THE DANDELION - STRANGE CASE OF THE DANDELION

It's been too long since the last post and after a little facelift to the site and some time on the web I stumbled upon The Dandelion. The Dandelion, which may be the work of an individual musician, just released  'Strange Case of The Dandelion' a couple months ago. So right off the bat I think we can all see where this could be going - flower floating rhythms and fuzz'd vibes. To be honest, the intro to the opening track nearly had me going 'NEXT' (I'm not a fan of flute though I feel how a flute could add to make a rounded psychedelic sound) but I am glad I didn't. A few measures in when the song gets going it creates a layered nostalgia with simple bass and fuzz guitar lines on top of the unplugged sounds of acoustic guitar and flute. The songs moves on to live up to it's bandcamp tag 'paisley,' with hypnotic rhythms and ghostly vocals that fit together as timeless psychedelic puzzle pieces.

After paying more attention, turns out this six track bandcamp release is only a sample of a larger thirteen track album. I thought The Dandelion presented itself well through those six songs and there is no way one could go wrong with playing this album the next time a whole bunch of his/her quarter life hip kids came over to smoke cigarettes, snap phone photos (maybe one person will be cool enough to bring out a 35mm camera), drink, and do drugs. So, for five dollars and a few days patience, you could be prepared for that night - probably even before next weekend. Add 'Strange Case of The Dandelion' to your albums or at least dissect it for a mixtape.





followthedandelion@gmail.com
http://thedandelion.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dandelion

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

THE SPYRALS - SUNFLOWER MICROPHONE 7''

The Spyrals are a talented garage/psych three piece from San Fransisco, California. As of tomorrow, November the 22nd, you will all be able to purchase their latest 7'' - Sunflower Microphone. The first track, also the title track, captures a great spirit of psychedelia and transports the audience to a trip on a desert wasteland, searching for any sign of life while kaleidoscope visions of the sky cause confusion and wonderment. It's damn easy to find yourself rolling your shoulders and hips to this surf influenced tune. The song is a great treat, and if you like it then please check out Night Beats or Bad Indians. The second song on this newly released 7'' is titled Long Road Out - it's damn easy to find yourself rolling your shoulders and hips to this five minute twangy and punchy story. Some may find it a bit jammy , though after a quick puff puff pass and the extended guitar lead turns into a small journey on a river made of goldfish, all reflecting the rays of the sun. If 60s inspired rock/psychedelic with a twist of surfin' blues is your thing, spend a mere six bucks and get this 7''. The first 100 copies are on yellow vinyl. Open your ears!

thespyrals@gmail.com

http://thespyrals.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Spyrals/34763810277

http://thespyrals.bandcamp.com



THE SHRILLS - PINK HOTEL EP

The Shrills, a four piece from Callllly forneye ay, haven't digitally released anything since September 2010; however, their five song EP (with a bonus live track!) is fantastic enough to milk for awhile. They are playing around a bit, so you can't blame them. If you have been following the blog, then you may find their sound similar to WILD INJUNS; a little creepy, a little lazy, a little wierd, and a whole lotta.....right on. Their rythmns and riffs are surf influenced and straight from the adolescent years of rock and roll, while their vocals, drenched in a dated and familiar echoverb, sling about in a wierdo I don't give a shit fashion. Next time I take a girl to the good ol' Look Out Point, er Makeout Point as the youngsters call it, I will be sure to slide in this slimy and satisfying sock hoppin' 60s garage treasure. it's a sure fire way to get a little 'above the blouse' action. DOWNLOAD IT! IT'S FREE!

 

 

theshrills@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Shrills/180020073803

http://theshrills.bancamp.com

THE FAULTS - THE FAULTS EP

It's definitely been a few seconds since a post, and despite all the handful of great tunes waiting in the inbox, here is The Faults. A two piece from Sydney (not to be confused with The Faults of the UK), these gents melt low-end fuzz'd out groobin' guitar riffs with abrasive vocals and drums to create a lovely heavily 60s blues/garage influenced sound. Since this is your second stop after *cough* pitchfork *cough* let's say they these guys are like The Black Keys (they have a few new songs out) except, uh, better! No traditional boring sultry blues lyrics or presentation here - it's got a hell of a lot more character. And you won't find any fuzz, delay, or reverb on this front man's pipes either! The EP starts of with a great tune (that some of you saw on their digital single release Quarter/Lucy) Quarter. It does nothing shy of show off their ability to get body parts shaking and twistin'. It's not a bad way to start off. Their second tune, Little Brother, slows down a bit from the previous, and strikes a little harder at some heart strings; punching at your soul. The chord progression may be a bit on the...generic side, but when it comes to ripping out some heavy blues, it's not a surprise to find some recycled material here and there. The third track, Lucy (from the digital single), brings the audience in again for a rockin' tempo with a fantastic nostalgic garage feel. The last track, much like the second, slows things down a bit. Though, unlike the second track it picks up momentarily for a bit of lyrical/emotional disarray...and fades out at 4+ minutes. All in all, this one should be a new EP in your collection, and guess what! It's FREE! So it can be a new one in your collection! Find yourself in Sydney...go watch 'em perform! Otherwise, feel free to give these hard working men a few of YOUR hard earn dollars. GET IT!

 

band@thefaults.com.au
http://thefaults.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/thefaults

PUBLIC DIMS - VENT SOMEWHERE ELSE

Public Dims, a male 'n' female duo in crime from San Juan Capistrano, have a great psychedelic/western twang and swing about themselves and recently played with White Mystery (who I know you read about just the other while ago) at one of your favourite record stores. Their simple rhythms, both drum and treble'd guitar, along with lazy woe-some vocals make for some catchy garage rock. Call it surfy, call it bluesy, call it country, call it what you will - this EP captures an essence of rock and roll...though some of you will be looking for that important driving low end; the last piece to make a power trio. If you need a super catchy tune to get you started, check out their fan-favourite, Lorimer - but stay away from Head Cold Letters - it unfortunately distracts from the gut wrenching melancholy psychedelia through out the rest of this release. But you should definitely take a listen to the entire album. It's not gonna hurt to take less than half an hour out of your day. These cats are working on a new tape out and an October tour, hopefully somewhere near you. If not, then watch the music video, download this one for FREE, and when that tape surfaces BUY IT.

publicdims@gmail.com

http://publicdims.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Public-Dims/151278131607248