The Reytons will have heard the comparison with that other band from South Yorkshire (UK) too often, but the music that that other band made 15 years ago they don’t make anymore and there is still a need for it. So good news that the “right ones” are here, even better news that they have released a new EP – good album title, good cover photo, good songs. Let’s hope we can see them live soon, so that we can roar along: ‘Tie up your laces, this city is ours!’
The Spires are from California. They play timeless guitar pop that is pleasant to the ears, soul and mind. Era was, I believe, is the band’s fifth full-length, which “started off as a full band live record then ended up a bedroom headphone jammer.” Recommended if you like your indie rock understated, subtle, and well executed.
In the recent past I have added many songs to my “Favorites” playlist that in my opinion should have become big hits, but unfortunately have not reached an audience as large as they deserved. It’s quite possible that my taste isn’t hit-sensitive, but now that we have this website as a platform, I’m free to share one of these overlooked nuggets with you every now and then. Watch and listen below to Lazy Bones (Gentle Reminder Records, 2018) by New York trio Soccer Cousins. I particularly appreciate how the song slowly increases the tempo, so that the music amplifies the lyrics. If I understand correctly, Jon, Brendan, and Josh did their final show not long after, which is a shame as I would have loved to hear more from them.
There has been no shortage of fuzzy dream pop projects in the streaming age. This makes it hard for artists to truly stand out from the pack. An additional challenge with this genre is that although a lot of artists sound instantly likeable, that appeal often is short-lived or limited to individual songs rather than full-length albums. Two positive exceptions this past decade, at least to me, were Alvvays and Say Sue Me. I am going to add FRITZ to that list, who kind of sound like a combination of the two but with an emphasis on their faster work. FRITZ is Tilly Murphy from Newcastle (Australia), backed up by Cody Brougham (guitar) and Darren James (drums). Murphy cites Alvvays, Pains Of Being True At Heart and Best Coast as her main influences, and you can tell. Pastel is the sophomore album by FRITZ. It’s a major step up from their debut, and I’m all in.
It is not uncommon for artists to sound eerily similar to other artists. However, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who is so explicit on this matter than Billy Cobb. On Zerwee, Pt. 2, the resemblance to Weezer is fully intentional. Hence the album title Zerwee, hence the Pinkerton like album art, though I am not sure whether this, like the Pinkerton cover, is a Hiroshige painting as well. Soundwise, Billy Cobb relies on the first half of Weezer’s career, with Pinkerton as the strongest reference. The record was released in 2020, but Needlejuice Records recently pressed it on three varieties of aesthetically pleasing colored vinyl. Make sure to visit their site if you are a vinyl aficionado: they have so many good looking records.
Disclaimer: two songs in, I was convinced that the latest record by Rat Columns would end up in my collection rather sooner than later. It’s hard not to love these two international jangle pop underground gems, which (coincidentally? purposefully?) are titled Hey! I Wanna Give You The World, and It’s your Time To Suffer. Track 3 is another winner (video below), almost sealing the deal. But then, the Aussie band starts to widen their sound, incorporating different instrumentations, rhythms and musical influences. It’s there where I am starting to have my doubts. The execution is convincing though and it will depend on your personal taste how you will react to the remainder of the record. There are elements I am less enthusiastic about, particularly the more danceable parts and, surprise, the parts where the band drops the pace. Conversely, there are elements that work well, I especially dig how the band opens up its sound with well-timed taps on guitar pedals adding some kickass guitar licks. All of these elements likely will pay off on bigger stages and festivals. Arguably, despite the diverse musical directions on the record, Rat Columns has never sounded so accessible without losing the appeal of their previous work. I am keeping this in rotation in the next couple of week, not unlikely that this record will be grower for me. No doubt that I will play those first three songs often this year.
Did you already know Grandmas House? They are an all-female, queer punk trio that play fast and raucous guitar riffs, thumping bass lines and aggressive drums. For the A side of their new single – Always Happy – this video has been released that I don’t want to keep from you. Intriguing in every way: those vocals! those lyrics! that facial expressions! How cool would it be if a full festival meadow in due course chanted “You can’t wipe the smile off my face.” My first thought was that this song made me happy, but my gut tells me to worry about what’s next.
Every review of NRCSSST’s self-titled debut album will be about The Coathangers. That’s because NRCSSST is the brainchild of Stephanie “Rusty Coathange” Luke, but also because the music unmistakably resembles it (Stephanie has a great voice that you recognize from thousands). Thanks to the other band members – co-founder and producer Dan Dixon (PLS PLS / Dropsonic), Chandler Rentz (Snowden), André Griffin (PLS PLS), and Danny Silvestri (Trances Arc) – the music is less garage rock and a bit more electronic. You don’t hear any synths and male vocals on The Coathangers records, but here you do. Whether you prefer one or the other is a matter of taste. If you judge the music without prejudice, you will hear strong songs with a head and a tail, in which guitars and keys are cleverly combined. Out today through SlimStyle Records.
For a moment I thought I heard some overlooked work by The Muffs, but no, it is the debut album of the Viennese “beach grungers” The BAITS. Coming After Me and Shed Your Skin in particular are huge hits, at least on my laptop, but you don’t want to skip the other songs either. Hookline after hookline, furious rough vocals and wild guitar solos, if this band had operated in the 90’s they would have been on big stages. The 4-piece live is said to be a force of nature, so hopefully they will be able to do that even after the heyday of this kind of music. The artwork, made by drummer and producer Fazo, in the form of a burger symbolically shows what an album production is made of: love, tears, pain and joy – the ingredients of what music and life can serve you. The difference is this album doesn’t leave an annoying aftertaste and you can’t get enough of it. Never Enough is out now through Numavi Records.
With ‘Gimme 5!’ we take a peek into the collections of artists we admire. The premise is simple: artists WE like share 5 records THEY love.
We started Gimme 5! out of curiosity and a desire to discover must-own records. We’ve been amazed by the lists so far. In addition to the picks, the best part of the feature has been the artists’ introductions and explanations. It’s a thrill to see artists share their passion and love for the music that inspired them. In fact, when the artist of this week’s Gimme 5! sent me his list, I literally got goosebumps from reading his words. I am talking about Rob Nesbitt. Rob played on the first BUM album Wanna Smash Sensation – an early nineties somewhat overlooked powerpop/pop punk classic. He then quit the band and spent the next 25 (!) years working on a Suitesixteen record. It came out last year, and it’s perfect. It is available in a custom triple gatefold, double vinyl package with a 50-page book and beautiful photography.
Rob’s list includes 5 records that were “monumentally important to him and perhaps overlooked.” Click below to read and listen. Rob wrote an extensive introduction to his list and explanations for each pick. He apologizes for it being long, but if you are like me, at the end of the post he leaves you wanting more. Thanks a lot for your generosity, Rob!
(Photo by