Do you remember several months ago when Ben Gibbard was making noise about the new Death Cab for Cutie album being heavy on keyboards and possibly giving a nod to Brian Eno’s Another Green World? When I heard Codes and Keys I had to wonder what happened to that album. Good news! I seem to… Continue reading Boxes: “Throw Your Stones”
Author: Jesse
Eternal Tapestry & Sun Araw make for an excellent collaboration on Night Gallery
When it comes to ambient psychedelic music, this new collaboration between Eternal Tapestry and Sun Araw, arguably two heavy-weights of the genre, is akin to the landmark jazz summits between Thelonius Monk and John Coltrane or Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins. Putting the names together makes you take notice, but when you actually listen to… Continue reading Eternal Tapestry & Sun Araw make for an excellent collaboration on Night Gallery
Crystal Swells
On most days, rock is better when it’s raw. When you find a band that reminds you of a raw open wound, you’ve hit the jackpot.Crystal Swells sound like that giant gash you put in your knee — you know, the one from that unbelievable skating accident? It wasn’t worthy of stitches, but you had… Continue reading Crystal Swells
Oax stuns with This Distance
When a band like Oax comes into your life, you need to mark the date on your calendar. This Distance, the debut effort from Houston’s Giorgio Angelini, is hands down the best record I’ve heard from a new band this year. Angelini himself is no newcomer to the indie-rock scene; he’s toured with The Rosebuds… Continue reading Oax stuns with This Distance
Holiday Shores
There’s a lot of fresh, inventive indie-pop being made these days, especially in the more avant-garde branch of the genre. Holiday Shores will unleash their sophomore effort, New Masses for Squaw Peak, on September 13 on the twosyllable label. These guys build pop songs based on the legacy of the Elephant 6 collective and more… Continue reading Holiday Shores
Jackie-O Motherfucker return with sonically rich Earth Sound System
Jackie-O Motherfucker has tapped a lot of neglected wells since they began in 1995. They’ve mined the depths of space-rock, various international sounds, folk music and traveled to psychedelic realms. This is a band that clearly does not want or need to be fenced in. On their 15th record, Earth Sound System, Jackie-O continues that… Continue reading Jackie-O Motherfucker return with sonically rich Earth Sound System
White Hills are on top of their game with H-p1
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/24565777[/vimeo] There seems to be only so much you can do with a stoner rock / space rock hybrid sound, but White Hills always seems to push that sound just a little bit further. With their latest album, H-p1, White Hills advance that sound one step more. Over the course of 70 minutes and two… Continue reading White Hills are on top of their game with H-p1
Pontiak takes us along for the ride on Comecrudos
Pressing play on the new Pontiak EP is akin to driving into the Texas desert, sliding open the van door and realizing exactly what you’re up against. In fact, it could have been a similar situation that inspired this album. Comecrudos is a four-part ode to the desert, inspired by a drive through west Texas,… Continue reading Pontiak takes us along for the ride on Comecrudos
Notable Album Release: Gold Leaves – The Ornament
Grant Olsen, the Arthur portion of Seattle’s Arthur & Yu, is gearing up to release his debut solo album. Using the moniker Gold Leaves, Olsen will release his album, The Ornament, on the Hardly Art label on August 16th. From the sound of the first single, also called “The Ornament”, Gold Leaves’ music lands solidly… Continue reading Notable Album Release: Gold Leaves – The Ornament
Her Space Holiday releases free EP; prepares final hurrah
After fifteen years, Marc Bianchi is ready to put Her Space Holiday to rest. After a string of quality releases covering various styles, Bianchi is poised to release the last Her Space Holiday album on August 16. After that, Bianchi will find a new outlet for his music. So, in celebration of a job well… Continue reading Her Space Holiday releases free EP; prepares final hurrah