This is not music criticism. On this blog, you will only read about music we like.
Friday, June 28, 2019
"The Highway Again" by Remington Super 60
We begin each day exactly at 'blog 30'. Blog 30 is a moving target based on a complicated formula involving the amount of sleep in the previous night, the level of coffee consumed and, if it is a day ending in "y", finalization of the plans for beer later in the day. So, dear readers, please be advised that we have arrived at today's Beer 30.
In our first post of the day we bring to you the shiny new single "The Highway Again" by Norwegian pop group Remington Super 60. Evoking thoughts of driving through the fantastic Norwegian countryside on a summer day, the melody and vocals wash over us like a gentle breeze. The song is available as a digital release; check your preferred source.
Remington Super 60 is based in Fredrikstad, and consists of Christoffer Schou, Elisabeth Thorsen, and Magnus Abelsen. The band's music is released on Christoffer's own own label Café Superstar Recordings. A new EP is planned for later this year. You can explore their many releases over the past 20 years at the links at the bottom of the post.
Website
Soundcloud
Cafes Superstar Recordings
Thursday, June 27, 2019
"This Christmas" and "The Time We Had" by Lachlan Denton & Studio Magic
One July album that has already found a spot on our wish list is A Brother, by Lachlan Denton & Studio Magic. Lachlan was one of the mainstays of Melbourne's Ocean Party, which we believe to have been one of the best bands of the past decade. A Brother is the product of Lachlan's efforts to come to grips with the tragic death of his brother Zac last fall. To help him in the project he called upon friends and former bandmates of both brothers. We will have more to write about the album, the players, and Zac Denton when the album is released. However, we wanted to share with you two excellent tracks that already are available as singles. And you really don't need much more from us about them, the love is palpable.
A Brother will be released by Osborne Again Music, Spunk Records, and Bobo Intregal.
Bandcamp for pre-order of A Brother
A Brother will be released by Osborne Again Music, Spunk Records, and Bobo Intregal.
Bandcamp for pre-order of A Brother
Peter Cat - Plays Well With Others
We are not fans of false advertising, so we issue a few demerits to Glasgow project Peter Cat for having neither a cat nor a frontman named Peter. However, we believe in forgiveness (and we have a feline-like curiosity), so we listened to the band's recent album, Plays Well With Others, and we are very glad that we did so. The songs are an infectious mix of indie pop rock, cabaret, glam, and art school. The vibe is upbeat and fun, and the listener may have the feeling that they are experiencing a musical stage show as Peter Cat slips from one song style to another like different costumes for each scene. And by the way, the band provides the lyrics, which are well written, humorous and enhance the listening experience.
Peter Cat are Graham Neil Gillespie and some like-minded collaborators. Plays Well With Others is out now in digital and cassette formats.
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Bandcamp for album
Peter Cat are Graham Neil Gillespie and some like-minded collaborators. Plays Well With Others is out now in digital and cassette formats.
Website
Bandcamp for album
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Neutrals - Kebab Disco
Not many bands from California's San Francisco Bay Area sound like a punk/post punk band from Glasgow. But most bands are not fronted by Allan McNaughton. Allan was raised in Western Scotland and played in Glasgow post-punk band Glue (we believe the time frame was late '80s-early '90s). He has since relocated to California, where his musical talents were applied to Giant Haystack and, now, Neutrals. With Neutrals, Allan and his bandmates embrace Allan's Scottish background and California present in a connected and not quite autobiographical series of vignettes. Presented in both vintage punk and Glasgow indie rock styles (with a touch of California), and voiced with Allan's still thick Scottish accent, the songs depict snapshots of life in Glasgow on the A-side and California on the B-side. You will hear of art school, technical school, professional jealousy, drugs, romance, and late night kebabs, all before crossing the Atlantic for food courts, hating on the summer of love and a song about the iconic motorcycle cop. The music is excellent, the spirit is strong, and this album is one of the fun listens of this year.
Neutrals are Allan and two Phils. Kebab Disco is out now in digital format (vinyl is sold out) via Emotional Response Records.
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Bandcamp for album
Neutrals are Allan and two Phils. Kebab Disco is out now in digital format (vinyl is sold out) via Emotional Response Records.
