further seems forever - how to start a fire (2003)

so i blogged the moon is down, so i had to pay homage to this one. it's been a never ending debate on the moon is down vs. how to start a fire. without a single doubt in my mind, i choose this album.

jason gleason will never be a part of anything more impressive than this vocally. this is probably somewhere in my top 25 albums of all time and i can't remember how many times i've actually listened to it.

gleason is now in old wives, formerly actionreaction. we'll see what's up with their next album. in the meantime, listen to and love this album if you haven't already.

download:



-grizzly seems forever

p.s. you won't see a hide nothing`post. jon bunch destroyed this band.

rx bandits - the resignation (2003)

first off, i want to give a huge 'fuck you' to whoever booked the sargent house showcase with russian circles and rx bandits at a measly 200 (if that) capacity venue on a saturday night during south by southwest, preventing me to catch what would've been easily the best set.

anyway, the resignation is a masterpiece. this is easily one of my favorite records of all time. it's also one of the most well-crafted, diverse and cohesive albums from any band, anywhere.

fun fact: this album was released on my birthday in 2003. it was fate.

rx bandits on myspace.

download:



-grizzly

waxwing - nobody can take what everybody owns (2002)

"if a man can love enough,
he can save a million lives,
and maybe his own.
if a man can love enough to give up his own world,
what he will receive in return will be so much more."

this is hands down one of the most raw, uncompromisingly emotional albums i've ever heard. waxwing don't get nearly as much recognition or credit as the bands the members went on to form. compromised of rocky votolato (successful solo artist), cody votolato (the blood brothers, jaguar love), rudy gajadhar (gatsbys american dream), and andrew hurley, waxwing blended genres like punk, indie, rock, and folk into something pure, intense, and intelligent. votolato's vocals/lyrics are compelling and forceful, and gajadhar's drumming was definitely a stand out on every track. sad thing that these guys called it quits in '05. get this album and relive the ride.

waxwing on myspace.

download nobody can take what everybody owns:


- panda is tattooing the waxwing logo on his ribcage.

kanye west - flashing lights (mano uptempo remix) (2007)

don't be surprised that i'm posting this.

download:

kanye west - flashing lights (mano uptempo remix)

-grizzly

as tall as lions - as tall as lions (2006)

i'm gonna try not to kiss this band's ass anymore than i have in the past year.

ok, so i'm lying. both bears of this blog have been graced with this brilliant masterpiece via last summer. it topped both of our album of the year lists in '06. basically, if you don't like this record, then you must hate music. ATAL play a melodic and beautiful jazz/soul/pop infused brand of indie rock, and singer dan nigro will soothe your soul with his vocals. the album art is amazing, they dress well, they put on incredible and energetic live shows (and i'd say that's a big deal considering the style of music they play.) to be honest, i can't tell you a single thing i dislike about this band or this album. not to mention, i've listened to it about 200 times, and i can still play it through from start to finish.

atal > what you're listening to.

as tall as lions on myspace.
as tall as lions on the web.

download as tall as lions:


here is a video of them playing 'be here now' in nyc (soundboard recording):



- grizzly