Tag: stutter steps

Last Week’s Jams, Today (11.29 – 12.3)

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Happy Monday! We’re still here, still covering sweet jams, though we’re not really working too hard on the cred-required year end lists. Still, last week we tossed up almost 20 new jams, so figured we should run a little recap. You get new hits from the Bay Area via Reds, Pinks and Purples, Kids on a Crime Spree and Sad Eyed Beatniks, plus some videos from our friends in Central Heat Exchange. I included a Smashing Times track from their 2021 LP because we loved their new 7″, though its not quite up on the streaming sites yet. Also, if you didn’t check out that Fortunato Durutti Marinetti track yet, what are you waiting for?

Stutter Steps Shares Lift Video

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Ben Harrison recently released his Lift/The Bend 7″ under the Stutter Steps moniker, and today we’re here to encourage your listening by sharing the new video for the A-side. The video was shot on Super 8 by Dan Finegold, giving this sort of grainy feel to the visual presentation, which covers a lot of scenic shots featuring Ben and his guitar. One of the reasons I love the video and the track is that the two seem really complimentary. The song has this Americana feel, but with Harrison, he adds a bit more bravado and punch, brining in some of his power-pop stylings from earlier releases; it fits well with lots of striking landscape work, tying the two pieces together. If you’re digging, you can grab the 7″ courtesy of Blue Arrow Records HERE.

Last Week’s Jams, Today (11.8 – 11.12)

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We’re here with your weekly addition of Last Week’s Jams, with a slight little spin on things this week. For starters, there were certainly some jams on our pages, so we hope you’ll revisit…may I recommend the Crabber record again? Plus, you’ve got the new hits from Slumberland Records (who had a killer week in our eyes). And, in the end, I threw in a couple of tracks from shows we were able to see last week, or the week before, just as a reminder for us when we listen to our own playlists! Listen to some songs, and have a really great week friends!

Stutter Steps Drop New 7″

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When I first heard Stutter Steps, I’ll admit, the jangles had me up in my feels. But, over the last few releases, Ben Harrison has kept the jangles, but rounded them out just a bit, bringing about these more circular notes, the sort that ring high above with sparkling melody. This past week, the band dropped a new 7″ via Blue Arrow Records, and while the ever-present warmth remains intact, there’s almost a classic rock aesthetic to what Harrison and Co. are offering here; it borders on Americana even, though these little finite details on repeated listen tend to offer up a certain DIY ethos. On the B-side, there’s this great almost radio friendly ballad, but the buzz of the guitars in the recording keeps the song just left of center, the way I like it. Always great to hear what Stutter Steps are up to, and if you’re so inclined, grab yourself a copy of the 7″.

Stutter Steps Share Leafy Dreams Video

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It’s easy to get lost in this pandemic situation, so much so that I neglected to devote enough time to the excellent new Stutter Steps LP, which has been out for a wee bit now. Reeling is chock full of both warm ballads and upbeat fuzz pop songs. One of the more calming tracks, “Leafy Dream,” is here with the video treatment; it’s as nature-oriented a visual as the song itself, using minimal percussion and the faintest hint of backing vocals to seduce you, while the song seemingly takes you on a hike through the forest with Ben’s music your willing accompaniment. Come to mention it, there’s quite a bit of nature imagery on this record; you can stream it all right HERE. For now, enjoy the tune and the video, and pick up the album!

Stutter Steps Announces Reeling

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The last time we heard from Ben Harrison and Stutter Steps was back in 2017 with the Floored EP; today we’re excited to share the news that the new LP, Reeling, is just around the corner. Upon first listen, there’s this wonderful timelessness that seems to resonate in the album’s first single; it’s got this careful bounce and this guitar sound that seems steeped in the history of rock n’ roll songwriting. I love how Harrison’s voice adds in this warm texture, matched by the melody that bubbles up from some sort of keyboard; there’s a fullness that comes from the way Harrison built up the sound throughout this tune. Look for Reeling on May 1st via Blue Arrow Records. (Photo by Noah Purdy)

Another Stunner from Stutter Steps

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Looking at my life, I always feel like there’s been a sense of wandering, a feeling of letting the world just take me in whatever direction the wind blows. Why does that matter now? I feel like Stutter Steps‘ latest single has perfectly captured that sentiment, that longing we all we give into from time to time as we dream of better lives. I feel like Ben Harrison has this way of crafting the music you want playing at every turn of your day or even your life. No one is writing pop music like this, and perhaps few ever will, so give in to his powers and grab a copy of Floored EP via Blue Arrow Records (June 2nd).

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Fresh Tunes from Stutter Steps

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Late in 2015 Stutter Steps quietly released their debut album; I fawned over it, single after single. Ben Harrison’s outfit are back at it again with the new Floored EP, which features the title track we’re streaming below. Those of you who frequently revisit your Flying Nun record collection will likely be playing this song for the rest of the day. It features a beautifully balanced bit of vocal harmonies throughout, with these lightly angular guitars dancing around one another. There’s a steady sensation that only comes from the best execution of pop music. Blue Arrow will be releasing the album on a limited 12″ come June!

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The ATH Top 50 Albums of 2015

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Albums ListYear-end lists are everywhere…and I can see why they’re important to people. But, seeing as we generally walk off the beaten path more often than not, our list of the Top 50 Albums of 2015 is in no particular order, save alphabetically. It seems pointless to rank one piece of art higher than another, especially when the four of us at ATH all have varying tastes. We just put this list together of the albums we loved the most this year. Are we saying they’re better than records by Grimes or Kendrick Lamar? No, we’re just saying that these are the records we loved more than others. So, you can read on for what we thought was hot.

Also…put links to individual stores where you can buy the albums from the bands…as that’s how we all survive in this music world.
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