Psych Fest Watch: No Joy
You need another great band to see at Psych Fest this weekend? Well, have you met No Joy? They could be that band! Read more
Author: nathan.lankford
New Track from Priory
Yesterday was a long day for me, just dancing about in my chair. But, today I think I’ve become refocused after discovering Portland band Priory. At first, I thought I had stumbled upon this great bit of forestry folk, you know, the softer type that takes you to the woods. Then, a bit of a bounce was introduced in the middle of this track, which, while welcome, completely caught me off guard. It’s nice to find a little blend between true folk and street pop, so it’s easy to say that I got hooked on this track from minute one. You’ll be able to find this song, as well as ten others the group has been working on for their self-titled, Priory, record. It will be out on June 21st on Expunged Records, so get into it before you’re too late.
Download: Priory – Kings of Troy [MP3]
An Horse – Walls
Rating: 
Hailing from Australia, An Horse consists of Damon Cox and Kate Cooper who give off the impression of more than a two-part band. Two-part they are, and on this sophomore effort they don’t reach much further than that of Rearrange Beds, but as a fan of this band, I don’t see how this is any negative qualm. If anything, Walls has a more mature sound, while holding on to that edge-y pop sound that made them stand out in the first place.
The first song, “Dressed Sharply,” begins this album out with the edge and twang that this band is based around. Hard edged guitar floods the song with the bitterness, and combines with the lead vocals of Cooper, that is only juxtaposed slightly with faint oohs in the background. It gets you started on quite the raw note, but then “Not Mine” follows, slowing things down and changing the sound to somber instead of sharp. It is here that you can feel overtones of recent events in Cooper’s life in her lyrics. Her songwriting reflects her struggles of being on tour while a family member was ill back at home. While it must have been a painful time in her life, the writing feels intricate and mature; probably some of her best.
Some more standout tracks can be found on the title track as well as on “100 Whales.” “Walls” softens up things a little, but the Australian drawl doesn’t let it turn into mushy fest, while “100 Whales” waivers somewhere in the middle of outlandish and minimal, becoming one of the most balanced and even-headed tracks on the whole album.
Up to this point, there isn’t a bad song on Walls; each has been interesting and enjoyable. That being said, the last three songs of the album just dissipate. Something that started out fairly strong withers to a sadly boring end. It feels like this band just gave up and in light of this, the rest of the album is flattened. What could have been something fantastic turns out as something just good. Instead of ending on a high note, An Horse doesn’t go anywhere with their songs that make up the listeners last impression.
Despite being left disappointed, it’s still safe to say that the majority of this album is enjoyable. Have a listen, but perhaps just skip the last bit.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/an-horse-trains-and-tracks.mp3]Download: An Horse – Trains and Tracks [MP3]
Psych Fest Watch: Beach Fossils
Back in 2010 I stumbled into the Forcefield Party at SXSW looking for a good time, or expecting a good time. Lots of bands were on the bill such as Fresh & Only and Toro y Moi, but the band that stuck with me the most was Beach Fossils. Read more
New Hit from Neighbors
Just when I swore to the world that I was going to swear off dance-y music, I come across this new number from Neighbors, which is the preview to their upcoming August EP, which the band will release for free on May 24th. Sure, those beats just hang there momentarily, but the vocal resemblance to Matt of The National is what really sucked me in, as I’m a sucker for baritone/bass voices when recorded. I suppose there are other things to hate in the world, such as all the kids filming their favorite song during a concert (I’d like to see the band, not your camera), so I’ll hop back on the electronic touch here for a bit, as long as it sounds this good.
Download: Neighbors – Watergun [MP3]
New Dance Track from New Moods
I’m having a personality crisis! I’m tossing out two new electronic jams today, and you know what, I don’t care. these things are too good to just simply put aside. New Moods is a fairly new project, and seeing as they don’t have a lot of output yet, this one should definitely grab your attention. At first, I figured it was sort of just an oddball electronica piece, but then it unloads into a lush melodic hypnosis that will surely grab the attention of those in attendance when the band plays May 4th with Gang Gang Dance in New York. Don’t resist this; it’s just too good.
