The blog has been a bit silent this week, and for good reason. We’ve been doing some renovating at home. Over the long weekend, I spent four full days retrofitting the kitchen cabinets from a somewhat cheap appearance, giving them a nice old farmhouse distressed look.
Read More »Fense’s Radio Show: August 31, 2012 
Gap Dream is the project of Cleveland resident Gabriel Fulvimar. Fulvimar’s self-titled album under the Gap Dream name appears to be heavily influenced by Nuggets-era 60s psych rock. The band has been labeled as everything from garage rock (which is a tab I would attribute to them, but only slightly) to surf-rock (not quite hearing it) and beyond. Everyone has their own opinion. Most words I’ve seen, though, agree that Gap Dream is a pretty damn phenomenal record. I, of course, fully concur. Read More »Gap Dream: Feature
Music videos can be total sensory overload. Not only do you get great audio from bands that have often spent insurmountable time mastering a song they have created, adding to them videos can open a similar avenue with interesting visual storylines and themes. Some have plots, some have twists, and some have neither; others are funny or thought-provoking; all within this list are great in their own right. Check out 15 of my favorite (in no particular order, other than the order they were added to the list) indie music videos of 2012… so far… and let me know what your favorite is, whether it’s on the list or not.
Read More »15 Must-See Indie Music Videos of 2012
Visiting the parents is often a stressful time. Despite their incessantly busy schedules, they have actually learned to relax in retirement despite their hectic lifestyle. I visited them two weekends ago now. Hence the absence of an August 17 radio show recap; there was none. Instead, I participated in my brother’s wedding.
Read More »Fense’s Radio Show: August 24, 2012 
What a progression! In 2010, Social Studies released their debut LP, Wind Up Wooden Heart, adorned with lovable indie-pop songs. At the time, I likened it to a matured and female-fronted pre-Islands band The Unicorns. But revisiting it, I also hear some Mates of State references. Still, none of the likened-to-this, or sounds-like-that do this band justice. Not then, and even less now. “Terracur”, off Social Studies’ sophomore LP Developer, debuted last week, and it demonstrates a substantial progression for the young band. Read More »Social Studies: Terracur (MP3)
I discovered Oakland band Trails And Ways back at the end of April, when I covered their song “Tereza”. Since then, the band has dominated my playlist, adding a tune a month. The latest to grace our ears is “Mtn Tune”, a track whose video features great retro-ish bicycles, rock climbing, and, as the Ian from the band notes, a concert on top of a 40-foot volcanic rock. Read More »Trails And Ways: Mtn Tune (Video)
This video is stupidly simple, but it allows you to appreciate the song even more. I mean that in the best, most endearing of ways. What Eric Lindley has done, quite literally, is force the viewer to focus on the words of the song. And what a song it is! Lindey’s lyrics are poetry. Read More »Careful: It’s Funny (Video)
I always get excited when there’s something new by The Lovely Sparrows. And while we’ve had “While Sailing” for some… Read More »The Lovely Sparrows: While Sailing (Video)
Pet The Ghost continues Darlings‘ trend of producing great, lazy summer garage pop. Their new single highlights the two sides of the Brooklyn-based band. “Pet The Ghost” is full-on garage pop, but within it Darlings produce the sweltering hot, lazy summer sound. “Shelley”, on the other hand, is much louder and more upbeat. Read More »Darlings: Pet The Ghost (Single Review)
I can’t help but be reminded of Seattle band Unnatural Helpers when listening to the new Police Teeth track “Bellingham Media Blackout”. It has a comparative blend of punk and heavy power pop, filled with rough rock guitars and pop-punk vocals. The band has come a long way from Real Size Monster Series (2009), which saw co-vocalist/bassist Chris Rasmussen in his first new post-Racetrack band. Read More »Police Teeth: Bellingham Media Blackout (MP3)
