Suburban Living "Come True" Track Review

Suburban Living just finished recording their sophomore record entitled Almost Paradise which will be out 10/07 via the great 6131 Records. The band released their first single "Come True" courtesy of Impose Magazine early last week.

The track kicks off in a synth daydream until the drums kick in followed by guitar. The song reminds me of something from Twin Peaks. It has that dreamy, white noise aspect to it, and the vocals have a far off quality to them and they sit pretty even with the rest of what's going on. Though sometimes they drift a little further and it gives the song some nice depth. All the different layers, from the synth and drums moving the song forward, to the guitars fluttering in and out, to the constant noise deep in the mix and the effected vocals make this a really solid first offering from this new record. There's lots here to get into and get lost in. Get to it.

Almost Paradise will be out 10/07
Stream "Come True" over at Impose Magazine.

They play 10/08 in Philly at The Foundry

Desert Sharks 'Template Hair' Review

Desert Sharks released this ep Template Hair in June via MANIMAL Records. The Brooklyn-based rockers mix a combination of garage punk, motorcycle rock, surf punk, and great 90's vibes to create three catchy rocking-as-fuck songs.

The ep opens with the fast paced "crazycrazy" about being legit crazy not silly crazy. Like killing some dude in a hotel kind of crazy. I'm a big fan of singer Stephanie Gunther's vocals and the musicianship is top notch. Some really great solo parts that are super surfy and rule.

My favorite track on the ep is "Ooh, Hey." The riffs, the tempo, the vocals. You just want to move. Head bobbing, cruising, dancing, all of the above, which leads into the last track "Black Moon" which is similar in style to the previous track but it's kind of sinister sounding. The riffs and tom work are so rad.

Get into this band. Grab the ep on tape and listen to it like 30 times in a row because you can and it's worth it. And see them live when you can. Their live show is great.

Stream Template Hair here.
Get the tape from bandcamp.
See some pics I took of them Live in Manchester as the Fuzz Hut here.

Kindling "Everywhere Else" Review

Kindling is no stranger to this blog. The Easthampton, MA shoegaze behemoth is releasing their debut full length Everywhere Else via No Idea Records this Friday, August 12. What's so impressive about Kindling is their ability to take a genre of music where songs and bands can easily start to sound redundant and overused, and make it fresh. They have soaring guitars reminiscent of more post-rock bands, they have heavier riffy parts and constant driving bass like grunge bands, and they have times where the drums seem explosive, fast, and punk. Not to mention the haunting yet soothing vocals of Gretchen Williams and the 90's alt rock vocals of Stephen Pierce. Kindling is like a smorgasbord of grunge, shoegaze, and dream-pop, and it's so good!

Songs like the opener "Coma" and "Blinding Wave" are perfect examples of the soaring guitar shoegaze vibe mixed with the 90's alt rock vibe the band is absolutely nailing. The songs are dense and there's a lot there, but they aren't claustrophobic like some shoegaze acts. Then there are tracks like "Black Eye" and "Other Times" that are more heavy on the grunge side of things. Riffs, and hard hitting drums and bass, giving the record a nice contrast but one that isn't overly stark or out of place.

"Became" for me is the piece de resistance. I think it's the culmination of everything the record presents. Layers of heavy guitar, drum fills and steady moving bass, perfect vocals sitting just beyond full clarity, and high singing guitars. This is it.

Everywhere Else has the ability to play through and feel concise like a solid unit of work, but its individual tracks are dynamic and original, and can stand out on their own as well as within the whole. The record plays through so well, but the individual tracks have their own weight to them. They carry enough within them to stand on their own. I think this is what makes a perfect record. One that can play through as one solid piece of work, but can be looked back upon and specific pieces can be picked out. I think what I'm trying to say is: This record is really fucking good.

Kindling are playing two record release shows this week.
Stream the whole record on Spin.
Pre-order Everywhere Else from No Idea or go to a show and get it!

Notches "Big City" Track Review

It warms my heart when a band from my area kicks ass as much as Notches does, and I'm super stoked for this new ep. Notches will release a tape / 7" entitled Change My Mind on Dead Broke Rekerds. The tape will be available on their upcoming mini tour with Adult Magic, and the 7" will be out later this fall.

In anticipation of their tour and release the band has premiered the first single from the ep courtesy of New Noise Magazine.

