Banned Books – Mission Creep

Banned Books are a band hailing from the Philadelphia/ South Jersey area. I saw their record “Mission Creep” in AKA Music one day, and didn’t really have the money to buy it, so I just kept their name in mind til I got home. I ended up buying the album online, and I’m glad I did. These guys mainly play a crazy sprawling mess of heavy blues rock driven guitar, but then there are times on the album when you’re just thinking, “What is going on here?” They completely change things up and never give you a chance to see what’s coming next. I think that’s why I like them too much, too. It’s the element of surprise that can make music so interesting sometimes, and these guys use it to their advantage. One song will be completely guitar driven (Mission Creep), and then they’ll go into a dancy, electronic jam like “Anti-Anthem”. Definitely worth hearing.

The album starts off on the opening track “The Alarm”, and I think this one serves nothing more than being an opening track. It’s a near-instrumental start to the album, and it more-or-less gives you a sense of what the rest of the album could be like, although you’re probably still not entirely sure what’s going to come later on. This is just the magical pathway that leads you to the rest of the madness that is “Mission Creep”.

Following up would be the self-titled “Mission Creep”, and this is when you’ll first see what Banned Books are all about. Heavily distorted blues rock influenced guitars take control of this one, and they don’t really let go until the song is over. They pause for a bit about 3/4 of the way through to give us a chance to catch our breath, and then they go at it again for the last 40 seconds. Because that track took on a more guitar driven sound, this next one is going to catch you off guard. It’s a crazy fast paced song dominated by lots of little sound effects like hand claps, tambourines, squeeks, and whatever else you think you hear. Singer Zane Kanevsky whispers at points in the song, giving it an almost creepy feel, all while the use of the restrained guitar and keyboard guide us through. Suddenly the next track “Wilderness Area” starts out of nowhere, and now we’re back in familiar territory…at least for now. The bluesy guitars come back for the start of this one, being much more in line with the song “Mission Creep” we heard earlier. For the last half though, they take a step back on the intensity and lazily ride out the rest of the song (It’s parts like this that make me think why this album had a “FFO: Animal Collective…etc” sticker on the front).

Skipping ahead to the fun track “Summer Death Camp”, this one again features some heavy guitar. Lead singer Zane Kanevsky sings about “roasted marshmellows and cyanide”…interesting! I want to go to summer death camp! It sounds like a blast, right? This song changes completely about halfway through though, so don’t get too excited about death camp. I’m not even sure what to say about that second half; it sounds like breaking glass and like the world as we know it is crashing down right beneath our feet. Suddenly summer death camp doesn’t sound like much fun anymore! But it’s okay, because the next song “Anti-Anthem” can make you happy again.

Every time I think this album can’t get any more different, it does. This song starts off like it’s coming completely out of left field with it’s icy, shimmering sound effects and dancy, fast paced drum beat. The last half of the song, (whether Banned Books like it or not) , turns into a hell of an anthem with singer Zane Kanevsky wailing “This is not the voice of your generation/ You’re just another overnight sensation,” over the mix. They use minimal guitar in this one as this is definitely a song of its own on this record. Fantastic stuff right here. The album ends on the oddly named “Black Knot of Plum or Cherry”, and again this one starts out completely different than any other song from the album. I’m not too sure I agree with this song in regards to everything else we just heard on the album, but still worth hearing and even worth buying (they only pressed 300 copies of “Mission Creep”)! Definitely looking forward to hearing new stuff from these guys as well, it should be interesting. Follow the link at the bottom if you wish to buy the LP, and be sure to check out the songs I have for you below, I think you’re going to like them.

My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Blues Rock, Experimental, Electronic
Mission Creep: Tracklist:
1.) The Alarm
2.) Mission Creep
3.) Supernatural Mongoloid
4.) Wilderness Area
5.) Trophy Wife Sings the Devil’s Fanfare
6.) Summer Death Camp
7.) Anti-Anthem
8.) Black Knot of Plum or Cherry

Banned Books on Myspace
Banned Books Official Website
BUY the album directly from Stumparumper Records

The Samps – The Samps EP

So with all of the recent chillwave stuff we’ve been seeing and hearing, it only seems appropriate that the Samps are putting out their debut EP. The EP is due out on Mexican Summer and should be available by June 15th, and it’s filled to the brim with danceable pop tracks, ranging from bent disco pop, dance-club electronica, and possibly even a bit of techno/house music. It also seems as if the songs were completely submerged underwater – they add this extra layer of summery haze over top of the whole project, almost as if this EP was made for Summer, and now this is our result. This groovy EP is bound to put a smile on your face as it forces you to get up and move without giving you any other options. As many other reviews go on to say, they cover quite an array of pop music in their short 15 time span, and the sounds they capture is enough to send you through a loop and keep you coming back for more.

