Skip to content
Home » Features » Song Reviews » Page 24

Song Reviews

The Just Joans: Stuart Had A Dirty Book [mp3]

just-joans

The Just Joans came to my attention via WeePOP! Records, who have released a few mini EPs by the group: Virgin Lips, Hey Boy…You’re Oh So Sensitive and Love And Other Hideous Accidents. Their latest is titled Your Pain Is A Joke Next To Mines, and it is now available, again, via WeePOP! “Stuart Had A Dirty Book” is from the 7-song EP, and it blends thick Scottish accents with playful but mopey pop. It’s a typical song by The Just Joans, catchy and fun but with a sad tone that’s impossible to overlook. Read More »The Just Joans: Stuart Had A Dirty Book [mp3]

The Rest: John Huston [mp3]

rest

It might feel like ages since we last heard from The Rest (way back in March). But, they actually haven’t slowed down a bit. These Toronto-based soundscape masochists have been hard at work on their forthcoming album, SEESAW, due out in early 2011. And with their sophomore release only now hitting a year old, and their brilliant Cried Wolf Book/EP being one of the biggest highlights of 2010, it’s hard to imagine what kind of beautiful madness this tremendous group has to offer us in the coming months. Read More »The Rest: John Huston [mp3]

La Sera: Never Come Around [mp3]

la-sera

Earlier this week I received some Hardly Art love. Yes, the 3 LP reissues by Carissa’s Wierd finally arrived via the USPS. So when they dropped me a note about one of their latest bands, La Sera, I jumped at the chance to show them some love back. La Sera, the new project of Katy Goodman (Vivian Girls, All Saints Day), creates dreamy pop in the vein of Katy’s other groups. That means it’s dreamy, but full of a garage/basement pop marriage. The heavy, brooding guitar riffs are also playful and at times even joyous. The nondescript vocals are light and filled with an the swirl of cloudy thoughts. Music, to me, has always been a drug, and La Sera is the among sweetest of highs. Read More »La Sera: Never Come Around [mp3]

J. Tillman: Three Sisters [mp3]

j-tillman

J. Tillman has always created a very minimalist style of folk, and this sound once again dominates his new track “Three Sisters”, from his upcoming Singing Ax release. With minimalism, there’s a fine balance between the risk of being bland and sans any melody, and creating something astonishingly brilliant. Tillman knows this line well, and flirts with it frequently. No surprise: his skilled footwork keeps him on the side of brilliance. Read More »J. Tillman: Three Sisters [mp3]

Film School: Heart Full Of Pentagons [mp3]

  • Cyndi 

film-school

There’s a lot going on inside a Film School song, and thankfully it all works. From leering, pulsing guitar to brooding lyrics, the San Francisco based band have captured a shimmering, seething, and triumphant sound. With a style many say is rooted in the tradition of 80’s new wave Brit rock, Film School’s latest album Fission is more energetically lucid and accessible than their prior work spawning likeable dance beats and sweetly melancholy harmonies. At times perhaps we feel a bit lost in the cacophony, but we don’t necessarily want to be found. Rather we’re content to ramble amidst their river rapid sounds unsure of, yet serenely excited for, where they’ll take us next. Read More »Film School: Heart Full Of Pentagons [mp3]

Jared Mees & The Grown Children: Cockleburrs and Hay [mp3 review]

jared-mees

It’s almost been two years since Jared Mees & The Grown Children released their brilliant album Caffeine, Alcohol, Sunshine, Money. But with every live show they play in their hometown of Portland, or throughout the Northwest and California for that matter, their singularly identifiable brand of messy folk continues to seem fresh and frenzied in nature. Read More »Jared Mees & The Grown Children: Cockleburrs and Hay [mp3 review]

Moondoggies: It’s A Shame, It’s A Pity [mp3 Review]

moondoggies

Oh the classic sound of Seattle’s Moondoggies. Hints of Neil Young shine through in their new track “It’s A Shame, It’s A Pity”. Their style of rustic folk rock has always flirted with this mold, but never has it been so vibrant of that 70s era, so reminiscent of their brethren from another life. “It’s A Shame, It’s A Pity” is upbeat and mature, ripe with the feel-good elements of pop and the disenchantment with a bad situation as the band repeats It’s a shame and Just a lie over and over. This is easily the best thing I’ve heard from these guys yet, and that’s an impressive feat. Read More »Moondoggies: It’s A Shame, It’s A Pity [mp3 Review]

No Age: Glitter [mp3 Review]

no-age

It’s interesting to hear the progression No Age has made since Nouns. “Glitter” is an entirely different beast. Sure there are elements of noise that the band so favored on that brilliant debut from 2009, but here it’s contained and restrained. They’ve tamed the beast. No longer do they shout to be heard amidst overwhelming, clever guitar riffs. No, here they focus on a consistent drum beat and actually… wait for it… sing! Still, the song builds and grows into a noisy little creature, vicious yet slumbering. I doubt this band has tamed to the point of being domestic — after all, “You’re A Target” was pretty f*ing mad, and that came out pretty recently. Frankly, I’m torn as to which side of No Age I like better, the insane noise or the restrained madness. Either way, you’ve got a winner. Read More »No Age: Glitter [mp3 Review]

Kelley Stoltz

  • Cyndi 

kelley-stoltz

Kelley Stoltz’s new single, “I Don’t Get That”, is something of another time. One listen and we find ourselves reeling in an era when music was intended to set us off; when the sun could be felt through the speakers. A simple, rugged guitar progression and centric sultry sixties throwback rhythm feed our appetite as the kind of warm and vagrant pop music we want to hear. It’s the type of song we would’ve stayed up late to listen to, hiding our radios under our pillows so mom wouldn’t know we were listening to that dirty rock music. Though his sound is not a huge divergence from the glory days of the Brit-rock invasion, Stoltz makes pop music the way it’s remembered and hoped to be. Read More »Kelley Stoltz

Follow by Email
YouTube
YouTube
Instagram

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions