EAR FARM: Heavy Rotation

EAR FARM's Last.fm tells only part of the story, so let's check in with the 10 albums getting the most attention at EF HQ at the moment. There's a song from each album posted below, and a link to purchase each on Amazon/iTunes (if available).
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Rust In Peace by Megadeth - If you haven't already, I bet you're finally starting to realize that my love of metal is pure, real, and entirely devoid of irony. Unless you count hair metal, but let's not go there right now. My point is, I unabashedly enjoy really good heavy metal. And Rust In Peace is much, much, more than really good. It's a metal landmark. Leading up to, and after, seeing Megadeth live this week it has been playing nonstop in my world. It's a record that has aged surprisingly well considering the era it was recorded in; in fact, I'd say that Rust In Peace sounds much better today than Metallica's two albums (Metallica and ...And Justice For All) that were recorded around the same time. All hail Megadeth.

Listen: "Hangar 18"

(purchase Rust In Peace on Amazon/on iTunes)

1992 The Love Album by Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine - This is one of those inexplicably defining albums for me. It came out right around the time that I'd just gotten my driver's license (thus, many hours spent in a car listening to CDs), was full of synth-punk attitude with catchy lyrics, and sated my massive thirst for overtly English music. Alright, not exactly inexplicable. Carter U.S.M. has always been looked down upon by many with "good" taste - f'ing morons.

Listen: "While You Were Out"

(purchase 1992 The Love Album on Amazon)

Dandelion Gum by Black Moth Super Rainbow - I'm finding it odd that, in 2007, Black Moth Super Rainbow is where I'm generally turning for my fix of psychedelia, and not to Animal Collective. It's hard to explain because I feel like Strawberry Jam is the "better" record, but Dandelion Gum is just endlessly more appealing to my ears. I can't help but think of NYC foodie based similes when comparing the two bands: Animal Collective's latest is like listening to Wylie Dufresne's mad scientist tasting menu and Dandelion Gum is like a nice large bowl of the Momofuku ramen at Momofuku. I suggest trying both records, and both dining experiences, and then get back to me. Sorry, blame the bands - they're the ones with the edible album titles.

Listen: "Sun Lips"

(purchase Dandelion Gum on Amazon/on iTunes)

We Are Him by Angels Of Light - Darkness. Madness. Genius. Are you listening to this record yet, or WHAT?

Listen: "Black River Song"

(purchase We Are Him on Amazon/on iTunes)

Manners Matter by Mancino - Slowly, but surely, people are catching on to Mancino and their debut album Manners Matter. I wish I could say I'm surprised that it's taking everyone so long to realize how excellent this band is, but frankly it doesn't surprise me one bit. Not because their songs have a long gestation period, per se, but rather because indie-rock fans are a tad too insecure for their own good sometimes. Anyway, buy this album. And then see Mancino LIVE at EAR FARM's Second Annual Halloween Show - 31 October @ Club Europa in Brooklyn.

Listen: "L'amour (or Less)"

(purchase Manners Matter on Mancino's website/on iTunes)

Beautiful Targets by Hopewell - Hopewell literally reaches for the stars with their soaring, anthemic, psychedelic-infused rock. They blend the romantic ambition of Bowie with the spaced-out snarl of Spiritualized and what comes out is pop-rock that's, in a word, immense. In some ways slightly out of time, Hopewell would've been a huge success in the '70s. Today they've found a home in the realm of indie-rock performing alongside bands such as British Sea Power, Elefant, the Comas, and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. You can see Hopewell LIVE at EAR FARM's Second Annual Halloween Show - 31 October @ Club Europa in Brooklyn.

Listen: "All Angels Road"

(purchase Beautiful Targets on Amazon/on iTunes)

Goes Cube Songs 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 by Goes Cube - When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, looks you crooked in the eye and asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Goes Cube always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Goes Cube?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." Huh? Oh, that's a play on a line from the classic film Big Trouble In Little China. I like that film almost as much as I like this band. For some reason, the two seem to go together. To me at least. See Goes Cube LIVE at EAR FARM's Second Annual Halloween Show - 31 October @ Club Europa in Brooklyn

Listen: "Goes Cube Song 46"

(you'll have to wait a little while before you can buy these songs)

A Farewell to Kings by Rush - Still listening. Over and over. Rush rules! "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose..." Wait, that's not on A Farewell to Kings, that's from "Circumstances" on Hemispheres. Whatever. Shut up nerd.

Listen: "Farewell to Kings"

(purchase A Farewell to Kings on Amazon/on iTunes)

I Can't Sleep Unless I Hear You Breathing by Man In Gray - Is it a crime to find the first three tracks on an album "enough" upon first listen? Not in a bad way, at all, but more like "dude, those songs rocked me, fair and square... uncle!" I'm finding that happens more and more with me (call it 2K ADD) and that's kind of where I was when I first listened to I Can't Sleep Unless I Hear You Breathing. I took in, and enjoyed, the whole album, but what I kept going back to were the first three songs. They're blistering guitar slice and dice material. Pretty Girls Make Graves/Sonic Youth territory. Well, though I've had this record for many months, it wasn't until much later that I realized the depth of I Can't Sleep Unless I Hear You Breathing. Listen to a sample below - the song "Crawl" is the album's solar plexus. An accelerating anthem of understated pop with spaced out guitars that evolve into crash and burn emoting, handclaps, and dueling solos. A thrilling four and a half minutes to be sure. See Man In Gray LIVE at the EAR FARM and Serious Business Records CMJ show - 17 October @ Bar Matchless.

Listen: "Crawl"

(purchase I Can't Sleep Unless I Hear You Breathing on Serious Business Records/on iTunes)

Baby Comes Home by Patrick Cleandenim - I liked old-school revivalists Stray Cats, Harry Connick Jr., and Squirrel Nut Zippers upon first hearing them; likewise, I am enjoying Cleandenim's Baby Comes Home. It's happy cocktail music and it makes me want to dance. In a suit. Time will tell if this is a keeper, or just a passing fancy.

Listen: "Days Without Rain"

(purchase Baby Comes Home on Amazon/on iTunes)