Fresh Track from Ultimate Painting

ultimatepaintingI don’t think I’ve met a single person who doesn’t enjoy listening to Ultimate Painting, but maybe I’ve just got really really cool friends. Regardless, a day when the band unleashes a new tune is never a bad one, so we’ve got that to celebrate, along with the announcement of the group’s 3rd LP, Dusk. On this track, the band hits you with their well-branded casual rock, steady in almost every move they make. Personally, there’s the slightest vocal inflection that raises just above the vocal counterpart during the chorus of “they’re chewing me up” that seals the deal for me. It seems so simple, yet executed so well…the kind you can only expect from a band on Trouble in Mind Records, who will release the album on September 30th.

Tom Brosseau Nods Towards North Dakota

tombroThere’s two sides to this new track from Tom Brosseau: the music and the story. Musically, I think you’ll clearly see that Tom’s voice carries the track the moment it entered above the guitar; the arrangements behind his strumming aid the song’s emotional pull, but the voice wins. Still, I’m attached to the story or the soul of the song, with Brosseau admitting the track revolves around finding familiarity for home no matter where you are. As a traveler, it’s always nice to see a touch of home, especially when you’ve been gone for some time, like being on tour or living in a different country. It’s always nice to be home, or feel home, even if you’r not there. His new album, North Dakota Impressions, will leave its mark on you September 16th via Crossbill Records.

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Omni – Deluxe

omniRating: ★★★★½

Rock n’ roll has a tendency to get stale, and the current landscape has seemed as such, by and large, until I came into this Omni album, Deluxe. Sure, there are nods here and there, but for me, the band have managed to reimagine the world of punk (pop, proto, etc) and capture it at its fascinating best.

The one-two punch of “Afterlife” and “Wednesday Wedding” set the tone for what’s an exciting listen from start to finish. Deluxeopens with a propulsive bounce, discordant guitars ringing in your ears and changing speeds via “Afterlife.” But, in “Wednesday Wedding” the group displays what’s made them wholly fascinating; this track seemingly works against itself, with stabbing chords and bobbing bass hitting in contrast to the cooled vocal punch. If you listen to the song’s chorus and aren’t in love, even though it’s brief, you’re not doing it right.

Really though, Omni have left you with what is actually a 1-2…10 punch. There’s not a bad song here, and every listener will likely find their own favorite. I mean “Wire” has this danceable stab that separates the dreamy state of the track. “Eyes on the Floor” could easily have been penned by the band’s many Aussie label mates such as Dick Diver, filled with these great guitar lines. Lately, I’ve been gravitating towards “Jungle Jenny,” which definitely seems to wear the touches of Frankie Broyles (who was once upon a time in Deerhunter). Those are just some of the standouts and benchmarks from my voice.

But, that being said, I don’t thing anyone that looks for a reason to hate something will find that within the confines of Deluxe. It excels in creativity, but is also fortunate in that there’s some brevity to the album, so you’re not worn out by anything. Each song turns and turns, leaving you flustered, yet immersed in the art the group brings to the table. Start to finish, you’re going to need to listen to this record; you’re going to want to listen to this record…and in a world of singles, that says a whole lot more than I can.

It’s available now via Trouble in Mind Records.

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Hazy Psychedelia from Golden Gate

gardengateLooks like the folks operatingthe new label Golden Brown are hitting the ground running. They’ve been tossing out singles left and right, with this new one from Golden Gate the latest in hits they’ve tossed our way. While there are elements of psychedelia lurking throughout the track (you won’t miss em’), there seems to be an underlying playfulness that elevates the track. Mix it in with the atmospheric wash that’s present, and you’ve got a track that begs listeners to focus on the song’s core pop sensibilities. Look for Dark Harvest on August 5th.

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I’d Like You to Meet Your Death

meetyourdeathOpened up our early day with a lot of the soft stuff, which I love, but man, I want you to listen to this new track from Meet Your Death. The group, composed of some heavy hitters around the Austin area, are playing this bluesy bit of garage rock, or rather, let’s just call it rock n’ roll. There’s a bit of boogie in it, and the lyrics are delivered in a matter of fact manner…and lets not forget that squawking harmonica blasting through. There’s a lot of imitators out there nowadays, so here’s hoping someone imitates this! Look for the band’s new self-titled LP next month from 12XU.

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Swinging Bit of Pop from James Leonard Hewitson

jamesWhile James Leonard Hewiston admires the anti-pop of Adam Green and the likes, his newest single seems to lay more in the vein of maybe an Albert Hammond Jr.It’s got these huge distorted pop guitars swelling to meet the turn of the vocal notes in the chorus. The lyrics themselves are a touch redundant, but they serve a purpose in driving home the message of hope that seems to hang in Lewiston’s song here. This is the first in a slew of singles James has planned for you to enjoy as the year draws to a close (we’re halfway there!).

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Brand New Cosines Tune!

Cosines press copyWhile we’re all eagerly awaiting the next brilliant LP from Cosines, the band have been kind enough to record a stop-gap EP to hold fans over for the time being. Walking the line between jangle and pristine guitar ring, this first sample is five minutes of charming indiepop; the lyrics are clever, telling the story of a couple who never seem to have quite committed to one another, despite being madly in love. Honestly, I didn’t even notice this song ran on for so long because I was so wrapped up in it…that’s the best thing you can say about a song in my opinion. Take a listen below, and go grab the Transitions EP from the Fika Recordings Shop, home to many more delightful releases.

Spend Some Time with New King Creosote Video

KingCreosote460I’m a sucker for all things King Creosote, be it his work in conjunction with other artists like Jon Hopkins, scoring soundtracks or his own work, he’s an artist I won’t hesitate to indulge. Today he released this beautiful video for the newest single on his forthcoming album, Astronaut Meets Appleman. Everything about this track, from the video to the recording has me completely sucked in; I love the slight little bit of buzz from the guitar strings as they’re strummed. His continued expansion with string arrangements broadens the song, and although I wished for a one more vocal verse, I still found myself lost within the confines of the tune. The new LP will be out via Domino in September!

Did Someone Say Peaness?

peanessThere are some really reliable record labels that probably don’t get the adoration or attention they deserve, but with labels like Kingfisher Bluez, I always go back to see what they’re working on. The label recently put up some great tunes on their bandcamp…one of which comes from Peaness. The label is releasing a 7″, and the tunes they’ve got up are catchy as anything you’ll likely hear today…it sort of reminds me of Standard Fare, using sharp guitar cuts and a great female frontiedvocal. You’ll be able to grab your own before the 7″ is released at the end of July.

Mark Sultan Has a New 7″ Coming

marksultanMark Sultan probably gets a lot of cred for his work as BBQ, the counterpoint to King Khan, but he’s a pretty solid songwriter in his own write, and rather prolific too. For my two cents, I like the soulful swagger his tunes always carry; this song has a really catchy call-and-response aspect too. Starting off with a bluesy-funk, it smoothes out into a more R&B feel, touched up with a distorted bit of garage feel fleshed out by a little late-track jam. He’s set to embark on a US tour here in a few weeks, including an August Austin date (August 16th @ Barracuda), so be on the look out to see if he’s coming to your city; this track is the B-Side to a forthcoming 7″ from Chompazoid Records.

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