make me warm

2009 Top Picks!!!

2010-01-03T14:10:00.015-05:00

Remember when I put up my top ten albums of 2008 last year and said that I would pay more attention to new music this year? You probably don't, but that was a lie. I definitely did not do that. But it's alright! I have still managed to get together a list of what I think are the best releases of 2009!

This year I am going to do it a bit differently though. There isn't going to be any particular order or anything, instead I'm just going to list my favorites. The reason for this is that the releases on this list are a mix of eps, 7

inches, demos, and full length albums. To try and stack those different types of records up against each other would be to weird and difficult, it wouldn't really make sense to put the list in a specific order from 10-1.

Anyway, this year I have 15 picks for favorite records! Here we go!

Algernon Cadwallader - Hot Green EP

for fans of: Cap'n Jazz, American Football, Street Smart Cyclist

Okay, maybe I'm a little biased because Algernon Cadwallader are probably my favorite

musical artist (aside from Kanye West and Modest Mouse), but with their new EP Algernon whip out probably the strongest songs of their career. These 3 songs are better than any song on their full length or their first EP. The band is only growing stronger with time and I can tell that their next full length is going to be even more of a masterpiece than 2008's "Some Kind of Cadwallader." Algernon Cadwallader are probably the most popular band of the current emo revival scene and with this release it is obvious why. Their songs are catchy as fuck, fun, technically impressive, and honest. There isn't really much else I look for in music and Algernon have it all.

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

for fans of: Black Dice, Atlas Sound, Grizzly Bear

I probably don't really need to tell you anything about this album do I? Well I'll tell you one thing - I'm sick of this fucking thing. It was hard for me to include this because I'm so sick of it (it has been out forever and I think I've heard it about 200 times, not always by choice). But then again, this album is pretty flawless, I can understand why people love it so much and why websites like Pitchfork name it the #1 album of the year. The album is catchy but also weird enough so that it's still cool to like it. Anyway, great album - let's move on.

Brave Little Abacus - Masked Dancers: concern in so many things you forget where you are

for fans of: Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc, Modest Mouse?

It's hard to explain the feeling that I get when I listen to Brave Little Abacus, I guess it's sort of hopeful. BLA's music is a lot of fun to listen to, it's fast, technical, catchy but it also has a sadness to it. It sort of reminds you that in a way we are all alone. I don't want to get sappy or anything but when vocalist Adam Demirjian goes on his rant in the middle of "Map of the Stars" it's impossible to ignore his honesty - this kid means everything he's saying. Musically the album is even more complex than the band's past releases; there are still the epic horn lines, video game sound effects, bleeping electronics, and moments of guitar shred genius- but the band have taken it to a whole new level. This album makes me want to play it as loudly as possible while driving or skateboarding really fast in the middle of nowhere, and it makes me want to better myself. I don't know what more I can say about it. Where the album falters is its use of short experimental interludes, yeah they are interesting and I like that the band is trying something new, but it sort of breaks the album's momentum. Some of them do work amazingly well, the use of samples in "he never existed in the first place" is perfect. I wish the music world was prepared to accept emo music back into its open arms, but unfortunately I don't know that it is. Right now there is a really strong movement all across the US, I just wish some important people would recognize it (I'm looking at you Pitchfork).

Drake - So Far Gone

for fans of: Kanye West, Kid Cudi, The Dream

When I named Kanye West's "808s and Heartbreaks" my number one album of 2008 I said that Kanye had reinvented mainstream hip hop, and I was right. With 808s, Kanye exhibited a type of honesty yet to be seen in radio friendly hip hop and he has passed it on to his prodigies; the likes of Drake and Kid Cudi. The minimalist beats on "So Far Gone" perfectly compliment Drake's honest musings as he raps and sings his way through 17 tracks. Yeah this is a mixtape but it works better together than most albums do. While it's "Best I Ever Had" thats made Drake famous, it's tracks like "Houstatlantavegas" and "Succesful" that will keep him on the top. I said it first, but Pitchfork has also said it - we are living in a post-Kanye, post-808s world now where rappers aren't just making singles, they are making albums; albums that actually mean something. "So Far Gone" also features some great and unexpected guest spots from the likes of Peter Bjorn and John, Lykke Li, Santo Gold and the more obvious but equally awesome Lil' Wayne and Trey Songz.

