Soft Ballad from Ashley Eriksson of LAKE

ashleyAshley Eriksson is the lead singer of LAKE, and the songwriter of the theme song for Adventure Time.  Of course, she’s always been working on the side, and she’s ready to debut a new record, Colours, which comes out on July 16th.  She possess a tranquil voice, carefully draped across the top of her elegant piano tapestries. There’s a respect for the the empty space that belongs in music, allowing her songs to achieve some beautiful clarity. She’ll be teaming up with K Records for this release of piano ballads, all which will require a quiet ear and a joy for voice.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/11-Ashley-Eriksson-Humming-in-the-Dark.mp3]

Download: Ashley Eriksson – Humming in the Dark [MP3]

Soliti Music Turns 2

soliti-turns-2-blue-640x634I’m really excited for my far away friend Nick and his wonderful label to be celebrating two successful years.  Soliti Music has brought us gems from Cats on Fire to The New Tigers to Big Wave Riders, and in honor of that celebration, the label is giving up an 8 track compilation of tunes that are either unreleased or demo versions.  They’ve even got a few words about each of the songs, which you can find HERE.  But, if you want to get your hands on some great tunes, or perhaps even discover your new favorite band, then click HERE.  For now, here’s my favorite track from the label.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/My-Sense-Of-Pride.mp3]

Download: Cats on Fire – My Sense Of Pride [MP3]

Coma Cinema – Posthumous Release

comacinemaRating: ★★★★½

There comes a time in every music nerd’s life (hopefully more often than once) where you find a record that completely fulfills you, that brings you back time and time again to listen carefully; for me, that record is Posthumous Release.  Coma Cinema is the project of Mathew Cothran, and I’ll do my best to give justice to this incredible album, though I’m not sure if even words can suffice.

“VHS White Trash” opens up the entire affair, and it’s here where I first notice a resemblance to the old Elf Power, back when they were weird.  But, that being said, the simple accompaniment, the female backing vocals and simply strummed guitar don’t sound weird, other than the lyrical content.  Percussion enters midway through, as do some horn touches, making this the perfect opening number; I know I pressed play again and again just to make sure it was as perfect as I thought.  My ears also heard a bit of Elliott Smith in Posthumous Release, especially when I listened to “Virgin Veins.”  The sound of the guitar sounds eerily similar, as does the whispering quality of Cothran’s voice. There’s a fragility to his songwriting and his delivery, as if he’s bearing his soul before you; it’s a sincerity I’ve longed for for quite some time.  You’ll find that same sentiment in “Partners in Crime;” it stood out to me in this manner from the exhale of breath that opens the track, not to mention the slightest crackle in the voice.

While it may seem that Coma Cinema has a down-trodden attitude, Mat realizes that he’s also got a knack for combining his melodies with peppier bits tossed in sporadically throughout his latest effort. “She Keeps It Alive” has a fuzzed out guitar chug to it that provides more momentum than most of the songs you’ll find here, though it’s not quite a full on rock moment.  Still, you don’t have to turn things up loud in order to seduce me with your pop sensibility.  In “Satan Made a Mansion” I’ve met my match for my adoration of quirky lyrics and catchy melodies.  Build around a piano or keyboard, the song has a bounce, and the melody in the vocals does everything it can to make this the best song of the year (it is in my opinion). I like the cascading guitar solo near the end of the tune, but I’m not ever going to forget the lyric of “fuck me in the graveyard.”

You see, Posthumous Release might very well go unnoticed upon hitting the stores, and I’ll declare that a great tragedy.  This is one of those records that, while not perfect, has the precise amount of emotion and songwriting that makes you want to share it with all your friends.  You’ll want to make mixtapes with just this album; you’ll want to make sure everyone you meet knows all about Coma Cinema.  I hope that it’s a huge success, though at the same time, I won’t cry if I’m one of a handful of people who enjoys it.  I’ll continue to play this album until the day I die, and I’ll always have that sentiment…few records have had such an effect on me.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/05-A05-Satan-Made-A-Mansion.mp3]

Download: Coma Cinema – Satan Made A Mansion [MP3]

New Tune from Modern Hut

HutPromo1.1Joe Steinhardt is working under the moniker Modern Hut, and it’s time we introduce this fantastic new voice to you all.  His songs, like the one below, are pretty basic in construction, just using guitar and some minimal backing accompaniment. But, I’m particularly interested in the way his vocals are delivered, not to mention the lyrics that tie everything together.  Perhaps you can ascribe similarities to John Darnielle or a more serious Adam Green, which both count as great things in my book.  His album Generic Treasure will be coming out on August 17th courtesy of Don Giovanni Records.

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New Music from Jonathan Rado of Foxygen

jonathanradoAdmittedly, I’m not a fan of Foxygen, at least in so far as the live setting goes. I thought the band was so horrible that I actually walked out of their set.  But, that being said, I can’t say enough about the songwriters in that band, especially Jonathan Rado.  He’s announced a solo effort for Woodsist, and it definitely harkens back to days of sincere pop.  If you didn’t hear the 60s influence on his writing before, you’re definitely going to hear it in this new track.  The album is titled Law and Order and should see a release date at some point in the fall.

