The Phenomenauts

The Phenomenauts
www.myspace.com/thephenomenauts

These guys have been rocking my world ever since I found them a couple weeks ago, and I decided it was long overdue to post a new band. Coming out of the San Francisco Bay Area, The Phenomenauts are a new wave/space themed punk band that just kills it with their style and sound. They’re pretty famous for their wacky live shows, featuring homemade gadgets and cheesy space outfits. Did I mention the majority of the songs are geeky as well? In my eyes, that just turns this band into deadly material, especially if you know the science in their lyrics. So far I’ve only been able to snag their newest album “For All Mankind”, but once I’ve listened the hell out of it, I’ll buy some of their earlier stuff. The only trouble I can see with a band like this with a specialized theme, is the lyrics and style getting tiring after awhile. So far though, it’s been a moonwalk.

Dig It: The Phenomenauts – Make A Circuit With Me
(Myspace)

Bombadil

Bombadil
www.myspace.com/bombadil

One of the most energetic bands I’ve come across in awhile, Bombadil delivers quirky, yet enjoyable folk-pop. Hailing from North Carolina, Bombadil features a sound that I swear I probably heard at a medieval fair, but has somehow put a modern twist on it. After several of the band members spent time in Bolivia, they decided to start a band and feature some of the outfits that Bolivian men wear in their live shows. Though I haven’t seen them live, I hope they come around my area soon.

Besides the live shows, the lyrics that band delivers are, well, not the straight rhyme scheme that you would think, but uplifting in a weird way. Definitely will bring good moods, and make you think, that’s for sure. They may sound like nonsense at first, but within the lyrics are deep meanings that one can take to heart. Overall, if you’re looking for something with a different take on today’s folk scene, check these guys out!

Dig It: Bombadil – Jellybean Wine
(Myspace)

On A Carousel Of Sound, We Go Round

I’m going to say this straight off: Buy this right now. Besides the point that The Snake The Cross The Crown has delivered honest, life changing music to so many fans (though more people need to know about them), the price is not bad at $20 plus shipping. You get the dvd documentary, and the “mix-tape” album of new songs, b-sides, and demos.

Now that I’ve gotten past that, I’ll get into the details. Between the documentary and the album, I actually preferred the documentary. Crazy? Possibly, but documentary is not what I expected when I first heard about it. It really digs deep into each member of the band, showing what they expect(ed), what they want, and what they need out of being a band together. It wasn’t just a glazed over typical view of the hard-times of being an unknown band, it told a fantastic story of how these guys have shared their lives together in the past several years, and how their music has instantly reflected on that. Many of the ideas discussed in the documentary, such as their being more bands these days than listeners, and how no new bands put any effort or soul into their work (mainly to just make a quick buck), is something I’ve been realizing over past several years myself, and it’s nice to see that relation from a touring band.
Besides the story of days together, the documentary subtlety slides in live performances of songs off their albums; and since I’ve never seen them live, it was a beautiful thing to watch (when William plays Electronic Dream Plant, that was the highlight right there). There’s so much depth and emotion that comes from the documentary, and this is only because it was so well done.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the album is fucking amazing too. The songs are fantastic, hearing the “original” version of Gypsy Melodies was pretty classic, and it’s something I’ll listen to over and over. BUT, I think I’m a little disappointed because I’ve been expecting a new album (like everyone else). Hey, no hard feelings though, it’s just a phase that I’m sure soon will pass with listening to the mix even more. Besides that, the new songs on the album are killer, and deserve just as much attention as previous ones.

I wasn’t expecting to pour that all out like that, but I guess it wouldn’t be fair to make this review short either, especially on a band like The Snake The Cross The Crown. Great work guys, you’ve done well, especially after all the wait. I hope well on their future endeavors, wherever it takes them. We’ll all be waiting to see where things go.

PS: Next band to check out: Bombadil

PPS: Wow, big thanks to the guys at TSTCTC for linking me from their myspace post to over here, it means alot! I hope everyone enjoys the review!

Sleepy Sun

Sleepy Sun
www.myspace.com/sleepysun

I love psychedelic rock bands, and though there are so many out there, sometimes it becomes hard to sort through the guys that really put a new edge to the genre. Let me tell you that Sleepy Sun is one of my new favorites right now, and they do a hell of a job giving the psychedelic rock genre a kick in the right direction. Their debut album Embrace, is perfect for listening on a slow day, and puts you in that relaxing mood. Right off the bat, the guitar work is reminiscent of Portugal. The Man’s earlier work (i.e. Church Mouth), while the vocals work right along the instruments, producing a very unique sound that’s a relief to hear in these days of many bands sounding so much alike.

I’ve heard these guys put on one hell of a live show, and I don’t doubt it one bit. If their ever in my area, I won’t hesitate at all to see them. Though the debut is only 8 tracks long, they’ve been quickly working up on a follow-up to Embrace, and hopefully we’ll hear some new material soon.

Dig It: Sleepy Sun – Lord
(Myspace)

Alberta Cross

Alberta Cross
www.myspace.com/albertacross

Alberta Cross, a rock band based out of New York, has brought about a song reminiscent of a cross between Neil Young, Band of Horses, and Kings Of Leon.  I can definitely see it; Petter Ericson, the lead vocalist, has a voice very close to that of Band of Horses Ben Bridwell, and the majority of the catchy sound they deliver is definitely like that of Kings of Leon. I was a bit disappointed. Many songs off their debut album, Broken Side Of Time, even have an edgy blues feel that works just right with the rest of the album. One of my favorites is “Taking Control”, and one of the only things that disappointed me about the album was their weren’t more songs like this one, but luckily the band does a great job of still impressing you with the rest. Enjoy!

