Sonic Youth

Action News Team: How To Defend Yourself Against Fresh Fruit

Action News Team is as eclectic as can be with their new record, How to Defend Yourself Against Fresh Fruit. The album comes with a host of blues, rock, jazz and alternative punk sounds that seem tossed inside one giant blender and turned into a smoothie. The band hasn't been sitting idly, in fact they've released about 12 compilations and singles since last year on BandCamp. This is the latest from the roster and the second one to be featured here in the blog. You'll discover a world of boozy dance club vocals, wailing guitars as well as 70s inspired Doors vibe circling all around.

One Lick Less: We Could be Quiet

One Lick Less proves that you can do so much with just drum & bass and the occasional vocals. We Could Be Quiet contains music that hovers around free-ranging blues, progressive improv and even "spectral math rock." When you listen, it's not hard to see all this. The album is an intense, sometimes instrumental, compilation full of eclectic bits and pieces all cohesively working together. The result is impressive, in terms of range and style. It's also something difficult to describe since it's rare to hear such a unique sound.

Automaton: Clarions And Banners

Automaton is an interesting collective from Seattle, USA. Clarions and Banners is their second compilation since they formed back in 1998. Initially known as Automaton Adventure Series, they decided to keep the moniker simple and went with just Automaton for their recent releases. Creating a fusion of alternative indie rock with slight touches of noise, the group admits to being heavily influenced by Sonic Youth and Fugazi but they have slowly deviated and discovered their sound. This is a beautiful record that resonates with charm and energy. Take a listen.

Nude: Love

Nude is a progressive rock band that's not ashamed to play with their tempo, instruments, vocals and mood. Working together for less than a decade, the group is made up of four musicians who are heavily influenced by such prominent alternative, indie and progressive rock bands like  Sonic Youth, Radiohead and Genesis. These four Frenchmen create a mix of moody prog and alternative rock with an overall moody and pensive vibe. This one is certainly worth a listen especially if you adore Tool and the other bands mentioned above.

San Miguel: Primavera Sound Music 2011

Tents, amazing food, crazy outfits, dancing, drinking, and great music that turns thousands of people into your soon-to-be closest new friends; sounds like a ready-made vacation. And if you want to feel like a part of this summer music festival 'movement' be sure to check out the new mix from Primavera Sound. Since crossing into the new year the Primavera Festival already released its preliminary lineup for 2011, and as many of the artists also have some of their mp3s available on the Free Music Archive, Primavera Sound put together a little free album of what is coming up this year.