This is fine.
This seems like a no-brainer right? You gotta go see Neil Young! Well, I thought that almost immediately, but then I pondered a bit on the subject at hand, and now I’m not sure I have an answer for you, at least not one we’ll all agree upon. Read more
The ATH crew loves us some Dan Mangan. We’ve been huge fans of his since his early days and we continue to tune in when new music comes our way. This new track “We Want to Be Pleasantly Surprised, Not Expectedly Let Down” streaming for you below is planned as a 7″ single release for Dan and is surely something you’ll want to pick up on the physical release date of October 16th.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/61397947″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
A few years back, I remember that everyone was hyped up on Brooklyn’s Sunglasses, and deservedly so. But, since their self-titled EP, they’ve sort of gone missing, sadly. However, the group is gearing up to release their first full-length, Wildlife, on November 13th via Mush Records. This lead single is really busy, but I think they know what they’re doing, layering extensive sound collages/handclaps atop the song’s inner hook. It’s definitely in the sphere of poppy art-collage, but while this song is busy, I think it also demonstrates a finesse and control you don’t see from similar acts.
Download:Sunglasses – Cold Shoulder [MP3]
The following track is not like anything I’ve heard from The Babies as of late, but to be honest, I think that’s one of the reasons I’ve always enjoyed listening to the group: their sound is fairly unidentifiable. They’ve got tunes that come off as garage-rock, but they’ll mix it up with some slow-paced ballad, keeping you on your toes throughout your listening experience. This new tune begins with a bit of a wayward stomp, filled with a melodic hook that I can’t escape; of course, it also features a closing guitar ambling to wrap up the track. Who knows what we’ll get when their latest album Our House on the Hill comes out November 13th (Woodsist), but I bet it’s going to be good.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/62321781″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Ah, glorious pop music at its finest. That’s precisely what you’ll get when you listen to this brand new single from Leeds’ group This Many Boyfriends. They’re crafting this wonderful pop music right now, and there self-titled debut is coming out in stores, at least overseas, this week via Angular Recording Corporation. I can’t exactly put my finger on their sound; it’s familiar, but the vocals oddly remind me of Jeremy Jay fronting a jangling indie-pop act. Those aren’t bad things in my book, which is why I’ve fallen for this record so much. If you’re looking for something to raise your pop flag for a few weeks, then I suggest you get into the group below.
Download:This Many Boyfriends – Number One [MP3]
Pale Lights will automatically get my support, based on the fact that main man, Phil Sutton, was once part of Comet Gain…one of my top bands of all time. This new gem isn’t quite along the lines of the quirky art-pop, but it’s equally as infectious. The vocal has a deep tonal quality that while fairly distant in sound, holds onto an intimacy that makes pop fans swoon. Musically, it’s a slow paced jangling affair, with ringing guitars that craft warmth and melancholy simultaneously. You can find this tune and a few others on the group’s Pale Lights EP, which is available right now.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/43735531″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Not too long ago I brought you the A-Side from the recently released Ali Baba 7″ by Gap Dream, but now I’m here to toss up the B-Side too! I really like the way this is recorded, even if it does come across as a touch unpolished; that’s what makes it so rewarding. The vocals come from the other room, in a haunting manner, while the guitar work seems to amble slowly, with an interesting wash seem to be placed atop it all. If you’re interested in what you hear, then grab the 7″ from Suicide Squeeze before they sell out!
Download:Gap Dream – A Little Past Midnight [MP3]
Remember when I was saying the ATH crew has a major sweet spot for female lead vocalists? Well I’m at it again on Monday with this beautiful new pop tune from Village. It’s bright, it’s sunny, and it definitely has some great shoe gaze elements to it that I really can’t seem to get enough of these days. Oh and of course the lead vocals seal the deal. This tune “Nowhere” appears on a new 7″ single from the group which drops this Tuesday via Kingfisher Bluez.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/village-nowhere.mp3]Download: Village – Nowhere [MP3]
Hearing all these new tunes from Generationals really has me excited to see what they’re going to do next. This new tune shows a darker electronic tone than what we’ve heard from the duo in the past, so when they get a full-length of such sounds under their belt I have a feeling it’s going to be something everyone will use as the soundtrack to their next party. For now though, you can listen to this dark-wave gem, and prepare yourself to enjoy their newest Lucky Numbers EP, which is currently making waves at your local record store.
And if you live in Austin, the band will be coming to town at the Mohawk on November 20th.
No! Not The Nixons, just Nixon. Nixon is one of the band’s on the fantastic little label, Cloudberry Records. They’ve got a new 7″ coming out, which will actually feature more than your typical two tracks (its got 4!). This single is extremely gentle, and it goes with my mood from earlier in the weak, using a smooth guitar sound, with just a hint of jangle. On the vocals, it appears like a home recording, providing you with an intimate experience, as if your listening in private to a mixtape made by your best friend. Tracks like this remind me why I love indie-pop so much. If anything, this is going to make you smile on a Friday.
Download: Nixon – This Town [MP3]
