Wax Idols – Discipline & Desire

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wax-idols-discipline-and-desireRating: ★★★★☆

If you’re looking for a repeat of Wax Idols last record, No Future, then you should probably take a second to reflect before you press play.  There are hints, though slight, of the band of old, but Hether Fortune and her band mates have come to give you something entirely new with Discipline & Desire; it’s refreshing to see a group push themselves, no matter what the risks.

“Stare Back” immediately puts you on your back foot, opening with discordant noise and a bubbling post-punk bass line.  Fortune soon enters with an echoing wail.  The repetition of “stare back” is met each time with an emphatic drum hit.  Swirling vocals come in and out of the foreground, but what’s most noticeable is the tracks exploration into a noisier punk realm.  But, just because Wax Idols have opted for a heavier-handed approach doesn’t mean there aren’t inherent pop hooks, which you’ll find immediately following the album’s opener on “Sound of a Void.”  Personally, I love the way the guitar parts work together, weaving a pristine pop hook between the distorted wall of guitar noise.  Also, the driving delivery of the vocals approached the anthemic attitude that was present on past efforts.  They keep that attitude up with “When It Happens” by using perfectly placed backing vocals, which balance Ms. Fortune’s guttural singing.  Three songs in and you can see that despite a darker approach, there’s still a knack for infectious tunes.

I think the biggest success of Discipline & Desire is the group’s ability to travel back and forth between approachable pop and discordant post-punk.  The perfect song for that hypothesis is “Ad Re Ian,” which really lives in both worlds.  The verses are possibly some of the most accessible and poppy moments Fortune has put together under the Wax Idols moniker, but the choruses represent the band knack for blasting off into dangerous punk jams.  Still, holding through it all is this faint dreamy vocal that supersedes every established notion; it’s probably one of my favorite moments on the record.

But, if I had to pick a favorite to claim as my own, I think I’m going to stick with “Elegua.”  It’s the closest thing to a ballad that lives on Discipline & Desire; I think if also demonstrates the vocal qualities of Hether, which people often overlook.  There’s a gentle quality to her delivery, almost a whisper at times, that fits perfectly with the haunting meandering of the guitar, constantly being accentuated by firing of snare hits.  About 2.5 minutes in, the song continues to forge its own path, pushing towards a swirling closing that  really encapsulates the idea that the Wax Idols have continued to push themselves in every aspect of their sound.

In my mind, it would have been really easy for Wax Idols to retrace their steps from No Future, which I consider a great record, although having spent weeks with this new effort, I’m glad they didn’t go that route.  Discipline & Desire definitely darkens the mood at time, but the group’s ability to explore their own sound has left us, the listeners, with so much to be grateful for.  It’s angry, sometimes ferocious even, but it also has a softer underbelly that will allow this album to sink deep into your heart.

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

 

 

Country-fied Gem from Will Courtney

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will-courtney_cover-thumbIf you’ve been around the Austin music scene for awhile, then you surely heard about Brothers and Sisters, which featured Will Courtney.  The group decided to call it quits, forcing Will to go out and discover his own sound.  Based on this single, it’s going to be a folk-influenced record from a rambling man; this song features steady strumming from an acoustic guitar with careful instrumentation being used for accompaniment.  I’m really looking forward to how the rest of the record comes together; the title is A Century Behind, and it will be in your local record stores on April 22nd.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/02-Theres-No-Answer.mp3]

Download: Will Courtney – There’s No Answer [MP3]

SxSW 2013: Panels and Interviews

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One aspect that gets lost in all of the day party RSVP anxiety is the ability for peeps registered with the conference to attend panels and interviews at the Convention Center. This year, there were four participants high on my list: Rachel Maddow, Danny Boyle, Depeche Mode and Dr. Steve Weinberg. That last guy you may not have heard of before, but he is a legend in physics. I am a nerd.

Thought I would share some thoughts about each session and share a few pics.

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Jamming Out with GRMLN

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1840We’ve written about GRMLN before, but I’m even more excited about the band after hearing this latest track.  It’s a lot more upbeat and in your face, with an edgy guitar kicking off right from the start.  The vocals have this bit of power-pop delivery while the drums pound in the background; there’s even a riotous breakdown at the end of the tune. If you’re in need of a record you can just blast as the wind blows your hair back, then you’re going to want to get your hands on Empire when it is released by Carpark Records on June 4th.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/82388624″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Colleen Green – Sock It to Me

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ColleenGreen_LP1Rating: ★★½☆☆

It seems like girl pop and grungy lo-fi are some of the hippest genres at this stage of the musical world, so Colleen Green really fits the bill. Sock It To Me combines both the grittiness of lo-fi records as well as the lyricism of typical teenage girly pop all in one neat and concise package of a 10 track, 34 minute record.

