Radio 1190's CD of the Month for August is Blue Cathedral, the new album by Comets On Fire. Comets on Fire is a five piece rock band formed in Santa Cruz in 1999. On Blue Cathedral, Comets on Fire create massive anthems that draw on the dark side of 60's psychedelia and the decadent indulgence of 70's arena rock. Blue Cathedral is an engaging collection of intense and complex rock freak-outs.

December 99: Low Christmas & I Made it Out of Clay compilation--As a special holiday treat for our current and December members of the CD of the Month Club, Radio 1190 is throwing in an extra CD! Low, a sanguine threepiece from the drowsy shores of Duluth, Minnesota, have put out a special, hard to find CD of Christmas and Christmas related songs. The majority of the new CD is signature Low -- languid, mournful, and sparse. They do, however, make a noticable departure from their trademark style on the album's first track "Just Like Christmas." This catchy, beautiful track has been exceedingly popular with both staff and listeners. Christmas is a combination of original songs and covers such as "Blue Christmas," "Silent Night," and "Little Drummer Boy."

As a bonus, we're also including the new Hanukkah compilation I Made it Out of Clay put together by Little Shirley Beans. One of the greatest things about this new (and to my best knowledge, first) indie pop Chanukah compilation is it's mastermind, Brooklyn's Little Shirley Beans. Shirley Braha as she is known to her family, is but a mere 16 years old which lends a special air of awe-thenticity to this record. Shirley made her first mark earlier this year by organizing the "Indiepop List" song from the latest Momus album "Stars Forever" and now gives everyone at the intersection of Jew and Indiepop fan reason to rejoice with upbeat songs about our best known holiday. by Joshua Bloom

January 2000: Songs:Ohia The Lioness--Some underground musicians never make it to their fourth album, and very few do it in style like our man from Lorain, Ohio, Jason Molina. To record The Lioness, Molina (along with regular Songs: Ohia members Jonathan Cargill and Geof Comings) traveled far from home - all the way to Glasgow, Scotland. Once there, local musicians Aidan Moffat and David Gow of Arab Strap and Ali Roberts of Appendix Out were more than happy to join the lineup, adding a new dimension to Molina's expert song craft. While it may initially be perceived as even darker than last year's Axxess & Ace, The Lioness is in fact more of a celebration of love, in direct contrast to Axxess' songs that generally focused on failing relationships. Review by Josh Bloom at Fanatic.

February 2000: Destroyer Thief--Hailing from Canada, Destroyer quietly infested the airwaves of the USA with their single, "The Temple." Immediately a hit here at Radio 1190, the music staff sought out any information about this catchy band to aid in the countless calls asking "Who is this band?" Low and behold a few weeks later the full length by Destroyer, entitled Thief, landed on our desks and the rest is history. The brain behind Destroyer is Daniel Bejar, who in 1995 after dropping out of college, began to record on a borrowed four-track weird instrumentals and kooky cover songs. Five years later and after adding a few members, Thief was recorded. It is a great album full of catchy tunes, reminiscent of the Bowie-era years. If you listen closely, he actually has some pretty interesting things to say about the world as it stands. A must have for any music collection.----Your "dedicated to cool music" Music Staff at Radio 1190

November 2000: Mudhoney--Here Comes Sickness--Incorrectly labeled "grunge" and unfairly linked with Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Mudhoney takes similar early 90's themes but makes them sleazy and trashy like the Russ Meyer film they named themselves after. Here Comes Sickness compiles three sessions recorded for John Peel and the BBC. Included are several tracks recorded during their first trip to England in 1989--only a year after the band formed. There are also tracks recorded in 1995 after the Sub-Pop/Seattle explosion.

December 2000: Bikeride--Summer Winners/Summer Losers-- This is the third release by Southern California's Bikeride. This CD contains singles, outtakes and cover songs that made up previously released 7" records and EPs. Rather than hiding on B-sides these songs shine brighter then the mid-August sun. The infectious pop hooks and melodies, as well as the fun vocals of leader Tony Carbone, will surely keep you warm during the cold month of December.

