The singer/songwriter Rachel Thomasin reached out to me through Twitter and boy I’m glad she did. How else would I have come to know the honest beauty of her songcraft? The Gravitate EP was released back in October, but nonetheless the songs have a timeless feel to them as they cascade over your eardrums like ancient waters washing over primordial stone. But, the songs have the opposite effect, instead of wearing you down like the ideal particle they enliven and rejuvenate. All in all, these are seven songs you’ll welcome into your head and heart, and eventually cherish. Also, in case you missed her March release, R. Thomasin, reach back and get yourself another earful of joyful noise. Peace. Continue reading “rachel thomasin // the gravitate ep”
let’s buy happiness // run
The band Let’s Buy Happiness didn’t send me a press or media kit asking me to review their songs. No begging for my attention. Why would they? I pen a infinitesimally small music blog way off in a remote quadrant of the Nebula Galaxy. Slight aside I am smitten with the band’s existence, especially the vocals of Ms. Sarah Hall (wrapped around the obvious talent of those bandmates weaving a shroud of beauty around her). Which for lack of a more developed vocabulary I’ll call the obverse antipathy of evanescent (hey, I’m trying here). After dredging the web for more, ’cause gotdamnit I’m an unabashed and voracious consumer and alas my gluttony knows no bounds (middle finger to the other deadly sins as well by the way). After much turmoil and effort I found Works Better On Paper, Fast Fast, Six Wolves, and the No Hot Ashes EP. Yet, not surprisingly my ears go unsated. Sigh. Here’s hoping LBH stop being the sadists they so obviously are and release a full debut LP soon, like yesterday soon. Oh, Ms. Hall you’ve a Feist-y heart. Peace. Continue reading “let’s buy happiness // run”
vladimir // come over
If guitar ridden melancholy is your bag then Scottish rock quartet Vladimir is for you. These young pistols have done their homework too, sounding at once like Joy Division (one can even spell Ian Curtis from amongst the band members’ names, coincidence?) conjoined at the hip of modernity. The band’s first single release Come Over is a pure antidepressant downer, it’ll turn your smile upside-down (and you’ll like it) soon after the swirling riff catches your attention. It rocks in all the low places. I am thinking 2014 will be their year, but not their best. No, I suspect the best is yet to come. Peace.
sally shapiro // if it doesn’t rain tonight (digits remix)
Toronto-based producer and fervent remixologist Digits rearranges the sonics of Sally Shapiro‘s If It Doesn’t Rain Tonight and the results are pleasing to the ear. Earlier this year Sally Shapiro + Johan Agebjorn unleashed upon the world at large their 3rd LP, Somewhere Else via Paper Bag Records (Permanent Vacation in the UK). The remix track hits the streets running December 4th via Flashback Records. Continue reading “sally shapiro // if it doesn’t rain tonight (digits remix)”
midlake // antiphon = our sunday best
I discovered the Texas-based band Midlake yesterday whilst driving through the northern environs of Ohio listening to NPR. This band has a sound as varied as the November landscape I sped through. And like the colors of the vibrant falling leaves, robust in multihued sound. This is music that’ll till the fields of one’s soul, all you have to do is sow wisely. I will keep it short, but for more check out the band on NPR’s First Listen. Note to self, the band drops their album Antiphon November 5th courtesy of Bella Union Records/ATO Records. Peace. Continue reading “midlake // antiphon = our sunday best”
rare times // cloudy + watched over
rare times // cloudy + watched over
The four-piece LA-based electro project Rare Times release the second track Cloudy from their forthcoming Mist EP courtesy of Feel So Reel Records. In case you missed it, after the jump check out their February release the Missionary EP. This is some sensuous music here, the perfect pairing for those moments of seduction or thoughtful introspection. Peace.
Continue reading “rare times // cloudy + watched over”
bilby + cuckoos // split ep
bilby + cuckoos // split ep
Bilby and Cuckoos are both Australian artists and they have released an affectionate and admirable 3-track EP. According to a press release Bilby (Harry Moxham) hails from the beaches of Northern Sydney, and he makes his style of lo-fi folk-pop from the comfort and confines of his bedroom. So, maybe that’s the reason the songs he produces sound so intimate, with the frailty of weather-worn and honest confession. The artist Cuckoos aka Sam Wotherspoon makes his contribution with the track Strange Daze, it’s a slow dirge wrapped in wispy sensuousness; the foggy outskirts of a forlorn heart. This EP is a treasure. Love it, play it. Peace. Continue reading “bilby + cuckoos // split ep”
blackbird blackbird // summer’s almost here
The latest track from Blackbird Blackbird is titled Summer’s Almost Here is out and about making friends with ears everywhere. And, according to the band, “This track is about dancing under moonlight with friends and loved ones, embracing the seasons, and transitioning into a period of irreversible change.” Also, the band is hard at work putting the finishing touches on their forthcoming LP. Peace. Continue reading “blackbird blackbird // summer’s almost here”
grouplove // ways to go
The band Grouplove is a favorite here at The Earolology Dept. and for good reason. The band makes infectious (really no other way to describe it) music that quickly gets stuck in your frontal cortex and takes up residence. Check out the bands spanking new video for Ways To Go from the bands forthcoming Spreading Rumors LP (via Canvasback / Atlantic). You can pre-order Spreading Rumors (Deluxe) on iTunes like I just did. Peace. Continue reading “grouplove // ways to go”
boards of canada // tomorrow’s harvest
Boards of Canada need little of no introduction because they’re legendary to say the least. And if you missed it their label Warp Records stream the entire Tomorrow’s Harvest yesterday (don’t worry I missed it too, sneaky bastards). Worry not though, you can still pre-order the album here, and as always I suggest the vinyl. Officially the album drops June the 11th. Peace. Continue reading “boards of canada // tomorrow’s harvest”