New Old Tune from La Luz

3063780113-1Why post a new old tune from La Luz you say? Well, for starters, this is a solid jam.  But, it’s also to celebrate the cassette release of Damp Face via Burger Records today!  I first caught wind of the group via Finest Kiss, where the good people go, so I’m glad to share this opening tune with you today.  There’s a dream quality to it, with a surf-pop underbelly.  But, if you’re asking for my two cents, which you may not be, there’s a sultry side that wears more of a reflective R&B tone.  Make sure to check in with Burger, as they’ve got tons of hits coming your way this February.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LaLuz_CallMeInTheDay.mp3]

Download:La Luz – Call Me In The Day [MP3]

Slacker Pop from Bitch Prefect

Our friend Toby over at Finest Kiss just ran a great re-cap on an article that ran over in Australia highlighting all the excellent bands working in Melbourne area.  There’s tons of great artists on the list, but one that I’ve taken a liking to is Bitch Prefect.  My ears can see The Clean reference from the write-up, but I also think it speaks to the approach many of the acts overseas have taken, seeming to maintain a certain nonchalance about their writing and recording.  That’s probably not the case, as the songs on the group’s Big Time LP from Bedroom Suck Records are too good to be taken lightly.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/45570463″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Killer Pop Tunes from Zebra Hunt

You’ve gotta depend on your Internet friends when it comes to discovering the scene across the country, so I’m glad Toby over at Finest Kiss in Seattle turned me onto this band Zebra Hunt. The three-piece outright definitely has some Oceanic hints in their works, but I also see a modern bent in the recording process, allowing for the central melody to really burst through here. They’ve got a short little EP that you can download for free over at their BANDCAMP page, and I promise you’ll be spending the rest of your day listening to these three gems.  Have fun here folks.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Zebra-Hunt-Zebra-Hunt-01-Half-Right.mp3]

Download:Zebra Hunt – Half Right [MP3]

The Intelligence – Everybody’s Got It Easy But Me

Rating: ★★★★☆

It’s been almost two years since Males, the last record from the Intelligence came out, so I of course welcomed a return to the fold with Everybody’s Got It Easy But Me (In the Red Records).  It’s all over the place, in the best way possible of course, giving listeners everything you need to enjoy listening to an album from start to finish.

Listening to “I Like LA,” the album’s opener, I feel as if group leader Lars is having a pleasant go with the listener, slowly introducing himself to the world all over again; for the most part, it is an introductory type song, that is until the band joins him in a heavy-handed rocking until the end.  Oddly, it’s the diversity of this track that really sets the scene for the rest of Everybody’s Got It Easy But Me. Just as soon as you think you have the feel for what the group’s doing, you get the jittery “Hippy Provider;” it’s short and jagged, but it’s the sort of song you expect to see hordes of fans pogoing about in their favorite club.

It all seems like fun and games for the Intelligence, until you arrive at “Techno Tuesday,” the group’s latest single.  It’s not your conventional hit, but I feel that it is one of the more accessible tracks the group’s written to date; the heavy strumming with Finberg’s vocals floating over is perfect for fan’s of early Shins–even has a similar bounce.  It’s similar to the garage ballad that comes later via “Little Town Flirt,” which is a Del Shannon cover–it also features Shannon (of Clams and Hunx/Punx fame).  Throwing these sorts of mellower tunes definitely propels the record’s longevity, breaking things up for the audience.

Of course the meat and potatoes of Everybody’s Got It Easy But Me has to be the edgy rock leaning of the band.  You’ll find it lurking in the stylistic approaches of all the songs, but the power lives in songs like “(They Found Me in the Back of) the Galaxy.  While it starts off with a similar riff (one of my few complaints about the record), the guitar work throughout provides a sense of creativity and juxtaposition, all the while sounding as tight as you’ve heard the group.  These are the sort of attributes the Intelligence is known for, and they’re exhibited left and right on this effort.

By the end you’ll find yourself with two long-ish jams, with “Fidelity” remaining my personal favorite. Sure, the lyrics define some of the heartbreak Lars has endured, but the emotional quality of the song supersedes the thematic element.  Eventually, it blasts off into sort of a cacophonous melody, hopefully highlighting a transcendence for Mr. Finberg.  It’s precisely the type of bookend you need for a great record, again recapping the diversity that lives within.  Everybody’s Got It Easy But Me is filled with artful rock n’ roll, but there’s enough of a mixture that moves the group beyond falling into the trap of sounding too redundant.  I’m sure after your first listen, you’ll feel the same.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/08-They-Found-Me-In-The-Back-Of-The-Galaxy.mp3]

Download:The Intelligence – (They Found Me In The Back Of) The Galaxy [MP3]

Also, if you want an excellent read on Lars’ thoughts on the album, had over to Finest Kiss for a great interview/explanation now!

