Category: Blog

Posted on

Velah – Skeleton House / Rose Wave (2012)

IMG_2453
Velah
Skeleton House / Rose Wave
2012

Velah’s Skeleton House / Rose Wave 7″ is something special. There’s always been something a bit mysterious to their sound. For this release they embraced that side of the band’s personality.

“Skeleton House” is a reflective number haunted by a tinkling piano sound. Where some Velah songs shower you in layers of reverberating guitars, this one is content to let the melody come front and center. The sparse verses fill out nicely when the chorus comes around. There’s a level of calmness throughout, which makes the song’s ending crescendo all the more effective. Velah’s restraint persists on “Rose Wave”. Guitar melodies, vocal harmonies and controlled swells serve them well.

IMG_2448

I love unique packaging ideas, and this one is pretty crazy. Velah puts these things together by hand. There’s the black 7″ itself, but that’s just the start. There’s a key, a skull and symbol cloth thingy, some chalk and a cool little pop up house. I’m not going to pretend to know what it all means, but it’s pretty neat. Everything comes nestled in a box for little skull face guy to peek out of.

Where to get it:

IMG_2450

Posted on

Camden – “Talking About You” b/w “You’re So Fine” (2013)

IMG_2428
Camden
“Talking About You” b/w “You’re So Fine”
2013

Hey, remember this year’s Rumble? That was fun. A good amount of that fun came courtesy of the guys in Camden. I once described the band’s last single as “a perfect 3 minute pop tune in just over 2 minutes.” Their latest, “Talking About You,” may just be the perfect 3 minute pop tune to come, period. Camden shed their trademark hyperactivity on this one. In its place is a brisk, melodic stroll through some nice guitar arpeggios. This song does everything right. The B-side is equally memorable. “You’re So Fine” picks up the pace a bit, punctuated with some peppy tambourine work in the chorus. What a fine pair of songs.

IMG_2430

The 7″ is a small hole, 45RPM number on black vinyl. There’s a lyric sheet and a full color fold-over to keep it company in the sleeve. You can grab the digital bits, too.

Where to get it:

IMG_2432

Posted on

Ryan Schmidt – “Another Friend” (2013)

ryan schmidt another friend
Ryan Schmidt
“Another Friend”
2013

I first became aware of Ryan Schmidt through one of my all time favorite One Night Bands, Golden Owl.* Then I got turned onto his White Horse EP, with a title track whose presence cannot be denied. Ryan just released a new single, trading in lush string arrangements for synthesizers and a modern R&B groove. “Another Friend” is a big departure for the ambitious musician, showing a breadth of ability the defies the overused-and-now-nearly-meaningless singer-songwriter label that has been hung on him in the past. Ryan’s working it on this one. His vocal delivery is outstanding. The melody deftly bobs and weaves its way between the beats. Ryan has a passion for this. The song has a hook. The production is outstanding. Impressive.

Where to get it:

* I even got to shoot their promo pic!

Posted on

The Lights Out – “Vinny & Roxy” (2013)

lights out vinny roxy
The Lights Out
“Vinny & Roxy”
2013

Hey. The Lights Out have a new single with a nice story. What does it sound like? Phil Lynott singing a song about a couple of kids from Bruce Springsteen’s America. Yup. “Vinny & Roxy” has a summer song feel, so enjoy it while the days are still long. Good luck you crazy kids.

Where to get it:

Posted on

Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men @ T.T. The Bear’s Place 8.7.2013

Every Emily Peal And The Band Of Skinny Men performance is like a master course in dynamics. I can’t think of a band in town that has more control over their musical bombast than this cast of characters. They can smolder and they can flare. It’s not uncommon for an all-consuming hush to be followed by a blinding shower of audible sparks. Pay attention. You won’t want to miss this.

Posted on

Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents – “Get Away” (2013)

jenny dee deelinquents get away
Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents
“Get Away”
2013

How long did I just sleep? The last thing I remember, Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents were mining ’60s girl group gold. That was before “Get Away” was released. Suddenly Dee & The Dees sound like Blondie being produced by Jeff Lynne. I’m not going to question it. I’m just going to enjoy it. After all, it’s not often you get to hear an impeccably produced slab of late ’70s pop from one of the city’s best rock ‘n’ soul groups…

Where to get it:

Posted on

The Bynars – “Dancing On A Dream” (2013)

bynars dancing dream
The Bynars
“Dancing on a Dream”
2013

I don’t dance. But if I did dance, I would probably dance to “Dancing On A Dream” by The Bynars. Seriously, I almost accidentally danced just a second ago when I listened again. That was close. Was it the slick beat, layered synths, perfectly effected guitars or ’80s nostalgia that nearly caused a lapse in my stationary judgement? Possibly. More likely is that it’s such a well written song. Those Bynars are sneaky.

Where to get it: