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The Good Graces: Working Title [Track Review]

The Good Graces

Your typical indie pop band features infectious vocal melodies and upbeat instrumentation, the combination of which is undeniably catchy hooks. “Working Title” by The Good Graces fits these pop sensibilities to a ‘T’ but the vocal styling gives the song a unique twist. It’s all in the pronunciation of the words; it gives “Working Title” a country-ish feel that easily sets them apart from both modern and classic indie pop artists. Read More »The Good Graces: Working Title [Track Review]

Musette: 23 Oktober [Track Review]

Musette

So this discovery is slightly delayed, as Musette’s Datum has been out a few months now, but I’m getting caught up on a few things (namely, my inbox) and this is a band of which you are likely unaware. Musette is from Sweden and Datum is a recounting of Joel Danell’s piano tunes, all distinctly titled with a date, and prepared, originally, on piano. But, the recounting finds Danell recrafting the songs using violin, whistling, guitar, accordion and Dobro. The result, at least in what little I’ve heard, i.e. “23 Oktober”, is phenomenal. Read More »Musette: 23 Oktober [Track Review]

Sugarplum Fairies: First Rate Show [Track Review]

Sugarplum Fairies

It’s been a few years since we’ve heard from Sugarplum Fairies, and the extensive time has allowed me to forget how fun this band can be. “First Rate Show” is off their upcoming release, Chinese Leftovers, out July 28. The song features hushed and melancholy female vocals, a lovely brass section, and folk-based indie pop. In “First Rate Show”, Sugarplum Fairies conjure thoughts of artists like Concretes and early Camera Obscura. Read More »Sugarplum Fairies: First Rate Show [Track Review]

The Octopus Project: Wet Gold [Track Review]

The Octopus Project

So I really dig this; when I saw The Octopus Project perform at SXSW in 2007, there were no vocals, and while the music was entirely mesmerizing and the performance was completely amazing, this is a welcome change from that era of the band. Instrumentally, little has changed. It’s still filled with phenomenal harmonies that sift through multiple keyboards, loops, and upbeat percussion — and… can it be… is that a theremin there toward the end? Yes! Read More »The Octopus Project: Wet Gold [Track Review]

Donny Hue And The Colors [Feature]

Donny Hue And The Colors

Clouded in mystery is Donny Hue’s new track “Steps” off Free Sides. It is filled with pop sensibilities yet is shrouded in psychedelic production, giving the song and the band those added… err, colors. “Steps”, while pop-centric, is not necessarily a super upbeat song. It has echoing guitars masked with a lightly distorted reverb, and the percussion is consistent but downplayed. The vocals, on the other hand, are front and center: their prominence shines even when harmonies are not present. But perhaps the most telling sign that this song remains true to pop is the bouncy keys mostly hidden by the intense guitar mastery but for the closing solo moments. Read More »Donny Hue And The Colors [Feature]

WHY?: This Blackest Purse [Track Review]

WHY?

WHY? The distinct capitalization and weighty punctuation are fit for embellishments: WHY? And yes, that is also the question: Why haven’t I given this band ear time? I cannot begin to answer the question, nor can I drum up any of the countless excuses that should be so easily on the tip of my tongue. After all, I recall seeing Rubber Traits come across the desk at KZUU in 2006 (approximately six months prior launching this site) and I noted the unique cover art, and heard great things about 2008’s Alopecia. Read More »WHY?: This Blackest Purse [Track Review]

Julie Peel: Unfold [Track Review]

Julie Peel

Folk-based pop artists, and vice versa, tend to encompass a homogeneous realm in music, as found in most sub-genres. So it generates great excitement when an artist defies the typical expectations. On “Unfold”, Julie Peel does just that, conjuring (surprisingly) a sound similar to the Jenn + Andy duo Wye Oak, sans the electric strength. “Unfold” too features male/female vocals, but rather than heavy pop-rock percussion and loud dreamy electric guitar riffs, Peel’s song is stripped to guitar, bongos, strings and a collective of instruments that assist in making her music stand out amidst a sub-genre often tired and, while typically good, unoriginal. Peel demonstrates aptly in “Unfold” that she is anything but. Read More »Julie Peel: Unfold [Track Review]

So Many Dynamos

So Many Dynamos: New Bones [Track Review]

Surprising a fact as this may be, I am pretty much unaware of the music reviewing world. This is a fact I plan to rectify from now on, as there are surely several blogs and sites worthy of my time and attention. I did a little digging when approaching “New Bones” by So Many Dynamos, a song that many relate to Fugazi, dub as post-punk with forays into math-rock, or said this positive thing or that negative thing… and I start to see why I tune so much of it out. It taints the writing, the perceptions, and the expectations.

Read More »So Many Dynamos: New Bones [Track Review]
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