2009 Year Ender (is it over yet?)

Okay, so this took me some time to finally get posted, and everyone is already getting stoked on 2010, but this is as definitive as I could possibly get it. Still a ton of records left to hear that got a few others excited (ie. still waiting to hear this Black To Comm LP that everyone's flipping for), so we'll have to round up the missed 2009 records sometime later in 2010...maybe. Sorry, no links in this post, but we all know how to do a Google search, right? Pretty much all of these records have been played on the show at one time or another and have gotten a proper write-up on the blog, so I tried to keep the writing to a brief blurb. Anyways, on with the list...

Garage Rock Lo-Fi and everything in between...

The Fresh & Onlys "s/t"(Castleface) and "Grey Eyed Girls" (Woodsist)

Not much more to say about these guys, especially considering they've had damn near weekly play on the show. Absolutely timeless pop perfection. Not sure why they weren't a lot bigger in 2009. These two full lengths are essential listens of the year, but if you're like me and have played these two LPs to death you can still check out full lengths by the group's many offshoots, including Sonny & The Sunsets (featuring Tim Cohen and Shayde Sartin), The Sandwitches (two former F&O's backup singers), and Tim Cohen's solo joint. 2010 should hopefully see the release of their promised full length on In The Red, another Tim Cohen LP, and, hopefully, another avalanche of singles.

Meth Teeth "Everything Went Wrong" (Woodsist)

Coup number two for the exploding Woodsist label. After over a year of waiting Portland's Meth Teeth finally deliver their debut full length LP. The album is actually a coupla' re-tuned oldies with some newer material tossed in. Excellent review over at Dusted that also contains a brief history of the band.

Hunches "Exit Dreams" (In The Red)

One of two swan songs this year from Portland's defunct Hunches (the other is a limited comp featuring outtakes and a Peel Session) and easily their most potent punch-up to date. Following their two previously brasher full lengths, The Hunches managed to slow things down every so often, though the results are just as wrenching as anything else released before hand. Fans of those first two assaultive records should still be content with the tightly wound garage bombs unleashed here.

Nothing People "Late Night" (S-S)

A major leap from last year's debut LP "Anonymous" and one of this year's most aptly titled albums. "Late Night" is a woozy, jumbled and jangly record perfect for a post-midnight spin on the decks; 2009's best comedown record.

Amen Dunes "D.I.A." (Locust)

Well this one pretty much dropped out of nowhere and disappeared even faster. Amen Dunes is one Damon McMahon, who recorded this record somewhere up in the Catskills (originally from Philly), though he has apparently moved on to China since the release of the record. Little information is floating around about this guy, which fits this mysterious lo-fi stoner-folk record quite well, if you asks me. Listen to a live session at WFMU here (courtesy of the Free Music Archive).

El Jesus De Magico "Scalping The Guru" (Columbus Discount)

Not even sure I wanted to put this in the garage etc. list but there wasn't room anywhere else. Two side long slabs of mystic kraut-psych that manages to be groovy and a little frightening.

Grass Widow "s/t" 12" (Captured Tracks) & "s/t" LP (Make A Mess)

Top notch post-punk revival from San Francisco's underrated Grass Widow. Harmonized vocals, taught and clean guitar lines mark a refreshing, gimmick-free, back-to-basics sound that seemed to get lost in the shuffle.

Dan Melchior Und Das Menace "Thankyou Very Much" (S-S)

Best record yet from this prolific brit, and it's a double LP to boot! Not usually a fan of double records but damn near every track here is catchy and memorable, not to mention pretty damn funny.

Pens "Hey Friend, What You Doing?" (De Stijl)

More brits! This time it's three young ladies clumsily bashing out their sincere idea of DIY punk. One of the many highlights at this past years SMMR BMMR fest.

Eat Skull "Wild and Inside" (Siltbreeze)

"Wild and Inside" could have just contained the ridiculously catchy 'Stick To The Formula' and then just pit farts for the rest of the record and I still would've ranked this rather high. Luckily there are plenty of other amazing tracks to help compliment one of my favorite songs of 2009.

Can't forget about these...

Blank Dogs "Under and Under" (In The Red)

The guy releases his most ambitious, inventive record to date and no one seemed to care. Blank Dogs overload, me thinks.

Little Claw "Human Taste" (Not Not Fun/Ecstatic Peace)

Not quite as good as the debut from a few years back, but still a worthy follow-up.