Bandcamp for album
Red Sleeping Beauty - Tonight EP
Prolific synth pop masters Red Sleeping Beauty are presenting us with a new record. Just a few months after releasing the wonderful Stockholm LP, the Swedish trio return with Tonight, a four-track EP that should further enhance their reputations in the top echelon of synth pop. Leading off is title track "Tonight", an upbeat song featuring dual vocals and memorable hooks. It also featured on the recent album, but it deserves this second and starring role. Following track "Someone Somewhere" adds a charming indie pop vibe to the band's repertoire, with Kristina's vocals bearing the perfect amount of sassy '60s girl group attitude. "Emma's House" is an enchanting cover of a tune by English band The Field Mice. Final song "Falling Out Of Love" fits perfectly in Red Sleeping Beauty's sweet spot creating songs that invite you to dance while you sigh. Listen for it in a club near you.
Red Sleeping Beauty are Niklas Angergard, Kristina Borg, and Mikael Matsson. Tonight EP is out July 12 in CD and digital formats via Matinee Recordings, but you can order it and obtain the digital version now.
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Bandcamp for EP
Matinee Recordings page for EP
Matinee Recordings
Red Sleeping Beauty are Niklas Angergard, Kristina Borg, and Mikael Matsson. Tonight EP is out July 12 in CD and digital formats via Matinee Recordings, but you can order it and obtain the digital version now.
Bandcamp for EP
Matinee Recordings page for EP
Matinee Recordings
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
St. Christopher Medal - Hoof!
St. Christopher Medal is a new old band. Under that name, they began recording quite recently. However, four of the five members comprised Life With Nixon, a Scottish band that ended its run in the '90s. It seems that friendship and a love of music have a glue-like property, so the world of music now has St. Christopher Medal and St. Christopher Medal have a new album titled Hoof! Perhaps surprisingly given the scattered UK location of most of the band (one of the members now resides in the US), the dominant flavors here are country rock and Americana. But Hoof! also happens to be one of the finest country rock and Americana albums we have heard in a very long time. The songwriting reflects experience, perspective and a keen observational eye. Similarly, the performances are of the sort one can only expect of performers with years of experience and familiarity with each other. The songs are warm, reflective, melodic, and richly detailed. For those of us no longer in our 20s or 30s, this album is life set to music, and it makes a strong case for a place on our essential playlist.
We embedded a few of our favorites below, but it hurt to not include more, including the lovely "Diablo", "Baseball Jacket" and "The Desert Wind And The Jazz Wolf". Suffice it to say that if you don't choose to listen to the entire album, you are cheating yourself. Visit the Bandcamp link below; you can thank us later.
St. Christopher Medal are Ali Mathieson, Kenny Mathieson, Billy Nisbet, David Mack, and Andy Jeffries, with additional contributions by Liam Cassidy and Steph Fraser. Hoof! is out now in CD, vinyl, and digital formats via Stereogram Recordings.
Bandcamp for Hoof!
Stereogram Recordings
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Terror of the Deep - The A-Team
Regular readers of this blog will be shocked to know that we found another worthy guitar band. Absolutely shocked! Well, not really because we are always on the lookout for talent in the Southern Hemisphere, and we often find it. This discovery is Wellington band Terror of the Deep, purveyors of brightly colored, hook-filled guitar pop as presented in their new album, The A-Team. The arrangements are part garage, part dream pop with a few psychedelic bits as well. There is just enough of the past NZ guitar pop heroes to remind you that there is a rich history behind these guys, but plenty of personality unique to this band. The players are highly adept, and meld well together, and the songs are invariably interesting and melodic. Try a few tracks below, and if you like them, buy them, because this album follows their second album by four years, so you can't expect to sleep on The A-Team and catch the next one soon. Of course, you shouldn't want to sleep on this album, it is a cracker, and at $7, it is an bargain.
Terror of the Deep is Oliver Dixon (guitar/vocals/drums), Taip Adams (bass/vocals), William Daymond (drums/vocals/guitar), and Thomas Watson (keys/vocals). The A Team is out now as a digital release. See the Bandcamp link below. And we want to thank the wonderful PopLib blog from Dunedin, NZ (link) for alerting us to this band.
