“Dark in Here” by The Mountain Goats

(Photo: Jade Wilson)

The Mountain Goats have shared the title track of their upcoming album, Dark in Here, and it's a big-sounding Western-themed guitar song that seems to be carrying the simple message (or threat), "be careful for what you ask for". Themes of gun battle, out of control explosions and dire warnings proceed in John Darnielle's deadpan delivery, over a Ennio Morricone-meets-country rock backdrop. There is a lot of power in this track, but paradoxically, I think, a lot of control too. The way Darnielle carefully enunciates the last word “some” in this phrase is really something:

Stack my ammunition, be ready when you come
You who thirst for action, I will give you some

 

They’ve shared three songs now. Each one rewards repeated plays; something is revealed each time. Recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, this album is going to be something special. Out June 25 on Merge Records.

Mountain Goats at Merge Records

Dark in Here pre-order website

“Superglue” by 2nd Grade

 

2nd Grade is the project of Pete Gill, a talented, prolific and sort of obsessive musician based in Philly. He’s producing an incredibly catchy brand of guitar-based power pop music that is a lot of fun to listen to and puts a spring in your step if you’ve got it on in your ears while you’re out walking. The new album is Wish You Were Here Tour Revisited, a sprawling 23-song project consisting of some songs remastered, some re-recorded and one outtake from his 2018 Wish You Were Here Tour, and it will be out June 25 on Double Double Whammy Records. 

For now, we have the single “Superglue”. Gill described in detail his process of creating this song, and it’s an entertaining sort of narrative: "The process of composing this record was essentially my own personal boot camp for guitar pop songwriting, so naturally the songs are full of nods to the greats. Here we have references to Bob Dylan’s 'All I Really Want to Do', Brian Wilson’s double-dutch melodies of 'Don’t Worry Baby', Stephin Merritt’s multisyllabic rhyming tricks, and the Roy Acuff quote about Hank Williams having a 'ten-cent brain'. I don’t play guitar in this band anymore, so you’re hearing unadulterated Catherine Dwyer in the right ear and uncorrupted Jon Samuels in the left and in the solo; to me they’re the Keith Richards and Mick Taylor of 2nd Grade, respectively."

After you check out this tune, come back and read that - what we have here is a sort of 21st century pop punk itinerant (Hank Williams) incorporating Bob Dylan (and Phil Spector by way of Brian Wilson), and unabashedly calling out one of the greatest guitar rock duos in history, with the high level of specificity connoted by use of the word “respectively”. 

(Photo: Abi Reimold)

Having high standards is a good thing, and I can see all of Gill's comparisons except that I might throw in a little bit of Lloyd and Verlaine on the intertwined guitar lines of the last half minute or so. And all that in only about a minute and a half - fun! 

Double Double Whammy website

Pre-order Wish You Were Here Tour Revisited

Negative Nancies - HEATWAVE

I have always felt that referring to a band's music as 'defying description' was a lazy approach to music writing, because everything can be described, right? Well, yeah. But then there are Negative Nancies. It isn't that one can't come up with descriptors for the Dunedin trio's music, it's just that one needs many descriptors and none of them apply to every song on their recent album HEATWAVE. It is music that is organic in creation, punk in spirit and style. But it also is adventuresome and intriguing. So the offered description 'art punk' is probably more accurate than anything else. It is varied and manic, although purposeful in the execution. It is the sound of a band that only creates to please themselves, and in doing so manages to please the listener. And this might seem entirely out of left field, but if I were to choose a musical ancestor for Negative Nancies, it would be The Monks (with better haircuts and equipment). And yes, that is intended as a high compliment.

Negative Nancies are Tess Mackay (keys/vocals), Emilie Smith (drums/vocals), and Mick Elborado (guitar/vocals). HEATWAVE is out now via Dunedin's Fishrider Records (and Occultation Records in the UK).

