Appropriately coming from the Mexican Summer label is the debut LP from NO JOY. These girls started with a 7″ from the same label, and this collection of songs is a great continuation from where they left off. Continue reading “No Joy – Ghost Blonde”
Coming out at the very beginning of March is the brand new full length effort from San Francisco’s PAPERCUTS. The album is titled “Fading Parade”, and you’ll find the A-side of this single on the official tracklist. Continue reading “Papercuts – Do What You Will 7″”
With a name like MIKE ADAMS AT HIS HONEST WEIGHT, it might make you think twice before listening. We’re here to tell you that that would be an awful decision, because you definitely don’t want to miss out on this one. Continue reading “Mike Adams at His Honest Weight – Oscillate Wisely”
Today we are proud to present to you on this fine morning the debut full length release from Philadelphia’s own CREEPOID. Today is the official release date of the album, and it comes from Ian Records, which is also Philadelphia based. Continue reading “Creepoid – Horse Heaven”
Hey! Getting back on schedule after a hectic weekend here. Got something for you guys today that you may have stumbled upon yourselves already. But hopefully not. It’s the debut 7″ from ALL SAINTS DAY, the combined project of Vivian Girl Katy Goodman and Cat Power helper/ The Delta 72 member Gregg Foreman (who I am learning is originally from Philadelphia). This little gem comes from the Art Fag label, and it comes in a limited edition of 500. I tell you this because the stuff over at Art Fag looks like it usually sells out pretty quickly, so if you want this one you better snag it up soon.
Included on this 7″ are two new songs, both of which have equally dreamy and space-like qualities, alongside of that all too familiar scratchy lo-fi sound that’s popping up everywhere these days. Katy Goodman’s gorgeous voice with the combination of hazy textures and twangy guitars is a great way to make some addicting music. If you were to come up with background music that goes along with the album art above, it would probably sound EXACTLY like All Saints Day! Basically meaning that the art is spot-on. But don’t sleep on this stuff – it’s addicting and I’m already having a hard time turning off “Only Time Will Tell”. I’m gonna upload both sides of the 7″ for you guys below, so check’em out. That is all. More record downloads on the way for you people too – keep checkin’ my Tumblr.
It’ll Come Around –
Only Time Will Tell –
My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Lo-Fi, Dream Pop, Electronic
It’ll Come Around 7″: Tracklist:
1.) It’ll Come Around
2.) Only Time Will Tell
All Saints Day on Bandcamp
All Saints Day on Last.fm
BUY the 7″ from Insound, but it’s probably cheaper directly from Art Fag
What’s up people. Here’s a band we haven’t talked about here on the Drone just yet. Their name is DESOLATION WILDERNESS, and they hail from Olympia in Washington state. There’s just one problem now – Desolation Wilderness isn’t a band anymore. It’s a huge bummer too, because these dudes had quite a unique sound going for them. Nic Zwart made a post on their Blogspot page back in Feburary of 2010 saying that he is moving to San Francisco, thus proving that Desolation Wilderness is no more. But it doesn’t mean that’s the end of their career in music for good, oh no. Zwart has been working on another project for at least a year now, and you may already know it as Electric Sunset. If not, go check’em out. But I kind of got off task here. Desolation Wilderness is our band of focus today. Maybe we’ll have something from Electric Sunset some other day…
So yeah, basically the A-side of this 7″ comes from their last full-length album before they called it quits, called New Universe. The B-side doesn’t come from any of their albums, so it must be extra material that never made it on an album…or something. Whenever I hear Desolation Wilderness, I have a tough time NOT thinking of a band like Galaxie 500, due to the slow but dreamy nature of the songs. On top of that, they’re always catchy as can be with dazed-out, dream like textures that kind of give you the feeling you’re staring into a blinding light with a good bit of drool spilling out of your mouth – which probably helped give them the name for their first full-length, “White Light Strobing”. The B-side of this 7″ fits perfectly with that description too, so if you’re looking to get your drool on…I have both sides of the records uploaded below, so you should definitely check those out.
No Tomorrow –
Pacific Palisades –
My Rating: 7.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Dream Pop, Slowcore, Ambient
No Tomorrow 7″: Tracklist:
1.) No Tomorrow
2.) Pacific Palisades
BUY the 7″ directly from Insound – it’s only $4.40 – a steal if there ever was one!
