Ad Astra Per Aspera

Ad Astra Per Aspera (or "Through hardships to the stars") is a Kansas-based indie/punk/tropical band who first caught my attention with their fabulous 2004 EP, 'Cubic Zirconia'. The five-piece is literally a labor of love -- two of the members are married, another two dating, and I'm guessing the bass-player does mad drugs and gets all the groupies. Maybe.

The 2006 follow-up full length 'Catapult Calypso' is another solid release, though the EP is hard to top. Currently they're back in the studio working on four separate 7" releases (the first of which is done, and you can hear the 2 songs on their myspace):

"Each 7" is dedicated to a specific influence. Originally we wanted each 7" to be genre-specific, but we've already strayed from that. The first 7" then well be a Rock / Avant-Rock influence. The second 7" is Afro-Pop influenced. The third 7" will contain two instrumental songs that i call "slow-burners." The fourth 7" influence is undetermined. Punk? Hardcore? Country? Sasquatch?"

Exciting band worth checking out -- I put both of these in one link.

Cubic Zirconia EP

Catapult Calypso
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The Big Sleep - Sleep Forever

The Big Sleep crafted one of my favorite releases (so far) of 2008 -- a cascading rock album coated in lush keys, two great complementary vocalists, and thick and effective guitar tones blasted through feedback and effect-pedals. The Brooklyn trio are garnering attention for their wonderful live show -- most recently winning over concert-goers at Bonnaroo with their powerful and dynamic stage presence.

Whether it's the driving tempo of "Slow Race" or the atmospheric head-trip of "Organs", 'Sleep Forever' is guaranteed to impress by effortlessly turning over stones in rock music. Highly recommend checking this out.

Sleep Forever
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red sparowes - 'Aphorisms [EP]'

Doing another quick upload since I'll be gone for most of this weekend.
Enjoy, it's the new 3-song EP 'Aphorisms' from red sparowes.

Aphorisms [EP]
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Immortal Technique

I first heard Immortal Technique on his 'Revolutionary Vol. 1' album -- and simply put -- dude blew my mind. He wrote Revo 1 while in prison, and the anger and wit he harnessed was unlike anything I'd ever heard. What's better, is he's kept up that same intensity since Revo 1 -- or since he started slaying freestyle circuits throughout the NY area -- using his earnings to fund Revo 1.

In my opinion, no one else in hip-hop (I'd even say, in music) deserves the respect that Tech has earned for himself; Tech has pushed all his own albums himself, has turned down multiple major labels so as to not sacrifice his message, and only keeps enough of his profits to continue making music -- the rest he's invested into children's hospitals, orphanages (one recently in Afghanistan), multiple immigrant's rights organizations, sharing his message to inmates in prison, throwing multiple benefit shows, funding high school writing competitions, and writing a massive amount of material on issues both foreign and domestic to enlighten and inspire -- which carries over into his music and vision.

In other words, Tech is an admirable fucking dude -- in all walks of life.

Immortal Technique & Green Lantern

Tech's latest release was the mixtape with Green Lantern -- 'The 3RD World'. Definitely his most polished work in terms of production, and Tech himself has never been more on-point, all while branching out and expanding on his sound.

AND NOW YOU KNOW THIS AIN'T A TREND OR A FASHION --
THIS IS MY LIFE AND MY PASSION -- FUCK TRYIN' TO CASH IN NIGGA
I NEED MORE THAN ADVANCEMENTS AND A RENTED MANSION

The best news? Revolutionary Vol. 3 is coming soon. And we sonsa-bitches truly aren't worth it.

Cool vid for 'Caught In A Hustle':

Revolutionary Volume 1
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Revolutionary Volume 2
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The 3RD World
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3RD World album notes:

In the final stages of constructing this record I realized that it would literally take me several pages to thank everyone that was involved with the release of this album. And, that I would probably forget someone here and there who was an integral part of the struggle that we have fought over the course of many years. I know Dj Green Lantern has just as many people to thank.

