It’s been six years since Nic McKenzie and Nick Weaver released their debut album Outlands. On the back of a run of singles they’d built a strong sense of anticipation about that first record and it certainly lived up to expectations. Fast forward to 2018 and how does a band evolve and change over that time? The DSA model is to essentially stick to the … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Deep Sea Arcade – Blacklight
Here’s some blank-eyed, gutter-glam noise-rock from Heartthrob Chassis out of Detroit. The band is headed by Margaret Doll Rod, former songwriter and member of the stage-smashing Demolition Doll Rods. The track lurches and staggers along with an almost Suicide-like drone quality. Babes in Toyland and early Hole are reference points too, with some added Sonic Youth squalls, dirge and dissonant causticity. The track comes from Heartthrob Chassis’ … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Heartthrob Chassis – Sister
Here’s some searing panoramic dust storm countrified rock from The Original Cowards, a trio from Northampton, MA whose self-proclaimed influences include Dinosaur Jr., Neil Young and Crazy Horse, sacred herbs, garage and psych, fuzz, The Who, and thunder. They live up to those lofty aspirations on ‘Curse Of The Commander’, a seven minute track that rumbles, sways and lumbers along with paint-peeling solos and a … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: The Original Cowards – Curse Of The Commander
Deep Sea Arcade have been hard at work on their new album Blacklight, their first since Outlands in 2012. We’ve heard the new album, we’ve got a review of it coming soon. The good news is that for the most part it’s been worth the wait. This single, ‘Close To Me’, is one of the album highlights and an example of the seamless integration of … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Deep Sea Arcade – Close To Me
Joe McKee used to be the main guy in Snowman but now he’s based in Los Angeles and has recorded a new album, An Australian Alien, under his own name, alongside members of Ariel Pink, Drugdealer and The Pixies. ‘I’ll Be Your Host’ is a beautiful hazy, dream-like drift of avant-pop, complete with a heavenly sax solo. Check out the video and then hit the Bandcamp … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Joe McKee – I’ll Be Your Host
Suede are this deep into their career and have flirted equally with the charts and the arthouse that they have earned the right to be the masters of their own destiny. Hence they’ve realised that the best Suede albums have a mix of grandiose, sweeping music and dissertations on the minutiae and unease of modern life. The Blue Hour is the third album in a … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Suede – The Blue Hour
In my travels on ye internets I came across this intriguing track by Dom Tivadar from the UK. It’s got a warbly lo-fi wooze and shimmer about it. Primitive yet damn catchy and filled with little twists and intricate details that add up to a great slice of psychedelia. Part Chris Knox, part Jay Reatard. Dom has a 10″ lathe cut called Sings & Plays … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Dom Tivadar – Bottle Go Bang
On her fourth album, Cash Savage does two things. She takes an unflinching look at Australian society and gives an intimate and evocative insight into love and desire. She does it all with her characteristic swagger and assertive tone, superbly backed by her cohorts, The Last Drinks. Better Than That is a devastating opener, honing in on the events of last year and the impact … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Cash Savage & The Last Drinks – Good Citizens
Here’s a nice track from the duo Midwife (Madeline Johnston (of Sister Grotto) and guitarist Tucker Theodore.) It’s a lovely unfurling drone-pop track that has shades of Cocteau Twins and the ambient, dreamier moments of Mogwai. The song creeps along at a funereal pace, shrouded in gauzy haze of distortion before the fog clears to reveal fragments of effected and intertwined guitars, like fading sonic … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Midwife – Angel
Here’s a taste of the new album from Coyle Girelli, released today and available to check out on streaming services. The title-track ‘Love Kills’ has that great shadowy noir feel. A cinematic atmospheric late-night vibe that draws on Roy Orbison grandeur, Manic Street Preachers melodrama and a modern Americana take on Elvis serenading David Lynch. It’s a great lead-in to what sounds like an equally … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Coyle Girelli – Love Kills
Psychedelia out of France from The Rebels of Tijuana. This track, ‘Erotique’, comes from their new double album Asile recorded on analog tape at the Back To Mono Studio with Christian Hierro and due out on October 5th. Gallic pop drips all over this track as it digs a psych garage rock groove and follows it with swing and verve. Great video clip too. The band have … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: The Rebels of Tijuana – Erotique
The sonic alchemist that is Darren Cross (Jep and Dep, Gerling) has released the second single from his new LP Peacer. ‘Sur La Vague (Drive Me Nuts)’ is a persistent ear-worm of a track. Over a Krautrock rhythm he weaves a mantra-like vocal peppered with hovercraft synths and saxophone. It’s that sweet blend of downbeat and uptempo – a kaleidoscopic, left-of-centre, pop nugget that brings … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Darren Cross – Sur La Vague (Drive Me Nuts)
Doubtful Sounds 