HERMITOLOGY

Random Start: Cave In, “Crossbearer”

It’s crazy that a record this awesome is actually a collection of the first recorded output from a bunch of 17-year-olds from Massachusetts. Then I remember that those 17-year-olds went on to write and record Jupiter and be one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen, and it’s really not all that surprising that they were shredding and writing great songs at an age when most of us barely knew how to play an instrument.

Listen to more Cave In. New and old.

Buy Beyond Hypothermia here.

Random Start: Cloudkicker, “%”

Cloudkicker is no stranger to this blog. I’ve been a fan ever since I heard Ben Sharp’s work a couple of years ago, and even after two or three years of having his entire body of work in heavy rotation, I haven’t gotten sick of it in the slightest. Even though a majority of it is heavy, it has the ability to fit almost any mood. 

Buy ]]][[[ and everything else Ben has ever created here.

Random Start: Poison The Well, “Pamplemousse”

One of my favorite tracks from a vastly underappreciated record from Poison The Well. Chris Hornbrook’s drumming on this record is especially good. I really wish these guys were still making records together.

Buy The Tropic Rot here.

Random Start: David Bazan, “Level With Yourself”

On tour, Random Start’s song pool is a little shallow, as I don’t have my hard drive out with me and only have what I can fit on my iPod and iPhone. (I haven’t embraced The Cloud yet.) So, what you’re getting here is essentially Random Start’s Greatest Hits; stuff that I could see myself going seven weeks without hearing (or having the ability to hear). That said, there’s no shortage of David Bazan or Pedro The Lion on there.

If you’re familiar with my writing, you know that I’ve tooted Bazan’s horn on many a blog, in many a way, many a time. I’ll keep it simple this time…

Bazan is a genius. This song is fantastic. And this performance is fucking awesome.

Buy Strange Negotiations here.

Random Start: Brand New, “Jesus Christ”

My iPod is on a slightly eerie streak of playing songs that are relevant to people I’ve just seen or spoken with. Jesse and Vin from Brand New came out to the show in NYC last night, and reminded me (again) of another reason why I love traveling and playing music; the lifelong friendships with other bands. The tour we did in ‘08 with Brand New and mewithoutYou was the most fun tour I’ve ever been a part of, and seeing those guys last night brought back so many great memories, and such gratitude. Geography and scheduling makes it tough to see friends from tour all that often, so nights like last night are truly special. Love those dudes.

Buy The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me here.

Random Start: Colour Revolt, “Swarm”

Fitting, as last night, Ed, Lukas (Thursday, United Nations, Regents) spoke briefly about how insanely talented this band is, and what a a shame it is that more people don’t “get it”.

Buy Plunder, Beg, and Curse and everything else that Colour Revolt has ever released.

Not-So-Random Start: Sigur Rós, “Saeglópur”

The lady sent me this in the wee hours of the night so that I could wake up to it this morning. If this song doesn’t knock you on your ass, you’re doing it wrong.

Buy Takk here.

Sigur Rós’ new record, Valtari, is out on May 29th.

Random Start: Converge, “Losing Battle”

Wake up. Grab iPod. Hit “songs”. Hit “shuffle”. Press play.

GET PUNCHED IN THE BRAIN.

I AM AWAKE NOW.

Buy Axe To Fall here.

Random Start: Neurosis, “Distill (Watching The Swarm)”

A nine-minute brutal sludge epic seems like a perfect soundtrack for a gloomy day off just outside of Washington D.C.

Listen to more Neurosis.

Buy Given to the Rising here.

Random Start: Coalesce, “In My Wake For My Own”

Sean Ingram has a voice that sounds like it came into its own after years of gargling crushed glass, carpet tacks, and battery acid. And in this context, it couldn’t be more perfect.

Listen to more Coalesce.

Buy Ox here.