Godspeed is one of Canada’s most famous bands. One of the archetypes of the post-punk sound, a style of instrumental music that builds and descends in epically long tracks. After releasing an EP, Godspeed released a double album (totaling a whopping 9 songs), “Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven.” This title track is a beautiful introduction to their sound. This song builds and builds until it crescendos making you feel like raising your skinny fists to the heavens!
“Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven“ (play/download mp3)
Buy/Listen to all of Godspeed’s music.
Punchy, catchy post-rock from UK’s now defunct stars, The Rakes. “Retreat” is the title track to The Rakes’ first EP, released in the US on Dim Mak Records. This gem is begging: “slacker’s anthem.”
“Retreat“ (play/download mp3)
Buy The Rakes music at Amazon
Ah the yummy post-rock guitar-scapes of Mogwai. This should be the soundtrack to hiking up Everest with the complete hardcover Tolkien in your backback. Cascading layers of über-proggy goodness.
“San Pedro“ (play/download mp3)
Buy Mogwai Stuff
Quite possibly the definition of ‘cool riddim’, “Robin Hoods Of The Ghetto” was originally released during the apex of Bob Marley’s international success. A winning formula that focused its power on exposing the injustices and struggles of poor people across the world, Cool Runnings followed Marley’s humanitarian cue with classic tunes like this one, re-released last October by Bristol Archive Records.
Cool Runnings
“Robin Hoods Of The Ghetto” (download mp3)
from “The Bristol Reggae Explosion 2 ‘The 80′s’”
(Bristol Archive Records)
“Robin Hoods Of The Ghetto” (play)
More Bristol Reggae
Controller Controller‘s “Silent Seven” is an angular punky funky song about paranoia and the dumbing down of society. Sharp, socially conscious and witty, with a Gang Of Four meets early XTC sound, and an odd 80′s pop chorus quote thrown in for spice. Very cool stuff.
“Silent Seven“
(play/download mp3)
Dead Moon is truly one of the most revered Northwest underground bands of all time. With Fred Cole and wife Toody on bass, vocals and Guitars, and the indefatigable Andrew Loomis on drums, Dead Moon have been churning out their own brand of blues-driven rock and roll for nearly 20 years now.
“Dead Moon Night“ (play/download mp3)
Buy Dead Moon records here.
Dub Gabriel‘s influence must be from growing up in a record store his father owned in Chicago. Think Bill Laswell meets Peanut Butter Wolf and you might get an idea of where this cat is coming from. Bare, simple, but never boring production. Crisp drums with a world flare on his sample and percussion choices, “Dis Song” may not be up to speed with the bass centered dance scene, but it’s a refreshing siesta anytime of day.
“Dis Song“ (play/download mp3)
Buy Dub Gabriel CDs
This is one of my fave political tracks. It’s called Politics. That’s direct enough, innit? From Oakland’s collectiv underground hip-hop site. Brilliant.
Theory – “Politics” mp3 (play/download)
Buy This CD
Cinematic, spacious, and poetic, the songs of Laughingstock pull you in with layered textures while celebrating the victories, defeats, and spirituality of everyday life. “Like Texas” is a quiet little epic metaphor for America’s largest contradiction.
“Like Texas“ (play/download mp3)
Buy the album as CD or MP3s at Amazon
