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

Blare "Meant Well" LP (blare.us)

The debut album from Blare is an exquisite combination of fuzz pop, shoegaze, post rock and experimental sounds. Opening track "A Simulated Sportslike Experience" is a high energy number that echoes "Your Living All Over Me" era Dinosaur Jr. "Meant Well For Nothing" could have easily found it's way into a film like "The Doom Generation". "Vacant" is a short acoustic track that contains a sample of a man asking people to really think about what life is all about and what brings a person joy adding a nice sound collage element to it. "Mush" has a laid back feel that features some beautiful guitar work and washy vocals that make me think of Butthole Surfers while the cover of Modern English "Melt With You" has mountains of distortion and atmosphere adding a new spin to the classic cut. The album ends with "Where Were You When We Landed On The Moon" which is the most experimental piece of the album as a orchestral like drone is surrounded by what sounds like lost transmissions from billions of miles away. "Meant Well" will certainly sit well next to your collection of 90's alterna-rock gems.

California Carpool "I Only Look At You/Pleasure" Single (livingendprojects.bandcamp.com)

Two excellent tracks from this new artist out of London. The light jazzy beats in "I Only Look At You" set the pace for a roller coaster ride down a foggy track. A distant vocal and looming bass line sway underneath the other worldly like electronic tones that lull the listener into a euphoric trance only to be woken up with a short blast of sonic noise. "Pleasure" is in the same vein but more upbeat and a bit more mysterious. Think The Cure's "Siamese Twins" or "Heaven Up Here" era Echo & The Bunnymen. An impressive offering of psychedelic pop with a gloomy twist. These two tracks will be available as a limited edition 7" from Living End Projects soon.

Hyla "The Thousand" Single (hyla.bandcamp.com)

Chilling shoegaze sounds from Perth Australia. I really enjoyed Hyla's E.P. from last year and this new single picks up where they left off. "The Thousands" is a hook filled wash of shimmering dream pop. Heavy on the effects pedals the guitars play off each other beautifully and the spacey vocals shine like the first ray of light on an early morning. There's a surreal type vibe though out the song that's truly blissful. Certainly one of my favorite new tracks of 2015.

Lestrade S/T E.P. (wearelestrade.bandcamp.com)

What draws me to French instrumental band Lestrade is their ability to combine cagey guitar sounds that are also melodic and dreamy and full of power. "Galore" has tons of energy as the track moves from one mood to the next showcasing a collection of top notch intricate riffs. It's technical, inviting and intense. "Eastern Leaves" starts out rather moody before giving way to full on distortion backed by a pounding beat. The track pounces back and forth between left of center darkness and driving angst. A stellar release indeed.

Seasonal "Loneliness Manuel" LP (seasonalmusic.bandcamp.com)

Based in Poland, Seasonal is the musical project of Maciej Sochoń. Recorded under the influence of daily observations this eleven track album is simply beautiful. Each piece is highly atmospheric and incredibly textured. "Fading Spark" is an ambient opener with hints of "Darkside" era Pink Floyd while the guitar driven tracks "Deserted Bus Stop" and "Loop" are like lost sections from the Mike Oldfield classic "Tubular Bells". "Experience" has an underlying ode to Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade Of Pale" and "Orchard Of Rotten Apples" is relaxing and warm. The albums only song with vocals "To Chase A Dream" features Piotr Trypus who's voice has a liking to Morrissey in a "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" way. A stellar album that's perfect for a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Wizards "SDRAZIW" LP (wizardmusic.bandcamp.com)

Can't say enough good things about this band out of Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada. "SDRAZIW" is a charming album with ten very distinct songs that showcase the bands wide combination of influences. "Journeybone" opens the record with it's galloping rhythm and surfy guitars that break into a noise guitar orchestra along with distorted vocals that lie low in the mix. "Holy Smoke" reminds me of a modern take on classic groups like The Buffalo Springfield and The Band, while "Purple House" has a very Velvet Underground flavor to it. "Life Is Elsewhere" builds on the Velvets vibe but add's in a crushing Mascis like fuzz tone, pushing the envelope a little further. "Manikewan Ocean Dreams" has that stomping garage rock beat taking a page out of The Cramps hand book and adding a Mary Chain machine gun guitar tone and vocal that makes for an infectious dark psych anthem. Highly Recommended.