Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest (4AD)
Instead of recording at The Rare Book Room in Brooklyn, Bradford and his band decided to stay in Athens and make their fourth record themselves. The band has evolved into a new era, nothing remains from the “Adorno” lo-fi dance punk days. But sometimes change can be a good thing, this is practically their mantra. As musicians, all of them have clearly improved after almost three years of solid touring. Halcyon Digest is a line of demarcation in their career, and none of us know what lies on the other side.
Cat Party – s/t (Flat Black)
Despite their tragically uninspired name, this is a great record that deserves close inspection. Cat Party play UK inspired post punk, not unlike Joy Division, The Chameleons or The Sound (in fact, singer Ryan sounds a lot like a young Adrian Borland) and they do it without the requisite carbon copy bullshit. Highly recommended.
Kevin Seconds at Moe’s
Kev Seconds brings his solo tour into Denver on October 11th at Moe’s BBQ on Broadway. If you haven’t been over there yet, it’s part venue, part bar & grill, part bowling alley and even has a dedicated pinball room. Kev is on tour with Dino The Girl in support of his new solo release on Asian Man Records. He has been touring and recording independently since 1980 with legendary Nevada punk band 7 Seconds, and is always a pleasure to see perform live.
Dot Dash – CD EP (Edition 59)
Dot Dash are from Washington DC and feature ex-members of Julie Ocean and The Saturday People. Also features drummer Danny Ingram, who has played with Emma Peel, Strange Boutique and Youth Brigade (DC). Great upbeat songs, catchy and engaging popgaze with post punk roots. Other songs and info here
Hot White – Cassette (Nail In The Coffin)
Six song cassette from Denver’s one and only no wave / noise trio. The songs switch between downtrodden outbursts and melodic sludge. Similar to a large spoonful of strange green medicine, do not mix this with alcohol, do not try to operate heavy machinery. Check out “Pre Teen Wet Dream”.
Big Troubles – Worry (Olde English Spelling Bee)
This really surprised me. Bedroom shoegaze with lots of brilliant choruses and tons of reverb. Check out “Slouch” and “Bite Yr Tongue”. Psyched to hear where this goes next.
Ottawa – Remastered 12” (Council / Residue)
The Ottawa / Jihad split 12” originally came out in 1994. In 2000, they remastered all the songs and added some new sound clips. The final product will be a split release between Council Records and Residue Records and should be out before the end of the year. Still a breath of fresh air, still one of my favorites from that era.
Martin Rev – s/t (ROIR)
Proto electro-clash from Suicide co-founder Martin Reverby, originally released in 1979. This particular reissue has 5 bonus tracks. Absolutely essential!
Swans – My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky (Young God)
Earlier this year Michael Gira started up the Swans again, this is their first release of new material since 1996. I really like the way this thing sounds, at times it feels like one huge piece, one giant song. Gira’s lyrics are still phenomenal and it’s clear that he has a lot left to explore within himself through the Swans. I really hope this paves the way for future recordings and tours. Check out “No Worlds / No Thoughts”.
Blakula – Permanent Midnight (Bear Funk)
Italian psychedelic horror disco courtesy of Simon Maccari and Andrea Bellentani, who are better known as The Diaphanoids. This record was inspired by David Lynch, Basquiat, Miles Davis and Dario Argento, and creates a cinematic soundtrack using all real musicians and natural instruments (as opposed to synths). It’s a bit thin in some places, and that’s my only complaint. Plenty of bands in this genre manage to pull off the synth, (Padded Cell and Zombie Zombie – both amazing!) and I’m afraid that the real danger in trying to sound like Alessandro Alessandroni or Serge Gainsbourg is that you won’t. Still worth checking out.
