Ripple Music is auctioning off a rare 7" test pressing of their recent Heavy Ripples compilation.  The money is meant to donate to the victims of the recent tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri.  All information is courtesy of Ripple Music. Charity Auction of Rare Test Pressing of Heavy Ripples Double 7": Proceeds to Benefit Joplin Tornado Vicitms FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Continuing with the company tradition of giving back to the community, Ripple Music will auction an extremely rare original test pressing of Heavy Ripples: vol 1 , featuring Stone Axe , Sun Gods in Exile , Grifter and Mighty High , with proceeds going to benefit Joplin Tornado Victims. The auction will take place on eBay at the Ripple store, starting Tuesday, May 31st, and run for 7 days only. Only 5 of these test pressings exist, and this is the only one made available to the public. You can jump into the auction, win a cool heavy rock collectible and benefit disaster relief at the Ripple Music Ebay S

The man was a shock to my system when first my ears touch upon "Whitey On The Moon," Gil Scott-Heron 's bongo-powered indictment of White America's priorities in terms of taxpayer dollars: "I can't pay no doctor bill/(but Whitey's on the moon)/Ten years from now I'll be payin' still/(while Whitey's on the moon)."  It's not as if I hadn't already been exposed to Afro-centric pride and racially inspired backlash via the more vocal amongst hip-hop's reigning champions, (most notably the words of Public Enemy and then later with Talib Kweli and Mos Def ), but Scott-Heron's delivery, backed by one mere, simple hand drum, was compelling.  Yes, there was anger to the man, poetic outrage at the words' core.  But, Heron wasn't only a voice of dissent: he was the embodiment of protest art, his combination of words and tone a perfect conveyance of frustration and hope for something better, canvas worthy assessments of livin

The Nighty Nite’s “Dimes In Their Dimples” is one of those very severe carnival-ish tracks that links Man Man’s goofball take on Tom Waits with the seriousness of progressive circus act, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. Granted I’m point out to extreme cases on opposite ends of a musical device, but The Nighty Nite seems to fall somewhere between the two. It’s a good listen. All info and links come courtesy of PMA PR. Dimes In Their Dimples by The Nighty Nite by PMA INTRODUCING THE NIGHTY NITE DEBUT EP DIMPLES OUT ON GRAVEFACE 6-21-11 US TOUR DATES w/ THIS WILL DESTROY YOU NEW MP3 AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD John Congleton and Jason Garner of The Paper Chase have teamed up with some good friends to form a new band called The Nighty Nite . Joining them are members of Wires Under Tension ( Chris Tignor ), Shearwater ( Kevin Schneider ), and the Hospital Ships ( Jordan Geiger ). The band's debut EP Dimples is set for release on June 21st via Graveface and sounds like t

Boris Heavy Rocks/Attention Please Sargent House Released: 5.24.11 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Today would've been the 85th birthday of Miles Davis and there's no shortage of praise to spare for his extensive catalogue and all the wildly inspirational art that's thankfully been left in his stead.  If we can't have him, at least his music can live on. Early in the life of Letters From A Tapehead, I was caught up in a typing frenzy one evening and decided to spend a few hours discussing Davis' Get Up With It , a late period electric/fusion album that I feel gets overlooked.  As far as fusion, Davis' most noted releases are In A Silent Way , Bitches Brew and the controversial On The Corner , which earned Davis somewhat of a smiting at the hands of critics and fans.  But, such is the cost of being ahead of your time, as cliché as that sounds. Here are my thoughts and praise in regard to Get Up With It . "He Loved Him Madly" opens Get Up With It as a meditation of sorts on the life and death of Duke Ellington , who'd passed on before th

