Bad Moves "Tell No One (Don Giovanni)"
Washington DC has a long history of punk music, and now Bad Moves are a part of that history. Tell No One (Don Giovanni) is the debut from the pop-punk quartet. Anthemic and powerful, yet heartfelt and pop-leaning, this is quintessential pop-punk for the lovers of the genre. However, their sound is a little more universal than the genre generally lends itself to. It’s more like modern pop-punk mixed with classic ‘90s indie rock. Take, for instance, the beyond catchy and quirky shifts of The Breeders-esque “One Thing.”
Emma Ruth Rundle "On Dark Horses (Sargent House)"
If you are Emma Ruth Rundle, 2 years ago you released your fantastic album Marked For Death. Since then you’ve been touring nonstop. Now you are ready to release your third album of goth-y, folk-y, intense tunes. If you are not Emma (and lets face it, chances are good you aren’t) then you are merely excited to hear her new album On Dark Horses (Sargent House). Well, your timing is perfect, because here it is! Check out the dramatic ebbs and flows of the Godspeed You! Black Emperor meets Chelsea Wolfe sounds of “Fever Dreams.”
Dmitry Evgrafov "Return (Fat Cat)"
I just saw an another article on tuning out the world….the noise, the constant static of it all….how to make it go away (don’t look at your phone? Article – not so helpful)…..That being said if everyone would just listen to the beautiful new album by Dmitry Evgrafov they wouldn’t need to throw their phones in the ocean (don’t do it – your warranty won’t cover that). Stirring and beautiful “Falter” is my go to song when I need it all to go away. Just check out “Waves” and you will hopefully not throw your phone into the ocean, but if you do, make sure you have a copy of “Return” on another device.
Fred Thomas "Aftering (Polyvinyl)"
Fred Thomas is a man of many moods, and his latest release Aftering highlights many of them. Bad mood? How about opening your album with a slow drone tune “Ridiculous Landscape”. However right away the guitars are turned up and song two roars in like SST era Dinosaur (sorry no Jr. yet)… “Aftering” keeps the where is my Xanax ride going like Harry Chapin hanging out with Ira Kaplan (now that would make quite a great episode of “Dead Guitar Guys Driving Live Guitar Guys”). Check out the Lee Renoldo-esque “Altar” featuring Anna Birch, or the beautiful “Mother/Daughter Pharmix” – the cats are in the cradle for sure.