Tag: Slumberland Records

Allo Darlin – Europe

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Rating: ★★★★☆

Allo Darlin’ are a four piece indie/twee pop band that hail from London, and if you haven’t gotten to know their dazzlingly sweet tunes, then it is time you started. Their self-titled first album was released back in 2010, but if you want to get to know the sweet and groovy tunes of this band then look no further, Europe is an excellent place to start.        

On opener “Neil Armstrong,” it’s easy to see the similiarities of Allo Darlin’ to other indie-pop legends. The vocals of Elizabeth Morris share the discreet power that Camera Obscura’s Tracyanne Campbell has perfected and the delicate guitars reminisce of that of Belle and Sebastian. Though this band is not simply a culmination of other groups, they have their own flair as well. The ukulele that is ever-present on this first song is an aspect that gives this group the playfulness that such a genre begs for. For a first track, it’s a pretty good representation of this band’s style; gentle pop that still manages to bubble in sunshine.

Later on, you have an even softer, but no less equally delightful tune in “Tallulah,” where Elizabeth Morris and her uke step away from things. The result is a plain and simple tasty song, whose simplicity is what makes it as Morris sings a tale of a summer past. Sure, you’re missing the other jangling elements that Allo Darlin’ have become masters of, but it’s a lovely little break from the bright pop and a side trip to a more grounded sound. It’s a good reminder that this band can do a little more than all sunshine all the time.

However, it’s clear that what this band does best is easily music that bathes you in light. On the very next song after “Talulah,” they jump right back into their warmth with “The Letter.” The guitar feels further up in the mix of things on this song, at times dueling with Morris’ vocals for the lead of the song. Meanwhile the drums roll steady on, with the prominent cymbal crash to complete the overall bright atmosphere. That being said, Allo Darlin’ isn’t that easily pegged with the label of cheery pop songs. No, if you listen to the intricate lyrics that Morris spouts out, you’ll find that not all that she has to say matches the surface level observation of peppy.

Like the bands aforementioned, and essentially any band that is really worth listening to, there is more to be found here than can be acquired on first listen. After some time spent traveling around Europe, you’ll find that it was worth the trip.

New Jam From Echo Lake

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After almost forgetting about the band, I’ve gotta say that I’m really digging this new tune “Even the Blind” from London based outfit Echo Lake.  The song has this beautiful mellow quality to it, but then will punch you in the face with a sudden burst of energy.  This song and nine more will be available on the band’s upcoming LP Wild Peace available June 26th on Slumberland Records.  Check it out and enjoy.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/04-Even-The-Blind-2.mp3]

Download: Echo Lake – Even The Blind [MP3]

An Interview w/ Terry Malts + Show Preview

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For the last year, I’ve absolutely devoured everything this band has released.  Their debut full length, Killing Time, is currently holding its own as my top record pick of the year (Out now on Slumberland Records). They’re heading to Austin on Thursday night (Buy tickets HERE) at Mohawk, so we caught up with the group before their trip into town to chat about various things.  Thanks to Anton for hooking the interview up. Read more

Evans the Death – s/t

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Rating: ★★★½☆

When you sit down to put a Slumberland Records release on the old turntable, you’re pretty much assured that you’ll find some sort of comfort or joy within the various revolutions.  But, when I put on the self-titled debut of London quintet, Evans the Death, I had no idea that it would bring an abundance of vibrant joy my way; it’s all over the place in the best way, and every individual will have his or her own favorite jam.

Don’t let that bubbling bass line that opens the record’s “Bo Diddley” fool you.  If you wait a few minutes, you’ll see the star of the band is clearly Katherine Whitaker.  Her soaring vocals clearly transcend the music itself, and its affect is almost immediate; at times it comes off punky, other times pristine–this is just the first track.  But, let’s not make her the sole reason your buying this album!

“Catch Your Cold,” the second track on Evans the Death is the song that really lets the band’s prowess seep into your ears. Those ringing guitars played at lightning fast speeds give you that classy indie pop sound we all adore, and companied with Whitaker’s darkly-tinged vocals, it’s just a brilliant track.  You’ll find it in similar territory as the group’s first single from the release, “Telling Lies,” which might just be the most unassuming smash hit of the year.  While the rest of the group has this jagged approach to their guitar playing, Whitaker has your head spinning about with her remarkably strong pipes.

Surely, you’ll notice that a great deal of this first effort from Evans the Death is full of upbeat numbers, but, what makes this a more than adequate debut are the mellower numbers stuck within, leading you away from the monotony.  “Morning Voice,” while holding onto some noisier elements, is largely a quiet song, if only in sentiment.  Katherine comes across in an entirely different manner than she’s been presented up to this point, seemingly frail beneath those gentle vocal touches.  The more I played this track, the further I fell for it–you probably will too. You’ll encounter similar circumstances when you wrap up the record with “You’re Joking.” It’s a lightly strummed closing track, again putting Whitaker prominently at the forefront of the band’s sound.  There’s not louder guitar bursting forth here, but it’s not needed here, as the emotional quality lays solely with their female leader.

For a debut, this is a pretty stellar release, as the band comes across extremely accomplished with a powerful leader at the helm.  You can look beyond some of the songs that have a tendency to sound similar, choosing to find the unique qualities lurking within.  With more time, the whole record eventually sinks in together, leaving you with an enjoyable album you’ll want to play over and over. We can thank Evans the Death for that.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/05-Telling-Lies.mp3]

Download:Evans the Death – Telling Lies [MP3]

New Music From Violens

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Yes here we are again, stealing a sweet jam posted by our amigos over at The Gum.  I’m sure some of you have heard the tune already, but it’s just too irresistible to pass up posting on the site.  As previously reported, Violens have a new album called True due out in May via Slumberland Records.  This new song “Der Microarc” has a lot more of that twee vibe to it than the previously reported “Unfolding Black Wings” and I dig it.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Violens-Der-Microarc.mp3]

Download: Violens – Der Microarc [MP3]

Frankie Rose – Interstellar

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Rating: ★★★★½

Not too long ago, Frankie Rose brought you her first debut solo album under the moniker Frankie Rose and the Outs. It was an album filled to the brim with ethereal jangly pop weighed down by the dark, whispery vocals of Frankie herself. It’s been a year or two since this self-titled album and now she’s back with a second solo effort.  In that time it seems that Frankie decided The Outs were ‘out’ and that she would go for the sophomore completely on her own. In this choice, she shows but a shadow of the new step of confidence that comes on Interstellar.

If you take a look at the cover of this album, you’ll find that it matches the name of the album, as well as the new direction of sound that it takes: dark, groovy, psychedelic. The album opens with the title track, with waves of synth floating in, crafting a space-y, outer galaxy feel. Frankie wafts in after, her voice as whispery as before, but by no means meek and she only gets a few soft words in before the song picks up. This energy picks up where the last album left off, showing that Frankie intends to go farther than she had before. There’s a new ferocity that seems to be egged on by the extra layer of synthesized atmospheric noise.

Said energy continues to the second track, “Know Me,” whose guitars seem to be swirling everywhere at once, backed with the energetic drumbeats that keep the song at its frantic, yet ever controlled pace. It’s controlled chaos; so many elements combining in a three-minute treat that will have you grooving right along. “Gospel/Grace” gives you some deeper, rolling beats that change the pace a bit but keeps the driving energy that is ever-present on Interstellar. This energy is what sets this album above the previous and what keeps it moving all the way to the end.

Frankie pushes her way through ten tracks in what feels like no time at all. She keeps you entertained all the way through; there isn’t a lull in energy, as the middle numbers don’t dissipate from the enticing qualities that make the beginning of this album so good. Even on the last track, “The Fall,” which lacks percussion in general, you still have the ethereal power that hangs behind Interstellar, transfixing you to start all over again, relishing in the dreamy, supernatural, atmospheric pop that is so piercing to the ear.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/02_Know_Me.mp3]

Download: Frankie Rose – Know Me [MP3]

New Jam from the Roommates

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Ben Cook and Mark Fosco have had a solid year in the music work, with their sweet jams being given out to via their respective bands, Fucked Up and Marvelous Darlings. The group, now dubbed Roommates initially set out to record some songs for fun, with the idea of limited releases, but I’m glad some of these tracks are making their way out.  On March 20th Slumberland Records will be releasing a 7″ comprised of two of these tracks, and we’ve got the A-Side to run for you today. Given their recent  musical output, it’s no wonder that this has a nice little power-pop sheen to it, with steady drum playing backing the straight-forward guitar playing.  Regardless, it’s got all the hooks to make you a fan, clamoring for more. Check it.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Back-to-the-Sun_Girlfriend-Swap.mp3]

New Ramones Cover from Black Tambourine! And EP!

