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. 😉

Crystal Stilts – Shake the Shackles 7″

Hey! Tons of new music just keeps pouring in these last few days. First we had Kurt Vile and his new 7″, and then there’s Real Estate with their new single, and don’t forget about the new Beach Fossils 7″ either.

All these better known bands are currently hard at work putting their new albums together for us (not sure if they all have new albums coming), most of which are set to come out in the new year, and CRYSTAL STILTS are certainly no exception to this happening. Although the band has been silent since their last release in 2009, that doesn’t exactly mean you should just forget about them. Crystal Stilts are indeed back on the scene, and these two new songs of theirs just might be their best.

Without any new material for most of 2009 and basically all of 2010, one might imagine that when a band comes back with new recordings, they might not be so special. That is FAR from being the case with this new single from the Stilts. And even though they weren’t putting out new stuff, that doesn’t mean they weren’t still touring and playing together as a band.

These two new tracks are stunningly awesome, and both have a darker, brooding tone, which is exactly what the Crystal Stilts are best at. Crunchy, noisy guitars, otherworldly keyboards, jangly drumming, a moody sounding Brad Hargett – they bring it all back to the table right from where they left off, only they do it bigger and better this time. If these tracks can garner this kind of praise, just imagine what their full length is going to be like come 2011. I can now say without regret that one of my most anticipated albums of 2011 is definitely whatever comes from these guys (and Woodsman).

Shake the Shackles –

Magnetic Moon –

My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Lo-Fi, Pop
Shake the Shackles 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Shake the Shackles
2.) Magnetic Moon

Crystal Stilts on Myspace
BUY the 7″ directly from Slumberland Recs – Only $4 on white vinyl !!

Royal Baths – Baths 7″

ROYAL BATHS is a three piece band hailing from San Francisco, California. Their name was originally just The Baths, but they changed it up to avoid confusion with the other California band Baths. If you ask me, Royal Baths sounds better anyway, so good move. These guys just put out their debut LP from the Woodsist label in September, which means slowly but surely this band will start clawing it’s way up the popularity scale – because that’s what awesome labels do, right? Speaking of awesome labels, they also have an upcoming 7″ from Hozac Records as well. But the 7″ we have here today is different – before the LP that just came out, this looks like it was their only official release.

The 7″ we’re talking about today comes from Rad Key Records, and it doesn’t look like you can pick this one up anywhere besides Royal Baths shows. It’s got two songs – neither of which are on the new LP – and their both equally dark and menacing, with lyrics like “learning to laugh at the black in my soul,” and “I think of death and murder, all the time.”

While that’s certainly depressing even out of context, just wait until you hear it paired with the music. This is foreboding, downer-rock at it’s finest, and the added factor of morbid lyrics only helps progress the authenticity of the lifeless, decaying moods found within the songs. Strangely enough, if you can get past the downer qualities, these jangly songs will find their way under your skin. Which is a great thing, because now I want to check out that full length from Woodsist – which is exactly what a 7″ should make you want to do. Maybe we can talk about that soon. Check out the A-side “Be Afraid of Me” right below, and then head to their Myspace where you can hear the B-side “Black Sheep”. One more thing – it sounds like these guys could put on a rad live show.

Be Afraid of Me –

My Rating: 6.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Psychedelic, Garage Rock, Lo-Fi, Drone
Baths 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Be Afraid of Me
2.) Black Sheep

Royal Baths on Myspace
Royal Baths on Last.fm
Check out their debut full length from Woodsist

Moon Women – Listen Closely Cassette

It’s always nice to have clarification on things you weren’t entirely sure about. Waaaay back this past April, I went to a show at the Danger Danger Gallery in Philadelphia to see the Strange Boys. One of the opening bands that night was a local Philly band named MOON WOMEN. Now I didn’t know this at the time, but it turns out that that was their very first show performing as Moon Women. In my write-up from the show, I mentioned how the lead guitarists amp broke in the middle of their set, but I was never totally sure that’s what had happened. Sure enough, that was the case, and go figure that it happens during their very first show together – what a bummer. The dudes in the band recently got in touch me with regarding their debut release, a cassette-single (cassingle, if you will) featuring two brand new original songs, and it’s a hell of a first effort.

“Listen Closely” starts off on a mysterious note, and shortly after the rhythm section joins in to give the song it’s structure. Right away the bass line forces you to bob your head along to the beat, and the heavy, textured guitars are right up in your grill. They help create a huge wall of sound for the song, incorporating psychedelic qualities as well as some nods to shoegaze. There’s even an out-of-this-world organ worked into the mix, which gives the song it’s third-world qualities, and once it’s joined with the guitar, you’re not going to know what hit you (and now I understand why the amp broke that night – just listen to this stuff).

This song becomes an instant classic, and that infectious bass line still continues to rock on, keeping you in it’s grasp for the better part of the entire song. Not every band has much success putting qualities like this together in one single song, but Moon Women certainly made it work this time. Check out the awesome music video for this song, featuring clips of old, grainy VHS tapes found in local Philadelphia libraries, and don’t forget to check out the other side of the tape, “A Collection of Thought” – it has some awesome guitar progressions and more of that enormous Moon Women sound that I am now extremely fond of. Hopefully you will be too – check out the whole tape below, and also the video.

Listen Closely –

A Collection of Thought –

My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Psychedelic, Post-Punk, Garage Rock
Listen Closely Cassette: Tracklist:
1.) Listen Closely
2.) A Collection of Thought

Moon Women – Official Website
Send $3 and yr address to mooncommand@gmail.com for your very own Moon Women tape – Limited to 50 !

Vermillion Sands – 20 Hours 7″

What’s up! If you were around at the beginning of last week, then you might remember me saying something about a new Vermillion Sands 7″. While the Sands were on their short tour of the United States, they stopped in Chicago to pick up some of their newly pressed records from Trouble in Mind. Now it’s about time they start to unleash the 7″ to the rest of the world, as they’ve began taking orders for the 7″ from multiple outlets. With this release, it adds yet ANOTHER 7″ to the ever-expanding Vermillion Sands discography, and it comes with one brand new, unheard song.

The A-side features the new song called “20 Hours”, while the B-side is filled out with a re-recorded version of their song “The Last Day” from their full length LP. Right away with the choppy guitar intro on “20 Hours”, you’ll be in familiar Vermillion Sands territory. Relentlessly rolling drums and a bouncing bass line help keep the song in order as Anna and the gang plow on through with fuzzy guitars, cowbell hits, and even a harmonica. That familiar freshly robbed bank feeling is certainly present in these songs, kind of like a bandit who just mounted up on his horse to make his daring escape. Now you just have to make it out alive, or it’s bound to be your LAST DAY. Ha, band joke. Listen to “20 Hours” below, along with the LP version of “The Last Day”, and don’t forget to check out the live videos of the Vermillion Sands playing in the basement. Good times.

20 Hours –

The Last Day (LP Version, not from this 7″) –

My Rating: 6.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Folk Rock, Country, Italian
20 Hours 7″: Tracklist:
1.) 20 Hours
2.) The Last Day

Check out the VERMILLION SANDS performing live in Philadelphia
BUY the 7″ either here or here – Limited to 500 on random colored vinyl !
Vermillion Sands on Myspace
All things Vermillion Sands from the Styrofoam Drone

Harlem – LSD Saves 7″

Here we go. Today we’ve got a 7″ from HARLEM, a band that once originated in Tucson, AZ and then relocated to Austin, TX. Upon moving to Austin these guys began to pick up a following, and then they released their first LP called “Free Drugs ;-)” in 2008. The progression would only prove to get better for the band, because then they were signed to Matador for a second LP, this time called “Hippies”. That LP just came out this past April, and the songs we have on this 7″ today come from the post-Hippies recordings. They were not included on “Hippies”, but very well could have been.

