Arrows: Modern Art & Politics

I discovered this Australian band on Gimmesound.com and have been listening to this album nonstop since. Arrows makes great use of Mineral's slow tempo, intertwined guitar lines to make a gorgeous sound. The vocalist sings with some Springsteen-gruff which definitely separates them from the herd in a good way. Great album all the way through, you won't be disappointed.

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Download

C-Clamp: Longer Waves

I've gotten a ton of great noodles recently plus I have a week left of holiday vacation (w00t) so hopefully I will be pretty active this week. I'm feeling a bit lazy so here's the wiki article on them:

From Wikipedia:

Sometimes referred to as slowcore, C-Clamp placed emphasis on mood, texture and rhythm. Known for their dense layering and simple, yet beautiful vocal harmonies, C-Clamp released only two full length albums in their career. Although they performed live infrequently, they managed to share the stage with many noteworthy bands of that era, including Braid, Castor, Dianogah, Karate and Hum.

Nick Macri went on to perform in the bands Heroic Doses, Euphone, Sunny Day Real Estate, The Lonesome Organist, The Analog Reception, and The Zincs, as well as with the artists Bobby Conn and Jeremy Enigk.


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Shapes Like Dinosaurs: Jurassic Geometry EP & Cretaceous Calculus EP

Shapes Like Dinosaurs is a mathy twinkly band based in Birmingham, Alabama. I have been meaning to post their stuff for a while and considering my last post was ALREADY posted I figured now is as good a time as ever. Their tunes are mostly instrumental with occasional songs with vocals. Personally, I think they should stick to being an instrumental band because their vocals can get a bit too much sometimes. Either way, their noodles are tight and twinkly, just the way I like em! They have two EPs, which I simply loaded up together. If you like one, you'll like the other as well.



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Download

Pennines

It seems like more and more twinkly bands are coming from the UK these days. Bands like This Town Needs Guns and Cats Cats and Cats have gotten pretty big (at least in the blogosphere). Pennines is less mathy than those bands mentions and more melodic, similar to recent post Know Think. I found these guys last night and was hoping I would be able to find something downloadable to post. Luckily, the band has decided to give their music away for free. At first I thought this was their ep "Fair Do's" but that apparently only has 3 tracks and the download link they gave has 6. Maybe someone in the know could clear that up...? Anyway, enjoy the tunes!


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Download

The Six Parts Seven: Things Shaped In Passing

Atmospheric, mostly instrumental twinkles. Definitely has an American Football vibe going on. They have 5 full lengths but this is the only one I am familiar with. Maybe I'll post more when I hear them. This is definitely a good album for this time of year. Enjoy.

Download here
Myspace

Touch Committee: Winter Beard

Touch Committee is another band I found out about through VLV. They play a really fun, catchy, and upbeat version of "indie rock" that would definitely be found in the 90's, but also reminds me of early Meneguar. Despite that, they still know how to riff it up and get noodly (see the whole beginning of "Gold Coast" for examples of this). They also have, what I think, is the best song title ever; "Shitty Avengers". Someone should really make that a comic book. It would be another Marvel universe where The Avengers are just really awful at being super-heroes, thus the Shitty Avengers. Anyways, "Spitting Speed" is probably my favorite jam on this is and is super ridiculous catchy. It also took me a while to realize that there are two different singers and it's not just one guy multi-tracking his vocals, which is pretty cool. Unfortunately, they don't have this album out on any physical releases (yet), but if you're feeling inclined, you can buy the mp3s from any place that would do that sort of thing (itunes, amazon, etc). When I first got this, I could not stop listening to it and every time I go back and remember how good this album is, I listen to it constantly, so listen to it suckas!

Download here
Myspace here

My Favorite Citizen

I forget how I stumbled upon this band, but they rule! They were from new jersey and were only together from 96-98, although their sound is not dated at all. If you would've told me that they were from now, I would totally believe it. Apparently there's supposed to be some discography cd out "soon" according to their myspace, but who knows! They're pretty standard emo/indie stuff from this time period with more jangly guitar parts than twinkly, but they rule and I figured you would all enjoy this as well!

download here
myspace here

Know Think: Clean Closet EP

I've been jamming this band for the past week and have really been enjoying it. 4 twinkly jams with very melodious vocals and great production. Sadly, like many twinkly shit bands these dudes don't play anymore. Many of the members now play in Communipaw but they are very different, stylistically. Enjoy.


Listen
Myspace

Twinkly Mix: Vol. 1

So I came up with the idea of posting mixes of various twinkly bands that I enjoy. I'm trying to spread it out and throw in some classic gems along with the newer stuff. If you enjoy this let me know, and I'll try to keep doing some every once in a while. Enjoy.


