Grand Pocket Orchestra - Ballet Shoes

Ballet Shoes - Grand Pocket Orchestra from Luke Franklin on Vimeo.

I know I keep going on about GPO, but they're deserving of far more attention than they're getting, in Ireland and elsewhere. Hope 2009 is good to them. "Ballet Shoes" is the lead track on their new ep, Make Happy War and is produced by Mario Thaler (The Notwist, Lali Puna). It reminds me of the fast, freewheeling hooks of Boces-era Mercury Rev.

Visit their Myspace to buy their stuff.

Pavement - Watery, Domestic (1992)

Oh, only the best ep of all time.

hXXp://rapidshare.com/files/136611861/Pavement_-_Watery__Domestic.rar

(cd rip @320)

13th Floor Elevators

The jug.

The whole band was compelling and magnificent; from the expressionless head on guitarist Stacy Sutherland (who was shot dead by his wife Bunny in 1978) to the don't-fuck-with-me Texan poise of Roky Erickson, but the key to the greatness of The 13th Floor Elevators will always lie within Tommy Hall's electric jug.


The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators;

hxxp://www.megaupload.com/?d=636D1BLB


Easter Everywhere;

hxxp://rapidshare.com/files/37445238/13th_easter.rar

Shady - Narcotic Candy (mp3) (1994)

David Baker from Mercury Rev's solo project. Narcotic Candy was a 10" single released from his album World. The guitar on this is played by Sooyoung Park from Seam and it's a gorgeous blend of their styles. I've been looking for this song for ages to replace an old blank tape I lost years ago, it's great to hear it again. One of my favourite tunes of that era. Also included is the b-side Micro Dot Bodi Con.

hxxp://www.megaupload.com/?d=LS699VKF

Big Pink

The Clean - Anything Could Happen (1982)

"Anything could happen and it could be right now / The choice is yours so make it worthwhile"

Three chords and the truth.

MP3

Pete Drake - Forever (1964)

Thanks to Mark Duggan for the tip off on this delicious slice of proto-vocoder saccharine weirdness. "He makes his steel guitar talk"!! (and thanks to Heinz for letting me know it's been re-upped on youtube).

hxxp://rapidshare.com/files/171851323/pete_drake_forever.zip

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Lie Down in the Light (2008)

Another fine, fine album from the prolific Will Oldham. I've been listening to the man since 1993, without being a rabid, obsessive fan - I might pick up albums years after they've come out, and then kick myself for having missed out on them. I don't think he's put out a bad record in all that time. At least I haven't heard one. I've only recently got around to this one, though it was released last spring to unanimously positive reviews.

Lie Down in the Light is one of the most optimistic-sounding albums Oldham has released. It's filled with exuberant guitars, banjos, horns, and keys played by a variety of new collaborators and overseen by Nashville producer Mark Nevers (Lambchop, Calexico). Oldham's voice sounds particularly strong and clear. The old-style melancholy is still on display on occasion - What's Missing Is, Willow Trees Bend and Missing One could sneak onto earlier albums without anyone noticing, but overall this sounds like a re-energised Oldham.

There's another album due in March called Beware. How does he find the time?

Irish readers; There are a rake of Palace/BPB cd's including Arise, Therefore, I See A Darkness, Viva Last Blues and Master and Everyone on sale in Tower Records, Dublin for €9.99 at the moment.

hxxp://rapidshare.com/files/143925492/Lie_Down.zip

Os Mutantes - Os Mutantes (1968)

Some of most melodic, yet bizarre psychedelia on the face of the planet. Forty bloody years old.

h==p://www.megaupload.com/?d=824EYXSU

Palace Music - Viva Last Blues (1995)

Probably my favourite Will Oldham album that isn't I See A Darkness, There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You, or Master and Everyone. There are a lot to pick from.

* Liam Hayes – piano and organ
* Jason Loewenstein – drums and additional singing
* Ned Oldham – bass, slide guitar, and additional singing
* Will Oldham - singing and guitar
* Bryan Rich – lead guitar


hxxp://rapidshare.com/files/54804261/Viva_Last_Blues.zip