Artist Of The Day: Felt

Consistently masterful and yet perennially underrated, Felt's story was so meticulously executed it almost reads like an indie rock fairytale. The numbers could scarcely be more round: Formed in Birmingham in 1979, they went on to release 10 albums and 10 singles over a period of 10 years, a stated goal after which they proceeded to disband. They achieved absolutely nothing in the way of commercial success, and remain something of an obscurity today, but their music has a habit of clinging to those it does reach, with Belle And Sebastian, Girls and the Manic Street Preachers just some of the acts who cite them as a key influence.

The undisputed leader of the pack, singer Lawrence Hayward's writing fell somewhere between the dingy gloom of post-punk and the tasteful melodicism of alternative rock, and it was those sensibilities which laid the foundations for a glut of cult classics. Whether it be Splendour Of Fear's sodden bleakness, Forever Breathes The Lonely Word's college friendly gems or Me And The Monkey On The Moon's personal pop-perfection, pretty much every corner of Felt's discography is outstanding in it's own right, with no peaks to single out and certainly no valleys to avoid. It might not be ideal for beginners, but their catalogue is truly unmissable, and in a just world would see them ranked alongside Joy Division, R.E.M. and The Smiths in the chronicles of indie rock greatness.

Artist of the Day: Aesop Rock

Aesop Rock sure has stirred up the modern rap scene as of late. His unique brand of work behind the microphone has earned him all types of respect over the years, and although his approach has changed a bit lately (bigger beats, more expansive production), the man behind the mask is still going at it just as strongly as he was from the start.

After all, his debut album Labor Days is heralded as a classic by many a rap junkie. His introspective storytelling flirted with clever wordplay in a delightful way, a combination that even managed to snag the attention of those who weren't quite in on the rap game. The emcee's syllabic splendor delighted hip-hop veterans while enticing newcomers, setting a high standard for those that had yet to enter the ring themselves. And, in comparison to his newer work, Labor Days bolstered a very straightforward production, an approach that proved to be divisive among the community.

Now that Aesop's moving towards more complex terrain more and more prominently with each new track he releases, those itching for something huge are collectively doe-eyed in anticipation. I'm definitely included here - after all, each song off Skelethon (out July 10) thus far has been huge.

Check out the music video for "Zero Dark Thirty", Skelethon's first single.

Skelethon will be released July 10 on Rhymesayers Entertainment. Pre-order the album at Fifth Element; I dare you to join the hype train.

Album Review: Submerse - Tears

Album Rating: B

Hailing from the rolling plains of Cheshire, UK, and now finding himself isolated in the claustrophobic metropolis of Tokyo, it’s a surprise that it’s taken this long for culture shock to play an active part in Submerse’s music. Tears is thus introduced as the reaction to the loneliness and confusion of the move, and from there to any small reminder of home. The opening track, “Cream Soda,” we’re told, was entirely inspired by the sight of a familiar can of soft drink; the overarching idea being that with little to relate to it’s the smallest things that can trigger the greatest emotion. As such, Tears is a remarkably mellow and contemplative release: one about small, internal triumphs and occurrences as opposed to any grand theme. Relatable, then, if not inspiring.

Best Of The Year 2012: First Half Update

Welcome to MuzikDizcovery's second edition of quarterly updates in 2012. Every staff member will put out a top five list, allowing them to showcase their absolute favorite records of 2012 to date. Additionally, it will be able to alert you of albums that you may not have heard of otherwise. This list does not only include albums that have been released as of June 30, as any album that we have heard so far this year is free to be included. Beach House, The Tallest Man On Earth, The Menzingers, fun., mewithoutYou, John Talabot, Athletics and Take One Car all feature prominently in our lists. If you click on the album name, you will be led to our review for the album (if we have done one). All the lists can be seen below the jump.

Artist Spotlight: 65daysofstatic

In celebration of being busy and occupied with tours and music-making (strange thing to celebrate, right?), 65daysofstatic honors their audiences with a free-to-download EP, The Last Dance. The band has been busy of late, what with the Silent Running soundtrack late last year, and both We Were Exploding Anyway and the Heavy Sky EP the year before. However, the EP they're releasing is all previously released material, and is really more of a sampler, featuring tracks from each of the three previous releases aforementioned. A healthy mix of more space-rock / ambient things from Silent Running will mix well with their more lively material from 2010 is a great way to remind fans what they're capable of, and an even better way to introduce those who are new to the 65 club to a variable platter of their musical tastes. The Last Dance has a lot of really great material, and is definitely worth picking up at no cost to yourself for a sampler of fun hits from a well-established post-rock band.