At first, it may not seem to be a record that really grabs you. On the first track “Only One,” everything is there to love, but the sound may come across as a bit intangible and far away due to the synthesized backing drums, the high pitched ultimate girl vocals of Green herself, and fairly monotonous gritty guitar. The song comes across as a younger band trying to pass itself off as older. However, after the first track is out of the way, you’ll find it easier to get to know and enjoy Sock It To Me, as “Time In the World” goes along with a more youthful, bouncy vibe that suits Colleen Green better. Most of the other tracks from here on out follow this trend, which works fairly well for Green.

The album moves right along, bouncing from gritty minimalist pop track to gritty minimalist pop track, one after the other. There are certain moments that shine above the simplicity, such as “Heavy Shit,” the shortest song on the whole album. It rages through its 2:14 time, with hyper active drum machine and furious guitar in tow. Though snappily short and sweet, it is a good direction for Green; the minimalist lyrics are matched by the duration and fast pace that screams youth. However, along with this youthful vibe, there really isn’t much to offer on here lyrically, other than stereotypically whiny teenage girl problems. Which evokes some of the same basic boyfriend imagery akin to that of Bethany Cosentino and early Best Coast. That’s not to say the songs aren’t catchy or fun to listen to, but if depth is what you are looking for, you’ve turned to the wrong album.

If you can get past this lack of depth and just focus on the simple and catchy guitar riffs, then you are set to love Sock It To Me, but like other albums of this playful nature, it certainly isn’t for everyone. Some people may never be able to connect to the music here, but others may find something fun to jam to.

Don’t You Just Love Kurt Vile

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dse_9896webI just absolutely love Kurt Vile.  While some artists I adore seem to be hit or miss, this guy just doesn’t ever seem to write a bad song, let alone a mediocre one.  His latest single features those smoky vocals and light guitar sound, occasionally stopping for some careful strumming moments; I even like the stuttering vocal of “away-ay-ay-ay” that he throws in there.  His new record, Walking on a Pretty Daze, will be released on April 9th via Matador Records, and I guarantee that it’s not going to get a bad review from anyone, unless they’re crazy folks.

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

Download: Kurt Vile – Never Run Away [MP3]

More New Music from Velcro

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30916641-1I love bands who work hard to perfect their sound.  In doing so, that usually benefits us, as we get song after song of a band making their way in the musical world.  One of my favorite acts working their way up the ladder is Velcro.  It seems like they’ve always got a tune to release, and I think “Bottle Shop” really finds the band making their home.  The pace of the track is slow, with Curtis taking the stage early with his vocals being placed atop gently progressing guitar chords.  Then a female counterpart softly joins him just before the track fades out.  If you love what these guys are doing, and I do, then keep an eye out as they’ll have a new full-length coming to you later this year.

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

Download: Velcro – Bottle Shop [MP3]

Great New Single from Day Ravies

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4283719872-1Sure, you can see that the Day Ravies has some allegiance to rock n’ roll history, but that stays in the name alone.  This Sydney group specializes more in dreamy pop songs built around a steady rhythm section and beautiful bending guitar sounds.  They released an EP last year, but this new track is our first glimpse of great things to come when the band releases their full-length debut later this year on Popfrenzy Records.  This is definitely a group with a sound that’s going to attract a lot of attention as it gradually makes its way overseas.  Just be glad you heard it here first.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Day-Ravies-Double-Act.mp3]

Download: Day Ravies – Double Act [MP3]

SxSW: The Flaming Lips @ The Belmont

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Ladies and Gentlemen, The Flaming Lips.

…and Guards, Surfer Blood, Atlas Genius, Frightened Rabbit, The Joy Formidable, and Alt-J.

I told you all last year that I pick at least one night per SxSW to camp at a bigger venue. Last year, it was The Belmont for Jesus and Mary Chain. This year, same venue for The Flaming Lips. Other than a weird unannounced show, when would I get any where near this close to Wayne and the boys? …save for holding up the plastic ball thing as Wayne walks out over an audience. Add to that several bands on the rise or with a prize, some I have seen before, some new to me, and one that I was massively apathetic towards. What did I discover? Read.

Oh and a massive shit ton of photos to go with everything…

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Quiet Track from White Woods

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White Woods Big Talking Corner Town 7"I first discovered the work of White Woods when The Coathangers announced that their singer Julia would be doing a little side project.  I loved the first 7″ that came out, and this new one is even more beautiful, demonstrating how far she can step away from her garage rock mainstay.  It’s such a peaceful track, with Julia’s voice carefully laid atop the quiet instrumentation.  If you’re familiar with her main project, you’ll be amazed at such a stark contrast.  The new 7″ is up for pre-order now from Suicide Squeeze Records.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/82267236″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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