The High Water Marks - Consult The Oracle

 

The High Water Marks have done it again. Their new album Consult The Oracle is packed with rocking powerpop gems that plays out as much as a proto-greatest hits album as a single LP. To our ears, this may be their best album of their two decades of recording, although given their trajectory I wouldn't discount the possibility of greater heights (or higher high water marks) in the future. The magic sauce in songs by THWM is a heady blend of impeccable pop smarts and joyous, playful exuberance. And for fans of the jangle, like WYMA's executive editorial board, this band delivers at a premium level.

THWM are Hilarie Sidney (Apples in Stereo and Elephant 6 co-founder), Per Ole Bratset, Logan Miller & Øystein Megård. Consult The Oracle is out now via Meritorio Records.

Facebook

Blue Sky Social

The Pennys - The Pennys EP

 

We are fans of separate work of both Michael Ramos (Tony Jay/Flowertown/Cindy) and R.E. Seraphin (excellent recent solo power pop), so we eagerly awaited the debut of their joint project The Pennys. Happily, the self-titled mini-album exceeded our high expectations. Gorgeous guitars, hushed vocals, and chords that tug at the heart nestle in lo fi production to create and intimate set of songs that its creators aptly refer to as heartbreak pop. The result is immersive, immediate and compelling. Is six songs sufficient to make an album qualify for our year end list? When the songs are this good, yes.

The Pennys is out now via Mt.St.Mtn.

Bandcamp for The Penneys

Link to order of vinyl version of The Pennys

Sad Eyed Beatniks - Hot Dish of the Sun On the Table of the Heavens Demos 2016-2024

 

A feature on a collection of demos? Perhaps unusual, but Sad Eyed Beatnniks always attracts our attention. The solo, lo fi project of Kevin Linn, the head honcho of San Francisco's Paisley Shirt Records, showcases Kevin's knack for melody and invention while never over-complicating the end result. Will you like every song? Maybe, maybe not. But the digital release is $1 so a positive return on the investment is likely. And there are NO TARIFFS on these demos.

1XXXX

Bandcamp for album

Instagram

Various links for Kevin Linn