Girls - Album

for fans of: Real Estate, The Beach Boys, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Maybe I did buy into the hype, maybe not, but this album is actually super good. It has catchy melodies, great vocal harmonies (that have earned them comparisons to The Beach Boys), shimmery guitars, and a laid back vibe. The overall unifying sound is what makes this album so great, it actually sounds like an album. The band also have their own unique style of indie-surf rock and I'm sure from now on we will see tons of copy cats popping up everywhere. Whether Girls are a hype band or not it's impossible to ignore the catchyness of "Lust for Life" or the brooding "Hellhole Ratrace".

Grown Ups - Songs

for fans of: Algernon Cadwallader, Street Smart Cyclist, Castevet

This is one release this year that I just haven't stopped listening to. Sure, it's only a 4 song demo but it's near perfect. It has tappy technical guitar and plenty of gang vocal sing alongs for everyone. I guess it's pretty obvious that I love honesty in music and these 4 songs have plenty of it, the break down in "Open Sesame" has some awesome lyrics, "Lie to me, tell me your lost loves and former glories. Lie to me, tell me every great ironic story. Oh, I'm fucking dying to know who keeps company. Cause I'm not sure if I can stay up any more." I can't recommend this album enough, just listen to it.

Half Hearted Hero - Defining. Refining.

for fans of: The Fullblast, Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals

I do have a guilty pleasure for some good ol' pop punk music, and this year this was it. Half Hearted Hero are also a local band for me (they are from New Bedford, MA), unfortunately I haven't gotten a chance to see them yet but I'm sure their live show is fun as hell. I can tell you what makes Half Hearted Hero a good band in one word: fast. The band's music is fast and in pop-punk that's what matters. The guitarists are also really good, a couple songs on the album have some pretty crazy shred solos. I probably listen to this record way to much, but you know, whatever. If you're looking to have a good time, give "Defining. Refining" a listen. Honestly though, I was a little disappointed by the album after I heard some of the bands demos for it. Before they released the album the band put up "It's Cool, the Fullblast Already Did It," "Meter? I just Met Her!?" and "A Pathetic Attempt at an Apathetic Approach" on their myspace. These three song are the best on the album, unfortunately none of the other songs really measure up to the greatness of these three. The other tracks are good, but they could have been better.

Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of Days

for fans of: Kanye West, Drake, Common

At first I was sort of put off by this album, mostly because I thought it was sort of dishonest or pretentious for Kid Cudi to put out this crazy, weird ass, concept album. But I think I was wrong. Since I already mentioned it in my review of Drake's "So Far Gone" I wont go on another rant about how we live in a post-808s musical realm or how Kanye has changed hip hop forever. Anyway, it's no secret that Cudi is a disciple and friend of Mr. West. It's thanks to Mr. West that the beats on this album are so incredible, they are lush and complex and just really interesting in general. This album pretty much isn't even a hip hop record, it's some sort of weird experiment or something, which I think is pretty awesome. "Day'n'Night" was such a hit that I think Cudi was under a lot of pressure for this album and instead of putting out a bunch of singles he created this monster of an album.

Kidcrash - Snacks

for fans of: L'Antietam, Hot Cross, Ampere

What sets "Snacks" apart from many other recent screamo releases is actually its production value, this album just sounds a lot better than the lo-fi production on a lot of other modern screamo releases. Yeah, lo-fi is part of the genre's aesthetic but still, a good sounding record is nice sometimes. "Snacks" doesn't quite measure up to Kidcrash's last record, "Jokes" but it still offers really great dynamic post-hardcore and screamo. The album has a surprisingly large number of clean guitar passages on it which are really great sounding. Lots of cool layered complex guitar stuff. Good record.

Loma Prieta - Dark Mountain

for fans of: L'Antietam, Hot Cross, pg. 99

Another excellent screamo release from this year. What makes "Dark Mountain" great is its cohesiveness as an album, the sound is so fluid, I wouldn't be surprised if it was conceptual in some way. While not as technical as Kidcrash or some their contemporaries Loma Prieta create dark, atmospheric hardcore that is still much better than 90% of the hardcore and metal releases we see every year.

