Glass Fingers -- Stranger (New Song)

Normally I wouldn't post on just one song but I really like this one.

Portland is pretty short on serious electronica talent, and I don't mean whoever DJ's at the Asylum on Saturday nights or whatever. I'm talking about legitimate, creative, innovative and most importantly expressive electronic music.

Glassfingers is that, and Jesse Gertz (the mind behind the music) has a new song and it's one of one of his best yet. Take a listen.

Glassfingers -- Stranger

Corrupt Government -- Demo 2011

I definitely needed to hear these tracks. Recently I've found myself sinking into new records from the likes of Radiohead or Explosions in the Sky, and while great in their own right I knew I was missing something from my musical diet. 

That thing was some serious, balls to the wall DIY hardcore and I thank Corrupt Government for giving me what I need. The band was formed in Saco, Maine in 2009 and although they are still recording music, a live appearance is doubtful as the band is now spread over New England. Out of nowhere  though they seem to have gotten together to record and master some tracks at Chump Change Recording in Portland, ME. 

The result is best described as energetic and satisfying; the band's deep riffy sound is accompanied by frantic percussion and delightfully jagged vocals which when blended together is guaranteed to make you want to punch someone in the face, I know I do. I wish this band was still around and playing shows, because this demo makes me long for a classic hardcore show. This new demo is available for free on bandcamp, take a listen and enjoy!

Favorite Track:

Can't Stop This

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Kuato -- Winter EP

This is some serious shit right here.

Kuato is an underground post-rock band from Halifax, Nova Scotia (where I temporarily reside), they have released two phenomenal EPs in the past couple years building towards what is sure to be a glorious full length release. Their latest release is called Winter EP, and indeed it is aptly named. The atmosphere created by this record evokes the bleak and dissonance of winter in Canada, but at the same time is the furthest thing from scattered or barren, actually the opposite. Kuato build tension masterfully and when they do release it, the sound lacks nothing. These guys know exactly what they're doing and they do it well.

The band sits atop the contemporary post-rock throne of Atlantic Canada, which is no easy thing. Merely existing in the shadow of famed post-punkers North of America necessitates some seriously original song crafting. The band is about to have a short but busy series of shows in Halifax in the next few days so if you can see them around, do. 

Winter EP is available for pay-what-you-want on bandcamp.

Favorite Track:

Pet Seminary

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Jakob Battick & Friends -- Bloodworm Songs EP

Bloodworm Songs EP is the fifth total release by Portland, ME "nightmarefolk" collective Jakob Battick & Friends. If you are unfamiliar with nightmarefolk (as you should be) then perhaps this album isn't for you; it creates a dark, droning and sometimes jarring sound scape which sometimes becomes difficult to listen to. For those unfamiliar with Battick and his work this effect is intentional, the group plunges the listener under a blanket of noise and discord only to contrast the calm, soothing yet urgent mood of the rest of the music on the EP. Battick's minimalist style is evident here yet again, using hauntingly sparse rhythms he and his group of nocturnal shut ins weave a tapestry of loose ends and lamentations which ultimately conjure a sensation similar to standing on a cliff over the ocean just before dawn breaks. 

The new EP is going for $6 on the groups bandcamp site, along with the download of the EP the buyer also receives almost an hour of complementary live footage from The Oak & The Axe in Biddeford, ME.

If you're a fan of folk, dark folk or just looking to be sucked into a great live show Jakob Battick & Friends are not to be missed (except you might have to miss them because the recently went on hiatus).

Favorite Track:

Three Orphans

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The Nebs -- After All EP

I few weeks ago I heard The Nebs for the first time via Portland's fledgling Dispatch Magazine, and being curious I gave it a listen. The result reminded me a lot of a band that dominated my music sphere almost all winter last year called Pond. 

I guess that's kind of a random connection to make.

Anyway.