Mantles "s/t" (Siltbreeze)

Another great west coast garage-pop revivalist. Should've been much bigger in '09.

Thee Oh Sees "Help" (In The Red) & "Dog Poison" (Captured Tracks)

Not nearly as good the perfect "The Master's Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In", but both releases- not to mention a non-stop flurry of 7 inches- help keep Thee Oh Sees at the top o' the garage heap.

The Intelligence "Fake Surfers" (In The Red)

After the mediocre "Deuteronomy", The Intelligence strike back with one of their best records.

Noise Rock

Helluva year for super abrasive, feedback riddled, hate rock. So much so that I had to shape an entire list around all this noise.

Mayyors "Deads EP" (Hurling Man)

The elusive Mayyors, who were the best part of the already amazing SMMR BMMR fest, topped those previous two seven inches and raised the bar so high it'll be a serious feat if anyone can topple these guys, themselves included.

Twin Stumps "s/t" (Dais)

Tearing Brooklyn apart one Animal Collective at a time.

Anals "Total Anal" (Permanent)

If Brainbombs weren't still active, you'd think that the band had reformed as France's Anals.

Drunkdriver/Mattin "A List Of Profound Insecurities" (Badmaster)

Billy Bao's Mattin adds a thick later of distorted, electronic squelches to Drunkdriver's pummel-a-thon, which adds up to one of the more assaultive releases on this list.

No Balls "s/t" (Release The Bats)

This one disappeared quicker than anything else on the list, and with good reason. No Balls is apparently 2 members of Brainbombs (though the debut 7 inch from earlier this year was supposedly a single member) and this record plays like a stripped down version of their current band, albeit with a murky layer of noise permeating the whole thing. Oh yeah, and it's also pretty much instrumental.

Pissed Jeans "King Of Jeans" (Sub Pop)

After years of releasing mom-friendly dreck like Fleet Foxes and Band Of Horses, Sub Pop apologize to long-time fans of the label and sign Pissed Jeans for a couple records. Though not as varied as "Hope For Men", "King Of Jeans" is more than enough for the growing throngs re/discovering the AmRep catalog. Hey, Sub Pop, if you really wanna satisfy us re-issue them damn Six Finger Satellite LPs.

TV Ghost "s/t" (In The Red)

Birthday Party-styled organ-driven spook-garage from Lafayette, Indiana.

Six Finger Satellite "Half Control" (Load)

Okay, so it's nowhere near the perfect "Paranormalized" or "Severe Exposure", but it's also hardly the same band as ten-plus years ago. J. Ryan and Rick Pelletier (both original members) and co. manage to scrape up enough demons to make another compelling record, albeit recorded in 2001. A recently recorded new album was released just a few weeks back. Haven't heard it yet, but the reviews haven't been too positive. I'll still give it a shot...

Billy Bao "May 08" (Parts Unknown)

Another fine edition to the growing Billy Bao legacy from Mattin and the crew. Not quite as unforgiving as past releases on S-S or Parts Unknown but still a potent punch to the neck.

And Everything Else...

Oneohtrix Point Never "Zones Without People" (Arbor)

Absolutely mesmerizing analog synth-work from one half of the mighty Infinity Window.

Infinity Window "Artificial Midnight" (Arbor)

Dualing synths from two contemporary virtuosos. See above for more...

Zola Jesus "The Spoils" (Sacred Bones)

Sacred Bones had another amazing year and this lo-fi and industrial-tinged LP clinches the top spot. Zola (aka Nika Roza Danilova) had a busy year, releasing the Former Ghosts LP with Freddie Rupert and Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu, plus another full length on Troubleman Unlimited. 2010 will probably be even bigger for the Madison, Wisconsin native.

A Sunny Day In Glasgow "Ashes Grammar" (Mis Ojos Discos)

Not quite as enjoyable as their debut from a few years back, but "Ashes Grammar" works better as a more cohesive album, which is seamlessly stitched together across 2 LPs.

Peaking Lights "Imaginary Falcons" (Night People)

Easily one of the more beautiful records of the year. An Eno-esque descent into decaying ambiance.

Dave Phillips "They Live" (RRR)

Two side-long slabs of creepin' 'n crawly. Foxy Digitalis sums this one up better 'an I ever could.

