August 4th, 2010 | by Taylor Fife | published in female vocalists, garage, indie rock, pop | 4 comments
It’s really pretty hard to frown at a super-cute all-girl quartet with an adorable and hip mod look. Throw in a sunny 60’s garage pop sound full of handclaps and lyrics on boy problems and you’ve got a sure-fire hit.
Best Friends Forever – Romance Conflict Adventure
July 30th, 2010 | by Kathlee Cleveland | published in acoustic, female vocalists, garage, indie pop, punk | 2 comments
In addition to the charmingly accessible lyrics, BFF relishes in camaraderie with audience members and the feeling of sing-along rather than individualism. All of their songs are grungy, raw, and easy to sing to, often with a choir of background singers. I think it gives the entire album a warmth that is often missing from rock (and punk rock, if you can consider this punk).
July 24th, 2010 | by Taylor Fife | published in garage, punk, rock | 1 comment
Matthew Melton has been rocking out in the East Bay with Bare Wires for some time now, but their latest, Seeking Love, is the first polished product that displays the energy and vigor of the project in a tidy package. This album retains the hard rocking 70’s inspired garage punk of previous efforts, but has [...]
The Hot Toddies – Get Your Heart On
July 21st, 2010 | by Taylor Fife | published in garage, pop | 2 comments
I totally have a crush on The Hot Toddies. I’m sorry if this in any way contributes to rampant sexism in popular music, but since the group titled their latest album ‘Get Your Heart On,’ I’m going to assume this album is an attempt to make me fall in love with them. The 2nd album [...]
July 9th, 2010 | by Taylor Fife | published in alternative, rock, punk, etc., garage, psychedelic | 3 comments
Ty Segall’s been stomping about San Francisco playing straightforward garage rock in the vein of local favorites Thee Oh Sees and Sic Alps for a hot minute now, so the retro lo-fi sound on his latest shouldn’t be a shocker. On Melted, Ty delivers 30 minutes of short, snappy fuzzed out songs perfect for a [...]
June 16th, 2010 | by Taylor Fife | published in garage, indie rock | 5 comments
A B & The Sea take Beach Boys (or is it Animal Collective?) inspired melodies, add a dash of indie rock sensibility borrowed from Grizzly Bear, mix it together in the San Francisco summer sun, and end up with a handful of delightfully irresistible pop masterpieces. While King Khan and Mark Sultan may have been doing the doo-wop thing longer, it looks like San Francisco may have stolen this scene away from Montreal. And speaking of Montreal, A B & The Sea’s vocal phrasing, melodies, and unrepentant pop attitude are heavily reminiscent of and clearly draw from Kevin Barnes and his Athens, Georgia collective.
The Booze – Rebirth of the Cool
June 14th, 2010 | by b aiken | published in blues, garage, rock | 2 comments
Its not a big band, big sound, nor does it leave a big impression. But, and thats a big but, I’m recommending it. It just sounds right.
May 2nd, 2010 | by Taylor Fife | published in female vocalists, garage, punk | 1 comment
The Splinters remind me more of The Ramones than anything else—the music is stripped down and easy to play, with sincere and uncomplicated sing-along lyrics. While there are occasional flashes of anger—in the song ‘Oranges’ the girls sing “Why don’t you just fuck off” in unison—the music is at its core happy and fun.
March 3rd, 2010 | by b aiken | published in garage, rock | 1 comment
Have you ever wondered what The White Stripes would sound like if Jack had been born in 1945, started the band in 1963, and sang with the voice of a young Bob Dylan? Well, me neither, but if you were, this album from The Strange Boys would give you a pretty damn good idea. The decidedly lo-fi, bluesy, folk inspired and just plain awesome sound harks back to a homespun time of synthless choruses and voices unspoiled by autotunes.
Left Lane Cruiser – All You Can Eat!
February 4th, 2010 | by el gringo rico | published in blues, garage, punk | 1 comment
Grab your whiskey and get ready to rage. I’ve never heard a more powerful and gritty blues rock duo than these guys. Left Lane Cruiser is a two man outfit out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. They’re a couple of thrashers that can play the hell out of some punkesque garage blues. Think along the lines of a possessed Black Keys, Jack White without his cute peppermint outfits, or even ole’ R.L. Burnside fresh off divorcing his sixth wife and a four day bender. These guys don’t F around.
