Kory' Recs: "Are those supposed to be WORDS?"

By: Kory Kasler, Promotions Director

My family, not being into metal like I am, is constantly asking me things like: “What is he saying?” or “Are those supposed to be words?” when I am listening to something from the metal portion of my music library.

For this post, I’ve made a list of some of my favorite metal artists for any metal-loving Rock Lobsters who know that, yes, they are words.

1. Skeletonwitch



Being from Athens, I have been around Skeletonwitch for a long time. While I wasn’t around in 2004 when they came together, they became my favorite band after I purchased Beyond the Permafrost from the Haffa's Records metal section.

Their music is unique in that it doesn’t fit neatly into a certain genre; as, they combine elements of thrash, black metal, death metal, and other genres to put together some of the best blackened thrash music out there.

2. Toxic Holocaust



Toxic Holocaust is probably my favorite purely thrash band. There really isn’t much to say about them except that if you’re looking for some fast and intense thrash metal, then Toxic Holocaust is for you.

3. Horde



Say what you want about religious metal music, but it’s hard to deny that when it comes down to music alone, Horde is one of the best black metal bands out there in my opinion. Being around during the early part of the rise of black metal, they have the classic black metal sound: fast blast beat drumming, harsh, shrieked vocals, and foreboding chord progressions.

4. False




It’s always nice to see a band with a good female vocalist, and False is one of the best. If you’re looking for good, modern black metal, False is a great choice. Once again, great guitar, fast drums, and solid vocals.

5. Hilariously Disgusting Album/Song Titles



There are endless band, song, and album titles that are so disgusting and so ridiculous that you can’t help but laugh at them. The music is less-than-stellar, to say the least, but it’s fun to cruise YouTube looking for funny/disgusting song titles like Gutrot’s “Gorging on Menstrual Chunks” or Spermswamp’s “Fermented Anal Nectar.” Come on, you know it made you laugh (or throw up.)

Kevin's Recs: Pirate Metal, Catchy Choruses and Other Delights

By: Kevin Rutherford, Editorial Director

1. "Newlands" - Justice

Justice - Newlands by FranklinP

It's tough to choose a favorite track off what might be the best electronic record of 2011, but this song is certainly a candidate. "Newlands" not only showcases Justice's growing predilection toward guitars, but also lets us know that they've become quite good at the instrument, too. Cap it off with an earworm of a chorus, and you have a song that will be played at dance parties well into the new year.

2. "Untitled" - Pearl and the Beard



These always-the-object-of-my-affection Brooklynites have a new song. Don't miss if you're a fan of cello, glasses, stupendous beards, or purely spectacular vocal performances. While the trio consists of three of the funniest individuals I've ever had the pleasure of interviewing, it also consists of three of the most passionate musicians I've met.

See them live.

Immediately.

3. "The Soft Voices Die" - Apparat



Talk about your unfair first impressions. When I first heard a few songs from German musician Apparat's new record The Devil's Walk, I was unmoved. I revisited the album for the purpose of reviewing it and was floored. The way Apparat can weave strings, piano, synths and his somber voice together into a patchwork of atmospheric songs is breathtaking. One of the best records of 2011.

4. "Get it Daddy" - Sleeper Agent



Say hello to the newest female-fronted indie rock darlings. Apparently, they don't like pinatas.

5. "Die" - Girls



Some were turned off by this cut from Girls' mesmerizing new record, Father, Son, Holy Ghost. I, on the other hand, dig it immensely. Sure, it's a step to the side of most of the band's other material, which would normally be something to criticize. But when your riffs are this delicious, it's hard to complain.

6. "Michael Jackson" - Das Racist



"I'm fucking great at rapppppiiiing!"

It doesn't matter how much you may think you hate this song right now. The refrain of "Michael Jackson! One million dollars!" will be stuck in your head for hours.

You feel me?

7. "Island in the Sun" - Weezer



RIP, Mikey Welsh.

8. "It's So Cold in the D" - T-Baby



The pride of Detroit.

9. "Homeward, These Shoes" - Iron & Wine



Sometimes you listen to a song and think, "This is way too long." Sometimes you think the exact opposite.

"Homeward, These Shoes" exemplifies the latter.

10. "Captain Morgan's Revenge" - Alestorm



What's that? You weren't aware 'pirate metal' existed? Prepare to be enlightened.