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Bandcamp for The A-Team
Terror of the Deep is Oliver Dixon (guitar/vocals/drums), Taip Adams (bass/vocals), William Daymond (drums/vocals/guitar), and Thomas Watson (keys/vocals). The A Team is out now as a digital release. See the Bandcamp link below. And we want to thank the wonderful PopLib blog from Dunedin, NZ (link) for alerting us to this band.
Bandcamp for The A-Team
"Sun In My Eyes (feat. Pernilla Andersson)" by The Legends
It has been a while since we heard from Swedish synth pop legend Johan Angergard, who is, in fact, The Legends. But we recently were alerted to his new single "Sun In My Eyes", featuring vocals by singer and producer Pernilla Andersson. Since the song is making our day better, we think is is fair to make your day better as well, so here it is:
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Soundcloud for "Sun In My Eyes"
Various links for "Sun In My Eyes"
Pernilla Andersson Website
Labrador Records
Soundcloud for "Sun In My Eyes"
Various links for "Sun In My Eyes"
Pernilla Andersson Website
Labrador Records
Friday, June 21, 2019
Azure Blue - Images of You
It is overcast and a bit dreary outside of WYMA World Headquarters this morning, but the atmosphere inside is warm and sunny thanks to Tobias Isaksson. You see, Mr. Isaksson is Azure Blue, and under that name he creates the kind of synth pop music that elicits sighs and smiles, incites romance, and paints the listener's world with optimism. For his new album, Images of You, Tobias wields his synths like a great sushi chef making the perfect cut, a pulse here, a swooping chord there, and layers of bright musical joy transporting us to the sky. He can provide romanticism with soft, lush subtlety, such as in "Running with the Eventide", or with reckless abandon such as in "Wild for the Night". Either way, based on our experiments undertaken selflessly to improve your musical enjoyment, clothing may end up scattered on the floor. Yes, we sacrificed and you are quite welcome. Highlight songs abound, although our current favorites -- in addition to the two baby-makers above -- are "Even Horizon", "Millions of Stars" and "Shine On". End your week on a high note with Images of You.
Images of You is out now via Matinee Recordings in North and South America and Hybris in the rest of the world.
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Twitter for Tobias Isaksson
Matinee Recordings page for Images of You
Hybris
Images of You is out now via Matinee Recordings in North and South America and Hybris in the rest of the world.
Website
Twitter for Tobias Isaksson
Matinee Recordings page for Images of You
Hybris
Thursday, June 20, 2019
"A Downpour" by Errant Boy (free song)
One of our favorite albums last year was Memory Fractures by Edinburgh's Errant Boy (link to our feature). Happily, we have a new reason to remind to of that release because the band now offers a free download of "Downpour", one of the LP's fine songs and an accompanying video of the band performing it. Yes, they stimulate two of your senses -- sight and hearing -- free. Actually, if you are sufficiently clever and coordinated, you can stimulate "touch" as well by hitting the download arrow on the Soundcloud link.
"Downpour" is one of frontman Sean Ormsby's ace autobiographical vignettes, decorated with a bouncing rhythm and superb Rickenbacker 330 guitar. Expect to like it. Expect to download it. Expect to consider getting the album. Life is about seizing the possibilities.
Errant Boy's music is released via associated label Errant Media. The players are Sean Ormsby (bass/vocals), Chris Harvie (guitar), and Sarrah McLaren (drums).
"Downpour" is one of frontman Sean Ormsby's ace autobiographical vignettes, decorated with a bouncing rhythm and superb Rickenbacker 330 guitar. Expect to like it. Expect to download it. Expect to consider getting the album. Life is about seizing the possibilities.
Errant Boy's music is released via associated label Errant Media. The players are Sean Ormsby (bass/vocals), Chris Harvie (guitar), and Sarrah McLaren (drums).
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
"Jayne" by Studio Electrophonique
Welcome to our new song obsession: "Jayne". It is 2:46 of musical gold, created by Studio Electrophonique (who probably still is known to his friends and relatives as James Leesley). Yes, it draws comparisons to Lou Reed, Alex Turner and Richard Hawley, but that is pretty damn good company for a singer songwriter to keep. In fact, young James already has been a support act for Hawley.
