Lou Reed - NYC Man: The Ultimate Lou Reed Collection (2003)

Genre: Rock n' Roll
Recorded: 1966-2002
Origin: New York City
Songs chosen, sequenced and remastered by Lou Reed

CD 1
1. Who Am I (Tripitena's Song) - Alternate Take
2. Sweet Jane - The Velvet Underground
3. Rock & Roll - The Velvet Underground
4. I'm Waiting for the Man - The Velvet Underground
5. White Light/White Heat - Live
6. Street Hassle; Waltzing Matilda / Street Hassle / Slipaway
7. Berlin
8. Caroline Says II
9. The Kids
10. Walk on the Wild Side
11. Kill Your Sons - Live
12. Vicious
13. The Blue Mask
14. I'll Be Your Mirror - Live
15. Magic and Loss - The Summantion
16. Ecstasy

CD 2
1. I Wanna Be Black - Live
2. Temporary Thing
3. Shooting Star
4. Legendary Hearts
5. Heroin - Live
6. Coney Island Baby
7. The Last Shot
8. The Bells
9. Perfect Day
10. Sally Can't Dance
11. Satellite of Love
12. NYC Man
13. Dirty Blvd.
14, Rock Minuet
15. Pale Blue Eyes - The Velvet Underground

Here it is, mostly solo Lou Reed songs picked out by the man himself. This is the cd to make you feel like a total bad ass walking down the city streets at night. This is the be all and end all of true New York City grit. Get this music and maybe become a little more heroic yourself. Some of Lou's solo albums have been a bit hit or miss so this compilation gets right to the good stuff and even throws in some essential VU classics. It's seriously a monster of a collection and i find it a good one to just always keep in my ipod.

CD1
CD2

Dr. John - 1972 - Dr. John's Gumbo

1972 - Dr. John's Gumbo  

Dr. John's Gumbo is the fifth album by New Orleans R&B artist Dr. John, a tribute to the music of his native city. The album is a collection of covers of New Orleans classics, played by a major figure in the city's music. In 2003, the album was ranked number 402 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Track Listing:

Side A

1. "Iko Iko", song about street parades in New Orleans (James "Sugar Boy" Crawford)

2. "Blow Wind Blow" (Huey "Piano" Smith, Izzy Cougarden)

3. "Big Chief", Professor Longhair song dedicated to Big Chief Jolly, notable Mardi Gras Indian leader. (Earl Gaines)

4. "Somebody Changed the Lock", romantic travails. (Mac Rebennack)

5. "Mess Around", Ray Charles' first hit, based on "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" (Ahmet Ertegün)

6. "Let the Good Times Roll", written by Earl King, also covered by Jimi Hendrix as "Come On".

Side B

1. "Junko Partner", legendary tale of wastrel and drug addict (Bob Shad)

2. "Stack-A-Lee", famous tale of "two men who gambled late" (Traditional)

3. "Tipitina", the great Professor Longhair song (Henry Roeland Byrd)

4.  "Those Lonely Lonely Nights" (Earl King, Johnny Vincent)

5.  "Huey Smith Medley", tribute to Huey Smith and the Clowns (Huey "Piano" Smith, Johnny Vincent)

   1. "High Blood Pressure"

   2. "Don't You Just Know It"

   3. "Well I'll Be John Brown"

6.  "Little Liza Jane", New Orleans R&B standard based on a children's rhyme (Huey "Piano" Smith, Johnny Vincent)

Album Credits: 

 Dr. John - guitar, piano, cornet, vocals

 Lee Allen - tenor saxophone

 Ronnie Barron - organ, piano, vocals

 Harold Battiste - clarinet, saxophone, horn arrangements

 Morris Bechamin - saxophone

 Jimmy Calhoun - bass

 Sidney George - harmonica, saxophone

 Shirley Goodman - vocals

 Ken Klimak - guitar

 Tammy Lann - vocals

 Dave Lastie - saxophone

 Melvin Lastie - trumpet, cornet

 Robbie Montgomery - vocals

 Keith Olsen - engineer

 Alvin Robinson - guitar

 Jessica Smith - vocals

 Fred Staehle - drums, percussion

 Richard Washington - percussion

 John Ewing - trombone

 Tom Wilkes - design, photography

 Barry Feinstein - design, photography

There is nothing that I can say that has not already been said about this album.  This is ESSENTIAL.  I'm sure there is not one single person in New Orleans that has not heard this album.  It's definitely one of my all time favorites.  There is never a Mardi Gras season that goes by without this album being played everywhere...
If you didn't know who Dr. John was before, do yourself a favor and get this right now!

