Seabrook Power Plant: II (Loyal Label, 4/26/11)

Seabrook Power Plant: "Lamborghini Helicopter"

Morrow: Using a banjo and upright bass as key instruments in a math-prog power trio, Seabrook Power Plant offers one hell of an alternative to the "nuclear family" of the traditional rock lineup.

Electric guitar, electric bass, and assorted effects each play major roles, and at times, the group comes closer to the shredding avant-rock of "regular" experimental bands. But even when not using the twangy instrument for rapid, arpeggiated leads or going acoustic with the rhythm section, something unusual is happening — whether it's weird operatic vocals, furious and echoing violin riffs, moments of sludge rock, or distorted drum fills.

Hajduch: I was really, really not feeling this at first, but a few tracks in, it settles into more "straightforward" (relatively speaking) chord work instead of the initial barrage of banjo shred. The counterpoint is impressive and the drums in particular are really engaging and fun to listen to, but there's only so much bluegrass Great Kat I can listen to before my eyes glaze over.

Morrow: You have to love fast, complex, and dissonant music, but if you do, there's enough variety to keep things interesting. "Sacchetto Mal D'Aria" features impressive harmonies of overdubbed banjos, "Black Sheep Squadron" fields an army of squiggly guitar leads, and "0515" closes the album with a noise-rock barrage that incorporates swelling dub effects and what sound like electronic drum plug-ins. You love those drum effects, don't you?

Hajduch: Ha ha, yes — listening to that song, I realized that I might actually like delay echoes more than the music that they're comprised of. I may have "a problem." Back on topic, this is definitely a wide-reaching album (once you get past a somewhat impenetrable opening). I like their use of catchy dissonance, which reminds me of Mahavishnu Orchestra (or maybe reminds me of the parts of The Dillinger Escape Plan that most obviously resemble Mahavishnu).

Morrow: As long as it's in quotes, it's not a real problem. That's what I say about my "chronic shoplifting," anyway.

Good call on those comparisons. Few would dare to call this album melodic, but I really appreciate albums that can balance dissonance with just enough melody to prevent listening fatigue. That might set in anyway for non-techies, but the balance makes II a much more palatable experience.

As usual, ALARM leaves no genre unexplored in our list of this year's overlooked gems.

Sigh: Scenes from Hell (The End, 1/19/10)

Sigh: "The Summer Funeral"

With a history of fusing other revered genres to a doomy combination of black metal and thrash, Japan's Sigh used its eighth studio album to deliver symphonic, epic metal that calls upon classical instrumentation to top its rock foundation.

Brass, woodwind, and string instruments — as well as organ and piano — accent as well as lead sinister melodies that take surprising turns through fanciful themes. Raspy, menacing vocals coat each track, resulting in a dramatic presentation that isn't much at odds with its complex backdrop.

RJD2: The Colossus (RJ’s Electrical Connections, 1/19/10)

RJD2: "Games You Can Win"

Following a divisive album that saw the introduction of poppy, soulful vocals, producer RJD2 returned with something of a split release — an album that leaves no shortage of accessible, vocal-driven tunes but that emphasizes some inventive instrumentals.  Whether or not you dig the soulful RJ, there's no doubt that the music on The Colossus is some of his best to date.

Chicago Underground Duo: Boca Negra (Thrill Jockey, 1/26/10)

Chicago Underground Duo: "Spy on the Floor"

For 15 years, the Chicago Underground Duo (and Trio, Quartet, and Orchestra) has been an avant-garde jazz outlet for prolific Chicago musicians Rob Mazurek (Exploding Star Orchestra, Isotope 217) and Chad Taylor.  Boca Negra is an interesting dichotomy, as spiraling vociferation leads to upbeat grooves, shifting piano chords, harmonic electronics, and ambient samples.

Algernon: Ghost Surveillance (Cuneiform, 1/26/10)

Algernon: "Broken Lady"

The brainchild of guitarist Dave Miller, Algernon walks a thin line between melodically driven post-rock and instrumental unconventionality.  Ghost Surveillance places greater emphasis on synthesizers and sprawling song structures, but at its core is the combination of accessibility and technicality that has defined Miller's style. Noisy, circular rock riffs transform to tranquil, wandering passages. "Timekiller," the album's fourth track, is a beautiful, buoyant number — and one of the band's best creations to date.

