Songs We Like

ANTHONY WARDEN, “What in the World”

The underground is not afraid of sweetness. Anthony Warden’s song “What in the World” is the sweetest of confections. Drum machine. Synth arpeggiator. Strings. And gorgeous harmonies over the lines “What in the world could it be? Could it be? It’s alright.” This is the perfect example of the beauty of simplicity – this song sticks in your head and you will be humming this tune afterwards. Cinnamon thinks this song should be in movie credits…

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

https://anthonyworden.bandcamp.com/track/what-in-the-world

LOOSE MEDiCINE, “Reverse Death Machine”

Songs We Like

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”

Songs We Like

“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”

Songs We Like

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”

Songs We Like

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

Haze by Grace Joyner

Songs We Like

Falling for a song is just like love. You can just be happy in its presence and listen to that tune over and over. Cinnamon figures that I’m a little dyslexic or something, and I can’t recall words or melody – so I have to listen to a song over and over to imprint it on my conscious. I have listened to this song five times in a row and I’ll probably listen to it another five times.

My mother warned me not to fall in love too many times – you have to walk so many miles to be able to have this as an opening like. Grace Joyner is just unbelievable. Her vocals are so easy, so unhurried, so restrained. Her voice has a timeless quality. This is both old and folky and at the same time totally modern. She walks with us and just casts off this beauty.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #91 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

https://gracejoyner.bandcamp.com/

We Are The Night by Cold Choir

Songs We Like

This dance song rolls out like a classic Yaz, Depeche Mode, Human League, Japan synth hit from the 80s. “Were Are The Night” drips with attitude and moody cool. The icy synth washes against the hypnotic beat. This is beat, synth and voice. All the choices are right. The synth chord progression is immediately hooky. The vocals are sexy and hold this truth – that Franky and Mario Martinez are the night. They cast the spell that they are the coolest and wherever Cold Choir is playing is the coolest scene in the city.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #91 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

https://coldchoirmusic.bandcamp.com/track/we-are-the-night

Wysteria by Nordista Freeze

Songs We Like

Staff Writer: Drew Burgess

An on the road song, a poem about losing your grip, through romantic longings in harmony, the metaphorical personification of wysteria through romantic outings and hand-holding, I come to the conclusion that Nordistra Freeze is in love, though what with, I have no idea.

Wysteria has a similar vibe to 1960’s pop vocal groups, but with a clean aesthetic that distinguishes it from previous acts. This sound is hard to pull off, how do these guys make it so effortless? Restraint prevails, and the open space of the song is as captivating as its organ, jangling guitar, and 3/4 rhythm section.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #91 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

https://nordistafreeze.bandcamp.com/track/wysteria

Female of The Species by The Flytraps

Songs We Like

Staff Writer: Drew Burgess

In their tune The Female of The Species, The Flytraps begin with a back and forth punk bass riff that completely explodes when the throwback style drums kick in. The guitar riff next jumps in to create a creepy organ-like octave effect. This is a cast iron cauldron full of all the creepy and cool things I love. The snarling vocal over the top welds the whole thing together as a true rocker. Pure mojo… its the type of punk/garage/surf that borders the rockabilly scene, (on the dark side of course) its all dirty, amazing, and raw.

I love it.

Want to hear us talk about this song? Check out episode #91 of our podcast at hlycrp.com.

https://theflytrapsband.bandcamp.com/

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