The Tressels – Bourbon Legend

Today we’ve got a new release from a local Philly band that some of you city-dwellers from around the area may have already heard. They’re simply known as THE TRESSELS, and they’re from the outskirts of West Philadelphia, specifically from a place you might know as Drexel Hill.

These guys have been on the music scene for a good chunk of time in Philadelphia, releasing at least two full lengths and a handful of underground demos and EPs before “Bourbon Legend” was ever finished. That being said, “Bourbon Legend” took almost two and a half years to complete, finishing the album while jumping the hurdles that most bands would fall victim to, such as technical issues, long periods of inactivity, and difficulty in finding a consistent drummer who would stick around. Truth be told, The Tressels weathered the storm, found a solid drummer, and now today we have “Bourbon Legend” after it’s all said and done. So let’s listen, shall we?

Having nearly 30 songs ready to include on the tracklist, this Tressels album comes jam-packed with just ten new psyched-out face melters. Ten seems like a lot now, but after listening it’s obvious that ten isn’t quite enough. Two of the songs (“Autopsy” and “Don’t Look Down”) were taken from their past albums and re-recorded, making them fit in with the rest of this record. A good portion of these songs play over the four minute mark, giving the band ample time to lay down some nasty guitar work and build up enough energy for huge, mind-bending breakdowns.

One of those biggest break downs comes in the track “Brothel Blues”, in which lightning-like guitars rain down over the mix, complementing crashing drums and the like. The shit really hits the fan in the final minute as they take the guitar lick around for another spin, totally destroying everything in sight. Wouldn’t you LOVE to witness this in a live setting? Other highlights include, but are not limited to “Don’t Look Down”, featuring more fierce guitars and epic breakdowns, “South Beach Vampires” which has a moody, blues rock feel, and “Denim Jacket” which is a fantastic way to close out the album. Check out these songs below, experience the guitar madness for yourself, and let it take you away. See ya tomorrow.

Brothel Blues –

Don’t Look Down –

South Beach Vampires –

Denim Jacket –

My Rating: 7/10
Genre/ Tags: Alternative, Psychedelic, Rock
Bourbon Legend: Tracklist:
1.) Autopsy
2.) Brothel Blues
3.) Stolen Kiss
4.) Guitar for a Gun
5.) Don’t Look Down
6.) South Beach Vampires
7.) Skeletons Dancing
8.) I Believe You
9.) Ethyl Alcohol
10.) Denim Jacket

The Tressels on Myspace
The Tressels Official Blogspot page
BUY the album digitally from iTunes
Listen to all of “Bourbon Legend” on Soundcloud

Total Slacker – Crystal Necklace 7″

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

Dunes – Old Souls 7″

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

Purling Hiss – Public Service Announcement

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

Hallogallo 2010 – Blinkgürtel 7″

So I recently saw this 7″ in a record store in Philly, but I didn’t think anything of it. Little did I know this music would turn up on the interweb right before my eyes, almost like a sign that I should have picked it up that day at the record store. Well no more wondering what could have been, because I have the music here for you guys today, and I must say that this stuff totally caught me off guard. Definitely didn’t know what to expect before listening, but I can say right away that this stuff rules. If you were already aware of this, then I’m sure you know the story behind it – follow this link (or the one below) with more information if yr curious!

Opening track “Blinkgürtel” has it all – sonic textures, heavy face-melting guitars, clashing tom-driven drumming, a pulsing bass line – these elements joined together create a hell of an intoxicating song, and it forces you to sit right down in the middle of everything and do your best to figure it all out. There’s definitely a mysterious vibe weaved in, but there’s also an element of simplicity that is genuinely breathtaking. I say breathtaking because a song with such limited instrumentation still manages to go so in depth, and you’re there left wondering how on Earth this stuff got so intense. At first you didn’t think anything of it, but before you know it it’s already sucked you in and there’s nothing you can do but crack the Hallogallo code. Which I am still attempting to do myself. Do yourself the awesome favor of listening to “Blinkgürtel”, and hopefully it’ll get some thoughts brewing in your skull. You should in turn leave those thoughts in the comments section directly below this post.

Blinkgürtel –

My Rating: 7.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Krautrock, Experimental, Instrumental
Blinkgurtel 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Blinkgurtel
2.) Drone Schlager

Hallogallo 2010 on Last.fm
BUY the 7″ directly from Insound !
Find some more info. right here

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

Circle Pit – Bruise Constellation

Hope everyone’s weekend went well! Unfortunately the Phillies couldn’t help make mine any better than it was, but hey, what’s done is done. Now it’s time to focus on some music, because let’s be serious, it’s everybody’s favorite thing 😉

Today’s music of focus comes all the way from Sydney, Australia, from a band you might already know as CIRCLE PIT. This looks like it’s their first official full length, coming from the local Siltbreeze Records label, which couldn’t be a more fitting home for the album. Besides this new full length, the only other material you can find from the band is either this 7″ right here, or the stuff they have for sale in this Myspace blog post.

So when listening to this stuff, a lot of different thoughts and describing words might come to mind. Some of the more prominent descriptors would be scrappy, trashy, scummy, scratchy…most of which stem from the grainy, sandpaper-like guitars that dominate the entire album. These abrasive guitars drive the songs, being impeccably heavy at times, and freakishly psyched-out at other times.

