Monday, July 30, 2007

Falcon Crest at Big V's 4/8/06

What we have here is an exceptionally RAW and LOUD (in a good, listenable way) recording of what has been a typical Falcon Crest for the past year or so: this set of songs, give or take two or three, played with unwavering intensity and enthusiasm at a crushingly high volume. The one exception here is the closing song, the origins of which are a mystery to me. Lord willing, they'll do a record like this eventually.

All the song titles, except for "This Is Where the Crunked Comes In" (which appears on their excellent mini-album Taste the Thunder, Raise the Flag, the best argument going for why one shouldn't judge a record by its cover art) are approximate based on pilfered set lists.

Link: http://www.sendspace.com/file/xpmpko

Track list:

1. Murder (3:35)
2. Pop (2:24)
3. A Chord (4:52)
4. Classic (3:02)
5. Unknown #1 (3:36)
6. Floyd Hill (3:35)
7. This Is Where the Crunked Comes In (1:44)
8. Unknown #2 (4:32)

Total running time: 27:20

Monday, July 23, 2007

Build My Gallows High at the Dinkytowner 8/6/06

These recordings are hit-or-miss in terms of sound quality, so perhaps it isn't a great idea to start with the best sounding one I've listened to yet. Maybe it would be a better idea to start with one that is roughly average amongst those that sound good enough to post. But in the interest of starting things off on a high note, I'm going with the former. I guess what I'm saying is, I wish they could all sound this good.

Build My Gallows High are one of Minneapolis's innumerable great and under appreciated bands. I'll admit that the whole "epic instrumental rock" deal has been done to death, but that only makes it all the more impressive that this band does it so well, without ever coming off as trite or derivative. I'm no expert on that particular sub-genre but I can tell you that I enjoy listening to these guys way more than Mogwai and at least as much as Explosions in the Sky.

Link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F4PYMI6S

Tracklist:

1. Earthworm (5:16)
2. Princess Move-My-Monitor (4:24)
3. Creepy Neighbor (5:02)
4. Flesh of Five Beasts (5:47)
5. The Long Arm of the Lame (5:46)

Total running time: 26:15