River Gypsies - For the Lost and Beautiful

There's not a whole lot of bands in Elgin Illinois worth listening to, but this is one of them. An acoustic side project of a death metal band, its influences are all over the place, so in their own words:


"River Gypsies music is rooted from every kind of music, but the feel is very dark and Celtic.

Two acoustic guitars, minimal drums, very abstract yet melodic male vocals, and bass guitar when someone is around to play it (the album songs all have bass).

River Gypsies formed in January of 2008, when Mike Mahoney(Apraizal, How's Casney?) met Bjorn Andersen(Pooch Carver, Tropical Dad, Avernus) in Lake Villa, IL. The two were going through tough times and sought a way to express the raw emotions that were created by their dark pasts.

The two found that their styles mixed to form something new, unique, and therapeutic!! Neither member was any good at singing, so when they got together with singer/ song-writer/ producer, Doug Smith( Pooch Carver, Tropical Dad, Instints, Avernus...) amazing recordings began to appear!

The three are currently in the process of getting recognition, playing magical performances and evolving as recording artists. Truly, music from the lost and beautiful, for the lost and beautiful."

As always, if you like the music, help out the artist and buy the album!

CHECK IT OUT!

BUY IT!

Oaks of Bethel - Plague Upon Plague (2010)

Genre: Ambient Drone/Black Metal
Lyrical Themes: Nature, Culture, Ancestry
Origin: United States of America (Illinois)
Formed In: 2009
Label: EEE Recordings
Status: Active
File: 116 Mb (320kbps)

Lineup:
Ihr - Guitar, Vocals, Field Recordings (Njiqahdda, Funeral Eclipse)
Ain - Drums, Vocals (Njiqahdda, Funeral Eclipse)

Tracklist:
1. You Forgive Nothing As Death Grows Close 15:41
2. Plague Upon Plague 35:43
Total playing time 51:24

Oaks of Bethel are a side project of the almighty Njiqahdda and they play a mesmerizing blend of ambient drone and black metal that I understand may not be for everyone but if you are into this kinda stuff at all, this is fantastic. If you dig them or Njiqahdda or Njiijn give the guys some support and buy a couple of their cds from EEE recordings. They have nothing but high quality releases for an affordable price.

Plague Upon Plague

Purchase from EEE

Njiijn - Tys Lysaj Ani Loparuu (2008)

Genre: Ambient, Drone, Noise
Lyrical Theme: Instrumental
Origin: United States of America (Illinois)
Formed In: 2005
Label: EEE Recordings
Status: Active
File: 113 Mb (320kbps)

Lineup:
/ - Guitars, Keyboards, Field Recordings (Njiqahdda, Oaks Of Bethel, Funeral Eclipse)
_ - Bass, Drums (Njiqahdda, Oaks Of Bethel, Funeral Eclipse)

Tracklist:
1. Njilys Vaan Iiorta 14:10
2. Majestikali 06:19
3. Laamu Vortiijn 06:02
4. Sombuli Naflega Zombuur Quisn 07:58
5. Zembala Aaske 11:38
6. Tys Lysaj Ani Loparuu 04:08
Total playing time 50:15

This is a full length release from Njiqahdda's alter ego band, Njiijn, and my god is it ever a unique experience. This is hard to describe but let's just say it's experimental ambient drone with hidden beauty that will engulf you gradually until you are completely immersed in sonic splendor.

Tys Lysaj Ani Loparuu

Purchase Re-issue $10 w/ shipping inc.

Njiqahdda - Of Beasts and Blossoms (EP 2010)

Genre: Acoustic, Neo-Folk
Lyrical Theme: Nature
Origin: United States of America (Illinois)
Formed In: 2005
Label: EEE Recordings
Status: Active
File: 61 Mb (320kbps)

Lineup:
/ - Clean Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Field Recordings (Oaks Of Bethel, Funeral Eclipse)
_ - Distorted Vocals, Bass, Drums (Oaks Of Bethel, Funeral Eclipse)

Tracklist:
1. Awakenings 03:01
2. Song of Mourning and Woe 03:45
3. Of Beasts and Blossoms 05:14
4. Solitude Assembly 01:41
5. Deconstruction 03:06
6. Over Green Misty Hills... 03:58
7. ...and into the Crystal Lake 00:40
8. Final Slumber 05:36
Total playing time 27:01

I just got a huge shipment of Njiqahdda albums in the mail because I love them so much. They usually play droning, experimental black metal but on this release they go for the all acoustic approach and just like everything else they do, this style comes out incredible. This is for those quiet Sunday mornings while you are sipping coffee and contemplating your next bong hit. At first I just thought this was going to be something I only play occasionally because the style really isn't my thing, but this is just addictive and beautiful. Check it out.

Of Beasts and Blossoms

Purchase $10 w/ shipping

Russian Circles - Geneva (2009)

Genre: Instrumental Post Rock
Origin: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Years Active: 2004–present
Label: Sargent House
File: 101 Mb (320kbps)

Personnel:
Mike Sullivan − guitar
Dave Turncrantz − drums
Brian Cook − bass guitar
Allison Chesley − cello
Susan Voelz − violin
Greg Norman − engineering, trumpet, trombone
Brandon Curtis − production, additional piano
Joe Lambert − mastering
Chris Strong − album photo
Sasha Barr − album layout

Tracklist:
1. Fathom – 4:55
2. Geneva – 5:49
3. Melee – 7:39
4. Hexed All – 4:29
5. Malko – 4:43
6. When the Mountain Comes to Muhammad – 8:00
7. Philos – 10:26
Total Playing Time: 46:01

Completely engaging, beautiful and mesmerizing 3rd studio full length from these Chicago instrumental post rockers, this one shouldn't be overlooked. The lack of vocals won't be missed at all since these guys have a lot going on musically to keep a high level of interest.

Geneva

Wesley Willis - Greatest Hits Volumes 1 and 2

1995 - Greatest Hits Vol. 1

Track Listing:

1. Rock N' Roll McDonald's
2. Larry Nevers/Walter Budzyn
3. Rick Sims
4. Outburst
5. Chronic Schizophrenia
6. Urge Overkill
7. Skrew
8. Tammy Smith
9. Vampire Bat
10. Elvis Presley
11. Chicken Cow, The
12. Kris Kringle Was a Car Thief
13. Easy-E
14. Jesus Is the Answer - (special appearance by the Wesley Willis Fiasco)
15. He's Doing Time in Jail - (special appearance by the Wesley Willis Fiasco)
16. I'm Sorry That I Got Fat - (special appearance by the Wesley Willis Fiasco)
17. Aftab Noorani
18. Norhwest Airlines
19. I Wupped Batman's Ass
20. Who Killed John Columbo
21. Stabbing Westward
22. Richard Speck

Jesus is the Answer

 

 

1999 - Greatest Hits Vol. 2

Track Listing:

1. Vultures Ate My Dead Ass Up, The
2. They Threw Me Out of Church
3. Oil Express
4. F*** You
5. Birdman Kicked My Ass
6. Make Sure I'm Out Screwing Up
7. I'm Running My Inkpen
8. Caryn Shaffer
9. Cut the Mullet
10. Jello Biafra
11. Suck a Caribou's Ass
12. Stop the Violence
13. Feel the Power of Rock & Roll
14. Frogs, The
15. Aime - (previously unreleased)
16. Girls on Film
17. Lotion
18. I Broke Out Your Windshield
19. Arnold Schwarzeneggar
20. Mr. Scarface
21. Al Capone
22. Harmony Joy Bus Ride

It look's like a rat's nest.

Here's the two Greatest Hits albums that I promised a while back.  Get ready for some laughs.