Friday Nuggets: The Beefeaters

We are still in Denmark this week. Searching around for a '60's band, I stumbled on a great one, The Beefeaters. They had a heavy blues influence, were fine players and took their psychedelic garage style all over the place.

Here's a trio of songs, "Night Flight", "Let Me Down Easy, and a terrific garage cover of "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag".

The Beefeaters were from Copenhagen and performed from 1964-71. They opened for Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd in Denmark.

Introducing: Day Ravies

Ray Davies are a jangling shoegaze/dream pop quartet from Sydney.  Their LP, Tussle, is being prepared for October release via hometown label Popfrenzy.  Here is the video, and stream, for "I Don't Mind", the first single from the album.  The combination of shoegaze and sweet vocals is a winner in my mind.




Here is a track from their 2012 EP, which is available on Bandcamp for "name your price".



Day Ravies are Sam Wilkinson, Matt Nev, Caroline de Dear and Lani Crooks.  Their upcoming gig dates are as follows:

Sun, Aug 11 – Midnight Special, Sydney, NSW [6pm, free, single launch]

Thurs, Aug 22 – Grace Darling, Melbourne, VIC [w/Parading, Footy + Melbourne Cans]

Fri, Aug 23 – The Tote, Melbourne, VIC [w/Lowtide, The Stevens + Zone Out]

Fri, Aug 30 – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney, NSW [w/Lowtide, East River + Black Springs]

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REVIEW: Adam Stafford - Imaginary Walls Collapse

I am fairly certain that Adam Stafford has only one head, which is surprising only because of the number of hats he wears.  Outside of recording his own music, he is a filmmaker and heads a label (Wiseblood Industries).  As a recording artist, he displays a range of excellence encompassing post-punk, experimental, and soul pop styles.  He creates interesting, layered rhythmic and melodic patterns with loop technology, reverb and beatboxing, while adjusting his vocal delivery to match the material.  But I think that the key element that makes Stafford's music compelling is his ability to craft and deliver songs of melancholy, sadness and other tricky aspects of life in a thoroughly entertaining fashion.  And in what I believe is his finest work to date, it is on display via his new album, Imaginary Walls Collapse.  Perhaps the more convincing than my words, would be a listen to the album's second track, "Vanishing Tanks".



Interestingly, Stafford was reputed to be prepared to quit music recently, but was persuaded to continue with this album.  I find that background relevant because it makes the bold result even more surprising.  This is an artist who seems fully willing to be judged on his art, with nothing held back in the cupboard.  I'm thinking he gets an A.  Are you still on the fence?  Perhaps you'll like the moody southern soul of "Please".  To me, this track sounds like what you would have heard in a Memphis club in the '60s after the doors had been locked, most of the lights turned out, and the band wound down the evening with a gentle song.  Try it out tonight with a good beverage and the lights out and you'll see what I mean.



In the adept combinations of Americana, folk, electronic pop and post punk, there is an energizing sense of playfulness.  You can almost feel the sparkle in the eighth track, "The Sound of Fear Evaporating" and "His Acres".




Imaginary Walls Collapse is out now via Song, by Toad Records and Kingfisher Bluez.  It is climbing the charts in my household, I recommend it for yours.

Bandcamp (Kingfisher Bluez Bandcamp site for album)
Kingfisher Bluez
Song, by Toad Records

New NYC Punk Discovery: Jaguar Shark - This City Will Eat Me Alive EP

Jaguar Shark is playing a hard, fast but melodic brand of punk. It features guttural, raging vocals to challenge your musical complacency, and dual guitars to challenge your speakers. They've been making waves in the NYC/NJ punk circles, and it's easy to see why. If you like your music to rage and feature tons of energy, This City Will Eat Me Alive is just for you. At 13:00 with five new songs, it's fairly generous by EP standards, too.

The band consists of a terrific hardcore drummer named Steve Cerri, Jim Richardi and Greg Mitchels on guitars, and Reilly brothers Derek (vocals) and Alex (bass). Derek and Richardi founded the band, and it seems that all of them play in other bands - Derek is the drummer in hardcore band Ensign.

Here's my personal favorite track, "Banned From The Fest":



Here's the video for "4202" - it's all good, but seriously, check out the drummer!



