Veil of Ashes – Eternal Teenage Angst
So it turns out all of those whispers and rumors about Veil of Ashes that have persisted for years and years are really true. For the faithful that have waited for the truth to be reveled for a few decades, we now have the whole the story. The long lost last recordings have been unleashed. And not only released, but collected with some pre-production demos, live tracks, and a new cover tune. Yep, the VoA boys got together and paid tribute to Brian Healy by recording “Reach.” For long time fans, this is all you need to know. But for the rest that for some reason need convincing? Its Veil of Ashes. They excel at cover songs. So “Reach” is worth the price of admission alone. But they also excel at original songs. The next three songs are the last recordings before the band called it a day. Some might even say the best songs of their career. Most definitely 90’s alternative at its best. Then you are treated to eight pre-production demos from Mr. Sunshine. A bit more raw than the final versions, but that is a plus to many people. Finally, you get five songs recorded live at Cornerstone in 1988 – some of which you also may have never heard. At least in this early of a form. All for $5? You can’t go wrong here.
No Lost Cause – NLC
Punk rock that is a bit on the pop side. Or at least more on the “catchy chorus” side of punk rather than the “Green Day rip-off” side. I was thrown a bit by the sudden third wave ska sounds in the second track. A lot of this EP sounds like what Tooth & Nail was doing in the 90s, but all rolled up in one band. I was not a huge fan of what was called ska in the 90s, so there are a few tracks that I skip because they sound like I have heard them before. But that is just me. Songs like “No Weapon” and “My Strength” bring the punk that I like (even with a little ska thrown in – it’s okay in small doses). Fans of heavier 90’s ska or catchy punk rock will want to check this out.
Bill Mallonee – Beatitude
Bill Mallonee always delivers an unparalleled amount of genuinely solid music. The output is overwhelming sometimes to just try and keep up with. The thing that is striking is not just how many amazing songs he writes, but also how good they all are. Never an artist to waste words, Mallonee crafts his life on the road into the best alt country/folk music available today. He is a true artist, a poet and a voice of the dusty American trail. His ability and eloquence in capturing the life of the “everyday man” is a true gift, and he seamlessly weaves these stories into songs that most can relate to.
Beatitude captured me from the first song “Boxcar” – or “Bakersfield” depending on what download you have. The lyrics hit me on a personal level considering some rather bleak and desperate circumstances my wife and I are mired in, but the beauty and strength of the song shows that we are not alone. Consider these lyric:
“There’s so little we walk out with…and there’s so much that gets lost
seems to me it’s pretty easy to see…where all cut from the same cloth
you crawled into that boxcar…thinkin’ yer alone
let your eyes rest with a hallowed-ness on all those other souls…’’
That is where the strength of Beatitude lies: in the lyrics that speak on a personal level, but that still encompass the human experience as a whole. This album is a full band offering and an excellent addition to Mallonee’s already stellar canon of work. From the opening song of solidarity in hope, through the tender lines of the singular perspective of Rural Routes, and on through until the end, this is one of Mallonee’s finest moments. A challenging, yet, beautifully arranged scope of the hope and hopelessness in the journey that we all travel on in this life.
“In between the seams…of the requiems
I saw you in the sun
And God’s last Word…sweetest poem I’ve heard
In the warm fields where you now run
Like a cowboy song…sung out loud & long
forlorn in the night
God’s……grace….is an open space
and we were all bathed in light”… Cowboy Song
Cush – SP3
After years and years of promise, Cush is back. If you have been following the band’s website for long enough, you have heard most of these songs. The deal with Cush is that they never sound the same from outing to outing, but still somehow retain some characteristics that sound familiar. This description can be pretty much be applied to their third Spirituals ep – different but familiar. No band members are mentioned, which means that most discussions of the band will revolve around who is in the band rather than the actual music (the anonymous band thing always backfires). This is too bad, because whoever they are, the band delivers yet another set of songs that is atmospheric, hopeful, spiritual, eclectic, and everything else you have come to expect from Cush. The driving “All My Eyes Knew” and “For The First Time“ seem to serve as dual album centerpieces and high points. “For The First Time” is basically a spoken word rendition of the U2 classic that really works better than it should. This ep was up briefly for a free download, is currently now only available as a stream, but will be sold again in the future (maybe on vinyl?) – so keep your eyes peeled if you want to own the next Cush classic.
Pacifico – Without Heroes
With so many of our musical heroes making new music, it is easy to forget that there are high quality new bands making music. Pacifico has released an album that can stand toe to toe with many of their peers and mentors to compete for a limited spot in my listening time. These songs are just so catchy that you just have to wonder what conspiracy is keeping them from being a huge hit. Well, other than the fact that these are songs played with real instruments… something that doesn’t fly in today’s hit charts. No, what you get here is the proverbial “too good for Top 20 anything” music. Being a vinyl fan I went for the large plastic platter version and the package does not disappoint. I could go on and on about this record, but if you like catchy alternative guitar-based music that will get stuck in your head for days, give them a listen at their BandCamp page and you’ll be hooked. That is a guarantee.