The single will be released as a digital download on July 5 via Violette Records, but we couldn't wait any longer to share it with our readers. "Jayne" also will be the opening track of Studio Electrophonique's September EP, Buxton Palace Hotel.
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The single will be released as a digital download on July 5 via Violette Records, but we couldn't wait any longer to share it with our readers. "Jayne" also will be the opening track of Studio Electrophonique's September EP, Buxton Palace Hotel.
"Nets" by Sachet
The inbox recently was invaded by "Nets", a new single by Sachet. And we have deemed it very worthy of our readers' ears. The band includes Lani Crooks and Sam Wilkinson of our old musical friends Day Ravies. The other members are Nick Webb and Chris Anstis. Apparently we have to wait until September for their next album, to be released by Tenth Court. But for now this robust slice of guitar pop will do just fine. And if you want more of Sachet, check out our feature for their 2017 album: Link.
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Bandcamp for Nets
Tenth Court
Bandcamp for Nets
Tenth Court
"Around and Down" by Cool Sounds
If we weren't more secure in our own skins we might envy Cool Sounds. This Melbourne band makes impossibly jaunty songs that sound effortless and breezy. But despite the quality of their new single, our self-esteem is (mostly) intact, so we present to you "Around and Down". It has bounce, it has strut, and it has a great chorus. It really is a complete package of a song. We wish we had done it, but we are OK. Really, just fine.
"Around and Down" is out now as a digital download via Osborne Again Music.
Bandcamp for "Around And Down"
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Butcher the Bar - III
As promised, here is the second indie pop treat of the day, III by Butcher the Bar. The Manchester project emerged over a decade ago as the solo musical act of Joel Nicholson, but has now become a five-piece consisting of Joel, Peet Earnshaw, Matt Grayson, Andrew Cheetham, and Gavin Clarke. The songs for III were recorded several years ago, and were the first tracks laid down by the expanded band. We don't know why the songs have not been released before now, but lack of quality definitely is not a factor. The songs have a breezy, weightless feel with strong melodies. Additional details such as keys and strings augment the compositions but never detract. Comparisons to The Shins, Death Cab for Cutie, Being There (our of our favorite UK bands from earlier this decade) and power pop acts such as Teenage Fanclub, Big Star and Brendan Benson are apt, but none of them are a dead hit because Butcher the Bar have evolved their own appealing style. These songs are sweet and gentle in tone, but fully formed and perfectly fleshed out in execution. We have embedded a few gems below, but you really owe it to yourself to try out the whole album. And to encourage you to do so we have left out "Agree" and "Go", which are two of the highlights of an album full of highlights.
III is out now in digital and vinyl formats via Spanish label Bobo Integral.
Bandcamp for III
Bobo Integral page to order III
Alpine Subs - Alpine Subs
Oh, this will be a good day for guitar pop fans, as we intend to feature two albums and a few singles between now and when we sign off for the day. The first is the self-titled band by Chicago's Alpine Subs. Yes, we know that the name can refer to a venerated line of subwoofers or a popular sandwich shop. But it also has been adopted by a group of Midwestern musicians that create a sunny brand of '60s-shaded guitar pop that is tailor made for your summer needs. Psych-jangle, robust basslines and cheery harmonies abound, and the melodies are soar and explode into bright colors. And for listeners that want to relax in the shade with a gin and tonic, Alpine Subs also contains some dreamy and relaxed tunes such as"If For My Eyes" and "More Than Love". We started listening to this album a couple of days ago, but it how holds a place on our 'essential summer 2019 playlist'.
Alpine Subs are Will Goodspeed (vocals/guitar), Pat Loveless (guitar), Carrie Roche (vocals/keys/percussion), Brendan Taylor (bass), Benji Feldheim (drums), and Connor McDougal (percussion). The album is out now in digital and CD formats via Subjangle Records. See the Bandcamp link below.
Bandcamp for album
Monday, June 17, 2019
Rat Fancy - Stay Cool
On Stay Cool Southern California's Rat Fancy cooks up a heady stew of punk, fuzz and power pop. Diana Barraza's vocals cool, tease and snarl in the fashion of the best female frontwomen of '90s rock. The arrangements are beefy and uptempo -- unapologetic rock you can feel reverberating in your torso -- while your brain thrills to the pop hooks. The themes are wide-ranging, and the lyrics more sensitive than you might expect given the style. Give this album a chance. All it took was on listen to convince us that it had a place in our collection.
