Bandcamp Picks of the Week 3/30/16
Two more stellar records brought to you by Bandcamp Picks of the Week!
Memorials of Distinction – A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY
Genre: Alternative, Post-Punk, Shoegaze
Favorite Tracks: “Bad Vibes,” “Doused 666”
UK label Memorials of Distinction initially caught our attention because of their support of rapper JPEGMAFIA, but the label has quite a bit more up their sleeves, as showcased on this new compilation tape of many of their artists. With lots of dreamy, post-punk sounds saturating the tape from artists all over the world, this is an exciting way to peer into what’s going on in the very underground of music right now. A personal favorite has to be “Bad Vibes” by Zebrafi, a bedroom project of a London teenager with enough reverb and layers to feel like it’s recorded by a hefty and experienced band. This tape officially releases April 1st, and there are still half a dozen physical cassettes available for order, if that’s your kind of thing.
Bosques di mi Mente- RUIDO BLANCO
Genre: Contemporary Classical, Minimalist
Favorite Tracks: “Nubes Apiladas en Forma di Montanas,” “La Ultima Vez que Estuvimos Todos Juntos”
When you generally think of Bandcamp bedroom projects, it normally conjures up the sounds of introspective electronica or post-rock, but Bosques di mi Mente completely subverts this expectation. It can be easy to forget that Bandcamp has a pretty spectacular selection of contemporary classical, and RUIDO BLANCO is a hidden gem in that section. Written and recorded mostly in isolation within a big city, every note and phrase on this LP bleeds with loneliness and a desire to connect. If you’re in a transition in life and feeling similarly disconnected, RUIDO BLANCO is a worthwhile venture in grounding yourself in heartfelt and stirring melodies. You can listen to it here.
XCrimeDogX- 1984-1986
Genre: Hardcore Punk, Parody
Favorite Tracks: “Make Your Body Last,” “Marijuana (Don’t Try It),” “I’m Glad I’m Me”
In the 1980s, in the height of the Reagan era war on drugs, the character of McGruff the Crime Dog was unleashed on the world to spew saccharine propaganda telling kids to stay away from drugs and alcohol. Simultaneously, within hardcore punk communities in Boston and Washington DC, there erupted the straight edge movement that adamantly advocated for drug-free living as a means to differentiate oneself from the norm and to be a more rational critic of society. As you can probably imagine, both of these forms of music were incredibly domineering a preachy, and now some genius has brought them together into one perfect parody. Like all great forms of parody, this is so effective because it faithfully renders the sounds of both McGruff the Crime Dog and straight edge bands like Gorilla Biscuits and Youth of Today, while simultaneously highlighting how ridiculous both kinds of music are. For any fan of hardcore punk, this is a must listen, which you can do here.
Carter Moon
Carter Moon grew up in the desolate Evangelic capital of the world and responded by developing a taste in counter culture, which eventually bloomed into a love for filmmaking and screenwriting. Carter has average opinions on most things, but will defend them adamantly and loudly until no one else wants to bother speaking up. He runs Crossfader's podcast, IN THE CROSSHAIRS.
