This is fine.
Here’s a new tune from hazzy lo-fi group Lil Daggers called “Dada Brown” that was sent to me recently. The jam is on a new self-titled album from the group due out December 5th on Song, By Toad Records. Until that physical release date, you can actually stream the entire new album and buy it digitally over on the Lil Daggers bandcamp page. Hope you enjoy.
Download: Lil Daggers – Dada Brown [MP3]
Heading into the FunFunFun weekend, I figured I might give you some stuff to chill to when you make it back to the house to decompress. What better than an installment of tracks from the IT Department?
I do a featured FFF6 artist in this edition, so I am “relevant” and “thoughtful”. Heh. Tycho melts your face, Small Black continues to mellow, Simian Ghost blurs influences, Sapphire Slows is and Grimes is the fun feature.
Black Light Dinner Party sent this over yesterday, missed when my inbox went ding for happy tunes. The latest from the rather stealthy project/band out of New York is called “Gold Chains”. The track goes back to the bright but smooth formula of the first release “Older Together”. I keep waiting for the lid to blow, get a peak as to what’s doing in the kitchen, but so far they just keep sneaking these tracks out for the blogosphere to disperse.
I was going to save this one for an overdue IT Department post, but nah. Enjoy!
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Gold-Chain.mp3]Download: Black Light Dinner Party – Gold Chain [MP3]
I caught wind of this group back in the summer when I discovered the great new label, Soliti Music. They’re dealing predominantly, at least as of now, with Scandinavian acts, and The New Tigers are one of those acts. They released their debut album recently in Finland, and I hope I can somehow get my hands on it over here in the States. This track just sprawls in the most beautiful way, launching into this blissful moment that carries you away. Seriously, I jammed to this once in the past, but just recently found myself getting lost in this number. And if this isn’t enough, you can also check out another track HERE.
Download: The New Tigers – Pocketful Of Sand [MP3]
A little while back I brought you news of MiniBoone, a group with history in art-rock, using repetitive verses and frenetic imagery to win over fans. This newest single is very similar, at least in the beginning of the tune, sort of like old school Futureheads. But, as the song progresses it’s reigned in a bit, organized into a fairly traditional pop spin. You’ll definitely find yourself lost in this track, especially as the vocals begin to warm a bit. You can find this track and several others with the band’s forthcoming EP, On MiniBoone Mountain. It’s shaping up to be a nice bit of fun.
Download: MiniBoone – Man/Woman [MP3]
For me, it’s been a great week, seeing the triumphant return of probably the best small label out there. Matinee Recordings had a silent summer, but they’re back, and their roster now includes Azure Blue. The group is primarily the project of Tobias Isakkson, who played prominent roles with Irene and Laurel Music. Matinee will be releasing Rule of Thirds this December, and the band is already getting comparisons to groups such as OMD and New Order. Sounds like a perfect way for Matinee to wrap up the year, and for you as well. Try out this little gem.
Download: Azure Blue – The Catcher in the Rye [MP3]
Rating: 
It seems like a lot of bands are really channeling a nice mix between garage and punk, especially the bands coming out of California. You could probably toss Wax Idols into that, but you’d be amiss if you just lumped them in with the rest of those groups, as the band, predominantly the work of Heather Fedewa, goes beyond just rehashing the hits on No Future.
Listening to the opening track “Dead Like You” you definitely can feel a bit of Cali guitars blasting through, but Fedewa’s delivery, as well as the call-and-response backing vocals are a bit more than that, harkening back to more innocent punk rock days, sort of like a more ballsy version of the Donnas. For me, the biggest differentiating factor is the amount of heart and soul you can clearly see shining through the music on No Future.
“Dilno” is a fast paced track, almost ending before the track even gets going, but that’s where a lot of the Wax Idols tracks are so successful, giving you a simple, no frills approach to the middling ground between punk rock and garage music. And come on, who’s not going to enjoy the sporadic shouts in the background. Of course, there’s more than just nostalgic girl-punk leanings. Just one listen to “Gold Sneakers,” the record’s phenomenal track. It’s got everything you could ask for from a band: great hooks, catchy lyrics, and some distorted guitar to go with precision drumming. A lot of cliche girl-core tracks just don’t ring as true as this number.
You’re also going to enjoy some of the variance throughout No Future, such as the semi-Blondie homage on “Bad Future.” Fedewa definitely maintains a bit of that sex appeal, but you can tell she’s a touch more bratty, in the most endearing way, of course. It’s a pleasure to see that not everyone comes off sounding as tired and bored. Punk was supposed to be fun, and it seems that’s just what we’re hearing here. “Grey Area” similarly takes off in the same fashion, giving a bit of grit to great pop tradition of bright guitars and pounding rhythms. Seems like these tracks were made with a youthful vitality only achieved through spinning around in your bedroom with the stereo on high.
Perhaps Wax Idols doesn’t have the brand recognition that you’re looking for, but that’s sort of sad, as you’ll have twice as much fun jamming to this record as you would if you just picked up the run of the mill garage girl-core album. No Future has twists and turns, and most of all, it has fun. It’s a reminder that music can have serious tones, but doesn’t have to be tired and banal. Let’s put the fun back in rock n’ roll, and jam to this record all night.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/04-Gold-Sneakers.mp3]
Well friends, Fun Fest is officially upon us this weekend and it’s time to take a bit of a closer look at some of the bands that we’d recommend you check out. My co-writers and editors have already brought you some choice picks and battles so I guess it’s now my time to turn the spotlight on a band that’s got me amped up for this weekend’s events. Cold Cave seem like an obvious choice. Follow the jump for more on the band.
The self-titled release by Cloud Nothings this past January was one hell of a ride, consistently staying in my player for most, if not all, of 2011. And now we’ve got news that Dylan and his group are at it again, ready to rock and roll with a brand new record on Carpark. As of now, it’s titled Attack on Memory, and it should be hitting the streets on January 24th, so we’ll probably have another year to enjoy fresh new Cloud Nothings jams. Don’t think that you’re gonig to get the same fare this run around, as this first single displays a more subdued group, tossing out a more stripped down, slow-burner, as opposed to the furious blisterning rock of last year. I’m interested to see where this goes.
Download: Cloud Nothings – No Future No Past [MP3]
When it comes to the electronica side of ATH, I usually leave things to the experts that stay tuned to the genre way more than I do. However, when a song like this sweet jam from Active Child falls into my lap, I have to share my joy with the masses. The song “Diamond Heart” appears on a deluxe edition of new album You Are All I see which has been available in regular form for awhile now. This new deluxe reissue of sorts will be made available on itunes tomorrow and features this new and previously unreleased song. It is currently ruling my world. Let this also serve as a Fun Fest preview as the band will be playing the festival this weekend on Saturday at 12:55 on the blue stage.