Their high energy approach also helps add to the madness, and when it’s mixed with their strangely rewarding slacker-esque type vocals, it makes for quite an interesting combination. The raspy, “I don’t give a fuck” tone of voice is definitely part of the sound, and once it’s paired with the boy-girl vocal harmonies, you’ll see how well it all fits together. This is definitely the kind of album that you will like at first listen, but keep at it and you’ll notice that the shit’s grown on you like no other, way more than you ever expected – the excellent guitar work, angsty vocals, and a driven attitude (not to mention an interesting cover art) will certainly keep you coming back for more and more.

Just about every last song on the record could count as a highlight, but the ones that stood out the most for me were Wave Machine, Dead Meat, Infinity (which is strangely different than anything else on the album), Hurricane, Another Trick, Drowning in the Dark, and Beginning and the End. Definitely don’t sleep on this stuff, because I must warn you that you will be sorry if you do. Check out the songs I left ya below, and soon you’ll love Circle Pit. And if that’s not enough for you, I’d recommend listening to Top Surprise – there’s definitely some similarities between the two.

Infinity –

Another Trick –

Drowning in the Dark –

Beginning and the End –

My Rating: 8/10
Genre/ Tags: Post-Punk, Psychedelic, Indie Rock, Australian
Bruise Constellation: Tracklist:
1.) Wave Machine
2.) Dead Meat
3.) Speed Limits
4.) Infinity
5.) Hurricane
6.) Another Trick
7.) Drowning in the Dark
8.) Shallow Grave
9.) Strange Blue
10.) Beginning and the End

Circle Pit on Myspace !
Follow Circle Pit on Tumblr
BUY the LP directly from Insound

Kurt Vile – In My Time 7″

Yo dudes. Last we heard from KURT VILE, it was back in the beginning days of June when he put out his Summery good times EP called “Square Shells”. Now the local Philly bro is back once more, this time with a brand new 7″ from Matador records. This 7″ is like a preview for Vile’s upcoming studio album, which they say should be hitting the shelves during 2011. According to the words in that link, we’ll probably hear at least one of these songs on the new album, but it doesn’t seem like anything has been set in stone just yet. Until we know more, this new 7″ will have to keep us satisfied – which is due out digitally on October 25th, and in limited edition 7″ format, due November 7th.

“In My Time” is a warm, nostalgic song featuring Kurt’s unique playing styles, and just like anything else from him out there, it’s certainly “worthy of recognition”. For the most part, the song has an acoustic folksy vibe, reminiscent of the early days of Autumn when the leaves start to fall and it begins to get cold out. With that being said, his music always seems to go great with the weather, but this guitar driven song isn’t just acoustics and folk. Things change up a bit when the lead guitar gets a make-over and suddenly turns into a psyched-out mess – something we already know Kurt is highly capable of, only this time we probably didn’t see it coming. The song fades out on this guitar, and chances are it’s going to make you put the song on for another spin. Now if only we could hear the rest of the songs from the 7″. I don’t think I’ve ever featured something without hearing the full tracklist, so consider this post an exception. Enjoy.

In My Time –

My Rating: none-haven’t heard the whole 7″
Genre/ Tags: Folk Rock, Psychedelic, Alternative
In My Time: Tracklist:
1.) In My Time
2.) Early Dawnin’
3.) Sad Ghost

Kurt Vile on Myspace
PREORDER the 7″ right now @ Matador Records
Videos of Kurt Vile & Fucked Up live in Philadelphia – check it out
Kurt Vile – Square Shells EP previously posted on the Drone

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 !

Robedoor – Pacific Drift 7″

What’s up. There’s been a lot of stuff coming from the Not Not Fun label lately. One of those things was the Pocahaunted 7″ we covered a few days ago, and now we’re back with even more from them. Today we have the brand new ROBEDOOR 7″, but this doesn’t even appear to be their newest release. They’ve got even more listed up on their site now. It doesn’t really make a difference for anything, it just goes to show that these guys put out a shit-ton of awesome music for the world to enjoy. And for that, I thank them. You should too. But this new Robedoor 7″ is why we’re here today, and it’s quite a dark, moody slab of 7″ vinyl.

Robedoor walks the fine line of balancing between droned out ambient rock and heavy, moody psychedelic rock on this 7″, and you’ll figure this out pretty quickly right within the first track “Pacific Drift”. The first two minutes of the song are dominated by textured and grainy guitars, building up momentum as other elements start to come into play as the song progresses. It’s almost like you’re being thrown right into the middle of a dark tribal meeting of spirits as they summon their gods from above – yeah, it’s like that. The drums start to come through a little clearer, and that flute-like keyboard (it sounds like a flute!) acts as a lead guitar over the textured guitar storm that is brewing underneath everything else. Make sure you don’t miss this one below. Now it’s time we flip that 7″.

Next up is the song “Exploited”, and they get into it much quicker this time, taking on the psychedelic rock side of things. Their result – a huge, sprawling mess of a buildup that finally peaks off at the twenty second mark. All while the lead singer continues to ramble on, spitting out completely unintelligible lyrics. Somebody should have told him you can’t hear a damn word he’s saying. Next up would be the last track “Blanked Out”, and they take it back down a notch for this song. There’s some rainy day sounds weaved into the mix, almost giving it dream-like/ soundscape qualities, and it works perfectly for this slow-burner. Invigorating lead guitars start to reveal themselves towards the end, giving this song that much more personality than it already had. Great stuff right here – definitely don’t sleep on it. Get that 7″ before it’s all gone!

Pacific Drift –