“Limousine” is new from B3SCI Records alums (now signed to Handsome Dad) Beach Baby. “Limousine” which is out November 16th, takes a bit more muscular edge to initial tracks “No Mind No Money” and “Ladybird” riding a construction of beefed up rhythm guitars, broader in sound drums and a little more monochromatic melody. It’s a cool swerve in sound for the band who are very obviously primed for major success.
Sample the jangly melodic “Boundless Plains To Travel”, which reminds us in a very favorable way to the Bunnymen in places, from Melbourne AU band SMILE from the band’s sophomore LP on Smooch Records.
The school of Two Door Cinema Club airtight indie pop of “Do What You Want” from High Tyde is an ambitious big tent potential UK radio smash. The Brighton band release new EP “Glow” on November 23.
We love “Telephone” a new pistol track from rising-star LA-based honeyed-60’s soul-inspired classic-vibe alt-rock duo Street Joy; who we last discussed for their well-scripted, distorted and chaotic, melodically unpredictable debut single “Wrong Cloud”. Comprised of singer-guitarist-bassist Jason DeMayo and drummer-singer Scott Zimmerman, Street Joy have an incredibly fresh take on the soulful lo-fi alt-rock acoustic vibe that we dig so much. According to DeMayo “Telephone” is “basically about the anxiety that comes from waiting for a phone call/text from someone that is important to you. People can leave you hanging, and that always blows”. Our very favorite aspect of the track is the Beatles Dear Prudence–spun guitar riffing action towards the end. Incredibly catchy song! By the way we also quite like “Telephone”s happy-go-lucky dreamy guitar riffing indie b-side called “Grow a Garden”. Both songs are the first to release off Street Joy’s nine-track collection called the “Good/Bad Luck Sessions” which (as described by the guys) is “not an album, and not quite an EP — it’s just a collection of songs that are the result of our (studio) time at All Welcome (Records)”. We totally look forward to the duo unveiling the next songs off the compilation. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
One of UK rock and roll’s most exciting new exports is the consistently great Black Honey who are back with 90’s-esque new track “Corrine”. The single is out October 23 on the band’s Foxfive Records. Get into it.
New tomorrow on Vagrant Records is “Muddy Waters” the return single from L.A. singer LP. Built on a spirituals/chain gang groove and a simple downbeat-clap rhythm structure “Muddy Waters” is a visceral gut-punch both lyrically and sound-wise and is a variety of modern/primitive pop juxtaposition that we love. Give “Muddy Waters” a spin below.
As of late, a few bands have been adding some edge and energy to what has been a light and pop feel to American “alternative” radio. One of these bands is The Struts who have a national airplay hit with “Could Have Been Me”. They channel a heavy 70’s British glam feel, and singer Luke Spiller has made no bones about Queen being his favorite band. He sounds like Freddy Mercury much of the time and even has the early Mercury hairstyle. The band got its name because of Luke strutting around the stage even in rehearsals. A deeper track from them is the rollicking “Where Did She Go”, which reminds of monster 70’s Brit bands like Slade. They will be touring the US this fall. Check ‘em out. 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!
Two years ago, The Strypes were one of the hottest new bands emerging from the UK. They were amazing live and released their stellar debut Snapshot that blended uptempo 60’s rock and r&b. US response was promising but they failed to quite get over the top, possibly due to their label being involved in a merger. With all their potential, the questions arose: What would they do for an encore? The Little Victories album has been out in the UK for over a month. It displays a real maturity for the band, as they take on a heavier sound and varying tempos. As of this writing, the band still doesn’t have a US release date despite this being a strong follow-up and them being killer live. I trust that in short time, a label will come forward because this band is simply too good. Here’s our “Fave” for first single “Scumbag City”. For a song that stretches out a little more, try “A Good Night’s Sleep and a Cab Fare Home”. These guys will be fine in the long run. There’s too much talent all around, and the time will probably come when guitarist Ross Farrelly gets his due as one of rock’s premier players. 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!
L.A. crew Mexico City Blondes ready release of new EP with spacious pop first stream “First Cut”. Pairing a charismatic melodic line with space-building electronics and wide frame-setting drums, “First Cut” succeeds in the easy immediacy of its tune while maintaining a certain sweep and cache in its instrumental. We’re into it.
Columbus-based Saintsenecarecently wowed us with their divinely-ethereal slightly-punk vibe vocal-duet and gentle-to-the-touch indie lo-fi atmospherics on “Sleeper Hold” the duo’s first single to release off their third album Such Things (available via Anti Records on October 9th). We also recommend the jangly-guitar-centered Such Things second-single, “River”, which we really like (on repeat) for its folk-inspired indie-hazy melodic vocals and ethereal folksy-artsy acoustic guitar vibes that beautifully transform the end of the song into something quite divine. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
We’re into the potent-vibrant dreamy psych-pop latitudes of 2011-minted Minneapolis-based four-piece indie group Carroll on their woozy ethereal-hypnotic new single “Green Acres” which featured today on SPIN’s Pure Volume. We think Carroll, who we last discussed in regards to their excellent tangible-indie debut psych-rock single “Alligator”, is set to dominate the radio airwaves/blogwaves some more with the full release of their upcoming debut self-titled EP (which features both tracks). The “Carroll” EP is out on September 18 via eOne Music. Reviewed by Erin Shay.