I’ve managed to make it through the entire torrent of 5GB of MP3 files – over 1000 individual files. I only had to fast forward a handful they were that horrible. Just as I finish off the last handful, another couple hundred songs are released, All in all, I think I have a couple hundred bands that require further investigation, and a maybe three dozen that are likely to make it into my regular listening.

1. Modulated/Simulated – Digital Leather


2. Alcoholica – Orphan


3. Assfucker – The+Homopolice


4. Holes – Arabrot


5. Gold Dust – Gallows


6. Popping Showers – Pre


7. Long Time Dead – Fuckshovel


8. Give Up – Necropolis


9. Paisley Pattern Ground – The Black Hollies


10. Insufficient Fare – Cerebral Ballzy


11. Hail Destroyer – Cancer Bats


12. Mrs. Vain – Ross Royce


13. I’d Rather Be Stuck On The Stair Rail – Screaming Tea Party


14. Shut Up – Shellshag


15. Oh, You Horny Monster – Fiasco

Noise punk, rock, experimental, anger, distortion; there’s even a little music hiding in there. There are a lot of “sounds like ______” bands to be found, and if you like Nu Metal or Classic Rock, you’re sure to find a lot of bands in there that you’ll be able to compare to a ton of other acts. These select 15 tracks are some of the more unique entries I found in the SXSW music package this year.

I find myself singing along out loud to the Shellshag track at the office all day, though I may have been doing that before I heard this track. The threat implicit in the shush is tangible.

Stream this playlist (M3U playlist)

Download .zip file (54MB) of these 15 songs or get the 5+GB torrent of all the SXSW 2009 MP3 files.

Check out part 1 of the Listening Party

Check out part 2 of the Listening Party