Prefix posted a video earlier today for the single, “Dirt,” from WU LYF 's upcoming album, Go Tell Fire to the Mountain . While Prefix acknowledges These New Puritans as a base, I hear some Mark Stewart Maffia / Pop Group relatable dub influences and vocals. The midway influx of bass energy prompted me to even spotlight this single. Not that the percussive sections aren’t powerful, but once the song thickens musically it becomes something more. They have another single called "Heavy Pop," which seems to work well as a descriptor. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Earth is touring in support of their epic and amazing, Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light 1 . The album was reviewed for No Ripcord . Interestingly, my NASCAR references were taken by a commenter as a direct stab at the sport when I was actually trying to take characteristically American perceptions, perceptions perpetuated by pop culture and how we’re perceived outside of our own country, and reject some of its credibility by saying, “We’re more than just a media and television propagated culture of arrogance and ignorance.” I guess I didn’t bring that across as well as I hoped in my review so, John , if you happen to be reading this, I have better things to rail against than NASCAR. Jersey Shore , for instance: I would gladly, as you put it, lead a “campaign of persecution” against that. Glenn Beck ? Rail worthy. Toddlers & Tiaras ? Those are just despicable people that somehow qualify as worthwhile for television so, for the betterment of society, if I can’t save the

Parts & Labor 's Constant Future is in my top ten for the year so far, as evidenced by my review for Kicking Against The Pricks .  Their Daytrotter set sounds sort of rambunctious, and you can tell that the band really got into kicking their loud transitions. 5.25.11: Parts & Labor's Daytrotter set You can find the session here . Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

No Ripcord posted The Horrors ' new single, "Still Life," as their Track of the Day. Their new album, Skying , will be out in July. As their last album, Primary Colours , proved to be a huge creative leap from their self-titled debut, “Still Life” suggests that they’ve found comfortable footing in the 80s goth-wave they’ve both capitalized and expanded upon. Skying is something I’m looking forward to. In the meantime, if you’re interested, Primary Colours was reviewed for No Ripcord . Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

As it’s been promoted and publicized, the new bastions of all that is “Indie” honored the bands spotlighted in Michael Azerrad ’s much revered, Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991 . The book was published ten years ago and has basically come to be known as the definitive tale of independent music leading up to the movement’s momentary breach into mainstream America. I know I’ve talked about this book at length, citing it as one of the best rock n’ roll books I’ve ever read and as a wellspring of essential music. Music writers could only dream of writing something this necessary, Azerrad’s perfect account not only defines D.I.Y. Culture and post-punk music for the uninitiated, but credits these bands with shaping the current music-scape. A lot of these bands may have been overlooked or eventually forgotten were it not for Azerrad. Having said that, it’s amazing that a book could warrant such an event. The full concert, which to

Thurston Moore Demolished Thoughts Matador Records Released: 5.24.11 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

This information comes via Deerhoof 's mailing list: New Split 7" with WOOM We've got a new split 7" with WOOM coming out July 5th on Polyvinyl. It's currently up for pre-order right now through the PV online store and is limited to just 1200 copies on clear vinyl. It features WOOM singing over an instrumental of our song "Must Fight Current" (off Deerhoof vs. Evil ) along with Greg 's remix of the WOOM song "Quetzalcoatl's Ship" on the B-side. If you pre-order it now, you'll get an instant MP3 download code while you wait for you package! Pre-order WOOM on Hoof 7" Milk Man & Friend Opportunity Vinyl Reissues Polyvinyl is also reissuing Milk Man and Friend Opportunity on 180 gram colored vinyl. Milk Man will come on strawberry colored vinyl while Friend Opportunity will be on orange vinyl. Psst... Friend Opportunity comes with a bonus track not found on the original pressing! Milk Man wil

