Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Ben McElroy ".​.​.​to warm their hearts, if not their hands." E.P. (benmcelroy.bandcamp.com)

Another remarkable release from this Nottingham based ambient/drone/folk musician Ben McElroy. Opening piece "To Warm Their Hearts" captures a beautiful drone alongside a sea of inspiring strings and acoustic guitar that reminds me of the legendary Mike Oldfield. "Autumn Later" has a great balance between dark wandering sounds and uplifting mystical like tones while "The Cloud Council's Quarterly Meeting" is a collage of all types of moods and instruments making it atmospheric, cinematic and warm. Overall an incredible release from beginning to end.

David Byrne "Everybody's Coming To My House" Single (Todomundo/Nonesuch Records)

A fun, upbeat yet demented track from the former Talking Heads founder that is sure to delight long time fans. The song was co-written with Brian Eno and is from Byrne's upcoming album "American Utopia", his first since 2004. The song also features contributions from TTY, Happa Isaiah Barr, and Sampha. Byrne says that the world tour he's doing in March will be “the most ambitious show I’ve done since the shows that were filmed for Stop Making Sense.” "American Utopia" will be out March 8th courtesy of Todomundo/Nonesuch Records.

Kyle Craft "Exhile Rag" Single (Sub Pop)

Another top notch track from the upcoming Kyle Craft album "Full Circle Nightmare". His country swing meets ragtime feel is truly amazing and there are some really nice sounding horns that give it even more energy. This track along with "Heartbreak Junky" which was previewed a few weeks back give all signs that this new album is going to be pretty spectacular and I must say I can't wait for it.

Soccer Mommy "Your Dog" Single (Fat Possum)

"Your Dog" the first single from Soccer Mommy's debut album "Clean" is pretty damn impressive. The chiming guitars and walking bass line blend perfectly with Sophie Allison's captivating vocal delivery. There's some really great changes and dynamics that flow throughout the track and get you humming along in seconds. After a series of successfully self released E.P.'s which were later released as a "collection" album on Fat Possum, Allison has said to consider "Clean" her first proper full length album. Reflecting on "Your Dog" Allison said "The song comes from a feeling of being paralyzed in a relationship to the point where you feel like you are a pawn in someone else's world,". "The song and the video are meant to show someone breaking away and taking action, but at the same time, it's only a quick burst of motivation. It's a moment of strength amidst a long period of weakness.". "Clean" will be available March 2.

Superchunk "Erasure" Single (Merge)

So after a week totally stuck in the house through a dreary snow storm this gift from the rock n roll gods came out to brighter our moods. This song has it all. A driving beat, mean yet melodic guitars and guest vocals from Stephin Merritt and Katie Crutchfield. I think I've played this 237 times this week and I'm sure even my neighbors know all the words by now. Get into it.

Ty Segall "Every 1's A Winner" Single (tysegall.bandcamp.com)

It's no secret Ty Segall is one of the most prolific musicians going today and later this month he will release a new album called "Freedom's Goblin" which includes this incredible cover of "Everyone's A Winner" originally by Hot Chocolate. Ty's take on the soul classic is led by a sputtering fuzzed out guitar sound and an infectious drum beat that is sure to make you move and shows off that there's really not much this guy can't pull off. "Freedom's Goblin" comes out January 28th and should certainly be a ripper.

Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Colic "Up Front" Single (colic.bandcamp.com)

Charlotte North Carolina's Colic return with this delightful new single that fuses lulling vocal harmonies with brain tingling guitar leads and an enticing beat. It's a brief minute and a half of poetic beauty that summons thought provoking energy and leaves you wanting more. Look for a new Colic full length by months end and be sure to explore their back catalog of demos and E.P.'s that can all be found on their bandcamp page.

Dale Crover "Bad Move" Single (Joyful Noise Recordings)

"Bad Move" the lead single off of "The Fickle Finger of Fate" the first official solo album from long time Melvins drummer Dale Crover is absolutely brilliant. It's silky smooth vibe and creepy undertone set the foundation for a truly incredible track that could easily lead to some late Friday night debauchery. It's seductive bass line and blissful fuzzed out guitar tones mesh perfectly well with Crover's whispering vocal delivery. It's soulful and spacey and overall a highly infectious piece. I think you will find this an easy one to "GET INTO".

Kyle Craft "Heartbreak Junky" Single (Sub Pop)

I've been really excited about hearing new music from Kyle Craft as he's quickly become one of my favorite new singer songwriters over the last year. "Heartbreak Junky" showcases Craft's powerful voice alongside brilliant piano playing and a snide flair of raunchy rock n roll that falls some place between classic Elton John and Slider era Bolan but with a dash of Scott Joplin for good measure. The track is from Craft's brand new album "Full Circle Nightmare" available now courtesy of Sub Pop.

