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Track Reviews

RAVE’S FAVE: Thomas Dolby – Spice Train

thomasdolby

I was Dolby’s A&R guy at Capitol when “She Blinded Me With Science” came out. The Golden Age of Wireless album was already released but when Thomas played “Science” for me, there was no way we could wait. I suggested a special release for “Science” which Thomas agreed to. The song went to #3. His first studio album in 20 years drops today. It’s really good but mostly pretty quiet. The dancy “Spice Train” contains lots of the fun we remember Thomas for. It’s so good to have him back and making fine music again. Sure I’m biased but if you’re a Dolby fan, I doubt you’ll fault me for this pick. Contributed by Bruce Rave

Thomas Dolby – Spice Train

Thomas Dolby england (Official)

Check out Bruce’s “Go Deep” show on Friday’s around 2p Pacific, 5p Eastern. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog.

reviewed by
10-25-11

Anchorsong – Ghost Touch

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Electro outside the box. Composer/producer Anchorsong is Masaaki Yoshida and “Ghost Touch” is the flip side on his latest double A-side single with “Plum Rain”. If you appreciate an intellect with syncopation, space and minimalist ideas in your music then Anchorsong is someone for your radar. Get familiar.

Anchorsong – Ghost Touch

Anchorsong england (Twitter) (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
10-25-11

JMSN – Alone

jsmn

If you dig anything The Weeknd is doing with pop music, shit if you dig slow jams with soul then you need to give “Alone” a spin. #LUSHASFUCK. The self produced track by JMSN is the strong follow up to his debut song “Hotel”. Somebody get Drake on this shit.

JMSN – Alone

JMSN michigan (Soundcloud) (Facebook)

Rating 8.6

brown8

reviewed by
10-25-11

Ashtar Command – Save Me (feat. Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros)

ashtarcommand

Intergalactic super collective of rock veterans Chris Holmes and Brian Liesegang team up with the one and only Alex Ebert for a stellar collaboration. Folky, anthemic, Ziggy Stardust and commercial are just few words to describe the record which talks the masses.

Ashtar Command – Save Me (feat. Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros)

Ashtar Command california (Official) (Facebook)

Rating 8

brown8

reviewed by
10-25-11

Adrian Lux – Alive (Feat. The Good Natured)

adrianluxgood-natured

Swedish producer Adrian Lux teams up with “it” group The Good Natured for the new single “Alive”. The track gets us moving, give it a go for yourself.

Adrian Lux – Alive (Feat. The Good Natured)

Adrian Lux sweden (Facebook) (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
10-25-11

Mazzy Star – Common Burn

commonburnmazzystar

Patience is a virtue and “Common Burn” is a shimmering example. Below is the new single from Mazzy Star. Get familiar. (WAWSTSF)

Mazzy Star california (Official)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
10-24-11

The Peach Kings – Thieves and Kings

the-peach-kings-theives-and-kings

New single “Thieves and Kings” is yet another cruisin friendly, gypsiedelic banger from LA based duo The Peach Kings. The band play tonight at Bootleg Theater in Silverlake, don’t miss it. Peep the new Paul Trillo video for the track below.

The Peach Kings california (Official) (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
10-24-11

Fantasmas – Blind Children (Shake)

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Brooklyn based project Fantasmas comes in part from Peruvian-born Kam Tambini’s childhood in Lima/Bogota and teenage years in Washington DC’s punk scene. There’s no wave, there’s shoegaze, there’s rock and roll.

Fantasmas – Blind Children (Shake)

Fantasmas newyork (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
10-24-11

PeaceTreaty – Cal State Anthem (The M Machine Remix)

the-m-machine

Como se dice “BANGER”?!

The M Machine california (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
10-22-11

The Alcoves – Now

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“Now” just sounds like an edgier pop recurrent you could have heard on alternative radio over the past 15 years yet it would still feel right at home after a new track by The Vaccines. With an LP in the works the Swedish 5 piece is something on the radar.

The Alcoves – Now

The Alcoves sweden (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
10-22-11

Roof Light – When You Sleep, I Turn To Rust

roof-light

Roof Light helps insomniacs everywhere with this, his latest and post nightstep jam “When You Sleep, I Turn To Rust”. It’s the perfect bed for bed… straight outtaspace type shit. Let the dreams takeover. #B3SCIAFTERDARK

Roof Light england (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
10-22-11

Pinebocks – Flee / My Unfunny Valentine

pinebocks

According to his bandcamp page, Pinebocks is the still nascent project of Cory Clifford, “an indie pop obsessed 21 year old idiot living in Texas.” His first release, Flee / My Unfunny Valentine, is quite simplistic but is held together by strong songwriting. There’s no trying to razzle dazzle with gimmickry and layers of synths, just a man with words, a guitar and some feelings to share. “Flee” is very Magnetic Fields with a pinch of Van Dyke Parks. “My Unfunny Valentine” has a traditional, almost Leadbelly bent. These songs are unfinished, but they don’t need a band propping them up. They have enough panache on their own. Peep this and propose a toast to all the precocious youths writing songs throughout the Heartland. Contributed by Chris Gedos

Pinebocks – Flee

Pinebocks – My Unfunny Valentine

Pinebocks texas (Bandcamp)

Rating 7.95

brown71

reviewed by
10-22-11