Reilly describes the genesis of the song: “It's about waking up one day and not really knowing how you have gotten, where you are and feeling really anxious, about it.  4202 is actually my apartment number. I moved there with my girlfriend and soon after we separated.  Since that happened a year and a half ago I have always felt a little strange there.”

This is some seriously strong music - if you like the old stuff like Fear, or some of the new stuff we've featured here recently like Muuy Bien out of Athens GA, this is well worth checking out. The album is out now (released July 16) and you can buy it for $4 at Bandcamp - check out more info, future tour plans, etc. at their website or Facebook.

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Zebra Hunt - "Only Way Out" / "Get Along" 7"

Zebra Hunt is, in my view, one of the three or four best bands in Seattle at this point.  Of course, playing a garage pop style with clear influences from the Flying Nun bands, the Go-Betweens and the '60s does give a band a head start in climbing to the forefront of my consciousness.  The trio released the excellent Beaches EP earlier this year (review here), and have followed it up with a two-track single "Only Way Out" / "Get Along" on Madrid label Tenorio Cotoblade.  Some of you may be wondering why a label in Madrid for a Seattle band, but I wouldn't overthink it.  The label did a nice job for the Ginnels release recently, and this record is available in digital form from the Bandcamp link below as well as on 7" vinyl.



Zebra Hunt is Mitch Leffler (drums), Erik Bennett (bass) and Robert Mercer (guitar/vocals).

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Reverberation Radio #74

I find delight in being exposed to music I have forgotten or never heard in the first place.  Every Wednesday the kids at Reverberation Radio rescue artists and tunes from obscurity.  This week the primary focus is psychedelia and near psychedelia from the 60's. Magna Carta  were  peers of King Crimson, ELP, Jethro Tull and Yes.  I missed them the first time around.  Prog-rock fans will enjoy their entire catalog.  Peter Fonda  was groomed to be an artistic Everyman for America's youth before he focused solely on films.   "November Night" was written by an then unknown Gram Parsons.  This recording features uncredited contributions by Roger McGuinn and David Crosby,

The playlist is a great starting point for discovering new music.  Click on the artist's name and find out more about these artists from Allmusic.com or other web sites.  You will be on an another trip to the center of your mind.

LISTEN

1. Magna Carta - Times Of Change
2. The Chocolate Watchband - I Ain’t No Miracle Worker
3. The Animals - Outcast4. 
Peter Fonda - November Night
5. Anonymous - Up To You
6. B.F. Trike - Sunshine
7. Pete Dello & Friends - I’m A Gambler
8. The Abigails - For You
9. Human Expression - Who is Burning
10. Lord Cody & The Coralites - China Gate

REVIEW: WL - Hold

WL (they pronounce it "Well") is a Portland guitar rock band featuring singer & bassist Misty Mary, guitarist Michael Yun, and drummer Stevie Sparks. They hail from different parts of the country, but met in Portland and after releasing an EP of home recordings, have put together an impressive full-length album, Hold. They call this stuff shoegaze, they call it dream pop - you get the picture. It's got a really full, enveloping sound you can get lost in. Mary's bass and Sparks' drums set the scene with a deep rumble, Yun's guitars absolutely soar, and then her vocals carry you away. It's music you can enjoy by listening, but you are gonna want to feel it.

Here's "Sugar Pill" - my favorite track on the record - a swirling, hypnotic track featuring Mary's ethereal vocals over shoegaze guitars and heavy rhythms:



Here's "You're Not Really Here". It slows down the pace, until it almost imperceptibly fades out at the end:



You can download "You're Not Really Here" - click here.

And here's a video they made in the woods of Portland - the song's not on this album, but I think it's appropriate for the occasion because you can easily see what a good drummer Sparks is... sometimes when you're listening to stuff like this, the waves of guitars and vocals just sort of wash over you and it's easy to kind of take the drummer for granted. But Sparks sets a very good pace:

The album is out now (July 16) and available via Bandcamp (click through the songs above). It's on Prospect & Refuge.

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REVIEW: The Sufis - Inventions

The label "psychedelic" is applied somewhat liberally these days, and I must confess that some of the applications can best be characterized as generous, to be, well, generous.  However, Nashville's The Sufis are squarely in kaleidoscope-colored fields under paisley clouds.  The comparisons to The Beatles, The Soft Boys and Syd Barrett that their new sophomore LP Inventions will invoke are as accurate as they are obvious.  And it is very, very good pop music.