Sunn O))) "Monoliths & Dimensions" (Southern Lord)

Finally, a Sunn O))) record that I'll probably listen to more than once every coupla' years. Best LP package of 2009.

Sun Araw "Heavy Deeds" (Not Not Fun)

Jammed this one more times than I can count. Cameron Stallones peels back the heart of his inner groove and gets down low and skronky for his finest release yet.

True Widow "s/t" (End Sounds)

Much thanks to AQ Records for placing this as one of their records of the week. Anyone who was waiting for the slowcore part of the 90s revival should look no further than True Widow's debut. After hearing this you'll be dusting off your old Seam and Codeine records in no time. One of '09s most overlooked records.

Inca Ore "Silver Sea Surfer School" (Not Not Fun)

An ethereal and dream-like patchwork of lo-fi bliss. Seriously haunting and beyond proper description, as I just proved.

Black Math "s/t" (Permanent)

Goth-y garage in a way too limited run. Released by Chicago's Permanent Records, which has been one of the most consistent new labels of the past year. Keep 'em coming.

Dalek "Gutter Tactics" (Ipecac)

Another dense sonic barrage by hip hop's only visionaries.

Shearing Pinx "Weaponry" (Divorce)

The Pinx deliver Vancouver's best LP release of 2009 and then abruptly announce it as part one of a two LP set. Catch 'em live before they are no more...

Natural Snow Buildings "Shadow Kingdom" (Blackest Rainbow)

France's drone-folk duo make their first huge splash on vinyl--a 3 LP set of sprawling and immersive drone that has little comparison.

Twelve Inches

Dum Dum Girls "Catholicked" (Captured Tracks)

The Girls At Dawn "s/t" (Captured Tracks)

Magik Markers/Sic Alps split (Yik Yak)

Woven Bones "The Minus Touch" (Zoo Music)

Ganglians "s/t" (Captured Tracks)

Little Girls "Thrills" (Mexican Summer)

The Bitters "Wooden Glove" (Captured Tracks)

Wooden Shjips "Contact" (Mexican Summer)

Washed Out "Life Of Leisure" (Mexican Summer)

Records I'm still waiting to hear/are in the mail...

Black To Comm "Alphabet 1968" (Type)

Meercaz "s/t" (Tic Tac Totally)

So Cow "s/t" (Tic Tac Totally)

Shit & Shine "229-2299 Girls Against Shit" (Riot Season)

King Midas Sound "Waiting For You" (Hyperdub)

Grouper/Roy Montgomery split LP (self released)

Emeralds "s/t" (Gneiss Things)

Best shows

Mayyors, Pens, Meth Teeth@SMMR BMMR

Robe & Allied@anywhere they played

My Bloody Valentine@Seattle's WAMU Theatre

Sic Alps w/Magik Markers@The Rickshaw Theatre

Blues Control@Little Mountain Studios

Jonas Reinhardt w/Valet & Sinoia Caves@Little Mountain

Wooden Shjips@ ANZA Club

Kurt Vile & Eat Skull@Holocene, Portland, Ore

Barn Owl@behind the Museum Of Anthropology, UBC

Grouper@St Andrew's-Wesley Cathedral

The Fresh & Onlys@Pat's Pub

Jesus Lizard@Capitol Hill Block Party, Seattle

Golden Triangle@Garage Fest, Portland, Ore

The Intelligence@The Biltmore (twice)

(I'm probably forgetting a bunch of stuff from the beginning of the year. Local readers should drop a comment and let me know what I'm forgetting)

Other year enders worth peeping

Grimmertown

Bubblegum Cage III

Mapsadaisical

Art For Spastics

20 Jazz Funk Greats

Seven Inches Blog

2010 releases to be juiced up for

AFCGT LP on Sub Pop

Hozac Hookup Klub, year 2

Tim Cohen LP on Captured Tracks

Shearing Pinx LP number two on Divorce

Golden Triangle LP on Hardly Art

US Girls LP on Siltbreeze

Best Coast LP on ???

