Changing of the Guard by Starflyer 59
Jason Martin keeps the ever-evolving entity that is SF59 rolling through another album. This time, Martin goes for a more acoustic and organic sound while still keeping many elements that sound like his last few albums. But there are also a few new twists thrown in. Like the sound of tablas that starts off the first song – a nice touch of world music that unfortunately is not repeated anywhere else on the album. As a Starflyer fan, I have to admit that I liked the album the first time I heard it. The strange this is, every song seems to blend together as you listen to the whole album, but if you go back and listen to each song individually you can note subtle differences. Actually, I would say this album is probably more of a grower – I love it now whereas I just liked it when I first heard it. If you are in to records, make sure to get the Burnt Toast vinyl version that comes with a bonus seven inch.
Proud Flesh by Husband&Wife
Dreamy, Noisy, even shoe-gazer-ish at times, Crossroads of America Records recording act husband&wife return with a new album that reminds me why I like music. Despite what the name might imply, this is not a married couple doing folk music. It is indie rock made by a band. I even hear a bit of groove and swagger in songs like “Market Fresh” – maybe it is just the bass guitar player in me, but I love it when a good groove moves a song. These songs seem to rock harder and louder than what I have heard from this group in the past, but that is a good thing. You can listen to the whole album at Band Camp, but I think I am going to save my money for the vinyl version. This sounds like the perfect music for a turntable.
Land Of Plenty by The Redemption Center
Take roots rock, Americana, jangle pop, country and folk… mix together well, throw in a dash of nostalgia, and you have The Redemption Center: a band that is another in a long line of fine bands that Jesse Sprinkle has been involved in. The Redemption Center features the vocals of J. Stephen Smith as well as a cast of talented musicians. I like the warmth and passion that I hear coming from the tracks. I also hate twangy country, but the way that they use it here might make me change my mind. You can listen to the whole album on their website for free. If you decide to buy the album, there is also the Music With a Meal Deal, where they will donate a meal to a hungry person at the Rescue Mission in Syracuse. Don’t miss out on that deal.
Ghosts Of The Past by Starflyer 59
I really didn’t need to buy this album to review it. Not because I illegally downloaded it or anything, but because I am a big fan of this band and I already owned every song on here. Ghosts of the Past is basically a compilation of the Ghosts of the Future vinyl box set, a handful of eps, and the bonus track from the Dial M vinyl/digital version. For those that never bought the vinyl box set, this is good news indeed. For those like me – this collection is a tough choice (and a bit of a rip-off). With today’s technology, couldn’t you have at least sent a coupon out to those that just bought many of the songs on here less than a year ago? And why is the second disc so short? What about putting the Portuguese Blues ep songs on there?
The songs are quality Jason Martin songwriting, leaning a bit more towards keyboards and acoustic guitars than electric guitars. If you don’t already have the song “Magic”, then that song alone is worth the cost of the disc. This disc is a collection of demos, alternate song versions, and b-sides – so be ready for that. Some of the songs can be quite raw in places, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
[2009 Tooth & Nail Records | Purchase: ToothAndNail.com]Ghosts of Montpelier by The Lean Years Tradition
I found this single through the Starflyer 59 Fans website. Probably a great place to list it – SF59 is a clear influence on the band’s sound. Or is it a solo project? Info is hard to come by at this point. The style is listed as Christian Indie Rock, and I would say that if you take into account Christian indie from the 1990s up until now, that would be a good description. Only two songs here, but I can’t wait to hear more. Another free download, also – so what do you have to lose?
Starting Over / Old Man by Wish For Eden
As far as we are told, these are preview songs for a new album. So they may change or not even make the cut. But for now you can listen to these songs at Wish For Eden’s Facebook page. If this is a sign of what is to come, I look forward to the new album. There seems to be a bit of modern influences mixed with the classic sound from Pet The Fish. Also seems to be a bit more energy and groove than their debut. Rob Walker’s vocals are also a bit less grungy – a good direction to choose. A great sign of things to come.
Sungrazerr EP by Sungrazerr
This offering by Subdivision records introduces us to the band Sungrazzer with a much welcomed e.p. and not just a single track. Classifying these guys would be hard… ambient guitar fuzz punctuated by sounds from outer space that ebb and flow in a way that somehow really works, and works well. Definitely a unique sound and a method to the madness that is going on, I can only imagine that these guys are loud live. Track one is Elephants and where you primarily get the mix of all the sounds fuzzy and other worldly. Track 2, Black Bunny Haven slows it down a bit but adds stabs of feedback in with the ambient mood of heaviness. There are plenty of unidentifiable sounds going on in here, but they really gel well to make the listener question what is coming next on the trip. Track 3 is Daybreak, and at the midpoint here it slows it down and incorporates a full droning ambience punctuated by soft sounds of waking up from a dream. Plummelo is the next to last track and continues as a quiet but emotionally very heavy sound that sustains the entire track and leads perfectly into the last song, Kings, which returns to the fuzzy, punchy distortion that ends the disc and really feels like having been taken on a journey through someone else’s dreams. Beautiful and challenging.
2010 Subdivision Theory | Purchase: SubdivisionTheory.com]
No Light / Crestfallen Minor by Cameraphone
Ambience and anticipation lead in on this track with a reverential feel of quiet simplicity. Definitely need to have your headphones on to let the music really surround you and to take in the mood that is being created. The music softly builds through ambience and relaxing guitar tones that slowly peak to a quiet fuzz right before the pinnacle is reached for a brief moment… then the sounds relax back in and take their leave…absolutely beautiful and left wanting more.
4 Minute Mile by CVSC
“Ba, ba, ba, hey, hey, hey”… This is a new project with Kevin Castillo and Campuzano and a nice addition to the growing roster on Subdivision. The music here is airy and a bit poppier without being pretentious. It would fit great on any college/indie radio rotation play list. Always great to keep up with what Campuzano is into and this is a great first track of hopefully many more. Website says that this one is influenced by REM, Guided By Voices, Kasabian and Creeper Lagoon, but this is a definite unique sound that has been developed quite nicely and is a lot of fun to listen to!
Money Back by JBAP
Very little is known about this new project which just adds to the luster and the sincerity. A catchy track of fuzzed out guitars, steady drums, thumping bass and a gorgeous female vocal that is all swirled together in a distorted blur of noisy pop brilliance.