Bandcamp for HEATWAVE (Fishrider Records)

Bandcamp for HEATWAVE (Occultation Records)

Fishrider Records

Orange Paw - Orange Paw

Mara Williams of Melbourne bands The Pink Tiles and Pleather Purrs certainly has utilized her pandemic downtime more productively than many, commencing a solo project called Orange Paw and writing songs. The fruits of her efforts are nine charming lo-fi nuggets packaged into a self-titled debut album. And what a set of songs! You can hear the garage pop undercurrents of her other bands, but the additional elements make the tunes special. There is a '60s guitar pop vibe owing to the innocent and sincere vocals and the sound of the guitars. And while Mara's vocals are impressive on the uptempo tracks and sweet lullabies, one of our favorite songs us the romping retro instrumental "Runaway".

Orange Paw is an excellent debut album. In fact, it is an excellent album under any circumstances. And we hope that even when her other bands are recording and playing gigs, Mara keeps writing for her own project. If she does, we will be there to listen.

The album is out now digitally, and will be available in cassette format next month via Psychic Hysteria.

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Bandcamp for album

Bachelor - Doomin’ Sun

Bachelor consists of Melina Duterte (Jay Som) and Ellen Kempner (Palehound), two talented LA-based singer-songwriters. They share writing credits in Bachelor, both sing and play, and apparently, upon meeting a few years ago, became inseparable friends. This is a terrific record; their talent at rock guitar, harmony vocals and songwriting is surpassed only by their superb instincts. The way they wring melody out of one electric guitar while making the other one squall; the way they have perfected the quiet/loud/quiet/loud dynamic; and mostly the way they perform their vocals until you are wondering if they are double-tracked, triple-tracked, or they just have that kind of amazing ability to sync up together - all these things tell you they must have spent months squeezing sounds out of a studio full of equipment, right? Well, apparently, they recorded the album in about a two week period at a house they rented, in bursts of what must have been hysterical joy. Some of this stuff is funny, some of it is poignant, but all of it sounds amazing. I hear echoes of many of my favorite 90's "indie rock" favorites - Guided by Voices, The Breeders, The Pixies (check out that roaring chorus in "Stay in the Car") - and Bachelor does not pale by comparison to those bands. Here's "Stay in the Car":

   

 

They show a real talent and dexterity at using a variety of production and musical effects throughout the record. "Spin Out" and "Moon", particularly, are well-layered and feature contrasts between the harmonic vocal sounds and a variety of stretched-out and treated guitar and synth sounds for a dreamlike quality that breaks up the intensity of the guitar tracks. Later on, the 4:06 “Aurora” takes the time to stretch out, and build some drum and synth tracks on top of a simple piano backing of the quiet, husky vocals which move up and back in the mix and closes out with an ethereal guitar solo. It’s a pretty song, and a nice use of these effects:

There is really not a weak track on this record. It’s an interesting dynamic, having two established young solo artists/bandleaders come together to form another band, just because they thought it would be fun to record together. Often it occurs in reverse - Uncle Tupelo or Drive-by Truckers break up and we get two great bands. But here, we get what sounds like a great new band from the opposite impulse. Duterte and Kempner were each making music on their own, but thought there was something else, something more, they could do together. And it’s lucky for us that they did. The record is out now (5/28) on Polyvinyl Records. 

Bachelor website

Bachelor at Polyvinyl Records

"She Buys Herself Flowers" by The Umbrellas

 We residents of rainy Seattle don't tend to use umbrellas, preferring a good had or just letting ourselves get a little damp. But we must admit that umbrellas can be very, very satisfying. A case in point is "She Buys Herself Flowers" by The Umbrellas. The band is a jangle pop four-piece that confirms our suspicion that San Francisco's stature as a lo-fi, indie pop bastion is well-earned.  With acts like The Reds, Pinks & Purples, Flowertown, Tony Jay, The Mantles, how could it be otherwise?

"She Buys Herself Flowers" is a classic rush of indie pop that might bring to mind The Pastels or a Sarah Records comp -- hooks and melody with catchy choruses and just limber enough to justify a DIY tag. It is the first single from the band's upcoming self-titled debut, which will be released via Slumberland Records on August 6.

The Umbrellas are Matt Ferrara (vocals/guitar/keys), Keith Frerichs (guitar/drums/vocals), Morgan Stanley (vocals/guitar), and Nick Oka (bass).

