So here it is: the last ATL Records to Listen For post of 2011. If you’re putting together your year-end list of best local records or are just a fan making sure that you catch a taste of everything that’s out there, here are your final entries. Although I can tell you for certain that there will be more records to surface in the coming weeks because well, there’s always more. I mean, just last month we had at least a half dozen releases suddenly drop into our radar with little or no warning. Some really excellent records, too. Which really wasn’t a surprise because there always seem to be some hidden gems that turn up spontaneously every month. For instance, I know I only posted about it yesterday, but if you haven’t heard the latest collection from the Electric Nature, you need to rectify that ASAP. There’s some really choice experimental pop and drone for your earholes to enjoy. And if that doesn’t do it for you, then perhaps Tree Witch’s Mintaka EP will. It’s a beautiful work of ambient electronic minimalism.
But while I’m sure that December will bring its share of surprises — there’s already rumors of a Gold-Bears split 7″ and an EP from atmospheric pop outfit Slowriter — the releases gathered here, some of which we’ve already featured on the blog, represent a healthy cross-section of the local music scene. Whether you’re into alternative rock, experimental electronic sounds, hip hop, hardcore, jam music or bludgeoning noise rock, there’s something here for you to check out. I know I say this every month, but it’s exactly this kind of diversity that makes our scene so vital. So take some time to explore all that Atlanta music has to offer, buy yourself a shitload of vinyl over the holidays, and we’ll do this all again in 2012.
Photo by Lisa Jordan
Sharaab – Asura
Release Date: December 3
Label: Nophi Recordings
Release Info:
Experimental Atlanta DJ Sharaab is getting set to put out his latest collection of ambient electronics, dark-edged beats and Eastern instrumentation. The Asura LP will be available on CD and through most digital outlets.
Sharaab will celebrate the release of Asura on Saturday, December 3 at the Music Room at Pizzeria Vesuvius. Also performing will be R_Garcia and We Roll Like Madmen. Admission is $5. $10 gets you in + a CD. Doors open at 9pm.
Asura track list:
01. Exodust
02. Namesache
03. Illah
04. Mathabhanga
05. Electric Talwar
06. Tryst of Fate
07. Vivekonandrum
08. Citilites
09. Exodust (citizenGreen Mix)
10. Mathabhanga (Tay0 Mix)
11. Electric Talwar (Reklein Mix)
12. Illah (R_Garcia Mix)
13. Mathabhanga (Sonny Hancock Mix)
More Info:
Web: www.sharaabmusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sharaabmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sharaab
Avian – Cycles
Release Date: December 3
Label: Self-released
Release Info:
Lawrenceville five-piece Avian will definitely release their new Cycles EP this Saturday, December 3. But other than that, I can’t tell you much else. The cover art and track list have yet to be revealed.
Avian will celebrate the release of the Cycles EP on Saturday, December 3 at the Awake Venue in Dacula. Supporting them will be Jack Fowler, Wire Method, She Came From Above and Of the Vine, among others. Doors open at 5:30pm. The cover is $10 and includes a free copy of the EP.
More Info:
Bandcamp: www.avian.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/avianband
Photo by Stephanie Pharr
Christ, Lord – 11.11.11. : A Live Session
Release Date: December 7
Label: Self-released
Release Info:
Recorded by Brandon Camarda and Pat Brooks (Little Tybee), 11.11.11. : A Live Session is a collection of both old and new songs. It will be available first on CD and then by digital download in early 2012.
Christ, Lord will celebrate the release of 11.11.11 : A Live Session on Wednesday, December 7 at the Earl. Headlining the show will be indie pop outfit We the Lion, while Faun and a Pan Flute are slated to kick off the festivities. Doors open at 9pm. $5 gets you in.
11.11.11 : A Live Session track list:
01. Sister Cygnus
02. Demoiselle
03. Apple
04. Catrina Calavera
05. Leda
06. Saraghina
07. Queen Liz
More Info:
Bandcamp: www.christlord.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/christcommalord
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChristLord1
Dillon – Ain’t Playin’
Release Date: December 9
Label: Self-released
Release Info:
Local underground rapper Dillon drops his new joint, Ain’t Playin’, on December 9. The nine-song effort features guest spots from Boog Brown, among others. It will be available on CD and through most digital outlets.
Dillon will celebrate the release of Ain’t Playin’ on Friday, December 9 at 529. Also performing will be Cloudeater and Boog Brown and DT of Clan Destined. Doors open at 9pm. Admission is FREE.
Ain’t Playin’ track list:
01. Dillontro (Prod. Dillon)
02. Dillon Ain’t Playin’ (Prod. Paten Locke)
03. Run I & II (Prod. Anthony Accurate)
04. Madness (Prod. Willie Evans Jr.)
05. Dillonterlude (Prod. & Feat. Willie Evans Jr.)
06. Gimme That feat. Boog Brown
07. Take Japan (Prod. Diamond D)
08. Stop (Prod. Supa Dave West)
09. Dilloutro (Prod. Dillon & Supa Dave West)
More Info:
Web: www.dillonatethat.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DillonAintPlayin
Manray – Tournament
Release Date: December 9
Label: Hello Sir Records
Release Info:
Athens-based audio pummelers Manray bring their scathing mix of hardcore punk and mind-blowing math rock to their first full-length, due out December 9. It will be available on vinyl, CD and through most digital outlets.
