New Music from The Dismemberment Plan

homepage_large_34eb3122Emergency and I was one of my favorite records back in the day, and when it was re-released on vinyl this year, I quickly grabbed it up.  But, that album’s old, and for the most part, I had accepted that The Dismemberment Plan was dead and buried, even though Travis Morrison was still out there writing music. So, now that the band is back, why not share their new music?  The single below is from the band’s upcoming record, Uncanny Valley, which comes out on October 15th via Partisan.  I like that this song isn’t quite as spastic as I remember the band being; I like how it slowly unfolds, with Morrison’s calm vocals walking us through the track.  Happy to see these guys making new music, hope you are too.

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Songs for Walter At It Again

songsforwalterSeems like it’s been a little bit since I’ve written about Songs for Walter; I suppose that blame lays with me.  Laurie Hulme, the prolific songwriter behind the name, has been releasing tunes at an ungodly speed in 2013, gearing up for his debut full-length.  This latest track is a non-album tune, which can only mean one of two things: 1) the record is going to be so good, this was a throw-away or 2) he just wanted to go a different direction on the debut.  Regardless, I always love the songwriting, right down to the way the guitar parts are carefully picked, string by string.  Thanks to Bleeding Gold for always supporting these acts with their on-going project!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Songs-For-Walter-Nicks-Song.mp3]

Download: Songs For Walter – Nick’s Song [MP3]

Blast from the Past: The Return of Josh Berwanger

3ue5_BERWANGERLPINSERTAdmittedly, I went through a pretty intense emo phase (by that I’m talking 2nd wave).  One of the acts I got really into was the Anniversary, which interestingly appealed more to me with their second album, as it grew much like I did.  Here we have Josh Berwanger, one of the band’s primary songwriters returning.  It still has some of that country twang to it, though the Josh’s usage of combining male and female vocals is still evident here.  It’s a pretty casual track, but I’m not going to pretend like the harmonies don’t make their way into my heart.  He’ll be releasing his debut album, Strange Stains, on October 1st via Good Land Records.  I’m actually looking forward to what he comes up with this time around.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/03-Baby-Loses-Her-Mind.mp3]

Download: Josh Berwanger – Baby Loses Her Mind [MP3]

New Single from Junip

junipHaving already been a fan of Jose Gonzalez, I’ve really liked the way that the career of his group Junip has unfolded. After releasing their sophomore effort, the group has gotten together with a new EP, Walking Lightly. The EP will feature several remixes, but the main single is just a gorgeous number meandering through space.  There’s a slight effect on the the vocals, making them even a touch more solemn than perhaps they’d be otherwise.  It works really well with the untraditional percussive element that provides minimal rhythm on this tune.  Here you go.

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Crocodiles – Crimes of Passion

crimesofpassionRating: ★★★½☆

When looking at the musical history of Crocodiles, you can say there have been three stages.  The first stage has roots in the records one and two, filled with reverb and a wash of noise.  Then they started to clean things up a little bit on Endless Flowers, and they’ve finally progressed to the the latest stage with Crimes of Passion, creating a collection of songs that wears their influences boldly whilst pushing further into the realms of pop sensibility.

On my first jam to “I Like It in the Dark,” I really thought this was some experimental version of early Brit-pop.  The vocals definitely wear that influence, as do the piano touches jumping in and out of the track.  It’s clear at this point that Crimes of Passion is still to go further into pop songwriting, although I appreciate that they haven’t completely abandoned their penchant for extra layering, though this time with instruments as opposed to feedback noise.  Surprisingly, “Marquis de Sade” cleans things up completely, giving us one of the most straightforward hits the group has composed to date, harkening to sunny Cali pop by using female backing vocals.  But, personally, I could do without the excess horn solo in there; it would ruin the song if it weren’t such a great tune all around.

I think one of the biggest changes for Crocodiles revolves around the delivery of the vocals.  You’d find the group coating the voice in the early stage, yet if you listen to “Heavy Metal Clouds” you can tell that the band are intent on making lyrics you can attach yourself to immediately.  There were glimmers of such a voice on the last LP, but they’ve been improved upon here, leaving listeners with an extra instrument to focus on…that of the voice. You’ll see the same attention to detail on “She Splits Me Up,” which just might be the prettiest song that the group has crafted to date.  Guitars on this track are angular, yet they have a tonal brightness that I find really appealing.

But, don’t think that Crimes of Passion is all shimmering pop goodness; you’ll still find songs with a bit of grit within.  “Gimme Some Annihilation” offers up the crunchiest guitar from the LP, featuring some of that trademark Crocs fuzz.  Still, while holding onto their past, it’s hard not to see that the band almost seems refreshing new with this track; it’s got an entirely different attitude now, as opposed to what you might find in the early stage. They give us noisy nods, just not too much.

Honestly, I see this as a record that’s going to sneak up and surprise a lot of people.  The band definitely tread water with their homage to Jesus and Mary Chain early on, but it seems now they’re looking forward to other popular Brit acts like the Stone Roses…seriously.  Crimes of Passion is a pop record; it just happens to be one filled with light elements of noise and experimentation, showing us all where Crocodiles once were, yet giving us a glimpse of where they are going.

Show Review: Kurt Vile @ Mohawk (8/20)

The crowd filled into Mohawk on a warm August evening, selling out for one of the most popular names in the indie realm, Kurt Vile. He came into town behind praise for Wakin’ on a Pretty Daze, his latest album; he was supported by Sonny and the Sunsets

I probably had different feelings than most leaving the night, so you can read those thoughts, or just check out the great photo work of our boy Brian Gray.

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Fresh Pop Rock from Dot Dash

dotdashdcI’ve written about Dot Dash on several occasions over the last few years, raving about their last LP, Winter Garden Light.  I’m excited to let you all know that the group is back with their new album, Half-Remembered Dream.  The first single from the album is just pure rock n’ roll; I love the band’s style of guitar playing, but I’m really impressed with the vocals this time around.  They have such a soft quality to them, providing a nice little juxtaposition between vocals and instruments; this track reminds me of Nada Surf to a certain degree.  The album was just released by The Beautiful Music, but you can also pick it up from the band.  Here’s to a band you might not know, but definitely need in your musical collection.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Dot-Dash-Half-Remembered-Dream-01-Heres-to-The-Ghosts-of-The-Past.mp3]

Download: Dot Dash – (Here’s to) The Ghosts of The Past [MP3]

Fresh New Jeremy Jay Track

KDR005Not only do I really appreciate K Records, but I love Jeremy Jay.  So, when the two team up, you know I’m going to throw my support their way.  Jeremy has a new album titled Abandoned Apartments coming out on the label on November 12th, and we’ve got the first listen to one of the tracks for your ears. The guitar is still an integral part of the sound, though the wash of synths has become more prominent through the last few LPs, which is definitely apparent here.  Closing out the song is a twanging bit of guitar work too; it’s a nice touch to end the song.  Hope you enjoy listening to Jeremy as much as I do.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/02.-COVERED-IN-IVY.mp3]

Download: Jeremy Jay – Covered In Ivy [MP3]

Austin Spotlight: Simple Circuit Release New Album

simplecircutiThose following the undercurrent of the Austin scene have surely heard of Simple Circuit; they’ve released a few 7 inches to rave reviews.  Good news comes today that the band has released their debut, self-titled, LP…and after listening to it all day long, it’s exactly what I expected.  The whole record is brimming with energetic songs with excellent guitar work and steady drumming; you’ll want to have your speakers up  loud for the duration.  There’s even a few mellower tracks to keep the LP catchy for everyday listening.  Right now the band is offering it up for the NYP, but I highly suggest you donate, as these guys (and this record) deserve it!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Simple-Circuit-S-T-02-Sattrash.mp3]

Download: Simple Circuit – Sattrash [MP3]

More New Music from Bushwalking

BWPhotoMEDLess than a month ago we hit you with the beautiful, yet darkened, pop of Bushwalking.  They’re back again, this time with a more emphatic punch to their art-rock sound.  The guitar playing on here really excites me, occasionally going out of tune.  I love the way they seemingly work against the vocals, yet all tie in together nicely.  It’s still has this gritty edge to it, though this song might be a tad bit more accessible.  It doesn’t really matter in the end, as the group are racking up enthusiasm for their new record, including the kids here at ATH.  You can pick up their album No Enter on September 6th courtesy the hard-working (and lovely) guys of Chapter Music.

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