Look – it’s the new Real Estate 7″. I saw this gem in the record store yesterday, and I didn’t really think twice after seeing it – naturally it suddenly ended up in my hands. After that I brought it back home and put in on my record player. Then I ripped the songs, and now I’m here sharing it with you lovely people out there on the interweb. Funny how that works out. So in case you weren’t already aware, this is the new 7″ from Real Estate, complete with two fresh songs called “Out of Tune” and “Reservoir”. Not sure if this one is a limited pressing or anything like that, but it comes from the True Panther Sounds label, and you should probably get this one sooner than later – if it’s like other Real Estate singles, it won’t be around forever.
First song up is the crystal-clear “Out of Tune”, and this one also goes great with the weather and feel for this time of year. Joyous, delightful guitars change back and forth, going from clean cut to swirling and intoxicating, all while the bass line continues to punch through, keeping the song in line from beginning to end. There’s a slight psychedelic/ folky tone mixed into the song, but it doesn’t overshadow the poppy/ indie vibes. Lead singer Martin Courtney sings about watching the cars pass by on I-95, which is a major highway spanning the whole East coast, also passing through our fine city of Philadelphia. Now flip that shit for the B-side “Reservoir”.
Another crystal-clear track, this was a song Real Estate played on one of their more recent visits to Philadelphia. If you can remember back to April, this was that ‘new song’ that Real Estate played back @ the Barbary. At that point in time, the song was still unnamed, and it was only their third time playing it live, but they did say it would be out soon enough on a new 7″, so at least they kept their promise! Six months later it finally saw a physical release, and I’ve got it here for you all today. Check out the songs below, and if yr bored, check out Real Estate live in Philadelphia.
Out of Tune –
Reservoir –
My Rating: 7.2/10 Genre/ Tags: Indie Rock, Alt-Country, Pop Out of Tune 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Out of Tune
2.) Reservoir
Real Estate on Myspace ! BUY the 7″ directly from Insound Watch Real Estate & Family Portrait do their thing live in Philadelphia
Also related: Alex Bleeker & the Freaks 12″ from Underwater Peoples
This 7″ we have today was easily the most difficult piece of wax I’ve encountered since I started this blog. For starters, the only clue to anything on the 7″ would be the name of the band, THE WEDDING PRESENT. The name of the record label – Ramona Records – wasn’t even good enough to supply us with any solid information. This meant drastic measures needed to be taken.
The two names on either side of the record weren’t even the actual song names for their respective sides. Side one reads “The world’s least complex pop group”, and the other side reads “It’s what you want that matters,” and you would probably assume that these are the track names, but their not! So Ramona Records is completely non-existent on the interweb, and then they make you guess what the tracks are. Fun! If it weren’t for the lyrics of these songs, I may have never found the names, because to be honest, I snagged this 7″ in the record store just for the hell of it one day. I had no idea what I was getting into or what it was all about – but now I’m glad I picked it up, and for only $3.99! Of course, only after going through the process of figuring out the names of these damn songs!
After some thorough searching, I found that the two tracks were called “Flying Saucer” and “Dalliance”. “Flying Saucer” originally came from a compilation album called “Hit Parade 2”, while “Dalliance” came from their third album “Seamonsters”. Any experienced Wedding Present listener would probably already have known this – hence why I had to do some careful searching myself. Both of the tracks sound as if they were performed in some sort of live setting, because you can hear people cheering and carrying on at the beginning and the end of the songs.
“Flying Saucer” starts out like any song would, but you’ll probably notice right away that there’s a feeling of something bigger and better to come shortly down the road. You can just feel it with the strum of the guitar. Then, sure enough, the song continues to build as the guitars get fuller, more intricate and detailed, and before you know it you’ll be dying to hear this song again. Please don’t miss it, it’s one of those songs that has that power to keep you coming back over and over again. I’m slowly but surely discovering this quality right now.
PS – If I was wrong about anything above, PLEASE correct me by leaving a comment below.
