Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Nova Collective - Dancing Machines



very nice. rather LTE-ish but in a good way.

Album drops March 10th, 2017 as the video shows.

fyi: mbrs of Between the Buried and Me and Haken.

Rest in Peace John Wetton

Teamrock.com
Image result for john wetton

The progressive rock and classic rock have a lot of aging musicians unfortunately, although with John Wetton, his medical battles have been well chronicled for many years. On more than 1 occasion I know he had to bow out of gigs with Asia in the last 10 years.

I guess beyond the Cancer he just succumbed to, Alcoholism and Heart Disease.

Because he has been such a beloved talent spanning talents with King Crimson, U.K., Asia and I was unaware, Uriah Heap and Roxy Music among others.

He had a big, deep voice, that you always knew was him. His bass playing also came among his talents, just within the Crimson work he did.

I sadly never got to see him, but I may have to pursue more of the Crimson and U.K. live work.

Greg Lake, Keith Emerson and now John...and Chris Squire. 3 of the most recognizable bassists in progressive rock have left us in less than 2 years.

And all to Cancer no less.

And for that matter, 2 of the vocalists from King Crimson. I hope Adrian Belew is okay.

I would like to make a list of living musicians and/or celebrities with Cancer and try and celebrate them now, while they are still alive. Peter Tork for example.

I wonder with Lake and Wetton passing, might that push some ability to have King Crimson get on the Rock Hall ballot next Fall? or ELP of course as well (Keith Emerson's loss adding to that as well). it shouldn't take something like this, but it might at least give some kind of consolation.

Rest in Peace John Wetton. I'll sadly never get to see U.K. live either, =\.





Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Umphrey's McGee - Freedom'90 (George Michael) 12/31/16



very cool live tribute to George Michael. Love the horns!

Soundscape new album coming

 Ever since noticing this yesterday afternoon, I've meant to post it, but haven't had time yet.

Yesterday with Mew and the The Dear Hunter/Coheed thing and this, January 24th seems like besides my wife and I's 4-month anniversary, the biggest announcement day of the year.

I know most people never caught onto Soundscape, other than a select group among the ProgPowerUSA/Prog Power folks (90's Prog Metal, and Prog/Prog Festivals) and Dream Theater fans from the 90's.

And their finished epic release Grave New World only may have found a handful of new fans for whatever reason (at least that I know of).

And their style of music is, or was since it was in the 90's of the 90's Prog Metal..in a lot of ways, etc.

But I still love them to bits. Discovery and GNW are 2 of the greatest prog metal albums ever to me. And this new album of theirs, even if it sounds much like those 2, I will likely enjoy a lot, yadayadayada.

I dunno, I want to expect another 5-star album and would hardly be surprised, but I also wonder what their sound may be like, if it differs in what way since GNW of course was written in the 90's even though it wasn't released until 2009.

And ya know, Reunion albums are hit and miss, I guess if you consider like the last Enchant album and the 1st reunion album from Big Wreck in some ways.

But on the other hand, consider others like Kaddisfly, Subterranean Masquerade, The Tea Party, Faith No More and some others.

The Reunion Album and Songs That Should Have Been Hits have been on my mind this week and would both make good forum topics. Maybe I'll try and post that list and more of good/okay/bad reunion albums. At least Big Wreck has come back and made a better 2nd reunion album, plus their new one in a few weeks sounds more of that ilk.

But Soundscape..yeah those 2 albums are gold to me.

Now only if the likes of The River Empires, Apes and Androids..even Pure Reason Revolution and Oceansize someday would mean a ton to me like Soundscape's return does again.

Thanks to all the Soundscape guys! Can't wait to hear this thing and good luck making MAGIC!


Facebook

It's Official - Soundscape will be entering Rob Thorne's studio ( with Lou Caldarola , Todd Rose and Scott Waite ) to begin tracking all new material on March 11th ! We are excited to be writing together and prepping for the studio dates..sneak peek to come in a few weeks, Stay tuned !!

