Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Beach Towels "Sun Soaked" Single (thebeachtowels.bandcamp.com)

Beach Towels are an excellent new surf/psych band based in Calgary, Alberta Canada who have certainty hit a home run on their debut single "Sun Soaked". It's huge wall of sound style vocals are like a warm blanket that feels like it was sent down from the sky. The rich guitar tones and flourishing organs glide over top of the minimal yet perfectly fitting drum beat. Everything has a very vintage feel that brings to mind the likes of The Animals, The Beatles and ? Mark And The Mysterians. I've had this one on repeat for quite a while as I wait with anticipation to hear what the band offers up next.

Daniel Lanois "Heavy Sun" (feat. Rocco DeLuca) Single (www.facebook.com/lanoise)

A beautifully soothing soundscape from legendary producer and experimental connoisseur Daniel Lanois from his upcoming album "Goodbye To Language". "Heavy Sun" also features Rocco DeLuca who is a longtime friend and collaborator of Lanois. The piece takes you into other worldly territories that make me think of the lonely crew of a spacecraft that has been traveling through multiple galaxies for decades on end only to finally reach a blissful euphoric planet to begin a new life on. It's an absolutely gorgeous track that longtime fans of Lanois are sure to enjoy. "Goodbye To Language" will be available Spetember 9th from redfloorrecords.net.

Lonely Hunting S/T E.P. (sherwoodsphinx.bandcamp.com)

The second E.P. from Tucson musician Gorge Alvarez's project Lonely Hunting features five eclectic and enjoyable songs that delve into mysterious moods backed with an underlying intensity and pure sense of passion. I'm captivated by the raw honesty of the songwriting as there seems to be an aura that surrounds each track. Opener "Call Me Out" is devastatingly cold and strikes up haunting imagery with it's ominous presence while stand out piece "The End" makes good use of some hypnotic guitar effects that shimmer over solid percussion and Alvarez charming vocal delivery. The shuffling acoustic guitars of the title track fuel the fire for the bleak and grey filled tone that winds down this well founded release in fine fashion. A remarkable effort from a driven musician that's not afraid to relinquish his inner self.

Idlefox "V" LP (idlefox.bandcamp.com)

I'm in love with this amazing offering from these Omaha Nebraska based musicians. In a world full of heartless, cookie cutter indie rock Idlefox bring new life back to the genre by simply tearing the doors off the competition. From the opening chords of "Fire Inside My Heart" you know you are in for a real treat as it's jangling feel and infectious vocal swagger sets the pace for a bright and uplifting mood. "Gold Coins" actually makes me think of The Smiths as it has the kind of wavering quality to it that's easy to latch on to while "Arrows" has a 50's/early 60's crooner feel that makes it one of the albums best tracks and really shows off the bands range. "Zebra" adds a nice ambient touch to things and serves as a fine lead in for the more psychedelic sounding songs like "Lung Capacity" and "Looking Glass". The album winds down with a collection of more straight forward guitar and vocal pieces that work like a beautiful sunset at the close of a long Summers day. A refreshing and inspiring album from beginning to end.

On Pink "On Pink Is Good" E.P. (onpink.bandcamp.com)

This Brooklyn outfit blast through a fine collection of unique experimental rock numbers that makes for a top notch debut. The band shoot the energy level to 10 and really keep you guessing as to what will come next as they incorporate in your face garage punk with elements of jazz fusion and experimental madness that includes saxophones, off time signatures and amazing musicianship throughout. It's almost like The Stooges and members of The Mothers Of Invention got together after both bands had a revelation from attending a Sun Ra concert and decided to jam on some King Crimson numbers together. It all makes for an undeniably amazing listening experience that's truly one of a kind. Listen to this loudly as soon as you can!!!

