tooth ache. – Skin 7″

Making her way around the blogosphere these past few weeks would be the sole member of Vermont’s own TOOTH ACHE. Her name: Miss Alexandria Hall. This looks to be her first official release, and it comes from the brand new Father/Daughter Records label (who have been doing a hell-of-a-job getting their name out there since the release of their Family Trees 7″ last June). So this is the second official release from Father/Daughter records, but if you were expecting something in the same vein as Family Tree’s, then I think you have another thing coming…

Tooth ache. is definitely way far off from where they left off with Family Tree’s (especially when tooth ache. self-describes her music as “downer pop”). But don’t let that crush all your hopes and dreams just yet. “Downer pop” frankly doesn’t make this stuff sound all that inviting, but once you get into it you’ll discover that these songs are actually quite addicting (and depending on the listener, far from the ‘downer’ side of things, too). At times sounding increasingly gospel-like, Miss Hall acts as our guide through the 7″ as she blissfully takes us through the buzzy, acetic, synth-laden jams that this suddenly awesome single has to offer.

After checking out her Myspace, I couldn’t help but wonder if the sounds we are hearing are directly influenced from a human condition known as bruxism (and judging by this obsession with bruxism and the name of this project, I don’t think it’s as far-fetched as it seems). She’s even got a set of links labeled as “breakfast. lunch. dinner.” that all send you to pages with descriptions about bruxism, further proving the fact that either this girl deals with this shit on a daily basis (hence breakfast, lunch, and dinner), or just likes/thinks about the idea of bruxism on a daily basis…or the idea of music influenced by bruxism…hell I dunno, figure it out for yourself. For all I know this could just be entirely up for interpretation. Leave a comment if you have some other ridiculous idea…and be sure to check out “Skin” (and “Lazarus”) right below. ~~If you can find a place to listen to the B-side “Lazarus”, you really should. It’s a head-bobbing ‘downer’ jam that is bound to get stuck under yr skin.~~

Skin –

Lazarus –

My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Electronic, Experimental, Pop
Skin 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Skin
2.) Lazarus

PREORDER the 7″ – Ships on or before Aug. 17th! – Limited to 400!
tooth ache. on Bandcamp
tooth ache. on Myspace

The Unwed Teenage Mothers – Blonde Girls

Hello, hello. I originally planned on having this LP posted a bit sooner, but then I stumbled across that Lord Huron stuff over the weekend and my plans totally got destroyed. You can probably figure out why too – I wanted to share that stuff as soon as possible. I’m still having a tough time listening to other music right now too because that single is like the Nazi of my portable music device.

If you’re stuck on Lord Huron like me still, well, I got some bad news for ya. The Unwed Teenage Mothers are certainly not far off on the addiction scale. The songs on this LP are short little pop-punk outbursts that I’m sure will crawl under your skin, therefore forcing you to play them over and over again before you’re finally satisfied. Which brings me to my next point – it was a superb move by the Play Pinball! Records dudes to press the same songs on both sides of this “Blonde Girls” LP. If you’re confused on what that means, read this album description. Basically this LP has the same nine songs on both sides of the record, hereby doubling the life of your brand new record! It’s definitely a unique way to go about it too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen/heard of this before. It’s almost like buying two of the exact same record.

They pressed 420 copies of the vinyl total, with 100 on ‘blonde’ vinyl, 300 on black, and 20 on blue (apparently you have to talk to the band to get a blue copy), but they definitely still have plenty of copies of the blonde edition available, and I suggest you get on that right away before it’s too late. No matter which route you choose, you’ll still be happy though, because these Unwed Mothers are just great. It’s good, honest pop-punk with a bit of the lo-fi scuzz mixed in, and chances are the frenzy is only just beginning with these guys. Get on it now while it’s still early. Said best by the Play Pinball! folk, “The Unwed Teenage Mothers are gonna knock you down and then knock you up,” so please check out these songs from the record below. Happiness shall ensue. Hopefully not pregnancy. Enjoy.

PS – They updated the layout of my WordPress theme. What do you guys think? Give me some feedback, leave a comment on the post!

Uh Oh –

Wait (I Don’t Wanna Be Alone) –

No One Wants To –

My Rating: 8.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Pop, Punk, Lo-Fi
Blonde Girls: Tracklist:
1.) Little Allie
2.) Change Your Mind
3.) Uh Oh
4.) Baby You’re Dying
5.) Do You Wanna Be My Girl
6.) I Am a Ghost
7.) Wait (I Don’t Wanna Be Alone)
8.) That’s My Man
9.) No One Wants To

The Unwed Teenage Mothers on Myspace
BUY the LP directly from Play Pinball! Records – Only 100 of the ‘blonde’ edition!

