Latest Posts

Steve Gunn – “Milly’s Garden”

July 9, 2014

Steve Gunn’s music sounds like coming home after a long journey from some far away place. Last year’s Time Off was a spare and easy album to fall into, comprising of Travis picking guitar figures that hint at the Dead circa American Beauty. I saw him earlier this year in an air condition-less club in Northampton, Mass., and I dug his set more than Kurt Vile’s, who Gunn opened for (and at one time backed up). On stage, Gunn seemed bothered and disinterested, telling the crowd that his music was on sale in the back before trailing off and mumbling, “It’s complicated.” His music, though, was the exact opposite: simple and serious, comprising of just him, a drummer, and a bassist. His guitar style feels like you are being strummed up and down by a thousand feathers, and his voice is pure. “Milly’s Garden,  the new single off his forthcoming[...]

Work Drugs – “Double Life”

July 9, 2014

Our inbox was graced this morning with the new single from Work Drugs, a Philadelphia based dream-pop outfit. The band’s latest track, “Double Life,” taken from their forthcoming fall release Runaways, is full of smooth vocals, 80s guitars, and no lack of dance ready beats, and sounds like Holy Ghost meets Two Door Cinema Club. If you want a local spin, think Like A Parrot and the guys from Fashion Expo 1990 collaborating and you may have “Double Life.”  The band is self described as “Philadelphia’s premier Bat Mitzvah and Quinceanera party band.” Perhaps a local promoter could land them a spot in a sweaty basement later this summer.

Landlady – “Girl”

July 1, 2014

Fresh off one of the stand out performances of the Silo Sessions Launch Party last month, Brooklyn buzz act, Landlady, have released the latest single from their forthcoming album Upright Behavior. The driving song, which sounds like a nice blend of Peter Gabriel, Future Islands, and Sunset Rubdown, continues to enforce the band’s captivating, if not off beat, blend of jagged, toe tapping indie-rock. Those who caught the band’s set under the shadows of the grain mills a few weeks ago can certainly vouch. Upright Behavior is set to drop on July 15th, but in the mean time, listen to “Girl” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156153884″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Grimes – “Go”

June 26, 2014

I would be lying if I said I didn’t get chills while listening to the latest Grimes release for the first time. “Go,” released today, has that ethereal sound and angelic vocals that the Canadian musician is iconic for. The production work for the track, however, hits much harder and heavier than her usual dreamspace sound. The lyrics are powerful, the build-ups are perfect, all with an overall XXX feeling. The track features Blood Diamonds, a DJ and producer from Los Angeles, who has collaborated with Grimes in the past. A perfect match with a clear ability to diversify, a year later and their collaboration for “Phone Sex” is a tune I found myself never losing interest in. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156075705″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

The Modern Electric – “All We Have Is Now”

June 12, 2014

Cleveland natives, The Modern Electric, took over our office speakers this morning with their driving single “All We Have Is Now.” Part manlier Keane, part vaudeville Jens Lekman, and a pinch of Spoon, the band’s sound is both whimsical and exuberant, channeling classic rock legends like Jeff Lynne of ELO. The Modern Electric will be making a stop in Rochester next Thursday (6/19) at Sticky Lips as part of their national tour. This post is geared to our Rochester readers and Buffalo readers that like driving 80 miles to see bands. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/69973526″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Upset – “Linus”

May 20, 2014

Los Angeles has always been a mecca for music, like fellow NYC and Chicago metropolises. While ups and downs are unavoidable, as of late, LA has been able to find its footing, with new acts like Fidlar and Cherry Glazer, among others, to come of the City of Angels. The newest member to this club is the all girl pop punk outfit, Upset. Upset is a supergroup of sorts, consisting of former drummer of Best Coast and Vivian Girls, Ali Koehler (guitar/ vocals), Jennifer Prince (guitar) formerly of La Sera, and Patty Schemel (drums) of Hole fame. Upset released their debut album, She’s Gone, in October of 2013, on Don Giovanni Records. They are about to hit the road with White Lung, and have released a brand new track “Linus” to commemorate the tour. “Linus” is a throwback to an early 90’s alternative pop punk. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/147149401″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″[...]

PASTEL GHOST – “Skeleton”

May 20, 2014

This morning, we received an e-mail from Oakland-based dream-wave artist, PASTEL GHOST. The fourth song off of the band’s Shadows EP, “Skeleton,” is enchanting, sucking the listener into a shoe-gaze trance backed by “dreamtrap” instrumentations. If you want to start making your cool summer playlist, this should be the first song on it.

Cymbals Eat Guitars – “Jackson”

May 14, 2014

Man, who knew these guys were still around? I am sure I am not the only one who left Cymbals Eat Guitars for dead after the band followed up its incredible Why There Are Mountains with the somewhat disappointing 2011 release, Lenses Alien. The band returned in a big way yesterday by sharing “Jackson,” from forthcoming album, LOSE (8/26). The epic album opener, with its layer upon layer building towards that release and big classic rock guitar lines, could easily have led off WTAM too. Its thats good. And that big pay off at the end? Well worth the 6+ min wait.

Hooray For Earth – “Keys”

May 1, 2014

Yesterday, NYC’s Hooray For Earth released the first single from Racy, its highly anticipated follow up to 2011’s True Loves. Featuring crunchy guitars and a soaring ethos, “Keys” is ambitious, smart , pleasingly accessible, and one hell of a teaser for Racy, due out July 29th.

The Mercy Beat – “Sweet”

April 30, 2014

Thanks to My Old Kentucky Blog’s Blog Radio show on Sirus XM U yesterday for turning me on to LA-based pop act The Mercy Beat, and in particular, its celestial single “Sweet.” The group dropped the track a couple months back, but it seems to be getting more play as of late due to its airy vocals and dreamy synths. Fans of Trails and Ways, Young Galaxy, St. Lucia, and even the Radio Dept should check it out. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/136016045″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Seahaven – “Karma Consequential”

April 29, 2014

Seahaven have traded distortion for chilled-out guitars and effected drums on this ambient track from Reverie Lagoon: Music For Escapism Only. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/140537809″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Peter Matthew Bauer – “Philadelphia Raga”

April 25, 2014

The most intriguing solo project to rise from the Walkmen ash is not from former front man Hamilton Leithauser, but rather the band’s bass/organ player Peter Matthew Bauer. The latest track from his solo debut, Liberation! (6/24), comes in the form of “Philadelphia Raga.” Leading off with a worn down instrumental, which recalls the Walkmen’s dreamy “Line by Line,” the song turns into a drifty folk number in the likes of Cass McCombs and even Calexcio. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/145816077″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Melted Toys – “Blush”

April 24, 2014

Our inbox was greeted to a nice treat this morning from San Fran based pop group Melted Toys. “Blush,” the lead single from the band’s self titled debut (7/15), sounds like Dearhunter if Bradford Cox decided to dabble in sugary pop music. There is a little lo-fi Ariel Pink or Pains of Being Pure at Heart goodness in there too. Listen to the song below and judge for yourself. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/143686196″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – “Eurydice”

April 15, 2014

Shimmering pop perfection from melancholy NYC indie quartet. The soaring “Eurydice” can be found on the Pains of Being Pure at Heart’s upcoming LP, Days of Abandon, due out on May 13th. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/144201135″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Manchester Orchestra – “Top Notch (Acoustic)”

April 11, 2014

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/142901285″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Manchester Orchestra offers a haunting acoustic take on the lead single from their new album, Cope.