Neil Brogan - Yrs Truly

 

We are very much about jangle and powerpop here, even if we aren't only about jangle and powerpop. We are particularly drawn to the styles we identify as 'California guitar pop. However, music is universal and it just so happens that one of our favorite sources for the treasured sounds is Neil Brogan, who lives on the east coast -- the east coast of Northern Ireland. Neil fronted beloved band Sea Pinks for a number of years (and formerly was in Girls Names), but he now is recording under his own name. His latest album is Yrs Truly, an 11 track collection of remembrances and observations swathed in melody and guitar goodness. There is perhaps a bit less twee and a bit more rumbling brawn and swagger in this set of tunes than some of Neil's past work, and it is an evolution that the pulls off adroitly. If you are a powerpop/guitar pop fan you really owe yourself some time to take this album for a test drive. It may, in fact, be your favorite driving companion for some time.

Yrs Truly is out now in digital and CD formats. See the Bandcamp link below.

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Neil Brogan - Things Keep Getting In The Way

 

Neil Brogan is a master of concise guitar pop nuggets. He charmed and thrilled us with his former project Sea Pinks and his solo work, and he continues to earn our praise with his new album Things Keep Getting In The Way. His sweet spot has been jangling, chiming, crunchy tunes with a good coat of sunny California vibes. Sure, he is in Belfast, but location is a state of mind. But while there are plenty of such songs on this album, Neil shows a deft touch with quieter, more reflective tunes such as "Build Back Better". Throughout the listener is treated to keep observations and wry humor to add substance to the hooks, riffs and bouncing rhythms. 

We had a brief editorial debate about whether the album is front-loaded or back-loaded, but decided that it was a trick question. The album is just plain loaded. This may be Neil's best, most consistent work. And for a man that has impressed us for a long time, that is quite a feat.

Things Keep Getting In The Way is self-released and is out now. See the Bandcamp link below.

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Neil Brogan - Weird Year

 

Neil Brogan has an enviable record of noteworthy musical work. From Girls Names to Sea Pinks to his new solo album, Weird Year. His sweet spot is a combination of tautly constructed jangle pop and California guitar pop. His themes tend toward the bittersweet and introspective. What makes is so special for us, aside from an undeniable knack for crafting engaging melodies, is his writing. He is evocative by concise, sketching a picture while letting the listeners fill in the spaces while the sweet guitar tones fill their heads. Sea Pinks delivered ten albums in ten years. We would count ourselves as very fortunate if Neil delivers ten solo albums of this quality in the next decade.

Weird Year is out now in digital format. See the Bandcamp link below.

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Sea Pinks - Crocuses EP

We can be sad about Belfast's Neil Brogan calling time on his Sea Pinks project. OK, who are we kidding  -- we are sad. But life is full of starts, stops, and changes in direction. So we sill focus on the positives. First, consider that Sea Pinks released ten albums and three EPs of top quality guitar pop. Second, Neil has left a goodbye present in the form of the Crocuses EP. Eschewing the easy choice of maudlin goodbyes and long endings, the record leaves us with swaggering, upbeat tunes that remind us how good Sea Pinks has treated us for a decade. These tunes are top form British Isles jangle meets California guitar band, which to our ears has always been Neil's sweet spot. In our view, that is the way to say goodbye.

Thanks for the entertainment, gents, and we hope to hear what follows.





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"Temporary Day" by Junk Drawer

It is nice to meet new people, but we need to be careful with the new social distancing recommendations. Since we are in Seattle, we think it is safe to get to know Belfast's Junk Drawer. Here is their recently released "Temporary Day", which takes on mental health, sexual identity and eating disorders, and wraps it up in a terrific rocking package.

The band's album Ready for the House will be released April 24 via Art For Blind Records.



