Month: April 2020

Another Rabbit Island Tune

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If you’ve been reading over the last month or so, you’d likely notice how much I’m enjoying the music coming from Rabbit Island. Amber Fresh originally recorded the music in an empty kitchen for her family back in 2013, but the song’s have recently been remastered and set for release as Songs for Kids. The songs, like the one below, are so simple in their presentation, providing both a sense of intimacy and wonderment as Fresh teaches life lessons through song. This one feels like the perfect way to start off the week, as its providing instructions on how to have a nice day. Songs for Kids is available via Bedroom Suck Records.

Lithics Share Title Track Tower of Age

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Those of you scrambling to get your hands of angular no-punk better be ready for the new LP from Lithics; it’s a collection of 13 jittery pseudo-pop rockers like the album’s title track, “Tower of Age.” One of the best things about this song, like many on the album, is the band doesn’t waste any time; their newest single starts immediately, tossing out sharp guitar stabs that step aim to dodge the spoken lyrical delivery of Aubrey Hornor. Things get frayed near the 30 second mark, momentarily shattering the momentum before the solid rhythm section takes the song back on track. Frantic and thought provoking in a quick burst, closed out by the fading of Hornor’s voice in your speakers; it’s another spot on single! Tower of Age is out on June 5th via Trouble in Mind Records.

Destroy Boys Share Honey I’m Home

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With a couple of LPs under their belt and tours with Mannequin Pussy, California’s Destroy Boys continue their rise with another great single in 2020 (they dropped “Fences” earlier). This track brings the band’s tenacity and spins it through this swelling pop lens of huge riffs and crashing cymbals. It’s one of the great things about good pop punk; you can hear the anthemic nature even with the discord swirling through your ear canal. Plus, you’re never going to go wrong throwing some soaring “oohs” in the background juxtaposed against a brash explosion like the one that occurs at the 2 minute mark. Fingers crossed we get a new LP this year!

The Golden Dregs Rework Hope is for the Hopeless

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I think one of the great records of 2019 that was overlooked by most was Hope is for the Hopeless, the debut LP from the Golden Dregs; I know I wrote about several of the singles on these very pages. Well, a few months on, and Benjamin Woods (the artists behind the project) has decided to rework his title track with the help of London bunch Vogues. You still get Woods hearty baritone, but the guitar has been stripped and reworked with electronic production. Subtle beats and robotic backing vocals take the song into the more uplifting territory Woods hoped we’d all noticed on the original version; I don’t think those sweet jazzy horns were present either. If you haven’t heard the original version, you can do listen to the whole LP HERE, and stream the reworked magic below!

Evan Myall Shares Forever Mine Video

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Evan Myall has spent the better part of the last decade in Sleepy Sun, but we’re here to focus on his solo work today, as he readies the release of a new LP in May. It’s a pretty gentle pop ballad, working with a steady bounce from the drum beat and a nice melodic vocal that winds its way around the instrumentation. I loved that the string arrangements, building in the song’s lushness, came in almost instantly; they gave the song this depth and elegance that permeates through its entirety. His self-titled album is being released on May 8th via Royal Oakie.

 

Ultimate Fakebook – The Preserving Machine

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Rating: ★★★☆☆

When looking back on my early days of music discovery, the years when you found “the good stuff”, the late 90s and early 00s were likely the most important time for me. This was a time when I began to transition from the middle school days of mostly radio rock n roll towards a more indie, underground scene. Coming out of Kansas at the time were bands like The Get Up Kids, Appleseed Cast, The Anniversary, and of course, Ultimate Fakebook. Though maybe not as widely known as those other bands, the group was equally as important to me and to that scene. So it of course brings me great pleasure to review Ultimate Fakebook’s first album in over 10 years, The Preserving Machine. Hit the jump for my thoughts on this long awaited album.

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Mint Field Announce Signing to Felte Records with Natural

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Back when Mint Field released Pasar de las Luces the band was living in Tijuana, crafting these spaced-out psychedelic tunes; they were one of the highlights of my 2018 SXSW. Now, they’ve moved to Mexico City, signed to Felte Records and prepared a brand new single for us. Our first listen has some obvious changes in the band’s sound, though not entirely stepping away form where we first heard them. Here, they’ve sort of flipped the script…instead of filling the negative space with atmospherics and noise, they’ve just left it completely open, letting the notes resonate in that emptiness. There’s a burst of their old selves coming through at the 2 minute mark, but the song seems to move in a more meditative state, much like the tune’s accompanying video. Still, as interesting as ever.

Katie Von Schleicher Shares Wheel Video

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If you listen to the latest single from Katie Von Schleicher, your enjoyment is going to be two-fold. First, Katie and director V Haddad are donating their budget for this video to Safe Horizon (providing support/promotion justice to victims of domestic violence); this especially important considering that abuse often goes unnoticed and unreported during a situation like our current quarantine. Second, the song’s another great tune from the forthcoming Consummation LP; I think I was already hooked upon hearing that angular guitar chugging away in the front of the mix, all before Von Schleicher even entered the picture with her smoky vocal charms. The video’s a lot of fun, capturing women/non-binary artists remotely capturing simple joys to the sound of the song; I’m surprised we’re not seeing more videos like this at the moment! The new LP is out May 22nd via Ba Da Bing.

Mike Gale Drops Sunshine for the Mountain God

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You might recognize Mike Gale‘s name from Black Nielson or Co-Pilgrim, but he’s been working most recently under his own name, just dropping Sunshine for the Mountain God this week via Bandcamp. I was immediately drawn to the tune below due to its crisp guitar and warm melody. It’s one of those tracks that instantly puts a smile on your face, offering a glimmer of brightness amidst all the current darkness in the world, or in our heads. Even now, I can feel my muscles tense up as the song forces a smile upon my face. And, if you’re looking for some fuzzier riffs and the same melodic vibe, don’t worry, the LP is chock-full of back and forth fun! All proceeds from the album go to the Trussel Trust.

One More From Brother Sports

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Nathan and I have become big fans of local boys Brother Sports as they’ve released quite a bit of new music over the last couple of months. As we continue to hype up our new found band, here is yet another single from the group called “Mala”. For me, this is what I was hoping the new Strokes record might sound like (but didn’t). They take that guitar driven sound and throw in just a bit of grit and raw energy to create a truly special offering from a local act. Word on the street is Brother Sports will be dropping a new EP sometime next month.

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