Once again I have the priviledge of unveiling a new video from Boston’s Molasses Jones, and once again I am extremely impressed by the tunes from these three guys. I was initially drawn-in by the unique location, a tunnel beneath the Eliot Bridge in Cambridge, MA. I enjoyed the stripped-down live performance, complete with cyclists interrupting the first few seconds of filming. 

"Smoke Screens" has a warm, low-down blues swing, but polished enough to sway more to the pop side of the spectrum. Perhaps most impressive about the whole thing is Cory Fein’s playing–drums and harmonica at the same time is complex business.
Enough of my mindless comentary–click the image below and watch for yourselves.

Molasses Jones’ debut album is due out in the fall. Until then, check out their Facebook page for band updates.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
Photo credit: @lystenboston

Red Flannel Hash, the latest record from Burlington, VT’s Black Rabbit, is bursting at the seams with enough hard, fast guitar riffs to keep your head bouncing for weeks. My favorite track off the record is "Sayonara", with its catchy chorus and rowdy guitar solo. The song is over so quickly that by the time it’s finished, you’re left wondering: "what was that and why was it so incredibly awesome?"

For more info about the band, check out their Facebook page.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
 

In an age of gimmicky music videos, Tall Heights’ beautiful live-performance video of their new track, "Spirit Cold", is as refreshing as a glass of ice water on a hot summer day. In a song both contemplative and hopeful, Paul Wright’s cello is a lovely musical anchor that allows Tim Harrington’s acoustic guitar riffs to dance and soar while remaining as intricately wound as their harmonious duets. The duo will release their latest album, Holding On, Holding Out, in October – see them live at The Sinclair in Cambridge on October 4th.
 

-Glori Blatt
Photo credit: Shervin Lainez

Grab your whiskey and get to pouring – one listen to "100 Proof" by Cactus Attack and you’ll be ready to drown your sorrows, whether you’ve got ‘em or not. This rowdy country-rock band delivers more than a little bit of bite in this growly world-done-me-wrong anthem.  Gritty vocals are given depth thanks to electric guitar riffs writhing with emotion while the emphatic backup vocals, shouted rather than sung, add a rawness that will make you want to raise your glass and say “hell yes!” Cactus Attack is playing the Shaskeen Pub in Manchester on Saturday, September 5th.

-Glori Blatt

Cactus Attack, 100 Proof from David Laferriere on Vimeo.

It’s not easy to write a song that’s universally relatable without an ounce of cliche, but that’s exactly what Portland, Maine natives The Mallett Brothers Band accomplished on the title track of their fourth studio album, Lights Along The River.  The story of reflection on a long journey home is delivered in layered vocals that rise to a powerful climax, while bluegrass-style instrumentals manage to evoke the feeling of floating down river as clearly as the lyrics themselves. The Mallett Brothers are currently touring New England to promote their new album – find a list of their upcoming shows here: http://www.mallettbrothersband.com/#tour-section


–Glori Blatt
Photo credit: Nicole Wolf Photography

Boston’s favorite road-house rock and roll band, Dressed for the Occasion, transports listeners to a fantastical world “somewhere out in the western desert” in their new single, The Devil’s Rodeo.  Two parts mythic adventure, one part pure escapism, this song hooks you from the first twang of the slide guitar. Lead singer Addison Chase imbues poetic lyrics with equal parts grit and soul and leads listeners down an enthralling rabbit hole, while electric guitarist Pat Hopkins’ explosive riffs dance with the promise of a dangerous adventure. Catch them live at The Middle East Downstairs on Friday, September 4th.

-Glori Blatt
 

I’m realizing that while I may often overlook it, CT is home to some damn fine music. Take, for example, Hooky, by Stamford’s Jacques Le Coque. This record is well-balanced, rough, raw, fuzzy rock n’ roll. Bouncing from Built to Spill-style tracks, to surf rock and straight-up punk, these guys are the perfect house-party band. Listening to their songs, I can practically feel an elbow to the ribs and a PBR being spilled on my shoes.

For more info about the band, check out their Facebook page.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

 

This past Friday, Ruby Rose Fox made a rare solo appearance as part of the First Fridays programming at the ICA in Boston. Despite being without her band and back-up singers, Ruby did what Ruby does best: put on a beautifully-captivating vocal performance. While most of the sold-out crowd was there to mingle and catch-up with friends, as soon as Ruby started singing, many in the crowd immediately focused their attention on the singer. Bookended by two emotionally-charged renditions of "Golden Boy", her set revealed that many of her songs are much more melancholoy than her full-band sets make them sound–a fact of which she was also aware. "These songs are kind of depressing for party music", she quipped, shortly after the start of the show. Nevertheless, every time I see Ruby Rose live I’m always left wondering how it’s even possible that someone’s voice can sound as good as hers. This might all sound like fan-boy gushing, but go see one of her shows and try to dispute me. 

For more information about Ruby Rose Fox and her band, check out their PledgeMusic campaign to raise funds for their first full-length album. 

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
Photo credit: @lystenboston

TT the Bear’s time in the local Boston/Cambridge music scene may be coming to an end, but there’s still plenty of great shows to see before the doors close for good on July 25. Tonight, Lysten Boston presents a bill that will appeal to fans of upbeat, surf-inspired indie rock–just in time for the warm weather. Join Le Roxy Pro, Elison Jackson, Strangeways and Jack O’Brien in paying respects to a long-standing pilar of the Cambridge music community. Show starts at 8:30 PM. $10 cover, 21+ with proper ID.

For more info about the show, check out the Facebook event.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Among all of the over-produced recordings and over-processed vocals currently flooding the internet, it is indeed still possible to find beautiful, minimalistic music. Featuring only a single vocal and a mandolin, it doesn’t get much more stripped-down than James Howling’s Deadman. Howling’s shakey, bluesy vibrato complements the mournful mandolin picking throughout these songs. I was particularly drawn to the opening track, "Dark Ahead", with its melancholy waltz and depressingly-raw vocal melody. 
 
There isn’t too much info about Howling online, but check his Soundcloud for future updates.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Today, Bethany, CT’s (yes, I had to look it up on Google Maps too) The Foresters released their latest single, "Machines", off of their upcoming record Sun Songs. The track starts off with a guitar riff reminiscent of Queens of the Stone Age, before launching into more of a dance-rock tune for the remainder of the song. "Machines" carries an intense energy thorughout its duration, compelling the listener to grab a tambourine and join in the dance party. The group have a string of dates booked throughout July (mostly in CT), but hopefully they’ll consider a couple of shows further north.

For more info about the band, click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

TT the Bear’s days may be numbered, but the club certainly isn’t planning on quietly closing its doors. Tomorrow nigt, June 16, Skyes (NY) will be treated to a warm Boston welcome from Florio and Pale Hands. This bill is full of can’t-miss performances for fans of huge pop hooks and incredibly talented vocalists. I could go on and on about the bands’ respective pop sensibilities, but you’re probably better-off just going to the show. 8PM doors, $8 cover, 18+ (proper ID required).

For more info about the gig, presented by Lysten Boston, click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)