This is fine.
Nathan and I are ready to kick off our summer time fun in the next day or so and we need some solid rock jams to power us through the season. Thankfully I’ve just been sent this solid new rocker called “Six Weeks” from Rome based band Crimen. It certainly has a psych rock vibe to it with powerful drums, fuzzy as hell guitars, and a superbly distorted bass riff. Give me more of this please.
Crimen will release Silent Animals on June 29th via Fuzz Club.
Crepes have been on my radar for sometime, and somehow I missed that they dropped a new track out into the world a few weeks back. It’s a pretty interesting song, with the focus predominantly revolving around the openness of the tune; it’s sort of spaced out psychedelia, though spun with a little bit more focus on the pop spectrum. The lyrical content is fairly minimal, with the resounding line of “bicycle man” being the most prevalent piece; it’s interesting how a band can capture your attention for sustained periods by simply manipulating pitch and inflection of two words. This new single is out in the world now!
Back in February Jerry David DeCicca released the very wonderful Time the Teacher to rave reviews. But, while he finishes up touches on his next record, he’s shared this wonderful video from his latest release for the single “Watermelon.” It’s the story of a watermelon, played by JDD himself, searching for his long lost watermelon child (featuring Canaan the dog); the entirety of the video was shot in Bulverde, Texas, where Jerry currently calls home. The song, well, it perfectly exemplifies why folks have gravitated to DeCicca’s music; it’s simplistic and personable, but always features theses delicate brushstrokes illustrating an artist’s craftsmanship. Time the Teacher is available now via Impossible Ark.
I’ve been fans of Corey Cunningham (Terry Malts) and Chris Rosi (Plateaus) for some time, and to them blossom with their Smokescreens project is really special. They’ve just announced their latest LP Used to Yesterday, which will be released later this year via Slumberland Records. My favorite bit of this song is the guitar work, they seem to cascade in a shimmering wall, falling down from your speaker whilst the rhythm section keeps a steady bounce. There’s also something special about the vocals, they have this youthful sense of longing that’s naturally present in their delivery. If pop music is your bag, look for this LP to drop on July 12th.
After a brief hiatus, The Bankees, returned last year with new music, and here we are with the band still pushing forward with new tunes. Their latest single has an understated feel, with the guitars twanging in the back behind the vocal performance. Those vocals carry a slight affected twang, almost drawl, allowing the band to spill syllables over into the next…all the while the drums bang on and keep pushing the tempo. Careful listens reveal a slight post-punk edge to the songwriting, so who knows what direction the band is heading…but we know we’ll be anxiously waiting.
It’s a really busy time of year, just before it gets ungodly hot. Well, it’s already ungodly hot, but so be it. There’s tons of great acts to catch, so we’ll give you our suggestions below.
Friday:
Cutlture Wars, Marmalakes @ Stubbs – 9 PM
Carry Illinois EP Release w/Andy, Middlespoon and DJ Girlfriend @ Cheer Ups – 10 PM
Saturday:
Okkervil River, Benjamin Lazar Davis @ Mohawk – 8 PM
Name Sayers Album Release w/ Feverbones, Brickwaller, DJ Ramesh – 10 PM
Total Abuse, Missing Pages, Crooked Bangs, Lace @ Beerland – 8 PM
Caleb de Casper Video Release w/ Goth Dad @ The Electric Church – 9 PM
A ways back we tossed up this really great single from The Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness, and now we bring you the joyous B-side track from their split 7″ with The Tree House Melodies. Every time I listen to this track, I keep thinking this is what Teenage Fanclub would sound like if they never used a distortion pedal again. It’s got a slight bit of bounce in the lightly jangling guitars, and the voice seems to hold onto this sense of longing. All together it carries this understated power-pop vibe, giving you a sense of a fireside chat with one of your favorite artists. You’re going to want to get your hands on this new 7″ from Pretty Olivia Records.
You all surely know how I like to dip my toe in the gaze pond from time to time, and here we are with a new track from A Shoreline Dream; they sound an awful lot like our own Blushing, only with male vocals. There’s this dark pop undertone, like a brooding and building, then forced into a crashing wave of organic noise. It’s able to grab your attention from start to finish, never letting go as the song moves in and out of sedative shoegaze moments. This it the title track from their Waitout EP, which is being released on July 6th via Latenight Weeknight Records.
While Ella Grace is fairly new to the music scene, her latest single illustrates an attention to detail oft overlooked in this genre. For one, her British vocal inflection has something that always draws me to musicians from that side of the pond, but I really like the understated touches. You can hear her hand sliding across the fretboard, the faintest sound that provides an intimate connection between musician and listener. Then, there’s a distant supporting vocal, whispering from the far off. It’s a charming little ditty, with a little bit of spiritual catharsis in the lyrics…so keep Ella G on your radar.
Lachlan Denton has to be one of the most prolific songwriters this year. He’s already released one album with his friend Emma Russack; he’s got a new record coming our way with The Ocean Party…and now he’s let us know he’s got a solo effort coming out at the beginning of June. This first single is fairly relaxed, with Lach working his voice over careful guitar work; I’ve always loved his voice, so you win right away here. Just after the 1 minute mark a simple drum line enters, adding an extra layer to the track; still, the warmth of his voice carries on, aided by a comforting backing vocal from an unnamed friend. Osborne Again Music will release Two Months in Ben Woolley’s Room on June 1st.
