Monthly Archives: January 2014
The Melismatics – Rising Tide
Rising Tide, the latest album from The Melismatics, is a mix of power-pop with slick production, keyboards and shared male/female lead vocals. The Melismatics don’t sound much like the current alt-pop-rock dominating the modern rock stations; instead this is music that will make you nostalgic for your teen years. There are some good songs, while […]
ASG – Blood Drive
Blood Drive is the first album in five years from southern metal band ASG. Their music is sludgy yet very melodic and accessible without being mainstream. This album is less aggressive and slower than their previous releases, but is full of crunchy, crushing guitar riffs that will appeal to fans of their previous work. The […]
Twelve Foot Ninja – Silent Machine
Twelve Foot Ninja are a band from Australia who play a very interesting style of alternative metal that manages to incorporate a whole bunch of genres including funk, reggae and latin music while still having a cohesive sound. The vocals are similar to Faith No More, while the mix of genres brings to mind Mike […]
Mozes and the Firstborn – Mozes and the Firstborn
Burger Records knows what’s up. Mozes and the Firstborn, on their first full length for the label, prove that garage pop is alive and well. Tracks like “Bloodsucker” and “I Got Skills” are immediate staples of the genre, perfect for your mid-winter blues. RIYL: Black Lips, The Rolling Stones, The Orwells, Ty Segall PLAY: 2, […]
Juan Wauters – North American Poetry
A longtime member of Brooklyn favorites The Beets, Juan Wauters is no stranger to hooks. On his debut solo record for Captured Tracks, Wauters melancholically croons about his thoughts, his friends, and the nature of human relationships. Though most of the tracks shine the spotlight on Wauters and his finger picking, he is occasionally joined by […]
Lee Bannon-Alternate/Endings
Alternate/Endings is the debut from Lee Bannon. The music is mostly Drum & Bass with an experimental vibe to it. The music has elements of Jungle, “Cloud-Rap”, Electro-Hop and Burial-esque Dubstep. The album has an urban feel to it that is misty and shrouded in mystery. Tracks: All Good except FCC #2,9 RIYD: Photek, Burial
Cross My Heart-Hope To Die
The collaboration between DJ Muggs, Andrew Kline, Sean Bonner, and Brevi is a group called Cross My Heart. Their album is titled Hope To Die and is a mix of Trip Hop and Electro Hop. Smokey, sensual lyrics from Brevi adds depth to the tracks. This is a great collaboration between these mixed media artists. […]
Orthy-E.M.I.L.Y.
Orthy’s second release is an EP dedicated to the love of his wife and is titled E.M.I.L.Y. The Ep is a mix of Electro-Alternative with New Wave, Pop Dance and House music. The tracks are upbeat yet sensual and express the feelings of being in love. A solid sophomore effort. Tracks: All Good
Juakali-Feathers Too Bright
The latest from Juakali is an album titled Feathers Too Bright. The music is a mix of Dreadbass, Dubstep, Reggaeton all wrapped around an Electro sound. Add Juakali’s his distinct vocals and you have an album that is gritty and witty and successfully spans the above mentioned genres. Juakali has been called a pioneer, bringing […]
Falty DL-Danger
Danger is a two track EP from Falty DL. The tracks have a Drum & Bass vibe with hints of Jazz, Bass Music and Post Dubstep. Both tracks are solid. Tracks: All Good
Illum Sphere-Sleep Runner
Sleep Runner is a three track Ep from Illum Sphere. The original edit has an IDM, Minimal Techno sound with hints of Chicago House. The remixes have a similar vibe but with more pronounced House feel to them. Hit the dance floor! Tracks: All Good
ANGEL OLSEN: “BURN YOUR FIRE FOR NO WITNESS” (jagjaguwar)
