It seems there’s little left for groundbreaking within the experimental psychedelic noise sub-genre. Crystal Antlers impressed greatly with their debut self-titled EP, packed with intense solos and wild, infectious screams. And recently we were wowed by Magic Lantern, whose primarily instrumental sound is seemingly inundated with the term acid. Both are outstanding – don’t confuse the lack of groundbreaking with ineffective songwriting and performance.

About the closest we came to true originality of late is Dark Meat, but they only lapse into that element in the rarest of moments — for example, the acapella intro to “Freedom Ritual”, the opening track to Universal Indians (2008). Tjutjuna is no different, but like the three aforementioned artists, they too are outstanding.

In terms of breaking ground, it becomes exceedingly difficult to attach that label to any band these days. Though one peek around FensePost and you’ll find a trove of artists that still warrant a substantial amount of praise. Tjutjuna passed along two tracks from what appears to be a self-titled release, or perhaps one signified by the title -. Whatever it’s called, “Mosquito Hawk” and “Bottle Kids” fit the description of experimental psychedelic noise to a T. They pack within these two songs just under a total of ten minutes of heavy psych rock, swarming with obscure guitar riffs, instrumental breakdowns, and clanging, incessant drums.

“Mosquito Hawk” features an electronic opening that builds into massive guitars and percussion, a storm of noise that climaxes in enormity and drops down to a consistent drone. “Bottle Kids” opens with a drum beat fronted by drone-ridden guitars that ultimately build into an epic, psych-drone masterpiece. If you find any of those earlier noted bands — Crystal Antlers, Magic Lantern, Dark Meat — attractive, you’ll definitely like what you hear in Tjutjuna. Catch them on tour now with their friends Woodsman from Mexican Summer / Lefse Records.

Download: “Bottle Kids” by Tjutjuna

Download: “Mosquito Hawk” by Tjutjuna

Folk singer Gregory Alan Isakov brings his masterful songs to the West Coast early next month. Hailed as one of Denver’s greatest folk artists, Isakov is set to treat audiences to songs off his recent LP, This Empty Northern Hemisphere. One thing’s for sure, whether you see him at Seattle’s High Dive, visit him at Mississippi Studios in Portland, or stop by one of his several California dates, his mystical acoustic songs will entrance you and lay waste on your emotions. Each song is heartfelt – a trait that ever so often translates magically into live performances.

For a full set of live dates, look below the stream. “Evelyn”, provided directly below as a stream and mp3 download, is off This Empty Northern Hemisphere.

Gregory Alan Isakov: Evelyn [mp3]

Gregory Alan Isakov Tours The Northwest

12/01: Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, CA
12/02: Café du Nord in San Francisco, CA
12/03: Don Quixote’s in Felton, CA
12/10: High Dive in Seattle, WA
12/11: Mississippi Studios in Portland, OR

Swedish folk musician turned Denver resident, Elin Palmer varies her song-craft between orchestration and experimentation. Her songs mesh the two arenas of folk, often dabbling in a fairly sizable amount of pop as well. Palmer’s brilliance is partly due to her mystic voice — the Swedish accent is truly what does it. But wherever the unique instrumentation dominates, sheer brilliance ensues.

Title track “Postcard”, and epic closer “Whaleboat” find Palmer developing that interesting balance between the two sounds (orchestral and experimental). The former, as the opening song on the album, acts as an introduction to a sound both fresh and rewarding. The latter concludes Postcard with an almost anthemic climax; about as much as you can expect from an album that is dominated by folk.

“Time” and “No Use” are equally as intriguing; Palmer adds a lovely waltz-ing accordion in each that creates a very harmonic effect. Violin and cello are the focus in “Stora Stoular”, where Palmer slips into her native tongue (a guess, as I do not speak the language). The same happens in “Duvardar” with a more rewarding result.

The power behind Postcard is truly no surprise. Palmer strikes out on her own for the first time after playing part in several fairly well-known acts, from Devotchka to Crooked Fingers. This debut solo effort is well worth every moment, and Palmer has the ability to become just as familiar a name as the groups in which she’s performed.

Elin Palmer: Postcard [mp3]

[CD, 2009]

1. Postcard
2. Paint
3. Time
4. Stora Stoular
5. Balloons
6. Duvardar
7. No Use
8. Whaleboat