The winning combination on offer here is adept songwriting -- concise (under three minutes) psychedelic pop songs that vary between languid. summery, poppy and urgent -- and inch perfect performances.  The vocals are good and match the genre well.  Admittedly, there is noting new about gently twisted tales accompanied by trippy vocals, 12 string guitars and some less common percussion.  But for me, the familiarity of the approach is a large part of the charm when, and this is key, it is done well.  Frankly, the only frustration in evaluating this record for the blog is that it is difficult to choose tracks.  They are all good, all have their unique touches.  I've chosen "Alone" as the representative of the more relaxed songs, and "No Expression" as an example of the energetic, rocking approach.  And between them I've include the "Most Peculiar Happening Cat", which may have you wondering if Ray Davies is guesting on the album.

If you like psychedelic music, The Sufis may be your new favorite band.








The core of The Sufis are Calvin Laporte and Evan Smith.

Inventions was released on August 6 by Ample Play Records and Burger Records.

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The Steinbecks - At Arkaroo Rock 7" EP

Fans of the indie guitar pop of Josh and Joel Meadows received a welcome present last year with the release of the retrospective of The Sugargliders (review here).  However, until this week The Steinbecks -- the band that The Sugargliders were disbanded to specifically form -- hadn't issued a recording since 2007.  In my view, the Melbourne band's return to the studio displays the same craftsmanship and inspiration that earned them fans in previous decades.  Yes, fans will not mind the wait for the three-track At Arkaroo Rock 7" at all.

One of the delightful things about this band is that they have the confidence to eschew the big "we're back" statement.  The record begins with the relaxed vibe of the title track, a gently-voiced but melancholy relationship commentary over a sparse guitar and bubbling bass accompaniment.  "All Desires Known" changes the atmosphere with a dark-tinged folk arrangement.  The record closes with "Cabin Fever", the most upbeat and pop-oriented song of the batch.  An insecure band might have started with "Cabin Fever", but it seems that The Steinbecks know their audience.

At Arkaroo Rock 7" is released by Matinee Recordings, and is available as in vinyl plus an mp3 download (limited to 100 copies) or a digital download.

You have two streaming alternatives here.  The first is the lead track; the second is a stream of all three tracks on the 7".





And there is a bit more good news for fans.  A new LP,  Kick to Kick with The Steinbecks, is planned for release later this year.

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REVIEW: Summer Cannibals - No Makeup

Summer Cannibals is a Portland-based rock band with dual lead guitars from Jessica Boudreaux and Marc Swart, and Boudreaux's vocals. This band grew out of their collaboration as members of Your Canvas. But whereas that band had a kind of indie pop, keyboard-based approach, Summer Cannibals is all rock - a simple, savage, honestly refreshing approach that will call to mind some of your favorite female-fronted guitar rock bands. There are 10 songs on their debut album No Makeup, but the thing is done in less than 30:00. Like I said, all rock, no frills and no sticking around after the point is made.



Here's "Wear Me Out" - with a measured intro that explodes about 45 seconds in, tough guitar lines and lyrically a simple, sort of charming proposal that says a lot in just a few words ("Let's pretend I'm your favorite dress/You wear me everyday and ignore everything else" and "Don't wear me down, wear me out"):



And here's "Take Me Out" - this one starts out with a good, bouncy, sort of punkish bass line, some excellent jagged guitar riffs and then Boudreaux's fetching vocal. It puts me in the mind of The Breeders:



Summer Cannibals produced all the songs on No Makeup on their own, created the album's artwork, and is releasing it on the band's own label New Moss Records. It's out this week (Aug 6). Read more, listen or just go ahead and buy (download, vinyl or cassette) at the links below.

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REVIEW: Tie These Hands - Come On

Tie These Hands is a guitar rock band based in Lincoln, NE, consisting of brothers Aram, Naum and Seth Stauffer, with Ryan Phillips, who joined them in 2007. Come On is their fourth full-length album. They recorded their first album in 2002, when Aram and Naum were in high school. Over the following ten years, they have recorded off and on as they've made their way out into the "real world", and I'd say their experiences have given them plenty of material. There's no substitute for playing, writing and singing, and clearly they've done plenty of all three.

The guitar work on this record is really something, and their vocal harmonies are tremendous. If I did not know who made this record and you played it for me, I'd guess it was Built to Spill - the guitars and vocals are that strong, and like BTS, the music creates a good feeling all by itself.

Here's the first track, "Sunshine State":



And here's "Body Language" - this is the song that inspired the Built to Spill comparison, for me - just soaring guitars, and some wonderful vocals featuring both tight harmonies and alternating leads:



And here's "Anniversary" - a sweet-sounding ballad with full string section, showcasing their vocals:



Apparently this record was already released on Kilk Records in Japan, and they are now self-releasing it in the U.S. The fact that the record was recorded in 2011 gives me hope that they'll soon have another - I'm looking forward to hearing more from these guys. You can listen to more and buy the record on Bandcamp - just click through the songs above - or you can follow the links below to their website and Facebook.

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"You're Lonely" from Die Mason Die

Londoner Samuel Mason has had a more varied geographical existence than most of us.  The 21-year-old was born in Wales and raised in Australia.  In 2011 he was part of a party of 12 that traveled from London to Sydney on a double-decker bus (I'm guessing a boat was involved at some point, but what do I know - I'm a lawyer).  A travel documentary regarding the trip is planned for later this year.  During that trip Mason also began working on songs for his project which became Die Mason Die.  An EP was released last fall, and the single "You're Lonely" will be released September 9 by London label Young & Lost Club.  Mason has a beautiful, distinctive voice and an assured performance style.  Combined with good songwriting, this is an artist to watch.  And this single may be a good way to begin.



And by way of background, here is a previous song.  There are more at the Soundcloud link below.

Die Mason Die are Samuel Mason (guitar, vocals), Stefan Ferguson (guitar, vocals), George Cramer (bass), and Dave Wade Brown (drums).

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NEW SONG: Wild Cub - "Blacktide"

We're fans of Wild Cub's sound - their hard, clean electronic music and Keegan DeWitt's husky soulful vocals are a good combination. They've really taken off in the last year, from their inception in Nashville, to a well-received performance at Bonnaroo, to being celebrated all over the world and drawing comparisons to electro-rock predecessors like New Order. From a duo, they've grown into a five-piece: Keegan DeWitt (vocals/guitar), Jeremy Bullock (guitar/synths), Dabney Morris (drums), Harry West (bass), and Eric Wilson (keys/synths).

Their latest single is "Blacktide", and they invite you to listen and download it, in anticipation of a followup to last year's Youth (WYMA review here). Here's "Blacktide":



Upcoming tour dates, too:

AUG. 6 -- TORONTO, ON --HORSESHOE TAVERN
AUG. 7 -- MONTREAL, QC-- DIVAN ORANGE
AUG. 9 -- NEW YORK, NY  -- BOWERY BALLROOM
AUG. 10 -- ALLSTON, MA -- GREAT SCOTT
AUG. 11 -- PHILADELPHIA, PA -- MILKBOY
AUG. 13 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- DC9
AUG. 14 -- RALEIGH, NC -- KINGS BARCADE
AUG. 15 -- ATLANTA, GA -- THE EARL
AUG. 16 -- KNOXVILLE, TN -- BARLEY'S TAPROOM
AUG. 17 -- NASHVILLE, TN -- THE EAST ROOM  (East Nashville Underground Summer Festival)
SEPT. 8 -- ST. LOUIS, MO -- LOUFEST (5:30pm set)
SEPT. 26-28 -- CINCINNATI, OH -- MIDPOINT MUSIC FESTIVAL
OCT. 5 -- AUSTIN, TX  -- AUSTIN CITY LIMITS FESTIVAL (4:30pm set)

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"Through the Rain" by Bell Gardens

Here is more indie pop goodness from Burger Records.  This edition is "Through the Rain" by Bell Gardens.  It is reminiscent of the Beach Boys in their more orchestral pop vein.  The single is taken from the band's LP, Full Sundown Assembly.


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COMPILATION: Twin Library - Moss Pop, 2008-13 (plus new album due out in fall 2013)

Edmonton's Twin Library is a band I'm always happy to write about - they have a way with a guitar hook, affecting vocals (usually with plenty of reverb) and a lo-fi approach that has endeared them to me from the first time I heard them. To help introduce the world to their music and raise awareness ahead of a new album due out in the fall, they've made a retrospective compilation Moss Pop, 2008-13, available on Bandcamp for "name your price". It's a collection of some of their best songs from their first 5 years - but only songs under 2:00 on this record.

Here's "There's Always An End", with a guitar line that's sure to appeal to fans of GbV, Pavement and Sebadoh:



Here's "The Surgery Never Left" - a nice crossroads between GbV and Jesus & Mary Chain:



Here's "The Camera Birds", with plenty of reverb and noise, including squalls of feedback on the guitars:



And finally, "An Engine Submerged", a sweet jangle-guitar song reminiscent of early R.E.M. and you-know-who:



This is really good guitar pop/rock, with enough variety between feedback-laden drone stuff and jangly pop stuff to keep you coming back. There's a limited edition cassette available, or you can name your price at Bandcamp - just click through one of the songs above to hear more or download the album.

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"Summer Nothing" by Lost Ghosts

Glasgow's Lost Ghosts are making a strong bid to become a regular on these pages.  A month ago we featured their track "Tunnels" which was available as a free download.  Now the band is making their new track, "Summer Nothing", available for that same low, low price.



Lost Ghosts are Gabriella Biazotti (vocals/synth/violin), Gary Carlton (drums/percussion/backing vocals), Derek Connor (guitar/synth), and Daniel Young (bass/backing vocals).

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REVIEW: Alberto Montero - Puerto Príncipe

Alberto Montero has been working with the Spanish band Shake and on his new solo album (with help from Román Gil, Xavi Muñoz and Marcos Junquera)  is playing some soulful, picturesque, and in places psychedelic folk rock. This is another in a long line of impressive talents on the Barcelona-based label BCore Disc. The new album Puerto Príncipe is a true gem - his voice is terrific, and the arrangements on these songs are impeccable. Over the course of the album's 13 songs, there are acoustic and electric guitars, piano, strings and even some sort of muted horn sections - all in service of Montero's artistic soundscapes. Each song is a work of art in and of itself, yet the album is of a piece and rewards repeated, extended plays.

Here's the title track, a beautiful, multi-hued song that runs a little over six minutes, and contains touches of British folk rock like Donovan and flawless pop a la Brian Wilson.



Check out the way his falsetto vocal and the guitar lines interweave with a simply played piano backing on "Hoy Ayer":



Here's "El Juego Del Olvido" - another pretty vocal with mostly acoustic backing, but some nice reverb on the electric guitars, too:



Every song on here is subtle, evocative and easy to listen to. The perceived resemblance to classic California folk rock might be fitting... Valencia, Spain's on a beautiful coastline, too. Amazingly, this record is available for "name your price" at Bandcamp - just click through the songs above to get to the site.

REVIEW: The Prophet Hens - Popular People Do Popular People

I suppose it would be understandable if one were to become distracted by the history that suffuses Popular People Do Popular People.  After all, the band is The Prophet Hens, a name taken from a 19th century hoax in which a woman claimed that her hens laid eggs bearing written prophecies of the end of the world (albeit in her own handwriting, I believe).  Moreover, the album conjures the ghosts of the Dunedin bands that go before them in producing the dark, jangly and wholly compelling guitar pop (too) generally referred to as "the Dunedin sound".  But it would be a shame to tarry too long on the background.  Because while the sound of The Prophet Hens undeniably brings to mind iconic bands such as The Chills and The Bats,  the triumph here -- and make no mistake -- this album is a triumph, is that these songs comprise a vibrant opening statement of a band that deserves attention in their own right.

The combination of upbeat, jangling melodies and melancholy themes is a characteristic of this brand of guitar pop, although chief songwriter Karl Bray varies the atmosphere and doesn't let himself get stuck in the ditch repeating a message.  Relaxed grooves such as "Pretty" are offset by the urgent songs such as "Easy as the Sun".  We even are treated to a song about the quality of the back yard lawn ("Green Grass").  But for me what moves The Prophet Hens towards the front of the class is uniformly solid songwriting and the combination of the vocalists, Bray and Penelope Esplin.

You can stream the entire album at the Bandcamp link, but I will highlight a few songs.  The album begins with "High Times", combining a jaunty arrangement with the story of a break up.



The third song and first single is "Pretty", which Bray wrote several years ago about his then girlfriend.  Fortunately for us, the song turned out much better than the relationship.  By the way, the official video for "Pretty" was completed only three days ago, and it is well worth watching.  It was filmed on the Otago Peninsula near the band's home of Dunedin, and is the work of some friends of The Prophet Hens.



