This album just dropped. AVTT/PTTN. Avett Brothers with Mike Patton. I’m a huge Patton fan but I don’t know Avett Bros. This is some earnest alt-country type shit. Very good. Way outside my comfort zone. Not sure if I can hear Patton without it feeling ironic or part of some elaborate joke, but I think that will fade on repeat listening, which will be happening for me for sure:
Great stuff, Patton and country works perfectly. I like the idea that he introduces some people to this genre.
Just found this – it was released back August.
Kerala Dust - An Echo of Love
For those who enjoy the Nicolas Jaar/Dave Harrington project DARKSIDE, this really reminded me of that.
They just dropped a KEXP set!
My Morning Jacket - Peacelands. All proceeds go to the ACLU. Think its only available today so grab it when you can.
Billy Bragg - City of Heroes
I… This is good right? Squidward and Pyramid Head got talent /s
Sorry, can’t answer, I’m still completely distracted by the erect and flaccid noses and still need to get past the polkadots and pyramids before I can even begin to try and answer the question 
Clowncore slowly becoming a genre, not a band
Musicians should do whatever makes them happy, but I for one will not be sad to see the trend of disguises, mystery identities, covered faces, etc fade away into obscurity. Just doesn’t add much for me, but that’s subjective.
I guess these things go viral and get you noticed, though (as we are currently demonstrating!).
Oh I’m with you 100%. I would rather just see Glass Beams excellent playing instead of watching their shrouds jangle around. I also pity artists trying to get noticed in today’s age of glammer, industries plants, and AI. The costumes might be over the top but its understandable
For sure – this stuff made me think about Glass Beams as well.
Idk, I kinda dig the concept of forgoing personal fame and letting the music speak for itself.
I had certainly never thought about it that way. And I can also appreciate wanting to be anonymous in today’s celebrity climate.
I dunnoh. I’m a longtime fan of Mr. Bungle. They started out with masks. First band I know of that did that. They also put pseudonyms in credits: I Quit, Vlad Drac, Scummy, Uncooked Meat Prior to State Vector Collapse, etc. First time I saw them, Patton came out with like 3 or 4 masks layered and stripped them off gradually. What an insane show that was. Set my bar for WTF shows.
Yeah, that was basically the explanation I found when I first started looking into Goat, who have become one of my absolute favorite bands.
New They Might Be Giants! They just dropped an EP a bit ago too.
Check out the Residents. They were the original masked musicians and damn good too. (I’d say be careful because they’re extra-weird, but if you’re already into Mr. Bungle then I don’t think the warning is needed.)
Somehow, despite all pointers saying I should love The Residents, I have never gotten into them. Good point on saying they did that before Bungle.
Not that you really asked, but my favorite “accessible” Residents recommendation is The Commercial Album. Every song is exactly one minute in length. A fascinating limitation with kaleidoscopically bizarre and delightful results.
