The War On Drugs "A Deeper Understanding"
A Deeper Understanding, the latest from The War On Drugs, is everything you want it to be. Back are the wistful, AOR, Hornsby-esque vibes, coupled with tremendous playing, and a love for songs as long as the line for tickets to the (not yet actually a thing) Ramones Broadway Musical Hey! Ho! Let’s Go. We couldn’t love the fact more that there are still bands with guitars playing rock and roll that sounds great live after a few beers. There was once a discussion in the office about WOD that went thusly: “what if we just closed up shop, and followed The War On Drugs around for a few years. Would that be ok?” We decided that although it wounds amazing, it’s probably not the best idea financially for us. But this is the kind of band that garners that sort of devotion. Check out “Strangest Thing” and see if you don’t feel like following them around too.
A Giant Dog "Toy (Merge)"
My favorite barista at my local coffee shop, who knows only vaguely that my work has something to do with music, said the following to me after she binged Girl Boss: “Oh. My. God! Do you know this band A Giant Dog? I heard them on Girl Boss and immediately they are my favorite band!” So besides the thrill of telling her that “yeah, we had a hand in that” I was also thrilled to tell her “you know they have a new record coming soon?” She was very excited. As is everyone. You either have never heard of A Giant Dog or you are obsessed with Sabrina and the gang. Toy (Merge), their latest LP, is full of their Nashville punk perfection, a sound somewhere between Joan Jett and The Ramones, with a little Jason & the Scorchers thrown in for good measure. And with Sabrina front and center, as fearless and anyone in rock, there is nothing A Giant Dog can’t do. Rock along with “Bendover.” Now, if only I could figure out how to parlay this into a free iced coconut latte…
Rare Energy "Rare Energy (Team Love)"
If you like your drums to have an indie shuffle, your songwriter’s emotions to be worn on their sleeves, and your aesthetic to be of the ‘90s college/indie persuasion, then boy oh boy do I have a new favorite band for you. Rare Energy, the new EP from Guilt Mountain is everything someone could want from a genre that can be decidedly overproduced at times. Sounding a little bit like early Helium tracks with Kate Larson’s vocal delivery reminding me of the Deal sisters at their most conversational, this is the kind of collection that makes you want to start a band immediately. Like, right this second. But you don’t have time for that now, because you need to check out “Fever.”
Rainer Maria "Rainer Maria (Polyvinyl)"
There we were. It was just a regular day at the BRM offices. Jen was being sensible. Pete was wearing a hat. AJ was hungover from the show(s?) he hit the night before. We got an email, just like any other, except it wasn’t. Our buds at Polyvinyl had something to say. “New Rainer Maria!” It didn’t matter what we were doing, when you get an email with music from a band you spent your youth loving and hasn’t released so much as a single in over a decade, you drop what you’re doing and you listen. And listen we did, my friends. Everything was there! Everyone’s favoritist DIY trio was treating our ears to introspective, rocking indie tunes once again. Lemme tell you, there was much rejoicing. You’ll be rejoicing too as you check out the power of the instant classic, “Lower Worlds.”