Iko Iko

Mord (US) - Imperium Magnum Infernalis (2006)

Genre: Black Metal
Origin: U.S.A. (Denver Colorado)
Lyric Themes: Satanic Rites, Disgust, Damnation, Goat Worship
Formed: 2003
Status: Active
Current Label: Non Compos Mentis Records

Lineup:
Striid - Vocals (Salacious Gods, Irhmgaar, Kerberos (Hol), Lugubre (Hol), Sadotank, Misanthropy, Diabolique (Hol)/Winterlord, Satanic Funeral, Sexual O.C.D., Dust Devil)
Anti-Human - Guitar (Askelon, Ctanic, Marks of the Masochist, Misanthropy, Gravestench, Rhune, Satanic Funeral, Unholy Scripture, Putride)
Malefic (Scott Conner) - Bass, Keyboards (Xasthur (US), Twilight (US), Celestia, Sick, Sunn O))) (Guest))
Lurker - Drums (Nazroth, Vrolok (US), Toil, Taog Susej, Dawn of Sorrow, Interfektor, Satanic Funeral, Funeral Mourning, Sangraal, Gravestench, Raw Hatred, Unholy Scripture, Necrophile (Irl), Askelon, Nox Inferi, Frail)

1. Necrobestiality = Goatworship 9:29
2. Occulta Sodomistica 9:01
3. In Nomine Sathanas 9:08
4. Part I - Summon The Beast/Part II - Seeds Of Evil 13:12
5. Rise From Hades 3:41
Total playing time
44:33

I was searching for other Denver bands then I remembered this gem. I'm not sure why they are listed as being from Denver because this is a supergroup of sorts led by Malefic from Xasthur. Well this has more of an occult feeling then Xasthur but Malefic's keyboards shine through as the highlight, always haunting creepily in the background. I do recommend this album highly and I'm not sure why it's basically overlooked. Expect slow to midpaced, evil occult black metal which quite honestly sounds like a mix between Vrolok and Xasthur.

Mord

Acheronian Dirge - Ritual of Denial (Demo 2006)

Genre: Black Metal
Lyrical Themes: Despair, The Occult, Anti-Christianity
Origin: United States of America (Arvada, Colorado)
Formed: 1998
Status: Active

Lineup:
David Csicsely - drums
Dave Borrusch - bass
Zach Salmans - vocals
Justin Siegler - guitar
Clay Cushman - guitar

1. The Sacred Truth of Denial 4:39
2. Recurrence of Yore 5:11
3. Grievances 4:23
4. For This Sin 4:33
5. Lindisfarne 6:11
6. Disgusting Semla (Bonus track, Morbid Cover) 2:48
Total playing time
27:45

I'm posting this demo to go along with the full length because I know you are gonna want more and this demo is awesome!

Ritual of Denial

Acheronian Dirge - Sex Nex Quod Odium (2008)

Genre: Black Metal
Lyrical Themes: Despair, The Occult, Anti-Christianity
Origin: United States of America (Arvada, Colorado)
Formed: 1998
Status: Active

Lineup:
David Csicsely - drums
Dave Borrusch - bass
Zach Salmans - vocals
Justin Siegler - guitar
Clay Cushman - guitar

1. Succumbed to the Spell 4:50
2. And Thus He Spoke 4:01
3. Faith and Fatherland 4:04
4. Babylon 7:28
5. Visions of an Ancient City 4:48
6. Memento Mori 4:53
7. Die Sterbende Sterne 3:19
8. The Sentinel in the Void 6:29
Total playing time
39:52

I just now got inroduced to this band from Angelfukk because we are both in the Denver area close to them. So i was very pleasantly suprised that this band is just fantastic. They are epic and heroic with excellent guitar playing and a tight rhythm section. The vocals are dynamic with what i think is an actual demon getting it's tail stepped on. Fun stuff from the Rockies!!!

Download

Ikuinen Kaamos - 2008 - Closure EP

2008 - Closure EP

Tack Listing:

1.    Closure   
2.    Your Gallows   
3.    The Abscence   

If you liked the full length that I posted a few days ago then check out this EP. 

