Moon King "Hamtramck ‘16"
The new release from Moon King, Hamtramck ’16, is a dance-y wonderland. Sometimes the record sounds like underground dance from Detroit’s dance heyday, other times it sounds like solo Stevie Nicks at her most 80s. Some disco here, some synthpop there, this is one release that is gonna surprise you into dancing, in as artful a way as is possible. Get on your best dancing shoes (or sit in your best dancing chair) and check out the aforementioned Nicksonian “In & Out.”
Golden Retriever "Rotations (Thrill Jockey)"
If you are familiar with the sounds of Golden Retriever (the band, not the dog, that sound can be described easily as “bark”), then you know that in the past the duo has worked primarily as a combo of synths and bass clarinet (usually amplified and run through effects). On Rotations (Thrill Jockey) however, the duo has enlisted an entire chamber ensemble to round out their sound. Working with money earned in a grant from Portland’s Regional Arts & Culture Council, they were asked to write some new works for the purposes of performance. And write new pieces they did, as this sounds like Brian Eno and John Adams (the composer, not the president) realized they booked a recording space for the same time by accident, and rather than duking it out like those two madmen normally would, they made some beautiful music together. Check out the evocative sounds of “Sunsight.”
Sweet Apple "Sing The Night In Sorrow (Tee Pee)"
Supergroup of sorts Sweet Apple, and purveyors of glittery throwback power-pop, are back with a new riff-heavy release. Sing The Night In Sorrow (Tee Pee Records) finds J Mascis, Tim Parnin and John Petkovic (both of Cobra Verde) and Dave Sweetapple rocking as hard as they ever have. A little Cheap Trick, a little T-Rex, a little bit ‘60s psych-folk a la The Incredible String Band or even Love, and a LOT of fun. Of course, guest turns from Robert Pollard and Doug Gillard among others usually make for a fun record. Don’t believe me? (jeez louise, what do I have to do to earn the blurb-readers trust anyway?) Check out the Robert Pollard-featuring smash single (if we have anything to say about it) “World I’m Gonna Leave You.”
Katie Von Schleicher "Shitty Hits (Ba Da Bing)"
When Katie Von Schleicher was interning at Ba Da Bing Records, our bud Ben offered her the chance to release a cassette on the label (because he is a swell guy). Some demos perhaps? A live recording? Well, Katie decided to go all the way with it, and recorded the self-produced, fully-realized Bleaksploitation which garnered her all kinds of interest in her music. After the surprise success of that release, here we find her releasing her proper full-length debut, the hazy, sunny T-Rex meets Paul McCartney at his most pop-loving sounds of Shitty Hits. Pop it in the tape deck, roll all the windows down, and drive as fast as the law allows on your favorite highway while you blast the sounds of “Paranoia.”