dark was the night

Dark Was The Night (2009)

Disc 1

Disc 2

No Last FM Tags... I'm gonna say indie/alternative

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is one of the best compilations I own. There were A LOT of great musicians involved in the production of this record. Artists feature Iron & Wine, Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird, The National, Yeasayer, and many more. There are both covers and original songs, including a Blind Willie Johnson Cover performed by The Kronos Quartet, a Vashti Bunyan cover performed by Feist and Ben Gibbard, a Nick Drake song performed by The Books and Jose Gonzales, and more. All of the artists included on this record are top notch and they all do what they do best, make bangin' music. On top of that, this album has outstanding production value studio-wise and was produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner from The National.

Also, this album benefits HIV/AIDS awareness because it was released by Red Hot Organization, which is apparently an HIV/AIDS awareness charity I guess? Regardless, if you have the money buy this album for a good cause. ...If not, download it here.

king crimson

In The Court Of The Crimson King (1969)

"King Crimson is a progressive rock group from England formed in 1969 by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles. Though originally an all-British musical group, later members have included a number of Americans, most notably Adrian Belew and Tony Levin.

The name King Crimson was coined by Peter Sinfield as a synonym for Beelzebub, prince of demons."

Last FM Tags: progressive rock, experimental, classic rock, progressive, rock

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"In The Court Of The Crimson King" is widely considered to be the first ever progressive rock album. Very tasty. Every band member is extremely proficient at their instrument, there are some jazzy elements involved, and the reed solos are awesome. All around a very unique album.

the zombies

Odyssey And Oracle (1968)

"The Zombies formed in 1959 in St Albans, England and gained their initial reputation playing the Old Verulamians Rugby Club in that town. The group was formed whilst the members attended St Albans School and St Albans Boys’ Grammar School.

The Zombies signed to Decca and recorded their first hit, 'She’s Not There' after winning a beat-group competition sponsored by the London Evening News."

Last FM Tags: 60s, classic rock, psychedelic, rock, pop

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This album is ridiculous. Truly an underrated gem.

I'm surprised I didn't post this earlier, definitely an essential.

Some classic 60's rock, this one's up there with Sgt. Pepper in my opinion. Not particularly innovative music, a lot of guys had the same idea that The Zombies had around their time. However, these guys are first class musicians and they put some really great tracks on this record. Santana did a cover of their song "She's Not There" (not on this album) and he made it pretty damn popular. There's a good chance you've heard it at one time or another.

AFI

The Art Of Drowning (2000)

All Hallows EP (1999)

Black Sails In The Sunset (1999)

"AFI (A Fire Inside) is an American rock band from Ukiah, CA that formed in 1991. Their career progression has taken them through notable and drastic changes in music styles from hardcore punk, to variants of post-hardcore and alternative rock, at times including some pop and electronica influences."

Last FM Tags: punk, punk rock, rock, alternative

My Rating For All: ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2

I liked AFI before they got too girly for me with "Sing The Sorrow." Granted, they are still kinda girly in these albums, but it's not too bad. I was a huuuge AFI fan when I was younger, just started to get back into them. Good hardcore punk.

The Art Of Drowning

Black Sails In The Sunset

All Hallows EP

the misfits

Collection II (1995)

Last FM Tags: punk, horror punk, punk rock, hardcore punk, hardcore

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Another great Misfits album. These guys were my all time favorite band from when I was 12 to when I was like 14. Brings back memories. Excellent album, a lot of their albums are just the same tracks rearranged in different order so collection I and II are my favorite. (collection I is posted in an earlier section of my blog)

the faint

Blank Wave Arcade (1999)

"The Faint is an indie rock/dance punk band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska in 1995 The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer, a reference to Norman Mailer. The band Norman Bailer also included Conor Oberst, of Bright Eyes, with whom The Faint toured in 2005. He left shortly after joining and wasn’t let back into the band when he attempted to come back." (lol I thought that last bit was funny)

Last FM Tags: indie, electronic, indie rock, dance, electronica

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great fusion of indie and electronic music, pretty damn unique.

soft machine

Volume One (1968)

Volume Two (1969)

"Soft Machine was a pioneering psychedelic, progressive rock and jazz band from Canterbury, United Kingdom, named after the book The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs. They were one of the central bands in the Canterbury Scene."

Last FM Tags: progressive rock, psychedelic, canterbury, jazz, experimental

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

These guys toured with Hendrix on his "Experience" tour in 1968. Great 60's psychedelic rock band, I'm pretty sure Allan Holdsworth joined this band in their later days, which makes them even more awesome. Either way, great band and solid albums.

Volume One

Volume Two