such a small pool of material to choose from, it seems like I frequently stumble upon new songs I love of theirs more than some bands who consistently make new music. About two years ago I was at a party and Woods mentioned this was his favorite song by Nirvana. I had completely forgotten about "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter" so much that I had to pull out the album and listen to the record to remember it. The band sounds so in unison on this track, probably moreso than any other and especially on such an avant garde record like "In Utero" that emphasized a free spirit and approach to isolate rather than to unify listeners. Thanks Woods.

3.) "Aneurysm" (Incesticide, 1992)

If you want to know why Dave Grohl is the best drummer and why Kurt Cobain is the greatest rock vocalist of all time, just listen to "Aneurysm," number three on this list. Quite possibly the perfect Nirvana song, it combines the aggression of punk, the structure and melodies of pop, and the distortion of metal to create a song that no other band could have made in 1991. The B-Side of the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" single, Aneurysm was surprisingly overlooked and disregarded by Geffen due to it being seen as too aggressive and less marketable than the former. Live audiences didn't care and kids the world over lost their mind to this track at every show after the release, lucky them.

2.) "Dive" (Sliver / Dive Single, 1990)

I don't really have much to say about "Dive," probably because I've never really been able to describe why it's so addictive. Extremely influenced by the Pixies and the Melvins, "Dive" is the perfect bridge from "Bleach" to "Nevermind" and is representative of a band on the brink of something even they didn't truly understand. Perhaps I love "Dive" for that very reason, it represents a pure and unstained Nirvana.

1.) "Lounge Act" (Nevermind, 1991)

Lounge Act is my favorite song written by human beings, let alone my favorite song by this band. A love song, "Lounge Act" was a song written about Cobain's relationship with Bikini Kill member Tobi Vail. That relationship and the effect its ending had on the singer is beautifully articulated in this song with its beautiful melodic chorus. When that very chorus decides to get aggressive, I still get goosebumps with each listen. Cobain's best vocal performance, "Lounge Act" was never truly captured well live and is truly a song that was recorded in the moment, which makes it such a special track. Everything is poured out on this song without being overdramatic or excessive in its release. The fact that the song is controlled chaos and emotion makes it the best song by Nirvana and one that I'm happy was written.

Samothrace- "Reverence Turned to Stone" (20 Buck Spin, 2012)

There aren't many bands that get me excited to the point that I want to run out of the house waiving the disc around in the air yelling at people to check it out. I've done that once, it only loses friends and gets you nearly hit by oncoming traffic. If I could get away with it though, I may do that with "Reverence Turned to Stone," a record by doom metal outfit Samothrace that made me an instant fan and purchaser of all of their material which, luckily for me, is only one other LP. An impressive and nearly perfect combination of every Asunder-tinged meloncholic harmony, Neurosis progression and tribal influenced drum beat, and Cult of Luna-esque heaviness , "Reverence...." has something for just about everyone and is one of the smoothest listens I have come across in quite some time. Nothing seems forced, everything pours from the mix naturally and beautifully as if it has been doing so since before you came across it, beckoning you to be reminded of something primitive and paradoxically simple in its complexity. If you're a purist who is skeptical of introducing melody into your doom shake, take heed and open your mind to this offering. This band has tapped into something truly special and they are on the brink of sharing their material with more people than even they are expecting. Truly amazing shit kids, jam it.

9/10

Pig Destroyer- "Book Burner" (Relapse, 2012)

Pig Destroyer is back with their fifth full length record on Relapse entitled "Book Burner." This is the first album without drummer Brian Harvey and the first with Misery-Index veteran Adam Jarvis. Funny story about Jarvis, we once exchanged harsh words at a club in Parma at a show when he attempted to hit on my then girlfriend. Personal conflicts aside (Adam is a great drummer and fantastic dude), this record is a breath of fresh air for one of my favorite acts in metal. Early tracks like "The American's Head" and "Diplomat" pick up where the best parts of 2007's "Phantom Limb" LP left off. Scott Hull's trademark thrash metal tinged grindcore riffing is matched only by Jarvis' impressive percussive performance and the band's unique use of groove and breaks in songs that hold your head out of the water only long enough to shove your face in it again. J.R. Hayes' vocals on this record are a welcomed return to form as well with the vocalist opting for a rawer production and less effects as on previous efforts. "Prowler in the Yard" it's definitely not, but this production approach introduces many new fans to Hayes' range and allows listeners to feel the passion of one of the best in the business without a wall of effects to sift through. Although it took a couple of listens for me to really get into this record, it is definitely one that I'll be jamming this Summer and for quite some time after that. Don't expect an experimental track or anything fancy with this effort, Pig Destroyer are starting fresh with a new lineup and rejuvinated sense of self. Hopefully fans can get a few tour dates out of these guys as well and this energy will translate well on stage.

