Magazine

Band

  • The Comsat Angels – Land

    Dave Wesley, May 22nd 2018

    This is a hard-to-find classic release by a relatively unknown band from the 1980s.  The Comsat Angels undoubtedly had a ton of influence on 80s new wave sonics and mood. I treasured a friend-made cassette dub of this album for years and years…  until it literally wore out.   CDs of this release are available for […]

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    • Twilight As Played By The Twilight Singers

      Dave Wesley, May 14th 2018

      This truly unique record has been a steady presence in my life since its release, in 2000.  It’s an odd mix of dark soul, drum machines (programmed by Fila Brazillia), found sound, and electric guitars. The contrast of Greg Dulli’s tortured voice with Shawn Smith’s sweet melodies just works.  Check out this descriptively accurate review […]

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      • Paper Dollhouse – The Sky Looks Different Here

        Dave Wesley, March 28th 2018

        I’ve been a fan of Paper Dollhouse before the tide of publicity started rolling their way.   I think one of the band members works at The Wire, so their press is naturally laced with intellectual cool and it looks like they will be playing some gigs that feature a juice bar and knitting classes. Paper […]

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        • Preston Field Audio – PFA

          Adas Butler, November 10th 2017

          Esoteric field recordings from the North of England. This one a soundtrack to a town. Dive in: “Following 2016’s Rhythm Tree Fell [concrete tapes], PFA sees Carl Brown redeploy for another full length offering, illustrating 4 scenes in 4 corners of Preston, Lancashire. The release is indebted to a sense of care, illustrated by the […]

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          • Dum Dum Girls – Rimbaud Eyes

            Wesley Mayhem, October 4th 2017

            Something about this track (and the album it comes from Too True (Sub Pop) haunts me…  the kind of haunting that only 80s MTV could stir up, back in the day.  I wish this band was still together.  I saw them live once and it was great.  The combo of unapologetic verby guitar effects with […]

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            • Underground Find – Basement Revolver

              Maxine Wesley, September 6th 2017

              Although Basement Revolver doesn’t have a wide range of songs released, they’re definitely a band that has huge potential and deserves more recognition than they’re currently getting. The dreamy female vocals combined with the slow tempo instrumental make for incredibly easy listening, especially if you’re a fan of artists like Angel Olsen or other female-led […]

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              • Cool Find – The Blurry Underground Pop of Ummagma

                Dave Wesley, August 23rd 2017

                Ummagma is a blurry pop band in the absolute best sense of that description.  I recently discovered a bunch of their unique tracks and videos on YouTube.   My penchant for intentionally lo-fi production finds me heavily rotating the track Live And Let Die. Their style varies a bit across releases, but it firmly remains […]

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                • Dif Juz: Time Clock Turn Back

                  Joel Hanson, July 23rd 2017

                  In a YouTube video entitled Finding Dif Juz, Bella Union co-founder and ex-Cocteau Twins bassist Simon Raymonde unearths two rare 12-inch singles by the early 80’s instrumental group Dif Juz and claims that the origins of post-rock are found in the grooves of these low-fi recordings. While that may be true, as evidenced by the […]

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                  • Repost – Steve Kilbey Talks New Kilbey Kennedy Album Glow and Fade, The Church and More

                    Wesley Mayhem, June 6th 2017

                    This is a cool interview with Steve Kilbey on the Smells Like Infinite Sadness blog.   If you know me, you know that I’m a major fan of The Church.  I hadn’t heard of Steve’s side project Kilbey Kennedy.   When I searched Spotify, I discovered a ton of Kilbey Kennedy music, which I’ve quickly playlisted […]

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                    • Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – French Press

                      Wesley Mayhem, June 1st 2017

                      When Greg Dulli recommends a release, guys like me listen.  The Rolling Blackouts (now on SubPop) are a new discovery, thanks to a Dulli tweet.  This single reminds me of music I love from the fertile 80s.  I’m paying it forward. Wesley Mayhem – Etter, MN  

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