Coheed and Cambria (GA1) + The Dear Hunter US Tour Spring 2017

Holy mother..my favorite Coheed and Cambria album in FULL plus The Dear Hunter, is a can't ,miss barring some unforseen conflict.

First Avenue, which, while my take on them in the distant past and still recently has been documented in here a lot, I guess I'm overall happy to see TDH especially back there for the 1st time literally in 10 years.almost to the day.

edit: April 23, 2007 with Meg and Dia, Say Anything and Saves the Day.

Good Apollo 1, while I was obsessed with 10 or more years ago, I still love and is a staple 5-star masterpiece.

And I know TDH have toured with Coheed in the past, namely with Porcupine Tree in 2010 if I recall, etc..but of course that tour didn't come to Minnesota anyway.

I guess the only issue I kind of have is the fact it's on a Saturday night in downtown Mpls of course, but so be it.

Conflicts? no Twins game since they play in Cleveland that day/night. Nothing scheduled at Target Center unless the Timberwolves make the playoffs and have a long series in the 2nd round (assuming they win their 1st round series, lol). No Lynx either.

The wife of course, "Papa goes off and party while I stay home, etc"..if only she was willing to sit through these 2 bands, but that would be torture to her. At least it's on or even the Saturday/Weekend after her bday.

And I may somehow get on my Lifetime Membership guest list spot, although I'm not expecting it, given TDH aren't headlining, but Max posted in the FB group this show is a bit of an exception.

Honestly though, I love The Lifetime Membership thing, and don't mind the amounts of things it comes with going fwd, but the Guest List thing kind of has been challenging and maybe more work to worry about than it has been worth for me given I have been put on the guest list a few times, but from memory, those times were after many attempts to email the email request. I'm not sure how much time it requires or more of the busy schedule that Max and whoever else has organized it has had.

Or maybe just a bad luck thing. I do know there have been a number of Lifers at shows in MN and so it's not like I've been the only one requesting it with limited spots, etc. But in the last few years I kind of resounded to the fact just to buy a ticket regardless. This show with Coheed and being First Avenue, I suppose is a little pricier ($35 or more for the VIP pkgs), and given I am trying to save money again, the guest list thing would help maybe more so. Plus I know Coheed has a Rabid fanbase and have played First Avenue before, so selling tickets for this thing I suspect won't be a struggle.,

Hopefully nothing will be in that RECORD ROOM too, although their likely will be. And currently nothing scheduled at  7th Street The Entry either, which I'm sure will change soon.

edit: I sent the email and GOT ON THE GUESTLIST! WOOHOO THANKS MAX!

I'll have to use that money instead on Merch and/or Dinner I suppose.



https://twitter.com/therealTDH/status/823960756844576768

We are excited to announce that we will be heading out on the road this spring with @coheedandcambria! Tickets are on sale January 27th at 10 AM (Local time). #Neverender2017 ???????
???????
4/11 The Showbox Seattle, WA
4/13 Roseland Theater Portland, OR
4/14 Fox Theater Oakland, CA
4/15 Hollywood Palladium Los Angeles, CA
4/17 The Observatory Santa Ana, CA
4/18 Observatory North Park San Diego, CA
4/19 The Marquee Tempe, AZ
4/22 The Complex Salt Lake City, UT
4/23 Fillmore Auditorium Denver, CO
4/25 Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheater Austin, TX
4/26 House of Blues Dallas, TX
4/27 House of Blues Houston, TX
4/30 Jannus Live St Petersburg, FL
5/2 Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
5/3 Marathon Music Works Nashville, TN
5/5 Terminal 5 New York, NY
5/6 The Fillmore Silver Spring Silver Spring, MD
5/9 Blue Hills Bank Pavilion Boston, MA
5/10 The Fillmore Philadelphia, PA
5/11 Royal Oak Music Theatre Royal Oak, MI
5/13 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN 
5/15 The Pageant St Louis, MO
5/16 Arvest Bank Theatre At The Midland Kansas City, MO
5/18 Stage AE Pittsburgh, PA
5/19 Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Relative Peace - Oban (rework) Young Dreams + KIMBRA + Jaga Jazzist



Holy Crap this is DREEEEEEEEEEEEEEAMEEEEEEEEE...

love Kimbra of course, but these works never seem to get old for her.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Songs That Should Have Been Hits (Part 1)

Not gonna blurb with these per time of course, but I personally both love all these songs, but also feel it's an incredible shame they never found a wider audience or became "Hits"..I suppose "Bug Eyes" and "Trains" and even "New Mistake" were MINOR hits, but not nearly enough people got to hear them when they should have.