The EP kicks off on the oddly named “Wizards Sleeve”, and if your first listen was anything like mine, then you’re going to be completely lost when this song starts. It goes through a few different sections at first, including manic laughter and otherworldly sounds, but they finally get to their point with a floating keyboard and magical sounding landscape, and once you’re finally comfortable with how it sounds, they change it up and it’s time for track two. This one is called “F.X.N.C.”, and I don’t know exactly what it stands for, but this track is a mess of all sorts of crazy sounds and effects that could literally lift you up out of your seat and put you into outer-space…that is, if you’re mind wants to take you there. The mangled bass lines are enough to keep your attention, not to mention the glowing, shimmering sounds they used to create soundscape-like songs rather than just individual dance gems. Following up is the longest song from the EP, “Yellow Jacket”. This tracks falls a bit more on the funky side, and you can hear it clearly through the slap-bass and whatever else qualifies to you as being “funky”. I’m finding it very difficult to not bounce my head along to the beat while listening to this funked out tune. This sounds like music you would hear on another planet or something, it’s nuts.

Skipping ahead to what would be the B-side of this EP, now we’re on the track “Hyperbolic”. “Hyperbolic” starts off with classic computer-sounding beeps and bops as the song continues to get more and more complex. I think it’s safe to say that I still feel like I’m floating around in space somewhere on this one. I think that’s a feeling that’s difficult to get away from while listening to this EP, too. Just picture a dance floor and people going totally ape-shit as they dance and dance without another single care in the world. That is this song. Last on the EP would be the track “Peppergood”, which again brings forth the funky rhythms and that immediately recognizable slap-bass. It’s just too good to ignore, seriously. This is probably my favorite part of the EP right here too. They end it on a good note, and they do it all without ever giving you a chance to think otherwise. If you like dancing and having a good time, this EP is certainly for you. See what you think by listening to the tracks below! Enjoy! And seriously, tonight’s our night. LET’S GO FLYERS!!

F.X.N.C. –

Yellow Jacket –

Peppergood –

My Rating: 7/10
Genre/ Tags: Electronic, Dance, Instrumental
The Samps EP: Tracklist
1.) Wizards Sleeve
2.) F.X.N.C.
3.) Yellow Jacket
4.) Thys
5.) Hyperbolic
6.) Peppergood

The Samps on Myspace!
Download music by the Samps for free from RCRD LBL
Download the EP digitally from Mexican Summer, or wait until June 15th and order the vinyl!

Javelin – 2

My Rating: 9/10
Genre/ Tags: Dance, Electronic, Hip Hop

Does anybody remember the first post I made about Javelin back in December? Probably not, but the link in the last sentence will bring you to that post. The reason I am asking is because the new material that is mentioned I now have in my possession! It’s simply called “2”, and it’s by the same cousinly duo comprised of Thomas van Buskirk and George Langford that you already know and love. It’s a brand new set of tracks that clocks in at just under 18 minutes, and it’s packed with party jams, dance worthy beats and even a bit of your favorite Snoop Dog song. That’s right.

The first track “Dynamite” kicks off with the squeal of some car breaks and then the beep of a horn before you’re greeted with “Hey everybody! Come on let’s go! We’re gonna show you, things you need to know.” Following that is a funky bass line covered up by all sorts of clanks and pops, with our hosts from the beginning blurting out words and phrases sporadically throughout the track. The next song “Good Morning Minneapolis” gets its point across, evoking a hazy, early summer morning, possibly driving through town with your windows rolled down and the wind blowing through your hair. The last 15 seconds of the track comes out of nowhere when everything stops and it’s quickly broken down into a joyous tune that you would probably overhear a mariachi band playing in a Mexican flea market. Three quarters of the way through the EP, there is a song called “Beyondce” that serves no other purpose than for you to dance along. Not only is it an awesome track name, but it’s faster than the other tracks, and it certainly challenges the listener to get up and move. It actually may be more of a challenge to try and sit still through this track. Seriously. If you have the record try spinning this track at 33rpm rather than the recommended 45rpm. It’s a real treat. The final track “Snoop 2” is a re-made version of an earlier Javelin track called “Snoop” that you could find on their “Jamz n Jemz” CD. It’s a shape-shifting mess of pianos, Egyptian dances, Snoop Dog songs, and jaunty Irish tunes. The last thirty seconds of the song gets rid of everything but the Snoop Dog lyrics, all while it plays over a beautiful sample that I wish I knew the origin of. If anybody knows, please talk to me!

