Video Vacuum Post Halloween Special - Nobunny, GHXST, Sweet Apple, Roadkill Ghost Choir, Flying Lotus...and Dizzee Rascal?

One last Halloween nasty. Some great specials here. Gory Nobunny, VHS nasty GHXST, silly Silver Apple (with added GBV goodness), some viral V/H/S manipulation from Roadkill Ghost Choir, a love of Salad Fingers emanating from Flying Lotus...and Dizzee Rascal? Really? Yep, I love this video. I don't think I have to tell you though - this is all VERY NSFW. Enjoy, gorehounds.

Younger Lemons

Fire Records are reissuing The Lemonheads' first three albums Hate Your Friends (1987), Creator (1988) and Lick (1989). Most people (myself included) don't credit the band for being anything other than the mainstream group we know and love (and of course Evan Dando's constant battle with various demons). It's refreshing to hear Ben Deily's punk snarl, and Dando's Mascis emasculation - kids just breaking out. Some of these songs, like 'Out', are discarded gems too. I have to say that these albums are pretty great, and I for one am pre-ordering them right now, you should too.

Regretfully Depending On Hazels Wart

As you may have noticed I occasionally whinge about how I sometimes miss out on great new music, either because it slips through the cracks of my ever-overflowing inbox, because I'm overworked, because I drank five thousand beers and woke up in a strange bed. Whatever. It happens. There's lots of good stuff that hasn't graced this hallowed hall. But I always hope that when one of these bands bring about a new release, I can smash that one to the bleachers for all and sundry to scrabble over.

Today, that band is Hazel's Wart, a San Francisco trio whose sloppy emotive noise-pop has really struck a chord (three of my all-time records being The Lonesome Crowded West, Perfect From Now On (the dude sounds sooooo much like Doug Martsch!) and Dancer Equired!, it kinda makes sense). Back in 2011 they brought out a great scuzzy guitar pop album in Together We Didn't - not in the garage, throwaway sense, but more in tune to the early 90s alternative rock that pre-dated the "grunge" push, fuzzed-out guitars with slightly underdone production because that's all they knew how to do. But they are now onto a softer vibe that is akin to early Modest Mouse (which was always there from the beginning), if new cassette Regretful Dependencies is anything to go by - and the even lower frequency production actually makes this slight shift in sonic direction even better, steeping it in the era that its definitive influences come from. Hey, does that guitar on 'Checked' sound like a J Mascis-worshipping dip of the cap? I believe so!

 

Seriously, Hazel's Wart are a damn fine band, playing damn fine music that people seem to be a little adverse at taking on as their own anymore. I know, I know - trends and tastes shift etc etc. But that's for fools to embody - if it's this good, just like it already! You can grab Regretful Dependencies here, and I strongly suggest getting into Together We Didn't also - you can pick that up here.

Hazel's Wart - Cheap Thrill
Hazel's Wart - Checked

Sweltering In The Dusty Heat

 

New Orleans based band Heat Dust throw a lot of shit into the industrial mixer – noise rock, punk snot, fuzzed rot, rhythmic flot(sam) – all while ring-a-ring-a-rosying around a maypole devoted to J Mascis and Robert Pollard. The five tracks on their self-titled cassette EP are fizzing with hooks embalmed in 90s sepia-tinged euphoria, a pertinent dynamic in 2012. Strident hooks and melodies are rife, culminating in tracks that are impossible to ignore nor dislike. Having jumped on board San Antonio based Texas Is Funny Records (home to SM faves God Townes and Grasshopper Lies Heavy), Heat Dust are red hot.

Heat Dust – Sleeping Call
Heat Dust – Thick Distance

J Won't Keep You Thinking For Long

J Mascis has been the gift that keeps on giving this year, hasn't he? After the impressive solo album Seven Shades Of Why (through Sub Pop), he is releasing a new 7" single featuring a cover of Edie Brickell's song, "Circle", and the b-side, "I've Been Thinking" - which is yours below! Not only is this an opportunity to listen to new J songs, it's also on purple/green vinyl--it looks a like candy, and sounds just as appealing.