January 2001: The Causey Way--Causey vs. Everything-- The Causey Way is not a cult. With crunchy, noisy "hymns" that are both creepy and intriguing, the Way preach a religion of rock, conplete with a synth-punk, new-wave musical style that owes much to Alice Donut, Devo, and The Rentals. Causey vs. Everything is The Causey Way's most rounded release yet. It features eight of the 17 rotating ACE (Aural Communications Entertainment Division) members: Causey, Jane Diaz, Rain Phoenix, Summer Phoenix, Dr. Tracy Cox, The Button, Brian Teasley (Man or Astroman?), and Ballard Leisman (Rock-a-teens).

February 2001: Reproductions--Songs of The Human League
This tribute/compilation is a vindication of sorts for those of us who have loved The Human League all these years. We have been trying to convince anyone who would listen that there was much more to the band than their mainstream hits of the mid-eighties. Now we have the likes of Barcelona, Stephin Merrett, Momus, The Aluminum Group and others to back us up in our praise of The Human League. The Human League formed in 1977, blending technology and catchy melodies that proved influential on countless acts of the new-wave and beyond. Reproductions is a fitting tribute, and a showcase of some of the best current synth-oriented pop bands of today. Other bands performing on this disc include Stars, Baxendale, and Ladytron.

March 2001: Blue States--Nothing Changes Under the Sun
Radio 1190's CD of the Month for March is Nothing Changes Under the Sun the debut album by Blue States. Formed in 1997, the London-based Blue States released four EPs in the UK before recording this album. On Nothing Changes Under the Sun, Blue States creates a seductive and cinematic blend of electronic, jazz, and rock sounds. From songs like "Your Girl" which incorporates soul and downtempo beats to "Elios Therapia" with its spaghetti western references, "Nothing Changes Under the Sun" is a unique and refreshing take on electronic music. The CD of the Month is sponsored by Twist and Shout Records in Denver.

April 2001: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds--And No More Shall We Part
Radio 1190's CD of the Month for April is no more shall we part, by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Nick Cave formed the Bad Seeds in 1984 after the breakup of The Birthday Party. With his new band he continued to explore his obsessions with love, death, religion, America and violence. The Bad Seeds created a bizarre hybrid of blues, gospel, rock and punk. Like 1997's The Boatman's Call, no more shall we part has a more somber and introspective feel. Cave's powerful lyrics are pushed to the foreground, often accompanied only by piano and violin.

May 2001: Sigur Ros--Aegaetis Byrjun
Hailing from Iceland, Sigur Ros creates beautifully orchestrated and deeply atmospheric music on its first U.S. release. Layered, rich, and emotional, these extended soundscapes are a mix of guitars, keyboard, flute, accordian, bass and drums. The starngely distinctive vocals are sung in a mixture of Icelandis and a language calle "Hopelandic"--a combination of sounds and inflections.

June 2001: Pleasure Forever

July 2001: Mission--One
Mission is a live instrument hip-hop group from San Francisco that is led by MC's Rashaan Amad and Moe Pope. "One," out on Def Juz Records explores the topics of anti-materialism and anti-violence, while the music is heavily ridden with smooth keyboard beats.

August 2001: The Faint--Danse Macabre
Hailing from Omaha, NE, The Faint was formed in 1995 by brothers Todd and Clark Baechle, who traded in their skateboards for guitars and synthesizers. Danse Macabre is a blend of synthesizers, drum machines and manipulated vocals. The Faint creates an infectious and energetic album that pays tribute to eighties punk and new wave without sounding retro.

September 2001: Various--Bombay 2: Electric Vindaloo
Bombay 2 is a collection of traditional indian film music re-interpreted
by modern musicians and producers like kid koala and dj me dj you. While
the first album mimicked blaxploitation sounds of the 70s, bombay 2 more
reflects the atari-age new-wave of the early 80s. But like the original
compilaiton, Bombay 2 is loaded with campy action film samples and quirky
beats.

October 2001: Daniel Johnston--Rejected Unknown
Radio 1190's CD of the month for October is Rejected Unknown by Daniel Johnston. At age forty-one, Johnston is considered among the pioneers of alternative music. He was doing "indie" and "lo-fi" before the terms existed. Rejected Unknown is culled form over two years of on and off home recording.

