Have Another From Optiganally Yours

The upcoming release from Rob Crowe and Pea Hix under their moniker Optiganally Yours has slowly become one of my favorite albums of the year. I’ve had a pre-release copy for about a month now, and I can honestly say that fans will be incredibly happy with the full album. The release date is a short few days away so it seems only fitting to tease Friday’s anticipated date with this new single “Hope in Your Eyes”. This track is a bit more of a slow burner when compared to the previously mentioned single, but it still has that unique Rob Crowe voice fitting in nicely with the playful pop sounds created by Hix. Trust me, you’ll want to pick up new album O.Y. in Hi-Fi on Friday. The vinyl from Joyful Noise is rather cheap.

Sorry I Missed This: New Doubting Thomas Cruise Control

I loved what I heard from Doubting Thomas Cruise Control back in 205 with their Remember Me John Lydon Forever LP; it offered up a heavier, punkier version of the slow-core perfected by the likes of Bedhead. Now, they’ve just released Bob Ross II, with similar notes, though the puncher elements bring an added attitude of quirkiness/nerdiness, like theshort jam “Catch My Drift.” The album also has an ode to everyone’s favorite foil Falstaff, so that works for this bookworm. If you’re looking for a rocking act that owes debts to the New Year or Pinback, then go grab this LP now, and feel free to enjoy rock n’ roll again.

Love This New June Gloom Tune

junegloomNot sure I can stop playing this new track from June Gloom today. Those who grew up in the late 90s/early 00s will surely find some nostalgic feeling in his songwriting…pulling on touches of acts like Pinback or Built to Spill, though things are spun in a magical way that makes the tune ever present in today’s landscape. There’s something overwhelmingly warming about the track, so I hope you play it as much as I have this morning. Look for his debut, Fake Problems, which comes out via Funeral Sound Records on July 15th.

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Show Preview: Rob Crow @ the Sidewinder TONIGHT

rcMy first encounter with Rob Crow came in college when someone loaned me a Heavy Vegetable CD; it paved the way for what would be my huge fandom of Rob and Pinback. His voice has forever been an important one in my life, and ever distinctive for listeners. He’s bringing his new project, Rob Crow’s Gloomy Place, to Austin tonight at Sidewinder. I’ve always appreciated his live shows, having seen him at least a dozen times before; he’s entertaining, but the live performance is always executed as well as any band I’ve seen. it’s an early show too, so you can get in, enjoy yourself and then grab some rest. Doors are at 6:30, tickets are HERE, and Ini is opening the evening. Oh…the new album, You’re Doomed. Be Nice. is out this Friday via Temporary Residence.

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Come Back to Me Rob Crow

rcgpEvery music fan has that one band, or several bands, that always take you back to a certain time in your life, a happy place if you will. For me, Pinback was one of those acts; they opened up the door to many more acts, not to mention their own near-perfect sound. So, I’m glad that despite his claim to have left it all behind, Rob Crow is back with Rob Crow’s Gloomy Place. The bass line alone was enough to hook me, that’s until I heard Crow’s voice working cleverly in and out between the guitar lines. In my ears, he’s still got it. Look forward to seeing what his new act has in store when You’re Doomed. Be Nice is released via Temporary Residence in March.

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New Single from SoftSpot

softspotUgh. I hate winter; I just want to wear shorts! But, with the winter weather comes a different approach to listening to music.  I’m always more inclined to wrap myself in a blanket and zone out whilst being washed over with really emotional music.  This new track from SoftSpot really fits into that world, with the voice of Sarah Kinlaw creating this natural warmth that definitely seeps into your skin. Her two bandmates, however, are crafting this tight-knit, low-energy, progressive indie rock…sort of like an Owls meets Pinback, but even softer.  The tune is the lead single on the bands forthcoming MASS album, which is out on April 8th.

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ACL 2013: The Big Post of Good Stuff

We are wrapping up Austin City Limits 2013 coverage with this giant summary of links and a massive amount of photos not previously shared. We had a ton of coverage, from tweets galore to interviews of ATH faves. You can see plenty of pics from Weekend One. I didn’t have the fancy wristband that gets you up close and personal for big camera fun. I did have the most fun of any ACL I have ever been to thanks to a group of amazing friends I call fambly.

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The Most Underrated Band at ACL

There’s probably tons of bands showing up at Austin City Limits this year who feel like they’re spot in the line-up might not be what they deserve, but I think in the case of Pinback, the festival organizers got this one right.  Sure, you’ve got bands like the Cure and Depeche Mode who’ve obviously earned their spot, but I don’t think anyone deserves a midday slot (or higher) more than Pinback.

The group has released 5 albums and a slew of EPs in their 15-year-spanning career; my personal favorite is Blue Screen Life.  They’ve got a sound that probably falls in line with well orchestrated math rock, though they also have a tendency to wrap their instrumentalist inclinations around beautifully crafted melodies.  One minute they’ll have your feet tapping and your head lightly bobbing, then they’ll turn it around by calming things down with great harmonies.  There’s not a lot of bands who can cover their musical territory either, having worked hard to move in and out of various genres under the indie realm.  Plus, the guys involved are in various other bands such as Goblin Cock and Three Mile Pilot, so you’re not likely to find a band with such an incredible pedigree, including a few of the headliners!

They play both Fridays at 3:30 on the Bud Light Stage.  Here’s a jam.

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Download: Pinback – Your Sickness [MP3]

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