Dum Dum Girls LP on Sub Pop

Moon Duo on Captured Tracks

Magic Lantern LP on Not Not Fun

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 31///The Year In 7 Inches, Pt. 2

Pens "Weekend Starts Here" (Art Fag)

Pheromoans "Revamper" (Convulsive)

Wounded Lion "Wyld Parrots" (Gilgongo/Down In The Ground)

Ganglians "Blood On The Sand" (Captured Tracks)

Thee Oh Sees "Friends Defined" (Rock Is Hell)

Sharp Ends "Crack Trap" (Mammoth Cave)

Woven Bones "Janie" (Needless)

Crash Normal "Flying To NY" (Plastic Idol)

Nu Sensae "Mowgli and Sly" (Critiscum Internationale)

Naked On The Vague "Chitty Chat" (Sacred Bones)

Pigeon Religion "Dead Boss" (Gilgongo)

VIBES "Psychic" (Not Not Fun)

Robedoor "Pagan Drugs" (Ketchup Cavern)

The Ramjac "Curserer" (self released)

Black Pus "Down The Drain" (Corleone)

No Balls "untitled, Side B" (Diskad)

Wooden Shjips "I Believe It" (The Great Pop Supplement)

solars "Nocturnal Circuit" (Soldierpumps)

Emeralds "untitled, side A" (Soundesign Recording)

Dylan Ettinger & The Heat "Smokin'" (Not Not Fun)

Ducktails "Parasailing" (Underwater Peoples)

THE RITA "Shark Knifing, Side A" (SNSE)

DOWNLOAD Episode 31 (right click link, then Save As)

I've written about most these here before, so there ain't much more to say. Next week

we'll line up the best that 2009 had to offer in 12 inches and LPs.

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 30///The Year In 7 Inches, Pt. 1 (fixed!)

Crystal Stilts "Love Is A Wave" (Slumberland)

The Fresh & Onlys "I Saw You Seeing Me" (Dirty Knobby)

The Mantles "Don't Lie" (Mt. St. Mtn.)

Woods "The Dark" (Captured Tracks)

Real Estate "Suburban Beverage" (Underwater Peoples)

Kurt Vile "Subliminal Message" (Skulltones)

Little Girls "Youth Tunes" (Captured Tracks)

Best Coast "Sun Was High (So Was I)" (Art Fag)

Dum Dum Girls "Longhair" (Hozac)

The Mayfair Set "Already Warm" (Captured Tracks)

Roman Soldiers "Warmer" (Captured Tracks)

Woven Bones "Your Sorcery" (Sweet Rot)

Flight "Flowers" (Sweet Rot)

The Dictaphone "Farfarfarfar" (Sweet Rot)

Sex Church "Dead End" (Sweet Rot)

Mother Of Tears "Little Ratty" (Hozac)

Idle Times "Million Miles Away" (Hozac)

Matt K. Shrugg "We're So SOL" (Plastic Idol)

The UV Race "Malaria" (S-S)

Watery Love "All Night Long" (Richie)

Drunkdriver "Fire Sale" (Fashionable Idiots)

Charles Albright "I Wanna Hold You" (S-S)

Sic Alps "L. Mansion" (Slumberland)

DOWNLOAD Episode 30 here. (right click link, then Save As)

2009 has proven to be a standout year for the 7 inch, well, at least as far as I'm concerned. My collection practically doubled this year, which is mostly due to starting up the radio show and developing an appetite medium. It seemed as if a new band, label and a blog that loves 'em was popping up every damn week. And despite what the local press, who clearly had their collective head up their asses (or at least weren't willing to look beyond their pile of shitty promos), had to say about this year, 2009 was and continues to be phenomenal for music, particularly in the DIY end of the pool. 

The year started off great with the announcement of Hozac's first singles club, most of which have been pretty damn good so far (still waiting on the TeePee and Flight 7 inches). Next year they've already lined up the Fresh & Onlys for their singles club, so you can consider me signed up no matter who else they add.

Sweet Rot's another label that I'd probably buy blindly from, and 2009 was the second great year in a row from the local label, which, for the first time, released a local single. The Sex Church 7 inch got damn near universal acclaim (at least when it came to local rags and blogs) and justly so. Their darkly woven blend of Spacemen 3's aeronautical repetition and the Cheater Slicks garage grit, combined with their own ghostly and hollow twin guitar assault, resulted in a stunning live show and the best local 7 inch these ears have graced in some time. A record for Convulsive is rumored for release sometime next year (?!). Confirmation anyone?

