Pulsating Pop from VOWS

wvosListening back to this latest tune from Vows, I’m finding this odd mixture where Caribou meets the world of the Flaming Lips.  It’s a strange sensation, sometimes pulsating with electronic magic, yet still holding onto what one would call a sense of oddity.  The oddball  sensation definitely permeates through this track, yet the groove ultimately fulfills your listening needs, giving you a little bit more oomph in your step.  Soon Enough Love, their next release, will be released later this summer via Vermont’s Section Sign Records.

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Here’s the Next Guantanamo Baywatch Single

gbI have an inkling that it’s going to be a really good year for the trio that is Guantanamo Baywatch.  They had a really good buzz both before and after SXSW, and the more we hear from their forthcoming album, the more we here at ATH are falling in love.  Their latest track has the band falling in line with like-minded artists the Shivas or Shannon and the Clams; the bands all have a knack for blending elements of garage rock with the purity of doo-wop.  It’s the sort of tunes you’d play to let your folks get hip to your good tastes.  Look for Darling…It’s Too Late, their latest, on May 12th by way of Suicide Squeeze.

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Soft Ballad from The Weather Station

weatherThe tunes today have been pretty amped up, for the most part, so I was lucky to run across this really warm ballad from The Weather Station, which is the project of Toronto’s Tamara Lindeman. I really the sound of the guitar on this tune; it’s light, but there’s this whimsical touch to it, reinforced by the extra musical flourish that occurs around the 1.5 minute mark.  It doesn’t hurt that the instrumentation is the perfect playscape for Lindeman’s voice either.  She’ll be releasing her album, Loyalty, on Paradise of Bachelors on May 12th.

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ATX Spotlight: Legendary Skies Release Novarupta (4/10)

11081179_1091877397495744_644842800649873449_nAustin’s been known to host an instrumental post-rock act or two…from Balmorhea to Explosions in the Sky, and everything in between.  Enter Legendary Skies, one of the newer acts on the scene, who are ready to unleash their album Novarupta to the Austin masses (and hopefully beyond). Interestingly, the band draw from all the forebears in our local post-rock scene, building crash atop crash, yet always falling in step with more intricate guitar pieces made for long drives along sparse Texas highways.  Head over to Hole in the Wall this Friday night to catch the band live, and help celebrate the release of their album.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/TxRWQQPVEYs[/youtube]

Damn This White Reaper Tune is a Gem

reapyThere are times when you make a mistake at SXSW.  My big regret, especially after hearing this track, was missing out on White Reaper.  I heard they absolutely killed it, throwing an energetic live set together to match their equally rambunctious tunes.  They seem to have shredded a bit of that psych approach that got them some early attention, wrapping this new song in nothing but huge hooks and solid drumming.  It’s the sort of tune that’ll appeal to your punk friends, but will grab your on-the-fence indie rock bros too.  Their debut album, White Reaper Does It Again, is set for a July 17th release via Polyvinyl Records.

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Premiere: Shy Mirrors Ready New LP

7076592515_9e13e8dfcd_oThe moment the discordant guitars blasted through my headphones on the new Shy Mirrors single, I was absolutely hooked.  It’s a sound that resonates with a great bit of my music collection, especially when Mike Downey’s vocals join the distorted track, similar to the voice of Mac of Superchunk.  I love the track’s gritty lo-fi style, bringing about a sort of indie rock crunchiness that puts you on edge, while endearing itself simultaneously.  You love great pop songs offered on a platter with a side of distortion and passion? Then you’ll definitely need to get your hands on Dodging the Column, which is available this week via Mirror Universe Tapes.

Enjoy This Tasty Mumrunner Tune

solitiThe new Mumrunner hit my inbox a short while ago, and I’m happy to share one of the five songs offered on the extended play with you today.  There’s an immediacy that hits your ears right away with guitar lines and drums crashing into your eardrums, just before an airy vocal washes atop the track.  It identifies the band as something of an outlier, applying their trade as mixers of 2000s alternative and modern dream pop; usually you get one or the other, so this one is definitely refreshing. The Full Blossom EP will be ready for your ears in its entirety on May 15th, courtesy of Soliti Music.

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Clever Pop Ditty from Skating Polly

1959482_1024423704252520_9222288679973361379_nI’ve got a fondness for all things catchy, and especially all things twee, which puts a band like Oklahoma’s Skating Polly squarely in the middle of my listening rotation today.  Those of you who like a little ukulele or a warm vocal touch will need to pay attention here…just don’t get too hung up on those descriptors, as the girls are known to rock just as much as they can make the boys swoon.  The band’s about to set out on a short tour with Babes in Toyland, so we wanted to give you a heads-up of things coming your way. Plus…it never hurts to throw the oft overlooked Oklahoma scene.

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Starar Offer Up New Tune

stararOur friends over at Starar in the UK tossed us this tune the other day, and the dreamy guitar lines encouraged me to share it with you immediately.  The duo has long been exploring their sound, and through their growth, you’ve been able to see them land at the beautiful place where we find “Talisman.”  You’ll hear distorted guitar softly echoing in your ears, while the two smoothly deliver their lyrics beneath that crashing wall of noise.  If you like what you hear, visit them HERE and listen to tons of other great songs the band have to offer you.

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Dreamy New Tune from The Holydrug Couple

holyiestYou get caught up in avoiding certain genres, especially when you even admit to overusing them (psych meet my friend garage). But, put all that aside and just turn up this wonderful track from The Holydrug Couple, who despite pass allegiance to certain genres, look set to bring you an incredible album full of pop songs.  These pop songs might be hiding under the guise of atmospheric wash, yet the Chilean band has a crooning hit on their hands; it might just be one of my favorite tracks of the year so far.  Look for their new LP Moonlust to hit on May 12th via Sacred Bones Records.

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