Space Mountain - Ferry Lane (2013)

How could we pass up reviewing a record from a band called SPACE MOUNTAIN? This Connecticut band’s name says it all and fits comfortably on the ledge of a rock mountain reaching towards the stars. I am getting a noteworthy early-90s indie vibe from these lovely lads on their first release. There is a love for the lo-fi and the jangly riffs that dominated college radio stations 20 years ago. Best of all, the record never takes itself too serious, allowing the group to let it all hang out and enjoy some sloppy jamming. Just listen to the standout track “There U Are” to get a sense of what I mean with its mumbled, half-drunken vocal delivery and whistle-backed harmony. This stuff should make you want to pull out your 4-track and Pavement records and pound away to your heart’s content. 

Get it here:

Space Mountain - Ferry Lane (2013)

Karl Bartos - Off the Record (2013)

This is not a submitted record, but with all the attention Daft Punk has been getting for their excellent new record, it reminded me of another electronic music pioneer that has a new record out this year. Karl Bartos was a member of Kraftwerk during their most influential period, and has been plodding along for years after leaving the band. His new set of songs, “Off the Record,” can be described as a companion piece to Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories. While Daft Punk’s newest celebrates the disco and R&B roots of electronic music, Bartos rediscovers the more experimental and disunite sounds that were pioneered in tandem with the genres various club incarnations. Just like Kraftwerk records of old, you can dance to “Off the Record,” and there are more than a few pop rhythms and hooks, but Bartos’ work creates a bitter environment where the only beings dancing are ghosts left in the machines mankind has let degrade. It is fascinating music, and one of my favorite records to be released this year. Bellow is one of the best tracks off the album, “Musica Ex Machina.”

 

Buy it here: Karl Bartos - Off the Record (2013)

EP Grab Bag vol. 32

Some fine submissions from the last two months that I am just now getting around to posting.

Pilgrimage – EP (2013)

Some great twinkly post-rock from Florida.  If you had told me these guys toured with the Appleseed Cast in 2004, I would not have doubted you. These kids could ride that new wave of Emocore that seems to be picking up steam from the East, but without all the residual style crap that modern radio has put on the style. “Police, Don’t Shoot me” is my favorite track off this EP, with its dueling guitar licks and full-throated impassioned growling. 

Dally – The Shine (2013)

On the other coast (and what sounds like another world) comes the LA group fronted by Green Gerry. Dreamy and distant is the order of the day, as these songs sound like they were recorded in an abandoned porn shop with a microphone that was placed in the restaurant next door. It works surprisingly well for this group’s first EP, and helps capture the isolation and disenchantment reflected in the morose lyrics accompanied by surprisingly appealing and clever tunes. 

Treasure of Grundo – Dýsantzú (2013)

I was worried I was in for an audible pummeling when I read this band’s description and saw the cover to the record. Industrial noise is getting less and less play on my turntable in the last few years. Perhaps an effect of growing older and more boring perhaps, but likely that I simply have lost contact with some of the stronger acts putting that kind of music together. But I was pleasantly surprised by what I found on this Netherlands based bands record. This is cinematic stuff that is much closer to gloom-pop than anything I expected to find. “I Karestan” is the standout track on this bad boy. 

Crimes – Thin Sunlight (2013)

Now this is what I’m talking about.  Reverb heavy garage rock with girl/boy vocal harmonious from Minneapolis? Yes please! I am sure these kids are tired of being compared to the Raveonettes, but if you are a fan of that style of garage rock, you have no reason not to buy the vinyl Crimes is selling. The well constructed vocal harmonies separate them from the pack (see the track “Wind Thistle”), and since they are going on tour this summer, you should catch them when they come to town. You know they will have nothing but shitty beer on hand, so help a touring group and buy them some top-shelf shit.

