Check out Episode 7 of Custom Made Music Radio as we discuss the new Stooges, Drivin' N' Cryin' and Morphine documentaries plus play tracks from Ballad of Geraldine, Potential Red, Booji Boys, The Red Shift, Circus Devils, Holy Water, WANWEIRD, The Free Radical, The Retinas, Sebadoh, Surfer Blood and ELORA.
Allison Crutchfield "Tourist In This Town" LP (Merge Records)
Loving this debut album from singer/songwriter Allison Crutchfield. Raised in Alabama Crutchfield began performing in her teenage years forming the bands P.S. Eliot and Bad Banana with her twin sister Katie of Waxahatchee. In 2012 she co-founded the band Swearin’ and began to develop more and more as a songwriter. "Tourists In This Town" shows just how far Crutchfield has come as the album captures her amazing vocal range and stellar musicianship alongside a sea of breathtaking synths, jangling guitars and infectious percussion. The powerful hooks in "I Don't Ever Wanna Leave California" give it an undeniable appeal while "Charlie" is one of the most honest and heartfelt songs you will hear all year. The "Be My Baby" style beat and pumping piano on "Expatriate" woven with Crutchfield's spectacular vocal cadence make it another top notch track. “Tourist in This Town is completely made up of heightened anxiety and became a clearly defined puzzle that I slowly put together over the course of a year,” says Crutchfield. “It’s a record about change—change of scenery, of partner, of band, of home, of friends, of outlook—and how that change can cause a temporary panic but ultimate triumph in most of us.” "Tourist In This Town" is officially available today courtesy of Merge Records
Lagomorph "Winter Sessions" E.P. (lagomorph.bandcamp.com)
Italian ambient/soundscape project Lagomorph returns with this innovative two track E.P. full of astonishingly beautiful sounds that move together with poise and elegance. "Forest Of Misunderstandings" is surrounded by a gloomy vibe but with an underlying layer of mystery and hope. It's simple melody is backed by gorgeous layers of mesmerizing reverberations that offer a sense of euphoria as the track builds and builds with intensity. "In Pouring Rain" is even more delicate and lulling. The cinematic drone of sheets of rain looms in the background as shimmering swells of uplifting guitars create a peaceful and inspiring tone that is stimulating and strong. Overall "Winter Sessions" is a captivating release that explores the realms of experimental recording with an open mind and open heart. Highly recommended!!!
Philadelphia's The Retina's are one of the most prolific bands on the East Coast DIY/Inide rock scene and "Singles" compiles all of the latest one off tracks that they have released under one umbrella. From the lo-fi jangle of "Holly-Touch" to the galloping shuffle and punk attitude of "Feel Alright" the band showcase their brand of stripped down, dirty rock n roll in fine form. "Love Is Ridicule" channels a bit of that laid back,tongue in cheek vibe circa "Hootenanny" era Replacements while "Dissatisfaction" is simply one of the bands best songs to date. Look for a new cassette set out soon on CMM and a lengthy U.S. tour this Spring.
Seasloth "Sometime Soon" LP (seasloth.bandcamp.com)
Quite a remarkable debut album from Australian based psychedelic band Seasloth. From the opening tones of "So It Goes" you can tell this band is "all in" as far as musicianship and intensity goes because this band can flat out play. The crawling menace of "Tea Time With Tom" showcases their ability to combine lush atmospheric sounds with grit and power while the shoegaze tendencies explored throughout "Marshmellon" create an other worldly experience that fans of bands like MBV and Slowdive will welcome with open ears. Things get even more psychedelic and even a bit tropical during the colorful and vibrant piece know as "Intergalactic Battle For The Soul Of Man". It's deep layers of modulated guitars and 60's inspired stance meshes well with the epic dynamics found throughout the cunning presence of "It's Unknown". "Sometime Soon" is the type of album that is best enjoyed from beginning to end. It certainly sets a mind bending mood that takes you to a place where anything is possible. An inspiring and thought provoking album that carves out a sound that's all it's own.
Swampland "The Stranded West" (swampland.bandcamp.com)
There's a dark cloud and dusky mood that hangs over each of the songs on Swampland's debut album "The Stranded West". Tracks like "Path To Purity" and "I'll Never Know" harness a dangerous presence and swaggering flair that embraces the spirit of Nick Cave and Dead Moon but also put a catchy twist on things at times blending infectious hooks with an intriguing blast of gloom and doom. There are also some very Americana elements to the album as the shuffling rhythm of "Wounded Knee" sounds like a cross between Chris Issak and Joe Doe collaborating on a classic spaghetti western score with a touch of The Wovenhand thrown in for good measure. The striking stance of "Sirens Wall" embraces aspects of rockabilly and punk and there's a soulfulness to "Axeman Of New Orleans" that offers a twinge of Danzig alongside a mysterious carnival like setting. Overall "The Stranded West" is a highly enjoyable ride with many cinematic twists and turns that keep you engaged waiting to hear what will come next.
WANWEIRD "Green Jelly" Single (wanweirdmusic.bandcamp.com)
Coming off of last years stellar E.P. "Honey & Salt" London's Natalie Bibby aka WANWEIRD returns with a delightful new single titled "Green Jelly". It's catchy vocals and lush undertones work brilliantly with it's pounding drums and crushing power chords. The swirling sounds of a theremin even make it's way into the mix courtesy of Love Battery vocalist Ron Nine. This is the type of track that has just enough bounce to it that it's fun to sing along to but backs it up with a solid dose of 90's inspired rock n roll angst that pulls no punches. Head over to the Wanweird bandcamp page and check out all of Natalie's amazing songs.
