recommendations

not much news to report today as i must be doing homework. but the following are bands i have cds by that more people should listen to:

36 Crazyfists - when i got their debut bitterness the star i thought it was great (and it is), but when their second album a snow capped romance came out, i went for months just wanting to make a band that sounded exactly like this. they'd completely hit upon the style i was aiming for in my music, and i love it. (now i'm trying to move onto something else so i'm not just copying them, but i'm still pissed they beat me to it).

Circle Takes The Square - i still can't understand how these guys write their songs, but i wish i could make music like this. it's like a more punk/indie version of DEP, without the aggression (which really makes no sense but is the best i can come up with). the self titled ep is cool, but as the roots undo is a masterpiece. it's more like one long piece of music with different movements and recurring motif's than a collection of songs. or to borrow a metaphor from one of the tracks, it's like the tracks are all woven together into one big tapestry.

Murder By Death - another band who's first album, like the exorcist... but more breakdancing, i loved, but whose second album has just gone to a different level altogether. it's called who will survive and what will be left of them? it's a crazy mix of indie rock, western soundtracks (ie saloon bar music), concept album and cello. if you want an introduction to this band i recommend their performance on the hellfest 2003 dvd, the sound is horrible and they're a huge contrast to every other band on it, but you'll get a strong idea of the combination of wild passion and controlled musicianship they rely on.

also, i just found out billy corgan is touring. cool.