Please to Meet You: Coves

Opening the old inbox today, I found a very kind email from Coves, featuring links to several songs, and a brief history.  Now, after enjoying these tracks all day long, it’s time I introduce you to the group.  They’re comprised of duo Beck Wood and John Risgard, both hailing from the United Kingdom; they’ve just put out their Cast a Shadow EP via Cross Key Records. My initial thought was that they’re some dreamy bedroom pop group, and you can see that when listening to the first track I’m posting, on which Beck takes the lead vocal, but I can see something else lurking beneath that concept.  If you take a listen to the second jam below, is it just me, or is there some of that gospel-infected pop that J. Spaceman has included in his work? Regardless, I’ve been enjoying the soulful tunes these two have been making, so I had to share it with you, in hopes that the good word would spread!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/02-No-Ladder.mp3]

Download:Coves – No Ladder [MP3]

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/COVES-Let-the-Sun-Go-Down-On-Me-Here-demo.mp3]

Download:Coves – Let the Sun Go Down On Me Here [MP3]

Fun Surf Pop from Mrs. Magician

If you’re a fan of Waaves, you’re going to enjoy listening to Mrs. Magician even more.  They’re a San Diego surf-rock band, and while they’re just as bratty as Waaves, the recording of this track (and their album) sounds a whole lot better than some of the production on that other dudes records.  Strange Heaven is the perfect record to play all summer long, and it doesn’t hurt that it was produced by John Reis of Hot Snakes/RFTC fame.  Put it on, sit back, and imagine you and your friends chilling down at the beach…guarantee you’ll only get up to press repeat over and over.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/MrsMagician_thereisnogod.mp3]

Download:Mrs Magician – There Is No God [MP3]

Bouncy Track from Body Parts

The latest track from Body Parts has been a great way to start out my morning, although the song’s been out for quite a bit.  It was brought back to my attention when the group organized this clever sign language video HERE. It all comes from the group’s On Purpose album, which is chock full of songs to keep you on your toes, hopping about. Sometimes energetic dance-pop is just the right thing to kick off the day, so hopefully that’s how this song fits into your day, giving you a bit of a bounce in your step.  Buen proveche.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/01-Doing-Things.mp3]

Download:Body Parts – Doing Things [MP3]

Show Preview: Gorgeous Hands @ Swan Dive (6/7)

Date Thursday, June 7th
Location The Swan Dive
Doors 800 pm
Tickets CHEAP!!!

We’ve got a great show tonight, featuring one of Austin’s hottest acts; Gorgeous Hands. What? You’ve never heard of them? Well, that’s because they’ve changed their name; they were formerly the Magnificent Snails.  They’ll be releasing a digital single, and the first 100 in the door get the single for free (it’ll be on vinyl in August!).  Also opening the night are several great bands you’ll want to familiarize yourself with if you’re an Austin music fan.  Punk upstarts Dangeresque will open, followed by cool kids, The Couch–and Colorado’s Fierce Bad Rabbit will close out the evening.  You an stream one of the new tracks from Gorgeous Hands below.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/The-Gorgeous-Hands-Generator.mp3]

 

New Track from Nude Beach

Now, this is a band I’m definitely going to get behind!  Nude Beach is from NY, and you can see some lineage to old school NY.  The group’s got this swagger and this street-smart sound…and there’s a hint of garage pop to boot.  They’ve recently signed on to Other Music Recording Co, who will help put out the group’s newest record, II, on August 14th this year.  It’s a track that should have pretty much all music fans salivating, using bits of modern indie rock fused with a classic street sound.  I’m going to love this record, and I bet you will too.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Walkin_Down_My_Street.mp3]

 

The Walkmen – Heaven

Rating: ★★★★☆

For a whole decade now, The Walkmen have been gracing your ears with their jangly rock music. Now, when I say that, I truly mean it; this band makes albums that linger in your music collection for long periods of time, seemingly timeless in their nature. Earlier albums proved rugged and loose, running wild with youthfulness and spunk, but as I said before, it’s been ten years, lead singer Hamilton Leithauser and company have grown up, and so has their music. Heaven is a testament to this, as the band brings you a different kind of rock album.

Right out of the gate, it’s clear to see the direction in which The Walkmen have decided to go with this seventh studio full-length release. “We Can’t Be Beat,” meanders its way to start, with Leithauser crooning along to some gentle guitar plucking, with sporadic “oohs” floating through the background. Even as the song picks up a bit at the end, the lushness is ever apparent through the use of layered vocals and delicate percussive elements. This lush sound is a general theme of the album, carrying through most of the songs in some shape or form. It’s extra present on some of the later tracks like “No One Ever Sleeps,” that focus on the vocals. A number on the slower side, it comes across as a bit of a lullaby with more billowy and wispy “oohs” that work their way through the lead. The song is gentle and sweet, juxtaposing Leithauser’s sharp voice with the softness of the backing instrumentation.

This group doesn’t have the same reckless abandon that they did when they first started out, but would you really want them to after ten years? A bunch of thirty-something year old guys who all have kids trying to act like kids? No, that would be silly and out of place. Instead, this band has a healthy alternative that still packs a punch for old fans. Songs like title track “Heaven” and “Heartbreaker,” incorporate old with new and are straight up catchy tunes. “Heartbreaker” is a song found early on the record that gets things moving with those rolling drums and hooky guitars, while “Heaven” is a summery sounding number that will have you tapping your toes. There will always be those who reminisce of the old days of this band when they put out jams like “Rat,” but there are acceptable rock songs on this effort as well.

