English Teeth – “English Teeth Invasion”
The band, silly. Not Christopher Hitchens teeth. And no, they’re not from England. They’re from Austin, TX and I love them! The unsigned trio shot an arrow straight to my heart with their brand of Texas-style indie brit rock whose sound pays homage to the best of the best: The Who, The Stooges, The Kinks, The Velvet Underground. It’s oh so good!
Obsessed: Yo La Tengo, Popular Songs, due out September 8. Pre-order now on Matador. Then get your tickets to Treasure Island Music Festival to see them live on October 18.
“What else is there for us to do…”
The new Alberta Cross video for the track “ATX” off their forthcoming album “The Broken Side of Time” due out September 22. One of my favorite albums this year. This band rocks and the video gives you a good taste of it.
She Keeps Bees, “My Last Nerve”
“…I’m your punisher/ I’ve got nerve. I’ve got some nerve, don’t I? “
I’m still obsessing over this album and particularly this song. I just love how the imagery of this portrait by Richard Avedon, called The Beekeeper (one of my favorites in the Avedon exhibit happening currently at SF MOMA – a must see!), fits so well with with everything about this post. I’m feeling very satisfied and complete right now. Get the album “Nests” by She Keeps Bees and you might too.
San Francisco’s one-man band, garage punk rock extraordinaire, Ty Segall, is having a CD release party tonight at The Hemlock. I fell in love with him the first time I heard him play, which was opening for Girls at the very same venue a year ago. Watching him sing, play guitar, drums and tambourine by himself was truly a sight to behold.
His new album, Lemons, is out July 14. Get into it!
Shadows On A River: “In Business”
It’s been a while since a band has wowed me and the Chicago-based group calling themselves Shadows on a River has done just that. I haven’t stopped listening to their debut since it arrived in my mailbox (thanks Undertow!). This is the best unsigned band I’ve heard so far this year.
Dark, brooding and experimental, their sound easily draws comparisons to the electronic rock genius of early Radiohead. Especially on tracks like “In Business” and “Ships Sailing Home”. Singer/songwriter David Hensen’s ethereal and haunting melodies and intricate arrangements complete the effect.
But let me be clear, because making a Radiohead comparison may be sacrilege for some. I’m not saying they imitate them, but inspire a similar feeling you get from listening to them. It’s “honest and transporting.” The kind of album you want to put on to get lost in. One that opens up and evolves with each and every listen.
So I say, bravo boys! If this is what you can create from an apartment in Chicago, I can’t wait to hear what you can do in a studio.
Be sure to download Shadows On A River from iTunes. Only $7.99 and you wont regret it.
Frankel, “Anonymity is the New Fame”
I’m obsessed with this track from LA-based Frankel, the brain child of Michael Orendy – singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Given the celebrity centered lifestyle of that city, it’s not hard to imagine how an album and song with such a title could come to exist.
Anonymity is the New Fame, is Frankel’s sophmore release out now on Autum Tone Records. I’ve enjoyed everything he has put out so far and this is no exception. His sound is decidedly low key and easy-going, like a sunnier, happier version of Elliott Smith.
Go get it on iTunes or Autumn Tone Records and enjoy.
Circulatory System, “The Spinning Continuous“:
More than likely you’ve heard of Deerhunter. Their last album, Microcastle, topped many ‘Best Of’ lists last year, including mine. But what about Circulatory System? Yeah, me neither but you soon will – trust me. I got tipped on their forthcoming album, Signal Morning, recently, took a listen and have been smiling ever since. It was like listening to Deerhunter on a Beatles Magical Mystery Tour. Holy head trip! This is fan-fucking-tastic, who are these guys?
As it turns out, Circulatory System has been around a while and share much in common with Deerhunter. Both were formed in 2001 in Georgia, have received critical acclaim and have front men tormented by disease. Circulatory System was founded by Will Cullen Hart after Olivia Tremor Control fell dormant in 2000. He and most of the other Olivias now comprise much of the band. Their eponymous debut album was released that same year to much critical acclaim and their long awaited sophomore release, Signal Morning, is finally due out September 8.
Seven and a half years in the making, Signal Morning has been sculpted from countless hours of recordings. The end product is a heady, complex and orchestral sonic journey. The songs, composed by Hart, explore his battle with Mutliple Sclerosis – much in the same way as Bradford Cox explores his plight with Marfan Syndrome in his work with Deerhunter and Atlas Sound. And like Deerhunter’s trajectory with Microcastle, I expect this album will explode and take them to a higher level.
P.S. Rumor has it that Olivia Tremor Control is together and recording again too!
Thanks Adam for the tip!
I’ve never seen so many photogs at a Rumbe event prior to Wednesday night’s performance by Band of Skulls at The Harlot in San Francisco. And if there’s any correlation between the number of photographers/camera crew in attendance and a band’s success, then these guys will not be under the radar for very much longer. With their session tomorrow on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, that’s bound to become a certainty.
The hot London trio definitely delivered too. Standing in front of bassist, Emma Richardson, I couldn’t help muse how much she looked like a young Chrissie Hynde, haircut and all. Their gritty, rock and roll swagger is very soul satisfying and have had their debut album, “Baby Darling Doll Face Honey,” on repeat since I got it. You should too. Go download it from iTunes. It’s only $5.99!
the OCMD 