This is fine.
After too many struggles with personal loss and injury, we’re happy to see that Cali band Rogue Wave are returning in 2010 with new material. The guys have apparently written what they’re calling a “dance” record that goes by the name Permalight. Check out first single “Good Morning” which debuted yesterday and find out Rogue Wave dance music sounds likes. The new LP will be out March 2nd on Brushfire.
Download: Rogue Wave – Good Morning [MP3]
In a year that offered lots of mediocre albums, 2009 had so many new records that it was hard to digest them all in due time for reviews. Yet, I always intended to touch on this album, as I’ve loved The Crayon Fields since Animal Bells came out a few years back.
“Mirrorball” made the list of our Top 50 songs of 2009, and it still draws a lot of power, months after it first hit our ears. Singer Geoff O’ Connor has a real breathy vocal projection (like a pop whisperer), one that will recall Colin Bluntstone of The Zombies for many listeners…it’s just one of the many touchstones for the group.
One thing that differentiates the characterstics on All the Pleasures of the World from Animal Bells is that there seems to be a little bit of darkness lingering beneath each of the songs. On Animal Bells, you had songs like “Living So Well,” which were full of sunny beach pop and gang vocal effects, but this doesn’t fit here. On the album’s title track, amidst singing of pleasures, O’ Connor seems sort of resigned to see the pleasures, though not necessarily take part in them. Perhaps the extra layering of instruments has made a more dense soundscape from which the band took off this round (some of the best being from the solid bass work). Just a guess.
When one comes across songs like “Celebrate” you can see how a Clientele reference might creep up in a review, but you might also note that the similarites are existant, yet polarizing. Where The Clientele often feels extremely cold, and their melodies have a sense of brooding danger, The Crayon Fields put a little bit of energy into their artistry. By this I really mean one thing: The Clientele gives you foggy melodies; The Crayon Fields blow the fog away with a touch of beach-side sunshine.
You’ll also find a lot of the guitar-work of Glaswegians Belle and Sebastian lying beneath this album. You can almost pick up on the homage being given in songs such as “Disappear” where there is a hint of swing and sway to the general atmospheric creation. It’s not a bad thing to highlight, as I’m a fan of the former band, which also probably shows why I’m a huge fan of the latter. Really, is there any ground for originality nowadays?
So, here I am, a few months after the release, though you will still find it hard to get a hold of All the Pleasures of the World in the U.S. Be that as it may, you’ll do yourself, and the dollar, justice if you go out to your local hotspot and purchase the latest from The Crayon Fields, and the last one while you’re at it.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/crayon-fields-mirror-ball-7_-version.mp3]Download: The Crayon Fields – Mirror Ball [MP3]
After a long lapse in Austin artist to watch features, we return this week with a spotlight on local band The Pons. Some of you out there may remember this band under their old name Lalaland, which was changed to the much more grown up sounding Pons moniker a few years ago. Not only did the band change their name after one release under Lalaland, but a former member also dropped off the roster to form the now 3 piece Pons. Fast forward just a bit to the new decade and the band has already released their debut LP In the Belly of a Giant in 2008 along with a few compilation CDs and mixtapes. That debut long player is an album that we are unfortunately just now getting our hands on, but better late then never they say. On the debut you’ll hear lead singer Thomas Mazzi sounding like a mixture of Jakob Dylan thrown in with a young Phil Collins. Musical stylings of The Pons are generally related to 90s alt-rock, and one can easily see that comparison after a few spins of In the Belly of a Giant. I’ve really taken a liking to the band because they remind me of a time when things were a bit simpler. When a bass, guitar, drums and some vocal harmonies were all you needed to make music. None of this backing track, electronica mumbo jumbo that we’ve grown accustomed to. No, none of that. Mazzi, along with Ruby Painter on bass and Steve Sanders on drums, create simple guitar driven jams with full, emotional and harmony laden choruses. Good shit for you simpletons. Keep an eye out for these guys in 2010 as talks of a sophomore LP are already in the works for the new year. In fact, a few rough mixes of those new tracks can be heard on The Pons EPK. Be sure to check out last single “Wherever You Are” below to decide if The Pons are for you. Also, don’t forget that the band is playing free week at Stubbs this Friday along with Leatherbag.
