REVIEW: Langhorne Slim & The Law - The Way We Move

Portland, Oregon-based Langhorne Slim is one of those musicians who should be widely known and appreciated.  His Americana blend of folk, bluegrass and indie is affecting and catchy.  He writes good songs and performs them passionately.  So, is he famous?  Probably not, but that's show biz!  However, lack of fame doesn't deter When You Motor Away, which specializes writing about quality artists that haven't yet exploded on the big time.  Lanhorne Slim's latest album is The Way We Move, recorded by him and his current band, Langhorne Slim & The Law, and released last month on Ramseur Records.

Langhorne Slim knows his way around a ballad (take the time to find his "I Love You But Goodbye" from an earlier album; here's a You Tube link: link),  and this album contains several tracks, including "Song for Sid", that will burnish his reputation in that vein.  But, in my opinion, The Way We Move hits its highest points on the rollicking numbers.  Check out the title track --



Slim is a raw, soulful troubadour with a bit of punk attitude.  Thematically, the core of this album is loss -- the end of Slim's five year relationship, the death of his grandfather, moving out of his Portland home.  But emotionally, the music is vibrant and life-affirming.  And it is performed by a tight and energetic band.

"Great Divide" --





Slim's original name is Sean Scolnick, and he was raised in Pennsylvania and graduated from the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College.  He and his collaborators have released several albums over the past 12 years or so.  The current line-up is Langhorne Slim (vocals/guitar), Malachi DeLorenzo (drums), Jeff Ratner (bass), and David Moore (keys/banjo).

Live performance of "Salvation", one my my favorite slower-paced Langhorne Slim songs --



Website
Facebook
Twitter ( @LanghorneSlim )

New Psych/Punk Discovery - Two Bit Dezperados/Beat Mark Split 7" on SMFSP Records

We've featured a few earlier releases from SMFSP (Shit Music For Shit People) Records, the Lisbon/Turin-based label - Second H Sam and Strange Hands, to be specific. Now we're happy to share their latest, a crazy split single featuring Two Bit Dezperados' combination of psychedelia and tropicalia, and French group Beat Mark's near-shoegaze sound, with buzzing guitars underlaying male/female vocal harmonies:



Highly recommended if you're looking for something new, but delightfully evocative in the vein of Dum Dum Girls, Crocodiles and Crystal Stilts, to name a few. It's out August 3, and you can buy it from Shit Music For Shit People online.

Introducing: Golden Grrrls

Golden Grrrls are a Glasgow/London-based three piece that is earning a growing acclaim in critical and fan arenas.  If I'm allowed to vote, and I think I am, I think they are great.  They have an album coming out on Night School Records in October, and a split 7" with California's Sea Lions very soon.  To give you a sample of their tasty sounds, here is the New Pop/Red Sea 7", which was released last November, and is available for "name your price" at the Bandcamp link below.




There is a delightful loose, lo-fi, Beat Happening vibe about this band, but with a bit more aggression in the tempo and arrangements.  I expect that they are very entertaining live.

The band is Ruari MacLean (guitar/vocals), Eilidh Rodgers (drums/vocals), and Rachel Aggs (guitar/vocals).  There are more songs available for streaming at the Soundcloud link below, and available for download at reasonable rates at the Bandcamp link.


Tumblr
Facebook
Bandcamp
Soundcloud

"Frances", new song from Father Sculptor

True to their promise, Father Sculptor has released another track -- "Frances" is available to download free as of today, July 30.  This track both reveals the group's breadth and, I expect, puts the sword to the notion advanced by some that Father Sculptor are a reincarnation of the Smiths.  Sure, the melancholy and melody are there.  But the scope if the work is massive.  "Frances" features gorgeous synths, pounding drums and anthemic vocals, changes of pace and a palpable tension, building to a exhilarating climax.



The gang have promised another gift in two weeks.  Mark your calendars.

Website
Bandcamp

First Aid Kit - new video for "Blue"

First Aid Kit has released a third video in support of their recent album The Lion's Roar (WYMA review here):



After playing Newport Folk Festival, they've got a few more US dates (including one with Alabama Shakes, you lucky Chicagoans) before returning to Europe to finish up their touring for a while (check out dates here).

Will Johnson (Centro-matic) - Scorpion, new solo album due out Sept 11

Great news - a new release from Denton, TX artist Will Johnson - a solo record (with help, of course, from some of his talented friends, including Centro-matic bandmates). Scorpion is due out September 11 on Undertow/Thirty Tigers.