In addition to Diana Barraza (guitar/vocals), Rat Fancy includes Gregory Johnson (guitar/various), Matt Sturgis (drums), and Dan Fernandez (bass). Stay Cool is out now in digital, vinyl and cassette formats via HHBTM and Solidarity Club Records.
Bandcamp for Stay Cool
HHBTM website
Jeanines - Jeanines
The old saying is that good things come in small packages. Like many sayings, it is true until it isn't, which is another way of saying that you only use it when it fits. But for this album, it fits perfectly. The songs are brief, the band only has two members, and even the name of the band is just one word. But on their self-titled album, Brooklyn duo Jeaninies deliver concise bundles of jangling energy that contain a positive charge well above their run time. Frontwoman Alicia Jeanine (guitar/vocals) multi-tracks her vocals, delivering delicious harmonies, and Jed Smith (bass/drums) infuses bounce and punch. The melodies are perfect pop sugar, and the themes are melancholic with a dose of sunshine -- delivered with a direct and sincere lyricism.
The songs on Jeanines invite references to bands in the C86 spectrum, and more broadly bands such as Television Personalities, Veronica Falls and Real Numbers and the rosters of labels such as Sarah, Cloudberry, and Slumberland, which is the proud label for this release. And the references are many because the band adeptly covers a broad range of jangle pop styles from Heavenly to Shop Assistants (albeit without the switchblade in the pocket). There is no doubt that this album will be among the jangle pop albums of the year.
Jeanines is out now in vinyl, digital and CD formats via Slumberland Records.
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Bandcamp for album
Slumberland Records
Various links to buy/stream album
The songs on Jeanines invite references to bands in the C86 spectrum, and more broadly bands such as Television Personalities, Veronica Falls and Real Numbers and the rosters of labels such as Sarah, Cloudberry, and Slumberland, which is the proud label for this release. And the references are many because the band adeptly covers a broad range of jangle pop styles from Heavenly to Shop Assistants (albeit without the switchblade in the pocket). There is no doubt that this album will be among the jangle pop albums of the year.
Jeanines is out now in vinyl, digital and CD formats via Slumberland Records.
Bandcamp for album
Slumberland Records
Various links to buy/stream album
Friday, June 14, 2019
The Catherines
The Catherines - our favorite German indie pop band - have released another perhaps-but-not-likely-true story of their love lives. The two tracks are "I Can't Believe You Leave Me For That Dumbo" and "Fumbleknob". The former is lush chamber pop, the latter is classic scrappy indie pop, but both are worth your time.
The hyper-prolific duo of Sandra Ost and Heiko Schneider comprise The Catherines.
Bandcamp for record
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Azure Blue - Millions of Stars (single)
Soon, Swedish synth pop master Azure Blue will release new album Images of You. But that feature is a few days away, so we thought it might be useful, or at the least, highly pleasurable, to feature the band's two-track single Millions Of Stars. The second and final single taken from the upcoming album, it features "Millions Of Stars" and album closer, "The Rose". This artist's music invariably radiates romance and positive vibes, making it part of your essential soundtrack.
Azure Blue is Tobias Isaksson. This record is available as a digital download via Matinee Recordings.
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Twitter for Tobias Isaksson
Matinee Recordings page for single
Azure Blue is Tobias Isaksson. This record is available as a digital download via Matinee Recordings.
Website
Twitter for Tobias Isaksson
Matinee Recordings page for single
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
The Stroppies - Whoosh
Our dictionary suggests that "stroppy" means touchy or belligerent. We don't know if the name chosen by The Stroppies is intended to invoke that definition, but we think that it is unlikely to fit. We find Whoosh, the Melbourne quartet's new album, to be a good-natured gem and easily one of our favorite albums of the year so far. Of course, given the fine album the band released in late 2017 (link), we had high expectations. And our expectations were exceeded nevertheless. The songs on Whoosh ramble and jangle over muscular grooves with a strong but quirky sense of storytelling. The band have pumped up the production values for this album but managed to retain an appealing immediacy and live show vibe. While the album title suggests impermanence, these songs are anything but. They seep further into our consciousness with every replay of the album. And the album is replayed frequently here, with no song ever skipped. In fact lately we've used Whoosh as a bit of a palate cleanser in between evaluating other albums. We will listen to an album and say, "that was nice", and then play Whoosh before going to the next one.
