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.
Baylies Band at Alchemy
with Endon, Tovarish, and Mar
Alchemy
Richmond St
Providence, RI
9pm
Gaskill at Pour Farm Tavern
with Hepatagua
Pour Farm Tavern
Purchase St
New Bedford, MA
9pm
No cover
21+
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 at The Met
with Cactus Attack
The Met
Main St
Pawtucket, RI
9pm
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
Hope Anchor and Jets Can’t Land at Dusk
with Ghosts of Industry, Man & Wife
Dusk
Harris Ave
Providence, RI
9pm
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
Written By: Eric Ott
Produced/Recorded/Mastered/Instruments By: Chris Decato
Backing Vocals: Chris Decato, Nate Laban and Justin Carloni
Sax – Matt Langley
Sax – Eric Klaxton
Trombone – Josh Gagnon