Flying Saucer –
Dalliance –
My Rating: 7/10 Genre/ Tags: Indie Rock, Alternative, Pop Flying Saucer 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Flying Saucer
2.) Dalliance
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
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!
Home Together –
Tony Fatti –
Champ –
Our Get –
New Coat –
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
Yo! I have something slightly different for you guys today. I didn’t have to use that ‘lo-fi’ tag yet again for this post, which was definitely a great change of pace. So much coming out these days has that gritty lo-fi production, so it’s kind of nice to hear music like this for a change. I’m not gonna lie – I kind of forgot this stuff existed! Obviously joking, but this album is certainly a refreshing burst of music with a fuller sound and with overall better production. You get rich and warm layered recordings – definitely a quality that is lost with all of this upcoming ‘lo-fi’ stuff we’re always seeing. So let’s get on with it.
KID ICARUS is a band based out of Dunmore, Pennsylvania, and believe it or not, these guys have been around for longer than you might think. Eric Schlittler is the lead man, and it’s been this way since the bands inception way back in 1996. These guys have got at least seven different full length albums, including this one we’re talking about today. “Imaginary Songs & Aluminum Hits” would be the most recent, which is actually the first LP to come from Kid Icarus in over five years. It has a little bit of everything you’d want to hear, with the basis being mostly guitar-driven indie rock. On top of that, the band manages to work in their own unique blend of psychedelia, alongside an equal amount of a twangy folky flair. A few of these tracks have a good amount of heart ache weaved into the mix, as there is definitely a longing feeling in a few of these songs like “Encased” and “A Good Place to End”. Other times it seems like Schlittler is singing about what is happening right in front of him, almost like he’s giving us a play-by-play of exactly what his own two eyes perceive. It helps paint a nice picture as you listen to the songs, and it’ll definitely help you pay attention to the music, because you’ll be wondering what happens next.
Then there’s other songs on the album that were put down just to rock out. Songs like “Dig Architecture”, “Disappearing Act”, “Projection Loop” or “Figure A”, which features a metallic, screaming guitar that may or may not catch you off guard upon first listen. These are the songs that help you forget about the sad times. Then along comes a song like “Who’s Blues”, which kind of sits out of the loop with the rest of the songs in this. It’s like a quick trip to outer-space to record a song real quick and then come back down to Earth to finish the rest of the album. Shortly after this starts the pounding rhythm on “In My Windowed Life”.
These final three songs on the album play into each other almost perfectly, making quite a nice ending to this album. “In My Windowed Life” acts like an intro to the song “Victory Smokes, Victory Gin”, which is another song on it’s own on this album. It has an extremely heavy feel to it, almost like Schlittler has some burdens to unload before it’s all said and done. Heavenly guitars and lyrics about police intrusion make for an interesting story. Then comes “PA Year Zero”, which starts up with some delightful acoustic guitar. This song will definitely put a smile on your face if you’ve been having some hard times lately. Check out the songs I’m leaving for you guys below, because I think yr gonna like them. Whatever you do, don’t forget to listen to “Disappearing Act”. It rocks.
Dig Architecture –
Disappearing Act –
In My Windowed Life –
PA Year Zero –
My Rating: 8/10 Genre/ Tags: Indie Rock, Folk Rock, Psychedelic, Pop Imaginary Songs & Aluminum Hits: Tracklist:
1.) Dig Architecture
2.) A Good Place to End
3.) Disappearing Act
4.) My Mother the Car
5.) Figure A
6.) Encased
7.) Projection Loop
8.) Who’s Blues
9.) In My Windowed Life
10.) Victory Smokes, Victory Gin
11.) PA Year Zero
Kid Icarus – Official Website
Kid Icarus on Myspace BUY this LP directly from Summersteps Records – Limited to 250 !!!
More info. on Kid Icarus right here !