J Mascis - I've Been Thinking

But that isn't all! The master of rock will be all solo-ed up (and acoustic!) to take on the Brisbane heat as he heads to the sublime environs of the Powerhouse on Thursday January 10! This is incredible news, all the more so due to the fact that Danny Widdicombe has snavvled the support - way to bring in 2012 in style buddy! Grab your ticket here.

Video Vacuum - J Mascis, Moon Pearl, Plant Magic Man

Happy Thursday! Feel like watching some music vids rather than doing work? Us too! So here are four videos guaranteed to get you through the day!

First up is J Mascis, whose 'Not Enough' vid off album Several Shades Of Why is all kinds of wonderful colourful wackiness. Need to get your sugar levels up? Let papa Mascis give you his marvellous medicine...

I love Ringo Deathstarr. I love 'Two Girls'. I love Alex Ghering. Love.

Next up is Moon Pearl. Now I dont know the story behind this footage, but it is fucking great. I never thought there was a score made to nonchalantly being followed after perpetrating a crime, being opening filmed by the media, then losing your shoes after "surprisingly" being pursued by the local po-lice - but this is it.

And finally, Plant Magic Man continues his mysterious ways by sowing these seeds, three blips on the musical horizon prepping us for Dogson his collection of recordings. Intrigued? As always...

Plant Magic Man - Dogson Blip # 1 from Sebastian Pardo on Vimeo.

Plant Magic Man - Dogson - Blip # 2 from Sebastian Pardo on Vimeo.

PLANT MAGIC MAN - Dogson - Blip # 3 from Sebastian Pardo on Vimeo.

Plug in and drop out...

Kurt Vile Vies For Elegaic Angeldom

I have to say, Im very happy to see the continual ascendence of Kurt Vile. It took me a little while to get around to listen to the Philly native - blanket blogosphere fawning does that - but its always good to hear the universal praise being warranted, with Vile's lyrical voice a shadow of the laconic J Mascis. He is in constant demand for collaborations and remixes (most recently on the Dinosaur Jr frontman's sublime solo effort Several Shades Of Why), and tours pretty heavily, yet remains prolific with his musical output.

And on Smoke Ring For My Halo, we have a fleshed out affair much different from the lo-fi fuzz of 2008's Constant Hitmaker, and on the most part this is a good thing. The added focus of a backing band (Vile's on/off The Violators) creates some serious depth on the languid cruise through 'Ghost Town' and the Crazy Horse stomp of 'Puppet To The Man', whilst the clarity in production brings Vile's flok guitar proficiency to the forefront. Its decidedly shambolic in scope and nature, with Vile's dispassionate vocal delivery offering at times a poignant drawl, at others a laconic sneer. Sometimes it works admirably - 'Jesus Fever' is a sunny gem that infuses Vile's wily lyrics with some verve, and 'On Tour' mirrors the world-weary view of a long time out on the road; at other times it comes across as almost disinterested. But the songs are well structured, applying a welcome skewed view on alt-folk tropes that the high production values buff to a beautiful sheen rather than bury it in needless pop and fizz. Vile has a bit to go before he creates an entire album of hits, but his rise is one that I will ride all the way.

Smoke Ring For My Halo is out on March 8th through Matador. He is touring Stateside with J Mascis for the majority of March and April - what a double bill!

Kurt Vile - Jesus Fever

Several Shades Of Brilliance

J Mascis’ efforts in Dinosaur Jr over the past twenty-five years have been monumental. Yet whilst the slacker shaman busied himself shredding the minds and perforating the ears of grateful fanatics worldwide, it is his band mate and Sebadoh ringmaster Low Barlow who is renowned for writing the eloquent ballads. What with the thunderous rollercoaster of Dinosaur Jr’s two reunion albums and quaking live shows, it seemed likely to remain that way. But Mascis has always been full of surprises, and with Several Shades Of Why, he delivers an album that takes the plug out, instead ramping up the pathos, fragility and elegance, in doing so creating an achingly beautiful gem.

Listen To Me immediately throws you – Mascis standing on his own, his questioning vocals laid bare without the rambunctious rhythms of his day band. In fact it’s the notable absence of drums that is most prevalent here, placing all the emphasis on Mascis, his iconic vocals, and that acoustic guitar, which he wields with the same level of proficiency, bravado and nuance as his electric counterpart. The beautiful title track is all melancholy, heightened by some elegant picking and the haunting violin of Sophie Trudeau (of A Silver Mt Zion fame), whilst the rambling Not Enough has some jovial tambourine and there is a long list of guest backing vocalists such as Ben Bridwell, Kevin Drew, and Kurt Vile. It is savvy vocal interplay that elevates the toe-tapping sweetness of Not Enough, or the haunting catch-in-your-throat Very Nervous And Love. However these collaborations never take away the focus of Mascis’ innate brilliance at curling words, carving pop hooks, and even a beautifully iconic electric solo explosion in back porch crooner Is It Done? The influences of other troubadours such as Nick Drake or Springsteen lurk in the shadows, but this is decidedly Mascis’ show, one which we can only dream he will continue to bring to us for another 25 years to come.

Several Shades Of Why is out through Sub Pop in March.

J Mascis - Is It Done

J Mascis - Several Shades Of Why

And also check out this absolutely amazing video interview with Mascis!

J Mascis Isnt Done Yet

J Mascis' solo effort Several Shades Of Why (out on Sub Pop) is getting closer to launch time, and to have us salivating even more he's thrown us a second track from it. Its called 'Is It Done?', a beautifully whimsical acoustic number that still highlights Mascis' husky, strained vocals, but also surprises with backing vocals from Band of Horses' Ben Bridwell and a nice little bit of Dinosaur Jr-esque distorted guitar break midway through. This album is promising to be something quite special. And if you're Stateside, you can see J Mascis as he tours the country - first with Kurt Vile in March/April, then picking up with the Black Heart Procession in May.

J Mascis - Is It Done?

J Mascis Cant Get Enough

J Mascis has been riding some major musical waves this year, what with the Dinosaur Jr resurgence and his work in Silver Apples. But that doesnt mean he's been diluting his output - as can be seen here on acoustic number 'Not Enough'. Its the first cut of the forthcoming album Seven Shades Of Why, out in March on Sub Pop, and features the likes of Kurt Vile, Band of Horses' Ben Bridwell and Sophie Trudeau (A Silver Mt Zion...). Cant wait.

J Mascis - Not Enough

Look This Gift Horse In The Mouth

It shouldnt be much of a surprise to learn that Gift Horse are from Athens, Georgia. The place is fit to bursting with amazing rock acts of all colours and persuasions - I wish I could immerse myself in those icy waters right now to fully understand the burgeoning talent in the current music scene there. Highlighting other Athenians Dead Confederate as strong contemporary influences (most notable in their track 'Both Of Me'), Gift Horse have delved to drag the Nineties' version of indie loud rock into the 21st century. Their new LP Mountain of Youth even seems to state this in its title. 'Missionaries' feels like what Local H might've been like if they manned up and sounded more like J Mascis, whilst 'Plastic People' has some slamming distorted chordage up front before melancholic murmurs mark the verses, then the riffage and laments kick in... I never thought I would see the early 1990s in a sepia-toned looking glass, but Gift Horse are doing their darnedest, especially as their slowly building reputation precedes them - some have staked the claim that Gift Horse are the loudest band out of the South West! Either way, their nostalgic (albeit louder) take on the grungier side of slacker indie rock seems relevant. Its scuzzy as fuck, its simplistic, its epic, and its worthy.

You can buy Mountain of Youth here.

Gift Horse - Missionaries

Gift Horse - Plastic People

Album review - Broken Water's Whet

I know Ive posted about Broken Water before. The Olympia, Washington three piece rose out of the ashes of Sisters to create something that held onto the Sonic Youth noise, but brought to the fore the elegaic, raw and ghostly vocals of drummer Kanako Wynkoop (such a juxtaposition will be explained shortly). They are still a relatively unchampioned band however, which is a massive shame, for if their debut LP Whet is anything to go by, these guys are a force to be reckoned with.

