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.

Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Bash & Pop "Never Wanted To Know" (Advance Track) (fatpossum.com)

Tommy Stinson's recently reformed post Replacements outfit Bash & Pop unveil another track from "Anything Could Happen" the bands first album since their 1993 debut "Friday Night Is Killing Me". The no frills "Never Wanted To Know" is a high energy blast of melodic rock n roll with equally powerful production. Tommy has roped in a few of his friends who helped make much of the new Bash & Pop to hit the road with him – lead guitarist Steve “The Sleeve” Selvidge (The Hold Steady), Joe “The Kid” Sirois (Mighty Mighty BossTones) on drums and Justin “Carl” Perkins (Screeching Weasel) on bass guitar. The tour kicks off on January 12th at the legendary 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis and follow it up with a full U.S. tour that runs through March. "Anything Could Happen" will be available January 20th courtesy of Fat Possum Records.

Cave Space "Windows 1" E.P. (cavespace.bandcamp.com)

There's a glowing, radiant presence that flows throughout this debut E.P. from North Carolina's Cave Space. The project is the brainchild of guitarist Adam Blythe, who adds an array of modulation effects to his soothing soundscapes. "Nightlight" has a left of center vibe that's both welcoming and mysterious while "Grandfathered" features a lulling dose of hypnotic atmospherics that adds a post rock feel to things. It's got a sense of passion and strength that goes with it's textured tones that are simply second to none. The swelling sounds of "Parting Ways" and uplifting spirit of "Drifting" further cement "Windows 1" as a truly amazing collection of enlightening compositions. Can't wait to hear what's next for this promising new artist.

Lieberman "Evergreen" E.P. (liebermann.bandcamp.com)

Lieberman are an exciting new shoegaze fuzz/pop unit from Moscow. Their debut E.P. "Evergreen" captures their shimmering psych laced approach in fine form. The title track features a spectacular performance from vocalist Zhanna Axenova as she shows off here expansive range with elegance and grace. "Constrnt" is a bouncy upbeat number that's full of catchy hooks and vibrant guitars that are backed by a pin point rhythm section while closing track "Rat Prince (Pumpkin Face)" has a soothing ambient presence that ventures into rich psychedelic territory and emits sonic colors of shoegaze bliss. A truly delightful release from beginning to end.

Local Blood "A Lure Of Sights" E.P. (localblood.bandcamp.com)

Lithuanian Post Punk unit Local Blood impress on their debut E.P. "A Lure Of Lights" The first word that comes to mind when listening to this band is "Haunting". Each track captures a sense of danger and darkness that draws you in with it's mysterious undertones. The driving bass line and straight forward beat of "Crawling Boarders" mesh well with it's colorful guitar work and intense vocal delivery while "Past Perfect Continuous" is slower paced but equally as intense as layers of atmospheric synths add an even darker texture to the mix. The caginess only grows larger during closing piece "Total Guidance" as it's bleak, undeniably cold presence makes for a fitting end to this truly incredible release. Highly recommended.

Steve Wright "Indefinite" E.P. (stevewright.bandcamp.com)

Such an excellent E.P. from Cleveland based musician Steve Wright. Opening piece "Forever Again" is a highly melodic number backed by stand out percussion and Wright's dynamic voice. There's also a subtle heaviness to the track that brings to mind the likes of Tourche, Jesu and Sabbath. The lush, guitar riffs that ring throughout "Trillium" are really remarkable. It's a breathtakingly beautiful instrumental backed by galloping drums and a powerful dirge driven bass line. Things reach a sonic apex during the ethereal sounds of "Daffodils" as Wright showcases all of his best chops over this elegant masterpiece. A well executed debut from an inspiring new composer.

Thinds "Primed" Single (thinds.bandcamp.com)

"Primed" the latest track from Melbourne Australia based artist Thinds is a 19 minute epic, full of lulling atmospherics and textured layers of intense sound experimentation. It's a cosmic, mind bending journey full of twists and turns that move between rich psychedelic landscapes and dark, futuristic drones. It's also very visually inspiring as continual listens conjure up images of futuristic planets and other worldly realms and I continue to discover something new with each and every play. Overall "Primed" is an incredibly well crafted piece of art sure to delight fans of warm therapeutic audio stimulation.

Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Airlift "Policy" E.P. (airliftnyc.bandcamp.com)

New York City's Airlift deliver a pair of melodic, heartfelt songs that feature rich guitars, powerful vocals and a top notch rhythm section that keep things moving well. "Policy Of Containment" is a driving number that incorporates a straight forward rock sound with twisted atmospherics and an underlying element of mystery while "Like A Borderline" is faster paced and channels more of a late 80's/early 90's college rock approach that comes off like a cross between Dramarama and Seaweed. It's climbing, octave style guitar playing and inspiring vocal delivery give it an undeniable appeal. A refreshing blast of epic rock n roll from beginning to end.

Bash & Pop "On The Rocks" Single (Fat Possum Records) (tommmystinson.com)

So if you haven't heard Tommy Stinson has reformed Bash & Pop and the band will release a brand new album called "Anything Could Happen" in January, their first since 1992's "Friday Night Is Killing Me". Lead single "On The Rocks" is a gritty, swagger filled number that see's the former Replacements bassist returning to lead vocal and guitar duties in fine form. The track is full of the kind of charming hooks and catchy vocal melodies you'd expect from Stinson and really showcases how much of an incredible songwriter he truly is. A much welcomed blast of no frills rock n roll.

Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions "Let Me Get There" Single featuring Kurt Vile (hopesandoval.com)

The second single from the new Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions album "Until The Hunter" is a duet with indie darling Kurt Vile. It's breezy laid back feel showcases Sandoval's delicate trademark voice and Vile's stoic drawl over a backdrop of punchy guitars that remind me of something from one of Paul McCartney's 70's solo records. There's also the undeniable country feel that always seems to find it's way into Sandoval's music that I just can't get enough of. So wonderful to see her making more and more music in recent years. A remarkable effort indeed.

Iggy Pop "Post Pop Depression: Live At The Royal Albert Hall" LP/DVD (iggypop.com)

Iggy Pop takes his Post Pop Depression Tour to The Royal ALbert Hall and delivers a performance for the ages that's captured on this live LP/DVD. Backed by Josh Homme and Dean Fertita of Queens Of The Stone Age and Dean Fertita of Arctic Monkeys Iggy blasts through unforgettable renditions of "Lust For Life", "The Passenger","Sister Midnight" and "China Girl". My personal favorites are the raunchy romp of "Sixteen" and primal energy of "Tonight" as the combination of grit and swagger that flows throughout those tracks is absolutely crushing. At 69 years old Iggy is still as phenomenal as ever and this performance will show you why.

Jared Mancuso "Roll Over" Single (www.jaredmancusomusic.com)

The first thing that strikes me about Jared Mancuso's music is the amount of fun he seems to be having while making it. "Roll Over" the first single from his new album "Superdope" is a bouncy rock n roll track highlighted by Mancuso's straight forward vocal delivery and energetic guitar riffs. The track also makes great use of a violin which creates a nice dynamic alongside the bass and drums. Add in this hilariously executed Halloween themed video and you have all the key ingredients for an underground classic. The "Superdope" album release show takes place on Thursday November 17th at Bowery Electric in New York City with special guests Venture, TBC and Davide Moscato.

Sorry Escalator S/T Cassette E.P. (sorryescalator.bandcamp.com)

An impressive debut from this U.K. based band that follows in the footsteps of Teenage Fan Club, My Bloody Valentine and Loop. Opener "Another Shade Of Blue" is full of powerful fuzz driven guitar tones and wavering riffs that create a wash of hypnotic sounds while "Dionysus" is a cleverly written gem full of energetic hooks and powerful choruses. The controlled chaos of "Sissy Spacek" is highlighted by one of the most menacing guitar performances you will hear anywhere, as the shrill reverb drenched sounds offer a blast of sonic mayhem that's simply unstoppable. Things wind down with the sludgy, dirge like flow of "(Remit) Like I Do" which moves like a tidal wave of shoegaze bliss. Looking forward to hearing what these promising upstarts come up with next.