Category: Just The Bits

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Monophonic – High On Pills And Good Times (2011)


Monophonic
High On Pills And Good Times
2011

Monophonic’s High On Pills And Good Times is an EP of no-frills rock ‘n’ roll. “Mental Millionaires” really shines. It’s got energy, a driving riff and a cool vocal hook. You feel like you’re right there with the guys in the band. Did I just hear them talking to each other? I think I did. The song jumps out of the speakers. The outro guitar solo victoriously crashes and burns. Nice.

Someone needs to throw these guys on a bill at The Rosebud with The Dirty Truckers and Watts. I’d be there having a beer and enjoying the show.

Where to get it:

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Brendan Boogie – The Cassingles (2011)


Brendan Boogie
The Cassingles
2011

This is what Brendan Boogie does so well. He writes a catchy tune and pairs it with some witty lyrics revealing an unfortunate truth. Then he does it again. And again. And a fourth time for good measure. Now he’s got an EP’s worth of material. He throws it up online for a free download and throws a party at The Rosebud to celebrate. He’s done this five times so far this year. He’ll do it again next month. The man is an EP making machine.

The Cassingles is my favorite of these EPs to date. There are songs about porn stars, obviously doomed marriages and wanting to be Paul McCartney. Then there’s the one about falling in love with the significant other of a war veteran… with a Purple Heart. That’s just wrong, right? I mean, c’mon. Yet, somehow, Mr. Boogie manages to pull out some universal feelings in all of these songs. This guy may be a little too knowledgeable about the human condition for his own good.

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The New Dumb – You’re Welcome (2011)


The New Dumb
You’re Welcome
2011

The New Dumb have a new mini-EP available for your enjoyment. What’s a mini-EP? Two songs. It’s a free download. Why not give it a listen? You might like it. What does it sound like? Sort of like early The Get Up Kids meets the Buzzcocks. It’s got spunk. “Nihlist Wishlist” gets stuck in my head.*

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*The spelling of “Nihlist Wishlist” may be a typo or it might be intentional. I don’t know. Do you? Either way I like the song.

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Beware The Dangers Of A Ghost Scorpion! – Undead In The Fallout Shelter (2010)


Beware The Dangers Of A Ghost Scorpion!
Undead In The Fallout Shelter
2010

Beware The Dangers Of A Ghost Scorpion! recorded Undead In The Fallout Shelter live on WUML last summer. I don’t have a whole lot to say about this one. If a band that sounds like Dick Dale and The Ventures with touches of Texas twang, punk, and rockabilly sounds like it might be up your alley, you should probably check this out, because it’s good.

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Static Of The Gods – The Midnight Fires (2011)


Static Of The Gods
The Midnight Fires
2011

Static Of The Gods have never shied away from the melancholic or atmospheric. On The Midnight Fires they continue to paint dreamy landscapes for Jen Johnson’s vocals to explore.

Opener “Lake Effect” picks up right where Knowledge Machine, the band’s previous effort, left off. A tense opening builds to a bit of a frenzy before giving way to the sentimental “Collectors”. “Hauntings” is fairly stripped down. The usual layers of synthesizers are pulled back, allowing a fuzzy riff to roll the song along before picking up the tempo half way through.

Static Of The Gods leave us with the EP’s finest moment. “Beat Beat Beat” sways and breathes. It’s a song you feel as much as hear. The buzz subsides.

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I Have Ears – Fourbanger (2011)

I Have Ears - Fourbanger
I Have Ears
Fourbanger
2011

Ashley Willard from Boston Band Crush made a simple Facebook post about the new I Have Ears EP rocking her world a while back. I must remember to thank her for that. Based on that simple post, I downloaded Fourbanger from the I Have Ears Bandcamp page and have been listening to this fine EP ever since. The opening track, “Jacker”, is probably my favorite, drawing me in right from the get go. The songs are hooky and fun with just enough edge to keep things from getting to sugary. It’s got shades of Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, The Kinks, Tom Petty and all sorts of other good stuff. I look forward to delving into the rest of their releases.

Where to get it:

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Static Of The Gods – Knowledge Machine (2010)

Static Of The Gods
Knowledge Machine
2010

Static Of The Gods play a lush, dark, dreamy and modern sounding brand of indie rock. Knowledge Machine is mid-tempo and melodic, with varying degrees of intensity.  For the most part Jen Johnson’s vocals sail along over synthesizer pads, fizzy guitars, and steady drums.  They play the loud/quiet/loud card well on “Meteor Flights”. Songs like “Mean Streak” and “White Flag” ratchet the combustibility up a notch, burning bright but never truly letting go.  It’s a tense burn.   Even the quieter moments, like on “Eating Well”, never feel fully at ease.

While they may not vary their sound much, Static Of The Gods have a way with melancholy. It’s all a bit unnerving and very effective.

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Full Body Anchor – The Restless EP (2011)


Full Body Anchor
The Restless EP
2011

Everyone is all worked up right now because Foo Fighters finally stopped wallowing in mediocrity and put out a great hard-hitting record. If the song “1 in 150” was on that record, it would be one of the standout tracks. But, hey, it’s not. It’s on Full Body Anchor’s The Restless EP.

“1 in 150” is the kind of song Full Body Anchor does so well. It is aggressively catchy. It will hunt you down and make its presence know. It is determined. It does not come in peace, but it means no harm. It’s doing all of this for you own good. You need this song, and it knows it.

Don’t let your guard down for the next three tracks, either. “Offering”, “Sound Searching” and “Overload” are full of intensity. They will exploit your weaknesses. One thing Full Body Anchor is not is meek.

The Restless EP closes with “Dead Inside”. Rice Edmonston’s vocals are riveting as they soar above the beautiful racket. Let it ring out. Amazing.

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