Closure

Lunar Aurora - Ars Moriendi (2001)

Genre: Black Metal
Lyrical Themes: Darkness, Moon, Sorrow, Distress, Solitude
Origin: Germany (Rosenheim, Bavaria)
Formed: 1994
Status: On Hold

Line-up:
Aran - Guitar, Vocals
Sindar - Keyboards
Whyrhd - Bass, Vocals
Bernhard Klepper - Drums

1. Ars Moriendi :42
2. Dämonentreiber 6:04
3. Kältetod 5:51
4. Black Aureole 5:58
5. Beholder In Sorrow 4:48
6. Flammen der Sehnsucht 6:37
7. Aasfresser 6:29
8. Geist der Nebelsphären 7:11
9. Outro 3:31
Total playing time
47:11

Ars Moriendi is an absolutely astounding release by Lunor Aurora. This combines hypnotizing desolate and cold black metal with mesmerizing symphonic elements that will leave you in a state of awe. I'm telling you, Lunar Aurora does this style of Black Metal better than everybody else and this is one of their more interesting releases.

Ars Moriendi

Big Black - Songs About Fucking (1987)

Formed: Evanston, Illinois, United States (1982)

Genre: Noise Rock, Proto-Industrial

Released : January 01, 1987

Recorded: Side One recorded at Southern Studios, Wood Green. Side Two recorded in Chicago

*

Personnel:

Dave Riley: Bass Guitar
Santiago Durango (Credited as Melvin Belli): Guitar
Steve Albini: Guitar, Vocals
Roland TR-606: Drums

*

1. The Power of Independent Trucking – 1:27
2. The Model – 2:34 (Karl Bartos, Ralf Hütter, Emil Schult)
3. Bad Penny – 2:33
4. L Dopa – 1:40
5. Precious Thing – 2:20
6. Colombian Necktie – 2:14
7. Kitty Empire – 4:01
8. Ergot – 2:27
9. Kasimir S. Pulaski Day – 2:28
10. Fish Fry – 2:06
11. Pavement Saw – 2:12
12. Tiny, King of the Jews – 2:31
13. Bombastic Intro – 0:35
14. He's a Whore – 2:37* (Rick Nielsen)
Length
31:45

*

Here's Big Black's 2nd and final album to complement "Atomizer" that I posted earlier. This is essential.

*

Songs About Fucking

The Happy Talk Band - 2004 - Total Death Benefit

The Crescent City’s Happy Talk Band formed in 2000 and then reformed in Post-Katrina New Orleans in 2005. The new incarnation consists of Bailey Smith and Alex McMurray on guitars, Steve Calandra on bass, Mike Andrepont on drums, Casey McAllister on banjo and keys, and songwriter Luke Allen singing and playing a twenty-five dollar nylon string acoustic guitar. Allen’s songs are a series of eulogies and apologies set to the uncompromising rhythm of a drunken Decatur Street crawl. The Happy Talk Band has been named Best Roots Rock Band in New Orleans by the Big Easy Foundation and Gambit Magazine for the years 2007 and 2008.

2004 - Total Death Benefit

Track Listing:

1. Ash Wednesday
2. When I Sing About You
3. Forget Me Not
4. Time Share
5. Pacific Coast Time
6. Apple Core
7. Nativity
8. Cactus Tree
9. Bank Robber's Waltz
10. Little Dustin
11. I'm Not Surprised
12. Fireworks Show


This album was sent to me by a new friend of mine, who was once a native here in New Orleans, but thanks to that dreadful storm a few years ago, was forced to relocate.  Thanks DEVILDOWNINGA!


Forget Me Not

Critters Buggin - 1997 - Monkeypot Merganzer

Monkeypot Merganzer is the third studio album by Critters Buggin of Seattle, Washington and was released in 1997. Originally released independently, Monkeypot Merganzer was reissued by Kufala Recordings in 2004.

1997 - Monkeypot Merganzer

Band Members

    * Matt Chamberlain: drums
    * Brad Houser: bass
    * Skerik: saxophone

 Guest musicians

    * Maurice Caldwell: vocal - track 1
    * Dave Palmer: Rhodes wah-wah - track 4
    * Eyvind Kang: violin and air-hu - track 6
    * Keith Lowe: upright bass - track 6
    * Craig Flory: bass clarinet - track 6
    * Mike Dillon: vibes and percussion - track 6
Track Listing:

1. "Space Rant" - 4:30
2. "Snaggletooth" - 4:15
3. "Mellow G" - 4:33
4. "Hello Kitty" - 7:04
5. "Burundi" - 6:18
6. "AIDS" - 1:55
7. "Na-Na" - 2:46
8. "I'm Hungary" - 7:21
9. "Bonus Track" - 0:41

This is another one of my personal favorites, if you enjoyed their debut album "Guest" which was posted here, then you should really enjoy this. 

