More Great Pop from Little Red

I went with sort of a more rock oriented morning starter for everyone this morning, so I had to redeem myself, or rather, at least offer the other side of my musical tastes.  Little Red‘s new album, Midnight Remember, has been playing around my office fairly frequently, and you can now get your hands on it!  But, in case you don’t have the time today, here’s another great track to warm your soul.  It’s just a great melodic ballad with quietly strummed guitar being featured before the song itself begins to meander further into the spectrum of catchy pop tunes.  One listen to this song and you’ll surely find yourself humming along, hoping to have a day as promising as this young act.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/08-February.mp3]

Download: Little Red – February [MP3]

Sludge Punker from The Spits

Man, since I’ve really been pushing myself back into rock n’ roll this year, my part of the site might have gotten a little bit heavier than we’ve had in the past, but I’m totally down with that.  One of my favorite acts, The Spits, just released their new album today on In the Red Records, and of course I had to get my hands on it. This new little number is quick and to the point, and it’s definitely one of the muddier feeling tracks on the record.  Lyrically you might not find a great deal of inspiration here, but hey, I’d buy it just for the cheap price and the album cover.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/07-My-Life-Sucks.mp3]

Download: The Spits – My Life Sucks [MP3]

Comet Gain – Howl of the Lonely Crowd

Rating: ★★★★☆

For years I felt like my adoration for Comet Gain was unjustified, as very few, if any, of my friends had even listened to the band. But, with the release of Broken Record Prayers, their singles collection, the group slowly seemed to gain ground with the masses; I say rightfully so. Now, we welcome the newest recording, Howl of the Lonely Crowd, which appears to have a two-sided story–one filled with jangling pop of the usual sort, the other slowing it down just to spread some introspection.

As a new listener, you can easily breeze right into the opening three tracks of the record, fueled with the usual bit of jangling pop and David Feck poetry.   Depending upon where your allegiance lays, you’re either going to adore opener “Clang of the Concrete Swans,” or its successor “The Weekend Dreams.”  Personally, I’m going with the former, as I love Feck’s affecting vocals, not to mention the stuttering guitar/vocals just before the 2.5 minute mark.  However, Rachel Evans has a sweet melody behind her occasionally raspy vocals, so “The Weekend Dreams,” will definitely get your attention.  What’s interesting in both tracks, and many that follow, is the production quality, which still sounds busy, but so much more clear than previous works, allowing the true spirt of the band to prevail.

Of course, Howl of the Lonely Crowd has that bit of forlorn love to it; it’s the kind of thing David Feck seems to have perfected.  It’s first appearance via slow jam comes in on “She Had Daydreams.”  For me, it’s the storytelling and the lightly brushed female vocal accompaniment that allows this track to excel, giving Comet Gain a new dimension they haven’t delved into thus far in their career–not much anyways. “Some of Us Don’t Want to Be Saved” is another such number, but Feck takes more of a spoken word for this track, allowing the guitar playing, which is lighter than usual.  The fact that such a song can win you over without ever really taking the typical approach this group has displayed speaks loudly to their fans, and hopefully to newcomers as well.

You’ll find that listening to all of Howl of the Lonely Crowd might paint two different pictures. You’ve got the pure pop moments of the opening tracks, not to mention the power-pop of a song like “Working Circle Explosive” (reminds me of CG circa Realistes), and then you’ve got these somber closers on the latter half of the record.  Knowing Comet Gain, as I think I do, you’ll have to realize they don’t take the typical approach to songwriting, especially when it comes to album construction.  For all I know, Feck and friends could have jammed out and recorded the first half, which is likely since songs featuring Herbert Huncke have been floating around for some time, then gone back and recorded the second half at a later date.  But, none of it really matters in the end, as no one’s going to write a better indie pop record than this group.  The more you listen to the lyrics, the more they suck you in, and the more you fall in love–which is how it should be with your favorite bands.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/03-An-Arcade-From-The-Warm-Rain-That-Falls.mp3]

Download: Comet Gain – An Arcade From The Warm Rain That Falls [MP3]

You can grab this from What’s Your Rupture now!