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"Run & Run" by Sea Pinks

We don't know what kind of weather you are experiencing, but we have bright sunshine and temperatures in the low '70s - a beautiful spring day!  So what better music than a song unabashedly redolent of springtime?  We present "Run & Run", by our Belfast favorites Sea Pinks.  It jangles, bubbles and bounces, and even has a bit of trumpet!  We can't get enough of it.

"Run & Run" is available as a digital single via CF Records.  Sea Pinks are Neil Brogan (guitar/vocals/bass) and Davey Agnew (drums).  Michael Barkley makes a guest appearance, because that trumpet isn't going to play itself, is it?



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Sea Pinks - Minimum Wage-BBC Sessions (& Others)

So far in our end of the week flurry of new music posts we have traveled westward from Norway to Scotland.  We now cross the Irish Sea to Belfast to laud the most recent offering from WYMA favorites Sea Pinks.  Whether you are looking for an introduction to the band, or are a Sea Pinks fan excited about the prospect of a band-curated set of songs from their catalog, you need to check out Minimum Wage-BBC Sessions (& Others).  The songs represent the band's output since their 2011 debut, tracing their slight evolution from scrappy jangle pop to a still jangling Creation Records-meets-California-guitar-pop vibe.  The recordings capture the songs live, so there is an appealing rawness and immediacy that gives new life to even the songs familiar to the listener.  The set has character to the extent that studio albums often don't.  It isn't that one approach is good and the other band, they are just different.  Thus, even if you have the studio version of some of these songs -- and you are unlikely to have them all -- this is an essential compilation for fans.

Sea Pinks are Neil Brogan (guitar/vocals), Steven Henry (bass/backing vocals), and Davey Agnew (drums/backing vocals).  For now  Minimum Wage-BBC Sessions (& Others) is a digital release only, although a vinyl addition might be available in the future.  You can find it on all the usual digital platforms, but we recommend the band's own Bandcamp link.










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"Until We See The Sun" by Beauty Sleep

Introducing Cheylene Murphy, Ryan McGroaty, and Aimee Williamson, collectively known as Beauty Sleep.  We think their brand of upbeat, hook heavy synth and guitar pop is a welcome ray of sunshine on the scene.  A new EP, Nature Will Eat Me, is expected soon.  Meanwhile, you can enjoy their latest single, "Until We See The Sun".  Right here.  Right now.



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"Into Nowhere" by Sea Pinks

What could be better than the arrival of a new song from Sea Pinks?  The answer, of course, is the arrival of a new song from Sea Pinks plus the news that the Belfast band has a new album coming our way and has scheduled a spring tour.  Damn good stuff for a Thursday!  And speaking of good, "Into Nowhere" is a wonderful dose of guitar pop, featured a driving rhythm sections, guitar that alternates between woozy charm and ringing defiance, and an effervescent chorus.  This is a prolific band that always delivers what we want to hear, and gets better with each album.

Sea Pinks are Neil Brogan (guitar and vocals), Steven Henry (bass), and Davey Agnew (drums).  The new album is titled Watercourse and will be available via CF Records.  The tour dates are listed at the bottom of this post.



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Tour Dates

25 May - Rosin Dubh, Galway
26 May - The Grand Social, Dublin
29 May - Bush Hall, London
31 May - Supersonic, Paris
1 Jun - Bar Hic, Rennes
2 Jun - DIY Cafe, Lille
3 Jun - De Nieuwe Anita, Amsterdam
4 Jun - Coin Aux Etoiles, Mons
5 Jun - Gruner Jager, Hamburg
6 Jun - Internet Explorer, Berlin
7 Jun - Kunstkeller, Furth
8 Jun - Schuur, Lucerne
9 Jan - Hirscheneck, Basel
10 Jun - Le Salopard, Biel
11 Jun - Handmade Festival, Guastalla
17 Jun - Black Box, Belfast

Sea Pinks - Soft Days

On their new album, Soft Days, Belfast's Sea Pinks reveals themselves to be adept musical chemists.  Over 11 tracks they weave '80s post punk indie rock, C86 dream pop, '70s power pop, and a bit of California coastal jangle and surf into a very satisfying set of songs that manage to convey energy and excitement without any jagged edges.  The guitars are varied and confident, bass insistent and intriguing, and drums satisfyingly high in the mix.  Frontman Neil Brogan's vocals are his best work so far for this project.  The production is clear and unfussy.