1. Brilliant The Brilli Ant - Cats and Cats and Cats
2. Open Sesame - Grown Ups
3. North Brandywine - Pirouette
4. Stranger, You Know - Castevet
5. The 1/5 Compromise - Colossal
6. Elementary Biology - Hightide Hotel
7. White Out - Joan of Arc
8. The Spargo Twin - ...Of Sinking Ships
9. Sepit - Pele
10. American Girl (Version 2) - The Promise Ring

Twinkly Mix, Vol 1

Maps & Atlases: Bird Barnyard EP

If you enjoy this blog, chances are you already know/love this band. I recently discovered Maps & Atlases' first release after years of playing "Tree, Swallows, Houses" and more recently "You and Me and the Mountain" and was surprised with what I heard. Gone are the frantic tappy guitars and crazy vocal lines. What we have here are 3 songs of fairly safe midwestern Braid fans (definitely not a bad thing). What amazes me about this band is how different each of their 3 releases are from each other. These dudes really strive to create something different with everything they do and I can't wait to hear what crazy shit they come up with next.

Listen
Myspace

Pretend: Bones in the Soil, Rust in the Oil

Mostly instrumental twinkles based out of California. Their songs tend to be on the longer side (3 songs pass 10 minutes) but I never feel like they drag on. They use some fairly unconventional chord changes that you don't see much within this type of music. Reminds me a bit of Kickball.

Myspace

Listen

Tooting our own horns: Monument and Deer Friends are recording full length albums

That's right, folks! We're great! Monument is heading up to Philadelphia next weekend to record our first full length with Joe Reinhart of Algernon Cadwallader. We are very excited. Deer Friends (poster Scott's band) is currently in the SAME studio as we speak (type?) recording their first full length album with Kyle Pulley. Both bands have decided to waste bandwidth and update blogs based on their progress. Also, we think we are are very funny.

http://monumentisrecordinganalbumomg.blogspot.com/

http://deerfriendsisrecordinganalbumomg.blogspot.com/

The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up

Halloween weekend and I've got the flu. Excellent timing! I figured I would make the most of my bedridden time and update this here blog. If you haven't heard of these guys you're in for a treat. The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up has the slow-core Northwestern style down completely. In other words, they sound a lot like Death Cab for Cutie before Death Cab for Cutie became this.

They have a handful of releases but these are the only ones that I have. If anyone has something I don't have, please send it my way and I can post it. They have their full discography listed on their website. Their latest/last album "Pick Us Apart" is definitely my favorite and features the song "Silver Sparkler" which is worth the download alone. Enjoy!



Pick Us Apart (2005)





Homemade Drugs (2002)



S/T EP (1999)

Malegoat: Plan Infiltration

Ladies and gentlemen: the Japanese Algernon Cadwallader. I could just leave it at that, but this band is amazing. Apparently these guys became friends with Craig from Be Happy Records over the internet and he was able to convince them to come stateside. They ended up only coming to the east coast for like 4 shows before heading home and I was lucky enough to see them in Baltimore last month. They have this EP and a self-title cassette that can be purchased through Be Happy Records. Enjoy.


Listen Here
Myspace

Penpal: S/T

Here's a cool concept. Two dudes who live far away from each other send musical ideas back and forth until songs form. Sound familiar? The two former guitarists from the band Marquette took the Postal Service formula and applied it to twinkly emo and the results are awesome. Very laid back tunes with minimal vocals and bits of electronic elements which reminds me a bit of Pele/Collection of Colony of Bees. Their album is free for download from their website.


Listen Here
Myspace

Rockets and Blue Light: A Smashed City With Flames and Music in the Air

Here's a fun emo band from New York who I don't believe is active anymore. This 4 song EP is the only thing I could find on them, but it's pretty cool. It reminds me of a less technical/mathy Kidcrash. Sparse vocals low in the mix with dueling guitars twinkling it up front. Dig it.


Listen Here
No Myspace?

Twain Harte

I love the internet. I don't know much about this band other than the fact that they're from California, they rule, and at some point broke up. They're a little harder than most of the stuff I've posted but I fell in love with this band months ago and felt they needed to be heard. Still plenty of noodles, but they are a bit more mathy in a Faraquet-like way. The link I have uploaded is for two releases; 'A Sunny Place for Shady People' and a self-titled EP. I'm more partial to the latter but give them both a listen. You won't be dissapointed.

Listen Here
Myspace

Dasha: Damned If We Do

Female-fronted noodles out of New York. Dasha balance on the border between emo and indie pop. Lots of really awesome drumming on this album. CHECK IT OUT.



Listen Here
Myspace

Grown Ups: Songs

OK so I've found a bunch of cool bands recently so I figured I should try to put a little momentum back into this here blog. LETS DO THIS!




