New album: Tommy and The Ohs || Mariposa Gold

By / / Country & Folk / Leave a Comment

Some music evokes more images than others. With this LP it’s easy to imagine a surreal landscape and illustrious figures passing by as you embark on Mariposa Gold‘s 35-minute road trip. It’s the mesmerizing debut album from Nashville based musician/producer Thomas Oliverio under the moniker of Tommy and The Ohs, a highly anticipated full-length following the lathe-cut 7″ Living in the Swamp (2013). We could call it cosmic country, freak folk, alternative psych or indie rock, which is not really incorrect but possibly raises the wrong expectations. The nine songs here are not raucous, hallucinatory or thoughtless, but well-constructed melodies through a rich set of instruments. Oliverio is responsible for vocals, guitar, mandolin and theremin himself, but has gathered skilled musicians around him who will stimulate your imagination with their additional vocals (Alicia Gail), saxophone (Paul Thacker), bass (Tom Dicks), drums (Brey McCoy, Kate Haldrup, Houston Matthews), guitar (Logan Oakley), wah-wah (Chris Black), keys (Cody Campbell), lapsteel (Matthew Paige), and violin (Billy Contreras). They take you on a trip that you have to do more than once to grasp it all, but it’s worth it.

Mariposa Gold is out now digitally, on cassette and vinyl LP through Perpetual Doom.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Perpetual Doom

New album: Sugar World || Lost & Found

By / / Indie Pop, Jangle Pop / Leave a Comment

Sugar World sounds like a theme park, although that association may be actived by the album cover featuring the San Diego Twee Pop duo in front of a rollercoaster. The association is strengthened when you hear Sugar World’s debut album Lost & Found. It offers a variation of treats and thrills, all decidedly pop-oriented. Underground pop that is – it’s no surprise the band contributed a song to the recent Sarah Records throwback compilation Under The Bridge – more on that one soon.

Sugar World are Ryan and Katryn Stanley, formerly of Naps. The duo cover a lot of ground on Lost & Found. They expertly mix up fuzzy tweepunk, jangle and slowdrip dreampop. With Sugar World, you’ll never know how the next song will sound, but it’s a safe bet that it’s gonna be good. Apparently, there is an eclectic selection of 3 or 4 covers on the record none of which I recognized. Which is a particular great achievement for Sugar World’s cover of Lady Ga Ga’s Paparazzi.

Lost & Found is out now on CD through Sunday Records.


Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Sunday Records

New EP: Erin Harland || As Long As We Make It

By / / Indie Pop, Jangle Pop / Leave a Comment

Erin Harland is a singer/songwriter and actor/comedian living in Brooklyn, New York. With the five original tracks on her debut EP As Long As We Make It she shows what she has to offer, and it is impossible not to fall for it. She combines the wit of Courtney Barnett with the coolness of Blondie’s Debbie Harry in songs that could be classics from Alvvays, The Bangles or The Go-Go’s. Her tunes have everything that turns indie songs into hits: smart structured, jangly melodies, angelic vocals, and entertaining storytelling that reflects hope, forgiveness and nostalgia. Radio Silent is the most convincing example of this, but actually this release has no weak moments.

As Long As We Make It is out now digitally. Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: VICEPREZ || Juger

By / / Punk / 1 Comment

VICEPREZ is a new collective featuring members of the punk scene of Lyon (France) and bands like Sport, The Reaction and The Smudjas. The band grew out of a shared love for playing pingpong tournaments, playing cards and the punk rock community. The pretty cool album cover of Juger was created by Marco Imov, who provides an indication of how the band recorded their debut LP.

The band finds inspiration in bands like Jodie Faster, Youth Avoiders, Black Flag and the Minutemen, but have created their own brand of melodic punkrock with a hardcore attitude and, dare I say it, a pop heart? Very catchy stuff – listen to Tony Hanks for example. VICEPREZ is a band that doesn’t limit themselves to one subgenre of punk. Juger is a very varied record, and a must listen if you’re up for some exciting, tight and kickass punk rock.

The band keeps piling cool song after cool song. Try Tru My Window for example. What a way to start a record. That handclap around 1:17 that ends the bridge and kickstarts the remainder of the track is such a jolt of awesomeness. It’s followed by the title track that rocks like crazy. I don’t want to spoil the record any further, better to go in without expectation and let yourself be surprised.

One of my favorite discoveries of late. I am definitely buying this! Out now on Berlin label Adagio 830.




Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New single: Varonas || Instinto Animal

By / / Power Pop, Punk / 1 Comment

Varonas may be a new name, but the four band members – Vanessa Herrero (guitar, vocals), Gema Bañares (bass, vocals), David Cortés (drums), and José Alberto “El Pato” López (guitar) – are experienced musicians who have played in or with various Madrid bands. On their debut single Instinto Animal you’ll hear three Spanish-language punk rock songs, where the shared female vocals convince you even if you don’t know what they’re singing about. Better believe it: this music is just as fiery, powerful and idiosyncratic as the cover art.