Download: New Moods – Playtime [MP3]
The Fresh & Onlys – Secret Walls EP
Rating: 
If you’ve been following the Fresh & Onlys over the last year or so, you probably saw that the Secret Walls EP lurked just around the corner. Tim Cohen has been changing his own approach, and with that, so too goes the band’s sound. This isn’t a bad thing by any means, unless of course you’re against change and progression.
“Secret Walls” feels like the culmination of the last few things Cohen and his friends have released. Those hazy guitars have dispersed, though you’ll still find a cascading bit of angular guitar soloing coursing through the song. What’s unique is that Tim sounds like some forlorn crooner, and he does it perfectly. Such steps are slowly redefining the group’s sound, surely bringing along more fans as they go.
If you listen carefully to “Keep Telling Everybody Lies” then you’ll probably see a bit of a resemblance to a lost recording of some David Lynch movie opener, but Cohen’s vocals here revert to that warmth, something he’s now got great control over. There’s hints of spaghetti western guitar, and a steady percussive pace keep the whole number afloat. Then the Fresh & Onlys go back to what they do best, progressing their sound, while maintaining their effortless cool. “Do You Believe in Destiny” definitely rings aloud like a love track, and the Western sway of guitars gives it a bit of that California cool. While in the past the band have managed to have this darkness coating their albums, this track portrays the sunnier undertones that live throughout the Secret Walls EP.
“Wash Over Us’ provides more of the same, cleaning the guitar sounds, as the group has done over the past several releases, and light piano tinkering continues to show a move towards a more pop-oriented spin for this short collection. Don’t fret, “Poison Wine” brings back the element of shadowy haunts that the band has always pulled off so well. Cohen’s vocals seem to be hiding, almost creeping behind the rest of the band. It’s not the most musical of tracks, which is perhaps its drawback, as this appears more as a construction of mood. If that’s what they’re going for on this number, then they pull it off with great success.
Secret Walls seems like a brief foray into the group’s material, a stop-over while they continue to develop their sound. It’s a great collection, and one that fans will fall in love with, but what’s more important is that it demonstrates a band that has such diversity in their writing that they can pretty much go anywhere they want to; when they go, I’m sure we’ll all adore it.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/The-Fresh-Onlys-Do-You-Believe-in-Destiny.mp3]Download: The Fresh & Onlys – Do You Believe in Destiny [MP3]
New Jam from Thee Oh Sees
One of the groups we’ve really been into over the last few years, which was reinforced by their solid SXSW sets this year is about to release a new record. Thee Oh Sees are putting out their new album, Castlemania (not to be confused with Castlevania), on In the Red Records on June 14th. Surprisingly, this first listen has a lot less anxious chainsaw guitar, and more of a folky little swagger to it, though I’ll admit that the change of pace and styles is never something these guys seem to steer away from. All in all, seems like an excellent way to get people excited, as this a pretty solid little number.
Download: Thee Oh Sees – I Need Seed [MP3]
New Track from The Yellow Dogs
What’s that? You’re not into Iranian post-punk? Well, that might change once you get a good listen to The Yellow Dogs, one of the leading band’s in Iran’s hidden music scene. The group is about to release their In the Kennel EP on May 17th of this year, and it’s been a long time coming. While they may not have the government’s support, the band has had to rely upon word of mouth to spread their tunes. This new track from the four-song EP definitely has a nice little vibe, offering steady drumming and an off-kilter vocal performance, all the while hammering out angular cuts of the guitar. It’s a stomping affair worthy of our support. I also dig the way the song sprawls to a close.
Download: The Yellow Dogs – Gastronomical Meal [MP3]
Show Review: Foals @ La Zona Rosa (4/21)
After their stellar performance at ACL this past fall, we all expected great things from Foals heading into last Thursday’s show at La Zona Rosa. For the most part, the night consisted of mediocre music and sub-par performances, until Foals dominated the evening.