Music Recommendations Week 21/02/05

This week I am all for "indie hip-hop" and a Mars Volta incarnate.


Gym Class Heroes - The Papercut Chronicles
Punk rock indie label Fueled by Ramen's latest offering is an interesting hip-hop outfit called Gym Class Heroes. Their debut is full of witty lyrics rapped with cool punk guitars and catchy basslines. A definite wildcard in the punk rock/emo scene (touring extensively with popular punk bands Fall Out Boy, Halfwayhome, Punchline, etc.) doesn't stop Gym Class Heroes to start making their own scene. The 18-track album includes guest vocals from Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy.
Official Website
Download track #5: Taxi Driver (2.8MB) via PureVolume


Sage Francis - A Healthy Distrust
Political.Catchy.Brilliant. Eminem who?
Official Website
Download track #7: Dance Monkey (3.4MB) via Epitaph Records


LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem
This is why I really want to be in a dance rock band. Or some sort. Is Daft Punk playing in your house?
Official Website
Download track #3 (Disc 1 of 2-Discs): Tribulations (3.4MB)


The Sound of Animals Fighting - Tiger And The Duke
12-piece supergroup Mars Volta-influenced prog-rock post-hardcore punk band. Hell yes: Anthony Green (Saosin, Circa Survive), Rich Balling (Rx-Bandits/founder of the concept behind Revolution on Canvas book), Armor for Sleep, Finch, maybe Brand New and Cursive. Its actually a mystery who is behind the masks of the 12 animals. Brilliant stuff, though.
Official Website
Download track #4: Act II: All Is Ash or the Light Shining Through It (3MB)