In the fall of 2009, Seattle punk band Virgin Islands gave us their debut EP after only a short time of existence. That EP, despite only containing four tracks, demonstrated the type of skill and songwriting prowess one could expect from a seasoned band with years under their belt. So it’s with great anticipation that we receive “No Doctor”, a track off Virgin Islands’ new album Ernie Chambers Vs. God. Read More »Virgin Islands: No Doctor [mp3]
Tennis may have given us “Take Me Somewhere” last fall, but they’re just now putting out a video for the song. Filmed by Ian Perlman, the video takes place aboard a sailboat and it all took place Chesapeake Bay in VA. The music fits the video well; as well it would as the husband and wife duo behind Tennis lived on one for some time. “Take Me Somewhere” is a light indie pop tune in the vein of the 1960s. The song can be found on Tennis’ debut LP, Cape Dory, out now on Fat Possum. Read More »Tennis: Take Me Somewhere [Video]
I have absolutely no clue what Det Vackra Livet means, but I do know that they create some pretty amazing and dark pop music influenced by the early 80s. This is the new project from the folks behind The Mary Onettes, and it’s pretty obvious. The sounds are vastly similar, with exception to the lyrics. Det Vackra Livet comes to us in the band’s native tongue whereas The Mary Onettes dole out their songs in English. Either way, it’s really, really good. Read More »Det Vackra Livet: Viljan [Video]
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Seattle’s Charles Leo Gebhardt IV. Well, that’s not entirely true, as last year we got a debut full length from Unnatural Helpers. But his solo project under his own name has been quiet since the release of Unfaithful, the delightfully raw and fun EP from 2008. Begin Again is the new release and it maintains much of what we heard from that previous EP, albeit with a tiny bit more production. Read More »Charles Leo Gebhardt IV: Begin Again [Album Review]
Brutal insanity might be less dark than Black Earth by Implodes. Blending drone with hints of fuzz and immense, everlasting soundscapes, Implodes’ new album is a mysterious, intriguing work of art. It’s one thing to listen to Black Earth through speakers – it only gets better when imbibed through headphones. And I’d place a fair bet on it being something astonishing to take in live. Read More »Implodes: Black Earth [Album Review]
It has to be said, The Cold Open is very deceiving with its name alone. With a name like this, it would be fair to expect to hear a deep rooted hate machine turning songs that are loud and possibly obnoxious in their own right. But when you pop in Behind The Mattress, it is not a blast of high energy dad-hating that you hear. No, this is actually a batch of happy-go-lucky, songwriter-oriented pop songs that are reminiscent to the likes of The New Radicals. But be happy for this deception. It might actually be a perfect fitting bit of irony for these Twin City aristocrats.
Read More »The Cold Open: Behind The Mattress [Album Review] 
Fleet Foxes new one is a bit different from their debut. The production is vastly different. Robin Pecknold’s vocals sound extremely different (not to mention the lyrics, which a friend equated to being similar to those found in his high school journal), having been honed and crafted whereas before they sounded a bit raw at times. But what remains the same is Fleet Foxes ability to create a great sounding song. Read More »Fleet Foxes: Grown Ocean [Video]
Shedding is Connor Bell, who in Tear in the Sun molds together the elongated drone with sparse vocals. Drone is… Read More »Shedding: Perspective [mp3]
The name Wolf Ram Heart sounds like it would be dark, and indeed this band creates psychedelic pop shrouded in darkness. These are not playful pop songs. Instead, their new album, Betrayal of Hearts, is filled with dreamy melodies, spacious instrumentation and the soft, mysterious vocals of David James. At times, James’ vocals hint of a less flamboyant, more perplexing Moto Boy (occasionally), but charismatic vocals are as far as the comparison goes. Read More »Wolf Ram Heart [Feature]
Rest Your Bones is a masterful album packed with instrumental talent, songwriting prowess and the ability to mesmerize in a way not often found in folk music.
