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 (11.15 – 11.19)

Well friends, this is going to be a short week, and we’ll likely run some stuff today and tomorrow, then take off the rest of the week to detox before hitting the home stretch of the year. But, like every Monday, we like to start things off just revisiting what we were able to accomplish or cover last week…so you know…here we are and stuff. We’ve got some tunes from ATH faves like Papercuts and Abram Shook, as well as some of the acts I’ve been more recently in love with like KEG or Suep. So, browse, enjoy, and hopefully you start off your week on the right foot.

Semi Trucks Share Thank You

Next week, LA’s Semi Trucks will release their new Vs. California album via Meritorio Records, and with that, we get another track to entice you to give it some notice. Listening here, there’s this ramshackle home recording vibe, or lo-fi as the kids like to call it. In a way, it sounds like some sort of fusion between a Beat Happening record and maybe something fuzzier from the UK in the late 80s; I can even hear folks drawing some David Berman comparisons on the vocals. One thing is for sure…this tune’s the sort that kind of catches you off guard, stands out amidst the rest of the noise, then you hold it closely as you listen on repeat for years to come. Grab the whole LP next week!

Last Week’s Jams, Today (October 11 – 15)

So last week Ryan and I had to do tons of training and such things for the job that pays, so we took Monday off. Thus, our week ran a little short on tunes…that and it feels like there wasn’t a whole lot out there that I really dug. Maybe I’m just being an old curmudgeon. Thus, we let you off light this week, with only 9 little jams, so you can get in and out on this last week’s listening playlist in just over 30 minutes…then move on your way. Some jams from Austin’s Zero Percent APR, as well as that beautiful new tune from Dummy from their forthcoming album.

Semi Trucks Share Motorbike Riding Star Single

I always wish I had talent to write songs, or even sing them for that matter. I think if I could, I’d be crafting tunes like LA’s Semi Trucks. The vocals, like mine, have this sedate baritone to it, giving off this naturally forlorn vibe, despite little nods of melody inching to the surface. Musically, the song is not-quite pop, the kind of music a pop fan would make from the shadows, illustrating that there’s a nostalgic glimmer in the eye of Brendan Sepe, reflecting on various levels of pop both past and present; I love how little noisy wrinkles mix it up too in the song’s latter half, giving just the faintest hint of rough edges to the tune. This is great pop…for sad bastards. Vs California will be out on November 26th via the esteemed Meritorio Records.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (September 13 – 17)

Last week I might have gotten a little carried away; my wife and newborn son were spending a lot of time resting, so I was just hanging out writing about songs all week…something a teacher, soccer coach, dad and label owner typically can’t do. So, this week’s playlist of last week’s hits might be a little longer than usual, but you’re going to be all the better for it. I hope you have a wonderful Monday my friends, and enjoy the jams here!

Semi Trucks Announce Debut Album

What’s in the California water these days? Semi Trucks are the latest from the Golden State to brandish this blend of lo-fi bedroom pop that feels like the waves rolling ashore on a windless day. It’s like you’ve walked into some den of sin, smoke billowing in your eyes, and as you wipe it away, you can make out this quiet band in the corner; they’ve got a soft tambourine and this distorted guitar conducting a seance with everyone in attendance. All the while, the vocals seem caught up like the smoke, swirling and twirling around you with every breath taken. Leave breadcrumbs as you listen, as you’re likely to get lost in the caverns of this tune. The band will release Vs. California via Meritorio on November 26th.