As I said before, the release is 100% free, and can be streamed, torrented, or downloaded here.

Artist Spotlight: Collapse Under The Empire

Since reviewing Collapse Under The Empire's last effort, I hadn't realized that they were working on a new album to release this year. However, Fragments Of A Prayer is coming this fall, and the band is in full recording force. For example, the guys of Collapse released a new song in anticipation of the album, just to keep fans satiated until autumn. "Dragonfly" has a bit of a faster, progressive feel than anything off of Shoulders & Giants did, which is a nice change for the band, as the last release was set into darker, more chaotic post-rock. The track actually feels like something God Is An Astronaut would release on an upcoming album, which is a potential reason I'm as partial to "Dragonfly" as I am. However, I think the track will do some good in keeping fans held over until Fragments is released. If you're excited for some echoing, quick-paced post-rock, take a listen to "Dragonfly" and eagerly await the release of Fragments Of A Prayer with me.

You can download "Dragonfly" for free from Collapse Under The Empire's own site.

Album Review: Icarus the Owl - Love Always, Leviathan

Album Rating: B+

I'm not majoring in marketing, no, but still something tells me that Icarus the Owl is doing everything correctly in order to sell their second full-length. Their name’s memorable, the album artwork is as grandiose as ever, and even the song titles are a delight, being a blend of importance and classiness. Upon further inspection, though, what’s most surprising is that Love Always, Leviathan holds up to these preconceived notions rather nicely. The music’s just as refreshing as the artwork would suggest, albeit not quite in the same way as expected.

Album Retrospective: Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

Album Rating: B+

As summer rolls in, there's a lot of music that really fits the mood of relaxing and keeping cool, or being active and alive and joyful. I think music is an important part of making these activities memorable, and making a good experience out of something as simple as driving on a beautiful day, or playing frisbee in the park. While we don't connect with these albums on a deeply emotional level, they can make something trivial into something momentarily grand, an attention grabber that can make our day. I think Broken Social Scene's latest and final effort really fits the bill beautifully. Forgiveness Rock Record has some special qualities about it that would simply and easily make a summer day into a musical delight.

Artist of the Day- Paul Simon

August marks the 25th anniversary of Rhymin' Simon's landmark solo album, Graceland. There's a strong possibility that there hasn't been a better album released since the record hit shelves.

Paul Simon always had an ear for hooks and choruses, especially when paired with partner in crime Art Garfunkel. But Graceland stripped away his acoustic guitar, a crutch for some of his more underwhelming material and dropped him into the heart of South Africa.

Opener "Boy in the Bubble" starts with a moody accordion solo, and while Simon strums his acoustic guitar, it gets lost between haunting synthesizers and constant rat-a-tatting of snare drums. "Graceland" opts for bluesy steel guitar riffs and background vocals from the Everly Brothers, but it's Simon whose softly-sung choruses and rambling verses absolutely soar.

Artist Of The Day - Silent Old Mtns.

Silent Old Mtns. have come very far from their very first acoustic demos. Now a six piece band, their debut album Velvet Raccoon is finely tuned folk rock album, where vocalist Andrew Bromhal has finally focused his unique voice and added some force that the earlier recordings were missing. The album sounds top notch, as though it was recorded in a bigger studio than it was, allowing the many layers of guitar, banjo, bass, drums, and keys to shine through. Opener "Ash & Bone" is based off of a groovy bass riff, but soon opens up into a powerful, yet catchy chorus where each member is involved in creating the song's atmosphere. First single "Dead All The Time" may feel like a simple acoustic song which grows into a rocker, but there's a charm in the chorus that can appeal to a widespread audience. Silent Old Mtns. also allow themselves to experiment throughout the album, such as in "Monsters." "Monsters" is a track that starts quiet, but soon adds some crunchiness in the background instrumentals, with banjoist Sam Whalen finally contributing his poetic yelps to the mix in the last minute of the seven minute long track. Whalan also shows off his excellent delivery over the last three minutes of "Mine To Give." The poetry is a staple of their live performances, and while it upsets me that it isn't used more often on the album, it makes the specific moments even more intensely captivating. Velvet Raccoon is hard to classify and unconventional, but the band has made an enormous leap, blowing away even my high expectations. You can stream and download the whole album for FREE on Bandcamp right here.