Monument - 3 Song 7"

for fans of: The Summer We Went West, Cap'n Jazz, Street Smart Cyclist

DC band Monument have really topped their other releases with their most recent 7 inch simply named "3 Song 7 inch". It's cool to listen to some straight forward Monument songs after their last release "Florida" which featured weird instrumental segments with a bunch of samples that seemed to form some cohesive concept. That was a cool good album, but the songs on the latest Monument release are really super catchy and fun to listen to. Not as technical as some of their contemporaries, Monument still create really charming music, one can't help but smile when they suddenly stop and all shout "Get rad!" in the track "Memory and Location".

Nurses - Apple's Acre

for fans of: Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer

I'd say that Nurses will probably be the hyped band of next year, or whenever they release their next album. While "Apple's Acre" is still relatively new the band is already working on new material, they played some of it when I saw them a couple months ago and it really blew me away. Nurses have evolved so much since their first record, "Hangin' Nothing But Our Hands Down". The band's use of samples and great vocal harmonies really put them in a position to be the next Animal Collective. This album has a really great overall sound to it and tracks such as "Caterpillar Playground" and "Manatarms" really showcase the bands unique vocal techniques. Be on the look out for Nurses this time next year!

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

for fans of: Passion Pit, Vampire Weekend, The xx

This was another super popular record this year that was just so good I couldn't really leave it off the list. Hit singles "Lisztomania" and "1901" are enough to make this album great. Anyway, I'm sure most people have heard this already so I'm not gonna talk to much about, also I am getting fucking tired! This list is taking forever! I hope enough people look at it to make it worth it.

R. Kelly - Untitled

for fans of: The Dream, Chris Brown, Usher

I don't know why R. Kelly's "12th Play, 4th Quarter" was never released but that album was amazing! If it was released this year it would be at the top of my list, instead R. Kelly gives us the unusually titled, "Untitled". I actually really like the album art to this record. Anyway, this album is still super good (would you expect anything less from R. Kelly), but it isn't as good as "12th Play, 4th Quarter" would have been if it was ever released. This album features some songs that were on "4th Quarter," tracks like "Go Low" and "Whole Lotta Kisses." I wish he included some of the better songs from that record though, like "Skin" or "At the Same Time". Fortunately "Untitled" has its own share of hits, "Number One" which features Keri Hilson (who always does any amazing job in a guest spot, ex. "Knock You Down" with Kanye West and Ne-Yo). Another of my favorite tracks is "Exit" which has R. Kelly tearing it up in one of the best vocal performances of his career. "I Love the DJ" will probably show up on a lot of party play lists, I know it will be on mine. This album is great, not as great as it could have been, but I still love it.

Snowing - Fuck Your Emotional Bullshit

for fans of: Street Smart Cyclist, Braid, Cap'n Jazz

The ironically titled "Fuck Your Emotional Bullshit" brings together members of emo revival greats Street Smart Cyclist and Boy Problems to play fast and fun emo rock. I listened to this record all through last summer, it is totally a summer album. The album has some truly self-confessional lyrics, in opener "Sam Rudich", "I feel nothing, like my father. He's been sleeping underground" but also plenty of fun sing-alongs with "bap, bap, bap, baps" and all that sort of good stuff. Not to sound lame but a lot of the lyrics really "spoke" to me, there's some good stuff in here! On the track "Important Things (Specter Magic), "Why do I stay up late? Just to wake up and feel lousy? If that's the thing, if that's everything, why can't I stop another empty hearted notion gone to shit?"

Welp! That's it for this year, I hope yall appreciate this I think it took me like...at least 3 and half hours including selecting the albums, zipping them, uploading them to media fire, and writing this long ass blog post.

ENJOY!

it is june

2009-06-05T02:25:00.005-04:00

Hi everyone! Okay, So I am going to try to be back. I know I haven't updated in MONTHS but there were finals and moving and all of those things. Let me tell you a little bit about my life right now just so you get an idea of what I've been up to:

I recently returned from California where I visited my good friend Austin and the excellent city of San Francisco. I'm now living in Cambridge in Central Square with my friends Pat and Kallie. I am working at the hipster empire known as American Apparel on Newbury Street in Boston (thats 330 Newbury, not the other one...yes there are two of them...I know, it's dumb as hell). On the creative side of things the ska-punk band I'm in called Interrobang!? is recording it's second release, a full length produced by Jeff Rosenstock (Bomb the Music Industry!) and Steve Foote (Big D and the Kids Table). So thats pretty exciting!

