Good afternoon, As a resident of the Philadelphia region, and a music enthusiast to boot, I'm happy to promote any organization that helps grant children of underserved communities the gift of music education. Rock To The Future , founded by Executive Director  Jessica Craft , has partnered with Relapse Records in curating and making available a new 2019 sampler, for which any money spent will help fund Craft's cause.  Great music, worthwhile effort. If you want to check out some selections from the Relapse sampler, you can hit up the embedded Bandcamp link . All info on Rock To The Future and Relapse Records can also be found below. Links and info were provided by Relapse Records. Relapse Sampler 2019 by Relapse Sampler Relapse Records is proud to offer our annual FREE label sampler highlighting another year of incredible music from our eclectic roster, featuring the best dark and heavy music from around the world. With genres ranging from death metal, black metal,...

Yes, it's April 20th.  4/20: The day all marijuana connoisseurs and casual appreciators light up as a community and celebrate their common love of altered reality.  Normally, I'd be combing through my music library trying to locate the perfect songs for the occasion and throwing together a nice little online compilation for everyone's enjoyment.  Instead, I'm going to take the opportunity to spotlight a series of stoner rock compilations from RidingEasy Records , Brown Acid , which, as of today, will see the release of its fourth installment.  Beginning with its first volume in 2015, Brown Acid is comprised of obscure stoner rock and proto-metal singles from the 60s and 70s, located and curated by Permanent Records ' Lance Barresi .  Collaborating with RidingEasy's Daniel Hill , Barresi's passion for digging up these largely forgotten tracks has offered new life to this music via this expanding collection.  So, since Brown Acid: The Fourth Trip is...

Boris Pink (Deluxe Edition) Sargent House Released: 7.8.16 Originally released: 2005 via Diwphalanx Records (Japan); 2006 via Southern Lord Recordings (U.S.) I Heart Noise review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Boris   Pink (Deluxe Edition) Sargent House Released: 7.8.16 Originally released: 2005 via Diwphalanx Records (Japan); 2006 via Southern Lord Recordings (U.S.) * I'm in the midst of finishing up a review of the Pink reissue for I Heart Noise .  I'm hoping to have that out very soon. ** While the tendency for Boris to genre-hop isn't necessarily something one can glean from a single track, this aspect of the band makes them difficult to readily categorize and I think Isabella picked up on that.   Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Some recent purchases: 20 Buck Spin Sleep Vol. 1 Tupelo Recording Company / Very Small Records Originally released: 1991 Reissued: 2014 The 20 Buck Spin subscription service let it be known one fine day that Sleep 's Vol. 1 , (the band's debut album), was available to purchase on vinyl.  While interested, I didn't jump on the opportunity right away.  A mere day or so later, all copies were sold and the good ol' "ah shit" lament followed.  But, 20 Buck Spin restocked the LP and, once notified, I picked it up.  I think it was about $18.   The LP is stored in a glossy sleeve that picks up fingerprints without mercy and a download card was included.  On the strength of "The Suffering" alone I would recommend picking this one up if you haven't already.   The Vinyl Closet North Wales, PA I had a gift certificate to spend.  So, I perused and purchased. Hüsker Dü Land Speed Record SST Records Originally released: 1981 Reiss...

Wolves in the Throne Room : "Initiation at Neudeg Alm" (via Earsplit PR/ Noisey /Soundcloud) Ought : "Today More Than Any Other Day" (via Rarely Unable/Vimeo) Ought "Today More Than Any Other Day" from Constellation Records on Vimeo . Pink Mountaintops : "The Second Summer of Love" (via Jagjaguwar/YouTube) Earth : "From The Zodiacal Light" (via Rarely Unable/Soundcloud) Incarnated : "Madness" (via Earsplit PR/YouTube) Beige Eagle Boys : "I Saw Your Face on the Pavement" (via Earsplit PR/YouTube) Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

I was given the gift of record shopping for Father's Day this year.  Better yet: I was given the gift of shopping at the Princeton Record Exchange, which I hadn't visited since Record Store Day in 2013 .  Left with a stipend and about an hour or so to peruse, I was happy to spend more time navigating the inventory than last time, though I was not the only Dad given the day to record shop.  The store was packed with Dads toting impatient, bored children and wives that seemed stuck in this permanent scowl that said very plainly, "When will he grow the fuck up?"  Those Dads could very easily have replied, "When will you stop taking me dress shopping?" There were more deals than I had cash, unfortunately.  I found a copy of Madlib 's Shades of Blue , which I probably should've picked up.  I also found a stack of used Japanese Public Image Ltd. CDs that were going for $10 apiece and a sealed copy of OFF! 's First Four EPs 7" set.  To do thi...

Bo Ningen : "Slider" (via [PIAS]/ Nowness ) Bo Ningen: Slider on Nowness.com J Mascis : "Every Morning" (via Sub Pop/YouTube) Open Mike Eagle : "Doug Stamper (Advice Raps) (feat. Hannibal Buress)" (via Friends of Friends/ Bandcamp ) Dark Comedy by Open Mike Eagle The Hissy Fits : "Last December" (via Video Director, George Booker /YouTube) Rabbitsss : "Incdntly" (via PMA PR/Vimeo) Rabbitsss - 'Incdntlly' - Music Video from anfw on Vimeo . Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