There is no doubt that Whet showcases a sound that is steeped in the late 80's to the early 90s - heavily distorted drudging guitars, echoed vocals, sharp sparks of noise - everyone of that era, from Kim Gordon to J Mascis to Kevin Shields, have had their playbooks scrutinised, with Broken Water using it all to their own nefarious means. Opener 'Say What's On Your Mind' opens with a white noise blaze before settling down into a Dinosaur Jr wail of guitar - even guitarist Jon's voice has the affected tones of J Mascis, which is in fuller effect in 'Memory'. Kanako is the mainstay vocals wise here though, and second track 'Hear' has a slower grind to its pulse, the echoey chamber of the guitar slowing things right down, before amping up in a Raveonettes circa Whip It On scrawl. The vocals evoke Corin Tucker, a bit of grrl riot to go with your grungey squall. Elsewhere on the album, 'Web' has a more lo-fi styling a la Vivian Girls, yet with a sunnier disposition (a la Best Coast?), whilst 'Kamilche House' drawls away hazily, Kanako et al sounding like a disaffected Sub Pop cast off (in a very good way). Therefore experimentation is very much the key here style-wise, yet is all firmly entrenched in pre-Seattle explosion era, and yet somehow sounds both new and vintage. A constant juxtaposition that enhances the album rather than hinders it.

Overall though Whet is refreshing in its use of noise to harken back to the days when it was ceremoniusly linked to harmony. Broken Water have constructed songs that are both abrasive and sensuous, joyous and melancholy - with their eyes nailed to the floor and their hair in their eyes one minute, their instruments in a pile and a maniacal grin on their faces the next. Its nothing new per se - but it is something that is done impeccably well. Whet to be in the running for my top ten list come December - yep, its that good.

Buy it! Vinyl via Night People; Cd via Radio Is Down. The pic above is the vinyl cover sleeve.

Broken Water - Say What's On Your Mind

J Mascis' Apple is the Sweetest

We mentioned J Mascis' Sweet Apple a couple months ago. Well, their album Love and Desperation is just about ready to drop from the tree, and here is another little taste of what to expect! Interesting album cover also...

Sweet Apple - I've Got A Feeling (That Won't Change)

6 Degrees of Sonic Youth #5 - Imaad Wasif

Playing alongside J Mascis' Sweet Apple at the Tee Pee Records showcase @ SXSW is Imaad Wasif. Imaad is a singer-songwriter of many talents and connections; he was a part of Lou Barlow's New Folk Implosion; he toured with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs for their Show Your Bones world tour; he is one of the Kids working with Karen O on the Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack; his last album, The Voidist, included collaborations with Dale Crover of The Melvins (who have a tour coming up too), Chad Bamford (Weezer) and Greg Burns (Red Sparowes). The album is pretty damn good - check it out.

Imaad Wasif - Priestess

Imaad Wasif - Fangs from Adam Harding on Vimeo.

6 Degrees of Sonic Youth #4 - Sweet Apple

Now for the 2nd half of the 6 degrees of Sonic Youth, although these are a little more tenuous (but thats how it works, right?) J Mascis, of the legendary ear splitting noise pop behemoth Dinosaur Jr, is joining Thurston Moore in the reformation of Society's Ills at SXSW. Also playing at the Austin, Texas media scrum festival is another of his admittedly many projects, Sweet Apple. The band – Mascis (drums/guitar/vocals); Cobra Verde’s Tim Parnin (guitar); John Petkovic (vocals/guitar) and Witch’s Dave Sweetapple (bass/vocals) – are releasing their debut album Love & Desperation in April on Tee Pee Records. Their sound quite upbeat, a type fo driving, anthemic guitar pop, which is surprising due to how the band came about. Check out a slice of that sweet apple below.

Sweet Apple - Do You Remember

6 Degrees of Sonic Youth #2 - Society's Ills

As any music aficionado knows, we are fast approaching that time of the month where all eyes turn to Austin, Texas, for the annual South By South West (SXSW). One band that will have its space very cramped by the insistent push of an eager crowd will be Society's Ills. A supergroup of sorts, Society's Ills is the hardcore outlet for Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore. The 1st incarnation of the band saw Moore ripping out 7 Seconds covers with punk alumni Mike Watt (Minutemen et al),Dez Cadena (Black Flag) and Dave Markey (celebrated punk film maker) back in 1994. Moore has dusted off the moniker to feed his DC Sound addiction, and he has a new cohort to make it happen - J Masics (of Dinosaur Jr fame), Don Fleming (Sonic Youth producer), Andew W.K. (do I hear a WTF?), and Awesome Allison (of Awesome Colour). Below is a cut from their rare and extremely loved Skins, Brains & Guts 7", entitled I Hate Sports...