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The Flaming Lips – With a Little Help from My Fwends

October 27, 2014

Trashing an album like this is not easy, mainly because of how insanely easy it is. That Wayne Coyne, amidst accusations of cultural appropriation, unchecked egomania, and sad self-parody, would record an acid-damaged track-for-track cover of fucking Sgt. Pepper’s with Miley Cyrus reveals either a profound lack of self-awareness or an eager attempt to destroy his band’s legacy. It sounds like a joke your skeptical friend might have made about the band when you tried to get him to just hear The Soft Bulletin. As a long-time Lips defender and fan, I found the move exciting in its sheer audacity, and went into my first listen of the album with much hope. I’ve always been secretly kind of psyched about the Wayne-Miley friendship, and figured that the ballsiness of the project would warrant its existence. And it’s never fun to hate on something this ridiculous. But when I first listened[...]

Handsome Jack – Do What Comes Naturally

October 27, 2014

There is always a lot of talk about the hardcore and punk scene in Buffalo, but what about the blues? Bands like Johnny Nobody, Mr. Boneless, and in particular, Handsome Jack? As for the latter, the Lockport four-some hasn’t released a proper full length since 2011’s Super Moon, but in Do What Come Naturally, which Handsome Jack celebrated the release of this past Friday at Mohawk Place, the wait was certainly worth it. Once again, my brothers from another mother  prove that Buffalo’s got soul. Do What Comes Naturally is a red-eye flight and a universe away from Super Moon. I guess you could say the boys did some growing up. Where as Super Moon sounded like an overly extended ballad, Do What Comes Naturally is rough and hard around the edges. The band, now cocksure and headstrong, lays it all out on the table, letting the listener know exactly what they are working with.” From the[...]

Damian Preps Remix Album, Releases Re-Worked “They Fill The Space They Believe In”

October 27, 2014

Earlier this year, local mumblecore artist, Damian Weber, released one of our favorite local releases in You Don’t Need It, which, as the year starts to near its completion, has the staff over at the blog already arguing over which track should make our year end, best of list. I personally am pulling for the title track… Regardless, over the past weekend, Weber released a re-working of one of the album’s many standout songs, “They Fill The Space They Believe In.” The song is the first leaked track of a complete remix album he plans to release soon, titled You Don’t Need Shit. The new take is layered with nervy guitar picking and warm, subtle keys, adding a dreamy quality to the already celestial slow-burning rocker. Listen to the original take on “They Fill The Space They Believe In” over at Damian’s bandcamp page, and check out the remixed version below.

Andy Pothier Releases New Track, “Signs”

October 23, 2014

Earlier this week, local folk troubadour, Andy Pothier, released the first single from this forthcoming, untitled album. The bare boned “Signs” is another lovely number from the Pine Fever drummer, sounding like hushed Conor Oberst or weary, stripped down Hiss Golden Messenger. Keep an eye out for future tracks from Pothier’s new album, and in the mean time, listen to “Signs” below.

Stepfriends Releases New Album, All We’ve Got

October 22, 2014

The dudes (and dudettes) in Buffalo emo-pop collab-group Stepfriends have just digitally released their debut full-length album All We’ve Got. The eleven-track record, mostly recorded at The Square Studio in Syracuse, gives emo a little soul–think a jazzier Into It. Over It. with a dash of Circa Survive. Vocalist Johnny Lucas has a smooth and solid range, and his clear, handsome tenor takes the forefront in many of the songs. The tracks are expertly arranged; some of my favorite points on the record are the atmospheric bridges and breakdowns that give All We’ve Got it’s unique sound. Check out the angular riffs and crisp drumwork on track “Renovation” below, and go visit the band’s Bandcamp page for digital downloads and vinyl preorders.

SHEDS

October 21, 2014

The glory of the the DIY/ House venue is the element of surprise. Sometimes you are lucky if you know more than two bands. Then there’s the out-of-town band. But there is always that variable, that one band that no one knows shit about. SHEDS is one of those bands. SHEDS just played their first show earlier this month at the Glitter Box. “We were kind of removed from the live music scene for about a year,” guitarist Patrick McPinic says, “during which we holed up every weekend to play music. We really enjoyed all of the bands at the Glitter Box show.” SHEDS consists of a trio of Lancaster natives: McPinic, Justin Young (guitar/vocals), and Jason Overholt (drums). They have been playing together for almost a year in a half and just recently released their first single, “HPBG.” If you happened to carouse the merch table at their Glitter[...]

Hawker M. James Premieres Glammy New Single, “Some Attention”

October 20, 2014

Hawker M. James, the moniker of Rochester every-man Mike James (Longwave, Demos, Admirers), had his latest single debut this afternoon on Wondering Sound. Produced by electronic musician Joel Ford (Tigercity, Ford & Lopatin), “Some Attention” sees James getting his best Mark Bolan on as the track is full of glam rock chords and in your face synths. The song is set to be included on James’ forthcoming new album (title and release date are unannounced), so in the mean time, rock out to “Some Attention” below and keep an eye out for future Hawker news.

