These pieces are exemplary of the Franco-Belgian violin school, the basis of the modern  technical use of the violin. Play any!

File: Classical collections: Papavrami

This ensemble seeks to display trombone works diversely and through time--Renaissance forward. Includes works by Pergolesi, Strauss, Bozza, Bach and Deemer. Debut recording. Play any!

File: Classical collections: Chicago Trombone Consort

Two of Czechoslovakia's best composers began as a teacher/student relationship (Dvorak as teacher) and then became a family affair when Suk married Dvorak's daughter. These two works are Romantic, lush and pastorale. And every classical music library needs a version of Czech Suite! Play all!

File: Classical collections: Dvorak

Eclectic psych-jazz funk from this four-piece band out of Milan–- contemporary takes on obscure themes from Italian cinema circa 1960’s-70’s. Described by Wax Poetics as “Italian soundtrack funk that sounds like Goblin recording at Stax!” Perhaps not as eerie or fantastical as Goblin, but this group certainly lays down some dark, sophisticated grooves.

This rock EP, which varies from tunes with nearly a country vibe to tunes with a psych vibe, shows that this band is still experimenting with its sound. I'm really digging the edginess/uniqueness of the last track-- "Don't Let it Die"-- it kind of reminds me of some of Gossip's older material (although I could just be thinking that because it's the next band that comes alphabetically on my iTunes!).

FCC Clean!

Try: 5,4,3

RIYL My Morning Jacket, Blitzen Trapper

Here's some cheery, jangly summertime pop. It might take a few listens for the stop-and-go melodies and highly affected vocals to grow on you (as in I really didn't get the hype about this band during my first listen), but this is pretty decent stuff. Tracks like "Nova Leigh" recall the pure exhilaration of Vampire Weekend's tracks, while others (like "At Home Now") show a serious Strokes influence. My personal faves are the aforementioned "Nova Leigh" (8) and "The Ballad of Moose Bruce" (has kind of a manic-folksy vibe) (5) but suggested tracks are all pretty good.

FCC Clean!

RIYL Vampire Weekend, The Strokes

Try 2,3,5,6,7,8,9

Hayaino Daisuki- The Invincible Gate Mind Of The Infernal Fire EP

released April 9, 2010 on Hydra Head Records

This is an EP from a Japanese outfit described as "power-thrash". It's only 4 songs long, clocking in at about 12-13 minutes total. "Ghosts Of Purgatory" is chock full of pounding, thrashing drums that dominate the sound. Noisy and somewhat primitive with a good dose of hardcore intensity thrown in.  "Shibito" is similar but with slightly less drums and more of an attempt at fleshing out the guitars and bass, throwing in a few blast beats for good measure.  "Blood" is probably the best out of all four tracks with intense thrashing/blast beats. Call them whatever you want but don't call them grindcore. I've never actually heard much Japanese thrash, hence my first exposure to such. Not bad at all and check it out if you love drumming.

FCC: Check?

Try: 1,2,4

01. Ghosts Of Purgatory

02. Shibito

03. Kirei

04. Blood

3/5