From the same trusted studio source that brought the attention of The Downer Party to my ears comes “The Duel”, by Chloe Makes Music, including vocals from The Morning Benders’ frontman Christopher Chu. Chu actually produced the debut Chloe Makes Music record, The Puppeteer, which was released in January. Chloe is a gentle vocalist, playing… Continue reading [MP3] Chloe Makes Music: “The Duel (feat. Christopher Chu)”
The Strokes give rock music a mediocre eulogy with Angles
I’ll just go ahead and say what we all already know: Rock music is on it’s last legs. If you’re the kind of person who considers “rock” a genre that constantly evolves, from it’s earliest inception to the blues-influenced British scene to the awful mess that was hair metal to the indie rock scene of… Continue reading The Strokes give rock music a mediocre eulogy with Angles
Plainclothes Tracy
I needed some music like this. Simple; warm; comfortable. Plainclothes Tracy is a five-piece folk pop band out of Knoxville, Tennessee. They’re still in the beginning phase of their career together, which you can tell from the somewhat unvaried music throughout their self-titled EP, but their sound keeps my ears keen. It’s wonderfully charming and… Continue reading Plainclothes Tracy
The Downer Party
The Downer Party’s name makes sense, I guess. The songs aren’t exactly the happiest stories in the world (downer), but their sounds burst with life (party!). Insightful, right? I know! Thanks. The foursome is based out of San Francisco and is readying a new EP, Cities, set to drop April 1. The album captures the… Continue reading The Downer Party
Nijae Draine
Nijae Draine, singer/songwriter of the indie pop band Crash Collect, recently recorded and released a solo acoustic EP, Spring Cleaning, with six songs all less than 2:30 each. What results is a quick view into a fragile, honest collection of emotions. (It’s also nice that Nina Simone, a similarly soulful artist, comes right after Draine… Continue reading Nijae Draine
[Hype Hype Hooray] Bon Jovi: The (Dumb) Voice of a (Whiny) Generation
Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us. You know when you start talking to your dad… Continue reading [Hype Hype Hooray] Bon Jovi: The (Dumb) Voice of a (Whiny) Generation
[MP3] Collider: “Mono”
Collider, the San Fransisco crew I’ve talked up a few times here, is releasing a digital single series in 2011 and decided to start in March (probably because it’s my birthday month) with Mono. If the first release is indicative of the entire series, all singles will be free to download from Collider’s Bandcamp. They’ll… Continue reading [MP3] Collider: “Mono”
New eskimeaux
Welcome back, me! Sorry I’ve been gone a while on *gulp* “real-life” work. I hate doing this (repeating earlier posts), but I feel I have no other option in this situation, as I’ve learned little else from eskimeaux. Except that Gabby and I have kept up a friendly email correspondence, even if I learn nothing!… Continue reading New eskimeaux
[Stars on C-30] Plustapes and Treetop Sorbet
Tape labels are abundant these days, as are new cassette releases, and Stars on C-30 includes reviews of some of these releases, the occasional band or label profile, and a look at the culture surrounding cassettes. In any musical genre there are quiet leaders, bands who help define a sound but never become the “it”… Continue reading [Stars on C-30] Plustapes and Treetop Sorbet
J. Mascis dips pen into folky ink for Several Shades of Why
One of America’s most magnificent warblers has tripped me up a little. Best known for gems like “Tarpit” and “Severed Lips,” excessive feedback and distortion, Mascis has released what can only be described as a folk record in Several Shades of Why (Sub Pop). With nary a drum in earshot (tambourine is the only percussion),… Continue reading J. Mascis dips pen into folky ink for Several Shades of Why