The Rustic Overtones
On a whim recently, I just reminiscing about bands that I had liked in high school, I decided to look up the Rustic Overtones to play for my girlfriend and I found that not only had they reformed in 2007, but they had subsequently released two new albums. Epic fail on my part for not checking on them earlier. For mp3′s and a video, journey below the fold! (more…)
Kniife Prrty - Stay Wild
Chicago’s Kniife Prrty returns with another haunting single perfect for the wee hours of the morning or sunset, when reality gives way to dreams and dreams fuse with reality.
Robert Smith Requesting some Ham (Illustration By Aaron Z. Lee)
The Cure is a group I find myself returning to constantly, the sheer diversity of their catalog is enough to satiate any hunger for music that fits nearly any emotional category. I found myself looking up old interviews and watching live performances from various eras in The Cure’s history which resulted in me finding a picture of Robert Smith with his tongue out and I couldn’t resist making a cartoon out of it, since one of his nick names is “Fat Bob” and he has gotten chubbier over the years, but seriously, the man is a genius. For a video and mp3 of The Cure’s “Hungry Ghost” (One of the best off of The Cure’s 2008 album “4:13 Dream”) make the jump! (more…)
Moscow's Upstation
Moscow’s Upstation is the second Russian band that has been brought to my attention after Cheese People. Upstation is a bit less in your face and a bit more cohesive. They implement smooth funk-rock reminiscent of bands like the Van She, Cut Copy and others looking to the nostalgic synth-pad filled music of the 80′s for inspiration. Look out England and Australia, Russia has entered the game.
(We Are) Performance walking in a winter wonderland.
With the release of three promotional videos for three tracks (“Reptile”, “Let’s Start”, and “The Living”) off their unnamed forthcoming album, my excitement for (We Are) Performance’s return is at an all time high. To address this anticipation I spoke with lead singer and author extraordinaire Joe Stretch about the new album, being covered in ink, irony, and sitting on the bottom of pools. (more…)
Pat McGee, Chris Seligman, Amy Millan, Evan Cranley, Torquil Campbell
Stars - "The Five Ghosts" Out June 22nd
Stars, those eclectic Canadian rockers with a penchant for playing heartstrings just as well as their respective instruments are back. Their fifth album, “The Five Ghosts” will hit stores physical and digital on June 22nd. You can pre-order the album on itunes and their official site. The i Tunes preorder comes with 5 bonus tracks. It looks as if stars is continuing in a slightly more electronic direction continued from their “Sad Robots” EP, fret not, the emotionality and euphoria isn’t going anywhere. Don’t believe me? Check out lead single “We Don’t Want Your Body”.
Soundpool
Soundpool, a band out of New York City has released their third studio album entitled “Mirrors In Your Eyes”, and what they’ve done with it is put a bit of mirror ball action (i.e. dance beats) into their soundscapey shoe-gazey sound. Singer Kim Field’s vocals are as formidable as ever, cooing through wet blankets of reverb, funky bass and heavily affected guitar. The beats and bass provide a driving structure that unifies the songs in a way that works. Not every band can take their formula for music and drop in some funky grooves, but Soundpool have done it, and they sound mighty classy doing it.
Thieves Like Us
Thieves Like Us the 2/3 Swedish and 1/3 American synth-pop group born and bred on the nostalgic and intensely emotional pop of the 80′s has released their second album “Again and Again” here. It’s available from i Tunes and you can buy it online if you’re fluent in French (Which I am not, dangit!) But fear not, you can enjoy the tracks at that link. The album has all the atmosphere we’ve come to expect from the group with maybe a little more funk and dance-ability than we’ve heard from them before. The track “One Night with You” sounds like a New Order b-side complete with chorus affected bass. “Lover Lover” is the most pronounced pop moment the group has achieved in their career thus far. Thieves Like Us has done it again, I can’t help but love everything they do. They’re just so darned good.
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