Desolation Wilderness Blogspot
Desolation Wilderness on Myspace !
Desolation Wilderness on K Records
The new Desolation Wilderness – Electric Sunset
You always gotta show love for your local bands. They’re usually in need of all the support they can get, and they’ll be much more appreciative of your help than say, a big band name like Fall Out Boy, or something like that. I couldn’t really think of a good band example, but I think you’ll catch my drift. I say this because CREEPOID is still a fairly new band, coming straight out of the basements (literally) of Philadelphia, and they’ve just unleashed their debut 7″ to the world this past April. Now they’re hard at work trying to get their music out there and heard by people like you and I, and so far it seems like they’ve done a hell-of-a-job with this. I found this gem of a 7″ in the record store just yesterday, and I’m glad I came across it when I did. I remember when these guys played their record release show with Best Coast back in April, but for whatever reason I couldn’t make it. Now I’m wishing I could have been there. That’s okay though, because we’ve got the 7″ to share with you here today, and share it we shall.
So for starters, this 7″ comes with four brand new songs, with each song being equally as slow and as sad as the last. This stuff would go perfect while you’re looking out the window with your hand in your cheek on an exceptionally dreary day when the sky is gray with a light rain covering the ground around you. The coarse textures of their sound and the gloomy, moody howl of lead singer (name unknown, but it would go here) are the perfect match for each other, hereby proving that Philadelphia definitely has some noteworthy bands storming the lo-fi scene. If you were ever a fan of grunge music, or if you just like bands who spend their time recording obscure, spaced-out heroin-jams in their basement, then Creepoid is surely the band for you. Especially if you’re from Philadelphia, because you’ll be able to see them as many times as you need to. I bet you could find a shit-ton of drugs at one of their shows, too. Well, that goes for any show really. Except straight-edge shows and shit like that. That’s enough of my rambling – check out these songs below, and you can hear more from the 7″ on their Myspace.
Pink Tag Sale –
Magic Drum –
My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Slowcore, Psychedelic, Dream Pop, Lo-Fi
Yellow Life Giver 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Rotten Tooth
2.) Pink Tag Sale
3.) See-Through
4.) Magic Drum
BUY the 7″ right here, it won’t be around forever.
Creepoid on Myspace !
Creepoid on Bandcamp
Creepoid on Blogspot
Check out another project from some Creepoid members – The G
and watch them play w/ the Japandroids in Philadelphia!
HAPPY SEPTEMBER!
I’ve had these songs on my hard drive for at least a month now, and I never really got a chance to give them a nice, thorough listen until just yesterday. I’m kind of bummed that I waited this long too. Not because the records sold out or anything, but because that’s a months less of time I had to be enjoying this stuff in the hot, hazy months of summer – which is probably the best time to be listening to TEEN DAZE. I couldn’t really find a good bit of solid information on the man behind Teen Daze (even something as simple as his first name), but I did come across this awesome interview where he talks about his sudden internet fame, the story behind the name “Teen Daze”, and how his hometown city of Vancouver played an influence on his music. Pretty awesome, and definitely insightful.
“Four More Years” is the first official release from the Teen Daze camp, and it just came out pretty recently (on LP and in digital) from the Arcade Sound Ltd. imprint. Then in a little less than a month, Wonder Beard Tapes will be releasing “Four More Years” on cassette tape – in a limited edition of 100 copies and at a much more affordable price of just $5.00 (although the vinyl isn’t that expensive either). This way you have two easy (and affordable) ways of owning these dreamy, hazy Summer songs that have been driving everybody wild. Probably because of all the dancey beeps and boops that remind everyone of their old favorite Nintendo games. Or Sega. Whichever you prefer really. Although I think I’m leaning more towards Sega. One more thing: I can’t help but wonder if the airy, floating-through-space song “Shine On, You Crazy White Cap” is at all a reference to the Pink Floyd epic “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”. Who knows, but you can see why I would think that. Just check out these few songs right below, and then buy the vinyl. This way Summer is always alive…at least for as long as the record is spinning. Enjoy.
Four More Years –
Neon –
Shine On, You Crazy White Cap –
My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Electronic, Dream Pop
Four More Years: Tracklist:
1.) Four More Years
2.) Gone for the Summer
3.) Neon
4.) Around
5.) No Regrets
6.) Shine On, You Crazy White Cap
7.) Saviour
8.) Spin Around, Go Ahead
BUY the LP directly from Arcade Sound Ltd.