8.5 / 10

Triac / Disciples of Christ- Split 7" (Regurgitated Semen, 2013)

Two grinding bastard bands, about fifteen minutes total, and not one eardrum spared. Baltimore's Triac start things off with possibly their best and most well produced material in years. It seems like a lifetime since their full length "Dead House Dreaming" on Reptilian introduced the world to their noise-rock inspired blend of violent grindcore, but their hiatus didn't slow them down in any way shape or form and the band released an ep entitled "Always Meant to Hurt You" on A389 records in 201 . Triac's tracks assault you with punishing bass breaks, crafty drum fills, slick production, and a vocal assault that genuinely makes you uncomfortable at times as only the best music should. Less Jesus Lizard and more Despise You inspired this time around, Triac wants to make their presence felt and to remind a new crop of kids why this is one of your favorite band's favorite bands. Catch them live, you won't forget the experience, trust me.

Disciples of Christ are a relatively new grindcore outfit from the D.C. area comprised of veterans from such respected acts as Coke Bust and Magrudergrind. Musically the band offers a very straight forward Nasum, Rotten Sound inspired brand of grindcore with a respectful nod of the hat to the classic No Comment and Man is the Bastard violence that the kids have come to know and respect. The punk riffs are well placed and not cheesy, the vocals blend the hardcore spice with the death metal zest, and it works very well if you've ever thought of pulling out your piece and shooting the nearest boss or authority figure within a five mile radius. While arugably not as well put together or polished as the Triac side, D.O.C. backs enough punch to make this split a very enjoyable slab of meniacal music.

Megadeth- "Supercollider" (Tradecraft, 2013)

"Supercollider" is the first album on Dave Mustaine's own label Tradecraft and it represents an interesting point for the band. Musically, many of the songs are mid-paced and a return to the traditional "rock" structure of albums like Risk. Luckily, the sophisticated and technically sound playing of drummer Shawn Drover and lead guitarist Chris Broderick keep the songs' heads above water long enough to maintain some interest and draw attention away from Mustaine's rather weak and uninspired lyrics. Mustaine mentions the state of a world in distress but offers neither detail nor offers an interesting opinion on anything, something I find disappointing in a lyricist that I respect more than most in metal. "Supercollider" has some stand out tracks, particularly the rather ripping opener "Kingmaker" and the bombastic and aggressive "Dance in the Rain," but each track begs for a speed injection. In many ways, this album is like an itch that can't be scratched by itself. There's crisp production, slick playing, and plenty of talent to offer something more to each track. I'm not a purist demanding a return to genre standards, I'm simply asking Megadeth to do what they've done in the past which is re-define such standards. Unfortunately, this record fails to do that despite its few impressive high points.

6.5 / 10

Sodom- "Epitome of Torture" (SPV, 2013)

Sodom is one of the few surviving bands from the early thrash metal scene that is still raging with (fairly) purist fire. "Epitome of Torture," the band's most recent effort, is a record that shows a band in the midst of something that isn't quite clear. These tracks are thrash, don't get me wrong, but there's something missing. While listening to the first song ("My Final Bullet") I thought it might be the production, which doesn't seem to let any particular instrument jump out of the mix, but that wasn't it. After "S.O.D.O.M" I figured it was the band's weaker song strucutre, but standout tracks like "Stigmatized" and "Cannibal" kicked my ass enough to keep my attention. Once I was done with the entire record I was convinced it was good, it just wasn't great. For the most part, many of the tracks (particularly those in the first half of the record) don't go for the jugular. Not that Sodom is showing signs of going soft, they just didn't write the kind of killer material that I was expecting, but perhaps my expectations were too high.