Captured Tracks had a busy inaugural year, though there was plenty of filler from the overly-prolific label. The definite stand-outs were the warbled bliss pop of the Mayfair Set (Dum Dum Girls+Blank Dogs), the retro-futuristic post-punk of Roman Soldiers (Gary War+Blank Dogs) and the lo-fi and nasally anthems of Toronto's Little Girls. Looks like Captured Tracks will be focusing on full lengths next year, included a new LP by the Tim Cohen (Fresh and Onlys frontman), the UK's Wetdog and Dignan Porch, and, hey, looky here, a 12 inch and LP from Vancouver's very own Cosmetics. More on them in a later post...

Single of the year (pictured at the top of the post), and quite possibly their best track ever, goes to Sic Alps' L. Mansion off their Slumberland single. Sic Alps tracks have a tendency to get lodged in the skull for a day or two, but L. Mansion hasn't left the building since the day I heard it. A perfect slice of garage-psych-pop-whatever. Let's hope they can knock it out of my brain by playing it next week when they hit the Rickshaw Theatre with Magik Markers. Plenty going on that night, but yr certainly not gonna want to miss this one. The band's should also have their tour-only split 12 inch on Yik-Yak Records for sale.

The rest of these singles speak for themselves, and there's been plenty written about most of 'em. Part II of the 2009's best seven inches airs next week, followed by the best in LPs & 12 inches, then we should have some time for the year in cassettes. Until then, keep diggin'.

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 29

Things are a little more back in order lately--records are unpacked and the internet has been hooked back up. Not having moved in over three years, while collecting more voraciously than ever, made this recent move the most strenuous I've ever had to deal with. A good purging is long overdue. Anyways, the show is back to normal, and the next few will be dedicated to my favorite releases of 2009. Might even try and squeeze in a best of the decade for those out there interested in such lists. And don't get me started on how this isn't actually the end of the decade. Naysayers, listen up--2000-2009 is a decade. A decade is ten fucking years. 2010 is not included in '00s. You know why? Because 2010 is part of the '10s. Everyone out there who's saying otherwise can just celebrate/compile lists next year...like a damned fool.

Now that that's off my chest, on with this week's episode.

Regular readers/listeners will probably have guessed that the Fresh & Onlys will probably take the top spot as my favorite band of '09. Despite that In The Red LP being delayed until next year, the band still had two killer LPs, a couple cassettes, and an endless onslaught of solid seven inches (not to mention that Tim Cohen solo LP) all of which have cemented them as the most consistent, hard working and exciting new band of 2009. The new split seven incher with the mighty Dan Melchior just added another notch. Two songs crammed on to one side, though one is a demo of Black Coffin from 'Grey Eyed Girls', of lower fidelity than normal, and they still come off better than half their contemporaries. Are you still sleeping on this band?

Permanent Records has been a monster this year, with full length releases by Anals, Mako Sica, a Drunks With Guns cassette re-issue (!), Purling Hiss LP, now they've dropped a new-ish Cheveau long player, which is comprised of discarded tracks from their recording sessions over the last few years. Damn glad these didn't end up in a dumpster behind their recording studio. Those who have been paying attention to these fellers can expect the same skittery drum machines, sharp bass stabs, and those possessed vocals. Limited press on this one, so you'd be wise to hit up the Permanent shop soon (they do mailorder now!).

The vinyl releases from our own fair city keep rolling in, making 2009 one of the most vinyl-friendly years in recent memory for Vancouver. Three LPs released this week on the newly launched Nite Prison label by N. 213 & Reflektionss, Modern Creatures/Twin Crystals and a Pompoir one-sided LP should help break the bank of the local DIY faithfuls. I know there isn't anything I'd rather spend my money on. You can grip all three of them at the release party at Honey Lounge December 3rd.

The N. 213 (Nic Hughes of Shearing Pinx/Pompoir)/Reflektionss (Jesse Taylor of Twin Crystals) split takes off where their INW cassette from last year left off. Nic spends his side bouncing around his bedroom with a drum machine and a microphone, while Jesse gets dark and broody with a Moog. The two sides compliment each other well.

The Pompoir one-sider is a nice reflection of the band's stop/start live set. Fans of Shearing Pinx, particularly the more Sonic Youth side of the band, should ease into this one nicely. There's also an undeniable L7 and Huggy Bear vibe. I dunno about you but I'm excited to hear the early '90s finally seep into contemporary music.