A-side “LSD Saves” starts off with a rowdy guitar hook and the feeling of party time on a Saturday night. While LSD may not exactly be regarded as a “party” drug, it seems like it could work with this song. Lead singer Michael Coomers sings about how he loves “hanging around with all my friends”, and also making claims that “LSD saves the human race.” Thoughts about how this drug can save the human race might sound like a bogus claim, but you probably shouldn’t judge until you’ve taken some for yourself. Because usually, these kinds of thoughts would only come to be if you are indeed tripping on acid. So step in his shoes, because it’s the only time it would make sense. The part about hanging with friends is just a given, because who wants to trip alone?

Flip over to the B-side for a song called “Mood Ring”. It’s equally as rowdy as the last, featuring even more addicting guitar hooks that get drilled into yr brain, forcing you to listen again and again. So check out these songs below! I’m uploading them both because I couldn’t find them ANYWHERE ELSE on the web before I ripped my 7″. So please enjoy.

LSD Saves –

Mood Ring –

My Rating: 7.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Indie Rock, Pop
LSD Saves 7″: Tracklist:
1.) LSD Saves
2.) Mood Ring

BUY the 7″ directly from Insound
Harlem on Myspace

White Denim – Last Day of Summer

For a good while, the WHITE DENIM camp was pretty silent. No announcements of any new records or tours or anything of the sort, even through the past Summer. Been waiting for them to tour the East coast for waaay too long at this point – the waiting is starting to get old. And then – just over a week ago, seemingly out of nowhere – White Denim announced that they had a brand new, free full length record for everybody to download. Talk about surprises.

Packaged along with their exciting announcement, they revealed that they had a brand new guitarist in the band, that they would be touring the West coast in October (go figure), and that they had ANOTHER new record to share with the world in due time. So let’s recap that all real quick: They have a new guitarist and his name is Austin Jenkins. They’re starting their tour of the West coast on October 16th in their home state of Texas, and last but not least, the announcement of their TWO new records. The first is the one that’s free for download. The second would be their third official full length album. That third album is still untitled, but they’ve been hard at work all summer, and they should be wrapping it all up by the end of October. In case yr wondering where I got all this information (because I would be myself), then follow this link here, and here.

So in the mean time while we wait for this third record, White Denim was nice enough to set these other songs free and call it “Last Day of Summer”. They say “This record is something we made as a little summer retreat from our ongoing work on the third full length. Many of these tunes have been bouncing around since the formation of the band back in 06.” So there you have it – that’s the story behind the songs. You can read the rest of that quote right here, where you can also download the record, and even support the band for their efforts. And maybe you should think twice about supporting! Think about it – they just basically released a full length album for free – something that definitely takes up mounds of valuable time and effort. Something they could also make much more money on if they pleased – but no! They did this for the fans. So do them a huge favor and show some support! They’ll need it on their upcoming tour!

Now, divert your attention to the music – in case you can’t do that just yet, first download the album. Now start listening! You’ll first notice the track “I’d Have It Just the Way We Were”, which was originally on their second album “Fits”. Only they changed it up a bit this time. Then comes the joyous, smile-inducing piano in the beautiful mess of the second track “Home Together”.

Seriously though, it’s really hard to write about these White Denim songs. Nothing ever settles down – there’s constant movement all the time. They never keep a sound or pattern going for too long so you can pin it down. It’s like they don’t want you to stop dancing – ever. Things are usually like a huge, sprawling mess that only White Denim could decipher. One song ends, and the other one starts – no drawn out intros or anything that might get old too quickly. They’re constantly seeking out what’s next – whether it’s the chiming, jazzy, elevator-like music of “Incaviglia” with it’s gorgeous guitar playing and unsettling drums. Or the straight down and dirty grit of the song “Champ” – which kind of drifts into space about halfway through – there’s guaranteed to be something to tickle your fancy on this new batch of WD songs.

