Major Stars "Motion Set"
You’re sitting there like everything is normal, like your face isn’t about to melt off. Well all that is about to change, as 18 blistering strings of guitar-ness set your eyes, ears, and nose on fire. Wait. This isn’t 5 alarm chili. We are only here to burn your ears. And blazing they will be with the majesty of Motion Set (Drag City), the new face-melter (remember, I warned ya) from Major Stars. Drone-y wry vocals from Kate Biggar, and ‘70s metal rhythm lay the foundation for the guit-army to attack. Hints of Black Sabbath, Mike Oldfield, and lots of other great guitar things that happened in the ‘70s mixed with a bit of a Pinkerton-era Weezer thing, add a million awesome guitar solos, throw in some jazz exploration, and there you go. Prepare yourself for the aforementioned Sabbath-ness of “For Today.”
Cory Hanson "The Unborn Capitalist From Limbo"
Cory Hanson, the frontman for psych-rock favorite Wand is here with his solo debut, The Unborn Capitalist From Limbo (Drag City). So what’s it sound like? Well, sure, it’s a little psychedelic feeling, but this is not exactly the rock sound his band Wand is known for. Here, Cory has opted for a lush, pastoral, celestial folk sound. String arrangements worthy of Nick Drake and a star-gazing vibe not unlike Joni Mitchell. This is a smoked-up good time, with Cory delivering his poetic vocals with just a hint of a British accent that suits the music better than a tailored shirt. Ok, I’m not sure how I feel about that analogy, but I am sure how I feel about this record. It’s great! Don’t believe me? Then check out standout track “Replica.”
E "E"
There are a few things that you can guarantee someone in the BRM office is talking about daily. The tastiness of chocolate combined with peanut butter is one. The benefits of wearing bajas is another. When it comes to music, one of our very hot topics is how criminally underrated Thalia Zedek is. Seriously. There should be a Mount Rushmore of influential guitarists somewhere that’s just Neil Young and three Thalia Zedek heads. This time around, she has started a new band called E, and their self-titled debut is a masterclass in squeal-y, harmonious guitar noise. She has paired herself with Neptune’s Jason Sanford and Karate’s Gavin McCarthy. No bass, just drums and two guitars, and two of the most distinct voices in rock music. A little like The Bad Seeds and Tom Waits later works mixed with Sonic Youth’s experimentation, this is sure to please the ‘90s indie rock fans longing for some guitar power. Check out the punishingly good “Great Light.”
Honeyblood "Babes Never Die"
Honeyblood are back, and then some! Babes Never Die (FatCat) is the sophomore followup to their beloved 2014 self-titled debut. Worried about some sort of silly sophomore slump? Don’t be! The hooks are catchier! The sparse arrangements are even more fleshed out! Combining ‘60s girl-group melodies, the dreamy likeability of Best Coast, the ‘90s bounce of The Breeders, and the solemn vibes of PJ Harvey to create a gloom-pop masterpiece. This time around, the songs are even more dynamic, with a little bit of throwback loud-quiet-loud stuff thrown in for good measure. Get ready to carve Honeyblood into your desk tomorrow during homeroom and check out the title track “Babes Never Die.”