Feel Good Tune from Cowboy Indian Bear

cowboyindianbearA sure way to my heart is to throw in some gang vocals.  I don’t really care if they’re harmonized, angrily shouted or whatnot, I just want group vocals!  This beautiful track from Cowboy Indian Bear features just that, so I had to share it with you.  This isn’t an in-your-face group approach, but rather a relaxed gang vocal, accentuated by careful percussion and light instrumentation; it’s clear, at least on this tune, that the vocals are the winner…the song’s not shabby either. The band will be releasing their new record, Live Old Die Young, next week via The Record Machine, and I sincerely hope it makes it on your list of things to check out.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/09-Let-it-Down.mp3]

 

New Pop Tune from Royal Canoe

royalcanoeYou’ve gotta make Friday go off with a band, especially if you’ve got plans to wake up early and hit up Record Store Day (as you should), so I figured we’d start things off with this Royal Canoe track.  It revolves mostly around a nice little electronic beat, with some atmospheric touches added in here and there.  I like the way the vocals come in and out with different tones, and different effects atop.  If you’re enjoying yourself, be sure that you get your hands on Today We’re Believers on June 25ht via Roll Caller Records.  Damn you Canada and your catchy hits!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/royalcanoe_todaywerebelievers.mp3]

Download: Royal Canoe – Today We’re Believers [MP3]

Hook-Laden Pop from Brass Bed

285329_10152533432835705_861324706_nThose in need of catchy pop tunes better pay attention to the latest single from Brass Bed.  The band is gearing up to release their third LP, The Secret Will Keep You, next week, and it’s definitely blending some of my favorite sounds.  I dig the usage of the organ/wurlitzer/whathaveyou with the bright tonal quality of the vocals, while the rest of the group provides a strong rhythm section that adds an extra little punch to this ditty.  Sometimes, the most successful tunes are the ones that focus on simplicity and consistency; you’re sure to find that here, and on the album.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Brass_Bed-Please_Dont_Go.mp3]

Download: Brass Bed – Please Don’t Go [MP3]

New (ish) Jam from Dead Stars

deadstarsI was checking in on one of my favorite little labels, Uninhabitable Mansions, who released the excellent Still Flyin LP last year, and discovered they’ll be dropping a new EP from Brooklyn’s Dead Stars.  We’re predicting that this tune will feature on the High Gain EP, as it was just recorded this year; you can grab the EP on June 4th from the label that is home to Radical Dads.  If you listen, you’ll definitely see some dudes in love with their guitars, nodding over their shoulders to the past; we don’t mind that one bit, especially when the tune is this damn good.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Dead-Stars-So-What.mp3]

Download: Dead Stars – So What [MP3]

Turnip King Aims to Impress…and Succeeds

turnipkingThe word lo-fi gets tossed around all the time nowadays, and we’re definitely guilty of throwing it out there too, but I think the music that Turnip King has created definitely accomplishes that sound perfectly.  There’s a bit of tape fuzz on the edges of this song, though the group has their hands wrapped tightly around pop songwriting; they just choose to go off in a more explorative direction on this track. Fire Talk Records will be releasing the band’s new Moon Landing? EP on May 28th, and I appreciate the fact that I have no idea what to expect, other than I know it will be pretty solid.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/84875890″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Dream Pop From pacificUV

1897As I float hazily through my day, I find myself drawn to this new song “American Lovers” from Athens based pop group pacificUV.  The song has that dreamy quality to it that evokes images of people standing on a beach staring out into the ocean.  I’m also digging the clean guitar in the background that almost has a sort of new wave twang to it.  You can also hear more new music from the band on via a sampler on their bandcamp page.

New album After the Dream You Are Awake is due out May 12th on Mazarine Records.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/87039831″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Single from Japanther

japantherI feel like it’s been a minute, or maybe just a few days, since I’ve posted a rocking little bit of pop-punk.  Good thing news broke today of the newest single from Japanther.  It’s a fuzzy, chugging guitar track, utilizing some microphone recording tricks…reminds me of old school 90s punk. I’m glad there are still bands that are making jams like this, though I’m sure the live setting will completely alter this track into a much more ferocious beast.  You can get your hands on the group’s new album Eat Like Lisa Act Like Bart in a little over a month, when it’s released by Recess Records on May 21st.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Stolen-Flowers.mp3]

Download: Japanther – Stolen Flowers [MP3]

More Sprawling Beauty from New Mexico

1178I love the way this opening moment of the new single from New Mexico opens up; it’s barely audible, with vocals pushed really high into the mix for their entrance.  You’ll have to listen closely to the guitar work in the background, just barely chiming in beneath the electronic wash that coats the song.  Perhaps it’s not an immediate sort of track, but the unfolding glory is undoubtedly present the more you let the song sink in to your soul. You can grab their new album, Malpais, next Tuesday; I know I’m getting my hands on a copy.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/03-Wandering.mp3]

Download: New Mexico – Wandering [MP3]

New Electronica from Jon Hopkins

Jon-Hopkins-2Musically, I’m going out on a limb here, but only because B. Gray is our usual electronic afficionado.  But, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the work of Jon Hopkins.  He first came to my attention a few years ago when he worked on Diamond Mine with King Creosote; I still play that album all the time. He’s got a new record coming out on Domino on June 4th titled Immunity, and it’s going to be a much appreciated piece by those in the know.  Now, you’re in the know; you get to hear the first single from Jon’s record, so if this is you’re thing, it’s time to get excited.[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/88124909″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

More Great Music from The Bankees

bankeesThankfully, the Bankees are going strong with their new efforts, deciding to release an EP in honor of Record Store Day.  Just a few weeks ago I put up “Heaven 1&2,” but this song has a different feel to it.  It begins slowly, with a tinkering piano and a lightly strummed guitar part, awaiting the entrance of the vocals.  A minute later, the song takes off into old school rock pastiche, with swagger and soul, just as a guitar solos in momentarily.  For me, this song shows the growth of the group over the last few years, crafting some of the most intimate pop music.  Be happy bands write tunes like this.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/01-The-Plumber-Life.mp3]

Download: The Bankees – The Plumber Life [MP3http://

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