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Native Roses – Shadows

“Shadows”, the latest single from UK act Native Roses, hits right in the b3sci “soulful acoustic jam” sweet spot. Produced by Guy Fletcher (of Roxy Music) and John Illsley (of Dire Straits), “Shadows” has a definite 70’s feel underneath it (a time when many titans of pop-rock were exploring more soulful elements into their music), Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits, Ace’s “How Long”. The harmonies and melodic diction on offer here are of the highest order. Do not miss “Shadows” in anticipation to Native Roses debut LP expected early 2013.

Native Roses – Shadows

Native Roses (Official)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
09-06-12

G R E A T W A V E S – Into the Blue

Manchester duo G R E A T W A V E S (yes, that many spaces) rip free the pneumatic seal holding firm the great void. Dialing up a sound that in sheer scope and breadth can only begin to be described as oceanic or solar systemic, etc (and beyond), “Into the Blue” blows away just about any sort of peer track we’ve heard of late in the band’s comparative genre. Great track.

G R E A T W A V E S (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
09-05-12

Curt@!n$ – Ruthless (Feat. Schoolboy Q)

BK rapper Curt@!n$ grabs a Biggie sample and Schoolboy Q for his return to the hip hop blogosphere on new track “Ruthless”. Squarely in the “old school feel” category ,”Ruthless” rumbles & grinds to a relatively strong listen for much of its four minutes ten duration. We’ll be on the lookout for more new material from Curt@!n$ as a new mixtape announcement can’t be too far behind this new track.

Curt@!n$ – Ruthless (Feat. Schoolboy Q)

Curt@!n$ (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
09-05-12

You’ll Never Get to Heaven – Drowning Out

The sound on “Drowning Out” by Canadian duo You’ll Never Get to Heaven totally took us by surprise, if for anything because of it’s uniqueness. The record really stood out. There are a lot of genre touchstones on “Drowning Out”, there’s a jazz-informed piano loop, & cool droning synths that add distance and texture, as well as a really interesting selection for a dub’d out rhythm track, that and whistling. A simple whistled melody serves as the track’s hook. Check out and sample below and see if you’re as enamored with “Drowning Out” as we are.

You’ll Never Get to Heaven – Drowning Out

You’ll Never Get to Heaven

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
09-05-12

Daley – Remember Me (Feat. Jessie J)

Mancunian soulboy Daley fires his debut single the Blue Boy-sampling (yes, that Blue Boy from the 90’s) “Remember Me”. As evidenced by his linking up with the inimitable Ms. Cornish (we certainly like her much better in this lane than “Do It Like Dude”), Our Man in Manchester seems primed and poised for a significant push. “Remember Me” sounds like late 90’s pop, specifically that transitional late 90’s period when R&B’s hold on the charts was giving way to TRL-driven pop. In fact (and we mean this in the most complimentary way), “Remember Me” could be a lost demo for “Backstreet’s Back” or “Larger Than Life” and we’d be none more the wiser. Listen.

Daley – Remember Me (Feat. Jessie J)

Daley (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
09-05-12

PREMIERE! Pale Seas – Bodies (Tropics Remix)

Pale Seas link up with fellow Southamptonites, Tropics for a pleasant and cloudy seashore flip to their forthcoming single “Bodies”. It’s a melodic/musical wallow best spent like a vacation with eyes closed and relaxation top of mind. Check out b3sci’s premiere of this etherial experience below and take note that Pale Seas’ new double A-side single Bodies/My Own Mind drops on 7-inch via Communion Records on September 17th.

Pale Seas (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
09-05-12

RAVE’S FAVE! The Presets – Ghosts

Australia’s Presets will soon embark on a US tour. This is an awesome live band that always creates a party. “Ghosts” is lower key than some of their dancier songs, and but it’s got a great melody that sticks in my head. The song has sort of an English pub feel to it. Check it out and if you’re in the US, hope it’s a great holiday weekend for you.

The Presets – Ghosts

The Presets australia (Facebook)

*Check out Bruce’s Moheak Radio “Go Deep” show on Sunday nights 7-9 pm Pacific, 10-12 am Eastern, 3-5 am GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
09-04-12

The XX – Angels (Case & Point Bootleg)

Case & Point keep the banger streak alive taking aim this time at “Angels”. Sample the duos latest bootleg of The XX hit below.

Case & Point massachusetts (Facebook)

Rating 8.

brown8

reviewed by
09-04-12

The Raveonettes – The Enemy

Everyone’s fave Danish duo ring in a decade of hauntingly sweet records with their forthcoming and impressively solid seventh studio album Observator. The album of which was recorded in an incredible seven days with producer Richard Gottehrer (credits include Blondie, Go-Gos, Richard Hell), holds true to The Raveonettes signature sound and prolific pop song appetite. New single “The Enemy” previewed here, particularly showcases the bands affinity for those glittery guitar songs, harkening bands from The Smiths to The Beatles, and those between (plus we’re sure some NME puns intended).

The Raveonettes – The Enemy

The Raveonettes denmark (Official) (Twitter)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by
09-04-12

TIX GIVEAWAY! Mini Mansions @ Central SAPC in LA on 9/8/12

Mini Mansions – Monk

Here’s something for socal retro pop-ficeonados to be psyched about. LA super-trio Mini Mansions will headline Saturday night (9/8) at the Central SAPC with support from Harriet, Line & Circle, Jesse Kivel (Kisses/Princeton) DJ Set, and some very special guests! If you’re yet to get familiar with the brilliance in records like “Monk” then check out the track above. For those already in the mix, then mark this one on your calendars and grab your tickets here, or drop us a line and we’ll enter to you to win a FREE pair of tix to this show. Email us here and let us know that you want to see Mini Mansions to get entered in our random drawing taking place on 9/7/12. (day before the show). Good luck!

The Central S.A.P.C. california (Tix Info) (Facebook)
Mini Mansions: california (Official)

reviewed by
09-04-12