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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”

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girls names // pittura infamante

“When all the doubts are crystal clear
Crashing hard into the secret wind.”

Belfast foursome Girls Names are unlike most bands in that they have forged a signature sound which keeps getting better with every release. If you heard the band’s debut LP ‘Dead To Me’ it was a fiery shot across the bow of ears everywhere. Now, with the release of their sophomore album ‘The New Life‘ fast approaching it is evident by the first two tracks, “Hypnotic Regression” and “Pittura Infamante,” that this effort is going get plenty of airplay in 2013 and beyond. By the way, you can Pre-Order ‘The New Life via Tough Love Records. Peace. Continue reading “girls names // pittura infamante”

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Frankie Rose – Know Me

Whatever you say about Brooklyn-based Frankie Rose one cannot deny her obvious work ethic. Having put in long shifts with both the Dum Dum Girls and Vivian Girls, and her own band cut from a similar Phil Spector-ish cloth, The Outs. But this time out the departure from her past incarnations is evident, on her latest work “Know Me,” Rose is getting her groove on and leading you to the dance floor. Right away I noticed the clear musical reference ala The Cure (that back-beat is surely “Close To Me), yet still what really draws me in is the voice of Frankie riding this mysterious dreamscape. The single, Know Me comes from her forthcoming album Interstellar, which is scheduled to drop January 17th via Slumberland Records. Now, I’m wondering whether the rest of her new album is just as danceable, I want my dance card full. Peace. Continue reading “Frankie Rose – Know Me”