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Track Reviews

Jake Bugg – Trouble Town

jakebugg

So the influences here are obvious; Cash, Zimmerman, Don McLean, etc. You’ve heard this “Greatest Folk Heroes of the Western World” aping before. But you’ve probably never heard it pulled off quite like this and by a 17 YEAR OLD. Jake Bugg is a 17 YEAR OLD kid from Nottingham. If Jake can keep up the work ethic, think about what someone with his talent will sound like at 21, 25, and so on. Anyway, Jake is a pretty exciting discovery for us and we think you’ll be equally knocked out as well. Get started below with “Trouble Town”

Jake Bugg – Trouble Town

Jake Bugg england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
02-03-12

Freedom Fry – Earthquake

By Jon Herriot

freedom-fry

Remember when “Freedom Fries” started popping up on diner menus across America? That was funny. The fact that this duo consists of a girl from Paris and a guy from NY, brings an irony into their band name which is just great. Enough about that. Marie Seyrat’s vocals are right on the money, the way Bruce Driscoll shadows her is also very nice. All around a very smooth, catchy, pop sound.

Freedom Fry – Earthquake

Freedom Fry california (Facebook)

Rating 7.9

brown71

reviewed by
02-03-12

RAVE’S FAVES: Dead Sara – Weatherman

By Bruce Rave

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Dead Sara is a heavy LA band that absolutely shreds live. If you loved Wolfmother when they first hit the world stage a few years ago, I bet this is for you. They’re starting to gain some national attention, so keep an eye and ear on them.

Dead Sara – Weatherman

Dead Sara california (Facebook)

Check out Bruce’s “Go Deep” show on Fridays 1-3 pm Pacific, 4-6 pm Eastern, 9-11pm GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
02-03-12

Labyrinth Ear – Humble Bones (Giraffage Remix)

labyrinthear

b3sci fav Giraffage flips the script (and the altitude/gravity/planet) on Labyrinth Ear’s bouncy electro single “Humble Bones”. Selecting for a smooth, subtle, lighter-than-air mix, Giraffage pilots “Humble Bones” into a most comfortable and pleasing headspace.

Labyrinth Ear – Humble Bones (Giraffage Remix)

Giraffage california (Facebook)

Rating 8.6

brown8

reviewed by
02-02-12

Galapagoose – One Who Can’t Move

galapagoose

“One Who Can’t Move” from Australian producer Galapagoose has all the trappings and niceties of an accomplished electronic track; it skillfully melds several genres and styles and ably blends a complex (but compositionally tasteful) arrangement. The standout element of the track though, for us, is it’s great pop sensibility. Galapagoose’s use of the Sinatra “Send in the Clowns” sample in the context of the track is really A+ stuff. Listen.

Galapagoose – One Who Can’t Move

Galapagoose australia (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
02-02-12

Freddy Woods – Not Today

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Freddy Woods is a young Swede to hone-in on for a minute. Tracks like “Not Today” and “Slow Down”, highlights from Woods’ What She Writes In Her Diary release, bring progressive elements of pop, electronic and hip hop production together with clarity.

Freddy Woods – Not Today

Freddy Woods – Slow Down

Freddy Woods sweden (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
02-02-12

Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks

By Jon Herriot

of-monsters-and-men

Of Monsters and Men have nailed down a super catchy folkie-pop sound with “Little Talks”. The vocal banter in the song recalls Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros or even The White Stripes. I would be amiss if I didn’t also mention how great the brass section sounds in this song. Just a pleasant track with feel good vibes…

Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks

Of Monsters and Men iceland (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-12

DJ Shadow – Scale It Back (Feat. Yukimi Nagano) (B.Lewis Remix)

yukiminagano

THREE B3SCI FAVS ON ONE TRACK! The stars do really align, as the homie B.Lewis dials Shadow and Yukimi’s “Scale It Back” into the stratosphere. Starting the mix with just an a capella Yukimi vocal (listen to Yukimi just shred that melody), the track then builds into an uplifting power jam, complete with spacey electronics and scaled up chords.

DJ Shadow – Scale It Back (Feat. Yukimi Nagano) (B.Lewis Remix)

B.Lewis california (Facebook)

Rating 8.7

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-12

The Neighbourhood – Female Robbery

the-neighbourhood1

The Neighbourhood (who are actually Californian) put on for the British big guitar band block with new track “Female Robbery”. Sure, the track does have those epic guitar elements (and it certainly has a massive enough chorus) but they’ve been pushed way back in the mix in favor of loud, compressed syncopated drums and hip hop-esque use of vocal sampling. So are bands like The Neighbourhood the way forward for Brit-esque band music? Don’t ask us to decide, but for now “Female Robbery” ticks enough “good song” boxes to get a b3sci co-sign.

The Neighbourhood – Female Robbery

The Neighbourhood california (Tumblr)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-12

Cults – Everbody Knows (Leonard Cohen)

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Cults take on Commander Cohen’s latter day jam “Everybody Knows” for an upcoming cover LP Old Ideas With New Friends. The set also includes tracks from Bradford Cox and Cold War Kids. Cults choice to put an almost “Runaway” feel under the track (a cold rumbling guitar supporting one-the-ones single note piano stabs) ably maintains the original’s isolation and coolness while keeping Uncle Len’s tune up to date. Thumbs up.

Cults – Everbody Knows (Leonard Cohen)

Cults newyork (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-12

Seasfire – Falling

seasfire

Bristol’s answer to current North American trends in R&B, Seasfire skillifully marry, not only that sound, but pop, big guitar British indie, and quiet storm among others. The cinematic, cascading “Falling” is a big track from a band that certainly now have our attention. Familiarize yourself below.

Seasfire – Falling

Seasfire england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-12

John Talabot – Destiny (Feat. Pional)

johntalabot

Permanent Vacation just let loose “Destiny” the latest single from Balearic artist John Talabot’s upcoming fin record. Complementing the song’s Balearic rhythms, progression, and structure is a decidedly 90’s club feel in the track (listen to those fresh analogue-sounding wobbles in the bass). “Destiny” is the sort of track that’s 100% transportive. Trust, 10-15 seconds in and you’ll be totally hooked into the track’s absolutely magnetic, next level, atmosphere.

John Talabot – Destiny (Feat. Pional)

John Talabot spain (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
02-01-12