Welcome Back: The Cannanes

cannanesAfter more than a decade, we are happy to see that The Cannanes are fully back with a brand new full-length.  They teased us recently with an EP, but now they’ve announced Howling at All Hours will be released by our really good friends over at Chapter Music.  I’ve always appreciated the vocal delivery in their songs, which sort of remind of the way Ian Dury delivered his lyrics, although The Cannanes seemed to have a little bit more sensibility, employing backing lyrics to add a balance. You can get your copy at your local store on July 5th, adding to the great releases by Chapter this year (see Dick Diver).

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96557838″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Something New from Arp

arpI know I’m usually the one with a tendency towards power-pop or punk rock here, but I couldn’t resist posting this incredible song from Arp.  The project of Alexis Georgopoulos has been quiet since 2010, though he’s popped up here and there.  This piece exemplifies why Arp is such a special listen, revolving around the voice for the most part, though the entrance of horns and organ definitely take the song into another level of beauty.  I’m in love with Alexis’ voice throughout the tune, softly operatic and accented by the light guitar work backbone.  His new record, More, will come out on September 19th via Smalltown Superound.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/95590577″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Upbeat Tune from Painted Palms + Free EP

paintedpalmsWe’ve covered Painted Palms before, and now we’ve all got even more reason to celebrate, as the group has just put up the FREE Nothing Lasts Long EP for your ears.  According to our sources, the story behind the release was for the duo to experiment with the worlds where psychedelia and electronica collide; they even intended to create is as a mixtape of sorts.  I’m really digging this tune below, with a really solid groove that grabs you from the get go.  You can grab yourself this rad little EP HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Painted-Palms-Upper-Floors.mp3]

Download: Painted Palms – Upper Floors [MP3]

Brand New Tunes from I Was a King

iwasakingIf you’ve followed this web site for some time, then you’ll surely be aware of my unabashed love for I Was a King.  Through three albums, they’ve continued to amaze me with their pop tunes, and today there are signs that they’re progressing even further.  They’ve got a new single coming out soon, and they’ve allowed us to share one of the tracks with you all, so we’re doing just that.  I’ve chosen “Oslo Share,” which displays the band working with their excellent vocal harmonies, providing music that continues to leave an impression, even as the song comes to an end.  IWK will be working on a new album in September, and I guarantee it’s going to be amazing.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96317611″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Rock n’ Roll from Hunx and His Punx

hunxpunx_smallIt seems like Hunx has an agenda set up for his future: rock it out with Hunx and His Punx and play garage rock ballads with Hunx. Hardly Art is gearing up to release Street Punk on July 23rd, and since it’s a HHP album, it definitely is a departure from Hairdresser Blues.  From the opening moment on the lead single, you can feel the ferocity that’s about to ensue, but while it may have a heavier leaning sound, there’s still that elemental hook that Hunx always maintain.  It might be brief and fleeting, but it’s definitely still Hunx at the center of it all, not to mention the song alone is an ode to bad skin, so we’ve still got the humor I love.  Looks like we’ve got a rocking affair coming our way!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/HunxAndHisPunx_BadSkin.mp3]

Download: Hunx and His Punx – Bad Skin [MP3]

Power Pop Goodness from Missing Monuments

missingmonumentsWhile they may have dropped the “King Louie” aspect from their name, Missing Monuments is still very much the project of Louie Bankston; he’s got the pedigree of power-pop genius, but I can appreciate the name alteration.  The group has a self-titled album coming out in the fall via my favorite lil’ label, Dirtnap Records, and our first taste has a bit of a heavier punch than some of the previous works we’ve gotten from Louie and the boys.  The riffs begin just as usual, but as the song progresses there’s a bent that wears a bit more of a metal edge.  Should be an interesting listen regardless of changing names and altered sounds.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/missingmonuments_-_answerthecall.mp3]

Download: Missing Monuments – Answer the Call [MP3]

Swirling Indie Pop from Skittle Alley

skittlealleyWarm weather brings varying moods, and while sometimes we curse the heat, in Texas I can say that it definitely brings to mind spritely indie pop, such as the recent work of Skittle Alley.   Luckily, the band, who’ve been posting lots of new songs, seem to have something in the works with the very excellent Dufflecoat Records.  This new tune is full of warm melody, shimmering guitars and a casual pace that will surely leave you smiling as you listen; that’s interesting as the new release seems to be titled The Memory of a Smile.  This tune is perfect to let your mind drift away, and I hope you do, grinning all the way.

Oh, and the artwork was done by Ray Kimura who has done excellent work previously for Alpaca Sports.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/95909919″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Show Preview: Torres + Lady Lamb the Beekeeper @ Mohawk (6/12)

torres

Date Wednesday, June 12th
Location Mohawk – Inside
Doors 9:00 PM
Tickets $8 from Mohawk


If you’re looking for a show full of powerful female songwriters, then you better make your way out to the Mohawk on Wednesday night. You’ll be greeted by three incredibly talented ladies, and their accompanying bands.  Torres is the headliner and the project of Mackenzie Scott, touring behind her excellent self-titled LP.  She’ll be preceded by the incredibly talented Lady Lamb and the Beekeeper, who released Ripley Pine to rave reviews earlier this week.  And of course, we couldn’t be prouder to throw our support behind Austin’s own Dana Falconberry, who will open up the night for you all. It’s going to be an evening full of beautiful voices and intimate moments–you can’t miss out on this one. Here’s tunes from LL and Dana to get you in the mood.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/04-Bird-Balloons.mp3]

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/02-02-Lake-Charlievoix-V2-Mastered.mp3]

Lemuria – The Distance Is So Big

Lemuria-The-Distance-Is-So-BigRating: ★★★½☆

Lately the musical landscape has been peddling bands who’ve grown up on the alternative rock of the 90s.  Some of those sounds are great, while others sound outdated, but I think Lemuria have landed in a spot that nods to the past while looking forward.  Their new record, The Distance Is So Big, recalls great moments from Dear You-era Jawbreaker, yet includes a heavy dosage of male/female vocal interplay, catching your ear’s attention with every spin.

The first real song on the album beings with an ambling guitar, and really takes off when Sheena enters the scene.  Her entrance seems innocent at first, and then the group blasts off into a heavier spectrum, accented by a gang vocal shouting.  It hints at the excellence to come in just a few moments when “Clay Baby” begins to play.  Everything about this song is absolutely perfect, from the lyrics to the vocal delivery of Alex Kerns to the sound of the guitar.  Sure, there’s definitely a throwback feeling here, but it’s executed so perfectly that I’ll continue to play it for quite some time.

During my first few listens to The Distance Is So Big, I definitely gravitated towards the singing of Kerns as opposed to that of Sheena, but the more I play this album, the more I realize the record wouldn’t be complete if it was just one singer.  For instance, on “Paint the Youth, Sheena takes the show, winning you over with her bass lines and her casually sultry voice, but the appearance of Kerns off and on really ties the song together as a whole.  If they weren’t able to operate in the same realm, then perhaps the formula wouldn’t allow for the success of the release, which is wholly not the case.

Personally, I keep gravitating to the tracks that seem to have a louder force from the get-go, such as “Dream Eater,” which takes about 15 seconds before it lets you rock your way through the entire track.  Or you can look at “Public Opinion Bath,’ using discordant guitar sounds from the start to wear out your eardrums.  Yet, even with my tendency to rock, I like the fact that Lemuria also knows when to let a song sprawl to glory, as they do in “Oahu, Hawaii.”  If you’re looking for my opinion, this is the sure-fire hit that can’t be avoided, with the guitar building tension from the moment you press play.  As the tones get heavier, you expect an imminent explosion, yet the band never fully unleashes that sound.  Instead they rely on the female/male interplay to insert a nice hook during the chorus; it’s loud and it’s quiet and you’ve got a catchiness factor that all leads to a standout.

My first run through The Distance Is So Big was really all that I needed to catch on to this album.  There were songs that stood out like “Clay Baby,” “Ruby” and “Oahu, Hawaii” almost immediately, which is enough songs to keep me going back nowadays.  So I traveled back with this record, in more than one sense, and I found other gems and other qualities that showed Lemuria reveling in the past while pushing their sound forward.  Be grateful.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/07-Oahu-Hawaii.mp3]

Download: Lemuria – Oahu, Hawaii [MP3]

Jamming out with King Khan and the Shrines

kingkhanLong have we adored KK and the Shrines, and we’ve been excited since they first announced their upcoming for Merge Records.  On the latest single, there’s definitely a bit of restraint, at least for my ears.  The song holds back from the typical garage rock pummeling, using an effects pedal to sort of provide a tripped out stomp; I like the clarity of the vocals throughout as well, which is a touch of a change.  They’re titling the album Idle No More, and it will hit streets on September 3rd.  The release will also see a world-wide tour, though, sadly, there’s no scheduled Austin date.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/95409544″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

1 1,008 1,009 1,010 1,011 1,012 1,306