Have Another Sea Pinks Tune Today

If ever Sea Pinks were going to fashion themselves as post-punk(ers), then perhaps this new single is precisely the tune that would draw that line in the sand. It opens with this bobbing bass line that functions underneath a dancing guitar line, jumping in and out of the mix. Momentarily, we hit a chorus where euphoric pop moments explode through the speakers, just before the waves recede to, once again, reveal the post-punk vibel the song moves back and forth between those two movements, always on point. The group will release their 7th official LP, Rockpool Blue, on Septmber 28th via their label, CF Records.

Sea Pinks Prep New Album

Sea Pinks have always had a special place in my heart, and a reserved spot in my listening rotations…that’s not likely to change with a new album on the horizon. Our first listen is this new single below, and it feels like a matured piece of pop, which makes senses as this is the group’s 7th album. The guitar work jangles and twinkles in the front half of the track, allowing the vocals to sit back with indifference and casualness. The edgy middling section and closing discord gives the song an added kick, breaking up the tune just enough to keep the whole thing interesting. Rockpool Blue is the title of the new LP, and it drops on September 28th.

Poppy Ditty from Sea Pinks

I’ve been a long time supporter of Sea Pinks, as well as the band’s label, CF Records. Today, they quietly dropped a new single that they recently completed in their practice space; it offers a glance at a band who continue to refine their sound. Neil admits the song took a definite happy turn on purpose; even going so far as to claim that it’s best listened to whilst participating in some outdoor activity. Well, in Austin, it’s in the upper 70s, slight breeze, and perfect for a walk while jamming this tune really loud. Here’s to hoping you can find the same space/activity to enjoy your day!

Bright and Sunny Single From Beauty Sleep

unnamed (2)As I continue to bring you a few more songs of summer right before the season ends, this new tune “Living Right” by Belfast natives Beauty Sleep should fit that summer playlist. Imagine if you will Beach House had a baby with a crossbreed child of Rainer Maria and Pains of Being Pure at Heart and that’s about what we have here. Hopefully those comparisons will make a bit of sense to you music fans out there. I’m loving it. You’ll be able to download this new single from all major outlets on August 12th. Stay tuned.

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Another Hit From Pleasure Beach

Screen-Shot-2015-04-22-at-7.06.13-PMBack in April we heard this great new track called “Go” from Belfast group Pleasure Beach and the entire ATH crew became fans instantly.  Today we’ll see the versatility of this group with a brand new, and completely different, song entitled “Hayley”.  This one isn’t exactly the upbeat and catchy tune we heard in the spring, it’s more of a slow burning, crooner beauty.  For me, this is showing a band who might really have some staying power.  Continue.

Pleasure Beach will drop their debut EP on October 30th.

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White Hot Dream Pop From Pleasure Beach

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So little is known about Pleasure Beach that I couldn’t even find a Facebook Page for the group, but I can tell you that they hail from Belfast and they’ve got a sound that’s incorporates mad jangly guitars and fuzzy synths. The track, “Go,” is seemingly the only thing that this group’s put out thus far, but it’s got quite the groove to it, enough so that makes it worthy of your ears. Taking dream pop to a whole new level, the band adds surf elements into the mix and then throws in some gang vocals in addition to the yelping main vocals and winning you over with the sleek pacing of the song. Take a listen and look out for more on Pleasure Beach.

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New Jam from the Sea Pinks

seapinksLast year’s Freak Waves was one of my top albums of the year; it was such a joy that I still listen to it on a regular weekly basis.  Well, Sea Pinks are back with a brand new single for your ears, and this one will hopefully promise more great songs to come! The guitar still jangles, but it’s not as prominent this round; I feel as if the tonal quality of the guitar itself is actually a bit darker.  Of course, the lyrics are perfect, with a chorus you can sing to yourself while you’re jamming on the highway.  Support the band and go check out their BANDCAMP where you can grab their previous works and this single!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Sea-Pinks-Magpies-Eyes.mp3]

Download: Sea Pinks – Magpies Eyes [MP3]

Brand New Single from Sea Pinks!

We’ve always enjoyed the work of Sea Pinks ever since the project started, and I’m so excited they’ve got a brand new LP in the works.  In fact, it’s already done and titled Freak Waves; the record will be released by CF Records, who’ve recently put out a collection of B-Sides from the group.  As soon as the jangling guitar line bursts in from the opening, I was hooked.  But, I really like the way the vocal is delivered with the words “a pattern recognition” in the chorus; it’s the hook that made me gravitate towards this song.  Love this band so hard.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Sea-Pinks-A-Pattern-Recognition.mp3]

Download: Sea Pinks – A Pattern Recognition [MP3]

 

New Single from Girls Names

Earlier this year I raved about Girls Names full length, Dead to Me, so when they announced the release of a new single on Slumberland Records, I scrambled to listen to it.  It’s exactly what I expect coming from this group, although the guitar lines seem really clean–that’s a positive.  Deep vocals floating through it all and steady drumming build an excellent foundation for this little jam.  Between this and Sea Pinks (the drummer’s project) it seems like Belfast is under control of these lads; surely we’ll all benefit from this!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Girls_Names_-_Black_Saturday.mp3]

Download: Girls Names – Black Saturday [MP3]

Belle and Sebastian – BBC Sessions

Rating: ★★★½☆

It’s difficult to rate a release of a band which has achieved adoration throughout the independent music world, especially when that release consists of various John Peel Sessions and a live recording in Belfast.  However, the gauntlet has been layed down, thus the rating has been thrown out.

The compilations is made up of multiple discs, the first being the BBC Sessions alluded to in the title of the release.  Now, Belle and Sebastian has always been a quiet band, especially if you listen to the mix of Tigermilk or If You’re Feeling Sinister, but on this disc you will find many of the classic songs from that era, such as “Judy and The Dream of Horses.”  A lot of these songs haven’t really changed much from the original recordings, in fact, they stay exactly the same as the first time they came out of your speakers.  Still, the quality of the recording is exceptional here, perhaps even better than the original recordings, so there is something to take away.

Overall, the first disc is a reminder of the band’s distant past, as the presence of Isobel Campbell is no more.  Listeners will find beauty in the intro of “The Magic of a Kind Word,” but those sorts of reminders only show how far the band has come.  Favorites still sound wonderful, such as “Sleep the Clock Around” and “Seymour Stein.”  It’s a pleasant reminder, but the lack of variance leaves much to be desired for the most die-hard of fans.

Disc two is a live album, recorded in Belfast, which is right near Holywood, in 2001.  It’s got a decent offering of songs, though they don’t really meander far from various other live recordings that have been thrown around for years.  There are some pleasant surprises that come from the band’s past, like their covers of “Here Comes the Sun” and “I’m Waiting for the Man.”  It’s a pleasant reminder of the youthfulness the band has maintained, always dancing the night away in your bedroom speakers.   It also demonstrates the leaps and bounds the group has made in more recent live performances.

In the end, its a very decent offering of music for those who are in love with Belle and Sebastian. For those who haven’t steeped themselves in the history of the band, or are completely oblivious to their existence, they might find some value here, but all true fans know that there are much greater starting points to the history of one of the greatest bands in modern history.

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