Been.Listening.Too.Lately….

In case you care what I have been listening too lately (and I know you secretly lose sleep wondering)…here you go…since you insist….

Local Maplewood, NJ hometown indie rock A-Leaguers, Tri-State, continue their collective, at ease, upward momentum with their latest 5 track release , we did what we could do (2016) on the ultra-cool and equally Jersey label, Mint 400 Records .   The killer riff on the opening track (and one of my personal favorites), “Summer Nun” kicks in the thruster a bit since their beautifully gliding, yet slightly subdued 2 song EP, New Minuits (2015).  Again you find guitarists Julian Brash and Jeff Zelevansky trade off engrossing and seamless electric six-string conversations when not splitting vocal duties, while the complimenting percussionist union of Mason Rather (bass) and Brady McNamara (drums) keeps everything delightfully moving and grooving along.  wdwwcd is simply a fun record from start to finish.  It’s a perfect album on replay, tapping your foot on a sunny, sandy Miami beach while lounging lazily under palm trees, slightly concerned about falling coconuts, weird, unrecognizable birds and equally weird, unrecognizable insects (proven this past holiday weekend). Other stand out tracks include “Petty” (“boy, you got a lot to say….”), Siamese twin track “Suture”and “Automatic Man.”

 

 

My “Buffalo Bro” Daryl who I can “geek talk” music for days, weeks, even months on end (and have the never-ending text to prove it), have been digitally nudging (read: nagging) me to listen to the latest Touché Amore’ record, Stage 4 (2016) for months, but not as long as he has been nagging me to listen to Elliot Smith’s XO. I finally broke down, found time and listened…and listened…. WOW. I like it…. a lot! Based out of Los Angeles, this four-piece hardcore band found the perfect balance of familiarity and unique, of the definable and almost indefinable.  They apply a unique spin on an otherwise played out genre, somehow making melodic shoe-gazey, indie rock riffs hardcore with minimum doses of extra crunchy distortion and beautifully bridging the hardcore and post-hardcore/emo sound, similar to Title Fight.  Atypical singing patterns/rhythms and very deep, extremely personal thought provoking lyrics only add to their refreshing approach. The album title holds a double meaning, being the bands 4th record and also the very worse stage of cancer, a subject that rears its ugly head throughout the recording, apparently due to leader singer Jeremy Bolm losing his mom to the dreaded disease recently in 2014. The subject matter certainly sends my brain hurtling back 30 years ago when I lost my own mother in the same fashion, leaving me slightly envious that Bolm could scream about it for months on end touring and finding relief while I just buried those feelings deep down inside somewhere long ago where they mostly remain to this day. Ironically, after all this time, I can find some relief in Bolm’s circumstances and the bands music, knowing I am not the only one that ever went through such a soul-shredding event. Opening track, “Flowers and You,” “Displacement,” “Benediction,” and “Water Damage” are just some of the many great songs on this record. Check it.

 

The Menzingers is a Philly band I heard of a number of times but only started listening to their music because I saw they played a recent show at Garwood, NJ’s infamous Crossroads, this time nudged by the club’s Facebook page. Another 4 piece, the band plays an all too familiar sound, but they do it in a way that keeps my interest. Punk -n- Roll at its finest. The first song of theirs I got hooked on, “Remission,” off of 2014’s dour-ish Rented World, is nothing special when it comes to many other songs I subsequently discovered in their impressive catalog, but it only takes that little something to keep the tune and video on replay in my life (in this case, it’s that little “uh” leader singer Greg Barnett blurts (Accidently? Deliberately? Both?) after the first verse, or even the killer sing along chorus “Everyone needs a crutch…I need a wheel chair…I need a reason to reason with you…”). Their new record, After the Party (2017), was released just a few weeks ago and remains in heavy rotation in my life. A much cheerier release, they managed (and I slightly plagiarize from another review because I agree), to keep their street cred intact while making radio friendly songs. Check out song like “Lookers,” Mid-Western States,” “Your Wild Years,” “Black Mass” …oh, just listen to whole record, it’s great from start to finish!

