We think that life always is better with new Cleaners From Venus. We think many of our readers agree, and I suspect that the Martin Newell and the other boys from the band would hit the "like" button if we had one, which we don't. And all of that (except for the button nonsense) is relevant today because the band has gifted all of us with a 'name your price' release titled Essex Princess. Consisting of three songs, including the incredibly catchy title track, we think it will give everyone a nice 11-minute break from their work day.
Website
Martin Newell's Facebook page
Twitter
Bandcamp for Essex Princess
This is not music criticism. On this blog, you will only read about music we like.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Thursday, August 29, 2019
"1985" by Cafolla
Our nearly-the-end-of-the-work-week-and-holiday-weekend-ahead-but-two-projects-to-complete shot of energy needs to come from somewhere, and we've already exceeded our daily recommended dose of caffeine (and here in Seattle, the recommended dose isn't for the faint of heart). So we turned to the new song from Scottish artist Cafolla. The man has spent the last decade heading the Federation of the Disco Pimp through a few albums and earned awards in the process. He now is making his mark solo -- well, solo with some guest vocalists. The first song shared from the upcoming album, and our end of the work-week fuel, is "1985" with guest vocalist Brian Collazo. Time to move those feet, ladies and gents, we have some Prince-like music below.
"1985" is the first single from Cafolla's debut solo album, Cowboys & Africans, which is due in November via Dusty Reel Records.
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Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Soundcloud link for "1985"
Spotify link for "1985"
Various links for "1985"
"1985" is the first single from Cafolla's debut solo album, Cowboys & Africans, which is due in November via Dusty Reel Records.
Website
Soundcloud link for "1985"
Spotify link for "1985"
Various links for "1985"
Sunny Sunday Smile: A Sunday Records Compilation
If you are inclined to trust our recommendations, very few words are needed for this post. If you aren't so inclined, ignoring us on this one is your loss if you are an indie fan. Chicago's Sunday Records is one of the finer indie pop labels in our universe, releasing vital music by treasured artists, many of whom would be in our hall of heroes if we had one. Today, the label is releasing Sunny Sunday Smile: A Sunday Records Compilation featuring 28 songs from two compilations they released in the early to mid '90s. The artists include The Proctors, Bulldozer Crash, Kosmonaut, The Pristines, Dolores Haze, Mosaic Eyes and many others. The music ranges from the solidly twee to guitar pop with fuzz and muscle, but it is all characterized by good songwriting and the emotional touch that makes indie pop such and addictive genre. That the compilation is available for 12 dollars in digital and two-CD formats is shocking enough to have prompted us to wonder whether it was a misprint.
Get busy people, this is a deal.
Bandcamp
Sunday Records
Facebook
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Get busy people, this is a deal.
Bandcamp
Sunday Records
Secret Treehouse - The Big Rewind
Yesterday we featured an album by Frog; today we begin with an album that opens with "Fear of Frogs". Just a coincidence ... we think. The song is the initial jewel of soaring, brightly textured sonic bliss by Norwegian band Secret Treehouse. The following "Hero" displays a different side of the band, a pensive, slow-tempo song performed beautifully by vocalist Anja Bere. And the various facets of the band continue to play off each other throughout the album, with upbeat pop/rock standouts such as "Fear of Frogs" and the title track balanced by power ballads such as the touching "Really Nervous" and "Sinking". However, with five accomplished members, every song -- regardless of tempo -- is richly detailed, shimmering and sparkling as the arrangements build to a powerful finish. Indisputably, the vocals star in these songs, but there is so much more to enjoy.
Secret Treehouse are Anja Bere, Trond Espen Teigen Bjoland, Sveinung Fossan Bukve, Tormod Smith Svanevik, and Marius Mathisen. The Big Rewind is out now, check your preferred digital source.
Website
Soundcloud
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
"Believer" by Dyson Stringer Cloher
Today's email missives brought us the good news that occasional Australian indie super group Dyson Stringer Cloher has put pen to paper and fingers to strings to create a new album. The self-titled release will arrive the first week of October via Milk! Records and Remote Control. Our first listen is via the inspirational "Believer", centered around the dedication of Cloher's neighbor Lulu to play Australian Football. Excellent song, and all of us at WYMA HQ are cheering for Lulu to make it to the big league.
