Friday Album Streams: Neil Brogan, Johanna Heilman +

Folks drop their records on Friday, and while I wish I had the time to do proper album reviews (you can go to great sites like Post-Trash, Rosy Overdrive, RSTB for those), I do want you to listen to some great releases that are out today. We’ve got some Austin stuff, some Cali stuff, stuff from our friend Neil and more…so dig on in here. Or just stream and buy!

Neil BroganYrs Truly (Self-Released)

Johanna HeilmanWhen We Were Electric

Estrella del SolFigura de Cristal

Rubber BlanketOur Fault

Ram Vela & the Easy TargetsWhat the Hell EP

 

 

Last Week’s Jams, Today (6.20 – 6.24)

I don’t even want to look back at last week. But, we had songs, there were some really good songs coming out of a really awful week. Our friend Ram Vela and his band had a new single, plus it never hurts to get a Voxtrot tune in your inbox. Think I kept coming back to these Bastien Keb, Flowertown and Tan Cologne tunes the most, well, and that Tony Molina track. There’s about 20 jams to sort through, so find a favorite. Or don’t.

Ram Vela and the Easy Targets Drop New Single

Our friend Ram Vela has been banging out tracks in Austin for longer than we’ve been a site; he fronted Whitman and even joined Midgetmen’s entourage for a minute. But, as of late he’s been brandishing his love of pop rock with Ram Vela and the Easy Targets. The band have a new LP dropping late this year, and we’ve got that first rocking single to bring you this morning. The band waste no time in dropping in this heavy riffage, dropping in huge distorted riffs as Ram emphatically punctuates the tune with the chorus, making sure to leave you with the hooks you desire! If you’re punching the air and screaming along, you’re doing it right. We’ll keep you posted as the record draws near!

 

Ram Vela & the Easy Targets Drop New Tunes

As long as we’ve run this site, there’s been a Ram Vela in our lives. He’s been buds with RayRay forever, and his old band Whitman played countless ATH shows. But, he’s been quiet for a bit, focusing on other things. But, as of late he’s been working with his new band Ram Vela & the Easy Targets; he’s been in the studio with Taylor Muse from Austin’s Quiet Company. As of today, he’s got two pop rock nuggets ready to go for you; they’re heavy on riffs and hooks, two things you can always count on Ram to give you in his songwriting. I love the breakdown in “Garage Apt,” while “If I Fail” is more anthemic, built for crowd sing-a-longs. Ram and the band will be playing at Mohawk next Friday with Quiet Company.