Author: RayRay

Have Another From Optiganally Yours

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The upcoming release from Rob Crowe and Pea Hix under their moniker Optiganally Yours has slowly become one of my favorite albums of the year. I’ve had a pre-release copy for about a month now, and I can honestly say that fans will be incredibly happy with the full album. The release date is a short few days away so it seems only fitting to tease Friday’s anticipated date with this new single “Hope in Your Eyes”. This track is a bit more of a slow burner when compared to the previously mentioned single, but it still has that unique Rob Crowe voice fitting in nicely with the playful pop sounds created by Hix. Trust me, you’ll want to pick up new album O.Y. in Hi-Fi on Friday. The vinyl from Joyful Noise is rather cheap.

Nice Guitar Pop From Clearance

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A quick search on the ATH will show only a single post from several years ago about Chicago based band Clearance. All that really means is I don’t know a whole lot about the band and can allow myself to listen to each song with fresh ears. Impressing my critical ear today is this fresh new piece of work called “Haven’t You Got the Time?”. Immediately one can compare this to something straight out of the 60s pop genre if you blended it with a few parts of more recent indie bands like Foreign Born or Fruit Bats. I’m thinking this will begin a whole slew of posts on our website featuring Clearance.

This track appears on new album At Your Leisure due out July 27th via Top Shelf Records.

New Video/Single From Slothrust

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I’ve made it quite clear over the years that Slothrust is a personal favorite band of mine. I’m not sure the band is in the “can do no wrong” category, but they are surely close. As many of you already know, Slothrust have a new album coming out called The Pact on September 14th via Dangerbird Records. We’ve already heard some music from the new album and today the band offered me this new video for “Double Down”. Some of you may have seen or heard the song already while we were holding off to get a quote from the band about the new video.

Leading lady Leah Wellbaum had this to say about the video:

“The video for Double Down is really centered around levitation and magic. Its about not knowing your own powers, and having them pour out of you in unexpected places. Other-worldly strength is going to manifest for people differently, and youve got to learn to harness it and let it feed you, not drain you.”

Gritty Pop From Vacation

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Summer presses along this week with no more soccer to watch but plenty of rocking tunes to add to your playlist. On this lovely Monday morning we have this new track called “Deflector Head” from Cincinnati based rock group Vacation. The song has a very nice, gritty, driving pop/rock sound to it perfect for your next pool party or adventure.

Vacation will release new album Mouth Sounds #2699 on July 27th via Let’s Pretend Records.

Premiere: Powerful Single From Quiet Hollers

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After many years of solid singles and releases, Louisville based band Quiet Hollers has become a true favorite of the ATH team. A quick search of the band on our site will lend at least 5 or more posts of great songs. Even after all those great tunes, I’m not sure the band has ever released a track as powerful as this new one called “Addicted”. It is of course about addiction, but more specifically opiate addiction, which is as most know, a major problem in our country at the moment. The incredibly intimate and personal lyrics play nicely with that familiar Quiet Hollers Americana, folk sound to create something truly special.

Check out some current tour dates for Quiet Hollers over on Facebook.

Nice Fuzz Rock From Sad Baxtar

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It’s a little odd that we’ve never posted about Nashville based fuzz rock group Sad Baxtar in the past, but I plan to rectify that today. Here’s a single and video for the band’s new track “Believe Me” which you should be checking out now. It’s a very nice bit of grungy, sort of 90s throw back alternative rock with a gritty female lead vocal. I highly recommend you listen to this one right now.

Sad Baxtar will release a new EP entitled So Happy on July 20th via Cold Lunch Recordings.

ATH Abroad: Secret Solstice – 2018

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It’s a crazy thing to travel abroad right now as an American with everything that’s going on (wrong) in our country. One can feel embarrassed, guilty, or even ashamed to admit your nationality while trying to blend in with the locals and keep your voice down. What better way though to bring people together, regardless of background or political affiliation, than a massive, 3 day music festival. Secret Solstice Festival in Reykjavik allowed the wife and I to act as locals while soaking up some great new Icelandic music and enjoy the weather, the food, and the culture.

For more thoughts and pics from the grounds, hit the jump.

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Burn Slowly With Dismal Thinkings

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As just about anyone knows about me, the slow burning, emo genre has always held a truly special place in my musical heart. With that said, you’ll understand my love of a song like this one called “Gone Away” from Seattle based rock band Dismal Thinkings. It reminds me of some of the best old school stuff from the genre like Mineral or Sunny Day. If you’re compared to bands such as these, RayRay is going to jam it all day.

Dismal Thinkings will release blanketfort on July 20th. Pre-order.

We All Need Slothrust

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Whew. It’s been a hot minute for me as I bounced out of the country for a couple of weeks. Now back in the country and wading through a massive amount of missed music news, not much has been doing it for me other than this new track “Peach” from our Boston based friends in Slothrust. This band has been growing on my radar for a couple of years now and this track might finally blow them open. Hey but if it doesn’t, I’ll continue to enjoy them in my secret little music world.

Slothrust will release The Pact on Septmeber 14th via Dangerbird Records.

Dan Mangan Still Has It

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Not sure why it’s been so long since I’ve mentioned the legendary Dan Mangan on our website as he’s been a busy guy over the years. Maybe we just aren’t that good at this… Regardless, Dan is currently working on a new album and has offered a delightful new tune called “Troubled Mind” as a preview of the new material. Contrary to his usual singer/songwriter genre, this track has much more of a driving rock sound to it sort of similar to something you might hear from Spencer Krug/Moonface. Though the sound is light and cheerful, the lyrics play nicely as a counteracting agent to create a balanced mood. I’m happy to say that it’s put me back on board the Dan Mangan fan wagon.

Mangan will release a new album sometime later this year on Arts & Crafts.

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