On "Big City" Notches has taken a step or ten forward from their LP High Speed Crimes. The song manages to capture a 90's alternative vibe that makes me think of Pete and Pete while still keeping it current and original. It's catchy, it has heavy riffs and softer single notes, the drums are intricate and straight forward, and the bass not only acts as the beef but stands out on its own as well, a feat that not enough bass players can strive for. Notches will easily become one of your favorite bands. A Minimal Crimes guarantee! Plus these dudes are awesome humans and put on an amazing / energetic live show.

Go see them on tour!
Stream the song on New Noise Magazine!
Grab a tape!

Kindling "Weightlessly" Track Review

...And I'm back.

Exciting, but not as exciting as Kindling releasing their new full length Everywhere Else, on No Idea Records this August.

"Weightlessly" was premiered on Stereogum last month, and it rips. The bands wonderful shoegaze roots are still present but move aside a bit for a faster soaring element to the mix. The song rips through a great bass driven and drum bashing opening into a great soaring guitar part to the end. Gretchen Williams' vocals are haunting and soothing at the same time. Glowing yet buried. Wonderful and wonderful.

Everywhere Else record release show is August 11 at Great Scott in Allston, MA with California X, Happy Diving, Kestrels, and Dirt Devil.

Stream "Weightlessly" here!

Hinds Live at the Bowery Ballroom, NYC 3/9/16

I remember when I first heard Hinds. I think it was "San Diego" and I knew there was something special there. I love listening to a band and not really knowing much about them, but getting a really strong image of them just based on a few introductory tracks. With Hinds the image was so clear. Just through their tunes you can pick up the raw energy the band produces. It's authentic, it's real, it's special.

Hinds played a record release show in NYC prior to this date and all the reviews I read and pictures I saw made me kick myself for not jumping on the bus and heading the 5 hour trip down to be a part of it all. I guess record release "show" is the wrong title... maybe record release "party" is better suiting as that is what it was from what I saw. Fan karaoke, special guest musicians, complete madness!

Well when I saw Hinds were hitting the states on the second half of their Leave Me Alone World Tour I jumped on tickets.

There are two types of bands. There are bands that make records, good records, and sound really great on them but are a bit of a disappointment in their live performance, and there are bands who are the opposite. Some bands make good records but are fantastic live performers. Well, and then there is Hinds. So I guess there are three types of bands.

Hinds manage to record heartfelt songs that encompass raw emotion, and authenticity, but also manage to put on an incredible performance. Like I mentioned before, it really is more of a party at a Hinds show. It's overly clear that these ladies are having the time of their lives on that stage. It bursts through in wild rock outs, laughter, gut wrenching vocals, and at times, a coordinated guitar line with sequence dance moves.

Throughout the performance Carlotta Cosials and Ana Perrote who share guitar and vocal duties interact and speak to the audience. They do it in a way though that doesn't interrupt the forward momentum of the performance. Everything that this band does is wonderful and their attitudes are contagious. They are humble, excited, engaging, entertaining, and always involving.

After running through a set of favorites like "Bamboo," "Garden," and San Diego" the ladies returned to the stage to perform one of my favorite tracks, the instrumental "Solar Gap," and closed with the energetic and wild "Davey Crockett" which the crowd reacted to by storming the stage to dance, sings, and lose themselves in the world of Hinds. Fun, loose, real, positive, heartfelt, all things rad.

Viva Hinds!

I think the rest of the tour is sold out so if you missed out then you really missed out!


High points: Hinds "Shark" t-shirt. Bumping Ana with a door and then later apologizing and having a quick convo. I posted this on twitter and got a tweet from Ana. <3




*Photos taken by me.

Parquet Courts "Dust" Track Review

Parquet Courts is releasing a new record, Human Performance, on Rough Trade on April 8. They just dropped their first song / video off the new record and it's so good.

"Dust" is a heavy reminder that everywhere you go, no matter what you do, no matter how many showers you take or how many times you "sweep," everything is filthy. You are filthy. Everything you touch is dirty. "Dust is everywhere, sweep," the song repeats. And it's true. An uncomfortable realization projected right into your face and your eardrums. Anxious, overwhelming, driving, this song rules.

The constant thumping of bass, riffs, and monotone classic vocals give way to a heavy anxiety-filled whirlwind of decay and noise that swirls around until you inevitably crack and peel the bugs off your rotten flesh you filthy pile of perfection.

Shit got weird there.