Just after moving to the city I started working on some new solo stuff but faced a few technical issues with recording problems and have sort of let it go for a bit, but I'm feeling inspired and I'll start working on that stuff soon. I've also been making lots of food and ice cream which is really awesome, I began my record collection, and have read lots of comic books.

That's that!

the brave little abacus - the split (2008)

2009-03-01T16:20:00.009-05:00

The Brave Little Abacus is an awesome band from Southern New Hampshire that are good friends of my band Interrobang!? The trio is made up of Adam Demirjian on guitar, Zach Onett playing keyboards, and Andrew Ryan on Bass, although all three members prove themselves to be competent multi-instrumentalists as well as vocalists. Their music sounds like a more lo-fi, noisy, and experimental Cap'n Jazz, but with just as much emotion. BLA really traverse all sorts of musical territory, from mathy, complex passages to ambient, layered soundscapes, all piled high with samples from Yoshi's Island and a bunch of other Sega Genesis games. Brave Little Abacus play some serious music, but still manage to not take themselves too seriously. For their live show the group play the drums, samples, and other sounds from a small TV equipped with the ever useful Sega Dreamcast. The show is one very cohesive experience; with songs connected by samples, dance party segues, and ambient sound, and it's also a ton of fun.

Download The Brave Little Abacus' half of the split they released with Matt Aspinwall in the winter of 2008 below. Also be sure to visit their myspace to hear other excellent songs not included on the album such as "The Buffalo" and "You're Not Me But Neither Am I," both excellent tunes.

www.myspace.com/thebravelittleabacus

for fans of: modest mouse, cap'n jazz, animal collective

The Brave Little Abacus - The Split

the tallest man on earth - shallow grave (2008)

2009-02-26T13:17:00.004-05:00

The Tallest Man on Earth is the moniker of Kristian Matsson, a folk artist from Sweden. His second release "Shallow Grave" has recently garnered some attention in the states and so here it is for your enjoyment.

The singer-songwriter genre is often a stale one, but every once and a while a gem emerges. I need to give this record a few more listens but so far I like it, and I'm sure a lot of people will like it much more than I do. The album has very minimalist instrumentation, usually just acoustic guitar and banjo, but Matsson's interesting vocal melodies make up for it.

for fans of: the mountain goats, bob dylan, dirty projectors

the tallest man on earth - shallow grave

ponytail - ice cream spiritual (2008)

2009-02-24T14:04:00.004-05:00

Ponytail are a noise-rock band from Baltimore, Maryland. They play really fun, mathy, noisy music. Their signature sound is defined by trebly fuzzed out guitars and screeching inhuman wails from vocalist Molly Siegel. I really like the songs "Beg Waves" and "Late for School" check, check 'em out.

for fans of: deerhoof, lightning bolt, abe vigoda

ponytail - ice cream spiritual

virgin soil at "this is what I do when I'm not with you"

2009-02-16T15:06:00.004-05:00

On Friday Virgin Soil performed at Emerson Experimental Art's hiatus show titled "This is What I Do When I'm Not With You." Here are some photos taken by Dan Muchnik. I also performed a spoken word piece called "So Sick."

MissingNo. - The Clatson Winic (2007)

2009-02-15T18:26:00.003-05:00

I linked to this band's myspace from my friend Harrison's, they are very, very cool. MissingNo, yes named after the "pokemon" we all know and love, create cool electronica, IDM, lo-fi stuffz, whatever you want to call it. Their stuff is pretty damn catchy and I love it.

sounds like: the books, dan deacon, prefuse 73

MissingNo. - The Clatson Winic

owen - at home with owen (2006)

2009-02-05T13:55:00.005-05:00

Owen is the musical project of Mike Kinsella, you know, brother of Tim Kinsella.

He has been in bands like Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc, Owls, American Football, blah blah blah, you get it. You know that Kinsella brothers. You probably know Owen, or you should.

Owen is a singer songwriter project, but trust me, it's so much different than that! Owen's music really relies on really lush, interesting instrumentation and honest lyrics. A lot of Owen songs have these really interesting acoustic guitar hooks that just get me so excited! Mike Kinsella's voice is soft and fluid (unlike his brother, el oh el!) in fact though, his voice is almost too perfect. Generally I don't like vocalists as much that sing too well, I prefer imperfections as they seem more honest. But Owen's music is already so honest anyway, I can look past that, and I mean, Kinsella is a VERY good vocalist.

