Prepare to be impressed by the moshed-up mangle of cacophonies and mind bending reverb-y sonics on wild knockout thrasher track ”Hey Illuminati”; the latest awesomely hazy edgy rock gem from B3-fave label Burger Records. From LA artist No Parents, the new track (filled to the brim with intensity) is a wall of voraciously unrelenting reverb-drenched guitar noise mixed with potent vocals. Incredible. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Swedish quintet Francis will release their international debut LP Marathon on February 5th on Strangers Candy. Recorded and co-produced with Deerhunter producer Nicolas Vernhes, the LP’s latest stream is the stunning unfolding pop of “Turning a Hand”. “Turning” in its most sublime moments rotates about a kaleidoscope whirl of re-verb guitars and and sweeping percussion. Listen.
The UK band Teleman has returned with a track that portends potential major band status for them. This group has always had the ingredients in their melodies, arrangements, and overall skills. “Fall In Time” begins with vocalist Tom Sanders and his beautiful vocals over basically a piano before the rest of the band kicks in. The song builds into an accessible yet complex collaboration that should be magic to the ears of anyone listening closely. It has a rhythmic feel that provides a somewhat different sound for Teleman but we’ve seen indications in the past that the band has always had this kind of direction in them. Check this out and see them live. Label Moshi Moshi drops their Brilliant Sanity album April 8. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.
Check out Bruce’s weekly “Go Deep” radio show; air dates and times for “Go Deep” as well archived past shows can be found on Bruce’sblog. Don’t forget to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Teleman (Facebook)
The scuzz pop of “Byker Drone” is the debut track online from UK band EAT. A component part of a forthcoming EP, “Byker Drone” is a hazy three or some minutes of sugary melodies sat in a mold of compressed guitar and walls of vaguely psychedelic harmony. It’s a cool debut.
When the Coachella lineup was announced, a major highlight for me was that The Last Shadow Puppets would be part of the lineup. This of course is the collaboration of Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane. You aren’t onto Miles? The UK knows him real well from his solo and group work, and he’s under-appreciated here in the US. If you’ve heard the 2008 album The Age of the Understatement from these guys, “Bad Habits” will surprise you. It’s got a quirky groove, horns, and vocals not so much in the familiar style of either Alex or Miles. They were crushing it live last time they toured the US, so expect the same this time around. Their new full-length album is recorded and is expected to drop this spring. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.
Check out Bruce’s weekly “Go Deep” radio show; air dates and times for “Go Deep” as well archived past shows can be found on Bruce’sblog. Don’t forget to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
B3SCI Records alums Beach Baby knock out another very strong single, “Sleeperhead”. Constructed instrumentally on what’s become sort of the band’s calling card; phased guitars, dynamic and slightly swerve-y harmonies and big-sounding drums/rhythm track “Sleeperhead” follows the also very good “Limousine” from the Fall. BB will playing dates in the UK in February and March with Sundara Karma which you can peruse below.
Jan 16th Leeds Superfriends, Headrow House
Jan 19th London Old Blue Last
Feb 23rd Bristol Thekla
Feb 24th Paris La Maroniquinerie (FRWRKS Festival)
Feb 25th Southampton Talking Heads
Feb 26th Bath Moles Club
Feb 27th Brighton Patterns
Feb 28th Cambridge The Portland Arms
Feb 29th Glasgow King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
March 1st Edinburgh Sneaky Pete’s
March 2nd Newcastle Think Tank
March 4th Manchester Manchester Gorilla
March 5th Sheffield The Leadmill
March 6th Leeds The Wardrobe
March 7th Nottingham Rescue Rooms
March 8th Birmingham Rainbow Venues
March 9th Norwich Waterfront
March 10th London Dingwalls
March 11th Reading Sub89
May 19-21 Brighton The Great Escape Festival
Lionlimb will release their debut LP Shoo for Bayonet Records on March 4th. Great new track “Domino” dips a touch into the melodic well of Elliott Smith while showing off a new beefed up and varied sound (electric organs, horn arrangements, etC) from the band that we like. Get into “Domino” below.
We’re into the jangly beachside bedroom pop of Kingston ON musician Ben Morin a/k/a Sandals. Reminding a bit of bands like Hibou and even Real Estate, the very good “Dust Bowl” neatly balances great melody and with cool mood and atmosphere. We love it.
Sandals (Bandcamp)
Groove out with Essex artist Rat Boy on his scratchy, sublimely intricate, instrumentals packed, rock influenced (Beastie Boys Hot Sauce Committee-styled) hip-hop masterpiece “Move”. Very cool vibes. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
New band out of Liverpool TRUDY impress with melodically sound and accessible guitar track “Baby I’m Blue”. A bit of a tempest in a tea cup instrumentally (chaotic clean guitars, weave in/out the tune’s dosed with whimsy vocal melody), “Baby I’m Blue” excels on its base of very strong pop writing. TRUDY are definitely a new band to keep your tabs on.
We like the catchy hook and indie rock fundamentals of “Lovely Is Your Soul” from Philly band RestWater who we’re particularly digging with for their soothing low-key vocal vibes and dynamic-muted elemental instrumentals. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