7/ 10

Most Underrated Bands

These bands are undoubtedly bigger bands that received some credit, some more than others, but are by no means household names like the bands on the list I just mentioned. The last list was aimed at bands that you could easily find in the "Rock" section at any Best Buy. Most people reading this will have heard of every single band, but generally speaking a good chunk of people sadly have just not heard enough by these bands.

I've always compared music to food. Some people are very consciously aware of what they consume for various reasons when it comes to food. For those people, places like Whole Foods have made millions. Others? They know they should be eating right, but it's easier and safer for them to order a pizza or go through a drive through. So Whole Foods makes millions while McDonalds makes trillions. Same thing with music and these bands. I think most people know there's better music out there, they just don't want to be bothered to read blogs or go to shows to find it. They just want to click FM on their car stereos and gobble down their whoppers with their big, fat, empty fucking heads in their asses.

I could easily write a 10 hour entry on each and every one of these bands and who they influenced, side projects of the bands.. but I'm going to make it easy and just say these bands should've gotten triple the money The Rolling Stones snorted up their old ass noses.

Again, these are in no order:

 Autolux

Hands down the most underrated band over the last 20 years. Easily my favorite band and would probably be a lot more peoples' favorites if they heard more of it. It's weird but still catchy, noisy but not heavy, different enough to be unique but familiar enough for all music fans to appreciate. When I thought of this list, these are the kinds of bands I mean exactly. Bands that aren't trying desperately to be different just to be different, they're making great music that happens to be unique. So many bands (and people) set out to do something that has never been done and 9/10 times it wasn't done for a reason, because it sounds like shit. These guys get an A+ from me!

Pixies

Pixies were a close call to being the number one overrated band. Although they gained a lot of popularity ever since they became "that band at the end of Fight Club" but they never really broke through like most bands did in the late 80's early 90's. A huge name amongst musicians, but another sad case of a great band never becoming a household name. 

Sonic Youth

Yet another perfect example of a band that was really doing something great for American music that most people just shoved under the rug when they first heard it because they'd rather listen to Madonna or Matchbox 20. While most bands were circulating the same bullshit progressions with different song titles and only metal bands were making you go deaf, you had these guys blowing out your ear drums with an entirely different batch of noise. 

The Melvins

This is one of the hardest working current bands in music. They've done more collaborations and been open to more ideas than those sluts in two girls one cup. Even though they're never fully getting back what they've put in, this band continues to impress me in many ways.

The Screamers

I wish these guys made an album because I'd probably be listening to it right now. Although not one of my all time favorites, it's definitely a band that lead many of the bands most people recognize to be leaders. I feel like a lot of bands saw this band live in LA, ran home and started a band similar and got more popular than these guys. Plus they use synths and anyone who knows me knows that 9/10 times an older band with a synth and live drums gets two thumbs up from me!

Ministry

Despite all the deadly amounts of alcohol and drugs this band takes before and after their shows, still one of the tightest and LOUDEST bands ever. More bands rip off Ministry's looks, sounds, and styles than they'll ever have the balls to admit. This band was the real fucking deal band that all of the Linkin Parks wanted to be.

Modest Mouse 

Here's another band with no posing involved. I'd say these guys are top 5 for best songwriters for me. It isn't just done different, it's done smart. Still catchy enough too for people to give them some fame from "float on" several years back! These guys were making the music everyone is trying to make now back.. shit it's been 20 years already?

My Bloody Valentine

I would hope this band didn't have to make the list, but most people wouldn't know good music if it crawled up their shit holes and kissed their insides. I know I kissed all these bands' asses, but if you haven't heard My Bloody Valentine you should probably cut your own head off after you finish reading this sentence. Or actually, better yet go out and buy one of their records! They took prety simple pop songs and layered it with fucking walls of guitars and fuzz, making an entirely new sound that you weren't even aware your speakers could recreate. Very excited about their new album, too!