I can't remember where I stumbled across these 5 twinkly jams but I definitely dig Grown Ups. I think the biggest complaint one can have about this 'genre' is that all the noodlely songs blend together after a while. I mean, can you really tell the difference between one Ghost and Vodka song from another? Grown Ups does a good job of mixing catchy sing-along melodies on top of the noodles to really make their songs distinctive. They're from Indiana and most likely listen to the same music you listen to. Enjoy.

Listen Here
Myspace

Owen - New Leaves

I feel half way bad for doing this, but it's really good and this is the internet. I'm also saying this from the get go, pre-order this now. It's totally worth it, obviously. Nothing else to say except this rules and once again, pre-order this if you're going to download it.

Download Here
BUY HERE

Howard The Duck - Demo Cassette

I recently stumbled upon this from the wonderful world of VLV. One of the members from the band posted this there, so I figured it was cool to post it here. Anyways, this shit rips. 2 song cassette demo hugelyyyy in the vein of Rainer Maria, but more riffy and noodly, especially on the second song. I can't wait to hear what they continue to do!

Download Here
If I find where you can buy said cassette, I'll post it!


~Side note~
Dan and I were talking when both our bands played together a few weeks ago how we never post on here anymore, so hopefully that'll change soon!

TOE - Mostly Complete Discography

This band is pretty much everything I love about mathy, twinkly, (mostly) instrumental music. Intricate guitar lines that complement each other very well, not overly complicated but awesome bass lines, and my personal favorite, amazingly tight, accurate drumming. If you like the Mirror upload I posted, then you'll love this. This is their whole discography minus two songs or so. It contains their two EPs, one LP, and a remix cd which has the track from a split with Pele. It's a big download so be patient and enjoy. :]
Myspace
Download
Contents:
The Book About My Idle Plot On A Vague Anxiety (Full Length)
New Sentimentality (EP)
Songs, Ideas We Forgot (EP)
Re:designed (remix ep)

My Heart to Joy: New Tracks from Upcoming Full Length "Seasons in Verse"

This band is GREAT. I can't remember visiting a band's myspace so much just to hear their tunes. They get a lot of Small Brown Bike comparisons but check them out for yourself. These are 4 preview tracks are from their full length "Seasons in Verse" that they are giving out for free. You can also download all of their older demos and 7"s for free from their myspace. The album (CD & vinyl) hits April 10th and I can't wait for it. Expect this band to blow up majorly this year.



Listen Here
Myspace

Dave Davison (Maps and Atlases)

Noumenom: The Megalodon vs. The Blue Whale (Concept Albums Are Fucking Stupid) Demo

This band first caught my attention when they rolled into town pulling a trailer with "MYSPACE.COM/ALIENANTFARM" witten in duct tape on the side. Best. Idea. Ever. If that isn't a damned good indication that these guys are going to rule, then I don't know what is. All preconceptions were confirmed when they began their blistering set. This band RULES. Cramming as many noodles and mathy riffs into 3 minute bursts, Noumenom put on an amazing live show. Think of an instrumental and less wacky Them, Roaring Twenties (see earlier post). This is a 2 song demo that they had when I saw them last summer. Their myspace says they have a split coming out soon with the band Rooftops.

Myspace
Listen Here

Pennines - Demo

This UK band mixes Algernon Cadwallader noodly-ness with Minus The Bear's more dancey style of beats and rhythms. Shit is catchy as hell! This demo only has 2 songs, although their myspace page has a couple new songs that aren't included that are all really good too. Check it out!


Download here
Myspace

Owen - Discography(?)

So I'm uploading my entire Owen folder for my friend and figured I'd post it here since he, more or less, is the master of twinkles. You all know who this is and if you don't, WHY YOU COMING TO THIS BLOG THEN. I had to break this into 3 parts because of Mediafire's 100mb upload rule. I put *s next to the albums so you know which are in which upload. * means upload 1, ** upload 2, *** upload 3.
This upload includes:
track from Association of Utopian Hologram Swallowers *
At Home With Owen *
Daytrotter Sessions *
Demos *
(the ep) *
i do perceive. + bonus track **
Live Cover of "Alison" by Elvis Costello **
No Good For No One Now ***
track from Polyvinyl 2005 sampler **
Split with The Rutabega **
Self-Titled ***
Split with The City On Film **

If you have anything else that I don't have, let me know!
Download here, here, and here.
Buy here. - Polyvinyl just released all his previously unreleased albums on vinyl, including the American Football EP...so get those!

Farady: Slow the Surroundings

Farady was a short-lived band from the DC-area that I had the fortunate opportunity to play with and get to know. They fizzled out just after finishing the recording of this never released EP. One of their members went on to play drums for the Suicide Squeeze band, Metal Hearts for a bit. Their sound is very much like "We Have the Facts" era Death Cab with lots of weaving guitar lines. The best part about this band for me though are the bass lines. Extremely unique and always complementing the guitar parts very well. Check them out.

