REVIEW: Wax Idols - No Future

This is beginning to look like Garageapoloza around here. Of course, I think that is just fine, except that I think my speakers are burning oil. Today we're reviewing the No Future, the impressive debut album from San Francisco's Wax Idols. Headed by Heather Fedewa (AKA Heather Fortune), who also is a member of Blasted Canyons and formerly played with Hunx and His Punx and Bare Wires, the current band lineup also includes Amy Rosenoff on bass, Keven Tecon on drums, and Jennifer Mundy on guitar.

Wax Idols seem to hit the intersection of indie rock, garage and punk, all with a pop sensibility. There is a punk snarl, but boy/girl vocals, harmonies and hooks. And regardless of whether you are interested in genre tags, all you really need to know that Wax Idols blasts your brain and gut with excellent surly but sexy music.

Album opener, "Dead Like You"
Wax Idols - Dead Like You by HOZAC RECORDS

To be honest, eight weeks ago I'm not certain I'd heard of this band. After hearing a few tracks I became a believer in their potential. After seeking out and listening to No Future, I'm of the opinion that we don't need to wait for potential to be realized--this band is very, very good right now. The last four tracks on the album alone, "Bad Future", "Uneasy", "Sand In My Joints" (Wire cover) and "Grey Area" will have you moving your feet and pumping your fist. They have me reevaluating my draft year end list. Is there a weakness? Well, I'm not sure these guys know how to name an album.

"Gold Sneakers"


This isn't an album track, but rather a track released on a 7" earlier in the year. I include it in the review because I think it helps point out the irresistibly anthemic music this band puts out. "All Too Human":

All Too Human from Gretchen Natvig on Vimeo.

By the way, the band currently is on tour with Terry Malts. Check the tour schedule to determine whether you are lucky enough to live in their path. I'd love to see either band; both is a deluxe burrito!


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Artist page at Hozac Records

REVIEW: The Beets - Let the Poison Out

If I were writing a rock music menu, Let the Poison Out from The Beets would have a fairly long list of ingredients. There is garage, punk, and folk, most certainly. But there is a good dose of 90s slacker, Americana, and from the back of the spice cabinet, a bit of 70s California country rock. Of course, ingredients are only part of the story -- the magic is in how they are blended together -- and The Beets have cooked us a fun, varied and tasty album.

"Doing As I Do", the fifth track and first single from the album is a folk rock anthem that readily attaches to the pleasure center of your brain:

"Preso Voy" is a snake-rhythm Spanish language vamp that will bring to mind The Strange Boys or The Black Lips. "Let Clock Work" slows things down and comes close to the indie guitar pop of Wonderwall-era Oasis. The album closer, "Walking to My House", has a dreamy, hazy psych feel. I think that overall these songs are the strongest and most varied of The Beets' career.

The Beets are Juan Wauters (guitar and vocals), Jose Garcia (bass and vocals), Matthew Volz (official artist, including album covers and flyers, and occasional recorder playing), and Chie Mori (drums). Mori is a recent addition to the band, and her addition brings additional depth to the songs by adding female vocals to the punk/garage delivery of Mr. Wauters. Wauters, originally from Uruguay, met Garcia in community college and formed the band. Volz has been with them nearly from the start, but Mori is the most recent, but, according to the band, last of the musicians to play drums for the group. The Beets are based in Queens, New York, but this album is released on the tastefully ambitious Hardly Art label in Seattle.

"I Think I Might Have Built A Horse"


The band's ancestors, and heroes, are fellow New Yorkers, The Ramones. But Let the Poison Out isn't an imitation of the punk/garage godfathers. These songs have varied pace and thematic cohesiveness while retaining genre appropriate structures and an appealing sing-along quality. I suggest that you give this album a try--it is one of the fun releases of the year.



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Get to Know: French Kissing

Some readers might wonder whether I've got more garage rock to share with you. While contemplating the possible answers, listen to French Kissing performing "Let Yourself Go":
Let Yourself Go by frenchkissing

The London trio comprising French Kissing are Jonny Stafford, Dominic Haley, and Chris Fenner, and they've been together for a couple of years, or less. The music is a surfy garage vibe, as evidenced by "Oh Suzanne":
Oh Suzanne by frenchkissing

If you want to determine whether French Kissing are a good match for your music collection, consider their other interests: Beer; riding bikes; and making songs about girls and feelings.

We'll close this little introduction to the band with their song "Beach Ball", as I don't know anything more about them at this point. However, I do know that I'd like to hear more music from them.
Beach Ball by frenchkissing

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The Soul Corner - "Hound Dog" - Big Mama Thornton

It is impossible to say what was the first "soul" song. Some cite Ray Charles' 1954 hit "I Got a Woman" though the term "soul music" didn't come into play until 1961.

