An Even Longer Overdue Update

Not too long after my last post the house market in San Diego County had tanked and I began a quest to find a house to buy. So not much happened during the period regarding music purchases. I'm still getting a monthly 7" from Sub Pop and started a second monthly series with Volcom Entertainment. Other than that, my music purchases are few and far between these days.

There have been some great albums released. The new one from Alice In Chains was a nice surprise. I had no expectations for it and think it's a well done album. They work in the new guy nicely over the course of the record.

The new Porcupine Tree album is a long concept piece that has excellent variation over the course of the 55 minutes. Looks like Deadwing was their only bump in the road.

Sunn O)))'s 'Monoliths & Dimensions' couldn't have a better titled as the album has both in spades. I'm really liking where they went with the collaborations and new instrumentation.

Clutch's new one hasn't quite clicked with me like their last two albums but it's a solid effort.

The Mars Volta have finally released something that is relatively accessible while still retaining their sound. A solid album but I think the Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Band is the real new TMV album since it's pretty much the same band and is all over the map.

Big Business' first album as a trio is good but I dislike one of the tracks and it's a short album so I'm not quite in love with it like their last album.

Les Claypool's latest has a weird, organic percussion sound that shows some progression from his other solo albums.

A couple fine records from Cave and Eternal Tapestry round out the new purchases with some quality psych-rock jams. I think I'm liking this year better for music.

New Release Tuesday

I hit up Lou's Records yesterday for some new albums that came out in the past month. The newest of the bunch is the latest from Flogging Molly. Been awhile since they've put out a new full-length album so I'm hoping it's as good as their past material.

Last week's new release was a live EP from Porcupine Tree. The live set is actually just Steven Wilson on acoustic and electric guitar and John Wesley helping out on guitar and backing vocals. It's great to hear short versions/stripped down versions of some old PT songs. Definitely an essential release for fans of the band.

The older new releases include softmore albums from Black Mountain and Danava, another solo album from The Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and a long in the making full-length from the instrumental duo 5ive.

Nil Recurring

Just a quick update this time.

Arriving from the UK was the latest release from Porcupine Tree. An EP called 'Nil Recurring' featuring four tracks that didn't make the cut on their recent album. Robert Fripp contributes some lead guitar work on the title (instrumental) track. The EP really shows the diversity of the band throughout the four songs. A welcome edition to the PT catalog.

Trip To Lou's + ATH

A trip to Lou's Records and then an arrival of a package from All That's Heavy means many new LPs and CDs today. Here's the list:

CDs -
Asbestosdeath - Dejection Unclean (EP)
Green Milk From The Planet Orange - You Take Me To The World
Grinderman - Grinderman
Growing - Vision Swim
Johnny Cash - American Recordings
Nadja - Touched
Orthodox - Gran Poder
Porcupine Tree - Fear Of A Blank Planet
Sleep - Jerusalem
The Stars - Will
The Stars - Perfect Place To Hideaway
Viaje A 800 - Diablo Roto De...

LPs -
Boris & Merzbow - Walrus/Groom 12"
Godspeed You Black Emperor! - Life Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven! 2LP
Sunn O))) & Boris - Altar 3LP