Vol. 3 Issue 15 December 2006
Hey Kids,
So no big, weepy end of the year wrap-up here, just more new tunes for your hungover office party enjoyment.
See News Archives
Current Releases
- Click to see:
- Merge
- Modular
- Fat Wreak Chords
Merge
www.mergerecords.com/
The Broken West
"I Can't Go On, I'll Go On"
The Broken West are the latest signing to indie-rock mega-label Merge Records. The LA band's new album, I Can't Go On, I'll Go On, is one of the most assured pop-rock debuts these ears have heard in a long time. I Can't Go On, despite its sad title, plays like an adrenaline blast of uptempo, feel-good, guitar-charged awesomeness - a sing-along seminar in popology 101. All the signifiers are in full force - "Down In The Valley" is sludgy bar-band, early- Wilco territory, "So It Goes" is all jangly, harmony-soaked Teenage Fanclub-ness (or is it the Byrds? or is it Nick Lowe????), and "Baby On My Arm" is pure broken-hearted AM radio power-pop a la The Records. With a single release, The Broken West have proven themselves one of the best bands around under the indie-pop tree. No wonder Merge signed them.
Robert Pollard
"Normal Happiness"
Hey, we are always happy to have a new Robert Pollard record, and thankfully, since we suffer from mood swings, he obliges us frequently. The latest mood-altering release from Bob is Normal Happiness. First off, it is far better then the new Who album, but that isn't saying much. Still, if Pete Townsend records any new jams, he should definitely ditch the dead weight (uh, sorry Roger), and bring in Robert Pollard. In the meantime, check out "Rhonda Rhonda," one of the catchiest tunes of what is left of the year, and "Supernatural Car Lover", which has all of BRM praying that they bring back Night Rider so we can nail that license! Don't believe us? Well check it out yourselves:
Modular
www.modularpeople.com/
The Soft Lightes
"Say No To Being Cool - Say Yes To Being Happy"
The Soft Lightes were once "The Incredible Moses Leroy," whose last record was titled The Incredible Moses Leroy Becomes The Soft Lightes - just to clear up any confusion. Both "Moses" and the "Lightes" are the creation of indie-pop mastermind Ron Fountenberry, and both bands display a huge range of pop music signifiers, from ELO to Postal Service to the Polyphonic Spree to even Seals and Crofts. Yes. The Soft Lightes' new album/debut for indie label of the moment Modular Records, Say No To Being Cool - Say Yes To Being Happy, is a delightfully catchy collection of earnest, slightly nasal, vocal-driven songs, so don't miss it.
Fat Wreak Chords
www.fatwreck.com/
Me First And The Gimme Gimmes
"Love Their Country"
Fat Wreck's notorious cover-binging rabble-rousers are back! This time, Me First And The Gimme Gimmes will not be covering your favorite 70's rock anthems, Bar Mitzvah tearjerkers, and Beatles songs - instead the boys shift their focus to Country & Western territory. It still kicks ass. The appropriately and hilariously titled Love Their Country sees C&W classics like "Jolene," "Sunday Morning Coming Down," "On The Road Again," and, yes, "Desperado" getting the good 'ole tried and true punk treatment. You just have to love these guys. 6 albums in and they still sound like they're 16. Totally awesome yo.
- Click to see:
- Audika
- Curb Appeal
- Quannum Projects
- Rubber Records
Audika
www.audikarecords.com/
Tralala
"Is That The Tralala"
Everybody's favorite garage rockers are back. Yes, the chugging guitars, shout-out-loud chick-group vocals, and general f%^k-all attitude you've come to love is all over Tralala's new album, the wonderfully titled Is That The Tralala? This new record rocks significantly harder - hell, there's a freakin' Wipers cover, and I swear at least half the girls singing are obsessed with Dead Moon -- stop me before I name-drop another seminal band. But really folks, disaffected, NYC-spawned garage rock has never sounded this impassioned. With anthem-sized cuts like "We're Coming Out" and "Underdog," you might have to drop your edgy, blasé stance and actually sing along.
Curb Appeal
www.curbappealrecords.com/
8mm
"Songs To Love And Die By"
Hey everybody, remember "trip hop"? That delightful mid-90's genre of yore, full of downtempo beats created mostly by artsy, turtleneck-wearing, bald white guys and sung by tres-demure British ladies with smoky voices, all proclaiming the likes of Del Tha Funky Homosapien as a prime influence? Well, I loved Portishead as much as the next guy, but few other groups failed to reach the standard they set with their scant 2 record output. Now 8mm are coming a bit late to the party - it is almost 2007, but on Songs To Love And Die By…. this guy and gal will make you wish it was '96 again. Strong, sultry vocals lead you down a David Lynch-ian path to your local smoke-filled dive bar (if you could still smoke at bars that is). However it isn't just downtempo beats here, we've got a solid piano ballad ("Forever & Ever"), and even a female power jam ("You Know"), but really, don't miss "Give It Up".
Quannum Projects
www.quannum.com/
Tommy Guerrero
"From The Soil To The Soil"
Before you can say Lupe Fiasco, please observe that Tommy Guerrero has been doing the whole hip-hop meets skateboard culture thing for a long while now. Apparently, the dude's been "skateboarding since he was 9, and playing music since he was 12." Ok then. So he's got cred. Guerrero's new one for Quannum Projects, From The Soil To The Soil, is a heterogeneous mash-up of indieness, pop, funk, jazz, soul, and hip-hop too. When Guerrero's not doin' his instrumental thing, Lyrics Born shows up to drop some spitfire rhymes. From The Soil manages to pull off a rare combination - it's a party record that's actually tasteful and understated. Chill.
Rubber Records
www.rubberrecords.com.au/
Lisa Gerrard
"The Silver Tree"
Alright kids, it's Goth time. Granted, I've got a jew-beard so it's hard for me personally to rock the powder-white make-up and slick black hair - just doesn't go well with facial hair. However, for those looking to get their Goth on, BRM has the new release from the very queen of the dark forces, Lisa Gerrard. You know she was one half of the seminal 4AD gothic/art-rock duo, Dead Can Dance, and has had tons of success writing the scores to a few pictures you might of heard of like The Whalerider, Gladiator, and Ali. Her new album is titled The Silver Tree. It's full of quasi-new-agey, mercurial soundscapes, and ghostly vocals - it's dark and cryptic and disorienting. In other words, another work of genius from one of the most respected women in music ever.