Into The Daylight by Tine Nymann

Into The Daylight by Tine Nymann

I adore a pop song – and this is a pop song at it’s finest. This is an updating of the Duran Duran sound – which is my highest praise – since I was raised on Duran Duran. Specifically “Into The Daylight” evokes the “Come Undone” chapter of DD, when they knew exactly who they were and no one else was more sophisticated. “Into The Daylight” has the same confident cool, and that Tine Nymann knows exactly what she is doing, both in the narrative and in ability to execute a beautiful pop song.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #102 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

With You by Lavender Blue

With You by Lavender Blue

So much haunting beauty and intensity in this open reverb drenched guitar and spare vocals. I don’t want to be lonely with anyone else but you. This is the intimate diary of isolation and disconnection and withdrawing – mirrored in both the beauty, the sluggish and languid reflection, and moments when the guitar and song is jarring and discordant and raw. 

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #99 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

Holocaust of Giants by Rasputina

Holocaust of Giants by Rasputina

I’m a sucker for cello. Aggressive rock, punked out cello.  And I’m a total sucker for the story of magical creatures, these giants, that used to roam our Ohio valley. This idea that there is a magic that we’ve lost, that has become extinct, is a fantastic metaphor for creativity. There is a magic that is unseen and unknown. This is a wilder world. The world of giants and artists and musicians.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #99 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

OUTLAW VILLAGE by Toga!

OUTLAW VILLAGE by Toga!

This song is very close to my heart – evoking these post punk musical ideas of New Model Army, The Alarm, U2 (Sunday Bloody Sunday era) and even Bad Religion. It is music that should ring in the air as you march into battle (even if the battle anthem is Sunday Bloody Sunday and a march is for pacifism and an end of religious wars.) Sometimes when songs are found by Holy Crap Records it’s because an individual from our staff is championing them and has fallen in love with them. This is my song. This is the battle cry of war and firefights and a lawless world. You tell a great story. I’m there. You got me. 

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #99 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

Listen here: https://kafadankontak.bandcamp.com/track/outlaw-village

Waiting for The Postman by Axxa/Abraxas

Waiting for The Postman by Axxa/Abraxas

A song most appropriate for the era, Waiting For The Postman soundtracks the modern times. The psychedelic anthem is full-on the whole time, with all the pauses and built in dynamics that add necessary drama. Waiting For The Postman seems to speak on the subject of the impatient, selfishly focused, absorbed folks that permeate society. But what do I know? The sinister laugh that blows out into the wild canyons and eternal empty spaces of the big green world captivates me. What a trip.

This is four minutes of exceptional internal exploration well done.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #99 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

Listen here: https://axxaabraxas.bandcamp.com/track/waiting-for-the-postman

Don’t Think About Death by The Humms

Don’t Think About Death by The Humms

Existing in familiar sonic spaces of garage-rock and rawness, Don’t Think About Death is macabre and peppy. Machine-gun paced with a strangely strong melody, this is dangerously good! Fans of The Growlers & Allah Lahs will revel in the magical vibes of Don’t Think About Death. As upbeat and fun as the song is, it is equally dark and disturbing. Layered with hidden instrumentation that reveals itself upon each listen, make sure to learn each nook and cranny of this spectacular tune. These folks are going places.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #99 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

Listen here: https://thehumms.bandcamp.com/track/dont-think-about-death-2

Lowbrow Art & Petty Crimes by Cloud City Caskets

Lowbrow Art & Petty Crimes by Cloud City Caskets

As a long time admirer of both lowbrow art and petty crime, its hard for me to dislike a song by this title. Instant love aside, this is an open-throttle rager that never lets up. Pounding punk drums at blistering speed, riffing distorted guitars, and a never-tiring screaming vocal are stuffed onto the tape like fifteen pounds of…stuff…in a five pound bag. It’s busting apart in all the best ways.

If I turn on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 and I do not hear this song, I’m going to be pissed. It just sounds like its already an underground hit, like it’s already on every skateboarder’s boombox mixtape. It’s a gigantic anthem, celebrating all that is wonderfully bad in the world. I anticipate a large following for these guys.

Listen here: https://cloudcitycaskets.bandcamp.com/track/lowbrow-art-and-petty-crime

DIET CIG “Harvard”

DIET CIG “Harvard”

This was and will always be a massive track for me. This is distorted garage guitar and smashed drums and vocals that lean heavily on narrative and attitude. Alex Luciano sings the story of a boy from her hometown choosing the other girl, the girl who has her act together, who is going off to Harvard. This is the story of underground art, that the true artist isn’t recognized by the establishment. Fuck your Harvard sweater. I mean – given the choice between an Ivy League sure thing and this wild kid – we’re all here because we choose the wild kid. And this is why the entire system is wrong – because those cute smart kids who get into the Ivy League have just perfected mirroring the establishment – not creating something new and strange and vital.  

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #100 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

Telemarket “That’s What Friends Are For”

Telemarket “That’s What Friends Are For”

This is the perfect shaggy low-fi song. Following on from the movement led by The Moldy Peaches back in the 2000s, this is folk, anti-folk, easy and comfortable and fun. The production is shambolic with an acoustic guitar and some background whistling, perfect for street or porch performances. But the tune is wonderful and the melody line is gorgeous and the lyrics are so smart and wry. A song is a song is a song – and being this catchy and carefree is much harder than it looks. 

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #100 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.