Last Week’s Jams (11.13 – 11.17)

Honestly, not sure what all we’re going to cover this week, as it seems like all the folks have given up hyping new music and records; I reckon its time for those year end lists to really make it out there! But, we did manage to cover a good amount of rock n’ roll last week, so let us hip you to what rips! Personally, I keep spinning the Finnoguns Wake track, which is the new project from Shogun of Royal Headache. That said, there was definitely some cool new stuff dropping from the likes of Flight Mode, Kissing Party and Friko, all of which made our typical coverage. Threw up some Say Sue Me and Rosie Tucker tunes, as a reminder that they’ve been out on the road and I managed to squeeze in both on Thursday of last week! Let it rip!

That New PACKS Track

So, the sad thing about my life (not really) is that I generally have to write about yesterday’s news if no one gives me a solid heads-up; the perks of being a teacher and blogger! Speaking of that news from yesterday, PACKS, a band I’ve been hyping since the early days dropped a new single, and it’s one of my favorite new pieces from the group. I love the fuzziness of the guitar here, giving off that gritty edge that balances Madeline’s vocals in the mix. Walking that thin line, the video also encompasses a bit of the fun the group give off, working between clever pop tracks and hook-laden rockers, which will no-doubt here on their next LP. Melt the Honey is out January 19th via Fire Talk.

Last Week’s Jams (9.25 – 9.29)

While it seemed like a slow week, in my brain at least, there was lots of really great stuff to cover over on the site. We were happy to host the new video from Seablite, so be sure you drop in and give it a couple of looks. Plus, our Rock n’ Recipes features returned with Spain’s Melenas, who dropped their new Ahora LP on Friday. Plus, Austin was alive and kicking with new stuff from Molly Burch, Semihelix and Sun June. Seeing our old friends in Pop Filter return to the fold was just a little cherry on top of a great week of music. There’s lots more for you to find in this playlist!

PACKS Share Honey, Announce New LP

Seems like only a few months ago that PACKS had dropped their sophomore album, and in fact, it was just a mere six months. But, when creativity strikes, why not ride it out; the band have announced they’ll be dropping Melt the Honey in January of next year. With that, the news has to have an accompanying single, right? We’ve got that, here, as the band lock into their swaggering style, sort of like anti-grunge; it’s got the riffs but doesn’t necessarily push the rock. For me, the win on this tune comes from the switch to the chorus, playing into a bit more of breezy charm that lets Madeline Link pull you further into the tune. Melt the Honey is out on January 19th via Fire Talk.

Empty Nesters Share The Simphony

When I saw another shoegaze email coming my way from Empty Nesters, I’ll admit, I was a little hesitant; I like the genre, don’t get me wrong, just feels like it’s becoming the new NPR-core. But, this track stuck with me at first because it has Madeline of PACKS on vocals, whose voice has drawn me to her own band’s work. Still, the song excels because of the slow approach of Eric Liao; he lets the space get sort of filled with those distorted pieces, letting you sit with them for a bit, rather than bash you in the face again and again with wave after wave of abrasive noise. And, in that lush setting, Madeline’s voice is sublime, paired up with Liao. There’s a nice little treat waiting for you at the end, so hang around!

Last Week’s Jams (12.12 – 12.16)

The end is near my friends, at least for 2022. We’ll likely be popping in and out over the holidays, but songs (and motivation) will be minimal, so don’t expect too much from us on our end. That said, we do have one last Last Week’s Jams to run for you, with a solid amount of hits. I left out all the Best Of lists…but do check out RayRay’s Best Songs and my Top 50 Albums, if you’re so inclined. I made sure to cover the new Galore EP and Fine. LP, plus we got lots of all around jams from the likes of Classic and Packs and more. Browse, listen to it all. Do you. See ya with more jams in 2023!

Packs Share Abalone Video

The last time I caught Packs was when they blew through Austin with Good Morning; we all shared the legendary Armadelo, though that footage sadly didn’t make it into the band’s new video. This track, a brand new single for Fire Talk/Royal Mountain, features the group’s knack for weaving these slow-burning riffs that snake through your speakers, with little background nuances sliding into the fray to bring in the full-band effect following their stripped down Woah EP. Definitely excited to see what’s in store for the group going forward, as they’ve clearly had a productive season, which sounds like its already paying dividends.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (6.27 – 7.1)

Our coverage last week was pretty steady, and we got to hear some great new stuff…so here we are with our weekly recap to start off your post holiday blues at work. We got some great ATH favorites offering up new stuff, with Winter and Phantom Handshakes getting fresh tunes out there. We also ran some great footage from Constant Follower of their performance atop a monument in Scotland, which I highly suggest you getting into, so I threw a jam in there from that performance. Lot of great stuff, with over an hour of jams to whet your whistle this morning.

PACKS Share Another Single from Woah EP

When the press release talked of Madeline Link’s approach to this EP, this was exactly what I imagined, having grown super familiar with her voice on PACKS Take the Cake LP. Link’s voice was always a dominating factor, and that gift sustains your listening experience here, though we get a little bit more of an intimate songwriting approach here, so much so that you can hear the buzz of the strings as they’re strummed. Structurally, the song’s seem ready to jump through your speakers, as you can hear the power in the craft, but it succeeds in its quietness. Perhaps down the road they get a revisit, but the natural charm of Link’s songwriting supersedes anything else at the moment. Woah EP is out July 8th via Fire Talk.

Packs Announce Stripped-Down EP

I just caught Packs a few weeks back when they were traveling around the country in support of Good Morning; we ended up all drinking the famed Armodelo’s from La Perla into the early morning hours. The band put on a solid set, centered around the songwriting prowess of Madeline Link, and that seems to be where we’ll dwell on the new Stripped-Down EP. It’s a collection of songs that are “stripped down” to the acoustic guitar and Link’s vocals, written in between periods of touring, allowing us to look into Madeline’s process. You can get the full EP on July 8th courtesy of Fire Talk, but in the meantime, the debut LP, Take the Cake is already out there for your enjoyment.

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