My current favorite song on the album is "All Over The World", which atypically features Esplin on lead vocals.  The song simply is one of those perfect slices of jangle pop that will always be a draw for many of us.



The album was recorded by Karl Bray (guitar and vocals), Penelope Esplin (keys and vocals), John White (bass), and Sefton Holmes (drums).  Currently The Prophet Hens are Bray, Esplin, Robin Cederman (bass) and Darren Stedman (drums).

Popular People Do Popular People is released by Dunedin's Fishrider Records.  It is available on CD and digital download (vinyl may be available later).  While the official release date is the end of the week, it can be purchased now via Bandcamp.  And our US readers should note that the exchange rate means that the nine-song LP is yours for around $5.50.  That, my friends, is a steal.

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Videos from Black Lizard

In April we reviewed the self-titled album from Finland's Black Lizard (review here).  The echoes of The Jesus and Mary Chain. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Brian Jonestown Massacre provided a dark, springtime delight.  The band has released a couple of videos of album cuts that I think are worth sharing.  The first is the official video for "Thrill".  The second is a live performance of "Love is a Lie".  If the Reid brothers aren't going to come back and thrill us, we will happily tune in to Black Lizard.


Black Lizard - Thrill from Jussi Nygren on Vimeo.

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Soliti Music

"No Enter" by Bushwalking

Bushwalking is the project of Nisa Venerosa (of Fabulous Diamonds), Ela Stiles (of Songs) and Karl Scullin (of Kes Band).  Formed in 2011 and with one album in the rear view mirror, they are releasing their sophomore LP on Chapter Music on September 6.  The title track is available to stream below and to purchase at the Bandcamp link.

"No Enter" features the band's atmospheric arrangements and intertwined female vocals.  I find it hypnotic and engaging.



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NEW SONG: Saint Rich - "Officer" from upcoming Beyond The Drone

Saint Rich is composed of Delicate Steve bandmates Steve Marion and Christian Peslak. They play a muscular, sort of psychedelic/boogie guitar rock with dense interplay between two leads. They'll have an album Beyond The Drone out in October in the US and Europe.

Here's a short video teaser:



And here's a preview track to stream - "Officer" - influences are pretty clearly (among other things) 70's Stones and T Rex... that's a very nice acoustic-into-electric break beginning about 2:45 in and building momentum toward some guitar pyrotechnics over the last part of the track. I'm looking forward to hearing more.



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Saint Rich at Merge Records

REVIEW: BELLS≥ - Solutions, Silence, or Affirmations

Brooklyn-based BELLS≥’ Solutions, Silence, or Affirmations, shows a confident, tough and sometimes achingly beautiful approach to instrumental writing and performing. The pace is set throughout by former Jawbox drummer Zach Barocas, along with guitarists Stephen Shodin and Chris Ernst, cellist Gordon Withers and producer/bassist J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels, Office of Future Plans). D.C. bass duo Argos contributed basses on “Promenade.” Tom Broucksou is now the band's bassist.

Barocas and Robbins, who have over a 20-year friendship and collaboration in Jawbox and elsewhere, create a lively, muscular base for the music... and the guitars and cello interplay masterfully. This is music that will appeal to fans of instrumental rock of any stripe, especially the stuff that often gets labeled "math rock" or "post rock". It's fiery, but at the same time it exhibits a sort of quiet confidence and patience. On the opening track "Apostatic", as on most of the record, the drums set the pace throughout and create a framework within which the guitars sort of swing back and forth and the cello fills the sound. On "Brothers, Sisters" the cello and guitars at the outset are laid sort of quietly on top of the drums, until both swell up to fill the room about 2:30 in.

Here's "No More Water", which makes good use of the contrast between sound levels and tempos the band plays with:



And here's "Metatron" - which calls to mind, in places, a revved-up Mogwai track:



As you listen, it's clear this is a drummer's band, and the guitars and cello follow Barocas' lead and make one of the strongest records of 2013. It's out now (July 30) and available now via Bandcamp or all the usual outlets... though the band makes the statement that, to get the album they intended, with the interstitial pieces intact, you're best with the vinyl or the Bandcamp download. You can read more about that at their website.