Empty Tomb – Eat It Like It Is: Anthology
This is almost how you should do re-issues. About the only problem is that this is not on vinyl, but with so many songs it would have probably had to be a double album. At least. But basically what you get here is a CD of all the studio recordings of Empty Tomb plus a bonus download of live material. This is what I have advocated for a while – if there is material out there that you just aren’t sure should be committed to disc, put it out as a download so at least the fans who want it can have it. Really the only thing missing from this compilation is some kind of story or history of the band. For those that don’t know, Empty Tomb was a punk band with major thrash influences. Early crossover, if you will. They were brash, in your face, and not afraid to speak their mind. Everyone thought they would get signed but they didn’t. Well, technically they did – they morphed somewhat into Crux and went on to fame and glory with Tooth & Nail. Well, the morphing thing and getting signed to Tooth & Nail are at least true. This is collection is essential history for fans of old school punk/crossover music.
Daniel Amos – Dig Here The Angel Said
This album is brilliance. I just don’t know what else to say. Many other reviewers have tried to describe how this album fits in with other Daniel Amos classics. I don’t even know how to start down that path. If you like Daniel Amos, you will probably love this album. If you have not been introduced to Daniel Amos, but have felt a need for intelligent alternative music that is Marianas Trench deep and heavily influenced by the greats of the 60s and 70s (without being derivative), then this is the disc you have to check out. Some have tried to figure out how this is album is a mixture of Motorcycle and Kalhoun and Mr. Buechner’s Dream – and to some degree they are correct. But Daniel Amos has always re-invented themselves with every album, and Dig Here is no exception. While there are nods to past DA albums, this is still another newly realized version. I know you have limited time and money like we all do, but you owe it to yourself to check this out. The cover art alone is a thing of beauty – a collage of fan submitted artwork based around the album title. Oh, and this is available on vinyl – but a very limited number. Don’t miss out.
Human 2.7 – Broken
Harder electronic, industrial-influenced, ebm… I’m not sure what to call Human 2.7, but I always like their output. They are darker than most “techno” bands, but easier to listen to than industrial (and I say that as a fan of true industrial). The closest act that I can think of that readers might be familiar with is Nov.Com – although that is more in conceptualization than actual sound. Human 2.7’s newest EP is up on BandCamp for a pay what you like deal. There is even a guest appearance by Gary Baker of Jagged Doctrine fame. All six songs float around the same speed – never too slow or too fast, but mostly upbeat enough to make good driving music. I highly recommend either ep, but if you are new to Human 2.7 – start off with the most recent Broken ep and enjoy.
Lifesavers – Heaven High
I will just come out and say this is my favorite Lifesavers album. Heaven High combines the energy of Huntington Beach with the catchiness of Poplife and the lyrical depth of Dream Life… and then mixes in all the new influences Knott and company bring to the table. Co-writer and bassist Joshua Lory shows that he fits in just fine with the surf power pop punk Lifesavers sound. So far, the buzz on this one has been consistently positive across the board. Even those few that didn’t go for the heaviness of PTSD are digging these tunes. The only compliant is that the 10 songs are just not enough – but maybe that is because there is some familiar ground covered. A few of these songs were originally recorded on the first All Indie EP in a much different format. Then there is the “This is the Healing” reprise at the end of “Stereo Radio.” But those are more just nods to the past that help to anchor this in Knott cannon. Overall, the album is great music to drive around and enjoy the summer with. For now, this is only available as a download, but CDs are coming soon.
Dw Dunphy – The Radial Night
Basement Tapes alumnus Dw Dunphy is back with his latest collection of tunes for your enjoyment. Dunphy has described The Radial Night as a “song cycle that is, itself, about circles, cycles, patterns, and traps.” That description is really the best starting point. The music style of this album is a good mixture of indie, experimental, progressive, indie, and alternative. In other words, it’s a bit hard to classify. I hear a good dash of Daniel Amos in the mix, too… which doesn’t make it any easier to put in a box. Each song segues into the next with everything from ocean sounds to telephone busy tones, giving the album a conceptual feeling (although the term “song cycle” does fit better). But don’t let all of this give you the impression that this is just weird abstract musical art – many of the songs are pretty catchy with melodies that compel you to sing along. “(It Shouldn’t Be So) Difficult” is one of those songs that get stuck in your head for days to come. Of course, I say that and before you know it a true abstract artistic song like “Mantra” floats along. So there is really both – the art and the melody. I’m impressed by the creativity here, especially for a DIY release. If this was the 80s or 90s, many a record label would be all over this. But, alas, it is the age of a million wannabe amateurs putting out a billion songs on BandCamp that should have stayed locked up in their bedroom, meaning artists like Dunphy will get less attention than they deserve. Give The Radial Night a stream at BandCamp and see what you think.