Blonde Redhead "Masculin Feminin" 4 X LP/Book (numerogroup.com)
"Masculin Feminin" is the most recent release in Numero Group's re-issue series and it compiles Blonde Redhead's self titled debut and sophomore album "La Mia Vita Violenta" (both originally released on Steve Shelley’s Smells Like Records), with early singles, extant demos, and radio performances onto four albums. It's a phenomenal collection that also includes a book of unpublished photos documenting the bands formative years. This is the band in their rawest form and the blistering presence of classic tracks like "I Don't Want You" and "Astro Boy" never sounded better. This 37 track collection is sure to delight fans both new and old.
Lou Barlow "The Breeze" Single (www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com)
"The Breeze" is the first single from the brand new Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, the Folk Implosion) solo E.P. "Apocalypse Fetish". The song is incredibly comforting and warm and carries a presence that's rich in honesty. It's like getting a postcard out of the blue from an old friend that just wanted to say hi. Barlow says "I wasn’t able to fully draw the songs out until I recorded, once again, with Justin Pizzoferrato at Sonelab in Easthampton Massachusetts (May 2016.) I recorded my last full length record (Brace The Wave) there in 2015. I’m happy to consider this EP a follow up to that album, though, this time, every song is played on ukulele (strung with heavy strings and tuned much lower than a standard uke.) Actually, it sounds nothing like a ukulele. For all intents and purposes it is a 4-string acoustic guitar utilizing the strumming styles and lower toned soundscapes I’ve been pursuing since my first released ukulele recording: “Poledo” (on Dinosaur Jr’s 2nd LP You’re Living All Over Me.) Yes, I’ve been doing this for a long time. I’d be proud to have Apocalypse Fetish be my final record. Check it out". "Apocalypse Fetish" is available now as a limited edition 10" from Joyful Noise Recordings.
Mantere "Kuoren alta" E.P. (mantere.bandcamp.com)
What a spectacular E.P. from this melodic indie rock unit out of Tampere, Finland. From the opening notes of "Mallis" you know you are in for something special. The song moves with elegance and grace and creates an ethereal world as vocalist Marko Neuman's captivating style shines brightly. The quick pace of "Itseni Uudestaan" keeps things moving with it's stellar musicianship and clever changes. Suddenly you are being completely run over by the back to back blasts of "Kuoren alta" and "Haive". These are two of the most primal songs I've heard in a long time as both harness a haunting presence that is hypnotic, cold and down right frightening. It's almost like a combination of Radiohead and Neurosis. The piano based structure of "Varjot" brings things to a close in grand fashion capping off an incredible record that's full of passion and originality. Highly recommended!!!
Tide Bends "GREENED" E.P. (tidebends.bandcamp.com)
Neptune City, New Jersey based band Tide Bends showcase their melodic spaced out psych sound in fine form throughout their latest E.P. "GREENED". The driving riff of "Where Are My Friends" gets everything going with it's energetic feel and rich textured guitars that take the track into a mind bending type territory. "Told You I'm Fine" also captures a bit of 60's psychedelic flair but in a more alternative rock direction while "Over Soon" is a dirge driven blues based piece that's drenched with grit and fuzz. Things wind down with the laid back moody sounds of "Feather" which creates a cinematic landscape of atmospheric bliss that leaves you longing for more. A fine offering from beginning to end.
Titanic Titanic "Del Champion" LP (titanictitanic.com)
Led by Los Angels musician Jonathan Soucy, Titanic Titanic offer up a solid debut full of catchy alternative rock n roll songs. Stand out track "I Fell Down" features a driving beat alongside powerful intricate riffs, an infectious bass line and a vocal delivery full of swagger and sway. "Home" is a slice of indie rock magic that's awkward stance and quirky presence reminds me of Modest Modest Mouse matched with "Pinkerton" era Weezer and it meshes well with the eclectic spirit of "Square Face". The laid back groove of "The Saddest Thing" adds a slow melodic touch to the record that channels the lighter side of Queens Of The Stone Age while "Pant Sized" is an uptempo number that's fun to sing along to. Overall a very enjoyable record that fans of modern rock radio are sure to enjoy.
Wanweird "Honey & Salt" E.P. (wanweirdmusic.bandcamp.com)
Wanweird is an old gaelic word meaning "misfortune; ill or unhappy fate.". It is also the moniker of London musician Natalie Bibby who provides all of the instrumentation and vocals on her first E.P. "Honey & Salt". The record is full of raw, angst ridden rock n roll songs that channel equal amounts of early 80's post punk and early 90's alternative rock. From the stripped down snarl of "I Was Surprised" to the dark and desperate slant of "Four Below" Bibby's delivery is on point. "Loser" makes good use of the "Quiet/Loud" dynamic and features an anthem like chorus that is rather remarkable while closing number "Wings Of Icarus" is more laid back and melodic and shows a nice bit of diversity that winds things up well. Simply put Bibby hits a home run on "Honey & Salt" and it's a record I think you should be enjoying right now!!!
