The Perm & The Skullet is a non-profit music blog devoted to bringing you music of all kinds.
Although we prefer that rustic, acoustic, unusual, whiskey soaked sound, we do like music of all styles and genres. If you have something you think we should listen to, by all mean, let us know.
All Links and MP3s are for sampling, evaluation, and introduction purposes only and are intended to provide exposure to said artist / film / site etc...
If you like it, please go buy it.
Most Mp3 samples are only available for a limited time, usually a week or two. If there is something you missed, and it is currently unavailable or out of print, please let us know and we can see what we can do.
MP3s, Links, and Images can easily be taken down, so if you are the owner or their representation, and would like said link or file removed, just let us know and we'€™ll be happy to do so. You can E-mail me directly here for any questions or concerns or submissions.
“As soon as it becomes your profession to critique a book, or movie, or record then, not only do you lose your passion for it, but it loses validity for whoever you’re trying to turn it onto because they’re going to be approaching it from a consumer’s point of view, not from a professional writer’s point of view.”
Submissions
You can mail any materials to me electronically here or hard copy at:
The Perm & The Skullet
9100 Cub Trail
Raleigh, NC 27615
I promise to listen to everything, but due to the large amount of material I receive, I can not guarantee review. Thanks!
Keyboardist and guitarist Jordan explains in Dusted Magazine, "I think that all of us in Feathers regard music as some sort of spiritual endeavor, and I imagine that would come across in the songs."
I couldn't have described their music any better. When I heard Feathers and this latest release (cd version of the album, I never got a change to get the self released LP) I equated it to a spiritual experience and could tell that this was a lifestyle, and not just a group of people in a studio churning out tracks.
With all eight members sharing instrument duties, with five primary writers in the group, and four singers, each have there own unique qualities they bring to the Feathers family. The collective consists of, (first names only in this group) Kyle, Kurt, Asa, Meara, Ruthie, Jordan, Shayna, and Greg. All conjuring up a magical, lost in the forest feel and then in the distance, you hear the beautiful sounds of the Feathers guiding you to the center of the earth. It is quite an experience and with the Espers post about Espers II and this release, I feel like I'm in sensory overload. Enjoying every second of it!
"These feathers have the same length but not the same color. Some accelerate the floraison, of others maintain the fire. After to have flown them their attributes, they use their breaths to become these birds to the inflated cheeks. Red throat or well grive, in a tree where the eyes open with the passing of the album." -myspace
That's poetry to the ear and that's at the core of the collective known as Feathers. Below is a track off their debut, Feathers, which is out on Gnomonsong (Devendra Banhart and Andy Cabic's label) You can hear a few more tracks on their myspace (linked below), but I just say heard over to emusic and download this today, you won't be sorry.
Below are excerpts from Wim Maesschalck about his side-project Bloedrood and his release Roetbloed, available for download at Sundays in Spring.
"First there was 'wixel' as my main project, it's mostly instrumental electronica post-rock. I started to notice that i like vocals a lot, and that i wanted to sing & write things myself. Nothing exceptionial, just adding words i care about. So i tried to sing to wixel tracks, but that didn't work. My stuttering & shivering voice didn't fit the music at all. There were too many mistakes in my singing."
"I decided i should try a different direction: no more software, no more plugins, no more multiple take recording, no more changing & changing & changing & changing again. The tenet became "just play and record and make songs".
"I also think terms like "honesty", "personality", "open-heartedness", "integrity", etc are important. Bloedrood should be me, at least to me. I try not to pretend to be things that i'm not (unless i deliberatly want to pretend something). Most of the lyrics are quite simplistic in their meaning. I guess i don't feel much different to the rest of the world when i see a sunset, or when i feel alone, or when the typical girl breaks your heart. But, in a way they are me, and that's what matters to me for now. It also explains "Bloedrood": bloedrood (blood red) is a very pure color, bloed is something fundamental to a living (human) body. So "Bloedrood" represents nothing else than me. "
I posted these quotes because to me it means alot to hear the artist talk about his work and inspiration. The music that is presented on this 7 track LP is nothing short of awe-inspiring. There is no question that Maesschalck pours all that he is into these songs that radiate honesty and sincerity. Download three of the seven tracks below and then head over to SIS for the remaining 4 tracks. You'll be glad you did.