Bei Bei & Shawn Lee: Into the Wind (Ubiquity, 1/26/10)

Bei Bei & Shawn Lee: "East"

In the hands of a marvel, the guzheng — a gorgeous Chinese zither — resonates with tactile beauty as its many strings are plucked with precision.

Bei Bei, a native of Chengdu, China, is one such musical technician. And this collaboration with Shawn Lee, a prolific producer who can man as many genres as he sees fit, is undoubtedly one of the year's finest albums.  Together, the two use Into the Wind to navigate through funky down-tempo jams, Kung-Fu flavor, hip hop, soul, and driving grooves.

Daníel Bjarnason: Processions (Bedroom Community, 2/1/10)

Daníel Bjarnason: "Bow to String I: Sorrow Conquers Happiness"

Best known as a conductor and arranger for indie groups such as Sigur Rós, composer Daníel Bjarnason also holds a lofty classical résumé. Processions, his proper debut, is, at many points, a challenging classical work.  Powerful cellos scale and race with crackling percussions before settling into gently bowed and pizzicato string accompaniments; easily half a dozen strings battle for dominance in a sorrowful, harmonic piece that resonates long after hearing it.  Undoubtedly, Processions is a daring and original debut.

Shining: Blackjazz (Indie Recordings / Distribution, 2/2/10)

Shining: "Fisheye"

Beginning as an experimental acoustic jazz ensemble, Norway's Shining — the brainchild of saxophonist Jørgen Munkeby — transformed to a progressive jazz-fusion outfit before delving into its darker side for a collaboration with black-metallists Enslaved.

Blackjazz pushes deeper into the band's dark recesses, forging a progressive industrial sound for the young century.  Big, complex rock riffs, twisted through gnarly distortion, form the foundation and support a mass of frantic, whirring synth lines and gut-wrenching black-metal screams.  In all, Blackjazz is a new epic — and perhaps the best metal album of 2010.

Pillars and Tongues: Lay of Pilgrim Park, LP + download (Endless Nest, 2/9/10)

Pillars and Tongues: "The Center of"

With just three members, Pillars and Tongues manages to craft powerful folk abstractions and interwoven, trance-inducing vocal dynamics. Both composed and improvisational, these shifting forms evoke spiritual vibes in their soulful essence, heavenly harmonies, and repeated patterns.

Dessa: A Badly Broken Code (Doomtree, 2/9/10)

Dessa: "Dixon's Girl"

The only female member of Minneapolis hip-hop collective Doomtree, Dessa is a spoken-word vocalist, singer, and MC whose awaited full-length was finally released earlier this year.

On A Badly Broken Code, her true solo debut, Dessa's vocal diversity is matched by its underlying music, ranging from hard-hitting beats and rhymes to lilting harmonic overdubs.

The Bastard Noise / The Endless Blockade: The Red List (20 Buck Spin, 2/16/10)

The Bastard Noise: "Mutant World of Shame / Underworld"

A spinoff of treasured "power-violence" hardcore group Man is the Bastard, The Bastard Noise is approaching its 20th anniversary of creating noisy electro-doom brutality.  For this split release with hardcore/punk experimentalists The Endless Blockade, the group utilizes the trademark drum-and-bass style of Man is the Bastard in combination with its far-out sounds.  The Endless Blockade contributes three tracks to the release — one 14-minute epic and two avant-garde remixes.

Freeway & Jake One: The Stimulus Package (Rhymesayers, 2/16/10)

Freeway & Jake One: "Know What I Mean"

Continuing his life after Roc-A-Fella Records, former freestyle star Freeway now makes his debut on Rhymesayers, a fitting new home — if only temporary before a move to Cash Money.  Fellow Rhymesayers standout Jake One provides a funky, malleable backdrop for Freeway's fiery delivery and lyrics that are alternately personal and light in content. And though Freeway deserves his accolades, Jake One's production is the MVP of this collaboration.