But for my money, this 1952 recording is as good a place as any to start: Big Mama Thornton singing the original version of the Leiber-Stoller penned, 12 bar blues classic "Hound Dog". It was released as a 10" 78 RPM single and reached #1 on the R&B charts.

I love the vocal phrasing here, the emphasis on different words each time through.

"Big Mama" was born in Alabama, but got her start in Houston. She was an accomplished drummer and harmonica player. She died in 1984.

Did you know that the song was later covered by some white guy from Memphis? But these lyrics pack a whole lot more power when sung by a woman to a man. I mean, c'mon seriously, who acts like a "hound dog," the fellas or the ladies?

Get to Know: Teenagers

Travis Keymer of Harrison, Arkansas, fronts the band Holy Mountain and played guitar for Burn Baby Burn. But when he takes a break from his Holy Mountain duties, he occupies his time with his solo project Teenagers. Travis plays all of the instruments for these tracks, and seems to have no lack of musical inspiration. He also makes the albums available free, so dive in.

His latest effort is the bluesy rock & roll album Big City


Earlier this year he released the somewhat surfy garage rock Besides


His late 2010 releases are Winter Storm and Vacation



In the past few months I've profiled Teens, from Boise, PreTeens from San Francisco and now Teenagers from Arkansas. I think I have a maturity problem.

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More Minnesota Rock Goodness: The Cloak Ox - "Prisen"

The Cloak Ox has rapidly become a favorite of mine, after hearing the lead track on a Current Song of the Day podcast... This band, featuring Andrew Broder, Martin Dosh, Mark Erickson and Jeremy Ylvisaker, has a very strong presence - a combination of breakneck rhythm section, buzzsaw guitars, some soaring solos and alternating between punk (Lee Ving/Jello Biafra, maybe?) and falsetto vocals. Intrigued? Well, good, you should be.

Here's the video for "Prisen":



Here's another video, shot live at a radio performance, "Live on Radio K":



And here's the EP on Bandcamp:



If you like guitars, don't delay... they're unsigned, but you can buy it here.

Get to Know: The Mallard

I can't seem to find my way out of the garage lately. Truth is, I'm comfortable here and everything sounds so good. Today the sounds in Rocksteady's garage are courtesy of The Mallard -- a female-fronted San Francisco Garage/psych/surf band with a delicious swampy vibe. Get a taste with "Faults":
04 Fault by The Mallard

The Mallard was founded by Greer McGettrick (guitar/vocals), and the trio is completed by Dylan Tidyman-Jones (drums/vocals) and Dylan Edrich (bass). I read somewhere that an album is either recently out, or soon will be out. I haven't got a title or confirmation, but I'll be looking for it.

Slowing it down with "Song About the Devil":
Song About The Devil by The Mallard

The twangy ramble of "Floating"
01 Floating by The Mallard

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Stream New Surfer Blood EP -- Tarot Classics

Florida rockers Surfer Blood are releasing a new four-track EP, Tarot Classics on Kanine Records next week, but you can stream the entire album now at the Spin website: Spin stream of Tarot Classics . Just click on the link, then click on the album cover. I've just listened to it once, but my initial opinion is that it is similar to their 2010 LP in sound, but not the same. Specifically, it seems to rely somewhat less on reverb and anthemic sounds, and somewhat more on rhythm. And while I am a big fan of the debut album, I think the vocals sound a bit better than on this EP. Overall, I'd rate it as a very good indie rock/pop EP. But you can explore for yourself. Enjoy!

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Midweek Roundup: Free MP3s from Radio Moscow, Henry's Funeral Shoe, John Heart Jackie, video from Pancho-san

If you like rock, this is a good week for you...

Radio Moscow's new disc The Great Escape of Leslie Magnafuzz came out last week, reviewed here, and they've made another song available for free download here: "Speedfreak".

Henry's Funeral Shoe, a Welsh duo playing blues-based punk-infused rock, whose new record Donkey Jacket was also reviewed recently here, is making another MP3 available: "Anvil and Chains".

John Heart Jackie, revisited from a recent folk-focused Midweek Roundup - here's a free download of their cover of "When You Were Mine".

When You Were Mine by RiotActMedia

And from Pancho-san, a SF-area band consisting of Patrick Abernethy (formerly of Beulah and Rogue Wave), Eli Crews (Beulah) and Pat Spurgeon (Rogue Wave) which self-released its 2010 debut album, Oh, Mellow Melody, here's their first video, "Kick The Fences Down". Jangly and ethereal at the same time, with a bit of a Syd Barrett feel. If, like me, you were unaware, give a listen and go check them out.

Pancho-san "Kick The Fences Down" from Jim Granato on Vimeo.

Link to their Tumblr page: http://pancho-san.tumblr.com/

New Sounds of Scotland-Part 29: The Hardy Boys; Beerjacket; Run Lucky Free

The Hardy Boys are a Scottish band enjoying a rebirth. Originally formed in the mid-80s and considered part of the jangly C86 scene. The band disbanded in 1990, but interest in the band remained strong. Newly reformed, the current lineup consists of Johnny White, Paul McArthur, Derek Mullen, David McArthur and Kat King. Their music is a brand of literate pop shared by their fellow Scots Wake the President and Camera Obscura. They have released an EP named Under the Piccadilly Clock, on October 24 the LP British Melancholy will be released by Bubblegum Records.

I wish I could tell you more about the songs that will be on the album, and perhaps embed of few so you could evaluate it. But the websites for both the band and the label are devoid of track listings, and there doesn't appear to be any videos that are attributed to album tracks yet. However, I won't let a little thing like the absence of concrete "facts" deter me. First, we'll examine the first incarnation of the band by listening to "Send Me A Sign":

You also could check out the '80s version of the band by listening to "Wake Up Sleepyhead" on Spotify. Next, we'll listen to "Seascape", which also is an older song but this performance is quite recent. I think it shows that the band can still deliver the goods:


"Fifteen" and "Wonderful Lie" are old songs as well. Several of their old songs, including "Fifteen", are available for an inexpensive download on the band's Bandcamp site, which is linked below.



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Artist page at Bubblegum Records website



Beerjacket is Glasgow musician Peter Kelly. He is an English teacher whose brand of alt/folk/pop has been compared to Elliott Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Iver and Elvis Perkins, and has drawn praise from Kristen Hersh. When you are looking for something a bit less raucous, but genuine and thoughtful, our friend Beerjacket is your man. Earlier this month he released his fine debut studio album, White Feather Trail,

This is a live performance of "Blood Roses", the opening track of White Feather Trail, filmed for Lloyd Meredith's Peenko Sessions:


My favorite song on the album is "Fresh Legs". We have a live version filmed for the Rokbun Sessions in the overpass for the The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre


If you like that taste of Beerjacket, you can stream, and buy, the album at the Bandcamp site here:


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Run Lucky Free was formed in 2008 by musicians from four different areas of Scotland who met while attending college, the band now is based in Edinburgh. Consisting of Rachael Cormack on vocals, Daniel Crichton on guitar, Sam Dick on bass and Fergus Costello on drums, the band has a great rock-edged indie pop sound with great female vocals. They rightfully have been tipped as a band to watch.

The "Factory" single was released this month:


Denim Skyes" was released earlier this fall:


Here is a live performance from about a year ago of their song "Colours":


A set of their music from Soundcloud:
Denim Skyes - Electric & Acoustic EP's by Run Lucky Free

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Alabama Shakes - s/t EP out now

Discovered via Patterson Hood's Drive-by Truckers update - this band will be playing day two of the DBT's three-day New Year's Eve extravaganza in at the 930 Club in Washington, DC.

It's a nice slice of Southern soul. Check them out at Bandcamp:

Get to Know: Being There

There are a few ways to increase the chance of getting noticed by the omnivorous (some would say "desperate, ravenous and undiscriminating", but they are just referring to our eating habits) WYMA blog scouts. But a high percentage tactic is to create very good jangly, indie guitar rock that sounds like a blend of Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Yuck, and recent Times New Viking, and to list Guided By Voices as an influence. So you won't be surprised that we glommed like moths to the porch light of jangle at the first strains of London's Being There. Other than being four musicians based in London, I don't know much about these guys, and their Website and Facebook page are stingy with details. So, we'll go straight to the music. Here is a three track self titled album of very nice songs, and one of them, "Tomorrow", is available for free download.


These guys are worth putting on the "watch for" list.

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New Discovery: Chambermaids, "China Blue"

Single was released this summer, and according to their website, they're working on an album. Very well-done noise rock music, reminiscent of Yo La Tengo, maybe My Bloody Valentine... definitely in the wheelhouse of folks who have been enjoying Vivian Girls and Dum Dum Girls, WYMA favorites. I discovered it via the Current Song of the Day Podcast.

Check it out and download here:



Chambermaids Website

Get to Know: Simon Bish

As the millions who regularly read this blog are aware, I'm happy to learn of any artist that can deliver jangly guitar pop. So I'm here to tell you of the happy discovery of Simon Bish. Simon Bish (who, to be fair, may not have realized that he needed to be discovered) delivers wonderful guitar pop that favorably brings to mind Teenage Fanclub. According to his Facebook page, he also delivers mail in Devon, UK. And this month, Bish's delivery is via his LP, All Aboard With ... Simon Bish, which is released on Simon's own Pop Noise Records. All Aboard is 11 tracks of jangly indie that will make on onset of fall a bit easier to take.

Here is album track "You Ran Away"


I've provided two more of the album tracks below, but you can stream the entire album on Simon's website, which is linked below. You also can purchase through the website rather than have to go through a third-party vendor. The website also shows a 12-track LP released in 2010 and an EP.

