Anyone with a penchant for that UK brand of paisley psychedelic rock will dig this unsigned Seattle-based band. It’s the kind of sound I never get tired of. And The Purrs fourth full length album, Amused, Confused & More Bad News, is full of those iconic UK influences – from Jesus & Mary Chain, Echo & The Bunnymen, Oasis, and The Verve. It’s a well-worn and familiar path, but it feels really good. Slip it on and see for yourself.
Electric Tickle Machine –“Gimme Money”
Yeah, your totally going to buy this album just for the cover. Electric Tickle Machine is an unsigned NY-based garage rock group (sounding very San Francisco, I might add) whose debut, “Blew It Again”, is due out October 7. Vinyl copies of their album will be sold at their shows followed by a digital release to be made available on the band’s website. Check their site for tour dates near you.
Brooklyn’s Amazing Baby debut, “Rewild“, is an intriguing and solid release. Part psych rock and part pop, their sound channels Pink Floyd and Brian Jonestown Massacre at times, Jarvis Cocker and MGMT at others. Weird, huh? But it works. Listen to one of my favorite tracks here,” The Narwhal”, and you’ll see what I mean.
San Francisco: Amazing Baby plays Bottom of the Hill this Saturday, September 19.
Alberta Cross – “Broken Side of Time”
The band has released their debut album on their website for streaming and digital download today – a full week early. (And using Topspin, I might add.) One of my favorites for 2009, go get it!
Chad Vangaalen – “Microscopic World”
Black Mold– “Metal Spider Webs”
I must admit I have a little crush on Chad Vangaalen. It happened after I saw him play Bottom of the Hill earlier this year. I’ve always been a big fan of his eccentric and sensitive style of music. His reputation as a recluse combined with his tendency for macabre subject matter had me expecting a very dark and dour character – maybe even surly. (He named his side project Black Mold, for Christ’s sake.) Needless to say, I was completely surprised by the affable, engaging and adorably funny man that entertained us that night. It didn’t make sense, but I liked it.
I also like his tenacity for continually putting new music forth into the world. He’s the Bradford Cox of Canada. And just like Mr. Cox, he’s been very busy this year. His acclaimed album Soft Airplane is up for Canada’s esteemed Polaris Music Prize (results to be announced September 20). He’s just released a debut album for his side project Black Mold, described as his electronic alter-ego. AND he’s released a free EP of B-sides from Soft Airplane. Whew, makes me tired just reading that.
‘Tis the year of side projects and my man, Dan Auerbach, is on fuego. Filter Magazine has just announced that The Black Keys and some of the biggest names in hip hop will release an album under the name BlakRoc on November 27. The band has teamed up with rapper-producer Jim Jones to create an eclectic new rock-infused hip-hop project and will feature a star-studded roster of guest artists, including the RZA, Raekwon, Q-Tip, Mos Def, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
Right now anything Dan touches turns to gold. I’m keeping my eye on this one.
The latest release from London-based Fanfarlo, “Reservoir“, might well be one of the sleeper albums of 2009. This is the video for their second single, “The Walls Are Coming Down”. Their look is very ‘Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ here.
Fanfarlo plays San Francisco’s Popscene on September 17.
Photo credit - Rhetts Wood
LoveLikeFire – “Signs”
Meet LoveLikeFire – a San Francisco indie rock group whose classic Britpop sound could have one easily mistake them as a UK band. In fact, the first time I heard lead singer Ann Yu’s voice I thought I was listening to Delores O’Riordan from The Cranberries. Not a bad thing. So it’s no wonder the group is taking their brand of dream pop across the pond on a full UK tour promoting their latest release, Tear Ourselves Away – releasing September 14 in the UK and expected to hit in the US sometime next year. I unfortunately missed their Pacific coast tour, so I’ll expect a full report from you UK readers!
the OCMD 