Hey, hopefully everybody’s been having a good holiday week. With Thanksgiving and Black Friday now past us, it looks like things are finally going back to normal. Well, at least until Christmas gets a little closer anyway. We all know how hectic that gets. To finish up the week I’ve got quite an awesome and interesting record here, and I think yr gonna enjoy it very much. Continue reading “Brain Idea – The Survival Scrolls”
Coming from a small independent DIY label based in Plymouth, Portsmouth and Weymouth (depending on the season) comes a split 7″ from Exeter’s New Years Evil and Falmouth’s The Black Tambourines. The name of the label is Art Is Hard Records (which could be a reference to Cursive?), and this happens to be their second official release. Their first release was put out in quite a unique fashion, as they sold t-shirts along with a download card of a compilation album from nine of their favorite local bands. This time they stuck to the traditions of putting this 7″ out on wax, but who knows what’s to come down the road. It seems like these two brotherly bros running the show have some new and innovative ideas up their sleeves.
While we don’t know what’s coming next, we can always bring our attention to what we have right now. It’s a 7″ with a song on each side, one from New Years Evil called “Shame”, and one from The Black Tambourines called “Tommy”. New Years Evil come at you full force in “Shame” with crazy rampant drumming, springy bass lines, and some fiery guitar licks that are sure to please. The guitar undoubtedly gets crazy during the final minute after a quick build up, resulting in mind-bending solo action that literally sounds like the dudes fingers were on fire while he played.
Flip that wax and it’s time for the B-side “Tommy”, which starts out on a slower note, only to quickly pick up speed. After that injection of energy the song takes form, bringing concentrated, almost fuzzy guitars to the table with a scuzzy wall of lo-fi grit filling out the song. The tom-tom driven drumming is enough to keep your feet tapping along as the choppy guitars continue to tear everything up in their path, and there’s even some cheerful “woo-woo” chanting in there to help lift the mood that much more, as if this song wasn’t perky enough already. After the joyful chants and forceful drumming, the song starts to slowly fade away into a mysterious abyss with some careful guitar picking, which brings the song to an end. Without a doubt these two songs need to be heard, and you can do so simply by playing them below. If you’re really feeling daring today, why not visit Art Is Hard Records and snag a copy for yourself? I’m sure it’ll be worth it. See ya tomorrow.
New Years Evil – Shame –
The Black Tambourines – Tommy –
My Rating: 7.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Lo-Fi, Pop
Split 7″: Tracklist:
1.) New Years Evil – Shame
2.) The Black Tambourines – Tommy
New Years Evil on Myspace
New Years Evil on Bandcamp
The Black Tambourines on Myspace
The Black Tambourines on Facebook
BUY the 7″ directly from Art is Hard Records
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.
Triple Eyed –
Boost Up –
I Feel as the Zion –
Change Now Stop –
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
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
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 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
Here’s something for you guys to go into the weekend with. It’s the Art Fag 7″ from DUNES, a three-piece band hailing from Los Angeles. This three person group is made up of Kate Hall, who is originally from the now defunct Mika Miko, Stephanie Chan from Finally Punk, and Mark Greshowak from Talbot Tagora.
Together these guys create some dreamy post-punk numbers with a hint towards a darker realm where forgotten souls woefully waste away. The songs generally have a slower, lazier energy, complemented by wonky, punchy bass lines and mysterious lead guitar work. At times I hear slight comparisons to Grass Widow, a band we just talked about at the beginning of the week. Maybe that has something to do with both bands being from California and both having female singers. Either way I’m sure these obscure, echoed-out dream-jams will steadily work their way into your rotation whether you planned on it or not.
Limited to only 500 copies on the first press, this 7″ sold out almost immediately the first time it was put out. There’s a repress from Art Fag in the works, but you can snag a copy over @ Insound right this very moment without waiting for a repress! This way you can listen to gorgeous songs like “Dream House” right from the comfort of your very own record player! The track starts out pretty slow but gains momentum from the guitars as they start to pick things up. A little before the two minute mark things change direction, and suddenly the lead guitar is in complete control as the song continues to get fuller and more tribal like. The guitars here are pretty hypnotizing as they continue to swirl and build above your head until the song finally comes to a close.
Hear this great track for yourself along with “Armor”, which begins with a dark desolate intro quickly transforming into a mystical jangly guitar jam. You can also hear “Little Stems” on the Dunes Myspace if you want more. That is all! Enjoy your weekend and see you on Monday – already got a few gems lined up!
Armor –
Dream House –
My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Psychedelic, Post-Punk, Lo-Fi, Slowcore
Old Souls 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Armor
2.) Little Stems
3.) Dream House
Dunes on Myspace
BUY the 7″ directly from Insound – Limited to 500 !
This article from Oh My Rockness has some info. on the band
What’s up dudes. We’ve got the new full length player from PURLING HISS today, and it’s quite a brain-burner. Mike Polizze, who is from Philadelphia, is the main man behind the music, but this isn’t the only place you can find his work. You’ve probably also heard of Bird of Maya if you’re already familiar with Purling Hiss, but it seems as if he’s been concentrating on Purling Hiss a bit more lately. This is the second full-length to come from the band this year, only this time it’s a bit different from previous efforts.
Before this album, most Purling Hiss songs were long and drawn out heavy psych-jams that left you wondering what the hell just took place. This time around they went with more traditional song formats, keeping tracks no longer than the five minute mark. But don’t worry, they certainly didn’t get rid of the loud psych-y stuff. It’s a good thing too. Hopefully Polizze keeps it up at this moonlighting job, because these new Purling Hiss songs totally rock.
Things start off on a familiar note with this album. There’s no point where you’ll be wondering who this stuff came from. The first track “Run From the City” starts off right away with a screeching guitar hook, and soon enough you’ll begin to notice the song building up more and more. The squeal of Polizze’s guitar is enough to make your heart sing as he keeps tearing it up with that same hook. It doesn’t get much radder than that – a mind-blowing riff played over and over again while the drums and everything else tries to match the intensity. If anything is apparent after listening to this song, it’s that this dude has some serious talent. Next is the instrumental track “Porch Dude/ Slight Return”, and it’s a great way to follow up. This one has a funky urban feel to it. The guitars and whatnot continue to swirl over your head helping to progress the song, and this one should keep you grooving without a doubt. Then comes “Don’t Even Try It”, which is what music in a daze should sound like. It’s especially dreamy and hazy, which brings me to say that if warmth had a sound, this would be it. The shape shifting acoustic guitar goes great with the “woo-ooh-ooh”, making for a great sing along if you know the lyrics.
Skipping ahead to track five, “Ojos Locos” – which translates to “crazy eyes” in English. The first 30 seconds or so don’t really hint at what’s to come, wait til about 45 seconds in and the fun begins. Suddenly there’s a happy ska flair that comes along with that bouncy guitar riff, which makes the song upbeat but kind of muffled at the same time. It’s a strange balance, but once again this band dazzles as they manage to make it work out so nicely. Either way the happy vibes are flowing! Moving ahead to “Beautiful Earth Creature”, this song is bound to strike a soft spot. You can’t exactly understand everything Polizze is singing, but there’s some parts that are easier to decipher than others. The highlight of this song though comes in the lead guitar work, just listen below and you’ll know what I mean. Following that comes “Malice in Wonderland”, which definitely qualifies as the most obscure and out-of-line track on the album. I’m not entirely sure what’s making all those heavy sounds, but it certainly helps create some intense, vivid visualizations. The final two tracks “Doghouse” and “1976” shouldn’t be ignored, I’m just running out of time. Check out what I’ve left for ya below and leave some comments. I want more comments people can’t you tell!!? Let’s get the Styrofoam Drone community up and running!!