There’s so much that could be said about the music. Sadly, I’d probably be here all day talking about it if I could, too. Other songs like “Our Get” and “New Coat” start going in opposite directions, but nothing unfamiliar for White Denim. “Our Get” somewhat reminds me of “Syncn” from the end of “Fits”, with that head in the clouds feeling. While “New Coat” is just another undeniably perfect song. It’s got that reassuring and warm, sun-in yr-eyes feeling that only White Denim could possibly whip up. Just trust me when I say, that each and every one of these songs has something unique and fresh about them – there’s a reason to like every last song on the album. If this is how their free album turns out, just imagine what it’s gonna be like when we have to pay for the music! YES! BRING THAT SHIT ON RIGHT NOW!

My Rating: 9/10
Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Indie Rock, Experimental
Last Day of Summer: Tracklist:
1.) I’d Have It Just the Way We Were
2.) Home Together
3.) Tony Fatti
4.) If You’re Changing
5.) Incaviglia
6.) Light Light Light
7.) Some Wild Going Outward
8.) Champ
9.) Shy Billy
10.) Our Get
11.) Through Your Windows
12.) New Coat

BUY White Denim releases directly from Insound
DOWNLOAD Last Day of Summer completely for FREE – Don’t forget to donate!
White Denim on Myspace
White Denim – Fits & Workout Holiday previously on the Drone

Young Adults – Black Hole

If you haven’t heard of YOUNG ADULTS yet, stick around and learn a thing or two. These guys hail from Allston, Massachusetts, and they formed not very long ago in October of 2009. They definitely play a large part in the ever-growing scene that is constantly expanding up in the Boston area – which also includes a few other bands that have been featured on the Drone, like DOOMSTAR! and Girlfriends.

These bands all certainly have a little bit of something in common, and it’s not just their music. Part of it would be that they’re all responsible for the emerging punk and garage rock scene that is taking the Boston area by storm right now. There’s going to be a video documentary on this happening up in Boston, and Young Adults play a big role in that documentary. A film production company in Massachusetts called ExNoise, in association with Foundwaves, will be shooting the documentary and it’s going to be funded by Kickstarter. This will certainly be an interesting watch – can’t wait to hear more about it!

But yeah, put all that information aside for a second, and learn that the Young Adults debut LP is upon us! Yes, it’s true! In this coming November, AMDISCS – a record label based out of Prague in the Czech Republic – will release this debut LP in an edition of 500, and it will also be available digitally in places like iTunes. But seriously, I know you guys are all going to buy the vinyl, so I probably don’t even need that little digital format blurb – right?!

Buy it, and you get nearly 40 minutes of a heavy, glowing mix of garage rock and punk that’s just too good to forget about. Glowing because of all the invigorating, ambient lead guitar that dominates songs like “Let Us Out”, “Wasting Time”, “Rip it Up”, “Impression”, and “Campfires”, amongst many others – and punk because these guys just tear shit up without ever turning around to see the destruction they just caused. They even cover The Wipers song “Over the Edge”, which definitely confirms their punky influences. But no matter what you’re into, you should definitely free up some time to listen to these songs below. All three are highly recommended and shortly after listening, you’ll be eagerly awaiting this debut LP of theirs (as well as the documentary!). Hopefully this growing Boston scene will continue churning out new jams like these.

Wasting Time –

Rip It Up –

Drifting –

My Rating: 8.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Punk, Ambient
Black Hole: Tracklist:
1.) (Reverie 1)
2.) Let Us Out
3.) Wasting Time
4.) Black Surf
5.) Rip It Up
6.) Impression
7.) Over the Edge
8.) Life Under Review
9.) Annulation
10.) Bummer Summer
11.) Drifting
12.) (Reverie 2)
13.) Campfires

Young Adults on Facebook
DOWNLOAD their demo for FREE! – features five songs from the coming LP!
More info. on Young Adults @ AMDISCS – Pre-orders (most likely) coming soon…

Dead Ghosts – Live Tapes 12″

Vancouver’s own DEAD GHOSTS have been pulling in quite a bit of excitement lately. I first heard of these guys with their awesome 7″ from the Goodbye Boozy label, and since then it’s kind of been like love at first listen. Soon enough they’re going to be back on the scene with a brand new full length record from the Florida’s Dying label, and it looks like that’s going to be out sometime in October. But before this full-length hit’s the shelves, Dead Ghosts just put out another 12″ from the Psychic Lunch imprint, featuring songs that were all recorded in a live setting. Originally, this release was put out in cassette form from Southpaw Records (more info. on the cassette version right here), and now it’s got a vinyl release with a slightly different tracklisting. Pretty cool.

