Tiny Mix Tapes

Dan Deacon, Frog Eyes, and Mount Eerie have come together to create an album with all the profits going to benefit Darfur. Regardless of how much you may be sick about all this crap with Darfur and the raped women, children, blood flowing throughout the land, and complete detestation of the region and surrounding countries, you can get a high quality mix and benefit a good cause. Not only does it go to a totally secular organization and 100% of your money goes directly to the cause, but you can also rest easy knowing your money isn't going to fascism, ie EMI. Enjoy!

http://www.tinymixtapes.com/FOR-SALE-Tiny-Mix-Tapes-Vol-1

the cause

Happy May Day

First, this is a declaration of love for my family, both blood and organic, human and non-human.

Second, this is a declaration of war against all self-interest, selfishness and again to the people who designed, implemented, and maintained this system called capitalism that rewards people for robbing our mothers; our future children for money.

Thirdly, this is a dedication to all who make sacrifices in this struggle against this rotten world; quiet cancer system; especially in how it manifests itself internally.

And fourth, if me talking about politics and reality instead blinking and blocking bothers you, then go fuck yourself, because I have enough friends as it is.

- 1-Speed Bike, "The Day That Mauro Ran Over Elwy Yost"

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Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue

Bands with a giant roster featuring nameless members playing violin or French horn or the singing saw have dominated the psychedelic folk scene as of late. Arcade Fire brought it a level of widespread popularity and electronic elements which spawned Animal Collective's newest album makes the possibility of the black figures of Mac commercials dancing to funky freak-folk beats conceivable. Even had bought into this after rather douche-y conversation with a friend at lunch over how the typical rock band setup (guitar, bass, drums, vocals) was dead as almost everything that could be done with this setup has already been done.

I hadn't yet listened to this Parc Avenue. Plants and Animals take the rock band setup and shove it in your face with a wide array of styles throughout the album. With more experience in creating rich guitar instrumentals, Plants and Animals have very matured sound that outpaces their lyrical content. Their early work focused completely on their guitar work and originally seemed to fringe on becoming a instrumental psychedelic group. But this album in particular shows the group's insistence in creating a more dynamic sound. Although there are instances throughout the album that reveal the inexperience working with a vocal aspect of their sound, their experience manipulating the sound of their guitar work gives them a unique sound on every track and results in a rich assortment throughout.

The vocals of guitar-vocalists Warren Spicer and Nick Basque have a broad range as they both bring out catchy gang vocals and fit in smoothly along their unique guitar riffs. As a Midwestern appreciator of Neil Young's vocals, even above those of his counterpart Bob Dylan, I find it easy to appreciate the folk-style vocals of this group. But Plants and Animals still produce a unique, mellow style to their vocals and admirably avoid recreating vocals of better-known folk groups.

Plants and Animals with Parc Avenue have made a totally new sound using their own unique experience and utilizing elements of the genre to which they adhere. Their blend of psychedelic, droning guitars with a lyrical and vocal style reminiscent of another Canadian accepted by the American South give hope to a folk movement that has nearly exhausted its resources of quirky instruments to turn to when seeking originality.

Plants and Animals are touring Europe currently and will be in the US for Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago

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