Missed Jams: The Courtneys + Fear of Men

courtneysIt’s been a crazy couple of weeks, and with SXSW a week away, things don’t look to be slowing down.  In all that nonsense I’ve missed a few tracks I wanted to share with you today, both which feature incredible female singers.  The first is a jam from The Courtneys, who’ve just put this Cassingle out via Burger Records, as well as signing up for a tour with Tegan and Sara.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/133991826″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The second track comes from the much-anticipated debut from Fear of Men record, Loom. It’s another sign of good things to come, and is actually being release as a limited single via Art Is Hard Records.  The official LP comes out on April 22 via Kanine.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/136583941″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Eternal Summers Should Be Huge

eternal summersIt’s been a great week for Kanine Records so far; they’ve announced to excellent releases surrounding bands Beverly and Eternal Summers (though we knew the latter was coming).  But, after spending about 15 listens to this new Eternal Summers track, I’m predicting that the band really breaks out.  Their album Correct Behavior was one of my favorites a few years ago; it still gets a steady rotation.  Now, they’re up to their same tricks, employing angular guitar chops with hooks that stick in your mind.  There’s always an inevitable spirit too, lurking within the songs.  This is definitely my most anticipated album coming out; The Drop Beneath hits stores March 4th.  

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119047167″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

New Music from Beverly

honeydoListening to this new tune from Beverly, it dawned on me that very few bands nowadays seem to just operate with one band…everyone has a new side project.  Just like this band, which is the project of Frankie Rose and Drew Citron; no point really, just an observation. This track starts off with a rather garage rock  approach, which works against the pristine quality of Rose’s voice.  It’s possible that this tune won’t bowl you over with creativity, but you can’t turn down a good song. The group will have a full-length via Kanine this summer, but you can also pick it up on the label’s Record Store Day sampler.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/127726350″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Fear of Men Ready Debut Album

fearofmenWhen Fear of Men release Early Fragments, it felt more like a full length than an actual EP; it was concise and organized, not to mention enduring in my own personal play list. As they prepare for the release of their debut, Loom, they’re leaking out a track today, which is in essence, two tracks.  The first is a soft interlude of vocals that leads into the more propulsive “Waterfall.”  Already, you can hear the thought given to each detail, especially to the album’s construction. The record will be out on April 22nd via Kanine Records; it’s going to be a must have for everyone.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/132779686″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Blow – The Blow

The-BlowRating: ★★★☆☆

Listening to The Blow has always been a mild obsession, but I’m pretty sure every girl I dated since 2007 ended up with “Parentheses” on some mix tape of mine.  But, after spinning a good deal of time with The Blow, it’s good to see that Khaela Maricich hasn’t dropped off much since the departure of Yacht.  In fact, my book has her better off, as this record’s bursting with fun.

The work on previous efforts from The Blow is still prevalent, as this seems mostly like a continued experiment for Khaela’s voice, with the beats coming in second place.  “Make It Up” holds tight to that formula, with Maricich operating on various pitches throughout the track.  It picks up in the back end, uniting vocal samples atop vocal sample. But, in writing about a record by the project, it’s always difficult to work through by just talking about the beats that back up the vocal.  However, I think the range in the vocals are what ultimately make the record more than enjoyable.

On a track like “A Kiss,” you get the whole spectrum of the offering.  It opens with a semi-sultry croon from our frontwoman, paced playfully in the foreground.  It sucks you in immediately, and moments later, there’s a slight rise in the pitch, while the beats stutter.  From there, it floats off into a loftier vocal realm that adds a new level to the track.  It’s all complimented by the backing vocals soothingly approaching from the background.  These are the sorts of songs where The Blow really excel, showing that despite a very simple approach, there’s still some dynamism in the process.

For me, part of my whole experience also circled around the search for the standout track, and for the most part, I think that’s where this record might have a step above its predecessors.  Each track on here is purposeful, and none of the above should be discarded during your listening experience. That being said, I’ve really been drawn to “Hey” during my last several spins.  It starts with heavier pulsating beat, carefully building tension before the song slowly rises to its musical climax.  You can feel it in the vocals, as a lighter keyboard begins to accent the driving rhythm; I especially like how the song holds out longer than expected, then unleashes the hook.  It’s definitely a song that’s piqued my interest.

