[mp3] Introducing // Sad Baby Wolf

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[mp3] Introducing // Sad Baby Wolf

Written on January 24, 2012 by Dave in Music

Having been a big supporter of The Shins since their beginnings with Oh, Inverted World, I was not altogether joyous when James Mercer decimated the band by axing founding member Marty Crandall amongst others. A parting of ways under such circumstances could certainly be seen as the end of what I loved about the band prior, as it’s hard to believe the essential formula of what gave the band its identity prior could survive such turmoil. And yet, I’ve not lost all hope for Mercer’s upcoming release under the Shins brand, since he seems to have been the driving force all along.

[mp3] Sad Baby Wolf // Survival Guide

While not a particularly strong vocalist, Crandall still has unresolved urges he needs to work out. Following the break from Mercer, Crandall returned to his roots in Albuquerque to rediscover his musical inspiration. With another Shins castoff, guitarist Neal Langford as well as his brother, Crandall formed a new outfit he’s calling Sad Baby Wolf. Thus far, two cuts have been released from a forthcoming full length. It’s clear that Crandall was an essential mix of what made The Shins so excellent. Grab “Survival Guide” to see for yourself, and be on the lookout for more.

Sad Baby Wolf // web | Facebook

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[mp3/stream/video] Introducing // Veronica Falls

Written on September 29, 2011 by Dave in Music, Video

I’ve been hearing a great deal about the new Veronica Falls record despite actively avoiding Twitter and other types of internet exposure as of late. The scuttlebutt I keep hearing focuses on great instrumentation, and within moments that claim becomes quite apparent in its veracity on “Bad Feeling.” A marvelous indie pop jaunt, it leaves a feeling quite contrary to its title. Stream the track below, and be sure to grab “Come On Over” as well.

Veronica Falls – Bad Feeling by Slumberland Records

Out via Slumberland Records, the band’s eponymous debut is available now. They have a date 10/1 in Toronto with The Drums, which is of course as close as they’ll get to Rochester. Certainly its short notice, yet it seems they may be worth the trip.

[mp3] Veronica Falls // Come On Over

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[mp3] Introducing // Spanish Prisoners

Written on August 16, 2011 by Dave in Music

spanishprisoners [mp3] Introducing // Spanish Prisoners

The latest band to force me out of my musical slumber, back into writing about powerful new work, is Brooklyn foursome Spanish Prisoners. Single “Rich Blood” is a fantastic introduction to the band’s forthcoming LP, Gold Fools. Featuring lush guitars and fantastic vocal melodies, the song truly picks up once the chorus chimes in a bit after the 1:00 mark, and almost gets a bit funky to coincide with the dreamy poppy-ness. And then, right around 2:47, things switch again into another fantastic direction to wind the track down instrumentally.

[mp3] Spanish Prisoners // Rich Blood

As for the second track, I have a confession. Admittedly to my detriment, I am a bit of a Smiths dilettante. I’ve heard a great deal of their bigger songs and rather enjoy all of them. I’ve just never exhibited the energy to become more acquainted with the subterranean, or even casual, stuff the band has to offer. Therefore I don’t know what justice Spanish Prisoners give to “Still Ill,” but based on the strength of their rendition, I have to imagine it brilliant – without doing the minimal legwork to confirm. Once again here, the vocal melodies are an absolute strength. The familiar Smiths sound is present in tone and instrumentally, and in covering them the band chose an excellent frame in which to fit their immense skills.

[mp3] Spanish Prisoners // Still Ill (Smiths Cover)

Once again I have I Guess I’m Floating to thank for the discovery. If you like what you hear, be sure to head to the Bandcamp link below for more.

Connect with Spanish Prisoners // Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter

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[mp3] Introducing // Greater Empires

Written on August 11, 2011 by Andy in Music

I think I’ve said this before, but when it comes to our submissions inbox, brevity is next to godliness. Regarding Greater Empires, we received the following message with a couple of links: “…just released a new single it’d be cool if you’d check it out and maybe upload it? Hope you enjoy it.” That’s the perfect amount of intrigue, and it gets right to the heart of the matter. You’d like me to listen, and you hope that I like what I hear.

And, when it comes to Great Empires, I liked what I heard. “Uneven Ground” is the only thing available on the artist’s Bandcamp page, along with the lyrics. The trio’s Facebook page still has the new band smell of “Greater Empires joined Facebook.” in their feed.

The song itself is easily described as chillwave, sounding like its been recorded partially underwater. “Uneven Ground” is muted, lazy lo-fi out of Miami – bleached in the sun and with the sticky smell of ocean permeating it. For a band that seems like they were very recently birthed, they’ve created a tune that is good enough to warrant repetition, and to look forward to what they’ll put out next.

Connect with Greater Empires // Facebook | Bandcamp

Greater Empires // Uneven Ground [mp3]

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[mp3] Introducing // Vandaveer

Written on July 19, 2011 by Jeff in Music

vandaveerdigdowndeep [mp3] Introducing // Vandaveer

I will admit it: I am a sucker for a bowed string instrument. If you intersperse a little cello, violin, viola, or even a bowed bass into your rock music, I’m going to fall for it completely. There’s something about the richness of a cello or the sweet, chiming nature of a violin that adds tremendously to the mood and changes up the simple guitar/bass/drums routine that we’re so used to. Of course, there are other ways to add the right mood to those basic instruments. If you want to experiment with keyboards or a grand piano and maybe throw in a musical saw, I’m all for it. Wow me a little.

Vandaveer wows me, and not just because the very first sounds on this album are about 20 seconds of a haunting and distorted cello. This alt-folk/Americana band could wow me simply with the male and female vocal accompaniment. Primarily the collaboration between Mark Charles Heidinger and Rose Guerin, the pair sing most songs together, each voice very strong on their own but even stronger together.

Dig Down Deep is a lovely album with a nice mix of styles that stay close to the Americana realm (though I like the band’s self-professed genre of “chamber-folk,” and there’s some decidedly rock leanings here and there). The more traditional ones work well enough, but there are standout tracks here that amaze me with every listen. The opening title track is a gorgeous song with a soaring chorus that – in a hipper world – I could almost hear over the latest CW drama. “Beat, Beat, My Heart” is the album’s highlight for me, a rich mix of echoed vocals and guitar/piano with a nearly heartbreakingly sung chorus. Riding only piano and a very light rhythm, “As a Matter of Fact” somehow manages to be so powerful, I can only imagine it being performed live in some kind of cathedral to maintain its soaring tonal quality.

There are plenty of cellos on Dig Down Deep, such as on the dark “Spite,” another favorite track. And there is light piano and other similarly charming instrumentation. But Vandaveer wows me with gorgeous singing, immaculate songwriting, and perfect production. It’s an album that is light and rich one moment, dark and hauntingly breathtaking the next. And it wows me with every listen.

[mp3] Vandaveer // Concerning Past & Future Conquests

Connect with Vandaveer // Facebook | Bandcamp | web

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