Coaster - 'Paralyzed'

GRUNGE ALT ROCK

Oh, the angst in those vocals! You can hear the emotion push through Matt Kissinger's strained vocals. 

"When you cry 

Don't set aside 

What is life 

Lonely nights 

Paralyzed 

Shaken"

I'm a huge fan of these guitar tones. The bass pops out nicely. And the drums add more energy behind those guitar hits. Or vice versa.

The point! Right... The guitar tones are heavy with distortion in a Jaguar sounding way. Not so much heavy metal distortion.

"Red Charlie" has a pretty awesome beginning that stumbles into the song.

from Slow Jams. by Community Records. 2016.

kutsushita - 'Mushroom Dream'

POP ROCK

It's Japanese for socks. You don't need synths to sound this pop-y. The album is playful, sweet, and full of intention.

The lo-fi quality gives the song a laid back vibe. Combined with the deliberate and sweet vocals, kutsushita sounds like a band that just wants to jam out and say a couple of things on stage.

Turns out they made a music video involving races in a pink world.

Twitter

from きのうみたゆめ (Mushroom Dream). by DIW by diskunion. 2016.

Superorganism - 'Something For Your M.I.N.D'

ART POP

Ear candy. You'll be pleasantly surprised with every playful sound sample. It's interesting how the sound samples paint a picture and also help color certain instruments. 

The vocals are charmfully monotoned.

Listen with headphones to catch every sonic element. Which sound effect is your favorite?

from Superorganism By Hostess by Domino Records. 2016.

Bad Abstract - 'New Way Out'

INDIE ROCK

Upbeat strokes on those indie guitar tones I LOVE. There's an overall summery and calming vibe that you can sing along to in the harmonies.

Their 2017 music sounds great live. Even though the recordings for Under My Skin could be more consistent and blended, their arrangements and performances are fun. The vocalist James Andrew Ibarra in the song "No Control" kinda sounds like Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

Hey I've got this bump on my head /

You hit me harder than life ever did /

I need a new way out instead 

2016.

Chook Race - | Around The House |

GARAGE POP ROCK

Melancholic state! This album is peppy with opposing melancholic lyrics. The female vocals add happy tones. The ad libs encourage sing-alongs. Go ahead. Sing-along. 

 I recommend "At Your Door" and "Lost the Ghost".

from Around the House. by Tenth Court and Trouble In Mind Records. 2016.

Color TV - | Color TV |

GARAGE PUNK ROCK

Here's a dose of 3+ chord garage punk rock! This album happens quick, so enjoy its amazing distorted double vocals, loud guitars, and sweet not-so-over-the-top guitar solos.

from Color TV. By Deranged Records. 2016.

Tele Novella - | House of Souls |

INDIE PSYCH ROCK

What's a psych rock album without a tambourine? I don't know. But auxiliary percussion like the tambourine and mallets add bright colors to the darkness from the dancing reverb and low alto female vocals. Oh, man... Reverb oozes differently from every track to tailor its mood which pairs very well with the poetic imagery from its lyrics. 

This track stood out the most for its bossa nova / jazzy tone. Also listen to "Waiting On An Answer" and "Heavy Balloon" which have a carefree happy-go-lucky tone to not so happy-go-lucky lyrics.

from House of Souls. By Yellow Year Records. 2016.

The Growlers - | City Club |

NEW WAVE POST PUNK

Still The Growlers! The album still maintains the surf rock integrity that makes The Growlers sound like The Growlers. Some tracks are heavily influenced by Julian Casablancas's synth productions. 

"I'll Be Around" is a track with a groovy, low vibe. You'll find intentional distortion all over this album. You'll still find the psych rock sound in this album if you listen closely to its transformation from "City Club"'s clipping vocals and major synth mayhem to "Daisy Chain"'s sweet organ and lo-fi ribbon-like vocals. 

Overall, this album demonstrates a pleasing musical transformation from The Growlers. Thanks, Cult Records.

from City Club. By Cult Records. 2016.

The Allright - | Bagged & Boarded EP |

PENSIVE PUNK ROCK

"All the smiles and cheers, now a fucked façade hiding all my tears." Refreshing reality! Truly The Allright have captured lyrics as real as the energy they put into their shows. 

Bagged & Boarded EP (on CD) maintains the rawness of its lyrics by processing the vocals as little as possible. The guitars have creative leads and blend beautifully onto the loud wall of emotion. There's an overall splashiness to the album that hits hard with the bass, kick, and snare. 

Go to one of their shows and get your hands and ears on this EP. For now here is their recording on SoundCloud.

Instagram >> The Allright

The Wytches - | All Your Happy Life |

ALTERNATIVE INDIE GARAGE PUNK ROCK

'Tis Halloween-y more than just because the artist's name is The Wytches. 

Is it the organ chords in the back that makes "Dumb Fill" sound like an old timey horror movie? 

Maybe. It's a combination of the above and other factors. For example, in "Crest of Death" it almost feels like bile will come through the vocalist's chant-like, raspy cries.

The fuzzy distortion of the guitars overwhelm this album. "Can't Face It" demonstrates a refreshing moment of where we can hear small pauses of this guitar distortion wall. 

Listening this album reminded me of Danny Elfman. What name this Halloween-y for me? The half-step chord progressions.

Please check out their creative website: The Wytches.

2016.