Son of Rams – Frolics in the Pink EP

Over the Summer we heard some music from a new band called Family Trees, who released their debut 7″ from Father/ Daughter Records. At almost the same point in time, Family Trees member Joseph Pruitt made his way through the blogosphere with his side band SON OF RAMS. Back then he was spreading the word about his untitled full length album, and now he’s back again with some more for us this November. It’s an eight song EP called “Frolics in the Pink”, and now I’d like to bring those eight songs to your attention.

Starting off the EP is a song called “Triple Eyed”, and it’s easily the first highlight to reveal itself from this collection of tracks. This song would have fit in perfectly with the untitled album from back in the Summer due to it’s stunning lead guitar work and dizzying atmosphere. Pruitt brings his shrieking, whiny vocals back to the table once again to give the songs a frantic and frenzied energy. It’s not only his vocals though that gives the songs their hectic qualities. A good portion of it also comes from his mind-bending guitar work and the fast paced action of the songs.

For example, in the track “I Feel as the Zion” – quick, concentrated guitar hooks dominate as Pruitt wails along behind them, giving the song a completely wild and deranged approach. Then there’s “Change Now Stop”, which follows a similar path. Shimmying guitars and quick vocal outbursts from Pruitt only further prove that these songs will never settle down. There’s always power pulsing through the guitars, whether it’s simple chords or a ridiculous solo (see the ending of “A Blond Temple”), but either way this stuff is sure to please. If quick, fiery guitars paired with whiny, boyish vocals tickles your fancy, then you’re certainly in luck. And don’t forget to check out the Son of Rams site for some free download action. See ya tomorrow.

My Rating: 7.2/10
Genre/ Tags: Psychedelic, Rock, Lo-Fi
Frolics in the Pink EP: Tracklist:
1.) Triple Eyed
2.) Boost Up
3.) Staring Up at a Chinese Kite
4.) Frolics in the Pink
5.) I Feel as the Zion
6.) Face to Face
7.) Change Now Stop
8.) A Blond Temple

DOWNLOAD the new EP and the Untitled LP w/ this link
Son of Rams – Untitled LP previously posted on the Drone
Check out Pruitt’s other band, Family Trees
Son of Rams on Last.fm

Jaill – There’s No Sky (Oh My My)

Anybody remember when we covered JAILL back in the beginning of September? If not, follow that link in the last sentence so you can fill yourself in. Since that post, I’ve been on the lookout for a copy of their first LP from Burger Records, and I finally got the chance to snag a used copy on eBay a few weeks ago.

I just found the record in my mail yesterday and promptly threw it on the record player. To my surprise, I was absolutely floored. It’s because of this record here that Jaill had the opportunity to release “That’s How We Burn” on Sub Pop, and now it all makes sense. They put down 12 different songs (plus a bonus track) for this record, each combining a completely lethal dose of your favorite elements from pop, punk, garage, and psychedelic, and DAMN does it work well. They even manage to work in their subtle references to pot/ being stoned here and there like they did on the other LP.

I must warn you though prior to listening, because this stuff is highly addicting. Every last track could be looked at as a highlight in its own way, and with all songs going barely past the three-minute mark, there’s no doubt you’ll be putting this thing on repeat for days. Which is exactly why this is the next installment to our new “Still Spinnin” feature! Basically the idea here is to keep you guys up to date with what we like most here at the Drone, whether it just came out yesterday or if it’s been out for thirty years. You should expect to see a more detailed post about this in the near future, so stay tuned.

And that’s where I’m gonna leave you guys for today. Check out this batch of songs from the LP right below and let the infatuation begin. You can still grab a copy of the LP with that link below, but don’t sleep on it for too long. See you guys tomorrow.

There’s No Sky (Oh My My) –

My Rating: 9/10
Genre/ Tags: Indie Rock, Pop, Psychedelic
There’s No Sky (Oh My My): Tracklist:
1.) There’s No Sky (Oh My My)
2.) Beggar Sincere
3.) Always Wrong
4.) Stuffed
5.) No Mindless Love
6.) The Biggest Nugget of Them All
7.) Pardono
8.) We’ve Won
9.) Suave Losin’ It
10.) All it Was
11.) Out of Your Boots
12.) Love Takes Shots
13.) Snake Shake (Bonus track)

Jaill on Myspace
Jaill – Official Website
BUY the album directly from Insound – Limited to 1000 !
Jaill – That’s How We Burn previously posted on the Drone

Iowa – Stay Solo 7″

What’s up people? Today we’ve got what I believe is officially the fourth band from Australia here on the Drone. They’re simply known as IOWA, and they hail from Melbourne to be exact. They’re a three piece band taking the traditional set up with Dylan Stewart on guitar and vocals, Jordan Barczak on bass, and Matt Rooney on drums.