Angel Olsen ups the volume & intensity w/ a full band on 2nd LP. Scorched-earth psych-pop, wobbly distortion, haunting vocals and quieter, dreamy tracks. AMAZING!! PLAY: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 RIYL: SHARON VAN ETTEN, Joanna NEWSOM
Ryan Webster: The Point Of Pointlessness
Los Angeles recording artist Ryan Webster’s new album The Point Of Pointlessness is an interesting combination of folk, and alternative rock. Distorted guitars combined with country-style vocals create an interesting, and frankly catchy album. His songs are repetitive, and have an upbeat air about them. Give it a listen! Play: 1,2,4,9,10 (FCC: Clean) RIYL: Cracker, […]
DUM DUM GIRLS: “TOO TRUE” ( SUB POP)
60’s girl group meets the 80’s. Dreamy pop-rock w/ reverb, layers of guitars, synths washes & emotive vocals. PLAY: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10. ALL RIYL: FRANKIE ROSE, VIVIAN GIRLS, SISU, RAVEONETTES
BAND OF HORSES: “ACOUSTIC AT THE RYMAN (BROWN RECORDS)
10 acoustic tracks from their catalog, recorded live over two nights. Americana-rock w/ harmonies, southern twang & ragged magic. PLAY: 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 FCC: 6 RIYL: FLEET FOXES, THE NATIONAL, BON IVER
WARPAINT: WARPAINT (ROUGH TRADE)
Trip-hop meets space-rock from this all-girl band from L.A. on their 2nd album. Portishead meets Radiohead: hazy, groovy, chill, and more synthy than before. PLAY: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 plus RIYL: XX, Portishead
KRATHER: “LITTLE SISTER DIM” (SUNDAY SCHOOL RECORDS)
Recalling early Palace Brothers ( Bonnie Prince Billy): Back porch acoustic strums, harmonies with friends, off-key vocals that work, lethargic drums, organs and a synth beat track. PLAY: 1, 2, 3 RIYL: early PALACE, SMOG, NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL
XIU XIU: “NINA” (GRAVEFACE)
Jamie Stewarts haunting covers tribute to Nina Simone. Understated & low-key w/ breathy, whispered vocals, discordant jazz sax, minimal drums. PLAY: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10 RIYL: TOM WAITS, NICK CAVE, KING KRULE
NICK WATERHOUSE: “HOLLY” (INNOVATIVE LEISURE)
A jumped-up take on 50’s rhythm & blues w/ gothic soul-struts, post-surf guitar solos & crooning vocals. PLAY: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 plus RIYL: SHARON JONES & DAP KINGS, TY SEGALL, LEE FIELDS, VAN MORRISON
TOY: join the dots (heavenly recordings)
Modern psych w/ driving rhythms, distorted guitars, reverb & effects, sophisticated chord progressions. PLAY: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 RIYL: THE HORRORS, BLACK ANGELS, CAN, CROCODILES, TAME IMPALA, CLINIC
NATIVE AMERICA: BAD WEED/ BUT STILL WEED (SELF-RELEASED)
New Orleans energetic psych-pop/ flower-punk trio w/ a fuzzy underground & analog sound. PLAY: 1, 2, 3 RIYL: WOODS, JACUZZI BOYS, SMITH WESTERNS
DTCV: HILARIOUS HEAVEN ( XEMU)
French-American post-punk from L.A. W/ bright jangle & crunch, boy/girl vocals, new wave-y. & free-jazzy. PLAY: 2, 3, 6, 8, 12, 17, 24 FCC: 7, 21 RIYL: THE PASTELS, GUIDED BY VOICES, BARE MUTANTS
THE TRAPS: BOOM POW AWESOME WOW ( CASTLEFACE)
Providence, RI garage band from 2003. Carefree recordings of demos & rehearsals. PLAY: 1, 5, 6, 8 RIYL: early COACHWHIPS, early REATARDS, early NOBUNNY
THE HIDDEN CAMERAS: AGE (EVIL EVIL RECORDS)
Melancholic & Dreary pop music w/ horns, Chilly Gonzalez on piano, ghostly overtones. Sound-sculptures & collages w/violins & dark baritone vocals. PLAY: 2, 3, 4, 8 RIYL : MAGNETIC FIELDS, BELLE & SEBASTIAN, OWEN PALLETT
QUILT: HELD IN SPLENDOR ( MEXICAN SUMMER )
Boston psych-rock trio w/ male-female harmonies, snarled guitars, reverb , phasers, punchy rhythms, poetic lyrics, peaks & valleys. PLAY: ALL RIYL: WOODS, ROSE WINDOWS, IRON & WINE
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