Death Cab for Cutie Discography

Genre: Indie
About: Originally the sole project of Ben Gibbard, the group's name was taken from a song performed by the Bonzo Dog Band in the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour film. Gibbard expanded the band after the success of the first demo into a four piece outfit. Gibbard's poetic lyrics and straightforward songwriting paint vast images in your mind's eye. Simple but beautiful lyrics include "Drinking champagne from a paper cup is never quite the same" from Champagne from a Paper Cup. The songs are played with a passion and you can feel it. The songs often tell a story, albeit melancholy and heartbreaking at times, that's easily related to by the average human being.
Sounds Like: The Postal Service, The Shins, The Decemberists, Bright Eyes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You Can Play These Songs with Chords Demo (1997)

Experience

Something About Airplanes (1998)

Experience

We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes (2000)

Experience

The Forbidden Love EP (2000)

Experience

The Photo Album (2001)

Experience

The Stability EP (2002)

Experience

Transatlanticism (2003)

Experience

Studio X Sessions EP (2004)

Experience

The John Byrd EP (2005)

Experience

Plans (2005)

Experience

Narrow Stairs (2008)

Experience

The Open Door EP (2009)

Experience

Phish - Lawn Boy

Genre: Jam
Year: 1990
About: I originally wrote a lot about this album, but i accidentally deleted the draft and am too lazy to write it again. Lawn Boy is fucking good, just as good as Junta and possibly even better. Listen to Reba and yadadadadadadadadadadadadaddadadadada DOWNLOOOOOOOAD!!!!!!
Sounds Like: The Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, Umphrey's Mcgee, moe., String Cheese Incident
Experience Part 1
Experience Part 2

NOTE: This album is in WMA Lossless format, resulting is larger file sizes but AMAZING sound quality. Completely worth the extra space. Also, iPod users will need to convert to AAC upon importing (prompted automatically to do so.)

Death - Human

Genre: Death Metal, Progressive
Year: 1991
About: Released by what has been called "the death metal band that started it all," Human marked a stylistic change for the band to a more technical, progressive death metal sound. The lyrics changed from the cliche blood and gore to the introspective and pensive. Get this: you can actually understand these lyrics though he screams them. This album is constantly heavy, relentless, and aggressive, with a few spacey interludes thrown in for good measure, and the riffs are amazing. There are great time changes and start/stop rhythms throughout. This album is incredible, unlike any other in its genre, and if you're a fan of death metal, or metal in general, you're sure to enjoy it.
Sounds Like: Morbid Angel, Atheist, Obituary, Necrophagist
Experience

Rush Partial Discography 1974-1985

Genre: Progressive, Hard Rock

About: Does Rush even need an introduction? Here you will find about the first half of Rush's impressive body of work. Formed in Toronto, Ontario, Rush quickly expanded their sound past the original hard rock formula and became some of the front runners of the burgeoning progressive rock scene around the world. Each member has much technical skill, and the complex songwriting draws heavily from many ideas and otherworldly concepts. After joining in as drummer in 1974 before their first U.S. tour, Neil Peart assumed lyric writing duties for the band, adding more of a fantasy and science-fiction element. Rush rapidly rose to the status of a talented band not to be ignored. They have become one of the most successful musical acts in history, placing them third behind the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in consecutive gold or platinum studio albums, and have influenced a variety of acts in the progressive, metal, and alternative genres.

Sounds Like: Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Kansas, Camel

--------------------------------------------------------------

Rush (1974)

Experience

Fly by Night (1975)

Experience

Caress of Steel (1975)

Experience

2112 (1976)

Experience

A Farewell to Kings (1977)

Experience

Hemispheres (1978)

Experience

Permanent Waves (1980)

Experience

Moving Pictures (1981)

Experience

Signals (1982)

Experience

Grace Under Pressure (1984)

Experience

Power Windows (1985)

Experience

Television - Marquee Moon

Genre: Punk, Post-Punk, New Wave

Year: 1977

About: Imagine complex punk, but Television weren't concerned with speed and aggression like other punk bands. They were ahead of their contemporaries of the time and this introspective album shows it. The instrument arrangement are carefully placed, as not to show off, but you still get a sense of their virtuosity. The lyrics are passionately sung, and at times even seems to be a precursor to emo. The guitar lines are stunning, and weave in and out of your ears wonderfully. Such lengthy compostitions were unhead of in the punk scene at the time of this album's release. You can feel this record; they succeeded.

