Category: Just The Bits

Posted on

Goddamn Draculas – The Drax (2015)

goddamn draculas
Goddamn Draculas
The Drax
2015

Now that we’ve got all of our pics posted from the Goddamn Draculas release show, we thought it’d be fitting to say a few words about this frighteningly good album. The Drax is one bloody anthem after another. Honestly, “Say Goodbye” is one of the biggest album-closer-worthy tracks to come out of Boston in recent years. It’s the second song on the record. They hook you early and don’t let go. Killer harmonies drive a stake through the dense riffs, delivering witty and honest lyrical nuggets that deliver hard truths with tongues firmly planted in cheeks. The Drax cut their hubris with humor, creating a band persona that is as endearing as it is egotistical. They’re monsters of rock. They’re Goddamn Draculas. Raise your fist and smile.

Where to get it:

Posted on

Eddie Japan w/ Ruby Rose Fox – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (2014)

eddie japan Christmas Baby Please Come Home with Ruby Rose
Eddie Japan w/ Ruby Rose Fox
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
2014

This is good. This is really good. I’m all for crazy renditions of holiday classics, but I always come back to well crafted versions that echo the originals. This here rendition of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” with Eddie Japan and Ruby Rose Fox is just right. Old school recording techniques, great vocal interplay and special guest Doug Orey on guitar make this worth the download. All of the proceeds benefiting the DCF Kids Fund make it worth a lot more.

Where to get it:

Posted on

Doom Lover – Until Everybody Dies (2014)

doom lover until everybody dies
Doom Lover
Until Everybody Dies
2014

As a kid I had a cat named Pudge. He was a wee tiny kitten when we got him, but he grew up to be a pretty sizable feline with a bit of a belly. The name fit. Little did I know that spending my childhood with Pudge would prepare me for Doom Lover.

There’s always been something a little bit haunting and seductive about everything Doom Lover does. It’s right there in their name. When they released the eerie “Under The Alders” back in April, right before their appearance in the Rumble, they planted the seed. Until Everybody Dies shows how much they’ve grown. While a hint of the spring single’s darkness remains, Doom Lover pull back the veil on this EP. There’s an exuberance to these evocative recordings that’s hard to describe. Maybe it’s the joy of five people making music together. Maybe they’re secret optimists. Maybe their big hearts just can’t be contained. Maybe they are just lovers of doom, just like their name says.

Where to get it:

Posted on

Party Bois – “Guest List” (2014)

Party Bois Guest List
Party Bois
“Guest List”
2014

Oh hey, Party Bois. What’s up? What? You released another slammin’ tune? C’mon. You can’t be serious. Oh, dang, you are serious. “Guest List” is on. Everything about this song – and this other song and this other song – just blows my mind. I can’t even deal anymore. It’s time to give it up for Party Bois. They win. Fuzz to the face and I’m gone.

Where to get it:

Posted on

The Daily Pravda – “The Morning Was The Worst Part” (2014)

Daily Pravda Morning Was The Worst Part
The Daily Pravda
“The Morning Was The Worst Part”
2014

The Daily Pravda have unleashed a majestic and biting single with “The Morning Was The Worst Part.” A scathing hook, a killer riff breakdown and a thematic shift to a major-key outro are all packed into a tidy, leave-’em-wanting-more 2:42. They also manage to stylistically blend Bowie, The Bends-era Radiohead and The Smiths without breaking a sweat. Impressive. Most impressive.


Where to get it:

Posted on

Party Bois – “Being In U” (2014)

party bois being in u
Party Bois
“Being In U”
2014

OK, this is getting ridiculous. How do they do this? After trumpeting their arrival with “In Your Head,” Party Bois are back with the gloriously desperate “Being In U.” Digital hearts beat as one as the Prince-meets-Of-Montreal vocals plead their case. Don’t deny it. We were meant to be. Guitar break. My head is swimming. Can you feel it? “I would rather go to hell together than get to heaven on my own.” Let’s dance. Party Bois always dance.

Oh, hey, look. Party Bois just released another song. I can’t even deal with this anymore…

Where to get it:

Posted on

Aloud – “Twenty-Five Miles” (2014)

aloud twenty five miles
Aloud
“Twenty​-​Five Miles”
2014

Aloud cut a scalding live take of the Edwin Starr classic “Twenty-Five Miles” and made it available as a free download. There are so many good things going on in that statement. I don’t think there’s anything more to say about that. My work is done here. Have a good weekend, everybody.

Where to get it:

Posted on

Petty Morals – Cherry Ice Pop EP (2014)

perrty morals cherry ice pop ep
Petty Morals
Cherry Ice Pop EP
2014

I sometimes have this dream that life is an ’80s teen comedy. Everyone drives a 5.0 Mustang* or a rusted out Chevette and all the action goes down at The Mall. If you’re a cool kid at The Mall you have two things with you at all times: an Orange Julius and a copy of Petty Morals’ Cherry Ice Pop EP for your Walkman. You sang along as “Girl Gotta Do,” “You Get Me Loose” and “Shuddup” tore up the charts over the summer with their hooks and attitude to spare. The unabashed pop of “To The Edge” makes it your favorite track. You play it over and over. The clerk at Record Town says the new EP is OK, but Petty Morals will never top “Radio Action.” It’s a front. He secretly thinks the “Girl Gotta Do” remix is totally tubular. He even put it on the mix tape he gave you when he asked you out. You turned him down because he hit on your best friend last week. Besides, you have tickets to see Petty Morals play The Centrum that night.

Where to get it:

Full Disclosure: The lovely and talented Nicole Anguish of Daykamp Creative did the artwork for this gnarly EP. That doesn’t make it any less righteous.

* There may be a Trans Am or an IROC-Z in the mix.

Posted on

Party Bois – “In Your Head” (2014)

party bois in your head
Party Bois
“In Your Head”
2014

Welcome to the land of the impossibly amazing. The sounds of Party Bois fill our ears with wonder. “In Your Head” is in our heads. We bang imaginary electronic drums. We play air guitar during the solo. We dance and dance and dance. There’s always drama. We’re breaking up. It’s impossible. It’s amazing. It’s Party Bois.

Where to get it:

Posted on

This Blue Heaven – “Wave” (2014)

this blue heaven wave
This Blue Heaven
Wave
2014

Coming on like a modern, dark, new wave band with a penchant for late-’90s-Radiohead-inspired outros, This Blue Heaven are back with another impressive single. “Wave” builds in a steady and sturdy way. The poised vocal dodges the sharp-edged textures. The sound is confident and controlled, with just enough tumult to make its mark. This is good.

Where to get it: