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The Big Takeover Issue #93

Elizabeth Klisiewicz

Music has always inspired me and continues to define my existence. During my college years and afterward, I had a weekly radio show at WMUA and also at a community station in Springfield, MA. I also wrote music and concert reviews for my college paper. When I am not writing technical manuals, I read mysteries, write fiction, and can always be found with a camera and a maxed out iPod.

Interview with Wally Salem of The Beautiful Music label

1 March 2023

“I will likely keep doing this as long as I’m still breathing and discovering music that I enjoy and provided I continue to have the finances to do it.”

Submotile - One Final Summit Before The Fall

Submotile - One Final Summit Before the Fall (Shelflife Records)

18 November 2022

Submotile is a band that sneaks up on you, storms your senses, and thoroughly ensnares you.”

Beth Arzy and members of Jetstream Pony.

A Cloud In My Heart: A Chat with Beth Arzy of Jetstream Pony

5 July 2022

Beth Arzy is well known for her sweet vocal work in Aberdeen/Trembling Blue Stars/The Luxembourg Signal, Lightning in a Twilight Hour, and now the excellent UK band *Jetstream Pony.

Album cover for What If It Works by Loud Family

The Loud Family and Anton Barbeau - What If It Works? (Omnivore Recordings)

6 March 2022

“A fine ending to the wonderful reissues of Game Theory and Loud Family releases from Omnivore Recordings.”

Atoms and Energy by Daniel Wylie's Cosmic Rough Riders

Daniel Wylie’s Cosmic Rough Riders - Atoms and Energy (Last Night From Glasgow)

4 July 2021

“Glasgow singer-songwriter Daniel Wylie and his regular musical cohorts (Neil Sturgeon, Johnny Smillie, Stu Kidd) have once again graced the ears of listeners with a beautiful new record, one released at the trailing end of a deadly pandemic.”

The Loft Ghost Trains and Country Lanes: 1984-2015

The Loft - Ghost Trains and Country Lanes: 1984-2015

25 April 2021

“The Loft were a promising entry in the vast swarm of Creation talent, and seemed more likely than others to make it big. Trailing in the wake of The Smiths, they were right in the thick of guitar-based indie pop. Reveling in their influences, including The Velvet Underground, Television, and Modern Lovers, they released two killer singles: “Why Does the Rain” and “Up the Hill and Down the Slope”.”

Sonic Day Codas by Submotile

Submotile - Sonic Day Codas (MotileRev/Midsummer Madness/Shore Dive Records)

11 April 2021

“Hovering easily between post rock, shoegaze, and dream pop, this song cycle is one of the best shoegaze records I’ve heard in years. I am amazed by the immense production values and the many-layered tapestry that colors each song. I hear different things every time I listen through, and this one has been on repeat throughout the past month.”

Lancaster, PA band Vicious Blossom.

A Short Conversation with Nate Zerbe of Vicious Blossom

3 April 2021

“Lancaster PA band Vicious Blossom is Nate Zerbe (vocals/guitar/lyrics) and a revolving collection of musicians that varies from release to release. The band combines dream pop and shoegaze with a side order of psych for good measure.”

Portugal band Beautify Junkyards

A Virtual Conversation with João Branco Kyron of Beautify Junkyards

9 January 2021

“Beautify Junkyards plays a unique blend of tropicalia, dream pop, and folk. Their songs are like wandering inside a dreamscape.”

Takaisin from Radio Supernova

Radio Supernova - Takaisin (Soit Se Silti)

3 January 2021

“There are eight tracks drenched in dream gaze and a post punk sensibility that will rock your corner of the world for a short time. While it may rain colder on your senses, there is always a warmth to be found at the core of these soundscapes.”

Cosmorama from Beautify Junkyards

Beautify Junkyards - Cosmorama (Ghost Box Records)

1 January 2021

“I’d be hard pressed to give a hard and fast description of this release, as it’s a constantly shifting musical cape, colors swirling about as crystalline notes settle around you. The instrumental passages are exotic swatches of tropicalia meshed with dreamy psych folk.”

Members of Hull band bdrmm

A Virtual Conversation with Hull, UK's Ever Changing bdrmm

29 December 2020

HULL, U.K. FIVE-PIECE BDRMM’s debut album resonates from musical touchpoints far deeper than one would expect from a newer group. Drop the needle on any song, and you’ll be reminded of The Chameleons, DIIV, and even Pale Saints.”

Album art for Visions by The Cult of Free Love

The Cult of Free Love - Visions (Northern Star Records)

28 September 2020

“The band may remind you of well known acts such as Chemical Brothers or Primal Scream. It is dance music that occasionally dips its toes in international waters, which ushers in a whole other layer of complexity to these grooves.”

Peter Daltrey of Kaleidoscope UK

A Conversation with Peter Daltrey of Kaleidoscope UK

23 September 2020

“We were very much of our time. A product of our times. Shaped and moulded by the explosion of creativity that made the Sixties in Britain so vital, so exciting. You only get one big chance in life. That was ours.”

Eddie Pumer (center) and Kaleidoscope UK

A Short Conversation with Eddie Pumer of Kaleidoscope UK (RIP)

23 September 2020

“We called ourselves The Sidekicks. We then changed our name to The Key. I wasn’t happy about this and came up with the name Kaleidoscope. It was at this phase, as you say, that Pete and I started writing together and kept in the more progressive type of music.”

Album art for Little Does She Know by The Kursaal Flyers

Kursaal Flyers - Little Does She Know: The Complete Recordings (RPM Records/Cherry Red Records)

2 August 2020

“Kursaal Flyers were an integral element of the ‘Thames Delta’ music scene emerging from the late 60s clubs into the bright lights of the 1970s pop world. Alongside contemporaries, and in some cases old schoolmates, in bands such as Dr Feelgood and Eddie & The Hot Rods, the Kursaal Flyers (named after a Southend amusement park carnival float) were a regular fixture on the Pub Rock and College circuit of 70s Britain.”

album cover for Any Which Way But Here

Presents for Sally - Any Which Way But There (Self-Released)

20 June 2020

“Suddenly you are swept up in a buzzing maelstrom, a multitude of layers swirling about your ears and lulling you into sonic submission.”

International Pop Overthrow Volume 22

International Pop Overthrow Volume 22 (Omnivore Recordings)

5 April 2020

“This 69-song edition showcases artists from 10 different countries, doing just about every sub-genre of pop music, including power pop, pop/rock, folk/pop, psychedelic pop, garage, indie-rock, and so forth.”

Mick and Daniela from Submotile

Eyes Wide Open: The Magical Sounds of Submotile

5 January 2020

“The band’s excellent debut album Ghosts Fade on Skylines instantly enchanted me with its mesmerizing sonic weave of dream gaze and soft drones.”

Silencia, the 10th album from Hammock.

Hammock - Silencia (Hammock Music)

24 November 2019

“Silver-laden music with elven choirs may not transport you to Rivendell, but it will surely bloom into something precious and wonderful and stay present in your head.”

The Man Who by Travis

Travis - The Man Who (20th Anniversary Edition) / Live at Glastonbury ‘99 (Craft Recordings)

21 July 2019

“This pair of releases will please fans and should draw in new listeners who’ve only heard a song or two.”

Album art for Loops in the Secret Society from Jane Weaver.

Jane Weaver - Loops in the Secret Society (Fire Records)

11 July 2019

“She deftly meshes electronica with dreamy, psychedelic rainbow swirls of sound that comfort and succor the listener. Electronic music so often has a chilled ambience, whereas Jane’s music is suffused with warmth. I am not sure how she does it, perhaps she’s divinely inspired on some level.”

Austin dream poppers, Moving Panoramas.

An Interview with Leslie Sisson from Moving Panoramas

10 July 2019

“So I was teaching music to kids and that was how the healing process began. I thought I was done playing music, but once I started treating the PTSD, anxiety, and depression that followed with talk therapy and EMDR trauma therapy, the songs started slowly coming out again. This was the only way I saw results in my improvement. Eventually I started playing shows again and before I knew it, the anxiety started to lessen the more and more I played.”

Cover art for Brickbat by UK supergroup Piroshka

Piroshka - Brickbat (Bella Union Records)

1 January 2019

Piroshka is a UK supergroup formed from members of Lush (Miki Berenyi), Moose (KJ “Moose” McKillop), Elastica (Justin Welch), and Mick Conroy (Modern English). For those expecting this new group to sound like any of those other groups, think again.”

Album cover for Different Planet by Deep Cut

Deep Cut - Different Planet (Gare du Nord)

27 December 2018

“The approach this time mixes in dance beats with trippy elements and features a more blended approach with respect to vocals.”

Album cover for Amazing Disgrace by The Posies.

The Posies - Amazing Disgrace (Omnivore Recordings Reissue)

25 November 2018

“This is not the album people will point to when they talk about the band’s greatest songs, and that would be a shame since some of their best songs reside here.”

3x4 album art

3x4: The Bangles, The Three O’Clock, The Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade (Yep Roc Records)

18 November 2018

“These songs are powerful and exquisitely rendered with love for the craft and the artists behind these works, and what a treat for Record Store Day collectors.”

Snow Bound from The Chills.

The Chills - Snow Bound (Fire Records)

8 September 2018

“The venerable Dunedin quintet is back after three years with a delectable but moody new release.”

Geography and Luck by Neil Sturgeon and the Infomaniacs

Neil Sturgeon and the Infomaniacs - Geography and Luck (Buzzwagon Beat Recordings)

12 August 2018

“Neil Sturgeon and his band of Infomaniacs have created a delightful new release, full of well-constructed hooks and excellent lyrics.”

Cover art for Meadowsweet from Chatham Rise.

Chatham Rise - Meadowsweet (Picture In My Ear Records)

4 July 2018

“Meadowsweet is a mind-bending and cosmic head trip, immediately dousing your synapses with its dreamy hooks.”

Codename: Dustsucker album art

Bark Psychosis - Codename: Dustsucker (Fire Records)

24 June 2018

“This music is unsettling, sparse, elegant, and always engages the listener. Yet, it is never easy listening by any stretch.”

Sun on the Square from Innocence Mission

The Innocence Mission - Sun on the Square (Badman Recording Co.)

17 June 2018

“Their songs are full of sensory imagery and deeply felt instrumentation, and it’s their unique way of trying to approach universal joys and sorrows that allows the band to achieve the emotional connection with their listeners that makes them so special.”

Album art for Dear 23 by The Posies

The Posies - Dear 23 Reissue (Omnivore Recordings)

3 June 2018

““Golden Blunders” is marvelous ear candy with a memorable main melody and strong lyrics. And the muscle behind the sweetness kicks ass! That’s what power pop is all about really, an amalgam of sweetness and light mashed with hard driving drums and bass, and these guys do it so well!”

Album cover for 7 from Beach House

Beach House - 7 (Sub Pop Records)

20 May 2018

“There really is no mistaking Victoria Legrand’s winsome alto, or the delicate little flourishes the group employs to dress up their sound. Victoria and musical partner Alex Scally have produced a winning collection of songs on what is arguably their best album.”

Bells in New Towns album art from Landing.

Landing - Bells in New Towns (El Paraiso Records)

20 May 2018

“pokes its head through the delay pedal fog and has a renewed focus on song and vocal. There are still some moments for the deep tryypr, but this record ranges from psych fuzz rock mayhem to acoustic fingerpicked whispers.”

Album cover for It Shall Be from Spirit.

Spirit: It Shall Be: The Ode & Epic Recordings 1968-1972 (Esoteric Recordings)

6 May 2018

“In some respects Spirit were too inspirational and eclectic to ever become major stars, because what they were doing danced around the edges of many musical genres, but in doing so they mined a rich and exciting seam of music.”

Evil Spirits album art by The Damned.

The Damned - Evil Spirits (Search and Destroy / Spinefarm Records)

8 April 2018

“A highly melodic release with huge hooks and the usual amalgamation of punk, garage, goth, and psych that the band excels at.

Album cover for "Songs For Somewhere Else" from The Hanging Stars.

The Hanging Stars - Songs For Somewhere Else (Crimson Crow)

25 March 2018

“The Hanging Stars are a delightful, London folk rock collective whose musical range also extends into country (think Gram Parsons) and West Coast psych.”

Album cover for S. Carey's Hundred Acres album.

S. Carey - Hundred Acres (Jagjaguwar Records)

20 January 2018

“He pens lovely compositions drenched with emotion. Carey’s easy, almost laid back approach speaks of confidence and clarity of vision. He was trained in jazz and it lends itself to the skillful presentation on this release”

God Bless from The Citradels

The Citradels - God Bless (Self-Released)

15 January 2018

“Whatever you’re expecting with this fine new release from Melbourne band The Citradels, it’s not one size fits all psychedelia. They manage to mash up a wide variety of styles, ranging from the paisley vibes of “Believe and Receive” to the stellar, Beach-Boys infused “Dawn Chorus”, with its gorgeous harmonies and gentle melodic warmth.”

album art for The Stars Seemed Brighter by Pale Lights

Pale Lights - The Stars Seemed Brighter (Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten)

29 December 2017

“I listen to this release and wonder how they summon such creative talents on all their work, fine, crystalline pop with a gentle dream pop cadence and hints of psych pop. It’s like they channeled Lloyd Cole’s entire catalogue and mashed it up with the best of Flying Nun and Postcard era music.”

Album art for One Nation Underground by Pearls Before Swine.

Pearls Before Swine - One Nation Underground (Drag City Records)

28 December 2017

“ this seemingly obscure band has been venerated by a generation and more, and the album has been reissued multiple times”

Costero by Slow Meadow

Slow Meadow - Costero (Hammock Music)

17 December 2017

“This music is always striking, profound, and intensely emotional. It is difficult to write emotive instrumental music, but here, we have ethereal, supremely beautiful tone poems that paint multi-hued pictures in the listener’s mind.”