Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
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:
Fat Creeps
Fat Creeps EP
2013
Hey, remember this awesome Fat Creeps EP? Well, it’s now available on 10″ vinyl. Kids Like You & Me launched KLYAM Records a few months ago. Their first order of business was to press up some copies of last summer’s amazing Fat Creeps EP. Bravo, I say. It’s worth it. I’ve written about how much I love these songs in the past. Now I can hold them. Let’s look at another pretty picture of the record:
The vinyl itself is pretty sweet. I’m a fan of the 10″ format. It’s available in white or Coke bottle clear with a full color sleeve. I snagged the white. It was a really hard decision. Now the band is on hiatus and I’m sad. I should have gotten both…
Where to get it:
If vinyl ain’t your thing, I highly recommend picking up the digital bits.
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:
Parks
“Sweater Weather” + “Modern Fiction”
2013
What happens when you pair up two of my favorite singles in recent memory and put them out on 7″ vinyl? You get one happy Daykamper. Parks have packaged up “Sweater Weather” and “Modern Fiction” as a physical thing. I’m glad they did. Both songs are brilliant. I love vinyl. It’s like they made this just for me (and 99 other people).
The 7″ is a large hole 45RPM number pressed on 180-gram black vinyl. It all comes nestled in a full color fold-over sleeve inside a vinyl bag. Thank you, Parks.
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:
Reverse
The Jersey Switch
2002
Reverse are a force of nature that appreciates both the calm and the storm on The Jersey Switch. While other bands may let their fury go unchecked, Reverse unleash a controlled maelstrom that draws the listener in. Just check out “Permission”; plodding verses lead to a chorus of guitars that explode and drums that pound you into submission. Or witness the loud/quiet/loud of “Ugliest”. Or “Bright” and “Ridiculous,” with guitars that buzz and sing in supersaturated glory. Feedback and noise abound but never threaten to take over the songs. Ian Kennedy’s vocals are often soaring and distorted. Mike Piehl relentlessly smashes away behind the drum kit. The man has power and groove. There is no escape. Reverse owns you now.
Reverse proved they are one of the best bands around with The Jersey Switch. They proved it again (and topped themselves) on 2009’s Monkey Mind. And we haven’t even talked about what a monster live band they are…
Where to get it:
The High Ceilings
The Edge Is As Safe As The Ground
2003
The High Ceilings are a tight unit able to balance introspection and bombast. They’re also a smart unit that plays to their strengths. Much of The Edge Is As Safe As The Ground is built around Max Heinegg’s powerhouse vocals; they mate well with Chris Blackburn’s layered guitars to produce compelling, not-quite-up-tempo songs with ever shifting dynamics.
The High Ceiling shake things up often enough to keep the record interesting. “Mayfly” rocks hard. “Follow To Ruin” rides along on acoustic guitars and piano. “Calcutta” brings to the forefront many of the exotic phrasings that are hinted at in other songs. The six-eight time of “Let It Be Now” is particularly effective. The lead guitar line in this number is probably my favorite part of the whole record. John Woods has some fancy kick drum patters going, too.
The Edge Is As Safe As The Ground would be The High Ceilings’ only full length release. It serves as fine representation of the band.
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:
Helicopter Helicopter
Wild Dogs With X-Ray Eyes
2003
Helicopter Helicopter starts off Wild Dogs With X-Ray Eyes with “Helicopter Fight Song.” Doing so makes it clear that aren’t venturing far from the slickly produced power pop style they refined on their previous effort, By Starlight. What may shock some listeners familiar with the band’s first few records is the apparent positivity of the track. It’s hard to imagine that the band who penned the lines “I can’t stand to see blue babies/Gangrene crawling up their sides” could turn around and write “How can you say that none of this is really worth it?/When we’ve already won.” They did. Don’t panic. There is still plenty of talk of ghosts, lasers, hatchets, devils and stoning your friends on the rest of the album.
Helicopter Helicopter bring back a bit of grit to the proceedings this time around. Where the songs By Starlight had been polished to gem-like perfection, Wild Dogs With X-Ray Eyes incorporates a touch more of the rawness found in their early work. No one is going to confuse any songs on this record with “Gay Porno” or “Please Please Tito.” That’s not what this record is about. It’s about achieving balance. Dark and memorable. Hooks with teeth. “Harsh Light” and “The Devil” are among the group’s best work. The acoustic “Pine Trees On Fire” draws in the listener with its starkness. “Talk The Flyer Down” and “1234” are power pop gold.
Wild Dogs With X-Ray Eyes would be Helicopter Helicopter’s last album. The band left behind an impressive body of work.
Where to get it:
