Did You Hear About the Geddy Laurance/Michael O Split?

It’s always great to have friends reach out to you and point you in the proper direction, so I’m glad that I heard about this new Geddy Laurance/Michael O split tape before it was too late! We’ve covered Michael O many times (as Mantles and solo), and Geddy played drums in everyone’s favorite, Boyracer, so now we get them both together! With the GL tune, you get a little more pacing, primarily with a faster strum and thicker drum beat; the Laurance vocals do have a touch of a fading daylight feel to them, sort of wilting as they hit your ears. You’ll also find a contrasting guitar line working against the strum, sort of like the counter-punch to the jangle, which was a really nice recording touch. Michael’s tune has some bop to it, so don’t think its totally gone, but his voice sounds a touch fragile in the tune below (which I adore); there’s also this backing vocal popping in that sort of reminds me of Television Personalities somehow. And, this probably sounds like a slight, but there’s just a certain feel to Mr. O’s tune that almost feels like its still in the works, like things aren’t finished or polished; its pop honest at its finest. If, like me, you’re in love, then grab the split from Safe Suburban Home this Friday!

 

New Honey Radar on Split with Telepathic

Honey Radar first came to my attention when they worked with What’s Your Rupture, and I’m always excited to hear what they’re doing. They’ve got a couple of new ditties for you with a split cassette on Third Uncle Records. I really like the first tune, which is featured below; it almost has this weird Stereolab feel to it, hiding softened vocals beneath the mix. It also helped turn me onto Telepathic, who offer up a progressive model of punk and pop sensibility…so you know it’s got me hooked. Give it all a listen at the stream below.

Hear Part Time’s Track off Their Split with Gap Dream

jameyThere were hints of a softer side to Davida Loca on his last Part Time release, PDA, but you get a full glimpse with his shimmering synth pop tune that plays his part of the 7″ split with Gap Dream. It’s a relaxed tune, not moving quickly, but you get a delightful bounce through the electronic work he’s done on this tune.  It should whet your appetite enough to order the release from Burger Records, but you can also grab it from them live when both bands go on tour together throughout August/September, including a date at Hotel Vegas on August 28th.

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New Single from The Ocean Party

oceanpartyI’ve definitely been on an Australian bent lately, and I want to continue that with our friends in The Ocean Party.  They’ve just released their new record, Split, and I’m pretty sure that anyone that listens to the single below will find as much reason to love them as we do.  There’s a relaxed vibe to the vocal, which is often the case with the group, but the guitar sound should sound familiar to all, as it’s got a bright angular sound that’s being utilized around the globe.  If you’re with me, then you’ll be all about this beautiful song and the rest that are on the album.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/01_QUARTER_FINAL.mp3]

Download: The Ocean Party – Quarter Life Crisis [MP3]

Pop Tune from LVL UP

lvlupDon’t get sucked into the fact that this tune opens up as a semi-folk number; it’s nowhere near that.  It takes a few seconds, then driving guitar riffs and crashing cymbals echo throughout your ears.  It’s a weird cross between Weezer‘s pop sensibility and the oddball song construction of Built to Spill.  It’s another great tune from LVL UP, which will be offered to the masses via a split with Porches.  These young New Yorkers definitely have something rad going on, so we’re interested to see where they’ll be going in the very near future.  With catchy tunes like this one, I’m sure they’ll have no problem winning us over.

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New Music from The Ocean Party

theoceanpartyMy affair with The Ocean Party comes via my adoration with Velcro; both bands share member/guitarist, Curtis Wakeling.  The group is gearing up to release their next album, Split, which will feature a more shared role in the songwriting duties for all members of the band.  Just listen to the way the guitar chords wrap themselves around the vocals on this first single, “Split.”  There’s a subtlety to the track, breathing beautiful guitar-monies throughout the tune.  I’m excited to hear the whole effort, as I’d like to see what the rest of the band bring to the table.  Guess we’ll all find out on September 27th, the release date, but for now, this’ll do.

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Sweet Rocker from Something Fierce

I’m always down to represent for Dirtnap Records, especially when they come into Texas to dip their toes in our rock n’ roll talent pool.  They’re set to release a one of a kind (1000 copies only/ever) split between Houston’s Something Fierce and Denton’s Occult Detective Club.   I’m personally excited because it signals a bunch of new material that’s supposed to come from Something Fierce in early 2013 (if the world doesn’t end).  Our first listen comes from the Houston act, and it demonstrates how the band has grown up, giving up a tight little effort filled with chugging energy and bratty swagger. My favorite!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/WarlordsOfInformation.mp3]

Download:Something Fierce – Warlords Of Information [MP3]

New (ish) Jam from Atlas

It’s always exciting when you stumble across something that you hadn’t heard, instantly recognizing it as something you’ll enjoy for a long time.  Such was the case tonight when I came across this track from Atlas, a group who has just released a split with My Friends.  Their opening track on their half of the record is a sprawling little jam, but while it gently enters, the increased pace and introduction of the vocals grabbed me.  There’s a great bit going on in the entirety of this track, but I keep coming back to the great melody that’s created by the guitar from beginning to end.  Give this one a try.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/05-Slaughter-Beach.mp3]

Download: Atlas – Slaughter Beach [MP3]