Somewhere in or around Dayton, OH Robert Pollard is undoubtedly celebrating his birthday this evening in a way that we assume is completely Pollardian. Earlier today the pre-order links went live at Rockathon/The Factory of Raw Essentialls for the first recordings in 15 years from GBV's 1992-1996 line up, Let's Go Eat The Factory. Which will be released via and GBV, Inc on January 1st and to brick and mortar shops on January 16th/17th. As if that wasn't enough to get the total fan boys at The AGP HQ, giddy, we also learned today that the band will release 3 separate 7" singles with three different labels. On November 22ndMatador will issue the double A sided single, The Unsinkable Fats Domino b/w We Won't Apologize For The Human Race. U.K. based Fire Records will release Doughnut For A Snowman 7" wich also features 4 non album b-sides, Rockathon has already sold out of the 250 copies they had to see but you can still gran them from Fire. Finally in December GBV, Inc. will offer the Chocolate Boy 7" and features the Tobin Sprout b-side, As The Girls Sing Downing, available in shops on January 17th.
We've embedded Doughnut For A Snowman below, mainly because we can't stop listening to it. prepare yourself for a nostalgia inducing slice of perfect pop and a track Pollard recently described as "the twinkliest song he's ever written"
We were a bit underwhelmed by last years full length debut from Cloud Nothings, don't get us wrong it had some nice lo-fi pop moments, but overall something seemed to be missing, compared to the bands early singles. Well Dylan Baldi is upping our expectations with album #2, by teaming up with the venerable Steve Albini for the recording of Attack Of Memory at his Electrical Audio Studio's in Chicago. Baldi has offered a teaser for the LP via this :46 sample of album track Wasted Days. Attack Of Memory will be issued by Carpark Records on January 24th.
Earlier this week Boston noise titans, Fat History Month celebrated the release their new 4 track, Gorilla 7" with a show at Charlies Kitchen. Gorilla follows FHM's fantastic full length debut, Fucking Despair released late last summer on Sophomore Lounge. The tracks found on this newly released 7" were recorded in 2009, we're glad they finally made on a proper FHM release. The band will head back out on the road next week to play 17 shows in 17 days, the tour is centered around an appearance at Louisville's Cropped Out Festival. Fat History Month will return home for a show at Doom Dungeon in Hadley and a TBA show in Boston on November 19th.
Lastly we'd like to point you to the terrific new Halloween single from Boston pop giants, The Hush Now. The Legend of Dudley Town was recorded at Mad Oak Studios during the Memos sessions and conjures up historical accounts of CT's haunted, Dudley Town. The single follows in the bands rich tradition of releasing exceptional holiday tinged tracks. After enjoying the creeped out goodness of The Legend of Dudley Town, be sure to go back and check out last years sinister offering, Please Mephistopheles , Leave Me Alone.
l It's been a relatively quiet four years for New York's indie pop institution, Nada Surf, save for last years covers collection, If I Had a Hi-Fi. Well, we're more than a little pleased to report that Nada Surf will return on January 24th with thier 7th LP, The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy on Barsuk Records in the U.S. and City Slang in the U.K. and the rest of Europe. This marks the first set of new material from the band since 2007's Lucky. While recording The Stars.. with Chris Shaw (Wilco, Super Furry Animals) the band made a deliberate attempt to capture their live sound and not over think things too much in the studio. The album features contributions from former Guided By Voices/Cobra Verde guitarist Doug Gillard as well as Martin Wenk (Calexico). The first single When I was Young, is winsome track that finds lyrical balance between the dreams of youth and the realities of adult hood, that we immediately connected with.
For the price of your electronic whereabouts you can grab the track from the bands interweb shelter, or listen below.
Earlier this week, to the surprise of pretty much everyone, except perhaps the folks at WORT's Wake Up Futuristic Radio Program, the world was given it's first listen to the new recordings of Guided By Voices classic line up's forthcoming, Let's Go Eat The Factory. Can we stop with the classic line up business and refer to them simply as GBV now? O.K. moving on, as we told you last month, the 21 track LP will be released on January 1st and will be the first of two new GBV albums in 2012. The Unsinkable Fats Domino is kind of what you would expect from Bob, Mitch, Tobin, Kevin, and Greg after they assembled in various basements and garages around Dayton. If you were expected pure GBV gold circa 1996, you will not be disappointed.
Programming note: WORT's Wake Up Futuristic is scheduled to play another new track from Let's Go Eat The Factory as well as a never before heard b-side this week. We thought you might want to check that out.
You guys didn't actually think we'd let another chance to promote this show slip through our fingers did you? Tomorrow night along with our friends at Clicky Clicky Music we present The Hush Now's Homecoming show at Precinct Bar in Somerville. This line up is not to be missed. Along with The Hush Now, the bill also includes Chandeliers, Soccer Mom, and the freshly added Cooling Towers. The evening will begin with the North American premiere of Johnny Foreigner vs. Everything, from Birmingham, England's preeminent noise pop trio, Johnny Foreigner and thanks to Alcopop! Records and Jay Clicky Clicky we'll be giving away exclusive album samplers of the album. In addition if you arrive by 9:00 you will be gifted with a Hush Now shot glass. What you fill it with is between you and your bartender. We recommend arriving for the 8:20 start of the album, we've heard it and it's already messing up our year end list. If you find yourself in the building, be sure to say hello to teams Clicky Clicky and AGP, which will include a rare sighting of our very own Echoes Myron. We're expecting an epic night, plan accordingly.
8:00 Doors 8:20 North American premiere of Johnny Foreigner vs. Everything 9:30 Chandeliers 10:30 The Hush Now 11:30 Soccer Mom 12:30 Cooling Towers
Last month Boston's guitar pop stalwarts, The Hush Now released their 3rd and to our ears best LP, Memos. We had the chance to discuss the recording of the new album, among other topics during an interview we conducted with THNfronter, Noel Kelly which you can read here. The band is about to finish up a 17 date U.S. tour that will bring them home this Saturday for a show at Precinct Bar in Somerville.
Memos was recorded in Allston at Mad Oak Studios with Benny Grotto over an eight day period and contains the bands sharpest and most varied collection of songs to date, equally due to the intricate instrumentation featured throughout the LP, as well as impressive vocal contributions from Barry Marino on the albums closing track, Things Fall Down , Adam Quane on Cameraphone, and fronter Noel Kelly handling the remaining 8 tracks. The album opens with Arkansas, a sparkling piano driven pop song, with plenty of guitar grit and soaring vocals provided by Kelly, that propel the track to the moon and back. We didn't see the curve ball of the set coming, until The Glow, a synth laden romp had us rolling our windows down and rattling our cheap car speakers on a recent fall afternoon. That track would not have been out of place on The Cure's,Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me and finds the band exhibiting a bit more confidence than before and dare I say a little swagger. Elsewhere the band turns in impeccable performances on some of the albums more subtler but rewarding moments, particularly on the albums, heartbreaking title track.
Memos is a brilliantly crafted pop record, that reveals it's many charms on repeated listens. Throughout the album The Hush Now add some new dynamics to their sound, explore new sonic textures, and retain their strength for creating memorable and engaging guitar driven pop anthems.
We are proud to be presenting along with our friends at ClickyClicky Music, The Hush Now's Homecoming show with Soccer Mom, Chandeliers, The North American Premiere of Johnny Foreigner vs. Everything and Cooling Towers @ Precinct this Saturday October 22nd. Check out theFacebook event page .
After spending the last few days listening to Galapagos, the debut long playing offering from South London's post-punk wunderkinds, Parakeets we're more than a little hooked. Based on their jarring and down right infectious debut, we find it increasingly hard to believe that this band has been together for such short time. According to our research and the bands limited web presence, Parakeets came about less than a year ago. On their debut, Parakeets give a nod to seminal U.K. acts as well American Emo pioneers. We hear bits of Wire, The Buzzcocks, as well the angular guitar lines of Joan of Arc. The band issued Galapagos earlier this month and are currently offering their introductory set as a free stream on their Bandcamp page, but we're hoping a physical release isn't too far off. Be sure check out the track Fingernails below, it's an anthemic monster with throbbing bass grooves, deftly executed tempo changes, and an opening verse that finds fronter, Tom Jennings name dropping his band with the lyric "run wild with The Parakeets".
It was only a matter a time before we got around to presenting our first show, they say you always remember you first and this will be no exception. We've teamed up with our friends at Clicky Clicky Music to present The Hush Now's homecoming show at Precinct this Saturday October 22nd. Frankly we couldn't be any more excited about the prospect of this line up that also features Chandeliers, Soccer Mom and an exclusive listening party featuring Birmingham, England's formidable noise pop trio, Johnny Foreigner and their forthcoming LP, Johnny Foreigner vs. Everything. Doors are at 8 with listening party starting promptly at 8:20. Be there.
