Manitoba - Up In Flames

Easily one of the best and most rare albums in my collection. Rare because a year after the release of Up In Flames, Dan Snaith was slapped with a lawsuit and forced to change his stage name from Manitoba (but not before a drug induced vision quest) to Caribou. So, Manitoba's Up In Flames was taken off record store shelves, and replaced with Caribou's Up In Flames. So, it is probably impossible for Caribou fans circa 2004 to get their hands on a genuine copy of Manitoba's Up In Flames, even though it's the exact same record as the re-release which came a year later...

Alright, so maybe it's not rare in the collectors sense, but it is definitely rare in style and power. In my mind, Up In Flames is Dan Snaith's best album to date. Andorra was alright, but it definitely wasn't solid gold, whereas Up In Flames is just one of those albums that rocks from start to finish. Plus, who doesn't enjoy waving around an out-of-print album like a maniac, saying "I discovered this band" as if you're some a&r dirtbag. Well, if you've never done that, now you can.


(clickin' the head will take you to the download link)


Enjoy, and until next time

-Dave

D.ave's cherry post

The music I post will fall under one or more of these categories:
(a)Music that's unavailable on public bittorrent trackers
(b)Music that's unavailable in stores
(c)Music you might not have heard of
(d)Heavy grooves that rule
(e)Music ripped at 320kbps, unless it's some serious bootleg shit

In addition, I don't really like describing the sound and feel of artists/albums/music very much. I think if an artist or album is verbally described, even meticulously and poetically, no matter what, there will be something lost in translation. So I tend to skip the whole "her music soars over crystal mountaintops with the grace and elegance of an albatross on a crisp winter sunrise" routine. In my books, those kinds of reviews have always seemed more self indulgent than anything else. I'm new at this, so this might change, but I think what I'll do is tag the albums I upload with 2 or 3 genres in order to offer a general idea of what the album is, give a fun fact about the album, and let you decided how it sounds.

This method coincides with a kick I'm on right now about how much I think rating/reviewing websites like Pitchfork are ruining music. While it's true that these websites can definitely expose people to new artists etc, it can also sour people to music that they've never heard before, just because some skinny-jean'd scenester gives an album a bad review because she doesn't think it's "Indie" enough. In doing so, websites like Pitchfork and Allmusic decide what is good and what is bad. On a ten point scale of course. Because if it can't be itemized, how can one ever decide how good it is?

Sarcasm aside, I genuinely have issues with any individual or group of individuals pretending to be "avatars of taste". What I'd rather do is have a conversation. Maybe: "Hey. Here's some shit that I think is pretty cool. What do you think?" Instead of: "If you don't like what I like, you suck". This isn't radio or TV or film. This is the internet. Right now, we have a wonderful opportunity for 2-way conversations about media, so lets utilize it together, brothers and sisters.

-D.ave

Santogold - Santogold

Cool Jerk popped ISSG's cherry already, so as usual, I guess I'll just slide my contribution into the horrible gaping, leathery, um... never mind.

Sparkling wine for everyone! Cheers!

I recently picked up this album and was very impressed by it. A refreshing genre-hop between reggae, dub, punk, new wave and badass. Needless to say, a mixed bag of music here.

1. L.E.S. Artistes
2. You'll Find a Way
3. Shove It
4. Say Aha
5. Creator
6. My Superman
7. Lights Out
8. Starstruck
9. Unstoppable
10. I'm a Lady
11. Anne
12. You'll Find a Way (Switch and Sinden Remix)

Admittedly, the album looses a little steam by the end, but easily makes up for it by kicking serious ass for the first two thirds. "Creator" is definitely the thunder-stealer of the album. A very very sexy dancehall-y tune. I dare you to try not get sexy to that tune. That having been said though, it's tough to pick a favorite from such a diverse cornucopia of musical style.

(clickin' the head will take you to the download link)



Enjoy, and until next time

-Dave

Os Mutantes - Os Mutantes

1. "Panis et Circenses"
   
2. "A Minha Menina"
3. "O Relógio"
4. "Adeus, Maria Fulô"
5. "Baby"
6. "Senhor F"
7. "Bat Macumba"
8. "Le Premier Bonheur du Jour"
9. "Trem Fantasma"
10. "Tempo no Tempo"
11. "Ave, Genghis Khan"
    

So, I've been just wrecked over what would make for the perfect "maiden post". Certainly, such superficial, sensitive fare has no place here. Nevertheless, I can't shake the idea that if I don't tear out of the gate, my midget jockey won't be of any assistance. I assure you, you'll see the midget jockey soon enough.

