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Rock

The Vaccines – Why Should I Love You (R. Stevie Moore Cover)

the-vaccines-band

The Vaccines lads take on R Stevie Moore’s classic “Why Should I Love You” as part of their limited edition Record Store Day split 7″ release on April 21. There will only be 500 copies of this one pressed so it’s probably best to start standing in line at your favorite record store around… now.

The Vaccines england (Official) (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
04-04-12

Trails and Ways – Tereza

Contributed by Chris Gedos

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Trails and Ways’ new single, “Tereza”, from their forthcoming Trilingual LP, exhibits a startling diversity to their musicianship. They have multiple members who can deliver captivating vocals which are equally articulate and soulful. Like the previously posted “No Wisdom”, “Tereza” is genre-bending at its finest, probably too intelligent for commercial airplay but recognizable from :01 and gripping throughout. This is the sort of music you’d put on a mix for a significant other in the days before such overt romanticism became hokey and maudlin.

TRAILS AND WAYS california (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
04-03-12

Races w/ The Living Things @ The Echo, Friday, March 30th, 2012

By Chris Gedos

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Races’ much anticipated debut LP, Year of the Witch, is a loose concept album about a uniquely difficult break-up, was released Tuesday, March 27th via Frenchkiss Records, with Friday night’s sold out show at the Echo serving as its official unveiling for their faithful Los Angeles following (which has witnessed Races’ steady rise to the top of the indie rock buzz list). It’s well deserved adulation; Races is a great live band. All six members are essential in creating a subtly dynamic, captivating and extremely successful live performance.

St Louis-based indie punk group The Living Things took stage before Races. The band brought a solid, MC5-style set, replete with yelping and a surety of purpose. They’ve got good licks and a wealth of political overtones – as frontman Lillian Berman is a sort of 21st century folk hero, having been shot at in Dallas and stabbed in the leg while crowdsurfing in Kansas City, so goes the Wiki-lore. Berman and his two brothers, Eve and Bosh, were joined by two female back-up vocalists, giving their music a beneficial, softening effect. Most were engaged in the set, with many fans there to see The Living Things specifically. They slayed it in no small part to their tremendous Matchless amps (keeping it local to LA roots).

As remaining concert goers filed into the max capacity Echo, Races began a lengthy soundcheck. The atmosphere was exactly as you’d want at a concert: a little uncomfortable and flooded with the smell of common humanity. I overheard some dude say, “This is the longest sound check!” They also had a long soundcheck when I saw them open for Caveman on December 8th, but I’d much rather have a band tinker around with their levels for a few extra minutes as opposed to not. To me it shows that Races takes great pride in the quality of their live performance. They’ve been touring incessantly for the past six weeks and this was to be a special moment within the Races’ gigography.

They played almost everything off of Year Of The Witch, (if not everything—the turnout made it difficult to keep tabs on a setlist), in addition to a previously unheard-by-my-ears cut for the encore. “Hey, we’re Black Jesus!” lead singer Wade Ryff quipped a couple songs in, referencing their previous band name. In all likelihood this was the tightest show I’ve seen since WU LYF at the end of July. And while both groups have concept LPs involving a loosely entwined narrative, WU LYF’s magic is centered on Ellery’s nebulous grunts; in contrast, Ryff’s lyrics are easily deciphered. The delicate arrangements and prominent backing vocals make Races’ live performance all the more impressive. It’s a very good album, but it gains a certain mystique when viewed within the context of their live performance. They dropped a cache of balloons at the end of the set, in reference to the “Big Broom” video, but that was only window dressing. Races doesn’t need to rely on gimmickry to deliver a powerful set. They’ve earned their buzz the old fashioned way.

Year Of The Witch doesn’t have those giant Tom Petty choruses or that same “epitome of a niche generation” appeal as an album like Funeral, but it’s not 2004 anymore. Kerry lost and indie grew up. It’s 2012 now, and Year Of The Witch is the most enjoyable and cohesive album the year has given us thus far.

merch

Races california (Facebook) (Official)

Rating 9.22

brown93

reviewed by
04-02-12

PEACE – Follow Baby

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See how many 90’s memes you can spot in that video. p.s The song is really really good. Look out for PEACE to drop their “Follow Baby” single in the UK April 23rd.