Joe's Recs: 5 Classic Songs to Piss Off Your Hip Roommate

By: Joe Amlung, Programming Director

It’s a Friday night, your roommate is forcing you to listen to that same mix consisting of Tyler the Creator and Dubsteb (something about the beats' being good.) You just happen to be on your third Vanilla Coke, so you have some sugar-induced confidence going, and you’ve heard enough from “some band you’ve probably never heard of."

So, it’s time to take action: It’s time to take over the playlist, and--as an added bonus--annoy the hell out of your roommate.

Here are 5 classic songs that are sure to drive them crazy.

1. "Purple Rain" - Prince



By itself, this song seems harmless. I mean, come on, everyone loves Prince’s sexy reverb-drenched voice. The key here is to play it every time the word “purple,” is said in conversation. Trust me, it comes up more than you’d think. They’ll be in tears by the time they hear that epic guitar solo for the third time.


2. "More than a Feeling" - Boston



No explanation needed here. Just make sure you play air guitar.


3. "Feliz Navidad" – Jose Feliciano



Bonus point’s if it isn’t the holiday season.


4. "When I Come Around" - Green Day



The kicker here is they’ll have to pretend they hate it. No self-respecting music “aficionado” will ever admit they enjoy a song by Green Day. It’ll drive them crazy trying to hide the smile from their face.


5. "Hotel California" – The Eagles



The dude said it best, “I hate the ******* Eagles, man!” Also, you’ll need to pretend you’re The Jesus (also from the Big Lebowski). The Jesus is introduced earlier in the movie with a cover of Hotel California in the background. Granted, that cover is better than the original, but your roommate won’t be happy that you’re not respecting “The Dude."

Billy's Recs: It's just like, my opinion, man...

By: Billy Bracken, Sales Director

1. "Kangding Qingge" - Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet

Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet combine a unique blend of old time bluegrass with trational Chinese influences. While it may sound like a disaster in theory, the results are actually great.



2. "Around the World in a Tea Daze" - Shpongle

According to Raja Ram, the word “Shpongle” is a feeling of ultimate positive and euphoric emotions. I can’t help but fall into the Shpongletron Experience everytime I see their shows. Shpongle is a completely new sound that seems to incorporate aspects of a cornicopia of musical styles.



3. Why? - Good Friday

I’m a big fan of hip-hop. Yet I get tired of hearing the same recycled themes regurgitated constantly by most rappers. Why? is an experimental hip-hop group unlike anything I’ve heard before. Plus, the lead rapper has a bad ass mustache.



4. "Wonderlust King" - Gogol Bordello

Gogol Bordello is one of the few bands that fall under the classification of gypsy punk. I can’t think of a better description for their frantic and theatrical shows.



5. "Florida Rain" - Matt Bauer

I downloaded Matt Bauer’s EP a few years ago through looking at artists similar to Gillian Welch, and was instantly impressed with his songwriting. His darker lyrics and sparse use of instrumentals create a truly haunting Appalachian folk sound.



6. Gommorrah

Gommorrah is set in modern day southern Italy, and provides a brutal glimpse into the Comorra syndicate. The Comorra have existed since the 18th century, and have a huge influence over the region. Five unique stories come together through the involvement of the Comorra. It’s hard to believe the incredible amounts of corruption that take place daily in this region of Italy.

Kory's Recs: Discovery Is Wonderful

By: Kory Kasler, Promotions Director

While I struggled to think of a fun theme for my first Exec Recs blog, I ended up failing miserably and decided to share a few artists and bands I discovered over the past year that I believe are worth passing along to the dedicated Rock Lobsters reading my ramblings. So, here are the first five that came to mind:

1. The Holy Mess



I feel like a lot of pop-punk bands these days have developed a consistently slightly boring sound, which saddens me as a pop-punk fan. These guys give me hope. They've got a knack for writing catchy songs and making their way into any playlist I try to put together.

2. Teen Daze



I'll be the first one to admit it....I'm a sucker for chill wave and synth pop. I came across Teen Daze this summer, and his ability to put together really solid synth pop tracks really impressed me. He is also well-versed when it comes to surf-pop and can make you feel like you're surrounded by sand and sunshine.

3. Dog Shredder



I am also a big fan of metal and hardcore, and after I stumbled across their Bandcamp page, I was hooked. I typically get bored when I listen to 10 minute long songs, but these guys have the ability to keep my attention for the entirety of their long tracks without making me shut off my iTunes.

