The California/Washington quintet's third full length finds the band's music moving towards the up-tempo side of the spectrum while the subject matter becomes bleaker. "A sonic universe gently compressed into a moody snow globe," swoons the SF Bay Guardian, "Picks Us Apart is the Jim Yoshii Pile-Up's finest moment, and clearly one of the best albums of 2005." (AK046)

It's a poorly kept secret that the Jim Yoshii Pile-Up's Noah Blumberg also crafts the beats for abstract hip-hop outfit Meanest Man Contest (who recorded a fabulous record for Plug Research). Here, the boys share a slab of lovely chocolate brown wax. The JYPU's delivers "Deservedly So" while MMC throws two, "I was Only Kidding" and "Everything Worth Mentioning." All orders come with a free Meanest Man Contest 7" while supplies last. On Weapon-Shaped.

An Insound tour ep split between two of our favorite bands. The four Xiu Xiu tracks are from their forthcoming album (don't know the title, duein 2004). The four Jim Yoshii Pile-Up tracks are unreleased anywhere else. All tracks were recorded by Chris Walla of Deathcab For Cutie, and the band may never have sounded fuller than they do here. Includes a cover of "Seattle, WA" by Casiotone For The Painfully Alone. On Insound.

A devastating second album by Oakland's boys in black to fill your nights with desolation, loneliness and bitter laughter. The band has come a long way since It's Winter Here. They lost guitarist Sikwaya Condon to a promising minor league baseball career and brought on new guitarist/old friend Noah Blumberg to fill his shoes. Singer/guitarist Paul Gonzenbach and his partner moved out of their West Oakland house and bought a farm outside of Portland, OR. Guitarist (yes, there are three) Ian Connelly's brother nearly died in a motorcycle accident during the recording of the album. Loss, transition, struggle, movement, maturity. Music imitates life as these are all major themes in both the music and lyrics of the JYPU's new album Homemade Drugs. The band made a conscious decision to try and reflect these changes on the album. They found a sympathetic soul in engineer Scott Solter (The Court and Spark, Tarentel) who brilliantly blends the layers of guitars with the innovative rhythms of bassist Frankie Koeller and drummer Ryan Craven. Gone are the comparisons to Mogwai, Bedhead and Slint (though the discerning ear might still uncover traces of the Cure, Cat Power and Three Mile Pilot). The songs have shifted their feel from the guitar-wash fuzz crescendos of the first album to more of a crisp, cold-light-of-day sound with an unusual amount of intimacy in both the music and the words. The blend somehow comes out as heavy pop. The insanely catchy "Double Negative", the delicious hooks thinly covered in "Reckless Driving" and the plaintive buoyancy of "Distance" show tremendous growth. Gonzenbach's lyrics are as sardonic and jaded as ever. All in all, an incredible record. (AK022)

2002 tour EP CDr containing all unreleased tracks, none of which will be on their Homemade Drugs album due out in October. Unlike their previous EP's, this one is in a jewel box. Includes two versions of "Burning Flag," the I-can't-believe-this-was-never-released "Carol Channing" and a cover of Cat Power's "King Rides By."

Four unreleased songs in the way-cool 3" CDr format in ultra-spiffy packaging. Includes "Were You Misused?", "SE Corner," the incredible "Confidence In Something Shaky," and "Sleeping In The Crawlspace."

The knock-down, drag-out debut full length from Oakland's mighty five piece. Three writhing guitars rolling all over the drums and bass with the most gripping vocals we've heard in a while. Lyrics convey subtle wit and brutally stark alienation with an earnestness currently out of vogue though no less potent for it. This album will leave you in a puddle made of either you or yours. Includes the barn-burner "Breakdown Championship" plus a re-recording of "Monotonologue" from the EP. (AK008)

Now known as the "early years", these five rough recordings show a dynamic band on their way to something special (see above). Each CD comes in a cardboard sleeve with a unique photo cover. Includes the original "Monotonologue" and the mighty "Harmless Hobby Or Bicycle Crash?". On Old Prospector.

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