SONG OF THE DAY: The Ruts - In a Rut (1979)

"In a Rut" was the debut single from The Ruts, a British group whose blend of punk and dub-reggae earned them a lot of praise from John Peel.  While the rest of their contemporaries were trying to play faster, The Ruts delivered brooding mid-paced tunes that were as ferocious as anything else in the burgeoning punk scene.  Unfortunately, this nihilistic anthem was a projection of singer Malcolm Owen's own internal struggles; he would die of a heroin overdose the next year.  "You're in a rut, You gotta get out of it - out of it - out of it - out of it - out of it..."

ALBUM OF THE DAY: Isabel's Dream - Monomara (2000)

"Monomara" is the only release from Isabel's Dream, the "blissbeat" project of Toronto-based musician Michael Ulrich.  Originally conceived as a solo ambient project, Ulrich eventually incorporated Drum n Bass elements to his ambient soundscapes, resulting in a remarkable blend of shoegaze and electronic music (hence the "blissbeat" tag).  Ulrich completed the transition to a more structured sound by adding the voice of Rachel Keeler to the mix.  This is a must-listen for fans of the lush IDM of Seefeel and the dreamy droning of loveliescrushing.

SONG OF THE DAY: S.M. Nurse - Frutta (1983)

"Frutta" is an archetypal "pulser" track from S.M. Nurse, a minimal wave group from Amsterdam who released a limited discography before disbanding in 1983.  The Dutch trio were influenced by disco and sound collage music, and soon developed their own minimal-synth approach to dance music.  S.M. Nurse most notably appeared on the incredible "Turkish Delight" cassette compilation, which also featured the Legendary Pink Dots, and most of their essential live recordings were released as a collection by Top Tape records in 1986.

Pump - The Decoration of the Duma Continues (1987)

Pump, who were known as MFH in the early 80s, were an English duo who produced some truly fascinating post-industrial music that has largely gone unnoticed until Belgian label Forced Nostalgia reissued "The Decoration of the Duma Continues" in 2011.  Pump's sound is reminiscent of L.A. industrial-leaning post-punk surfers Savage Republic, who also succeeded in blending grating chainsaw guitars with tribal ambient and world music.  Pump transition seamlessly between these juxtaposed passages on this genre-defying album that will please fans of Clock DVA, the Fall and everything in between.

SONG OF THE DAY: Martin Circus - Disco Circus (1977)

Martin Circus were a French rock group who evolved into a disco outfit and eventually created one of the pioneering tracks of the post-disco/proto-house genre with "Disco Circus".  This song marks a definitive leap from electronic disco into entirely new territory, with intricate arrangements and a signature 4/4 beat that would serve as the foundation for the Chicago house formula.  Undeniably funky and ahead of its time.  

ALBUM OF THE DAY: Yellow Swans - Going Places (2009)

Yellow Swans mastered their amalgamation of drone and dark ambient music on 2009s "Going Places", the final proper album from the Portland duo of Pete Swanson and Gabriel Mindel Saloman.  There is such an expertly dialed atmosphere on this record, and the vibe is appropriately summed up and reflected by the album's cover art.  "Going Places" is surprisingly "warm" for a "noise" record, thanks to the lush, subterranean ambient passages which lurk beneath the harsh surface.  Some of Tim Hecker's bleakest moments come close to this (or possibly Burning Star Core), but Yellow Swans are profoundly unique in their execution.  Imagine a radio transmission of William Basinksi's "Disintegration Loops" being picked up and reinterpreted by other life forms.

SONG OF THE DAY: Windy & Carl - Consciousness (2001)

"Consciousness" proves that guitars can be used as effectively as electronics when it comes to making ambient music.  Windy & Carl allow their swirling guitar loops to gradually build and ascend, transforming these 12 minutes into what feels like an eternity (in a good way).  This is the kind of song that one might consult in a desperate moment, as a deliverance from the abyss, a penultimate glimpse of illumination before redemption, and a proclamation that resounds, "Hallelujah! Blessed be Windy & Carl."