Captain Beefheart - Trout Mask Replica

this isn't so much a "suggestion" as a "requirement". seriously, if you don't listen to this album now, then leave this blog, fast and bulbous.

Miley Cyrus - Hannah Montana 2/Meet Miley Cyrus

pure sonic art. everyone on earth should listen to the entirety of this album, at least once.

The Residents - The Mole Show (Live in Holland)

the residents, an amazing avant-garde deconstructionist group/troupe of weirdos in (sometimes) matching costumes, performing one of their several bizarre live musical dramas, interspersed with comments and narration from penn jillette, of penn and teller fame. the story is, uhh, well, it seems to be about moles migrating? or something? i am not entirely sure, but is pretty interesting to try and figure out! one of the many great albums from the residents, you'll surely be hearing back from them on this blog sometimes soon :)

Maps & Atlases - Perch Patchwork

Math Rock has an interesting idea behind it, but today, the genre is predominately ruled by over-compressed tapping guitars with annoying repeating patterns, show off drummers, and whiny voiced musicians with barely any sense of melody, that honestly would fit in better with the emo crowd*. However, this release by Experimental Folk/Math Rock group Maps & Atlases really brings expression back to the genre of odd times and weird themes. Tagged by some as Outsider Music because of the singer's very distinctive voice and lyrics, along some odd lo-fi mixing and production techniques, it certainly takes a bit of getting used to. However, once you start to get into it, the beautiful and complex melodies and rhythms will make this an album you want to listen over and over again.

*apologies to Minus The Bear and others