January 2002: Tom Waits - Used Songs
Used Songs is a collection of Waits' early music, made between 1973 and 1980 and released on Asylum records. Tom Waits has been making raw, passionate and original music for more than thirty years. Used Songs showcases Tom Waits' classic songwriting that has become his trademark.

April 2002: The Mooney Suzuki--Electric Sweat
"This New York City crew were knocking out their shaggy rave-ups back when The Strokes were still at boarding school. Now, with Electric Sweat, they have delivered the decisive garage-punk punch they seemed to be working toward all that time. Decidedly less explosive but more varied than previous releases, the disc's sharper production helps bring swaggering, R&B romps like Oh Sweet Susanna into focus, while In A Young Man's Mind finds the group in touch with their inner-MC5, and Natural Fact hints at Arthur Lee." Kieran Grant--Toronto Sun

June 2002: Various--Angels and Insects
Angels and Insects comes to us from the new independent label Mondrian Sound Network. This underground compilation features tracks from Aesop Rock, Cannibal Ox, The Atoms Family, Delta from Australia, and Colorado's own Dragons of Eden along with many others. The deep hypnotic beats come from the Golden Monkeys, Blueprint, and other great producers. They provide a canvass for the MCs to paint lyrical portraits, all revolving around the theme of Angels and Insects. This album contains the creative work of many artists in one integratred package.

July 2002: Mum--And Finally We Are No One
On their second release Mum (moom) return with the intricate, laptop-based programming of their first record. on finally we are no one they expand on that sound by letting vocals take center stage. The vocals--sung by twin sisters--rise above the synthetic blips and beats to create a warm and richly textured album. for more information on the cd of the month club, log onto radio 1190 dot org.

August 2002: Total Lee-The Songs of Lee Hazlewood
This is the first ever tribute album in honor of the musical maverick and eccentric Lee Hazlewood. Bands paying tribute to the legendary songwriter include Calexico, St. Etienne, Tindersticks, Calvin Johnson and many others. The covers on Total Lee artfully capture the essence of Hazlewood--the deep voice, the dark introspection, ans the wry, playful humor. The album includes liner notes penned by Hazlewood himself.

September 2002: Q and Not U -- Different Damage
Different Damage is the second release by Q and Not U. On Different Damage, this Washington D.C. trio unleashes a blend of frenetic, infectious punk rock with funky art rock to create a sound reminiscent of Wire, Gang of Four, and PIL. Q and Not U mix animated and energetic vocals with a cacophany of of instruments to create a fresh take on this old-school punk sound.

October 2002: Various--Urban Renewal Program
Urban Renewal Program is a collection of artists exploring the sonic territory where experimental electronic music meets underground hip-hop. The songs on Urban Renewal Program range from the glitchy, cut-and-paste style of Prefuse 73, to the dissonant rantings of El-P, to the raw mc-ing of Mr. Lif. You'll also hear a sampling of chilled-out electro-jazz from the likes of Tortoise, Caural, and Miho Hatori (of Cibo Mato fame). The CD also comes with a 24 page booklet of original artwork.

November 2002: The Mountain Goats--Tallahassee
John Darnielle formed The Mountain Goats in 1991 and has quietly released nearly a dozen heartfelt albums over the last eleven years. Tallahassee is a series of vignettes about a down-and-out, alcoholic couple on the verge of divorce. The album has a more richly produced sound than some of the Mountain Goats' earlier work, but the simnple songs are still built around Darnielle's choppy guitar strumming and plaintive vocals.

December 2002: Little Wings--Light Green Leaves
Light Green Leave is the fourth album from Little Wings. On Light Green Leaves, Little Wings continues its skewed take on earthy folk music. Singer/ songwriter Kyle Field infuses the simple songs with naïve child-like observations. His half sung, half mumbled vocals are both quirky and endearing. The simple acoustic songs are given subtle production treatments that make them shine. For more information on Little Wings and the CD of the Month Club, log onto radio1190.org. The CD of the Month Club is sponsored by Twist and Shout in Denver.

