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heavenly beat // talent (full album stream)

I was duly impressed with Heavenly Beat (John Pena) since I heard his 2011 singles 7″ Suday and Faithless, the latter being was an instant favorite of mine. Now, Heavenly Beat has put out a magnificent LP with the release of Talent. The album title isn’t as pretentious as one might imagine. It seems to be more of a declaration of self-assurance, and a recognition of growth than anything haughty. This isn’t the pounding of Mr. Pena’s hands to chest, it is simply artistic confidence (well deserved). After the break listen to entire album courtesy of Captured Tracks. And thanks Mr. Pena for including the song Faithless on this album. Thumbs up, way up! Peace. Continue reading “heavenly beat // talent (full album stream)”

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heavenly beat // tradition

John Pena is the smooth like butta’ incarnation of Heavenly Beat and the lovely song, “Tradition,” just melts in your eardrum so sweetly. This song is all pastel and muted color galore. But, it is also effortless and packed to the brim the sensuous and chill. You may want to listen to a few of this bands other gorgeous tasting songs at iTunes. Desire. Messiah. Faithless. Suday. All of them totally bathed in chillwave aesthetics, and that’s a good thing. Also, Heavenly Beat will be dropping their debut album Talent on July 2th via Captured Tracks. Peace. Continue reading “heavenly beat // tradition”

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The Raindoggs // Don’t Wanna Be Good

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.  — Oscar Wilde

I think Oscar Wilde was onto something, and I’ve stopped fighting the feeling of this sultry track. In the end, there is nothing quite as habit-forming as good music.  The song “Don’t Wanna Be Good” by The Raindoggs is akin to something sultry laid out before your ears just begging a listener to indulge unto you get your fill.  The Austin, TX-based, The Raindoggs have perfected a bluesy rock that just makes you want to do all sorts of unmentionable things you’ve only dreamed about but never had the courage to put into motion. And the vocals of Larisa Montanaro are all bedroom eyes and bright red lipstick on your collar. Their latest release is as come-hither as a song can get and still remain dignified in the morning. All this good music is leading up to a righteous 2012 for The Raindoggs. Peace. Continue reading “The Raindoggs // Don’t Wanna Be Good”

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Oh No Oh My // Walking Into You (Video)

By some accounts the band Oh No Oh My came into being way back in ’04 and have been a steady an ongoing and growing (musically successful) project ever since. However, contrary to their almost decade long existence, their top-notch second full-length release People Problems dropped with a splash in 2011. I don’t know what happened in the in-between years, but I suspect it was just the way things worked out. Do me a favor, when you listen to People Problems, do so in the quiet of solitude and let these amazing songs come to you on their own terms. And I wouldn’t say this if it wasn’t true, this is another one of those ‘must have’ albums you’ll want in your growing vinyl collection. The album leads off with “Walking Int Me” and this, for me, set up nicely a great first impression of a band I only came to know of through some totally nefarious and clandestine turn of events. More on those events, like NEVER! But I digress…

ONOM is full of surprises, and this album is filled with song after song of melodic, rich and deep sound craft. With their multiple-instrumentation, spot-on guitar work and the odds and ends of electronic shenanigans, all this whirling around Greg Barkley’s color of sunshine voice. No matter how one describes this Austin, Texas-based outfit it only comes down to three things. Good. Gooder. Goodest. Check out Oh No Oh My‘s People Problems via bandcamp after the jump, and watch the (I want problems like this) video for, “Walking Into You.” Peace. Continue reading “Oh No Oh My // Walking Into You (Video)”