Fuzzy New Single from Terry Malts

There’s been lots of great records this year, but one that’s going to be in my top five for sure come the end of the year is Killing Time from Terry Malts.  But, not a band to rest on their laurels, the group already has a new single ready to go on Log Lady Records.  It’s going to be a split affair with Dead Angle, and it demonstrates the continuous power of a Malts release. If you jam to the stream below you’ll find those fuzzy guitars and solid percussive moments that have come to define the group’s sound.  You can pick up this jam on June 12th, so keep your eyes open!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Disconnect.mp3]

 

Mystery Jets – Radlands

Rating: ★★★★½

The boys in Mystery Jets have come quite a long way, staring first with their angular guitar pop and moving forward into a full-fledged pop group.  But, with all their success, the band needed a move to Texas for a different perspective, leading to their most accomplished album to date.  Radlands, despite some roots in Texas, remains a uniquely MJ affiar, one that shows the group far advanced in their songwriting prowess.  For my ears, they’ve crafted a pop album that hits on almost every note, from start to finish, a feat worthy of high praise alone.

“Radlands” opens the album with just the echo of a guitar, soon joined by Blaine Harrison’s vocals.  It takes a moment before you hear the slight introduction of strummed guitar, which then bursts into a full-band affair.  As the guitar rings, you hear Blaine take control with his soaring vocals, but then the group settles back down to the vocal/guitar approach again; few people are making such well-crafted pop songs like this. And it doesn’t just stop here, with the first several tracks from Radlands easily being called knockout punches.  You’ll find a bit of a Texas jangle when you listen to “You Had Me at Hello,” which features perhaps one of my favorite choruses from the group’s career.  Personally, I dig the fragility in Harrison’s voice on songs such as “Someone Purer.”  He can belt out a chorus with great strength, but a great deal of his power comes from his ability to reign that in when it’s needed most.  If you’re looking for a traditional pop moment with verse chorus verse chorus, just give this track a listen to find yourself pure pop gold–it even has some “ooh oohs.”

One thing I’ve always appreciated about Mystery Jets is that while there’s some elements of high brow music, they still remain youthful and playful.  This album’s playfullness comes via “Greatest Hits.” It’s a song for writers, answering the age old question of the influences for the band as a whole; at one point, the group gives a nod to Neutral Milk Hotel, Belle and Sebastian, The Kinks and the Minutemen all in a twenty-second span.  There’s whimsy all over these tracks, which is one reason why I think the group writes some of the best pop tunes around–they’re songwriting is serious, but their heart still says music should be fun. Radlands also indicates the band’s willing to takes risks, especially when you look at the duet between Sophie Rose and Blaine.  It’s definitely a tune that seems influenced by the group’s recording in Texas, and like all songs on this record, it succeeds; it’s clever, and yet heartfelt. 

Sitting here writing this review, I’m trying to think of how to include every single song in this review, as I know I left off some hits like “Sister Everett.” But, it’s probably too long-winded to try and touch on all the highlights of this album, although  I easily could do so.  Radlands is one of the best simple pop albums to come my way in a long time.  There’s no spectacle, there’s no hype, it’s just great songwriting wrapped up in the perfect way.  For this reason, and a ton of others, Mystery Jets remain high upon my list of best pop groups; cheers to you lads.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/03-Someone-Purer-1.mp3]

Download: Mystery Jets – Someone Purer [MP3]

Dark New Tunes from Broken Water

Our friends over at Hardly Art currently have a dark soul brooding in their catalogue.  Be it Grave Babies, K-Holes or this band, Broken Water, it’s clear that there’s a love for the dark underbelly of rock n’ roll.  BW has their latest album, Tempest, coming out via the label on May 29th, and we’ve really been enjoying the jams they’ve already released.  This one’s got a classic alternative rock sound attached to it, at least in terms of the song’s construction, but with hazier vocals, you get this feeling of being surrounded by angsty music-goers in some darkened concrete venue; don’t lie to yourself, you love those places, so you’ll love this jam.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/BrokenWater_Underground.mp3]

Download:Broken Water – Underground [MP3]

Beach House – Bloom

Rating: ★★★½☆

Let’s face it, there’s no one out there crafting music just like Beach House.  That is, except Beach House.  Seems redundant doesn’t it? Well, if you’re looking for a fault on the band’s fourth LP, then it might be that the group seems a bit cornered on Bloom.  While the music itself is beautifully emotional, it’s not too far from where they left off with Teen Dream; that’s going to appease hordes of folks, but it might also leave some detractors this go round.

Beach House has a knack of opening an album with brilliance, much like they do here with “Myth.” That twinkling keyboard line complimented by the lofty vocals of Victoria Legrand demonstrate that the duo will continue to find themselves atop year-lists, with few songs capturing the eloquent pop of this track.  When the group takes a slight turn near the 2 minute mark it’s clear to any listener that few songs can eclipse this one.  Bloom is filled with similar moments like this opener, but it’s hard to top your first impression of this listening experience.