Great Garage Jangle-r from Blooper

It’s taken me almost a full week to completely recover from SXSW, but luckily I can go to our friend Toby’s site, Finest Kiss, and catch up on the good stuff he’s stumbled upon in his neck of the woods (Seattle).  This track he ran by Blooper is superb, and reminds me a lot of basically every sweet jam I’ve been rocking in my house for the last several years.  There’s a bit of swing within the jangle, and an infectious aura that sucks you in.  The band’s working on a new EP as of now, but they’ve also got a free Ballard Avenue EP you can grab to wet your appetite while you wait if you go HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Blooper-SecretSong.mp3]

Download:Blooper – Secret Song [MP3]

New Tunes from Grass Widow

There’s few people in the blogosphere I truly trust, so I’m always happy when Toby over at Finest Kiss gets a chance to sort through his emails and get me hip to things I might have glanced over.  He’s run a bunch of singles today, and my favorite of the batch has to be this new track from Grass Widow.  The San Fran trio has self-released a new 7″ with this track Milo Minute.  There’s definitely a post-punk pogo to the track, but the harmonies between the ladies provide allow the song to transcend your typical rehash of styles.  I get the feeling that this will be spinning around here all week.  You can get your copy HERE, which features two covers as the B-Side (Wire and Neo Boys).

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/GrassWidow-MiloMinute.mp3]

Download: Grass Widow – Milo Minute [MP3]

New Track from Case Studies

Long did I champion the work of the Dutchess and the Duke, but as they’ve gone away, at least for the time being, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of Case Studies, the project of former D&D frontman, Jesse, which I caught wind of via our friend Toby over at Finest Kiss. Case Studies will be releasing The World is Just a Shape to Fill the Night via Sacred Bones on August 16th.  Listening to this, you’ll notice that Jesse seems to have a darker tone in his voice, and the female vocal accompaniment seems less like a counterbalance and more like an added instrument to give the song some depth.  His voice always carries the focus for me, and this track is no different. Hope this does well.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/The-Eagle-or-the-Serpent.mp3]

Download: Case Studies – The Eagle, or the Serpent [MP3]

New Music from Terry Malts

Occasionally you let things slip, forgetting to check in on your favorite labels or sites, but when go back, you always find a gem waiting for you.  Such is the case with this latest single from Slumberland Records by Terry Malts, who love to be hidden behind a dense fog of mystery.  But, luckily, my imaginary best friend over at Finest Kiss hints that the band is a side-project of Magic Bullets, making the “I’m Neurotic” single even closer to my heart.  Apparently the group are aligning themselves with the likes of the Ramones or even the Descendents, but really it’s hard to hear that.  For me, it has a feel of the lighter side of Creation Records, yet another reason for my adoration.  The single is out now, so get ahold of it while you can.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/TerryMalts-Distracted.mp3]

Downlaod: TerryMalts-Distracted [MP3]

New Track from Gold Bears

First, I’d like to take a minute to thank my fictitious friend Toby over at Finest Kiss for alerting me to this band.  Gold Bears are a group from Atlanta, and they seem perfect to fit right into the stable of Slumberland Records, who will be releasing a full-length from the group later on this year.  But, what you need to know is that this track is on a recent 7″ (on Cloudberry) and it sounds just like Cloud Nothings, minus the lo-fi tag, and with a more adult lyrical approach.  Don’t get be wrong, both options are great, but I definitely am enjoying the more developed vocal approach apparent on this track.  Give this a spin, and get ready for big things from this group.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/GoldBears-SomethingToThinkAbout.mp3]

Download: Gold Bears – Something To Think About [MP3]

New Music from Surf Friends

Once again, the sounds from New Zealand are just too catchy to escape.  While running through Finest Kiss, I hit upon Surf Friends, a great new discovery.  They’ve just released their debut album, Confusion, which is chock full of angular guitar riffs and sugary melodies.  As I listened to “You’re On My Mind,” I can’t help but feel a little bounce in my step as the pace picks up, the harmonies kick in, and the song takes off.  Yea, the rest of the record is just like it! You can get it now from Power Tools Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/SurfFriends-YoureOnMyMind.mp3]

Download: Surf Friends-You’re On My Mind [MP3]