It is a rarity for a long-standing band to not only maintain their musical identity but concurrently continue to push the boundaries of their creative vision. Deerhoof is one of those bands. For two decades and 12 albums, their punk-pop-noise-rock vibes remain as fresh and edgy as ever. Their latest album release, “La Isla Bonita,” […]
As noted in last weekend’s review of the Regent Theater’s opening, it’s never just about the disco with disco-pop band YACHT. For instance: As an ancillary statement to their new EP “Where Does This Disco?,” Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans created a limited-edition CD that was a commentary on the obsolescence of CDs – even […]
In February, the L.A. quartet known as Wise Cub released an EP of elegant, heartfelt folk-pop titled “Gallows,” conspicuous for the youthful vocals of singer-guitarist Scott Goldbaum, its boy/girl harmonies and the string flourishes provided by Molly Rogers. The quartet, which includes Nick Chamian on bass and Mike Musselman on drums, has reloaded under the […]
The evocative, minimalist music of Ibeyi (say “ee-bey-ee”) is testament to the simple power of the human voice. It’s the work of French-Cuban twins Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Diaz, daughters of the late conga master Anga Diaz, whose debut album “Ibeyi” (out Feb. 17 on XL Recordings) follows up a digital EP the duo released in […]
You have to dig deep, and maybe use some imagination, on the debut album from Modern Vices to hear the doo-wop in what the band calls its “dirty doo-wop” sound. “Don’t Hold Me Down” and “Smoke Rings,” at least, echo the era, but that’s nitpicking: Point is, “Modern Vices” (out last month on Autumn Tone) […]
The debut EP from L.A. trio Midnight Cities rewinds to gravitas-laden days of post-punk, dark new wave and alt-rock, roaring toward catharsis with pummeling rhythms and atmospheric guitars. The band is fronted by singer-guitarist-keyboardist (and photographer-videographer) Simon Cardoza, joined by bassist Martin Avelar and drummer Nick Roumeliotis. “Ignite” was co-produced by Simon and Sean Tallman; […]
Milwaukee-based Field Report has expanded its sonic palette since its 2012 debut, but the intimate beauty of singer-songwriter Chris Porterfield’s work remains. Field Report’s sophomore album, “Marigolden” (out last month), is rich with poetic lyrical content, while each song is composed with intricate detail – from the swirling acoustic guitars on songs like “Home†and […]
Los Angeles-based duo Phantoms is composed of Kyle Kaplan and Vinnie Pergola, both of whom come from musical backgrounds. Kaplan’s uncle toured with Michael Jackson and played keys, stirring Kyle’s interest in bass, while Pergola’s father was a rhythm guitarist who helped encourage Vinnie’s interest in drumming. Inspired by artists such as Daniel Avery, Justice, […]
The last time L.A. indie-rockers Busy Living unveiled the song “Lie Better,” the first to emerge from the band’s recording sessions with Jim Eno of Spoon. Two weeks ago the band – singer-guitarist Mike Moonves, bassist Tim Hutton and keyboardist Matt Leddy – issued a newer new single, “LYD.” Also produced by Eno, it’s a pretty […]
WALLA’s music springs from a seemingly inexhaustible supply of four-on-the-floor beats, candy-coated melodies and relentless optimism, all of which are on display in their new single “The Kids Are Alright.” The quintet – Ian Charlie, Alessio Balsemin, Mauricio Carcamo, Jonathan Hoonch Kim and Gabriel Nava Rodrigues – followed up EPs in 2012 and 2013 with this summer’s […]