So – we’ve got nine new Dead Ghosts songs on this beautiful slab of single-sided, clear vinyl, in a limited edition of 300. Luckily for you, this is the only item that isn’t sold out at the Psychic Lunch store (with the exception of a few t-shirts). So if you want this one, it’s probably best to buy it as soon as possible. I certainly wouldn’t wait too long.

As I already mentioned, each song was recorded live, and it puts on a fantastic display of what these Dead Ghosts would sound like in a live setting. The energy is certainly palpable as they rock out and plow through these nine new songs. This is a bunch of bros putting on a fine display of what garage rock should sound like – sometimes doing it up with bluesy qualities, and other times touching on the psychedelic side of the fence – but never forgetting about their women! The guitar twang is simply irresistible, and I’m pretty psyched to check out this new full length when it’s finally unleashed to the world. Until then, we’ll just have to sit tight. Check out these songs from the 12″ below – but be careful – these songs WILL get stuck in yr head. “Thunderbird ESQ” especially (which is a Gories cover)! You’ve been warned!

Girl Across the Street –

What to Do –

I Want Your Love –

Thunderbird ESQ –

My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Lo-Fi, Live
Live Tapes 12″: Tracklist:
1.) Staying In
2.) Girl Across the Street
3.) Messed Up
4.) What to Do
5.) Detroit Jerry
6.) I Want Your Love
7.) Getting Older
8.) Haunted House
9.) Thunderbird Esq

BUY it from Psychic Lunch Records – Limited to 300 on one-sided clear vinyl!
Dead Ghosts on Myspace !
Dead Ghosts on Facebook
Dead Ghosts – That Old Feeling 7″ previously posted on the Drone

Wheels on Fire – The Cherry Bomb EP

Yo yo! So sorry for the past few post-less days. I spent my weekend in New York City with some awesome people. I got to see some fantastic bands like Pavement, Titus Andronicus, and Free Energy, and now I’m back in Philadelphia ready to get back to the usual daily grind. Which on top of blogging, unfortunately includes dreaded school work that I would rather not spend my precious time doing. Nobody really wants to do that shit, they just have to. Unless I’m totally wrong and you like sitting at a computer for three hours typing some paper you won’t care about ever again once you’re finished it.

Before I went away for the weekend, I stocked up my mp3 player with some righteous new tunes to listen to and check out to keep me blog-busy, and I think what stood out most was a 7″ from Anthens, Ohio natives WHEELS ON FIRE. It’s smart, honest, and guitar driven poppy garage rock that’s about as addicting as music comes these days. I just ordered the 7″ when I got home so I can spin it over and over again. I suggest you do the same!

The 7″ comes with four songs clocking in at just under 12 minutes long, and each track includes a memorable hook or catchy lyrics that’s bound to keep you coming back for more. Whether it’s the catchy guitar hook at the end of “Cherry Bomb”, or the witty break up lyrics in “Broken Up”, this band is bound to turn heads with their infectious take on the sometimes psych-ish, sometimes bluesy guitar-driven garage rock. Don’t forget to check out the two songs from the 7″ below, and then hopefully you’ll see what these dudes are all about. You should definitely consider snagging that 7″ while you can as well, because I’m sure it won’t be around forever. See ya tomorrow.

Broken Up –

Cherry Bomb –

My Rating: 9/10
Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Alternative, Blues Rock
The Cherry Bomb EP: Tracklist:
1.) Black Wave
2.) Broken Up
3.) Cherry Bomb
4.) Go Give Yer Love Away

Wheels on Fire on Myspace !
BUY the 7″ directly from Kind Turkey Records – 500 copies total w/ 100 on purple vinyl – GET SOME!