Author: nathan.lankford

Get Into Fantastic Purple Spots

Leave a comment

The last year or so I have scaled back my 4 times a week ventures to Austin’s clubs, so much so that I’ve missed out on some really great tunes that I would likely adore, such as Fantastic Purple Spots. They dropped their self-titled LP last year, but I’m just digging into it now. I wanted to give you one of the singles from the record, which seems to exemplify why I’m stoked on the group’s sound. This track’s full of melody, be it the musical notes or the backing vocals. But, at the same time, it has that sort of DIY ethos, just operating with enough fuzz underneath to make it seem imperfect (in the best sense!). Honestly, the whole LP reminds me of Austin’s take on Halo Benders, so if that’s your bag, dive into this treat!

Silver Biplanes Share Searching for Your Name

Leave a comment

You ever have one of those days where you wish you could just take a song and put it in your pocket and carry it around with you all day long? No? Just me? Well, today, I want this Silver Biplanes track with me wherever I go. It’s got this beautiful innocence to it, something that just seems both timeless and nostalgic all at once, matched by the video footage that accompanies the track. The melodiousness of the vocals is so sublime that it’s almost too sweet for your listening pleasure; you’ll be coming back in no time to listen to this tune again and again. Such a beautiful tune; you’ll find it on the band’s debut, A Moment in the Sun; it’s out this Friday via WIAIWYA.

The Tubs Share Wretched Life Single

Leave a comment

Having covered the previous singles from the Tubs, I wasn’t totally sold on this new one until I caught the write-up from Stereogum, as they’re always the gatekeepers of cool. So, I jumped right onto that ship, and here we are, with another great track from the group. Having spent a lot of time with bands like The Black Watch, this tune’s right up my alley; it sounds like the soundtrack to a dance put on by the school’s local Dungeon’s and Dragons Club. It’s got a little goth tinge to it, though the guitar licks still remain absolutely sharp, even boisterous for brief bursts. Their album Dead Meat is out on January 27th via Trouble in Mind Records.

Last Week’s Jams (1.9 – 1.13)

Leave a comment

We had a rough start last week, with a wee bit of server issues…plus getting back into work after some time off. But, we came back to a bunch of sweet tunes from some ATH favorites…new videos from Blues Lawyer and En Attendant Ana, not to mention one that tied up the excellent LP from Doom Flower. I was blown away by another fresh track from Joyeria, and RayRay did a little write up on our friends in Why Bonnie. I was really in love with that Grey Factor tune we ran at the end of the week, but it hasn’t made it onto streaming platforms, so check that out before digging into new EPs from Dippers and Peel Dream Magazine.

Dwell Release New Single on Open Tab

Leave a comment

Open Tab, the singles project of Fire Talk Records, has given us some great stuff this past year, but today, be prepared to immerse yourself in the vast expanse that Dwell are offering. Their sound moves between this sort of grandiose indie folk and classic slowcore, casually moving forward one step at a time. Vocals here are dramatic and deep, pulling from our primal nature, with string arrangements helping to build this textural swell that completely overwhelms the listener. It’s weird, as you can sort of feel some lineage to post rock too, particularly in the way some of the guitar sounds cascade and cut through the vocals; I’m really loving this as a Friday soundtrack.

Tugboat Captain Share Brand New Single, Flash of Light

Leave a comment

Having been away for a few years after the release of the excellent Rut, Tugboat Captain return with a fresh tune, hopefully with the promise of a new LP down the line. On this record, as with many artists during the pandemic, you can hear how the band began to explore new territory; the opening alone on this track is louder than anything they’ve done to date, ringing with guitars once you press play. And while I love a bit of noise, the band’s delicate notes do appear once you peel back the layers; the song even fades out beautifully with this light piano and powerful vocal. It’ll be interesting to hear more from the band as we kick on in 2023.

Another Tune from the Grey Factor Reissue LP

Leave a comment

Listening on repeat this morning, it’s crazy to even think that Grey Factor were crafting tracks like this in the late 70s/early 80s; I mean how the fuck did the musical world go so wrong! Honestly, the slow-pacing of the band’s synth construction here seems perfectly fit for our world, a reminder that we should all allow ourselves to slow down. As the band does this, the fuzz of the synths buzz your ears, the guitar notes twinkling in the distance, creating this cavernous feel, adding a huge depth to the vibe. You’re seduced by the blanketing solemnity of the vocals, then as you reach the 2 minute mark they erupt with an almost pained burst of joy, raising the song even further. Grey Factor: 1979-1980 AD – The Complete Studio Recordings will be available on January 27th via Damaged Disco.

Stream Looking for a Sphere EP from Dippers

Leave a comment

Dippers, the band formerly known as Thigh Master, today release their new Looking for a Sphere EP, offering up a new vision/sound to coincide with the name change. The EP has two core traditional tracks, embracing slower tempos while honing in on the melodious nature in Matthew Ford’s songwriting. I love the way “Drift Space” moves, slightly opening up as drums come in quietly and notes just kind of hang in the atmosphere; it feels like something you’d have found on a K Records release in the early years. The other two tunes find the band playing with more of an instrumental approach, exploring new sonic visions as they prepared to write a slew of songs for a forthcoming long player on Goner Records. So go on then.

Peel Dream Magazine Releases Surprise EP

Leave a comment

Pad has barely been worn out on my record player, but Peel Dream Magazine has already returned with a brand new surprise EP today. To me, it completely encompasses the concept of an Extended Play, as even creator Joe Stevens claims he was able to “view these songs as belonging on Pad, were it not for the restraints of what will fit on a 12 inch.” In listening, you get two little instrumental pieces, continuing to watch the project dabble with new sound, then two more traditional tracks that continue the musical motifs present on last year’s Pad. Of course, none of this would be available were it not for the brilliant folks over at Slumberland. Happy Friday to you.; here’s Magic is Pocketed.

Constant Smiles Complete Divine Cycle Trilogy with Kenneth Anger

Leave a comment

Constant Smiles began the “Divine Cycle” trilogy back in 2017 with the release of Divine, followed by John Waters in 2019; today we get the news that the trilogy will be complete with the release of Kenneth Anger. Whereas previous releases have mostly been categorized as indie folk, the new single presents new themes, as the narrative of this record seems to be run through a synth pop lens. When pressing play, propulsive drum work thrusts you right into the core of the song; the vocals have this pleasant calm to them, contrasting the edgier musical bits, all of it tied together. It blends with the album’s themes of ritual and community and collaboration as a process of healing. Kenneth Anger is out on March 3rd via Sacred Bones Records.

1 … 312 313 314 315 316 … 1,501
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com