Sounds Like: Wire, Gang of Four, Richard Hell & the Voidoids, The Modern Lovers

Experience

Wavves Discography

Genre: Lo-Fi, Noise, Pop Punk, Indie
About: Wavves are a lo-fi pop punk band from San Diego, and are led by lead singer/guitarist Nathan Williams (pictured above). Wavves were originally a two-piece band consisting of just Williams and Ryan Ulsh on drums. This line-up was consistent through their first two albums, until Williams experienced a public breakdown in mid-2009, in Spain, due to being fucked up on X and valium (psssssssh). He proceeded to get into a fight with Ulsh and insult the spanish crowd, who then pelted him with bottles and shoes. The next day, Williams apologized and admitted to being addicted to alcohol. Ulsh shortly left Wavves after the incident, and was replaced by Zach Hill (Hella, Team Sleep) for a short time. In November 2009, Hill left and Williams recruited Jay Reatard's former band members, which turned Wavves into a 3-piece band for the first time. Their sound is often considered to be just a noisy blink-182, and while sounding very much like the pop punk gods, Wavves still have enough creative energy to give themselves their own unique sound which should not be missed out on. Any lover of lo-fi jams or catchy noise punk tunes should definitely give Wavves a good listen.
Sounds Like: No Age, blink-182, Jay Reatard, Pavement, Woods, Real Estate
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wavves (2008)

Experience

Wavvves (2009)

Experience

King of the Beach (2010)

Experience

The Grateful Dead - s/t

Genre: Psychedelic
Year: 1967
About: The Grateful Dead are the Godfathers of the jam scene, and this is the album that started it all (over 20 years before the explosion!) Their debut is much more alive and fast-paced than their later releases, presumably due to amphetamines according to members. Closest to the band's true live sound is Viola Lee Blues tying up the end of the album with a nice jam, which errupts into a frenzy of acid-drenched madness before they bring it back together to finish the song. Characteristic psychedelic organ hops around behind the fuzzed out guitars, with Jerry Garcia's leads starting to show some of the individuality he'd later become known for. The entire album is a solid showcasing of what had become the "San Francisco Sound" as shown by the frontrunners of the scene. Released during the the Summer of Love, this album is a perfect introduction to the counterculture of the 60's.
Sounds Like: Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Brother & the Holding Company, Country Joe & the Fish
Experience

Om Discography

Genre: Stoner, Doom, Psychedelic
About: Om formed in 2003 out of the rhythm section of Sleep, with music similar in structure to Tibetan chanting. In 2007, the band played a set in Jerusalem that lasted over 5 hours, which marked a first for a Doom Metal band performing in a very religious country. This is true bong-ripping music, with most tracks lasting well over 15 minutes and each consisting of addicting riffs and heavy, driving drums. Just listening to Om with a focused mind is enough to get you high.
Sounds Like: Electric Wizard, Burning Witch, Sleep, Shrinebuilder, Zoroaster
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variations on a Theme (2005)

Experience

Conference of the Birds (2006)

Experience

Pilgrimage (2007)

Experience

God is Good (2009)

Experience

Amusement Parks on Fire - Out of the Angeles

Genre: Shoegaze, Indie, Post-Rock
Year: 2006
About: One of the most engrossing musical experiences... Amusement Parks on Fire release their second album only a year after the first, but they completely refined and built upon their previous sound. Huge shoegaze soundscapes surround you through this trip, while also being accompanied by a more post-rock style this time around. It is a beautifully written album from beginning to end, and accompanied with their self-titled venture makes for two of the greatest shoegaze albums of the 2000's.
Sounds Like: My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai, Lilys, This Will Destroy You, Swervedriver, Chapterhouse
Experience

Frank Zappa - Hot Rats

Genre: Experimental, Progressive, Jazz Fusion
Year: 1969
About: Highly influencial, Frank Zappa's first solo studio outing is full of inventive songwriting and large scale composition. Unlike anything beforehand, Zappa paved the way for various genres of music on this album, exploring vast uncharted territory with this release. There is some stellar jamming lead guitar throughout the album, carrying the listener through much of the quirky fusion excursions. The ensemble features several new instruments to the rock scene, such as flute, saxophone, clarinet, and electric violin. On a side note, this album marks one of the first 16-track recordings to be released to the public while the Beatles were still working with 8-track technology. For those new to Zappa, as with much of his work, it may take a few listens, but it is thoroughly worth the time.
Sounds Like: Captain Beefheart, Gong, The Mothers of Invention, King Crimson
Experience