Live Review: Maximo Park - RPM, Reflex and Beatdown Records - 16/06/2012

Last Saturday, I could have joined the rest of my small countryside village in celebrating the arrival of the Olympic torch on its relay around Great Britain. Instead, I made the short journey to Newcastle to bear witness to another once in a lifetime event - local heroes Maximo Park breaking the world record for the number of in-store record shop performances in a single day! Ok, the appeal wasn't quite so universal as the beacon of the world's greatest sporting event turning up on your doorstep, but the 'Maximo marathon' nevertheless proved a fine way to pass the afternoon.

On the main leg of their run, the Geordie quintet checked-in to three of the city's finest independents - RPM, Reflex and Beatdown Records - having visited Stockton's Sound It Out Records and Sunderland's Hot Rats earlier in the day. Each venue was afforded roughly half an hour of music, after which the band would sign autographs, pack up and be followed across the town by an assembly of fans, most of whom turned up to all three appearances.

Interview With O'Brother

I can safely say that after three shows, O'Brother is one of the best live bands I've ever seen. Combining blissful ambiance with bone crushing heaviness and powerful riffs, the band's live performance is one to be seen. Between shows on Thrice's final tour, the band took some time to talk to MuzikDizcovery on topics such as Thrice's farewell tour, "Lo" being on alternative radio, the new repressing of Garden Window, the uses of Sriracha, a plan to write this summer, and much more, which you can read below.

Album Review: Mixtapes - Even on the Worst Nights

Album Rating: B

Even on the Worst Nights is not a life-affirming record. In ten years, no one will ask you where you were when Mixtapes released it. Let's say pop-punk bands are like grapes. Fireworks and The Wonder Years matured into fine wine with Gospel and The Upsides. But maybe Mixtapes doesn't want to be a Pinot Noir or a Merlot. Maybe being cool and refreshing grape juice suits them just fine, thank you very much. And really: who doesn't like an ice-cold glass of grape juice in the summer?

Dizcovering Muzik: Volume Two Out Now

I am pleased to announce that the free download of our second compilation Dizcovering Muzik: Volume Two is now available, featuring tracks by Maps and Atlases, Jukebox The Ghost, The American Dollar, I Call Fives, Now, Now, Mansions, The Forecast, Athletics, and many more. All of the bands are personal favorites of us at MuzikDizcovery, and there will absolutely be something that everyone can enjoy. Feel free to stream and download via the link below, and let us know what your favorite tracks are. 
Thank you everyone for supporting the site, and here's to another three years!

Artist Of The Day: 10 Paces, Fire

You may remember seeing 10 Paces, Fire on my honorable mentions from last year. The band resurfaced in my memory when I won half off some merchandise for a silly little Facebook fan-page contest, and I received their full length, Lakes Refract & Lakes Reflect, in hard copy shortly after. You can read more about the album on my review of it, but honestly, I had so much as forgotten about it until I'd gotten that CD, and I started listening to it again.

Lo and behold, I was instantly immersed in a wave of nostalgia, thinking and analyzing the record before Andy Wambach's 90's pop-punk, not-so-in-tune whine kicks in on the second track, "Party Hats At 2 O'Clock," and quickly remembering just how truly brilliant I thought the album was on my first time through it. I was a little taken aback by how similarly I'd felt six or so months after release, but in the early morning, on my drive to the daily grind aboard gritty public trains, the record really picks me up emotionally.

