Tonight’s Show Preview: Letting Up Despite Great Faults + Pelvis Wrestley

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As the music world seemingly gets back to normal (don’t forget your masks kids!), I’m starting, myself, to scope out what’s going on in the world. Tonight, there’s a perfect “dad show” at Cheer Up Charlies featuring my favorites Letting Up Despite Great Faults and Pelvis Wrestley. Why is it a perfect “dad” or “mom” show? Well, it starts after bedtime, with Pelvis taking the stage at 9, and Letting Up hitting the stage at 10; I should be home by 11:15, perfectly sleeping until my little ones wake me up at 5:30! And, there’s an added bonus as we get to see Pelvis Wrestley, whose tape we were fortunate to help get out into the world, plus I know Letting Up Despite Great Faults has a batch of new songs they’re ready to unleash on you and me. Join me tonight, $5 cover!

Another LP is Coming from The Reds, Pink and Purples

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Somewhere out in the Ohio, Rob Pollard is cursing Glenn Donaldson; he’s wondering how he’s been upstaged by Glenn’s brilliant songwriting and release schedule with the Reds, Pinks and Purples. You see, Glenn’s climbing the mountain towards peak pop performances, having already released the stunning Uncommon Weather earlier this year. Now, Summer at Land’s End has just been announced for a February release date. While it’s clear that I’m a Donaldson fan, I think one of the things I enjoy about this first single is the space that’s left in the song; the twinkling star guitar chords hang crisp in the air blanketed by Glenn’s voice, but you’ll also hear the perfect emptiness in the tune to let your mind drift far away. Congratulations to us on getting to experience an incredible songwriter just now hitting their stride. Summer at Land’s End is out February 4th via Slumberland/Tough Love.

Levitation Reviews: Japanese Breakfast @ Stubbs (10/31)

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Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner can’t be stopped. Along with crafting JapaneseBreakfast’s brilliant third album Jubilee, she has somehow found time to score a video game and publish a memoir that became a New York Times Bestseller. So it was no surprise to hear that a morning bus fire was not enough to stop her from getting to Stubbs in time to send Levitation Fest off in style on Halloween. Hit the jump for more thoughts and photos.

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Cola Sign with Fire Talk (former members of Ought)

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Man, I’m a huge Tim Darcy fan, so hearing that Ought are calling it a day is a bit sad; the band had a solid run that I’m grateful is part of my collection…not to mention the great shows I’ve caught. Luckily, with the announcement of their disbandment comes news of Cola, a new project featuring Tim and Ben) is very much welcome on my end…particularly as they’re sprinkling it in with a new single courtesy of Fire Talk. Honestly, hearing the song and the way that it sort of feels like a meditative state feels very much like the next logical step. Hints of playing with the expanse of sonic exploration was always on the cards, but this feels somewhat leaning into that a bit further, tossing in some melodic undercurrents too to maximize the charm. This sounds like a crash between Ought and Broken Social Scene, and I don’t mind that one bit.

The Golden Dregs Share Ultimate Fighting Champion

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Benjamin Woods project, The Golden Dregs, has long been one of my favorite secrets, or at least its felt that way as I’ve continued to hold out hope that those in the States would catch onto his songwriting. Perhaps with his latest 7″ and new single, folks will dip their toes in these fine waters; one can dream. The new single has this solemnity to it, which has a lot to do with the tones of Woods’ voice. But, one of my favorite bits is this uplifting guitar line that seems to set up the chorus; you can find it hanging just underneath the mix. Plus, the chorus has these layered vocals that feel intoxicating, but also bring the song a little bit of bold bombast to push things ahead. Give these jams a listen, will ya! New 7″ is available now from End of the Road Records.

Levitation Reviews: Boy Harsher @ Empire (10/28)

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I like guitars.

Because of the introduction of technology, synthesizers, and electronic music, the 80s became the decade of exploration in music less organic. A paradigm shift happened on a grand scale in the art of music sometimes for the better, and at times for the worst. The better of that shift has quietly existed, bubbling beneath the surface while electronic music has permeated the industry on a global scale, diehard fans of the true pioneers, at the time considered underground, find themselves embedded in a resurgence of sorts. Whether intentional or not, the three artists on the bill for the first full night of Levitation Fest 21 at Empire Control Room, embody the essence and pay homage to some of the key players in that pivotal movement of music that ushered in a global shift from our analog lives into the digital world. Hit the jump for more and fancy photos.

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Alcopops Release Devil EP

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I’ve been spending quite a bit of our time covering Portland’s Alcopops, who’ve crafted this perfectly delicious little fuzz pop Devil EP; it’s out in the world now, so I wanted to revisit some of the various reasons I love it. From the first track “Sins,” you get these huge chugging riffs, though I’ll be honest, you can hear some of the indie rock history of the Pacific NW in the band’s arrangements. ‘”Seventy Two” plays a little bit softer, hanging on the band’s more melodic tendencies; I’m a big fan of the warmth of the chorus on that jam. “Try Not to Laugh” takes on a more exploratory fashion, spreading its wings and exploring the noise the band have created, with a nice little curtain of heavy vocals draped atop. Then, just like that the EP closes with “True Bugs,” featuring this huge squalling guitar that crashes into the listener in the best way possible; it’s like getting hit by a storm only you get back up and run right into it. My only complaint? There’s only 4 songs, so lets hope the group get right back to writing more jams.

Seablite Share Breadcrumbs

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We’ve been big Seablite stans since the release of Grass Stains and Novocaine, and with that, it’s been really nice seeing the growth, in both their popularity and the quality of their songwriting; the band also features Andy of Chime School, so extra bonus points on all fronts. News just hit that they’ve got a remarkable new 7″ coming out via Emotional Response, and well, this first single doesn’t let us down one bit. I love how the pounding drums open up the track, setting this furious pace behind the cascading wall of guitars; it’s creating this contrasting tension that really drives home the melodic draw. And, while they’re nice and quiet, I think the setting and tones of the vocals are spot on perfect for the band; they seem to crest in just the right spots, so hats off to the final mix master on this jam. This 7″ will be available on January 1st.

Papercuts Return with Try Baxter’s Bliss

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I can’t tell you how long I’ve loved Jason Quever and Papercuts…probably a few years before we got this whole little site going. Sometimes Jason will lay dormant, working on perfecting other people’s tunes. But, whenever he pops up out of his musical burrow, I just get these little tingles under my skin. Today we get news that there’s a brand new digital EP on the horizon, and I’m already sitting here raving about the first single. His vocal performance alone this round was enough to get me, especially the way Quever’s voice rises in the chorus, stretching his notes, almost to Thom Yorke territory. Fortunately, he’s got this solemn pop that serves as the vessel for his striking voice, creating this otherworldly drift that seems like the perfect escape from everything troubling you. The Baxter’s Bliss EP is out on November 19th, and includes a few covers (Leonard Cohen and Galaxie 500).

Weakened Friends Share Tunnels Lyric Video

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With Weakened Friends new record Quitter on the horizon in a few weeks, I just can’t get enough of the band’s new single; I’m pretty sure I’m responsible for half the plays today alone. I hate to use the cliche language of timelessness, but everything about this track is just the perfect dose of pop rock, seeming like it might just be one of the best jams to come out this year. There’s something about Sonia’s delivery of her vocals that’s effortlessly distinctive; it seems biting yet somehow punches you with this melodic hook. I mean, I dare you turn away from this chorus and not fall absolutely in love. This is how all pop rock should be written. Definitely ready to be the old guy at the show full of youngsters screaming along at the top of their lungs to this jam! Quitter is out November 19th via Don Giovanni/Big Scary Monsters.

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