Carolina Chocolate Drops: Genuine Negro Jig (Nonesuch, 2/16/10)

Carolina Chocolate Drops: "Hit 'Em Up Style" (Blu Cantrell)

Beholden to the traditions of Americana and early African-American folk, the string trio Carolina Chocolate Drops continues blurring the lines of old and new. On Genuine Negro Jig, the group's fifth album, a few original numbers and a trove of traditionals take root in banjo, fiddle, and percussion. Three-part harmonies shimmer on the famous folk tune "Trouble in Your Mind," and simplicity shines on gripping renditions of "Why Don't You Do Right?" by Kansas Joe McCoy and "Trampled Rose" by Tom Waits.  Most surprisingly, Genuine Negro Jig includes an enjoyable rendition of "Hit 'Em Up Style," an unintentionally farcical pop hit by Blu Cantrell.

Mako Sica: Dual Horizon LP (La Société Expéditionnaire, 2/16/10)

Mako Sica: "I'Itoi"

A translation of the phrase "land bad," Mako Sica has more than a nominal Native American influence; the trio's distant vocal reverberations and dirge-inspired tunes recall the spirituality of America's original inhabitants.

Between the vocalizations of Brent Fuscaldo, the melodies of guitarist Przemyslaw Krys Drazek, and the rhythms of drummer Michael J. Kendrick, Mako Sica maintains a strong balance of abilities — with a brooding combination of jangly guitars, reverberated vociferation, and instrumental dynamics.

High on Fire: Snakes for the Divine (E1 Music, 2/23/10)

High on Fire: "Snakes for the Divine"

Stoner-metal trio High on Fire has built a devoted following over the past dozen years as fans fell in love with Matt Pike's gruff vocals and thunderous guitar riffs. On Snakes for the Divine, Pike uses his throat to channel Lemmy Kilmister; meanwhile, the band has picked up its pace and crafted an album that isn’t as outstretched. Hard-hitting riffery leads an effort that, though diverse at times, may be the band’s most driving release.

Jaga Jazzist: One-Armed Bandit (Ninja Tune, 2/23/10)

Jaga Jazzist: "One-Armed Bandit"

Five years have passed since we've heard the powerhouse melodies of Norway's Jaga Jazzist, the post-rock/"nü-jazz" conception of brothers Lars and Martin Horntveth.

One-Armed Bandit, immediately the group's best album, resembles symphonic prog rock, arguably a few steps removed from parts of Frank Zappa's expansive catalog and closer to countryman Jono El Grande's diverse and theatrical style.  This album, however, is much more cohesive than either of those comparisons suggest, and at times it is nearly overwhelming with grooves and harmonious refrains.

Rob Swift: The Architect (Ipecac, 2/23/10)

Rob Swift: "The Architect"

Turntablist/DJ Robert Aguilar, formerly of the X-ecutioners, has long utilized his love of jazz, R&B, and other musical movements to create compelling hip-hop instrumentals while displaying his tight beat-juggling skills.

The Architect is Swift’s foray into the classical world. In addition to a multitude of sampled styles and sounds, classical cuts comprise a substantial chunk of this Ipecac debut. Rearranged strings, organ, and horns often make the foundation of a given track, occasionally evoking high-tension Italian Westerns, as Swift’s scratches dance atop banging beats.

Rotting Christ: Aealo (Season of Mist, 2/23/10)

Rotting Christ: "Aealo"

For more than 20 years, Athens' Rotting Christ has traversed different directions on the metal path.  With its previous release, Theogonia, the group released a striking, original album that fused its dark sound to the ethnic sounds of its ancestors.

Like its predecessor, Aealo features female Benedictine chants, lingual pipes, and a medieval feel. Combined with dueling high-pitched harmonies and powerful guitar work, these new elements highlight an album that should be among the most original metal releases of the year.

Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté: Ali and Toumani (Nonesuch, 2/23/10)

Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté: "Ruby"

As two of Africa's most internationally renowned musicians, guitar legend Ali Farka Touré and kora phenom Toumani Diabaté have displayed impeccable abilities while integrating the styles of other cultures into their ethnic sounds.

