Welcome back, me! Sorry I’ve been gone a while on *gulp* “real-life” work. I hate doing this (repeating earlier posts), but I feel I have no other option in this situation, as I’ve learned little else from eskimeaux. Except that Gabby and I have kept up a friendly email correspondence, even if I learn nothing!… Continue reading New eskimeaux
Category: New Albums
J. Mascis dips pen into folky ink for Several Shades of Why
One of America’s most magnificent warblers has tripped me up a little. Best known for gems like “Tarpit” and “Severed Lips,” excessive feedback and distortion, Mascis has released what can only be described as a folk record in Several Shades of Why (Sub Pop). With nary a drum in earshot (tambourine is the only percussion),… Continue reading J. Mascis dips pen into folky ink for Several Shades of Why
Wye Oak kicks it up a notch, but keeps things very Wye Oak on Civilian
I thought Wye Oak was a folk band? I mean, they’ve been described as “indie folk-rock,” I suppose, but what’s this I hear on their latest full-length, Civilian? Heavy guitars? Crashing drums? Moments of intense emotion? Sounds a little bit like rock and or roll to me. Ohhhh but that’s not to say the band… Continue reading Wye Oak kicks it up a notch, but keeps things very Wye Oak on Civilian
Kurt Vile strikes perfect balance on Smoke Ring for My Halo
What’s that saying? “Life is full of regrets, so eat your chocolates now?” (Close enough.) Well, my latest regret is not buying tons of stock in Kurt Vile. For three years, I’ve known about – and heard constant praise of – Philadelphia’s psych-folk rising star, yet I’ve skipped a half dozen of his shows and… Continue reading Kurt Vile strikes perfect balance on Smoke Ring for My Halo
Beach Fossils show great, organic talent on What A Pleasure EP
Are Americans chilling out or what? I don’t what it means, but a lot of American indie music has gone from the jittery rock scene of the early 2000s to the chilled out scene of the early 2010s. One such act, Brooklyn’s own Beach Fossils, charmed us last year with their debut record, Beach Fossils,… Continue reading Beach Fossils show great, organic talent on What A Pleasure EP
Rainbow Arabia has trouble juggling influences on Boys and Diamonds
On paper Rainbow Arabia sounds just fascinating. They’re a U.S. art/electronica/dance group with heavy Arabic and African music influences (apparently Syrian singer Omar Souleyman in particular). But in practice, the band is maybe a little less than fascinating. Rainbow Arabia has churned out a few decent singles across their two recordings so far, The Basta… Continue reading Rainbow Arabia has trouble juggling influences on Boys and Diamonds
Hidden Pictures
Please believe me when I tell you I was not compelled to write about Hidden Pictures simply because of the male part of the duo’s striking resemblance to Elliott Smith. I mean, it certainly helped (and it’s pretty eerie), but their music struck me in a sweet spot as well. It’s simple, pop-infused rock, with… Continue reading Hidden Pictures
[MP3] Sam Owens: “How To Build A Clock”
Sam Owens’ fourth album, How To Build A Clock, is making some serious rounds after his first few albums were only heard by a select few. Which is a shame, really, as Owens knows how to craft head-boppers. Nowhere is that more evident than on the title track off the album, which he’s made available… Continue reading [MP3] Sam Owens: “How To Build A Clock”
Tim Cohen croons odd pop on Magic Trick and Bad Blood EP
There are few things in this world I hate more than bland solo projects that just sound like a weaker version of the full band (I’m looking at you, Joe Perry Project). Just do something DIFFERENT, you know? So you can imagine my relief when I pressed play on the new material from Fresh &… Continue reading Tim Cohen croons odd pop on Magic Trick and Bad Blood EP
Puro Instinct gets sweet, dreamy, Gaussian on Headbangers in Ecstasy
There’s a filter in Photoshop called Gaussian Blur, and it’s basically a one-stop-shop for enshrouding a photo in a dream-like mist. Although it’s mostly used on pictures of galloping horses and glamor poses, the filter looks like it could have been what made the cover of Headbangers in Ecstasy so dreamy. And given the smooth,… Continue reading Puro Instinct gets sweet, dreamy, Gaussian on Headbangers in Ecstasy