Still,

New Rocker from Classic Guided by Voices

As we’ve all certainly heard, the classic line-up of Guided By Voices is back together, having recorded new material.  I was fortunate to catch the group on their classic return, and they sounded just as I had hoped, if only a wee bit older.  The band will be releasing Lets Go Eat the Factory at the first of the year, but for now you can grab a listen to this track that went up on Matador Records, the label that will be putting out this track as a 7″ on November 22nd.  Whether you’ve liked the band for years, or just recently caught on, surely you see the greatness in this.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Guided_by_Voices_-_The_Unsinkable_Fats_Domino.mp3]

Download: Guided By Voices – The Usinkable Fats Domino [MP3]

Show Preview: Terry Malts (& More) @ 29th St. Ballroom (10/24)

Date Monday, October 24th
Location 29th Street Ballroom
Doors 900p
Tickets $5 @ the Door

Sure, St. Vincent is coming to town, but the best show no one seems to be discussing is going down at 29th Street Ballroom, and for cheap!  Hozac Records is bringing a solid posse to town, and perhaps my favorite on the list is Terry Malts.  There’s a bit of punk, a bit of the gaze, and just solid track after track.  You’ll also get Wax Idols, who’ll be premiering some of their new material from their upcoming record, No Future.  And, to finish out the night, you’ll have Rayon Beach closing things down. If you’re into music, you have no excuse not to be at this show.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/01-Something-About-You.mp3]

Download: Terry Malts – Something About You [MP3]


Show Preview: The Drums @ The Parish (10/23)

Date Sunday, October 23rd
Location The Parish
Doors 800p
Tickets $13 from Frontgate

For all intents and purposes, this is sort of a must see show.  The Drums have pretty much dominated the surf-pop spectrum for the better part of two years, and their latest record, Portamento shows a great bit of maturity–not to mention some killer tracks.  Yes, I admit that I definitely had some issues with their last set over at the ND awhile back, but that’s neither here or there.  I’m going to be at this show, swinging my arms, taking part in all the joyous harmonies and surfy riffs the band brings.  Plus, it’s gotta sound great over at the Parish. Come on out kids.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/04-Money.mp3]

Download: The Drums – Money [MP3]

New Folk Core from Two Dark Birds

Okay, so Folk Core is totally made up, but I wanted to make sure I had your attention.  In all actuality, Steve Koester and Two Dark Birds are a lot more folk, a lot more traditional, so much so that you might call them hardcore folksters.  Their new record, Songs for the New, comes out next week via Riot Bear Recording, and it’s shaping up to be a really beautiful listen, filled with traditional folk elements spun in an entirely novel manner. It makes you yearn for wintery weather, which we just so happen to be experiencing, so what a wonderful way to wrap up our Friday.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Two-Dark-Birds-Black-Blessed-Night.mp3]

Download: Two Dark Birds – Black Blessed Night [MP3]

New (old) Punk Rocker from Tyvek

It’s Friday, so I feel like we all needed a nice swift kick in the ass, you know, to get us going into the weekend.  With that in mind, I’d like us all to have a listen to this little rocker from Tyvek, who just put out Fast Metabolism via M’Ladys Records. It’s a compilation gathering all the old singles from the group’s early days, thrusting some furious rockers back in our ears.  It’s always good to listen to the history of bands we love, so it’s good to get to finally have a hold on these gems from some of my favorite rockers.  Give this a go; it’ll save your Friday.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/02-Frustration-Rock.mp3]

New Track from The Golden Awesome

New Zealand’s The Golden Awesome aren’t necessarily what you’d associate with the typical Oceanic fare, but that’s a good thing. They’ll be releasing their album, Autumn, via M’Ladys Records on November 15th, and it’s shaping up to be a darkly tinged bit of poppy noise rock.  If you stream the single below, you’ll be met with walls of guitar noise drenched in warm female vocals.  Clearly there’s an element of pop one can’t escape in NZ, but there’s more than enough darkness lurking in the songwriting of this group.  Stream the jam below for a taste of great things to come.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/03.mp3]
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