3hive

May 12, 2017

Woods

Woods’ latest album Love Is Love was written and recorded in the first few months following the election. It’s not necessarily a protest album as much as it’s a “…meditation on love, and on what life means now”. Love is Love is a 32-minute chilled-out, psychedelic, folk-rock effort. It is the perfect antidote for any bad feelings caused by the current mess we are in. Check out the awesome trumpet and flute play in standout track “Bleeding Blue” below.

[Feel the love and snag this on black vinyl – the way it’s meant to be listened to – from the 3hive Co-op Shop. While supplies last.]

May 10, 2017May 29, 2017

Doug Tuttle

Just when I thought Doug Tuttle couldn’t outdo his incredible 2016 solo album, It Calls On Me, the former MMOSS frontman takes that thought and stomps it into oblivion with the release of his new LP Peace Potato. Not only does Mr. Tuttle’s songwriting keep getting stronger with every release, the way he constructs his songs gets stronger as well. The 15 tracks on Peace Potato weave in and out of each other or abruptly stop before taking off again with such precision it’s easy for the listener to get carried away into the lush landscapes of Mr. Tuttle’s “downer pop melodies”.

Give the George Harrison-esque “Can It be” and the way to short “It’s Alright With Me, Ma” a spin below. You won’t be sorry – I promise.

[Buy a copy of Peace Potato on limited edition clear vinyl in the 3hive Co-op Shop. While supplies last.]

May 5, 2017May 29, 2017

Slowdive

The title of Slowdive’s first album in 24 years is surprising insightful. The self-titled Slowdive is perhaps the most Slowdive-ish album of them all. It could pulled out of today and slotted into their discography and at any point in between their past releases.
The haunting, soaring guitars still take center stage – either doling out delicate melodies a la “Catch the Breeze” or wall-of-sound as they did on Blue Day. No more toying with electronics, this is the core Slowdive.

Given the way Slowdive fell apart at the crashing end of shoegaze, there is comforting assurance from knowing that when these five musicians get together, this is the music they make. Neil and Rachel’s voices still slot seamlessly together, with subtle undercurrents throughout the songs that demonstrate the maturity gained from more time on this planet. While Pygmalion has its fans, today’s new album is the one Slowdive should have released instead.

[Buy a copy of Slowdive on limited edition silver vinyl in the 3hive Co-op Shop. While supplies last.]

May 3, 2017May 29, 2017

Spotting

Melbourne’s Spotting will beat your ears into submission with their pounding, brain piercing, style of synth punk. Give the appropriately titled “Thumper”, from their new EP a spin below, you won’t be sorry.

Spotting’s self-titled EP is available now digitally from the band’s Bandcamp page and on wax through Aarght Records.

<a href="http://spottingband.bandcamp.com/album/spotting-s-t-ep">Spotting S/T EP by Spotting</a>

May 1, 2017May 1, 2017

Luke Reed

Bent Shapes‘ Luke Reed has been writing and recording solo material over the years, amassing a large collection of unreleased bedroom pop songs. In July of 2016, without any publicity or even album art, Reed quietly released his solo debut, Won’t Be There, on his Bandcamp page.

Won’t Be There is 13 (now 16) tracks of everything from lonely bedroom pop to jangly indie – all soaked in that lo-fi warmth of home recordings. In March of 2017, the good dudes at The Native Sound rereleased Won’t Be There with 3 additional songs and album art too. Give “Won’t Be There” and “Watching TV” a spin below and head over to the Native Sounds Bandcamp page for a copy. Be sure to send some money their way so hopefully, one day, Won’t Be There can be pressed to vinyl, as it deserves to be.

April 26, 2017

RAYS

Oakland’s RAYS play a catchy brand of new wave/punk or “next wave” (as they like to call it), reminiscent of bands like Television, Wire and Gang of Four. These guys and gal are no copycat act either; their debut, self-titled, release (recorded by Kelley Stoltz and mastered by Mikey Young!) is eleven tracks of fresh sounding, jerky, hook-filled post-punk. Hit play on ‘Lost In A Cage’ and ‘Made of Shadows’ (streaming below), crank up the volume, and get your pogo on!

We have RAYS available on tasty yellow vinyl in the 3hive Co-op Shop! Get one before they’re gone.

April 24, 2017

Lilith

Boston indie-pop rockers, Lilith, slay it on their new cassette release Apology Plant. It’s 6 tracks of fuzz-pop goodness hits me where it counts. Give their stomper “Rated R” (below) a spin to see what I mean.

Apology Plant is available now digitally on Lilith’s Bandcamp page and/or on cassette through Disposable America. Enjoy!

<a href="http://liliththeband.bandcamp.com/album/apology-plant">Apology Plant by Lilith</a>

April 22, 2017May 26, 2017

Air-Sea Dolphin

Fuzzed out head-bobbing bassline. Yes.
Thumping floor tom. You betcha.
Falsetto harmonies. How could it not?
8-bit video game sounds, ’cause the song is actually a video game. Duh.
Catchy as all get out. Yep.
Robert Schneider of the Apples in Stereo and James Higgins of Elf Power/Of Montreal. Ah yeah.

Available as an online-only RSD release.

April 21, 2017April 21, 2017

Robyn Hitchcock

I first fell for Robyn Hitchcock in the summer of 1985 when a WNUR deejay played an hour of his songs. I couldn’t put my finger on it – he was trippier than the Beatles, catchier than Syd Barrett, more poetic than Nick Lowe. All I knew is that even after an hour I wanted to hear more.

Fast forward to 2017… Hitchcock has moved native England to Nashville, but he packed his usual bag of tricks – the wry wit, familiar sneer, and psychedelic charm – all of which meld very well with partner Emma Swift’s backing vocals, the touches of pedal steel, and moments of nostalgia. It’s a fantastic album and exactly how I hoped this chapter of Hitchcock’s wandering career would begin.

[Buy Robyn Hitchcock’s self-titled album in the 3hive Co-op Shop while supplies last.]

April 19, 2017

Lubec

Portland, Oregon 3 piece, Lubec, are back with a new release, Cosmic Debt. Like, The Thrall (their 2014 debut), Lubec comes at you in full force again, with more fuzzed-out, swirling guitars and killer three-part vocal harmonies. For a taste, give the standout track “Breakup Haricut” (below) a spin. Cosmic Debt is available on cassette and digitally via Disposable America and Lubec’s Bandcamp page. Enjoy.

Lubec – Breakup Haircut from Cosmic Debt (2016)

3hive

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Woods

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Doug Tuttle

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Slowdive

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Spotting

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Luke Reed

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RAYS

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Lilith

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Air-Sea Dolphin

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Robyn Hitchcock

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Lubec

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