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Rock

Heather Woods Broderick – Wyoming

heatherwoodsbroderick

Lose yourself in the sublimely dreamy far-in-the-distance calm-in-the-the-air vibe, carefully-subdued instrumental atmosphere and softly reverberating mix of guitar and melodic vocals on the new mind-soothing trickle-paced track “Wyoming” from B3 new artist find Heather Wood Broderick, who excels on the track (which also features Peter Broderick on drums and Dave Depper on bass) for embodying a catchy, intangible and evocative soulful melancholy in her vocal delivery that may remind of Slowdive. Nice track. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Heather Woods Broderick (Official)

reviewed by
07-20-15

Promised Land Sound – She Takes Me There

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On their new deeply-rooted psychedelic-guitar-jangly second-EP debut-track “She Takes Me There” Nashville indie band Promised Land Sound dramatically linger amidst some dynamic-instrumentals, stylistically-interesting guitar-chord changes and divine turns of melody. “She Takes Me There” makes a great first-impression sample from the foursome’s psychedelic-expansed “For Use and Delight” EP that is out via Paradise of Bachelors on October 2nd. Curiously the group’s sophomore album features an expanded band which now includes new members from indie rocker groups, The Paperhead and (personal fave) Fly Golden Eagle. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Promised Land Sound (Facebook)

reviewed by
07-17-15

SOCIETY – Protocol

SOCIETY

A really nice dynamic is struck between a beautifully-wandering thoughtfully-understated scratchy-vibed hip-hop essence, Brendan Lynch’s (Primal Scream, Weller, The Rakes) psychedelic leaning instrumental digs and James Girdler’s UK/Coldplay/U2 school-of-thought vocal atmospherics on new track “Protocol”; which is out via Luv Luv Luv Records on August 21st from UK indie-pop/pop-noir duo act Society (who B3 featured in 2013 for their classic UK-wrought meld of soul/r&b/gospel/hip-hop called “14 Hours”). We particularly enjoy the song’s subtle atmospheric reverb and picturesque horn-laced background terrain. Society also just released a very good deep-messaged beat-trippin’ electro-tinged 60’s-psych rock slow-burner called “We All have A Price” last month. Get into it and be sure to earmark Society for their divinely moody, intricately textured brand of broody drama-tinged vintage-leaning UK pop (noir) that we think stands out against a crowded genre of distinctly British sounding indie pop that’s currently permeating the blogosphere. Well done! Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Society england (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
07-16-15

Tearjerker – Perfect

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We’re into the muted atmospheric sensibilities, classic blend of low-key instrumentals and warm hazy-vocaled presence of Toronto dream-pop group Tearjerker on their new down-tempo track “Perfect” which is off the trio’s new album Stay Wild (out on July 17). According to Tearjerker in an online interview with Impose Magazine, the group’s lush-vibe home-recorded album Stay Wild (which was carefully created over three years in the comfort of the band’s own surroundings) is partially about not allowing “life’s curve balls get you down, and alternatively to never grow too complacent even when life seems to be treating you really well”. Interestingly enough, according the the interview Tearjerker is going to have a cassette-tape release of Stay Wild but the group (in keeping with their environmentalist naturalist sensibilities on the project) plan to use natural packaging. We dig the quiet minimalist style, message and well-balanced instrumental demeanor of Tearjerker and look forward to hearing the album in its full-release form very soon. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Tearjerker (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
07-15-15

Helen – Motorcycle

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The relatively new dream-pop collaboration Helen is comprised of super-talented Grouper band lead-vocalist Liz Harris, Eternal Tapestry’s psych-rocker Jed Bindeman and Scott Simmons. Helen also features the background vocal accents of a mystery gal-pal named Helen and oddly enough the group wanted to be a thrash band at first. On their new psych-tinged indie pop track “Motorcycle” the group exude a certain irresistible charm and we especially like their neatly-muted frosted-over vocals and soul-filled reverb-y guitar textures. Helen is about to unleash their debut album, which (the word is) they recorded within the span of several years in Portland. The “Original Faces” EP is out via Kranky on September 4th. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Helen oregon (Label)