For this project, Johnson has decided to cut out the middleman and self-release the album direct to fans via Undertow Music/Thirty Tigers. Scorpion was recorded in the wooded outskirts of Denton, Texas, at the studio of longtime bandmate, producer and engineer Matt Pence. Also lending their skills to Scorpion are multi-instrumentalists Scott Danbom, Howard Draper and Magnolia Electric Company’s Mikey Kapinus.

Unlike Centro-matic’s Candidate Waltz or Johnson’s last solo album Vultures Await (both of which were written well in advance and recorded using carefully conceived arrangements), Scorpion documents the genesis and germination of its songs. “A lot of them,” Johnson says, “Were written in the studio, right then and there, in the moment. I enjoy capturing those initial gut reactions in songwriting. It doesn’t always work, but when it does — you capture the song in such a raw, unique form.”

You can get a download of the lead track, "You Will Be Here, Mine" - just click here. It's vintage Johnson - languid, slow-burning, with some terrific guitar supporting one of the most soulful voices in rock music.

Johnson is hitting the road this fall in support of Scorpion, with his friend and New Multitudes collaborator Anders Parker, playing a mix of traditional club shows and intimate acoustic living-room sets.

FRI Sept 14 - Waverly, AL @ Living Room Show
SAT Sept 15 - Birmingham, AL @ Living Room Show
SUN Sept 16 - Atlanta, GA @ Living Room Show
MON Sept 17 - Athens, GA @ Living Room Show
TUE Sept 18 - North Carolina area @ Living Room Show
WED Sept 19 - Baltimore, MD @ Living Room Show
FRI Sept 21 - Philadelphia @ Living Room Show
SAT Sept 22 - Brooklyn, NY @ Living Room Show
SUN Sept 23 - NYC @ Mercury Lounge
MON Sept 24 - Boston, MA @ Living Room Show
TUE Sept 25 - Montpelier VT @ Living Room Show
WED Sept 26 - Buffalo, NY @ Living Room Show
THU Sept 27 - Cleveland, OH @ Living Room Show
FRI Sept 28 - Chicago, IL @ Schuba's
Sat Sept 29 - Saint Louis @ Off Broadway
Tue Oct 2 - Dallas, TX @ Texas Theatre
Wed Oct 3 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's
Thu Oct 4 - Austin, TX @ Cactus Cafe

The Soul Corner - Bobby Womack "The Bravest Man in the Universe"

A first at the Soul Corner - a brand new release. But it qualifies for our Friday feature because it comes from a classic artist, Bobby Womack, and is damn soulful. You may be able to pick up a free download for it like I did today by walking into to your local Starbucks and finding their card with the iTunes Song Pick of the Week. "The Bravest Man in the Universe" is the title track from Womack's new CD.

Some of you, like me, may love, while others not, the modern production here, but the man sure can sing and play guitar. The song and entire new CD was produced by UK electronic music pioneer Richard Russell and Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz).

Womack of course played with a host of great artists, including Aretha, Janis Joplin, and on Sly and the Family Stone's There's a Riot Goin' On.  He wrote "It's All Over Now", popularized by the Rolling Stones. He had worked with Albarn previously, contributing on some Gorillaz music.

Womack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

New (and free) song from The Louche

This Manchester band has appeared on these pages in the past (here and here), but not as The Louche.  You see, when we wrote about them in 2011 they were Louche FC.  Before then, the were known as The Bicycle Thieves (please note the difference between 'known as the bicycle thieves' and 'known as bicycle thieves', as we do not want to be accused of libel).  One hopes that the current name sticks, because it would be a shame to build up a fan base and then confuse them.  And they are in danger of building a fan base, because their string of excellent past songs has been well supplemented by current offering: "Salt".  Here is the video:



Dense, guitar-driven and melodic--just what we like.  And if you like it too, here is a download:



The Louche is comprised of Kyoko Swan, Luke Byron Scott, Adam Dawson and Dave White.  Their label is Sways Records.  I would say that I've been waiting patiently for an album, but that would be half untrue.  We are waiting...

One of the older tunes, "Romantic" --




Facebook
Bandcamp
Twitter (@louchefc )
Sways Records

Brooklyn band The Babies will be releasing their Our House On The Hill LP on the Woodsist label this fall.  To whet our appetite, a two track single will be available on August 14.  You can listen to the excellent A-side, "Moonlight Mile", below --


The B-side for the single is "Places".

The Babies were founded by Kevin Morby (who also plays with Woods) and Cassie Ramone (of the Vivian Girls), and has expanded to include Justin Sullivan and Brian Schleyer.  I'm a big fan of their loose, lo-fi approach, and "Moonlight Mile" has me eagerly anticipating the release of  Our House On The Hill.

