Pairing a singer-songwriter loaded with creative ideas and a multi-instrumentalist recording/mixing engineer is a formula that more often than not produces winning results. This is precisely what you get with Brooklyn’s Citris and their recently released album “panic in hampton bays.” Lead singer Angelina Torreano impresses with an alluring blend of come-hither bravado and lyrical nihilism, while do-it-all musician Chris Krasnow contributes drums/bass/guitar/synths/horns/percussion and backing vocals along with recording, mixing and mastering the tracks. Album opener “On The Sidelines" channels Daydream Nation era Sonic Youth and the way Steve Shelley’s tighter, more controlled drumming locked in with the single-note guitar riffing of Thurston and Lee. The chorus vocals change all that with harmonizing far more evolved than anything SY ever put out, moving things closer to the ear pleasing fourths that Drew Citron and Frankie Rose did so well with Beverly. Universally relateable lyrics “maybe we’re just rejects, force fed concepts all the time” progress to a coping mechanism of how “maybe we can be friends, see through the same lens on the sidelines.” “Burn Into The Sun” has almost a jazzy feel to it, which fits nicely around the wordy, impassioned vocals and busy drumming. Clocking in at over five and a half minutes, “Little Scars” ambitiously combines 90’s grunge Courtney Love angst with bombastic choruses and even a prog-rock tandem guitar interlude. “Here I am with the poison. I’ve given up, I’m not disappointed. Not looking for love, just want to hang out with you.” There are times when that’s all you need. – By Dave Cromwell
“Butter” up with Foxy Lemon
“Butter” is the fuzzed out new track from Foxy Lemon, and the overall sound harkens back to a different time for music. Would it have seemed out of place to hear a song like this at Altamont or Woodstock? It doesn’t seem so. Their stellar organ melodies and fuzzed out guitar riffs fit right alongside the Portland garage rock scene, but stand out from the crowd by capturing the iconic feel of classic American rock music. If ever there is a remake of Dazed and Confused, “Butter” would undoubtedly make it onto the soundtrack. This single is the first teaser from their forthcoming extended single, Jelly, which will undoubtedly maintain the same heavy, catchy crispness as this first release. You can catch Foxy Lemon at The Know on December 19th with Maszer and Spirit Lake.
-Sarah Eaton
New Track: “Over Uneasy” – Spacin’
We’re very excited for the hypnotic riffs to come our way this Saturday at Everybody Hits. Philly’s own Spacin’ will be celebrating the long-awaited release of their new album Total Freedom (Richie Records). You can enjoy another taste of it now with "Over Uneasy," the freewheelin’ opening track on their forthcoming release, which is available for streaming over at Aquarium Drunkard.
Build on the Positivity w/Impressionist at JB’s Dec. 15
These unseasonably warm temperatures have spawned a fresh optimism. Tonight, the multi-faceted Kyle Press-led ensemble, otherwise known as Impressionist, aims to build on that positive spin. Loose, dashing forward in a freeing manner, their tunes are enhanced through the fine attention to detail afforded by a large toolbox of instrumentation. Impressionist can paint with musical dimension; breezy and smooth can quickly transition to turbulent an ominous as keys, horns sax stir the sonic air. Through it all, an engaging, shape-shifting, organic puzzle keeps you consistently on alert. A pair of Atlanta-based bands, including Red Sea, whose laid-back grooving pop is spiked with hyperactive flurries, and the fascinating, classically-framed, modern-spun, vast landscapes of Faun and a Pan Flute, are sandwiched between the ongoing, experimental, noise-infused exploits of avant-pop trio Banned Books, who completes a billing that is comforting while pushing the traditional limits. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
New Music Video: “Skinny Chewy” – Loose Tooth
A masked Loose Tooth gang enjoys a hang at the shore (minus one) in the band’s new video for the single "Skinny Chewy." The track is off their debut LP Easy Easy East, which is available via Fleeting Youth Records. The video was directed by local native Pete Murray. BTW: How about a giveaway for the heads?
Album premiere: Captiva – Captiva (EP)
—Michelle Bacon
Flatliner Drown You In Glitch and Purple in Retro-Future Video for “Blasted Highway”
Out of one of Austin’s best labels, the heavy and heady Holodeck Recs, comes a badass new music video from Flatliner for their 80s by way of the future track “Blasted Highway.” This is retrofuture shit done hard and right and right hard, a bit like a darker Mylo, a bit Vitalic (which is, I suppose, like a better, darker French Mylo anyways).
Flatliner reference the unabashed futurelove of the 70s and 80s scifi thing with the look of this video, such as having lots of purples and pinks and weird abstract close-up faceshots, but totally embrace it without a sense of irony, because honestly the way that era did scifi and future shit was just fucking cool. That sentiment really extends to the whole song and the group itself, who make this bloopy hardcore electronic synthy shit that’s all 80s done from a modern sensibility and whose tracks basically ask you to get into it or get gone.
