QOTSA

Queens of the Stone Age - Queens of the Stone Age (1998) on Loosegroove Records

1. Regular John
2. Avon
3. If Only
4. Walkin' on the Sidewalks
5. You Would Know
6. How to Handle a Rope
7. Mexicola
8. Hispanic Impressions
9. You Can't Quit Me Baby
10. Give the Mule What He Wants
11. I Was a Teenage Hand Model

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?3hh05kvctmj

This is where it all started. Not really, or at all actually, but this can be seen as a concrete point where things start to become cohesive. This is the band at it's "amp worshiping" finest. Then again this album isn't really a band, but Josh Homme's solo project. Alfredo Hernández handles drums while Homme handles everything else.

Riffage. Crunchy riffage. Homme referred to it at the time as "robot rock." QOTSA is the foremost band I turn to when I want guitar driven rock. The songwriting isn't very strong as it is on subsequent albums, but the guitar tones here are so blissfully raw.

The album will be remastered and reissued on Ipecac in late fall. Until then, enjoy it in it's original glory.

It's SUMMER

Subtle - Summer (2002) self-released

1. Flying Horse Plans
2. 5second Segment
3. Eneby Kurs
4. Been Shelled
5. Boxgod
6. The Teeth Behind the Wheel

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?qmthurty5dn

Today marks the start of summer, which also marks the start of Subtle. Summer is their inaugural EP and the first of their “Four Seasons” project. As a whole, the “Four Seasons” EPs are pretty phenomenal, but for the simplicity’s sake, have been compiled into a single CD, Earthsick. The only problem with the single CD compilation is that it the more experimental tracks are left off.

Hearing each season EP in it’s own context adds way more depth to the series. Summer might actually be my favorite, it’s difficult to tell. Of the four, Summer is the most free formed. There is very little in the way of song structure on this EP, it only peeks in on “Eneby Kurs,” and disappears before you’ve even noticed it. “Flying Horse Plans” may be one of the boldest entrances by a band ever. A forceful declaration of intent, almost warning the listener of the sounds to come. And my god, the kick drum. It has the physical presence that you only hear live, making you wonder why recorded drums never sound that dynamic.

I’ve always been a fan of bands’ first albums. There is a sense of exploration and self discovery that subsequent release just don’t have. With the Four Seasons, Subtle deliberately set out to find themselves (as a band) in the recording of these songs. It's an amazing thing to get lost in.

Pelican

Pelican - Ephemeral (2009) on Migration Media

1. Embedding the Moss
2. Ephemeral
3. Geometry of Murder (feat. Dylan Carlson)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?jz3y3jazqag

I picked this up last night after seeing Pelican kill it live. I've never been that into the band, as great as they are, their recordings come off as a bit stale. They're infinitely easier to get into when they're five feet in front of you and shredding faces off. That said, this EP is pretty strong. The last song is an Earth cover, or maybe it's a song Earth never recorded? Dylan Carlson just gave them the song? The CD simply says "originally written by Earth," and I'm not familiar with the song being on any Earth release, so who knows... Carlson's style is rather noticeable, making it the finest song the EP has to offer

Ephemeral is Pelican's debut on Southern Lord, which is releasing the EP exclusively on 180g vinyl. CDs are limited to 1000 copies, which are being sold on tour. Turns out there is also a 50 copy run with alternate artwork which was sold on a recent stint in Japan. The packaging is rather stunning. It's a single piece of sturdy black flatstock, screenprinted with black and bluish-white ink, that ingenuously folds to house the CD. Delicious Design League is responsible for the layout & printing, which they deserve mad props for. They also have some swank posters worth checking out too.