Should has returned after 13 years with a new record, Life A fire Without Sound, courtesy Words On Music. Marc Ostermeier and Tanya Maus of Austin continue Should in the way they left off — beautifully pleasant and minimal shoegaze pop. “Turned Tables” fits this description nicely with a dream-like melody and soft, dual vocals. Read More »Should: Turned Tables (Video)
Household Names is an almost too-perfect descriptor for an alternative pop group. And with this group’s extensive background of songs used in television appearances, it is even more appropriate. There was a time when groups like Soul Asylum or Gin Blossoms were the centerpieces for any given film or TV show. And now, Jason Garcia and crew have created the perfect songs for a speeding car shot, moment of clarity, or running-through-the-streets-in-a-hectic-fashion. And all can be found on their third self-released album Stories, No Names. Read More »Household Names: Stories, No Names [Album Review]
Daniel Francis Doyle hits Seattle later this week and will perform at Comet Tavern. Doyle is a one man math rock band and he pumps out pointed guitar riffs, obscure percussive genius, and wildly intellectual wordsmith-ery. No doubt you’ll see several off last year’s We Bet Our Money On You, possibly including favorites “Cursive” and “Old Lives”. Read More »Recommended Show: Daniel Francis Doyle at Comet Tavern
Sometimes a band needs a shake-up, and sometimes a name change is the perfect catalyst. Royal Forest wasn’t always this band’s name; no, they were once called Loxsly. With the new name, Royal Forest sheds the past and reinvents themselves with a slightly updated sound that hints of a little math-rock and a curious Texas-inspired blend of folk and pop that’s a bit further away from their hometown heroes Spoon than their previous work, though the “syncopated snares” remain. Read More »Royal Forest [Feature]
Meet Harlem, your new favorite garage/thrash band. Based in Austin, by way of Nashville, they recently released their sophomore album,… Read More »Harlem [Feature]
Originally recorded in 1974 by Big Star, Alex Chilton’s “Take Care” wasn’t released until 1978 on their Third/Sister Lovers LP.… Read More »The Lovely Sparrows: Take Care [Video]
Prior to the release of debut LP Psychic Chasms, Austin’s Neon Indian had already begun to garner a substantial quantity of hype from tastemakers across the globe. In first visiting Psychic Chasms, one is struck with the term ambiguous. Sure, the album and the band hint at a wider experimental electro-folk, folktronica, or whatever subgenre you wish to dub the latest slew of pleasant electronic artists that dip their toes into the arena of folk all the while foraying into eccentric bouts of experimentation. Read More »Neon Indian: Psychic Chasms [Album Review]
Built By Snow is certainly a strange name for a band that backs instrumentals with bits and sounds that make reference to old Super Mario or Dig Dug bites (your mother would have killed if you got snow near the game system). But, Mega would have to be a perfect title then – since Mega Man is the undisputed best game ever! The music is pop punk relished, but it’s the aforementioned references to the world of video games that is truly intriguing. If Ms. Pac Man and Donkey Kong were to take ecstasy and birth a digitized child, this album would be the after birth of that disturbing scenario. Read More »Built By Snow: Mega [Album Review]
Belaire’s self-titled CD-R EP is in an artsy home-decorated jewel case with a Jackson Pollock-style drip and splatter paint job.… Read More »Belaire: Belaire EP [Album Review]
In what I consider the best new band of 2005, Voxtrot takes its twee roots and adds a heavy dose of indie-pop. Happy melodies, catchy choruses and thought-provoking lyrics are the makeup of this group’s music and The Start of Something 7″ is what started it all.
Read More »Voxtrot: The Start Of Something [7″ Single Review]
