Magma - Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh

One of the earliest influences on Math Rock and pretty much all other forms of experimental music. Elements of their sound can be heard in bands such as Ruins & Hella. Magma was founded in Paris in 1969 and is one of the best examples of the Prog rock scene that was happening in France at the time. Drummer and band leader, Christian Vader, created his own language called Kobaian that was often used for Magma's lyrics. The most stand out feature of their music is the incredibly layered choral style vocals (aka Operacore). Check it out.

-PolarBear

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Big Butter - From The Udder...

Short lived and super underground(they don't even have a wikipedia page), this Clovis, California band only existed from about 1987-1990. However, in that time they created some awesome music. Very quirky and often not fitting into any specific genre, their songs share a lot of similarities with The Residents. At the same time, Big Butter is much more approachable and probably easier to understand. Check out the spoken word section of "Bearded Horses", hilarious.

-PolarBear

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Release The Bats: A Tribute To The Birthday Party

It's a safe bet that any band who likes The Birthday Party enough to cover one of their songs is going to be pretty cool. It's an even safer bet that an album full of bands covering The Birthday Party is going to be cool as hell.

-PolarBear

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Les Rallizes Denudes - '77 Live

Classic live bootleg of amazing and obscure Japanese noise rock gods, Les Rallizes Denudes. If any band has been ahead of their time, it was these guys. If this doesn't blow your mind, you don't like music.

-PolarBear

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Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Orange

Probably my favorite JSBE album. I know, it's not as ""cool"" as Pussy Galore. But, damn it, this album rules. If you don't know about Jon Spencer, you should. This is a good place to start.

-PolarBear

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Exuma - S/T

One of the absolute greats of the Psych Folk genre. Exuma was part of the whole Greenwich village folk revival in the '60s and '70s. His music combines a great deal of influences and defies category. Maybe the most infectious album I've heard in quite a while. It has a way of getting under your skin and making you want to listen to it again and again.

-PolarBear

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Daniel Higgs - Hymprovisations For Banjo With Piano And Raindrops

This is for all you outsider free jazz banjo fans. As for the rest of you, listen to this anyways. It's good for you. Daniel Higgs is the former and sometimes current lead singer of Dischord post hardcore band Lungfish.

-PolarBear

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Uz Jsme Doma - Hollywood

That's right. Another crazy band with a saxophone player. I can't help it. It's just so damn good. Uj Jsme Doma hail from Prague, Czech Republic and have been playing their own brand of genre defying music since 1985. This band has been labeled many things and none of them are completely accurate. You're just going to have to listen for yourself.

-PolarBear

1. Koroze

2. Polykat

3. Jassica

4. Zvonek

5. Hollywood

6. Vlazna A Sediva

7. Poslepu

8. Cajdak

9. Belveder

10. Jdi Tam, Nevim Kam, Prines To, Nevim Co

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Architecture in Helsinki - Like It or Not EP

need i say more?

- WearWolf

1. Like It or Not (version 2)

2. Beef in a Box

3. One Heavy (February 2008)

4. Hold Music (Max Tundra Remix)

5. Like It or Not (El Guincho Remix)

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Avail and the (Young) Pioneers - The Fall of Richmond

really good split put out by Avail and the (Young) Pioneers on Lookout Records... found in the dollar bin at Corner Record Shop... really good listen

-WearWolf

1. Avail - New No. 2

2. Avail - Lombardy St.

3. Avail - You May Be Right

4. the (Young) Pioneers - Join or Die

5. the (Young) Pioneers - French Colonial Running Dogs

6. the (Young) Pioneers - Death to the Coalition

7. the (Young) Pioneers - Race Music

8. the (Young) Pioneers - Great White Hope (Version)

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Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. - New Geocentric World Of Acid Mothers Temple

One of the most ridiculous albums from an already very ridiculous band. Acid Mothers Temple are the reining kings of Japanese psychedelic music. Generally preferring improvisation in place of structure, these guys have been a big influence on many bands. Most notably, Sonic Youth. The band is led by guitarist Kawabata Makoto and has featured a constantly revolving lineup since 1995. If you like this, have no fear. There's plenty more where it came from.

-PolarBear

1. Psycho Buddha

2. Space Age Ballad

3. You're Still Now Near Me Everytime

4. Universe Of Romance

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Zu - Carboniferous

Power trio that hails from Rome, Italy. Bass, Drums, Baritone Saxophone + lots of effects. Signed to Mike Patton's Ipecac Records. This album also features guest spots by Mike Patton. Sounds like a jazzy version of Lightning Bolt. Maybe the best album of 2009.

-PolarBear

1. Ostia

2. Chthonian

3. Carbon

4. Beata Viscera

5. Erinys

6. Soulympics

7. Axion

8. Mimosa Hostilis

9. Obsidian

10. Orc

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Vermillion Lies - Sibling Rivalry EP's

Two sisters that create dark pop songs with elements of Cabaret, Folk & Circus Music. Sort of like a combination of Bon Iver and Squirrel Nut Zippers. This is a collection of two EP's of the same name.

- Polar Bear

1. Billie Blue

2. The Organ Donor's March

3. Typewriter Girl

4. First The Bees

5. December

6. More And More

7. Little Johnny

8. The Day We Met

9. Stitches

10. Hurts Like Hell

11. Get Gone

12. Don't Tell Me

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