Each Malian, the two collaborated for the acclaimed In the Heart of the Moon in 2005, shortly before Farka Touré's passing in 2006. Fortunately, the two set aside time to record new material before touring for In the Heart of the Moon, and the result is another beautiful set of duets that sees a posthumous release.

Throughout Ali and Toumani, Farka Touré roots each creation in melodious African-blues pieces. Diabaté's virtuosity accents each track in the form of fanciful scales, which at times evoke classical harpsichord passages, perhaps most notably on "Sabu Yerkoy."

Fang Island: s/t (Sargent House, 2/23/10)

Fang Island: "Sideswiper"

Mostly comprised of ex-Daughters, the good-time rock quintet Fang Island was one of the most quickly ascending bands of 2010, jumping onto tours with The Flaming Lips and Stone Temple Pilots following the release of its first full-length album.

The self-titled release is chock full of palm-muted and speed-infused indie-prog anthems, with über-layered vocal harmonies to go with a triple-thick guitar assault and distorted-bass bludgeoning.  It's one of those rare releases that feels absolutely radiant and thrashing at the same time.

B. Dolan: Fallen House, Sunken City (Strange Famous, 3/2/10)

B. Dolan: "The Reptilian Agenda"

Going way back with Sage Francis, rapper B. Dolan is a like-minded MC and slam poet whose style isn't terribly dissimilar to that of his long-time friend. Fallen House, Sunken City is Dolan's second full-length for Strange Famous, and it's full of the sociopolitical themes (if often in quick blasts or asides) and contentious delivery for which he's known.

In addition to some seemingly personal lyrics, Dolan takes passing shots at big business, taxation, the pharmaceutical industry, the concept of ownership of natural resources, the Israeli razing of Palestinian developments, and, among many other things, the so-called New World Order — dropping clips of Dick Cheney and George H.W. Bush in "The Reptilian Agenda."  On top of Dolan's socially conscious rhymes, A-list production by Alias makes this one of the year's top hip-hop releases.

Archie Bronson Outfit: Coconut (Domino, 3/2/10)

Archie Bronson Outfit: "Shark's Tooth"
Archie Bronson Outfit: "Shark's Tooth"

With its warbled vocals and driving percussion, British psych-rock trio Archie Bronson Outfit is like a more adventurous Wolf Parade — as comfortable burning up the dance floor with clean, bouncy riffs as it is turning up the reverb and rocking in a garage.

Coconut is the band's first LP in nearly four years, and it kicks off with a crunchy, swirling guitar line and a hypnotic bongo-laden beat. Produced by DFA's Tim Goldsworthy, Coconut gets spaced-out and drone-like at times, but it always offers a hint of pop accessibility amidst the static and haze.

Argotec: Wherewithal (5/8/2010)

Argotec: "What You Now Know"

Argotec, the New York-based duo of Alex Argot and Defpotec (Richard Courage), shows an impressive array of influences with its self-released debut record, Wherewithal, cementing elements of drum-and-bass, glitch, electronic, and rock into the realm of hip hop.  The partnership — Argot supplying rhymes and Defpotec handling production — has created a distinct and developed sound, channeling old-school Aesop Rock verses in a cut-and-paste Flying Lotus aesthetic with dash of screamo vocals.  With smart lyrics that demand listeners to think critically about social consciousness, Wherewithal aims to broaden audiences’ horizon both musically and mentally.

Although the music is a collision of live guitars and bass, high-pitched synthesizers, stuttering glitches, electronic humming, and those occasional scream hooks, Argotec finds a tight niche within the expanding possibilities of technology and the hip-hop aesthetic.  To fans of glitch, there are no surprises here.  But to the untrained ear, there may be a lot of strange moments throughout the album: out-of-nowhere vocal placements, analog distortions never heard before, and all kinds of clicks in out-of-time spots.

Drawing inspiration from bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan and genres like jazz and turntablism, Defpotec riddles the album with a certain disruptive character.  But Argotec’s artistic goal is disrupting the common order: questioning authority, rebelling against the status quo, and provoking a revolutionary attitude towards change.  Though discordant at times, Wherewithal is still extremely listenable.