Get it right Na-Na

Sun of the Blind - Skullreader (2009)

Genre: Black Metal/Ambient
Origin: Switzerland
Formed: 2006
Status: Active
Label: Avantgarde
Lineup: Zhaaral (Darkspace)

1. Cursed Universe 10:00
2. Lord of Mind 8:16
3. Fire and Thirst 8:52
4. Ornaments 7:29
5. Vanitas 10:02
Total playing time
44:39

This solo project from Zhaaral of Darspace fame is just brilliant. This is a spacey, tranquil mix of black metal and ambience which is sure to leave you in a state of wonder. I have a feeling this is going to make my top ten of 2009. Sit back with your headphones and favorite bowl of kind bud, crank it up and get ready for a whole new world.

Skullreader

Ikuinen Kaamos - 2006 - The Forlorn

Genre(s)

Black Metal (early), Progressive Death/Black Metal (later)
Lyrical theme(s)
Emotions, Agony, Nature, Life, Death
Origin      

Finland (Kuopio)

Formed in     1997  

2006 - The Forlorn

Juhani Mikkonen - Guitars
Arttu Romo - Drums
Jarno Ruuskanen - Guitars & bass

Keyboards by Jone Vaananen
Vocals by Henri Villberg

Music by Juhani Mikkonen & Jarno Ruuskanen
Lyrics by Henri Villberg

Recorded, Mixed & Mastered at EastVoice Studio. Joensuu, Finland
August-Oktober 2005 by Jone Vaananen

Track Listing:

1.    Frailty   
2.    Grace   
3.    Delusion   
4.    Ascent   
5.    Fall   



I have been listening to this album a good bit over the last few days so, I figured I'd share. 

Forlorn

Bob Dylan - New Morning (1970)

Genre: Folk/Rock
Version: Remastered
192 kbps, 51 Mb

Personnel:
Bob Dylan – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, organ; piano on tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12
David Bromberg – electric guitar, dobro
Harvey Brooks – bass guitar
Ron Cornelius – electric guitar
Charlie Daniels – bass guitar
Buzzy Feiten – electric guitar
Al Kooper – organ, piano, electric guitar, French horn
Russ Kunkel – drums
Billy Mundi – drums
Hilda Harris – backing vocals
Albertin Robinson – backing vocals
Maeretha Stewart – backing vocals on track 6
Bob Johnston – producer

1. If Not for You – 2:39
2. Day of the Locusts – 3:57
3. Time Passes Slowly – 2:33
4. Went to See the Gypsy – 2:49
5. Winterlude – 2:21
6. If Dogs Run Free – 3:37
7. New Morning – 3:56
8. Sign on the Window – 3:39
9. One More Weekend – 3:09
10. The Man in Me – 3:07
11. Three Angels – 2:07
12. Father of Night – 1:27
Total Playing Time: 35:21

I plan on once in awhile posting up overlooked Dylan classics so this one immediately sprang to mind. Dylan is in top form here and there's at least six songs that I consider classics. This album would make my own personal Dylan top ten albums. I think people that are new to Dylan would even be impressed by this so check it out. Even the lesser songs are pretty heroic except for his spoken, jazzy "If Dogs Run Free" which doesn't really click with me. 11/12 ain't bad.

Key tracks: If Not For You, Day of the Locusts, Winterlude, Went to See the Gypsy, New Morning, The Man in Me, Father of Night

New Morning

Mutyumu ( 夢中夢 ) - 2008 - Il y a (イリヤ )

Mutyumu (夢中夢) describe their own music as a mixture of post-rock, minimal, classical, alternative, and heavy metal.
Members:
Hatis Noit (Vocal)
Ryota Yoda (Guitar)
Junpei Suda (Drums)
Yuko Ikenaga (Piano)
Yuji Hayashi (Bass)
Ryota Taniuchi (Violin)
On their 2008 album “Ilya”, World’s End Girlfriend, Hajime of ミドリ, and Robin from 赤犬 also worked in collaboration with the band.

2008 - Il ya

Artist – Mutyumu ( 夢中夢 )
Album – Il y a (イリヤ )
Release Date – 2008


Track Listing:

01 Intro ～イリヤ～ [intro -il y a-] 2:25
02 火焔鳥 – Kaenchō [die Ewige Wiederkunft] 6:14
03 眼は神 – Me wa Kami [L'œil est Dieu] 4:32
04 僕たちの距離感 – Bokutachi no Kyorikan [toi et moi] 5:21
05 反復する世界の果てで白夜は散る – Hanpukusuru Sekai no Hate de Byakuya wa Chiru [repetitional existence] 05:52
06 ドクサの海の悪棲 – Dokusa no Umi no Akurō [doxa incarnate] 4:31
07 塵に過ぎない僕は塵に返る – Chiri ni Suginai Boku wa Chiri ni Kaeru [unforgiven] 6:12
08 いく度も繰り返されて、言葉は少しずつ意味を失い、言葉のもたらす痛みも和らぐ – Ikudo mo Kurikaesarete, Kotoba wa Sukoshizutsu Imi o Ushinai, Kotoba no Motarasu Itami mo Yasuragu [raison d'être] 6:20
09 サッフォー – sappho 4:54
10 祈り – Inori [prayer] 10:27
11 灰の日 – Hai no Hi 4:07



Holy Shit!!!  This band is AMAZING.  I don't know how I had not heard of them sooner.   All I can say is get this now, for your own good.  Here's a sample if you don't want to take my word on this one:




Told ya so!