Album Review: Athletics - Who You Are Is Not Enough

Album Rating: A-

The idea of a concept album is pretty interesting, but perhaps not so viable in the post-rock setting. However, that doesn't stop New Jersey-based band Athletics from working on such a record. The inclusion of vocals is pretty important if anything related to a concept album is going to be well-developed, though, and the band takes this into account. The result is remarkable. The entire record, a 30-minute work, is one "song" divided into five parts that work off of a central theme, introduced in the first part. It's incredible, and takes the style of a classical theme and variations as opposed to separate parts of an album that flow into one giant collection. Who You Are Is Not Enough breathes, lives, and exudes subtle shifts between the parts that dynamically move the ambiance of each song, and in succeeding, the listener as well.

Artist Of The Day: Arab Strap

Scottish people are notorious for their dour nature, but Aiden Moffat and Malcolm Middleton took that took that notion to whole new sullen levels. Hailing from Falkirk, the pair began collaborating under the Arab Strap name in 1995, and quickly established themselves as key players in the nation's flourishing indie scene. The contrast with fellow frontrunners such as Teenage Fanclub and Belle & Sebastian could not however have been more sharp. Whilst the former pair largely dealt in upbeat and occasionally twee doses of indie pop, Arab Strap wallowed in the glum, uninviting world of "sadcore," and as questionable as that tag is, it's neigh on impossible to think of a better description. Based overwhelmingly around Moffat's blunt and tortured sexual observations, their pissed-up, lethargic and perennially oppressed music is practically unlistenable in most situations. On a late, drowsy and preferably drunken night, though, there's no beating them, especially if like me you bow to anything bearing an unashamedly broad Scottish accent.

In fairness, the duo did lighten their tone a little before disbanding in 2006, but Moffat's lyrical themes were not to be compromised, effectively casting Arab Strap as the archetypal Scottish miserablists.

Recommended Album

Philophobia's opening lyric is as follows:

"It was the biggest ever cock you'd ever seen, 
but you've no idea where that cock has been. 
You said you were careful 
you never were with me. 
 I heard you did it four times
and jonnies come in packs of three."

You get the picture.



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Artist of the Day: Sithu Aye

Dabbling within the realms of progressive metal one catchy riff at a time, Sithu Aye has placed himself in quite the advantageous position as of late. His discography begins with 2011's diverse, yet cohesive full-length Cassini, which showed much of the songwriting capacity that the guitarist is capable of.

Stream Cassini here. 

Cassini emphasized groove over instrumental technicalities, and bolstered some unforgettable tracks as well as immaculate mixing and production. This means even more, considering the fact that it was completed by only one man. Then, 2012 brought the most enjoyable effort from Sithu Aye yet, the brief but comprehensive EP Isles. 

Listen to Isles here.

Isles is a diamond in the rough, simply because it doesn't adhere to the norms placed upon instrumental progressive artists. It certainly has no need to, either; delightfully deep tracks result from a decidedly straightforward approach. The orchestral swells that open the album soon give way to the heavy "Skye," possibly my song of the year thus far. Although it's heavy, though, the track maintains a melodic context that propels its creator to the forefront of his genre's scene. From that blistering moment to "Mull"'s irresistible chorus, and from the tension released in "Jura" to the calming lull titled "Cuillin," there's enough variety in this short and sweet EP for anyone wanting something fresh in the genre.

Album Review: Motion City Soundtrack - Go

Album Rating: B

Motion City Soundtrack is no stranger to dark albums. My Dinosaur Life was just that, from the aggressively attacking guitars on "Disappear" to the moody synths of "Delirium," an off-kilter tune with lyrics about battling substance abuse. Much to the chagrin of an outspoken number of fans, Justin Pierre and company have flexed their pop writing chops as well. Even If It Kills Me is almost entirely a straight-up pop record. Would piano ballad "The Conversation" fit on I Am the Movie? How about wedging goofy "Calling All Cops" onto Commit This To Memory? Probably not.

Album Review: Beau Navire - Lumens

Album Rating: B+

Beau Navire is as Beau Navire does.  For the past two years the band has been making waves within the emotional hardcore community with their distinctly abbrasive delivery and old-school sound.  Last year's Hours was the band's crowning achievement up until that point.  Amidst some impressive early work and a great debut, Hours still stood tall.  Hearkening back to acts such as Saetia and Orchid, it was a brilliantly crafted record in a sea of passable and derivative works.  A mere year later, Beau Navire has appeared to show the world that it isn't a band that rests on its laurels.