PEACE england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

brown8

reviewed by
04-02-12

B3SCI PREMIERE! Cameron Stenger – Come Home [VIDEO]

Cameron Stenger is a young songwriting talent out of New York who recently cut this video for his delicate “Come Home”. Stenger is one for the radar but don’t just take our word for it, check it out for yourself below.

Cameron Stenger newyork (Facebook)

Rating 8

brown8

reviewed by
04-02-12

Deap Vally – End of the World

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Deap Valley spells trouble for your blog. This girl-girl duo pack all the right ingredients to that potential buzz band stew; relevance (they sound enough like the Keys, Sleigh Bells, Alabama Shakers and whoever else to easily enter the dialogue) solid song (there’s enough here song styling-wise to actually enjoy), soulful vox (there’s plenty of feel and swagger in the vocal) and punch (enough to fuel any buzz rebellion). And did we mention? The band is two girls. So if A-squared + B squared = C squared then you should look for these ladies on Saturday Night Live by sometime late next year. (p.s. they’re really fuckin’ good.)

Deap Vally california (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

brown8

reviewed by
04-01-12

Expeditions – Years

By Trevor Meyer

expeditions

Expeditions are a pop/rock foursome from Cologne, Germany. Here is their 2012 track, “Years”, which delivers nicely on the verses, but that chorus is a very special treat. Sink your teeth into this one.

Expeditions germany (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
04-01-12

SKYPILOT – Anonymous

By Trevor Meyer

skypilot

SKYPILOT are a rock trio from Brisbane, Australia. “Anonymous” is an upbeat, driven rock piece that resembles, at times, The National and Editors. It’s a solid track with some really nice vocal and guitar work. At B3Sci, we’re definitely excited to hear more from SKYPILOT. Get into it.

SKYPILOT australia (Bandcamp)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
04-01-12

Mrs. Magician – The Spells

By Chris Gedos

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Mrs. Magician’s Strange Heaven LP is a great surf-rock offering for those waiting for the weather to break in colder climes. The previously posted “There Is No God” is still the centerpiece, but there’s six or seven tracks which will make solid secondary singles, one of which is “The Spells”, a lazy 21st C. “Doctor Robert” + “Love Potion #9”. Mrs. Magician isn’t really a hit-you-with-the-first-lick sort of band; their advanced lyricism and understated instrumentation (no solo battles here) allow for a slower, more thoroughly enjoyable burn.

Mrs. Magician – The Spells

Mrs. Magician california (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
03-30-12

Spector – Celestine

photo via Richard Johnson

photo via Richard Johnson

UK’s new thunder Spector keeps rolling with “Celestine”. Frontman Fred Macpherson has one of those voices that instantly recalls the timelessness of the best 80s pop, and with the band and killer (dare we say early Killers-esque) tunes to back that voice up, “Celestine” combines the electro stylings of “Grey Shirt and Tie” with the anthemic aspirations of last spring’s introduction, “Never Fade Away”. Zane Lowe debuted the studio version on Radio 1 the other day and b3sci’s got you for the replay.

Spector england (Facebook)

Rating: 8.2
brown8

reviewed by
03-30-12

IKONS – Sister

ikons

IKONS rep 2012 Gothenburg, Sweden (along with bands like Little Dragon & Ace of Base & Volvo) but sound like something straight out 1991 Manchester. These Swedes would fit easily on a big Brit festival from that era with bands like The Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets & (yes) The Stone Roses. If you’re into any of those bands, British rock, 90’s rock, good songwriting, guitar music, anything like that you’ll want to give IKONS a spin. Get started with the track and vid for “Sister” below.

IKONS sweden (Myspace)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
03-28-12

RAVE’S FAVES: Gold Fields – Moves

By Bruce Rave

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One of my top SXSW live discoveries was Gold Fields from near Melbourne, Australia. They are tight, energetic and danceable, with 2 sick percussionists. “Moves” is perfectly titled. It has a retro bottom-end topped with a modern vibe. I played this song on my show last Friday, and it got a super reaction.

Gold Fields australia (Facebook)

Check out Bruce’s “Go Deep” show on Fridays 1-3 pm Pacific, 4-6 pm Eastern, 9-11pm GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.

reviewed by
03-28-12