While some writers have tried to lay the Flying Nun guitar pop mantle on The Stroppies' shoulders, it seems to us that such a comparison is unfairly narrow. This is music that reflects AM radio guitar pop, Pavement slacker, the rambunctiousness of The Feelies as well as '80s NZ and 2010's Melbourne guitar bands. Australia is regarded as a key standard bearer for the guitar pop flag in this decade, and Whoosh is a perfect example of why the reputation is justly earned..
The Stroppies are Angus Lord, Caudia Serfaty, Rory Heane, and Adam Hewitt.
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Bandcamp for Whoosh
While some writers have tried to lay the Flying Nun guitar pop mantle on The Stroppies' shoulders, it seems to us that such a comparison is unfairly narrow. This is music that reflects AM radio guitar pop, Pavement slacker, the rambunctiousness of The Feelies as well as '80s NZ and 2010's Melbourne guitar bands. Australia is regarded as a key standard bearer for the guitar pop flag in this decade, and Whoosh is a perfect example of why the reputation is justly earned..
The Stroppies are Angus Lord, Caudia Serfaty, Rory Heane, and Adam Hewitt.
Bandcamp for Whoosh
"I Feel Like" by Johnny Kills
Wednesday - the day far enough from last weekend to blunt the good times and far enough from next weekend to offer little hope. What we needed was a jolt of raucous energy. Enter "I Feel Like" by UK trio Johnny Kills. The song addresses the protagonist coming to terms with an important stage of growing up, but it helps us come to terms with Wednesday. For four minutes, all is well. Looking at the clock, we hit 'replay'.
Johnny Kills are Tim Lloyd-Kinnings, Lewis Lloyd-Kinnings, and Cameron Gipp. "I Feel Like" is a digital release via Killing Moon.
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Various links to purchase/stream "I Feel Like"
Johnny Kills are Tim Lloyd-Kinnings, Lewis Lloyd-Kinnings, and Cameron Gipp. "I Feel Like" is a digital release via Killing Moon.
Various links to purchase/stream "I Feel Like"
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Wildhoney - Naive Castle 7"
And here is another fine 7" to be released this month as part of Slumberland Records' singles subscription series. This record is Naive Castle by Baltimore to Los Angeles band Wildhoney. The title track is a soaring, spacious dream pop tune with chiming guitars, a relaxed tempo, and ambient accents. The B-side is a special treat, as the band puts a dreamy veneer on Sixpence None The Richer's "Kiss Me" with notes of resignation and weariness -- completely captivating take on a favorite pop standard.
Wildhoney are Alan, Joe, Lauren, Nathan, and Zach.
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Bandcamp for "Naive Castle"
Slumberland Records page for single
Subscription page for Slumberland Records' single series
Wildhoney are Alan, Joe, Lauren, Nathan, and Zach.
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Bandcamp for "Naive Castle"
Slumberland Records page for single
Subscription page for Slumberland Records' single series
Smiles - Gone For Good 7"
Did you know that the venerable Slumberland Records has a singles program? We think it is something you should know, and we apologize for not mentioning it sooner. However, to take some pressure off of ourselves, all indie fans should sign up for missives from this label, because their entire catalog is quality.
Today we will highlight two of the singles that will be released later this month. Our first candidate is Gone For Good, a two-song seven inch by Smiles. The title track reminds us of a slow-tempo masterpiece by Teenage Fanclub. The B-side is "This Boy", which has a dreamy and lush singer-songwriter vibe. We would tell you something about the band if we had any information, but we couldn't find any active social media accounts and the label concisely informs us that they are from the San Francisco Bay area.
Gone For Good will be released in vinyl and digital formats. Get it and your summer soundtrack will be greatly enriched.
Bandcamp page for single
Slumberland Records page for single
Slumberland Records page for singles subscription series
Today we will highlight two of the singles that will be released later this month. Our first candidate is Gone For Good, a two-song seven inch by Smiles. The title track reminds us of a slow-tempo masterpiece by Teenage Fanclub. The B-side is "This Boy", which has a dreamy and lush singer-songwriter vibe. We would tell you something about the band if we had any information, but we couldn't find any active social media accounts and the label concisely informs us that they are from the San Francisco Bay area.
