Sad Park - | SLEEP |

GARAGE ROCK

Here's more proof that jarring yells can be charming. SLEEP is recorded to help flaunt the highlights from Sad Park's live shows. 

The vocalist Graham Steele roars sincere emotion powerful enough to melt into your skin. The introductory energetic track "IN MY HEAD" encapsulates the band's tone. But don't be fooled by the excessive amp noise. This album is layered with much more than that.

The album dynamics contrast with the second track "TRAGICALLY YOUNG", slower song with beautiful sincere lyrics about mortality.

"When my life has reached it's end 

I'll be helping all my friends 

to love me just the same"

The drummer Grant Bubar keeps the album interesting by implementing other drum styles like in the Bossa-Nova-influenced track "GOODNIGHT". The guitars also follow these style changes.

There are plenty of vocal lines to sing along to like:

"I just want to feel like I did 

back before I had a reason to pretend I didn't want to stay all fucking night"

Or

"You get so dumb when you're in love"

My favorite track? "ALONE". I'm a sucker for these drums and lyrics. I wish this were mastered loud enough to blast even louder.

2018. 

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.

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 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.

The Peach Kings - 'Mojo Thunder'

INDIE ROCK

Sexy track that will make you sway. The guitar distortion complements the breathy vocals to create the right groove. 

"Fever in my veins. Fever in my veins."

From Mojo Thunder EP (2014)

Y LUV - 'Jacques Cousteau'

ALTERNATIVE INDIE ROCK

Bass line beauty with squealing guitars. Raspy yet clear vocals demanding more from life. Quite liberating.

of Montreal - 'Belle Glade Missionaries'

INDIE ROCK, POP PSYCHEDELIC 

A 60's vibe. Twangy guitars with happy tambourines on top of organ chords. An explorative album put together in three weeks.

From the album Lousy with Sylvianbriar (2013)

The Hudson Branch - ' Korea vs. Canada'

INDIE ROCK, 

DWNTWN - 'Til Tomorrow'

INDIE POP, INDIE ROCK

From DWTWN EP 2014

The Rebel LIght - 'Strangers'

INDIE POP, INDIE ROCK, RETRO POP

From Strangers 2014

JJAMZ - 'Cleverly Disguised'

INDIE ROCK

"Cus even the good ones they lie..." Super upbeat song. Sweet voices. Band name pronounced "juh-jamz."

From Suicide Pact (2012)

Hands - 'Elegant Road'

INDIE POP ROCK

From Synesthesia (2013).

Also recommended (faster tempo) Brave Motion by Hands.

Bad Books - 'Forest Whitaker'

INDIE ROCK

From II (2012). Has a pop tone to it as well. Apparently a "second collaboration between singer/songwriter Kevin Devine and Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra."

SKATERS - 'Deadbolt'

INDIE ROCK, PUNK

From their album Manhattan (2014)

I also recommend from the same album => Miss Teen Massachusetts 

LA Font - 'Onshore'

INDIE ROCK, GARAGE, PUNK

Also recommended LA Font - Fine Lines

Brothers Martin - Behaviour Explains

INDIE ROCK, INDIETRONICA, ELECTROCLASH

2006. Tooth & Nail Records .

Hospitality - Rockets and Jets

INDIE POP, POP/ROCK

From the album Trouble.

Puppet Rebellion - "The Greatest Lie Ever Told"

INDIE (hard) ROCK 

Second Shepherds - "Everyday"

INDIE, ALTERNATIVE ROCK

Everyday by Second Shepherds on Myspace

From Scruff of the Neck Records

Untogether - Letting Up Despite Great Faults

INDIEPOP, SHOEGAZE

Untogether: By Letting Up Despite Great Defaults

Letting Up Despite Great Faults (LUDGF) is an indiepop/shoegaze band based in Austin, Texas. In Untogether, LUDGF soothes its listeners with pulsing synths and rusty guitars.

The album takes its listeners on a journey through someone's nostalgia. LUDGF manifests this nostalgia with an interesting mixture of synth instruments that make up layers of magic carried by the steady drumbeats.

Members: Mike Lee, Kent Zambrana, Anna Fisette, Daniel Schmidt

Aside from the tracks with warm instrumental segments, there are some tracks, like "Numbered Days" and "Breaking," that give a separate sound from the album. Overall, Untogether sounds heavily influenced by The Postal Service.

The wistful vocals are sung by composer Mike Lee, who also plays piano, bass, and guitar. His lyrics add to the nostalgia.

Genre	Indiepop/Shoegaze
Album	Untogether (2012)
Label	New Words
Source	Radio
Spotify Link	Letting Up Despite Great Faults – Untogether

Vocals and Guitar	Mike Lee
Vocals and Keyboard	Anna Fisette
Bass	Kent Zambrana
Drums	Daniel Schmidt

Track favorites, highlights, and links: