Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Unknown & Unheard Show 290!



Menomena : Plumage : Moms (2012)
-          5th full length
-          This is the best track on the album.
-          One of the most innovative bands going. Even after Brent Knopf left to form Ramona Falls.



Divine Fits : Baby Get Worse : A Thing Called the Divine Fits (2012)
-          The long awaited collaborative album from Spoon's Britt Daniel and Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs' Dan Boeckner.
-          This album is powered by the Boeckner led tracks but this cover is pretty hard to deny as the album's highlight.
-          Rowland S. Howard was the guitarist in the Boys Next Door, Nick Cave's first band, and Cave covered it brilliantly himself for them.



A.C. Newman : Not Talking : Shut Down the Streets (2012)
-          Latest solo release from the New Pornographers' frontman.
-          The New Porno's released their fourth album, Together, in 2010.
-          One of the brightest, good-mood-evoking voices in the indie rock world.



Natural Child : Derek's Blues : Hard In Heaven (2012)
-          2nd full length.
-          Big fun and loose, vintage 1970's classic rock sound here. Think Lynyrd Skynyrd.
-          Debut, 1971, was on more than a few best of '11 lists.

  

Tony Castles : One Tone Man : Sharon Stone EP (2012)
-          2nd EP. Out 10/23/12
-          Debut EP, No Service was out in 2010
-          Download for free at RCRDLBL!
-          Brooklyn band that I feel are going to be massively successful once they get some more music rolling out.



Slam Donahue : C'mon C'mon : Hemlock Tea EP (2012)
-          Forthcoming 2nd EP
-          One of the catchier songs I've come across in quite a while



Withered Hand : Heart Heart : Heart Heart EP (2012)
-          Latest EP of 3.
-          2011 debut full length, Good News, was one of my favorite releases of the year.
-          Neil Young-heavy sound.
-          His best song and unfortunately very profane. The FCC would not appreciate it if I didn’t edit… or maybe they would because it would result in them getting more cash for no good reason!
-          Favorite new (to me) band!



Dusted : Property Lines : Total Dust (2012)
-          Debut full length
-          Collaborative band from a member of Holy Fuck and Final Fantasy.
-          Big Neil Young folk sound.



Goodnight, Texas : Jesse Got Trapped In a Coal Mine : A Long Life of Living (2012)
-          Forthcoming debut album
-          Great slightly more country brand of folk.



Raymond Byron & the White Freighter : You'll Never Surf Again : Little Death Shaker (2012)
-          Debut full length from this new project from Ray Raposa, of the Castenets.
-          Out on Asthmatic Kitty Records… Sufjan's label.
-          Rootsy, easy folk.
-          RIYL The Tallest Man on Earth



Tame Impala : Elephant : Lonerism (2012)
-          2nd album
-          Australian classic psych outfit.
-          Members also responsible for the excellent band POND.



The UFO Club : Chapel In My Mind : The UFO Club/Night Beats 10" (2012)
-          Split 10" with Night Beats
-          Also one LP from collaboration between The Black Angels and Night Beats.
-          Great dark psych rock… not a surprise considering the band's family tree.



Psychic Ills : Take Me With You : Zoned b/w Take Me With You (2012)
-          Latest split single with Moon Duo.
-          3rd full length, Hazed Dream was out in 2011, but numerous other EP and single releases.
-          Trippy garage psych rock.



The xx : Chained : Coexist (2012)
-          2nd album. Debut was a massive indie hit.



FIDLAR : Cheap Beer : FIDLAR (2012)
-          Latest single. 2 EPs out as well.
-          Rough garage rick with a bit of surf rock.
-          So glad to see these guys getting a bit of publicity.
-          FIDLAR = Fuck It Dude Life’s A Risk.
-          SXSW 2012



Why? : Jonathon's Hope : Mumps, Etc. (2012)
-          4th album
-          An incredibly unique blend of Alt hip hop, spoken word and alt indie rock.
-          Some of their rock-heavy songs bring forth some of the most interesting combinations of sounds.
-          This is one of their best to date.



Monday, September 17, 2012

The Unknown & Unheard Show 289! The Return!



Matthew E. White : Steady Pace : Big Inner (2012)
-          Debut album.
-          Take the sound of Iron & Wine's last 2 albums and the Welcome Wagon and make it catchier, funkier and fuller and you get this incredible album.
-          I saw him perform it once already and I can't recommend the show enough!.
-          One of the best releases of the year.



Dusted : (Into the) Atmosphere : Total Dust (2012)
-          Debut full length
-          Collaborative band from a member of Holy Fuck and Final Fantasy.
-          Big Neil Young folk sound.



