The simplicity is fantastic, because the execution is so strong.
Video for "I Don't Really Wanna Be Social"
Craft Spells
I just stumbled upon Craft Spells...think reverb-washed, hypnotic indie pop tune-age. Their new Gallery EP is out now. Check out the track "Sun Trails" - it sounds like a lost New Order b-side!!
DIIV
"Doused" the new single from DIIV is a doozy. Some goth, guitar-driven, post punk...yeah, I'm sold. And, some fantastic artwork.
JD McPherson...Mr. cool!
Some cool finds from our favourite analogue rock n roller, JD McPherson.
Thirty Seconds w/ JD :: Art School Student
Thirty Seconds w/ JD :: North Sid Gal Demo
JD on NPR All Things Considered
Allah-Las
C'mon, instantly sold on this description...A sound cultivated from the annals of California culture; the perfect mixture of the sands, the seas, the streets and cities of the golden state. *Dig "Catamaran" & "Long Journey".
Jaill
On June 12th Sub Pop will release, Traps, by the Milwaukee band, Jaill. I'm always a sucker for sweet, twangy vocals. You can give a listen to "Waste A Lot Of Things".
Spotify * May
We're rocking out in the month of May...Lanegan into Gun Club into GBV into Cloud Nothings, you get it.
btw - why am I just discovering "Hanky Panky NoHow" by John Cale, what a tune!!! Iggy, Sonic Youth, the Ramones, Biters, how about that top jam, "Bad Thing", from King Tuff...you can have a listen to both playlists below. Cheers
Beach House
Check out the b-side to the "Lazuli" Beach House single (were you lucky enough to score the extremely rare blue vinyl 7" on record store day??) - "Equal Mind", {{HERE}} The song makes me want to drink yummy gin/rum/soda drinks outside on a sunny day!*!*!*
Kindness
This UK artist has been in the blog world for over a year...full-length debut, World, You Need a Change of Mind, is out now. The record feat. a completely reinvented version of “Swinging Party” by The Replacements (it has this great sad dance/David Byrne vibe!).
Sean Bones
new Sean Bones :: "Here Now"
It all started with swim trunks, a Summer Reading ‘zine and sunscreen. Oh, and a 7-inch; we can’t forget that part...
Skating Polly
Skating Polly have a new record coming out, and we cannot wait to hear it! Check out the teaser {{HERE}}
Emily Wells
On repeat..."Passenger" by Emily Wells :: her new record, Mama, is excellent! On my top ten list for sure. Great quote from Spin - "Layering eerie strings, bleeping synths, and electronic beats under Biggie's rags-to-riches lyrics, she sings and raps like a feral, streetwise Nina Simone."
Levon Helm
Son of a bitch the splendid Levon Helm has left us. A great loss. Heaven doesnt need more music. We do. -Lewis Black
JD McPherson
Signs & Signifiers out now on Rounder Records. Listen @ Spotify
King Tuff
Rock & Roll is meant to be blasted into your cells, penetrated, and absorbed. King Tuff is the new record coming out on Sub Pop May 29th. Download the rock & roll single, "Bad Thing" below...
Chromatics - Kill For Love
Stream the new Chromatics {{HERE}} - check out their (opening track) chilling cover of Neil Young's "Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)".
Plants and Animals
If every song was this good, the world would be a better place!! :: Plants and Animals - "The End Of That"
Spotify * April
Happy April, everybody! Two spotify playlists for you this month...a few tips...Gerry Rafferty's "Right Down The Line" is such a jam!! And, "Valentine and Garuda" by Frank Black makes me cry.
Off!
Off! is the punk rock supergroup formed by ex-Black Flag/Circle Jerks leader Keith Morris, Burning Brides frontman Dimitri Coats, Hot Snakes/Rocket From the Crypt member Mario Rubalcaba and Redd Kross' Steven McDonald. Last year, the group released First Four EPs – a collection of 7-inch releases, and will now follow that up with their self-titled debut record coming May 8 on Vice. “King Kong Brigade” is the first track to emerge from the new effort, short but oh so effective.
Blouse
Band: Blouse
SL: A band with a dream-pop master plan.
Track: "Into Black"
*PS - I've had this track on repeat all day loooong.
Swervedriver
The mighty Swervedriver continue to conquer the world. Check out the TV appearance from the Jimmy Fallon show...via Prefix :: watch it {{HERE}}
Spiritualized
New Spiritualized! Mr. Jason Pierce has always worn his classic-rock influences on his sleeve. Have a listen to the new single, “Hey Jane” – a rowdy r-n-r sing along with psychedelic Stones that clocks in over nine-minutes. Not a bad way to start off your week.
Soft Swells
Happy Friday! "This is an album that’s meant to be played in a moving car, with the windows rolled down and the promise of warm weather ahead." - COS
"Every Little Thing" on Spotify