So instead we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that made this possible, the producers, artists, business associates, family, friends, soldiers and supporters, who saw the vision either from the beginning or somewhere along the way. What you see here is not just the work of one man but many people that came together to form a strong Rebel force, a voice, a plan and a method of execution. This project is a bridge between Revolutionary Vol.2, The Middle Passage and of course the long awaited Revolutionary Vol. 3.

I didn't start a Revolution, rather I found one that already been in progress for the course of many centuries. It was never my plan to bring people freedom, but rather to find it among them because only together is such a thing possible. I was told by many that this was a hopeless struggle, a novelty for those that wanted to romanticize life with a purpose. They said when I entered into the industry that I would find a world full of people who are apathetic about injustice, indifferent to suffering and incalculated with devilshness. I was told that among even my own brothers who were of this mindset I would find the most corrupt, jealous, and spiteful. And sadly while some of this was true, there were those from the Revolutionary community and from unexpected corners of this industry that supported this movement...Those that reached out to me, that answered the call, not just for me but for our people around the world who bear the burden for whatever priviledge we have in this country despite the inequality present. The 3rd World is a call to those around the globe that would join us in this fight, in whatever capacity you can.

Thank you & God bless,
Immortal Technique

***

The Coma Lilies

Formed in the San Francisco bay area in 2001, THE COMA LILIES strive to craft music that pleases the ear without being at all predictable. Trademarks of their sound include haunting guitar and keyboard melodies, and an innovative, energetic rhythm section.

While still very much a rock band, the dual influences of electronic music and film scores have become increasingly prominent as the band has progressed. THE COMA LILIES pay close attention to detail; structural and compositional decisions are not made lightly. As a result, THE COMA LILIES manage to achieve an intricate and layered sound without sacrificing clarity or definition.

Though recently defunct (though all the members are involved in another project, Sex Goddess) these guys put out two really great releases, a self-titled full length and the 8-song EP 'Memento Mori'. Scary to think all five members were just eighteen when recording the self-titled. Plus they banged out a sweet cover of Aphex Twin's "4":

THE COMA LILIES
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Memento Mori
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Konceptual Dominance - Savage Intelligence

Konceptual Dominance (King Koncepts/Koncepts Unlimited & Kirby Dominant) released a gem of a debut album in 2000; 'Savage Intelligence' cuts as a quick-witted and fluid hip-hop release that stands among the finest offered from the Bay Area.

Koncepts & Kirby described the album as an observation on the evils of men -- and the thriving influence of man's "Savage Intelligence". Both Koncepts & Kirby meld together seemlessly, hitting you like the Binary Star you never heard. Savage? Yes. Intelligent? Yes.
Don't sleep on this album.

Your lyrics ain't penetratin'
They need some medication --
cause they sickly
Drop the M-I-C and get you an I-V

Savage Intelligence
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Bondage Fruit

One of the best examples of Japanese Zeuhl music, Bondage Fruit incorporated multiple genres to construct their sound; progressive guitar-lead bombardments akin to Mahavishnu Orchestra, avant-garde jazz structures, and ethnic drum-frenzies layered beneath dual female vocalists just scratches the surface of their sound. Vocalists Aki and Saga Yuki fit perfectly with the band's improvisational direction -- using no actual words/lyrics in favor of personal interpretation while singing to create delicate and often haunting chanting.

But after the release of 'II', both the singers had left the band, steering the original founders (from 1990, led by guitarist/synth player Kido Natsuki) to a more guitar-driven experimental sound, both on the 'III: Récit' and my personal favorite 'IV'.

Guitarist Kido Natsuki keeping it real

The two song, 50-minute long 'V (Skin)' veered even more from their Zeuhl roots to a less chaotic, more accessible sound but remained interesting and well-crafted -- "Frasco" is a beautifully paced Kimbo-slice to the cranium which more than warrants a listen. Finally, the latest release 'VI' (2005) is another all-around solid release and unique addition to their catalog -- building on 'V' with its more traditional/Western sound.

Definitely among the greats in experimental music -- my personal favorites being II, IV, and V. Highly recommend giving them a chance, or diving deeper if you've already been introduced.

I
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II
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III - Récit
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IV
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V - Skin
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VI
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