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REVIEW: Béisbol - Lo-Fi Cocaine

Beisbol is a duo, brothers Jeff and Ryan Burian. Originally from Southern California, now based in Portland, they describe their sound simply as "pop rock music with synthesizers implemented within." But like a lot of one-line descriptions, that falls woefully short of capturing the joy in this music. It's summer pop, for sure, and very well-crafted, deftly combining yet hiding a variety of pop rock influences throughout the album. Songs like "Ready For Something" and "Disappear" have more than trace amounts of Steely Dan influences. "Disappear", with a falsetto vocal, is kind of mesmerizing:



Here's "Big Folk", a sweet, soothing instrumental:



Here's "Nothing Strange", probably the best, most fully-realized track on the album - and a newly-released video:

Béisbol - Nothing Strange from Emilee Booher on Vimeo.



It's a most impressive debut. There aren't many ways you could get sounds this smooth yet invigorating from just two dudes... it probably helps, them being brothers. It's out now (released in June) on Bad Cop Records. Looks like iTunes or Amazon is the way to buy, for now.

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"Headlights" by Tor Miller

I'd heard some buzz about young singer songwriter Tor Miller, but until today I hadn't heard any of his work.  But after listening to his first official single, "Headlights", I am a believer.  Accompanied only by a piano, Tor delivers a soulful, arresting vocal performance.  Still a student at NYU, by the time fall classes commence Tor will have performed at home and London.  This young man can write, and he can perform.  I think we will hear more from him.


Current tour dates:
08.07 - The Lock Tavern - London, UK
08.21 - The Lock Tavern - London, UK
08.27 - Rockwood Music Hall - New York, NY
09.12 - The Bitter End - New York, NY

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REVIEW: Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants - All Hat And No Cattle

The title of the new album by Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants - All Hat And No Cattle - is, of course, a self-deprecating use of an old saying ranchers would use to describe a small-time, big-talk rival: i.e., "all talk, no action". But Shifflett and his band, to stretch the metaphor, have plenty of cattle. They can really play this stuff.

As expected from a rock guitarist whose day job is with the Foo Fighters, Shiflett leads his band through some breakneck guitar workouts inspired by some of country's greatest guitar slingers - people like Don Rich. Here's the lead track, "Guitar Pickin' Man":



Here's a rollicking version of Del Reeves' signature honky-tonker, "Good Time Charlie's":



And the original track on here, "A Woman Like You" is fantastic, a guitar-based rave-up that simultaneously pays tribute to the Bakersfield sound of Owens and Haggard, and British-invasion guitar rock. The piano/guitar interplay over the last minute or so of "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way" is just delightful, and reminds me of Southern rock favorites like Skynyrd's "Call Me The Breeze" or some of the Allmans' work on Brothers And Sisters.

But the revelation here is the true country nature of the proceedings... there is some great piano and pedal steel, and Shiflett's vocals have a nice twang to them on slower numbers like "Happy Part of Town" and "King of Fools", and on repeated listen, this stuff holds up very well in rotation with good modern traditionalist country music like Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart and Jim Lauderdale. Further, Shiflett's really dug into the canon to come up with some gems by true country music legends who aren't necessarily household names - folks like Wynn Stewart, Del Reeves and Jim Ed Brown ("Pop a Top"), as well as a fairly non-obvious Haggard tune, his first song "Skid Row". This and the way he varies the country influences and tempos shows that Shiflett isn't just fooling around with country music on this record - he's got it in his soul. He's onto something here, and I hope he'll keep it going.

All Hat And No Cattle is out now (July 30) on Side One Dummy Records.

Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants website
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"He Doesn't Even Like You" by Alpaca Sports

I don't have the time to provide citations, but I'm quite sure that science has proven that a disproportionate percentage of Swedes have the gene that leads to pristine, twee pop music.  Today's evidence is from Göteborg, home of Alpaca Sports.  The two-track "He Doesn't Even Like You" is available as a digital download; the limited edition 7" is already sold out.

The band has released a number of one and two track records which are available on their bandcamp page.


And for fun, here is the official video --

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Friday Nuggets - The Defectors "It's Gonna Take Some Time"

I am writing this just before I leave for a trip to Denmark. Hey Danish readers - leave a comment here of what I should be sure to see beyond the obvious either in Copenhagen or around Fredericia.

