These things happen all the time, lists, that is. Especially lists claiming to be of “music you never heard.” These are usually semi-indie to really-indie acts that are likely on the verge of exploding into a pile of awesome and Spin Magazine cover shoots. I am now making the same type of list. However, I do hope that some of these are complete surprises and that you haven’t heard them before (sans, perhaps, Mr. Mojiferous, whom knows too much…) on top of the fact that I’m striving to make these records and CDs that aren’t too obscure (ie you can actually find them without spending years in a record store). Also, my remarkable disconnect from the world recently may lead me to believe that I’ve found this hidden gems when in fact, y’all knew about this crap years ago. Anyway, enjoy, listen to a few of these with the playlist at the bottom. The list is short, not long, or, not as long as it could be, if I felt like including some awesome records that you’ll never see or hear again. But I don’t. So there.
- Kraftwerk – Kraftwerk (1972, Vertigo) — This is one of Kraftwerk’s “missing” records that most haven’t heard of. The songs are not the Kraftwerk that we all know and love, in fact, they’re way better than that. Real drums, real instruments, real knob twiddling, totally prog. In my opinion this is one of the most overlooked and remarkable records I’ve heard, period. The song in the playlist is the first on this album.
- This Heat – This Heat (1978, Piano) — I’ve been ranting and raving about This Heat for the last 8 years, so most people that know me know this, but if you weren’t around when I first heard this or you don’t actually know the Good King personally, then you haven’t had the pleasure of hearing me go on and on and on and on about how this band is amazing and blows CAN out of the water. Listen to the track “24-Track Loop” and you’ll understand.
- Original Brothers and Sisters of Love – Jeb Minor (1999, Telegraph Company) — This is one of those groups that was a little too ahead of its time, baroque styling similar to Arcade Fire, storytelling similiar to the Decemberists, and most importantly, sea shanties, as is the song on the playlist, “Legende of Jeb Minor.” Nothing, I repeat nothing, beats a good sea shanty.
- Rock Plaza Central – Are We Not Horses (2007, Outside Music) — Oddly this was a critics pick at Pitchfork that still didn’t seem to get too much attention. It’s a concept album about robotic horses, and the singer/songwriter is also a novelist. Um… what else could you possibly ask for? Perhaps some Neutral Milk Hotel influences? You got it.
- Bruce Haack – Electric Lucifer (1970, Columbia) — This record is sort of legend in record-store lore, but most civilians haven’t had the chance to hear one of the most remarkably progressive electronic albums of all time. Bruce Haack inadvertantly gave us electro and dance, and artists like Radiohead should be leaving flowers on his gravestone.
- Paper Chase – Now You Are One of Us (2006, Kill Rock Stars) — The paranoid ramblings of this hard-indie rock outfit are a nice fit in a world where noise and rock tend not to mix in the best solutions. Paper Chase combine technology and chaos into a well rounded meal that still rocks regardless of its eccentrics.
- Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom – The Days of Mars (2004, DFA) — This record was overlooked by many because it was released in DFA’s prosperous hey-day. It is not your typical DFA record, but instead a study on electronic music, tempo and arpeggio. A remarkable, remarkable record that sits on the top of my playlist regularly.
- A Hawk and a Hacksaw - Darkness At Noon (2005, Leaf) — This is one of those albums usually tagged with words like “ecclectic,” and “wordly.” It’s both of those things, but a fun, Scandinavian sounding romp regardless.
- Primal Scream - XTRMNTR (2000, Astralwerks) — Unfortunately the only track from this album I could find was a Massive Attack remix, but you’ll get the point. This record had a fair following when it was released, but has subsequently been forgotten about. It shouldn’t have been, it’s got some great jams and excellent beats that carry it along being and excellent electro record.
- Turing Machine – A New Machine for Living (2000, Jade Tree) — Widely looked over due to its math-rock roots, Turing Machine’s first record is so much more than just some instrumental masterbation. It does what instrumental rock is supposed to do: rock. No faults, no stopping, no whining, just pure, amazing, instrumental rock. Oh, and it also remembers to have lots of changes, bridges and other fun things — not just building building building CHAOS ala Godspeed/Constellation Records in general.
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