Posted on

Monster Rally and Jay Stone

After a long holiday break, I feel refreshed and ready to start bringing the hits again. For the first post of 2015, I am stoked to be sharing a couple tracks from the upcoming Monster Rally & Jay Stone collaboration, Foreign Pedestrians.

Monster Rally’s hazy, exotic beats mixed with Jay Stone’s razor-sharp vocal delivery are a match made in Heaven and hopefully the first of many collaborations between the two. I can’t recommend this album enough. You must buy it now. Foreign Pedestrians is possibly the best album of 2015.

Foreign Pedestrians will be released on January 27 through Gold Robot Records.

Monster Rally & Jay Stone – Cognac (w/Brandon Rayson) from Foreign Pedestrians (2015)

Monster Rally & Jay Stone – Recollection from Foreign Pedestrians (2015)

Posted on

Ladada

Ladada is the solo project of Virginia Beach native Josiah Schlater. By combining everyday sounds like eggs sizzling and water dripping with live instruments, Schlater has created a warm lo-fi experience that’s tough to beat. Ladada’s self-titled debut EP is out now on Gold Robot Records and available from Ladada’s Bandcamp page. Enjoy.

Ladada – Comets from S/T EP (2014)

Posted on

Yalls

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)

Posted on

Roman Ruins

I am super late to the Roman Ruins party, and even later sharing the album on 3hive. Better late than never, right?

Roman Ruins is the solo project of Oakland-based Graham Hill. Hill began crafting these songs while on tour with Beach House as their drummer.  His debut LP, Homebuilding, came out in 2012 on Gold Robot Records. On a side note his first 7-inch, Releasing Me/Your House, was Gold Robot’s first ever release.

Check out the fantastic, slow building “Mighty Love” (below). It’s chilled-out, electro-pop goodness has more layers than my mom’s seven layer dip. You will go back for more.

Roman Ruins – Mighty Love from Homebuilding (2012)

Also for your listening pleasure

Gold Robot

Roman Ruins Bandcamp

Posted on

Best of 2013 (Todd’s List)

2013 was a great year for music. Below are my top 20 albums of 2013 and mix of my favorite songs from those albums. Happy new year!

20. BOOM! – Get A Grip (Burger)
19. Dim Peaks – Time of Joy (Gold Robot)
18. The Limiñanas – Costa Blanca (Trouble In Mind)
17. Lloyd Cole – Standards (Tapete)
16. Bill Callahan – Dream River (Drag City)
15. RUMTUM – Mystic Wonders (1320)
14. Crocodiles – Crimes of Passion (Frenchkiss)
13. The Go – Fiesta (Burger)
12. Johnny Marr – The Messenger (Sire)
11. Mikal Cronin – MCII (Merge)

10. Gap Dream – Shine Your Light (Burger)
9. Veronica Falls – Waiting For Something To Happen (Slumberland)
8. Eleanor Friedberger – Personal Record (Merge)
7. Jacco Gardner – Cabinet of Curiosities (Trouble In Mind)
6. Kurt Vile – Wakin On A Pretty Daze (Matador)
5. Yo La Tengo – Fade (Matador)
4. Wooden Shjips – Back To Land (Thrill Jockey)
3. Monster Rally – Return To Paradise (Gold Robot)
2. Thee Oh Sees – Floating Coffin (Castle Face)
1. Foxygen – We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic (Jagjaguwar)

Best of 2013 from simco1974 on 8tracks Radio.

Posted on

Monster Rally

Ted Feighan is back with Return To Paradise, his best Monster Rally release yet. Check out opening track “Orchids” (below), it’s a killer mix of old vinyl crackle, hip hop beats and pure tropical bliss. This album is solid, and does just as it’s title suggests. Return To Paradise comes out on October 29. You can get it on vinyl from Gold Robot or digitally from Monster Rally’s Bandcamp page. I highly recommend it. Enjoy.

Monster Rally – Orchids from Return To Paradise (2013)

Posted on

Dim Peaks

Dim Peaks is a four-piece band out of California. They play a smooth, quiet style of indie rock that is instantly captivating. Check out “Reason” (below), the combination of Niilo Smeds dry vocals and the tinny sounds coming from his guitar, make the song one of the standout tracks on the album.

They recently released their new LP, Time of Joy, with Gold Robot Records. You can buy it at Dim Peaks’ Bandcamp page or get it on vinyl from Gold Robot, either way you need this album in your collection. Enjoy.

Dim Peaks – Reason from Time of Joy (2013)

Posted on

Young Hunting

Los Angeles quintet Young Hunting spent two years traveling all over California, recording their debut LP Hazel in various garages, living rooms, Joshua Tree, even inside a ranger’s station. The hard work and time spent has really paid off. Hazel is a laid back, reverb soaked, pop album. It’s the perfect album to play while kicking back on the porch sipping your favorite beverage. Check out “Maze” and “Baby’s First Steps” below, you’ll be glad that you did. Hazel will be released  June 4th on Gold Robot Records. Snag yourself a copy on vinyl while you can. Enjoy.

Young Hunting – Maze from Hazel (2013)

Young Hunting – Baby’s First Steps from Hazel (2013)