Yukon - "Life Inside" 7 Inch and "Throws"

Yukon have been out on tour since the beginning of April, and come back to Baltimore for a show at the Wind Up Space this Saturday with The Violet Hour and Each Others.

This will be the release show for their new 7 inch. The new disc features "Life Inside", an almost 6 minute long track. The fellows of Yukon wanted to keep that one under wraps for now, but here's a track that will be on their self titled full length due out in the fall.



"Throws" is a pretty good representation of the direction Yukon are heading in - A dark and heavy brew of cave folk, and a more subdued feel than the likes of the Medallion EP.

Get more details on the 7 inch and the show this Saturday after the jump.

"Life Inside" will be a one sided 7 inch and will be limited to 100 copies. It's pressed to white vinyl and features hand screened white on white covers. The track utilizes math-rock elements similar to prior works from the band, and applies them to a guitar heavy folk rock epic.

Jams are controlled well, and it seems as if the freshly expanded lineup has shined Yukon in a new light. You can't help but recall bands of the early 90s FM alternative rock stations, especially with the deep and cavernous vocals. The burning Barbie doll in the "Black Hole Sun" video certainly crossed my mind, but Yukon's sound ignites a bit slower and a lot heavier.

The show Saturday starts at 10 PM and will run you seven beans.

Ticket Giveaway: Half Japanese / Double Dagger

This one is a no-brainer. Not a weak spot on the list, Friday night the Ottobar features Half Japanese, Double Dagger, Baby Venom, and Yukon. Woah.

This fantastic bill is headed by one of the founders of off-kilter punk, Half Japanese. Since forming in the 70s, the band has been a revolving door of members and sounds. All have been surpassed by originator, Jad Fair. Baltimore's Jason Willet, of Leprechaun Catering, Pleasant Livers, and True Vine fame, was also once a member of the the band.

Double Dagger need little introduction. If you missed their pavement melting performance at Whartscape, this show's a must. Nolan and crew are back home from their tour supporting More, and will be happy to scream in your face with excitement.

The math rocked spasms of Yukon are another welcome addition to the evening. Be sure to grab their more than hearty Medallion EP if you haven't already done so. And I've gushed my love for the synthy lo-fi pop of Baby Venom before. With a recent European tour and gig opening for Deerhunter, this is a trio on the verge of explosion.

I have a pair of tickets to give away for Friday's show at the Ottobar. Send a word or two to bmoremusicallyinformed@gmail.com for your shot at them. I'll be picking a winner Friday morning, so be sure to check your electronic mailbox then.

Top 10 Bmore Albums of 2008

From folk to electro-punk to tribal drum jams, 2008 was another solidly diverse year for local releases. With other mediums bound to be sharing their favorite LPs of the year, thought I would focus on just what Baltimore had to offer.

70% of the list just so happens to be Round Robining at the event pictured to the left. December 18 and 19 at Sonar. Check my list below...

10. Yukon - Medallion EP

9. Teeth Mountain - Self Titled

8. Arbouretem (split 12" with Pontiak) - Kale

7. The Deathset - Worldwide

6. Adventure - Self Titled

5. Wilderness - (k)no(w)here

Originally an accompaniment score to an art exhbit, this is by far the bands most cohesive release yet. Slow-core moans paired with monstrous drums give way to unexpected quiet moments of pure sonic bliss.

4. Future Islands - Wave Like Home

In addition to one of my favorite album covers of the year, the highly anticipated debut full length delivers on sound as well. All in all, it's poppy new wave punk at its best while still leaving room to improve.

3. Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez - Why is Bear Billowing?

I've already compared Lesser to the likes of Nick Drake and early Devandra Banhart, which in my opinion is some pretty high praise. His debut trickles along with simple sounds that elude to complex ideas. An under-the -radar artist that deserves far more of your attention.

2. Ponytail - Ice Cream Spiritual

Themes of pixie stix and finger painting combine with mind-numbing rock and roll riffs to make the band's second LP something unlike anything else. This is an album that needs to be heard in it entirety, which I'm sure is typically not an issue for most who give it a go.

1. Beach House - Devotion

Beach House are epic. Paving the way for even more spacey dream pop gems that were released this year (Fight Bite, Grouper), the duo seems to be making lives more beautiful all over the world. After another tour heading into 2009, Victoria and Alex have hopes to record the third LP this winter.

I Saw The Bright Shinies

The Octopus Project & Yukon

October 21 brings ambitious post synthetic power rock to a stage near you. Sonar will be hosting The Octopus Project, with the mighty Yukon pulling support for the night.

The local fellows of Yukon just released Medallion. The 4 tracked disc leaves you unbuckling your belt, not craving more like your typical extended player. With drums out the wazoo, the EP sounds like a more controlled Oxes, sprinkling in vocals and math rocked goodness. Dudes also play with Little Women at the Copycat October 18.

The Octopus Project hail from Austin, and impressed the heck out of me at the Ottobar last year. Last year's LP was superb, but their ultimate ear melter was the collaborative effort with Black Moth Super Rainbow called The House of Apples & Eyeballs.

This show more than likely promises to make going out on Tuesday worth your while.