bandcampsnoop

[bandcampsnoop]

4/25/24.

The Verlaines (Dunedin, New Zealand) are one of my favorite bands of all time. Yes, their early work is in a world of its own. Their mid and later work really doesn't hold a candle to 1980s Verlaines.

I always thought the beginning of their demise of "Way Out Where". It has one of the worst album covers of all time and I always thought the songs were subpar.

But now I really see that these songs were betrayed by production. The Verlaines sonics were always key to their songs and this album sounds like it has one sound and gear. Today, in the spirit of George Michael, I listened without prejudice. If you're a Verlaines fan, and can imagine a different production, you'll hear songs ("Blanket Over the Sky") that rival some of their best.

Schoolkids Records released a remastered version of this for Record Store Day 2024.

#The Verlaines #Record Store Day #Dunedin #New Zealand #2024 #Schoolkids Records #Bandcamp

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4/24/24.

At the beginning of February of this year, we a post about The Spatulas. The band is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but recently was based in Oregon. All the songs are written by Miranda Soileau-Pratt, and this was mastered by Fred Thomas. This LP (along with the cassette we posted about earlier this year) is released by Los Angeles based label Post Present Medium.

In the first post we mentioned label mates Chronophage, but really this does tend more to Barbara Manning. In fact, the Bandcamp write-up gets even more specific - World of Pooh era Barbara Manning. The page also cites musicians from Heather Lewis to Jonathan Richman.

This is their debut LP.

#The Spatulas #Cambridge #Massachusetts #Post Present Medium #Fred Thomas #Heather Lewis #Jonathan Richman #Barbara Manning #World of Pooh #Chronophage #Miranda Soileau-Pratt #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/23/24.

Leather Jacket Records (Christchurch, New Zealand) has been on a tear for the past couple of years. It seems lately they are trending to releasing new music rather than reissues. While "Children of the Rule b/w Waikouaiti" isn't a reissue, the music represents new music from someone who's been playing music for nearly 40 years. I was first introduced to Jay Clarkson's music on the amazing Tuatara compilation - Expendables' "Man With No Desire".

Now comes this single from Jay Clarkson & The Container (Waikouaiti, New Zealand). The Containers are a veritable who's who of New Zealand musicians - I mean Alan Haig (The Chills, Snapper, etc.) and Mike Dooley (Toy Love, The Enemy) are HEAVYWEIGHTS in the annals of New Zealand rock.

Paul Kean (another big hitter from The Bats) mixed and mastered this.

#Jay Clarkson #Jay Clarkson & The Containers #Leather Jacket Records #Christchurch #New Zealand #Waikouaiti #Mike Dooley #Expendables #Alan Haig #Paul Kean #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/22/24.

Henry Owings of Chunklet Industries wrote the Bandcamp blurb that accompanies this debut 7" release from Atlanta based band Ultra Lights. In it he described the opening set from Ultra Light (opening for Lewsberg and Dippers). Their music stuck with him long after they left the stage.

He then went on to proclaim, "Without question, “Nostalgia” is the feel good hit of the summer, and we defy anybody to prove otherwise. Nostalgia will eat the young."

I'm nothing if not a creature of nostalgia. With that, let me say that this reminds me of Love As Laughter, The Gotobeds and countless other bands from the early 1990s indie/pop/grungey scene.

#Ultra Lights #Atlanta #Henry Owings #Chunklet Industries #Lewsberg #Dippers #Love As Laughter #The Gotobeds #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/21/24.

When I saw that Chapter Music (Melbourne, Australia) was splitting a vinyl reissue of Guy Blackman (co-founder of Chapter Music and member of Minimum Chips), I was anticipating a good album.

I wasn't really expecting a great one. "Adult Baby" was originally released in 2007 and now is being reiussued by both Chapter Music and Pop Superette (Pierre, the label owner, is just amazing), a French label responsible for one of my favorite Bandcamp releases, Irmão Victor.

As usual, the Bandcamp write-up contains some gems I need to pass on. First, Guy Blackman is a "nerdy fan of Syd Barrett". His voice reminds me of the melancholy voices associated with Nick Drake, Belle and Sebastian, and Jens Lekman (who appears on the 3rd song!) And finally, the Bandcamp page hypothesizes how the Guy Blackman CD made it to France in the first place. The blame is laid at the feet of Maxwell Farrington - an Aussie living in France who says of Guy Blackman:

“Guy Blackman is one of Australia’s finest singer/songwriters. There are very, very few artists who can make me cry like he does. Normally I don’t give a damn about the lyrics, but with him it’s genius. After his moving (unpretentious) words come his graceful and sticky melodies and arrangements. ‘Adult Baby’ - this is a very important album for me, it’s the Mount Everest of Australian pop.”

