Whalers out of Austin, Texas ably blend modern indie w/ touches of surf rock (dat chorus) and classic UK rock (and dat distorted guitar drive) on “Battleships”. The track is the lead single from an upcoming LP called Submarine Sun which will see a release on April 8th.
Whalers 
(Official)
Rating 8.5
Many say that UK guitar bands have become less relevant and inventive as the indie pendulum has swung towards softer and more electronic music. Of course it’s only a matter of time before the guitars reclaim the throne. The Crookes consistently deliver refreshing, energetic, catchy songs. Their third album Soapbox comes in April and “Play Dumb” is the lead single. Behind the uptempo tune is a joyous vibe and monster collection of hooks. Frontman George Waite sings about hitting his midlife crisis at age 25 and about not letting a certain relationship get the best of him. The Crookes hail from Sheffield, England — same place the Arctic Monkeys come from. If there are those who feel that UK guitar-based bands fell off in the wake of the Arctics blowing up years ago, it might be the Crookes who help bring the sound back to the forefront. They will be at SXSW this year. Reviewed By Bruce Rave
The Crookes 
(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!
The Jetpacks crew are readying a live album E Rey (Live in Philadelphia) (which will be out Feb. 25 on FatCat) and to mark its release, the band debuted today a live version (ostensibly from said Philly set) of a brand new track “Peace Sign”. The turning, high drama “Peace Sign” is the band’s first new material in two years.
We Were Promised Jetpacks 
(Twitter) (Facebook)
Rating 8.5
The haunting windswept “Was It A Dream” is new from Marissa Nadler. Previewed from her upcoming July LP, due Feb. 4 on Sacred Bones (US) and Feb. 10 on Bella Union (Int’l), “Was It A Dream” ethereal harmonies and dusty guitar atmospheres evoke a compelling, very special, skillfully crafted mood. Weltanschauung.
Marissa Nadler 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
“Splice”, the debut single track (b/w “Sleep/Attack”), blends Portland band Rare Monk’s cinematic Minus the Bear/As Tall As Lions-styled guitar atmospheres and excellently pitched dynamics w/ a major step forward in the band’s skill and maturity as songwriters. The “Splice/Sleep Attack” single is due February 18th on our very own B3SCI Records label as a limited edition AA side 7″ vinyl. Pre-order a copy here.
Rare Monk 
(Soundcloud) (Purchase)
Rating 8.4
East India Youth is England’s William Doyle. His Total Strife Forever album drops next week in both the UK and the US. Doyle cites Shostakovich and Brian Eno among his influences. Imagine that unpredictable blend and you have what NME Magazine lists as one of their most eagerly anticipated releases thus far in 2014. And I couldn’t agree more. Doyle doesn’t sing on all the album tracks but when he does, such as on “Dripping Down”, he brings a mellow and confident presence to his music. The song builds with synths that surprise. It’s savory backing vocals evolve to the point where they take on a Beach Boys feel near the song’s end. “Dripping Down” is the album’s first single, and it’s got a shot to catch on quickly. He will be at SXSW this year and I hope he’s got some quality venues lined up. Reviewed By Bruce Review
East India Youth – Dripping DownEast India Youth (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!
Primed to crush 2014, one of our favorite new voices (maybe THE favorite), Angel Olsen debuts the second single from her upcoming Burn Your Fire for No Witness LP, “Hi-Five”. Olsen’s natural not-posed vocal, deep in the disto box guitars and a laid back rhythm track blend well into one never still crash of earthy semi-psychedelic tones. Burn Your Fire for No Witness is out Feb 18th on Jagjaguwar.
Angel Olsen 
(Purchase)
Rating 8.1