Yes, it’s a grown up record, but by no means is it a snoozer. The Walkmen have made growing up something cool and envied, riding upon the waves of their musical and personal successes. They relish in their coming of age with grace, inviting you to come along for the ride. So join in with them and enjoy the beauty in Heaven.

 

Crocodiles – Endless Flowers

Rating: ★★★½☆

A few years back, Dan Treacy of Television Personalities used Crocodiles as his backing band, and that’s when I first caught wind of the group.  I trust Dan, so I scoured the net in search of news, only to stumble upon a group that I thought was unfairly being compared to Jesus and the Mary Chain.  Sure, I see the similarities, but as evidenced by Endless Flowers, the group has a lot more in relation to jangling art-pop than JMC.

“Endless Flowers” does utilize some squalling guitar wailing to kick off the whole affair, but vocally, it harkens back to the musical re-imagining of early 00s band such as Longwave; there’s a simple melodic tone that gives listeners that soft-footed shuffle.  “Sunday” again has that atmospheric guitar sound, so everyone’s going to already toss the JMC comparison back onto Crocodiles, but mentally I’m stripping the sound off these tracks, choosing instead to focus on the bright quality of the vocal delivery; it provides a youthful exuberance akin to Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

As Endless Flowers evolves, you begin to see the gentler side of the band, offering a steadier dosage of pop melody as preferred to noise.  “No Black Clouds for Dee Dee” is definitely a heartfelt ballad, considering the band’s relation to Dee Dee (not Ramone).  It’s a standout song, demonstrating that the group’s not always content with upping the noise quotient. Interestingly, as they begin to unleash a lighter side, they also begin to let that element fully collide with their noisier moments.  It leads to some of the longer tracks, such as “My Surfing Lucifer” and “Dark Alleys,” with the latter remaining as one of my favorite tracks on the record.

They break through it all to wrap up the record quite nicely, giving you a rollicking stomp track in “Welcome Trouble.”  The jagged guitar line cutting in the background just builds you to the raucous stomp that ups the ante during the chorus.  It’s got a bit of post-rock swagger to go along with the energetic chorus, and it definitely helps illustrate the group’s progressive direction. Closing out with the quieter “You Are Forgiven” again finds Crocodiles in a steady ballad form that should leave no doubt that the band is capable of affecting songs without having to fill each track with noise.  Admittedly, the chirping of the birds in the background of the recording might make it seem like a B-Side or an afterthought, but the strength of the song itself warrants its inclusion here.

I can see the Internet still hyping up the JMC connection, but perhaps when I listened to Endless Flowers, I was hoping for more, so I forgave its presence and looked closer at the core content in the songs.  If you approach listening to the latest from Crocodiles then I have the feeling that you’ll understand where I am coming from.  Regardless, I’ve had a lot of fun listening to this whole album, especially when you turn it up to 10 (11 is so cliche).

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Crocodiles-Sunday-Psychic-Conversation-9.mp3]

Download:Crocodiles – Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9) [MP3]

Great Reissue from Rock Plaza Central

Perhaps my friend Shane and I are the only one interested in this, but I’m sure we’re both really excited.  Chris Eaton’s Rock Plaza Central project has been sporadic at times, but that shouldn’t take away from the great body of work, such as my personal favorite, Are We Not Horses.  Chris has just re-released one of the group’s early recordings, Quantum Butterass, and I’ve really been enjoying getting to see where the band began.  The track I posted has some similarities to Mountain Goats, and I can definitely see similarities that have lasted into both bands careers.  If you like this, the band is giving it away, but they’re asking for donations, which are always suggested by us here at ATH.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Rock-Plaza-Central-Quantum-Butterass-01-Que-Sara-.mp3]

Download:Rock Plaza Central – Que Sara [MP3]

Chill New Tunes from Soltero

I’ve been looking for something just like this new tune from Soltero for a couple of weeks now.  The Brooklyn group just released their new album, 1943, and it’s full of some ridiculously good songs that I can’t stop playing over and over. For me, my first hook was the similarities to the delivery and the writing style of D. Berman of Silver Jews, but there’s a bit more of a mellow jangle going on in these tunes.  This song starts off slow for a few seconds, but just wait until it delivers the subtle hooks that made me fall in love with this new album.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Soltero-Rescue.mp3]

Download:Soltero – Rescue [MP3]

New Driven Rock From Young Galaxy

I’ll admit that I’m a bit late on this one (asshole), but it seemed appropriate to share since I’ve enjoyed the tunes of Young Galaxy since we first posted about them a few years ago.  This new song “Youth is Wasted on the Young” is a bit more heavy/dark than what we’ve grown used to from the group and offers something more along the lines of a Metric-ish sound.  This one is the B-side to a new 7″ from the group Shoreless Kid which is available for only $5 from Paperbag Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Young-Galaxy-Youth-Is-Wasted-On-The-Young.mp3]

Download: Young Galaxy – Youth Is Wasted On The Young [MP3]

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