Another Single from Alex Maas

Three singles into the new Alex Maas record, and this is by far the one that will stand out to me before I go and listen to the Black Angelssinger’s solo record. On first listen, there’s this reverberation through your speakers, almost sort of allowing the notes a bit of levitation just outside your ear. On my end, I’m giving my appreciation to the intimate folky nature of the track; it’s as if the song was meant to serenade the masses before a worker’s march…perhaps tying into Maas reflections on looking inside society for a bit of good. Luca is out on December 4th via Innovative Leisure.

Alex Maas Shares American Conquest Video

Today seems a fitting day to share the new video from Alex Maas of the Black Angels, as the track revolves around the issue of shootings, which is surely an idea for those walking into polling stations. The song is sort of a seance, a contemplative track matched by a colorful video, lulling you into the mystery and the message. But, despite that ominous feel of the song (and of today) Maas assures us that “there’s a lot of good in” the world as a whole, so we should celebrate those moments, and use art to focus on the changes we can make elsewhere. Or maybe that’s how I see it. This song features on Alex’s new solo LP, Luca, out December 4th via Innovative Leisure.

Alex Maas Announces Solo LP

I feel like many folks listening to the Black Angels all these years will be quite taken aback by Alex Maas‘ solo work, and while I love BA, I think I might even love this better. It has this nostalgic pop sound, the sort that filled every room of my home as a child (thanks Dad!). There’s still this sort of foreboding in his vocals, and perhaps in some of the lyrical content of this particular track, though the music definitely seems uplifting. Every moment here feels like its being painted with these huge sweeping brush strokes, leaving classic pop sensibility on the sonic canvas. Pretty powerful stuff. Luca is out on December 4th via Innovative Leisure.

Elephant Stone Scores Psych Rock Winner

elephantstoneI’ve got several Elephant Stone albums hanging around in my iTunes, so when a new track comes across my desk, I’m destined to post it. For my two cents, I think the band have expanded their sound here, adding a synthesized touch to their classic psych rock sound. This track gets a further boost for us Austin folks as it features Alex Maas from Black Angels, and again, it adds another layer to the band’s well-crafted sound. As of right now, this is just a one-off single, but as the band embarks on a short WestCoast tour, we can be assured that more is soon on the way…or so I hope.

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FT5: New Austin Music Icons

0403top5cover1As we are well into the year 2009, it’s time we take a good look at what makes the Austin music scene work so well.  We’d like to say that it’s us, but we know that a whole lot more goes into the scene than the many writers and fans in the city limits.  Instead, we turn your eyes to those Icons, those heralded heroes of our town; the ones that make it all run so smoothly.  Be it a musician or producer, these are our favorite Austin Icons.  We also excluded those who made Austin music famous, and then left the town for not-so-better waters. Yea, I am looking at you Britt Daniel! Why did you leave us? Just for that, you aren’t an Austin Icon; these next five characters are!   Not only that, but these aren’t your grandparents Austin Icons.  This isn’t Stevie Ray playing guitar, nor is this the Janis playing at Threadgills; these are your new Icons, paving the way for the new artists and the new scene!  Follow the jump for our top 5 new Austin music icons.

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