Tom Lockett "Everything Changes In Time"

The B-Side to English singer songwriter Tom Lockett's debut single "Feeling Bad" has a timeless quality to it that is certainly fitting for the current state of the our worlds affair's. Lockett's vocals are simply stunning and mesh perfectly with the highly textured acoustic guitar that accompanies the piece. It's got a haunting quality to it as it's bold delivery makes a major impact on your psyche and cements Lockett as one of the best new singer songwriters going today. "Feeling Bad" b/w "Everything Changes In Time" will be available from Magic Cactus Records August 5th

6 Records CMM Wants You To Know

Dog! Paper! Submarine! S/T E.P. (dogpapersubmarinesmallbear.bandcamp.com)

Hailing from Sweden, Dog! Paper! Submarine! play their own brand of quirky rock n roll. The big twangy guitar sounds and semi-distorted vocals on opening tracks "Angelfish" and "Oxygen" are a nice cross between lo-fi indie pop and Amphetamine Rep style angst. "Giant Crow", "Lump" and "Shine" are a bit more spacey bringing a psychedelic pop feel along the lines of Mercury Rev, The Flaming Lips and Ween. The E.P. closes with the experimental "Be Afraid Of The Man In The Moon" spotlighted by a synth driven riff and warbling melody. Well crafted and highly enjoyable songs sure to satisfy your need for rock n roll.

Levi Bradis "Capital Squares" LP (levibradis.bandcamp.com)

Lincoln's Levi Bradis has been making albums for quite some time and his latest release "Capital Squares" just may be his best yet. "Spastic Frenzy" is a surfy instrumental that channels the spirit of guitar classics like "Pipeline" and "Let's Go Trippin". "Surf Punkers From Outer Space" is a high octane buzzsaw number along the lines of Johnny Thunders and The Ramones while "As Seen On T.V." is reminiscent of "First Four Years" era Black Flag. My favorite song of the album "Penetration Of The Cosmos" has a pounding riff that reminds me of an acid laced version of The Unsane. The album moves from one sonic blast to the next. Levi has assembled quite an impressive collection of stripped down rock n roll fun.

Marble "Demo" (marblemusic.bandcamp.com)

A stand out demo from this new shoegaze/dream pop project out of New Orleans. The songs sound like they were recorded in the caverns of a magical underworld. "And" is quick paced with pulsating bursts of noise that send your speakers floating on air. "Lavender And Cherry" features breathtaking male & female vocals that loom over swirling effects drenched guitars and laid back swinging percussion while "The Infinity Link" smothers you with waves of experimental sonic tones. "V" showcases more of their psychedelic shimmer as your sent off further into the outer realms of intoxicating sounds. Looking forward to more from these promising young upstarts.

Marion Walker "We Won't Be In Love Much Longer" single (marionwalker.bandcamp.com)

Marion Walker create a spectacularly haunting mood on their latest single "We Won't Be In Love Much Longer". The opening eerie piano riff, ethereal tones and beautiful vocal harmonies are nothing short of stellar. The verses feature a slow paced cagey/psych feel and the choruses are doomy and bleak. The song builds up to a blistering guitar lead that fades out into a mysterious ambient drone. An impressive musical achievement to say the least.

Marion Walker - "We Won't Be in Love Much Longer" (Official Music Video) from Marion Walker on Vimeo.

MASSIS S/T LP (massisband.bandcamp.com)

The debut album from Belgium's MASSIS is a super charged post rock masterpiece. Huge guitars and a spot on rhythm section make up their thunderous sound. "Powerplant" is a prime example of their technical precision and aggressive approach. "Joan" has a catchy off kilter riff that shifts into speedier tempos before falling into atmospheric bliss. Although the album is 99% instrumental their is a faint vocal throughout much of the rather Sonic Youth-ish track "Mondesir". It's also the darkest sounding song on the record while the melodic sections of "Push" adds a brighter side to things. The emotion and feeling put into these tracks is outstanding. Fans of Don Caballero, Shellac and Tortoise take note. Top to bottom a most impressive release.

Mountain States "Kairos" E.P. (mountain-states.bandcamp.com)

Excellent E.P. from this Dutch post punk outfit. "Primer" is an upbeat opener that is sure to get people moving on the dance floor. It carries an early INXS style flair and is a great lead in to "Lack Of Substance", which moves in more of a Cure and New Order type vein. "City" is my favorite track of the four. The hook filled chorus led me to repeated listens for days on end. The E.P. is capped off by "Hologram" featuring a warming vocal melody and somber mood. An excellent release for fans of shimmering yet gloomy atmospheric pop.