Download: The Pons – Wherever You Are [MP3]
So you haven’t found yourself a leak of the new Vampire Weekend album Contra yet? Well head on over to NPR for a streaming version which is made available prior to the Jan. 12th release of the album. Our amigos Ultra8201 also report that the band will be stopping in Austin in April and tickets for that show go on sale this Friday at 10am. Think that will sell out fast? Duh. Be warned that tickets are running at $25 and count me as one writer who doesn’t really think this band is worth that price tag. Maybe I’m just spoiled living in Austin… or maybe I’m right.
Denmark band The Kissaway Trail are returning in 2010 after a little bit of a hiatus in terms of releasing new material. An upcoming LP from the young band will be called Sleep Mountain and sees the light of day April 6th on Bella Union. Until that time, have yourself a listen to this new single “SDP” which will appear on the upcoming sophomore effort. The song can get a little long for my taste, but also has some really beautiful elements to it.
Download: The Kissaway Trail – SDP [MP3]
The famous duo known as Quasi are returning in 2010 with a new album entitled American Gong. This being the first new album from the band in close to four years, we are anxious to hear where things are going. Take a sample of that new direction with this first single from the new LP called “Repulsion”. Quasi’s new album hits stores February 23rd via Kill Rock Stars.
Download: Quasi – Repulsion [MP3]
The Donkeys are a band that caught our ear last year with their extremely catchy single “Walk Through the Clouds”. Building on the success of that jam and their album Living on the Other Side, the band preps a new album for 2010 with some new songs debuting on their recent Daytrotter session. One of those new songs entitled “Nu Blu Stocking” can be found below. Here’s to looking forward to more new material from this promising San Diego band.
Download: The Donkeys – Nu Blu Stocking [MP3]
We’re back, and just in time for free week in Austin! Where were we during this holiday season? None of your damn business! So as we get back into regular posting mode for 2010 let’s go over a few recommendations for you upcoming week of free shows. We’ll give you one, yes just one, recommendation for each night starting tomorrow. If we haven’t made it crystal clear already, all of these shows are completely free if you are 21+. Happy New Year!
Tue(1/5): Red 7 with Cruiserweight, Lemuria, O’Pioneers!!!, and The Anchor @ 9pm
Wed(1/6): Emos outside with Brothers & Sisters, The Laughing, Ovenbirds, Oh No Oh My @ 9pm
Thu(1/7): Mohawk outside/inside with Brazos, TV Torso, Great Nostalgic, Ume, Transmography, Daniel Francis Doyle, and Many Birthdays @ 9pm. (If you aren’t watching the national championship game of course)
Fri(1/8): Emos inside with Ume, Speak, The Authors, The White White Lights @ 9pm
Sat(1/9): Stubbs inside with Leatherbag, The Pons, and Danny Malone @ 9pm
Sun(1/10): Emos inside/outside with A Giant Dog, Bad Sports, Cause For Applause, Elvis, Red X Red M, Woodgrain, Eagle Claw, ODEZCO, and Expensive Shit @ 9pm
All times are for doors opening and not start times for music. Shows will generally start around 10pm at each venue. Please remember that this is not a complete list of free shows for the week and one can check out the Mohawk, Emos, Red 7, Beerland, Stubbs, Beauty Bar and Parish websites for a full list of shows.
During our lapse in time during the holidays, news hit the web of a new EP from Cold War Kids. The new Extended Player, Behave Yourself, is available now on itunes and in stores Jan 19th via Down Town Music. Below you can find a sample of that new EP with track “Audience of One”. Not really sure how I feel about the tune yet as it sort of sounds like piano pop music similar to your 20 year old girlfriends favorite singer.
Download: Cold War Kids – Audience of One [MP3]
Creating a Top 50 Albums list is never easy. You have to battle with what you think the world believes, and what you truly believe in your heart, to be solid jams. We have even more trouble because we have to three writers, all who have different ideas, and we have to make those ideas fit into a neat box. Well, we got it done, and honestly, our criteria was based on two things: how great we thought the album was, artistically speaking, and how long we listened to it without getting bored. That’s it. It’s fool proof; you might not like it, but it’s our list, so here it is… Read more
