Rey Pila Revive New Wave

ReyPila.RP_.web_Hailing from Mexico City, Rey Pila is a band that sort of fell off my radar until I caught one of their sets during SXSW this past year.  Now that they are back in my regular listening rotation, I’m excited to share a great new 80s inspired track with you today called “Blast”.  One will immediately hear the new wave throwback style, but the vocals from singer Diego Solorzano are what really stand out for me throughout the synth laden pop tune.  I immediately have this image in my head of a bunch of Nerds in a house fixing up montage…. And yes, that is definitely meant as a compliment.

Details of a new album will be coming shortly via Cult Records.

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Knifight Bring Dark Pop to Austin

250057_10151083173809021_217134951_nKnifight is a band that I’m sure many of us have seen play on a bill or two around Austin at some point.  They seem to be fairly active in the scene and have worked hard to stand out from the massive crowd.  Our first official post on the band will be to share new song “In the Fire” which appears on the band’s new album Dark Voices that is streamable and for purchase on their bandcamp page.  I’m sure many folks in the know here in Austin have already had a listen to this track, but it’s new to us.  I’d recommend this to anyone into the Joy Division revitalization or fans or more current bands like Cold Cave.

Check out the new album on bandcamp when you get the chance.  These guys are definitely worthy of being called a band to watch in Austin.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/07.-In-The-Fire.mp3]

Download: Knifight – In The Fire [MP3]

New Wave Pop From The Mary Onettes

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After their announcement of a new album back in November with single “Evil Coast”, we haven’t heard much from Swedes The Mary Onettes about said new album.  Today the band surprised us with an email containing a link to their brand new single entitled “Hit the Waves”, and it’s sure to show a marked change in sound for fans of the band’s older material.  The band describe it best themselves when they told us “Previous influences like The Cure and Joy Division have now been replaced by Sade, Whitney Houston, Peter Gabriel and Vangelis”.  That just about sums it up doesn’t it?  Put this one in the queue for your next new wave dance party.

New album Hit the Waves will be out on March 12th via Labrador Records.

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New Wave Haze Pop From Decades

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I’m really into this recent renaissance of sorts with up and coming indie bands creating their very own style of new wave 80s style pop music.  It’s hard for me to put my finger on it, but I’ve been eating up every band in the genre that comes my way.  Today I’m sharing with you this song called “Tonight Again” coming your way from Toronto based new wave, haze pop group Decades.  They will quickly be compared to Joy Division obviously, but I think they offer much more than just a shoddy comparison to the genre.  The screaming and squalling vocals on the chorus are delivered unlike anyone I’ve heard before, and I’ll always support something unique.

You can get your hands on the band’s debut self-titled LP due out April 30th on White Girl Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/01-Tonight-Again.mp3]

Download: Decades – Tonight Again [MP3]

 

Tom Gabel – Heart Burns

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Tom Gabel has made his fame as the voice behind americana-punks, Against Me; this time he decides to step outside his typical arena for a solo affair.  His stellar performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest this year with the Revival Tour led us to check out his latest solo release.

“I Can’t See You, But I Know You’re There” opens the album, and it’s a pleasant enough song.  The straining vocals known with Against Me fans is still pretty evident,and the entire song revolves around loose acoustic guitar, with the focus resonating with the lyrics, which appear to discuss the loss of a dear friend.

He follows this up with “Anna is a Stool Pigeon.”  This is the acoustic guitar work that one would expect from Tom, and its definitely more reminiscent of his performance at Fun x 3.  It’s got some harmonica accompaniment, and overall it’s taking a more country approach, though the lyrical content is a little bit lacking. He continues in this vain for the most part, though there is a misstep in the middle.

“Random Hearts” is a song that recalls the most recent effort of his main band, New Wave.  It’s electric guitar work and percussion samples don’t come across with the usual sincerity that is associated with a Tom Gabel song.  Sure, the album offers you an acoustic version, but the version here definitely sticks with you; the case is the same with a song like “Amputations,” where the electric guitar just doesn’t seem to benefit his style at all, although the lyrical content here is definitely one younger crowds could get behind.

That being said, the album does have one of the better songs he’s written, “Conceptual Paths.”  Sure, there are some minor drum samples in the background, but the strumming of his acoustic guitar recalls those special moments he is capable of creating.  It’s easily the strongest song on the record.

All in all this is a decent offering from one of punk’s great voices.  It would be nice to seem take a few more leaps towards a direct country approach, but that’s probably just wishful thinking.  One can’t be too disappointed to have this set of songs to add to their collection.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/02-conceptual-paths.mp3]

Download: Tom Gabel – Conceptual Paths [MP3]

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