#Guy Blackman #Melbourne #Australia #Chapter Music #Pop Superette #France #Maxwell Farrington #Syd Barrett #Nick Drake #Belle and Sebastian #Irmão Victor #Jens Lekman

[bandcampsnoop]

4/20/24.

Is/Ought Gap were part of the vibrant Athens, Georgia scene in the early 80s. And, really, once you know that you can really hear it. Pylon, The B-52s and R.E.M. In fact, Michael Stipe said they were the best bar band in the U.S. There is a bit of punk here and there that reminds me of the intensity of Fred Cole's early band The Rats.

But all in all, Is/Ought Gap would not have sounded out of place on the Athens, GA soundtrack (in fact, members of Is/Ought Gap were in bands on the soundtrack - Time Toy and Kilkenny Cats). I'm not at all surprised to see Happy Happy Birthday To Me (HHBTM) Records release this. While this is a new release, HHBTM did release the collected works of Oh Ok, another Athens band whose members included Lynda Stipe.

#Is/Ought Gap #Athens #Georgia #HHBTM #Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records #Pylon #The B-52s #R.E.M. #Time Toy #Kilkenny Cats #Michael Stipe #Oh Ok #Lynda Stipe #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/19/24.

There was a time where Ben Seretan was my go to comparison for any electric guitar virtuoso. Just look - from 2018 to 2015 he gets 7 mentions and one post of his own (his fabulous S/T album). I think Seretan got replaced by Chris Forsyth in my mind.

But now Tiny Engines (North Carolina) is releasing "Allora". "New Air" is the only song currently available, but it's 8:01 of intensity that recalls the finest work of Yo La Tengo, Neil Young, Michael Beach and the aforementioned Chris Forsyth. Yes, it is that good.

Speaking of guitar virtuosos - give a listen to William Tyler & The Impossible Truth.

#Ben Seretan #Climax #New York #Tiny Engines #North Carolina #Chris Forsyth #Yo La Tengo #Neil Young #Michael Beach #William Tyler & The Impossible Truth #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/18/24.

While Volar Records (San Diego) might not be nearly as prolific as they were 5 to 10 years ago, their back catalogue is so large that there are still gems to mine.

Cat Scan were a Los Angeles, CA based band who released "In Nature" through Volar 5 years ago. I immediately thought of Foster Body. A Bandcamp user (while proclaiming that they don't like to make comparisons) mentioned both Suburban Lawns and Human Sexual Response. I would add another 1980s LA band - 100 Flowers.

While there are still regular-release copies of this available, Volar is also have test press copies up for sale.

#Cat Scan #Los Angeles #California #Volar Records #Suburban Lawns #Human Sexual Response #Foster Body #100 Flowers #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/17/24.

I've been reigning in my tendency to buy everything I love on Bandcamp. I'm simply running out of room. But I'll be a monkey's uncle if I don't soon make a purchase from York, England based label Safe Suburban Homes.

Autocamper (Manchester, England) continue the string of solid releases from the label. The Bandcamp write-up name dropped Stephen Pastel, The Wake, McCarthy and The Close Lobsters.

Listening to Autocamper made me go back and listen to Captain Starlet and The Planes.

#Autocamper #Manchester #England #Safe Suburban Homes #Stephen Pastel #The Wake #McCarthy #The Close Lobsters #Captain Starlet #The Planes #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/16/24.

Dead Oceans just announced "Into The Blue" the new full-length album from Aaron Frazer - a solo soul artist who also serves as the drummer for Durand Jones.

"Introducing" has been worn out around my house since 2021. We just can't get enough. In fact, Aaron Frazer (Brooklyn, New York) opened the door to Holy Hive and various Big Crown Records artists.

But it has also made me open to listening to a lot of older soul. For example, last December Vampisoul reissued Marie Queenie Lyons "Soul Fever" - originally on James Brown's Deluxe label.

#Aaron Frazer #Brooklyn #New York #Dead Oceans #Holy Hive #Big Crown Records #Vampisoul #Marie Queenie Lyons #James Brown #Deluxe #Durand Jones #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/15/24.

Tax day. Let's send some money to Slumberland. They're running a three-fer bundle and after today we'll have covered all three releases: lighthearted, Lunchbox, and this - the new LP from Oakland based Neutrals.

Allan McNaughton's (originally from Scotland) music (don't forget Giant Haystacks) has tended to the trebly/quick strum sound that you can hear on the lead single here - "Wish You Were Here". The sound reminds me of earlier Wedding Present. The songs also remind one of Television Personalities. A previous release on Bandcamp also mentioned Meat Whiplash - here is a link to Optic Nerve Recordings reissue of their "Don't Slip Up" 7".

#Neutrals #Oakland #California #Allan McNaughton #Slumberland Records #The Wedding Present #Television Personalities #Meat Whiplash #lighthearted #Lunchbox #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/14/24.