Yesterday, I saw the video for the Six Organs of Admittance single, "Light of the Light," which was one of the highlights on Ben Chasny 's (Mr. Six Organs, himself) last album, Asleep on the Floodplain .  A lot of musicians/bands seem to be really into this whole videocassette textured anti-fidelity music video lately.  In Chasny's case, I think it works, though.  The video looks as sentimental as his music might sound, and the washes of reverb floating off Chasny's guitar seem complimented by the visual's lack of clarity. The album was reviewed for No Ripcord .   I found the video via Drag City . Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Let Love In (Mute) Originally released: 4.18.94 Reissued: 5.17.11 Murder Ballads (Mute) Originally released: 2.20.96 Reissued: 5.17.11 No Ripcord Feature. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

I posted Screen 's “Pop Logic” a few months ago , but a video has since been developed. Thusly, I have the right to post it again.  Besides, I like this song. Screens’ new album, Dead House , was released 5.17 via What Delicate Recordings. All information is courtesy of Terrorbird Media. Screens "Pop Logic" Video Available Now New Record Dead House Out Now On What Delicate Recordings Pop Logic from Screens on Vimeo . Formed in 2009, Brooklyn-based Screens is a post-punk super-group of sorts. Drummer Andrew Becker was a member of Dischord Records Medications ; vocalist Breck Brunson - also from DC – was a member of the raw power garage rockers The Apes and keyboardist Daniel Roland Tierney , from San Francisco, played with punk rockers The Mall . Screens sound is a tasty combo of post-punk thrashing with art-rock experimentation. The addition of guitarist Luke Kozikowski only adds to the depth of Screens' sound. Following countless frenzied shows

In the same way Google, Twitter and Facebook lead most of us into the perfect storm of links, exits and alcoves along the information superhighway, I wound up reading a blog entry on Tegan and Sara ’s website that criticized, plausibly mind you, the absence of critical resistance to the homophobia and misogyny found in the lyrics of hip-hop artist, Tyler, The Creator . To be completely honest, I really had no interest in checking out Tyler, The Creator before I’d read Sara Quin ’s thoughts. Her accusations roused curiosity, as is usually the case once controversy is sparked or speech in relation to art is given the “moralist” debate. Having now listened to a few of Tyler’s tracks, most notably “Yonkers” from his new album, Goblin , I’m at somewhat of a loss on the response. While I don’t want to be one the many “journalists and colleagues” that “defend, excuse and congratulate Tyler, The Creator,” my kneejerk response is to more or less excuse his derogatory language because I ha

I've been listening to this behemoth of math rock improv from Tera Melos titled, "Echoes on the Hills of Knebworth." Apparently, after recording their latest album, Patagonian Rats , they'd acquired a surplus of studio time enabling them to go into Ascension mode for one 51-minute free form instrumental track, which they're hoping to sell at $5 a download so as to fund their upcoming tour. There's also a documentary being released on Tera Melos that covers their tour with Marnie Stern from earlier this year. That's the one I missed thanks to the stomach flu, which I keep harping on but... I'll get over it, eventually. In the meantime, check out the track and maybe contribute to the band's tour. All below links come courtesy of Us/Them Group. Tera Melos release new 51-minute song, tour documentary trailer and announce UK/Ireland dates " Once in a rare while an album comes along that's so fresh and ingenious it redefines

Letters From A Tapehead favorites, the inimitably sonic and versatile Boris , will be releasing their two new albums, Heavy Rocks (not to be confused with the 2002 album of the same name) and Attention Please , on 5.24.  Both will be reviewed on No Ripcord and an interview with the band is also in the works. In the meantime, if curiosity or impatience provoke immediate or temporary gratification, both Boris albums are available online.  See below for links and information, which come to you via the good people at Us/Them Group. Boris post full album streams courtesy of NPR: Attention Please and Heavy Rocks out via Sargent House May 24th Iconoclast Japanese trio Boris have served up full album streams of their all-new full lengths to be released in tandem via Sargent House on May 24th. NPR Music's First Listen has posted these exclusive listening opportunities -- follow the links to check out Attention Please and Heavy Rocks . About both albums -- please see track l