4. Wax Phantom



This band's name alone should tell you they are rad....but in case you have never seen Scooby Doo, these guys are another solid pop-punk band I came across over the summer. I like their simple and catchy pop-punk, as well as the Scooby Doo samples throughout their album. My apologies for being unable to find a good live video for them.

5. Daytrader



I am also a fan of good emo/math rock stuff (i.e. the kind that isn't produced by teenagers wearing their sisters' jeans). Daytrader is just a good band who stuck with the early math rock sound. I make it a point to share them with my fellow emo/math rock fans.

Melissa's Recs: A Summer of New Music

By: Melissa Burant, Public Relations Director

I was really excited to write “Exec Recs” this week because I have an entire summer of new music to share. Here’s what I can’t get enough of:

1. Vacation - Bomb the Music Industry!

Bomb the Music Industry! - Hurricane Waves by melirnvxlrse

"Bomb the Music Industry! is one of my absolute favorite bands and this past summer they released their 7th full-length album Vacation. I can already say with certainty that this album will be my favorite album of 2011. The album is a step in a new direction for BTMI! with more mature lyrics, a plethora of guest appearances and a sound heavily influenced by the Beach Boys. The album still has that classic BTMI! feel though—it’s still loud, fast and synth-infused punk. I can’t help but get chills hearing interlude track “Sponge Board/Baby Waves” and the final refrain of the album on “Felt Just Like Vacation.” “The Shit That You Hate” is another great track, and while I have a really hard time choosing a favorite, “Hurricane Waves” probably comes the closest and is the song I chose to share here. Oh yeah, you can also download this album for free!

2. “Constant Headache” - Joyce Manor

Joyce Manor - Constant Headache by melirnvxlrse

I heard about Joyce Manor at the beginning summer and they quickly became a staple in my rotation. Unfortunately, being from California, they don’t come out east too often, which is too bad for me because I would love to see them live. Their full-length, self-titled album is a super solid punk album, from which the above track “Constant Headache” is taken. Joyce Manor also just signed to Asian Man—one of my favorite labels! You can download the track “Constant Headache” for free from Topshelf Records’ 2011 label sampler.

3. “Emily, You Were Right” - Emily and the Complexes



This summer while Tyler and I were in New York City, Tyler was walking around in Times Square playing songs, when the creator of the fashion/music website, Blind Specs, approached him and asked him to make a video. Above is the result for his classic song “Emily, You’re Right,” which was filmed in one take on the streets of SoHo in NYC. Emily and the Complexes will be playing in Athens at The Fern Gully this Friday, September 23rd!

4. “Little James” - The Sidekicks

The Sidekicks - Little James by melirnvxlrse

This summer, The Sidekicks, another favorite of mine, put out a 7” split with Scranton, Pennsylvania band Tigers Jaw. The split features an original track and a cover track from each band. Above is a new track from The Sidekicks called “Little James.” The original track from Tigers Jaw, “Jimmy Piersall,” is equally as good! You can stream the whole split.

5. “Lake Erie Back Float” - Delay

Delay - Lake Erie Back Float by melirnvxlrse

Delay is a great pop-punk band from Columbus, Ohio. Their track “Lake Erie Back Float” comes from their 2009 album Plain Language. The track is a bit sporadic, but they make it work wonderfully and it’s catchy as hell! You can download the track from the Shout Out Loud Prints Mixtape for free here.

6. 13 Chambers - Wugazi

01 Sleep Rules Everything Around Me by WUGAZI

Wugazi was a project that came out at the beginning of the summer from Cecil Otter and Swiss Andy. Like the name suggests, Wugazi’s 13 Chambers is a mash-up of Fugazi and Wu-Tang Clan and, it’s pretty great. Above is “Sleep Rules Everything Around Me”—the track comes Fugazi’s “Sleep” and Wu Tang’s “C.R.E.A.M.” Another one of my favorites is “Nowhere to Wait.” The entire album can be downloaded for free.

Kevin's Recs: In Which Kevin Talks About Internet Memes, Film Scores and Woody Guthrie Covers

By: Kevin Rutherford, Editorial Director

1. "Low Tide" - O'Death

O'Death - Low Tide from Kemado Records on Vimeo.

I saw a YouTube comment for one of O'Death's songs recently that stated that the Brooklyn alt-country act sounded almost like a "Mumford & Sons parody." While that isn't an entirely true description, it does say a lot about the seat-of-your-pants bluegrass rock the band puts forth. "Low Tide" is the best example of that; a breakneck hell-raiser with twangy vocals and backwoods fiddle. Plus, after watching the video, you can see how underground they are! Get it? GET IT?