"Meet Me There"


"Owl Eyes"


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New Stuff - The Mekons "Ancient and Modern 1911-2011"

It's a little odd to refer to a Mekons CD as new stuff, as they've been doing their thing remarkably well with the same lineup, if criminally under the radar, for 25+ years.

Photo: Francesca Allen

Ancient and Modern is yet another fine record from the UK/Chicago legends. It explores the Edwardian age - inequalities of wealth, uncertain economic times, international instability - stop me when this sounds familiar, with the Mekons characteristic blend of rock, punk, pub, country, soul, rock, literary storytelling, guts and blood.

If you are a fan, but haven't checked in with the Mekons in awhile, you'll love this record. And if you are not familiar with them, this is a perfectly fine place to dive in. They outlasted what few peers they had like The Pogues, The Clash and The Gang of Four, and still sound inspired and important.

"Space in Your Face" with Jon Langford on vocals from Ancient and Modern:

http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/resources/mp3_mekons_space.mp3

"Geeshie" featuring Sally Timms and her lovely old time voice:

http://mp3.rollingstone.com/download/03Geeshie.mp3

And a some very recent live footage of "Geeshie" and 2 more songs from Ancient and Modern 1911-2011:

Band web page: http://mekons.de/mekonhom.htm

New Discovery: Obits - Moody, Standard and Poor

Sub Pop band, recording in Brooklyn but playing all over the place. Their latest record is Moody, Standard and Poor, released back in March... sorry I'm just now getting around to writing about it, because I really like it.

Here's a video of "No Fly List" - sort of a manic punk song:

Obits - No Fly List from Nick Sewell on Vimeo.

And here's "You Gotta Lose" - like the tension/release guitar and the pace of this one:

Obits - You Gotta Lose from Obits on Vimeo.

Download a couple of free MP3s from their Sub Pop page: "You Gotta Lose" and "Shift Operator":

Obits Website

Obits at Sub Pop

The Soul Corner - The Meters

The Soul Corner has spent a lot of time in Detroit, Memphis, Chicago, but not nearly enough in the great musical city of New Orleans. This must be remedied.

So let's go straight to the top of the fabled Crescent City food chain -- The Meters --the first family of New Orleans soul and funk brothers.

Formed in 1965, and splitting up in 1979, the band still occasionally plays a one off show. The lineup: Art Neville (keyboards, vocals), Cyril Neville (keyboards), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), George Porter Jr. (bass), and the incomparable Joe "Zigaboo" Modeliste on drums.

They have served as the band for numerous New Orleans legends including Dr. John, Allen Toussaint and Lee Dorsey, as well as Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Robert Palmer and many others.

It's good for the body and good for the soul.

Get to Know: Terry Malts

Terry Malts is a San Francisco punk/garage pop act (the band refers to their music as "chainsaw pop") formed by musicians from the group Magic Bullets. There have been valid comparisons to the Ramones, the Buzzcocks and The Undertones, and at times I hear a bit of The Replacements. Slumberland records is releasing the band's three track EP on October 25. The EP includes "Something About You", which you can hear below, "No Sir, I'm Not A Christian" and "Fun Night". With drums, bass and guitar these guys absolutely nail a great rock sound--hooks, fuzz, feedback, pace, and a sense of humor. I highly recommend you give them a try.

"Something About You"
Terry Malts - Something About You by Slumberland Records

"Distracted"
Terry Malts - Distracted by Slumberland Records

This is a live version of their song "In the Waiting Room"


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Cool Video Thursday

Stay with "Bandages" by Hey Rosetta!, it builds very nicely:

Hey Rosetta! - Bandages from Sonic Entertainment Group on Vimeo.

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"Do I Have Power?" by Timber Timbre

Do I Have Power - Timber timbre (2011) from Carlos De Carvalho on Vimeo.

"Frog Rose High" by Craft Spells


This clip from a couple of days ago is interesting because if features Dee Dee of the Dum Dum Girls performing "I Wanna Kill" with her husband's band, Crocodiles

Crocodiles with Dee Dee // I Wanna Kill from Mana Morimoto on Vimeo.

Get to Know: Colleen Green

I'm on a bit of a lo-fi, garage rock binge lately. I make no apologies--I love the stuff. A recent discovery is Colleen Green, who opened for the Dum Dum Girls here in Seattle last weekend. She writes and performs fuzzy, lo-fi, psychedelic garage rock with the obvious added treat of female vocals. Green, who refers to her music as "stoner pop", has recorded and released a tape called Milo Goes to Compton and a CD-R EP entitled 4 Loko 2 Kayla (neither of which are in my possession, sadly). On stage, it's just her, her guitar, and a drum machine. Here is a clip of her live performance at Doug Fir in Portland, Oregon a few days ago.

Colleen Green at Doug Fir from Mana Morimoto on Vimeo.