Driver Dress - 7" (2013)

Driver Dress is a solo project from Aaron LeMay, a Minneapolis local that was kind enough to send us a copy of their new splendid 7 inch.  LeMay has played with some of the city’s staple musicians like Mark Mallman, and you can see just how well crafted his form is on this record. This is burnt-out, lo-fi garage rock that could sit comfortably next to older Ty Segall releases. The promo material that came with the record said all of the band’s members picked up instruments they had never played before to jam out these tracks, but I find that hard to believe based on the quality of each track. Don’t let the lo-fi tag fool you; this set of songs has production and precision that many of its contemporaries fail to achieve. You can hear the hints of a Roland RE-201 present, creating that timeless reverb sloping resonance all your recreation guitar pedals are trying to photocopy (often to no avail). My favorite track is the EP’s closer, “Spiders.” The tempo starts with a sludgy stride, and then builds with the assistance of a chant like chorus that makes for an admirable end to a great underground release from MPLS. 

Get it here:

Driver Dress - 7" (2013)

Elvis Dracula - Sings! (2013)

Shameless self-promotion on my part, but between making a new record with The Drunken Draculas, I have put out two EPs this summer. One is a Jazz record, the other is a set of rocking garage rock with my other band, The Psycho Ward. Check them out, and tell us what you think in the comments section.Both can be used to conjure demons to help you win a surf competition.

Elvis Dracula - "Sings!" (2013)

Elvis Dracula and the Psycho Ward (2013)

EP Grab Bag vol. 31

I have been catching up with the extensive backlog that built up over the course of last month. Here are some standouts. 

Stolen Girls – Unlimited Prizes (2013)

If loud and nosey garage rock is what bleeds through your veins, then the new set from the Stolen Girls may as well be a necessary transfusion. This is loud, maxed out, hook heavy garage rock for anyone who knows that the best music is that done live with amble amounts of explosives. “It’s Dead” is my favorite track, but I can’t help but love any song titled “Fuck Morrissey (with a knife).”

Waylon Thornton and the Heavy Hands – Enter the Coven (2013)

Florida must have a vibrant garage rock scene at the moment based on the number of submissions I get from the state. The one thing that can kill a vampire is an alligator (shsssshh, don’t tell anyone else), so I don’t plan to go there anytime soon. Thankfully bands like this release their music online so I don’t need to (and for fuck’s sake, why would you want to go to Florida either?). “Telepath” stands out as the track to represent this EP, with its eerie layered vocals and meandering synth line.

Sean Proper – Canal Machinery (2013)

Separating himself from the pack of drone musicians, Sean Proper plays a 12 string and arranges music that better sits next to Sir Richard Bishop’s recent catalogue. The licks are stuff many metal heads work on as they develop their stuff, but Proper finds a way to make this stuff interesting and engrossing. The film soundtrack to your life waking up in the desert from a significant LSD binge.

Monstereo – Spacesuits, On!

Now this is spacerock. Hailing from frozen Norway comes this explosive act with blasts of noise and dueling vocals, this group plays well to the “music better be bigger than Jesus if I am going to give a shit” crowd. This is big, aggressive, and plentiful music for those who crave such things.

Crystal Soda Cream - Escape from Vienna (2013)

The great folks at Totally Wired Records have a slew of good lo-fi and garage acts from just across the Atlantic pond, and Crystal Soda Cream is the newest gem in that line-up. Vintage synthesizers and a love for the early Goth sounds of the 1980s? Count me in!

“Escape from Vienna” is the record Joy Division would have made had they played a few too may Fugazi and Billie Holiday records in between studio sessions. This is dark stuff.  The sound quality is lo-fi in presentation, but the dense and somber tones that comes out of this record is what has required multiple listens on my part. “Sweet Doom” is the standout track in my opinion, and captures the band’s love for the whole darkwave scene. But if you are looking for a truly bitter journey, “Dead Again” is your anthem. Coming from the grave myself, this track sounds like a suicide note from a forgotten lover as they plunge into the sea. Thankfully, there are tracks like “Shades” that pull up the listener from the depths and give them a glass of scotch to enjoy as the dark comes and overcomes you with tomorrow’s lies. 

Get it here:

Crystal Soda Cream - Escape from Vienna (2013)