Low Culture – Screens

Rating: ★★★☆☆

If there’s one thing I’ve been able to count on for some time, it’s been the delivery of solid punk rock records from Dirtnap Records.  They’re at it again in 2013 with their first release, Screens by Low Culture.  Hailing from New Mexico, the band pumps out a grittier version of your modern power-pop, using furious pacing and jagged guitar chords to add an extra dose of energy.

“Screens” kicks off the entire affair, almost blasting off immediately with a punk rock anthem that blurs the lines between traditional punk rock and modern garage-pop.  A quickened beat, encouraged by the pounding rhythm of the drums, makes this one of the albums stand-out tracks.  Seamlessly, Screens moves along into “I Feel Your Ghost.”  It’s here that you first begin to notice a little bit more of a guttural influence on the vocals; this is one of the minor effects that carries the group away from the majority of their peers, at least in sonic comparisons.

While a great deal of Low Cultures latest effort has a tendency to stand in the territory of their punk/power-pop fusion, there are a few songs lurking here and there that allow listeners to absorb something a touch different. For me, you can tell by the opening guitar line of “Touchy Feely” that you’re in for something that varies from the group’s standard fare.  It jumps into a forceful vocal delivery, almost barked in your ear, though they do create a bit more classic alternative melody that enters towards the latter half of the song.  A few songs later you find yourself at “Nightmare,” providing that pummeling sound that one can only assume entices those in a live setting to circle about.  While I appreciate the variation in songwriting, these two examples are also probably the hardest for my ears to connect with during an average listening experience.

My favorite piece of Screens has to be “Trying to Quit.”  It’s sort of a sloppy garage ditty, which has me bobbing my head and tapping my toes as I write these very words.  It also features a softer vocal, though you can still hear a hint of strain; its presence makes the song immediately accessible and memorable, regardless of your personal tastes.  The group comes close to repeating this feat on the following track, “California,” although it takes a second or two longer to fully grasp the apparent pop sensibility in the songwriting.  Like the opening two tracks, this is a good 1-2 punch.

For my two cents, I’ve had a blast listening to Screens, blaring it on the home stereo time and time again.  Sure, there are some weaker spots, but even those I don’t mind playing all the way through.  While Low Culture waivers slightly in monotony, the record’s brevity allows them to avoid such traps, leaving music fans with an album you’ll spin on the table repetitively.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/01-Screens.mp3]

Download:Low Culture – Screens [MP3]

Veteran Punk from Steve Adamyk Band

You didn’t think I was going soft on you did you? I’m the resident punk rocker here, and I’ve written about Steve Adamyk Band before on these very pages.  On this new track from the group’s upcoming LP, they pummel quickly through the track, using sharp guitar chops with hints of feedback swirling.  Before you can blink, the track’s got you hooked, and then it’s over.  Sure, I could use an extra 45 seconds, but beggars can’t be choosers, right? If you dig what you hear, the band will be releasing Third on February 5th via the most excellent Dirtnap Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Katacombs.mp3]

Download:Steve Adamyk Band – Katacombs [MP3]

Rock N’ Roll from Low Culture

I know I’m struggling here on Friday, so I definitely needed an energetic pick up, which is lucky for me since I just got this great Low Culture tune.  There’s no pretense here, it’s just fast paced rock, in the vein of what I’ve deemed power punk.  It’s filled with hooks, especially in the chorus, yet there’s just a hint of gritty anger that blows your hair back.  They’ll be releasing their album, Screens, on my favorite Dirtnap Records on January 9th of next year.  You need energy and fun? You get Low Culture.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/01-Screens.mp3]

Download:Low Culture – Screens [MP3]

Garage Rocker from Legendary Wings

One of the many acts in the Dirtnap Records is the recent signee, Legendary Wings.  They’re still out promoting their recent release, Making Paper Roses, which is full of grit and energy.  This is the band’s most recent single, and it displays the garage quality that has endeared the group to punk fans such as myself.  Personally, I love the sound of the guitar on this track, pushed high up in the mix, yet holding onto a balls-out sensibility that soon makes way for the shouted hook of the gang vocal.  Just another solid hit from a band that’s out to kick ass and take some names.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/01-Nachos.mp3]

Download:Legendary Wings – Nachos [MP3]

New Jam from Legendary Wings

In what has already been a great year for Dirtnap Records, they continue with the latest release from Legendary Wings.  The group has a little bit less power-pop then recent releases from the likes of White Wires or Mean Jeans, but what it lacks in the pop vein is made up with a sincere rock n’ roll enthusiasm that’s bound to be the soundtrack to my Friday.  There’s an obvious spirit to the band, and it shines through in the tune we’ve got below.  If you dig it as much as I do, pick up their album, Making Paper Roses, which comes out on October 9th. Nooge.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/PaperRoses.mp3]

Download:Legendary Wings -Paper Roses [MP3]