These guys have been quite busy in 2010, releasing two of their first records from their own label, Desert Mouth Records, and after that it looks like things will only continue to grow for the band. The 7″ we have here today was their first official release, and then in the near future we’ll talk about their second 7″ as well. Both come on opaque colored vinyl and are limited to some small number (I know it’s 150 for the green vinyl – not sure about the red one). So let’s dig in.

The A-side kicks off with a jam called “Stay Solo”, and it’s a slower paced number with a longing, gloomy feel. Lazy sounding guitars and a crunchy, dirty bass line take control while the drums and cymbals crash along to keep up. About three-quarters of the way through the song changes directions and an epic build-up begins to form right in front of your face, only to come plummeting back down with ridiculously heavy guitars and more crashing cymbals. This right here suggests these guys know a thing or two about psychedelia over in Australia, and they prove it immensely. Now flip that record and it’s time for the B-side, called “AM”.

“AM” starts off with a bang as they ditch the sadder feelings from the previous song and go for the gold in this track. A little bit past the halfway mark the ending starts to unfold with buzzy, humming bass lines and a shimmying guitar line, only to pop off into a dazzling display of cymbal smashing, heavy guitar hooks, and a “let the good times roll” vibe. It’s hard to pin down which of these two songs could qualify as the main highlight from this single, so how about we go with both? Seriously, check this stuff out and see for yourself. If you still want more, head over to their Bandcamp where you can find downloads and other songs to listen to, including the 7-minute epic bonus track “Weighed Down”. Enjoy!

Stay Solo –

AM –

My Rating: 7/10
Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Grunge, Alternative
Stay Solo 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Stay Solo
2.) AM
3.) Weighed Down (bonus track on CD)

Iowa on Myspace
Iowa – Official Website
BUY their releases from Desert Mouth Records
Check out the Iowa Bandcamp for some free downloads!

The Tressels – Bourbon Legend

Today we’ve got a new release from a local Philly band that some of you city-dwellers from around the area may have already heard. They’re simply known as THE TRESSELS, and they’re from the outskirts of West Philadelphia, specifically from a place you might know as Drexel Hill.

These guys have been on the music scene for a good chunk of time in Philadelphia, releasing at least two full lengths and a handful of underground demos and EPs before “Bourbon Legend” was ever finished. That being said, “Bourbon Legend” took almost two and a half years to complete, finishing the album while jumping the hurdles that most bands would fall victim to, such as technical issues, long periods of inactivity, and difficulty in finding a consistent drummer who would stick around. Truth be told, The Tressels weathered the storm, found a solid drummer, and now today we have “Bourbon Legend” after it’s all said and done. So let’s listen, shall we?

Having nearly 30 songs ready to include on the tracklist, this Tressels album comes jam-packed with just ten new psyched-out face melters. Ten seems like a lot now, but after listening it’s obvious that ten isn’t quite enough. Two of the songs (“Autopsy” and “Don’t Look Down”) were taken from their past albums and re-recorded, making them fit in with the rest of this record. A good portion of these songs play over the four minute mark, giving the band ample time to lay down some nasty guitar work and build up enough energy for huge, mind-bending breakdowns.

One of those biggest break downs comes in the track “Brothel Blues”, in which lightning-like guitars rain down over the mix, complementing crashing drums and the like. The shit really hits the fan in the final minute as they take the guitar lick around for another spin, totally destroying everything in sight. Wouldn’t you LOVE to witness this in a live setting? Other highlights include, but are not limited to “Don’t Look Down”, featuring more fierce guitars and epic breakdowns, “South Beach Vampires” which has a moody, blues rock feel, and “Denim Jacket” which is a fantastic way to close out the album. Check out these songs below, experience the guitar madness for yourself, and let it take you away. See ya tomorrow.

Brothel Blues –

Don’t Look Down –

South Beach Vampires –

Denim Jacket –

My Rating: 7/10
Genre/ Tags: Alternative, Psychedelic, Rock
Bourbon Legend: Tracklist:
1.) Autopsy
2.) Brothel Blues
3.) Stolen Kiss
4.) Guitar for a Gun
5.) Don’t Look Down
6.) South Beach Vampires
7.) Skeletons Dancing
8.) I Believe You
9.) Ethyl Alcohol
10.) Denim Jacket

The Tressels on Myspace
The Tressels Official Blogspot page
BUY the album digitally from iTunes
Listen to all of “Bourbon Legend” on Soundcloud

His Electro Blue Voice – Animal Verses 7″

Welcome back after the weekend. Hope yours went well!