Just listen to the lyrics of "The Sad Waltzes of Pietro Crespi" or "Bags of Bones" and you will know what I mean. Even the tiny guitar solo on "A Bird in Hand" has SO much feeling to it. You can feel Mike Kinsella in every saturated note.

sounds like: owls, kevin devine, copeland

Owen - At Home With Owen

things i do when i'm not with you

2009-01-29T23:34:00.002-05:00

moar black thunder!

2009-01-25T17:39:00.003-05:00

Here are some more photos from the Black Thunder and Da Naughtiez show, these are by Dan Muchnik.

It's good to have friends that take such sick photos.

black thunder and da naughtiez secret show

2009-01-24T19:31:00.005-05:00

Last night Black Thunder and Da Naughtiez gave an impromptu performance. Here are some photos taken by Kallie Tiffault:

shelby

2009-01-17T10:13:00.003-05:00

norwell massachusetts, i don't remember when

by nicholas tamburo

lunch

2009-01-12T17:56:00.002-05:00

So for lunch I made this awesome grilled cheese with tomato yummm

pelican - city of echoes (2007)

2009-01-11T20:42:00.004-05:00

So I've been feeling kind of not so great the past day or so. Yet today, when just being, I started listening to the latest album by Pelican. I've heard it before and it was good, but I realized that it is VERY good. Listen to it!

for fans of: mono, isis, russian circles

pelican - city of echoes

honesty

2009-01-07T19:06:00.004-05:00

I've always thought that honesty was important, and I consider myself to be an honest person in many aspects of life. Sometimes maybe I can be too honest. I recently realized that it is important to be honest in art as well.

Shit, maybe thats obvious, maybe I was the only one that hadn't realized that by now. Well I realized it, I just didn't recognize how important it truly is until now.

Lately I have been listening to mostly emo music from the early 90s, what gets more honest than that? When you can hear a person in their music, or see them in their art...I think that's really amazing. Some artists that are really honest:

barr

braid

conor oberst

bomb the music industry!

tim kasher

kanye west

The new Kanye West album has been a huge influence on me as an artist, I don't want to go on and praise it forever and ever right now, I think you know what I think of it by now hah.

Maybe the only way for me to make something valuable is to have it be as honest as possible.

I'm gonna work on doing that.

black thunder and da naughtiez - tingling sensation (2009)

2009-01-06T15:37:00.004-05:00

Here is the new EP from comedy-rap trio Black Thunder and Da Naughtiez. This release marks a new direction for the group, Black Thunder has strayed from its old-school style to a more polished sound similar to modern hip-hop from the likes of Kanye West and Lil' Wayne.

for fans of: 2 live crew, the cool kids, mystikal

black thunder and da naughtiez - tingling sensation

albert camus takes pills

2009-01-06T10:47:00.004-05:00

I apologize for not updating the past couple days, I've been slacking off. Well here's a still from a film I made a while ago called "Discovering" this is Zach as Camus.

boston massachusetts, october 2007

by nicholas tamburo

best albums of 2008: #5 - #1

2008-12-30T12:24:00.010-05:00

Here's what you've all been waiting for! The top five albums of 2008:

#5. Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band - Conor Oberst

for fans of: bright eyes, m.ward, kevin devine

So for anyone that hasn't liked the direction that Bright Eyes has been moving in recently you might want to check out this album. While there are some songs that are more country-ish like the recent Bright Eyes stuff, there are also a lot of tracks that bring back the stripped down sound of Oberst's older albums. I wasn't really even anticipating this album that much when it was released but I am glad that it is as good as it is. Some of my favorite tracks are "Get-Well-Cards," "Lenders In The Temple," and "Souled Out!!!"

#4. Maps & Atlases - You and Me and the Mountain

for fans of: tera melos, minus the bear, ghosts and vodka

I don't like this album as much as Maps & Atlases' previous record, "Trees, Swallows, Houses," but this is still a great album none the less. Mathrock is not usually a very accessible genre but with this album Maps & Atlases have changed that. It isn't common to find a band that combines technicality with pop sensibility but Maps & Atlases have done it. With layered guitars and unique vocals "Me and You and the Mountain" is a great record.