Seattle's Hardly Art label has released Green's four-track 7", "Green One", including "Green One" and "Y Do U Call Me?". Hardly Art advises that Green will be recording an LP as well.
"Green One"

Colleen Green-Green One from Wendy Wright on Vimeo.

"Y Do U Call Me?"

Colleen Green - Y Do U Call Me? from pat fairbairn on Vimeo.

Green grew up in Massachusetts, but now makes her home in California. She also writes a comic strip entitled "Real Shit Daily!".


Here is a collection of songs Green made available on Bandcamp in 2010:



Green's page at Hardly Art
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Rocksteady's Single Pick of the Week: The History of Apple Pie - "Mallory"

We profiled London-based indie pop band The History of Apple Pie earlier this year. Their new single, "Mallory", isn't actually released until November 14, but it is available for streaming on Soundcloud and can be pre-ordered from Rough Trade.

Mallory by The History Of Apple Pie

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REVIEW: Crooked Fingers - Breaks in the Armor

The decision to release Breaks in the Armor, the latest album from Eric Bachman in his guise as Crooked Fingers may have been as simple as looking at a calendar and announcing "I think we'll be ready on October 11". But I'll at least indulge myself by considering the notion that October is the month of release because Breaks in the Armor is, at its heart, an autumn album. Like the season, there are storms and sun, winds and calm, gradual decay, and things of uncertain import hidden in shadows and beneath leaves. However, this album isn't comprised solely of nuance and sighs; it boasts palpable force, even muscularity, as evidenced by album opening track, "Typhoon":


Bachman always has had a gift for conveying complex emotions in economic phrases, and the songs on Breaks in the Armor are no exception. But it is the vigor of the underlying music that makes this album so welcome. The result is more exceptional because of its origins. Bachman told Spin Magazine that, burned out, he travelled to Taiwan in 2009 to take a break from music. At first he stayed with a friend, but then he secured a teaching job on a small island. About two weeks into the teaching gig, he bought a guitar and started working on the songs that became Breaks in the Armor.

The emotional depth of the album is revealed through the first four songs. After the dusty Americana grandeur of "Typhoon", we are treated to a rocking country-infused stomper in "Bad Blood". The third track, "The Hatchet", slows proceedings down for a somber tale of a failed relationship. Rather than leave us wallowing if the regret and recrimination, we slide into the fast-paced "The Counterfeiter", which many regard as the album's centerpiece. For my money, "Your Apocalypse" shouldn't be missed. While I don't have a studio version for you here, I provided a clip of a live version below (I apologize for the audio quality).

This is an album that emphasizes what should be important: Evocative half-stories that invite the listener to read between the lines; varied melodies and the quality performances. There is no room for superficial style or gimmicks.

"Your Apocalypse" (live)


Eric Bachman was joined by the talented Liz Durrett in recording Breaks In The Armor. The album is released today on Merge Records.

Album trailer:

Crooked Fingers - Breaks in the Armor (Album Trailer) from Merge Records on Vimeo.

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REVIEW: The Moth & The Mirror - Honestly, This World

Although Honestly, This World is the debut release from The Moth & The Mirror, it has the feel of an accomplished band in the full stride of their career. I suspect that one reason is that the band has been playing together for several years, but the answer also must be found in the fact that The Moth & The Mirror is a project comprised of individually accomplished musicians who also are (or were) members of other bands, including Frightened Rabbit, Admiral Fallow, The Reindeer Section, Smoke Jaguar and Arab Strap. Listen to the first track, "Everyone I Know".


The Moth and the Mirror blend the loud and soft, acoustic and electric, in a manner reminiscent of The Delgados. Many of the tracks tease with subtle touches punctuated by echoing instrumentation, and then build to a climactic wall of sound. The tone tends toward brooding, but there is redemption to be found and the listening is a treat in either case.

The primary vocal duties fall to Stacey Sievwright (other projects: The Reindeer Section, Arab Strap), but at times multiple voices ride the melody. The other members are Gordon Skene (Frightened Rabbit) on guitar and vocals; Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow, Song of Return) on guitar and vocals; Kevin McCarvel on bass; Iain Sandilands on percussion; and Peter Murch on drums.

One of my favorite tracks, is the rousing "Germany":


The grand scale title track (live)


You can stream the entire album here. If you only have time for one or two tracks in addition to the foregoing offerings, I highly recommend "Fire" and the gentle "Closing Doors".




Honestly, This World was recorded at Chem19 Studios and is released today, October 10, on Glasgow's Olive Grove Records.

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REVIEW: Henry's Funeral Shoe - Donkey Jacket

Henry's Funeral Shoe is a Welsh duo, brothers Aled and Brennig Clifford, that plays hard blues rock. They are the kind of self-taught, dedicated musicians who show their influences but bring the result to life in their own way. Their second record, Donkey Jacket, will be released on Alive Naturalsound records on October 11. The first thought I had upon doing a little research on these guys was to congratulate the person whose idea it was to bring them to Detroit to work with the great Jim Diamond, who's helped bring to life records by the White Stripes, Dirtbombs and The Pack a.d.