Lord Huron – Into the Sun

Been loading up on some extra stuff lately. This gem here especially caught my ear over this past weekend as I’ve had a tough time keeping it off in the car. It’s the first single from the Los Angeles based LORD HURON, and it’s a hell of a debut. If you were hoping for a trip to the tropics this Summer but you just can’t get there, Lord Huron’s “Into the Sun” might be the closest you’re gonna get. This stuff is bound to bring you to that state of mind when you’re relaxing on a beach without a care in the world and the sun in shining in a cloudless sky. As long as these songs are playing, it’s summertime. Check out the self-titled song right below while you can check out the other two uplifting tropical-pop gems on the Lord Huron Bandcamp page.

Into the Sun –

My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Folk, Pop, Tropical
Into the Sun: Tracklist:
1.) Into the Sun
2.) The Problem with Your Daughter
3.) We Went Wild

Lord Huron – Official Website
Lord Huron on Myspace
You can now BUY this EP on 7″ vinyl!! Sick!! or on Bandcamp still

Tammar – I Live Here Now

Hey, remember TAMMAR from a post back in early July? Well if not you can click that link and go check it out – it’s their self-titled EP that came out back during 2008. To be honest with you, I didn’t know what these guys were up to when I made that post, but since then all of our “Where is Tammar?” questions have been answered. They’re now back on the scene with a brand new live EP called “I Live Here Now”, and it was literally just released by none other than the St. Ives imprint – which I am growing more fond of with each release I pick up. This brand new set of live tracks were all captured during the Summer of 2009 at Russian Recording in Bloomington, Indiana – which also happens to be Tammar’s hometown – and they couldn’t be more ready to share the music with you.

If you read the post from last time, you might already know what to expect. And if not, I’d be glad to fill you in with the details. So for starters, the biggest difference from their two releases is that this one was recorded live. The other one wasn’t. Only one song from their other EP made it onto this new live EP, and that would be “Weddle On II”. While the actual songs might be different, the fashion that they play them in certainly didn’t change much at all. And they still use those woozy, dazed-out keyboards in the background that gives each song a wobbly, confused feeling.

Just about every Tammar song I’ve heard starts out relatively simple and easy going, but sure enough each song begins to grow as time passes on, whether it’s a small subtle change or a huge wailing guitar lick, they get their point across, and they stay focused from beginning to end. Before you even realize, a song will turn into a huge wall of sound with dream-like textures as it evokes a fantastic feeling that you can take on the entire world. With that being said, I definitely think Tammar is a band that is meant to be experienced live before any other possible way. So it’s a good thing that all this stuff was recorded live in case you never get the chance to see them. This way you capture that live energy that may or may not be there when things are recorded in a studio. Speaking of live energy, the first song that really put me on the floor from this record was “Yung Jun”, and it’s quite a joyous number. I could seriously listen to it all day – hell, I pretty much did just that while driving pizza’s around town all day yesterday. I was ecstatic when I first heard it, and I hope you guys feel the same way. Definitely don’t miss out on this one, because it’s limited to 300 copies, and once people realize what they’re missing out on, these things won’t be around to buy anymore.

Yung Jun –

My Rating: 8.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Experimental, Pop, Indie Rock
I Live Here Now: Tracklist:
1.) Arrows Underwater
2.) Weddle On II
3.) Yung Jun
4.) Frost Meter

BUY the brand new album @ Insound! – Limited to 300 copies!
Tammar EP previously posted on the Styrofoam Drone
Tammar on Myspace
Tammar on Last.fm

Son Drop – Deep in the Underbark

Yo guys. I’m really stoked on this album we have today – it’s called “Deep in the Underbark” by SON DROP. Son Drop is the moniker of James Duke, the mastermind behind the music, but he employs a band to play with him for live shows. This appears to be the first Son Drop release out there, and its packed to the brim with folky-pop jams with a sound that’s bound to remind you of a breezy, sunny Spring season without a cloud in the sky and a worry in the world. There’s also a bit of a psychedelic tinge worked in to the sound, but no matter what these songs would go great while driving to the beach with your windows down and the wind blowing all around you. Sometimes they remind me of Alex Bleeker & the Freaks, but that’s basically their sound in a nutshell. Breezy, sunny and Spring time – I think you get the idea.