I've just spent the past several hours listening to Columbus, Ohio based musician Winston Hightower (Winston Hytwr) on Bandcamp. His work in the mid 2010s can easily be described as experimental and lo-fi, but something appears to have changed starting in 2023. It looks like he got a band that helped give his songs form, direction and weight.

"Winston Hytwr" looks to be his debut LP on Perennial - a label based in Olympia, Washington who have brought us Ribbon Stage, The Smashing Times and The Real Distractions.

This has a definite post-punk sound - think of Ought. But also be sure to visit Winston Hightower's Bandcamp page - give those two most recent EPs a listen.

#Winston Hightower #Columbus #Ohio #Winston Hytwr #Perennial #Olympia #Ribbon Stage #The Smashing Times #The Real Distractions #Ought #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/13/24.

"Dance Around My Head" is the 3rd LP from Sydney, Australia based 4-piece Restless Leg. The Bandcamp page itself states influences ranging from The Clean to The Go-Betweens.

Agreed. But the vocals remind me a bit of Glenn Mercer/The Feelies and the jangle recalls some of the work from The Schramms.

Perth based label Love As Fiction is set to release this in June. Since there's only one song "Sow A Little Seed", I've been listening to their back catalogue - "Dream Buffet" is a winner.

#Restless Leg #Sydney #Australia #Love As Fiction #Perth #The Clean #The Go-Betweens #Glenn Mercer #The Feelies #The Schramms #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/12/24.

We first covered Sarah Overton's Added Dimensions (Richmond, Virginia) back in late 2022. I was blown away, bought the tape and listened over and over again. That cassette release garnered Look Blue Go Purple, Grass Widow and Susan comparisons.

"Time Suck/Hellbent EP" still have those sounds, but this is much grittier.

This is a vinyl release from Domestic Departure. The Bandcamp page write up mentions, "Wire rubbing elbows with the Shop Assistants as a C86 band? A Kim Deal-fronted Urinals?" Outstanding.

#Added Dimensions #Sarah Overton #Richmond #Virginia #Domestic Departure #Look Blue Go Purple #Grass Widow #Susan #Wire #Shop Assistants #C86 #Kim Deal #Urinals #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/11/24.

New label alert. Inscrutable Records is a St. Louis, Missouri based label run by Martin Meyer (Soup Activists). Pleasant Mob (Chicago, Illinois) is one of four new releases on the label. Lead song "#3 Dream" reminds me of The Clean, and "Mob" has a Bats feel. And while the other songs do have a Flying Nun feel, the other songs on this release fit the indie pop genre, but bounce between styles throughout.

Pleasant Mob's frontman, Raidy Hodges (of Spread Joy) has a new surrounding band for this release. Mikey Young mastered this.

Inscrutable Records first four line-up is solid - Pleasant Mob, Famous Mammals, Soup Activists and Tia Rosa. Their bigcartel website also looks like the dabble in distribution too.

#Pleasant Mob #Chicago #Illinois #Spread Joy #Raidy Hodges #Inscrutable Records #Martin Meyer #Soup Activists #The Clean #Flying Nun #The Bats #Famous Mammals #Tia Rosa #Mikey Young #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/10/24.

Jamie at Audio Antihero alerted me to this new release from Oxford, England (now living in New York) based musician Max Blansjaar. "Anna Madonna" is pure pop perfection that make Ray Davies proud. I keep thinking of the music of Eugene McGuinness and The Magnetic Fields when I hear this song.

Blansjaar is only 21 years old and his command of pop also reminds me of Sondre Lerche. "False Comforts" was recorded with Katie Von Schlieicher.

The full album will come out in June via Oxford, England label Beanie Tapes.

#Max Blansjaar #Oxford #England #Beanie Tapes #New York #Katie Von Schieicher #Ray Davis #Eugene McGuinness #Sondre Lerche #The Magnetic Fields #Bandcamp

[bandcampsnoop]

4/9/24.

When I saw an annoucement from Spanish label Tenorio Cotobade announcing a Zebra Hunt (Seattle, Washington) LP, I assumed it was a new LP.

Nope, this must just be a new Bandcamp listing. But it did give me an opportunity to revisit this strong release that never had it's own posting. Echoes of The Feelies, The Verlaines, Woollen Kits, The Spires and Michael Beach permeate this release. Frankly, this band's output has grown on me over the years. The songs are solid and the overall jangle is impressive. Rounding this release out is a nice cover of a The Fresh & Onlys song.

You can buy this through Jigsaw Records if you want a domestic shipping fare. By the way, I was just looking in my stacks to see if I own this. The answer is no, but I do own their earlier release "In Phrases". The album next to it in my stacks is Zoogz Rift. I didn't even know I had that.

#Zebra Hunt #Seattle #Washington #Tenorio Cotobade #Spain #The Feelies #The Verlaines #The Spires #Michael Beach #Zoogz Rift #Woollen Kits #The Fresh & Onlys #Bandcamp