The band members are Mia Dyson, Liz Stringer and Jen Cloher. They will be touring in Australia in November.
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Bandcamp for Dyson Stringer Cloher
Various links for album
The band members are Mia Dyson, Liz Stringer and Jen Cloher. They will be touring in Australia in November.
Website
Bandcamp for Dyson Stringer Cloher
Various links for album
Frog - Count Bateman
Mid-week listening rarely sounds this good. Please give a warm welcome to Count Bateman, the latest album by Queens musician Frog. Previously a duo, for this album the band is singer songwriter Danny Bateman. And here he offers ten tracks with his observations of his current circumstances and memories of the past. The songwriting is sharp without being flashy, and the album has the ambiance of a intimate storytelling session with a newly-discovered favorite author. Stylistically, the songs embrace pop, folk, Americana and soft rock, but it melts together like your favorite grilled cheese sandwich. For that matter, think of this record as aural comfort food -- if you need a warm cuddly feeling today, this is your recommended source. I don't know whether I am hugging this album, or it is hugging me, but someone is being hugged and it sure feels good.
Count Bateman is out now via Audio Antihero and Bateman's own imprint, Tape Wormies.
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Bandcamp for Count Bateman
Audio Antihero
Count Bateman is out now via Audio Antihero and Bateman's own imprint, Tape Wormies.
Bandcamp for Count Bateman
Audio Antihero
Monday, August 26, 2019
Hearts and Rockets - Power
We could just apologize for ignoring the blog for several days while enjoying the sunny weather of our last full month of summer, but the more rock and roll approach would be to dish some attitude at our readers. This presents us with a dilemma, because we really are quite nice people. However, rock and roll wants what rock and roll wants, so we have arrived at the solution of having Hearts and Rockets bring the attitude for us. Accordingly, we welcome ourselves back with Power by Hearts and Rockets. The band is a Melbourne-based duo consisting of Kalindy Williams and Kurt Eckardt, and their music is a punkish indie rock with noise and attitude. The band apparently calls it 'brat-wave', and that description works fine for us. And what really works as well is just what the title promises - the power. Of course, if it were just power and attitude, it wouldn't be enough. But Power has hooks and a consistently infectious groove underpinning every song. Hearts and Rockets wades into your brain with an uncompromising swagger, and lives there for 14 tracks that will leave you breathless. Check it out.
Power is out now via Psychic Hysteria Recordings.
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Bandcamp for Power
Power is out now via Psychic Hysteria Recordings.
Website
Bandcamp for Power
Friday, August 23, 2019
"Not A Dream" by Spinning Coin
About a month ago we shared "Visions At The Stars" (link), the title track for the upcoming two-song single by one of our favorite Scottish bands, Spinning Coin. With the August 30 release date for the single on the near horizon, the Glasgow band is sharing "Not A Dream", the B-side. A shaggy ode to trying to escape modern information overload, it further cements our love for Spinning Coin's brand of guitar pop.
Spinning Coin are Sean Armstrong (vocals/guitar), Jack Mellin (vocals/guitar), Rachel Taylor (bass/vocals), and Chris White (drums). Visions At The Stars will be released in digital and vinyl formats via the Geographic Music imprint of Domino Record Company.
And for those of you with short memory or for some odd reason, unlike us, do not have an obsession with Spinning Coin, here is a reminder of the superb A-side:
Website
Various links for Not A Dream
Domino page for vinyl version of single
Thursday, August 22, 2019
The Umbrella Puzzles - The Umbrella Puzzles EP
We noticed in the past 24 hours that several people who have what we consider to be very good taste in music have been chatting about The Umbrella Puzzles. So naturally we decided to check them out for ourselves. What we have discovered is (1) "them", is actually a "he", that is Ryan Marquez, (2) Ryan's other projects include Apple Orchards and Golden Teardrops, (3) Ryan has a knack for a knockout melody, a gentle hook and a plaintive vocal to ride the tune, and (4) his self-titled six-song EP is available for 'name your price'. Obvious references (to our ears) include The Go-Betweens, Galaxie 500, and Peter Astor. This is a great EP for sitting on the deck on a gentle summer night with the automatic replay button engaged and a chilled bottle within reach.
