Giveaway::The Hush Now at Mad Oak

On Saturday October 2nd, Boston's indie pop whiz kids, The Hush Now will celebrate the release of their new EP, Shiver Me Starships with a performance at Allston's Mad Oak Studios. The band will be performing tracks of thier new EP as well as well as material from their previous releases. This is an invitation only event and space is limited,  however as luck would have it, we have a pair of tickets to give away. If you like to bear witness to this intimate and exclusive night of music with The Hush Now just send an e-mail to ashgrayproclamtion [at] yahoo [dot] com with Shiver Me Starships in the subject line. The winner will be granted admission, a copy of the new EP, and drinks for the night! We will announce the winner on Friday morning at 10 AM.

The show is Saturday at 8 PM at Mad Oak Studios 28 Rugg Road Allston

[MP3/Stream] The Hush Now - Vietnam Giraffe

Reviewed :: No Age - Everything In Between

No Age 101: Since forming in 2005 out of the ashes of the hardcore leaning Wives, No Age have purveyed a hybrid of noise, fuzz, ambient drone, and grimy pop hooks to great effect. In 2007 the duo of Randy Randall and Dean Spunt released the impressive Weirdo Rippers on FatCat, a collection of the bands early EP's and singles. During this time No Age were fixtures at L.A.'s all ages venue The Smell where they evolved into formidable live act, that was all too clear when No Age paid a visit to Boston in the fall of 2007 to play P.A.'s Lounge. Just a few months later the band issued their first proper full length, Nouns via new and current label Sub-Pop. Nouns delivered on the promise of Weirdo Rippers with a perfect collection of explosive fuzzed out rock, that showcased the bands understated pop sensibilities and with last years Losing Feeling EP the band hinted at things to come over 4 inspired tracks.

With Everything In Between the brand new long player from No Age the band pick up where they left off with Nouns and last years Losing Feeling EP respectively, but it's far from business as usual for Randall and Spunt. The album opens with ominous drums and angular guitar lines of Life Prowler. At first I was taken back a bit by how clean this track sounds compared to their previous recordings, but before I could dwell on that thought too long the fuzz commences. As with the past couple of releases the band continues to experiment with electriconic sound collages as the underbelly on some of the albums strongest tracks. As a result the songs are bit more fleshed out than previous releases, but the bands trademark blistering punk remains up front in the mix. What's striking about this album is that although the band are pushing their sound into new territory they never loose the charm or formula of their earlier recordings that wowed us on Weirdo Rippers. Fever Dreaming is straight up punked up scuzz with it's scream along chorus and driving guitars. Elsewhere No Age throw a few curve balls but never miss the mark especially on the gorgeous Positive Amputation and the album closing track Chem Trails. The later is call and response pop song that proves to be one of the albums biggest surprises and the bands most accessible track to date.

No Age have taken another step forward in the evolution of their sound and somehow managed to surpass all expectations with an album that is as delicate as it is brash and undeniably No Age. You'll be hard pressed to find a better record released in 2010.


Listen to Everything In Between (and then guy buy it!)

This Weeks Short Bursts::

Spiral Stairs/The Long Winters Split 7", Liars, & I Like Trains
It's been four years since we've had any new music out of The Long Winters camp. According to the bands website the new album is nearing completing, but details of these recordings have been at best, cryptic. However with the release of the new Long Winters/Spiral Stairs split 7" released earlier this week by Seattle's Mount Fuji Records things are starting to look up. While Spiral contributes Dreams They Guide Us, a b-side from The Reel Feel sessions. The Long Winters deliver Connections To Nashville a song that will be included on the bands next full length and follow up to 2006's Putting The Days To Bed.

Order the Spiral Stairs/The Long Winters Split Single from Mount Fuji Records .
New York's experimentalists Liars have not one, but two EP's planned for release over the next couple of months. First up is the exclusive digital EP, Live at Shepard's Bush Empire which consists of five tracks recorded at the famed U.K. venue on May 27th, 2010. Then on October 18th Liars will issue the Proud Evolution EP, which features three brand new tracks as well as three versions of the title track including the Thom Yorke remix that appeared on Reinterpretations, issued earlier this year by the bands label, Mute Records.

Liars - Proud Evoultion (Thom Yorke Remix)


Leeds U.K. literary giants, I Like Trains have announced the release of their second full length, He Who Saw The Deep. The album will be issued by the bands newly launched ILT label and has been financed by fans through Pledge Music. To show their appreciation I Like Trains have provided pledgers with an MP3 version of the album weeks before it's TBA release date. The band will celebrate the release of the new album on October 14th in a unique and quite frankly awesome location, the show will take place at The Deep, the worlds only underwater aquarium. Anyone got a floor we can crash on in Hull,UK?

Transmissions:: Teenage Fanclub

Glasgow's jangle pop legends, Teenage Fanclub are in town this weekend for a show at Royale Saturday night with their Merge Records label mates Radar Brothers. The band kicked off the North American leg of their tour in Toronto earlier this week and are out on the road supporting their excellent 2010 release Shadows. Tickets will be available at the club tomorrow night starting at 6:45. For more information on this must see show, go here.

