Monthly Archives: June 2021
IZY – FRANTIC (SINGLE) [HOPESTREET RECORDINGS]
Funkiest track I’ve heard in a while. Izy brings bright harmonies, a bassline that won’t quit, and a bouncy groove. Play, play, play! FCC: Clean RIYL: D’Angelo, Bilal, Raphael Saadiq
CURTIS SALGADO – DAMAGE CONTROL [ALLIGATOR RECORDS]
Curtis Salgado testifies on this latest album of classic blues sounds made contemporary. Whether you dig the full band blues or slow jams to take you to church, Salgado does it all with delicious organ and vocals full of wisdom. Play! FCC: 3 TRY: 1, 6, 11 RIYL: Albert Castiglia, Tommy Castro, Chris Cain
GRUPO ESTRELLA CAMPESINA – CHANGUI EN YATERAS (SINGLE) [PETALUMA RECORDS]
A sweet summertime groove. Sugary harmonies and light percussion perfect for enjoying the sunshine. Play for sure! FCC: Clean RIYL: Buena Vista Social Club, Elio Revé y Su Charangón, Orquesta Akokán
LEE MORETTI – VANISHING ACTS (EP) [MINT 400]
A short but sweet EP from Lee Moretti. Full of intense vocals backed by guitar and piano with an overall melancholy tone. Couple of beautiful ballads with rock sensibilities. Give it a spin! FCC: None TRY: 1, 2 RIYL: The Furies
Gojira – Fortitude
Release date: April 30, 2021Label: Roadrunner Records Gojira, the socially-conscious metal giants, have released the much-anticipated Fortitude. The opening track, Born for One Thing, is absolutely obliterating. The grooves stand out. Amazonia, if you didn’t guess by the song title, takes a strong stance against the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and the killing of life […]
Susie Ibarra–Talking Gong
Percussion + piano/flute with Filiippino influences, jazzy. Play!
The Antlers – Green to Gold
Release date: March 26, 2021Label: Anti New York’s The Antlers recently released the wistful Green to Gold, their first new album (along with a full-length film) since the 2014 release of Familiars. Familiars occupied a space between slinky jazz and smoked-out space rock. It was eerie and full of melancholy. Truly a record for listening after […]
The Mommyheads – Coming Into Beauty
Release date: February 12, 2021Label: Mommyheads The Mommyheads recently remastered and re-released their 1992 sophomore release Coming Into Beauty. This is early, pioneering experimental indie-pop. There is dark whimsy on the instrumental track Nino Wrote a Tune. I Started Breathing might be the album’s focal point. The tune gently strides along the spare ukulele and rattling percussion, […]
1976-1976
1976–Self-TitledRelease date: 20210514Label: AudibleRating: 5/5 1976 is a collection of twelve tracks produced by Martin Goltermann. I decided to focus on the texture of tracks of interest because I’ve noticed that not many reviews go into depth like that. 2 conjures a country drive on a cold fall day, leaves scattering in the wind. 4 […]
Jess and the Ancient Ones- Vertigo
Jess and the Ancient Ones– VertigoRelease date: 20210521Label: Svart RecordsRating: 4/5 If you’re not familiar with Jess and the Ancient Ones, you will be after hearing this. Burning of the Velvet Fires kicks things off with melodic, mid-tempo beats. Talking Board is full of contagious guitar riffs set against mesmerizing vocals. I love the opening […]
Robots of the Ancient World- Mystic Goddess
Robots of the Ancient World– Mystic GoddessRelease date: 20210521Label: Small StoneRating: 5/5 Robots of the Ancient World hail from Portland, Oregon. Surprised I hadn’t heard of them until now. Mystic Goddess pops and hisses into a melodic soundscape. Wasteland throws in a touch of blues and reminds me of an Orchid track. Agua Caliente moves […]
Bongzilla- Weedsconsin
Bongzilla– WeedsconsinRelease date: 20210420Label: Heavy Psych SoundsRating: 5/5 Bongzilla return with their first brand new release since 2005’s Amerijuanican. Wonder what’s taken them so long? Sundae Driver is dominated by thick, filthy riffs and much like the strain, hits right in the middle. Free The Weed plays like a slog through a swamp, echoing their […]
MARBLE PARTY – TIME AND TIME AGAIN [SELF RELEASED]
The fourth album from Marble Party, based in Marin County, California. Marble Party, composed of Dan Barbee (keys, vocals), Eric Eisenberg (guitar, lead vocals), Greg Merriman (bass, vocals), Andy Trapp (drums, vocals), is influenced by power pop, alt-rock, and psychedelic pop. Fans have compared them to Fountains of Wayne, Weezer, and Wilco, with a hint […]
various artists – 1980-something: an 80s cover comp for no more dysphoria [heavenly creature]
Mmm. Covers. You know they’re either going to be spot-on or ultimately forgettable, and who even is going to make that determination? That’s right: you will. You, the listener. Great idea, amazing cause, and quite a few enjoyable covers. Plus: lots of vaporwave! Even better, all the proceeds from the album go to the nonprofit […]
The Young Love Scene – Bloodstained Man (Self-released) [LOCAL]
Burlingtonian rockers The Young Love Scene wear their love of 90s indie rock on their sleeves. Tracks on this EP alternate between fierce, fast-paced melodic rock numbers and slowed-down melancholy jams, and they’re excellent at both. Creative guitar riffs, screaming guitar leads and octave-apart vocal harmonies are all highlights too. Track Picks: 1, 4, 5 […]
Pons – Leland (Self-released) [LOCAL]
BTV garage-punk weirdos Pons are as wild as ever on their latest single, which features a pounding club beat topped with surreal, David Lynch-inspired lyrics and a fuzzy miasma of instrumental noise (including sax riffs courtesy of Cam Barnes). (if you play this song, please announce that Pons will be performing alongside Princess Nostalgia and […]
Couchsleepers – Just a Minute (Self-released) [LOCAL]
The latest of five singles released by BTV rock outfit Couchsleepers this year, “Just a Minute” is their purest slice of power pop yet, with big hooks, screaming slices of guitar and organ, and a quiet-to-loud arrangement which complements the lyrical theme of emotional catharsis. FCC: Clean RIYL: Jimmy Eat World, Pinegrove, Semisonic
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