Top 15 Austin Albums of 2014

Top LocalsIt’s that time of year when we all toss up our arbitrary lists of what we think is best, and seeing as we’re based here in Austin, we opted to go with our Top 15 Austin Albums first.  Why 15? Well, there were a lot of great releases all over the place, covering different styles, and appealing to our different writers. Sure, the list isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t reflect singles and EPs, as that could get entirely too crazy.  I included links to the labels so you can buy these albums from the hard-working folks in our town.  Also…there are two releases on our label, but I have no qualms about that; I didn’t set out to put out a bad LP, so obviously, they’re going to be in here.  And without further meaningless words…here’s the best records from Austin that you should already own!

Read more

Introducing Cats of Transnistria

kittiesYou know my adoration for our Finnish friends over at Soliti Music; that’s going to continue as they’ve just signed an incredibly interesting new act, Cats of Transnistria.  The group is essentially a duo, crafting this really ornate soundscape music, weaving vocals in and out, and creating this aesthetic that’s extremely hard to ignore.  This video the band created to accompany their single captures that approach, as it’s merely just a bit more than a gentle breeze that whispers through the flowers and the video’s protagonist; it fits in perfectly with the vocals.  Look for their EP in January.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/177965175″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

Another Alex Calder Tune

alMan, this track would have been perfect this last weekend full of rain, but it’s still a great little tune.  Alex Calder‘s new tune has him slowly moving forward with some densely coated vocals, while the guitar beneath struggles to stay in tune.  It’s a dreamy track, which offers you a glimpse at the softer side of Calder’s writing, with the lyrical content taking less of a focus than the emotional appeal of the instrumentation.  His new LP, Strange Dreams, will be released on January 20th via Captured Tracks…starting off the year in what he hope is an excellent way.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/167096896″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

New Music from Matthew Melton

140110-warm-sodaMatthew Melton of Bare Wires and Warm Soda fame, and currently of Austin, Tx, has made great power pop records, no matter what band he’s using.  But, he’s got a pile of recordings that couldn’t quite fit into those acts, so he’s releasing another solo record with Southpaw Records.  Our first listen to this work shows Melton displaying much of the same style he’s come to be known for, wrapping up his vocals in a guitar sound that walks the line between bedroom and garage rock.  This new effort is titled Outside of Paradise, and you can only grab it from the label or from Matthew himself.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/165310680″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Stream the New LP from Native America

grownupsFriday’s are always good for folks to stream a good record, but there are other places to get your everyday fare of tunes.  I dug a little deeper to bring you the new LP from Native America, an act I’ve written about on these pages before.  They’ve got a little bit of garage rock, a hint of swagger and a nice dose of psychedelia, all adding up to some tunes worthy of your Friday listening pleasure.  Their new LP is titled Grown Up Wrong, and you can grab it from Inflated Records; enjoy your Friday folks.

Have Some Fun with Yetis

yeddiI wanna keep you energized and looking towards a great relaxing, so I’ve got to keep our energy levels up around here, which is why I bring you yet another pop tune; this time we’ll be listening to Yetis.  The Pennsylvania group has employed their understanding of pop songwriting to grab you by the seat of your pants and get you up dancing with friends.  There’s hints of sunny Cali, which is implied by the lyrics, but those harmonies had to originate somewhere, right?  This is just a fun track to spin when the coffee (or tea) runs dry.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/169962646″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

It’s Been Awhile, Elvis Perkins

elvezHas it really been five years since we last heard new music from Elvis Perkins?  I’ll excuse the writer, as he’s not been graced with the easiest of lives, but I definitely missed his songwriting.  I love the stripped down effect that initially carries this song through, though I could easily do without some of the extemporaneous noises that fill its final seconds.  Still, there’s a familiarity and warmth in voice that’s always made his songs rewarding for listeners. He’s got a new effort called I Aubade, which comes out on February 24th via MIR Records.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/177397268″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Nerd Pop from Quarterbacks

qbsThis song’s been all over the Internet the last few days, so why not let your week get wrapped up with this undeniably catchy little bit of pop from Quarterbacks.  At first listen, the vocals imply that the track prescribes to modern jangle-pop touches, but the guitars aren’t quite that clean and angular, allowing for the band to create their own little musical space.  Honestly, the tune reminds me of the music I listened to during my early college years when I was a young uber twee fan, though the band still has tricks up their sleeve with the slow drawn closing. Look for their debut LP on February 10th via Team Love Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/03-Center.mp3]

Download: Quarterbacks – Center [MP3]

New Split from Joyce Manor and Toys That Kill

borsSome bands just get a bad rap, and you know what, shame on me.  I always lumped Joyce Manor, and Toys That Kill for that matter, in that late-wave emo punk genre.  I was a second wave emo kid, so I really just discarded it by and large, but I just got in their new split for Recess Records, and these are just some really good rocking tunes.  Honestly, I don’t even know if I’d got so far as to call them punk rock; the TTK tune almost sounds like a bar band approach to the garage stylings of Jay Reatard.  Enough about me and my half-ass assumptions; stream these two jams.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/177721852″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/177721842″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Touch of the Gaze from The Black Ryder

blackieThere are a ton of artists that have been able to rehash the shoegaze efforts, and some have done it quite well, though my ear thinks that this tune from The Black Ryder is precisely what I think of when I recall the genre.  Guitars craft this huge wall of sound that wraps itself tightly around the dense haze of Aimee Nash’s vocals.  That wall of noise echoes and rings while a deep drum beat pounds in the far off world the band created.  Look for them to release their new effort, The Door Behind the Door, on The Anti Machine Machine on February 24th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Santaria.mp3]

Download: The Black Ryder – Santaria [MP3]

1 858 859 860 861 862 1,306