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Track Reviews

Kacey Johansing – Pinecone

kacey johansing

“Pinecone” is new from Bay Area soulstress Kacey Johansing. Melodically styled more in the lane of torch song jazz or even classic Southern soul, Ms. Johansing on “Pinecone” takes her time with the tune; let each note breathe up and out into the mix. Arranged with some beautifully atmsopheric harmonies and an instrumental that we’ll make you feel as if you’re floating somewhere just off the Golden Gate, “Pinecone” winds and ebbs, sways and flows like any great story (or Sunday afternoon in The Bay). (KKS)

Kacey Johansing (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
02-04-13

New Ivory – Something You Should Know

New Ivory

Here’s something you don’t hear blaring out of Dim Mak HQ everyday. UK trio New Ivory will release their latest EP via the famed Hollywood based label tomorrow, February 5th, and b3sci has a first listen to one of the cuts. It’s “Something You Should Know”, and you know Noel Gallagher knows a thing or two about that coda riff. Press play and get familiar below.

New Ivory (Facebook)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
02-04-13

OutKast – B.O.B. (Woody Remix)

OutKast - B.O.B. (Woody Remix)

Remix freedom fighter Woody (who impressed the b3 team with his Biggie remixes, mixes material from another member of hip hop’s pantheon OutKast and their Stankonia iconic “B.O.B.”. Remixing a singular track like “B.O.B.” (that really doesn’t need a remix; we’re looking at your bedroom trap dudes) is not a task for amateurs (or anyone really), Woody proves himself again here, however, a capable hand/caretaker with the classics; styling it in manner that is uniquely his and absolutely standalone on its own.

OutKast – B.O.B. (Woody Remix)

Woody california (Official)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
02-04-13

Moon Boots – No One

moon boots

French Express artist Moon Boots has most recently dropped the track “No One”. At first listen, it sounds like another stellar dance number from the ethos of the space minded DJ. He uses consistent themes from his previous works on this track, but pays particular and special attention to the vocal. Moon Boots has a small run of European dates later this month, and we’re hoping to see more U.S. dates later and in the coming summer months. By Brian Litwin

Moon Boots – No One

Moon Boots (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
02-04-13

Rave’s Fave: Everything Everything – Duet

everything everything arc

The first time I heard “Station Approach” from Elbow, I fell in love with the track and the band. The same holds true for Everything Everything’s “Duet”. It’s an absolute beauty of a track and the vocal harmonies seem to parallel Elbow at times. Everything Everything’s newest album Arc just hit the UK charts at #5, and the Cough Cough EP sees release here in the US next Tuesday. It’s way too early to start thinking about year-end lists for 2013, but “Duet” is a strong bet to land amongst my top contenders. I haven’t yet gotten my arms and ears around everything by this band, but rest assured they’ll be getting lots more of my attention. By Bruce Rave

Everything Everything – Duet

Everything Everything (Facebook)

* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!

reviewed by
02-01-13

Vondelpark – California Analog Dream

Vondelpark

Vondelpark’s indie informed by R&B (& harmonica) turn on “California Analog Dream” is an absolute win. The pensive evocative track is transportive in the best sort of way; whatever a “California Analog Dream” is to the song’s writer, you no doubt feel as the listener like you’re living inside one (or it). Vondelpark’s debut Seabed LP is out April 1st on R&S Records.

Vondelpark (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-13

Misty Miller – Girlfriend

misty miller

Say hello to Misty Miller. The South London songwriter’s neat blend of punk, surf, and soul stands out as interesting, different, unpredictable and really really good. Spin below her single “Girlfriend”, which is taken from her EP of the same name due February 25th.

Misty Miller (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-13

Gittaa Thomas – Moments

gittaa thomas

We don’t know much about rapper Gittaa Thomas other than; 1) He’s from Chicago 2) He used to be in a rap duo called Gez Lewiez 3) His debut single “Moments” absolutely kills.

Gittaa Thomas – Moments

Gittaa Thomas (Twitter)

Rating 8.8

reviewed by
02-01-13

Premiere: Stroik – In the Fresh

“In the Fresh” is the debut single from newcomer artist Stroik. The playful yet snide, ebullient yet cutting “In the Fresh” is a song full of contradiction and juxtaposition. “”You’re beautiful minding yourself / But they’re watching you like hunter’s prey / We’re laughing at the funeral / And on the way back we’re cradling camo” pretty cold, right? The tension and constant push/pull that exists between the track lyrically and the sunny indie pop of its instrumental and the adept execution of that tension makes for a definite standout listen.

Stroik (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-13

Blaenavon – Into the Night

blaenavon

Teenagers (!) (no, really, they’re 16-17 years of age) from Hampshire UK (!) (no, really, they’re actually from Hampshire), Blaenavon strike with the precision for melody, arrangement, hooks, atmosphere, guitars, menace (pretty much any quality a great band would possess) that blows away just about anybody else in their genre, age group or otherwise. “Into the Night” double A w/ the equally fine “Denim Patches” are very special tracks indeed; involving the sort of thrill, mania & cinema that make for the most powerful & visceral of songs. A+.

Blaenavon – Into the Night

Blaenavon (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-13

ODESZA – Don’t Stop

odesza

b3 faves ODESZA announce their first U.S. tour and release new single “Don’t Stop”. Excerpted below from their great Summer’s Gone LP, “Don’t Stop” contains the more of the same genre-bending globe of influences-hopping sounds that we first fell love with last fall. Summer’s Gone is a truly excellent record; way too excellent to be slept on.

ODESZA – Don’t Stop

ODESZA Tour:
Fri. March 8 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *
Sat. March 9 – Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s *
Sun. March 10 – Bellingham, WA @ The Wild Buffalo *
Wed. March 13 – Arcata, CA @ Arcata Theater *
Thu. March 14 – San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine *
Fri. March 15 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Catalyst Atrium *
Sat. March 16 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey *
Sun. March 17 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up *
Tue. March 19 – Flagstaff, AZ @ Green Room *
Wed. March 20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Evolution Nightclub *
Thu. March 21 – Durango, CO @ Henry Strater Theatre *
Fri. March 22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge *
Sat. March 23 – Crystal Bay, NV @ Frank Sinatra Showroom *

* w/ Emancipator, Little People

ODESZA (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
01-31-13

B3SCI Presents: Incan Abraham @ The Satellite in LA on Saturday, 2/9/13

Incan-Abe-2-9-2013

Saturday night February 9th, B3SCI teams up with Mouser and Origami Vinyl for an evening of music with Incan Abraham. The event is billed A Homecoming Rumpus, to celebrate the final show of Incan Abraham’s current Western Tour. Joining them on the night will be Cuckoo Chaos, Mahgeetah and a special DJ set by Honeybear. Get in the mood below with this fantastic new video for “Panama Dry” by Incan Abraham, the track is off the band’s Springhouse release. We’ll see you soon! 

*The Satellite is a 21+ venue, doors open at 8:30, the show starts at 9pm and tickets are $8 presale, $10 at the door. More information can be found here and tickets are available here.

Incan Abraham california (Info)
The Satellite california (Info)

reviewed by
01-31-13