Free music

Gutterth Records does everyone a solid and releases free 55-song local compilation

As we've mentioned before, the Dallas Fort Worth area has a wealth of exemplary record labels. Denton-basedGutterth Records is just one.

Between highly anticipated releases from acts such as New Science Projects, Bad Design and Shiny Around the Edges, the occasional compilation album from Gutterth has become a favorite of music lovers.

The latest installment, the fourth such collection released, is available for the low, low price of an email address. But even if a few bucks were required to procure the 55 tunes, it would be worth it.

The tracks feature local veterans (RTB2, Doug Burr and Spooky Folk), promising acts (Datahowler, Terminator 2 and Bludded Head), and everything exciting in between (The Angelus, Pinkish Black and Eccotone).

When looked at as a whole, the collection has a heavier feel than some of the past compilations — which, in this case, is a damn good thing. But don't worry. There is still plenty of folk rock, ambient and experimental tunes to be had. There's so much to love on this 55-song album, but there are a few songs that bludgeon the hardest and stand out above the rest.

Below are our 10 favorite, heavy, sludgy and abrasively epic cuts from the gargantuan pile of free tunes. Along with the song selections, Fort Worth's Ken Shimamoto, an expert on all things musical in Cowtown, wrote three-word reviews for each track, as he has done for other compilations, on his blog, The Stash Dauber.

We've added these micro-reviews, as they're spot-on. We doubt we could be more accurately succinct.

"Army Song" by Eccotone: Fuzzball bolero apocalypse.
"Ancestralcide" by Terminator 2: Lugubrious rumbling rant.
"The Librarian" by Bad Design: But well executed.
"My Ice Cream Fell on the Ground and Somebody Ate It" by Bludded Head: Slow sludgy grind.
"Against the Door" by Pinkish Black: Throbbing discordant pounding.
"The Sabbath" by Hawk vs. Dove: Quaalude Thin Lizzy.
"Coping With Senality" by Cerulean Giallo: Polyrhythmic feedback maelstrom.
"Angel Snack" by Special Guest: Frisky punk blast.
"Evolve" by Drink to Victory: Emo scream metal.
"Bleed the White" by Secret Cakes: Is this Soundgarden?

In a bit of Denton arts synergy, live-performance videos of many of the bands featured on the sampler are on the Denton-based Violitionist Sessions website.

Bludded Head has a bluntly titled song called "My Ice Cream Fell on the Ground and Somebody Ate It."

Bludded Head Facebook

Bludded Head has a bluntly titled song called "My Ice Cream Fell on the Ground and Somebody Ate It."

In This Week's Top Stories

Global ice cream chain tops this week's most popular stories in Dallas

Dumont Ice Cream

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Ice cream from Dumont Creamery & Cafe

Editor's note: A global ice cream chain from India that opened two DFW locations was the hottest topic this week in Dallas. Also of note: A buzzy burger restaurant, the death of a beloved Dallas musician-DJ, and an impressive ranking for Flower Mound. Here are the most-read stories of the week. If you're looking for things to do this weekend, we got you: That list is here.

1. Global gourmet ice cream chain debuts in U.S. with 2 Dallas-area shops. An ice cream concept from India has made its U.S. debut, right here in Texas: Dumont Creamery & Cafe was founded in Hyderabad and now has two locations in the Dallas area. Ice cream is the centerpiece with more than two dozen flavors, ranging from Italian-inspired sorbet to a New Zealand-inspired honey ice cream called "hokey pokey."

2. Acclaimed Burger Schmurger pop-up finds permanent space in East Dallas. A buzzy burger pop-up is graduating to brick-and-mortar status: Burger Schmurger, which has earned oodles of acclaim for its smash burger style of burgers, is moving into a permanent home at 718 N Buckner Blvd., the space previously occupied by Bar None which closed in August..

3. Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65. A bright and colorful light in Dallas' music scene went out: Mark Ridlen, DJ and musician, passed away on November 17, following a bout with cancer; he was 65. As a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

4. Fill up on the festive fare in this roundup of Dallas restaurant news. This roundup of restaurant news around Dallas is all about new menus, with lots of festive-themed dishes and menu additions. There's a new brunch at a surprising destination, new cocktails, and lots of hot chocolate, fitting for the season..

5. Well-to-do Dallas suburb lands on top-10 list of holiday big spenders. It looks like Santa Claus is going to be competing with residents in Flower Mound to see who brings the most lavish holiday gifts this year. Festive Flo-Mo ranked No. 7 in WalletHub's annual report on U.S. cities with the biggest holiday budgets in 2024.

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