Bloods Release Radical Ahead of Friday Album Release

Syndey based post-punk outfit Bloods have a new album entitled Together, Baby! coming out this Friday via Share it Music. To get you even more hyped and to entice a pre-order, the band has shared this new driving single called “Radical”. It features the day in the life of Romina Pistolas (friend of the band) as she tries to adjust to a new life, in a new country, having immigrated from Chile. With lead singer MarihuzkaCornelius also having left Chile due to political exile, one can really feel the power and raw emotion behind this track.

Pre-orders for Together, Baby! are live now.

Merce Lemon Announces Moonth LP

Admittedly, Merce Lemon was not a name I was familiar with until earlier this year when Crafted Sounds sent the “Moon (Demo)” our way. But, that’s one of my favorite tracks of this year, so to have her turn around a few months later with a collection of new songs is quite exciting. I’m fascinated by how full this song feels, despite falling beneath the 1.5 minute mark. Opening with Lemon’s voice offers that songwriter vulnerability, and there’s almost just a hint of twang hanging on the notes. Soon, a steady percussive element breaks the track open, giving it sort of this rambling pop feel, raising the song’s bar even higher. Short, sure, but another bit of endearing spectacle. Look for Moonth on August 14th.

Oh Rose Share Baby

I will admit, that the “wah, wah” present from the beginning of this new Oh, Rose song might be off-putting to folks, but don’t give up, just give into the song. Singer Olivia Rose has this remarkable voice; it has this striking elegance that soars, yet is able to retreat to the faintest whisper. As you get through the song’s building emotion, the earlier “wah, wah” moments seem like a build up, and perhaps a thematic reference to the song’s title. That build up is unleashed just beyond the 2 minute mark, which is where I truly fell in love with the song before going back to and listen again and again. This tune appears on While My Father Sleeps, the new album out August 23rd via Park the Van.

Tall Juan Covers “Baby”

Tall Juan‘s recently been on my radar, and while I typically don’t run covers, I’ve never actually heard the original from Argentina’s She-Devils. Apparently the band influenced Juan with their fight for LGBTQ and women’s rights, thus he’s dedicating this song to those people in his life who face similar struggles. His forthcoming album Olden Goldies does seem to harken back to the purity of rock n’ roll, when barriers were being broken and trends didn’t hold as much meaning. Any way you shape it, seems like a thoughtful release with catchy songs, so I’m picking it up from BUFU on May 5th.

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Another Great Track from Psychic Ills

psychicFor some reason I hadn’t realized until today how much I was looking forward to listening to the new album from Psychic Ills. While they still adhere to some of the psychedelic vibes, their new effort has this sprawling country vibe to it. The edges are slightly darkened, longing, settling the listener into a vibe of contemplation as the song unfolds…slide guitar and all. The group will release Inner Journey Out on June 3rd via Sacred Bones Records, and you can bet I’ll be in line waiting to pick it up.

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Merry Christmas Or Whatever

ATH Xmas 13Did you get that Flexi-7″ from your favorite band? Did your parents discover the mp3 player on QVC? Did you make something cool for your friend, like a Willie bandana with pigtails?

Did you listen to obscure or obtuse Christmas records? I just found out Erasure made a Christmas record. It has some strange stuff on it.

Is your dog holding up to yelling nieces or nephews? Perhaps pouting in the kitchen ready for a visit from the Meat Fairy?

Are these a few of your favorite things?

Anyway, whether or not you celebrate the day, be Merry. We love you.

More Straight-forward Rock from Tribes

A short while ago we hooked you up with a jam from Tribes, the UK band who’re expected to blow up in the States pretty soon.  On March 13th the band will release their record, Baby, state-side, and I’m sure it’s going to be a polarizing ordeal.  The band stakes their claim to a no-frills rock n’ roll approach, just blasting out the jams like we all secretly want.  In listening to this song, part of me wants is singing along, tapping my feet; the other part of me is worried it’s going to get panned because it is so gimmick free. I think it’s tasty, I think it’s fun: you be the the judge!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Whenever.mp3]

Download:Tribes – Whenever [MP3]

New Rock from Tribes

Man, you’ve got to love it when a band throws caution to the wind and actually goes into the studio without a bunch of pre-programmed tracks to build on.  This is just such the case with UK outfit Tribes, who’ve just released their We Were Children EP, which is the precursor to their album, Baby, which should make its way over here in January.  From the get go, it’s got a bit of that off-kilter warble that you might remember from early Wolf Parade tracks.  Still, they have a gentler side that you’ll find a bit further along in the track, which is where they stay for the most part in the remainder of the song.  All in all, there’s definitely a bright side to this offering, so check it.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/WeWereChildren.mp3]

Download: Tribes – We Were Children [MP3]

New Music From Devendra Banhart

devandraEccentric folk singer songwriter Devendra Banhart has been a bit quiet in the music world as of late, but he’s about to release another album of new material.  His new LP will be called What Will Be and is hitting stores October 27th via Warner Bros.  Here’s first glimpse of that new album with “Baby”.  Anyone want to offer some first impressions?

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Baby.mp3]

Download: Devendra Banhart – Baby [MP3]