#3. This Town Needs Guns - Animals

for fans of: maps & atlases, algernon cadwallader, ghosts and vodka

Okay so this band is preeeeetty similar to Maps & Atlases, but better. For anyone who is bothered by the vocals of Maps & Atlases (I know that this is a controversial issue) then I suggest you take a listen to This Town Needs Guns. The vocals in this band absolutely soar over the complex instrumentation, another key factor to the groups sound. This band is from Britain and I think pretty popular over there right now, I expect them to blow up in the US soon enough.

#2. Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward

for fans of: pelican, maudlin of the well, oxbow

A few years ago Kayo Dot rose from the ashes of a band called maudlin of the Well. Both bands are fronted by composer and vocalist Toby Driver. And both bands are awesome. Kayo Dot's sound can only be described as avant-garde metal combined with ambient chamber music. The band's instrumentation consists of conventional rock instruments like drums and guitar but also includes others such as violin, french horn, saxophone, clarinet, etc. Blue Lambency Downward is a lot mellower than past releases from Kayo Dot in that the more "metal" moments are few and far between. This isn't a bad thing though, I think where Kayo Dot really excel is in their calm, dark, ambient moments. If you are into forward thinking metal then check out this record. Also make sure to listen to maudlin of the Well.

#1. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak

for fans of: you know what kanye sounds like

Maybe some of you could have seen this coming, but this is an amazing record. With "808s and Hearbreaks" Kanye West has reinvented himself if not mainstream hip hop itself. I think that the release of this album is amazing in that this is not a mainstream record and it is not what one would expect from Kanye West. He has been criticized for his use of auto-tune and his inability to sing but to me, these things only make this album even better. 808s is an album that is really about honesty and it succeeds at that. Finally Kanye has been able to say what he wants to say and put himself out there and make the album he really wants to make.

Well everyone, this has been fun! I really enjoyed putting this list together and I can't wait to do it again next year. I've never really payed close attention to each years releases but it is an interesting experience to see how each year is different and how different artists grow and change. I didn't listen to a lot of new music this year but making this list was still fun and I'll pay better attention to new music next year.

2009 here we come.

best albums of 2008: #10-#6

2008-12-28T17:22:00.014-05:00

Alright so I too will be posting what I think are the ten best releases of 2008. This is difficult because I haven't been listening to too much new music this year, in fact, I've been listening to a lot of older stuff. Well anyway, I did listen to a few new records. So here we go:

#10. why? - alopecia

for fans of: cLOUDEAD, sunset rubdown, xiu xiu

With this years "Alopecia" Why? won the hearts of many. The band has certainly found a formula that works, the blend of mellow indie rock and hip-hop topped with Yoni Wolf's self confessional lyrics. The album has a great vibe and lots of catchy moments, one of these for me is the chorus of the albums second track "Good Friday."

#9. the cool kids - the bake sale

for fans of: little brother, lupe fiasco, a tribe called quest

Alright so maybe The Cool Kids are "hipster" rap, but with two releases this year, "The Bake Sale" and "That's Stupid The Mixtape," The Cool Kids bring hip hop back to its roots. Most of the duos songs are composed of simplistic beats and almost silly rhymes, but it's totally 90s. For anyone tired of gangster rap about girls and money The Cool Kids got what you're looking for. I would rather hear rap about bikes and video games any day.

#8. crystal castles - crystal castles

for fans of: digitalism, justice, css

Finally some innovation to the genre of electronic and dance music. I love how Crystal Castles make music thats really noisey but still catchy and danceable. I also have a crush on singer Alice Glass. There's other shit to dance to besides Girl Talk.

#7. genghis tron - board up the house

for fans of: daughters, the number twelve looks like you, psyOpus

With their third release Genghis Tron have earned a lot of fans and a lot of remixes. I haven't listened to any of the recent remixes of "Board Up The House," I'm not really a remix guy, but thats pretty cool that people are remixing grindcore. Alright, well, I guess Genghis Tron aren't really a grindband, but they are the really the first ones to successfully blend it with electronica. Genghis Tron are not just another grind band with a drum machine.

#6. the faceless - planetary duality

for fans of: between the buried and me, necrophagist, as blood runs black

I was a big fan of the first release from The Faceless, but this album might be even better. The band has certainly stepped up their technique for this release, if you want an album that shreds without being pretentious then this is it. The Faceless have also begun to incorporate a lot of different elements into their music with this release; clean vocals, jazzy interludes, and more melody in general. This is one of the best examples of growth I have seen from a band in recent year, I can't wait to see what these guys put out next.

