Dinosaur Jr, “Pierce the Morning Rain” – The trio releases another single off of their 10th studio album, “I Bet on Sky ” (out now on Jagjaguwar). Following up “Watch the Corners,” the new single “Pierce the Morning Rain” is short and sweet and charges from the second it starts. Raucous blends of percussion and […]
Sure, Kristen Gundred (aka Dee Dee) and the ladies of Dum Dum Girls started to give us thowbacks to Chrissie Hynde with last year’s “Only In Dreams,” but not only is it done well enough; it’s also an impressive departure from their earlier jangly ditties like “Jail La La.” Their “End of Daze” EP (out […]
If Nocturnal Youth’s dulcet tones aren’t already a staple in the Hotel Café circuit, they will be sooner than later. The duo of Samantha Pearl on guitar and vocals and Jacob Hassett on viola provide a soothing gentleness. But underneath the soft melodies lies a firm gumption. With Pearl’s past in metal and Hassett’s experience […]
Drug Cabin, whom we introduced back in June, gets a visual interpretation from director Kevin Willis for “Whatever Never,” and it’s as playful as the sunny psych-pop song itself. And if the mix of stop motion, clay animation and live acting looks familiar, it’s because Willis also directed Modest Mouse’s “Satellite Skin” and the Grammy-nominated […]
The last time we heard from John Isaac Watters, he was releasing new music as part of the band Coyol, whom we introduced back in April 2011. But Watters has gone back to focusing on solo material, and now he offers a follow-up to 2010’s “Parachute Tramps” with the album “Casas.” In new songs such […]
Sunday selections: ‣ It’s an electronic whirlwind tonight as Animal Collective headlines the Hollywood Bowl. Flying Lotus and Huun Huur Tu also join the fun. ‣ Athen’s Reptar teams up with Brooklyn’s Rubblebucket at the Echoplex tonight where they’ll be joined by On an On and Icky Blossoms. ‣ Malaysian singer-songwriter and ukelele player Zee […]
They say it’s good to start ’em young, and the theory has worked out well for Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche. Before his name began appearing on marquees for his debut “Faces Down,” Lerche had done jazz, punk and rock. Now at 30 years old, he’s holding seven indie pop albums under his belt. With live […]
It’s been a while since the Monolators told people, “Don’t Dance.” The husband-and-wife fronted band has taken somewhat of a hiatus during the last few years, but that doesn’t mean Eli and Mary Charkoff have completely cut themselves out of the scene. In fact, Highland Park’s favorite DIY married couple are now offering two brand […]
Recording under the moniker Moonface, Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown) has expanded on the minimalist sound of his first two albums in a new collaboration with Finnish krautrockers Siinai (Wolf Parade’s touring buddies in 2009). “With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery” (out now via Jagjaguwar) flows with Sinai’s well-known build-ups, but also caters to Krug’s dark […]
Here’s something that may brighten up your day. Fans of both Ben Folds Five and Fraggle Rock (for those of you who are old enough to remember the ’80s Jim Henson show) can rejoice as the reunited pop band teams up with some of your favorite puppets. The humorous video for “Do It Anyway” arrived […]
