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Rock

Teleman – Dusseldorf

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Teleman will release sophomore LP Brilliant Sanity via Moshi Moshi on April 8th. Latest stream “Dusseldorf” follows aesthetically the path cut by “Fall In Time” with the band pursuing a tighter, bulkier, more concise sound. We dig the new Dan Carey-produced direction of Teleman and we dig “Dusseldorf”. Stream it below.

Teleman (Facebook)
Track Reviews
reviewed by
02-11-16

Wayde – We’re Here

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Essex UK rock band Wayde who we liked back in August for their hooky “Eleanor” return with new one “We’re Here”. The track (especially in the verses) builds on the 90’s melodic chaos dynamic explored on “Eleanor” while releasing out into a big loud power chord-driven chorus part that has us doing some radical mid-90’s-inspired head-bobs. We think you’ll like it. Stream “We’re Here” from Wayde below.

Wayde (Soundcloud)
Track Reviews
reviewed by
02-04-16

Rave’s Fave: The Record Company – Off the Ground

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A well-deserving trio is starting to see the national light of day. The Record Company, headed up by Chris Vos, have become major players in the LA scene since their 2011 formation. Just back from a European trek, they’ve toured with such diverse luminaries as Brian Setzer, Buddy Guy, B. B. King, and Social Distortion. They sound fresh, and I think of it as hard, blusey roots-rock. They cite influences from John Lee Hooker to punk bands to the Rollling Stones. You’ve probably heard their tunes on TV over the years. “Off the Ground” is already getting radio love around the country. It’s a grimy mid-tempo track that features Chris’ smooth, deep pipes and slide guitar in front of a killer rhythm section as he prods himself to “pick myself up off the ground.” The Record Company can also rock it uptempo with the best of them and should definitely be seen live. Their Give It Back to You album is out February 12. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.

Check out Bruce’s weekly “Go Deep” radio show; air dates and times for “Go Deep” as well archived past shows can be found on Bruce’sblog. Don’t forget to follow Bruce on Twitter too!

The Record Company (Facebook)
Track Reviews
reviewed by
02-02-16

WOODS – Sun City Creeps

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We’re listening to the swoony jazzy-horn-led melange of Cumbia-rhythm-textured world-funk instrumentals, golden touch folk-tinged psych guitar riffs, and sweetly-enveloping sunny Kinks-vibe vocals on new track “Sun City Creeps” from New York-based band Woods (who also run a label called Woodsist). Woods, who we showcased here in 2013 for their roots-y folk rock tunes “Be All That Easy” and “God’s Children”, are veterans who have earned a reputation in the industry for creating great psychedelic folk music. The phenomenal new “Sun City Creeps” is no exception. A multi-dimensional instrumentally-stunning psychedelic/folk hybrid track with a very catchy-hook, “Sun City Creeps” is a great first single to lead Woods’ impending album. Look for the group’s 9th album City Sun Eater In The River Of Light to drop on April 8th. Awesome. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

WOODS (Soundcloud)
Track Reviews
reviewed by
01-27-16

SMILE – Holiday

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“Holiday” serves as the lead track from Melbourne AU band SMILE’s upcoming sophomore LP. On “Holiday”, the early 90’s UK rock influence is certainly there (Stone Roses, etc) but rather than coming off like some weird pastiche type band that you could catch in any bar in any town in the English-speaking world, “Holiday”‘s got a punch and urgency working for it that feels very much in the ether of right now. In other words, this band is awesome.

SMILE (Soundcloud)
Track Reviews
reviewed by
01-22-16

Day Wave – Gone

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In 2014 we fell for the minimalist melancholy pop of 25-year-old Oakland native Jackson Phillips (also known as Day Wave) and it has been a pleasure to feature several of his tracks here on the blog. We like the latest muted understatement from Day Wave called “Gone” and hope you do as well. Get set to enjoy its simple lazy-day ambient vibrations and brilliant repetitive emotive-lamenting vocals (which we think are two of Day Wave’s finest signature qualities). Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Day Wave (Soundcloud)
Track Reviews
reviewed by
01-22-16

Premiere: Dream Vacation – Red Water

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“Red Water”, the new track from L.A. band Dream Vacation, is excerpted here from the band’s new self-titled EP. Produced by John Rausch (engineer for Florence + The Machine, Foxes, and Taylor Swift), “Red Water” picks up palette-wise on a mix of Disintegration-era Cure mood and Unforgettable Fire U2 melodicism. A potent blend of anthemic ideas and the instrumental scale to support such ambitions, “Red Water” is a strong listen we recommend. Stream the B3 Premiere of “Red Water” from L.A.’s Dream Vacation below.

Dream Vacation (Soundcloud)
reviewed by
01-22-16

No Parents – Hey Illuminati

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Prepare to be impressed by the moshed-up mangle of cacophonies and mind bending reverb-y sonics on wild knockout thrasher track ”Hey Illuminati”; the latest awesomely hazy edgy rock gem from B3-fave label Burger Records. From LA artist No Parents, the new track (filled to the brim with intensity) is a wall of voraciously unrelenting reverb-drenched guitar noise mixed with potent vocals. Incredible. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

No Parents (Bandcamp)
Track Reviews
reviewed by
01-21-16

Francis – Turning a Hand

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Swedish quintet Francis will release their international debut LP Marathon on February 5th on Strangers Candy. Recorded and co-produced with Deerhunter producer Nicolas Vernhes, the LP’s latest stream is the stunning unfolding pop of “Turning a Hand”. “Turning” in its most sublime moments rotates about a kaleidoscope whirl of re-verb guitars and and sweeping percussion. Listen.

Francis (Facebook)
Track Reviews
reviewed by
01-21-16

Rave’s Fave: Teleman – Fall in Time

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The UK band Teleman has returned with a track that portends potential major band status for them. This group has always had the ingredients in their melodies, arrangements, and overall skills. “Fall In Time” begins with vocalist Tom Sanders and his beautiful vocals over basically a piano before the rest of the band kicks in. The song builds into an accessible yet complex collaboration that should be magic to the ears of anyone listening closely. It has a rhythmic feel that provides a somewhat different sound for Teleman but we’ve seen indications in the past that the band has always had this kind of direction in them. Check this out and see them live. Label Moshi Moshi drops their Brilliant Sanity album April 8. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.

Check out Bruce’s weekly “Go Deep” radio show; air dates and times for “Go Deep” as well archived past shows can be found on Bruce’sblog. Don’t forget to follow Bruce on Twitter too!

Teleman (Facebook)

reviewed by
01-20-16

EAT – Byker Drone

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The scuzz pop of “Byker Drone” is the debut track online from UK band EAT. A component part of a forthcoming EP, “Byker Drone” is a hazy three or some minutes of sugary melodies sat in a mold of compressed guitar and walls of vaguely psychedelic harmony. It’s a cool debut.

EAT (Soundcloud)
Track Reviews
reviewed by
01-20-16