Bonus Below are three tracks from Maesschalck's latest Wixel release, Heart.
The LP is described as, "8 tracks of melancholic acoustic guitars and warm electronics - a very personal and introspective record that might remind you of bands like the notwist, the remote viewer, xela, album leaf..."
The Espers that we knew were a trio from Philadelphia and provided us with the amazing Espers LP and Weed Tree EP respectively. Now, upping it's members to a even six on their 2nd LP, Espers II, their sound has never sounded so lush and magical. With II, the Espers have raised the bar by successfully bridging the gap between past influences (60's British Folk-rock, Vashti Bunyan, Pentangle, The Incredible String Band) and modern sound, taking us on a much deeper and darker journey this time and it's without a doubt a blissful and moving experience.
Above all, this album should be experienced and simply put, you and I may take totally different trips upon hearing it. For me, II presents itself as a journey, a simulated interstellar exploration, and at times sending the listener to that place that transcends time and space, only to be brought back on the wind of beauty that is Meg Baird's angelic voice.
Below is the track Mansfield and Cyclops (the fifth cut on the album) and with it's position on the LP, it seems to break the listener for a moment with it's tight instrumental trip and the cooing of Baird's alluring vocals, preparing the listener for the next stop on the ride. It's absolutely amazing and highly recommended. Enjoy.
Limited Edition (13 tracks to the regular 11 track) Release of To Find Me Gone, Vetiver's 2nd full release on Fat-Cat. Vetiver is essentially Andy Cabic's project, but alongside Cabic, the players on this album included mainstays Devendra Banhart, Alissa Anderson, Otto Hauser (drums), and Kevin Barker (guitar).
I personally find this album a much more refined work than the S/T 2004 debut, taking all that was so good about that piece of work and honing those elements and building upon them. I believe the last two years of his duality role as singer and band mate, has allowed Cabic to takes up the reins and takes total control, knowing exactly what he wants from his music and grasping it, thus, in some ways making this the superior LP.
The regular version of the cd and a vinyl version of this release will be available on June 5th, but why wait. Go to emusic and download an advanced copy. Below is the track Busted, one of the limited edition tracks that will not be on the regular release that was on the Between EP and if it's not a Gram Parsons tribute, I don't know what is.
I have also included Won't Be Me below. I got this as a free track on emusic, although it is listed as Busted on their site, so I don't know which one was suposed to be offered. Unfortunatly, it turns out emusic has all the songs listed incorrectly. A real shame, but hey you're getting it two weeks early. And if that's still not enough, you can stream the entire album on their website.
Digging up the past I stumbled upon Andrew Sweeney's 2004 Monotone. Mostly a beautiful balance of acoustic guitar and piano tracks, accompanied by hints of cellos, amped guitars, and primitive percussion, all arranged slightly different, making each track a unique journey. Well worth the listen.
"Ever hear the Buddhist parable about the pensive hare, wise lion, and a fallen acorn declaring the end of the world? Kill Rock Stars owner Slim Moon sure has. Inspired by the dense double meaning of the narrative and the raw power of six strings and soul-sleeved singers, he’s merged the two with The Sound the Hare Heard compilation."KRS
Recently released from the Kill Rock Stars label is The Sound the Hare Heard. A compilation that is well worth the purchase. With contributions from Sufjan Stevens, Colin Meloy, Wooden Wand, Laura Veirs, Essie Jain, and the Great Lake Swimmers to name a few, how can you go wrong. I got my copy through emusic, but a purchase link is below.
I recently received the new video for Rocky Votolato's White Daisy Passing for The Collective (this month's show) and fell in love with the track. This of course prompted me to explored his most recent (1/06) Barsuk release, Makers. What a gem of an album and I'm pissed I didn't grab this earlier. If you were like me and slipped up on this release, you got to check it out. It's been quoted as the "album Ryan Adams has always tried to make". Big words, but check out two tracks from Makers below.
Another Side of This Life is a compilation of lost recordings from the legendary Gram Parsons from the time period of 65'-66'. I have had this on vinyl for years through Sundazed, but I wanted to post to let you guys know that emusic just aquired it and is available for download. Below are two of the eighteen tracks. Well worth the download if you have not yet got a digital version of the album.
Well this is not really a vinyl upload, but if it was not for the vinyl version of this album, then I would have never had the chance to get this amazing cd, available only with the 1st pressing of this LP. Long out of print, but this needs to be heard. So forgive me that it's not a "true" VU Series, but trust me this is worth it.
One of the most inticipated albums of 2003 for me was Songs:Ohia 's Magnolia Electric Co.To this day this is one of my favorite albums. When I purchased the vinyl years ago I was unaware of the truely priceless treat that I would find in the sleeve. A CD of demos that Jason Molina created during the complilation of this effort that was only available with the 1st pressing of vinyl on Secretly Canadian. While the album is electric and full bodied, these tracks are stripped down, somewhat acoustic, just Molina's raw and soulful voice with his guitar. An equal contender to the official release and in some ways the victor when compared. Make your own conclusions, but this is one of the best posts I have ever posted here and a true gem.
*Note: Jason Molina's new solo LP, Let Me Go, Let Me Go, Let Me Go should be out this July, so make sure you keep your eyes open for that.
*It has been brought to my attention that this is officially refered to as a Jason Molina solo work and not a "Songs:Ohia" work. Understandable, since it is just Molina. I can't change the way the songs are tagged, but how about a new cover I just threw together.
No matter what it's called, all that matters is the tracks and they are amazing. Enjoy.
A bout with the flu, a jury duty stint, and your faithful writer returns. Mass apologies to the artists who have been kind enough to send me their work and have received nothing to this point and to loyal readers and their disappointment in the lack of posts. The write up that follows briefly touches on some of these artists that I think you need to own or at least need to give a listen to, and thank you.
Division Day - Beartrap Island
If you read my review of Division Day's The Mean Way In EP, then you have an idea of this bands work and their sound. Their first full length, Beartrap Island, only magnifies the successful elements from the EP, and expounds upon them. A truly excellent effort and a highly recommended cd. What's that, you're planning a road trip? Then Beartrap Island is the perfect disc for your journey.
I came across The Studiofix on Myspace and liked their raw emotion and their unpolished home recording sound. Hailing from Orange County CA you may think you have an idea what The Studiofix ( Nicole De Leon, Jenna Eyrich, and Jacqueline Pablo) sound like (Sublime tendencies with No Doubt vocals), but drop that stereotype (although not entirely inaccurate) for a second and give these girls a listen. Nicole was kind enough to send me a copy of their recent release and I was even more pleased with their sound. Pablo stands out on the album and holds this group together with her raw and slashing guitar work and if you are from Cali, I recommend you check these girls out live,. I have a felling it's a good show. Open up the garage.
I was looking for videos for The Collective and asked Lucas (Team Clearmont) if he had any resources to acquire some videos for the show. Well one band he sent my way was his own, Venice Is Sinking. Along with the video for Pulaski Heights, I was sent their split ep and it's a real treat. They have three tracks on the split and each one deserves to be in you music collection. Hailing from Athens (birth place of REM, and there is most certainly an admiration here) Venice Is Sinking is Daniel Lawson, Karolyn Troupe, Lucas Jensen, Steve Miller, and James Sewell. Definitely worth a listen.
Another impressive contribution to the P&S from our friend JK. Below are the infamous recordings of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan from the CBS studios, Nashville, TN February17-18, 1969, the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN May 1, 1969, and the Nashville Skyline quadraphonic mixes. Enjoy.
Tracks: .: One Too Many Mornings .: Good Ol' Mountain Dew .: I Still Miss Someone .: Careless Love .: Matchbox .: That's Alright Mama .: Big River .: Girl Of The North Country .: I Walk The Line .: You Are My Sunshine .: Ring Of Fire .: Guess Things Happen That Way .: Just A Closer Walk With Thee .: Blue Yodel .: Blue Yodel #2 .: I Threw It All Away< .: Living The Blues .: Girl Of The North Country .: Nashville Skyline Rag .: I Threw It All Away .: Peggy Day .: Country Pie .: Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
Q&A Time. Three questions... 1) Who is one of my favorite bands? The Animal Collective. 2) Did they start their own Record Company? Yes, and it's called Paw Tracks. 3) What are you waiting for? I don't know.
Emusic has available for FREE download the Paw Tracks sampler with the likes of The Animal Collective, Jane, Ariel Pink, Panda Bear, etc...