Bandcamp for album

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Links for pre-order of album

“Rise and Shine” by Jubba White, Frassman Brilliant and Arturas

Very happy to be able to share with you a good reggae track from the trio of Jubba White, Frassman Brilliant and Arturas. Their new single and accompanying video, “Rise and Shine”, is a taste from an upcoming album, Solar Riddim, from SimmerDown Sounds and White Stone Productions, and Tuff Gong, which includes a number of artists in addition to these three. Hopefully it’s all of this quality, because this stuff is well-played - it really swings - and the three vocalists play off one another well. Jubba White takes the lead and he's got a great flow to his vocals, setting a good musical groove for Brilliant and Arturas to play off of.

The single is out now, the album will be out June 18. Stream or download this track at the site below, or just hit repeat on this video.

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Jonny Kosmo - Pastry

Jonny Kosmo is an LA-based singer leading an ensemble playing some completely delightful and soulful pop music. It's full of beat machines, waves of synthesizers and Kosmo's high vocals (often ranging into falsetto) that make it clear this guy just wants us to be happy. Really, it's a delightful record that mixes well with whatever else you're listening to these days. Check out "Fool" - the wacky, woozy synthesizers, the crazy visuals in the video - these things provide a light touch, but don't obscure the fact that this is really good soul music:

 

 

 And another delightful feature of this record is that Kosmo's singing about positivity and encouragement throughout - the way we treat each other and the way we treat ourselves, as in "Panopticon". Kosmo says this one is about the way we tend to police ourselves, and almost help the machine police us rather than express some freedom:

 

There are some nice short tracks, sort of liminal breaks that keep the good feelings going, like "Tru" which features Gracie Jackson accompanying Kosmo on vocals:

 

 It is a complete album - 14 tracks, well sequenced, featuring a theme-setting intro that is reprised in the last track, and in between enough variations in tempo and enough supporting musicians and backup singers to keep the party going. It is out now (June 4) on Feeding Tube (US) and Dinosaur City (Australia). 

Jonny Kosmo website

Bandcamp

Kevin Robertson - Sundown's End

 

As regular readers of this blog know, if an album is billed as jangle pop, power pop, psychedelic, and '60s guitar pop, we are going to pay attention. And in the case of Sundown's End, by Aberdeen, Scotland's Kevin Robertson, the album is what it is advertised to be. It also is packed with sweet melodies, sharp hooks and several months' worth of good vibes (that would be the summer months, of course). Kev was already in our books because of our past coverage of The Vapour Trails, a fine Aberdeen band of which he is a founding member (link to our feature). But we were unaware of his side project under his own name.

We are unaware no more, and we are very impressed. Yes, there is plenty of delicious jangle pop. There is dusty, country rock such as "Settle Down", and gentle ballads such as "See How We Love". "Telepathic Minds" could be found on a collection of  '60s garage/psych nuggets, and closing track "Yesterday's Rain" could have a Byrds byline. The harmonies lift the spirits and the melodies make us smile. This is a treasure of good vibes.

Sundown's End is out now as a digital release via Subjangle Records (there were limited edition CDs, as well, but they have been snapped up).

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Bandcamp for Sundown's End

Subjange Records

The Palace Guard - All Night Long: An Anthology, 1965-1966

The team at Omnivore Records has struck again, with a delightful collection of 60’s California-meets-British Invasion guitar pop by The Palace Guard, Emitt Rhodes’ first band. The excellent liner notes detail some details of the fascinating milieu they played in - among other things, they were the house band at famed Sunset Strip rock club The Hullabaloo Club. You can see them prominently featured in this video about the club’s opening:

They were one of an army of Southern California bands formed in the wake of the Beatles’ popularity, and they do a good job of aping the Beatles in places. The core of the band was three brothers, so you would expect tight vocal harmonies. You would be right. The Palace Guard were “locally famous”, but never broke through on the national charts. In 1965-1966, the national charts were a crowded place.

There are plenty of studio touches to punch up the music - psychedelic, jangly guitars, an actual calliope in the song “Calliope”, and of course, the virtual wall of vocal harmonies that make the choruses stand out. 