Superchunk Live on TV and in Boston Tonight!




We couldn't be more excited for tonight's Superchunk show at Royale in Boston. To get us primed the band played two songs on last nights episode of Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, so we've taken the liberty of posting videos for those two tracks above. The Mountain Goats king pin, John Darnielle joins the band for Digging For Something off the just issued Majestry Shredding and the Chunk destroy Precision Auto in a web exclusive that we nicked off the Fallon site.

According to Royale tickets for the show are still available through their ticketing outlet and they also will be available at the club tonight at 7PM. Did we forget to mention that Versus is opening? Also if you feel like leaving the opportunity to catch these two incredible bands to chance, you can register to win a pair of tickets from one of our favorite blogs Bradley's Almanac. FYI the contest ends at noon today, so get on it! Either way we'll see you there.

Reviewed :: Boston Spaceships
Our Cubehouse Still Rocks
I know what you're thinking, another Robert Pollard related review on the pages of The Ash Gray Proclamation. Well, although factually correct this my friends is far from just another review of the Fading Captain. First let me set this up by saying that yes, I am one of those obsessive buy every release fans. However I am not one who arbitrarily gives every release a 5 star review. For instance I'm still trying to digest and come to terms with Pollard's last LP, Moses on a Snail. That being said the ratio of great to skippable material coming out of his Northridge, OH home base is still off the charts. Even so, when the man completely knocks me on my ass like he's done with Our Cubehouse Still Rocks, the fourth LP with Boston Spaceships I feel obligated to shout the good news from the nearest rooftop.

Our Cubehouse Still Rocks is the fifth release from Pollard, Chris Sluserenko (GBV),and John Moen (The Decemberists)in just under two years. The new offering finds the trio picking up where last years spectacular, Zero to 99 (#1 on our 2009 list) left off with fists in the air,charging guitar lines and drum fills that would make Keith Moon proud. The first thing you'll notice on Our Cubehouse Still Rocks is how strong the songs are. Track Star opens the album with some Pollard rambling but quickly kicks into gear with building power pop and an unforgettable chorus that will linger long after the track ends. Elsewhere Pollard resurrects Unshaven Bird from GBV's Suitcase: Failed Experiments and Trashed Aircraft with stunning results and on Airwaves, Boston Spaceships deliver a Bowie-esque romp, that would makeThe Thin White Duke jealous.

I've been listening to the record pretty much non-stop since it was released last week on Pollard's Guided By Voices, Inc. imprint and I've come to the opinion that this is the most accessible and enjoyable record Pollard has released since he disbanded Guided By Voices in 2004. Our Cubehouse Still Rocks is a triumph and flawless rock record, not mention a pure joy to listen to.

Maybe you're holding a ticket to the upcoming GBV reunion tour but you haven't been keeping up with the onslaught of Pollard releases? You my friend owe it to yourself to spend some quality time with Our Cubehouse Still Rocks. Boston Spaceships will not be denied.

Boston Spaceships - Come On Baby Grace

Free MP3/EP :: John Vanderslice

Earlier today master popsmith, John Vanderslice announced via his twitter account that he had just posted a free EP to his web site. Green Grow The Rushes is a six song affair that was recorded at JV's Tiny Telephone studios by Scott Solter. After several listens in the period of a couple hours we our more than a little hooked. Our current favorite off the new EP is Lay Down, which features Spoon's Jim Eno handling drums, percussion and production duties. The EP will be issued on vinyl later this year, until then go grab the digital freebie.

Download the EP complete with cover art, lyrics, and credits at JohnVanderslice.com

[MP3/Stream] John Vanderslice - Lay Down

Superchunk Release Day
It's not very often we get to type those words!
Not even the fact that we've been battling flu like symptoms going on week now, can dampen our excitement for the release of the new Superchunk LP that hit shelves today. Majesty Shredding the seminal bands first release in 9 years can be gotten here, and we highly recommend you run, not walk to your favorite record shop or digital outlet to acquire it. Go now!

The band played on The State of Things program on WUNC, North Carolina public radio earlier today and performed acoustic versions of tracks from the new record and spoke of all things Superchunk.

[MP3/Stream] Superchunk - WUNC Radio Session 9/14/10

Forthcoming:: K.C. Accidental
In the late 90's would be Broken Social Scene king pins Charles Spearin and Kevin Drew were working together in K.C. Accidental, a lo-fi mostly instrumental post-rock outfit in Toronto. The band issued two self released EP's, Captured Anthems For An Empty Bathtub and Anthems For The Could’ve Bin Pills. Well, those two EP's were only in available in Canada and have been out of print for the past five years. Not exacly ideal for us stateside BSS fans. Fret no longer, because the fine folks at Arts & Crafts have stepped in and plans to reissue those recordings in one package on October 26th. Captured Anthems For An Empty Bathtub and Anthems For The Could’ve Bin Pills will be available in 2xLP, 2xCD, and digital formats. The album can be pre-ordered at galleryac.com or stop by the merch table on the current Broken Social Scene tour, which as luck would have it we will be catching next week when they play Boston's House of Blues with The Sea and The Cake.

