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.”
Imperial Teen "Now We Are Timeless (Merge)"
As a people, we’ve been lucky enough to be listening to Imperial Teensongs for over 20 years now. I mean, you HAVE been listening to Imperial teen, right? After all, their confessional, frank, indie-leaning electro-pop tunes are the stuff late-nights are made of. Now We Are Timeless(Merge) is exactly what you want it to be (and that is a very good thing to be after all). Total songwriting magic–with an emphasis on the craft of pop songwriting that is (ahem) all too absent from a lot of music these days (damn kids and their Soundcloud…). In fact, we should make this album a masterclass in songwriting chops that should be mandatory for all bands 30 and under. Professors Roddy Bottum, Will Schwartz, Jone Stebbins, and Lynn Perko Truell will be handing out your syllabi soon! You like earworms? Who doesn’t (besides dogs), well don’t you dare walk away from “Walkaway”!
METZ "Automat (Sub Pop)"
Chances are you’re already a fan of the “delightfully noisy 3-piece punk band from Toronto” but even for the biggest fans of the band, the songs on Automat (Sub Pop) were hard to get ahold of. Well… hard to get along of no more these songs are (that was a surprisingly Yoda sentence of me). Non-album tracks, b-sides, rarities from over the last decade. It’s a veritable Odds & Sods! Check out the angular power of “Pure Auto.”
Purple Mountains "Purple Mountains (Drag City)"
It’s been 11 years since we’ve gotten new music from Silver Jews’ David Berman. For a bit of a catch-up on what he’s been up to, I’d highly recommend reading this Washington Post feature on him from June 3rd-unless you’re out of articles for the month. If you are, then we have the perfect way for you to see what’s what with Mr. Berman! By checking out his wildly entertaining rebirth as “Purple Mountains”! The self-titled Purple Mountains (Drag City) is everything you could possibly want from a new David Berman project. From the xanax promo that is “That’s Just The Way That I Feel” to one of the best songs ever written about a mom “I Loved Being My Mother’s Son.” Mr. Berman even gives us the gift of finally ridding the world of “Margaritaville” with “Margaritas At The Mall.” Looking for the Randy Newman replacement for the next Toy Story? Check out the surprisingly bright and simultaneously dark “All My Happiness Is Gone”