Tour Dates:

02-15 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall !
02-16 Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall !
02-18 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club !
02-19 Calgary, Alberta - Commonwealth Bar
02-20 Vancouver, British Columbia - Rickshaw Theater
02-23 Seattle, WA - Neumos
02-24 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
02-26 Oakland, CA - The New Parish @
02-27 Los Angeles, CA - American Legion Hall @
02-27 Los Angeles, CA - American Legion Hall
03-12 Marfa, TX - Marfa Myths $%
04-14 Providence, RI -The Met ^
04-15 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club ^
04-16 Kingston, NY - BSP Kingston ^
04-17 Pittsburgh, PA - Spirit ^
04-18 Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups ^
04-20 Chicago, IL - Metro ^
04-21 Detroit, MI - Marble Bar ^
04-22 Toronto, Ontario - Phoenix Theater ^
04-28 Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
04-30 Austin, TX - Levitation Festival
05-02 Houston, TX - Fitzgerald's
05-11 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer *
05-12 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *
05-13 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle *
05-15 Atlanta, GA - Shaky Knees Festival
05-16 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge *
05-17 Asheville, NC - The Mothlight *
05-18 Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater *
05-20 New York, NY - Webster Hall *
06-04 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Sound Festival
06-12 London, England - Field Day
06-14 Bristol, England - Trinity
06-15 Liverpool, England - New Kazimier
06-16 Edinburgh, Scotland - La Belle Angele
06-17 Leeds, England - Irish Centre
06-18 Manchester, England - Gorilla

! with Love Of Everything
@ with Chris Cohen
$ with No Age
% with Sheer Mag
^ with Soda
* with B Boys

Slingshot Dakota "Paycheck" Track Review

Slingshot Dakota have a new full length coming out on the fantastic Topshelf Records. The record is called Break and will be released on March 11, but the band premiered the first song off the record.

"Paycheck" is a catchy as all hell, fuzzed out jam. The keys have this really great distorted, fuzz infused, effect on them and they rumble through the verses like a muddy riff and are accompanied by some great tom / cymbal work. I love that the band can capture so much and create so much fullness and layers. I'm really digging the direction this song is taking the band in and I hope that the rest of the album will follow suit. I mean just listen to that groove, man!

Slingshot Dakota will be heading out on tour in April.

Fucko "Demo" Review

Fucko recorded this demo back in 2014, so it's a bit old, but they are releasing a full length early this year on Black Numbers and it will feature re-recorded versions of these three songs. The band is straight out of Boston and features siblings Sarah and Jacob Desmarais and newly added drummer Derek Desharnais of Sneeze-fame. 

Fucko is great grunge-pop, alt-whatever. Shit just rules.

"Buzz" is my favorite song I think. I always do this. I'll say which song is my favorite and then I take it back like two songs later, so whatever. It rules. Great riffs right off the bat and then the guitar fades to some light feedback as Sarah sings the verse. Then it kicks back in so good. I love the recording. It's dirty but clear. The cymbals have that rawness to them but without being way too fucking harsh and overpowering. There's this sweet guitar lead part towards the end of the song where everything stops except this single note part and then the song rolls on until it kicks back in with the chorus part. A little pause and some feedback. Yes!

"Shitty City" is a solid 90's pop rock slayer. The guitar is so sweet in this one. Sarah's vocals kill me too. So nice! That bass as well. A nice solid crunch to it, and it stands out among the other instruments which I really appreciate. Dig the little into part too. "You are perfect."

Look, I'm going to do it again. "Kind Of Mean It," might be my jam. Shit, I need to stop doing that. I won't though. Whatever, this song rules, and I don't kind of mean it, I really do mean it. See what I did there? Yup. This one is really intricate. The drum fills are so fast and smooth. The riffs too. When Sara sings "I could fall in love," I get the feels. Makes me start thinking, you know. Thinking about stuff. Anyways, this is the one. I'm going to day it. My favorite track. There, last words.

Stream the demo on bandcamp.
Get the full length Dealing With The Weird when it comes out on Black Numbers.
Go see them live!

Culture Abuse "Spray Paint The Dog" Review

I posted Culture Abuse's video for "Perfect Light" on my Facebook page because not only is the song super flippin' kick-ass, but the video is wild as hell. I got one comment from someone I used to work with that said, "What the fuck did I just watch?" I responded with a simple, "You're welcome."

Culture Abuse is a monster, drug infused, punk band from the Bay Area.
This two song 7" is too good and too short. Another great record on 6131 Records.

