Twerps – Range Anxiety

derpsRating: ★★★★☆

Twerps self-titled debut was something of a marvel.  It hit the US with little fanfare, but won over the hearts of many listeners and scored them a tour opening for Real Estate.  Me, personally, I fawned over the LP for the entirety of 2011. There was something in the relaxed attitude the band employed, and yet often offset with their jangling Aussie guitar prowess.  Range Anxiety picks up where that album left off, though there’s touches with the vocals that elevate this effort above its predecessor.

While there’s a statement instrumental opener, Range Anxiety officially begins with “I Don’t Mind.”  I hesitate to call it a true piece of slacker pop, though the pacing would suggest such.  My issue with that revolves around the song’s time, spanning over 5 minutes.  That’s not a slacker band running out of ideas, but rather a comfortable approach to well-crafted pop music. They follow it up with the bouncy “Back to You,” which sounds like a spritely version of the Go-Betweens.  I love how the backing vocals don’t join instantaneously during the chorus, but rather build into it…that’s a nice touch.

Speaking of nice touches, I like how Jules has a more prominent role on this LP, particularly in the standout track, “Shoulders.” It’s a tune that features that shimmering guitar work, but her voice offers a different tonal quality than that of her counterpart, Marty.  It actually harkens back to a time of more pristine female voices, void of auto-tune and all that other technological hoopla. Her presence on “Adrenaline” adds a continued softness that really smooths out the edges for Twerps; it’s still the same act, just a slight bit more leaning towards classic sounds of pop beauty.

In the end, I’m going to still fawn over this album for it’s guitar playing. Sure, everyone has praised the Oceanic influence on guitar over the last decade, but I don’t think there are many that do it quite as authentically as these guys. Listening to “Cheap Education,” I was pushed way back into my own record collection, at least mentally.  There’s a spirit to it that’s hardly been matched, and it always make listening to the group a joy.  But, I’d be remiss if I didn’t invest a sentence or two in “Love at First Sight.”  This song is unlike much of those that precede it, though I’ve found myself gravitating towards it again and again.  There’s something ramshackle that’s set amidst a really subdued performance.

Those that first fell in love with Twerps will surely find every song on Range Anxiety to have a redeeming quality.  But, I think they’ve put in enough finishing touches to really surpass their debut in many ways.  It’s a different listen, but one that exemplifies growth whilst staying grounded to what got them their in the first place.  Going to keep playing this album again and again.

Why Not Post About Mikal Cronin?

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Everyone’s posting about this new Mikal Cronin single, but it’s too damn good to not share with you!  So if somehow you still haven’t heard this track, it’s time for you to press that play button and get excited for the upcoming release of Mikal Cronin’s latest album, MCIII. Now, you’ll have to wait until May 5th to hear what Cronin has in store for you on the grand scale, but for now, soak up the warmth of this radiant alternative rock song. There’s soaring vocals, great little touches like bouncy piano and a catchy chorus you’ll be singing all day. Go on, enjoy.

 

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Love This New Twerps Single

twerpsIt’s amazing what a little push from the big guys like P4K can do for a band; this new single from Twerps has blown up in the last four days with the “Best New Music” tag, and I couldn’t be happier for the band.  Ever since we first covered the act way back in 2011, they’ve brought this great calm to low-tempo pop music.  I love the littlest touches the band puts to finishing up each track, like adding a slight backing female vocal in spots…especially when the guitars ring a hint louder than normal.  All this points towards a sneaking suspicion that Range Anxiety is going to be a sure-hit for Chapter Music/Merge Records when the LP is released at the end of January.

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New Twerps Tune for You

tewerepThere are some bands you just can’t get enough of, and, for me, that band is Twerps.  Any time they have something to offer, I clamor to get my hands on it.  So today, we’re tossing up this next tune from the Aussie group, in advance of their next album, Range Anxiety.  This tune take up the same emotional appeal as earlier work, though many people might be a touch surprised at the lead vocal role going to Jules on this number.  Still, the guitar work, as always, is sublime, working somewhere in the vein between jangling and drifting; it creates a lush bit of pop.  Look for the new album on January 23rd via Chapter Music/Merge Records.