Check back for number one through five appearing soon! I might do movies as well, maybeee.

between the buried and me - self titled (2002)

2008-12-27T13:51:00.004-05:00

After watching BTBAM's new "Colors" live DVD I experienced some of the bands older songs from their first self titled album and was really surprised. For some reason I never bothered to listen to the bands first release, well that was a bad decision, because this album is awesome!

This record is a lot different than the BTBAM's more recent material. The self titled album is much more raw and although I hate to say it, has more of a metal-core vibe. No, but trust me it's good. Really good.

After listening to this album it makes the bands more recent material even more impressive once you realize how they have progressed. The self titled album also features Tommy Rogers on vocals but he does a lot of different things not found in the bands recent material. In fact, I prefer Roger's vocals on this album.

Especially check out the song "Aspirations."

between the buried and me - self titled

oops! x2

2008-12-26T15:22:00.002-05:00

Okay so Domino Records emailed me and was like "wtf?!?!?!" so I had to take down the download of the new Animal Collective album.

Sowwy guys, but I guess I need to abide by the law.

It's a really great album though so I suggest you all go out and buy it when it is released on January 6th.

people i like with things that they like: dan

2008-12-23T20:10:00.003-05:00

this is the last of them, thanks to everyone who modeled for me!

boston massachusetts, november 2008

by nicholas tamburo

oops!

2008-12-23T18:13:00.002-05:00

So I got in trouble for having the link to download the new R. Kelly album on my blog.

I got in trouble with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

They ended up taking the link down, so now R.Kelly's masterpiece "12th Play 4th Quarter" is no longer available for your downloading pleasure.

Fuck that, the world needs to hear this shit!

people i like with things that they like: austin

2008-12-21T22:26:00.002-05:00

boston massachusetts, november 2008

by nicholas tamburo

people i like with things that they like: nick (me)

2008-12-21T22:19:00.003-05:00

boston massachusetts, november 2008

by nicholas tamburo

people i like with things that they like: leanne

2008-12-19T13:03:00.001-05:00

boston massachusetts, november 2008

by nicholas tamburo

people i like with things that they like: pat and rachel

2008-12-18T15:53:00.002-05:00

boston massachusetts, november 2008

by nicholas tamburo

people i like with things that they like: brad

2008-12-17T15:17:00.001-05:00

boston massachusetts, november 2008

by nicholas tamburo

people i like with things that they like: lj

2008-12-17T13:46:00.003-05:00

boston massachusetts, november 2008

by nicholas tamburo

this town needs guns - cats and cats and cats split (2007)

2008-12-16T11:10:00.007-05:00

This Town Needs Guns is a math rock band from England. They are different from many other bands in the genre in that their music is pretty poppy. Many math rock bands employ dissonance as one of their staple elements but TTNG seem to generally ignore that.

The band just recently released their new album "Animals" which right now is only available it Europe but is coming to the states soon. I'm sure when it does this band will blow up.

for fans of: maps and atlases, anathallo, ghosts and vodka

this town needs guns - cats and cats and cats (split)

people i like with things that they like: kevin

2008-12-16T10:51:00.002-05:00

boston massachusetts, november 2008

by nicholas tamburo

people i like with things that they like

2008-12-16T01:10:00.003-05:00

So I did this photo series called "People I Like With Things That They Like" for my final project in photo I. This is the cover for a photo book of the same name that I made for my friend Rachel for christmas. I made the cover of the book and sewed it together with 3 different colors of thread. I think it came out pretty cool. I'll be posting the photos from the series throughout the next couple posts so keep your eyes peeled.

kanye west - 808s & heartbreak (2008)

2008-12-15T22:01:00.005-05:00

There has been a lot of controversy over Kanye West's latest release. There has been debate over his use of auto-tune and his decision to disregard rapping all together. Even still, I think Kanye has managed to pull it together and deliver one of the best albums of 2008 and of his career.

Really this album is genius because of the fact that it was even released. For an artist of Mr. West's caliber to put out such a personal record and take such extreme musical chances is amazing to me. The use of the 808 drum machine on every track and use of auto-tune is perfectly fine with me. It creates a very unique atmosphere to the album, one that I have never heard before. I think that this album works better as a whole than any of Kanye West's previous releases.