Run From the City –
Ojos Locos – https://styrofoamdrone.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/05-ojos-locos.mp3E
Beautiful Earth Creature –
My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Psychedelic, Lo-Fi, Punk
Public Service Announcement: Tracklist:
1.) Run From the City
2.) Porch Dude/ Slight Return
3.) Don’t Even Try It
4.) Bedroom
5.) Ojos Locos
6.) Gypsy
7.) Zor
8.) Goodbye Blue
9.) Beautiful Earth Creature
10.) Malice in Wonderland
11.) Doghouse
12.) 1976
Purling Hiss on Myspace !
BUY the LP directly from Insound, you’ll be glad you did
Got some interesting stuff for you guys today. It’s a 7″ from a band called EX-FAG COP. At one point their name was just Fag Cop, but they recently added the “Ex” part for whatever reason. This 7″ of theirs comes from the Bat Shit Records label, a label dealing with all things punk. Just check out some of the songs on the Myspace and you’ll understand what Bat Shit Records are about right away – gritty, no rules whatsoever, in-yr-face ripping punk action with unintelligible lyrics and the sure ability to induce headaches from beginning to end. Yeah.
Three-quarters of this 7″ are bound to give you that headache I just mentioned while that last part is strangely more catchy and listenable than the rest. Not that the first three songs aren’t listenable, they just went with a much more inviting sound on the last track – almost as if they weren’t trying to make your ears bleed from the very second the song begins. The first three come off so loud and angry that it might just prove to be too much for the listener. With that being said, I would probably stick to listening to this one with the volume lower or else you might destroy yr ears…and yr speakers. That wouldn’t be good. The third track “Matrixcide” is a ripping punk onslaught with enough caffeine to keep you up all night, while “Remembered Future…” is dominated by a scrappy guitar hook over top of completely indecipherable lyrics. Check this stuff out right below, and there’s more on their Myspace if yr curious.
Matrixcide –
Hardoncrime –
My Rating: 6/10
Genre/ Tags: Punk, Lo-Fi, Noise Rock, Shitgaze
Untitled Bat Shit 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Gimme Fag Agenda
2.) Remembered Future of a Dark Psychic History
3.) Matrixcide
4.) Hardoncrime
Ex-Fag Cop on Myspace
You can buy the 7″ here or here – only 300 pressed !
Bat Shit Records Myspace page
What’s up people. I thought this stuff here would be perfect for the Halloween weekend. It’s something I forgot about for awhile, but it’s still awesome and it still came out pretty recently. It’s a 7″ from Brooklyn’s own WOODS – a band I’m sure many of you have already familiarized yourself with many moons ago. This 7″ comes from the Woodsist label, and although it’s been out since Feburary, I’m pretty sure you can still buy this one in most places. But you should do it sooner than later, because they say they’re only doing a one-time pressing of 1,500 copies. You can still get it right here, here, and here.
The first track “Days Gone By” might leave you in a bit of a curious state. The song changes up significantly a few times throughout. It starts with some hair-raising electric guitars, and then quickly changes to a much more delicate acoustic section. Howling vocals, yelps and complex guitars then come through within the final two minutes of the song, building it up into a huge, mysterious wall of sound. Next up is “I Was Gone”, which is probably the most accessible track from this 7″. It’s definitely an eerie track, and it has an obscure dark mood weaved in through it’s breezy chords. Last up is “Hang On”, which definitely takes the cake for being the most inexplicable song on the 7″. It’s increasingly tribal like, almost as if you’re on a spiritual pilgrimage in
the dead of the night in a forest somewhere, and there’s nothing around but an open fire and the fear of uncertainly around every corner. Check out the three songs from the 7″ below, and have Happy Halloween!
Days Gone By/ Untitled/ Days Gone By –
I Was Gone –
Hang On –
My Rating: 6.8/10
Genre/ Tags: Noise Rock, Lo-Fi, Folk
I Was Gone 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Days Gone By/ Untitled/ Days Gone By (continued)
2.) I Was Gone
3.) Hang On
Woods on Myspace
BUY the 7″ directly from Midheaven Mailorder
Styrofoam Drone 