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ATH Interview: Wye Oak + Show Preview (7/6)

wyeoakIf you’re looking for shows to attend this week, odds are you’ve found something to your liking.  But, before the work week starts back up, there’s a nice little show over at the Parish featuring Wye Oak that you should catch.  They’ll be playing with Pattern is Movement, and you can buy yourself a ticket to the show right HERE.  We caught up with Andy real quickly for some questions about their tour, and their latest album, Shriek.  Read on for the interview.  Read more

New Tune from Hiss Golden Messenger

hissIt’s been a quick turnaround for Hiss Golden Messenger.  After releasing Haw last year, the project is already back with another release, Lateness of Dancers.  This time, the album will be released by Merge Records, and as expected with such a move, there’s a definitive polish to the tracks that have been coming out.  That might irk some longtime fans, but you can’t deny the strength of the tune below; there’s an expressed naturalness to the delivery of the vocals and the traipsing of the guitar work. It’s going to be a special record come this fall, when it sees a release on September 9th.

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Another Fresh Tune from Bob Mould

bobbyThere probably aren’t many greater things than coming home on a nice Spring afternoon to a Bob Mould track in your inbox.  There’s something youthful about his music, even though he’s been in the music-making game for quite some time.  I’m just really excited that he’s bringing out the rock; though I still enjoy his work with Sugar, it’s these sorts of songs, encompassing the great writing of a power-pop genius, that really get me pumped.  I can’t wait to hear his new record, Beauty & Ruin, when Merge releases it on June 3rd.

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Wye Oak – Shriek

WORating: ★★★½☆

In 2011 we welcomed Wye Oak’s stunning third full length release, Civilian, which was a record of huge growth and refinement for Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack. After such a great album, it’s often hard to imagine where a band will travel next, especially one so small as this duo. This forth time around, the two have gone electronic, ditching the guitars from before and replacing them with atmospheric and electronic sounds. It is an interesting choice, especially after the success of their last release and one that comes with its rewards and drawbacks.

They open slowly this time around with “Before,” and immediately the new style is audible; a synthetic soundscape fills your ears as this duo transport you to a space of tranquility and effortless sound. The percussion is distant, with a faded, subtle quality that offers a dreamy kind of mood to the tune. Of course you have Wasner’s indistinguishable vocals that confess the opening and closing line of the song: “This morning/ I woke up on the floor/ thinking I’d never dreamed before.” The mood of the album is elucidated in that brief lyric; the whole thing feels a bit like melancholic and unpinned nostalgia expressed via delicate sound.

I was quite impressed with the first half of the album; while the sound is not overwhelmingly complex or drastic, the songs they’ve crafted are a solid step into the electronic side of things. Title track, “Shriek,” picks the tempo up a little while maintaining that dream-upon-waking atmosphere. Lead single and my personal favorite track, “Glory,” will have you dancing along to the beat while the vocals craft a bit of drama to latch onto, propelling the song from just being a groovy number.

While there are still some pretty good tracks on Shriek that beg for repeated listening, the sweeping majesty that was introduced on the past album isn’t really matched here. I find myself missing the clean guitar and Wasner’s crisp and elegant vocals that Wye Oak did so well the last time around. After the mid point of the album there is certainly a drop off in the level of intrigue in the tracks and the minimalist sound becomes a bit bleak. That being said, I appreciate the last song, “Logic of Color, ” as the electronic elements take a backseat to the vocals and round out the album with a track reminiscent of those encountered earlier on the album.

Shriek takes Wye Oak down a different path than we’ve seen them go before, and it is enticing for the most part, but I wish a few of the tracks went a little further down this trail and out of the box.

Have a Rock Fit With Flesh Wounds

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Here’s an easy song for anyone to like called “Bitter Boy” created by the indie punk band known as Flesh Wounds.  The tune appears on a new 7″ being release by the band on May 13th via Merge Records (pre-order here).  In the theme of this awesome short and sweet song, I will also keep this post short and just tell you to have a listen below.

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New Jam From Bob Mould

MouldBob, It is a common mistake, sure, but it is Mr. Gray, G-R-A-Y.

Mr. Mould is back with a song that sounds like it is twenty years old, but still fresh as a daisy. Called “Hey , Mr. Grey”, the first single to hit the intarwebs from the pending Beauty & Ruin due June 3rd via Merge Records is a quick-hitting song following a classic formula of big chords and immediate lyrics. I missed Bob during SxSW, but had a chance to briefly chat during FFF late year. He seems energized, ready to play hits.

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