1) Squarepusher – “Hello Everything” (Warp)
Crackling drum and bass acid techno ready to make your head explode and your eyes melt. This isn’t too far from the schizo stuff Aphex Twin was doing so long ago. Be sure to go back and dive into the Chris Cunningham-directed video, “Come on My Selector,” from 1998 – it’s awesome. Another solid release from this Warp records heavy-hitter.
2) A Hawk and a Hacksaw – “The Way the Wind Blows” (Leaf)
Another dose of the fabulous Balkan instrumentals that these players are so well known for. Neutral Milk Hotel’s drummer is the brains behind this group, and he’s joined by the fabulous Beirut. They are both from Albuquerque, N.M., and that means you should go road trip to say hi.
3) Melvins – “A Senile Animal” (Ipecac)
Alright, so you all thought you were safe because the new Wolf Eyes and the new Sun 0))) & Boris albums were fading out a bit from last week. Well, this is another big slap in your face because it’s going to slam just as hard as either of those. The legendary Melvins team up with Big Business and tear apart everything from your face to your intestines. Be prepared.
4) Electric Gypsyland 2 (Crammed Discs)
This disc is all-Balkan gypsy tracks redone and remixed by some of today’s sweetest artists. I say “sweet,” but these guys are making seriously banging Balkan tracks. If you like Kocani Orkestrar or Balkan Beat Box, you’re going to flip because they’re both on this album. Nouvelle Vague, Cibelle, Tunng and Animal Collective are also featured on this, and the album has a second disc of all the normal songs. Ay AY AY!!!!!
5) Tom Waits – “Orphans: Bawlers, Brawlers, and Beggers” (Anti-)
What can I say? Tom Waits has been putting out great disc after great disc for more than 30 years. It’s insane. Just get this into your collection ASAP. It’s three discs packed full of rarities and unreleased tracks, and it’s everything you really could have hoped for in a new Tom Waits release. How old is he now anyways? Good thing he still sounds like he just smoked a pack of cigarettes and drank a handle of bourbon.
6) The King Khan and BBQ show – “What’s For Dinner?” (In the Red)
This is Radio1190’s CD of the Month for November. In the Red is a rockin’ label that has brought you favorites like Black Lips, Dirtbombs, Pussy Galore, Sparks, and Andre Williams. They’ve come back with their first release of The King Khan and BBQ show, who are two bands combined basically. King Khan is a guitarist and singer who BELTS it out. BBQ is a one-man band that plays bluesy-punky music. Put them together and we’ve got a disc that rocks and rolls as much as it’s got soul. Doo-wop to gritty blues-rock, this album is dead-on the whole way through.