What’s up? Today looks like another lousy day in Philadelphia. The forecast calls for rain basically all day. The same thing happened yesterday day too – it’s such a bummer. If there was anything that made my rainy day exciting yesterday it was the fact that my brand new copy of the new WOMEN album “Public Strain” came in the mail.
That’s right, Women have a new album out, and it’s official release date is today, September 28th! In most places across the web (like Insound, and Aural Exploits), if you buy the album, it’ll come packaged with a limited edition 7″ featuring two new and unheard Women songs. That’s the 7″ I have here for you guys today. So the only way it seems to get this one yourself is to buy the new Women album from one of those places I just listed. I also actually saw they were offering the 7″ with purchase of the new album at my local record store, so that might be your best option. Either route you choose, please keep in mind – they only have the 7-inchers “while supplies last”, so order carefully!
First up on the A-side is a song called “Service Animal”, and the guitar work is enough to make yr head spin right off your shoulders. Spikey, spiny, and jagged guitars cut at your throat for most of the song, which at times has both noisy rock and pop qualities, while a rubbery, fat and slappy bass guitar keeps the song in order. The guitar progressions you can hear in this song are absolutely flawless, and they might actually catch you off guard at times. No wonder that guy on Pitchfork said “When you’re trying to tell a guy at your New Year’s Eve party where guitar-based indie rock is headed right now, remember to include Women” (the quote is at the very bottom of the list). But yeah, it’s pretty clear what he meant. This song “Service Animal” illustrates that quote perfectly.
Flip that 7″ over for another highly enjoyable listen, this time with a song called “Grey Skies”. It’s funny though, because with the way this song sounds, the sky seems like it would be any other color than the dull and unexciting color of grey. It’s much more laid back and delicate than the A-side was, and this song would go somewhat perfectly with a stroll through the park on a beautiful, cloudless day without a worry in the world. Definitely pure bliss up in this track.
It’s odd – I feel like both of these tracks could have been on “Public Strain”. Maybe they just ran out of space or something, because these two songs are like the answer to that “…To Be Continued” feeling you get once that epic album closer “Eyesore” finally fades out on their new album. Seriously though, if you haven’t heard that song yet, you’ve been missing out. It just might be my favorite of the year at this point. Check out both of the songs from the 7″ below, and please make time for a quick listen of “Eyesore”. You won’t be sorry – trust me.
PS – Women come to Philadelphia on October 10th @ Johnny Brenda’s
Service Animal –
Grey Skies –
Eyesore –
My Rating: 8.5/10 Genre/ Tags: Lo-Fi, Indie Rock, Experimental Service Animal 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Service Animal
2.) Grey Skies
Women on Myspace BUY the new Women LP “Public Strain” from Insound – The 7″ comes with yr order (while supplies last!)
Yo! So I saw Titus Andronicus and Free Energy last night in Philadelphia. I hope y’all don’t mind that I left behind the cameras and stuff, because there was WAYYY too many people there to be whipping out a camcorder in the middle of the (much) heated madness. It was extremely hot, and extremely packed.
If you’re from Philadelphia and also familiar with R5Productions, then you know what it’s like to be at a sold out show at the Church. It tends to be very unpleasant, that is until the bands you’ve been waiting for take the stage. Then suddenly everything is okay again. Like that weight is lifted off your shoulders. That weight being the hundreds of people behind you pushing and going ape-shit and just trying to scramble to the front. Except that never really stops – the people just keep pushing the whole time, like a never ending storm out at sea. You’ve only got three ways to escape the madness – 1.) stay up front until the show ends, 2.) crowd-surf the FUCK outta there and get to the back, and 3.) just turn around and try clawing your way out. The third is probably the most difficult way too.
So as some of you may already know, Titus Andronicus and Free Energy put together quite a treat for us before they set foot on this current tour (which actually ends this weekend in New York). It’s a split 7″ with one song from each band on either side. Titus Andronicus covers the Television Personalities “Anxiety Block”, while Free Energy take on Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m Going Down”. Both songs are excellently executed, and I’m having an exceptionally hard time trying to figure out which of these two covers I like better. Free Energy does a fantastic job of capturing some of that authentic Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band magic, while Titus does an equally awesome job of destroying faces and tearing shit up with their cover.