 

Dinosaur Jr.’s latest, Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not (2016), is also filed under easy listening in my life. For die-hard fans, this is a typical, predictable record for the original band lineup, and that is just perfectly dandy for us. Interestingly, a little bird (i.e. drummer Murph) mentioned in an interview that GAGOWYN came to life because J. Mascis “freaked out” about not having any new songs and quickly threw some together. Many in the know would agree that the thought of J. losing his shit is hard to imagine, considering he never seems to have a pulse and really quiet during interviews. And when he does say something it is quite clear why he constantly accused of being a stoner (which he isn’t, at least according to him). Yes, the final results sound rushed when knowing this little back story, but the results are still rockingly impressive. Standouts include the opener “Going Down, “I Told Everyone” and “Tiny” but my favorites are “Lost All Day” right into “Knocked Around.”

 

The Cloud Nothings is another band I was slow on the draw about until I stumbled upon their latest release, Life Without Sound (2017). An incredibly solid listen from start to finish. It took me multiple listens on many runs final figure out what I love about this band/record: I can’t pigeonhole this band because they don’t sound like any other band that I heard of. I can’t honestly think of any other band that the Cloud Nothings sound like. Offering a completely refreshing, catchy indie sound. they mix the perfect blend of melody with umph…what’s not to like? Such tracks as the piano-tinged opener “Up to the Surface” and “Internal World” are pretty rocking tunes.

Ok…start with these. There may be a quiz. xo

14 +  Months… PART II

14 + Months… PART II

Into Another-their 2015 EP Omens, picks up where 1995’s Seemless left off (You can’t even count 1996’s unreleased album (??) Soul Control…diehard fans will understand).  These post NYHC kings continue to perfect their undefined melodic, thumping metallic craft.  Judging by the opener ”Crossed’, they could almost be criticized for being too good and just showing off but anyone wise would know better to say/think such silly things.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=queedcAvNSE

The Needy Sons– take Mike Gent from the Figgs and Bill Janovitz of Buffalo Tom/Crown Victoria and you have “just another band from Eastern Massachusetts” that happen to kick ass.  They have been releasing numerous singles in 2015 with promises of a full length LP in 2016.  Yay!

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beThU00nkQ0

Paper Streets – This Brooklyn via Jersey quartet released their addicting four song EP, Souvenirs, right smack in the beginning of 2015.  Their sound is best defined on their Facebook page as somewhere between Emo and Big Star.   I can’t stop listening to the opening song, “Murmur.”

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SwirliesBlonder Tongue Audio Baton (1993)-Shoe gaze, alt-tuning, art noise done right that makes you second  guess Sonic Youth at times….expect for Kim….

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtBrGMKzfJA

Velocity Girl-Their 1993 Sub Pop debut, Copacetic still stands and survives the test of time.  I was am also pleasantly reminded of my eternal indie boy crush on lead singer Sarah Shannon that never seems to dissipate.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Iw1-dJ_IyA

Scott Janovitz – only a complete Buffalo Tom groupie like me would know that front man Bill Janovitz comes from a long line of musically obsessed siblings.  His brother, Paul, fronted the incredible Cold Water Flat (RIP) back in the 90s.  Then you have another brother, Tom with Sodafrog.  You finally have yet another brother and musical sensation otherwise known as Scott who I first learned about though his first band, Dragstrip Courage.  Then came the Great Bandini.  Then he went on to create the oh so lovely melodic, blissful pop sounds of The Russians.  His 2015 three song Fall In EP continues the latter’s infectious Elton Costello-ish 1960-70 rocks meets 1980 new wave.  Check It.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVu3Y0pUYwo

Walter Schreifelsjust when you thought he couldn’t pull any more bands together, Mr. Schreifels (of NYHC legends Gorilla Biscuits and Youth of Today to post NYHC hardcore legends Quicksand, Rival Schools, Walking Concert etc. etc. etc.) actually created two new bands in 2015.  Except for the killer teaser track from the hardcore supergroup, Vanishing Life, (“People Running”), he seems more focused on his other project, Dead Heavens as of late, pumping out singles drenched in 70’s classic rock psychedelia.  Me dig it….singles sprouting up like a ear hair but far more enjoyable.  Album out soon.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zzOiG9ilwI

Johnny Marr – Check out the 2015 live record release, Adrenalin Baby, that finely collects tracks off Marr’s two solo releases plus some killer Smith renditions that should have the Moz nervously shitting his briefs….Johnny fucking Marr baby!!