-Novak

Lie Still

Benumb was one of my favorite bands to emerge from the powerviolence scene in the 90s. An often overlooked and underappreciated band on Relapse, Benumb released some of the best grind / hardcore ever on that label and isnpired a crop of new "fastcore" bands such as XBrainiaX, Get Destroyed, Weekend Nachos, and others. Just when you thought it was safe to play slowly again comes Lie Still, a new project featuring members of Benumb, Lack of Interest, and Paranoid Freak Out. What you get is what you'd expect if you're familiar with those vets, some of the fastest and most punishing tunes recordable by humans. No fillers, no dance parts, and no care for whatever is cool at the festival circuit this summer. Straight out of the East Bay and headed for your town is Lie Still. Fuck off.

                                                            Lie Still: Live, 2012

Zyanose- "Noise Philia (2005-2011)" (540 Records, 2012)

When I was fifteen my sister's dorky punk rock boyfriend Carson gave me a mixtape that contained Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Sham 69, Samhain, and other great bands. He also gave me a mailorder catalog for an upstart organization called punkstuff that contained a sampler with a Japanese band called Confuse, known the world over as the legendarily noisiest band on the planet. I listened to it, despised it, and years later (when I was obssessed with grindcore bands) literally tore my room apart trying to find that sampler which, to my chagrin, disappeared forever. Even now I hunt for Confuse bootlegs and await the fateful day when they decide to reunite and release new material. Until that day arrives, I will gladly jam the heirs to the noise throne, Zyanose. Zyanose have been cranking out their brand of dissonent punk / noise rock since 2005 and are now (rightfully so) gaining a lot of attention in the States with their shows on the East Coast last year and the release of the "Insane Noise Raid" LP and this semi-discography on 540 Records. Make no mistake or attempt to write these cats off, their attack is focused and carefully crafted. Slick basslines accompany a drummer who, for lack of a better term, wails alongside walls of feedback akin to Disclose. When tracks are injected with speed I'm reminded of the best of Gloom, Nightmare, and other classic Japanese bands and why that country's rockers just have something others only try to imitate. Perhaps the best quality of Zyanose is the best quality of most Japanese bands, there is a noticeable rock n' roll influence strategically placed in the music that keeps the tracks interesting and fun. One can almost imagine themselves in the dirty club, feel the discomfort of the feedback, smell the stale beer, and the desire to turn the amps down just enough to avoid injury.

Mammoth Grinder- "Underworlds" (20 Buck Spin, 2013)

There is a lot of buzz about this upcoming record and trust me, so far, it is living up to the hype. A few tracks have leaked on the internet and they are MENACING. Mammoth Grinder's latest effort is all too familiar sounding and eerily recognizable without coming across as uninspired or derivative in any manner. Drums are thrasing, vocals chords are tearing, riffs have a Grave and Hypocrisy-esque flavor of Sweden, and my head cannot stop banging. My only complaint is that I was expecting a little more lead guitar work, but the album's overall ascetic seems focused more on punishment and less on stylistic excess. I don't think this band is trying to reinvent the wheel as much as trying to shove the wheel down your throat, and that's perfectly fine with me. This album will be released by 20 Buck Spin this Summer and a full download of the album (legally) will be available on the website on July 23rd. Check this band out on tour, throw on the shirt, jam the record, and thrash 'til death. Fuck yes!

Overrated Bands/Albums

I feel like this post is going to take up a lot of time. I only have a handful of bands that come to mind, but I'm sure I'll end up going off a little more than planned. These are bands or albums I've heard people rave about for years and flat out NEVER understood why. This does NOT mean they weren't influential to other bands, just overrated. Where to begin? I can't say these will be in any real order after the first handful.. 

I was just talking to Woods tonight about these dorks. Why did anyone ever buy their records? I get that it was "edgy" back in the 70's, but I was born in the 80's. There isn't anything "edgy" or dangerous about a bunch of 70 year old men in clown makeup singing songs they wrote three decades ago. I also can't think of anyone who deserves the money and fame any less than Gene Simmons. Personality aside, the music was garbage. Anyone who says "yeah man, but their first records were awesome. Check em out" - Go fuck yourself. This sack of shit band did not pioneer, lead, or invent anything.