“Seed Reacher” begins with a sample from the film adaption of George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, as the antagonist O’Brien tells protagonist Winston Smith, “If you want a vision of the future…imagine a boot stamping on a human face – forever.”  Musically, the song is exactly this – a relentless stretch of drum-and-bass and chaotic hardware noise, arranged in a package that leaves listeners no space to rest the auditory senses.  But lyrically, it’s an aggressive outcry to this so-called vision of the future as Argot rhymes:

"CEOs of AIG are covered up by TARP and taken away by DARPA's 'Big Dog' via the NAFTA super highway / subtle steps to singularity / while the MTA proposes Doomsday / The MLB's on HGH / the NSA can hear what you say / Project Blue Beam will be seen"

Along the lines of Saul Williams, Argot’s inspiration is of a socially conscious spoken-word poet.  Angry at times but always collected, Argot lifts the music into a separate light.  He places words and rhymes between the crevices of the beat in a disciplined display of breath control – and usually, the result is an instant head-bobber.

Argotec’s intellectual and socially engaging component sets it apart from many of its contemporaries.  In many ways, the duo is obsessed with the current state of things, and as both artists are technologically and politically driven, the album is a labor of what they admire and despise.  Add the ultramodern production that finds refuge in the disparate, and Wherewithal turns into a public-service announcement for the underground.

The label, following its successful and buzz-worthy release of the new Dillinger Escape Plan album, continues to expand its US reach.  Kylesa, meanwhile, plans to finish recording its upcoming album in July and schedule it for release in late 2010.

Now departed from Relapse Records, tech-core riff masters The Dillinger Escape Plan have begun a "creative umbrella" under French avant-metal label Season of Mist. Option Paralysis, only its fourth full-length album, finds the band continuing to perfect the sound that has evolved since the exit of original singer Dimitri Minakakis (after Calculating Infinity) and original drummer Chris Pennie (after Miss Machine).

The result is an album that is similar in feel to Ire Works, its previous album, but one that relatively scales back the ornate instrumental complements to emphasize the aural punishment. The pizzicato strings that appeared on Ire Works make a brief cameo at the beginning of "Gold Teeth on a Bum," yet the stirring piano ballads make as many or more appearances — notably as the crux of the beautiful and briefly jazzy "Widower" and as the coda of "I Wouldn't if You Didn't."

"Farewell, Mona Lisa," the disc's opener, is an epic jam that combines most of the band's crucial elements — molten rhythms, jaw-shattering power chords, and harmonic choruses. After another half hour of assaulting listeners, Option Paralysis then closes with one of the band's best songs, "Parasitic Twins," which makes use of a piano-pop bridge and a hot-blooded rock-and-roll outro.

Like any DEP album, Option Paralysis becomes more and more enjoyable with subsequent listens. Whether or not this vies to be the band's best album, The Dillinger Escape Plan proves again that it is utterly peerless.

The Dillinger Escape Plan: "Farewell, Mona Lisa"
The Dillinger Escape Plan: \"Farewell, Mona Lisa\"

J.G. Thirlwell: Manorexia: The Mesopelagic Waters (Tzadik)

A man of many aliases, J.G. Thirlwell is the mastermind behind the unclassifiable industrial oddities of the Foetus moniker and all its incarnations. His instrumental work, which strongly calls upon classical and big-band orchestrations, also has taken many forms, including Manorexia, Steroid Maximus, and the soundtrack for The Venture Bros. TV show.

Whereas Steroid Maximus and the Venture Bros. music veer towards spy noir and cinematic sounds, the sample-based Manorexia material trends towards spacier, textured, celestial works that drift in and out of dark chamber pieces. On The Mesopelagic Waters, Thirlwell's first release under this name since 2002, the Manorexia back catalog is re-imagined and reconfigured with the help of a live string quartet and percussion ensemble.

Ultimately, many pieces are as tranquil or sorrowful as their originals, but a stronger sense of drama is present throughout the album. "Zithromax Jitters" is a pulsing, pounding rendition with sporadic piano accompaniment that is even darker than its first version.