January 2003: ESG--Step Off
Step Off is the third full-length album by ESG. ESG was formed in the early 1980s in the South Bronx by three sisters—Renee, Valerie, and Marie Scroggins. These women were in the right place at the right time to explore punk, hip-hop, and house music. The result was a brand of atmospheric funk that has been heavily sampled by hip-hop artists over the years. Step Off is ESG 's first record in ten years. The Scroggins sisters, joined by their daughters, bring back the band's unique sense of sparse funk. Without sounding retro or dated, Step Off transports the listener back two decades to an exciting and lively period in the New York art music scene.

February 2003: Morvern Callar--Original Soundtrack
The film tells the story of a young woman who flees her remote Scottish village after the suicide of her boyfriend. The soundtrack is comprised of songs on a mixtape her boyfriend left for her, and it forms an integral part of the film. Songs by Can, Broadcast, The Velvet Underground, Boards of Canada, Lee 'Scratch' Perry and others reflect the different stages of the central character's journey. Morvern Callar is a diverse and challenging mix of quirky rock, IDM, and ambient pop songs that sounds great on its own as well.

March 2003: DJ Krush--The Message at the Depth
On The Message at the Depth, DJ Krush pushes the envelope of electronic music by creating a dark and pulsating assemblage of hip-hop, drum&bass and dub. The innovative beats are anchored by the legendary rhythm section of Sly and Robbie. The atmospheric sounds lay the foundation for the political and poetic lyrics of numerous guests from the world of underground hip-hop and reggae, including Anticon, Opus, and Abijah.

April 2003: The Black Keys--Thickfreakness
Thickfreakness is the second album by The Black Keys. Out of Akron, Ohio, The Black Keys play primitive, vintage blues and classic rock with a raw punk edge. The duo leans toward the minimal side of the 12 bar, 4 chord format. On Thickfreakness, The Black Keys pay an inspired tribute to vintage rock and blues without resorting to caricatures and gimmicks.

May 2003: Love, Peace, and Poetry: Brazilian Psychedelic Music
This compilation is the sixth in a series from QDK Media out of Germany. It highlights the underground psychedelic scene in Brazil in the sixties. The bands on Love, Peace and Poetry show that Torpicalia wasn't the only revolutionary music being created in Brazil during the sixties. Love, Peace and Poetry features hard to find psych-pop offerings from such obscure groups as O Bando, Os Brazoes, Spectrum, and Sound Factory.

June 2003: Devotchka: Una Volta
Una Volta is the second full-length release from local favorite Devotchka. Since 1998, Devotchka has been entertaining fans in the Denver/Boulder area with their unusual instrumentation and high energy performances. On Una Volta, Devotchka mixes Eastern European folk and American rock to create a festive and energetic sound.

July 2003: Madlib--Shades of Blue
Radio 1190's CD of the Month for July is Shades of Blue, the latest from hip-hop producer extraordinaire Madlib. Madlib's career as a DJ, producer, and MC began in the early nineties with his hip-hop band The Lootpack. Since then he has become known for his eclectic jazz-funk experiments with the fictional group Yesterday's New Quintet. Shades of Blue contains Madlib's remixes as well as full blown re-creations of music from the catalogue of seminal jazz label Blue Note Records. The result is a laid back journey through some of jazz's finest works including pieces originally composed by Horace Silver, Donald Byrd, and Wayne Shorter.

August 2003: Black Box Recorder--Passionoia
Passionoia, the third album form London's Black Box Recorder. Black Box Recorder formed in 1998 and features former members of The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Auteurs. On Passionoia Black Box Recorder changes its musical direction slightly, delivering ten subsersive dance-pop songs. Songwriters John Moore and Luke Haines continue their wicked and insightful explorations of childhood, British culture and the mundane aspects of everyday life.

September 2003: Prefuse 73, Extinguished: Outtakes, Alternate Takes and Beats From One Word Extinguisher.
Prefuse 73 is the moniker of Scott Herren, one of the world's leading underground hip-hop and glitch producers. Extinguished is the spawn of Herren's acclaimed release One Word Extinguisher. The new album is 38 minutes of rhythmic cutups, tempo shifts and dramatic interludes. Extinguished is compelling both as a supplement to One Word Extinguisher and as a cohesive album.

