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Rave’s Fave: TOY – Endlessly

toy

Brighton’s TOY is a band that we on the B3SCI team have followed closely in 2013. TOY’s SXSW shows were a powerfully played success and their self-titled debut EP was definitely a good listen. Songs from their Join the Dots album, coming in January, seem different in structure and less uptempo, but the band’s significant growth will be on display, especially if “Endlessly” serves indication. It took me a couple of listens but I’m hooked. “Endlessly” has a memorable chorus and a real psychedelic feel to it. Singer Tom Dougall, formerly of the Joe Lean & the Jing Jang Jong band, has a voice that reminds me of The Church’s Steve Kilby. His vocals work beautifully on this track. The synths nicely augment the dirty guitars, and an unobtrusive instrumental break suddenly explodes into a blast that this band will nail live. After dealing with visa issues that prohibited additional touring in 2013, the band will be play a strong set of January shows in American major markets. See ’em if you can! Reviewed By Bruce Review

TOY – Endlessly

TOY england (Official)

Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!

reviewed by
12-11-13

Merriment – Backwards

merriment

Brother and sister duo, Merriment, create a wholesome sound in “Backwards” that is unassuming, yet familiar. Christie Dupree admirably shapes haunting melodies without straying into something trite, while Collin Dupree compliments the nostalgic air with indie/folk guitar elements. Though they are often compared to their sibling band Eisley, it is clear that Merriment is moving forward on a road entirely their own. Reviewed By Gabrielle Sukich

Merriment texas (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
12-11-13

Arthur Beatrice – Midlands

arthur beatrice

Arthur Beatrice’s debut LP Working Out comes out on March 4th. To mark today’s announcement of the release date, the band dropped today new single “Midlands”. The track’s heart-jarring but very singable (great) chorus is neat contrast to the other more spread out, more difficult to get at (but no less rewarding), parts of the song. “Grand Union” was Arthur Beatrice’s breakout moment and “Midlands” is definitely of a quality to keep them there.

Arthur Beatrice england (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
12-10-13

Alina Baraz & Galimatias – Pretty Thoughts

Alina Baraz

“Pretty Thoughts” (w/ “Drift”) is the double-A single from the duo of Cleveland-based singer Alina Baraz and Danish producer Galiamatias. Wow, just wow. Baraz’s vocal is warm, hushed, not hurried; the perfect pace for Galiamatias’ (and we don’t use a term like this lightly) breathtaking atmospheric production. Look for “Pretty Thoughts” out now on Loodma Records.

Alina Baraz & Galimatias ohio (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
12-10-13

Phantogram – Fall In Love

phantogram

Phantogram announce today forthcoming album Voices, due February 18th on Universal Republic. Equal parts gritty electro rhythms, soulful/dynamic hip-hop production, and singer Sarah Barthel’s slinky syncopated alto, new single “Fall in Love” is (like your surprised) completely off the chain. We are in love.

Phantogram (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
12-10-13

Trails and Ways – Taj Mahal (Jorge Ben Cover)

Trails and Ways - Taj Mahal Cover

“Taj Mahal” originally by the great songwriter Jorge Ben (and latercovered by Rod Stewart as “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy”) is the latest bit of source material from one of our favorite bands, Oakland’s Trails and Ways. The samba/bossa sounds of Jorge Ben’s tune fit the classic Brazilian pop-lean of Trails & Ways perfectly; with T&W’s while tightened/slightly more accessible to the indie 2013 palette arrangement still ably maintains the original song’s soul & heart (something it’s not at all short on).

TRAILS AND WAYS california (Official)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
12-10-13

araabMUZIK – BlackOut

araabMUZIK

araabMUZIK drops off brand new instrumental “BlackOut”. Uploaded to the New York producer’s Soundcloud just today, the dark/hypnotic grind of “BlackOut” is, like is the reg for araabMUZIK, light years in front of 99% of hip hop production on the radio (or elsewhere really).

araabMUZIK newyork (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
12-09-13

Rave’s Fave: Ezra Furman – Tell ‘Em All To Go To Hell

ezra-day-of-dog-1_grande

Ezra Furman always seems to live up to his reputation of continuously dropping great music that flies just under the radar. In short, his Day of the Dog album is another winner. A favorite song from the album “Tell ‘Em All To Go To Hell” is a little different for him, as a fun-sounding, infectious, sax-dominated tune that won’t allow you to sit or stand still. His message is to the young redheads that no longer have his number, or to the purveyors of material wealth. Mainstream success probably isn’t a priority for Ezra but you never know. “Take Off Your Sunglasses” did well for him a few years ago and his “My Zero” single from this current album is seriously infectious. I’m betting there will be more to come.

Ezra Furman – Tell ‘Em All To Go To Hell

Ezra Furman illinois (Facebook)

Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!

reviewed by
12-07-13

Honor Gavin – Yes Manzoni

honor gavin

The hypnotic “Yes Manzoni” is the debut single for Number Line Records for Berlin-based Honor Gavin. The title track from her just-released EP, “Yes Manzoni” ably distills ’60’s girl group pop through the lens of current trends in indie pop and is as equally infectious as it is inventive.

Honor Gavin germany (Official)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by
12-06-13