New Music from Dinowalrus

As we slowly move into 2012, there’s a lot of interesting music beginning to trickle out our way.  One of the first acts to catch my attention is Dinowalrus, a band with some ties to Titus Andronicus — just don’t expect to hear the same post-rock storytelling.  This track begins with a bit of a dreamy state, and while the vocals maintain that effect, you’ll get a bit more of a trance-induced swing pushed on by cascading guitar lines.  If, like me, you’re digging what you hear, you can get the band’s newest effort, Best Behavior on March 6th via Old Flame Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/04_What_Now.mp3]

Download: Dinowalrus – What Now [MP3]

New(ish) Jam from You Won’t

As the musical year draws to a close, it’s getting kind of hard to find some solid tracks to toss your way, but I didn’t have to go too far once I visited the site of our old friends over at Old Flame Records.  They’ll be releasing the debut of You Won’t, titled Skeptic Goodbye, and it’s definitely something you’ll want on your 2012 radar.  This track has been floating around for a few weeks or so, and it’s going to be floating around in my head for the rest of the week I feel.  The gentle strum of the mandolin along with the accompanying percussive stop just makes its way into your soul, in only the best way possible.  Look out for these guys to make a big splash in 12′.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/OTD_YouWont_WhoKnew.mp3]

Download: You Won’t – Who Knew [MP3]

New Music From Rapids!

Below you can find yourself a brand spanking new tune called “Comets” from UK based band Rapids! The band has striking similarities to early Bloc Party so you know we ATH kids will get behind that business.  This new tune appears on a new EP from the group entitled Fragments due out September 27th on Old Flame Records.  Happy Wednesday.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/COMETS_eq050611_44116.mp3]

Downloads: Rapids! – Comets [MP3]

Total Babes – Swimming Through Sunlight

Rating: ★★★☆☆

When press first came out for Total Babes, a lot of attention was given to the fact that it featured a member of Cloud Nothings, and to a certain extent, that’s a fair association, as the similarities are definitely visible. However, Swimming Through Sunlight, the band’s debut on Old Flame Records isn’t just a re-imagining; it stand up on its own merit.

If you’re looking for a catchy lo-fi hook, you won’t have to look beyond the first song, as “Like They Always Do” features a chorus that grabs you while the noise distortion swells in the background.  It’s a quick hammering, not staying around too long for fear of giving you a little bit too much sugar. But, while this shares that affinity for noisy-garage pop a la the aforementioned association, the next track, “Be So Sure” shows resemblance to another lo-fi pop band, The Thermals (it’s not just me is it?).  Perhaps the vocals could be cleaned up a bit more on the recording, but it definitely has that sweetness mixed nicely with a bit of excessive noise, just like Hutch would want it.

One of the best things about listening to Swimming Through Sunlight is that you can see various touches of the modern musical landscape, but the inherent melodies and songwriting enable to group to move beyond pure mockery.  “Someone to Blame” sounds an awful like Wavves at their best, even featuring a similar lyrical style, using simple words to convey a message.  I suppose that various sources can knock the group for a lack of originality, but you can easily look beyond that once you get to the core of the songs.  They’re not too long, giving you just a taste of their glory, then moving on, asking you to revisit at a later point.

Personally, I would like to see Total Babes revisit the studio with a bit more of a polish and sheen.  For instance, there’s a brightness to the opening guitar line in “Without Your Heart,” but that clarity eventually parts for a grittier sound.  This isn’t entirely a bad thing, as it serves its purpose in a great deal of the tracks featured on the record, but a certain sharpness could really propel these songs to the next level.  Even in the closer, “Tip of My Tongue,” there’s this incredible element of pop, but it’s buried so far beneath the mix that it comes off sounding more like a demo than a final product.  It’s the slightest difference between an incredible song and just a really good one.

All in all, Swimming Through Sunlight is full of bright spots, and its clear that the songwriting is far more than just your moderate fare, but Total Babes still have a bit of work to do in the finished product.  Clear vocals here, bit of distortion removed there, and you’ve got a wonderful record full of memorable hooks, sing-a-long moments, and enough power to kick the rest of the genre in the face; looking forward to that day!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/02-be-so-true.mp3]

Download: Total Babes – Be So True [MP3]

New Music from Turf War

Really, there’s two things coming out of this post.  First, Atlanta is continuing its reign over the end of summer, with several bands putting out great tracks/records.  Turf War is just another of those, giving you a stomping jangle rocker to grab onto this afternoon. Which brings us to point two: the band will be releasing their record, Years of Living Dangerously, in September on Old Flame Records, who we’d like to point out now, are pushing some great music your way lately.  There you have it folks: good Atlanta music, continue good music from one of our favorite labels.  Happy Monday to you.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2.-Cheers-To-The-Years.mp3]

Download: Turf War – Cheers To The Years [MP3]

New Jam from Letting Up Despite Great Faults

Feeling as if the Pains of Being Pure at Heart left you behind by strengthening their sound with a little bit of the loud? Well, if you miss those whispering vocals amid melodious post-rock, then let me introduce you to Letting Up Despite Great Faults.  The LA band has been working really hard, and they’ve readied a brand new EP, titled Paper Crush.  It will be released by Old Flame on the 2nd of August, and I’ve just been blasting it around my house all afternoon.  Sure, there are similarities with POBPAH, but don’t just think this band is here to rip any one off.  The vocals are superb, pristine, yet quiet, and the album has a ferocity that you wouldn’t necessarily expect upon first listen.  Get ready folks, as this is something really special.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/03-Teenage-Tide.mp3]

Download: Letting Up Despite Great Faults – Teenage Tide [MP3]

New Track from Total Babes

One of my favorite records of the year, which still gets spins was the smash hit by Cloud Nothings, so I’m really excited to see what Total Babes has to offer.  TB is the side-proejct of Jason from Cloud Nothings, who’ll be releasing Swimming Through Sunlight on Old Flame Records later this summer or early fall.  While you can definitely see some similarities between Jason and CN frontman, Dylan, this has more of an early Wavves feel to me, with its lo-fi tendencies and vocals shrouded in bits of noise.  Give this one a try, and I’m sure you’ll want to go play it again and again; this is a good thing mind you.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Total-Babes-Like-They-Always-Do.mp3]

Download: Total Babes – Like They Always Do [MP3]

New Music From Dead Confederate

Athens, Georgia alt-rockers Dead Confederate have a new song I dig available for free on their website called “Giving it All Away”.  The track is set to appear on the groups upcoming LP Sugar which is available August 24th on Old Flame Records.  Hope you enjoy their new joint below as much as I have over the last day or so.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/08-Giving-it-All-Away-Featuring-J-Mascis-Edit-1.mp3]

Download: Dead Confederate – Giving it All Away (Featuring J Mascis) [MP3]

Free EP From Twin Tigers

h1jq_TwinTigers1resized_3Athens based indie group Twin Tigers are giving away a new EP for free on their website.  The band currently has just one other EP under the belt but they have been getting some crazy buzz in the internet world as of late.  Head to Old Flame Record’s website to download the Automatic EP or check out the lead single below.  You can also catch a live set from these guys at Mohawk on Friday night.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/TwinTigers.GreyWaves.AutomaticSingle.mp3]

Download: Twin Tigers – Grey Waves [MP3]

1 3 4 5