 

Now I actually do like a few of these records. Let's be honest though, who can REALLY tell any of their albums apart? With the obvious lead singer changes early on being the only true sound change. They should've made ONE record with 100 songs and saved themselves the embarrassment of putting out the same album 40 times. I've had many conversations with respected musicians who fight left and right to defend this band. "Hey man, stick with what works. That's their sound and they're not changing it!" I can agree with stick with what works, and I'm all for a band who has their own sound.. but if 40 fucking years into your career you're still making records that sound EXACTLY like your first few albums.. STOP! A decent band, but extremely overrated. 

I know, I know. I'm gonna get a lot of shit for this one, but come on guys, just think about it. I can absolutely not go without a very FEW Rolling Stones records, but this band over stayed their welcome years and years and years ago. If I wrote 2 albums a year, every year for decades I'd be bound to have a few songs stick too. I hate to say it, but that's how I feel about the Stones. Oddly enough, I truly consider the Stones to be ONE of the greatest rock n' roll band of the world, but overall an overrated band in general. If they wanted to be THE greatest rock n' roll bands, they would've quit decades ago.

I never cared for Bob Dylan. Now before anyone tries getting too defensive on me not liking his voice because it's not perfect.. suck it. There are plenty of singers I love for having unique sounding pipes, but Mr. Dylan is not one of them. Great lyrics? I guess. Maybe if my dad didn't have these albums on so often I'd appreciate them more, but I highly doubt it. Mediocre music at best.

This should actually be my number one. I fucking HATE Black Sabbath and anything Ozzy has ever been a part of. He didn't write his own lyrics, which were mediocre at best, and Sabbath was always cheesy and corny as hell to me. Now I know this band DID in fact influence many bands after.. but I still consider them to be overrated. I don't have anything else to say about this band. Overrated and untalented. 

 

Why is Jay-Z famous again? Now I may not be the best judge of "character" here considering I don't listen to any rap what so ever, but Jay-Z is one of those celebrities I see and instantly get pissed off about. His music is bland, repetitive, and corny as hell. I understand the difference between a decent album and a "legend" and I never understood why this guy was put into legend. 

 

Sucks. ONE song I like by these guys is "Zoostation" for the lyrics. Other than that the music was shit with far too many effects. I lost any remaining respect for these dorks when I saw "It Might Get Loud" and "The Edge" explained how under all the layers of effects that he really isn't playing much at all. What? That's like telling your girlfriend after amazing sex that it wasn't really your cock, but a strap on. Your girlfriend isn't going to find your sex too pleasing after that, if she ever did at all. Well that's kind of like how it was for me with U2. 

 

Yeah I know, you love this band. I did at one point, too. They have a few classic albums that will forever remind me of my childhood, but this is just a younger version of Kiss. Jerry Only is a super nice guy and all, but hang up the fuckin hat man. All of their 50 lineup changes and tours? They're living in their own shadows. Time was up a few albums before Graves joined mid 90's and it's certainly up now in 2013! 

Never liked these guys and never, ever understood how anyone else did. Their music had energy, sure, but so does a 10 year old boy after a pack of candy and a trip to Chuck E Cheese's.. both of these usually leads to vomiting. It wasn't until I met a lot of Wood's friends (who are now my friends too of course) when I thought the only people who REALLY listened to Metallica were drunken red necks and Beavis and Butthead. I will go as far as say they did pave the way for about 10,000 bands to follow, but I can't stress enough how much I dislike this band. 

Eh, that's all for now. I'm starting work now on the most UNDER rated bands. That should be a little less negative.

-Novak

Friends in Low Places

I found Woods' post about Boston interesting not only because he and I have been arguing his point (I'm a huge fan of west coast hardcore) for years, but because Boston, LA, and New York seem to be the only places (despite a few midwestern cities sprinkled in for flavor) that get mentioned. Recently, I watched Martin from Crudos' documentary about the Latino punk movement and he mentioned how in the 90s he found it interesting how many of these "hardcore punk" bands from the states sang about issues they read about, but didn't particularly experience directly. This got me thinking about the role environment plays in music. When Crudos toured Mexico and Brazil, they encountered punks and hardcore kids who were inspired by music that revolted against poverty because they lived in poverty. They loved the dissident voice of punk rock because they were actually politically oppressed. Although I love Boston hardcore, LA Hardcore, Japanese Hardcore, Livingroom hardcore, or whatever other environmental title you have, I wanted to find some hardcore bands (or at least one) from an unlikely place, a place like Myanmar. Myanmar (formerly Burma) gained independence from Britain in 1948 and has since then been the posterchild for military states the world over. The Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma ruled as a one party, dictatorial state until 1988 and in 1990 the country had its first elections. This long road to freedom in the wake of oppression created, go figure, a buzzing arts and music underground that (surprise, surprise) the government isn't too fond of. Myanmar's punks are speaking out, playing shows, and rocking hard. Personally, I don't give a fuck if they aren't doing it "harder" than Boston or any other kid in any other place in the States and I doubt the kids in Myanmar do either. The fact of the matter is we will never understand what this music means to them or their experience, and we should all consider ourselves lucky.