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdGgesRqask

Travis – one of the most underrated Brit-pop band ever.  Yes Josh “Soandso” Thomas, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Frightened Rabbit and the Twilight Sad are all worthy contemporary Glasgow/Scottish bands, but Coldplay wouldn’t suck like they do now and Oasis wouldn’t have anyone to sue if it wasn’t for this band that I recently re-discovered.  I still remember singing “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?”  incessantly in subway tunnels to my now lovely wife, Alyssa, back when I use to visit her/NYC.  The Man Who (1999), The Invisible Band (2001), 12 Memories (2003) and The Boy With No Name (2007) are all jam packed with great songs.  Testament to front man Fran Healy’s beautiful singing voice can be best found on the track “When We Were Young off of Ode to J. Smith (2008).  Keane who?

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3mXszRrMTY

Matthew Ryan – hat tip to my buddy Rob Galgano at All Over the Place Internet Radio for turning me on to this alt-country PA native and ex- Strays Don’t Sleep.  Had the recent pleasure of catching a Ryan acoustic set opening up, for the Gaslight Anthem/Horrible Crowes front man, Brian Fallon (also  fan).  Give 2014 Boxers  a spin and if you don’t like it, then it simply sucks to be you.    Good stuff in constant rotation in my life.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy_UXpxtiCE

Brian Fallon – While NJ darlings, The Gaslight Anthem, has proven to be a great band, many would agree that they were sputtering, especially after 2014 highly ambitious and worthy Get Hurt, and wisely took a long hiatus so members can focus on other projects .  Fallon’s largely anticipated solo record, Painkillers, is due out in March 2016 and if the single teasers is a litmus test for what we can expect, we should be some really happy campers.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OReOjoDaVQ

Bigg Butt– this New Brunswick trio produces and audacious dose of  garage, grungy “moron boogie punk” (not sure what that is but sure sounds like some shit to be reckon with).  They released a 4 song demo in April 2015 that is one part Nirvana bleachy and one part Mudhoney sludgy and deserves your attention.  Find their self-titled demo on Bandcamp…..

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaR1zvl1Uyk&feature=youtu.be

GalanosVacation Cannons (2015) – who knew an upstate NY town like Kingston could give birth to “silver tongued devils?”   Yup, neither did I.  Fueled in his basement studio, Gregory Jaw, and the rest of the gang  (including Joe Pugsley of The 65’s on the bass) simultaneously go for the jugular and balls, producing nine songs of intriguing dark, fuzzed out surf rock.  For those fans of the Cramps, Lords of the New Church and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds take note, this is your cup of tea.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmcXyF-ikC8

Overlake – Travelogue/Winter Why EP (2015) – another dose of toe-tapping, knee-bouncing, head-bopping piece of shoe gaze drenched perfection from these Jersey City gods, not missing a beat from their 2014 full LP release, Sighs.  Check it!

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ1DhXngY0A

C.R. GennoneGoing Vertical (2015) A primary founder of such Jersey bands as Tribal Days and Winnebago, C.R. Gennone released this 4 song EP back in December 2015 that has caught my attention in a major way.  An eclectic collection of jangly indie pop that’s steering wheel tapping delicious  and gas pedal throbbing.  Check out one of my favorite tracks off the release also found on Bandcamp where you will find a plethora of EP releases in 2015.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KmByMv6PfI

Snapcasethe co-kings (Zero Tolerance is the other…RIP!) of the Buffalo hardcore scene broke up in 2005, but have periodically played anniversary shows in past and festival shows as of late, their 25th later this month on their home turf.  A band that always sought to raise the bar on the genre, they never seem to disappoint.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk1KFeBDRyE

The 65’sNew Fun Hell (2015) – This new 3 song EP from this Rutherford, NJ band picks up right where 2013’s “I Got You” EP left off and that is why it is in heavy rotation in my life.  “Punk -n- Roll” at its finest, the 65’s have the guts and grit to continually make some kick butt music.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXi6dt7UhuM&feature=youtu.be

http:/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXi6dt7UhuM&feature=youtu.be/

The HighSomewhere Soon (1990) – first heard this record back in the 1990s when my friends and I were eating, sleeping and wearing the “Madchester” scene to the hilt.  They definitely had the scene sound down, It also doesn’t hurt to have a cool ass name and a guitarist that was an original member of the legendary Stone Roses.  The tape went lost for years, then I stumbled upon a used copy in a 5th Ave, Brooklyn record shop a few years ago.  Check out the opening track, “Box Set Go” below.  100% Britpop perfection.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd_RRrEqKdA

Scott Weiland (RIP) – I’ve been semi-closeted Stone Temple Pilots fan for years (their killer third album, Tiny Gifts…Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop….”perfectly blends punk and glam” says the Pumpkin’s Corgan and I agree) and been exploring other Weiland fronted acts long before his [un]timely demise.  Despite some unevenness, his Walkabouts boasts some decent tunes and I finally slowed down to actually listened to Velvet Revolver (been debating Axl vs. Scott ever since doing so).  All good shit.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVD0JVnsXXw

Lighting Seeds-“Pure” – love this song and thank the God’s I remembered to start listening to this gem again…

http:/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6myNbk15sMs/

R.E.M.– It seemed like over the  years, many R.E.M. fans just woke up one day simply “over” the band, including me.  My own interest started waning around the release of New Adventures In Hi-Fi (1996).  MTV favs, they just got too big and too commercial too fast.  Kind of bizarre when they were once kings of the alt-music mountain that could do no wrong.  I remember declaring to my high school peers who saw my cassette copies of Under A Blood Red Sky and Murmur mysteriously “stacked and glued” to my top locker shelf (most likely due to a Coke spill), that both U2 and R.E.M. will be the most famous bands in the universe one day (and voila).  Personally, I think the combination of Stipe’s smug onstage political rants and the “Shiny Happy People” video (sans the cute B-52’s brunette dancing chick) commenced their downward slide.  Fast forward to 2015, and I found myself rediscovering the band and realizing they are probably one of the best American bands ever.  Sure they released a lot of easily overlooked material since Hi-Fi, but buried deep are a number of gems.  Just check out 2008’s Accelerate.  Next to”Begin the Begin” off one of my favorite releases, Life’s Rich Pageant (1986), the song “Living Well is the Best Revenge” is arguably one of the best songs they ever wrote and “Horse to Water” just knocks it out of the park for me like “Talk About the Passion”, “Seven Chinese Brothers” or even “Disturbance at the Heron House.” I gravitate towards 2009’s Live at the Olympia that compiles great songs old and new.  I forgive you Michael ,just bite your tongue…xo

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcgovY-H8uA

Free Electronic and Indie MP3’s of the Day

Free Electronic and Indie MP3’s of the Day

Gloom Balloon by Tape Flemming Music Review
This is a seriously mixed bag of tunes with semi jeff magnum homages, loud and jangly indie bands and some electronic based musiks but you’ll get the drift as we hip you to some cool stuff for your downloading and listening pleasure. We try to give you at the very least a incomplete sentence about each band.

Gloom Balloon – Summer Buzz And Summer Fervor MP3 by the dude named Tape Flemming from the band The Poison Control Center. Uplifting band name too. This tune is like joyous part of Christmas in a very Flaming Lips kind of way. It’s about celebration of living. Check it out. RIYL: Neutral Milk Hotel. Band Website / twitter

Dead Waves Band Brooklyn
Dead Waves – Over Me MP3 from the EP Take Me Away. This is a trio based out of Brooklyn with two brothers from Queens. RIYL – early jesus and mary chain mixed with the thermals and some melviny screaming into the mic antics. Totally worth checking out in our humble opinion. Actual rock music with zero keyboard bullshit. Bandcamp / twitter

tri-state-band-nj-single
Tri-State – Hawk in the Fog MP3 from a self titled EP from a bunch of dudes from Maplewood NJ area. One of the members was in the band Dune Buggy. Which we have one of their 7″s somewhere in the stacks. This is a pure and adulterated “jangly” pop tune alla Real Estate (not sunny day). Super catchy. Like them on the facebooks.

The-Difference-Machine-Futuristic-Blast-single
Futuristic Blast – TheDifference-MachineMP3 from The Psychedelic Sounds of the Difference Machine This is total DJ Shadow shit here but we love it. Comprised of Dr. Conspiracy and DT who raps, freestyles, cuts and works a delay peddle. To be safe file under hip-hop but don’t corner them there. 16 song album avail as LP/CD from their bandcamp.

Night Surgeon Gondola Crimewave single review
NIGHT SURGEON – Gondola Crimewave MP3 from the self titled EP Gondola Crimewave This duo is from Portland Oregon. File under Uk electronic sounding. Name your Price on their bandcamp page.

Panes Choice Errors single Review
PANES – Choice Errors (Lee Gamble Remix) MP3 – This music reminds me of when you are coming down from a acid trip. It could be background music for walking around a neon lit airport. Worth checking out.

Let us know what you think in the comments section. Except for you spammers. We fucking hate you.

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More free MP3’s of the Day by NØMADS, Bill Janovitz from Buffalo Tom, Tim Larson, Jadeite and Slippertails.