Happy Halloween!

I’m not gonna patronize you by writing “Boo!” as the first line of the post this week. But Primus’ greedy goblin video should spook ya nice and spooked!

No ghosts, ghouls, or phantoms this week, but The Zombies are getting ready for their Hall of Fame induction on the 50th anniversary of hit album Oddessey & Oracle. Some spooky but strong (and just so incredibly beautiful) soulful protest from Ibeyi has dropped–this link feat. Kamasi Washington, who also has a new album out!–plus an album from the Stranger Things spooooky soundtrack spookers. 

It’s not holloween anymore, but I just dumped out my pillowcase full of sweetz n trickrtreatz from last night and found some MD PICKS!!!

The lonely neighbor down the street who was giving out king size Milky Way bars must have slipped these into my bag….

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Calvin: King Krule – The Ooz 

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“I’m a little suspicious that King Krule is maybe just stealing his music from another planet instead of writing it himself because he combines so many styles that The Ooz just ends up sounding mysterious, incomparable, and weird. Some of the most obvious reference points range from jazz and trip hop to punk, but despite its large variety of influences, the album feels extremely cohesive and drenched in atmosphere. The stand-out tracks on this thing are all massive, imposing songs that build momentum with King Krule’s booming voice, crackling drums, and unpredictable melodies, but the majority of the album takes on a dreamier tone, full of ambient tones and soft guitar plucking. Lyrics range from surreal visions of human-shark hybrids to more serious personal anecdotes. This album kinda sounds like being alone in an airport at four in the morning. Check out Dum Surfer for the heavier side or La Lune for the pretty stuff!”

What astounds me is the subtle latin influence on this album. Where’d you find that Archie? Half Man Half Shark is pure genius, my fave off the album: listen above.

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Big fan of this 2 piece indie bopper (emphasizing “bopper”) frum the 2 0 sickness! I remember a fun dance video released for a single off their last album, called “Buck”. they push back stereotypes and haters with a smyle on they faces. Great style, great mustaches, a handsome twosome they b. upbeat synths & base get you bouncin, with really fun sax solos to keep it Yung & Sexy! giving off a Portugal, the Man and Unknown Mortal Orchestra vibe. I really like the first 2 tracks and Sleepy Eyes.

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Cory: Fever Ray – Plunge

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“Fever Ray is back! It’s only been like 8 years – after a stellar debut, Plunge picks up right where the S/T album left off. An ever darker project of Karin Dreijer (The Knife), Dreijer mixes the heaviness of classic The Knife beats with a previously unseen inner mania. Despite the usual frequent dissonance that populates the album, she clearly wants to make this album her most vulnerable yet. We get a lot of her voice in the mix (with much less modulation than before), with the chaotic beats perfecty complementing her very dynamic performance. The record is a rollercoaster for sure, and even an identifiably dirty vibe cannot keep this album from being unpredictable. The shifting atmosphere makes for a unique experience, but she also is well grounded in her lyrical ability. Clearly drawing from experimental legend Bjork (in sound as well as lyrics), Dreijer’s fractured drama hits all the classic topics from political (“This Country makes it hard to f**k”) to sexual (“I want to run my fingers up your pussy”). An interesting turn for her lyrical content, but the fearless lack of self-control adds greatly to the album’s quirky eeriness. A major step forward for the Fever Ray project, this album is sure to make quite a few waves with its innovative combination of atmosphere and powerful performance.”

This is one of the creepiest things I’ve ever seen. check out the tea party scene on this video if you didn’t feel like you got spooked enough last night!

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Gardner: The Cactus Channel – Stay Awhile

“This album is as fluid as the artist name is weird. The Cactus Channel make a strong case for the quality as a band with this release, and add their name to the growing list of complex and compelling rock acts coming out of the South Pacific. Strongly reminiscent of fellow Australians King Gizzard in their soft rock/psychadelic jazz phase. This release is musically multi-dimensional, emulating the bubbling near spontaneity of the Menahan Street Band and the tight guitar work of Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. in how it really makes your brain work, following along with the lush guitar dips and spiraling horn themes, all tied together by layered Drugdealer-esque vocals. Check out Storefront for that Australian soft rocking head bopping fun.”

Well, I hope everyone enjoyed this Halloween special! Listen to my fave track from Lotta Sea Lice played live on the beach, and keep on spinnin’ those jamms, folks!!