Not Not Fun has also had another banner year with full length LPs by Little Claw, Wet Hair (2 of them!), Ducktails, and Sun Araw, and not to mention several amazing cassettes. The end of '09 has been especially busy with new releases by Inca Ore, Eternal Tapestry, Robedoor, Topaz Rags, and Sex Worker, making this label difficult to keep up with, though its been more than worth shelling out for.

While NNF has been busy with LPs, they managed to release a seven inch and cassingle by Bloomington, Indiana's Dylan Ettinger, who also runs the quality mid-west cassette label El Tule (played some back here). Dylan fits in nicely with all those hypnagogic synth wonders that have been making quite the buzz recently. Playful synth squiggles and squirms wriggle across an imaginary neon-lit skyway.

The Sex Worker LP is a tick-tocking dreamscape, with the flip side sounding like a dulled and flattened (in the best way, natch) of this classic Aphex Twin track from 'Selected Ambient Works Vol. 2'

The best of the new bunch is perhaps the newest full length from Inca Ore (pictured at the very top of this post), which is her second for NNF this year (she teamed up with Heavy Winged earlier this year) and her third release with them in total. I wasn't the biggest fan of her last full length, 'Birthday Of Bless You', but this newest LP is a major leap. Fans of the more submerged end of Grouper's more recent work should get a hold of this one asap. A delicate patchwork of across-the-void vocals, stark piano wrapped in static, all tie up together to form an intense, yet warm and very personal record. Absolute highest recommendation.

Last but not least in the NNF run down is the newest dark jammer by Robedoor, who had remained relatively quiet over the last year after releasing at least a dozen things each year since their inception in 2005. The group is back and have added a third member, fleshing out the doom-drone vibe with a drummer. Their seven inch on Ketchup Cavern from a few months back was indeed an indication of the groups new path and, after over 50 releases of stormy drone, is a welcome change. The storm is still brewing, but with shredded vocals, caustic guitar stranglings and reverbed drums, this new storm sweeps in quickly, annihilating everything in its path. New cassette due soon on Belgian label Pluim.

That's it for new music this week, folks. Next week we'll start counting down our favorite releases of the year. Until then...

Download Episode 29 here (right click link, then Save As)

Splinters "Sorry" s/t 7" (Double Negative) 2009

The Fresh & Onlys "A Taste Of Hunger" split w/ Dan Melchior 7" (Volar) 2009

Sharp Ends "Loaded Hearts" s/t 7" (Mammoth Cave) 2009

Cheveau "Pangolin" s/t LP (Permanent) 2009

Wounded Lion "Creatures In The Cave (Ballad)" s/t 7" (Gilgongo) 2009

N. 213 "Ratiociation" split w/ Reflektionss LP (Nite Prison) 2009

Pompoir "Cut Ups" Exploding Time one-sided LP (Nite Prison/Isolated Now Waves) 2009

Reflektionss "Feeling" split w/ N.213 LP (Nite Prison) 2009

Dylan Ettinger "Bringin' The Heat" Bringin' The Heat w/ Cancer CS (Not Not Fun) 2009

Dylan Ettinger "Miami Heat (The Stakeout)" s/t 7" (Not Not Fun) 2009

Emeralds "untitled Side B" Fresh Air 7" (A Soundesign Recordings) 2009

Inca Ore "Adventure Of Light" Silver Sea Surfer School LP (Not Not Fun) 2009

Sex Worker "No More" The Labor Of Love LP (Not Not Fun) 2009

Expensive Shit "Dreamcatcher Culture" Powowow With Chopper CS (Not Not Fun) 2009

Robedoor "Indo Shadow" Raiders LP (Not Not Fun) 2009

Robedoor "Dragon Fang Burnout" Pagan Drugs 7" (Ketchup Cavern) 2009

No Balls "untitled" s/t 7" (Diskad) 2009

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 28

Due to many of my records being boxed up in my new apartment, this week's show was strung together with a few records pretty much pulled out at random. Episode 29 update coming very soon. Things should be back in order now that my move is done, fundrive is over and internet access solidified. 

Download Episode 28 here.

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 27

No time for a serious rundown this week, folks. I'm in the midst of packing my apartment for a move next week and am in the midst of a job hunt (Local Readers: feel free to drop a comment below or send an email if you hear of anything here in Vancouver), which have both been taking all my free time. As if my plate wasn't full enough, the annual CiTR Fundrive is officially on! Anyone out there who has been enjoying the Pop Drones show, or any other show on CiTR for that matter, is urged to listen in over the next few weeks and give the station a call for a donation (any amount will do!). The Fundrive raises money for the station so we can get new equipment and do all the necessary upgrades to keep the station in top shape. Feel free to get a hold of me if you want to help donate towards this worthy cause. Help keep community radio alive...