The first song, "Be Your Own Invention", brings to my mind the great riffs of songs like "La Grange" and "I Just Wanna Make Love To You"... in fact, sometimes these two sound like they've subsisted on a steady diet of Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters for years and years. The onslaught continues with "Love Is A Fever", and then we have an affecting, well-played blues ballad: "Bottom To The Top". As a change of pace, it serves very well, with acoustic and slide guitar behind a raspy vocal. Perhaps in addition to their Muddy Waters, these kids found their way to Beggars Banquet. Nothing wrong with influences and inspirations like that...

Henry's Funeral Shoe -Bottom To Top by alivenaturalsound

"Anvil and Chains" is another hard blues workout, with some inspired blues harp, another wicked guitar riff and growled vocals. Then comes the centerpiece, "Dog Scratch Ear", to my ears the best vocal on the record, which does the quiet intro (well, relatively quiet) until the guitar hits hard about a minute in, then it alternates quiet/loud with a few spots where the guitar and drums hit together, chugging like a train, calling to mind some good hard Southern rock.

They're offering a free download of "Dog Scratch Ear" here.

There's plenty of variety in tempo and a few more ballads, including the truly pretty closer "Across the Sky". I'm impressed with Henry's Funeral Shoe: their obvious talent, their approach and certainly, this fine collection of songs.

Here's a video from this summer's Binic Festival in France:



Henry's Funeral Shoe Website

Midnight World Pop Scout-32: Models Can't Fuck; Mozam Beaks; Lo-Fi-Fnk

The edition of the Midnight World Pop Scout features its first ever Hungarian representative, as well as artists from Boise, Idaho and Sweden. Remember, it always is midnight somewhere.


The poetically named Models Can’t Fuck is the project of Hungarian Árpi Szarvasis. Despite the somewhat in-your-face stage name, the music is very good gentle dream pop/shoegaze. The September release, Move to Iceland (EP), provided below is available for free download.


"Ghost Kid" is a track from December 2010:



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Mozam Beaks is a Boise artist producing a dub/electronic music with a psychedelic, surfy feel. I think it's great for relaxing on a Saturday night with a good beverage or two. The following recording was released on June 4, 2011:
Cremé de la Kremlin


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Lo-Fi-Fnk are Leo Drougge and August Hellsing (plus Link Drougge when performing live) a Stockholm, Sweden group that plays well-constructed, polished, synth-based pop music. Their album This Summer was released this year. "Kissing Tate", "Last Summer and "Shut the World Out" are three of the tracks from the album:




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New Stuff - Lisa Hannigan

I go to a lot of live shows and have done so for decades. And this week I saw a performance that will stick with me for as long as I'm lucky enough to be around.

Lisa Hannigan is from Kilcloon, County Meath, Ireland. She writes great songs and sings like an angel. Her phrasing and vocal tone are impeccable. Hannigan's voice can soar or she can bring it down to a near whisper, always at just the right moment. I found myself leaning in, hanging on her every note.

Hannigan oozes kindness and sincerity. She's everything I love about Ireland rolled into one person - the music, mysticism, literature, magic, beauty, and the laugh. She plays multiple instruments, including in Portland this week, a beautifully crafted homemade ukulele that someone in Portland made and gave to her before the show. She does that to people - you hear her and you want to give her a gift because every time she opens her mouth to sing she gives you one.

Hannigan got her start in music as a member of Damien Rice's band before embarking on a solo career.

Her brand new and second CD Passenger was produced by WYMA favorite Joe Henry, and it certainly will be on my top 10 list at year end. Mr. Henry's production is, as always, tasteful and soulful, bringing out the absolute best in the songs. Here's "Knots" from Passenger:


Here's two delightful videos of older songs:





Hannigan closed the Portland show with a cover of "Personal Jesus". Once Johnny Cash takes a song, that's usually pretty much it and there's no point in another approach. But with all due respect to Mr. Cash, this version more than holds its own. When I think of this song from here forward, I'll hear this in my head:



Lisa Hannigan is on tour in the US now, dates below at her web page. Her band is terrific, various multi-instrumentalists there too, proper gents with ties and jackets. Do not miss Lisa Hannigan if she's coming your way. She's the real deal.

Lisa Hannigan Tour Info

The Soul Corner - "Devil With a Blue Dress" Shorty Long; and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels

We had another thing planned, but the fantastic series clinching win by the Tigers over the Yankees sends us back to Detroit.

Shorty Long's "Devil With A Blue Dress" (1964) is not one of Motown's most famous or best selling releases, but certainly one of its bluesiest with one of its slinkiest grooves ever.


