Joanna Sternberg "Then I Try Some More (Team Love)"
Then I Try Some More (Team Love) from NYC musician/artist Joanna Sternberg is an album that’s easy to love, and hard to describe. Joanna started out as a young’un playing piano, then moved on to double bass during high school college. But that’s not all they were up to. Joanna also spent much time working on their visual art. Maybe that’s why the tunes here are so colorful? Most songs feature Joanna’s distinct vocal delivery accompanied by a sparse arrangement. The songs are somehow a mixture of folk music, classical, children’s music, ‘60s pop, ‘30s pop, and tons of other influences. The result is absolutely enchanting, with a McCartney-esque ability to simplify lots of different genres down to their basics while always sounding like themselves. Check out standout track “Step Away.”
Black To Comm "Before After (Thrill Jockey)"
Black To Comm
Back to reality
Back to the here and now, yeah.
Before After (Thrill Jockey), the latest from Marc Richter’s solo project Black To Comm, is described best by the people that know him best. Thrill Jockey. “a hallucinogenic journey through polar extremes of emotion and to the outer reaches of sound, the perfect companion piece to its darker predecessor.” A masterclass in the manipulation of sounds, this is sure to freak out your parents and earn the praise of your most discerning friends. Check out the Negativland meets Yann Tiersen sounds of “Eden-Olympia.”
Xenu & The Thetans "Xenu & The Thetans (Slovenly)"
Like our buds at Slovenly Records say about this new self-titled record from Mexico City’s Xenu & The Thetans “it’s not rock-it scientology here, gang. This is that primal punk rock madness that pours outta yer pores when you just wanna belt out some Germs / Bad Brains style ‘core and get nasty.” Couldn’t have said it better myself! That’s why I didn’t even bother trying. Come on! Like they said! Get nasty and check out “Amigos Muertos.”
Guache "A People’s History of Gauche (Merge)"
D.C.’s Gauche is here with their latest, People’s History of Guache (Merge). What they’ve done is make your tattered copy of Howard Zinn’s book A People’s History Of The United States the second most exciting People’s History in your collection. Bouncy, angular, funky, spindly power post-punk pop excitement is the name of this game. The kind of rock music you could (and should) be dancing to. Are their themes weighty? You bet! Will you notice? Well, if you pay attention, sure you will silly. But also, these anxious tunes could just as easily wash over you if you let them. Check out the Joy Division meets B-52’s sounds of “Flash.”