The Umbrella Puzzles EP is a digital release via Boring Spaghetti Records; see the Bandcamp link below.
Bandcamp for EP
The Umbrella Puzzles EP is a digital release via Boring Spaghetti Records; see the Bandcamp link below.
Bandcamp for EP
"Melting Face" by Pink Chameleons
In January we featured new Finnish band Pink Chameleons via their single "Religion" (link). We are happy to report that the band's debut EP will be released this fall via Soliti Music, and we have our first hint at the content with EP track "Melting Face". An urgent psych/garage rocker of a tune, it reminds us of The Jesus and Mary Chain, as well as frontman Paltsa-Kai Salama's former outfit Black Lizard. And that means we like it a lot.
In addition to Salama, Pink Chameleons are Antti Sauli and Ville Hopponen. Backing vocals for "Melting Face" were provided by Tytti Roto of Plastic Tones. By the way, the video features flowers from Salama's garden.
Facebook
Bandcamp for single
In addition to Salama, Pink Chameleons are Antti Sauli and Ville Hopponen. Backing vocals for "Melting Face" were provided by Tytti Roto of Plastic Tones. By the way, the video features flowers from Salama's garden.
Bandcamp for single
The Irony Board - Unfinished Business
Like many who are obsessed with indie music, we can be a bit elitist about knowing of bands that most people haven't heard of. So we can walk down the street with our ear buds firmly in place, smugly listening to the demos by Big Nose Betty and Her Blonde Zulu Surf Dudes. But we have to remind ourselves that this blog exists to actually share that information with you (well, not about BNB&HBZSD, they are still looking for a permanent drummer). And we don't have to look hard for the subject of this post, because we have listened to Unfinished Business four times today, four times yesterday, and numerous other times over the past two weeks. The band is The Irony Board, an unsigned British group that should have, and deserved to, make a splash in the '90s. Sadly, that didn't happen for them, and their music would have been lost if not for Wally at Canadian label The Beautiful Music.
The ten songs on the album are an absolute treat, with a simple and melodic DIY guitar pop style, affecting themes, sincere lyrics and a performance style that spans Television Personalities, The Razorcuts, and even The Beat Happening. We don't even know the names of the players other than Johny Nocash. And you probably won't be surprised to learn that even if the man has no cash, that isn't his real name. But if John Hartley wants to be known as Johny Nocash that is ok with us and his secret is safe in our hands.
Take the three tracks below for a test drive. If you are like us, you will decide that you need this album. Remember, it had to be rescued once, you can't count on that happening again.
Unfinished Business is out now in CD format via The Beautiful Music. We understand that the label will have a digital version available soon.
Twitter for Johny Nocash
Label page
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Fashion Brigade - Fvck The Heartache
We have been told that self-care is important to mental health. While we aren't experts on the subject, we have been called crazy often enough that taking a few precautions seems appropriate. So today we are treating our ears very, very well. Of course, we always give our ears good music, but the current selection is especially melodic. And being of kind disposition, we are going to share our medicine with you. Accordingly, please welcome Fvck The Heartache by Fashion Brigade.
Fashion Brigade is the project of Elia Einhorn, the driving force behind the late, lamented Scotland Yard Gospel Choir. For Fvck The Heartache Elia has fashioned 11 lush, melodic and exceptionally clever pop gems. The magic, in addition to ace songwriting, is that each track has one or more stellar collaborators. And what a roster - Frankie Cosmos, Exene Cervenka (of X), Thor Harris, and members of LCD Soundsystem, Dirty Projectors, Icy Demons, Prince Rama, Phosphorescent, and others. When you file this album away, you probably will file it near Magnetic Fields, Belle and Sebastian and, of course, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir. But you'll have time to think about it because we suspect that you won't want to file it anywhere any time soon
Fvck The Heartache is out now in vinyl and digital formats via Gentle Reminder Records.