One big recommendation this week goes out to Austin's Yellow Fever and their new forthcoming LP. After a few EP releases on CD, the boy/girl duo round up those releases and slap it to wax for the Vivian Girls' record label, Wild World (click this link to pre-order). Fans of those amazing Grass Widow releases from earlier this year should be able to slip into this one with ease.

That's all I have time for this week.

Download Episode 27 here. (right click link, then Save As)



The Mantles "Bad Design" s/t 7" (Slumberland) 2009
Spectrals "Leave Me Be" s/t 7" (Captured Tracks) 2009
Xmas Island "Nothing Ever Happened" s/t 7" (Captured Tracks) 2009 Pheromoans "Tattoo Boom" s/t 7" (Savoury Days) 2009
The Fresh And Onlys "Laughter Is Contagious" s/t 7" (Trouble In Mind) 2009
Yellow Fever "Rats and Cats" s/t LP (Wild World) 2009
Best Coast "When I'm With You" s/t 7" (Black Iris) 2009
Wounded Lion "Wyld Parrots" s/t 7" (Gilgongo) 2009
Pigeon Religion "Dead Boss" s/t 7" (Gilgongo) 2009
Sharp Ends "Crack Trap" s/t 7" (Mammoth Cave Co.) 2009
Woven Bones "Have A Soul" Minus Touch 12" (Zoo Music) 2009
Lawds "Don't Know When" unreleased mp3, 2009
Moon Duo "Killing Time" Killing Time 12" (Captured Tracks) 2009
solars "Nocturnal Circuit" split 7" w/Ahna (Soldier Pump) 2009
Odd Clouds "untitled" Deceiving Illusion LP (Not Not Fun) 2009
Up-Tight "A Song For Your Pain" The Beginning of the End LP (8mm) 2009
Padna "Siberia" Siberia/Hinterland CS (Stunned) 2009

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 26

Yeeeeeeeargh. The CiTR turntables went on the fritz this week, which pretty much ruined the show I had planned. New 7"s by The Pheromoans, Spectrals, Pigeon Religion, Wounded Lion, and a whack of new LPs will have to wait until next week. I ended up playing some myspace tracks from some newer local bands and a bunch of CDs from the CiTR playlist. I also managed to plug the upcoming Jonas Reinhardt/Valet/Sinoia Caves show that Twee Death and yours truly put on last night. Thanks to everyone that showed up. The night was a success; bands got paid, plenty of beers and records were sold, and I didn't lose my shirt.

We'll be back next week with a batch of fresh wax.

Fuck Buttons "Surf Solar" Tarot Sport CD (ATP) 2009
Myths "Gold!!" unreleased, 2009
MT-40 "Isabella Rosselini" unreleased, 2009
Pre "Gang Of Wire" Hope Freaks CD (Skin Graft) 2009
Little Girls "Thrills" Concepts CD (Arts & Crafts) 2009
The Fresh & Onlys "I'm Gonna Be Your Elevator" Grey-Eyed Girls CD (Woodsist) 2009
Little Claw "Colors You Drown" Human Taste CD (Ecstatic Peace) 2009
Twin Crystals "Blacked Out Face" unreleased demo, 2009
B-Lines "Busy Man" Burnt CDrs 7" (Nominal) 2009
Stamina Mantis "Slug Over Slug" released?, 200?
Six Organs Of Admittance "Bar-Nasha" Illuminous Night CD (Drag City) 2009
Valet "Streets" Naked Acid CD (Kranky) 2009
Jonas Reinhardt "Port Lligat" taken from myspace, 2009
Treetops "Some Morning" Blue Flower CS (Tape Worm) 2009

DOWNLOAD Episode 25 here. (right click link, then Save As)

Pop Drones & Twee Death Present: Jonas Reinhardt w/Valet & Sinoia Caves @ Little Mountain, Sat Nov 7, 8PM

Alongside Twee Death, Pop Drones is presenting a night of music at Little Mountain Studios this coming Saturday. Kranky recording artist Jonas Reinhardt (San Francisco) will be bringing their unique and driving take on synth-led kraut to the intimate confines of Little Mountain. If yr into the burning/floating kosmiche of contemporary acts like Oneohtrix Point Never, Cloudland Canyon, Arp, Infinity Window, or BCVCO, then this show is definitely for you. We managed to coax Sinoia Caves (Jagjaguwar, Black Mountain), who is an absolute perfect fit for this show, out of his lair for a rare live appearance.

