LOOSE MEDiCINE, “Reverse Death Machine”

LOOSE MEDiCINE, “Reverse Death Machine”

In the small town of Black Mountain, up in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, there’s a hut at the end of the dirt road. Hidden in the basement cave is a recording studio that has produced some of the defining albums and songs of this great garage rock era. The monk who sits in the cave, meditating like Rick Rubin, is Edward Madill. Loose Medicine is the eccentric ruminations of Edward Madill and Todd Emmert. It’s a track filled with recorder and electronic noises and “found sounds” – but like most things Ed does the track has an effortless cool groove. For such an experimental and strange song I plan on driving around Black Mountain on a hot summer day, windows down, blasting it out on the unsuspecting population. 

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #92 of our podcast at hlycrp.com

https://loosemedicine.bandcamp.com/track/reverse-death-machine

BE COOL COWBOY, “Control Yourself”

BE COOL COWBOY, “Control Yourself”

“Laid back” isn’t just a repeated phrase in Be Cool Cowboy’s rambling and rollicking “Control Yourself,” it’s an imperative. Over plucky guitar and sharp snare snaps, singer Mike Parish’s comfortable cadence sing-speaks “Control yourself, control yourself/You gotta learn to get a hold, you animal” and cinches the song into focus around his unburdened delivery. By the time “Control Yourself” breaks down into a bridge that recalls the Violent Femmes at their fuzzed-out finest, the band has effortlessly escalated their sound into pure garage rock groove. Much like on Pavement’s best tracks, Be Cool Cowboy combine their loose orchestration and flowing vocals into a potent sound, unafraid to be direct and unconcerned with anything but their own good time.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #92 of our podcast at hlycrp.com

https://becoolcowboy.bandcamp.com/track/control-yourself

SPACE GRANDMA, “Dirt Bones”

SPACE GRANDMA, “Dirt Bones”

There’s a sinister feeling from the start of Space Grandma’s “Dirt Bones,” as tight drums and staccato bass swirl around nerve-wracking phrases like “Sunrise, sunset/Dirt bones never forget.” But it’s Chris Phillips’ evocative baritone and surprising guitar work that keep this song from dissolving completely into darkness. A seemingly endless supply of guitar phrases—some low and menacing, others bright and urgent—propel the song forward and trace the contours of a Joy Divison deep cut without succumbing to it as a singular influence. Stabs of light shine through in these quick riffs, begging for another listen to catch the hooks that Phillips scatters throughout and traipse in the song’s shadow for a little while longer.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #92 of our podcast at hlycrp.com

https://spacegrandma.bandcamp.com/track/dirt-bones-2

NEW BOMB TURKS, “Jukebox Lean”

NEW BOMB TURKS, “Jukebox Lean”

Staff writer: Taylor Williams

Feeling tired? Turn on “Jukebox Lean” and let the opening bass line’s shot of adrenaline carry you through the day. This track from the New Bomb Turks is pure punk perfection, all spiky power chords and raucous drums underneath Jim Weber’s howls. Just try and keep up with Weber as he spits lyrics with fervor and personality to spare, and don’t be surprised if you’re also out of breath when the inevitable full-band dropout hits. It’s a little reckless, a little rambunctious, and a rousing song from the underground punk movement’s stalwart and under-sung heroes.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #92 of our podcast at hlycrp.com