Scots musician and singer-songwriter Mark W. Georgsson has delivered a very impressive variety six-pack of tunes on his new EP, Comes A Time. Want a love song? The EP offers a deeply affecting one. Need an Americana shaded stomper? Mark has you covered. Pop, rock, a bit of folk? Sure thing, with plenty of delightful changes of direction mid-song In our opinion, this record is a mature, artfully constructed set of songs and an absolute pleasure of our ears.
Comes A Time is available now via Last Night From Glasgow. It is available on streaming and digital download services, and on vinyl from the label.
We don't listen to southern/country shaded singer songwriters every day (a failing, we know), but when we do we are likely to choose H.C. McEntire. Her voice is an absolute treasure -- clear, expressive, and endowed with incredible range and a tear-inducing ache. But as amply underscored by her new album, Eno Axis, she also is a formidable songwriter, penning songs with emotional depth and vivid imagery. The way we like to enjoy this album is when relaxing outside on the patio at the end of a summer day. We don't skip any songs. They are all more than worthy and we have embedded a few below. The album closer is a jaw-dropping cover of Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy". We haven't streamed it here as yet a further enticement to click on the Bandcamp link and explore this album in more detail.
We would be remiss if we didn't mention that the additional musicians involved in the recording process illustrated McEntire's songs superbly. The players on Eno Axis are H.C McEntire (vocals/guitar), Luke Norton (guitars/keys/backing vocals), Casey Toll (bass), Daniel Faust (drums/percussion), Nathan Bowles (banjo), Allyn Love (pedal steel), Mario Arnez (backing vocals), and Justin Morris (backing vocals).
The album is out now in digital, vinyl and CD formats via Merge Records.
In one sense we wouldn't be wrong calling Pop Filter a Melbourne super group. We weren't alone in regarding The Ocean Party as one of the top guitar bands of the last decade, and five of that band's members comprise 5/6ths of Pop Filter. The sixth member is Nick Kearton of Cool Sounds, which certainly doesn't lessen the collective CV. But this collective isn't looking for Lear Jets, stadium tours or MTV gigs, but rather the continued friendship and connection they have achieved via music from their teens to present day, the dawn of their 30s. Continuing as The Ocean Party was not considered an option after the 2018 death of member Zac Denton, but neither was ceasing to celebrate their friendship via music.
The first full length transcript of the new band is Banksia, 12 songs recorded in four days as six songwriters fleshed out the two songs each brought to the session (yes, children, you can be assigned homework even in your 30s). It is a new chapter for the musicians - and for the fans as well, because these guys aren't the same guys they were a decade ago. They don't write the same songs, they don't live their lives the same way, they think about different things, and maybe think differently about things they thought about before. But what endures is top quality songwriting and collective performances reflecting genuine connection and generosity in supporting one's mates. The result is one of the top guitar pop albums of the season.
Banksia is out now via Osborne Again Records, Spunk Records, and Bobo Integral Records.
We aren't surprised because a lot of good DIY pop has come out of Olympia, Washington since the '60s, but Little Help by Special Moves has really caught our attention. With the fuzz, jangle, melody and raw edges that remind us of Olympia favorites past as well as Guided By Voices and Cleaners From Venus, it is the sort of discovery that makes the week feel special. Billed by band originator and main songwriter Josh Hoey as an 'open source' band, the specialty du jour is concise nuggets of melody with a spontaneous live-to-tape vibe. Good stuff at a good price -- treat your ears.
Little Help is out August 28 in digital and CD formats via Jigsaw Records
The familiar jangle and chug of The Bats is one of our more beloved sounds in music. And since they have been a group for nearly four decades with no lineup changes and nine albums, we haven't had to do without that sound. Oh, did we write "nine" albums? Our mistake - number ten, tilted Foothills, is but a couple months away. Today we -- and the 'we' includes you -- can hear the first single from the album. The gang sounds as good as ever, and the video is a treat as well.
Foothills will be released on November 3 via Flying Nun Records. See the Bandcamp link below for pre-orders.
If you have a copy of the original Gospel Morning from the '90s, you are both a savvy music consumer and a lucky person. And it goes without saying that you have excellent taste. However, for those readers who are not covered by the first sentence, but believe that you are described in the second sentence, here is your chance. The album is the glittering debut album by The Chamber Strings, a band headed by the inimitable Kevin Junior (also of The Rosehips and Mystery Girls, as well as solo work). Sharing influences of '70s glam, alternative rock, pub rpclpower pop, and a bit of soul, the album offers a toothsome array of excellent songs, all linked by superb songwriting. Influenced by the '70s, written and recorded in the '90s, but undeniably timeless.
Gospel Morning is available in digital, CD and vinyl formats. See the Bandcamp link below.
