Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Mark Lanegan Band "Nocturne" Single (marklanegan.com)

A cagey darkness looms throughout the latest Mark Lanegan Band single "Nocturne". It's haunting, it's primal and it carries a significant amount of weight throughout. Lanegan's stern, stoic voice is surrounded by layers of glistening synths and tension filled guitar leads. There's an industrial type flair that falls underneath everything and gives it a sense of danger and mystery. It's a brilliant performance that draws you in and leaves you on a never ending road lost in the middle of nowhere as you long to find your way back home. The new Mark Lanegan Band album "Gargoyle" will be out on April 28th via Heavenly Recordings.

Niko Yoko "I Love N.Y." E.P. (nikoyoko.bandcamp.com)

Paris based indie pop outfit Niko Yoko return with a spectacular new E.P. of catchy uptempo tracks that will have you singing along in no time. Opening number "Casual Friday" is full of melody and charm and sports a head nodding beat while "Sunday Girl" makes great use of full bodied guitar chords that sparkle from start to finish. "Sun Down" is the perfect song for spring as it's effects driven riff and rich harmonies make an impact alongside waves of atmospheric bliss. Everything winds down with the gliding sounds of "To The Metro Void" which sweeps you away with it's classic brand of shimmering 3 chord indie pop proficiency. A top notch release that comes highly recommended.

Tall Tall Trees "SeagullxEagle" Single (Joyful Noise Recordings)

Tall Tall Tress really impress with this new single and video from their latest album "Freedays". It makes me think what it would have been like if Marc Bolan and Roy Clark had joined Donovan and The Beatles on their journey to India to embrace the teachings of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and a late night jam session had been recorded. There's an inviting glow and warm energy that surrounds the track, welcoming you into a world that's enlightening, happy and psychedelic. The instrumentation is also off the charts as a sea of strings and an infectious bass line blend beautifully with founder Mike Savino's signature banjo playing and uplifting vocal presence. An excellent track from an amazing album. Get into it.

The Afghan Whigs "Demon In Profile" Single (Sub Pop)

The Afghan Whigs honestly do things they have never done on their upcoming album "In Spades" and "Demon In Profile" is a prime example of this. It's soulful, powerful vibe harnesses a certain anthem like quality that sprinkles in a touch of classic 70's glam. It's a truly inspiring track that showcases a seasoned band and all that they have learned since their inception in 1986. Whigs co-founder/bassist John Curley stated “Over the course of a lifetime, there are constants, and there’s also change. You see who’s dropped off the vine – who’s going in reverse, and who’s still by your side. It’s interesting to see where life takes you, and where it doesn’t. That’s the journey and it hasn’t stopped.”. "In Spades" will be out May 5th courtesy of Sub Pop.

The Melvins "A Walk With Love and Death" (Trailer)

So "A Walk With Love and Death" The Melvins first ever double LP and accompanying short film are still a few months away from release but I couldn't help write a bit about it and it's inspiring trailer. This Jesse Nieminen directed short looks to be a mind scrambling epic in the greatest possible way. According to drummer Dale Crover, “A Walk With Love and Death is one giant, dark, moody, psychotic head trip! Not for the faint of heart. You'll sleep with the lights on after listening”. Vocalist/Guitarist Buzz Osborne added “This was a huge undertaking. All three things: the album, the soundtrack and the film are benchmarks for us”. "A Walk With Love And Death" will be available July 7th courtesy of Ipecac recordings.

Thurston Moore "Smoke Of Dreams" Single (thurstonmoore.com)

"Smoke Of Dreams" the latest single from Thurston Moore's new album "Rock N Roll Consciousness" is a hazy, laid back number that reflects on his times in New York City and the underlying mystic of the past that surrounds it. Moore's trademark guitar sounds and matter of fact vocal stance create an ethereal mood that's backed by Steve Shelly's always incredible drumming. There's a bit of a cathartic element to the song as if Moore is giving you a tour of his old haunts and allowing a bit of insight into a lost world. It's warm, introspective and undeniably essential.

Custom Made Music Radio Episode 8

Check out Episode 8 of Custom Made Music Radio featuring tracks from A Deer A Horse, Telespace, Dares, Orations, The Red Shift, Rolling Blackouts, Citrus Clouds, Tall Tall Trees, Meatbodies, Joan Of Arc, The Birth Defects, The Blow Up, The Undertones, Death Valley Rally and Chuck Berry.

Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Ben Clayton Wolfindale "Selfie" E.P. (benclayton.bandcamp.com)

Really excited about this new E.P. from Ben Clayton Wolfindale as he is quickly becoming one of my favorite experimental sound artists. "Tracif" opens the record with mind bending appeal. It sends traces of backwards tone manipulations in all directions before launching into a hypnotic beat. Soon the sounds of water, traffic and other audio stimulation move throughout this thought provoking piece. The lulling feel of "Memristic" washes over you with grey tones that evoke a cold and grim spirit that eventually give way to a menacing array of mechanical soundscapes while "Selfie" is even more dynamic and deranged. The E.P. closes with the bold, almost frightening stance of "Vessel". It has a stern, powerful presence to it that is enlightening and terrifying at the same time and I have to say I love it. Another must have release from Ben Clayton Wolfindale's rapidly growing discography. Bravo.

Brandon Martin S/T LP (brandonmartin.bandcamp.com)

Hailing from the rural town of Mc Alester, Oklahoma comes the debut album from lo-fi psych rock mastermind Brandon Martin. This self titled release is chocked full of short to the point songs that are brilliantly crafted and sure to get stuck in your head and have you singing along in no time. From the opening chords of "Long Pig" I new I was hooked as it's infectious riff and catchy feel is truly inspiring. The primitive mood of "Immolation Dream" has a very adventurous approach to it that is nothing short of stellar while songs like "Bicycle Days" and "Ether" mix psych driven traces with a hook laced jangling pop approach. Other favorites include the acoustic based beauty of "Floating" the galloping drive of "Prelude" and the deep, laid back, dirge like approach of "Heaven". An enticing album that takes you on an engaging musical journey that's inspiring, colorful and open minded.

Black Dunes S/T E.P. (blackdunesgr.bandcamp.com)

Led by a sea of guitars that seem to sweep in like an unpredictable shift in the weather, Black Dunes offer up 4 spectacular tracks on their debut self titled E.P. Opening piece "Lost" showcases intricate riffs that swing from cagey and clean to angular and noise driven, showing right out of the gate what this band is made. The slow crawl of "Subtlety" filters in colorful waves of uplifting sounds as the monstrous bass tone and pounding drums really put everything over the top, The soaring mood of "Inhabitant" pushes the envelope even further with it's crushing energy and melodic undertones while closing number "Steps" sends things off on a high note that harnesses layers of hypnotic bliss into a frantic blast of sonic fury. A top notch release that channels a wide range of eclectic moods.

Dares "Flying Colors" E.P. (dares.bandcamp.com)

New York City's Dares offer up this promising pair of exciting upbeat tracks which I believe are their first. "Flying Colors" is a catchy, bouncy number full of jangling guitars and a fun energetic vocal cadence. It's got some good shuffle and swag to it that echoes the spirits of The Kinks, Billy Bragg and Squeeze. The band then shift things up a bit as "Flock Of Arrows" has a more menacing attack that also harnesses an underlying spirit that's a bit haunting with some flourishing pulses of experimental sound filtered in for good measure. It's quite inspiring and I must say I've had this track on repeat quite a bit over the last few weeks. An excellent new band that are carving out a sound of their own through well crafted songs with a relentless attitude. Highly recommended

Swampland "Badlands" E.P. (swampland.bandcamp.com)

Los Angeles post punk outfit Swampland are back with this brand new 5 song E.P. adequately titled "Badlands". The songs carry Swampland's trademark "old west" stance as the tracks are all very cinematic in spirit and structure. "Lady Lazarus" bold vocal delivery and blistering guitar work are simply second to none while the dark, sinister mood of "A Thousand Times" channels the likes of Nick Cave, The Cure and Echo & The Bunnymen. I really love the bassline on "Caught In A Wash" as it's organic approach really adds to the dangerous mood that flows throughout the track while the stoic vibes of "Lonesome Life" close out the release in fine form. Another impressive effort from one of my favorite new bands.

Tall Tall Trees "Being There" Single (Joyful Noise Recordings)

Did you say a banjo being played through a bunch of effects pedals alongside a pumping drum machine beat??? Well count me in. Yes that's part of what you get on "Being There" the lead single from the new Tall Tall Trees album "Freedays" out now on Joyful Noise Recordings. The other side of the song is Tall Tall Trees brainchild Mike Savino's beautiful voice and amazing songwriting ability. I mean the amount of energy and power this guy creates here is truly inspiring as each note gives off a spirit of happiness that's ready top take on the world. Simply magical!!!