Pure X – Crawling Up the Stairs

Pure-X-Crawling-Up-The-StairsRating: ★★★½☆

When Pure X made waves with Pleasure, you knew that it would be easy for the group to go back into the studio and rehash that same old sound.  But, Crawling Up the Stairs definitely isn’t the same LP; in fact, while still bearing the mark of their early work, you find the group gradually coming out of their haze, creating a dramatic pop record that sees the band foraging into a world all their own.

Opening up with the titular track seems like a nod to the band’s past.  It begins with just light touches of noise, making way for Nate Grace to make his vocal appearance, virtually untouched, yet moments later he sinks back beneath waves of varying atmospheric/musical touches, all as the track gently fades away.  It set’s the stage for Crawling Up the Stairs, but it’s “Someone Else” that really breaks open the door.  Guitar chords trickle, and there’s very light percussion, while Grace operates between operatic crooner and throat-y troubadour.  It’s weird, but even though it plays a small part, the guitar sound on this tune is my favorite thing, once again illustrating how the careful touches of Pure X put a stamp on their sound.

There are definitely some songs throughout this release that I can see as grating, such as the pitch on “I Fear What I Feel,” which is purposefully out-of-key, yet still fits into the song.  But, when the vocals are executed perfectly, the tunes are enchanting.  One listen to “Things in My Head” and you will see precisely what I’m talking about; this track features a warmer tone on Nate’s voice, while the accompanying music wraps the voice in politely trickling guitar work.  Just a note: this is my favorite jam on the LP. Of course, some of the grating moments are pretty special, in so much as they evoke the emotional pull from the audience like the straining vocal on “Shadows and Lies,” which is where I think a lot of people are seeing the Conor Oberst connection.

For my ears, I think one of the remarkable things about this record is that it hold true to the sound Pure X established a few years back, but it’s pulled back the layers to reveal a shimmering pop sound. Those elements always lurked in the shadows on Pleasure, but we were all amazed at the way the atmospheric elements.  Now, the band has scrubbed themselves clean, leaving you with floating gems like “Thousand Year Old Child,” which still has a bit of that noise factor. In making nods to the early days, the band can hold onto old fans, but still push themselves creatively into their own future.  Such things are what makes Crawling Up the Stairs another hit from this Austin trio.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Pure-X-05-Things-in-my-Head.mp3]

Download: Pure X – Things in my Head [MP3]

 

More New Music from Coma Cinema

1881At the moment, I’m pretty obsessed with listening to Posthumous Release, the newest LP from Coma Cinema.  There’s something about the craftsmanship in the songwriting, dwelling in the same sphere as early Elf Power, where darkness and fairy tales blend with incredible pop sensibility.  On this newest single, there’s a bit of a wash over the vocals, coating them in a shroud of mystery, yet the ability to infect you with emotion still resonates in my ears. This album is one of my personal highlights of the year thus far, and you can grab your copy on June 11th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/07-B07-Burn-A-Church.mp3]

 

Soft Ballad Bonus from Emma Louise

emma_mainphoto-fixedUS.105553I’m really impressed with the growth I’ve seen musically from Emma Louise.  When I first heard her awhile back, I liked it, but it was just another great voice–that’s not the case now with her latest effort, vs Head vs Heart.  She’s got a much stronger presence behind the microphone, and I like the soulful solemnity in her voice on this bonus single.  There’s not much besides the piano and the voice, but if you listen to this track, you won’t need anything else to fall in love with Emma Louise.  Her album is out now on Frenchkiss Records. 

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/EmmaLouise_Backseats.mp3]

Download: Emma Louise – Backseats

Gritty Rocker from Crocodiles

crocsI passed on this track a couple of days ago; I’m sorry, my life’s a mess! But, now that I’m back with it, I think everyone needs to take a good listen to this new jam from Crocodiles.  This is the sort of track I expected to hear more of when the band released their last effort, Endless Flowers, though that ended up a bit too polished.  On this number, they still have some melodic hooks, especially in the chorus, but the song itself seems to ooze with noisier elements on the edges, making the track more than just some casual pop ditty. You can find this tune on Crimes of Passion, which comes out on August 20th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Crocodiles-Cockroach.mp3]

Download: Crocodiles – Cockroach [MP3]

Rocking Out with Diarrhea Planet

diarrheaSometime last year I brought you all a jam from Diarrhea Planet, and while I questioned the name, I couldn’t help but enjoy the anthemic brashness of the group’s sound.  You’ll hear just that on the group’s latest single, “Separations,” which will be on their new album, I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams.  If it sounds like this tune, then you can be sure the whole album will be filled with exuberant energy and hooks you can sing along to all day long. Perfect for summer time; the album hits late summer via Infinity Cat Recordings.