I'll try and do another one or 2 of these hopefully, and actually it seems like a good forum topic to create. Maybe based on responses, some of those I might add.

























Kaddisfly - Empire from Jeremy E. Jackson on Vimeo.


OURS "Worst Things Beautiful" from jonathan becker on Vimeo.








Thursday, January 19, 2017

Iron Maiden COMING TO MINNESOTA FINALLY!

Strib Story

June 16th, 2017 @ XCel Energy Center

Not that I can claim to be a HUGE fan or anything, but I do enjoy some of their music, and the big thing about this is they have flown over our town on an extensive number of tours. Their last show here I thought I saw was in the year 2000.

Why? probably MONEY i.e. Maiden's people wanted more than the promoters were willing to pay, etc.

Which sucks, but who knows how many other reasons (conflicts in venues, routing, pkg tours, etc).

I may try and go, but I am happy for those who love them and have never been able to travel to see them.

It is the Book of Souls tour, which I checked out and enjoyed moments of (I felt it was quite long and repetitve at times, but I also just take to much of Maiden's music in that way, thus don't expect tons different kinds of sound, or even songs).

Also Ghost opens.

To add to this, along with the likes of Agalloch (RIP) and Godspeed You Black Emperor, at least some of the artists who seem to fly over my hometown for many years/tours (Porcupine Tree as well, but then Steven Wilson came back twice on his solo tour at least), it holds hope for some other artists like The Reign of Kindo and Imogen Heap for me to finally get to see, without having to spend a bunch of cash to travel for. Although Marillion, I guess I may always assume they will never come here. 

But then again..never say never..
 

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Songs that bring me to Tears (Part 1?)

I just wanted to share this as I saw Josh Rundquist post this on FB (maybe others have as well?) maybe being Part 1 of a list of the songs that bring me to tears. I added some that give goosebumps and sometimes tears. I suppose I may make another list for that. Time and discipline permitting.

I may try and add more videos later, although WHY these bring me to tears would be more fulfilling, but who knows if I'll also find the time to write that up as well.

Also these are not exactly in any particular order or ranking.

Marillion - The Great Escape


Cloud Cult - You Never Were Alone


Blackfield - Pain


Anathema - Angels Walk Among Us



Mew - Louise Louisa


Neverending White Lights - Our Final Hymn


Linda Rondstadt - Goodbye My Friend
Echolyn - Never the Same
The Antlers - Shiva
Porcupine Tree - Heartattack in a Lay By
Steven Wilson - Happy Returns
Rush - The Pass
Chroma Key - On the Page
Dream Theater - Space Dye-Vest
Toy Matinee - Blank Page
Kevin Gilbert - Song for a Dead Friend
Marillion - Runaway, Hard as Love, Living with the Big Lie, Made Again
Judy Garland - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Goosebumps and sometimes tears:
Oceansize - The Frame
Ours - Sometimes
Marillion - Afraid of Sunlight, The Last Straw

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

The Year **1994*** Albums: Chronology and Top 15+

Here's another 1 I just put together, which oddly, was not as deep as I thought. 1994, the year I graduated HS and also the year my favorite album of all-time came out.

1994 seems to be a year that was Top Heavy. The top 5-10 are among if not the best albums of the artist's career. But it gets thin after that I guess.

Here's a ranking.

I do find it cool how Dean Magraw and Jeff Buckley released their 1st albums within days of each other.