Dig It: Alberta Cross – ATX
(Myspace)

The Snake The Cross The Crown

Hey all,

Though this may be old news for some of you, this week The Snake The Cross The Crown have announced their break-up, but in a bittersweet way are releasing a CD/DVD combo of new releases and b-sides, plus a documentary of the bands last tour together. Honestly, this is heartbreaking, their stuff has made an impact in my life, but I’m also looking forward to what comes next from their clever minds.

The album is called On A Carousel Of Sound, Round We Go, and will be released the 13th of October as a duel disc set. If you head to their store, you can pre-order the album from there. Sad sad day.

PS: Sorry about the non-updates, busy as hell and haven’t done much investigating into new bands, but check out the band Alberta Cross while you’re at it. I’ll be doing an update on them soon enough.

Thanks!

Edit: My bad, from what it looked like and from what the comments read on their myspace, it seemed like the band was breaking up, just not living together and focusing on separate things. Better news than I thought, awesome.

Ghosts And Vodka

Ghosts And Vodka
www.myspace.com/ghostsandvodka

Alright I lied, I decided I would post a band after-all. I give to you today, Ghost And Vodka, and poppy, yet progressive instrumental rock band from Chicago. Like I’ve mentioned in times past, I’m not a huge instrumental fan, but these guys deliver the goods needed to keep me, and any listener interested. One thing I love about Ghost And Vodka is it’s never over the top and hard on the hearing; it’s enjoyable and can be played anytime and anywhere. If it’s listening on the computer, or playing for a party, their style fits well with any situation. The band was on hiatus for sometime now, but as of last week, they have began practicing again and working on new material. Awesome. I’ll keep you updated on how that all goes!

Dig It: Ghosts And Vodka – It’s All About Right Then
(Myspace)

Band Updates!

Though today I won’t post a band, I thought I would do an update for bands that I’ve previously listed:

Stars Of Track And Field: They’re new album, A Time For Lions, is due out this month on the 15th (Tomorrow!), and they currently have new tracks to stream off their myspace!
http://www.myspace.com/starsoftrackandfield

Annuals: The Annuals have a new EP called Hi-Hat, which is due out hopefully in November. You can check out the new track “The Giving Tree” on their myspace. It’s good stuff, very similar to the sound of Such Fun.
http://www.myspace.com/annuals

Kay Kay And His Weathered Underground: Kay Kay has their new album available for a full stream on their myspace. No word on the release date, but give it all a big listen!
http://www.myspace.com/kaykayunderground

Grand Archives: The Grand Archives also have a new album coming out the 15th (Tomorrow, once again!), Keep In Mind Frankenstein. You can listen to a few tracks on their myspace, and expect this album to be a great winter warmer.
http://www.myspace.com/grandarchives

Porcupine Tree: Porcupine Tree has a new album out the 15th called The Incident, haven’t heard much from it, but it will be a tough follow up from Fear Of A Blank Planet.

Eastern Conference Champions: Last but not least, ECC has a new album, called Santa Fe, due out at the end of September, and I’m really stoked on this one. Their myspace has some songs up from the new album, and some of it strays away from their original style from Ameritown, which makes me really excited to hear. Keep an eye out!
http://www.myspace.com/easternconferencechampions

The Outline: Forgot to mention that The Outline has their new album, Phantasmagoria, is available for download through iTunes!

Sea Wolf: Wow, I missed more than I thought. Sea Wolf also has a new album out on the 22nd named White Water, White Bloom. Stoked!

Oh, and watch out for Monsters Of Folk, the folk supergroup, coming out the 22nd of this month. Can’t wait!

Thanks all!

Update!

Hey all,

Sorry I’ve been gone for the past two weeks, I needed to take a small break and build up some more bands. The thing is, I’ve been having trouble finding decent bands lately that I really like, which is keeping it hard to update daily. Don’t worry, the blog is not dying, but will just be updated when I find a band that I can justify putting up here. I would rather keep away from posting random bands that I don’t feel passionate about, it keeps it hard to write about. Expect it to be a few bands a couple days a week.

Thanks!

Mew – No More Stories Are Told Today I’m Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories The World Is Grey I’m Tired Let’s Wash Away

When this album first leaked about a month ago, to be honest I gave it a listen, and I wasn’t exactly into it. Maybe I wasn’t in a Mew mood, but now that I’ve told you that, disregard it. This album is incredible. Absolute bliss. I gave it another shot a couple days before the album came out last Tuesday, and I couldn’t believe that I had ever thought wrongly about this album. Despite it’s long, sad title, Mew has somehow come up with a sound that is… somewhat cheerful? The lyrics are dark, but nothing like that of And The Glass Handed Kites or Frengers. Jonas still delivers those angelic vocals, but the more developed and expanded sound has brought this band to such greater heights. Many of the songs are “beach” themed, offering upbeat guitar picking, a xylophone, and the chants of a background choir, something unlike Mew has done before, and hopefully will continue trying to implement new sounds in future albums.  Simply put, Mew has produced a solid album that I can confidently say will be my album of the year.

Listen to No More Stories, and if you haven’t listened to Mew before, this would definitely be a great place to start.

Check out Mew’s myspace, where you can stream of a majority of the album. Listen to  Hawaii, definitely one of my favorites of the album.