Do good by acquiring good music? Here is your chance to contribute to a good cause with very little effort on your part and the added bonus of permanently possessing four new, delectable indie pop tunes. Despite dropping their debut full length earlier this year (our feature here), The Hannah Barberas have been busy during lockdown and home recorded the Fallow Days EP. Sweet peppy and so very fresh. And all the proceed go to the Lewisham Foodbank. Get a copy for yourself, and get a copy for a friend.
The Hannah Barberas are Damien (guitar/vocals), Lucy (vocals), Ian (bass/vocals), and Matthew (drums/vocals).
Whenever we learn of a new record from Spain's The Yellow Melodies, we cover it. The reason is simple: Headman Rafa Skam has a genius for pop melodies, surrounds himself with adept players, and churns out memorable record after memorable record. It would be malpractice to not cover them. Take, as a current example, the new We All Deserve A Chance. The three tracks lift our souls and make us smile. The lead track is an indie pop dance tune -- twee disco, perhaps. Our current favorite is the second song, "Silhouette In Blue", a lovely keys-driven tune. "Once Upon A Time" closes the proceedings with a pleasant jangle and a terrific hook. As always, to level stuff from a band that all indie pop fans should follow.
We All Deserve A Chance is available in digital and vinyl 7" formats, see the Bandcamp link below.
The transatlantic partnership of UK musician Paul 'Trip' Ryan, aka SUPER 8, and California vocalist Lisa Mychols has delivered one of summer's top treats for our hungry ears. Gleefully romping over a wide swath of the pop landscape, they deliver tunes that evoke timeless hits of mid '60s British invasion, early '60s top 40 bubblegum, '70s soul/pop, garage pop and beyond. The only certainty is that each song will grab your attention and hold it tight until the final note.You will wish these guys had decided to do this earlier, and you will fervently hope they decide to do it again. Often.
Lisa Mychols & SUPER 8 album is out now via Ottawa, Canada label The Beautiful Music (and the name fits for every record they release). If you are in Canada, hit the label link. If you are in the UK, hit the SUPER 8 Bandcamp link. If you are in the US, hit Lisa's Bandcamp link. If you live somewhere else, it isn't our fault. Just try and see what works for you.
As fans of the wonderfully inventive Malmo, Sweden band Kluster B, we are thrilled to discover that Kluster B vocalist and musician Linnea Hall has a solo recording project named Loaver. Actually, we are a bit late to the party as she released a self-titled album about 18 months ago. Perhaps we are just late bloomers, but that leads us to Loaver's new single, "Bloom With Me". The song progresses at a stately tempo, sparsely adorned with percussion and piano, and featuring Hall's clear, swooping and nuanced vocals. A lovely tune indeed, and a taster for her new album, Fern, which will be out October 30 via Rama Lama Records.
Calling all fans is indie pop, paisley pop and jangle bop. Hey, that sounds like a lot of the usual suspects who hang around WYMA. We found the perfect place to park that money that just doesn't fit in your pocket - Stumbling Blocks by Los Angeles aces Exploding Flowers. Comprised of veterans of Alice Bag Band, Future Shoxx, Cody ChesnuTT, Lassie Foundation, and Ray Barbee, this group has their sound perfectly dialed in. Whether your tastes run to Big Star, Rain Parade, The Bats, the Chills or those many '60s bands that make us swoon, you will find tracks to treasure on this album. The jangle overflows and there are more hooks than Hemingway's fishing vest, but it isn't all veneer -- this are good songs done well. The first two songs we have embedded are in the jangle pop variety, but the second two amply demonstrate that the band's range extends beyond that territory.
The CD us out via Ottawa's The Beautiful Music, while the vinyl and the digital is out via Smash It Up! Records.
Welcome to Matty Terrones' musical world -- world of jangle, pop, and loud/soft arrangements. The name of his project is Neutral Shirt, but don't be fooled by the unassuming name. Matty's songs are dynamic, colorful and evocative. Daisyworld, the new album, consists of eight tracks that Matty wrote when living in Philadelphia and then recorded when he returned to San Diego.We think it is fine stuff and we suggest you devote your ears to a spin.
For this record, Matty was joined by Daniel (guitar), Rainier (drums), Maybellline (keys), and Leah (bass/trumpet). Daisyworld is out now in digital and cassette + digital formats.
Sweethaven indeed! The new album by Chicago six-piece Alpine Subs is a sweet treat for your ears and an aural haven for your spirit in troubled times. Melding the best of '70s pop rock, country rock and a dash of alternative rock with plenty of jangle, it is a premium package of melody and positive spirit. This album has a more psychedelic touches than its more crunchy 2019 predecessor, and that attribute combined with the jangle and melody makes for an irrepressibly sunny set of songs. And speaking of a set of songs, Sweethaven boasts a generous 15 tracks. We recommend this album a prime candidate for your soundtrack for the last month of summer.
Alpine Subs are principal songwriter Will Goodseed with Pat Loveless, Carrie Roche, Drew Hackney, Brendan Taylor, and Connor McDougal. Sweethaven is out now via Subjangle Records.