Bandcamp for Fvck The Heartache
Gentle Reminder Records
Monday, August 19, 2019
Life Strike - Primitive Future
A couple weeks ago, we had never heard of Life Strike, but now their debut album Primitive Future is a staple of our daily listening. Frankly, it is things like that that keep us going at WYMA. Formed by Nick Pratt, ex-Deaf Wish bassist and songwriter, and Guitarist Patrick McCabe of Brisbane's Dollar Bar, Life Strike launches from the rich guitar pop history of Nick's native New Zealand with songs that variously bring to mind The Verlaines, The Bats, and The Clean, among others. The songs reflect a knack for melody and simple but effective song structures, but manage to convey a sharp, dark edge as well. Of the more pop oriented songs, "Pages" is a standout, but "Econo" and "Megabytes Are Dying" are strong contenders. In the garage rock vein, the three opening tracks are excellent, with "Black Curtain" drawing favorable comparisons to The Black Lips. "Contact, No Contact" reminds us of post-Genesis Peter Gabriel and The Jean-Paul Sartre Experience. But there really isn't a weak song in the set. Primitive Future is another triumph in the seemingly inexhaustible river of good music coming out of Melbourne
The band has been through several drummers. Ollie Mackay served for the recording of Primitive Future, but the role now filled by Scotty Birque. We don't want to start unfounded rumors, but when we read that Nick and Patrick both have suffered serious accidents requiring insertion of titanium in their bodies, and that the band is on their third drummer, one wonders if drummer auditions inadvisably involved trial by combat.
Primitive Future is out now in vinyl and digital formats. See the Bandcamp link below.
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Bandcamp for Primitive Future
The band has been through several drummers. Ollie Mackay served for the recording of Primitive Future, but the role now filled by Scotty Birque. We don't want to start unfounded rumors, but when we read that Nick and Patrick both have suffered serious accidents requiring insertion of titanium in their bodies, and that the band is on their third drummer, one wonders if drummer auditions inadvisably involved trial by combat.
Primitive Future is out now in vinyl and digital formats. See the Bandcamp link below.
Bandcamp for Primitive Future
Friday, August 16, 2019
Introducing Tibetan Miracle Seeds
No, this is not an infomercial aimed at home gardeners. This is about a newly discovered band called Tibetan Miracle Seeds. They are from Scotland, and the members are Kieran Smith (drums), Lefty (tanpura/flute), and Jack McAfee (vocals/guitar/bass/didge), we don't know anything about them. You can grab "Ideas" from Bandcamp, but it also is rewarding to wander on their Soundcloud page, which is where we found "Alone". We also include a stream of "Mirage" from early 2018. We certainly can't say these guys are rushing too fast in delivering an album, can we?
Bandcamp
Soundcloud
Bandcamp
Soundcloud
"My Girl" by ST.MARTiiNS
Katie Lynch and Mark Johnston, the Dundee, Scotland duo that calls themselves ST.MARTiiNS, is back with a breezy pop song about friends. We think "My Girl" has just the right vibe to launch the final workday of the week. Give it a spin below.
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Various links to source "My Girl"
LAB Records
Various links to source "My Girl"
LAB Records
Thursday, August 15, 2019
"O'n ni'n Ffrindia" and "When He's Gone" by Papur Wal
As long as our ears are tuned to Wales, we think you should know about the two songs by slacker pop aces Papur Wal. Their two latest releases via the fine Welsh label Libertino Records are "O'n ni'n Ffrindia" and "When He's Gone". Other factoids of possible interest are that the name of the band means wallpaper in Welsh, and the band is led by vocalist and guitarist Ianto Gruffydd.
Libertino Records
Various links for "O'n ni'n Ffrindia"
Various links for "When He's Gone"
"Throw It Up" by Seazoo
When our inbox recently displayed a message about a fresh new song by Seazoo, we thought the name of the band sounded familiar. A search through our archives (a scary place, indeed) revealed a feature of previous track "Dig" (link). So we have concluded that (1) our memory banks still function, and (2) after playing "Throw It Up", we remain impressed by this band from Wales (or "Whales", as some reality TV characters would have it). Seazoo's sweet spot is a noisy brand of guitar pop that falls between Gorky's Zygotic Mynci and Pavement, and we think you will like it. And if you do like it, check out their 2018 album Trunks at the final link in this post.