For now, I have a much more delectable treat. It comes in the form of three revolutionary Brazilians, who voraciously fought banality ( and concurrently; a brutal military dictatorship) with a simply unparalleled sense of exploration...and apparently psychoactive drugs.

Now, if nothing in that previous paragraph intrigues you, might I ask; Is you, or is you isn't dead? This record is an absolute MUST for fans of psychedelic music or just genuinely intoxicating pop music. Not only were Os Mutantes decades ahead of their counterparts, in terms of awe-inspiring control of their experimental outbursts; they are the torch bearers and poster children of the Tropicalia movement of the 1960s. This also stands as one of the rare instances that non-English music ignores, neigh, scoffs, neigh, shilimas! at the language barrier. So lyrical and honest are these mutants, human connection to their craft comes with ease. Where the Beatles White Album (also released in 1968) was riddled with heavy, disorienting forays into the wild, "Panis et Circenses" weaves effortlessly in and out of Bahian Folk and flat out Rock and Roll. Or when "O Relógio" really kicks in. God Damn. Need I remind you of the frenetic burst of Bat Macumba? The seamless shift into Batucada in "Adeus Maria Fulô" There is not a moment of dullness on this record, and I say that almost exactly 40 years after it's release. For fans of Beck, Cornershop, Mr. Bungle, Talking Heads, Stereolab, the Elephant Six Collective, Progressive Rock; this is a lovely precursor. However, I must warn the light of heart. This album rules. It is under no circumstances easy-listening. Os Mutantes will attack and posses you. Food will taste bland. Sergio Dias and Rita Lee's harmonies will haunt your every thought. You will begin to smoke and your hair will fall out.
erm... Enjoy
P.S. To anyone who knows me. I dare you to tell me I don't look like Sergio Dias. I dare you.

-The Cool Jerk

Os Mutantes: I adorn you 10 Galileo Galilei's out of 10.
(clickin' the heads will take you to the download link)

This Blog Lost It's Cherry Online!

Dearest Internet User, Web Cruiser, Information Peruser;

Welcome to our humblest of abodes. If you’ve stumbled upon this place, you’re probably a good friend. In which case, what’s up? Long time no see? Have I seen you today? Sorry. If not. Then shit! I’ll brew some tea, I’m glad you could make it. Stay awhile. What’s that you say? You’re looking for some solid gold nuggets? Perhaps, nuggets that were once sheets of vinyl, strips of magnetic tape, etc…? Well, sir, you’re in the right place.

If you’re searching for absolute one of a kind bootlegs that you’ll never find anywhere else; you MIGHT not be in luck; might being the operative word as we certainly have some lovely tricks up our sleeve along with some absolute rarefied jams. Keep yer ears peeled. Any requests, queries and the like will be happily dealt with by our contributors (just leave a comment). If you’re looking for some really rare stuff, we might know where to direct you. If you’re looking for Top 40, Hardcore, Emo/Screamo, Metal; you also might not be in luck. Chances are, if it sucks, it won’t be anywhere close to this blog (not saying hardcore/metal sucks, but I personally have no collection of the such). Here at ISSG, we strive to bring you the “fly-est” true alternative to what you likely hear daily. Generally, great records you may have heard and unfortunately ignored.

As far as I’m concerned, “I’m in the boat where the pirates be.” I’m well aware of copyright laws and well aware of what side of the law my toes are on. Well, I say in good conscience. Fuck That Shit. The concept of sole ownership of art as if it were a commodity is so terribly backwards. Music belongs to all ears, until DRM petrifies the atmosphere. The music industry exists to profit, not to promote and breed culture, “To create an environment which attempts to market a small amount of music to the largest audience possible.” I hate to be on such a high horse, but when Canadian children have no idea who Rick Danko and Richard Manuel are, our identity is being robbed and resold as tired, expensive greatest hits packages, made without appreciation and without care for proper compensation. One day, the kids won’t know how to dance to Rock n’ Roll. I will not submit to this. The record industry dictatorship must be overthrown. That being said, if you’re an artist/musician who finds their music gracing/adorning/anointing this page, yet still chooses to hoard it for yourself; feel free to contact me and the link will be struck immediately. No grudges, everyone’s gotta eat.

I’m just about solely doing this as a sorta “ego-validation” thing; so, comments are greatly, greatly, appreciated. We’re always looking for more contributors, so, if you think you’re ears are up to it, or if you find some boldly ignored great music; please take us to town (just leave a comment).

Anywho. Enjoy y’all.

-The Incandescent Crew.

P.S. Big Thanks to Matt Sheardown for writing such a great review of Hipeponymous, and Numair Faraz for imparting some ammunition to use against “the man”.