夢中夢

Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers - L.A.M.F.: The Lost '77 Mixes (1994 released)

Genre: Punk, Rock-n-roll
Recorded: March 1977
Origin: New York

Lineup:
Johnny Thunders (New York Dolls)- vocals, lead guitar
Walter Lure - vocals, guitar
Billy Rath - bass
Jerry Nolan - drums, vocals

1. Born Too Loose (aka "Born to Lose")
2. Baby Talk
3. All By Myself (Walter Lure/Jerry Nolan)
4. I Wanna Be Loved
5. It's Not Enough
6. Chinese Rocks (Dee Dee Ramone/Richard Hell)
7. Get Off The Phone (Walter Lure/Jerry Nolan)
8. Pirate Love
9. One Track Mind (Walter Lure/Jerry Nolan)
I0. Love You
11. Goin' Steady
12. Let Go (Johnny Thunders/Jerry Nolan)
13. Can't Keep My Eyes On You (Walter Lure/Jerry Nolan)
14. Do You Love Me? (Berry Gordy, Jr.)

Johnny Thunders was the guitarist for the New York Dolls for their first two classic full lengths so you should know what to expect here. These tracks are gritty NYC punkish street rock and roll anthems from the late 70's. Damn, this stuff is great and if you are even vaguely a fan of the New York Rock/Punk scene, this is essential.

NYC

Nuclear Crucifixion

Genre(s)
Death Metal, Thrash Metal
Lyrical theme(s)
Politics, War, Murder
Origin    

United States of America (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Formed in

1987

  

Nuclear Crucifixion was a New Orleans based metal band that existed between 1987 and 1989. They recorded three demos during their short career. In 1988 three of the five members left the band to form Soilent Green.

1987 - Killing Ourselves to Live

Line-up :
Glenn Rambo-vocals  RIP

Brian Patton-guitar 

Donovan Punch-guitar

David Moran-bass

Darren Schallenberg-drums.

Parts of Nuclear Vomit were later reworked into Soilent Green's "Numb Around
The Heart."

Track Listing: 

1.	Nuclear Vomit	03:35
2.	Poser Preacher	05:15
3.	Society Kills	03:24
4.	Killers	03:29
5.	Go Die	05:20
6.	Accept Reality	04:29
7.	Government Laws	03:25
8.	Nuclear Crucifixion	05:11
Total playing time		34:08

Go Die!

1988 - Torture of Humanity 

Track Listing:

1.	Hallucinating Hatred	05:21
2.	Poser Preacher	05:22
3.	Nocturnal Doom	04:53
4.	Nuclear Vomit	03:42
5.	Circle Of Death	03:46
6.	Post Holocaustial War	04:22
Total playing time		27:26

Feel the hatred


These are both classics, If you know, or want to know what New Orleans metal scene was like back in the late 80's this right here is pretty much all you need to get started. Raw, fast, and in your face! 
-Thanks to Bobby over at paranoize for these gems. 

Desmond Dekker - Greatest Hits (1994)

Genre: Ska, Rock Steady, Reggae
Origin: Jamaica
Years active: 1962–2006
Size: 105 MB / 320 kbps

01. You Can Get it If You Really Want
02. I Believe
03. I'ts Not Easy
04. Get Up Little Suzie
05. Pickney Gal
06. Rudy Got Soul
07. That's The Way Life Goes
08. Peace Of Mind
09. The Man
10. Ah It Mek
11. Israelites
12. Perserverance
13. Intensified
14. Tips Of My Fingers
15. Too Much Too Soon
16. Nincompoop
17. Problems
18. For Once In My Life
19. Rude Boy Train
20. My Precious Live

I love Desmond Dekker. If you've never heard his music before you are in for one helluva treat. Desmond's vocals are absolutely delicious accompanied with these up-beat smooth skankin' classics. Besides Bob Marley, this is my absolute favorite from Jamaica. I don't make a habit of posting greatest hits compilations, but I'll make an exception here because this is truely a great collection.

pt.1
pt.2