“Lazuli” seems to have a bit more sparkle to its construction, which enables the track to stand out from many others on the record.  There’s an underlying quality of brightness to this track that’s not always present with regards to the wistful quality of Legrand.  You get the feeling that she pushed herself here in the studio, and it pays off huge dividends…these are the moments you long for from a group with such a distinctive sound.  Other moments such as this one exist on the record, and Bloom succeeds due to their presence.  “The Hours” is the shortest of the tracks on the record, and its brevity definitely is filled by the group pushing for a slightly different sound, be it the vocals or the guitar work.  And near the end, “On The Sea” gives us a completely different side of Beach House, using a less electronic side of the keyboard.  Really it’s Victoria who steals the show, and while there’s still that element of smoky fuzz in her voice, you’ll also notice a songstress giving the recording of a lifetime (in my opinion).

You see, Bloom has absolutely fantastic elements sprinkled here and there for the listener, so be sure to listen to the record through and through.  However, other tracks do find the group in some middling territory, seemingly unable to escape the remarkably distinct sounds they’ve created in the past few years.  Those moments were beautiful, but at times they do come across as a bit of audio overkill. Beach House is growing here, showing glimpses of new dynamics in their songwriting; they just haven’t completely distanced themselves from Teen Dream.  For some, that’s exactly what you’re looking for this go round; others, like myself, love it, but can’t wait to see where the group takes us on the next go round.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/01-Myth.mp3]

Download:Beach House – Myth [MP3]

Show Pics: Washed Out @ The Mohawk (5/10)

Washed Out puns ruled the night as the rain came down by the bucket load. The drainage holes in the east side wall of The Mohawk couldn’t keep up and the patio turned into a shallow pool. I have to give it up for these fans, they stayed, they got soaked to the bone and they had fun.

Dog Bite was able to avoid the weather with their opening set, while Memoryhouse had to play through the worst of it.

More on the show and a ton of pics from a different view point after the break…

Read more

New Single from Hunx

The great new album from Hunx, Hairdresser Blues, has been out for some time via Hardly Art, but that doesn’t mean the world doesn’t need more reasons to listen to the whole record.  For one, Hunx’s performance at Mohawk last month found him more endearing and honest than I’ve seen him before, and the record follows along in the same tribute, with two tribute tunes (to Jay Reatard and his father) that still break my heart.  On this little ditty you’ll find Seth (Hunx) pleading for his lover to let him in to his heart. Just another great song off a record you need to own.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/03-Let-Me-In.mp3]

Download:Hunx – Let Me In [MP3]

Friday Top 5: Small Indie Labels

It’s been a good couple of years for the majority of indie labels, with vinyl making a comeback and people appreciating good music.  And while there are some great stalwart indie labels such as Merge, Matador, Slumberland or Secretly Canadian, there’s a whole other tier of labels that have begun to blossom beneath the radar.  I wanted to take the time to shine a spotlight on these smaller labels, knowing myself that brand loyalty to record labels is huge in the music industry.

As a young kid, my love for Green Day (the early years) made me a devout fan of Lookout!, which later led to my man crush with Ted Leo.  Or, we can talk about how my awkward emo  years gave way to undying devotion for anything being put out by Vagrant.  Yeah, I even bought that shitty Reggie and the Full Effect record. You see, some people will follow you as long as you’ve got their trust in what you’re putting out, so I wanted to highlight some of my favorite labels in the world.  As we start our own label here at ATH, it’s important to look around and see what makes a great label great.  So here it is, my top five heavy-hitters in the smaller indie record label arena.

Read more

Danceable Bedroom Pop from Onuinu

You don’t typically think of dance music or bedroom pop when you think of Portland do you?  I agree, but it looks like the one-man project Onuinu aims to change our minds this year.  Dorian Duvall is the man behind the project, and he’s finally going to see a full-length come to fruition when he releases Mirror Gazer on August 21st of this year via Bladen County Records.  If you listen to jam below, you’ll find yourself in that escape mentality, arms in the air as you swing your body around your bedroom.  Those are the best kind of days, are they not?

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/09-Happy-Home.mp3]

Download:Onuinu – Happy Home [MP3]

Show Preview: Black Bananas @ Red 7 (5/12)

Date Saturday, May 12th
Location Red 7
Doors 800 pm
Tickets $8 from Transmission

So Friday is for dancing, and Saturday you gotta rock.  What better show is going on in town for those needs than the Black Bananas show over at Red 7.  Black Bananas is Jen Herrema, and basically it’s RTX (her former band from her former band Royal Trux) under a different moniker; they’ll be promoting their recent album Rad Times Xpress IV, which got a lot of love from P4K.  Also, Dwarr, the bluesy metal fanatics on Drag City are also co-headlining the evening, so you’re main acts are definitely tasty, but you’ll also have the always excellent Magik Markers opening the evening.  You’ll want to get there early to witness their greatness. Have fun kids; should be a blast!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/07-Rad-Times-Mastered.mp3]

Download:Black Bananas – Rad Times [MP3]

 

New Tunes from Guided By Voices

Guided By Voices is certainly an acquired taste for many, but if you listen to this track, you’re going to have to recognize the songwriting gifts of Robert Pollard and Co. You can find the song on a 7″, as well as the new LP Class Clown Spots a UFO, which hits stores on June 12th.  In my mind, this is perhaps one of the best songs the group’s written.  For one, there’s a good solid length (something often lacking from the group) and Bob’s voice sounds remarkable here.  It’s about as simple as a pop ballad as you can get, and I’m loving it!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Guided-By-Voices-Class-Clown-Spots-A-UFO-New-Version.mp3]

Download:Guided By Voices – Class Clown Spots A UFO [MP3]

1 1,483 1,484 1,485 1,486 1,487 1,931