To say we're anxiously awaiting the release of the new album from Hallelujah The Hills is a bit of understatement. But given the fact that the record has been recorded we are hopeful that our suffering will come to an end soon. Boston's indie pop wizards stopped by Occupy Boston last night to turn in an arresting performances of a new track Hungry Ghost Extraordinaire, which has quickly become one of our favorite Ryan Walsh compositions. Plus they get points for bringing and utilizing the bullhorn.
CMJ attendees take note,HTH will play Friday night October 21st at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn, be there.
Our initial exposure to Brooklyn's rising dream pop outfit, High Highs came last fall courtesy of the native Australian trio's debut single, Open Season, the aural equivalent of falling leaves on a country road with delicate acoustic strumming. Since then we've succumbed to fan boy status due to the bands subsequent and equally impressive singles. Well, after a year of waiting, not so patiently, we are pleased to report that on November 22nd High Highs will issue their debut EP on Small Plates Records. The EP will be pressed on 10" charcoal/grey marbled vinyl and limited to 100 copies, but we expect this release will be available via the bands Bandcamp page as their previous singles have been.
High Highs EP Track Listing: Open Season Flowers Bloom Ivy Horses
The band has recently made the track, Ivy available and we've taken the liberty of embedding it below, but be sure to pay High High's Bandcamp a visit for further listening. High Highs - Ivy
Last month 4AD issued Anthology, a two disc retrospective celebrating the sonic achievements of Boston/Newport's guitar pop luminaries, Throwing Muses. Earlier this year Kristin Hersh posted 12 demos to her Cash Music web dojo. Those same 12 tracks are reported to have been utilized to complete a forthcoming Muses LP, it will be the bands first in 8 years. Well the reactivated trio of Kristin Hersh, David Narcizo, and Bernie Georges have recently announced that they will embark on Throwing Muses tour which will begin on Wednesday October 12th in Athens before taking them abroad for shows in Ireland, England, Amsterdam. Sadly there is no news of a Boston show at this point, but according to the Kristin Hersh e-list, The Letter if these initail dates go well, we can expect more dates down the pike. "This is not something we get to say every day! We finally have the opportunity to share some Throwing Muses tour dates with you...We know there are many more places where the band should play, and we're looking forward to doing a lot more touring -- but it all depends on how well these shows are attended, so we hope to see you there!"
OCTOBER 12th ATHENS, GA - ATHENS POPFEST 14th WASHINGTON, D.C. - THE BLACK CAT 16th NEW YORK, NY - THE BOWERY BALLROOM 24th HOLLAND - AMSTERDAM - PARADISO 25th GERMANY - BERLIN - POSTBAHNHOF 26th DENMARK - COPENHAGEN - VEGA 27th BELGIUM - GHENT - HANDELSBEURS 29th SPAIN - MADRID - SHOKO 30th SPAIN - BARCELONA - APOLO
NOVEMBER 1st ENGLAND - BEXHILL - DE LA WARR PAVILION 2nd ENGLAND - LONDON - SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE 3rd ENGLAND - NORWICH - UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA 4th ENGLAND - HOLMFIRTH - PICTUREDROME 6th ENGLAND - MANCHESTER - ACADEMY 2 7th SCOTLAND - GLASGOW - ORAN MOR 8th WALES - CARDIFF - THE GATE 9th IRELAND - CORK - CYPRUS AVE 10th IRELAND - DUBLIN - ACADEMY
While we wait for news of a Boston Throwing Muses show, we must remind and encourage you to attend Kristin's show at the MFA later this month.
Kristen Hersh presents Paradoxical Undressing at the MFA on October 18th.
Late last month we reached out to friends, supporters, and bands we admire to pay tribute to R.E.M. and to chime in on the bands decision to pack it in after over 3 decades of making music together. The response was overwhelming and we are eternally grateful for those who contributed. Due to being on the road Springfield, MO's popsmiths Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin missed the deadline, but more than made good when SSLYBY fronter, Phil Dickey sent this cover of Haborcoat over to us. An AGP exclusive and sparkling rendition of one of our favorite Reckoning tracks. Now get to the downloading.
Burlington VT's lo-fi strummers, Hello Shark, the brainchild of Newburyport native Linc Halloran have returned with 11 new compositions in the form of, Break Arms. Inevitably Hello Shark will get tagged with indie folk tag, we suppose that's fair, but we find these New Englander's closer to Bonnie Prince Billy than Fleet Foxes. Break Arms is available through Portsmouth N.H.'s Burst & Boom Records. The Rolling Stones has been vaulted into heavy rotation around here and for good reason. The track finds Hello Shark offering stark instrumentation and Halloran's deadpan vocals to devastating affect.