Website
Facebook
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Bandcamp. for "Throw It Up"
Various links for "Throw It Up"
Bandcamp for Trunks
Website
Bandcamp. for "Throw It Up"
Various links for "Throw It Up"
Bandcamp for Trunks
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
"Polar Onion" by Allah Las
We still are a couple of months from the release of LAHS, the new album from Los Angeles band Allah Las. But we have heard it, and it is one of our favorite albums of the year. However, we aren't writing this post just to tease you, as we now can share album track "Polar Onion" with you.
Allah Las are Matt Correia, Spencer Dunham, Miles Michaud, and Pedrum Siadatian. LAHS will be available October 11 via Mexican Summer. The band will be touring from now until mid-December in support of the album. See the dates and venues at the bottom of the post.
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Various links to pre-order LAHS
August 14th - The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids, MI
August 16th - Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
August 17th - Half Acre Beer Company, Chicago, IL
September 14th - Huichica Music Festival, Walla Walla, WA
November 4th - Valley Bar, Phoenix, AZ
November 5th - Meow Wolf, Sante Fe, NM
November 7th - White Oak Music Hall, Houston, TX
November 8th - Trees, Dallas, TX
November 9th - Empire Control Room, Austin, TX
November 10th - One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans, LA
November 12th - The Basement East, Nashville, TN
November 13th - Terminal West, Atlanta, GA
November 14th - Grey Eagle Tavern, Asheville, NC
November 15th - Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
November 16th - The Black Cat, Washington, DC
November 18th - Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA
November 19th - Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
November 20th - Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn, NY
November 22nd - Corona Theatre, Montreal, CA
November 24th - Lee's Palace, Toronto, CA
November 25th - Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
November 26th - Ace of Cups, Columbus, OH
November 27th - Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL
November 29th - Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis, MN
November 30th - Blueberry Hill, St. Louis, MO
December 2nd - Slowdown, Omaha, NE
December 3rd - Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CA
December 4th - Metro Music Hall, Salt Lake City, UT
December 6th - Neumos, Seattle, WA
December 7th - Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
December 8th - Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC
December 10th - The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
December 11th - The Observatory, Santa Ana, CA
December 12th - The Mayan, Los Angeles, CA
December 13th - The Observatory North Park, San Diego, CA
December 14th - Pappy & Harriets, Pioneertown, CA
Allah Las are Matt Correia, Spencer Dunham, Miles Michaud, and Pedrum Siadatian. LAHS will be available October 11 via Mexican Summer. The band will be touring from now until mid-December in support of the album. See the dates and venues at the bottom of the post.
Website
Various links to pre-order LAHS
August 14th - The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids, MI
August 16th - Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
August 17th - Half Acre Beer Company, Chicago, IL
September 14th - Huichica Music Festival, Walla Walla, WA
November 4th - Valley Bar, Phoenix, AZ
November 5th - Meow Wolf, Sante Fe, NM
November 7th - White Oak Music Hall, Houston, TX
November 8th - Trees, Dallas, TX
November 9th - Empire Control Room, Austin, TX
November 10th - One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans, LA
November 12th - The Basement East, Nashville, TN
November 13th - Terminal West, Atlanta, GA
November 14th - Grey Eagle Tavern, Asheville, NC
November 15th - Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
November 16th - The Black Cat, Washington, DC
November 18th - Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA
November 19th - Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
November 20th - Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn, NY
November 22nd - Corona Theatre, Montreal, CA
November 24th - Lee's Palace, Toronto, CA
November 25th - Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
November 26th - Ace of Cups, Columbus, OH
November 27th - Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL
November 29th - Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis, MN
November 30th - Blueberry Hill, St. Louis, MO
December 2nd - Slowdown, Omaha, NE
December 3rd - Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CA
December 4th - Metro Music Hall, Salt Lake City, UT
December 6th - Neumos, Seattle, WA
December 7th - Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
December 8th - Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC
December 10th - The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
December 11th - The Observatory, Santa Ana, CA
December 12th - The Mayan, Los Angeles, CA
December 13th - The Observatory North Park, San Diego, CA
December 14th - Pappy & Harriets, Pioneertown, CA
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Sweet Whirl - Love Songs & Poetry
Sweet Whirl is the musical platform for Melbourne musician Esther Edquist. After a couple of releases on the Bedroom Suck with her former band Superstar (which we featured in 2015: link), Esther has marked her signing with Chapter Music by releasing a six-song EP titled Love Songs & Poetry. The songs are introspective and incisive, written with intelligence and played with confidence. The arrangements are pleasingly melodic and leave ample space for Esther's vocals and bass to star. Love Songs & Poetry is a perfect play for the evening of a summer day. And it is just what we are playing every night this week.