Sweet Rocker from Something Fierce

I’m always down to represent for Dirtnap Records, especially when they come into Texas to dip their toes in our rock n’ roll talent pool.  They’re set to release a one of a kind (1000 copies only/ever) split between Houston’s Something Fierce and Denton’s Occult Detective Club.   I’m personally excited because it signals a bunch of new material that’s supposed to come from Something Fierce in early 2013 (if the world doesn’t end).  Our first listen comes from the Houston act, and it demonstrates how the band has grown up, giving up a tight little effort filled with chugging energy and bratty swagger. My favorite!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/WarlordsOfInformation.mp3]

Download:Something Fierce – Warlords Of Information [MP3]

New Power Pop Jam from The White Wires

Ever since the new album from The White Wires arrived in my mailbox the other day, I’ve been jamming it as loud as I can around the house.  The Canadian group has signed on with the good folks over at Dirtnap Records to release their album WWIII, which will be in stores on July 31st.  It’s exactly what you want in a power-pop record, and this song epitomizes the feel of the release, with bouncing garage rhythms and just the faintest hint of melody in the vocals.  If this doesn’t lift your spirits a little bit, then I don’t know what will.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/01-All-Night-Long.mp3]

Download:The White Wires – All Night Long [MP3]

Scuzzy Beach Rock from Guantanamo Baywatch

Dirtnap Records has done a pretty solid job with releases this year, and they might just have another one on their hands with the new record from Guantanamo Baywatch.  The album is called Chest Crawl, and this track is pretty much a solid snippet of what the whole thing will sound like to your ears.  It reminds me of a weird surf rock jam that lives somewhere between Thee Oh Sees and the Cramps.  It might not be for everyone, but it’s the kind of stuff I’ve been into lately. Give it a little taste.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/guantanamo-baywatch-boomerenga_2012-05-04-164705-4137-0-0-0.128.mp3]

Download:Guantanamo Baywatch – Boomerenga [MP3]

New (ish) Rocker from Mean Jeans

As we finally get our feet back under us after the work leading up to SXSW, I really wanted to toss out this track that’s been living in my inbox.  The song comes from the new Mean Jeans album, On Mars, which will be released by the excellent folks over at Dirtnap Records on April 17th.  If you’re in need of an energetic boost to get your Monday off, then be glad I saved this number until today; it builds with infectious hooks, then bursts off into a snotty vocal delivery.  You’ll definitely find the cure for a case of the Mondays by turning this one up!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/AnybodyOutThere.mp3]

Download:Mean Jeans – Anybody Out There [MP3]

Mind Spiders – Meltdown

Rating: ★★★½☆

It’s always good to know that a rocker never dies.  Mark Ryan’s one such dude, giving it his all in the past with the Marked Men; now he’s refueled his passion with Mind Spiders.  Meltdown is the group’s second album in less than a year, and their latest release for Dirtnap Records has them picking up precisely where they left off–and now with more drums!

On the first few listens, you might think that opener “You Are Dead” bares a strong resemblance to Jay Reatard, as there’s that scratchy vocal, not to mention the way the lyrics are displayed that lets you gravitate towards the notion. But, the usage of two drummers has captured the explosive capacity of the group as a whole, something the aforementioned singer never quite had.  And as Meltdown goes further with “Beat,” the chorus indicates that this is definitely a shout out to punk rock. Chugging guitars push you forward, but the chorus will bring the punk rock all the way home, even as the band steadily pounds onwards.

When you stumble upon “More Than You,” you might literally stumble, as it’s the first Mind Spiders track, on this effort at least, that’s not jagged and dirty.  Yes, there’s a bit of a haze coating the sound of the recording, but lurking beneath is a really nice bit of melody. Not to be a spoiler, but if you’re listening as you’re reading, you’re going to find that a lot more of the tracks on Meltdown resemble this number, as the latter half of the record takes a similar approach to this song. “Skull Eyed” takes on a similar pacing, but there’s definitely a haunting electronic element presence, which displays the risks that Mark Ryan’s willing to take with this group.  I’d be interested to see what this sounds like live, as there’s definitely space to pick up the pace in a forceful manner. “Meltdown” closes out the album with an almost carnival-esque electronic playfulness that continues Side B’s theme of musical exploration, only doing so in the instrumental manner; this all hints that Ryan might possibly be trying to figure things out for the future.

Taken as a whole, Meltdown‘s a solid record, though a little bit disjointed in its sonic construction.  It brings on full-frontal rock n’ roll ferocity from the get-go, giving you a hefty does of energy on Side A.  Side B, however, demonstrates that Mind Spiders are still working out some of the kinks as they continue to forge a path for themselves.  It actually makes for the perfect vinyl listen, giving you two side of a most excellent band. We’ll just have to wait and see which path the group takes as they bound off into the future, but let’s rest assured that even when they’re figuring things out, they’re writing tracks that are better than most of the bands out there.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mind_Spiders_-_Wait_For_Us.mp3]

Download: Mind Spiders – Wait For Us [MP3]

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