Various Artists First Impulse — The Creed Taylor Collection Box Set Hip-O Select Released: 4.19.11 In 2006, I picked up Ashley Kahn ’s in-depth book, The House That Trane Built: The Story of Impulse! Records . It was a dangerous book for me to read, simply because the albums, (and there are MANY), spotlighted became essentials for my record collection. As a somewhat economical alternative, or as a temporary teething ring to chew on while I acquired the Impulse! releases I wanted, was the book’s accompanying 4-disc compilation. A single disc version was released as well, but spending money on a paired down colossus wasn’t really an option. Why spend money to get blue-balled? Seemed counterproductive. For 2011, a 4-disc commemorative box set named for the label’s founder, Creed Taylor , was released in recognition of Impulse! Records’ fiftieth anniversary. For those of you like me that invested in the Ashley Kahn compilation, you might feel as though the Creed Taylor versi

I know I'm spotlighting Gypsyblood 's video for "2-4-6 In The Dark," but the band made an appearance recently on BreakThru Radio and it's worth checking out.  There's Q & A and some live performances of songs from their new album, Cold In The Guestway , which was just reviewed for No Ripcord . All links, images and info come courtesy of Terrorbird Media. Gypsyblood Live On BreakThru Radio In NYC New Record Cold In The Guestway Out Now On Sargent House Chicago-based band Gypsyblood stopped by BreakThru Radio for an in-studio performance before playing at Bowery Ballroom with their good friends Maps & Atlases. The band performed tracks from their debut album Cold In The Guestway out now on Sargent House Listen: Gypsyblood Performance & Interview On Breakthru Radio Watch: “2-4-6 In The Dark” from Cold In The Guestway Gypsyblood formed in 2009 when longtime friends and former bandmates Adam James and vocalist/drummer/bassist Kyle Vic

Some Kind Of Awesome is hosting a new single from DJ Shadow ’s upcoming album, The Less You Know, The Better. Though I wouldn’t call “I Gotta Rokk” a complete return to form (i.e. Endtroducing... ), stylistically it’s reminiscent of Shadow’s The Private Press , though it has a sonic boost that seemed in absentia for most of that album. You can find the track here . According to the blurb, an EP will be releasing May 17th that features a longer version of “I Gotta Rokk,” other singles and some remixes. I found this via Stereogum . Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

MC Hammer Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em Capitol/EMI Released: 2.12.90 I can boast the following: The first rap albums I'd ever heard were the Beastie Boys ' License To Ill and Public Enemy 's Yo! Bumrush The Show . The aforementioned boast is canceled out by this admission: The first rap album I ever paid for, was M.C. Hammer 's Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em . I was pulled from Catholic school after sixth grade. While I don't want to enact the cliché of misunderstood youth reluctant to completely buy into parishioners' dogma, I'll instead say that I have a liberal mother and that my inquiring mind, lack of attention and penchant for doodling in the margins of my copybooks warranted enrollment elsewhere. Plus, my mother was tired of having to come into school and discuss my behavior with my teachers/nuns. And, while I was very happy to be leaving the confines of Catholic school, I was completely unprepared for scholastic life in

No Ripcord's been running a series on "Overlooked Albums." I selected Surviving You, Always by Saccharine Trust . Saccharine Trust Surviving You, Always SST Released: 1984 No Ripcord feature Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Issue #7 of Kicking Against The Pricks has posted: Find it here . My live review of J Mascis at the World Café had to be trimmed for length so as to fit into the designated article area, so below is the edit. My contributions:   J Mascis Kurt Vile & The Violators World Café Live Philadelphia, PA 3.23.11 Kicking Against The Pricks live show coverage   Parts & Labor Constant Future Jagjaguwar Released: 3.8.11 Kicking Against The Pricks review Vivian Girls Share The Joy Polyvinyl Released: 4.12.11 Kicking Against The Pricks review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