We’re going to start this week off with a hell of a bang. We’ve got a 7″ from Italy’s own HIS ELECTRO BLUE VOICE, and boy this thing is heavy. Coming from the Bat Shit label back in October, this is one of two releases to come from HEBV during 2010. Their other release came from Holidays Records in Italy, and it’s a 12″ record titled “Wolf/ Worm”. They’ve got a few other releases out there besides these two things as well, and you can check them all out right here. Judging by that, these guys have been quite busy over the past few years, and it shows in their devilishly frightening music.

Two new songs come etched in this 7″ – the A-side is called “Animal Verses” and the B-side is called “Black Veils”. Both songs are equally ferocious and loud, coming at you full throttle with very little breathing room and enough intensity to send you straight to the floor. They take an exceptionally morbid and brooding approach to the music, with enough dark energy and satanic vibes to have you on your knees begging for mercy shortly after listening. There’s a wobbly metronome percussion covering both of the songs that gives them a constantly reverberating feel, almost like the sounds are continually bouncing off the walls in all the directions. The last quality that puts the icing on this devilishly haunting cake would be shouted, hateful vocals. Paired up with resonate bass lines, end-of-the-world sonics, fiery guitars, and an all too tormenting dark energy, HEBV is sure to please even the least gothic of listeners. Please enjoy and don’t forget to snag the 7″ before it’s gone – there’s only 500.

Animal Verses –

Black Veils –

My Rating: 7/10
Genre/ Tags: Post Punk, Experimental, Electronic
Animal Verses 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Animal Verses
2.) Black Veils

His Electro Blue Voice on Myspace
BUY the 7″ directly from Bat Shit Records – limited to 500 !
Lyrics to both songs on YouTube – Animal Verses here and Black Veils here

Total Slacker – Crystal Necklace 7″

Meet Total Slacker, Brooklyn’s bowl-cuttest band about town. Vice blog described Total Slacker as “that band that everybody hates because the skinny guy has a bowl cut”, so if people care this much about the dudes hair, they have to be doing something right. This is the debut release from these new guys, but after hearing the music, you’d probably never think that it was their first. Well, that’s because in a way, it’s not.

The band is filled out by Emily Oppenheimer on bass and vocals, Ross Condon on drums, and Tucker Rountree on guitar and vocals. Rountree, however, is the interesting member of the bunch. Originally coming from Salt Lake City, Rountree first started playing guitar at the young age of 7 years old. He mainly learned from his father, who taught him bluesy guitar licks and such. Coming from an artistic family, Tucker was always surrounded by music and became enamored with jazz thanks to his grandfather Will. As he grew up, he taught himself how to play guitar, constantly honing up on his skills to get where he is today. Before long, Rountree was well known on the jazz scene, and had the chance to put out his very own album under the name “Tucker Rountree Sound”. Don’t believe me all you bowl-cut haters? Check out this link right here. Not only can you still download the album, it gives you some pretty insightful information about Rountree, which is where I got all that information from above.

Okay, so, maybe I went off on a bit of a tangent there. But I feel like you guys needed to know this. Especially since this band doesn’t seem to be getting all the respect it deserves because of one dudes haircut. Background information like that provides awesome insight for a band that is said to be “brand new”, when in fact they’re not entirely “brand new”. In my opinion – who fuckin’ cares about his hair! If anything the hair gives the band some personality, and apparently a reason to be hated.

So yeah, now you’re probably wondering what the hell Total Slacker sounds like since I’ve been neglecting to talk about the band for this long. Let’s keep it simple, shall we? This 7″ comes with two brain-burning tracks with one of each side called “Crystal Necklace” and “Video Store Rental Guy”. Each turns into a smokey, raging psychedelic onslaught right before you ears, and if you’re into psych, this WILL be right up your alley. Coming complete with pounding drums, face melting guitars and throbbing bass lines, it’s no wonder why this Brooklyn trio is catching on so well…orrrrr not so well. Snag their 7″ with the link below before you can’t anymore.

