The Steinbecks Ready New Album

CD69The welcome return of Matinee Recordings in 2014 comes with the announcement that has me pretty excited over here; the label will be releasing a full-length album from The Steinbecks…the band that features the Meadows brothers of Sugargliders fame.  Kick to Kick with The Steinbecks is the name of the album, filled with jangling  goodness that is likely to make any indiepop fan swoon.  There’s a solid little bit of bounce on the track below, while the vocals seem to take on the notion of longing for personal change, adding a serious touch to an otherwise peppy song.  You’ll be able to get the record on April 22nd everywhere, but it’s available exclusively from the label HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/08-Trying-To-Be-Someone.mp3]

 

 

Indiepop Delight from The Very Most

thingsI have to give credit to my friend Howard over at IPSML for keeping me up to date on things lately, especially with this really great track from The Very Most. The group has just released a brand new 7″ with this delectable treat for your ears.  It’s light-hearted, with a cascading guitar part working its way through the back of the track.  Heavenly vocals dominate the front of the tune too, making the song all the more endearing from start to finish.  The release just went up via My Little Owl Records, so grab it while its hot.

 

 

Danceable Pop from Tropic of Pisces

tropicI think we’ve pretty much uploaded all the tracks from the Topic of Pisces Symmetry EP, but there’s one final installment to get you grooving towards your weeknd.  For me, this song is my favorite off the former Oberhoffer member’s new mini-album; it almost opens with that same groove as “Get Lucky.”  Say what you want, but we all occasionally feel the need to dance, and as summertime rolls around, lets hope there are plenty of spots you can throw down with your friends. The EP will be out on May 13th via Ooh La La Records.

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Pop Rocker from White Reaper

whiteyIt looks like Polyvinyl is trying to corner the market on upbeat pop music, especially now that they’ve agreed to release the new EP from White Reaper.  The band seemingly operate at a furious rock pace, but there’s still these elements of hooks via the electronic touches and then the final breakdown of the song, illustrating that the band’s more than just a one-trick-pony.  It’s the perfect track to get your energy up as you near the end of your work day, or any day for that matter.  Their EP will be released on June 24th, so stay tuned.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/143569117″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Library Is On Fire Offer Steady Post-Rock

libraryI’ve been spending a lot of time today listening to this new release from The Library Is On Fire, and I’ll be honest, I don’t quite know what to say to make you realize what an enjoyable record it is.  There are parts of the album that are a little bit heavier and faster paced, but on the single below, the band seem to really work around this steady speed; it’s almost too slow, but not quite.  There’s a lot of different flavors to be had throughout the listen, so you should look forward to hearing the entirety of Halcyon and Surrounding Areas when its digitally released next week.

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New Single from Total Control

tcIf people weren’t aware of what Total Control were doing, then they’re going to surely take notice after listening to this brand new single.  The project of Mikey from ECSR is known for providing this dark minimal electronica, spliced with elements of heavier pieces, but here it’s a pretty straight-forward pop hit from the Aussies. If you’re looking for the catchiest moments, you need look no further than the way the chorus is delivered.  My favorite thing about the band? You never know what you’re going to get on their releases, but you know it’s always good. They have a new album titled Typical System that will see an early summer release on June 24th via Iron Lung Records.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/142250662″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tweens – s/t

tweens_albumcover.134023Rating: ★★★☆☆

The official arrival of Tweens comes with a lot of fanfare, namely the endorsement of Kim Deal (Breeders/Pixies).  But, can a young band live up to those lofty expectations? Can they fill your ears with tunes that are as undeniably memorable as “Cannonball?”  On their self-titled effort, there’s room for improvement, but overall, you get the feeling that the young three-piece are on to something.

When Tweens kick things off, you can tell that they’re intent upon bringing raucous noise with just a little bit of brattiness to the table.  Bridget Battle immediately takes center stage on “Bored With This City,” belting out vocals, with the occasional hiccup to add a wee bit of sugar to the track.  And, while that song pushes forth rather quickly, “McMicken,” the following tune, is just as fast, although there’s that effortless layer of cool layered in, making the tune worthy of repeated listens.

Still, with the opening tunes on Tweens winning you over, there has to be a breather, which is why the vocal display from Battle on the next track “Be Mean” offers up a slightly different look into the band’s sound.  She discards that bratty sexpot attitude, taking on a stronger role as a powerful front woman.  This is the first track where I really felt like her vocals stood out from the meat of the song.  It’s an approach I personally feel she should take more often, as it makes that song successful, much like it does with”Don’t WaitUp” and  “Forever.”  The latter tune is possibly the standout song on the record.  Musically, the band seems to have calmed down a bit, allowing for BB to win over fans with her ability to control her pipes at various pitches.  I suppose this song appeals to me because it offers that different glimpse inside of the band, as other songs seem to bleed into each other too often.