She's looking so fine, "The cats are too nervous to even say hi":



Of course another Detroiter (Hamtramck actually) made the song famous in 1966 with what I consider one of the greatest rock'n'roll versions of a soul song of all time. But somehow You Tube does not have a version up there that I consider worthy of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels' or WYMA's standards. But you know it, or if not, should know it and should rush out and go buy a copy.

Though I did find this version honoring the Mitch Ryder arrangement as part of a show-stopping medley done in 1979 at the No Nukes concert by another rocker you might know:

REVIEW: Radio Moscow - The Great Escape of Leslie Magnafuzz

Radio Moscow, for those not already acquainted, is a heavy, heavy psychedelic blues rock band from Iowa (now California) whose first, self-titled album was produced by kindred spirit Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) in 2007. They released a second album, Brain Cycles, in 2009 and they're back with more - The Great Escape of Leslie Magnafuzz will be out October 11 on Alive Naturalsound Records.

This is a classic heavy rock power trio: Parker Griggs on guitar and vocals, Zach Anderson on bass and Cory Berry on drums... although Griggs plays them on the record, and very well. Griggs apparently plays everything but bass at some point, including the keyboards. I could throw enticing influences (Blue Cheer, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) at you all day, and continue to play the Black Keys card, if that would induce you to give a listen.

The record starts out in medias res, truly in mid-jam with the drums pounding and guitars wailing on "Little Eyes" (available for download here). It's a spectacular 4:46 of brain-melting heavy guitar, drums and bass with strong rock vocals and some tasty keyboard licks thrown in for good measure. Second song, "No Time", has some classic boogie a la The Allman Brothers with more heavy guitar solos throughout - one thing I like about this band is that while they definitely take advantage of the length of their songs to play plenty of solos, there's not any noodling. It does not feel like time's being wasted - they fit a lot of sound in a relatively compact space. Half the songs clock in under 4:00 but are still filled with delicious, heavy and spacy guitar solos. It rocks, hard, but is plenty psychedelic.

Here's a performance video from Binic Festival in France earlier this year:



Here's "The Escape" from their previous album:



These guys are completely and unapologetically committed to a heavy rock sound. If you're not familiar with their previous records, and you like this sound at all, you are in for a treat.

Radio Moscow Website

Stream The Great Escape of Leslie Magnafuzz via Rdio

Cool Video Thursday: The Eversons, Evelyn Evelyn, Mayer Hawthorne, Miniature Dinosaurs, White Laces, Gem Club

We spotlighted an EP from New Zealand's The Eversons earlier this year. Here is a nice video for one of the tracks, "Hyacinth Girl".



Bandcamp site for the EP

This video for "Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn" from Evelyn Evelyn is a favorite



"The Walk" from Mayer Hawthorne reminds me of how healthy it is to give vent to your emotions when you are in a relationship. Take notes, kids.



We've also featured Scottish band Miniature Dinosaurs in a New sounds of Scotland post. Here they are again with the official video for "Alligator".



"Hands in Mexico" from White Laces does not have a happy ending.

Hands in Mexico from White Laces on Vimeo.

"Breakers" from Gem Club

A Brief Obituary: Bert Jansch

Born in Glasgow in 1943, Bert Jansch is primarily known as a folk artist. His long career included prolific solo work and the group Pentangle, an acoustic supergroup that included John Renbourn. He was a central figure in the folk revival in the '70s. Known as a gentleman who cared little for the trappings of stardom, he lived in London with his wife Lauren at the time of his death.

Jansch was lauded for his skill with an acoustic guitar. Johnny Marr, guitarist for the Smiths has said:

He completely re-invented guitar playing and set a standard that is still unequalled today - without Bert Jansch, rock music as it developed in the 1960s and 1970s would have been very different. You hear him in Nick Drake, Pete Townshend, Donovan, The Beatles, Jimmy Page and Neil Young. There are people playing guitar who don’t even realise they’ve been influenced by him one step removed.

Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Bernard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs are big fans. And Neil Young compared Jansch to Jimi Hendrix: "As much of a great guitar player as Jimi was, Bert Jansch is the same thing for acoustic guitar...."

"Black Waterslide"


"Blues Run the Game"


"Do You Hear Me Now"


Bert Jansch was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009. He died this morning.



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Prog Rock Discovery: Dark Loft, out Oct. 11

Dark Loft will release its self-titled debut album on October 11, and fans of well-played prog rock should not miss this. The band consists of Jason Crosby (vocals/violin/keys/guitar), Paul Dooley (vocals/guitar/keys), Bill Titus (guitar/vocals), Carter Bales (drums/percussion) and Kevin Reilly (double bass). Crosby's vocals, keyboards and violin are featured throughout, but there's a lot of good guitar work and the rhythm section of Bales and Reilly (whose work on standup bass is especially outstanding) is as good as you'll hear. Tempos and musical influences are varied and, to me, that keeps this from being another jazz fusion record where everything sounds the same.