I should never, ever feature singles on a Monday.  Naturally, some great tracks have premiered since. Wo Fat : "The Conjuring" (via Earsplit PR/ Bandcamp )   The Conjuring by Wo Fat Deru : "1979" (via Friends Of Friends/Soundcloud)   Shabazz Palaces : "They Come In Gold" (via Sub Pop /Soundcloud) Chvad SB : "It Haunts Her" (via Silber Records /YouTube) Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Ought : "Habit" (via Rarely Unable/Constellation Records/Soundcloud) Hiss Tracts : (via Rarely Unable/Constellation Records/Soundcloud) SoftSpot : "Black Room Blues" (via Force Field PR/ SPIN /Soundcloud) The Library Is On Fire : "Red Flags" (via Skinfather : "Drown In Black" (via Earsplit PR/ Decibel / Soundcloud ) Dwellers : "Creature Comfort" (via Earsplit PR/ Small Stone / Bandcamp ) Pagan Fruit by Dwellers Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Pattern Is Movement : "Climb To Me" (via Force Field PR/ Stereogum /Soundcloud) La Sera : "Losing to the Dark" (via Force Field PR/Soundcloud) Lark : "Goodbye Man" (via Care in the Community Records/Soundcloud) Kairos : "Can/Cannot" (via Fin Records/Soundcloud) Odonis Odonis : "Angus Mountain" (via Force Field PR/Buzz Records/ Noisey /Soundcloud) North : "Hiraeth" (via Earsplit PR/Cvlt Nation/Soundcloud) The Socks : "Electric War" (via Earsplit PR/ Heavy Planet Stoner Rock Blog /Soundcloud) Pontiak : "We've Got It All Wrong" (via Thrill Jockey Records/Viemo) Pontiak - We've Got It Wrong from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo . Red Fang : "No Hope" (via Relapse Records/ Gear Gods /YouTube) Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Megafauna : "Haunted Factory" (via Us-Them Group/ Noisey /Soundcloud) Woods : "Moving to the Left" (via Force Field PR/ Pitchfork /Soundcloud) Tacocat : "Crimson Wave" (via Hardly Art/ Noisey /YouTube) The Shrine : "Nothing Forever" (via Tee Pee Records/ Noisey /Soundcloud) Telepathy : "Cystine Knot" (via Devouter Records/Soundcloud) Qui : "Awkward Human Interest" (via Us-Them Group/YouTube) Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

...enjoy. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

METZ: "Get Off" (via Stereogum ) Ides of Gemini : "Starless Midnight" (via CVLT NATION ) Mammoth Grinder: "Paragon Pusher" (via Invisible Oranges ) The Coathangers: "Derek's Song" (via SPIN ) Midday Veil: "Great Cold of the Night" (via Rarely Unable) Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Queens of the Stone Age ...Like Clockwork Matador Records Released: 6.4.13 Stereokiller review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Here's the complete set of Queens of the Stone Age 's ...Like Clockwork promo videos artistically conceived and executed by Boneface .  Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Yesterday, news of two new tracks from Queens of the Stone Age 's upcoming new album, ...Like Clockwork , surfaced via Consequence of Sound .  "I Sat By the Ocean" and "If I Had a Tail" were both recorded live for a radio session in Belgium. Being that there were six years of silence since the last QOTSA album, ( Era Vulgaris , which was reviewed in 2007 ), and myself being an admitted fanboy, the likelihood of any commentary regarding ...Like Clockwork having any real objective clout or lack of bias is small.  That being said, this will probably be something I cover after the anticipatory glow of the album fades, leaving behind the true product from which to assess its worth.  In the meantime, though, I'm enjoying the steady flow of singles that keep appearing, "My God is the Sun" and the recently released "I Appear Missing (Calling All Commas)." Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

A bit of Southern-laced, slow rock to warm the blood — "Lioness," the latest single from Iron Tongue 's upcoming LP, The Dogs Have Barked, The Birds Have Flown , evokes the 70s hard rock spun by groups like Deep Purple and Cactus , though it's hard to discount the stoned rage of bands like Goatsnake and Sleep .  Really sweet bass tone. All info comes courtesy of Earsplit PR. IRON TONGUE Unleash Soulful Southern Jam "Lioness" Via Classic Rock Arkansas southern rock rabble-rousers IRON TONGUE have unleashed another soulful hymn from their forthcoming album, The Dogs Have Barked, The Birds Have Flown , which is set for release in North America via Neurot Recordings on May 28th. One of the standouts of the record, “Lioness” draws listeners in from the opening stoney, groove-laden bass wizardy of Andy Warr and Stephanie Smittle 's alluring backing vocals, before the ultra-bottom heavy guitars and Chris Terry 's rugged, blues-stained vocals com...

I took the day off work. Mind you, I'm not one that typically does the "mental health" day, or just decides "I need some time off."  I'm normally paranoid and guilty enough when legitimately sick that I'll bother my coworkers with updates about how the day is going and whether or not I need to plug in and work from home.  I have a complex, so days off aren't my thing. But, I had some things to take care of today and just figured I would try this "relaxing" that everyone speaks so highly of.  Part of trying to enjoy the day involved me hitting the record store.  I kept it very local today and stopped by The Vinyl Closet in North Wales, which is maybe ten minutes from my house. While the store doesn't hold much for those looking for current artists or recent releases, it is a treasure trove for vinyl addicts.  The first time I'd visited, I found a few things to pick up without spending too much loot.  Today, though, I kept on f...

Today in "sucks to be you, Philadelphia" news, it was announced today that Boris will carrying out a small tour of the U.S. featuring performances of their album, Flood , in its entirety.  Naturally, because Philadelphia isn't a music city by any stretch, the band will not be stopping here.  Adding insult to injury, a tour-only exclusive release will be sold during the tour. All info comes courtesy of Us/Them Group and I'm not at all bitter. Boris announce residency US tour performing Flood album & all-time classics Plus, Austin Psych Fest in late April Click image to watch tour video teaser Legendary Japanese trio Boris announce a series of US headlining residency shows in several major markets following their performance at Austin Psych Fest in late April. The residency tour, billed as "from the past, the present and through to the future" features Boris playing 2 consecutive nights in each city. For the first night, the band will p...