West has received a lot of criticism for his inability to sing. Well its kinda true, Kanye West is not a great singer. He is average at best, and that's okay. Whether you want to believe it or not, I truly believe that West made this album for himself and this is the record he wanted to make. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

kanye west - 808s & heartbreaks

on the might of princes - where you are and where you want to be (2002)

2008-12-14T19:59:00.004-05:00

I have been digging this album a lot lately. On The Might Of Princes really capture that original screamo sound of the early 90s, they are probably most similar to Hot Cross but with more dynamic range. Many of their songs change from a more subdued feel to a more aggressive screamo sound.

for fans of: hot cross, joshua fit for battle, city of caterpillar

on the might of princes - where you are and where you want to be

through the void

2008-12-14T17:55:00.001-05:00

boston massachusetts, june 2008

by nicholas tamburo

walking in the woods at nighttime

2008-12-13T16:13:00.001-05:00

Here's my newest film "walking in the woods at nighttime."

It's shot on Kodak Tri-X 16mm black and white reversal film.

barr - beyond reinforced jewel case (2005)

2008-12-12T14:43:00.004-05:00

MOAR BARR

After writing all that stuff for the last post I just got really excited about BARR and want to share more of it with you.

barr - beyond reinforced jewel case

so i've been thinking

2008-12-12T14:40:00.003-05:00

That I am going to actually start posting about what I think about the music I upload rather than just throwing it up here. Refer to the post about BARR below.

-love nick

barr - summary (2007)

2008-12-12T14:24:00.007-05:00

Aside from making music under the pseudonym BARR, Brendan Fowler co-runs Dog Pony Record and co-edits an art magazine known as ANP Quarterly. Below is his second album "Summary" available for download. Overall it is a lot more polished than his previous album, "Beyond Reinforced Jewel Case" from 2005. I guess most of this can be attributed that more of the songs on "Summary" are a lot more like actual "songs".

BARR's music mainly consists of Fowler talking, yelling, and conversing over minimal compositions usually consisting of piano and drums. On his most recent release Fowler is accompanied by a backing band which I think really helped him a lot. As an educated jazz drummer Fowler does have musical talent, despite what some may think.

Personally, I think that the dialogues that Fowler creates are really interesting. I think one of the main things that makes BARR enjoyable is that Brendan Fowler's voice is really pleasant to listen to. His attitude is refreshing and he just seems like a great guy that you would want to hang out with.

barr - summary

portrait: ryan

2008-12-12T10:43:00.002-05:00

boston massachusetts, october 2007

by nicholas tamburo

2008-12-11T11:10:00.002-05:00

bisbee arizona, august 2008

by nicholas tamburo

tegan and sara - the con (2007)

2008-12-11T10:54:00.005-05:00

for fans of: death cab for cutie, rilo kiley, azure ray

tegan and sara - the con

arson arson - songs to be ashamed of

2008-12-10T15:20:00.003-05:00

a collection of songs i recorded between the ages of 15 and 17.

for fans of: terrible production, failure, bad songs

arson arson - songs to be ashamed of

lights

2008-12-10T14:06:00.003-05:00

boston, december 2008

by nicholas tamburo

landscapes no.3

2008-12-10T13:27:00.002-05:00

boston, november 2008

by nicholas tamburo

cursive - burst and bloom (2001)

2008-12-10T13:11:00.005-05:00

for fans of: murder by death, the good life, desaparecidos

cursive - burst and bloom

algernon cadwallader - some kind of cadwallader (2008)

2008-12-09T13:16:00.003-05:00

for fans of: cap'n jazz, maps and atlases, make believe

algernon cadwallader - some kind of cadwallader

half hearted hero - summer demo '08 (2008)

2008-12-09T11:50:00.004-05:00

for fans of: rufio, four year strong, set your goals

half hearted hero - summer demo '08

landscapes

2008-12-09T11:43:00.002-05:00

boston, november 2008

by nicholas tamburo

street smart cyclist - demo (2006)

2008-12-09T01:37:00.007-05:00

for fans of: cap'n jazz, braid, algernon cadwallader

street smart cyclist - demo

lie.

2008-12-09T01:31:00.003-05:00

here is a film that I made called "lie."

shot on 16mm black and white reversal film

landscapes

2008-12-09T01:07:00.003-05:00

boston, november 2008

by nicholas tamburo

the jazz june - the medicine (2000)

2008-12-08T23:49:00.004-05:00

for fans of: cursive, braid, joan of arc

the jazz june - the medicine