Sharing the sharing.
Berkeley-based musician Dan Casey’s (a.k.a. Yalls) debut album, United, is a 44 minute escape from reality, filled with groove-holmes beats and synths straight from outer space. The warbly synths of “Warlords” (below) is just what I’m talking about – combined with a chilled-out beat and hushed vocals, it’s one of my favorite tracks from the LP.
United comes out May 6 on Gold Robot. Do not miss out on this release.
Yalls – Warlords from United (2014)
Nashville’s Chris Denney has taken 70’s arena rock and mixed it up with bits of 60’s psych/garage, and a pinch of AM country gold to create his debut LP – as Denney and The Jets, titled Mexican Coke.
If Mick Jagger and Hank Williams were combined in some awesome accident of science, and Kiss was the backing band, their music would sound like Denney’s first single (below) from Mexican Coke, “Bye Bye Queenie”.
Mexican Coke was just released (April 8th) on Burger Records and Limited Fanfare Records. You can also stream/buy it from Denney’s Bandcamp page. Enjoy.
Denney and The Jets – Bye Bye Queenie from Mexican Coke (2014)
This month’s mixtape is up. 15 songs sure to make you want to shake something. Enjoy.
Canadian singer-songwriter Toui Manikhouth’s 3 song EP, This Service, is very chill and quite elegant. His hushed vocals are barely audible over his guitar, which reminds me a bit of Elliott Smith.
Have a listen to “Flowers In Zara” (below) the standout track from the EP. This Service is available to stream/download (name your price) on his Bandcamp page. It’s very much worth a listen. Enjoy.
Toui Manikhouth – Flowers In Zara from This Service (2013)
Salt Lake City’s Regal Beast have carved a special place in my heart. They have taken me back to the “good old days”. The late 80’s and early 90’s, when my ears were opened to the world of “alternative” music.
The pounding drums, heavy guitar and especially Hans’/Thayne’s vocals (they list both of them as singers on their Facebook page) on “Orcas Magnus” (below) reminds me of Soundgarden from the Badmotorfinger days. Which is one of the albums that I had on constant repeat back in the day. Regal Beast’s rocking debut album, Beastia Novus Rexus Trismegistus, is out now and available to stream and purchase on their Bandcamp page.
Thanks to Garret for the heads up.
Regal Beast – Orcas Magnus from Beastia Novus Rexus Trismegistus (2014)
Former Gris Gris singer, Greg Ashley’s new album (and first with Trouble In Mind) A Generation of Slaves is a smooth slab of lo-fi goodness. Mixing jazz and folk with hints of country to create 9 songs that you will find yourself revisiting over and over again.
The male/female vocals and honky-tonk piano on “Misery Again” (below) combine to make it one of the best tracks on the album. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. A Generation of Slaves is out now and available from Trouble In Mind. I suggest you get your hands on a copy as soon as you can.
Greg Ashley – Misery Again from Another Generation of Slaves (2014)
Three year removed from his last album, New York’s Small Wonder (Henry Crawford) has finally released his new album Wendy. The album feels very personal, like Crawford poured his entire soul into the writing and recording of each and every song. The emotions seem at their peak toward the end of “Until I Open My Wings” (below) when guest vocalist Susannah Cutler repeatably tries to convince Henry that she is not Wendy. I am completely fascinated by this song.
Wendy is out now digitally on Small Wonder’s Bandcamp page and on cassette soon from Father/Daughter Records. What a surprise this album has been for me. Everyone needs to hear it. Enjoy.
Small Wonder – Until I Open My Wings from Wendy (2014)
New Bums are a new band featuring Donovan Quinn (Skygreen Leopards) and Ben Chasney (Six Organs of Admittance, Comets on Fire). Their sound is simply put, two guitars (with the occasional drums and other instruments) and two voices.
Their debut LP, Voices in a Rented Room is out now through Drag City. Album opener “Black Bough” (below) illustrates their sound perfectly. Two voices and two guitars playing nicely together, while the minimal amount of drums fill in the extra space to make this one of the standout tracks on the album. Enjoy.
New Bums – Black Bough from Voices in a Rented Room (2014)
Brooklyn’s (by way of Denver) Woodsman are a three-piece psych-rock juggernaut. They recently released their self-titled third LP on their own imprint Fire Talk Records.
The album is best when listened to from start to finish, but since we only share one song “Healthy Life” (below) is the one. It’s thick bass line, snappy drums and spacey guitar suck you in and don’t let go. This is my favorite album to listen to in the car, especially on my way home from work. I can crank it up and get lost in it. You can get it now through Woodsman’s Bandcamp page or from Fire Talk, you won’t regret it.
Woodsman – Healthy Life from S/T (2014)
Check out this month’s mixtape featuring King Kahn & The Shrines, XTC, TV Girl and Monster Rally, Ruined Fortune, Strange Family, Vertical Scratchers, Damaged Bug, The Happies, Juan Wauters, Dirt Naps and +/-!