Hello Shark will play a CD release show at Buoy Gallery in Kittery, ME with Gem Club and label mates Tiger Saw on October 28th.
New Zealand's noise pop phenoms, Popstrangers have recently inked a deal with Flying Nun Records. The band will be taking a break from recording their debut full length to play 4 shows at this years CMJ Music Marathon next week. The forthcoming debut follows the bands 2010 jaw dropper, Happy AccidentsEP. The trio of Joel Flyer, Adam Page, and David Larsen have just shared the track, What Else Could They Do from their the forthcoming 2012 debut LP. It's slightly over 3 minutes of noise drenched pop with virulent hooks and so completely in our wheel house.
PopstrangersCMJ Dates: Oct 10 - Pianos, 158 Ludlow St, New York 10002 Wed Oct 12 - Lit Lounge, 93 2nd Ave, East Village, New York, NY 10003 Tue Oct 18 - NZ Music Showcase, Le Poisson Rogue, 158 Bleecker St, NYC Wed Oct 19 - Team Clermont Showcase, Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, NYC
Western MA's self proclaimed "slops", Bunny's A Swine are back in town tonight to kick off a short tour with Banditas and The Silks at The Plough and Stars. The band will be armed with a bunch of new songs from their soon to be released sophomore set, All Day, Alright coming to vinyl and digital formats via TinyRadars Records later this month. A couple weeks ago the fine folks at Allston Pudding debut the album track Hen House, which showcases the bands prowess for fuzzy, pop songs and strong harmonies. Upon returning from this tour Bunny's A Swine will celebrate the release of All Day, Alright with an album release show on 10/20 at the Sierra Grille in North Hampton.
We were thrilled when this popped up on last month. Swells is first new track from Irish synth pop trio, Crayonsmith in progress follow up to 2008 superlative White Wonder and as you will soon see, the video was recorded in the bands Glasnevin kitchen. Crayonsmith will also issue the Heaven In An Aeroplane 7"on November 7th via Limerick's Out On A Limb Records.
While Bristol England's pedal stompers, Thought Forms are busy converting legions of new fans at this weekends All Tomorrows Parties Presents: I'll be Your Mirror in Asbury Park, we're busy wishing we were there or at least that at some point the trio will pay a visit to Boston. While the band needs no introduction at home, here in the U.S. they are just starting to catch fire and we're joining in to yell their name from a nearby rooftop. Thought Forms utilize a dual guitar attack of fuzz and noise to build a formidable wall of noise with hushed vocals and a bit of drone to top things off. We hear bits of Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine but we also hear something wholly original and completely spellbinding. The band issued their self titled debut on Geoff Barrow's (Portisehead)Invada records in 2009 and recently offered up a couple new tracks that have us hoping another release isn't too far off.
Thought Forms will be in the U.S. this fall to support Portisehead.
Live Dates: 10/10/2011 : Sound Academy, Toronto, Canada with Portishead
12/10/2011 : Aragon, Chicago, USA with Portishead
18/10/2011 : Shrine, LA, USA with Portishead
19/10/2011 : Shrine, LA, USA with Portishead
21/10/2011 : Greek, Berkeley, USA with Portishead
23/10/2011 : WaMu, Seattle, USA with Portishead
24/10/2011 : PNE Forum, Vancouver, Canada with Portishead
27/10/2011 : 1st Bank Centre, Denver, USA with Portishead
Somewhere in or around Dayton, OH Robert Pollard is undoubtedly celebrating his birthday this evening in a way that we assume is completely Pollardian. Earlier today the pre-order links went live at Rockathon/The Factory of Raw Essentialls for the first recordings in 15 years from GBV's 1992-1996 line up, Let's Go Eat The Factory. Which will be released via and GBV, Inc on January 1st and to brick and mortar shops on January 16th/17th. As if that wasn't enough to get the total fan boys at The AGP HQ, giddy, we also learned today that the band will release 3 separate 7" singles with three different labels. On November 22nd Matador will issue the double A sided single, The Unsinkable Fats Domino b/w We Won't Apologize For The Human Race. U.K. based Fire Records will release Doughnut For A Snowman 7" wich also features 4 non album b-sides, Rockathon has already sold out of the 250 copies they had to see but you can still gran them from Fire. Finally in December GBV, Inc. will offer the Chocolate Boy 7" and features the Tobin Sprout b-side, As The Girls Sing Downing, available in shops on January 17th.
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