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Track Reviews

Blackwitchmoth – Lovecraft

blackwitchmoth

Like whatever a blackwitchmoth is or what that name might even mean, we’re sure that once “Lovecraft” locks you into its simple and straightforward diy groove, you will be hooked. “Blackwitchmoth” style.

BLACKWITCHMOTH – Lovecraft

BLACKWITCHMOTH (Soundcloud)

Rating 8

brown8

reviewed by
01-29-12

Tango In The Attic – Swimming Pool (live)

tango-in-the-attic

Tango In The Attic embody much of the great pop songwriting quality of some b3sci’s favorite post-90s Modern Rock bands (from both sides of the pond). Check out this live preview of their song “Swimming Pool” below and keep an eye out for a new LP from the band expected mid-April.

Tango In The Attic – Swimming Pool (live)

Tango In The Attic england (Facebook)

Rating 8

brown8

reviewed by
01-28-12

Capital Cities – Safe and Sound (d’Anconia Remix)

By Jon Herriot

capitalcitiessafeandsound

22 year-old LA producer d’Anconia has dropped an EPIC electro-house remix of Capital Cities’ “Safe and Sound”. Already a fun track, this remix takes it the next level. Definitely makes me want to d’ance. The original version of this track was one of my jams of 2011, and I’m convinced Capital Cities is going to have another huge year.

Capital Cities california (Facebook)

Rating 7.9

brown71

reviewed by
01-28-12

Wild Nothing – Nowhere

By Chris Gedos

wild-nothing-nowhere

Wild Nothing follows up “Golden Haze” (and its glorious fade-in) with “Nowhere”, which constitutes Jack Tatum’s first official live instrumentation studio recording! For this reason I can forgive the somewhat heavy, baroque jangle-jam production. Tatum guides “Nowhere” home to safety with an unconventional lyric and effective yet truncated bridge. The 7” is set to drop on February 21st, but I would expect an LP before the summer solstice.

Wild Nothing – Nowhere

Wild Nothing virginia (Facebook) (Official)

Rating 7.85

gedos-brown

reviewed by
01-28-12

Heems – Mr. India

heemsmrindia

Heems, of Das Racist fame, dropped a mixtape project last week Nehru Jackets. That was cool. Now Heems lets go “Mr India” a fresh (and as the title indicates) Indian-inflected big beat loose track. Thanks Heems!

Heems – Mr. India

Heems newyork (Facebook)

Rating 7.9

brown71

reviewed by
01-27-12

Shades – Run Up

shadesclearmotions

Shades (coolest band/artist name ever) is the latest entry out of indie hotbed Boise, Idaho. “Run Up” from Shades’ Clear Motions release is a neat little mix of more vibed out textures and synth pop rhythms. Listen.

Shades – Run Up

Shades idaho (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
01-27-12

360 – Boys Like You (Alison Wonderland Remix)

alisonwonderland

Sydney DJ Alison Wonderland re-fashions the reggae-tinged “Boys Like You” from fellow Australians 360 with an electrostep heater. Get into it below.

360 – Boys Like You (Alison Wonderland Remix)

Alison Wonderland australia (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
01-27-12

Radiation City – Find It of Use

radiationcity

So we’ll cut right to it: Radiation City, a 5-piece out of Portland, sound A LOT like Radiohead and Jeff Buckley. Now the covers of NME, Q, etc are littered with band after band that have attempted to harness that formula with varying results (anyone remember jj72?). Radiation City does acquit themselves of the Buckleyhead sound quite well. Perhaps advantaging them over those aformentioned bands, RC do sprinkle varying other sounds and influence. We can hear some bossa nova, lounge-y pop (Broadcast, Goldfrapp, etc.), maybe some Stereolab in there (who knows). “Find It of Use” is the lead track of Radiation City’s upcoming Cool Nightmare EP.

Radiation City – Find It of Use

Radiation City oregon Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
01-27-12

The Bamboos – The Wilhelm Scream (Feat. Megan Washington) (James Blake)

bamboos

Our girl, and one of our favorite voices anywhere, Megan Washington teams up with fellow Aussies The Bamboos to do a sunny Sunday afternoon ’70’s soul-inspired send up of James Blake’s “Wilhelm Scream”. Check it out.

The Bamboos – The Wilhelm Scream (James Blake)

The Bamboos australia (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
01-27-12

THROWBACK: Francis and the Lights – Can’t Tell Me Nothing (Kanye West)

francisandthelights

Our buddy Anthony Valadez tipped us to this nice lights-pulled-back version of Kanye’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” by NYC artist Francis and the Lights during his (must listen) Monday night KCRW show this week. The track’s more collected, pensive performance is an interesting counterpoint to Ye’s told-ya-so braggadocio on the original.

Francis and the Lights – Can’t Tell Me Nothing (Kanye West)

Francis and the Lights newyork (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
01-26-12

RAVE’S FAVE: Howler – Back to the Grave

By Bruce Rave

howler

Howler’s America Give Up album might be the first 2012 candidate to make my year-end list. The album isn’t yet out in the States, but this Minneapolis band is blowing up in the UK and currently touring all over Europe with their dirty rock sound. They’ve got the energy and enough hooks, where there are 7 different tracks I’d like to play on my new music show. Europeans are saying that 19 year old Jordan Gatesmith is a star. We in the US will be finally able to see them at SXSW in March, and at other venues around the country.

Howler – Back to the Grave

Howler minnesota (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
01-26-12

Metronomy – The Look (TIP’s Shook Shook Rework)

metronomythelook

The Mighty M get a top of the line rework from London producer Two Inch Punch. Reading T.I.P.’s bio, our dude professes a love for the vocal tone and feeling of GOAT male singers like Sam Cooke and Donny Hathaway. We definitely dig that. We, too, can hear their influence in the deep and heartfelt sounds that T.I.P. lays into the remix. Don’t miss this one.

Metronomy – The Look (TIP’s Shook Shook Rework)

Two Inch Punch england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
01-26-12