Top Albums of 2021

Honestly, I’m pretty over lists at this point. They’re arbitrary and don’t really reflect anything but someone’s tastes, except here where they reflect the tastes of three individuals…because that’s how we roll. So, take this list with a grain of salt. These are the records we thought were the best, which mostly just means these are the ones we listened to on repeat throughout the year! Feel free to leave a comment on what you think we missed, or why we’re dumb; we love good comment trolls.

Also, because this list is really about crediting the art that made us happy, we wanted it to make you happy too, so we included purchasing links where we could. Read more

Last Week’s Jams, Today (11.29 – 12.3)

Happy Monday! We’re still here, still covering sweet jams, though we’re not really working too hard on the cred-required year end lists. Still, last week we tossed up almost 20 new jams, so figured we should run a little recap. You get new hits from the Bay Area via Reds, Pinks and Purples, Kids on a Crime Spree and Sad Eyed Beatniks, plus some videos from our friends in Central Heat Exchange. I included a Smashing Times track from their 2021 LP because we loved their new 7″, though its not quite up on the streaming sites yet. Also, if you didn’t check out that Fortunato Durutti Marinetti track yet, what are you waiting for?

Massage Cover I’m Going in a Field

After dropping the excellent Still Life earlier this year, Massage turned around and announced the Lane Lines EP last month. There’s a new tune circulating, which is a cover of the classic Ivor Cutler Trio tune, “I’m Going in a Field.” They drag the original into a sort of paisley landscape, toying with jangling guitars, while still allowing the emotive quality of the tune to remain the focus. I know the band is based in LA, but this track feels like it should take place in the foggy realms of San Francisco or London, giving it this timelessness that’s sure to win new fans of the group. Look for Lane Lines via Mt. St. Mtn. on December 10th.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (11.8 – 11.12)

We’re here with your weekly addition of Last Week’s Jams, with a slight little spin on things this week. For starters, there were certainly some jams on our pages, so we hope you’ll revisit…may I recommend the Crabber record again? Plus, you’ve got the new hits from Slumberland Records (who had a killer week in our eyes). And, in the end, I threw in a couple of tracks from shows we were able to see last week, or the week before, just as a reminder for us when we listen to our own playlists! Listen to some songs, and have a really great week friends!

Massage Announce Lane Lines EP

As much as I love Austin, San Francisco seems the place to be for music this year…and Massage is just one of the many bands having made a name for themselves. They’ve already release Still Life, which I raved about over here, but now we’ve got the Lane Lines EP on the horizon for December. Honestly, this new single might be one of my favorites, as it feels like this weirdly logical step from New Order’s Republic, just building in a little more jangle to things, not to mention the nice little female backing vocal nod. If you haven’t spent anytime with this band, then now’s your chance to correct that, and this song couldn’t be a better way to move right on in on the band’s great work. Lane Lines EP is out December 1st via Mt. St. Mtn.

Bops of the Week: June 21 – 25

Pardon me for slow-rolling out of bed today, but this is the first official day of summer for this teacher here, so I figured I’d amble about with a little less speed today. So, here we are friends, the review of last week’s hits. We’ve got new tunes from Always You and Damon & Naomi, as well as a little local love for our friend Abram Shook, plus you get new Massage and Flowertown records offering up some hits in there too! Personally, I’m going to encourage yo to partake in the slow burn of Sungaze and Slow Rosary. If you’re looking to ease into your day, no better way than this bunch of bops!

Another Great Massage Tune

This Massage LP better not sell out before I get paid, though admittedly, it should definitely be on everyone’s radar. The latest single has this wistful vibe, something akin to a movie scene where the passenger stares longingly out a window hoping/praying for a better day than today…or at least that’s how I’m hearing it. Plus, the jangles and the synths give the song this wash that sounds incredibly similar to Another Sunny Day’s “You Should All Be Murdered,” and that is 100% reason alone to steam this song and tap your toes. I mean, how many great songs can this band write? We’re going to find out when Still Life drops on June 25th.

The Week in Music May 10 – 14

Here we are. Here you are. It’s Monday morning, so let’s go back in time. Way way back, to last week. We’ve got new hits from the Goon Sax and Quivers, as well as some more obscure stuff like Keron and Nina Savary. Plus, we’ve got some old favorites in Dentist, Leon Bridges and Tapeworms, piled on top of a few tunes we dug that already got the mass of hype you’d expect. As per our tastes, its all over the place, which is sort of how I’m feeling on this Monday morning. Have a rad day my friends!

Yesterday’s Massage Video

We’ve definitely been supporting Massage on their new LP, careful to throw in only the appropriate Pains of Being Pure at Heart references where applicable. Here we are a day late on their new video for the record’s first single, which is the opening track on Still Life. For me, this tune is all about the juxtaposition of the varying guitar sounds that course through the song. At times they’ve got that disorienting fuzz, other times you get crisp circular jangles, at times both battling for air…and all of it dripped over a simply thunderous beat. Honestly, what’s amazed me the most about this record, or at least the singles, are how well balanced everything is…every guitar sound, drum beat, and vocal; its really a special treat for us all. Still Life is out in July via Mt. St. Mtn./Tear Jerk/Bobo Integral.

Another Single from Massage

Bobo Integral is out there proclaiming that this Massage LP might be the best indiepop record of the year; while I’m pretty sure Glenn Donaldson might have something to day, I think that’s reason enough to give an added push to the sounds. Clearly everyone involved isn’t far off, particularly with the sort of soft pop underbelly of this tune; this gives you sort of that dreaming whimsy, that smiling as you stare longingly out the window feels. Twinkling guitar notes and some great arrangement really do make you feel like this could be the stellar indiepop record we were promised. Still Life is being supported by Bobo Integral/Tear Jerk/Mt. St. Mtn. on June 25th.

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