The record starts off with "Nicotine," a real banger. The beginning really sets the scene great. It's creepy, and dirty. The riffs are wicked, and the production of this record is so good. It's clear and clean while keeping it grimey and punk a.f. Towards the end there is this nice sludgy slow part with some overlapping vocals and some real noise. The chaos is so wonderful.

"Perfect Light" is my jam. I've played this song so many times over and over again rocking my face off. It's this great, weird, dance jam. I love the vocals so much and the direction this song takes. It's steady, rocking, and fuzzy. The parts before the verses with that chanty thing they do. I dig that so hard. "Love's not the answer," but Culture Abuse is definitely the answer. Get weird. Do whatever.

Grab the record from 6131.
Stream it here.
Look for a full length in the future!

Peep the video for "Perfect Light." And hey, it's totally NSFW. Bomb!

Kindling "Galaxies" Review

I've been meaning to do this write-up for a while now. I love this record. Kindling is this noisey shoegaze band out of Western MA featuring Andy and Stephen of Ampere fame. The band blends elements of 90's grunge with think and sometimes cosmic shoegaze parts. This baby was released on the legendary No Idea Records, too. So good!

The record opens with probably my favorite track "Blinding Wave." There is this great driving bass / guitar riff that kills. When we get to the chorus part the guitar takes on this cosmic swirl that compliments the vocals so well. I love the vocals. This song moves. It kicks in right away and it's so steady and thumping throughout. I get a heavy 90's influenced grunge thing. Like if Pearl Jam had a female singer and played dirtier, or something. Oh, and towards the end where it sounds like its over with these rad spaced out hits, and it kicks back in to that opening part, yes!

"While Away" is slower and more grungy and fuzzed out. The opening is so nice. Drawn out and then the songs kicks in. Guitars are soaring again. I love that. The riffs are so cool. They are muffled and fuzzy but stand out so well among the murk. This song has some great stand out parts. They are all like small little transition fills or riffs and only happen once. It's like a whole bunch of little surprises. Andy's drumming is on point.

"Painkiller" has that nice feedback opener and then into heavy shoegaze heaven. Such a headbanger. Jamming out in the front row, pushed up against the kick drum just banging away. These songs all feel like they should be played in a film. Maybe Lost In Translation. I can picture this one during the end where Bill Murray is driving away before the credits. The chorus part in this one is so good! I get a Sunny Day Real Estate vibe and I want to watch Pete and Pete. Man, I need to see this band live. This is tied for my favorite track. They lay on that last part for a good while. Perfect amount of time and the end is so rad!

The record closes with the shortest track "Coastal." Straight forward, such great drum fills, and heavy riffs. This one needs a few listens. The vocals here too! Nevermind what I said about favorite tracks, They are all too good. This is a great ender track though and the fact that this is a 4 song 12" ep just means you need to spin it a few times!

See this band when you can.
Grab the record from No Idea!
Stream here.
Look for a full length!

Hinds "Leave Me Alone" Record Review

UPDATE*** I got this piece published on the Queen Mob's Teahouse site. Go check it out over there. It's a little condensed and has some videos and song links to accompany it! Or read my drawn out version below!

______________________________________________________________________________

So I hope this doesn't read as weird as it sounds out loud, but I had a dream last night that I was hanging out with Hinds, and it was awesome! So I woke up and knew I had to write this. Plus this is my favorite band right now and I'm totally in love with them.

Leave Me Alone is the debut record for this Spanish quartet formerly known as Deers. It's being released by Lucky Number.

The record starts off with "Garden," which is  a great way to introduce the band and the record. It's fuzzy, warm, and so lovely. It's kind of dreamy and both Carlotta and Ana's voice compliment the vibe and the song so much, as they do in every song on this record. There is this really nice little riff during the verse parts and then the drums kick in with this sweet cymbal play during the chorus. I would love to go dancing, by the way!

"Fat Calmed Kiddos" has this great 60's vibe to it. It's really warm and smooth. I love the production of this album. It has that raw garage value to it, but it's clean and warm. The chorus kicks in and the song picks up. It's still 60's but now we are at like a beach party and everyone is digging so hard. The vocals overlap and harmonize so well, and the drums have a great fuzz to them, and listening in headphones I can hear one guitar in one ear during that surfy part and it's so fuzzed up and awesome.

"Warts" is one of my favorite tracks on the record. I love the guitar and the vocals during the beginning part. They follow that similar groove. And the guitar and bass in the background are so good. I really can't say anything besides "this is so good" and "i dig this" for pretty much all of these songs. Sorry if I get repetitive. Oh, and that "ba-da-ba-da-ba-da-ba-ba" part. Oh man!

