Yup, a band that goes by the name Sugar Candy Mountain is just as odd and trippy as you’d expect. But that’s part of the appeal of these Bay Area neo hippies. On their latest, Mystic Hits, they churn out a baker’s dozen of swirly guitars, vocal feedback and layers and layers of keyboards that sound like a mix between The Beatles in their LSD years and Tame Impala.
The past couple for years have been a virtual nirvana for fans of the brilliant, yet short-live ‘90s Power Pop band Jellyfish. Despite only having only released two proper studio albums, Omnivore Records has been slowly putting out a slew of gems from the California band. It started by releasing both Bellybutton and Spilt Milk on vinyl, followed by a trio of never before released records: Live at Bogart’s, Stack-A-Tracks…
Despite a fairly generic moniker, the full length for the UK-based The Fireworks, Switch Me On, manages to blow away any preconceived notions about this being just another run-of-the-mill indie pop band.
Walk The Line is a powerful rock track that pushes forth equal amounts of vocals and instrumental elements. The taut arrangements that are present during this track is reminiscent of an early Billy Bragg or Jello Biafra. No Way Out begins with a strong drum beat and raucous guitar line that is punctual while still having that spontaneity needed to keep things interesting from beginning to end. There are hints…
Winds of Change is effecting, melodically solid, and possesses a dynamism that will tattoo the song’s melodies deep into the psyche of listeners. The extended guitar / drum dynamic tells more of a story than ten pop tracks, while the added presence of Kesson’s vocals here creates considerable depth. The titular effort on Drinking With The Angels is a very traditional country effort that would sound perfect in the late…
The first thing that listeners will hear when they begin to spin When The Lights Go Off Single is the tremendous production, allowing the beat to swell up and immediately command attention. When the flow begins, fans will have pay full attention to hear everything that has been placed into the track. There is a complex and intricate style that is fostered through When The Lights Go Off by Kent.…
All is Fake is a high energy track that ties together hard rock, emotive music, and just enough hardcore chops to make for a track that will resound loudly with listeners long after the cut has stopped. With this goodwill, EB 11 is able to move into System Breakdown. The drum work and sizzling guitar lines that are commonplace during this sound further build on the overall sound of the…
Gianni Bredice has released Triptronic, an effort that is labyrinthine in terms of the twists and turns that Bredice has placed here. At any one second during the albums, listeners may find themselves up against eighties synth-pop, chillwave, techno, or harder Miami styles. Solar Storm is a perfect microcosm of the distinct approaches that Bredice takes on the 9 efforts on Triptronic, tying together a driving beat with more introspective…
Vocals are reminiscent of Tim McIlrath, with an overall heaviness that allows City Light Vigil the ability to hang well on alternative, rock, and college stations alike. The “everything to everyone” aspect of the band is executed well, with specific nods given to a wide variety of genres. This eclectic nature allows City Light Vigil the ability to connect with the largest amount of listeners.
Change the Song is a track that links together The Killers and Franz Ferdinand with a rich eighties style that is reminiscent of The Psychedelic Furs or Talking Heads. The rich production of this introductory track will immediately draw listeners in to the second cut, Shift. Shift is a track that has Vinyl Floor strip down their style to adopt a much more front-forward and Detroit rock-esque sound. The quicker…
