Sharing the sharing.
Garage soul stompers The Missing Souls are a 4-piece band out of Lyon, France. Their debut U.S. single features their snarly, lo-if take on two lost gems from the 60’s — Oscar & The Majestics’ “Got To Have Your Lovin'” and Lindy Blaskey & The Lavells’ “You Ain’t Tuff”. Both tracks rule!
Get this bad boy now from Hidden Volume Records. Enjoy.
Night Fiction is Irish guitarist Cian Nugent’s third album, but his first in the role of singer-songwriter. Those familiar with his previous, mostly instrumental work will not be disappointed as Cian’s guitar skills are prevalent throughout the album. Check out his noodly guitar work on opening track “Lost Your Way” (below) for a sample, it’s definitely one of the standouts from the album.
Night Fiction is out today (01.29.16) on Woodsist Records. It’s a great listen, you should check it out.
Cian Nugent – Lost Your Way from Night Fiction (2016)
I missed on the Madcaps debut self-titled last year, I will not make that same mistake twice. These rockers out of Rennes, France play a sugary sweet brand of fuzzy garage pop tunes that could come off of any of the old Nuggets compilations of psych/garage songs from the 60’s. Their ode to the Taco Truck could be our founder, Sean’s theme song.
Below are two songs for your listening pleasure, “Too Big for Your Boots” from their new album, Hot Sauce, and “Emily Vandelay” from last year’s debut. Both are great examples of what these guys can do.
Hot Sauce is out now on Howlin’ Banana Records. Enjoy.
The Madcaps – Too Big For Your Boots from Hot Sauce (2016)
The Madcaps – Emily Vandelay from S/T (2015)
Jangly, reverbed, lo-fi, psychedelic, fuzz are just some of the adjectives I would use to describe Boston’s Magic Shoppe. Their newest EP, Interstellar Car Crash, is a wall to wall psychedelic gem, sure to alter your state of mind with it’s reverbed guitars and hypnotic vocals. Check out “City Alight (Yeah)” below for a taste.
Interstellar Car Crash is out on February 5 through Optical Sounds, I highly recommend it.
Magic Shoppe – City Alight (Yeah) from Interstellar Car Crash (2016)
Scott Reitherman is back with his second album as Pillar Point, Marble Mouth. Recorded at Kevin Barnes’ (of Montreal) home studio, Marble Mouth is an electro-pop masterpiece with of enough throbbing bass and synths to make any fan of 80’s electro drool. Check out the sun-soaked “Dove” below for a taste.
Marble Mouth is out on January 22 through Polyvinyl Records, it’s a must have for your record collection.
Pillar Point – Dove from Marble Mouth (2016)
11 resolution worthy tracks to start the new year off on the left foot.
1. Leggy – Even Lana
2. Azores – Tusk
3. The Dentists – You Make Me Say It Somehow
4. Sea Ghost – Goldfish
5. Electoral College – Zo
6. The Trash Templars – Wanna Know
7. Peter Stringer-Hye – Throw Away The Day
8. Saski – Alaska
9. Sin Fang Bous – We Belong
10. Mates of State – Beautiful Kids
11. Bis – Dead Wrestlers
Miami quartet Krisp blend elements of electro-pop, chillwave and some good old rock and roll to create a throwback of sorts to the new wave sounds of the 80’s.
Check out their super-tight, dance-pop single “167” below (named for it’s BPM), it’s the most upbeat track from their new album, Sonic Monarch, and one of the best from it.
Sonic Monarch is out on January 15 via Gummdrop Records.
Krisp – 167 from Sonic Monarch (2016)
Laurent from Six Tonnes De Chair just sent me this single from Milwaukee’s Platinum Boys. They play a grubby brand of lo-fi, power pop that’s right up my alley. You can check out the stream of the A side, “Confessions”, below. You can get this 7″ from Six Tonnes De Chair or their full EP, Junior Varsity, from Forged Artifacts. Enjoy.
Inspired by Todd and a really great year for music, I’m coming out of hibernation with my tops of 2015…
Top Albums
Jamie xx In Colour (Young Turks)
I figured this collection of dancefloor etudes wouldn’t hold up to repeat listens but here I am, on the last day of the year, still unable to shake the hooks from my head.
Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment Surf (self-released)
A remarkably eclectic and powerful album. The fact you don’t see any of the guest stars credited in song titles tells you everything you need to know about how this “experiment” fared.
Protomartyr The Agent Intellect (Hardly Art)
Riveting post-punk from Detroit; kinda like Interpol without the pretense.
Young Guv Ripe 4 Luv (Slumberland)
Ben Cook set out to satirize bands like Cheap Trick, Big Star, Marshall Crenshaw, etc. only to end up creating a completely epic power pop album of his own.
Jose Gonzalez Vestiges and Claws (Mute)
I respect Jose’s absolute commitment to the whispery folk formula that made him famous, especially when it produces a gorgeous album like this one.
Sufjan Stevens Carrie & Lowell (Asthmatic Kitty)
Like Jose, Sufjan keeps doing his thing and it keeps getting better.
Thundercat The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam (Brainfeeder)
Yearning, confident, proggy, funky – like nothing else out there.
Colleen Captain of None (Thrill Jockey)
An art album that plays like a pop record.
Kamasi Washington The Epic (Brainfeeder)
I may be the only so-called music snob who thought Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly was just okay (or is that just me being extra snobby?) – but if the Kendrick Lamar phenomenon means former studio musicians like Kamasi see more sunshine, I’m all about it.
Beirut No No No (4AD)
Even a B+ record from Beirut will make my top 10.
Top Songs
Young Fathers “Shame” (Big Dada)
Nosaj Thing feat Chance the Rapper “Cold Stares” (Innovative Leisure/Timetable)
Baio “Sister of Pearl” (Glassnote)
The Arcs “Stay In My Corner” (Nonesuch)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone” (Jajaguwar)
Lonelady “Groove It Out” (Warp)
Bicep “Just” (K7)
Swervedriver “Last Rites” (Cobraside)
Spectres “Where Flies Sleep” (Sonic Cathedral)
Beliefs “Tidal Wave” (Hand Drawn Dracula)
Low “What Part of Me” (Sub Pop)
Helen “Motorcycle” (kranky)
Four Tet “Morning Side” (Text)
William Alexander “Strangest Things” (Yellow K)
Open Mike Eagle feat MC Paul Barman & Milo “Trickeration” (Mello Music)
25. Leggy – Nice Try EP [self]
24. Library Voices – Lovish [nevado]
23. Faith No More – Sol Invictus [reclamation]
22. Say Hi – Bleeders Digest [barsuk]
21. Giggly Boys – Bastards of Young [self]
20. The Diamond Center – Crystals of the Brass Empire [funny / not funny]
19. Gun Outfit – Dream All Over [paradise of bachelors]
18. Woolen Men – Temporary Monument [woodsist]
17. Expert Alterations – You Can’t Always Be Liked [kanine]
15. Albino Father – II [self]
14. Mikal Cronin – MCIII [merge]
13. Kurt Vile – b’lieve i’m goin down… [matador]
12. King Gizzard and the Lizzard Wizard – Paper Mâché Dream Balloon [ato]
11. L’Orange & Kool Keith – Time? Astonishing! [mello music]
10. Ultimate Painting – Green Lanes [trouble in mind]
9. Wand – Golem [in the red]
8. Young Guv – Ripe 4 Luv [slumberland]
7. Moon Duo – Shadow of the Sun [sacred bones]
6. Lazy Knuckles – Bucolic [gold robot]
5. Thee Oh Sees – Mutilator Defeted At Last [castle face]
4. Danny James Etc. – Pear [burger]
3. Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear [sub pop]
2. Destroyer – Poison Season [merge]
1. The Butterscotch Cathedral – S/T [trouble in mind]