-or-
Wait a few weeks, and buy it on cassette from Wonder Beard Tapes – Limited to 100 and much cheaper
Teen Daze on Myspace
Follow Teen Daze on Tumblr !
In honor of the show this Friday night, I figured it would be more than appropriate to post this album up here today. Not only that, but it’s beyond worthy of having a spot on this blog and every music blog that’s ever covered any other type of shoegaze or dream pop band. I say this because Galaxie 500 is certainly a pivotal band when it comes to the genre and sound of shoegaze/ dream pop.
Ever since their formation and the release of their albums, shoegaze bands have always attempted to capture that unique Galaxie 500 sound, but they usually end up coming a bit short of their goals. This would be why these albums are so important to the genre, and if this wasn’t true, then why do people always come back to Galaxie 500? Did I mention yet that they just re-issued the entire G500 discography, live albums and all? See, that’s what I mean. If it wasn’t for a band like Galaxie 500, who knows what shoegaze and slowcore bands would sound like today. I’m sure it wouldn’t be some, huge, gigantic, groundbreaking difference, but who knows. Sometimes you just have to give credit when credit is due.
Whether it’s the snow or rain you’re stuck in, “On Fire” is one of those lousy day records you can put on to help you cope with the lameness of any dreary day. The warm, fuzzy, fiery breeze that is Galaxie 500 is sure to warm your soul and bring you to a much more solid state of mind, possibly helping you forget about any problems you may be experiencing (at least while the album’s still playing). Lead singer Dean Wareham is always there to greet us with his mundane lyrics about everyday activities, such as the weather, work, going to the corner store, fights, and whatever else qualifies as an everyday activity. It’s almost like his lyrics are a stream of consciousness going through his head that he just happened to get down on paper before it was too late and he forgot. Sometimes he’s shrieking, sometimes he sounds exceptionally lazy, but there’s one thing that is definitely constant: his guitar work. This guy knew how lay down some sick, face melting guitar licks back in 1989 when this album came out, and I can guarantee he still can do so if he’s about to come play these songs in Philadelphia one day from now.
Kicking off the album is the song “Blue Thunder”, which at first doesn’t sound like much, but as time goes on it begins to grow into something more. Wareham sings as if he’s sitting in the backseat of a car driving down the highway (Route 128 is a highway in Massachusetts) looking at all the passing scenery. Perhaps while messed up on some kind of drug, Wareham is referring to the blue haze he sees as everything passes him by, as depicted in this great music video. Skipping ahead to the song “Strange”, where Wareham once again sings to us about his day. This time it’s about his trip down to a lousy drug store, and he seems to be paranoid about his surroundings and the people around him. This definitely gives me the thought that poor Dean was bugging out, thinking that all these people were looking so strange and unreal. Can’t say what drug he was on (or if he was on one at all, wtf do I know?), but it definitely got to his head for this song.
Following this track comes the longest song from the original record, “When Will You Come Home”. It’s a slowcore jam out at it’s absolute finest, with Wareham desperately waiting for his girl to come home. About halfway through this one Wareham starts to tear shit up with an immense guitar solo that helps bring the song to it’s near-perfect end. Some serious shredding in this track – no joke. Again skipping ahead further in the album, this time to the song “Another Day”. This is the only song on the album sung by bassist Naomi Yang, and her gorgeous, healing voice makes this an extremely enjoyable listen. About halfway through the song breaks down with more intense, face melting guitar action, played by none other than Mr. Wareham himself. I honestly had more to say about this record, but I’m starting to run out of time. This post is also going to be huge.
I’m just going to skip ahead to one of the bonus tracks, specifically the song “Ceremony”. Now I know this might really urk some people out there, but how many times do you come across a cover song that actually exceeds the quality of it’s original recording? If you’re asking me, almost never. Galaxie 500 are the only band I have seen successfully complete this feat, and they have done so with this cover of Joy Divisions (and New Order’s) song “Ceremony”. Damon Krukowski’s relentless, crashing cymbals and the twang of Warehams trusty guitar make this song simply irresistible. Right before the four minute mark the song hits it’s peak, and Wareham begins to howl away about watching love grow forever while Krukowski continues to crash those cymbals. Keep listening and Wareham’s guitar playing starts to get more and more intricate as the song progresses. This is also one of those songs that seems to be forgotten about almost all of the time, probably because it’s original release was on this now-scarce “Blue Thunder EP” that came out back in 1990. Don’t worry though, I’m pretty sure this track made it onto the new reissue of this fantastic album. If you haven’t heard it, you probably shouldn’t go anywhere too soon. Would it help you listen if I said I thought this was thee perfect song?