The Grays - Ro Sham Bo
Psychotic Waltz - Mosquito
John Scofield and Pat Metheny - I Can See Your House from Here

15. Pushmonkey - Maize
14, Live - Throwing Copper
13. Dean Magraw - Broken Silence
12. Cirque Du Soleil - Alegria
11, Boston - Walk On
10. Tiles - Tiles
9. Atomic Opera - For Madmen Only
8. Fates Warning - Inside Out
7. Pink Floyd - The Division Bell
6. King's X - Dogman
5. Queensryche - Promised Land
4/ Savatage - Handful of Rain
3. Jeff Buckley - Grace
2. Dream Theater - Awake
1. Marillion - Brave

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King's X - Dogman
rel January 18, 1994
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Marillion - Brave
rel February 7, 1994
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The Grays - Ro Sham Bo
rel February 22, 1994
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Pink Floyd - Division Bell.jpg
Pink Floyd - The Division Bell
rel March 28, 1994
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John Scofield and Pat Metheny - I Can See Your House from Here
rel April 5, 1994
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Live - Throwing Copper
rel April 26, 1994
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3rd Matinee - Meanwhile
rel April 26, 1994
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Atomic Opera - For Madmen Only
rel May 10, 1994
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Tiles (1994)
Tiles - Tiles
rel May 12, 1994
Homepage

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Toad the Wet Sprocket - Dulcinea
rel May 24, 1994
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Boston - Walk On
rel June 7, 1994
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No-Man - Flowermouth
rel June 27, 1994
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Pushmonkey - Maize
rel June 28, 1994
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Psychotic Waltz - Mosquito
rel July 25, 1994
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Fates Warning - Inside Out
rel July 26, 1994
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Savatage - Handful of Rain
rel August 16, 1994
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Jeff Buckley - Grace
rel August 23, 1994
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Broken Silence by Dean Magraw
Dean Magraw - Broken Silence
rel August 25, 1994
Homepage



Cirque Du Soleil - Alegria
rel October 11, 1994
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Queensrÿche - Promised Land
rel October 18, 1994
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Dream Theater - Awake
rel October 30, 1994
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Cairo - Cairo
rel December 1994
PA

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The Wildhearts - Fishing for Luckies
rel December 1994
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Roine Stolt - The Flower King
rel 1994
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Tuesday, January 10, 2017

The Year **2000*** Albums: Chronology and Top 20+

In the year 2000..

This entry was created awhile ago I think when I was doing these the Summer of 2015. Anyway, I have thought about this and have wanted to get back into these, and of course the biggest obstacle with them is time. Looking up dates, etc and then writing blurbs.

And what seems like somewhat of a new approach, I think I may be able to expedite them, much like my Albums of the Year countdowns by skipping the Blurbs, at least for now, and just posting the list/calendar/chronology of releases and release dates of those.

Kevin and PoS are the absolute stone cold classics, and there many records from this year from artists who I consider the best album from that artist (Doves, The Flower Kings, Porcupine Tree, etc)

And instead, maybe add in just a Ranking per the below, which is just a guestimation of course.

maybe more will be added later:


Chroma Key - You Go Now
VAST - Music for People
The Appleseed Cast - Mare Vitalis
At the Drive-In - Relationship of Command
Ulver - Perdition City
I Can't Believe It's Not Rock - I Can't Believe It's Not Rock (pre-The Dissociatives)
Sculptured - Apollo Ends
Mew - Half the World is Watching


20. Klimt 1918 - Secession Makes Modern Music
19. Steve Stevens - Flamenco A Go-Go
18. Galactic Cowboys - Let It Go
17. The Flower Kings - Space Revolver
16. The New Pornographers - Mass Romantic
15. U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind
14. White Willow - Sacrament
13. Enchant - Juggling Nine or Dropping Ten
12. Doves - Lost Souls
11. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven!
10. Spiral Architect - A Skeptics Universe
9. sElf - Gizmodgery
8. King's X - Please Come Home Mr.Bulbous
7. Spock's Beard - V
6. Transatlantic - SMPT:e
5. Call Florence Pow - These Are the Plans...
4. Porcupine Tree - Lightbulb Sun
3. Fates Warning - Disconnected
2. Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element I
1. Kevin Gilbert - The Shaming of the True