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New 80’s Surf Rock From Jay Arner

jay_arner_coverJay Arner is a guy who has paid his dues in the indie world under a multitude of monikers and many many roles.  He’s now taking his musical venture into the solo game with a self-titled debut album due to drop on June 25th via Mint Records.  First taste of the new material “Midnight on South Granville” is found below and conveys a message of 80s synths mixed with surf rock guitars.  I’m excited about the new solo album.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/01-Midnight-On-South-Granville-mastered.mp3]

Download: Jay Arner – Midnight On South Granville [MP3]

Majcial Cloudz – Impersonator

Majical-Cloudz-Impersonator2Rating: ★★★★☆

Occasionally a voice is so striking, so brave, that it’s virtually impossible to ignore. From the moment you press play on Impersonator, you’ll find that you, too, are unable to turn your back on Devon Welsh.  His Majical Cloudz project is possibly not the most musical piece out there, but that voice will forever brand itself into your subconscious.

The title track from Impersonator sets the tone for your listening experience immediately; it has a light atmospheric wash and some vocal samples spun in reverse, all before Welsh makes his first appearance. “I’m a liar, I say I make music,” might resonate at this point, but his work within the realm of his vocals is so striking that your intrigue will win out, pushing you onto the next track.  “This Is Magic” ups the musical ante, utilizing a light pulse in the distance to make way for Devon to forever cement his voice in your life.  Within the first few lines, he comes in deep, then let’s the vocal soar to loftier heights, quietly repeating syllables.  There’s no going back.

Majical Cloudz isn’t a project that needs much more than just stripped down accompaniment to set the stage for everything in between.  On “Bugs Don’t Buzz,” the hammering of chords sets a stark tone, and besides the heavenly performance from Welsh, you won’t get too much more.  At times, his companion in arrangements, Matthew Otto, turns up some ambient noise, and it perfectly accentuates the performance, or clears space for re-introduction.  And then it’s gone. It’s over. Yet you quickly go back to check yourself, wanting to be sure that the moment you just experienced lives beyond a snapshot in the past.

One of the things I like about Impersonator is the self-deprecating seriousness of Welsh.  It’s clear at a certain point that he doesn’t entirely take this project, or at least the lyrics, as seriously as one would expect, considering the musical approach.  There’s a childishness, or perhaps a bit of whimsy that enables your ears/heart to attach themselves either to the vocal or the lyric, which happen to be two very different things. Simplicity is rarely as successful as it is throughout the entirety of this album, and you won’t be able to escape the pleasure, as it provides an absolute clarity that benefits the entire listen.

I can’t explain Impersonator to anyone; it has to be heard in order to be completely understood.  It’s existence, in a musical landscape burdened by “lo-fi” or “noise rock,” is extremely refreshing.  Each track begs to be heard, and in fact, deserves to be heard; you’re not going to find a song that’s worthy of skipping throughout.  Yes, in the end, Devon Welsh and his voice will be the force that wins you over.  But, the concept and the execution are so perfect that you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything this year as endearing as this release from Majical Cloudz.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/majical_cloudz_childhoods_end.mp3]

Download: Majical Cloudz – Childhood’s End [MP3]

Noisy Number from Exwife

bandshotWhen this track from Exwife begins, it seems like you might be in for a drifting bit of post-rock, featuring ambling guitars and distant vocals.  But, as it heads into the 2 minute mark, walls of distortion are inserted, then pulled back.  In the end, the song begins to fade, with atmospheric noise circling the listener’s ears as the song draws to a close.  I like the sense of brooding and danger that rides throughout.  You can hear this song on the group’s upcoming New Colors LP, which hits stores on May 28th, courtesy of Evil Weevil Records.

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New Music From Shark Week

sharkweek_promo_webBack in November, I developed a man music crush on D.C. based Shark Week and their garage rock infused music.  Furthering my fandom of the group is this new song “Go West” that sort of infuses a doo wop vibe at the beginning before getting down and dirty with the familiar garage rock sound.  Anyone smart enough to see the band during SXSW, can attest that the sound translates really well in the live setting as well.  I’m expecting big things from these guys.

Make your way over to Analog Edition to pre-order a new 7″ from Shark Week due out July 30th.

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Black Moth Super Rainbow Ticket Giveaway + Show Preview

imagesMan, it seems like there’s a whole lot of shows coming our way here in Austin, and we’re back with a chance for you to win a pair of tickets to an exciting show over at the Mohawk next Tuesday.  Black Moth Super Rainbow will bring their experimental pop tunes our way, still riding the praise from their latest album, Cobra Juicy.  They’ll be joined by the Hood Internet, so you know that everyone’s going to have a blast just by being in attendance, let alone enjoy some great tunes.  All you have to do to win a pair of tickets is leave a comment with a number between 1-1000; the contest will end Friday at Midnight.  If you want tickets the traditional way, you can head HERE.

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