This Weeks Short Bursts :: A Week In Review - Guided By Voices, The New Highway Hymnal, We Are Losers, and Soccer Mom

It's already been a banner year for Robert Pollard and his beloved Guided By Voices. We've already seen Pollard issue two LP's full of new material with GBV's classic line up, the excellent Lets Go Eat The Factory was released in January and last spring brought the equally impressive Class Clown Spots A UFO. Not to mention two very good solo releases, Mouseman Cloud and last months Jack Sells The Cow.

With no signs of slowing as he continues to make a mockery out of the word prolific, Pollard alongside Tobin Sprout, Mitch Mitchell, Kevin Fennell, and Greg Demos are about to release their 3rd album in the last 12 months with The Bears For Lunch on November 13th via  GBV,Inc. By all reports the album picks up where Class Clown Spots A UFO left off, however the songs are reportedly more fleshed out, not unlike the transition the band made from Alien Lanes to 1996's masterful, Under The Bushes Under The Stars. The track Hangover Child was included in the bands Live set this summer and based on the video linked below, it features all the GBV touchstones charging guitars, a muscular and intricate rhythm section, and incredible melodies.

Hangover Child Live @ The Trocadero Philadelphia, PA July 07.06.12

Word has it that the pre-orders for The Bears For Lunch will go Live tomorrow at Rockathon/The Factory of Raw Essentails. In the meantime if you act now you still might be able to grab the limted edition 7's, for three album tracks, Everywhere Is Miles, White Flag, and the previously mentioned Hangover Child all of which come with non album b-sides. Last we heard they were going fast and only a few remained, so go get yours.

This week found local psych punk droners, The New Highway Hymnal releasing their full length debut, Whispers and celebrated that achievement in fine fashion with a record release show at Great Scott. Recorded in the bands hometown of Haverhill and issued by Michael Morrotta's Vanya Records. Whispers has quickly become our go to record of the month. The album is psych pop gem and begs to be heard and talked about. For proof, check the albums final and completely staggering track, Hey Kid (Gotta Run). Get your digital copy at Vanya or grab the vinyl from Big Cartel.

Next Show: The New Highway Hymnal Play TT The Bears On November 11th.



Dublin's fuzz poppers, We Are Losers are back with new single Salt Lips which is backed by an acoustic demo for the previously released track Moany. Apparently the band his been sitting on Salt Lips for a while, early this week the Irish quartey decided to offer as a for free download. The track exhibits all of the bands strengths, gigantic pop hooks, guitars drowning in distortion, and an infectious chorus. Can the bands debut full length be far off, we certainly hope not.



Boston's noise pop phenoms, Soccer Mom are set to release there first dose of new music since they issued last years superb, You Are Not Going To Heaven which landed firmly among our favorite releases of 2011. The Brides/Canoe digital single will be issued on November 6th via 100m Records. Soccer Mom will celebrate the night before when they provide support for Young Prism at Great Scott and plan to have a few physical copies of the single available at the show.

The Brides/Canoe single is available now for pre-order at 100m Records Bandcamp dojo.
Go get yours.

Transmissions :: Divine Fits - Would That Not Be Nice

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Here at AGP HQ we have watched the summer fade into fall, traded our Ill advised sun burns and t-shirts for flannels, hoodies and the comfort of our couch. Not sure where I was headed with all that other than to say that we are embracing the changing season and trudging on, with songs of late summer nights bouncing around our brains. In Late August Divine Fits released there debut long player, A Thing Called Divine Fits ever since that LP has been in heavy rotation and provided our soundtrack to another spectacular New England autumn. Divine Fits features AGP favorites, Brit Daniel (Spoon), Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs), and Sam Brown (New Bomb Turks). No other track and now video,epitomizes our appreciation for the Fits'and their excellent debut than, Would That Not Be Nice.

Divine Fits will play there first Boston area show when the trio to take to the Royale stage on October 17th.

Live Report: Dr. Dog With Delta Spirit @ Lupos Heartbreak Hotel| Providence, RI|September 19, 2012

As I walked into Lupos Heartbreak Hotel the other night I was instantly reminded of the several shows I had seen in the famed Providence, RI venue over the years. Granted the venue has had three different locations since it's 1975 opening and seen countless bands pass through it's doors, but I've been lucky enough to have seen a number of superb shows at this venue. However for some reason I haven't found my way to Lupos in the past few years. The formidable double bill that featured two of our country's finest purveyors of scrappy Americana and earnest roots pop, Philadelphia's Dr. Dog and California's Delta Spirit was the perfect excuse for my return.

As I made my through the venue I could hear that Delta Spirit had taken the stage to a raucous crowd that would hang on every word from fronter, Matt Vasquez. The band delivered a well balanced set with drawing equally from there sterling and 2012 issued self titled release as well as their sturdy back catalog. Immediately the bands dynamic comes through live anchored by Vasquez' rich vocals and Delta Spirit's ability to blend folk, blues, and elements of classic rock into something wholly unique, all while delivering a stirring and energetic performance throughout. The band closed their set with, California the bands most recognizable track, which immediately turned into a sing along with everyone in the room bopping their heads in unison to Vasquez's tale of a well adjusted breakup, as the band brought their feverish and impressive performance to close.

Dr. Dog took to the stage outfitted in their finest thrift store garb and armed with a an impressive song book that they've crafted for the past 13 years over 7 LP's. Seeing the band last spring in Boston gave me a glimpse into their prowess for high caliber musicianship and rousing Live performances, my expectations were justifiably high and Philli's ramshackle odd ball pop enthusiasts failed to disappoint. From the opening chords of The Rabbit, The Bat, and The Reindeer it was apparent that the band was thrilled to be back on stage, as this was the 1st show of another tour to support the bands latest album, Be The Void. Dr. Dog are engaging as well as thoroughly entertaining on stage, with bassist Toby Leaman jumping and spinning about until he was soaked with sweat and Scott McMicken stomping guitar pedals and frantically hopping across the stage. The bands sound reaches new heights in the Live setting, some things that can be missed on their records, like how strong the harmonies are and how McMiken and Leaman voice compliment each other perfectly. Dr. Dog highlighted their set with some cherry picked tracks from their back catalog, Shadow People and The Breeze as well as the earnest pop tracks found on their excellent 2012 offering Be The Void, Lonesome and Heavy Light. As the beer and sweat soaked crowd danced, sang along and hung on the bands every note, Dr. Dog proved once again why they continue to be one of America's most dynamic and engrossing Live bands.