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.

surface of atlantic - ephemeral as we speak (2007)

considering 2007 brought us the year of "the teenager that only listens to ambient post rock, has no sense of humor, and pretends they've been a radiohead fan since before they were born", i'm really surprised surface of atlantic aren't getting a lot more love.

well, here's to the start of what's hopefully a storm of hype for these dudes.

hailing from montreal, soa have blended sounds from bands that almost sound similar, but are quite different in many areas (ie mogwai, radiohead, sigur ros, the velvet teen, travis). there's also a certain accessibility that's often missing in acts like these. moments of almost dancable pop charm randomly show themselves amongst lush arrangements and rich instrumentation. there's a familiarity to the vocals, but it's definitely a strong voice that holds it's own.

given the chance, i think these guys could really become something special to music. and with an album due out this year, make this your chance to say you were in the know all along.

official surface of atlantic website.
surface of atlantic on myspace.

download ephemeral as we speak:


- surface of panda

cassidy - my drink n my 2 step (remix) f/ kanye west, ne-yo, swizz beatz (2007)

haha, another novelty track, but yeezy's on the remix of this one. there's always an excuse to post something though.

download:

cassidy - my drink n my 2 step remix f/ kanye west, ne-yo, swizz beatz

-grizz and his 2 step

the fall of troy - ghostship demos (2005)

ah, i know. so much shit is talked about this band. i honestly think it's ridiculous. this band is next level. all three members are great assets (even though the bassist recently left) to the band. the ghostship demos are a part of a supposed project titled "phantoms on the horizon" due sometime in 09, after the next fall of troy record. these songs are among some of the best shit the fall of troy has recorded. ghostship I, in particular, destroys lives.

the fall of troy on myspace.

download:



sorry about the shitty album art. can you tell i made it myself?

- the fall of grizzly

midtown - forget what you know (2004)

midtown was one of those bands for me that was pretty good, but i wouldn't flip out over or anything like that. i wouldn't care that they broke up or stopped touring or anything of the sort. until they released this album. this album pretty much came out of left field, especially for a pop-punk band that toured with blink 182. this album was somewhat ahead of its time as far as the genre is concerned. not to mention, empty like the ocean is pretty much the greatest song ever. but of course, as soon as i fall in love with a band, they break up. for shame.

midtown on myspace.

download:



-grizzly

peter toh - missing link (wildlife demo)

our boy toh is at it again.

i'm really starting to get excited for his upcoming full length, wildlife, with every demo he posts. this new track (posted on his myspace) is no exception. "missing link" is about as smooth and natural as it gets. there's a wonderful juxtaposition between a straight forward beat/loop, soulful mid range melodies, and delicate musical intricacies blended throughout the song. dude's really starting to find his stride in the world of art and music. hopefully it's only a matter of time before the music community catches on. tell your friends to put down their akon records and tune them in to a real soulful dude.

listen to "missing link" on peter's myspace.


- panda

album review: ivoryline - there came a lion (2008)

yawn. i know. as long as i'm writing, i'm posting. who else is going to read this shit?

READ.
READ.
READ.

-grizzly

the glow in the dark mixtape (2008)

for one, the glow in the dark/kanye/lupe posts will NEVER stop. jussayin.

this is a new mixtape that hit the web last week. has some really dope shit on it, and there are a handful of gems on this. see: ye's grammy version of hey mama is worth the download alone. anyway, grab this.

cover art is via lupEND @ blogspot.

download the glow in the dark mixtape 2008:



-grizzly

shadrach kabango - when this is over (2005)

shadrach kabango (aka shad k) has what could be, the greatest influences for an emcee ever. his myspace lists two people as his influences.. morrissey and warren G. now i'm sorry, but that is just dope as hell.

you've probably never heard of shad k, but dude's got talent comparable to any your favorite emcees. blending live instrumentation with turn tables, smooth flows with even smoother melodies.. trust me, you need to be on this. he released an album last year called the old prince, but we're offering up his previous album, when this is over. this isn't the faux intellectual shit you got from your message board friends.. this is real life hip hop.

shad on myspace.

download when this is over:


- panda

the reign of kindo - the reign of kindo ep (2007)

this band came from the ashes of this day and age, a band i didn't really listen to. (ah, well.) this band, however, are extremely talented. HUGE jazz influence on this ep, and overall, it just has a lot of soul. soothe your bones.

the reign of kindo on myspace.

download:



-the reign of grizzly

cut copy - lights and music (2008)

yes, this is the somewhat brand new single from cut copy's anticipated new album ghost colours due out in late march. great track. also included is the boys noize remix. get on it.

cut copy on myspace

download:

cut copy - lights and music

cut copy - lights and music (boys noize remix)

kid sister - pro nails (2007)

sooooo i posted about this track before, but it was the version found on the "can't tell me nothing mixtape. this version has the third verse, and is the version found on the music video. yesss.

kid sister on myspace.

download:

kid sister - pro nails (f/ kanye west)


-grizzly

album review: city and colour - bring me your love (2008)

i mainly do these to post about myself. no harm, no foul.

READ.
READ.
READ.

-grizzly

night facilities - only when you're winning (2007)

night facilities is 17 year old uk dj/producer brett ewels. this kid seriously knows how to bring some heat. he recently won an ocelot remix contest, and has just released the first volume of remixes for only when you're winning. he's also given his ep away for free download. get your bump bump.

night facilities on myspace.

download only when you're winning:


- panda panda

little compass - discover (2005)

little compass were a short lived emo/indie rock band from houston, tx. they weren't ground breaking, but they did release a damn good album on negative progression records before breaking up. musically, i'd say it's a fine blend of texas is the reason, the get up kids, and hey mercedes. this shit was good though, get it.

all of the band members have gone onto new projects. their vocalist/guitarist and bass player are in a band called stadium, their drummer is now in an indie-folk duo called papermoons, and their other guitarist/vocalist is working on music under the name this is tristan.

download discover:


- pandaaaaaaaaaaaaaa