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One of the great acts in the Slumberland Records stable is Black Tambourine, a band that hasn’t exactly been putting out records for the last several decades.  But, as they reunite, briefly for the Chickfactor shows, the band opted to record a nice covers EP of their favorite Ramones songs.  This little gem will be released as a 7″, and they’ve chosen some real hits for their work.  One of the tracks they’ve recorded is my favorite, “I Want You Around,” but the track we’ve got below is “What’s Your Game.”  Rather than shredding guitars, they’ve replaced a nice atmospheric coating, slowing the track down a bit, and letting the melody push the track along.  For those of us that can’t attend the Chikcfactor shows, this is an added bonus.  You can pick up the OneTwoThreeFour EP on May 15th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/02-Whats-Your-Game.mp3]

Download:Black Tambourine – What’s Your Game [MP3]

Terry Malts – Killing Time

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Rating: ★★★★★

My first introduction to the music of Terry Malts stemmed from my love of the members’ former band, The Magic Bullets.  Unfortunately, the group was unable to find a full-time drummer, so opted to regroup as Terry Malts.  A few 7 inched piqued my interest, but when Killing Time arrived in my inbox, I had no idea just how much longevity this record would have.  From start to finish, it’s a polished bit of scuzzy guitars, pop hooks, pounding drums and hooks galore. So far, it’s the best record I’ve gotten my hands on this year.

“Something About You” lets the album explode from the get-go, offering listeners a bit of their traditional gaze-pop in the realm of Pains of Being Pure at Heart, only on speed (not that we condone drug usage).  The drums clatter, the guitars have a ferocious tenacity that propels the song for the entirety of just over two minutes. But, that’s about the last you’ll hear of your typical fare, as the group has more of a raucous punk sound, albeit one infused with elements of power-pop and post-punk atmospherics.

The most brilliant things about Killing Time is it’s ability to never grow stale sonically, whilst still holding onto album cohesiveness. “Tumble Down” has that affected guitar sound echoing in the background, but it’s the monosyllabic vocals touches that provide the song’s main hook.  This is the music you wish you had with you during those times when you need to display sheer exuberance.  If you’re not bouncing around, you’re not listening closely. You can group this song with “Waiting Room,” another song that really relies upon the stellar drumming to really give you a good kick in the ass. Corey Cunningham’s vocals have a deep quality, yet he’s got these tiny little changes in pitch that really add an extra element to every single track.

Terry Malts aren’t just sold on giving you one sound for the whole of the Killing Time; “I’m Neurotic” is one such testament.  For one, it’s the longest track here, but the band’s content to really let the guitars do the work, as they ring in and out of the foreground, battling Cunningham for control of the song.  Then, as a testament that the group’s got a definite affinity for classic punk rock, you find “No Good For You.”  Remember when the Ramones would bang out a nice power ballad, just to mix it up? Well, that encompasses everything great about this song; it’s not just mimicry, however, as there’s definitely a different bit of brashness in the way the group handles themselves–but you’ll definitely notice the homage around the 2 minute mark.

For me, this is perhaps the perfect culmination of everything about my favorite records.  Killing Time definitely has everything modern in its sound, but it harkens back to a purity in the annals of rock n’ roll, tossing out punishing drums lines, excellent hooks and enough creativity that every song sounds fresh.  At just under 35 minutes, you’re going to have a hard time finding an album that begs to be played time and time again without every growing old.  Who loves the Terry Malts? “I do I do I do I do I do I do.”

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Terry_Malts_-_Tumble_Down.mp3]

Download:Terry Malts – Tumble Down [MP3]

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