Dub-scovery

I must admit, I'm not a fan of reggae at all. As a youth I blasted Poison Idea's anthem "Reggae (I Hate)" with friends like Woods at full volume and ranted about how the Rasta movement, despite being part of the broader diasporic revolutionary mindset of dispersed and oppressed people of color, was just another religion and mind fuck. Then, it happened, I found Augustus Pablo. Pablo is perhaps the best known "dub" reggae artists of all time. For those of you who aren't familiar with dub, it's the style of reggae that emphasizes drum and bass, is typically instrumental, and was the background music for the early 70s punk rock scene in England back when skins, rastas, punks, and weirdos all congregated in London's ugly clubs to do drugs and make noise. Pablo's music speaks to me and in a way that is delightfully indescribable. His organ playing beautifully accents the drumming and VERY smooth bass playing on every track. This music just puts me in a great mood, something that I truly welcome after a day at work and all of the stress that comes with "adulthood," or whatever the fuck that means. I don't think that I'll be worshipping at the altar of Haile Selassie I in the near future, but I think Augustus will be in rotation for quite some time. Enjoy, light up a spliff, and download if you like. Jah love!!

I like clementines

I've been having a hard time finding new and interesting music lately. I've been doing a lot of painting and drawing, and any time I listen to anything with lyrics I tend to lose focus of what the hell I'm doing.. but anything instrumental I was listening to was just too fucking boring. It all sounded the same to me. One long delayed note, maybe a cheesy build up here and there to some piano lead.. I'm over it. These are some albums that have truly inspired me. Granted they're not albums you'd show your friends driving to Cedar Point, but really great records none the less. These are in no particular order what so ever.

This was an album I had heard years back and just recently rediscovered on my old computer. Again, not an album you'd want to show your friends at a cookout or anything, but an amazing one. These guys have a fairly large chunk of material out and it's all worth looking into if you're a weirdo. 

If there was any order to this, this band would absolutely be number 1. I couldn't decide which album to actually picture to represent them, but I landed on this EP. Highly, highly, highly recommend this album to anyone who has an attention span longer than 2 minutes and enjoys well written interesting music. This represents the perfect music for me to draw to. If I'm painting and the song is the exact same for 12 minutes, there's a good chance my painting will have the same strokes and the same colors throughout. When the song mutates and takes my imagination to different places, well.. you get the idea. Again, highly recommended stuff.

Accidentally stumbled onto these guys on Spotify somehow at work the other night. It was a related artist of one of the bands I was listening to and I completely fell in love. This is probably the most listenable out of the albums I just mentioned. I looked them up on Google to see if there were any "notable" members or relations and all I could find was a semi unprofessional few pages. A bandcamp, facebook, ect. It was clear they're not a big band of any sort yet, so I bought their record for $15 and it should be here this week. I've already shown a handful of friends this album and got them into it. 

This was a close call to my number 1 slot. Lots of stuff going on these tracks, yet somehow very catchy and simplistic overall sound. The track "knots" is over 30 minutes long. I know, I usually hate insanely long shit like that, too. What could POSSIBLY happen in 30 minutes? It's the coolest 30 minutes of your day, I'm willing to bet.

**Now I know the 2, MAYBE 3 people that read this are probably so bored of refreshing their facebook page every 30 seconds that they've read this and have zero if not less interest in anything I just said, but you should probably find a way to get these albums and listen to them. If you read this far, you are probably weirder than me. In which case.. tacos?

-Novak