The UFO Club : July : The UFO Club
-          Debut LP from collaboration between The Black Angels and Night Beats.
-          Great dark psych rock… not a surprise considering the band's family tree.



Divine Fits : Shivers (Rowland S. Howard cover) : A Thing Called the Divine Fits (2012)
-          The long awaited collaborative album from Spoon's Britt Daniel and Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs' Dan Boeckner.
-          This album is powered by the Boeckner led tracks but this cover is pretty hard to deny as the album's highlight.
-          Rowland S. Howard was the guitarist in the Boys Next Door, Nick Cave's first band, and Cave covered it brilliantly himself for them.



JEFF the Brotherhood : Changes (Black Sabbath/Ozzy cover) : Hypnotic Nights (2012)
-          7th album
-          Classic rock duo from Tennessee comprised of Jake & Jamin Orrall
-          I'm somewhat reluctant to say a cover is one of my favorite songs of the year, but this song was such an unexpected treat when I listened to this album.
-          The rock scene owes a lot of thanks to these guys and Japandroids.



Grizzly Bear : Sleeping Ute : Shields (2012)
-          Debut album
-          The hype and anticipation surrounding their latest album, Veckatimest, was huge.
-          Great eclectic band



Menomena : Heavy Is As Heavy Does : Moms (2012)
-          5th full length
-          One of the most innovative bands going. Even after Brent Knopf left to form Ramona Falls.



El Ten Eleven : Thanks Bill : Transitions (2012)
-          5th album.
-          Experimental post-rock duo.



Hornet Leg : We're So Ugly : Ribbon of Fear (2009)
-          Debut full length.
-          Portland garage psych rock



Needles//Pins : I Heart Your Drugs : 12:34 (2012)
-          Debut full length
-          Fun and loose, anthemic rock.



Tame Impala : Apocalypse Dreams : Lonerism (2012)
-          2nd album
-          Australian classic psych outfit.
-          Members also responsible for the excellent band POND.



Dark Meat : When the Shelter Came : When the Shelter Came (2009)
-          One of the most unique groups making music
-          Athens based collective of musicians making sounds that combine Captain Beefheart, Zappa, the Stooges and host of other classic, off-beat psych bands.
-          Pretty awesome/inappropriate album art.



Twin Shadow : Five Seconds : Confess (2012)
-          2nd album
-          There might not be a song I've listened to more since my move than this one
-          Band led by George Lewis Jr.
-          Part pop, part 80's synth rock, part dance and all wrapped up in Lewis' dynamic vocals.



College : A Real Hero : A Real Hero EP (2010)
-          Dance pop band that one me over with this track's inclusion on the Drive OST.
-          I openly admit that my love of this track is directly related to my enjoyment of the movie, but it's still been one I've kept replaying frequently.
-          Really love the 80's vibe of the entire soundtrack.
-          2 full lengths out as well.



Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin : Pop Song : Pop Song 7" (2012)
-          Fuzzy nd energetic blast of garage sounds from usual San Fran collaborators.
-          San Fran 60’s psych/garage rock leaders.
-          Ty Segall is in the process of releasing his 3rd full length album of 2012.



Natural Child : B$G P$MP$N : Hard In Heaven (2012)
-          2nd full length.
-          Big vintage 1970's classic rock sound here. Think Lynyrd Skynyrd.
-          Debut, 1971, was on more than a few best of '11 lists.



Here We Go Magic : Hard To Be Close : A Different Ship (2012)
-          3rd album. Also one EP
-          Upbeat indie pop.



Sam Flax : Child of Glass : Age Waves (2012)
-          Debut full length. One EP out as well.
-          Catchy, fuzzy, eclectic psych rock.
-          For fans of Kurt Vile's heavier tracks.



Monday, September 10, 2012

What's Recently Caught My Ears and Eyes...

Frightened Rabbit : State Hospital : State Hospital EP (2012)



Moon Duo : Sleepwalker (feat. King Khan) (2012)



UFO Club : July (Black Angels side project)

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Divine Fits via The Boys Next Door

On the new Divine Fits debut album, Britt Daniel busted out a delightfully surprising cover of the song 'Shivers'. It was originally written by the guitarist, Rowland S. Howard, for Nick Cave's first band, the Boys Next Door. The Boys Next Door version is hard to beat, but Britt gives it a go...

Boys Next Door


Divine Fits

Monday, August 13, 2012

Video : Sam Flax : Fire Doesn't Burn Itself

It's been a while, but I am now in NYC and going to shows at quite the clip! I hope I get to catch these guys... Sam Flax. Here's their video for one of the songs I've listened to almost more than any other so far this year...