Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
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:
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:
This Blue Heaven
“Goodbye Juliet”
2013
This Blue Heaven are back in action. I just caught them at Brighton Music Hall and they blew me away. Now, I’m obsessed. The band’s new single is an impressively nuanced number. While much of This Blue Heaven’s catalog has a distinctive ’80s influence, “Goodbye Juliet” establishes itself as nothing more or less than lush pop. The pairing of a memorable melody with intriguing instrumentation is timeless. The song is well written. The playing is spot on. The production is impeccable. It’s wonderful to have new music from This Blue Heaven. I can’t wait to hear what they do next.
Where to get it:
I Am Become Death
1867 Demos
2013
Brutal. Unrelenting. Exhilarating. Wicked. That’s just the first song. I Am Become Death put out a demo a few months ago. “House Of Fire” is the first song on there and it’s just plain savage. It sounds like Motörhead playing on the Event Horizon. “Field Dressed By The Drifter” doesn’t offer much of a reprieve. The plodding verses are just a setup for the inevitable bloodbath. The end is near.
Where to get it:
Streight Angular
“Will Smith”
2013
Good gravy, those cats in Streight Angular sure have a way with a melody. They just seem to churn out one hook-laden noise baby after another. “Will Smith” is their latest. It’s raw, distorted, messy and completely life affirming in its own weird way. Good art can do that, you know. Plus, there’s that melody…
Where to get it:
Thick Shakes
“Polyommatus Blues”
2013
Thick Shakes are out on a short tour right now, but before they left they shimmied out a new single. “Polyommatus Blues” can’t decide if it should smolder with restraint or cut loose like it’s got sparklers in its pants. It does both. Throw a quick organ solo in the middle and you’ve got another in a long line of classic Thick Shakes over-modulated garage rock nuggets. Snag it while they’re on the road and get it name-your-price style.
Oh, and they’re shooting a video for this tune? Daykamp Music TV just got twitchy…
Where to get it:
Jenny Dee & Several Men Of Mystery
Jenny Dee & Several Men Of Mystery
2013
Three country tunes from Jenny Dee and some of her very talented friends?* Yes, please. Opening track “You Had It All” is a duet with Roy Sludge. I’m pretty sure I knew this one was going to be great before I even heard it.** “Never” has suitably weary and worn backing vocals from Bill Janovitz and Chris Toppin. It’s always a treat when those two team up. Also, I’m a sucker for a weepy lapsteel. The EP closes with Jenny Dee & Several Men Of Mystery tearing it up on “Looking For Clues.” Jenny notes that this song is a reworked tune from her gig with The Downbeat Five. Given the song’s fiery nature, it’s certainly not hard to believe. The band really cuts loose here. Sometimes sad songs can make you happy.
Where to get it:
* Duke Levine, Bill Janovitz, Chris Toppin, Ed Valauskas, Tom Arey, Roy Sludge, Matt Pynn, and Ben Zecker? Good, Lord. Even Eric Salt gets in on the action, playing the tambourine on “Looking For Clues.”
** It is.
Gozu
The Fury Of A Patient Man
2013
What do you call a record with walls of solid riffs built on a foundation of heavy sludge? If you’re Gozu, you call it The Fury Of A Patient Man and you adorn it with memorable melodies, hand-claps, falsetto backing vocals and harmonies of the vocal and guitar variety. This is an album full of hooks and humor that never loses sight of the fact that its sole purpose on this planet it to melt your face via your ear canals. From the killer opening riff of “Bald Bull” to the closing, distorted gasps of “The Ceaseless Thunder Of Surf”, the guys in Gozu show off their many and varied ways to pull off said face-melting. Sometimes they do it with a soulful vocal (“Ghost Wipe”, “Snake Plissken”). Other times they hit you with majestic guitar lines (“Traci Lords”) or thrashtastic runs (“Charles Bronson Pinchot”). No matter their choice in auditory facial liquefaction tools, Gozu always get the job done.
Where to get it:
Sinnet
“Year of the Whale”
2013
What is this? It’s got a danceable beat and a locked-in baseline, but that piano is haunting. The guitars? They’re just flat out cool. What is Sinnet doing to me? I’m all confused and I like it. “Year of the Whale” has me hooked. The verses are solid. The chorus hits hard. Between the two is a biting little guitar line that is about as subtle as shock therapy. It’s such a great transition riff. Sinnet is on to something. I’m really digging this song.
Update: “Year Of The Whale” is now available on vinyl!
Where to get it:
Various Artists
Compiled by Allston Pudding
Boston Marathon Relief Mixtape
2013
By now you’ve probably heard all about the amazing Boston Marathon Relief Mixtape assembled by the fine folks at Allston Pudding. Consider this a gentle reminder to all the procrastinators out there to go download this thing. 130 songs from 130 bands.* All the donations go to The One Fund Boston. Good things come in large zip files.
Where to get it:
* The majority of the bands are from Boston and New England.
