Dum Dum Girls – End of Daze EP (Sub Pop)
Please see my full review here
The Raveonettes – Observator (Vice)
Please forgive the Jesus and Mary Chain analogy as they have been compared to that great Scottish band since their beginnings in the early ’00s. However, the comparison fits, at least sometimes, and if you go with me here, this may be their Stoned and Dethroned. It’s a quieter, more subdued, gentler Raveonettes that feels closer to sophomore Lp Pretty in Black, but doesn’t drag as much. It is still a moody, subtle affair but a beautiful Lp that I will be playing a lot this fall. I’ve said this time and time again in the last year or so, but between their great (and now super-coveted) Rarities and B-Sides double Lp, the mind-blowing “Into the Night” EP, last year’s Raven in the Grave and now this fantastic new Lp, they are on a serious winning streak and are one of the best current bands going!
Dot Dash – Winter Garden Light (The Beautiful Music)
Dot Dash’s brand new 2nd full-length is an improvement on last year’s Spark Flame Ember Ash. For one, it has a much better recording as they recorded this at the same Baltimore studio used by Beach House and other artists. Second, Terry Banks‘ songwriting has improved here with songs like “Countdown” reminding me of the greatness of his previous band Julie Ocean‘s sole album Long Gone and Nearly There.
Neil Halstead – Palindrome Hunches (Brushfire)
Halstead’s first full-length since 2008’s great, overlooked Oh! Mighty Engine, this is his third overall solo Lp and second on the Brushfire label. As such, it’s very much in the same mold as the aforementioned Oh! Mighty Engine. This is just very beautiful, acoustic, singer-songwriter record miles removed from his previous bands (Slowdive and even the rootsier Mojave 3), but I enjoy it nonetheless!
State Funeral – Protest Music EP (Artcore)
This brand new band from Wales is the brainchild of Welly of Artcore fanzine and the former vocalist for long-running but recently broken up punk band Four Letter Word. This EP, however, reminds me of the heyday of hardcore punk in the ’80s and something I would wear on the old WRSU Radio Riot show as a teenager. I miss stuff like this. This is basic, unpretentious, straight to the point, political, pissed-off hardcore punk where the emphasis is less on speed than on songwriting and lyrics with something to say. They rarely make ‘em like this anymore. Oh and this comes with the current issue of Artcore, which you can get here.
Wild Nothing – Nocturne (Captured Tracks)
This one didn’t hit me the first few times I listened to it like Gemini or their great early singles did. However, if you stick with it, this album will bring immense rewards. “Shadow” (the opening track and also the A-side of their latest 7”) and “Through the Grass” are two of the many highlights here.
No, this out-of-print Lp isn’t getting the Dischord reissue treatment (though that would be nice). However, their discography CD Complete Services did just get reissued and every song on this Lp is on there. However, the vinyl highlights the fact that this (alongside the “Anger Means” 7”) features some of their very best material as I think those records were their peaks.
Title Fight – Floral Green (SideOneDummy)
Do you like ’90s style post-hardcore? If you do, this Lp is a must. Some of the screamier tunes here could use the nuance of the songs where the vocalist actually sings (especially check out “Like a Ritual” and “Head in the Ceiling Fan”, both of which nod to ’90s U.S. indie rock ala Hum, Sebadoh, etc.), but for a band that started out as 13 year old hardcore kids, they’ve sure come a long way.
Dinosaur Jr – I Bet on Sky (Jagjaguwar)
Since they are now on their 3rd Lp since their 2005 reunion (and their 2nd Lp for Jagjaguwar), it’s easy to now take Dinosaur Jr for granted. Still, this is another stellar effort. J Mascis and Lou Barlow just don’t make bad records!
The Sound – Jeopardy and From the Lion’s Mouth reissues (1972)
Every reader of this magazine should be familiar with this great but largely unheradled ’80s UK post-punk band now these albums are in print once again on CD and Lp. Essential.