Transmissions:: A Classic Education

Italy's, A Classic Education will release their first EP later this month on Lefse Records. The 6 track Hey There Stranger EP will hit your favorite shops and digital sites on September 21st. Ever since hearing the Best Regards b/w Rest 7" last year we've been gushing over this young band. A Classic Education specializes in reverb drenched post-punk with a little slacker ethos for good measure. Gone To Sea off the new EP is stellar slice of chiming guitars and strident melodies.

The Summer's Ending Prize Pack::

Update: Congratulations to AGP reader/follwer Joseph Callahan of Portsmouth, NH for winning the Summer's Ending Prize Pack. Thanks to all who entered.

We have recently purged the small drawer in our tiny office where we've been keeping and collecting music earmarked for a future giveaways. Well, with the arrival of Labor Day Weekend and Hurricane Earl we thought there would be no time like the present to give said music to one of our readers. Mom always did say it pays to read!

As summer begins fade, the school buses start rolling through town, and we get ready for some anticipated fall releases we would like to gift you with four albums that have spent considerable time on our CD player, turntable, and ipods over the recent weeks and months.

Within this nifty little prize pack you shall find:
+ Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Let it Sway (Polyvinyl)
+ Wavves - King of The Beach (Fat Possum)
+ Black Helicopter - Don't Fuck With The Apocalypse (Ecstatic Peace)
+ Male Bonding - Nothing Hurts (Sub-Pop)

Enter to win these fine recorded goods by sending an e-mail to ashgrayproclamation@yahoo.com with The Summers Ending in the subject line. The winner will be drawn at random on Monday (Labor Day) at 12PM.

As always thanks for reading and supporting this blog.

The Summer's Ending Mix Tape

Summer's Ending Mixtape by ashgrayproclamation
This our first crack at the ever popular mix tape, you can download the entire thing via soundcloud. We hope you dig these tracks half as much as we have over the recent weeks and months. Also, don't forget to register to win our Summer's Ending contest below as well. We are really beating this end of summer theme like a dead horse!

This Weeks Short Bursts::
Lifeguards, Telekinesis, & Hallelujah The Hills

With two solo releases and a Circus Devils album already issued this year and an upcoming release from Boston Spaceships due next week, one things clear, the reunion of the Guided by Voices' classic line up has not altered Bob Pollard's hyper prolific release schedule. Come February Pollard will release Waving At The Astronauts with Lifeguards, a collaboration with former (late era) GBV guitarist Doug Gillard. We'll get our first listen to the forthcoming album when Serious Business Records releases the Product Head 7" b/w Naught Windsor on October 5th. Waving At Astronauts is the follow up to Lifeguards debut LP, Mist King Urth.

[MP3/Stream] Circus Devils - Bam Bam Bam from Mother Skinny

Telekinesis a.k.a Micheal Benjamin Lerner has teamed up with Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin for a 15 city tour that kicked off this week at Firebird in St. Louis and makes a stop in the Boston area next Tuesday at TT The Bears. Lerners' Telekinesis' will come armed with songs off the bands excellent 2009 debut as well as the just issued Parallel Seismic Conspiracies EP. The new 5 song EP will be officially released on October 26, however the digital version is on sale now at the bands label, Merge Records. The EP compiles the Dirty Thing 7" as well as a couple of covers, including a damn fine version of GBV's Game of Pricks.

[Video] Telekinesis - Dirty Thing

Boston's indie pop giants, Hallelujah The Hills premiered a new video for Put The Gurus in Charge earlier this week which led to us revisiting their ace sophomore release, Colonial Drones. It's no wonder it placed so high on our year end list. The band have announced a fall tour with two local dates that bookend the upcoming trek, including an appearance at this years Allston Village Street Fair. Also in a message posted last month Hallelujah The Hills lynchpin, Ryan Walsh asked bands to send him instrumental tracks that he can provide lyrics, melodies, and vocals for. The goal being a free download album to be posted at the bands site, sometime in the not too distant future. More information on the experimental recording project can be had at the bands site.

Update- 4:15 PM: Hallelujah The Hills will play a free show tonight at The Distillery Gallery in South Boston.

HTH Live Dates:
September 12, 2010 Allston, MA Allston Village Street Fair
September 16, 2010 New Haven, CT Lilly's Pad
September 17, 2010 New York, NY The Mercury Lounge
September 18, 2010 Charlottesville, VA Tea Bazaar
September 19, 2010 Philadelphia, PA The M Room
October 14, 2010 Danbury, CT Cousin Larry's
October 15, 2010 Rochester, NY The Bug Jar
October 16, 2010 Youngstown, OH Lemon Grove Cafe
October 17, 2010 Pittsburgh, PA Garfield Art Works
October 30, 2010 Allston, MA Great Scott