Amusement Parks on Fire - s/t

Genre: Shoegaze, Indie
Year: 2005
About: In terms of shoegaze, some may laugh at this album (I however do not, it's one of my favorites!). But in terms of indie rock with insanely heavy shoegaze influence this is one of the best bands out there. Heavily distorted guitars and angelic reverb on the vocals, Amusement Parks on Fire are one of the best indie-shoegaze bands of the 2000's. To not listen is the same as rejecting a free pound of good, stupid.
Sounds Like: My Bloody Valentine, Lovesliescrushing, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Swervedriver, Chapterhouse, Lilys
Experience

Premiata Forneria Marconi - Per un Amico

Genre: Progressive
Year: 1972
About: Not only a masterpiece of Italian progressive, but of progressive rock in general, Premiata Forneria Marconi expand upon their debut record wonderfully. There is liberal use of acoustic guitar, and other non-electric instruments such as flute, piano, and violin, that echo from a lost Baroque era, as well as a more recent Symphonic approach with electric guitar, base, synthesizer, and mellotron. It's pure progressive in nature and swings both maniacally and smoothly between moods, tempos, and melodies. The vocals are smootly sung beautifully in their native tongue of Italian. Even to this day this stunning record doesn't seem dated.
Sounds Like: Gentle Giant, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Le Orme, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso
Experience

Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West

Genre: Indie

Year: 1997
About: Jagged guitars and crushing rhythm back the insightful lyrics of Issac Brock on this album. Massively creative for its time this record is still influential to the indie scene to this day. Lyrics echo the pessimism of disgruntled youth with lines such as "I don't feel and it feels great" off Trucker's Atlas. Singing varies from emotional croons to painful yelps. Schizophrenic, dark, and cynical would be good words to describe the feel of this album, and although it sounds all over the place, it works. If you feel our western society is doomed to degradation, you'll relate instantly.
Sounds Like: Ugly Casanova, Built to Spill, Neutral Milk Hotel, Death Cab for Cutie, Arcade Fire
Experience

Drink to Me - Brazil

Genre: Psychedelic, Indie
Year: 2010
About: A perfect mixture of psych and indie principles, Brazil is probably one of the best albums 2010 will have to offer. Catchy without being poppy, and having amazing stand-out tracks such as "B1" and "David's Hole", this is sure to be a huge sleeper hit among lovers of innovative indie rock and spacey psychedelic music.
Sounds Like: Arcade Fire, Deerhunter, Tame Impala, Atlas Sound, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
Experience

Talking Heads - Remain in Light

Genre: New Wave, Post-Punk
Year: 1980
About: Talking Heads' fourth album really shows them having fully developed their own style. Produced by Brian Eno, this album is full of otherworldly sounds that meld into the mix. This is their most funky outing yet. David Byrne's lyrics contain elements of free-association and stream of conciousness style writing. Latin percussion also has a part in this album's sound. Thought provoking lyrics turn "heads" to the true meaning of this record. Upbeat guitars and swirling blissful electronics back many of the songs, with the last being a more slow almost Joy Division-esque outing. Great songwriting from beginning to end.
Sounds Like: Devo, Television, Gang of Four, Oingo Boingo, Elvis Costello
Experience

Phish - Junta

Genre: Jam
Year: 1989
About: Phish's first studio adventure, this amazing 2-disc selection takes you on one wild ride and is a perfect introduction to such a talented band. It showcases their diverse influences. This album progresses smoothly back and forth between more difficult progressive and jazz fusion sections to laid back funk and rock jams. An unprecedented work at the time of its release, this cemented Phish as the centerpiece of the newly emerging jam scene, as well as bringing live improvisation to a wider audience. Very eclectic and fun, this collection of songs will prove to amuse a music fan.
Sounds Like: The Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, moe., Umphrey's Mcgee, The String Cheese Incident
Experience

Electric Wizard - Dopethrone

Genre: Stoner, Doom
Year: 2000
About: Filled with eerie samples from old horror b-films, this masterpiece of stoner metal epitomizes the genre. The riffs are heavy. The vocals echo with lost hope. The songs are carried along by monster riffs that put you into a manic trance. Old tube amp distortion brings back vintage Sabbath to the mind, whilst the songwriting gives it a more fresh edge. This is the soundtrack to the sound of bongs a-bubbling. LET IT REVERBERATE IN YOUR SKULL.
Sounds Like: Black Sabbath, Orange Goblin, Acid King, Bongzilla
Experience

Hood - Rustic Houses, Forlorn Valleys

Genre: Indie, Post-Rock

Year: 1998

About: A nice ethereal album. It takes its time to build up to soaring feedback-drenched crescendos. Lyrics vary from poetically spoken words to softly sung emotional outpours. Melodies simple, yet sometimes hauntingly beautiful, swirl around your head.

Sounds Like: Yo La Tengo, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Sigur Ros, Talk Talk, Slint
Experience