reviewed by
07-13-15

Ballerina Black – Heaven Sent

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Get into the timeless, emotionally-captivating brand of 80’s-inspired gloom/synth-pop from Ballerina Black on the LA trio’s new luscious radio-ready summer dream track, “Heaven Sent”, which features moody-broody vintage-tinged Depeche Mode-vibe new wave style vocals, a vibrantly receptive guitar riff and that ever-present melody-laced synth-line that is beautifully characteristic of the genre. “Heaven Sent” is off of Ballerina Black’s newest EP “Whails”, out now. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Ballerina Black california (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
07-13-15

Oslo Parks – Slipping Away

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Zone out to the sublime atmospheric alt/synth-pop vibe of multi-instrumentalist producers Rob Flynn & Ian Booth, also known as Oslo Parks, on their new synthed-out luminescent-guitar-accented beauty track “Slippin Away”, which follows the Brighton-based indie duo’s B3-featured soft-edged new wave wonder track “Dress For That”. We really enjoy the dreamy up-beat 80’s-vintage sound of Oslo Parks! Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Oslo Parks (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
07-13-15

Sunflower Bean – The Stalker

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B3 recently appreciated “I Hear Voices” the fast-paced hazy-vocaled deeply guitar-driven genre-bending indie single from young Brooklyn-based psychedelic trio Sunflower Bean which just released as a lead-in to the group’s new July 24-release EP out via Fat Possum. The EP’s dynamic second single “The Stalker” wows our sentiments completely with its divinely-interspersed blend of a dark-sided feedback-chaotic vibe meshed beautifully with an ominous and galactic Black Sabbath-esque guitar groove and melody laced with drama-excellent new wave revival boy-girl vocals. “The Stalker” is the 7-inch b-side to “I Hear Voices”. Incredible track. Reviewed By Erin Shay.

Sunflower Bean (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
07-10-15

Kins – Cyclical

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B3 recently showcased UK band Kins for their fast-paced progressively-inclined guitar-rock EP first-single “Young” from the foursome’s “Cyclical” EP (out now via East City Records). Much like “Young”, the EP’s title track “Cyclical” stands out as a creative ace; we especially like its robust and dramatic synth accents, brightly emotive instrumentals and the track’s fresh vastly-wavering highly-vulnerable vocal style which (more so on “Cyclical”) has a modern-twist vocal charisma feel that draws comparison to Thom Yorke from Radiohead school of singing. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Kins (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
07-09-15

Coasts – Oceans

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In 2013 we expected great things from Bristol band Coasts, who we covered for their sublimely bright new track “Oceans” which features an anthemic break-out crazy-good chorus, inspired commercial-appeal lyrical sensibilities and a luminous, dynamic pop infused style. At the time of our post the song was merely out on YouTube; it later hit Soundcloud in 2014 and the track lit up the blogosphere in a blaze of sincere glorification (including our own). Unfortunately, the track was later yanked by record companies and/or the band thus rendering many of the blog’s posts 2-dimensional. We deliver good fun news for all! The outstandingly timeless and sunny track is out yet again via the group’s Soundcloud page and just in time for the sweet heated heart of summer. Good luck Coasts, although you have released “Oceans” time and time again, we’re totally still into its upbeat summer-ready style and phenomenal break out potential. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Coasts england (Facebook)

reviewed by
07-09-15

Rave’s Fave: Ezra Furman – Lousy Connection

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Ezra Furman is one of those respected, uber talented artists who’s always floated just under the radar. Perhaps his new album Perpetual Motion People will be the vehicle to expand his reach. “Lousy Connection” touches on 50’s doo-wop and chord progressions. The hooky melody does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It will hook you. Ezra touches on the 50’s through the 90’s with his music. Hopefully this is the time we’ll all catch up to him. Most of his scheduled tour dates are in Europe as of now, with only a few US shows scheduled for August. Reviewed by Bruce Rave

Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles, KX 93.5-FM/Laguna Beach, and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure to follow Bruce on Twitter too!

Ezra Furman illinois (Facebook)

reviewed by
07-06-15