In addition to Esther, Sweet Whirl includes James Vinciguerra and Liam Barton. Love Songs & Poetry is out now in digital and cassette formats via Melbourne's Chapter Music.
Facebook
Chapter Music page for Sweet Whirl
In addition to Esther, Sweet Whirl includes James Vinciguerra and Liam Barton. Love Songs & Poetry is out now in digital and cassette formats via Melbourne's Chapter Music.
Chapter Music page for Sweet Whirl
Purple Pilgrims - Perfumed Earth
As Purple Pilgrims, Valentine and Clementine Nixon have crafted Perfumed Earth -- a lush, enthralling dreamscape of electronic folk and dream pop adorned with their crystalline soprano vocals. Recorded in a shed in the New Zealand woods, the tracks conjure thoughts of Gothic spells and twisted tales with a nearly spiritual tone, all while pleasuring your ears with melodies and vocals that are as addictive as they are sweet. The magic here is in the instrumental and vocal textures layered through the arrangements. This album may be different than any other music to which you ordinarily listen, but we don't think you will be able to stop listening to it. We certainly can't. The standout tracks are plentiful, and we have provided a few below. That said, we must admit a nostalgic fondness for the sisters' achingly sweet cover of "I'm Not Saying", one of our favorite Gordon Lightfoot songs.
Perfumed Earth was recorded with contributions by Gary War, Jimmy Mac, Joshua Kennedy, Jeff Henderson, Roy Montgomery, and perhaps others. It is out now via Flying Nun Records.
Website
Facebook
Bandcamp
Perfumed Earth was recorded with contributions by Gary War, Jimmy Mac, Joshua Kennedy, Jeff Henderson, Roy Montgomery, and perhaps others. It is out now via Flying Nun Records.
Website
Bandcamp
Friday, August 9, 2019
"Timebomb" (feat. Lisa Mychols) by SUPER 8
Pop maven Paul Ryan, aka SUPER 8 is offering you a name-your-price slice of summer power pop to super8charge your weekend. Unusual for a SUPER 8 recording, Paul is handling the instruments and production, but has handed the mic to the talented Lisa Mychols. You can grab "Timebomb" from Bandcamp, but don't miss watching the fun video -- those clay creatures worked very hard.
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Bandcamp for "Timebomb"
Bandcamp for "Timebomb"
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Mark Mulcahy - Gus
Here at WYMA we don't just feature music that we select from submissions, we do the hard gumshoe work of sifting through vast amounts of music that no one has chosen to send us, looking for gems worthy of your attention. And while so engaged we discovered Gus. No, we aren't talking about your cousin Gus, the one who always plays practical jokes on your mom and is offended when no one thinks he is funny. We mean the new album by Mark Mulcahy. Mark was, and we guess still is, the frontman for Miracle Legion. But more recently he has focused his creative efforts on solo albums, one of which we featured in 2013 (link). As demonstrated by the songs on Gus, Mulcahy combines a singer songwriter approach to crafting colorfully illustrated stories. The arrangements vary from rolling rockers to an edgy Americana. The melodies are entertaining and the performances enthusiastic and energetic. This album is a triumph well deserving of your ears based on songwriting alone. But it is so much more.
Gus is out now via Mezzotint.
Website
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Bandcamp for Gus
Mezzotint
Gus is out now via Mezzotint.
