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The Western States Motel: The Cliff [mp3]

western-states-motel

Carl Jordan has THAT voice. You know, the one that sounds like Gavin Rosdale after he’s taken 40 No-Doz. It’s that raspy yet emotionally pleasing tone you might recognize with the likes of Pete Droge or Eels, the former heavyweight champions of obscurity-laced pop. But, it’s time to step aside Mr. E. The Western States Motel is here to bring oddball power pop back in a big way with their ultra catchy track “The Cliff”. Read More »The Western States Motel: The Cliff [mp3]

Lali Puna: Remember [mp3]

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With such a nostalgia-inspiring title for Lali Puna‘s first single off her upcoming LP – the group’s first in over five years – one can’t help but reminisce on the past. I recall picking up 2004’s Faking The Books around the time of its release; I quickly became obsessed with “Micronimic”, the title track and “B-Movie”. These songs, along with selections from Neon Golden by The Notwist, came to define my music obsessions of 2004. I can see “Remember” launching Our Inventions beyond Lali Puna’s past albums, much in the way Neon Golden did for The Notwist. Read More »Lali Puna: Remember [mp3]

The Secret History: Johnny Anorak [mp3]

secret-history

The modern pop fan undoubtedly favors several styles of the genre. Likewise, the modern pop band is likely to pull from a collection of these sub-genres. The Secret History does just that in “Johnny Anorak”, coming across with vocals fit for a Neko Case reference and backed by synth heavy indie glam pop. The band itself consists of My Favorite’s Michael Grace Jr., glam legend Mick Ronson’s daughter Lisa (on vocals), and Erin Dermody. These two are no newbies to music, so their delivering a powerful pop tune like “Johnny Anorak” shouldn’t be a surprise. Read More »The Secret History: Johnny Anorak [mp3]

Scout Niblett: The Calcination of Scout Niblett [mp3]

scout-niblett

“The Calcination of Scout Niblett”, the title track off Scout Niblett‘s new LP on Drag City Records, is a mix between minimalistic folk sensibilities and the rock-worthiness of epic guitar riffs. Going from the soft minimal vocals-plus-quiet-guitar trait common in folk to the hard-hitting distorted rock guitar, “The Calcination of Scout Niblett” finds a unique balance that is truly like no other. Niblett flickers between the two sounds constantly, an argument that augments the song’s originality. Read More »Scout Niblett: The Calcination of Scout Niblett [mp3]

Angel Russell [Feature]

angel-russell

Angel Russell fits into an interesting and quite rare area of folk music, that being the realm of gypsy folk. The influences, like the lifestyle, are blurred between various cultures. You can hear it in Russell’s songs, like the seductive “Sail Away” and the Spanish “Reperar Mi Vida”. Gypsy folk is rare, but the artists that embody the description do so wholeheartedly — just look at Ramona Cordova. In this manner Russell has traveled; her family is from Mexico and she grew up in San Diego. She began recording her debut album in Seattle, continued it in Portland, and finished it in Massachusetts. Read More »Angel Russell [Feature]

Andrew Belle: Static Waves [mp3]

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Contemporary folk-pop is an arena that is swamped with imitators, yet a select few artists stand out above the rest. Andrew Belle is one such artist thanks to the inclusion of female backing vocals and boisterous orchestration. “Static Waves” hits all the right points – it’s catchy and plush and clean and colorful. There’s a lot going on here, a lot more than your typical artist fitting this genre descriptor. It’s easy to hear why Belle was selected to open for Ben Folds, although I’d also put him in the same camp as masters like Andrew Bird. Read More »Andrew Belle: Static Waves [mp3]

Golden Triangle: Neon Noose [mp3]

golden-triangle

Noisy post-punk garage with pop-worthy hooks: if you were lucky enough to snag a wax copy of Golden Triangle‘s self-titled EP on Mexican Summer, that’s what you got. That and one of the coolest pieces of vinyl out there with a cream meets gold display of plastic artistry. Golden Triangle is back and this time they’re giving us an LP on Hardly Art. “Neon Noose” is the first track to surface from the new album and it picks up precisely where Golden Triangle left off. Read More »Golden Triangle: Neon Noose [mp3]

Label Spotlight: Beko Records

beko-records

Modern forms of communication, if anything, have allowed the ability to spread awareness like wildfire. Case in point, this morning. Catching up on recent tweets, I noticed a link from Acid House Kings to a little something called Beko Records. I visited the site, downloaded all 25 current digital singles from the label, and began the task of checking them all out. Now I’m writing about it to let you know. And who knows where you’ll take it. So we begin.

Read More »Label Spotlight: Beko Records

Blips [Demo Reel]

blips

I’m provided enough music to warrant several new areas to highlight – it’s something I hope to expand upon this year. One item I receive on occasion is the demo track. I’ve posted a few over the years, and it’s high time I made the demo its own feature. The first art to receive Demo Reel treatment is Köln, Germany’s Blips. Read More »Blips [Demo Reel]

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