Thirlwell's adventure into the world of avant-classical composition has drawn well-earned praise, and the Australian native just debuted his second piece for the Kronos Quartet at Carnegie Hall. With another studio album of Manorexia material and a new Foetus release slated for later this year, Thirlwell is staying as prolific as ever.

J.G. Thirlwell: "Zithromax Jitters"
J.G. Thirlwell: \"Zithromax Jitters\"

Autechre: Oversteps (Warp)

For years, many have remarked upon the esoteric nature of Autechre, an English electronic duo that has captivated as well as puzzled listeners, particularly as it evolved into its complex brand of IDM.

A common generalization of Autechre is that its creations are atonal noise, but refined listeners will note that its melodies are subtle and elongated, often teeming below a blippy or abrasive surface. The music is as dependent on atmosphere as on what can seem like chaos. Other times, melodies are front and center, such as for the twinkling sounds of "See on See."

Regardless, Oversteps is inaccessible to those not in search of otherworldly sounds and tricky rhythms. For those who can dig it, however, Autechre remains as genius and unique as ever.

Autechre: "Known(1)"
Autechre: \"Known(1)\"

John Zorn / The Dreamers: Ipos: The Book Of Angels vol. 14 (Tzadik)

As the third release by The Dreamers, Ipos continues John Zorn's expansive Book of Angels, his second Masada songbook that features 300 songs written in just three months.

The material that Zorn has written for The Dreamers is some of his most accessible, calling upon tropical, exotica, Latin, surf, and film styles to craft a serene musical journey. The sextet, which does not utilize Zorn as a player, receives key contributions from vibraphonist Kenny Wollessen and guitarist Marc Ribot, whose instruments are key to the relaxed style.

]Honorable Mentions

Bonobo: Black Sands (Ninja Tune)

High Places: High Places vs. Mankind (Thrill Jockey)

Joe Zawinul & Absolute Ensemble: Absolute Zawinul (Sunnyside)

Kid606: Songs About Fucking Steve Albini (Important)

Jamie Saft: Soundtracks (Tzadik)

Serena Maneesh: S-M 2: Abyss in B Minor (4AD)

In support of Beacons of Ancestorship, out June 9, Tortoise has announced a handful of summer tour dates around the USA and overseas.  Head here for the list.

The Dillinger Escape Plan will release its next album, which is due in early 2010, on Season of Mist in conjunction with the band's new label, Phonogetic Records.  The band is touring much of the US and Europe in June and July.

Issuing its first album in five years, MC-and-DJ duo Eyedea & Abilities is unveiling By the Throat on July 21 on Rhymesayers.

Genghis Tron is contributing to a track on the new Converge album, which is being recorded this month.

On its MySpace page, Dysrhythmia has posted "Festival of Popular Delusions," the first track on its upcoming album, Psychic Maps.

Featuring Marcel and Manfred Rodriguez-Lopez, psych-groove outfit Zechs Marquise will release its debut full-length, Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare, on Rodriguez Lopez Productions this fall.  The label is run by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Marcel and Manfred's famous brother from The Mars Volta.

The Beastie Boys have announced the name of their new album,  Hot Sauce Committee, which will be out sometime this fall.

Múm is releasing a new album, Sing Along to Songs You Don't Know, on August 24 on Morr Music.

Jón Birgisson of Sigur Rós is working on a "sort of solo record" that will feature the work of experimental composer Nico Muhly.

CDbaby.com, online home of self-released CDs and digital tunes, has decided to add single-song downloads.

Singer/songwriter Jay Bennett, formerly of Wilco, passed away on Sunday, May 24.  More tests are needed to determine the cause of death.

Stereogum has a streamer of "Half Kleptos," the second track from the upcoming album of El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez.

Stones Throw has posted a free MP3 of "One Beer (Drunk Version)," a Madlib remix of a rare Madvillain track.

Afrobeat star Femi Kuti begins a 24-date North American tour in New York City on June 3.  His newest album, Day by Day, was released last November.

