Cowboy Mouth by Partition

Cowboy Mouth by Partition

Partition would have played arenas if they existed in 1992. The bass starts off on its own, followed by crisp drums, clean guitar, and dirty lyrics. All the best things of the 90’s are executed perfectly here…the soft/hard dynamics, the doubled vocals like Cobain learned from Lennon, and a true grittiness.

Partition is a clever band, the kind of clever where you are aware that you are clever, so you are ironic to downplay the cleverness.

I can’t believe I am this songs 6th viewer/listener on youtube. This is a great group with beautiful style! I could see these guys being very popular.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #96 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

Find the song here: https://partition.bandcamp.com/track/cowboy-mouth

“Cemetery Date” by Newcastle

“Cemetery Date” by Newcastle

In aggressive fashion, Cemetery Date holds and hits in all the right places. I think the song is in Spanish, and the poetic flow and rhyme is obvious, transcending language barriers even. The vocals are doubled and raw, a perfect contrast to the super-tight crisp instrumentation of the song. The rhythm section is tight, with pauses and dynamics that recall the pop-punk 2000’s, while the guitar riff shines over the song in major key straight-runs that remind me of the strokes when they were still good.

This is what happens when you harness the powers of mixing similar genres and styles. Well done Newcastle!

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #96 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

You can find the music here: https://newcastle2.bandcamp.com/album/newcastle-cemetry-date

 

 

HOUSE CAT, “Girlfriend”

HOUSE CAT, “Girlfriend”

I’m feeling sweary – probably cause I have mood swings from being locked inside my house while the world falls apart. But this is fucking good. This is all I need – kicking off with a snide snicker and then bringing this fuzzed out guitar garage rocker goodness.  I love the repetition of “I’ve got a girl and there’s something about her.” I’m just a sucker for repetition. As long as it’s catchy repetition. This is what my soul looks like today. Fuck you. I love it – and I bet it plays good live too. 

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #95 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

FLOATING ACTION, “Matador”

FLOATING ACTION, “Matador”

Floating Action is my white whale – not least because Seth Kaufman lives two miles away from me, is a session musician for people Lana Del Rey (they mistook my kindness for weakness) and Dan Auerbach, and everyone in the area thinks he is the greatest. Including me. When I heard Floating Action play “matador” I thought it was the future of rock-n-roll. The song opens with a bleating loop that has a hiccup in it – perfectly handcrafted and homemade humanity in that one glitch. Then it has the killer chorus – “just like a matador you drove it straight through the heart.” I’ve been searching all my life for a killer line like that. 

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #95 of our podcast at hlycrp.com

JENNY DON’T AND THE SPURS, “Call of the Road”

JENNY DON’T AND THE SPURS, “Call of the Road”

Just the nicest people ever – Jenny Don’t and her friends shared “call of the road” with the Musicians for Overdose Prevention collection. The country western guitar plays straight wounded classic riffs and Jenny’s voice is pure honey. She can’t stay with her love – because the open road is calling. Don’t we all know that feeling, the life of a rolling stone? Oh I am swooning listening to Jenny croon. 

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #95 of our podcast at hlycrp.com

DINNER TIME, “Walden Park”

DINNER TIME, “Walden Park”

Psych-pop pomp and echoing bass drum lead the way down memory lane in Dinner Time’s stompy single. The track feels like an old photograph; the springy guitars expand and distort like a water-damaged Polaroid. Even the raspy lead vocals and poppy backup singers fade around the edges as they relive late nights spent watching TV and autumn leaves on the pavement. It’s a hazy nostalgia trip with a tight rhythm, and the Atlanta band’s infectious energy throughout makes it a memorable one.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #95 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

You can listen to the song here:

https://dinner-time.bandcamp.com/track/walden-park-2

RICH GIRLS, “Better”

RICH GIRLS, “Better”

New York duo Rich Girls deliver a dark, propulsive rocker with “Better.” From the twisty opening guitar riff, the sonic wall slowly builds, adding glimpses of thunderous drums until crashing over the third verse. The New York duo builds a moody atmosphere with minimalist lyrics like “Bend the light/You’re dead tonight” and singer Luisa Black’s staccato delivery of “Holding up.” The “better” you feel by the end of the song might be more of a release of tension than a sunny disposition, as Rich Girls intensify their manic post-punk sound to its limit and bow out on a natural high.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #95 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

You can find the song at: https://richgirls1.bandcamp.com/track/better

ACNE, “Magic 8 Ball”

ACNE, “Magic 8 Ball”

From the wall of feedback in the opening to the pointy stabs of lead guitar throughout, “Magic 8 Ball” embodies the sudden and uncomfortable breakout of the band’s namesake. The anxieties in the lyrics feel born of this same space– you can almost see a teenager in the depths of their drama asking a Magic 8 Ball, “Will I be okay?” That looseness of emotion, careening between “I hate everyone” and “I love everyone” in the space of two verses, plays in Acne’s favor. The song’s restless beat and reverb-soaked vocals give a jittery edge, a fitting noise pop track for waiting on a greater power to give you an answer.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #95 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

You can find the song at: https://acnesucks.bandcamp.com/track/magic-8-ball

WHITE OAK SPLITS, Back Seat Wet Heat

WHITE OAK SPLITS, Back Seat Wet Heat

White Oak Splits guys are great – and this song is the musical marriage of the raw garage sound of Velvet Underground’s “White Light White Heat” with the all-American pastime of making it in the back seat of an automobile. On the previous album the White Oak Splits dug into an Allman Brothers sound – and this is that sound on fire. Simplified rock-n-roll, whoops, and snarled sung verses. There is no prettiness, but lots of sex. 

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #94 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

Listen to them here: http://whiteoaksplits.com/