Also worth getting excited about is the debut Vancouver appearance of Portland's Valet (Kranky Records and member of Nudge). This will actually be a rare live performance for Honey Owens, who, for all intents and purposes, is Valet, and we're more than excited to have the rare chance to catch a glimpse of her in action. She'll be accompanied with brain tickling visuals.

Doors are at 8pm and the cost is $10. You can get tickets at Red Cat, Scratch, Audiopile, Zulu Records or online at Twee Death, though there will be plenty at the door.

A merch table supplied by local distributors (myself included) will be there and it'll be stocked with brand new hard-to-find LPs, 7"s and cassettes.

See you there.

Interview with Honey Owens


Jonas Reinhardt video for "Modern By Nature's Reward"


Sinoia Caves "Naro Way"

Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 25

Captured Tracks continues to dominate 2009 (and our wallets) with their relentless release schedule of mostly top notch bands, most of whom have never released a thing. One of their best finds so far is Toronto's Bitters, who already have the amazing summer hit Warrior off their Wooden Glove 12". They follow up that great EP with an anthemic double-shot. Plenty of new material is on the way, too, including a 12" for Sacred Bones and a full length for Woodsist.

Also new from Captured Tracks this week is another Oh Sees album, which I got into here already. Anyone expecting the same amped-up garage stompers will be caught off guard by the weird and warm end of the pool that Thee Oh Sees are now wading in. A nice left turn when most were expecting them to keep plowing forward.

That Ganglians 7" is sitting nicely, too. A very necessary chunk of warm Cali pop in these days of relentless rain and grey that accompanies Vancouver for the next 5 months or so.

Oh hey, that Silver Pines CDr I raved about months back has made it to vinyl! Thanks to AQ for for stocking that one.

The Pop Drones show is normally dedicated to playing current music from the DIY underground and beyond, but when this cassette of an unknown group supposedly from the 60s came through the mail, I just had to share it. The Van Patterson Quartet, who play a shredding live set of organ-led psych garage on this release, are a bit of a mystery. No one seems to know a damn thing about them, and the only info online concerns finding out who the group was/is. The general consensus is that they didn't actually exist and this is a bit of ruse, which would make sense with the mysterious Tape Worm label. Though this may be out of print, I would highly recommend all fans of psych, past and present, to seek out a copy of this.

DOWNLOAD Episode 25 here. (right click, then Save As)

The Bitters "East" s/t 7" (Captured Tracks) 2009
The Splinters "Splintered Bridges" s/t 7" (Double Negative) 2009
Ganglians "Blood On The Sand" s/t 7" (Captured Tracks) 2009
Thee Oh Sees "The River Rushes (To Screw Me Over)" Dog Poison LP (Captured Tracks) 2009
Silver Pines "Timefather" Forces LP (Light Lodge) 2009 (re-issue of CDR)
Bronze "Sides" s/t 10" (Hobo Jungle) 2009
Factums "When" Flowers LP (Sacred Bones) 2009
The Pink Noise "Drab" Graffiti Youth LP (Kill Shaman) 2009
No Balls "untitled" s/t 7" (Diskad) 2009
Barn Owl "Ancient Of Days" The Conjurer LP (Root Strata) 2009
The Van Patterson Quartet "Part One (excerpt)" Live At F.W. (Tapeworm UK) 2009
Blue Sabbath Black Cheer "untitled" Dead Death, Death Dead LP (Troubleman Unlimited) 2009
The Jesus Lizard "Mouth Breather" Mouth Breather 7" (Touch & Go) 1990 *request*

Blues Control. Tonight! Little Mountain@8pm

Long time Expressway faves, Blues Control, will be making their first appearance in Vancouver tonight. Little Mountain Studios at 8pm. Gross X-Mas and solars will round out the bill tonight in support of this highly anticipated show. Make sure to pop by the merch booth tonight, as myself and a few others will be selling some LPs, 7 inches and cassettes, some of which cannot be found in local shops. See you tonight!