This is not music criticism. On this blog, you will only read about music we like.
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I have been instructed that my summer vacation has ended. From whom was such a draconian edict handed down? Well, the spouse, the office, and a few blog readers -- I was badly outnumbered. Harsh, to be sure, but not entirely unexpected. So, chained to the desk, we begin again. The first question is what to bring to our readers. When I began writing for the blog about two decades ago I focused a…
Many of us Pacific Northwest music fans miss Portland's The Thermals . Fortunately for us, Hutch Harris of The Thermals also decided that he missed The Thermals . So, ten years after terminating the band, we have a new single and an upcoming album. The album is titled Under The Crushing Rain and will be released on September 4 via Hutch's Static Catsup Aspic label. Yes, that is a long time to…
Our expectations are always high for any new recording from Real Numbers , and we are never disappointed. Their latest slice if indie pop craftsmanship is "Never Never Again", the first single released from the upcoming LP Was It Always This Way . The song has delicious jangle and an appealing vibe of early '90s UK guitar pop. Good things are coming -- the album is due August 14 via Slumberland…
We think and day is a good day for some up tempo guitar pop. Today's first dose is the sparkling "Share The Right Line" by New York quartet Van Chamberlain . Tasty hooks, yearning vocals and a welcome summery sheen make this a highlight track. And we also were thrilled to learn that the band is planning a September release of their second album, As Far As The Eye Can See . The Right Line by Van…
Over the years we have been impressed by the ability of Australian indie bands to meld some of our favorite musical bands into a pop concoction that fires our pleasure centers to great effect. Power of Now by Season 2 is, in our opinion, somewhat of a double meld because, in addition to combining some of our favorite indie pop styles, it also is the work of members from some of out favorite…
In our memories, Montreal band Prism Shores walked the boundary between guitar pop and shoegaze, and they did it well -- familiar but with just enough individual character to stand out from the crowd. But our expectations for Softest Attack , their new album, required readjustment upon the first listen. On this new outing the band leans hard into indie pop and jangle, and they do it with flair and…
We were not previously familiar with Nina Winder-Lind or The New Eaves, the band of which she is a member. But we are quite taken with her new single "This Is Our Life". The song begins with restraint. But as it nears the first minute it opens up into a rousing folk pop romp. Coupled with an appealing video, we needed to play it through a half-dozen times to jump start our day. We will be looking…
Today brings our ears "All Your Yesterdays" -- a perfect slice of jangle pop by London's The Hanging Stars . The vocals, guitars and introspective lyrics recall the warmth of Laurel Canyon guitar pop and makes us yearn for more. And more we will get, as this single is the second song shared from the band's upcoming LP Just A Day . If we participated in the betting markets, we would be tempted to…
As it is Sunday, we think it is time to put on our Sunday Best . For you, putting on your Sunday best may be your best outfit, and we do not intend to dissuade you. You need to do you, and in our opinion too many people dress like they have a poor self image. But for us, Sunday Best also means a wonderful 7" by San Francisco project Kitchenettes . The members are Morgan, Emily, and Sequoia, whose…
The sun is out and Springtime is invading out world. In such times, our musical interests expand to music with a wide scope and a tempo that invites driving on the open roads in a convertible -- even if we are stuck in an office. Fortunately, Long Beach indie rockers Softjaw understand us. They know we need crunchy, riff and hook infused traveling music with power pop harmonies. And that is just…
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