Website
Bandcamp for Gus
Mezzotint
The Black Watch - Magic Johnson
The Black Watch is the long-running musical project of California English professor, painter, and author John Andrew Fredrick. This past June Fredrick released both a career retrospective and a new set of songs titled Magic Johnson. Consisting of a generous 16 songs reflecting Fredrick's appreciation for British psychedelic rock and Flying Nun guitar pop of from the '80s, and his love of guitars, Magic Johnson continues the band's run of engaging and satisfying albums. In style, the album seems both nostalgic and fresh -- the latter quality perhaps attributable to the enthusiasm of Fredrick and his mates as well as their restraint in weaving elements from their influences. You really owe it to your ears to check out this album at the Bandcamp link below.
In addition to Fredrick, the players on Magic Johnson are Chris Rackard (bass), Andy Creighton (guitar), and Rick Woodard (drums). The album is out now via ATOM Records.
John Andrew Fredrick's website
Facebook
Bandcamp for Magic Johnson
ATOM Records
In addition to Fredrick, the players on Magic Johnson are Chris Rackard (bass), Andy Creighton (guitar), and Rick Woodard (drums). The album is out now via ATOM Records.
John Andrew Fredrick's website
Bandcamp for Magic Johnson
ATOM Records
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Hannah Barberas - Dial H For Hannah Barberas
London fourpiece The Hannah Barberas have given you a couple of months to digest their Spring release compiling their EPs to date (our feature here). But knowing that you all have the attention of fruit flies, they have wisely decided to dangle another bright, shiny piece of music near your ears. So on September 6 we can all welcome Dial H For Hannah Barberas. Take a couple of the six tracks for a test drive below -- you'll be glad you did.
And why are we telling you about the EP a month ahead of time? First, because you can stream and pre-order now, so there is no reason to wait. Second, while the number of digital copies presumably is unlimited, the CD version is very limited and only a few remain available.
The Hannah Barberas are Damien, Lucy, Doug, and Matthew. The EP is released via Subjangle Records.
Twitter
Bandcamp for Dial H for Hannah Barberas
And why are we telling you about the EP a month ahead of time? First, because you can stream and pre-order now, so there is no reason to wait. Second, while the number of digital copies presumably is unlimited, the CD version is very limited and only a few remain available.
The Hannah Barberas are Damien, Lucy, Doug, and Matthew. The EP is released via Subjangle Records.
Bandcamp for Dial H for Hannah Barberas
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
"Mystery Man" by The Echo Session
Tam Maher (vocals/guitar), Alistair Morrow (guitar/vocals) Stuart Morran (bass/vocals, and Ryan Rimkus (drums/vocals) are The Echo Session. In the mid-'00s the Glasgow band recorded a number of songs that, save a few, were never released. Their fans have been hoping for almost 15 years that this omission would be rectified. Some of us joined in the hope in 2016 when the Flowers In The Dustbin label ("FITD") released a couple of the songs. We are happy to report that the album, titled Wait And See (the "wait" in the title might seem ironic, but the album is named after the closing track), will be released October 25 in digital and CD formats. The full release will be preceded by a single release of "Mystery Man", the album's second track. A note-perfect '60s/British Invasion-style tune, the single draws you into the world of The Echo Session. Garage pop, '80s British guitar pop and British Invasion are on offer, fresh, genuine and blessedly uncomplicated. We will have more to say about the entire album closer to October, but for your Tuesday treat, here is "Mystery Man".
Wait And See will be released via FITD, which in our view is a superb label. An indication of their quality is demonstrated by their 10-year retrospective, Under the Paving Stones (our feature here).
Bandcamp for Wait and See
Flowers in the Dustbin - Website
Flowers in the Dustbin - Facebook
Flowers in the Dustbin - Twitter
Wait And See will be released via FITD, which in our view is a superb label. An indication of their quality is demonstrated by their 10-year retrospective, Under the Paving Stones (our feature here).
