Mac Demarco – Salad Days

Mac_DeMarco_Salad_DaysRating: ★★★★☆

Salad Days marks the artist known as Mac Demarco’s third full-length record, and while cult fans will argue for this gentleman’s inherent merit from the very start of his career on Rock and Roll Nightclub. Others, myself included, are somewhat newer to the Demarco train, with Two signifying a great deal of growth to his sound. Whether you’ve been a fan from the start or are just joining in, fans new and old both agree that Salad Days is a pleasure to listen to, showing a maturation to the Hill Billy meets jangly Rock & Roll style that Mac Demarco has come to signify.

What makes this third album a hit is that is seems like everything has finally come together: the sound is polished, but is still far from prim. Take the title track and opening number for a testament to this sentiment. The record starts with the line “As I’m getting older, chip upon my shoulder,” sets us up for the combination of whimsy and gravity that Mac Demarco is bringing to the table this time around. You have the playful rhyming couplet that describes a coming of age and seriousness. Here there is a genuine juxtaposition of sound and sentiment that seem to take on the perils of life without taking things too seriously. The sound is light and airy, bouncy as it lyrically tackles not-so-light topics. There’s a tightness to the jangle of the guitar riffs that come across as a stripped down version of Weezer a-la “Island in the Sun.”

The most refined song in my opinion comes toward the end, fittingly on “Chamber of Reflection.” A tinny synth accompanies the musical elements that Demarco has already laid out for us, spicing things up and combining the jangly rock with an R&B spin to it. Falsetto vocals open up the song, and also build upon themselves with harmonies through the repetition of “alone again.” This track is a push for the overall sound that we’ve come to know, and it makes me hopeful for the future of this gentleman’s work: he doesn’t shy from growth and change, but incorporates it into his stride.

At the end of the record, you’ll definitely be ready to start it over again. What you have is not an hour-long album of epic proportion with cinematic lyrics and complicated string arrangements, but rather a simple combination of jangly guitar riffs, groovy bass lines, plain percussion and vocals that don’t try to be anything they aren’t. Such is what makes Salad Days enticing: the simplicity and ease are the centerpiece to which Mac Demarco has learned to build upon to create an enjoyable and tireless record. It’s easy to shy away from all the hype around this artist, but I invite you to see for yourself what all the talk is about.

Bouncing Pop from Honeyblood

ljc_honeyblood_001-S1-0010yellow-460x420When our friend Mike came over to the States for SXSW, he told me one of the acts I needed to keep an eye upon was the Scottish duo, Honeyblood. They’ve caught on recently, with this track below popping up on one of those big web site last week; it’s definitely an example of the girls and their catchy hooks.  They’ve got a new record coming out in July via Fat Cat; it’ll be a self-titled release. Personally, I thought their set was entertaining, but I’ll admit, this song has a whole lot more energy…making the group something to keep an eye on.

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Austin Spotlight: Even More from Ghetto Ghouls

ggAlready with two song posts on our site, I think most are aware that local boys Ghetto Ghouls have our stamp of approval.  I’ve got even more great tuneage from these guys today in the form of this track called “Simple C”.  We are yet again treated here to some gritty, rough rock n roll sounds reminiscent of some of our greatest indie rock forefathers.  Get on the bandwagon now people.

Once again you should be buying the new Ghetto Ghouls self-titled album on April 8th via Monofonus Press.

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New Music from Donovan Blanc

1495173_227447864094491_1757161589_oI’m admittedly a huge fan of the work that Captured Tracks does, be it their reissues or their general tastes in music.  Their recent signing of Donovan Blanc is yet another band that confirms my allegiance to the label.  It’s got a mood that’s crafted by the melding of the guitars and the vocals, leaving your spirits up-lifted.  The band will be releasing their self-titled debut on the label on June 24th, giving us all a little bit of something to look forward to as the summer heat draws near. There’s a simple little video to go with it HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/09-Minha-Menina-V2-1.mp3]

Download: Donovan Blanc – Minha Menina [MP3]

New Jam From Bob Mould

MouldBob, It is a common mistake, sure, but it is Mr. Gray, G-R-A-Y.

Mr. Mould is back with a song that sounds like it is twenty years old, but still fresh as a daisy. Called “Hey , Mr. Grey”, the first single to hit the intarwebs from the pending Beauty & Ruin due June 3rd via Merge Records is a quick-hitting song following a classic formula of big chords and immediate lyrics. I missed Bob during SxSW, but had a chance to briefly chat during FFF late year. He seems energized, ready to play hits.

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New Track From The Antlers

FamiliarsIf you haven’t already heard, The Antlers are back: they’ve shared with us a new single and music video, “Palace,” and have announced that their follow up to 2012’s phenomenal Undersea EP will be Familiars, scheduled to be released June 17th. The track features some of the majestically sweeping horns that we came to know and love on that previous release, of course accompanied by Peter Silberman’s indistinguishable vocals that seem to harken back to the emotional power that cut us to pieces on HospiceIt’s a stunning track that makes me anxious to hear what this band has in store for what will be their fifth full length release.

Listen to “Palace” and watch the mini-film it is set to, directed by Hana Tajima, Here 

Have Some Fun With Japanther

japanther3

Japanther is a band who’ve given us some great tracks in the past that usually show up here on ATH.  Today I have another one of those stellar tracks called “Take Me In”.  It’s a definite pop-punk number for all of you who sometimes over think your musical tendencies.  This one is short, sweet, and gets to the point quick with a track time of under 2 minutes.  I can dig that.

Pick up new album, Instant Money Magic, due out April 15th.

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New Music from Casper & the Cookies

casperOne of my favorite things about running this site is the discovery that comes with it; I always get emails from bands that I really enjoy, but knew nothing about.  The latest comes via Athens, Georgia; it’s Casper & the Cookies, who craft this oddball power-pop that really should be listened to by everyone.  I like the group’s usage of melody that goes with this opening track on their new album, Dingbats.  They seem to crash into each other while a drum beat rolls its way through the angular guitar picking, creating this little ditty that grows more infectious the more times you play it.

 

 

Fuzzed Pop from Tunabunny

tunabunnyI love the feel of this new song from Tunabunny.  It’s this really dirty version of a whimsical pop song, brimming with this fuzzy coat atop of the song.  The vocals are soft and playful, but it’s hard to detach yourself from the dark craftsmanship of the track.  It perfectly illustrates an act that continues to grow and grow, releasing four albums in four years…a remarkable feat for any act.  Their latest is titled Kingdom Technology, and it should cement the band as an act that’s willing to grow in whatever manner suits their fancy without looking back with regret.  It’ll be out on April 22nd via HHBTM Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/4-Different-Jobs.mp3]

Download: Tunabunny – Different Jobs [MP3]

 

New Music from Crow Bait

crowFriday had some great hits coming out, and I really gravitated towards this new tune from NY’s Crow Bait.  It’s got incredible guitar parts that remind me of the recent work of bands like Superchunk.  It harkens back to the days when guitars and melodic vocals really dominated the underground music scene; it’s also the kind of music that reminds us all of our youthful attachments to rock n’ roll. The band will be releasing their debut Sliding Through the Halls of Fate on May 20th via Don Givoanni Records.  Should be a blast listening to this record.

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