This is an album I’ve spun countless times in several different situations (including in a car accident in a snowstorm), and I’d be lying if I didn’t say these songs and this band as a whole mean more to me than just music. Sometimes if you hear certain music at a crucial point in life, they always tend to stick with you and never let go – making the music mean that much more to a listener. With that being said, I am beyond ready to finally hear these songs come to life this Friday night at the Trocadero. Now I just hope he plays “Ceremony”. Bring it on!!! Thanks for reading!!!
Blue Thunder –
When Will You Come Home –
Another Day –
Ceremony –
My Rating: 10/10
Genre/ Tags: Shoegaze, Dream Pop, Slowcore
On Fire: Tracklist:
1.) Blue Thunder
2.) Tell Me
3.) Snowstorm
4.) Strange
5.) When Will You Come Home
6.) Decomposing Trees
7.) Another Day
8.) Leave the Planet
9.) Plastic Bird
10.) Isn’t It a Pity
11.) Victory Garden (Bonus Track)
12.) Ceremony (Bonus Track)
13.) Cold Night (Bonus Track)
BUY any G500 releases available @ Insound
Galaxie 500 on Myspace
Anything about G500 & more @ this awesome comprehensive website – A Head Full of Wishes
What’s up guys. I mentioned yesterday that I had a ton of fantastic new stuff pouring in these past few days, and this is just the beginning of the fun. I also mentioned that Titus Andronicus would be destroying our faces on live national television, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. You can check out the madness from the show right here – they played the first half of “A More Perfect Union”, and it was every bit of “glorious” as Mr. Stickles promised it would be.
Today we have a 7″ from the girls of SLEEP ∞ OVER, and boy did they whip up something delicious for us. Their brand new 7″ comes from the white-hot Forest Family Records label, (which means it’s probably going to sell out like all of their other releases) and it’s pressed in an edition of 500 on crystal-clear vinyl that’s bound to turn heads (just look at that cover art). The girls have some other material out there for our listening pleasure, but this one is already proving to be their most solid and accessible effort to date. Trust me when I say you guys DO NOT want to miss out on this stuff.
Imagine being thrown right in the middle of a spaced-out dream world where nothing around you is as real as it seems, but anything and everything is possible as long as you believe in it. In other words, if you can dream it, you can make it a reality. That is “La Rose”, and it’s so immensely dazed-out that it seems to put everything around you in slow motion, which makes me go on to say that it’s completely normal to lose yourself in the blissful, intoxicating, dreamy textures that this near-perfect song has to offer. I don’t know if people are going to agree, but I definitely feel like there are some elements of the chillwave sounds we’ve been talking about so much lately hidden in the music. Listen to the bass line of this song and tell me it doesn’t vaguely remind you of “Feel It All Around” by Washed Out, just slowed down a bit more. Huh? Maybe?!
Flip on over to the other side and you’ll find yourself in a similar position from where we left off. This side is called “Outer Limits”, and by the time you’re on this track you’ve probably already decided that this is a perfect 7″ record. Both songs have gospel like qualities, sounding exceptionally spiritual or heavenly, and they’re dripping with attitude. Now the only problem is deciding which of these two songs you like better, because let’s be honest people, this stuff is fantastic. Definitely be sure to snag a copy of this 7″, because I don’t think it’s going to be around for awhile before it’s gone for good. Not only is it on clear vinyl, but check out that cover art.
La Rose –
Outer Limits –
My Rating: 9/10
Genre/ Tags: Dream Pop, Experimental, Witch House
Outer Limits 7″: Tracklist
1.) La Rose
2.) Outer Limits
PREORDER the 7″ directly from Forest Family Records
Sleep ∞ Over/Pure Ecstasy Split 7″ previously posted on the Styrofoam Drone
Sleep ∞ Over on Myspace
Sleep ∞ Over on tumblr
Styrofoam Drone 