Crystal Necklace –

Video Store Rental Guy –

My Rating: 8.7/10
Genre/ Tags: Psychedelic, Lo-Fi, Garage Rock
Crystal Necklace 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Crystal Necklace
2.) Video Store Rental Guy

Total Slacker on Myspace
BUY the 7″ directly from Insound
For those still curious about Tucker Rountree & Total Slacker:
Check this out – Words about Tucker on FB
Check this out – Tucker Rountree Sound mp3’s
Check this out – Tucker Rountree Sound Myspace
Check this out – Vids of Rountree playing with jazz dudes (if this doesn’t work just search ‘Tucker Rountree’ on YouTube)
Check this out – Rountree’s other band, the poppy ‘Web Dating’
Check this out, too – Total Slacker: A Brooklyn Love Story

Pregnant – Pregnant

What’s up people. Hopefully you’ve been enjoying this week thus far. If so, that’s great, because it’s only about to get better, so keep reading. Today we’ve got the debut LP from Brooklyn’s own PREGNANT, and boy do these guys deliver. Their new LP comes from the Burn Books imprint, which is also based in Brooklyn, and it looks as if it’s the labels first official release. Pregnant is made up of three members, Stefanie Bridges (bass & vox), Kevin Manion (guitar & vox), and Ian T. (drums) who together create short outbursts of high energy, dismantling punk rock that treads right along the fine line between punk and hardcore punk. Raspy vocals and fast paced guitar hooks dominate this record, giving it an overall heavy sound, but the staggering guitars sometimes turn into joyous leads like in the song “Help!”.

None of the songs go anywhere past the three minute mark, with the exception of the final track “Wanna See My Gun?”. This means the record ends pretty quickly, but the intensity is surely palpable within each of these ten Pregnant songs. Since it ends so fast, chances are you’re going to spin this thing again and again, because let’s be serious people, this is quality punk rock. Now it’s your turn to find out, and you can do so simply by listening to these highlights from the record below. Leave some comments and let us know what you’re thinking, and please don’t forget to support the good guys at Burn Books.

My Rating: 7/10
Genre/ Tags: Punk
Pregnant s/t: Tracklist:
1.) Real Talk
2.) Skin Display
3.) Wormie
4.) Help!
5.) Toothache
6.) Safe & Sound
7.) Do You Feel It?
8.) You Think
9.) You Give it to Me
10.) Wanna See My Gun?

Pregnant on Myspace
The official Pregnant Blogspot
BUY or download the s/t @ Burn Books, and don’t forget to donate all you downloaders

Brainstorm – Beast in the Sky 7″

Hailing from the ever-expanding music scene in Portland comes the electrified-pop duo known as BRAINSTORM. The band is made up of just two guys who together take a little bit of all your favorite genres and do a hell of a job mashing them up into one single track. Usually this feat is seemingly a recipe for complete disaster in music, but Brainstorm passed the test with flying colors. Both members help out on the chanting, tribal-like vocals, but there are still plenty of other things going on. Adam Baz holds down the drums and keyboards while Patrick Phillips takes on the guitar and tuba. Tuba? Yeah, Brainstorm has that.

While it is quite difficult to pin down some of the sounds you hear in the songs, there are still elements that stand out more than others. Like the spiritual journey through the B-side track “Word Up”. Chanting vocals and lightning fast guitar licks help give the song an ethnic feel, ranging from “Colombian Cumbia” to “African High-Life”, but it basically all comes down to what you think. Towards the middle the song slows down a bit, clearing a nice path for the unusual tuba to make it’s humble appearance. The last two minutes suddenly come out of nowhere, turning into an instrumental onslaught complete with rampant drumming and fiery guitar licks. This is almost like a bonus track included on the 7″, because it’s considered to be a completely different song aside from “Word Up”. It’s called “Upward” just in case you’re curious.

And then let’s not forget about the A-side, “Beast in the Sky”. More frantic drumming and blazing guitars fill out this track, but right around the 1:45 mark, some nautical sounding keyboards come in to steal the show. This careful keyboard work is enough to crack a huge smile on your face as you suddenly decide that you’re going to play this song at least one more time. These songs are without a doubt unique in their own right – and mixed with their high energy approach – are sure to drop some jaws. Now this has me wondering what a live show with Brainstorm would be like. Hopefully we’ll all know soon enough.

Beast in the Sky –

Word Up –

My Rating: 7.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Experimental, Pop
Beast in the Sky 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Beast in the Sky
2.) Word Up

Brainstorm on Myspace
Brainstorm on Bandcamp
BUY the 7″ directly from Lasercave – marbleized color vinyl w/download!

Dead Ghosts – Dead Ghosts

The DEAD GHOSTS full length! It’s finally here!! This thing was originally said to drop sometime in October, but obviously that didn’t happen. November 9th turned out to be the official release date for the record, but I still don’t think there are any places you can buy it. Keep checking back at Florida’s Dying and it’s bound to pop up at some point, just a matter of when. If you were eagerly awaiting this one, patience is definitely a virtue, but that moment is surely upon us. When this thing is finally out there, you will be glad you waited for as long as you did. And now I’m here to prove that to you.

If you can remember back to the Summer and also in September, we covered a few other releases from Canada’s premier garage rockers. Now they’re back with the most exciting installment to their discography, and if you enjoyed those other releases, things are only about to get better. The new album comes jam-packed with 13 of your favorite Dead Ghosts numbers, most of which have been re-recorded for the purpose of this new album. Some of these songs can be heard in live form on their Live Tapes 12″, but this new album definitely takes the cake.

They bring back all of your favorite elements, including that uniquely rowdy and rambunctious energy paired with smart, honest lyrics – usually about women, getting fucked up, and just about anything else you think you hear. The rough and abrasive guitars are there once again to put you on your ass, and they do it all with a captivating bluesy twang that’s just too good to ignore. There’s also a bit of a folky, country Western mood mixed in at times, but that’s for you to decide. Most of the songs on the list have hooks that cut so deep you won’t be listening to anything else for at least this whole week, and that’s far from being an understatement. Hear for yourself with these tracks below, and let the addiction begin.

When it Comes to You –

Off the Hook –

Girl Across the Street –

How the West Was Fun –

My Rating: 8.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Lo-Fi, Blues Rock
Dead Ghosts: Tracklist:
1.) When it Comes to You
2.) Detroit Jerry
3.) Off the Hook
4.) Haunted House
5.) She Likes It
6.) Girl Across the Street
7.) I Want You to Know
8.) Dead Ghosts
9.) Getting Older
10.) How the West Was Fun
11.) What to Do
12.) James Brown
13.) I Want Your Love

Dead Ghosts on Myspace
BUY the LP from Florida’s Dying…whenever it’s available
Dead Ghosts – Live Tapes 12″ previously posted on the Drone
Dead Ghosts – That Old Feeling 7″ previously posted on the Drone
You can buy the album digitally from iTunes (which is no fun at all), or wait for the record. yr choice. 😉

Cloud Nothings – Leave You Forever 7″

Cloud Nothings have been doing their own thing for quite awhile now. It all started back in 2009 with the release of “Turning On”, the debut Cloud Nothings release from Kevin Greenspon’s Bridgetown Records.

Since then the Cloud Nothings and Dylan Baldi have been hard at work, releasing multiple 7″ records throughout 2010 (see them here), and now they’re finally at the culminating point of all their work. The first Cloud Nothings full length is finally upon us (due out January 25th in 2011), and you can listen to the first track of the record right here. I’m sure it will be beyond exciting to see all that hard work finally pay off with the release of this new full length. While we wait for that, let’s check out these songs from the brand new 7″ that came from True Panther Sounds.

Okay, so – the first thing that probably comes to mind after hearing these songs is one simple word: pop. If that’s what you thought, then I don’t think many would contest. The next thing you might notice is the quality of the songs – exceptionally scratchy and noisy. This definitely gives the songs that undying lo-fi grit, which might be welcomed by some, and shunned by others. Chances are if you’ve been listening to Cloud Nothings this long, you don’t mind the grit, but with these songs it seems more prominent than in other recordings. Listening to that song from the new album, it sounds like they took a step back on the grit, so that kind of gives us an idea of where they’re headed with this new album.

As far as these four other songs go, they’re all as catchy as can be with yearning lyrics and mushy feelings, but none of them appear to be on the new full length. They all feature raw and choppy guitar hooks, complemented by infectious choruses and childish woo wa’s. “Talk to Me” dazzles with it’s addicting chorus (“if you just talk to me, I’ll always listen baby”), while the frantic guitar playing in “Leave You Forever” will keep you coming back for more. Check out these two songs right below, and snag that 7″ before it’s too late. No repress on this one.

Leave You Forever –

Talk to Me –

My Rating: 7/10
Genre/ Tags: Pop, Lo-Fi
Leave You Forever 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Leave You Forever
2.) Talk to Me
3.) Weird Son
4.) You Were Scared

Cloud Nothings on Myspace
BUY the 7″ directly from Insound – Limited to 500, no repress !
Cloud Nothings – Didn’t You 7″ previously posted on the Drone