seattle

J Minus: Congratulations, You Suck [Video]

Ron Trembath
September 21, 2010September 24, 2010

The art of storytelling through song has long been a time honored tradition. There are critics out there who believe that a song does not have to have to have an emotional attachment for it to be art. But, after listening to a few tracks from J Minus, those obnoxious syncs, although they shouldn’t be completely disregarded, will seem to make no sense. Songwriter Dylan Fant has created something that is absolutely integral to the music world, and an anomaly to the new age of alternative music. J Minus is the reincarnated spirit of art pop that has been missed since the days of bands like Cracker and Toad The Wet Sprocket. Read More »J Minus: Congratulations, You Suck [Video]

Carissa’s Wierd Reissues Update

Andy Fenstermaker
September 17, 2010September 17, 2010

If you spent any extended period alone in personal confinement during the early days of the century, and you had a predilection toward mopey, soft pop, you may have let the hours wane away dwelling on the heartbreaking bedroom-ish pop of Carissa’s Wierd. If you didn’t, you should have as it is some of the best music created both during and post 90s. Little known, and with even littler quantities of albums produced, many long-time fans cheered quietly when Hardly Art announced a cherished set of reissues. Read More »Carissa’s Wierd Reissues Update

J. Tillman: Three Sisters [mp3]

Andy Fenstermaker
September 14, 2010September 12, 2010

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]

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

Andy Fenstermaker
September 8, 2010September 8, 2010

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]

Discover America: Future Paths [Album Review]

Ron Trembath
September 8, 2010May 12, 2023

There are many folks like Chris Staples floating around any city of your choosing. But, it is only fair to note that it is their individualistic creativity that makes them…well, the same. When one man decides he wants to control his own destiny as a musician, he only needs to enlist a short hand of helpful players (probably just like him, but not at all) and create a very clever moniker. Do this and what do you get? Well, that would be the extremely enthralling work of Discover America, and the corresponding album Future Paths.

Ron Trembath
August 23, 2010August 23, 2010

Once you move past their name which comes a close third in brilliant hilarity behind the likes of Test Icicles and The Dead Kenny G’s, The Jesus Rehab are beyond what you would expect. With a name like that, you might expect a sassy post punk explosion of anger and atheism. But, you couldn’t be more wrong. Instead, The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows comes out softly, proclaiming beautiful indie pop with a hint of acoustic glee that measures up nicely to The Modern Skirts, or Belle & Sebastian on a Benzedrine trip. Read More »The Jesus Rehab: The Highest Highs And The Lowest Lows [Album Review]

Transient Songs: Cave Syndrome [Album Review]

Ron Trembath
August 18, 2010August 17, 2010

Are you tired of your father’s versions of psychedelic rock? It can be granted that the 70â€™s were the age for some of the finest LSD-related music and mishaps history will ever know. But, surely it becomes tiresome to constantly hear about Rush’s supposed futuristic nonsense, or Roger Water’s boring obsession with the sky, and not having anything of your own time for a real comparison. Well, degenerate hipsters and demon-friendly youth-mongers, you are in luck. Introducing: John Frum a.k.a. Transient Songs. Stick it to your old man you gentle monsters! Read More »Transient Songs: Cave Syndrome [Album Review]

Jen Wood: Finds You In Love [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
August 17, 2010April 19, 2023

Jen Wood is perhaps best known for her role as the female vocalist accompanying Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello on that Postal Service album for a few years back. Listening to her new solo album, Finds You In Love, it’s instantly apparent that this work is about as far away as you can get from that well-known piece of pop art. So get your expectations in order. Her melodies are just as simple and just as catchy, but this is pure folk-pop; simple, beloved and true.

Andy Fenstermaker
August 2, 2010August 30, 2010

The man behind Jigsaw Records has insurmountable knowledge about the most underground of bands, of obscure labels from all corners of the planet, most of which favor various subgenres and sub-subgenres of indie pop. This knowledge should not be regarded lightly, as Chris McFarlane has had his eye on the industry, and in some form has been a part of it, for a very long time. McFarlane is the purveyor of great underground pop music from his brick and mortar shop dubbed Jigsaw Records in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. The record label was re-birthed from the record shop, which opened earlier this year. Not ringing a bell? This might: Chris was also the main man behind the IndiePages website. Read More »Label Spotlight: Jigsaw Records

The Moondoggies: Fly Mama Fly [mp3]

Cyndi
June 8, 2010June 6, 2010

In moments we hear them: soft and simmering voices leaking in through an open window singing us goodbye songs for things weâ€™ve needed to be released from for a long time. The latest single from The Moondoggieâ€™s, “Fly Mama Fly”, captures for us a willowy breeze of quiet assurance. Thereâ€™s no reason to hurry as lilting voices carry us through energetic guitar builds met with a hazy and dreamy sixties-esque progression. A song to bring us home, to encourage us to look around ourselves and make sure we like what we see. Clean and melancholy, â€œFly Mama Flyâ€ puts us next to a campfire under the stars capturing the all too familiar feelings of both disappointment and hope. Read More »The Moondoggies: Fly Mama Fly [mp3]

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