Red Music

Three Hundred Fifty-One

Artist - Mogwai
Album - Rock Action 
Released - 2001
Label -Matador
Genre - Post Rock

Tracks:
Side 1
Sine Wave
Take Me Somewhere Nice
O I Sleep
Dial: Revenge
Side 2
You Don't Know Jesus
Robot Chant
2 Rights Make 1 Wrong
Secret Pint

Enjoy!

A Local Best

Departing the lovely city of Austin had to go out in style.  So I thought, how could I accomplish just that?  What record would make me think of Austin?  With the good help of my new roommate, here I have my one hundred twentieth pick.

Artist - Spoon
Album - Girls Can Tell
Released - 2001
Label - Merge
Genre - Indie Rock

Tracks:
Everything Hits At Once
Believing is Art
Me and Mr. Bean
Lines In The Suit
The Fitted Shirt
Anything You Want
Take A Walk
1020AM
Take The Fifth
This Book is a Movie
Chicago at Night

So Spoon is a local band from Austin, Texas and I think that this is one of their best records.  Of course a personal favorite of mine, Everything Hits At Once is one of the best songs on this record.  From time to time, I like to dabble in playing some local artists to get a feel of what Austin was back in the early 2000.  A lot has changed since then, though a few bands here and there come out and surprise you.  I've had the pleasure of seeing Spoon once, in Ft. Lauderdale, when I used to live there.  I always felt that people in South Florida don't appreciate good music.  I guess what is one of the reasons why I always felt like the music scene there was just so blaze.  Settling for Austin in regards to their music scene was a good choice because I feel that so many people pass through Austin.  Then you have Austin City Limits Music Festival, Fun Fun Fun Fest and SXSW that make it just that much better.

Enjoy!

After the Calm

In the aftermath of the milestone from yesterday, I decided to go with something more low-key, yet a bit hardcore.  For my one hundred and first pick.

Artist - Unwound
Album - Leaves Turn Inside You
Released - 2001
Label - Kill Rock Stars
Genre - Post-Hardcore


Tracks:
We Invent You
Look a Ghost
December
Treachery
Terminus
Demons Sing Love Songs
Off This Century
One Licks Less
Scarlette
October All Over
Summer Freeze
Radio Gra
Below the Salt
Who Cares

It's not that I'm being lazy about writing about this band, I'm a little exhausted.  I had quite a crazy day and it zapped my thought process.  So that being said, I will let you judge this album for yourself.  It's a pretty good album, but obviously, nothing like their earlier stuff.

Enjoy!

Break Ups Are Never Easy

Almost closing the gap to my first 100, so here you are, my ninety-eighth pick.

Artist - Handsome Furs
Album - Sound Kapital
Released - 2011
Label - Sub Pop
Genre - Indie/Electro Pop


Tracks
Side One
When I Get Back
Damage
Bury Me Standing
Memories of the Future
Serve The People
Side Two
What About Us?
Repatriated
Cheap Music
No Feelings

The third album by Handsome Furs, this duo delivers a great sound for what would be their last album together.  Since announcing their break up a few months ago (we all hope it's not a break-up of their marriage since Alexei and Dan are husband and wife in real life), Dan has gone to form a super group with Brit Daniels of Spoon.  Nevertheless, Sound Kapital will hopefully not be the end of a legacy for Handsome Furs, seeing as it is as fantastic sounding as their live performance.

Enjoy!

Right in my Backyard

This is a mini milestone of sorts for me, because I'm on my fiftieth vinyl TODAY.  So with that being said, I didn't have to search far for this one, since this band is right here from good 'ol Austin, Texas.

Artist - Explosions In The Sky
Album - Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever
Released - 2001
Label - Temporary Residence Limited
Genre  - Post-Rock


Tracks:
die
greet death
yasmin the light
the moon is down
live forever
have you passed through this night?
a poor man's memory
with tired eyes, tired minds, tired souls, we slept

Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever is Explosions in the Sky's second album and they are from the lovely city of Austin, Texas, where I currently reside.  It's hard to imagine this album came out in 2001, since before 5 or so years ago I never HEARD of Explosions in the Sky.  Mind you, I'm from Miami, so the scene down there isn't very post-rock, indie rock friendly, unless you know people who are into that and not much into the mainstream type of rock.  But low and behold, I have a great group of online friends that I met in a message board that have showed me the way to better music, a much more broader selection so to speak.

Yesterday, when my friend mentioned this record was in my collection, I had to play it today.  I've been on an Explosions in the Sky kick since coming back from Seattle and there is nothing that makes me happier than knowing Kevin has this on vinyl.  Grant it, I was listening to it on my iTunes as I was cleaning today, trying to make sure everything is done before I go on vacation, and as soon as I put the record on the turntable, what a difference.  I feel like the sound is just that much more intense and with it being post-rock and all.  I had the great pleasure of seeing them at Austin City Limits (not the festival, the actual venue) and they were mind blowing.

Enjoy!