Instinto Animal releases April 1, digitally and on 7″ vinyl, through Delia Records, Folc Records and Snap!! Records.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

Gimme 5! Trevor Lake Shares 5 All-Time Favs In Anticipation of Televisionaries’ Debut LP Mad About You

By / / Blues & Roots, Garage Rock, Punk / 1 Comment

Photo by Cam Lawson

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.

Trevor Lake has been poppin’ up in different capacities since we started this website. We covered his work with Sweet Pete, The Shine, Danny’s Favorites and Televisionaries. So yeah, to say we are fans of the music of Trevor Lake is an understatement. Two things stand out with Lake.  One: whatever style he plays, whether it’s punk, surf or rock-‘n’-roll, it sounds very authentic, pure and true to its origins – making him the perfect candidate for a Gimme 5. Two: he makes it look all so easy and effortless. [post continues below]

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Gimme 5! Trevor Lake Shares 5 All-Time Favs In Anticipation of Televisionaries’ Debut LP Mad About YouRead More »

New album: Pinch Points || Process

By / / Indie Rock, Punk / 1 Comment

When Australian turbo(post)punks Pinch Points released Reasons To Be Anxious as a teaser single of their sophomore album (Process), they raised the bar in terms of expectations. Now that Process is out, does the band deliver on that promise?

I definitely think so, although Reasons To Be Anxious probably is the most ferocious track on the record. But, it’s not like the rest is a stroll to the park. There is plenty of aggression and nervous energy on the record. The main ingredients of Pinch Points: start stop rhythms, cool angular guitar and bass riffs, talksinging with a heavy Australian accent combined with anthemic sing-a-longs.

My favorite part about Process is that Pinch Points can sound absolutely pissed off and in your face in one song, then all of a sudden can come across as surprisingly nuanced and inhibited. Am I Okay harbours all of that in one song and shows that underneath all the shouting there is vulnerability. It takes the sharpest edges off and makes the band even more likeable.

Process is out now through Mistletone Records and Exploding in Sound.



Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Exploding In Sound || Discogs

New album: The Mackerels || Driving Under

By / / Country & Folk, Indie Rock / Leave a Comment

It started out as a project to release the solo compositions of Andrew “Goldy” Meredith (Pat Chow, Thee Gold Blooms), but soon some of his talented friends – Alanna Kusin, Dylan Szymkow, Sean Dominish, and Aidan Gordon – joined in and The Mackerels were born. Their debut album Driving Under is an uplifting collection of ten authentic indie rock songs, powerful and catchy, with entertaining lyrics. One moment jangly as Teenage Fanclub, the next folky as Tom Petty, but always with a sense of urgency. What is especially striking: the five musicians from Perth, Australia really enjoy what they do together, and you can tell by their tunes.


Driving Under is out now digitally and on cassette. Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: Morad || About a Woman

By / / Funk & Soul / Leave a Comment

Let’s shift our focus to Jakarta, Indonesia, where we find one of the greatest talents in contemporary R&B/soul. Mohammad Fajar Bagus Radityo’s versatile, intriguing, flexible singing voice is one that instantly evokes a sense of sensation in any music lover. Under the moniker of Morad the singer-songwriter has just released his debut full-length album About a Woman, featuring nine intense songs inspired by his muse. Although the wonderful vocals rightly claim the leading role, the rich musical accompaniment and appropriate production (by Viki Vikranta) are sublime. This is a beautiful and impressive LP.

About a Woman is out now digitally through Berita Angkasa. Add to wantlist: Bandcamp

New album: PLOSIVS || PLOSIVS

By / / Indie Rock, Punk / Leave a Comment

Now that we’re talking punky indie rock that is running way ahead of the pack (looking at you Good Grief), let’s talk PLOSIVS. Here’s a band featuring John Reis (Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, Rocket From The Crypt), Rob Crow (Pinback), Atom Willard (Against Me!, The Offspring, Social Distortion) and Jordan Clark (Mrs. Magician). If that line-up’s got you excited, they sound exactly as great as you could have hoped for.

I’m not going to write too many words on it though, as I’m sure all the major websites will cover the release – and you likely already have heard the record. But if not, here are some words that came to mind when listening to this record: Tight! Yeah! Rocks! Banger! Flawless! Catchy! Effortless! Hit! So good! Repeat.

PLOSIVS is out now on Swami Records. There is a good chance you’ll want to buy it once you’ve tried it.


Add to wantlist: Discogs

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