This is fine.
I hadn’t really been out and about, at least not to a proper show, since SXSW. But, with the Brooklyn act, Caveman, coming to town with their friends Pure Bathing Culture, I thought it would be the perfect time to venture out; it didn’t hurt that they bands would be playing at the Parish, which always has great sounds.
Read on for my thoughts on the bands and your typical excellent shots from B. Gray.
You know I have a penchant for really great jangling pop music, so it’s no surprise that my introduction to Hanna Cash encouraged me to share it with you. The guitars on this tune have a nice ringing quality, while the drums steady the pace. All the while, you’ll find the lyrics soothing, almost yearning for you to fall in love here. Oh, and did I mention that the band is from Manchester, so their sound will continue to grow, backed by a huge history that continues to leave us with endearing bands.
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Is there another lady that works as hard as Rose Melberg? I’m thinking know, especially now that I discovered this new band she’s working with via Bloodbuzzed. PUPS just put up their self-titled EP last week for the NYOP fee (remember not to rip off your favorite artists). I’m really impressed with the drumming on this tune, not to mention the refreshing vocals; it’s amazing how the tightly sloppy drumming can work so well with the quality of the voice. You definitely need to spend some time today falling in love with this track, as you’ll be better off for it.
Download: PUPS – Take Your Shoes Off [MP3]
Cloudy days always seem to go one or two directions, musically speaking. I can delve into my sad bastard catalogue, or venture about for some good old fashioned pop gems. I’m going to do both, but I’m going to share this new Songs for Walter track in hopes that it will pick you up today. Main man Laurie Hulme has a great voice to accompany his pop balladry, and he’s agreed to release a song a month until his next proper full length is ready. I like the light instrumentation here, with the crisp string sound really doing its job to win me over. Pay attention to his label, Bleeding Gold, as they’re likely to keep you in the know about future single and that full-length right around the corner.
Download: Songs for Walter – Family Hold Back [MP3]
It’s amazing to me what the recording process has evolved into over the last several years, allowing one man to really do all the work on his own, much like Victory, the project of multi-instrumentalist Robert Fleming. His new record, Victory is Music, will be out on April 23rd and it’s filled with catchy hooks and straight-forward pop tunes. The newest single “Woman” has some vocal inflections that come across as stuttering pop perfection; I also like the fuzz on the guitar. Something about this jam reminds me of Britt Daniels, so that can’t be a bad thing now can it? Try it on for yourself.
Download: Victory – Woman [MP3]
If you’re looking for something special to get your hands on this week then I suggest you pick up the new album from Gun Outfit; it’s titled Hard Coming Down and it’s seeing release from PPM Records. One listen through and you’ll definitely get the picture of where this record is going to go, knocking back guitar licks with a bit of nostalgia, as well as some exploration into working with negative space within a tune. I get the impression that the group listened to a lot of Build to Spill records when their Sonic Youth albums had been worn out. I think you’ll all have fun listening to this new LP.
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My first foray into attempting to play music began as a young lad on the piano, so it makes sense that I’ll always gravitate towards pop songwriting that centers, or is guided by, piano tinkering. That’s much the case with this new song from Nick Jaina; he’s spent a lot of time composing for ballets and films, so his attention is always there with the finer details. But, don’t expect this to be some grandiose orchestral affair; his new album Primary Perfections seems to be a jaunt in the direction of more modern indie pop. It’s good songwriting, simple as that.
Download: Nick Jaina – Don’t Come to Me [MP3]
I always have this preconceived idea about Athens, Georgia, at least in referencing the city’s musical history. But, with bands like Twin Tigers and now pacificUV coming into their own, perhaps my ideas will begin to change a bit. This tune has a hypnotic electro beat that just grooves the whole way through. You’ll also find some rad interplay between male and female vocalists that really ups the ante on mass appeal. The band has a new record titled After the Dream You Are Awake, which comes out on May 14th via Mazarine Records…but if you can’t wait, they have a sampler HERE with a few new tracks, as well as some of their other career retrospective tunes.
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Austin’s music scene isn’t the easiest to break into, let alone stick around in, but Marmalakes have been holding their own for some time. What bodes well for the group is this ridiculously great new single that they just released over the weekend. It starts with this bouncing bass line that gives great tempo to the group’s blend of folk and pop. Personally, I like the changing in tempo that comes in and out of the song, especially the quick to soft to quicker that closes this jam out. One of Austin’s best acts just keeps getting better. Get in on it now.
Download: Marmalakes – Wells [MP3]
Good Friday. Slow Friday.
How about a little something you might have missed post? Well, don’t mind if I do do. Take a listen to this lovely track by Fol Chen off the album The False Alarms on Asthmatic Kitty. <- one of my favorite label names Hang with it through the lead in…
BTW, there will be a couple more SxSW related posts from this kid next week. Not done yet. Nope, not me.
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