Listen Here

Myspace

The Butternut Quartet - Self/Titled

This will probably be the most obscure band I will post. Virtually unknown unless you were in the Savannah, GA area in the late 90's/early 00's. They all met at Savannah College of Art and Design and went through many changes before becoming the band they ended up as. Taking a lot of influences from bands like No Knife and Mock Orange, jazzed it up a little, and mixed it with a ton of other influences. As you'll be able to tell, their influences were definitely from all over the place. Some songs instrumental, some have vocals. Sorry I don't have the song names, I think I got a burned copy of this in 2001.
THE JAMS: song 4, 6, 8, 10-12.
Download Here.
Myspace

Hightide Hotel: Porch Luck EP

Hightide Hotel is a band made up of members of Street Smart Cyclist, Hollows, and Western Survival. Their frantic tempos and fill heavy drum beats remind me a lot SSC. They also have some pretty cool quasi-youthcrew, sing along parts which makes me think seeing this band would be a pretty stellar time. The EP itself is a little shakey at times. The drum parts can sometimes miss a hit here and there, and the EP on a whole could use a proper mixing job (vocals too prominent), but it is a great start for a new band. And plus, who can complain when they offer it for free on their myspace? They have a split 7" coming out with By Surprise coming out soon. Looking forward to hearing what these dudes come up with next!

Listen Here
Myspace

Them, Roaring Twenties: Future Sandwich

Holy crap this band...I played with them at a house show maybe a year or so ago and was completely blown away. You can watch a large chunk of their set from that show here. Think fast, mathy noodles mixed with Baltimore-ish hyper neon craziness. I'm not sure how active they are now, but I'd gladly bring this Chicago band back east anytime.

Listen Here
Myspace

Pirouette: Thinking In Subtitles

I can't tell you much about this band other than the fact that they are from Philadelphia (who isn't these days?) and have some totally CRUCIAL jams. Stylistically, think somewhere between Get Up Kids catchy pop punk mixed with your standard tappy stuff. Solid, but lo-fi production gives this stuff more charm. I am definitely hoping/looking to hear more from this band in the near future.

Listen Here
Myspace

The Appleseed Cast - Sagarmatha

Sorry to post twice in one day, but it's the new Appleseed Cast. 'Nuff said.

Pre-order it here.
Download here.

Castevet - I Know What A Lion Is

I cannot stop listening to this demo. They're a newer band from Chicago with members of Oceans and Bongripper. People have been calling them a mix of American Football, Mineral, and Cap'n Jazz, mixed with grizzly beardo vocals. Seriously, this shit is so good. Just download it now.

Listen Here
Myspace

Native - We Delete; Erase

Native is yet another post-hardcore/emo band based out of the Midwest. Unlike many of the Kinsella-worshipers in the area, Native seem to have a strong DC influence. Something about this is vaguely Q and not U, but I can't quite put my finger on it. The vocals can get a little grating after awhile but it's definitely a solid EP. I missed them when they came through town but I definitely won't if they ever hit the east coast again. Looking forward to what this band does in the future.


Listen Here
Myspace

Mirror - On, Then, In

Mirror - On, Then, In

Super fun, catchy, mathy instrumental stuff from Japan. Like pele and ghosts and vodka mixed together with maybe some faraquet stuck in there too. I suck at writing descriptions so just download it, or at least check out their myspace.

Colossal - Welcome The Problems

For my first post for this blog, I'll post what I feel is the epitome of "twinkly shit". This was their first, and only, full length release and is definitely their best material. Their instruments sound like if early Kinsella family bands listened to more "math rock" and kept it really upbeat, complete with trumpets and all! The vocals are definitely different than most bands in this genre, but that only adds to the overall greatness of this band. Lots of jangly chords and twinkly riffs in this one! They also released an EP prior to this and were on several compilations. Unfortunately, they're currently on hiatus, but I really hope to see more from them in the future.

Buy Their Records Here and Here
Download Here

p.s. - I just saw that their LP is only $4 from Grey Flight Records, which is really a steal!

Tenebre: In Everything Give Thanks

Tenebre hail from San Fransisco and play in the style of Ghosts and Vodka/Don Cab. One thing that sets Tenebre apart from this mold is the use of upright bass. As an upright bass player myself, I was skeptical of this being used in this type of music but I feel that it compliments the tappy guitar parts very well. They don't seem to be too active these days, but apparently they released a 12" this summer that you can buy here.

Listen Here
Band

Welcome to Twinkly Shit: The blog for noodles and twinkly dinkly shit

Hi all! I started this blog in honor of all bands that feature the characteristics mentioned above. There are numerous screamo/hardcore/postrock blogs that may feature similar bands, but I figured it was time to honor this tiny niche of music by itself. Hopefully I will get some input from other bloggers soon. Stay tuned.