Secret Pizza Releases New Song From Shark Tank Recording Session

October 20, 2014

Over the weekend, one of our favorite 585 acts, driving post-rockers Secret Pizza, released a new track as part of a (mostly) Rochester based compilation, The Shark Tank Sessions, from Brass Palace Recordings. The seven track collection features tracks cut from 4-hour recording sessions, many taking place in the living room and kitchen of Rochester’s Shark Tank. Secret Pizza’s contribution to the compilation, “Not About a Lover,” features drummer Giana Caliolo taking lead on the slow burner, guiding the sprawling introduction into a raucous, shoe-gaze jam. The full collection of recordings from the Shark Tank Sessions can be heard here. In the mean time, listen to “Not About a Lover” below.

Zak Ward – That’s What You Get

October 20, 2014

Like a lot of people, I’ve always had a tendency to associate the music I listen to with a certain season. Sometimes there are objective reasons for this, certain sounds do traditionally pair well with particular times of the year, and sometimes it can be entirely subjective, such as when you only relate an album to a certain month because it just happens to be the first time you listened to it. Zak Ward’s new EP, That’s What You Get, released just this past weekend, would seem to qualify on both fronts as it’s an album that easily evokes the feeling of an early fall and happens to have arrived just as we’ve probably finished seeing 60 degrees in Western New York until 2015.  (The cover of the album might also help to inspire this autumnal connotative value with what looks to be a canvas brushed with a palette of[...]

October 17th

October 17, 2014

Dusky – “Yoohoo” Having become known for their full-bodied, melodic house style, UK duo Dusky deliver yet another intricately-produced track on their latest release for their label 17 Steps. “Yoohoo” features a blend of stark, hard-edged sounds with euphoric, more uplifting elements like an inviting keyboard line and propulsive bass groove. While still referencing a familiar house approach, the pair have carved out an original, forward-thinking sound for themselves that is increasingly hard to categorize. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/171908726″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] FaltyDL – “Do Me (Bruk Mix)” New York producer Drew Lustman, better known as FaltyDL is set to release a new EP, titled ///I\II\\\\ for Ninja Tune following his expansive album In the Wild, which came out back in August. With a jazz-oriented sound, “Do Me (Bruk Mix)” organically incorporates breakbeat, and hip-hop elements to achieve an elusive, more reflective feel. Known for his eclectic sonic choices, Lustman builds around atmospheric percussion,[...]

Los Waves – “Your World”

October 15, 2014

Upbeat Portugese twosome, Los Waves, have been on repeat this morning in the office. Comprised of multi-instrumentalists Jose Tornada and Jorge Da Fonseca, the duo’s sound picks up after Phoenix’s It’s Never Been Like That with the Strokes’ indie-pop accessibility. Check out their single “Your World” below [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/168058621″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Taylor Swift – “Out of the Woods”

October 14, 2014

Sarah and Moira are the queens of over thinking and the proud embarrassments of your Spotify feed. They chat about life, love, Buffalo, pop culture, social justice for sensitive girls, and pop music. They feel feminist guilt. They wax poetic. Today’s topic? Taylor Swift released a new song at midnight: “Out of the Woods.” Listen to “Out of the Woods” here (at least until we can get an embedded code).

New Look High Drags Release Latest Single, “Red White and Blue”

October 14, 2014

Our favorite (former)bi-coastal, brother/sister duo, High Drags, have reemerged this afternoon with their latest single, “Red White and Blue.” Marissa and James Longstreet, High Drags’ founding pair, have recently fleshed out to a five piece and permanently left their Western, NY hometown for the big city lights of Los Angeles. The first single from the new look High Drags is 6+ mins of smooth and sultry synth-pop that recalls Polica and Banks. Listen to “Red White and Blue” below.

Stars – No One Is Lost

October 14, 2014

While watching the closing minutes of “High Fidelity,” an episode of Degrassi (circa 2006), I found myself entranced by the lyrics of its concluding song: “Live through this and you won’t look back.” After a little digging, I found out the song was “Your Ex-Lover Is Dead” by indie-pop band, Stars. Now, nearly ten years later, the Canadian band has released their latest album, No One Is Lost. And though their impact has slightly diminished since then, the quality of their sound has certainly maintained through the decade. In tempo with their typical vibe, No One Is Lost features lots of keyboard, alternating vocals between Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan, and of course, some 80’s flare. While the latest Stars album does not necessarily present anything different from previous albums, it proves a valuable steal for both long-time fans and newly acquainted listeners. There is something to be said for their[...]

Falconcat Releases Debut Single Via LIPS Records

October 14, 2014

This morning, Buffalo/Philadelphia based label, LIPS Records, announced the release of the debut album from Falconcat, the new project/moniker of Buffalo musician Tylor Colby (Imperials, Victory for Poland). The forthcoming album, titled Year of the Wooden Horse, is set to drop via LIPS on November 4th. Also this morning, LIPS debuted the album’s first single, “Death of a Patron St.” While the record was inspired by smaller pysch pop projects and folk rock acts, “Death of a Patron St.,” seems to favor the latter influences, ditching the youthful pop sounds of V4P for bouncy, folk stylings that recall stripped down yet uppity Okkervil River or Neutral Milk Hotel. Listen to “Death of a Patron St.” below.