At the Drive-In - In/Casino/Out

Genre: Post-Hardcore

At the Drive-In is the original brainchild of Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodríguez-López, the two co-members of what they call The Mars Volta (their union is referred to as The Mars Volta, and the rest of the musicians and them are referred to as The Mars Volta Group [but that's another post]). So, before Cedric and Omar got in touch with the progressive and psychadelic sides of rock, they started out with 90's post-hardcore. At the Drive-In is one of the big names in the modern post-hardcore scene, due to their energetic songs that would change tempo at any given moment, and this album is the epitome of that feeling. In between their lo-fi first release, Acrobatic Tenement, and their polished-up final release, Relationship of Command, In/Casino/Out recieves the best of both worlds. The band decided to record this album live in studio as to try and capture the energy they put into their live shows. Any fan of post-hardcore or The Mars Volta should appreciate this album quite a bit.


Check it out.
Buy it.

Thom Yorke - The Eraser

Genre: Alternative/Experimental/Electronic

From the lead man behind Radiohead comes an album full of moody piano melodies, electronic backbeats, and the deep lyrics that are his style. A must get for any fan of Radiohead or ambient, chill music.

Try.

Buy.

Soul Coughing - Ruby Vroom

Straight from the slightly insane mind of Mike Doughty, a weird fusion of jazz and Cake like vocals, this album is fucking great. Most songs start out with a jazzy bass line, then the complicated almost hip hop like drums kick in, then Mike Doughty, half singing half rapping his strange almost poetic lyrics. The songs also use tons of loops, ranging from Howlin' Wolf to Thelonious Monk, making it an experimental and off kilter, yet solid album.

Get this shit

The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers

Jack White (The White Stripes) Brendan Benson, Patrick Keeler and Jack Lawrence (The Greenhornes) combine to create an amazing album of great indie-rock. Though their second album is more blues oriented, it's not for everyone. This album, however, has appeal for everybody, from the rock feel of Steady As She Goes to the indie-pop Intimate Secretary.

I'll make sure to post their second within the next few days. 

Try

Buy

Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted

Number 20 on Time's The All Time 100 Best Albums, this album from lo-fi indie rock band Pavement does not dissapoint. The guitars and vocals sound great, definitely one of the best albums to come out of the 90s.

Download

Valet - Blood Is Clean

Valet (aka Honey Owens)'s debut LP, a fantastic trip of music that sends you on a magic carpet ride through the deepest ends of your own mind. I should work on less gay descriptions, but yeah, this album is amazing, a great ambience, and her vocal work is beautiful. You won't regret it.

Download

13 Songs - Fugazi

Collection of songs from Fugazi's first two EPs, not officially an album, but some of their best work. A collection of musicians from the DC hardcore scene, Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat), Guy Picciotto (Rites Of Spring), Brendan Canty, and Joe Lally (Dag Nasty). Fugazi is considered one of the first emo bands, along with Rites Of Spring. This album is chapter one in the emo handbook.


Note: when I say emo here I am talking about bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Far, Texas Is The Reason and Rites Of Spring, not what you normally hear called emo today like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance.

Try It
Buy It (Yeah right)