Opener "(I Don't Feel Like) Giving In" kicks off with a dose of post-punk drone, but sunshine and bounce take over with the following "Ordinary Daze" and "Cold Reading".  After a more post punk offering with "Trend When You're Dead", "Green With Envy" -- and standouts "Depth of Field" and "Everything In Sight" -- deliver hazy dream pop.  If you were only to own one song on this album, I'd nominate "Yr Horoscope" (stream below), which is custom built for the speakers on your convertible as you head down the Pacific Coast Highway.  "Down Dog" is dark-jangling post punk with dark shading and big drums.  The wistful and optimistic "I Won't Let Go" and "Soft Days" end the album with jangling pop perfection.

The album title refers to the kind of soaking mist that one encounters in Belfast.  The choice seems apt, as the songs envelope the listener and soak into the brain's pleasure centers.  One listen and it seems like an old and honored friend.  I couldn't have picked a better record for my first review of a 2016 album

Sea Pinks is frontman Neil Brogan (Cruising and ex-Girls Names) on guitar and vocals, Steven Henry on bass and Davey Agnew on drums.  Soft Days is out tomorrow, January 8, via CF Records.





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"Depth of Field" by Sea Pinks

I count myself as a firm fan of Belfast's Sea Pinks, so I'm pleased to report that their new album, Soft Days, will be available in early 2016.  The first release from the album is the melodic and dreamy "Depth of Field".  The video and audio streams are below.  I think Sea Pinks is one of the finest guitar bands around, and I'm expecting Soft Days to brighten an otherwise dreary and wet January.

Sea Pinks is Neil Brogan, Davey Agnew, and Steven Henry.  Soft Days will be released by the Brogan's own CF Records.







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"Twisted Arrow" from Arborist

Belfast's Mark McCambridge records and performs as Arborist.  An adept songwriter of country/folk, he has created a wonderful tune in "Twisted Arrow".  And it is made even more special by the guest harmonies of Kim Deal (Pixies and The Breeders).  "Twisted Arrow" is a dark, but beautiful sounding tale, and the vocals by Mark and Kim are well-matched.  The single gets its limited edition release on May 4, but for me the song has that 'great weekend music' vibe, so I wanted to bring it to your ears today.


The other players in Arborist are Richard Hill, James Heaney, Ben McAuley, Johnny Ashe, and Luke Bannon.

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"Go" from Pleasure Beach

I can't claim to knowing much about Belfast's Pleasure Beach, but any band that makes a song like "Go" is a band from which I want to hear a lot more music.  The members are Lisa, Kat, Alan, Richard and Rachel (yes, that means either Alan or Richard is missing from the above set of photos; you'll just have to get over it).  Apparently the five songwriters only formed the band earlier this year.  "Go" will be paired with "Absentee" for Pleasure Beach's first single, set for release on May 25th.  To my ears, there is a bit of the clean Scandinavian pop anthem sound to "Go".  Very promising stuff, I think.




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"Dream Happening" from Sea Pinks

Belfast's Sea Pinks doesn't put a wrong foot forward, in my opinion, so I regard it as very good news that they will be releasing an album on September 29 via CF Records.  Regular readers here know what I'm talking about, as I've featured the band a few times.  Those of you who missed it can enter the band's name in this site's search box, or simply check out the Bandcamp link below.  But before you do that, enjoy "Dream Happening", which is the first song to be released from the album Dreaming Tracks.

Sea Pinks is Neil Brogan, who also has been drummer for Belfast's Girls Names.  His Girls Names mates have helped with previous Sea Pinks releases, but I don't know whether they are involved in this album.