Dirge-metal quartet Pelican is self-releasing its Ephemeral EP on June 6 on its Migration Media label, and the band is planning a split seven-inch with Young Widows.  Southern Lord will release the vinyl and MP3s of Ephemeral.

Minimalist composer Steve Reich won this year's Pulitzer Prize in music for Double Sextet, a 22-minute piece that was commissioned by Eighth Blackbird, an experimental and theatrical chamber/percussion troupe.

Following a trip to the US last winter, Australian ambient/minimalist/rock trio The Necks will spend May touring Europe.

Seattle music blog Ear Candy reported a rumor that Sunny Day Real Estate is reuniting to tour with its original lineup.

Black-metal quintet Nachtmystium will begin a mini-tour with doom pioneers Pentagram at the end of June.

Folk-rock four-piece The Avett Brothers have a new album, I and Love and You, set for release on August 11.  The album is being produced by Rick Rubin and follows a massive summer tour across the US.

Twelve Cups Records, the new label run by avant-garde violinist Carla Kihlstedt, has issued its first release. Titled Ravish (and Other Tales for the Stage), the album is a collection of music for theater and dance written by Kihlstedt, bassist Dan Rathbun, and drummer Matthias Bossi — each a member of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum.

The Dillinger Escape Plan has hired Billy Rymer (of The Rivalry) as its new drummer, replacing Gil Sharone, who will resume focusing on Stolen Babies with his brother Rani.

Beautiful electro-acoustic duo Lymbyc Systym begins a European tour today.

The Alex Skolnick Trio, an experimental jazz group led by Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick, has announced a short series of show dates, mostly in California. Skolnick's trio focuses on original pieces but also includes jazz renditions of rock and metal songs, including Testament's "Practice What You Preach."

After performing in France on New Year's Day, risque music/dance troupe Extra Action Marching Band returns to the Bay Area to play at The Uptown in Oakland on January 24.

Rock cellist Helen Money (the solo moniker of Alison Chesley) just finished a new album at Electrical Audio. Details of its release are forthcoming.

Video-game/metal experimentalists Horse the Band will begin recording a new album in March, likely with Xiu Xiu frontman Jamie Stewart at the boards. The album should be released in May or June on an unrevealed new label.

One of jazz saxophonist Ken Vandermark's upcoming recordings is a disc of live and studio improvisations with German saxophonist Peter Brötzmann and Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson. The group, Sonore, will have the album released in fall of 2009 on an undetermined label.

The request of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) to appeal the retrial of Jammie Thomas has been denied. Thomas was deemed liable for $222,000 in damages in 2007 for sharing 24 songs on Kazaa, but the same judge ruled months ago that the initial case was a mistrial. A new trial is set for March 9.

Ben Weinman

- Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Ben Weinman has posted 40 streaming minutes of his August performance at The Stone, John Zorn's New York club. His guests included ex-Mr. Bungle bassist Trevor Dunn, jazz drummer Dan Weiss, and "Asian Steve."

- The Graveface Records Day of the Dead showcase in Chicago this weekend features the last Black Moth Super Rainbow show for quite a while.

- PETA has posted an interview with Justin Pearson of The Locust about vegetarianism and veganism.

- MTV Iggy has posted a clip of Andrew Bird and Yo-Yo Ma jamming.

- Mastodon has released the track listing for Crack the Skye, the group's album with lyrical content about czarist Russia due in early 2009.

- In response to news about a two-bit neo-nazi plot, the East Coast Avengers have posted "The Day Hope Died," a song about what would be a horrific assassination of Barack Obama.

- On a brighter note, fans of avant-garde and experimental music in Oakland will be treated to a five-dollar election-night concert of improvisation curated by Carla Kihlstedt of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum and 2 Foot Yard. Performers include Fred Frith, Shinichi Iova Koga, Michael Mellender, Moe! Staiano, and Ava Mendoza.

- Critters Buggin has announced a New Year's Eve show with Garaj Mahal at the Capitol Theatre in Olympia, Washington.

- Sitar-infused pop rockers Elephant Stone have uploaded six new songs from their upcoming album.

- According to bassist John Paul Jones, there are plans for a Led Zeppelin record and tour without Robert Plant.