Janszoon

Thank you very much to whoever sent me Lumerians' Transmalinnia! I've been pretty busy and only had a chance to give it one listen so far but I like it a lot. Psychedelic, yet darker than most psychedelic music. Krautrockish, but with the kind of shimmering, reverb-drenched guitar that always makes me think of the American southwest. I'm looking forward to many late night listens to this one.

I can think of a couple possible suspects for who might have sent me this, but if I had throw just one name out there I think I'd guess Mrd00d since I'm pretty sure he's from the same area as these guys.

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A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man

Time & Place

25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die

last.fm

RVCA

I was gifted a very interesting pick. It was That 1 Guy's "The Moon is Disgusting". Let me tell you, my initial impression (based solely on the name) was not good. I was expecting some silly folk with no real musical merit. However, I was pleasantly surprised-- it is kind of silly folk, in a way, but he's playing some weird instrument that makes neat electronic noises. He plays it in a way that is catchy and interesting too, and his voice/flow go great with his odd instrument. And while the lyrics are often preposterous, they're not unbearably cheesy, and he occasionally surprises the listener with bits of philosophical wisdom.

All in all, a worthwhile gift and I thank whoever sent it. Now, I think my only means of narrowing down the list of potential gifters is by eliminating those without a sense of humor, which is very few people indeed. I think my top choices are Mrd00d, Phantom Limb, or Lord of Sushi

Salami

Camera Obscura: Maudlin Career (2009)
What an interesting choice. It's not the sort of music I usually listen too, but that doesn't alter the fact that I am enjoying every minute of it. The vocals are absolutely adorable and there are some beautiful harmonies. Each track seems rose-tinted with a glowing demeanor of warmth. It was one of the best albums for Christmas, too, since I've really found much of it very festive and fitting for the occasion. I'm very pleased with it!

Now, I'm going to guess that my secret santa was Zer0, regardless of whether he was part of the secret santa or not. I know he likes them, so I'm putting my bets on him. Plus, I think he knew exactly what makes easy listening at Christmas, and if it's him, thanks!

Paedantic Basterd

Somebody sent me Sephiroth's Cathedron, a dark/tribal ambient album right up my alley. I don't have too much to say about it, other than my favourite moments were when the percussion kicked in, and I didn't know tribal ambient was a genre. Very good suggestion. I do like a lot of dark ambient, and the feeling of ritual really came out in this release.

Stu sent me Weighing Souls With Sand by The Angelic Process. It's no secret that I don't listen to metal. When I brought this up on RYM and saw the words "Drone doom metal", my heart fell with each one. "Ah **** me" I said to myself, "how am I going to find the bright side of this?"

It wasn't that hard to do after all. It was a smart pick made by a tried and tested user that omitted the elements of metal I generally find unlistenable (ie: the throaty screaming), and extrapolated on familiar elements of shoegaze. Static walls of guitars and washed out vocals made angry parallels with Loveless. It's heavy, and noisy, and generally quite crushing, but doesn't sacrifice beauty.

Salami sent me Drop Nineteens' Delaware, which I've been meaning to listen to for a while. I don't have too much to say about this one, because it's everything I should like and expected to like. It's tied with Screaming Females for best rec yet. Thanks Salami!

Sneer

Apologies, I've only just had the chance to listen to my gift.

Firstly, I'd like to thank whoever sent me St. Vincent's latest release, I thought it was an interesting choice, as it kind of diverges sharply away from what I've been listening to over the past few months. Needless to say, my interest was piqued.

Now, my thoughts on Strange Mercy... To begin with, upon receiving this I remembered my experience with Actor - an album that despite fervent attempts at engagement, never quite clicked - and was hoping for a different outcome this time round.

The good news is, I do think it's a better release than Actor, and I got a lot more instant satisfaction out of this. I appreciate the strange directions it often veers off in to, and generally there's a great deal of variation in the sounds that fill up these 40 minutes.

I did feel my attention waning several times, and I felt as if it lacked focus at certain points, but considering I've only listened to this once, it's left behind a strong urge for further investigation. So, mystery gift giver, good job.

No idea who said giver is, by the way.

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Fright Team radio show

Above

Enjoyed the Screaming Trees album, but it was a very low quality bitrate.

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Be pure,
Be vigilant,
Behave

Charlemagne

I got Bionic Parts by Mocket, a band I had never heard of but when I saw their last.fm profile I got pretty interested. I have been going through a punk phase lately, however this album was a lot different then the albums/style I've been into. In a good way though, it had a bit more of a new wave-y influence than I regularly listen to, but I still liked the vocals, I'm a sucker for male/female singers in the same band, although they didn't often sing during the same song. I've only listened to it once, so I can't say much more, but so far the first impression is quite good. Thank you secret Santa!

I'm going to guess Bob sent it.

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Charlemagne had eyes like a lover, but last winter there was weather and his eyes they iced right over.

My Last.fm

ThePhanastasio

I got Jobriath's self-titled, and thank you to whoever sent it to me.

I'm not going to lie. My first thoughts were, "Jobriath? As in gay David Bowie-esque Jobriath?" I was right, of course, but fortunately I'd never listened to a full album, and had only ever heard...maybe one song. I didn't dislike it then, and I don't dislike it now. I did not, however, actively seek it out afterwards.

Even if the album was sent because you were completely at a loss for what to send and thought, "What the hell, Jobriath it is..." I thank you very much. It's quite delightful, and works through my haze rather nicely.

While vocally, it wouldn't be possible for me to not say the gay-Bowie comparisons were apt; upon occasion, his voice even recalls Bowie. The true shining glories for me, though, are the superb guitar work, the pop sensibility executed with true...spectacle..., and the comfortable rhythmic, toe-tapping vibe to much of it.

"Be Still", the second track, is particularly excellent.

So again - thank you whoever sent this to me!

I have a few ideas about who it might be, but I'll go ahead and take a stab at guessing. Was it...Mighty Salami?

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• Phish: Studio Discography Reviewed
• 100 Albums I Heartily Recommend
• My last.fm

bob.

i guess it doesn't help when right on my last.fm it says that as the top album

i'm glad you liked it....i did see a bit of a more punk trend in what you were listening to.....and i know that we have talk about how majestic duel male/female vocals are

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A kiss is the beginning of cannibalism.

Reach out, pierce the fine fabric of the sheltering sky, take repose.

Goofle

^ Could you send me the DL link please? Can't find it.

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