“Anxiety Block” is a fitting song for the way Titus usually does things – loud, excessive, relentless, and triumphant. And Paul Sprangers (of Free Energy) voice is surprisingly soothing and comforting in their Bruce cover, complemented by some flawless guitar playing that even the Boss himself might be a bit jealous of. Not that he has anything to worry about. I’m sure he’d approve of this cover. And I’m sure you guys will, too. It’s a magical track indeed – kind of like love at first listen. Check out both sides of this 7″ below, and if you live in either Washington D.C. or New York, it’s still not too late to catch both of these bands live in action. Because let’s be serious people – that’s how Titus Andronicus and Free Energy were meant to be experienced.
Anxiety Block –
I’m Going Down –
My Rating: 9/10 Genre/ Tags: Covers, Indie Rock, Classic Rock Split Tour 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Titus Andronicus – Anxiety Block (Television Personalities)
2.) Free Energy – I’m Going Down (Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band)
If you haven’t heard JAILL just yet, you should probably stick around for a bit and read this post. Their story is quite an interesting one. Apparently these guys have been making music together since like 2002 or something like that, and if it wasn’t for their efforts before this Sup Pop release we’re talking about today, we probably wouldn’t be talking about this album at all right now. Relatively unknown to many people, Jaill actually had a first full length record before this one from Sub Pop, called “There’s No Sky (Oh My My)”. It was originally released on cassette by Burger Records in California, and then they recently re-released it in much-needed vinyl format. So as the story goes, if it wasn’t for that first record, they probably never would have caught the seasoned ears of the people over at Sub Pop, who in turn made plans to release “That’s How We Burn”, the second full length effort from these Midwestern poppy-psych rockers. Oh yeah, one more thing: they didn’t always have that second “L” in their name.
So for starters, this is quite the addicting release. Each song is unique and has a mind of it’s own, and once you get into some of these songs, it’s going to be really hard to forget them. Sub Pop has a knack for signing bands who are capable of this (see also: Happy Birthday). Lead singer Vincent Kircher takes vocal duties in the band with quite a unique singing voice, and he’s backed by his “rarely sleazy” group of guys Austin Dutmer, Andrew Harris and Ryan Adams who together make up Jaill.
These guys would probably agree that their music takes many different forms at many different times, bringing different genres and sounds to the table from track to track of the LP. At times they sound blissfully poppy (Everyone’s Hip, She’s My Baby), but they can switch it up pretty quickly with a hair-raising psychedelic tinge with face-melting solos and lightning fast drum fills that are undeniably awesome (On the Beat, How’s the Grave). Then there’s a song like “Summer Mess”, which is kind of on it’s own on this LP. It’s a highly enjoyable acoustic number, with a story about attempts to cheer up a friend, and it slowly builds up as the song progresses. An absolutely perfect and uplifting lead guitar comes in about 3/4 of the way through, and it’s a done deal after that. I just wonder if this song wouldn’t be such a “mess” if Kircher wasn’t always getting high and looking for his lighter. Seriously though, the albums called “That’s How We Burn”…and he’s always singing about being high. These guys definitely smoke a good amount of weed.
My Rating: 8/10 Genre/ Tags: Indie Rock, Psychedelic, Pop That’s How We Burn: Tracklist:
1.) The Stroller
2.) Everyone’s Hip
3.) On the Beat
4.) Thank Us Later
5.) Summer Mess
6.) She’s My Baby
7.) Snake Shakes
8.) Demon
9.) Baby I
10.) How’s the Grave
11.) That’s How We Burn
Yo, happy LABOR Day! So over the past few days I’ve gone to the record store, gotten stuff in the mail (and I’m waiting for even more), and even had a really awesome friend send me some records that I otherwise never would have gotten. What does this mean to you? Well, simply that I have enough new music put aside to share with you guys for at least a whole week. I don’t know about you, but that makes me pretty psyched for the upcoming week. Not only that, but I may or may not have a VERY exciting announcement coming in the next few days, but we’ll see – nothing has been decided just yet. When the time comes you can be sure I’ll fill you in. In the meantime you can check everything we’ve got in store for the week. First up – the brand new 7″ single from the upcoming DEERHUNTER album “Halcyon Digest”.