Squeeze "Innocence In Paradise" Single

Squeeze return with their 15th studio album "The Knowledge" and it's first single "Innocence In Paradise" is a rich, beautifully crafted pop song full of lush psychedelic layers and atmospheric treatments. It's also full of subtle yet catchy guitar hooks that blend perfectly with Glenn Tilbrook's one of a kind vocal delivery. The track certainly stands up next to anything else in the Squeeze catalogue and showcases why they are one of the best bands to come along since the early 70's.

The Replacements "For Sale : Love At Maxwell's 1986"

What can ya say. One of the best bands of all time blasting through a raging set in as fine of form as four drunken idiots can. The first thing that comes to mind is just how amazing Bob Stinson sounds throughout this record. His playing is truly relentless and gives me chills every time I hear it. Excellent recording quality throughout that captures the raw energy of the performance without taking anything away from the grit. Highlights include classic Mat's standards like "I Will Dare", "Bastards Of Young" and "Takin A Ride" alongside covers of Kiss. T Rex, The Beatles and more. Essential from beginning to end.

Unsane "Sterilize" LP (Southern Lord)

There are tons of bands making heavy music these days but there is only one Unsane. They just have that distinct sound that's like nothing else. The bands brand new album "Sterilize" features Chris Spencer's trademark salty snarl and crushing guitar riffs while the pin point precision of bassist Dave Curran and drummer Vincent Signorelli show why they are one of the most punishing rhythm sections of all time. The intensity never let's up over the coarse of the ten song album as it's chocked full of some of the meanest sounding riffs you will ever come across all of which are backed by a relentless groove that doesn't seem to come out in the world of heavy music all that often. It's sinister, it's menacing and it's down right scary, but then again what else would you expect. Now turn this up to ten and rip out your speakers.

CMM : News And Notes For 5/11/17

NEWS FROM NEPTUNE "THE COLD OPEN" CASSETTE OUT NOW!!!

News from Neptune is the solo alias of Wirral-based musician David Miller, a multi-instrumentalist who has gathered a considerable stash of home-recorded material over the past decade, as well as writing and recording for a number of local projects. CMM are so excited to announce the release of his debut E.P. "The Cold Open" as a limited cassette. Miller has really carved out his own musical style that perfectly merges elements of more traditional compositions with experimental madness. The E.P. is a truly delightful and inspiring work of art and you can pick one up now at www.custommademusicva.com

WEINF RELEASE VIDEO FOR "CAREFULNESS AND OTHER BAD ADVICE"

Barcelona based indie unit Weinf have released a video for their latest single "Carefulness And Other Bad Advice" from the bands latest album “Purple Bird and Other Strange Songs” which is out now on CMM. Drawing influence from the likes of Morphine, and The Velvet Underground Weinf create the perfect eclectic mix of jazz and psychedelia. The band are playing a round of shows all over Spain throughout the month of May. Find out more at facebook.com/iamweinf

SAM ELLIOT STARS IN "THE HERO".

Here at CMM we love all things Sam Elliot. From his role as legendary bouncer Wade Garret in Roadhouse to playing "The Stranger" in The Big Lebowski it's always inspiring to hear Sam's trademark voice and see his "salty" smile. In "The Hero" Elliot plays Lee Hayden,an aging Western icon with a golden voice who's best performances are decades behind him. The film also stars Laura Prepon (That 70's Show/Oranage Is The New Black), Krysten Ritter (Breaking Bad/Veronica Mars), Nick Offerman (Parks And Recreation), and Katharine Ross (The Stepford Wives). The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival back on January 21st and will open in theaters on June 9th.

KYLE CRAFT COVERS LEONARD COHEN

Last year I fell in love with Kyle Craft's debut album "Dolls Of Highland". This week Craft released this impressive rendition of the late great Leonard Cohen's classic "Chelsea Hotel #2". Reflecting on the track Craft stated. “Chelsea Hotel #2, the way Cohen delivers it, it’s through a window into another time and the further we get into this thing, the future, the more I feel like a stranger. When he died, I felt very alone…as I’m sure many people did. The song is for him, for Patti Smith, for Dylan…for everyone who inspired me to write and for a time and place that seems so foreign now.” Craft plays the Mercury Lounge in NYC on May 15th and continues to work on his next full length due out in 2018.