the mantles // long enough to leave

Today I received a copy of the San Francisco/Oakland-based The Mantles’ latest album Long Enough To Leave. I’m giving it two thumbs up. Why? Because it deserves it. I’ve been listening to it’s sparkling low-key 10-track, but brilliantly rendered LP. Song after song possesses a Beach Boy soft à la folkish rock quiality; both modernistic and contemporary. My favorites are powder soft Raspberry Thighs and the feisty Brown Balloon (the later track has a kinda sorta Black Francis/The Pixies vibe). Lead vocalist Michael Olivares delivers each song in his plaintive lovelorn voice, which makes each and every word sound authentically woeful, yet oddly hopeful too Continue reading “the mantles // long enough to leave”

imperial teen // runaway

Perennial favorites of the Indie power-pop scene the music making ménage à trois + 1 Imperial Teen is sounding as sweet as ever. With the release of their fifth studio album Feel The Sound the San Fransisco-based band is all set to win over a slew of additional fans in 2012. Check out the first release “Runaway” and you’ll not only “feel the sound” but it’ll feel you right back, as it weaves its soothing sonic tendrils all up in your head space. But what about the rest of the album you may ask? Don’t worry, I got audible proof positive that’ll obliterate any lagging doubts (Damn naysayers!). Go to Merge Records and stream the entire album ’till the cows come home. You’re gonna want to sing along too, so check out the lyrics here. See, I got you covered. But, Roddy Bottum, Lynn Perko Truell, Will Schwartz, and Jone Stebbins, well, they got the music, and isn’t that the reason you’re here? Peace. Continue reading “imperial teen // runaway”