One song that falls more into the psychedelic boat would probably be “The Sails Will Fill Out”. About halfway through the song just pops off into a sudden guitar solo, and Duke tears it up and melts our faces with a hell of a lick that continues on until the end of the song. Powerful stuff right there. Later into the album comes another one that leans a bit more towards the psychedelic side, and it’s called “Crystal Ball”. Duke again wows us with some magnificent lead guitar work that’s sure to force you to play this song at least one more time, and there’s even some brass worked in at the end of the song which adds a nice touch. But these aren’t the only kinds of songs you’re going to come across.

For example, “Fields of Corn” sounds nothing like the ones I just mentioned, and if there’s any song that’s going to feel the Spring season, it’s probably this one. I’m not sure if that’s a flute or what you can hear in there, but it really helps get that feeling across. If you like that one you’ll probably like the song “Molasses” too, but seriously, all of this stuff is great and just highly enjoyable (Way Up, Romulus is An Owl). Anything that can bring you back to Spring time get’s an thumbs up in my book. Do yourself a favor and listen below! You can even download the whole album!

Molasses –

Crystal Ball –

Way Up –

My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Psychedelic, Pop, Folk Rock
Deep in the Underbark: Tracklist:
1.) Fields of Corn
2.) Salt Trucks
3.) Sunshine
4.) Go Leafs Go!
5.) Molasses
6.) The Sails Will Fill Out
7.) Shotgun Shell
8.) Way Up
9.) Rimulus Is an Owl
10.) Crystall Ball
11.) A Lamp in the Window

DOWNLOAD the album right here completely for free!!
Son Drop on Myspace
Son Drop on Last.fm

Cloud Nothings – Didn’t You 7″

Dylan Baldi burst onto the scene last year with Cloud Nothings and the release of his first CD-R “Turning On”, and ever since then he hasn’t looked back. There’s a few other cassettes and singles out there with the Cloud Nothings name on it, but most recently would be this 7″ that we have here today. It was put out this past June by Old Flame Records, and it falls right in to place with the songs from the “Turning On” CD. Both of the songs are brand new, and they’re both instantly catchy and just aching rope you in. Check out “Didn’t You” right below, while you can check out “Even If It Worked Out” on the Cloud Nothings Myspace. You know, upon first listen these songs made me think of the First Base records we covered last week. Listen for yourself below and see what you think. Yo sorry for the short post dudes but I’m moving into a new house today and I need all the time I can get.

Didn’t You –

My Rating: 7/10
Genre/ Tags: Lo-Fi, Indie Rock, Pop
Didn’t You 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Didn’t You
2.) Even If It Worked Out

Cloud Nothings on Myspace
Buy the 7″ @ Insound!
Check out the “Turning On” CD-R from Bridgetown Records

Party Photographers – Let the Red Lights Riot 7″ EP

Today’s band comes from our hometown of Philadelphia, and that usually makes the music all the more interesting. It kind of gives you the feeling that you can reach out and contact these guys if you had to, and chances are you’ll always be nearby when they’re playing a show at home. Unfortunately they don’t have any shows listed at the moment, but we can be patient, right? These hometown-hero’s are going by the name PARTY PHOTOGRAPHERS, and this 7″ EP just happens to be their debut release of any sort! It’s also the debut release for Ian Records, so let’s give them a nice warm welcome.

Party Photographers are a four piece band consisting of two guys and two girls, and their names are Christian, Shane, Elizabeth, and Karlina. I’m not sure which person does what in the band, but together they play these mangled and moody lo-fi pop tunes with enough noise and fuzz to blow your mind. For example, B-side “D.A.F.H.B.” is a hard hitting track with face pounding drums that keep things moving along at a steady pace while the lead singer (Elizabeth or Karlina) urges us to tell her what we’re going through. I think I’d trust her, too. Also on the B-side is the song “Piano Vache”, which I’ve uploaded for you guys to listen below. The lead singers voice (again, Elizabeth or Karlina) sounds blissfully happy over the mix, leaving you with no other option but to smile and sing along with her “Na na na na naaa” harmonies. “It’s just imaginary,” she carelessly reminds us over and over again. The gritty lead guitar licks take her singing to the next level all while this song secretly buries itself under your skin. This was definitely a fantastic way for them to close out their debut 7″, and it leaves me with promising notions for their future releases. Hopefully we’ll hear more from these guys very soon. Check out their Myspace for other songs from the 7″.

