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Regal Beast

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)

Regal Beast

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Greg Ashley

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)

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Small Wonder

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)

Small Wonder

Father/Daughter

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New Bums

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)

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Woodsman

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)

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March 2014 Mixtape

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 +/-!

March Mixtape 2014 from 3hive on 8tracks Radio.

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Doug Tuttle

Sometimes life and the drama that comes with it can twist you up into a giant mess that seems impossible to unravel. Then, out of the blue, something great will come along and completely change your attitude. That something for me is Doug Tuttle’s recently released, debut, self-titled LP. Tuttle’s use of shimmering, jangly guitars, bits of what sounds to me like organ, crashing cymbals along with his slow as cold molasses vocals combine to make an album of songs that will help you forget your troubles for at least the thirty-seven minutes it takes to get from start to finish. Doug Tuttle’s LP is out now on Trouble In Mind. I highly recommend it.

Doug Tuttle – With Us Soon from S/T (2014)

Doug Tuttle

Trouble In Mind

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Lightning Dust

Lightning Dust is the side project of Black Mountains’ Amber Webber and Josh Wells. They released their third LP Fantasy last year with Jagjaguwar.

Their synth-pop sound is quite the departure from the heavier music of Black Mountain. Opening track “Diamond” (below) utilizes a driving beat, heavy-synth bass lines and Webbers’ incredible vocals over the top of super catchy electronic beeps and bops.

Lightning Dust – Diamond from Fantasy (2013)

Lightning Dust

Jagjaguwar

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Ruined Fortune

Ruined Fortune | Ruined Fortune | 3hive.com
Ruined Fortune | Ruined Fortune | 3hive.com

Ruined Fortune is the duo of Angela Garrick and Australia’s Nic Warnock. Both have played in several other projects, including Southern Comfort, Bed Wettin’ Bad Boys and Model Citizen to name a few.

Their heavy, thick-sludge version of rock ‘n’ roll is right up my alley. Check out the bottom-heavy chug of “In A Hole” below, it’s one of the standout songs on the album. Their debut self-titled LP is out now on Hozac Records. Get yourself a copy today. Enjoy.

Ruined Fortune – In A Hole from S/T (2014)

Ruined Fortune

Hozac

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Juan Wauters

Juan Wauters’ debut solo album, N.A.P. North-American Poetry, is very chill, quite the departure from his more rowdy garage-rock band The Beets. But it still has that edge, do you know what I mean?

Listen to “Water” (below), Juan’s voice plays well with his gentle guitar picking and is one of the standout tracks from the album. N.A.P. North-American Poetry is out now on Captured Tracks. I highly recommend it. Enjoy.