2. "Sleep, Child" - Nick Jaina



Nick Jaina, a singer-songwriter/occasional writer from Portland, visited Columbus last October when he opened for Decemberists side project Black Prairie on their Burn Down the Organ tour. Jaina's penchant for melody and folk sensibilities struck me immediately when I saw him live, and an appreciation for his smart lyrics soon followed. Last year's A Bird in the Opera House is one of my favorite records from 2010, and "Sleep, Child" is one of its best. Feel free to look up "Theresa," "Another Kay Song" or "I Don't Believe You" if you find the sounds of Jaina and his band appealing. Frankly, I'll be surprised if you don't.

3. "This Train is Bound for Glory" (Woody Guthrie cover) - Mumford & Sons, Old Crow Medicine Show, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros



British folk megastars Mumford & Sons announced the Railroad Revival tour a few months ago, bringing along with them Old Crow Medicine Show and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Badass aspect of the tour 1: the bands traveled from tour stop to tour stop in a vintage railroad train.

Badass aspect 2: this cover of Woody Guthrie's classic song, which ended each show. Nearly every instrument gets a turn at the forefront, as does each vocalist. Plus, Alex Ebert goes sort of nuts onstage. As would be expected.

4. "Nothing But the Water" - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals



I can dig the newer material put out by Vermont's Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, but give me this performance of "Nothing But the Water" at 2006's Boston Music Awards, and I'm completely satisfied. Potter sings the tune nearly a cappella for the first three minutes, with a tambourine as the only complement to her soulful vocals. After about three minutes, the music takes a turn, as The Nocturnals enter in and turn the song into a full-fledged jam.

Try not to enjoy it. I dare you.

5. "Avast Your Ass" - Kitsune^2



I spend way too much time on the Internet, one of my favorite things in the world being Internet memes (as long as they're not overused [they usually are]). "Avast Your Ass" is itself a meme, though it was not originally intended to be. The song ended up being remixed numerous times as YouTube users took other videos and messed with the pitches of different voices to create, essentially, a "cover" of the original.

That has been done with everything from the Nostalgia Critic's Chester A. Bum character to the My Little Pony character Fluttershy. Chances are the song/meme wouldn't be so popular if it weren't so damn catchy.

6. "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin" - Colin Hay



I could never come up with the right words to explain how much this song--my favorite song ever--means to me, so I'll let the music do the talking.

7. "Musical Chairs" - Fair to Midland



My middle and high school years were spent listening predominantly to hard rock music, and occasionally I'll find a band which causes me to regress into old habits.

Fair to Midland, a Texas five-piece that was originally the first band signed to Serj Tankian's Serjical Strike label, has been a favorite since their 2007 record Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times is True. 2011 marks, at long last, the release of Fair to Midland's fourth effort, Arrows & Anchors, with the first single being this heavy-hitting tune. The demo for "Musical Chairs" was released over a year ago, and the finished product made a song that I didn't think could be improved upon that much better.

8. "Money is Such a Beautiful Word" - Tom and Jerry: The Movie



"We've got to have... moneeeey."

See how many sexual inflections you can find in Lickboot's vocals! Mainly at 1:22. So many lolz, all of the time.

9. "Folsom Prison Blues" - Paul McDonald



Yes, I watch American Idol. Yes, sometimes I'm ashamed of it. But this past season featured a contestant who was about as indie as the show may ever get--Paul McDonald, of the Bonnaroo-playing The Grand Magnolias. McDonald was so out-of-place it hurt sometimes, but the Bradley Cooper lookalike hit his stride with the Johnny Cash cover of "Folsom Prison Blues," which slayed that evening's competition. It's not the most inventive thing ever, but when you do it on a show such as Idol, it's very much miles away from the hundredth cover of Aretha Franklin's "Respect."

10. "Forbidden Friendship" - John Powell (How to Train Your Dragon)



I've always been a huge fan of movie scores, and though Hans Zimmer's epic soundtrack to Inception and Trent Reznor's lauded The Social Network score did wonders, it was John Powell's How to Train Your Dragon that floored me. I'm sorry--Reznor's my dawg, but the fact that this score did not win in its category at the 2011 Academy Awards is pure blasphemy, and I'll be sore about it for years to come.