Taking a step back from his duties in Barn Owl seems like a golden opportunity for Jon Porras to break out and make a record that sounds nothing like Barn Owl. Iâm envisioning a quiet folk record or a more rock-inspired, Sonic Youth-esque instrumental album. Instead Porras returns a solo effort that draws directly from… Continue reading Jon Porras’ Black Mesa oozes warmth and intimacy
Author: Jesse
[MP3] The Sinclair Sinclair: “Feel”
The Sinclair Sinclair have reclaimed a small piece of the early ’90s 4AD sound for themselves. While not as sugary sweet as Cocteau Twins, theyâre mining the same ethereal landscape much of the 4AD roster owned at that time. âFeelâ is a nice sample of what The Sinclair Sinclair do. This Estonian duo only formed about a year… Continue reading [MP3] The Sinclair Sinclair: “Feel”
[MP3] Cold Bear: “Peloponnese”
There are few things nicer than stumbling on really fantastic new music on Bandcamp. A few weeks ago I ran across Brooklynâs Cold Bear and Iâve been hooked on their amazing 8+ minute song âPeloponnese.â This track begins almost as a pulse that slowly comes to life, breathing on its own and literally shouting.The song grows into… Continue reading [MP3] Cold Bear: “Peloponnese”
White Hills’ Frying on this Rock is space-rock at its finest
The heavy freight train that is White Hills seems to stop for no man. It’s not even been a full year since the release of the classic H-p1 and we now have a new epic space-rock document in the form of Frying on this Rock. This record is much more raw and blunt in its… Continue reading White Hills’ Frying on this Rock is space-rock at its finest
Desert Stars
Brooklyn five-piece Desert Stars start 2012 off right with the release of their first single. âBoys I Likeâ and âFarewell Decadeâ are glossy pop songs that shimmer and shine from start to finish. These tracks are very well polished and seem a bit too slick to carry the shoegaze tag, but there are certainly elements.… Continue reading Desert Stars
Notable Album Release: Denison Whitmer – “The Ones Who Wait”
Ten or more years ago I remember writing about Denison Witmerâs Of Joy and Sorrow and The 80âs EP and thinking that given another album or two this guy would be huge. As far as the singer-songwriter genre goes, Witmer had all the tools: thoughtful songs, mood-inducing music, and albums that always had a great… Continue reading Notable Album Release: Denison Whitmer – “The Ones Who Wait”
Wooden Shjips’ Remixes 12” makes me curious
I will confess that Iâm usually not a fan of remixes. I find that remixes usually just end up sucking the life out of a song by adding a lot of drum machines and loops, thereby creating a new version that tends to be a shadow of the original. This is the stuff of DJ… Continue reading Wooden Shjips’ Remixes 12” makes me curious
Pontiak’s Echo Ono is a road trip record with a heavy emphasis on trip
One of the first great rock records of 2012 has landed in the form of Pontiakâs latest, Echo Ono. The nine tracks that make up this record have only one purpose: to take you on a room-shaking, mind-altering, jaw-dropping trip to anywhere but here. Echo Ono is a magical mystery tour for heavy psychedelic rock… Continue reading Pontiak’s Echo Ono is a road trip record with a heavy emphasis on trip
[The Past Presents] Unrest – “Perfect Teeth”
The Past Presents revisits revered albums from the past 20-25 years to ask the question, âIs this album still a classic, or has it lost its edge over the years?â. Was it a great record for that particular time and place, or is it something weâll be passing on to our kids? It also looks… Continue reading [The Past Presents] Unrest – “Perfect Teeth”
[MP3] Barna Howard: “Promise, I Won’t Laugh”
Barna Howard sounds more like a lost genius from the 60âs than a man about to release his debut album. The first track from Howardâs self-titled album is âPromise, I Wonât Laughâ, a contemplative folk-song sung in the style of early 1960âs folk singers like Dylan and Pete Seeger. Howard cites Neil Young, Bert Jansch… Continue reading [MP3] Barna Howard: “Promise, I Won’t Laugh”