Soundcloud
Website
Facebook
Woodsist

REVIEW: The Blakes - Art of Losses

When I read that The Blakes had left Seattle for their Maine motherland to record their third full length album, I was concerned.  Sometimes sequestration in a different environment can produce great works, but it also can lead to insular product, inscrutable to all not involved.  Well, I'm happy to report that all is well.  Art of Losses is an excellent album -- A wide spectrum alt rock/garage pop thesis and, in my opinion, the most consistent of this band's career.

As suggested by the title, the theme of the album is loss, and dealing with loss.  But rather than allow their inspiration to weigh down the proceedings, Garnet Keim, Snow Keim and Bob Husak have used it to push themselves artistically.  The title track provides a fine introduction to the album's sound --



The Blakes have always been a straightforward band.  The sound is stripped to the basics rock, with crunchy guitars and powerpop vocals, both of which honor their '60s influences without mimicking them.  But straightforward doesn't mean limited.  A primary reason I think that the band have been one of the consistently best over the last decade is their ability to coherently and entertainingly express themselves in a variety of styles -- from swampy, bluesy and booze-soaked to dreamy and melodic.  I'll provide a few examples, below.

In "Sea Fishing (Slow It Down)", The Blakes craft a swaggering slice of rock that wouldn't be out of place in the Rolling Stones catalog.



A raunchy, bar-band sing-a-long side of the band is exemplified by "Paralysis" --



Yet, the band is fully comfortable writing and performing a sincere, high quality indie pop song, such as "Old Gal" --



That The Blakes have not yet captured a wider audience is a shame.  But for those of you who didn't know about them before, now you have your chance to grab the work of one of the country's finer bands.  This is your chance.  Don't screw it up.

Website
Facebook
Twitter ( @theblakesband )

New (and free) songs from The Mouse that Ate the Cat

The Mouse That Ate The Cat is a Glasgow indie electro-pop band consisting of Brian Henderson (vocals and synths) and Colin Keenan (guitar).  They appeared on these pages a few times in 2011, and have earned a return trip owing to their ability and extraordinary generosity.  On the latter point, we have several sets of free songs for you to enjoy and, if you like them, download.  Enjoy!

The latest release is the this two-track single --



And here is a single from May, also available for free download --



And if you act now, here is the very free two-track "Lightbulbs" single --



Website
Twitter ( @TMTATC )

New single from The Raveonettes

The Raveonettes will be releasing Observator, their new LP, early in the fall on Vice Records.  For those of us interested in the upcoming delights to be found on the album, the single "She Owns the Streets", became available this month.  The song celebrates individuality and punk attitude.  Apparently it was written about a street dancer named Loan Tran, who also stars in this video made to accompany the track.



As expected, it appears that we can expect another album full of ear candy from my favorite Danish expats.  Is it bad form to wish fall to come along sooner?

Website
Facebook
Twitter ( @theraveonettes )

REVIEW: Eternal Summers -

Eternal Summers were known for their lo-fi, jangly, dreamy, punk infused sound through their earlier EPs and debut album.  Correct Behavior is the band's sophomore LP, and its first recorded output as a three piece, as Nicole Yun and Daniel Cudiff have added bassist Jonathan Woods.  With the broader sonic complexity comes a slightly different and more sophisticated sound.  Perhaps my best effort at a description would be a combination of The Sundays and Ride -- "dreamgaze" anyone?  But heavier rock sounds still creep in to provide a distinctive accent to the proceedings.

The additional power and complexity is ably displayed on the opening track, "Millions" --


  

In tracks like "I Love You", "You Kill" and "Summerset", the dream pop influence dominates the proceedings.  But tracks like "Heaven and Hell" demonstrate that the band is comfortable in the shoegaze segment of the spectrum --



My favorite track is the crunchy power-pop anthem "Wonder" --



Correct Behavior is a satisfying album.  It delivers hooky, full-bodied dream pop, and the music is diverse enough without losing cohesiveness.  Moreover, I think it establishes Eternal Summers' bona fides as a band with the chops to evolve and gather fans in the years to come.

Facebook
Bandcamp
Blog
Kanine Records

New video from Crocodiles - "Endless Flowers"

Here's a new video from the Crocodiles for the title cut from their latest album Endless Flowers (WYMA review here):



Their combination of noise, guitar buzz, and sweet, almost doo-wop vocal harmonies really grabbed me... If by chance you don't have this record yet, I'm not sure what else you might be waiting for. Perhaps you were looking for a crazy video... and maybe this did it for you.

Soul Corner RIP - Bob Babbitt

 Motown Funk Brother Bob Babbitt, one of the great soul music bass players, died Friday in Nashville at age 74.

Babbitt was recruited to Motown by the legendary James Jamerson in 1967 and brought a rock edge, creating some of that label's most memorable hits: The Temptations "Ball of Confusion", Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)", Smokey Robinson's "Tears of A Clown" and Edwin Starr's "War".

Babbitt's resume is way too long to recount here.  He even played behind Frank Sinatra. But few songs have opened with a better bass line than this one we previously featured on the Soul Corner (Soul Corner - Cool Jerk):

Here's Babbitt playing in the Funk Brothers documentary film (good shot at 1:19 mark) supporting Joan Osborne on one of my all time favorite Motown tributes:

And for my money, having played on this song alone ought to have earned Bob Babbitt Hall of Fame status:

 

The Soul Corner - Gene Chandler "Nothing Can Stop Me"

Gene Chandler is one of the all time great Chicago soul artists, with a long career as a performer, writer, producer and record company executive. Of course, "Duke of Earl"(1961) is an all time classic. But I am very partial to his 1964 hit "Nothing Can Stop Me":

Alright, okay, you get "Duke of Earl" too:

New Country Rock Discovery: Murder By Death - "I Came Around", from Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon (out 9/25)

Murder By Death is a Bloomington, IN-based outfit playing a raucous blend of indie rock and barroom country. The band consists of singer/songwriter Adam Turla, Sarah Balliet on cello and Scott Brackett on backing vocals, piano, trumpet, and accordion, Dagan Thogerson on drums and Matt Armstrong on bass. The lead single "I Came Around" has a rollicking feel backing Turla's John Doe-meets-Nick Cave vocals:

The album is available for preorder via Bloodshot Records website, or via the band's Kickstarter page, with some pretty elaborate packages available. Either way, you get the single as a free download.

New single from ExLovers

Last month we reviewed Moth, the excellent debut LP from London's ExLovers (review here).  On Monday, July 23, the band are releasing album track "Emily" as a single on the Young and Lost Club label.  The track is both beautiful and melancholic.  Here is accompanying video, which the band directed and shot themselves while in Japan.



Here is a sound file of the track --



I think ExLovers are one of the truly exceptional indie bands to debut an album this year.  If for some good reason, such as losing all of your money speculating on commodities futures, you haven't acquired Moth yet, you can get the single to have a piece of the band until those investments pay off.

Facebook
Young and Lost Club

New video from PS I Love You - "Toronto"

Here's a new video from WYMA favorites PS I Love You, for album track "Toronto".



If you haven't already, you can read our review of Death Dreams here. Short version: We like it, and PS We LOVE the guitars.

REVIEW: Pale Sunday - The Fake Stories About You and Me

I make quite an effort to keep my eyes and ears open for that great indie guitar pop sound.  I'm accustomed to finding it in Scotland, England, Sweden, Finland, California, Seattle, New Zealand, Australia, and even Singapore (if you haven't listened to Obedient Wives Club, you are missing a treat).  But we get by with a little help from our friends (phrase trademarked by Rocksteady74 LLC), and in this case, the friend is Jimmy at Matinee Recordings. Thanks to Jimmy, we know about  Pale Sunday -- A Brazilian power pop/twee pop four piece whose The Fake Stories About You and Me EP continues Matinee Recordings' 2012 string of high quality releases.

"Happy (When You Lived Here)" is a lovely, jangly melody that may remind you Belle & Sebastian both in sound and in melancholic sentiments.  It also is available for free download.



The robust guitars and plaintive vocals of the second and third tracks, About Your Life and That's the Way, earn fair comparisons to Teenage Fanclub's powerpop portfolio.   The EP closes with the gentle Winter Song, on which piano and strings are added to the accompaniment.

Pale Sunday has chosen it's influences well, and executed its own interpretation of the genre in an excellent and affecting fashion.  And their shimmering pop arrangements and warm harmonies make The Fake Stories About You and Me EP a perfect record for your summer collection.

The members of Pale Sunday are Luiz Gustavo (bass/vocals), Sineval (guitar), Tiago Fuzz (guitar/synths), and AZ (drums/backing vocals).  Several of their previous releases can be streamed at their website and purchased from Matinee Records, the links for both of which are below.

Website
Facebook
Matinee Recordings page for Pale Sunday