Catchy Tune From Crushed Stars

CrushedStarsAs we end our Monday together, have yourself a listen to this catchy new number called “Flowerbomb” coming your way from ATH approved band Crushed Stars.  I really dig the fresh poppy sound here that is a bit of a change in sound from the artist.  The more mellow style was always great, but I’m enjoying the change in direction to a more engaging style.

New album, Farewell Young Lovers, is due out January 21st.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1FlowerBomb.mp3]

Download: Crushed Stars – Flowerbomb [MP3]

Great New Track From The Sweet Serenades

the-sweet-serenadesSwedish band The Sweet Serenades is a group that I’ve been following over the last few years and have never really understood why they don’t have more of a following here stateside.  If I had to guess, I’d say that maybe the songs aren’t quite edgy enough, or maybe the sound wouldn’t be considered that “unique”.  I personally think that’s a great thing, because to me, simple and straightforward pop music can sometimes be a welcome and fresh sound in our constantly contemplative and over analyzed indie music scene.  Great pop music is just great pop music in the end.  I think this new jam “Take it All” is yet another great and simple pop number from a band that has been pumping out tunes like this for over 3 years.  Don’t over think it, just enjoy some quality music.

Check out new album, Stand By Me, on November 15th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/114877356″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Black & White Years Return

The Black And White YearsIt’s been quite sometime since we’ve heard from local boys The Black & White Years.  Today we heard through the wire that the band have recently finished a new album for a planned release early next year.  Prior to that date, the band are sending out this new track, “Little One”, to drum up some publicity for the new album. When I hear the track, I think, “yeah that’s the Black & White Years”.  What does that mean exactly?  To me, the band has made a name for themselves as a dance-pop, almost experimental electronica sounding band, and that’s what I hear on this tune.  Count me in.

Get your hands on new album Strange Figurines on January 10th via Modern Outsider.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/LittleOne.mp3]

Download: The Black & White Years – Little One [MP3]

Hushed Beauty From Message To Bears

message-to-bearsBristol based Jerome Alexander, also known as Message to Bears, just sent out this new track called “Moonlight”.  I’m really enjoying the mellow, beautifully crafted hushed sort of sound being created here.  It may take for some time for you to get into this one, but I’m betting that you will find something to love about the tune if you give it some time.

Jerome will be releasing new album, Maps, on November 12th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/MessagetoBears-Moonlight.mp3]

Download: Message to Bears – Moonlight [MP3]

Cate Le Bon – Mug Museum

cate_le_bon_mug_museumRating: ★★★★☆

This record feels more 1973 than 2013 and I love it.

Cate Le Bon may not be for everyone, but I think a lot of people are going to “get” Mug Museum. It’s quite a multifaceted record. Musically, Mug Museum is highly unpredictable, shifting between jangling chamber-pop and early indie rock with plenty of twists. Over all of this, Le Bon alternates between her sullen, jazzy low register and a strange, theatrical falsetto.

Although Cate Le Bon is from Wales, she recorded Mug Museum with Noah Georgeson (Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart) and Josiah Steinbrick in LA. The result is definitely her best sounding record to date, and one that still feels definitively British (partially due to Le Bon’s prominent Welsh accent).

Mug Museum is more instrumentally varied and more densely constructed than most of Cate Le Bon’s previous work. Smooth organs and synths set the tone for many of the more downbeat tunes such as “Mirror Me”. Assorted pianos, drums and horns fill in the gaps elsewhere. Great bass lines abound throughout the record, especially on “I Think I Knew” and “Sisters”.

Cate Le Bon is a supremely confident vocalist, holding her notes perfectly even when they’re not quite right. There’s something approaching ennui in her voice that reminds me strongly of Nico, although I think Le Bon is a more talented singer. Despite the fact that she writes all of her own songs, Le Bon has a very distant, detached way of delivering her lyrics. “I forget the detail but know the warmth,” she sings in the title track, and her music tends to make me do the same.

For the most part, this is a very easy album to listen to. Still, there are challenging moments like the one at the end of “Duke” when Le Bon pushes her voice past its upper limit in an almost comical way. The guitar work throughout Mug Museum is artfully careless, and it reaches its logical conclusion on the latter half of “Cuckoo through the Walls” in a mess of twangy noise and dissonance.

The title track, “Mug Museum”, is the slowest, jazziest tune on the album, and definitely my favorite. Give it a listen if you’ve got the time. “Mirror Me” and “Duke” are also worth checking out. Actually, just listen to the whole thing… It’s worth it.

New Jam from Doug Tuttle

TIM065.Doug.Tuttle.LPjktYou might recognize Doug Tuttle as one of the members of MMOSS, but you’re going to find a bit of a different feeling when you delve into the music he’s created under his own name.  I can still hear those sunny harmonic elements that were turned upside down with psychedelia, but there’s more of a focus here on the emotive pull that’s created by the percussion and the gentle vibe of the vocals.  You’ll also find a soloing guitar that works itself through the middle of the track, perhaps allowing Tuttle to hold onto his more experimental touches.  It’s a nice solid number, and you can grab it off his self-titled record, which is being released by Trouble in Mind Records on January 28th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/115962200″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Another Gem from Jeremy Jay

JeremyJayLondonTreesYep, the last few months have scattered hits from Jeremy Jay, and this one is another that spread around yesterday.  But, I don’t care; Jeremy’s been really kind to us, and really important to my listening habits over the last several years, so I’m going to give you yet another new tune.  This track appears on Abandoned Apartments, which comes out on January 21st via K Records.  It’s a song that fits in perfectly with the record, and it’s definitely one of the standout tracks.  He’s pulled back a bit on the electronics, hiding them lower in the mix, which allows listeners to really connect with his striking voice.  Personally, I like the discordant noise push that comes in the latter half of the song, but anything he touches is likely to make me happy.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/117658133″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Pop Rocking with Midnight Reruns

midnight rerunsToday’s my Friday. I’ll be off all weekend enjoying our little Fun Fun Fun Festival, so obviously I’m out to get my spirits up. One way I’ve been getting my spirits up lately is by jamming to “King of Pop” by Midnight Reruns. Unfortunately, this isn’t your ode to MJ, but rather Paul Collins, who won my heart over too with his work in The Nerves. You’ll probably benefit most by turning your speakers up way loud in order to get the most out of the sugary sweetness that’s inherent in this song. Their self-titled album is out next week on Good Land Records, so I figured it was best if you knew now.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/02-King-of-Pop.mp3]

Tycho Is Playing Fun Fun Fun Fest

TychoMOAR FFF8

Tycho is on my rainy-day-artists list. I have been able to listen to Tycho more in the last month and half than the last year and a half. Yes, we need it. Fortunately, we are getting a lovely break in the wet stuff for our festival this weekend.

Scott Hansen is Tycho. Tycho is playing on the Blue Stage on Saturday @ 6:20pm.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/115300435″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Bubblegum Lemonade Tune

popChristmas has come early! And so has the new Bubblegum Lemonade record!  The band has been hard at work on their next LP, and while we expected it at some point this year or earlier next, news came today that their new LP was already in from the plants, so why not share the great tune with you all? Laz has been working effortlessly, and each new release sees his music grow; it’s great to see a musician progress so wonderfully.  If you’re not digging the guitar work here, then you’re probably not an indiepop fan.  And that’s okay, but you should really spend just a short bit of time with this tune.  Like all tunes from the act, you’ll find it hard to ignore the splendor of a songwriter at the top of his craft. Some Like it Pop will be available next week from Matinee Recordings.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/118627169″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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