The record is full of terrific musicianship, reminiscent of blues-rock, jazz fusion and prog rock forebears (and contemporaries) as disparate as Government Mule, Phish and The Jeff Beck Group. The band's list of credits is long, varied and distinguished... Crosby's played with Robert Randolph, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen and Susan Tedeschi, to name a few.

Here they are playing at Phan Fare earlier this year:



You can listen to a few tracks at their website - click on "Music" at the top of the site, and you'll see three songs to listen to. The first song, "Backlash" is probably my favorite.

New Garage Rock: Toto & the Bad Eggs; Teenage Moonlight Borderliners; Swampmeat

Perhaps it is the economy, but this week I'm highlighting good free music. Today's offering are three garage/punk/lo-fi rock EPs on London's Punkslime Records. The first is more garage, the second a bit more punk, and the third is more of a lo-fi, punky singer songwriter vibe. At least that's what my ears tell me. In any case, I think all three projects deserve a listen, and it is the least you can do for them since they are offering you free downloads.

The first project is named Toto & the Bad Eggs. The members are Jerry Tropicano on vocals), Mark ( from Brown Brogues) on guitar, Ben (from the Brown Brogues) on drums, and Luke (from Sex Beet) on guitar. The lads have provided the EP Wallet Droppin for free, and it definitely is worth your downloading time.


Bandcamp page for Toto & the Bad Eggs
Toto post at Punkslime site


The second band is Teenage Moonlight Borderliners, whose Live At PNKSLM EP also is released by Punkslime Records and available for free download.

Bandcamp page for Teenage Moonlight Borderliners

And finally, we present Quaker Street Recordings PT. 1, a two song offering from Swampmeat.


Bandcamp page for Swampmeat

New Sounds of Scotland-Part 28: Honey; Stevie Jackson; The Bird and The Monkey

"Free, but not stealing" is today's theme. We bring you three bands that are willing to give you some free tunes to play over and over. One hopes (and certainly they hope) that you will be moved to buy some of their music at some not too distant time. I must confess, that there is a bit of stealing on my part, because although I'd heard of all of these bands before, I only became aware of their current generosity through the Scottish blog Peenko. So thanks for the tip Lloyd, you have a nice blog!


Honey is a Glasgow dream pop/psychedelic/shoegaze band consisting of Nick Donnelly (vocals/guitar), Gary Waugh (guitar/vocals), David Sloey (bass/vocals), and Alan Duncan (drums). The guys released this excellent "Nowhere Floating" single last week. And it is free.



And if you like that, you'll also like the Taste It and See EP from last June. And you'll certainly appreciate the price. These lads are generous!


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And who is Stevie Jackson? He is better known as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter with Belle & Sebastian. However, he has released a solo album, (I can't get no) Stevie Jackson, on Banchory. If the two songs below are representative, it is a high quality pop recording.

(I Can't Get No) Preview by banchory

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The Bird and The Monkey is a "left field pop" duo consisting of sculptor Sarahjane Swan and indie musician Roger Simian. Their Ossie Dean EP is released today (October 3) on Athene Noctua Records and is available for free download in the "music" section of the band's website. After listening to a few songs and watching a few videos, I understand why the band refers to their music as left field pop. But it also is interesting and engaging. Give it a try.

"Ghost: Apparition" is one of the tracks on the new EP


"Do You Wanna" has been screening in Edinburgh since September 19 as part of the BBC Music Video Festival 2011.


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Lo-Fi Freebie: PreTeen

San Francisco lo-fi, minimalist rockers PreTeen have made their EP, Keep It Nice, available for free download. I'd say that is keeping it quite nice indeed. And I think it is a very nice little album -- fuzzy, dreamy and reverby. Give it a spin.


And for your listening and viewing pleasure, here are some videos for non-album songs from PreTeen.

"Dream Babies"


"Controlled Chaos"


"Make It December" (demo)


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Rocksteady's Single Pick of the Week: Wake the President's "She Fell Into My Arms"

"She Fell Into My Arms" is the just released single from Zumutung!, the late October release from Glasgow's Wake the President. The tune is released by a collaboration of the band's own We Can Still Picnic label and Tri-Tone, and is available through iTunes as well. We'll have more on Zumutung! later in the month, but today's post celebrates this excellent slice of Scottish guitar pop from Erik and Björn Sandberg.

"She Fell Into My Arms"


Wake the Presidents on Facebook
We Can Still Picnic

Matthew Sweet - "She Walks the Night", free download from new album Modern Art

On first listen, this is an intriguing record that I predict will grow on me. Some of the longer songs do kind of meander and get weird, but songs like this one, with the trademark jangly guitars and gorgeous vocal harmonies, take absolutely no time to burrow into your brain and make you push "repeat"...

Matthew says he changed his creative process a bit for this record. You can read about it in an interview (and order it, along with the 20th anniversary release of Girlfriend) on his website here. And you can stream the record at RollingStone.com.