Dearest bands,
I love you. I’ve been saying to myself and now I’m saying this out loud (again). Where the hell are all the good guitar bands!? Bands I beg you please don’t use a drum machine unless it’s a demo and you’re desperate. So for now say hello to Dot Dash and Cursive (saddle creek) who have actual musicians. These are Bands who know how to craft a song and play said instruments.
Spark> Flame > Embers > Ash by Dot Dash from D.C. sounds like early Psychedelic Furs to be up-front but this only lasts a few minutes. There are some good jangle guitar pop here. At first it’s seem a little off-kilter then I saw the light. This is not their first rodeo with lots of shows coming up. There’s are some mod elements going on here where they are also not afraid to let a whole chord fly with a Pete Townsend arm twirl. No sir. A big nod to all things that were good and fresh for alternative music in the late 1980’s. Dot Dash sound fresh.
Learn How to Fly MP3 by Dot Dash from Spark Flame Ember Ash Mack The Knife(Kurt Weill Cover) Mp3 by The Psychedelic Furs from re-leased and remastered debut (1980)
If you like these songs you may fancy a band from England called with their track called Still Young MP3 Title track by New Manhattan
I have to be honest (aren’t I always?). I’m mostly familiar with a couple older Cursive songs because they appeared on some emo comps back in the day with Brown Bike and some other crap. I will tell you though there were never any volume issues and I Am Gemini is no exception. Plenty of guitar hooks, etc. No break-out hits and it’s definitely not elevator music. This record simply rocks from beginning to end. Set on repeat. You’ll be fine.
A Birthday Bash MP3 by Cursive from I Am Gemini The Casualty MP3 by Cursive from Domestica (2000). This is emo at its most melodic.
Here’s some more tracks to add to your Emo compilation: The Red Bedroom MP3 by the San Diego band No Knife. I found this track on a Dim Mak of all things a comp called Emo Vault I. Is This Thing On_ MP3 by The Promise Ring from Nothing Feels Good. This is arguable one of three bands that started the emo genre. The melody is a little repetitive but you’ll get the point why it’s teenage anthemic. Red Letter Day MP3 by The Get Up Kids
SINGLES: Lets kick this Month’s Crop of manly Movember single reviews with South London’s lively band called Dead Social Club. Despite the mention of a Jeffrey on the self titled song from EP ‘Syrian Kisses’ it is not a reference to all inclusive recreational joint from Take Me To The Greek with P-Diddy. This is classic Brit electronic indie rock mixing all of the glorious warehouse vibes into one head bopping tune via their 6 piece ensemble. Syrian Kisses MP3 by Dead Social Club
Lync, pavement, modest mouse are all familiar derivatives on Mountains + Valleys by Michael Beach. Every time this song comes on the November playlist I have to do a double take with my ears because the sound re-assures me that indeed bands like pavement were hugely influential to the new league of indie rock. The finely distorted bass parts on the lead-off track “Straight Spines” for instance is slacker-dome incarnate. Basically lots of contrast on this release and we thank Twin Lakes/ Spectacular Commodity for hipping us to this music. So check it out for yourself. Straight Spines MP3 by Michael Beach from Mountains + Valleys [Get the cassette!]
Burroughs is not dead well at least not the sinister spirit that in this LA bands name. They are not sponsored by Volkswagon either although that would not be a bad thing because energy wise they’re running on the high-octane gas. They were in other groups like Horse The Band, Bleeding Kansas, Lexington, Gypsy River Haunts which we’ve never heard of but that does not mean a thing. We have now! The song “In The Rugal Folds” we think is a fine, fine tune and show cases what a Telecaster is meant to do. If you’re a fan of Interpol and San Diego California’s No Knife this will speak volumes to you coming off their debut for the video above as well as “Spits” which we’re giving you here. Enjoy.
Lovedrug is a Ohio-based alt-rock band to be blunt who’s flirted with the majors and is now going out on their own with their 4th release called Wild Blood. Here’s a video for their single “Dinosaur” which depicts some chicks wearing a Zoro masks being delinquents and then being chased out of forest with a guy wearing a white gorilla suit. Oh and the song reminds us of Bloc Party in a way. For a treat though here’s cover from them for our RS readers. Never Been To Spain (Three Dog Night) MP3 cover by Lovedrug
And So I Watch You From Afar is meglo-maniac metal dipped in rocksauce in the vain of Fang Island and our favorites here at the RS music blog Gondliers. Hailing from Ireland, these epic instrumental blasts are interrupted by a guitar solo or two along the way where they roll you around a bit then stab you with their notes then drown you in delay. Today we’re featuring one of the tracks from Gangs their second release for your enjoyment.
Recent Comments