Every new release I listened to in November (69)
Absu – Azbu
Merrie Amtserburg – “Q Dee Rock and Soul #6″ (single)
An early Christmas present from Merrie Amsterburg and Q Division! Well, except you have to pay for it, so not exactly a present. But these mildly rocked-up versions of “We Three Kings” and “Silent Night” are [...]
Every new release I listened to in October (64)
BDRM Eyes – (demo tracks)
BDRM Eyes blend the pedal happiness of shoegaze with a more energetic delivery and experimental/dissonant aspects that recall indie rockers of a Sonic Youthish bent. I can’t unreservedly endorse the recording quality; the drums are distant and murky. But definitely leaves me wanting [...]
Every new release I listened to in September (58)
Bangles – Sweetheart of the Sun
Bridge and Tunnel – “Bridge and Tunnel” (EP)
Bridge and Tunnel – Rebuilding Year
Brief Candles – Fractured Days
Apparently they prefer “dream-pop” and “blissrock” to “shoegaze.” Poh-TAY-toe, Poh-TAH-toe . . .
Glen Campbell – Ghost on the Canvas
I admit it. It was knowing Campbell [...]
Every new release I listened to in August (56)
Army Coach – “Daydream” (EP)
Something about (my favorite tune) “I Am a Failure” reminds me, probably obliquely, of the Wrens, but Army Coach’s punk lineage is clearer than the Wrens’. Thermals might be a better RIYL, or ‘Chunk or even Dü (some very Greg Norton basslines, [...]
Every new release I listened to in July (29)
Apollo Ghosts – “Money Has No Heart” – (EP)
Apollo Ghosts – “For What They Do, They Do” – (EP)
Army Girls – (3 singles)
Blood Stain Child – Epsilon
Bomb the Music Industry! – Vacation
Broadcaster – “Joyride” – (EP)
Delicate Cutters – Some Creatures
I like this. But it’s far milder than [...]
Every new release I listened to in June (20)
31 Knots – Trump Harm
Not as given to loud math-rock explosions as in years ast, but not exactly toothless either. I think this might be a slow-grower.
An Horse – Walls
Army Navy – The Last Place
Smooth, pretty indie rock with unforceful vocals, in the tradition of Voxtrot or [...]
Every new release I listened to in May (32)
Black Books – “An Introduction to” – (EP)
The Black Watch – Led Zeppelin V –
Bluebrain – “The Pull” – (single)
Chalk Circle – Reflection – Before I heard this album, If you’d asked me if there was an all-female jittery post-punk/new wave band active in DC in [...]
Every new release I listened to in April (42)
Age Rings – Black Honey – Expansive, richly textured rock (21 apr 2011)
Amaranthe – Amaranthe – Amaranthe integrate signifiers of extreme metal (blast beats, guttural vocals and, of course, high gain guitars) with those of classic/mainstream pop/rock (dense keyboard beds, eminently hummable melodies and layered harmonies) to [...]
Every new release I listened to in March (45)
Acrylics – Lives and Treasure – New-wavish indie pop. Primary Acrylics Molly Shea and Jason Klauber both have notably pleasant voices. Songs were likewise pleasant, but didn’t really command my attention.
Adele – 21 – The hype on Adele’s sophomore release wasn’t sufficient to interest me, but [...]
Every new release I listened to in February (35)
Andrew Jackson Jihad – Candy Cigarettes, Capguns, Issue Problems! and Such (Reissue) – prickly folk punk (17.feb.2011)
Nicole Atkins – Mondo Amore – Neko Case and Lucinda Williams are the comparisons that come to mind. Strong, soulful vocals, mix of styles. Production/arrangement a bit more lush than I [...]