Gone For Good will be released in vinyl and digital formats. Get it and your summer soundtrack will be greatly enriched.
Bandcamp page for single
Slumberland Records page for single
Slumberland Records page for singles subscription series
Monday, June 10, 2019
"Want God" by St. Martins
"Want God" is our introduction to the woozy melodicism of Scottish duo St. Martiins. We think we will hear a lot more from them.
St. Martiins are Katie Lynch and Mark Johnston. The single is available as a digital download via LAB Records.
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St. Martiins are Katie Lynch and Mark Johnston. The single is available as a digital download via LAB Records.
Soundcloud
"What You Deserve" by 11
We like starting the week with a smile on our faces, and "What You Deserve" does that in fine fashion. A bit of soul, a bit of rap, a bit of jazz, and a bit of electro pop, and three minutes of pure enjoyment. The artist is 11, a duo consisting of James Lamb and Richard Craker. Originally from London, they have decamped to sunny Los Angeles. The single is available as a digital download, check your preferred source.
Friday, June 7, 2019
The Royal Landscaping Society - Goodbye
The Royal Landscaping Society is a Spanish duo consisting of Cris Romero (vocals/guitar/synths/electronics) and David Vidal (bass/synths). Despite the name of the band, don't expect them to cut your lawn or trim your hedge. However you can count on them to deliver some sweet pop music. Our exposure to their art so far has been via songs on compilations (although they did release a self-titled album in 2014) But now we have Goodbye -- a two-song digital single released by Matinee Recordings. The lovely title track is embedded below. The B-side is "A To Fade In", and while we don't have a stream for you, we assure you that for our ears, this single is a double A-side.
Matinee Recordings page for single
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Monnone Alone - Summer of the Mosquito
Today's second feature is Summer of the Mosquito by Mannone Alone. The band is the not really solo project of Mark Mannone of The Lucksmiths. We gave you a taste of it a month ago with a feature of a two-song single headlined by this album's naughty closing track (link). But now you have the full summer celebration -- a noisy power pop and classic rock tribute to summertime fun, frolic, foibles and memories. Riffs, hooks and harmonies abound, and everyone -- both in the band and in the audience -- should be smiling throughout. This may just be your summer power pop album of choice.
Monnone Alone is Mark Monnone (vocals/guitar) Gus Franklin (drums/backing vocals), Joe Foley (bass/backing vocals), and Louis Richter (12-string guitar). We have provided links below for sourcing the album from the US, Australia, Spain, and Finland.
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Bandcamp for album (Emotional Response Records/US)
Bandcamp for album (Lost and LonesomeRecording Co/Aus)
Bandcamp for Album (Meritorio Records/Spain)
Royal Mint Records
Monnone Alone is Mark Monnone (vocals/guitar) Gus Franklin (drums/backing vocals), Joe Foley (bass/backing vocals), and Louis Richter (12-string guitar). We have provided links below for sourcing the album from the US, Australia, Spain, and Finland.
Bandcamp for album (Emotional Response Records/US)
Bandcamp for album (Lost and LonesomeRecording Co/Aus)
Bandcamp for Album (Meritorio Records/Spain)
Royal Mint Records
Seablite - Grass Stains & Novocaine
The focus for today's first feature is Grass Stains & Novocaine, the first full length album by the Bay Area's Seablite. Your ears will identify touchstones such as C86, shoegaze, Sarah Records, '80s Glasgow. We expect that any competent group of musicians can work with those ingredients, but it takes rarer skill and true inspiration to mesh them into a set of songs like these. Fuzz, feedback, chiming guitars, melody and hooks swirl through the arrangements with a concise urgency while the dual female vocals float and tease. Our favorites change each time we run through the album. Currently we are especially taken with "Pillbox" (the best Shop Assistants song that isn't a song by the Shop Assistants that we've heard in a long, long time), "Heart Mountain", the dreamy "(He's A) Vacuum Chamber", the jangling "House of Papercuts", and "I Talk To Frogs". But how could we omit "Haggard" and "Won't You" -- oh hell, really, every song is just so damn good.
Seablite are Lauren Matsuir (vocals/guitar), Andy Pastalaniec (drums), Galine Tumasyan (bass/vocals), and Jen Mundy (guitar). Grass Stains and Novocaine is out Friday, June 7, via Emotional Response Records.
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Bandcamp for album
Seablite are Lauren Matsuir (vocals/guitar), Andy Pastalaniec (drums), Galine Tumasyan (bass/vocals), and Jen Mundy (guitar). Grass Stains and Novocaine is out Friday, June 7, via Emotional Response Records.
Website
Bandcamp for album
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Rich Aucoin - Release
As running and cycling enthusiasts, we are inclined to respect Rich Aucoin without regard to his music. He has toured across North America by bicycle twice for charity, scheduling his shows to accommodate his mode of travel, and has participated in half marathon charity runs as well. However, our focus here is music, and Aucoin's most recent musical effort has captured our attention. The 11-track Release is a pop album of impressive breadth, with propulsive rhythms tugging at your dance impulses and pop hooks stimulating your brain. And it is realized in vivid colors and sparkling details. The arrangements are spacious and dynamic, embracing changes in tempo and volume, and allowing pauses to embellish the hooks. The compositions are thoughtful and fully formed, but there is nothing precious or fragile in Release. This is an album bursting with energy and purpose. Cue it up, expect to be entertained. You won't be disappointed.
Release is out now via Dine Alone Records.
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Bandcamp for Release
Soundcloud
Label store for album
Release is out now via Dine Alone Records.
Website
Bandcamp for Release
Soundcloud
Label store for album
Roman Lewis - Heartbreak (For Now) EP
We begin the day playing acoustic-based pop from Roman Lewis. The young UK musician has a knack for writing a good tune and delivers his songs with charm and conviction. His Heartbreak (For Now) EP is available, and he plans a second EP later this year. We think his talents show best on the more upbeat tracks, but the entire EP is worth your ears.
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Soundcloud for Heartbreak For Now EP
Various links for EP
Website
Soundcloud for Heartbreak For Now EP
Various links for EP
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Wrest - Coward Of Us All
Coward Of Us All is the debut album by Edinburgh's Wrest. Featuring widescreen, atmospheric arrangements, soaring guitars and raw, incisive, and emotion-packed lyrics, it is a fine addition to the sort of melodic alternative rock that the Scots have done so well this century. Our first exposure to the band was via album single "Human", the excellence of which prompted us to seek out further singles "Adventurers" and "Hope Springs". By that point, we counted ourselves as fans and dove more deeply into the entire album. We are happy to report that the rewards for the listener are rich and plentiful. The sound is full, and the rhythm section robust. The songs are well-crafted and thoughtfully performed. This is a rock album with plenty of warmth, heart and charm, and it makes our day better every time we play it.
Wrest are Stewart Douglas (lead vocals/guitar), Stephen Whipp (vocals/guitar), Craig Robertson (bass) and, now, Jonny Tait (drums), although for the recording session John Alexander provided the drumming. Coward Of Us All is out now in digital and CD formats.
Website
Bandcamp for album
credits
Monday, June 3, 2019
Tennis Club - Pink
Monday mornings can be a bit delicate around WYMA headquarters. so the choice of the office soundtrack typically involves convoluted negotiations (bribery is not unknown). However, today we quickly settles on Pink. Of course, pink is a color, but we are referring to an nine-song gem by Joplin, Missouri trio Tennis Club. This is fresh-faced, straight ahead garage rock with a substantial vein of surf rock. A totally great listen that demands repeats, we encourage you to give it a chance. If it was a stray dog and it followed you home, you would ask your parents to let you keep it. But you are an adult with money -- you don't need to ask anyone, and it is only five dollars.
Tennis Club are Wilson Hernandez (guitar), Sean O'Dell (drums), and Tehya Deardorff (bass). Pink is out now via Elefant Records'
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Bandcamp for Pink
Elefant Records
Tennis Club are Wilson Hernandez (guitar), Sean O'Dell (drums), and Tehya Deardorff (bass). Pink is out now via Elefant Records'
Bandcamp for Pink
Elefant Records