I’ve been scouring YouTube and other avenues so I can hear what’s going on with The Book Of Knots , who are a supergroup comprised of members from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum , Skeleton Key and Pere Ubu . Missing out on 2/3 of their By Sea, By Land, By Air trilogy, I received word this morning about the release of part three, Garden of the Fainting Stars . I’ve found no advance singles so far, but the album is slated to release June 14th, so hopefully something will surface before then. The list of collaborators this band has worked with is an interesting, eclectic and relatively obscure. They’ve featured (now and previously) Tom Waits , Kathleen Brennan , Mike Watt , Mike Patton , Blixa Bargeld and Trey Spruance . Information and links are courtesy of Speakeasy PR: THE BOOK OF KNOTS TO RELEASE GARDEN OF FAINTING STARS JUNE 14 VIA IPECAC RECORDINGS GUEST MUSICIANS INCLUDE BLIXA BARGELD, MIKE WATT AND MIKE PATTON SAN FRANCISCO, May 9, 2011 – The Books of Knots, the

It's been almost a year since post-metal band, ISIS , announced their break-up .  If you miss the idea of seeing new ISIS records to look forward to, the band is putting out a series of live recordings.  In addition, it looks as though the band is offloading some vintage items as well, possibly cleaning out the attic or emptying the storage unit.  All information and links come courtesy of Speakeasy PR. ISIS RELEASE SERIES OF FIVE POSTHUMOUS LIVE ALBUMS WITH FIRST RELEASE, ISIS LIVE I 9.23.03 , ON MAY 31 PRE-ORDER PACKAGES INCLUDE VINTAGE ISIS MERCH Photo credit: Robin Laananen LOS ANGELES, May 9, 2011 -- ISIS, who disbanded in May of last year, is set to release a series of five live albums that span the Los Angeles-by-way-of-Boston band's thirteen year career. The digital releases begin with ISIS Live I 9.23.03 , a four-song, forty-minute recording from a performance at The Fillmore in San Francisco, which will be available on May 31. Each subsequent recording

Gypsyblood Cold In The Guestway Sargent House Released: 4.12.11 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

May 8th, 2006, I typed my first letter as a Tapehead.  I had no readers at the time, no real idea for or understanding of self-promotion.  Honestly, I didn't really understand how to "blog."  I just knew I wanted to write about music I'd either purchased or heard about in as opinionated, appreciative and, at times, caustic a way as I could.  I wanted a voice in the ever-widening world of music criticism, which meant having a very distinct moniker.  My wife, (then-fiancee), came up with "Letters From A Tapehead," and I liked it because, in few words, the name conveyed who I was and what I wanted to do.  So, on May 8th, armed with a name and an idea, I pulled together a rather weak introduction .  My first review was on Death By Sexy... by Eagles of Death Metal .  There've been many since and I've hopefully improved. A couple turning points ensued, the first of which was the PC Magazine article where I was featured as one of the best 100 blogs

To all the Moms, May you all have an amazing Mother's Day full of good meals, pampering and the comfort of friends and family.  And, may your children NEVER ask you this question. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Many years ago, a good friend of mine (Thanks, Pierre ) had a spell cast upon him by one MF Doom , rap eccentric extraordinaire, the likes of which was large and strong enough that it necessitated an exchange of artistic wealth. In simpler terms, I received two MF Doom care packages in the mail. The first package was a copy of Vaudeville Villain , which was bred by Doom’s alter-ego, Viktor Vaughn . I’m not sure where the alter-ego was necessary as MF Doom’s propensity for comic book “geekery” and lyrical abstraction is alive and well in the observation and flow of Vik Vaughn. Vaudeville Villain , though, was exceptional. The production is what you want out of any hip-hop album: invention and magnetism, an outright hook that draws you in and keeps you engrossed. Doom’s on-point, though monotone, delivery is both sluggish and agile. Somehow he manages to coax the laziest syllables out of his mouth in a very exciting way. It’s paradoxical. I particularly enjoyed “Lickupon”’s u