Good Morning Minneapolis –

Beyondce –

2: Tracklist
1.) Dynamite
2.) Good Morning Minneapolis
3.) Beyondce
4.) Snoop 2

Javelin – 2: BUY this at Insound before it’s sold out! Only 500 copies made!
Javelin on Myspace
Preorder No Más

Tycho – Past is Prologue

My Rating: 9/10
Genre/ Tags: Ambient, Electronic, Electronica

Scott Hansen is the name of a San Francisco based design artist who some people might already know as ISO50. As ISO50, Scott produces his own personal designs, and then they’re put onto things like t-shirts, hoodies, and posters. When Scott isn’t concentrating on his design career, chances are he’s putting his time into his moonlighting profession: music production. As a music producer, Scott is known to the world as “Tycho”. His music could be described most easily as electronic, but that’s a bit too easy. Along with electronic, some other accurate words to describe the music would be ambient, atmospheric, spacey or dreamy, not to mention that his music would make the perfect soundtrack to anybody’s dreams at night. The songs never contain any lyrics, but that doesn’t mean there are no words. Instead of lyrics, you can hear bits of people speaking in the background, whether it’s a little boy shouting his age, or a weather man telling you the forecast. Listen closely and you’ll definitely hear what I’m talking about. I always thought maybe there was a story that could be pieced together with all the different voices that can be heard, but I don’t think that is the case. A good example with many of these voices would be on the track titled “PBS”. Check that out here and listen for yourself. In this song you most often hear the voice of a woman and a young boy, and unlike most of the songs, the voices actually become part of the song rather than just clips of someone speaking thrown into the background. I’m not entirely sure why Tycho has so many clips of people speaking in his music, but I can assure you it makes for an interesting listen. A lot of times I find myself listening to Tycho when trying to sleep or attempting to do homework, and every time I swear I hear something new, whether it’s a voice or a sound effect. If you’re still not convinced enough to listen to Tycho, be sure to listen to this track, which is titled “Could Generator”. This track is without a doubt one of the highlights from the album, so if that doesn’t do the trick, I don’t know what will.

Past is Prologue: Tracklist
1.) From Home
2.) Sunrise Projector
3.) Dictaphone’s Lament
4.) PBS
5.) Send And Receive
6.) Brother
7.) A Circular Reeducation
8.) Past Is Prologue
9.) Cloud Generator
10.) The Disconnect
11.) A Circular Reeducation – Dusty Brown Remix
12.) Send And Receive – Chachi Jones Remix
13.) Sunrise Projector – Nautilis Remix

Scott Hansen’s Official Blog
Past is Prologue: BUY (You can also purchase some of Scott’s design work here)

Javelin by Javelin

Hello! How are we all this afternoon? Today at the Styrofoam Drone, I have a band that some of you may have already had the pleasure of listening to. That band is known as Javelin. Javelin hails from Providence, Rhode Island via Brooklyn, New York. The group is made up of two cousins, Thomas van Buskirk and George Langford, who have been making this music together since 2004. The first release that Javelin put out, Jamz n Jemz, received some much deserved praise over the summer of 2009, and that’s when Javelin began to get the ball rolling. Since that release, things have been looking up for Javelin, because they landed a multiple record deal with Thrill Jockey and then another record deal with David Byrne’s Luaka Bop.

Recently, one of those records was put out by Thrill Jockey, and the title is simple enough: Javelin. They released it about a month ago on vinyl format only, and they only pressed 500 of them. If you’re looking to get one of those now, it’s a bit too late, because they’re all sold out, but all is well, because that is the album I have for you today! With this release, they recycled old “dollar-bin” record sleeves, screen-printed the name “Javelin” on the front, pasted a track list on the back, and then sent them out to their loyal fans.

With their next release from Thrill Jockey, they’re getting even more creative with the record sleeve recycling. Check out this idea here. Instead of just having the new Javelin record inserted into and old, random, record sleeve, this time, you have the opportunity to pick your very own record sleeve for the Javelin record. That’s right, you can pick your own album art. Here’s what you need to do if you want to participate:
1.) Find an old record jacket.
2.) Mail it to Thrill Jockey by January 18th with your address written on the inside (Thrill Jockey address here)
3.) Place your order at Thrill Jockey when the album is released (February 16th, 2010) and write “MY JACKET” in the order message.
4.) Throw in 5$ and a blank shirt/hoodie and they’ll print you your very own piece of Javelin merchandise along with your record. Cool!

So the record will be released on Feb. 16th from Thrill Jockey, and it’s titled “Number Two”, and as for the custom record sleeves, I will be participating. I encourage you all to do the same. Thanks for reading and check back tomorrow…or even later today.

Javelin Tracklist:
1.) Lindsey Brohan
2.) Unforgettable Super Lady
3.) Soda Popinski
4.) Radio
5.) TWYCE

Javelin: MYSPACE
Copies of the 12″ record still available at Insound: BUY