New Jam from Surf City

surfcityFive years ago when we were just young bucks starting out on our site, we threw a small SXSW party at the now defunct ghost room.  One of the acts we were really excited to bring in was Surf City, and I’ve closely followed the group since those early days.  Through three albums, they’ve polished up their sound a little bit, bringing the excessive noise down a bit, choosing to replace it with more direct melodies.  They’ll have a new album coming out titled We Knew It Was Not Going to Be Like This, which comes out August 19th via Fire Records.  Should definitely be a good record to wrap up the summer.

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More New Music from Mozes and the Firstborn

mozesA few weeks back I brought you “I Got Skills,” a mellow jam from Mozes and the Firstborn.  Now, they’ve got another new single with an accompanying video; it has the same swagger and cool that I enjoyed from the first single.  It’s the perfect pop song, with some hammering on the keys, shaking percussion and a solid melody that harkens to sunny days.  The group’s self-titled album is out now on cassette from the folks over at Burger Records, but you can also grab it from the band HERE.  Oh, and check out the video for this tune; it’s shows what appears to be a day in the life of MFB.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/02-Peter-Jr..mp3]

 

Pleased to Meet You: Fine Steps

finestepsOne of the greatest things I remember about being a kid was following labels like Lookout or Dischord or Matador, knowing that I’d love whatever they put out.  It’s a good thing I still stick to that sort of attitude, which is why I chose to check in today with Volar Records, who’ve put out things by Tropical Popsicle and Window Twins, to name but a few. One outfit they’re working with, though I don’t know much else, is San Fran group, Fine Steps. The group released a pretty solid LP in 2012 titled Boy’s Co, but it seems they’ve got something new in the works. This song has some heavy vocals over this old school punk rock work.  If this jam isn’t making your day, then I don’t know what else to tell you, but I’m glad I stumbled upon it today.

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Pure Pop from Lost Tapes

LostTapesCover500x500-300x300Two things are great about the following track. One, it comes from the Spanish duo, Lost Tapes, who’ve managed to craft some really outstanding pop songs, which I will never tire of hearing.  Two, it’s the latest release from Eardrums Pop, one of the great small labels doing their best to promote great music across the globe. I like the bouncing rhythm of the drums, and the gliding feel of the vocals.  If you’re into this tune, you can head over HERE and grab the EP from EPop, but do the site a favor and toss a dollar or two their way so they can keep bringing us sweet tunes.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Lost-Tapes-1-War-in-The-Netherlands.mp3]

Download: Lost Tapes – War in The Netherlands [MP3]

Pop Rockin’ with Paper Lions

paperlionsWhen you first press play on the new track from Paper Lions, harmonies will inch along, precisely as they should in the best pop songs.  It doesn’t last long, however, as the guitars speed in and up the ante on the tune’s approach; it will continue to flirt with both aspects, always maintaining the infectious melody that makes the track so successful.  For those of you that find yourselves interested in this tune, and you should be, it will be on the band’s upcoming record, My Friends, which will come out on August 20th via the band’s own imprint, Fountain Pop Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Philadelphia.mp3]

Download: Paper Lions – Philadelphia [MP3]

More New Music from Coma Cinema

1881At the moment, I’m pretty obsessed with listening to Posthumous Release, the newest LP from Coma Cinema.  There’s something about the craftsmanship in the songwriting, dwelling in the same sphere as early Elf Power, where darkness and fairy tales blend with incredible pop sensibility.  On this newest single, there’s a bit of a wash over the vocals, coating them in a shroud of mystery, yet the ability to infect you with emotion still resonates in my ears. This album is one of my personal highlights of the year thus far, and you can grab your copy on June 11th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/07-B07-Burn-A-Church.mp3]

 

Soft Ballad Bonus from Emma Louise

emma_mainphoto-fixedUS.105553I’m really impressed with the growth I’ve seen musically from Emma Louise.  When I first heard her awhile back, I liked it, but it was just another great voice–that’s not the case now with her latest effort, vs Head vs Heart.  She’s got a much stronger presence behind the microphone, and I like the soulful solemnity in her voice on this bonus single.  There’s not much besides the piano and the voice, but if you listen to this track, you won’t need anything else to fall in love with Emma Louise.  Her album is out now on Frenchkiss Records. 

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/EmmaLouise_Backseats.mp3]

Download: Emma Louise – Backseats

Gritty Rocker from Crocodiles

crocsI passed on this track a couple of days ago; I’m sorry, my life’s a mess! But, now that I’m back with it, I think everyone needs to take a good listen to this new jam from Crocodiles.  This is the sort of track I expected to hear more of when the band released their last effort, Endless Flowers, though that ended up a bit too polished.  On this number, they still have some melodic hooks, especially in the chorus, but the song itself seems to ooze with noisier elements on the edges, making the track more than just some casual pop ditty. You can find this tune on Crimes of Passion, which comes out on August 20th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Crocodiles-Cockroach.mp3]

Download: Crocodiles – Cockroach [MP3]

Rocking Out with Diarrhea Planet

diarrheaSometime last year I brought you all a jam from Diarrhea Planet, and while I questioned the name, I couldn’t help but enjoy the anthemic brashness of the group’s sound.  You’ll hear just that on the group’s latest single, “Separations,” which will be on their new album, I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams.  If it sounds like this tune, then you can be sure the whole album will be filled with exuberant energy and hooks you can sing along to all day long. Perfect for summer time; the album hits late summer via Infinity Cat Recordings.

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Noisy Number from Exwife

bandshotWhen this track from Exwife begins, it seems like you might be in for a drifting bit of post-rock, featuring ambling guitars and distant vocals.  But, as it heads into the 2 minute mark, walls of distortion are inserted, then pulled back.  In the end, the song begins to fade, with atmospheric noise circling the listener’s ears as the song draws to a close.  I like the sense of brooding and danger that rides throughout.  You can hear this song on the group’s upcoming New Colors LP, which hits stores on May 28th, courtesy of Evil Weevil Records.

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