October 2003: Various--Par Avion: Global Indie Clubpop
Par Avion--Global Indie Clubpop is a collection of playful, underground dance music from around the globe. The album was compiled by DJs from Par Avion, a Los Angeles based dance party. Global Indie Clubpop is full of quirky and upbeat pop dance tracks by twelve bands from nine different countries. Contributors include Stereo Total, Figurine, The Pancakes, Galactica and others.

November 2003: Richmond Fontaine--Post To Wire
Formed in Portland Oregon in 1995, Richmond Fontaine weaves the roots of country rock with the spirit of punk. On Post To Wire, lead man Willy Vlautin writes optimistic character sketches about underdogs and losers living on the edge and trying to make something of their lives. Carrying on the tradition of country rock pioneers like Uncle Tupelo, The Byrds, and Green On Red, Richmond Fontaine expands the genre with literary observations and inventive songwriting.

December 2003: The Dirtbombs--Dangerous Magical Noise
Mick Collins formed The Dirtbombs in Detroit in 1997 after the breakup of his first band The Gories. The Dirtbombs' unusual lineup includes two drummers, two bassists, guitar and vocals. Dangerous Magical Noise is a raucous party album that veers recklessly from loud garage rock to glam to classic soul and R&B. Dangerous Magical Noise has a bunch of Dirtbombs originals as well as a couple covers of Brian Eno and Robyn Hitchcock songs.

January 2004: Oneida--Secret Wars
Formed in 1997, Oneida has released six albums of high energy, psychedelic indie rock. On Secret Wars, Oneida delivers a package of hook-filled songs inspired in equal parts by 60’s garage punk, stoner rock, and experimental German rock. Oneida is able to incorporate these retro influnces on Secret Wars without sounding like a throwback. Instead Oneida spins its influences into something fresh and innovative.

February 2004: Camera Obscura--Underachievers Please Try Harder
Formed in 1996 in Glasgow, Camera Obscura is an ensemble of 6 musicians who create enchanting, melodic pop music. On Underachievers Please Try Harder the group pays homage to 60’s pop icons like the Beach Boys and the Supremes, in a uniqulely Scottish pop fashion. The U.S. version of the album from Camera Obscura contains two bonus tracks that are not available on the import.

March 2004: cLOUDDEAD--Ten
cLOUDDEAD is comprised of three founding members of the Anticon collective: Odd Nosdam, Why?, and Dose One. On Ten, cLOUDDEAD transforms underground hip-hop into an avant garde, ambient collage unlike anything you've heard before. Ten showcases cLOUDDEAD's unique sound, combining poetic chanted lyrics and droned out rhythms. Ten is a weird and beautiful post hip-hop collage.

April 2004: Madvillain--Madvillainny
This highly anticipated underground hip hop album is a collaboration between MF Doom and dj/producer Madlib. Madvillainy has 22 comic book inspired vignettes that tell the mythical tales of hip hop heroes and villains. Madlib's beat orchestrations draw on a diverse selection of jazz including Sun Ra and Sonny Rollins. Madvillainy features guest appearances by Madlib and MF Doom's numerous alter egos, as well as MCs Wildchild and Medaphor.

May 2004: Various--The Local Shakedown Vol. II. This is our second installment of independent music from Colorado. Compiled by Smooch Records founder Andrew Murphy, The Local Shakedown Vol. II covers a wide variety of musical styles including rock, punk, hip-hop, electronic, surf, dub and noise. The compilation celebrates the diversity of Colorado's underground music scene and includes both new and previously released tracks.

June 2004: GD Luxxe--Between Zero and Eternity
The mastermind behind GD Luxxe is Vienna producer Gerhard Potuznik. Since the late 1980's, Potuznik has been recording electronic dance music under various names. The new album by GD Luxxe was written using an acoustic guitar and recorded initially on electric guitar and bass. Later on computers, drum machines and synthesizers were added to transform the entire sound of the recording. The result is an innovative electro-rock dance album.

July 2004: Graham Smith--Final Battle
Since 1996, Smith has released six albums of short, light hearted, lo-fi pop songs under the name Kleenex Girl Wonder. On Final Battle, Graham Smith gets rid of the moniker as well as some of the gimmicks and cocky lyrics of his recent albums. Final Battle is 13 tracks of exuberant indie pop songs by an artist who is maturing but still not taking himself too seriously.