Posted on

language // ep

lansing, michigan-based band language unleashes a sound which comes pouring out of your speakers like a sunburst of post-punk euphoria. this is music glazed with a vibrancy combined with both ear-aching post-punk pop but tempered by a gritty passion and an unstoppable need to get it out of their collective systems. lead-vocalist christopher minarik channels a hybrid blend of ian curtis (joy division) and peter murphy (bauhaus) with sonic fragments of the pixies thrown in for good measure. and even though the band has its influences it still portrays a visage which is clearly and unequivocally their own. my favorite track is the ep opener, “sault marie,” how it unfurls with a frenetic maelstrom of drums and quicksilver guitar work before chris’s vocals festoon the song with his husky diamond in the rough crooning. great music from a band i will definitely be following. peace. Continue reading “language // ep”

Posted on

young unknowns // far enough

it’s hard to rise about the proverbial fray in the nyc indie music scene. so, it is quite an accomplishment to hear the band young unknowns as their well-made music, spreads like wild-fire above and beyond their local Brooklyn environs. listen to a couple of tracks, “far enough” and “target practice” taken from the band’s forthcoming debut ep you are a young unknown. no solid release dates for the ep as of yet, but i’ll keep you informed. peace. Continue reading “young unknowns // far enough”

Posted on

big scary // vacation (our sunday best)

The Melbourne, Australia duo Big Scary (Jo Syme & Tom Iansek) is one of my recent favorite discoveries for reasons you can listen to after the jump. The twosome have their debut album release Vacation dropping on September 18th, and having already listened to an advance copy I can attest to its absolute majesty and magic. No doubt this is an album that is more than the sum of its 10-track parts, with each song doing exactly what it was made to do: entertain your ears and wedge nicely inside you beating heart. So to define or categorize the music as merely Pop is both an understatement and a disservice. These songs are ledgers of blood sweetened with the artistry of raw ability and a honed ear for making musical perfection.

Make no bones about it these songs are crafted from musicians who’ve poured out their hearts and souls, putting every ounce of “keeping it real” in the music and lyrics they obviously enjoyed bringing into the world. Simply put, theses are artists whose talents are perfectly suited to the purpose of penning great music. And this is why Big scary was an easy pick for Our Sunday Best.

You can pre-order Vacation on iTunes, and come back soon for additional tour dates and updates. Peace. Continue reading “big scary // vacation (our sunday best)”

Posted on

christopher norman & the reverb junkie // all the pretty people ep

I got the wonderful All The Pretty People EP in my e-mail inbox several days ago and I’ve been (hoarding) listening to it ever since; while running random and mundane errands aplenty. Christopher Norman & The Reverb Junkie (aka  Michelle Chamuel) are a match made in music heaven, and this EP is a living and breathing testament to how seamlessly their respective styles coalesce into a gratifying and wonderful sound. Although the EP contains only three songs and a couple of remixes a listener can easily envision something bigger and broader in the works from this talented twosome.

The opening track, “You Don’t Know” features the fantastically seductive vocals of The Reverb Junkie, it settles somewhere near your endorphin center and pretty much stays there. The following song “Keep Pace” finds Christopher Norman‘s voice matched perfectly alongside each note, with The Reverb Junkie offering glints and shiny facets along the way. But, when Christopher sings, “I was never good at staying put…” you get the feeling he isn’t speaking of geography. It is more than evident this artist is evolving, and continues to push into uncharted territory. The maturity is evident as both of these artists showcase their individual strengths as producers and songwriters.  On track number three we’re treated to more of what works well here, the beyond excellent singing of Michelle Chamuel swimming amongst the white-water electronic orchestration of Mr. Norman.

This in more than a debut release, it is a solid statement by the duo. It is the charming and beatific voices of Christopher and Michelle commingling and complimenting each other, but it is also a combination of slow-motion-dream and the frenetic-electronic-cloud rain dripping musically all over the place. It it both bright and clever. But this isn’t the stuff of trite and mercurial hipness, it is something more enduring. This collaboration is stalwart and self-assured, very easy to listen and dance to. I think this is the beginning of a wonderful musical relationship between Christopher Norman and The Reverb Junkie. Now, I’m just hoping they’re planning a full length LP in the near and dear future. Peace. Continue reading “christopher norman & the reverb junkie // all the pretty people ep”

Posted on

cat power // ruin

Cat Marshall (Chan Marshall) is without a doubt one of my favorite singer songwriters working today. I have been a fan for quite awhile now, and although her output isn’t as prolific as I would like I am pleased as punch about her forthcoming album Sun . The latest album if Ms. Marshall’s first collection of original songs in six years. So yeah, fans are pretty excited. After the jump check out, “Ruin” and the “Cherokee (Nicolas Jaar Remix). Both tracks are a stylistic variance from previous releases, yet both retain Cat Power’s haunting vocals and beautifully somber arrangements. Oh yes, September can’t get here soon enough. Peace. Continue reading “cat power // ruin”

Posted on

poliça // the maker (gardens and villa remix)

You’ve likely noticed (if you have a history here) that I’ve reviewed several songs by Poliça and here is yet another reason for me to continue my on-going admiration for this great Minnesota band.

Dropping August 14th, Mom + Pop Music will reissue Poliça‘s recently released debut album Give You The Ghost. SPIN.com described the Ryan Olson and Jim Eno produced band’s sound as “tough, R&B-bent, live wire electronica that doubles as Auto-Tune delight.”

In Addition, Poliça (Channy Leaneagh, Chris Bierden, Drew Christopherson and Ben Ivascu) will also release The Dark Star EP with reinterpretations of tracks by the likes of Exitmusic, Aluxe and others. Good stuff. Here, “The Maker,” the impressive production duo Gardens & Villa have worked their collective magic for the Dark Star Remix EP. I can’t wait to here the rest of the EP. Peace. Continue reading “poliça // the maker (gardens and villa remix)”

Posted on

the helio sequence // october

The Helio Sequence are a mainstay in the Portland, Oregon music scene and for good reason, Brandon Summers and Benjamin Weikel make good music. With the duos fifth studio release Negotiations you’ll hear imaginative songwriting and a much more expansive and warmer, albeit vintage sound. The Helio Sequence have come into their own with this release and you’re heart and ears will be thoroughly pleased. Peace. Continue reading “the helio sequence // october”

Posted on

deleted scenes // young people’s church of the air (our sunday best)

There are bands out here in the world which serve as more therapy than mere entertainment. And although D.C.’s Deleted Scenes can serve as both it is the former that is perhaps most useful. When I listen to the music on their sophomore release Young People’s Church of the Air I immediately think of three bands, Radiohead, Vampire Weekend and OK Go. Hopefully this isn’t a rush to judgement, but I hear lyrical phrasing and musical styles reminiscent of the aforementioned trio. But musical comparisons aside I hear originality too. In the way Daniel Scheuerman gets inside a song (and your head) and paints the walls with darkly ghostly sound that manages to ring of hopefulness, and much fragility as well. The album opens with the spacey panoramic tome “A Litany for Mrs. T” and it envelops the listener in an almost gospel wave of euphoria. But there are so many great tracks, Bedbedbedbedbed, the tropical “Nassau” or my favorite, “English As A Second Language”. All these songs, make this Our Sunday Best pick. Peace. Continue reading “deleted scenes // young people’s church of the air (our sunday best)”

Posted on

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)”