Manray will celebrate the release of Tournament on Friday, December 9 at the Drunken Unicorn. The band will play in support of Baby Baby. Savannah rockers CUSSES open the show. Admission is $6 for 21+, $8 for ages 18-20. Doors open at 9pm.
Torunament track list:
01. Fort Sill
02. Casa Grande
03. Skeleton Canyon
04. Zero Sum Situation
05. Williamsburg
06. Gordon Lamborghini
07. Burnging Bridges
08. Lord of the Flies
09. Bars and Stripes
More Info:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Manray.band
Photo by Michael Mayne
R_Garcia – Resurgens
Release Date: December 10
Label: Nophi Recordings
Release Info:
Local artist and Nophi Recordings co-founder, R_Garcia will release his latest collection of forward-thinking electronic compositions on December 10. Resurgens will be available on CD and through most digital outlets.
Resurgens track list:
01. Sea Water
02. Red Line to Shady Grove
03. Be Lax
04. Magnetic North
05. Divergence
06. Your Middle Name
07. Easy Come
08. Yiffy Skippy
09. Probability
10. I Was a Feather
11. The Year 100,000
12. Resurgens
More Info:
Web: www.rgmuse.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rg4rcia
Twitter: www.twitter.com/rgmuse
Bodega Roja – Futures
Release Date: December 10
Label: Self-released
Release Info:
So-called “intelligent jam music” creators Bodega Roja will unveil their new LP, Futures, on December 10. The eight-song effort will be available on CD and through most digital outlets.
Bodega Roja will celebrate the release of Futures on December 10 at the Five Spot. Supporting them will be the Ruination and Vertigo Jazz Project. Doors open at 8:30pm. $10 gets you in.
Futures track list:
01. Magnetar
02. We’re All Cartoons
03. Palace in the Sky
04. Legions
05. Superhero
06. Prevail
07. Germanium
08. Stolen Light
More Info:
Web: www.bodegaroja.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bodegaroja
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bodegaroja
Whores. – Ruiner
Release Date: December 20
Label: Brutal Panda Records
Release Info:
The long-awaited debut EP from Atlanta noise merchants Whores. will finally be released this month. It will be available on 12″ vinyl courtesy of Philadelphia-based Brutal Panda Records.
Ruiner track list:
01. Daddy’s Money
02. Fake Life
03. Shower Time
04. Straight Down
05. Tell Me Something Scientific
More Info:
Bandcamp: www.whores.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Whores/108004672554176
Photo by Lynn Vassar
Swank Sinatra – El Terrible
Release Date: December 31
Label: Nophi Recordings/Blood Drunk Records
Release Info:
Local rockers Swank Sinatra will release their third record, El Terrible, on New Year’s Eve via local imprint, Nophi Recordings. It will be available on CD and through most digital outlets.
El Terrible track list:
01. El Terrible
02. Till’ the Morning Comes
03. Teenage Diplomat
04. Mexican Surfer
05. Conquistador
06. On the Couch
07. Cottonmouth
08. Enjoy the Ride
09. Rosemary’s Baby Daddy
10. Who Do You Trust?
11. Sonic Biff
12. Mountain Man
13. Pumpkin Head
More Info:
Web: www.swanksinatra.com
Bandcamp: www.swanksinatra.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/swanksinatra
Mice in Cars – Good Men Are Monsters
Release Date: TBA
Label: Self-released
Release Info:
As a follow-up to this year’s Burn the Reader EP, Mice in Cars will release a two-song single sometime this month. It will be available as a digital-only download through the trio’s Bandcamp page.
Good Men Are Monsters track list:
01. Exit Interview
02. Six Months on Mir
More Info:
Bandcamp: www.miceincars.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MiceinCars
Twitter: www.twitter.com/miceincars
deadCAT – EatSome
Release Date: TBA
Label: Self-released
Release Info:
Prolific noise-pop duo deadCAT will release their first full-length effort sometime this month. It will be available as a digital-only download through their Bandcamp page. Cover art TBA.
EatSome track list:
01. comagramasoma
02. One Piece Suit
03. Bingo Night
04. Roach Denny’s Lucid Dreams
05. nightswimming
06. Qualm 4:7
07. Chhaam
08. Do I look Fucked Up?
More Info:
Bandcamp: www.deadcat.bandcamp.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/deadCATdeadCAT>
Manray is so badass. Totally worth leaving the basement for, especially if they’re playing The Star Bar and you can drag along your girlfriend and buy her a PBR and/or mixed drink.
Seriously, though, one of my favorite live bands right now. Can’t wait for that album.
lololol … Can’t deny that Manray slays. I haven’t seen them live, though. I need to make that happen.
Do it Moe! We toured with these guys and I went to the release. They slay hard!