COSMONAUTS - S/T 12'' LP and CASSETTE

I saw Cosmonauts while they were on a Burger Tour in the summer of 2010. They came through and played in a small art space with Cum Stain and Nobunny - unless Nobunny was some other time and it was some other time because they played with Cum Stain and Audacity that night. Anyhow, there was a bit of an issue with our PA system and the gang more or less played without vocals. Despite the setback, Cosmonauts thoroughly impressed and are now my favourite band. I put up a 7" release of theirs a couple years ago and recently found that they have most of their discography up on bandcamp (minus some limited release comps, an Italian released 7'', and any other pre-signed material). So, let's take a look at their self-titled.

They released it with Burger (BRGR049) on a limited run of 250 red cassettes. I was lucky to snag one because the cassettes are long gone by now, but they did re-release on vinyl a year later - several different versions. A few of us were lucky enough to get it on 'Easter Egg Yellow.' This self-titled is one hell of a first cassette. It's hard to pin-point tracks of interest on albums that are so solid, but if you are pressed for time (these are full length songs ladies and gents) then check out Neon Kids, Dorothy, and Yer So Rad. Actually, if you are pressed for time then wait. This album should be listened to in its entirety. Cosmonauts will gladly drag you through ups and downs of psychedelia - upbeat hip shakers, downbeat droning trance, eastern inspired instrumentals, and lazy nearly-inaudible vocals. There may be many ways to play music but they make rock and roll the way it should be made. If this album isn't something you can dig on, then don't come back to this blog because you don't belong here.

The four men of Cosmonauts are some hard working cats and are always on tour. Check out their facebook for dates because I am sure you can find them in your area soon enough. Also check out all their stuff on bandcamp. You'll need to do some extra clicking to buy things and it is worth it. Listen and love it.



cosmonautstheband@gmail.com
cosmonautstheband.bandcamp.com/
facebook.com/cosmonautstheband

BAD INDIANS - ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE LP

Welcome back. it has been a year, but we are not dead around here. To get things going, let's give a listen to BAD INDIANS. This is the third time BAD INDIANS has seen these pages and if your band consistently released good music then you would be here three times, too.

This four-piece from Michigan are putting out a new LP, yes vinyl, titled Are on the Other Side. It's just in time for your last purchase before 'The End of the World.' There are probably a dozen bands looking to cash in on this fantastic release date, but let's ignore them - right now they do not matter. This gang just shared a stage with Moon Duo two months ago. They must be doing something right.

BAD INDIANS are sticking around. Consistency is key key key to keeping fans - to being any sort of artist. Find what you do and do it well. Chiming in on yester-year's grooving sound, BAD INDIANS have found what they do and they are doing it well. Although the full release is not available for listening, the band put up a four song cock-tease. Probably at the request of CQ Records - it seems as though they hold the digital and maybe physical rights to this album. Oh, forgot to mention they are releasing on CQ Records - a nice little independent label in Austin, Texas. In this sneak peek of the upcoming psych garage album we start with Love and a Shovel. It's a familiar sound if you are familiar with BAD INDIANS. The drums are simple and sweet, the vocals a perfect amount whining treble and shake, the guitar tone as shaking and surfing as the vocals - also with nicely placed slick finger licks.  The song is pretty short so there is no fucking around. It's all the meat with the fat trimmed off. Wherever this song is on the album, it will surely fit as a solid 60s influenced (up to interpretation) rock and roll jam. To be completely honest, and that is in the job description (someone pay me), the second song on the preview doesn't get my gears greased. It seems a bit out of place in the four songs - it's a grunge-pop tune with prominent keys. It is also a short one and fortunate for some listeners. This song seems to say 'hi' instead of 'hey.' (Personal taste gets thrown in from time to time.) The third song, Darkside, is a gem without a doubt. It's a slow down ballad sort of beauty. During a live set we could see this in the middle or towards the end when the band's energy banks have been deposited on fans' faces in previous songs. The recorded version as a prediction, is a bit more enthusiastic, attentive, and full than one could imagine the sweat drenched live version is. And then the fourth track puts a nice little cap on things as it is an amalgamation of songs one and two, making it a nice round, maybe oval, preview of a nice janky record you can add to your collection three weeks from now.

Who knows how much of pre-album or album sales actually goes to BAD INDIANS but BUY THE RECORD and fork over a couple greenbacks for the 'name your price' preview. You're supporting someone who's working hard.

PS Word through the grapevine is that DIE POP is developing a new look. Check back later. It's sure to be a breath of fresh air for 2013.

 


BAADINDIANS@gmail.com
http://www.cqrecords.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/BAD-INDIANS/142006495812733