New Pop Tune from Tacocat

tacocatYou’re probably going to look twice when you look at the title of Tacocat‘s newest single, but that’s entirely the point, or so I think.  Tacocat have infectious hooks and power-pop licks to make them supremely accessible, but at the same time, they’re not taking themselves entirely too seriously. They’re out to kick out tracks that envelop the fun side of being in a rock n’ roll band, even if it means writing a tune about your period.  If this is your style of music, then you’ll need to get your hands on NVM when it’s released by Hardly Art on February 25th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Tacocat_CrimsonWave.mp3]

Download: Tacocat – Crimson Wave [MP3]

Playful Track from Astrid Swan

astridThose of you who aren’t living in Finland probably have no idea who Astrid Swan is, and that’s okay, though sad in the long run.  The track below comes from her 5th album, Astrid4, and this is one of the many great moments you’ll find.  Her voice is quite strong, which is probably what first attracted me to the singer’s work, but the accompaniment here is what completely sold me.  While the stile is different, incorporating various horns and woodwinds provides listeners with something that’s rare in pop music…a classical touch that’s creative and not forced.  You can pick up Astrid4 from Soliti Music now.

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Sharp Rocker from The Coathangers

coathangersAh yes, the full length effort I’ve been waiting for from The Coathangers is just around the corner! I love the bratty vocal approach that works in conjunction with the jagged buzzing guitar chords, but just as that puts you into a stomping trance, the ladies blast off into a catch little chorus featuring classic “whoas.”  Like most great things, it flirts with hooks and danger, yet remains focused throughout the song.  Suicide Squeeze Records will be releasing the new album, Suck My Shirt, on March 18th.

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Contest: La Luz Ticket Giveaway w/ Pure Bathing Culture (1/27)

La-LuzOur friends at Hardly Art are helping us hook you up with a great deal that seems pretty awesome.  They’re willing to give away a pair of tickets to one of the most anticipated shows in town next week: La Luz with Pure Bathing Culture.  La Luz released It’s Alive last year via Hardly Art, and the group really built a strong name for themselves before encountering a little tragedy curbed their touring.  But, now they’ve got this incredible bill, which just got better when news was announced today that Austin’s She Sir would join the bill. All you have to do is leave us a comment with your favorite new jam of 2014. We’ll close the contest Friday at midnight, then contact the winners.  Show is at Red 7, and it starts at 9 PM.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LaLuz_CallMeInTheDay.mp3]

Download: La Luz – Call Me In The Day [MP3]

Mac DeMarco Is All Growns Up

macdemarcoEvery one has been raving about this new Mac DeMarco tune for the last 24 hours or so, and I’ll admit that I actually find this quite deserved.  While he’s still playing his own style, you can tell by listening that there’s a majority in his vocal approach, not to mention in the lyrical content of the track.  It’s quite refreshing to see an artist you enjoy put all the pieces together in order to come out with something that’s really compelling, rather than just forced popularity.  It’s a special jam and I look forward to the release of Salad Days via Captured Tracks on April 1st.

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New Jam from My Gold Mask

mygoldmaskI feel like Monday’s always a good day for me to chime in with something upbeat to get your ears and dance shoes ready for some hump day happy hour action, or maybe just a nice jog.  This latest single from My Gold Mask is sure to do the trick for you; it’s got a driving rhythm to provide some excellent energy, not to mention a vocal that would make Kevin Bacon run around doing gymnastics in an old warehouse.  It’s meant for good times, and sometimes those are the tracks that make our day; I hope this song makes your day.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/battles-FINAL.mp3]

Download: My Gold Mask – Battles [MP3]

Abram Shook – Sun Marquee

Abram-Shook-Cover-ArtRating: ★★★★☆

Abram Shook has toiled around the streets of Austin for some time trying to find the right band to fit his unique vision of where his songwriting could go.  But, after various line-up changes to his former group, Great Nostalgic, it seems Abram made the right decision to try things out all on his own.  His album Sun Marquee carries his vision further than we expected, leaving listeners with a warm experience that you’ll find ultimately rewarding.

Those of you getting your first introduction should immediately take notice of Abram’s unique voice when you play “Recovery.”  It’s got a bit of a drawl to it, coated here in an effortless cool that evokes the best of warm climes. He uses the strength of his voice as a central focus in his songs, and he builds the tracks from there.  The following tune, “In Mind,” has incredible layering with varying guitar parts working in unison, though each occupying their own space and time.  It reminds me of the best moments of old Here We Go Magic tunes, though there’s more of a dreamy quality to the numbers on Sun Marquee.

But while much of the record is devoted to songs that carefully unfold as minutes pass, there’s a few tunes that have some immediacy to them that’s gratifying upon the moment you press play.  Take the smooth stomp and swagger of “Distance,” which features a melodious chorus that allows Abram Shook to display his knack for catching the ears of even the most casual of passersby. Or you could take the bright ringing of the guitar that starts “Lifeguard” before the rest of the track begins to unfold into a blissful world of purposeful pop music. It even pulls in this great bit during the chorus that illustrates a bit of playfulness, not to mention Shook’s musical range/influences.

Ultimately, you want an album to be about an experience, about a journey you take as a listener, from start to finish.  I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap things up for this listen than with “Black Submarine,” taking all the convincing aspects of the record to this point and compiling them into one strong tune.  Whether it’s the guitar interplay or the wash of layers or even the distinctive vocals, you’ll find that it’s a perfectly emphatic finishing stroke by a talented artist.

People always reference stepping out of the darkness and into the light, and it seems that Abram Shook‘s own journey to solo artist serves as   his own coming party.  Sun Marquee shows him stronger and more creative than we’ve heard him to date, providing listeners with an album they can revel in for more than just a few rotations on the turntable.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/03-Distance.mp3

Download: Abram Shook – Distance [MP3]

Rambling Rocker with Jesus Sons

jesusYou need a little classic rock n’ roll to get through your day, then you can stop right here and bounce around with this new hit from Jesus Sons.  The LA group takes classic rock sounds (or roots rock if you’re into genres) to meander their way through a swinging tune; I think my favorite is the harmonica touch hanging about in the background. The group are releasing their eponymous debut on January 28th via Mock Records, and it’s got the swagger and cool that all the kids are talking about. Take a trip.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/02-Whos-Around.mp3]

Download: Jesus Sons – Who’s Around [MP3]

Brand New Warm Soda Track

warmsodaI hope Mathew Melton never quits writing songs.  There’s nothing he’s done under Warm Soda that hasn’t simply won me over, as evidenced by last year’s spot in our Top Albums List.  I’m actually surprised he’s come back so quickly with more jams that sound just as good, if not better.  These track actually seems more casual, but in the perfect power-pop sort of way; it’s steady and not overly energetic.  His new record, Young Reckless Hearts, cannot get here soon enough! It’s out on Castle Face Records on March 11th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/YoungRecklessHearts.mp3]

Download: Warm Soda – Young Reckless Hearts [MP3]

More New Music from Desert Noises

desertnoisesThe last time we heard from Desert Noises, they were offering up an Americana influenced rocker, but this time around, they remove the elements of Americana (for the most part), instead just offering a powerful rock number. What I like the most about this tune is that it’s got a great melody that it’s centered around.  It might appear as just a straight ahead rock tune, but you listen closely and you’ll hear how much the group enjoy getting in on traditional pop music.  The band will be releasing their debut 27 Ways in March via SQE Music, followed by a stop at SXSW.

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