Basically I wish The Nebs would stick more to the sound they demonstrate on the first track of After All, the song starts off in a generally unassuming way but the calm, full, tubey, reverb laden chords quickly give way to up tempo, completely fuzzed out (slightly) thrashy awesomeness. This song is called After All, What's In A Reflection? and in addition to being by far the best song on here musically it is also by far the best songwriting effort on this record. As After All comes to a close The Neb's don't really return to the fuzz rock aspect of their music again in any real way after the first song, which is ultimately a weaker point for an album which has tons of potential, that being said I think I might like the first song enough to make up for the other three.

The EP is available for 4$ (or 1$ per song) on bandcamp.

Favorite Track:

After All, What's In A Reflection?

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(for reference...)

This is Pond. They were an early 90's SUB-POP band from Portland, Oregon.

They are good.

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Sombres Forêts -- Royaume De Glace

This band is from Montreal, Quebec and I recently came upon one of their albums by accident, and was totally blow away by what I heard. The band is called Sombres Forêts  and the record is Royaume De Glace. As far as I know they classify themselves within the "French Canadian Depressive Black Metal" realm. These seven songs (which amount to almost an hour) sound like the most chaotic, deliciously lo fi black metal imaginable, with a gentle post- rock infusion. The vocalist has one of the best and most desperate sounding  screaming voices I've ever heard.  Everyone (even if you don't normally like Black Metal) should give this one a shot.

Favorite Track:

La Nuit

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The Waldos -- Sludged Out Fish Logic

On my recent trips back to Portland I've been subject to various testimonials by members of Portland's underground scene which have assured me that this band was nothing short of amazing. I have to say I was excited to hear a band who had so impressed  the likes of folks from Red Medicine and Pamola. The band's latest and (tentatively) first set of recordings is called Sludged Out Fish Logic and is available for streaming on the band's bandcamp site and it does not disappoint in the least, in fact my only complaint is that the record is only five tracks long. The Waldos blend hardcore mathy goodness with esoteric jazzy tinglings which conjures the sensation of being underwater during a rainstorm. 

Sludged Out Fish Logic is a welcome addition to the myriad of great local releases coming out of Portland's underground recently.

Favorite Track:

Scuba Gear

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Glass Fingers -- Album

Album is the first real, serious full length musical release from from that enigmatic group known as Glassfingers, which is masterminded by none other than the preeminent Jesse Gertz himself. The music is electronic, but Gertz makes sure to never bore you with over simplified rhythmics, or worn out beats instead he weaves a beautiful tapestry of electronic and organic sounds which washes over the listener as though Gertz himself were giving you a sponge bath. Glassfingers is a relatively recent incarnation of Gertz's prolific musical career, he has many more rougher self released EPs and albums which range from indie pop to acoustic songwriting. Glassfingers is playing The SPACE Gallery in Portland, ME on March 11th with local electronica wizard Computer at Sea as well as the illustrious Dan Deacon who apparently hand picked Glassfingers as the opener. Keep a lookout for Glassfingers in the future, this shit's dank.

Favorite Track:

Beak

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Huak -- Secret Trees EP

Huak has been around the Portland, Maine underground scene for a while now but has always been a relatively underexposed band, for how good they are that is. Huak's latest release is the Secret Trees EP which according to their Facebook page is pretty old, they seem to have a new record in the works right now which is definitely exciting. Again, I've yet to see Huak preform but I've seen the members at shows around the Portland area and at this point I feel it's only a matter of time. Their music is mathy and hardcore but like most bands which carry the "post" tag they sometimes dip into melody before dropping back into chaotic, layered guitar work. Their musicianship is commendable and more than anything it's just nice to see something which sounds new.

Favorite Track:

Stats and Demographics

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We Are The Vulture -- War Torn

We Are The Vulture are an excellent hardcore band from Bangor, Maine. Unfortunately I have yet to have the pleasure of seeing these folks live but their most recent release War Torn definitely caught my attention. It's a record which is short and to the point, but all six of the tracks are bursting with some of the most legitimate hardcore energy I've heard in a while plus the record is surprisingly well produced. War Torn is available for pay-what-you-want on bandcamp.

Favorite Track:

Slowburn

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