Piano Vache –

My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Lo-Fi, Noise, Pop, Shoegaze
Let the Red Lights Riot 7″ EP: Tracklist:
1.) Let the Red Lights Riot
2.) Penn Treaty
3.) D.A.F.H.B.
4.) Piano Vache

Party Photographers on Myspace
BUY their 7″ from Ian Records

Mazes – Cenetaph 7″

Yo! So originally I didn’t have anything to post today, so instead of going post-less, I searched around for a bit and found something nice.

It’s yet another 7″, and it’s by a band called MAZES from Manchester in the United Kingdom. I tracked down this little gem from this blog right here called BE BOP KIDS! There’s some other cool stuff on that blog, you should check it out while you’re at it. You can even download the Mazes 7″ while you’re there.

This band Mazes has got a handful of releases that have came out already, and you can see them all at their Myspace. This is their most recent release though, and it came out on Suffering Jukebox Records (which may or may not be a tribute to a Silver Jews song). It’s got two new songs from the band, and they’re both these fast paced numbers ruled by crunchy, spiky guitars and it’s all done with an honest folk-pop-goodness that’s pretty difficult to deny. These guys are good, and I’m going to look into their other material for future posts down the road. Until then, you can listen to the song below and then check out the others on their Myspace – one of them is also the B-side of this 7″ called “Go-Betweens”. Check it out.

Cenetaph –

My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Garage Rock, Folk Rock, Pop
Cenetaph 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Cenetaph
2.) Go-Betweens

Mazes – Official Website
Mazes on Myspace!
BUY the 7″ directly from Suffering Jukebox Records

First Base – She’s Boy Crazy 7″ EP

If you’ve been having trouble smiling lately, First Base might be able to fix that for you. Their most recent release from Play Pinball! Records is about as poppy as they come these days, and there’s just no way you can wear a frown when listening to this stuff. They play these picture perfect pop songs, and if you’re not usually into this sort of thing, then chances are it will drive you crazy from their relentless pop approach. Each song is a rockin’ good time complete with boy-girl lyrics about relationships and things of that sort, and the band takes a minimalist approach to the music. The songs don’t last any more than three minutes, as each one starts just as quickly as it ends, and although it’s still not that long, this is the longest First Base release to date.

The EP features four songs, and they’re all just as shiny and glistening as the last First Base 7″ we covered. Only this time the 7″ takes on a much fuller sound than the previous one. Each song has it’s climax at some point, and it’s usually marked by a short but sweet guitar lick. One perfect example would be the song “You’re a Waste of My Time”. It’s nearly two minutes of in-yr-face pop action, and during the final minute comes some delicious guitar work that’s enough to make you spin the track again. This band probably doesn’t seem like much at first listen, but pay attention to the quick songs and you’re bound to fall in love. Beyond addicting.

You’re a Waste of My Time –

My Rating: 7/10
Genre/ Tags: Rock, Pop, Minimalist, Lo-Fi
She’s Boy Crazy 7″ EP: Tracklist:
1.) She’s Boy Crazy
2.) I’ll Be Your Hangover
3.) You’re a Waste of My Time
4.) Back to Japan

First Base on Myspace!
BUY the 7″ from Play Pinball! Records – just waiting for the repress!
Check out the other First Base single “I’ve Got a Girl”

Panda Bear – Tomboy 7″

Hey hey. Here’s something for you guys today that I’m pretty sure most of you are already aware of. And if not, then where the hell have you been?

It’s a brand new 7″ from the PANDA BEAR man himself, and it’s one of many 7″ records that are going to be released in the coming weeks/months. With each new 7″ release from Panda Bear, we will be getting closer and closer to the full-length release of “Tomboy”, which is due to drop sometime during the Fall of 2010. Until then these 7″ singles should hold us over, but it will only be a matter of time before people start going ape-shit for the full-length. While nobody can guarantee anything about the upcoming LP, one thing is for sure: the labels who release these 7″ records are guaranteed some hefty income. I was lucky enough to snag my copy of the 7″ from Paw Tracks, and when I checked back the following day the record was already sold out. Can you say bank?

So it’s kind of a short post for today, but I’ll have another nice gem for you guys tomorrow! In the meantime you can check out the A-side from the 7″ right below, but that’s not all! Head on over to The Yellow Stereo where you can check out the glitchy, dubstep B-side track “Slow Motion”.

Tomboy –