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Sprawling Noise from Tape Deck Mountain

tapedeckmountainThis newish 7″ from Tape Deck Mountain is really solid.  It opens with this huge wall of noise that blares right in your face; you think it’s just going to be a big loud rocker from the get-go.  But, they pull back just a tiny bit, revealing a quiet pop tendency, which is briefly interrupted by a wash of noisy atmospherics from time to time.  Those moments begin to unfold more often, accentuated by machine gun snare hits, as the song drifts towards its end.  Always down to hear something new from this group; they never seem to let me down.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/tape-deck-mountain-Always-Lie-Digital-7-01-Always-Lie.mp3]

Download: Tape Deck Mountain – Always Lie [MP3]

John Laird Turns 30 @ Holy Mountain – Tonight!

Going on 30 - BadgeThere’s a small little “blog” community in Austin, and we’re happy to be part of it; it also means we’ve got to support the other people involved, like John Laird of Side One Track One, who celebrates his 30th year of life with great music for you at Holy Mountain.  You’ll get to hear LA Snacks, Letting Up Despite Great Faults, The Sour Notes, Space Camp Death Squad and Miss Manners, with the first band kicking things off at 9 PM.  It’ll only cost you $5 to get in and support the bands, plus there will be drink specials and free cupcakes (while they last). Come out and support the locals and celebrate birthdays!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Letting-Up-Despite-Great-Faults-Visions.mp3]

Download: Letting Up Despite Great Faults – Visions [MP3]

Energetic New Music from Steel Phantoms

steelSummertime is perfect for turning the knob up to eleven and letting yourself free from the mundane activities, though I guess some of us do have to sit in offices…sorry BGray. This new tune from Steel Phantoms is perfect for rocking out; the guitars come in and heavy and fast from the get-go, allowing you feel the energetic push the band’s proposing.  If you’re sitting in your chair tapping your toes, as you should be, then you can find a copy of the band’s new self-titled EP coming your way on July 16th.  Let’s celebrate and rock it out today!

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

Download: Steel Phantoms – Matt LeBlanc [MP3]

Fresh New Rock from Hausu

hausu_small2In all the nostalgic nods in the scene right now, I think I’ve found the piece I like the most: the new single from Hausu. This Portland act is slated to release their new record, Total, on Hardly Art on June 25th, and it’s got great promise.  I like the intricate guitar opening on this song, but it only last for a short bit before the band jumps off into, dare I say, and emo realm.  But, this is the sort of emo that we all loved, back before it became a four letter word. It combines elements of heavier rock moments between melodic guitar chords and discordant noise.  Definitely something on my “to fall in love with” list.

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

Download: Hausu – Chrysanthemum [MP3]

GRMLN – Empire

adventureWeird_LP_11183_newRating: ★★★★☆

Some records are perfectly fitting for the time of their release, leaving you with an album for that particular season.  For me, the first full-length from GRMLN is definitely going to be one of my most played this summer.  Empire has the energy, the hooks and enough variance to keep it in constant rotation.

It’s fitting that Empire opens with “Teenage Rhythm” as this track most likely resembles the youthful exuberance of most teens, at least in the overall mood. Guitars start chugging while the drums immediately come in pummeling your ears, all building up to the adolescent shout of “get out get out” in the chorus.  It’s a track that makes it difficult to turn your ear the other way.  It leaves plenty of room for the following number to jump in with a bubbling undercurrent of bass lines.  “Blue Lagoon” has more of a ringing guitar sound, and it’s here where I first noticed how easy it is to sing along to the lyrics.  Who doesn’t love to bob your head and sing?

GRMLN, which is the primary work of Yoodoo Park, makes it difficult to skip a single track, even when writing a review.  “Hand Pistol” seems to blend the cocky swagger of Waaves with the hooks of Surfer Blood, though sounding entirely like it has its own personality.  You’ll hear a clean guitar cutting through the background, while a heavier guitar plays up front.  Then the attitude is switched up for a more indie pop appeal with “Coastal Love,” which has a slight effect on the vocals.  It’s a cleaner bent, which offers a bit of a breather from where Empire was dwelling for the last few tracks.

Now, I don’t want to sit here and tell you these are the greatest songs that man has ever written, but damn it if you’re not just going to have fun listening to this release.  “Do You Know How It Feels” has a great vocal throughout, and the energetic delivery of the guitars had me hooked instantly.  Then you skip ahead a few tracks to bob along to “1993,” which might just be the my favorite track on the album. It’s youthful, yet the musicianship is perfectly executed at every turn, displaying the blossoming skills of Park right before our eyes.

You can listen to this record, and almost immediately fall in love with it.  The songs throughout are fairly simple, yet they’re structured around hooks and melodies that grab hold of your eardrums, never letting go.  GRMLN has constructed the perfect seasonal listen, which due to current temperatures, is absolutely perfect.  Empire is fun, it’s catchy, and it’s something that might endure beyond the summer, keeping us warm all year long.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/05-Do-You-Know-How-It-Feels_.mp3]

Download: GRMLN – Do You Know How It Feels_ [MP3]

 

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