For some reason when I listen to "Easy" I picture myself driving. I hate driving, but imagining driving listening to this song makes it seem ok. I love at the end when the drums lay on for a few seconds and they have that echo on them.

"Castigadas En El Granero" is all about the musicianship. These women are so flipping talented. My friend and I always say, in regards to music and playing tunes, that less is more. These gals really know how to nail that idea home. The vocals in this too. I love the back and forth and when they overlap eachother and then come together in harmony. I think it's Carlotta too that gets that bit of a growly scream towards the end. Dig that for sure!

"Solar Gap" is a perfect title for this song. I get a real spacey vibe from this song. It's a nice chill out jam. Sitting outside, it's dark, you have some great company, maybe a drink, maybe it's a date, it's super easy to talk to each other, you lock eyes, there's a moment, you feel it, c'mon, you know. Yeah that's this song.

"Chili Town" is so good. I love that you can really hear their accents in this song. I love that. This is a nice chill down jam too. Really dreamy and hazy. I don't have much to say other than this is a solid jam for sure. Perfect.

"Bamboo" is one of the best songs on the record and it's a bit of a downer but still a great listen. The vocals again are so great on this track. That back and forth between Carlotta and Ana is perfect always. The bass is really great in this song too. It's really solid and steady and filling. I think I hear acoustic guitar at the end too and you can hear the slides and the little imperfections and it's great.

"San Diego" may have been the first song I heard off the record and it remains one of my favorites. Everything about this one rules. The vocals are blown out and when these ladies are giving it their all they really kill it. The fuzzy noodling on the guitar and grungy chords are so good. The vocals are my favorite in this song.

"And I Will Send Your Flowers Back" is more of a heartfelt song. More great vocal work with the single guitar and thumping of the kick drum for the beginning. Then the addition of the bass is so nice. Production is key in this one. The vocals get a little fuzzy and blown out and it adds to the feeling of the song so much. Another one of my favorites.

"I'll Be Your Man" is something I can picture hearing at a party where someone starts playing and then everyone joins in. Don't ask why. "I'll be your man." Really I will. I would love to see Hinds play this one live in a small intimate setting.

The record closes with "Walking Home" which brings us back to the surfy tropical vibe. This song is also the most dynamic on the record. There is a lot going on without being too much. This song also wraps up the entire album as far as feelings go. It' pretty vulnerable and completely fucking honest. I respect the shit out of these ladies. This band rules so much and it's so honest in their approach. From production, musicianship, to vocals and lyrics.

Hinds is playing a record release show tomorrow (1/6/16) in Brooklyn. Let's go!!
They are also setting off on a major tour later this month! Go support the hell out of them. They deserve it all!

Stream the whole record here: http://www.npr.org/2015/12/30/461281114/first-listen-hinds-leave-me-alone?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nprmusic&utm_term=music&utm_content=2057

ps. This took me so long to write. I spelled so much shit wrong. Nothing to do with the review but I thought it was funny. 

Such Hounds "I've Been Lost" track Review

Such Hounds is about to release their debut full length record, Strangers, in April through SlyVinyl Records, but luckily enough we get this sweet teaser track, "I've Been Lost."

I read somewhere that someone described the band as "jangley," and I think that's perfect. Others say they sound like "Tom Petty snorkeling in bong water." That works too.

No matter what you want to call it, Such Hounds rule, and this track is a banger.

This track kicks so much ass. The vocals remind me of a punkier version of Bob Dylan, and I can't help but think of The Strokes. The riffs, the drums, and there is this sweet little piano slide about halfway through the song before the band kicks into the chorus. So damn good. The song is pretty minimal and sticks to a few core parts but they are so good. This songs gives me wicked perma-smile!

Maybe it's due to getting older and being scared out of my mind, but this song strikes a nerve in me hardcore! There's a line that's like, "I knew I had to do this all along," and, "lately I've been thinking about my life," and I feel that is something I've been telling myself for a while now.

We've all been lost, right. This song embraces that idea of being lost, confused, and not sure of what you're doing. And it's like, fuck it. Just keep doing it, man. It's a vulnerable feeling, being lost, but it's rad to listen to a song like this and think, everybody else is just as lost and fucked up as you. So it's all good.

Go stream this song on Noisey,
Pre-order the album through SlyVinyl.