With their latest EP Gristle, Melbourne’s COOL SOUNDS have crafted a fine collection of bittersweet indie pop. It was cobbled together by group leader Dainis Lacey following the sessions for the band’s upcoming second album. Gristle boasts a sound as instantly familiar and warm as a worn vinyl copy of any of Todd Rundgren’s early records or those well-loved d.i.y. vinyl seven inches from the 90’s that you keep close. The EP also marks a departure from the group’s more 80’s-inspired debut and finds them leaning further into singer/songwriter territory with even a few folk and country inspired moves lurking around the corners. Continue reading “Cool Sounds – Gristle EP”
Tag: singer-songwriter
Steve Gunn – Way Out Weather
The ghosts of an Old Weird America hover in the atmosphere above STEVE GUNN’s achingly beautiful album, Way Out Weather. From the sustained spectral guitar slides and the groping in the dark piano figures that start the opening track, it’s clear this is a record that’s all about the search.
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Kevin Morby – Still Life
Former Woods bassist and Babies’ frontman KEVIN MORBY’s second solo album, Still Life, is a rugged collection of searching, heartbroken, NYC-inspired tunes that from first listen sound instantly familiar. Continue reading “Kevin Morby – Still Life”
Robyn Hitchcock – The Man Upstairs
It’s December 1996 at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ. I’m interviewing ROBYN HITCHCOCK pre-show and we’re talking about the afterlife, endorphins, Captain Beefheart and the 1960’s. From the first song on his 1981 debut solo album, The Man Who Invented Himself, to his new 2014 record, The Man Upstairs; concerns about that Man in addition to time, sex, food, death and insects have been some of the psychedelic troubadour’s primary lyrical concerns. Continue reading “Robyn Hitchcock – The Man Upstairs”
Throwback Thursday: Daryl Hall – Sacred Songs
“The difference between Pop and Rock ‘n Roll? You might get fucked!” – Robert Fripp.
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Throwback Thursday: Pip Proud – A Fraying Space LP
PIP PROUD was a true psychedelic rock pioneer. Some consider him a punk before the term even existed and others consider him the Australian equivalent of Syd Barrett (some have even gone as far as to wonder if Syd might have even knicked a move or two from Mr. Proud). The fine folks at Osaka-based EM Records have done a stellar job with A Fraying Space; which is a collection of both previously unissued and otherwise difficult to get material drawn mainly from Pip’s prime 1960’s output. Continue reading “Throwback Thursday: Pip Proud – A Fraying Space LP”
Friday’s Find: White Fence – Cyclops Reap
Tim Presley, the California musician who records as WHITE FENCE, has just released his newest full-length album Cyclops Reap on Castle Face Records. Presley continues to evolve as a songwriter and the proof is in all 37 minutes of this mysteriously wild and acid-fueled ride. Continue reading “Friday’s Find: White Fence – Cyclops Reap”
Their Only Dreams – Calculator in the Sky 7″
One man band THEIR ONLY DREAMS is fronted by David Lyudmirsky. Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, White Iris Records just dropped his debut 7″ Calculator in the Sky in November. Continue reading “Their Only Dreams – Calculator in the Sky 7″”
Gavin Guss – Riga in the Fall 7″
GAVIN GUSS drops his brand new single Riga in the Fall from Fin Records out in Seattle. It’s far from the kind of sound we’re used to around here but a change of pace never hurt anybody. Continue reading “Gavin Guss – Riga in the Fall 7″”
Ty Segall – Spiders 7″
TY SEGALL comes back quickly after the release of “Goodbye Bread” earlier this year, spitting out another 7″ that doesn’t exactly follow in the same path of where he left off. Continue reading “Ty Segall – Spiders 7″”
Styrofoam Drone 