This is fine.
The former Pavement singer/guitarist returned to Austin at the newly renovated Mohawk, but he was here to promote Mirror Traffic–no hopes of Pavement songs! Local boys TV Torso opened up the gig, and Nurses were the middling act on a pretty laid back evening over at the Mohawk.
Ben Cook and Mark Fosco have had a solid year in the music work, with their sweet jams being given out to via their respective bands, Fucked Up and Marvelous Darlings. The group, now dubbed Roommates initially set out to record some songs for fun, with the idea of limited releases, but I’m glad some of these tracks are making their way out. On March 20th Slumberland Records will be releasing a 7″ comprised of two of these tracks, and we’ve got the A-Side to run for you today. Given their recent musical output, it’s no wonder that this has a nice little power-pop sheen to it, with steady drum playing backing the straight-forward guitar playing. Regardless, it’s got all the hooks to make you a fan, clamoring for more. Check it.
There’s so many acts coming into town, it gets difficult to narrow down the ones that you really want to promote, as you love them all equally. I figure I should give my first shout out to a Canadien group, as they don’t always get to cross the borders as much as we’d like, so here’s Adam and the Amethysts. Read more
One of the groups that we fell in love with in 2011 was PS I Love You after jamming to their Meet Me at the Muster Station album. With their quick rise to popularity, the band was traveling all around the States, which led to the recording of the Muster Sessions. It’s an album comprised of reworkings and live recordings the group did while hitting up Daytrotter and KEXP, as well as other spots. Basically, it’s like a collection of John Peel-esque B-sides and remixes for you to enjoy. They’re currently giving it away free in anticipation of their new record, Death Dreams, which comes out on May 8th. For now, you can download the FREE ALBUM, and sample the hooks the band are sure to bring with their new effort.
Download: PS I Love You – Leftovers [MP3]
We’re a small site, so we don’t always get the hits as soon as everyone else. Normally, I wouldn’t post everything, as you can clearly go to Stereogum, but I absolutely am loving these two tracks. The first one comes from Violens, one of our favorites. The band’s always writing tracks it seems, and they’ve apparently got True set to see release in May on Slumberland Records. Then there’s Crocodiles, who’ve refined their sound, bringing about this ridiculously awesome track. The group will release Endless Flowers on June 4th, and I hope it all sounds like the track below. Check out both these tracks, as they’re worth your time, and tell us which one’s better!
Download:Violens – Unfolding Black Wings [MP3]
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Crocodiles-Sunday-Psychic-Conversation-9.mp3]Download:Crocodiles – Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9) [Mp3
Well, this track isn’t precisely a loud rocker, but it’s loud in the sense that the Mynabirds, and main songwriter Laura Burhenn, came across a lot quieter on their first effort. Now the group is back with Generals, again produced by the excellent Richard Swift; you can get your hands on the ablum on June 5th via Saddle Creek Records. According to our sources, the record revolves around the concept of political protests, which isn’t surprising considering she used to work with John Davis of DC’s Q and Not U. Several listens in, and this feels a little bit like a political bent on the Kills–not a bad thing. Give this one a taste, and be sure to check the group out at SXSW.
Download: The Mynabirds – Generals
Who’s that handsome chap in the photo? That’s Warren Teagarden, San Francisco’s favorite garage rocker. He’s joined with his friends The Good Grief to create the album Warren Teagarden and The Good Grief, which you can get from Meaningless World Records. Listening to this track, Warren’s got that same darkened howl of Tim Cohen, but he’s also got his hands on the punk rock guitar chug; it’s the main ingredient that propels this song along. If gritty garage tracks is your thing, then this is the number for you!
Download:Warren Teagarden – Stupid Happy Fun [MP3]
Today is the release of Bad Weather California‘s Sunkissed LP, their second full-length for the masses. You’ve got to celebrate with them, and the best way to do is by jamming to this sweet tune off their record. There’s this sunny little vibe going on here, one that definitely aligns with the band’s album title. But, beneath that, there’s this jam mentality, one that I’m not totally opposed to in this context, as it gives the song a nice groove, not unlike the works of Fool’s Gold, who like to toss out folk with a bit of movement within. I’m hoping you like this number, leading you to pick it up at the record shop your next time out.
Download:Bad Weather California – I’ll Reach Out My Hand [MP3]
Rating: 
It’s always good to know that a rocker never dies. Mark Ryan’s one such dude, giving it his all in the past with the Marked Men; now he’s refueled his passion with Mind Spiders. Meltdown is the group’s second album in less than a year, and their latest release for Dirtnap Records has them picking up precisely where they left off–and now with more drums!
On the first few listens, you might think that opener “You Are Dead” bares a strong resemblance to Jay Reatard, as there’s that scratchy vocal, not to mention the way the lyrics are displayed that lets you gravitate towards the notion. But, the usage of two drummers has captured the explosive capacity of the group as a whole, something the aforementioned singer never quite had. And as Meltdown goes further with “Beat,” the chorus indicates that this is definitely a shout out to punk rock. Chugging guitars push you forward, but the chorus will bring the punk rock all the way home, even as the band steadily pounds onwards.
When you stumble upon “More Than You,” you might literally stumble, as it’s the first Mind Spiders track, on this effort at least, that’s not jagged and dirty. Yes, there’s a bit of a haze coating the sound of the recording, but lurking beneath is a really nice bit of melody. Not to be a spoiler, but if you’re listening as you’re reading, you’re going to find that a lot more of the tracks on Meltdown resemble this number, as the latter half of the record takes a similar approach to this song. “Skull Eyed” takes on a similar pacing, but there’s definitely a haunting electronic element presence, which displays the risks that Mark Ryan’s willing to take with this group. I’d be interested to see what this sounds like live, as there’s definitely space to pick up the pace in a forceful manner. “Meltdown” closes out the album with an almost carnival-esque electronic playfulness that continues Side B’s theme of musical exploration, only doing so in the instrumental manner; this all hints that Ryan might possibly be trying to figure things out for the future.
Taken as a whole, Meltdown‘s a solid record, though a little bit disjointed in its sonic construction. It brings on full-frontal rock n’ roll ferocity from the get-go, giving you a hefty does of energy on Side A. Side B, however, demonstrates that Mind Spiders are still working out some of the kinks as they continue to forge a path for themselves. It actually makes for the perfect vinyl listen, giving you two side of a most excellent band. We’ll just have to wait and see which path the group takes as they bound off into the future, but let’s rest assured that even when they’re figuring things out, they’re writing tracks that are better than most of the bands out there.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mind_Spiders_-_Wait_For_Us.mp3]Download: Mind Spiders – Wait For Us [MP3]
Well, we didn’t really know who Husky was either, until we read up on the Well ourselves. Sub Pop officially signed their first Australian band, and considering we have a bit of adoration for all things Oceania, we had to fill you in. The foursome released their record, Forever So, last year in Australia, and their new US label will be re-releasing it on July 10th. On this track, I appreciate that there are touches every day indie rock, but slight details allow the central harmony to rise to the forefront in this track. They’ve also got a pretty interesting video to accompany the song that you can check out HERE.
Download:Husky – The Woods [MP3]