Bandcamp for Wait and See
Flowers in the Dustbin - Website
Flowers in the Dustbin - Facebook
Flowers in the Dustbin - Twitter
Monday, August 5, 2019
Lachlan Denton & Studio Magic - A Brother
So you need to ask yourself, do you cry or do you smile. It is a hard but fair question -- we have asked the same question of ourselves when we play A Brother. The reason for tears is obvious. Lachlan Denton's brother Zach -- younger sibling, friend, bandmate, and talented musician involved in several bands -- suddenly died last year. This wasn't one of these rock star flame out deaths, but rather, if we understand correctly, a medical condition involving a cranial cyst (it hits home, our main writer has a cranial cyst). Zach died, his musical contributions ceased, and Lachlan lost a brother.
But the case for smiling is strong. Lachlan Denton & Studio Magic, a collaborative effort between Lachlan and friends and other bandmates of the brothers, has produced an album of remarkable quality. Consisting of nine original compositions and a closing cover of "Spat Out" from Zach's Hobby Farm project, A Brother presents a poignant and at times heartbreaking remembrance of Zach Denton, wrapped up in some of the most beautiful songs you will hear this year. Nicely balanced between soft, reflective tunes and the sort of breezy up-tempo numbers we recall from The Ocean Party, it is a terrific listen every time through. There is sadness and love, and we can't think of a finer tribute to Zach.
Life is complicated, and the best music reflects the complications and conflicts, the memories and losses. So do we cry, or do we smile? Our choice thanks to A Brother: We smile through the tears
In addition to Lachlan, Studio Magic are Ambrin Hasnain, Dainis Lacey, Liam Halliwell, Roe Kean, Anila Hasnain. A Brother is out now via Osborne Again Music, Spunk Records and Bobo Intregal.
Bandcamp for A Brother
Label page for LP
Friday, August 2, 2019
The Vapour Trails - See You In The Next World
The Aberdeen, Scotland of 2019 is a long way, chronologically and geographically, from 1960s California. But the debut album by Aberdeen's The Vapour Trails bridges that gap with remarkable agility. Cue up See You In The Next World, close your eyes, and you are transported to the world of The Byrds, West Coast folk rock, and Laurel Canyon. Chiming and jangling guitars and psychedelic washes combine with endearing melodies and sweet harmonies. Perfectly timed for your last month of beach trips and backyard picnics, this is a summertime treat for your ears.
The Vapour Trails are Scott Robertson, Kevin Robertson, Nicholas Mackie, Andrew Crossan, and Kenny Munro. See You In The Next World is out now in CD and digital formats via Futureman Records.
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Bandcamp for See You In The Next World
The Vapour Trails are Scott Robertson, Kevin Robertson, Nicholas Mackie, Andrew Crossan, and Kenny Munro. See You In The Next World is out now in CD and digital formats via Futureman Records.
Bandcamp for See You In The Next World
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Young Guv - Guv I
We are such nice guys that we composed a shopping list for your Friday. Here it is: Guv I. Did you write that down? Good.
Now, for those of you that need a bit of an explanation, Guv I is the latest recording from Toronto-to-New York musician Ben Cook, aka Young Guv. Consisting of eight tracks of melodic, peppy power pop that are perfectly written and performed. Some may expend effort trying to tell us that this album is a throwback to '70s Big Star or '90s Teenage Fanclub or The Posies, but we think that is missing the forest for the trees. These songs are timeless pop music -- earworms that would have thrilled you a decade ago and a decade from now just as much as they will thrill you today. And thrill you, they will. That's their job, and they do they business like a pro.
Guv I is out via Run For Cover Records.
Website
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Run For Cover Records page for Guv I
Now, for those of you that need a bit of an explanation, Guv I is the latest recording from Toronto-to-New York musician Ben Cook, aka Young Guv. Consisting of eight tracks of melodic, peppy power pop that are perfectly written and performed. Some may expend effort trying to tell us that this album is a throwback to '70s Big Star or '90s Teenage Fanclub or The Posies, but we think that is missing the forest for the trees. These songs are timeless pop music -- earworms that would have thrilled you a decade ago and a decade from now just as much as they will thrill you today. And thrill you, they will. That's their job, and they do they business like a pro.
Guv I is out via Run For Cover Records.
Website
Run For Cover Records page for Guv I