We’re into it at The Deli, always are when this kind of fearsome, ballsy future shit is done right, especially when it nails going retro (hard to do). There was something truly perfect about that 80s scifi aesthetic, with its purples on blacks, its straight-lined cars, its heroes with sunglasses and big hair and wife beaters under open shirts, and in turn, there’s something pretty perfect about what Flatliner have done here. Pressing play is akin to throwing your head back and gargling a torrential downpour of lazer beams, but like, through your eyes and ears, and if that sounds to you like as good a way to spend five minutes as it does to us, you need this in your headspace and quick. Get on it below.
Swillbilly Heroes Quench Thirst With Country-Indie Rock EP
I have to give some serious credit to Swillbilly Heroes; first, for having one of the greatest band names I’ve seen in a long while, and second, for playing some great and incredibly catchy country songs, which means a lot coming from a guy who knows very little of the genre. Their latest release, the Dying Stars EP, combines smooth and memorable country melodies, badass guitar riffs and drum fills that defy the country label. It places Swillbilly Heroes in a genre all their own, somewhere between alternative rock and bluesy-country-pop. “Head Shake” in particular caught my attention with its twangy guitars and heavy drums. It’s just got that deep, grungy, backwoods sound. I’m stumped trying to think of what to classify them as, but maybe it’s better you listen to them and figure it out for yourself. Seriously, You’ll thank me later.
Mike B
Live Review: Wake Up, SFV at White Oak Music & Arts 12/13
I was listening to one of the staff members at White Oak Music & Arts as he told me about a ska show that broke capacity and a restroom sink.
That was mayhem compared to Wake Up, SFV, which floated upwards of 100 occupants shuffling between main stage and the lobby. On Sunday, the almost-nondescript music store, nestled with mechanic shops and powered by the will of 818, was host to a plethora of bands that not only called attention to the Valley’s diversity, but more importantly its spirit. From 5 p.m. onwards, neighborhood youth shared cigarettes and sipped on tallboys as homespun vendors displayed their arts and crafts with decorum, beaming with a confidence and sincerity rarely felt in Los Angeles.
And I moved with the crowd through the different phases that claimed my musical adolescence — the genres that waxed and waned in popularity, but never lost their tenacity. From Tone in Georgia‘s well-groomed freakouts to The Aeons‘ feel-good maximalism, 100 Once‘s acapella cover of Evanescence and R!OT‘s dextrous remix of Shia LaBouef. The Unending Thread‘s toe-tapping emo-soul and those cathartic shivers of COEX, down to the fog-heavy end of the Fever The Ghost‘s glitched-out mecha fantasy. Every band brought their all, and the spirited youth gave back tenfold.
Happy anniversary, White Oak Music & Arts. And thank you for wake-up call, Cesar Alas. – Ryan Mo
NYC super-group alert: Alexander F, live at Union Pool on 12.18
What do Rubblebucket, Bear In Heaven, and Delicate Steve have in common, besides being based in NYC? Each of these musical projects contributes to new "super-group" Alexander F with a band member. Thankfully, this new musical project doesn’t sound like a mix of those three break out artists, but rather like a devastatingly fun version of the loud/quiet/loud rock of the ’90s, updated in a direction that’s more modern and more punk at once. We are digging their two Bandcamp songs (streaming below), which bode very well indeed for a night of abandon and debauchery at Union Pool on December 18. Kalmia Traver of Rubblebucket will be DJing.
Shojo Winter premieres “Somewhere Else”, two-part EP release party
From the subzero depths of the Diamond Valley Lake, Shojo Winter premieres the title track to their upcoming EP release, "Somewhere Else", the first sign of life since their summer debut "Eternal Snow". Kevin McVey and Patrick Capinding, commonly associated with the ear-rending, emotionally destructive shoegaze band Crisis Arm, started on a new project to embrace glacial bleakness of coldwave and ethereal dreampop. Teaming up with Patricio Bautista, the three reimagine the glossolalic verve of Cocteau Twins and Lowlife in the wake of a post-Third Impact world.
Shojo Winter are holding a two-part release show, details below. – Ryan Mo
Dec. 18 — The dA Center for the Arts (Pomona) with The Victoriana, Shit Giver, The Lowered
Dec. 19 — House show (Lawndale) with Cruelty Code, Chikochikorita, and C. Kiten (Brittany Scheffler).
Junk Boys celebrate release of self titled debut at Baby’s All Right on 12.16
Rock’n’Roll, folks… will it ever get old? Not if keeps churning out bands with the attitude and chutzpah of Brooklyn’s Junk Boys, a garage’n’roll quartet that will be celebrating the release of their debut, self titled LP at Baby’s All Right on 12.16. Channeling at once rockabilly riffage and the fuzz-worthy sound of garage all New Yorkers should be able to appreciate, this is a band that can write and deliver punchy ol’ rock tunes without sounding passe’ and, at least on record, knows how to pull off the genre’s antics. If they can replicate this live (we bet they can), fun should be had in great amounts – you can experience this on your skin on December 16 at Baby’s All Right. Check out our favorite song "Sad But True," streaming below.