Last Week’s Jams (5.15 – 5.19)

It was a busy week to start, then as usual at this time of year, I teetered out with our coverage; I blame the fact that I stayed up late to catch a great set from En Attendant Ana. We covered a lot of territory, bringing in an old school song from Heavenly, but with a new video to celebrate. Austin got some love with another great Feeling Small tune, plus some bonus Being Dead coverage popping up in there. ATH faves Melenas announced a new record, so really, we had an all out awesome week on our end. Feel free to stop in and check out what we had going.

The Latest Single from The Toads

This recent Toads track has been bouncing around in my head since last week when it first came out. There’s this natural chug to it, rocking with this rad riff on cruise control. It allows the bass and drums to join at their leisure, seemingly building speed into the song, while steadying folks with the vocals. At 1:42, the song begins to let loose, which is where I totally got hooked, as there’s a rise and fall lyrical moment that sets up a quick drop into a bass line that leaves the listener with one final hook you’ll enjoy! The Toads will release In the Wilderness on June 9th via Upset the Rhythm.

Last Week’s Jams (4.10 – 4.14)

Looking back at last week, there was tons of really great stuff out there, and admittedly, there are a few things we just didn’t have time to get to on our end. But, stoked for Austin, as there was great new music from Being Dead, Transy Warhol, Holy Wire and new project Feeling Small. My favorite track from the most recent Blues Laywer LP got a video treatment, so I had to have that one out. RayRay covered that huge banger from Night Beats, who will be in town for Psych Fest. And, one of my favorite SXSW acts Snooper announced their new LP too, so you get a bunch of winning hits!

The Toads Share Tale of a Town Split in Two

The Toads are angling to make their name one to keep an eye on over in Melbourne’s hot music scene, and today they give us another peek inside their debut LP. When this number began, it sets up for this raucous bit, kind of bouncing in with this catchy bit of scruffy barroom rock n’ roll. Riffs begin to run amok, however, coursing through the song’s negative space and moving that bounce to the back of the mix for a moment. All this, only for the band to kind of serenade us in the middle, bringing this almost baroque pop moment as a gesture for our ears. Then the riff rings again and the band break into a closing jam that keeps you on notice for their new LP! In the Wilderness will be out June 9th via Upset the Rhythm and Zenith Records.

The Toads Announce In the Wilderness

Currently digging through a lot of my emails from the last week, and lo and behold, there’s one in here mentioning new band the Toads, compiled of various folks from Shifters, Parsnip and Ausmuteants (among others). Sound wise, it’s this edge-driven riff work that rings through your speakers, cutting down across the strings to create this anxiousness that’s balanced by the rhythm section. Listening in, the bass line walks you through the track, bobbing atop the stomp of the drums, ultimately leaving plenty of room in between for the vocals to come off like a highly caffeinated spoken-word impersonator. Great opening track to the group’s new In the Wilderness LP, out June 9th via Upset the Rhythm/Anti Fade Records.