In case you weren’t already aware, the album comes out on September 28th (which isn’t too far off), and it’s being released on the 4AD label. The closest we’ve got to hearing the album so far would come from two different sources – the first one is this music video for the song “Helicopter”, and then this 7″ I have here today. The 7″ comes with a song from the new album called “Revival”, and then an exclusive B-side track called “Primitive 3D” which won’t be on “Halcyon Digest”. This little slab of 7″ wax comes pressed on gorgeous white vinyl in a limited edition pressing of 350, so you’ll probably want to snag that one pretty quickly if you’re interested in having this 7″. I was lucky enough to find it in my local record stores this weekend, so be sure to check yours too. So if you haven’t heard either of these songs yet, be sure to check them out right below. The uplifting guitars in “Primitive 3D” are enough to make you wish that this song was going to be included on the album when it comes out. Enjoy.
Revival –
Primitive 3D –
My Rating: 7.5/10 Genre/ Tags: Indie Rock, Psychedelic, Experimental Revival 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Revival
2.) Primitive 3D
BUY this 7″ directly from Insound – White vinyl and limited to 350 !
Deerhunter on Myspace
Deerhunter (and more) on Blogspot
For the past 24 hours or so, this self-titled LP from Magic Bullets has been making it hard for me to listen to anything else. This appears to be their second full-length, and it was put out by Mon Amie Records just recently. Contrary to what you may have heard, Magic Bullets have been around for quite some time, originally forming back in 2004 as a side project for another band that I don’t know the name of. Since then they have released two full-length records, an EP, and a 7″, each filled to the brim with their infectious blend of jangly, frantic pop music that’s just great.
At times evoking a bright, sunny, Spring morning, Magic Bullets are definitely the kind of band that gets stuck under your skin, and trust me when I say it’s going to take awhile for that addiction to wear off. If you’ve ever heard of Okkervil River before, you may or may not agree that lead singer Philip Benson at times sounds like Will Sheff from Okkervil, but that’s for you to decide. Every other description I’ve read also mentions that these guys sound like the Smiths as well, but to be completely honest, I would have no idea if that’s true or not. I’ve never really listened to the Smiths, but if it sounds anything like this I’m sure I would be interested. Maybe I should look into that.
In the meantime, I want you guys to check out these songs below from their LP. It’s going to be hard to try and resist the delightful call of the jangly guitars, or their groovy, elastic bass lines, or the frantic singing of Philip Benson that make these songs so memorable, but hopefully you’ll enjoy it. If you’ve only got time to listen to one song, I’m going to have to suggest “Sigh the Day Away”. It takes the whole album to reach this song if you’re listening all the way through, but I think this only means they saved the best for last. Melodramatic vocals and an irresistible guitar hook played over top of a grooving, dance-worthy bass line is the recipe for absolute perfection. Please check this stuff out!
A Day Not So Far Off –
Pretend & Descend –
Lying Around –
Sigh the Day Away –
My Rating: 8/10 Genre/ Tags: Pop, Indie Rock Magic Bullets: Tracklist:
1.) A Day Not So Far Off
2.) They Wrote a Song About You
3.) Pretend & Descend
4.) Lying Around
5.) Young Shoulders
6.) Red Room
7.) On Top of the World
8.) A Name Sits Heaviest on My Heart
9.) Millions of People Running Around
10.) China Beach
11.) Sigh the Day Away
BUY the LP directly from Insound
Magic Bullets on Myspace!
Magic Bullets on Blogspot
Styrofoam Drone 