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Spiral Architect - A Skeptic's Universe
rel January 18, 2000
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Sculptured - Apollo Ends
rel January 2000
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Kevin Gilbert - The Shaming of the True
rel February 8, 2000
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Call Florence Pow - These Are the Plans
rel February 22, 2000
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Steve Stevens - Flamenco A Go-Go
rel February 29, 2000
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Martyr - Warp Zone
Martyr - Warp Zone
rel March 11, 2000
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The Appleseed Cast - Mare Vitalis
rel March 14, 2000
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Josh Rouse - Home
rel March 14, 2000
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Platypus - Ice Cycles
rel March 15, 2000
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Ulver - Perdition City
rel March 19, 2000
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Do Make Say Think - Goodbye Enemy Airship the Landlord Is Dead
rel March 13, 2000
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Transatlantic - SMPT:e
rel March 21, 2000
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Doves - Lost Souls
rel April 3, 2000
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 photo Under the Sun album cover_zpsneawbywx.jpg
Under the Sun - Under the Sun
rel April 11, 2000
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Trans Siberian Orchestra - Beethoven's Last Night
rel April 11, 2000
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The Apples in Stereo - The Discovery of a World inside the Moone
rel April 18, 2000
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Mew - Half the World is Watching Me
rel May 4, 2000
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Jeff Buckley - Mystery White Boy
rel May 9, 2000
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King's X - Please Come Home...Mr.Bulbous
rel May 22, 2000
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XTC - Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2)
rel May 23, 2000
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Science of Discontent cover art
Gracepoint - Science of Discontent
rel June 1, 2000
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Galactic Cowboys - Let It Go
rel June 20, 2000
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The Flower Kings - Space Revolver
rel July 4, 2000
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Coldplay - Parachutes
rel July 10, 2000
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Porcupine Tree - Lightbulb Sun
rel July 11, 2000
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Kansas - Somewhere to Elsewherere
July 11, 2000
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Fates Warning - Disconnected
rel July 25, 2000
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The Gathering - if_then_else
rel July 25, 2000
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In Flames - Clayman
rel July 25, 2000
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White Willow - Sacrament
rel August 15, 2000
Amazon.com

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VAST - Music For People
rel September 12, 2000
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Klimt 1918 - Secession Makes Modern Music
rel September 2000
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Spock's Beard - V
rel August 22, 2000
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sElf - Gizmodgery
rel September 5, 2000
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At the Drive-In - Relationship of Command
rel September 12, 2000
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Supershine - Supershine
rel September 12, 2000
Amazon.com

A white, and pink plain design, with a dark red stripe that angles. On the white site are the letters "sr/zcs" followed by "Shéna Ringö Ze-Chyou Syuu" in small font. To the bottom right is a skull and crossbones insignia, with the skull replaces with an apple. Underneath that are the words "pain and fever reliever."
Shéna Ringö - Ze-Chyou Syuu
rel September 13, 2000
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Enchant - Juggling 9 or Dropping 10
rel October 3, 2000
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Two human hands making gestures in front of exploding red lights on a brown background.
Godspeed You Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven!
rel October 9, 2000
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U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind
rel October 30, 2000
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Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element Part I
rel October 31, 2000
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Chroma Key - You Go Now
rel November 14, 2000
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The New Poronographers - Mass Romantic
rel November 28, 2000
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I Can't Believe It's Not Rock - I Can't Believe It's Not Rock! [EP]
rel December 1, 2000
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Clann Zú ‎– Clann Zú [EP]
rel 2000
Discogs.com

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Cloud Cult - Who Killed Puck?
rel 2000
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Lehto and Wright - Ye Mariners All
rel 2000
Amazon.com

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Oceansize - Amputee [EP]
rel 2000
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