So I went searching for Danish garage bands and came upon quite a bit going back all the way to the mid-'60's.

But the video that really grabbed me was by a more recent band, The Defectors, from Aarhus, Denmark's second largest city, well known for its vibrant arts scene.  And if the Defectors are any indicator, then that rep is well earned!

Here's "It's Gonna Take Some Time" from 2004:

The Defectors are known as the "Evil Fuzz Kings of Denmark", which clearly is a language we speak here at WYMA.

The Defectors web page. 
The Defectors Facebook page. 

"Drifting" from Bitch Prefect

Australian slacker guitar pop trio Bitch Prefect will release their LP Bird Nerds on November 4 via Bedroom Suck Records.  Will it really be "an encyclopedic exploration of time, space and rare Australian birds", as some have suggested?  I can't reveal that yet.  But I can share the video for "Drifting", which will be the opening track.  Seems to me that there may be some laconic musings on the cosmos.


Bitch Prefect - Drifting from BSR on Vimeo.

Here is a link to their early 2011 three-track EP which was released by R.I.P. Society Records.  Note that the third song is a free download.

Bitch Prefect is Liam Kenny, Pat Telfer and Scott O'Hara.  I believe they are residing in Adelaide.

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REVIEW: Spaceships - Cool Breeze Over The Mountains

Spaceships is a L.A.-based duo that plays, in their words, "noise-pop-bedroom-garage-punk". I'm happy to use their words, because they cover it pretty well. They've been compared to Times New Viking and Guided By Voices. Those are fine comparisons, if they get you to listen, and you do definitely get at least two of the four P's... but bear in mind that the lead singer, Jessie Waite, is a lady. She's great, by the way - very enthusiastic and charismatic. Kevin LaRose, the drummer, makes a ton of noise. Their new album is Cool Breeze Over the Mountains.

Opening track is "Little", and it sets the tone with crashing drumbeats and noisy guitar, with some sort of snarly vocals. It ends suddenly and leads into "Snow Mountain", which, while still lo-fi, is more majestically paced and heavier. The vocals on this one are plain, almost without affect - until about 1:00 in, when they get loud and insistent, and LaRose starts crashing around while Waite starts shredding. "New Wishing" is just an old-school loud/fast punk song, and it's very well done.



"Limit" and "Ghost" are a bit longer and "Limit" a bit sludgier, because about halfway through, why not slow down and anchor things a bit? "Limit" even has a guitar jam about halfway through. "Ghost" is probably my favorite track on the album, as it contains the urgent pace Spaceships is best at with enough changes in tempo and structure to keep things interesting... and it has a great little guitar hook that gets repeated a couple times throughout the song.

Here's a video, and a stream, for "Ghost":

Spaceships "Ghost" from Spaceships on Vimeo.



Everything on here features a bit of the punk/surf aesthetic, including plenty of reverb on vocals and guitars in places. Again, LaRose's drumming is terrific. Here's a live performance of the title track - love the repeated surf guitar riff in this one:



Spaceships is a good name for this band - a friendly, somewhat bumpy ride out of this world and back... The record is out now (released July 23) on Mock Records.

And here is one more treat - a live cover of AC/DC's "Big Balls":



Spaceships website
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"Jukebox Dream" from Rebel Light

Sometimes what the summer requires is that you have some summer tunes.  You know, reinforce the vibe and maintain the mood.  Los Angeles band Rebel Light may have just what you are looking for -- an upbeat pop tune called "Jukebox Dream".  Stream it below, and if you like it click on the Bandcamp link, where the song is available for "name your price".  Since you'll tip your server with the beer the song prompts you to buy, it would only be fair to tip the band as well.


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New Video from William Tyler - "A Portrait of Sarah"

Nashville guitarist William Tyler's Impossible Truth is one of the best records of 2013... and one of the best guitar instrumental records since John Fahey's heyday. We reviewed it here, and have shared a few videos that were released as followups. In addition to his guitar work, Tyler runs a restaurant/music venue in Nashville, The Stone Fox. And he makes engaging, interesting videos, like this one for album track "A Portrait of Sarah". Made with Nashville filmmaker Michael Carter, it's an homage to the 1971 film Two Lane Blacktop, and once again Tyler's music serves as a cinematic inspiration.



Read more about Tyler and the album, listen or just buy it at Merge Records.