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Rock

Rave’s Fave: The Strypes – A Good Night’s Sleep and a Cab Fare Home

strypes

Two years ago, The Strypes were one of the hottest new bands emerging from the UK. They were amazing live and released their stellar debut Snapshot that blended uptempo 60’s rock and r&b. US response was promising but they failed to quite get over the top, possibly due to their label being involved in a merger. With all their potential, the questions arose: What would they do for an encore? The Little Victories album has been out in the UK for over a month. It displays a real maturity for the band, as they take on a heavier sound and varying tempos. As of this writing, the band still doesn’t have a US release date despite this being a strong follow-up and them being killer live. I trust that in short time, a label will come forward because this band is simply too good. Here’s our “Fave” for first single “Scumbag City”. For a song that stretches out a little more, try “A Good Night’s Sleep and a Cab Fare Home”. These guys will be fine in the long run. There’s too much talent all around, and the time will probably come when guitarist Ross Farrelly gets his due as one of rock’s premier players. 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!

The Strypes ireland (Facebook)

reviewed by
09-17-15

Mexico City Blondes – First Cut

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L.A. crew Mexico City Blondes ready release of new EP with spacious pop first stream “First Cut”. Pairing a charismatic melodic line with space-building electronics and wide frame-setting drums, “First Cut” succeeds in the easy immediacy of its tune while maintaining a certain sweep and cache in its instrumental. We’re into it.

Mexico City Blondes california (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
09-17-15

Saintseneca – River

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Columbus-based Saintseneca recently wowed us with their divinely-ethereal slightly-punk vibe vocal-duet and gentle-to-the-touch indie lo-fi atmospherics on “Sleeper Hold” the duo’s first single to release off their third album Such Things (available via Anti Records on October 9th). We also recommend the jangly-guitar-centered Such Things second-single, “River”, which we really like (on repeat) for its folk-inspired indie-hazy melodic vocals and ethereal folksy-artsy acoustic guitar vibes that beautifully transform the end of the song into something quite divine. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Saintseneca ohio (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
09-14-15

Carroll – Green Acres

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We’re into the potent-vibrant dreamy psych-pop latitudes of 2011-minted Minneapolis-based four-piece indie group Carroll on their woozy ethereal-hypnotic new single “Green Acres” which featured today on SPIN’s Pure Volume. We think Carroll, who we last discussed in regards to their excellent tangible-indie debut psych-rock single “Alligator”, is set to dominate the radio airwaves/blogwaves some more with the full release of their upcoming debut self-titled EP (which features both tracks). The “Carroll” EP is out on September 18 via eOne Music. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Carroll minnesota (Facebook)

reviewed by
09-11-15

Palace Winter – Menton

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We dig the REM-vibe wandering-melodic dreamy vocal atmospherics, monotone talky-soliloquy style background vocal interludes and brightly-laced jangled-mash of psych-rock attitudes of male duo Palace Winter (Australian singer-songwriter Carl Coleman and Danish producer-pianist Caspar Hesselager) on their new expansive bright-vibed 6:20-minute indie jam called “Menton” which is the second single from the duo’s “Medication” EP out on Oct 2, 2015. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Palace Winter (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
09-09-15

Surrender the Spirit – WE

surrenderthespirit

NYC duo Surrender The Spirit successfully endeavor an impeccable mosh of sentiments on their picturesque kitchy-vintage synth-centered new one called “We” a track that we have grown to love over the last couple of days for its hypnotic-soothing well-mannered sitting-pretty amazing-vibed vocal harmonics and balanced rhythm-centered guitar-reverb-tinged pop instrumentals. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Surrender the Spirit (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
09-04-15

The Crookes – Don’t Put Your Faith In Me

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Tune into the pleasant-vocaled catchy-hooked muted-rowdy guitar-hung indie rock attitude of Sheffield, England foursome The Crookes on their vintage-vibed classics-leaning gem “Don’t Put Your Faith In Me”; which is track 2 off the group’s April-released third album named Soapbox that includes the very good Bruce Rave-featured headliner “Play Dumb”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

The Crookes england (Facebook)

reviewed by
09-01-15

Field Trip – Never

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We dig the subdued disposition hazy-perspective neo-psychedelic-inflicted bedroom pop grooves of 90’s-inspired New Yorker indie-electro foursome Field Trip (which was formed in November 2014 by Noah Davies) on the group’s new subtle-expansive golden-touch reeling-guitar spun jam “Never”. If you are lucky enough to be in NYC this month, Field Trip has several performances booked in the area starting with a show tonight at the snug-intimate Studio at Webster Hall where the group opens for Ricky Eat Acid. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Field Trip (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
09-01-15

Flyte – Please Eloise

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Zone out to the sweet-natured chipper-vibe guitar-led tropical-consistency pop-sensibilities of London indie foursome Flyte on their lyrically-complex new one dubbed “Eloise” which (especially in the vocals) reminds us of a modern variant on an early Talking Heads vibe. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Flyte (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
08-28-15

Khruangbin – White Gloves

khruangbin

Jazzy chords well placed in the context of a great pop song is a well-loved conceit at B3. The latest grande example of the styling we’ve found is “White Gloves”, the plainly beautiful new rainy day track from Texan band Khruangbin. Wow.

Khruangbin texas (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
08-26-15

Rave’s Fave: Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats – S.O.B. (Live on Jimmy Fallon)

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Here’s one of the most buzzed-about late night TV gigs of the year. First of all, this is a song that caught my ear on its own merits. “S.O.B.” Is a raucous, retro feeling tune that will make you want to nod your head if not shake your entire body. Their first network TV appearance was August 6 on Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show”. When Fallon said “a party’s gonna break out right now”, he wasn’t kidding. As the song began with the stocky Rateliff in full beard and looking pretty serious, there was little indication of the mayhem that was about to ensue. He seemed like he’d be more at home on a football field than on a dance floor. When all hell broke loose, we got to see why the show booked them. Rateliff goes into full motion and displays nifty dance steps. See this for yourself, and no wonder the song has been garnering airplay increases based on this buzz. 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!

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (Official)

reviewed by
08-21-15

Saintseneca – Sleeper Hold

saintseneca

Center yourself in the divinely-ethereal slightly-punk male-female vibe vocal-duet and gentle-to-the-touch indie lo-fi atmospherics of Saintseneca on the Ohio group’s low-key new one “Sleeper Hold” which is the first single to release off their third album Such Things (available via Antirecords on October 9th). Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Saintseneca ohio (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
08-20-15