In their short career, they released six singles, 12 songs, and it's all on here. It's a fun time capsule, and is out now (May 21) on Omnivore Recordings.

The Palace Guard at Omnivore Recordings

"POG Theme" by Shrapnel

"POG Theme" is the second single to be released from the upcoming Alasitas by Australian band Shrapnel. A change of pace from what we were expecting, it is an instrumental track that proceeds at a stately pace with flute and clarinet as the dominant instruments. Part lo-fi chamber pop, part '60s San Francisco flower power, it is peaceful yet quietly compelling.

Shrapnel is Sam Wilkerson, Matt Neville, Nicholas Johnson, Toby Baldwin, Lani Crooks, and Caroline de Dear. Alasitas will be released on June 11 via Tenth Court Records.

Shrapnel · Pog Theme

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Tenth Court Records

The Martial Arts - Getting Stranger By The Month EP

 

A few songs of retro guitar pop is like a coat of fresh paint for the soul. So line up and give your soul a shine with Getting Stranger By The Month. The EP is by The Martial Arts, the project of Glasgow musician Paul Kelly who also is a member of BMX Bandits, Teen Canteen, Dr. Cosmos Tape Lab and others. Past recordings include one album and several shorter releases, but there are rumors of a new album. We featured the most recent past EP on these pages (link) and were well impressed.

This EP has five songs that are sounds of joy, sunshine and positivity, presented with indie pop, new wave and glam elements. Technically, summer doesn't arrive in the Northern Hemisphere until later this month, but with Getting Stranger By The Month in our ears, we think it is here now.

The EP is available now in CD and digital formats via Last Night From Glasgow.

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Bandcamp for EP

Last Night From Glasgow

"Fever" by Kings of Convenience

Norwegian acoustic duo Kings of Convenience have released "Fever", the second single from their upcoming album Peace or Love.  The single is a warm, summery tune and a good example of the act's songwriting skills and ease in performing together. I particularly like the extended instrumental portions of the song, which add to the relaxed atmosphere in the song.

Kings of Convenience are Glambeck Boe and Erlend Oye. Peace or Love is their first album in a decade, and will be out on June 18.

Kings Of Convenience · Fever

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Various links for "Fever"

fanclubwallet - Hurt Is Boring EP

 

My opening sentence was going to be that the five songs on Hurt Is Boring should be sufficient to make any listener a fanclubwallet fan. But in reality the title track, the previously released single "Car Crash In G Major" probably will do it. If you still are on the fence, the following "C'mon Be Cool" is more than sufficient to put you over. Moreover, there is no drop in quality in the remaining tracks. The melodies are consistently addictive, and the artist's performance rocks out with just the right balance of attitude and nuance.

fanclubwallet is the project of Canadian Hannah Judge, who productively used time dealing with an illness to create this debut EP. Love, heartache and, of course, boredom are the topics du jour, and her treatment of them is deft and engaging. By the way, the project was named for a Dennis the Menace wallet that belonged to her father.

Hurt Is Boring is out now in digital and cassette formats.

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Various links for fanclubwallet

Ducks Ltd. - Get Bleak EP

 Late last year we featured a four-song EP titled Get Bleak by a Toronto band named Ducks Unlimited. Accordingly, you might be inclined to think we are lazy in featuring the Get Bleak EP today. But we have a good explanation. First, the Toronto duo have tweaked their name and now are known as Ducks Ltd. While we have no inside knowledge, our legally trained minds suspect that the organization Ducks Unlimited may have objected to a band using their name. A bit sad, if true, given that little confusion was likely to occur (even acknowledging the mind-boggling penchant for certain segments of the population to become confused). But that is the way that the world works.

The second reason is that the band has joined the Carpark Records roster, and the label has released an expanded version of Get Bleak. The EP now boasts a robust seven tracks of Duck Ltd.'s indie pop creations. And what creations they are! The themes can be a bit heavy, although leavened with humor, but the jangle pop guitar tones are bright. This updated version further enhances the obvious talent and promise of the original, and is a welcome springtime addition to our soundtracks. Moreover, it is a great reminder of just how good the original release was.

