Category: Bands/Comps/Splits
The Noise reviews Keith A/B’s ‘Unbridled Optimism’
Keith A/B – Unbridled Optimism
6 tracks
Innovative textures and instrumentals are matched to quirky vocal melodies to form some intriguing songs by this solo performer; some of which verge on epic, notably the opening track “We’ll Send Our Sympathies,” which is supported by relentless rhythm guitar and a positively eerie horn-like refrain. The tumultuous churning in the back of “Your Mother Needs a Man” fails to completely obliterate the rather sweet, almost poppy vocal melody delivered with a degree of intensity which creates an interesting sensation of dissonance, literal and cognitive. “Capital S” is instrumentally deliberately jarring and angular, with over-miked guitar thrumming layered in back of Keith A/B’s almost sing-songy vocal melody. (Think Patsy Cline’s version of “Tennessee Waltz.”) The end result is an almost nightmarish ambiance, as the vocalist ominously declaims “You will tremble/ You will tremble/ You will tremble like a leaf.” Of the remaining songs, the repetitive “An Hour a Day” seems like a misfire; “Fortune Cookies” is a brazen, poppy rock song but otherwise not particularly innovative; “One Bad Egg” is an anodyne wistful ballad. But the first three songs are strange and wonderful. Recommended.
Video for Bill Keough’s ‘I Am The Lighthouse’
Hope Anchor – Beautiful Corpses
75OL-249 Hope Anchor – Beautiful Corpses
$8.00 S&H Included
Digital download is available here
Track Listing
1. You Alone
2. Dead And Gone
3. Rain Won’t Stop
4. Down
5. No Blood
6. Prime Mover
7. Not Asking
8. Skeleton Walk
9. Xoxosos
10. Beautiful Corpses
11. Without A Sound
Hope Anchor returns with a new album
The McGunks – Basement Anthems
75OL-258 The McGunks – Basement Anthems
$7.00 S&H Included
Digital download is available here
Track Listing
1. Think it Through
2. Fall
3. Monday Morning
4. Story
5. Who’s Laughing Now?
6. Killing Me
7. Don’t Need You
Basement Anthems has the feel of a live McGunks show. You can almost taste the sweat and stale beer covering each track. Recorded in a hot practice space and a musty basement, this is the best representation of what the McGunks are about. Grab a 12 pack, some whiskey and start singing along.
Bob McGunk – Vocals, Guitar
Bobby McGunk – Drums, Vocals
Nate McGunk – Guitar, Vocals
James McGunk – Bass, Vocals
Steve K – L4EO
75OL-262 Steve K – L4EO
$8.00 S&H Included
Digital download and streaming is available here
Track Listing
1. Break Your Life
2. Not Intentional
3. Don’t Pull On That Thread
4. Light
5. Invisible Sun
6. Rearrange
7. Break Your Life II
8. After It All
9. What Kind Of Love Is This
Steve K is known to a dwindling few as the former guitarist/songwriter for the 1980s bands “The Asparaguys” and the mock/rock outfit “The Friendly Dragons.” With L4EO (Live For Each Other) he offers a heartfelt array of songs culminating from experiences at mid-life, addressing both hopeful and darker themes with sincerity.
Eric Ott – Freeway UFOs
75OL-257 Eric Ott – Freeway UFOs
$10.00 S&H Included
Digital download, Vinyl LP, and free streaming is available here
Track Listing
1. Evil Times
2. Long Goodbye
3. Freeway UFO’s
4. Inside Outside
5. Gum Swollen Teeth
6. Misfortune Waits
7. Death Of Me
8. I Pray
9. Why Do I
Recorded between late 2016 and 2017 Freeway UFOs is a homage to mid and late 70’s rock influenced by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney & Wings.
Credits:
Written By: Eric Ott
Produced/Recorded/Mastered/Instruments By: Chris Decato
Written By: Eric Ott
Produced/Recorded/Mastered/Instruments By: Chris Decato
Recorded at the One Car Garage Studio and Chris Decato’s Home Studio
Lead & Backing Vocals: Eric Ott
Backing Vocals: Chris Decato, Nate Laban and Justin Carloni
Sax – Matt Langley
Sax – Eric Klaxton
Trombone – Josh Gagnon
Backing Vocals: Chris Decato, Nate Laban and Justin Carloni
Sax – Matt Langley
Sax – Eric Klaxton
Trombone – Josh Gagnon
Gavage video for ‘Help Save The Youth of America’
Bill Keough’s ‘You’ll Disappear, Just Like They All Do’ Review in Motif
Bill Keough – You’ll Disappear, Just Like They All Do (75OrLess Records)
Veteran local music Bill Keough kicks off his second solo album, You’ll Disappear, Just Like They All Do, with a storm of foreboding uneasiness in “I Am the Lighthouse.” On “Gentle Smile,” Keough drops a shimmering slab of noise-pop guitar. “Drinking Myself into the Pavement” has an early ’90s grunge vibe with lyrics about, believe it not, drinking too much. “Maybe It’s You” has kind of a freewheeling ’80s indie guitar swing feel, with vocals functioning as a prayer-like outré. The closing title track is not just my favorite here, it is one of my favorite tunes for 2017. It reminds me of a Dinosaur Jr. circa Green Mind-era guitar collage. On You’ll Disappear, Just Like They All Do, Keough builds upon 2014’s The Slow Get Up (75OrLess Records) while dragging the listener deeper down into a fuzz tone squall.
Sick Pills – Mettle
75OL-247 Sick Pills – mettle CD and Digital download
$7.00 S&H Included
Digital download available here
Track Listing
1. Bye Bye Baby
2. Can’t Take It
3. On The Radio
4. Whatcha Doing To Me
5. Tear Me Apart
6. Nothing’s Gonna Be Alright
7. As Bad As Today
8. Na-na-na-na-na My Head It Hurts
9. Mess In My Head
10. Letters
11. Lost In Space
12. Hang Around With You
13. Won’t You Be My Headache
Third album by New Bedford, MA’s Sick Pills whether you want it or not!
MW Ensemble – Music for Piano Transmission
75OL-243 MW Ensemble – Music for Piano Transmission
$9.00 S&H Included
Digital download/streaming is available here
Track Listing
1. Piano Transmission 1 (AM)
2. Piano Transmission 2 (FM)
3. Music for Transmission 1
4. Piano Transmission 3 (AM)
5. Piano Transmission 2 (FM)
6. Music for Transmission 2
Instrumentation; piano, exposed circuit transmitter, Crosley radio receiver, and the environment.
Distributed digitally by The Ionik Recordings Company, LLC. All rights MW Ensemble.