After spending several days with the album, I can definitely see where the excitement comes from.  The songs are filled with hooks, and it’s hard to deny Bridget’s dynamism as a front woman.  That being said, there are a few songs that trip over each other, and only the smart choice of slipping in some slower tunes saves the record from being a one-note venture. They salvage that, however, with the inclusion of things like “Stoner” and “Forever,” making it clear that their future might hold more than meets the eye.  Tweens are rising stars in the music community, but only time will tell just how far that star can go.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/03-Be-Mean.mp3]

New Music from Gambles

sissyI was beginning to think that something had gone wrong for Matthew Siskin, as I hadn’t heard a new tune from the prolific songwriter, who operates as Gambles, in several months.  But, today, a new song came our way, showing a different side of Siskin.  This song is focused around more of a processed beat, rather than his traditional guitar work.  It’s a new approach, but his voice and lyrics are as strong as they’ve ever been…one of the many reasons I love his work.  I appreciate a fresh approach, but I’ll reserve final judgment until we hear I Can’t Keep Still When It Comes to You, his new album that hits on April 28th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/139232519″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Protomartyr – Under Color of Official Right

Protomartyr-album-cover-608x594Rating: ★★★★☆

It’s weird to try to put the entirety of the Protomartyr record into any category.  For all intents and purposes, there are no true comparisons to Under Color of Official Right, though there are nods here and here.  The album’s refreshing in that it doesn’t ever seem stuck in a genre, rather it’s defined solely on the fourteen songs included in the collection.

When “Maidenhead” kicks things off there are some stabbing guitar parts that reflect the little nuances within the realm of indiepop, but as soon as you hear the voice of Joe Casey, you know that you’re in a darker world, even emphatically pushed there when the cymbals crash behind the pounding rhythm.  It’s a sign that while you listen to UCoOR you’re likely to hear bits and pieces of everything you love, just spun in an entirely original manner.  You just have to go to the next stop on the record, “Ain’t So Simple.”  Casey’s vocals steady the work of the band, but the rest of the group offer this bit of pro to-punk oddity, keeping listeners on their toes.

For me, I think the presence of Joe’s vocals throughout is what really makes this album something to write home about; he seems to work against the approach of his band mates, cooly releasing vocals while they offer their own interpretations of songs.  His lyrics are never rushed, even when the band’s pushing ahead quickly, as they do on the short track, “Pagans.”  Still, somehow his approach to delivery fits for Protomartyr, especially when you take in tunes like “What the Wall Said.” This is a track that feels almost as if J. Casey is singing, as his minimal melody slides nicely into the punishing drum work and the ringing guitars.

If you’re looking to pick up a single you’ve got options though I suggest you go all the way through.  The two singles “Scum Rise” and “Come and See” both are great options, thus they were chosen as the promo tracks.  Personally, I think you’d do just as well to stop at “Violent,” which is the track I think I’ve come back to most often.  This song exemplifies the band’s sound the most to me, with Casey offering a great vocal performance while the drums heavily roll in the background and crisp guitars ring out.  I’ve also taken a liking to “Trust Me Billy,” which offers up the most pop sensible music, for my two cents.

However, your listening experience with Under Color of Official Right will revolve around careful scrutiny of each lyric and each tempo change within the album. No one song stands next to a copy of its predecessor, and each movement sounds fresh, making the whole of Protomartyr sound like a well-oiled machine intent upon creating music on their own terms.  There’s no historic embellishment and no ties to their home; it’s an album living out on its own, the way a great album should.

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

Download: Protomartyr – Scum, Rise! [MP3]

Under Color of Official Right is available now from Hardly Art.

 

Power Pop Gem from Cheap Girls

cheapSeems like everyone’s collaborating these days, but with Cheap Girls working with Craig from the Hold Steady, it just seems to fit perfectly.  They both have this traditional American rock sound; there’s not a lot of pretension or excess to what they’re writing.  Here we have the band just doing their best to bang out a solid rock tune that will be featured on their new record, Famous Graves, and it encompasses a pretty straightforward rock song.  It’s the sort of tune you want to sing with, yet it’s bold enough that it also makes you want to rock just enough. You can let yourself enjoy this record on May 13th via Xtra Mile Recordings.

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