Ducks Ltd. are Evan Lewis and Tom Mcgreevy. Get Bleak is out now in digital and vinyl formats.

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Bandcamp for Get Bleak

Carpark Records

Royal Mountain Records

Sam Gellaitry - IV

 

Scottish producer and composer Sam Gellaitry has released the digital version of his new EP IV (the vinyl version comes in June), following the three EPs he released between 2015 and 2017. Well regarded as a master beatmaker, Sam steps up to the mic for the first time in this recording, and hits the bullseye vocally as well. IV consists of four tracks focusing on four different emotions. And all of them sparkle and dazzle with musical color. Last month we posted the excellent lead single "Duo" (link), so we will give you two of the other tracks today.

IV is released via Sam's Viewfinder Recording imprint via FFRR Records/Parlophone.

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Various links for EP

KAPUTT - "Movement Now" / "Another War Talk"

 

Some bands just have charisma, and Kaputt is one of those bands for me. With the staccato rhythms, wiry guitars and you-can't-ignore-us volume, the music is in the listener's face. But the hooks, hypnotic vocals, sharp lyrical content and, of course, the sax, wrap it all up in a compelling, thrilling package. The Glasgow band's latest offering is two-song single "Movement Now"/"Another War Talk", and it is just as described. Manic energy that begs you to leave your comfortable sofa to see them live, and good music that rewards the effort. Punk? Art Rock? No-Wave"? Perhaps No-Wave Art Punk. But whatever, it is good and as the lyrics say -- I want more.

Kaputt are Cal Donnelly (guitar/vocals), Curtis Halling (guitar), Chrissy Barnacle (vocals/sax), Tobias Carmichael (bass), Rikki Will (drums), and Emma Smith (percussion). "Movement Now" / "Another War Talk" is out now via Upset The Rhythm, available in vinyl or 'name your price' digital download.

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Label page for release

"Dogshot" by Skydeck

"Dogshot" is the new single by Melbourne duo Skydeck. The title is Australian sports slang for a late hit when the recipient is distracted or looking in another direction. The song is not about sports, but the title is apt for the actual theme, which is the exploitation of people in the gig economy. The song has a thumping, aggressive beat and angular guitar accents resulting in a cynical, angry vibe.

In conjunction with the release of "Dogshot", Skydeck has announced the August 27 release of new album Coupon. The album will be available in digital and vinyl versions via Dinosaur City Records, Osborne Again, and Kingfisher Bluez (North America).

Skydeck is Dominic Kearton (Pregnancy/Dom Roff) and Mitchum Clemens (Ciggie Witch/Shark Alarm). Their 2019 debut album Eureka Moment was nominated for the Australian Music Prize.

Various links for "Dogshot"

Bandcamp for album pre-orders

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"One Thing's For Certain" by Wojtek the Bear

We think the upcoming July album Heaven By The Back Door from Glasgow's Wojtek the Bear is going to be a stunner. The first single, "Ferme la Bouche" (link), offered a slice of Philadelphia-style soul. The second single is "One Thing's For Certain", and to our ears it is even better. With strings and a wall of sound back beat, it is a triumph of '60s-shaded melancholy pop.

Heaven By The Back Door will be out July 16 via Last Night From Glasgow.

wojtek the bear · one thing's for certain

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Various links for Wojtek The Bear

"Butterfinger Hands" by Carpet Burn

 

We have a carpet burn and we are thrilled about it. Wait -- that didn't come out as we intended. Ahem, starting over: We have a new single from Carpet Burn and we are thrilled about it. The name of the song is "Butterfinger Hands", and you can listen via the amusing video or stream the song via Bandcamp. "Butterfinger Hands" is representative of Carpet Burn's approach to music -- idiosyncratic, humorous, and a bit absurd (and sometimes more than a bit). The single is out now, and is taken from their four-track 7" I Can't Believe It's Not Carpet Burn, which will be available June 18 via Spoilsport Records.

Carpet Burn is Amanda, Kayley, Louis, and Tam, who are members of other Melbourne bands such as Girlatones, Permits, Tam Vantage, Gutter Girls, Blonde Revolver, and Plastic.

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Bandcamp for EP

Spoilsport Records