All in all The Blow have another great little listen on their hands.  They’ve never been knocking down the doors of creativity, but they’ve always given the audience something that’s ultimately rewarding/endearing.  It’s becoming increasingly harder to look away from the group, especially when things are as focused and enjoyable as The Blow.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/07-Hey.mp3]

 

Summer Tune From Beach Day

beach-day-2012-christina-mendenhall-200-200x200Beach Day is a band I discovered back in November when I doubt any of us were really thinking about enjoying a nice long drive on a warm summers day.  Well now that time is here and another new song from this summer themed band is just what the doctor ordered.  This new track “Stay” is certainly a doo wop, feel good type song that should be perfect for your summer mix tape as you take a dip in some cold water.

Debut album Trip Track Attack will hit stores on June 18th via Kanine Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/03-Stay.mp3]

Download: Beach Day – Stay [MP3]

New Surfer Pop From Beach Day

With a name like Beach Day, it would be safe to assume that a band would have some surfer boy/summertime vibes to their sound.  Well these guys are going with the images and sounds their name conveys with songs that reinforce their namesake.  This new tune “Walking on the Streets” is a 60s, motorcycle driving, hazy doo wop style number that evokes modern bands like Cults.  It seems like a hot trend rolling through the indie music world and I’m totally cool with that.

This tune just came out yesterday via 7″ on Kanine Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Walking-on-the-Streets-a.mp3]

Download: Beach Day – Walking on the Streets [MP3]

Eternal Summers – Correct Behavior

Rating: ★★★★☆

It’s hard these days to find a blow-your-mind pop record that will last you longer than on or two listens without boring you. Often, I’ll fall in love with an album that falls flat upon further inspection, so when I first listened to Correct Behavior, I assumed that it would be once again another throw-away album, but Eternal Summers have a bit more in store than that.

You can’t really blame me for believing that this album was going to be like others when you listen to the first track, “Millions.” It’s got all the symptoms of a one hit wonder written all over it: endless guitar hooks, toe-tapping worthy drums and the perfectly shrieky vocals of lead singer Nicole Yun topping it all off. Sensationally sunny, the song starts things off infectiously, maintaining the youthful sound that Eternal Summers brought to the table on their debut, Silver, but also a bit fuller than that of previous recordings. Yes, the track still only lasts two and a half minutes, but it’s a bit meatier than before, although all the sunshine that you could ask for, which led me to think it was a little too good to be true.

This feeling of astonishment continues, as the band lays down hit after hit in the main bulk of the album. Third on the roster is another standout track in “You Kill,” which once again brings the power pop in its raging guitars and quick-tempo percussion. The song is one of the longest on the album and it does not disappoint. It pushes and pulls from chorus to verse, Yun’s voice being the element to lead you through both. Towards the end you have the nice garage-y breakdown that adds yet another dimension to Eternal Summer’s sound; twists like these help keep things fresh as the record continues. Another one of these unexpected turns comes on “Girls in the City,” with male vocals and a greater emphasis on the drums than the guitars, which leaves me a little reminiscent of The-Go-Betweens and bands of the like.

When all is said and done and Correct Behavior comes to a close after a brief thirty minutes, you’ll immediately be ready to give it another spin. This three-piece band does their thing and they do it well, fulfilling your desire for a fun summer release, but they also don’t make it easy to part with their sound at the close. It’s fittingly akin to the name of the band in that like this season, you don’t really want it to end and hopefully Eternal Summers have found a way to make their sunny punk-pop carry into the cooler months…which seem to be quite a ways away for us Austinites.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/03YouKill.mp3]

Download:Eternal Summers – You Kill [MP3]

New Killer Jam From Eternal Summers

We’ve already heard quite a bit of material from the new Eternal Summers LP Correct Behavior coming out on July 24th.  We posted on awesome tune “Millions” awhile back and we’ve seen several other songs posted around the interwebs on various sites.  As far as songs by this band go, I’m prepared to say that this one might just be my favorite yet.  It’s a driving rock number with an incredible pop sense about it.  Hope you enjoy it as much as me.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/03YouKill.mp3]

Download: Eternal Summers – You Kill [MP3]

New Music From Eternal Summers

I’ve heard little to nothing from fuzz-pop group Eternal Summers since posting their sweet jam of summer cerca 2010 “Pogo”.  Well now the group just sent out word a few days ago that they have a new LP entitled Correct Behavior due out July 24th via Kanine Records.  We’re obviously pretty excited about the news and are even more excited to share this new song with you “Millions”.  Maybe this can be a summer jam 2012?  Damn it’s hot.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Eternal_Summers_-_22Millions22.mp3]

Download: Eternal Summers – Millions [MP3]

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