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"You Made Me Do That" by Cruising

"You Made Me Do That" is a delicious bowl of lo-fi garage rock with a party sprinkles on the top.  And you don't get to think about it very long because Soft Power is only manufacturing 100 cassettes of the single.  "Oh" you say in that arch manner of yours, "surely the song will be on a later release".  Well, maybe.  But you can't be sure because Cruising isn't a regular band.  Adopting the names Dick Vortex, Benzedrine Black, Sex Grimes and Dan Handle, some members live in Belfast and some members live in Dublin, and they are in other bands such as Girl's Names, September Girls, Sea Pinks and Logikparty.  The official release date is April 28, and you can order now at the Soft Power links below.  Or you can miss out and occasionally play the Soundcloud stream below and wish you'd ordered the cassette.  Your choice ...



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Introducing: Sea Pinks

Belfast's Sea Pinks is the project of Neil Brogan, who also is the drummer for Belfast band Girls Names.  And he has help from his Girls Names buddies, as Neil moves to the guitar and mic, Clair Miskimmin moves to the drum kit and Girls Names frontman Cathal Cully moves to bass.  The band delivers achingly perfect jangle pop and moodier indie rock, and really should be much better known.  As a get acquainted offer (we must admit that we had nothing to do with it), you can download a new track below.



Sea Pinks has released three albums.  Freak Waves was released in October 2012, and if you are an indie pop fan, you owe it to yourself to try and find a copy.  There is a bit of a '60s British invasion vibe, a bit of a beach boys vibe, and maybe a bit of the Dunedin sound.  Overall, an infectious mix.







The band's second album is Dead Seas, which was released in September 2011.





The first album is Youth is Wasted, released in the fall of 2010.



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REVIEW: Girls Names - The New Life

The New Life by Belfast's Girls Names presents brooding, cathartic rock exactly the way I want it hear it -- ten post-punk songs, exhilarating in their scope, sound and tempo.  Ten anthems to emotional dissonance and sonic depth.  The guitars' jangle is an icy slash, the percussion a thundering echo, the bass is relentless foreboding, and the vocals a minimally inflected baritone.  But most importantly, The New Life is a collection of great songs.  And while it may be a bit early in the year for this prediction to have much weight, it is for me the best album of the year so far.  There are musical touchstones for the listener -- a bit of New Order in the guitar, at bit of Joy Division in atmosphere, a bit of Crystal Stilts vocally.  But the manner in which is all comes together belongs only to Girls Names.

"Pittura Infamante", named after Renaissance defamatory painting, begins with a bass line, and then expands onto an icy sonic landscape.  Redemption, isolation or both? I can't really tell (although my vote would be the latter), but it is my favorite song on the album.



I suspect that frontman Cathal Cully is fully aware that if he had continued Girls Names in the vein of their debut album fans and critics would have had no complaint.  So there is a certain boldness in deciding that the first alum closed a chapter and that, in terms of expression, a new band would be born.  Fortunately for us, and the band, the risk was worth taking.

"Hypnotic Regression" is the second single from the album.  Marked by guitar reverberation and unsettled vocals, it is another highlight track.



Girls Names are Cathal Cully (guitars/vocals), Neil Brogan (drums), Claire Miskimmin (bass) and Philip Quinn (guitars/keyboards).  Brogan also has a fine project named Sea Pinks and Quinn also is a member of band Charles Hurts.



The New Life was available digitally on February 26.  It will be available in vinyl and CD on March 12 from Slumberland Records in the US and Tough Love Records in Europe.

Here is the latest SXSW schedule for the band:

03/11 - Northern Irish Music Showcase - Latitude 30 - 8:45pm
03/13 - Slumberland Records Showcase - The Iron Bear - 12:00am
03/14 - Under The Radar, Flamingo Cantina - 4:05pm
03/14 - KRTU - Flat Top Burger Shop - 6:00pm
03/15 - Waterloo Cycles - 5:15pm 

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