Jawbox - For Your Own Special Sweetheart: Remastered
Jawbox - For Your Own Special Sweetheart: Remastered (Desoto) [upcoming shows] [audio]
1994 started a mid-'90s trend of punk bands switching to major labels to make great punk albums. One of those bands was Jawbox, whose For Your Own Special Sweetheart hit the airwaves with a thud. A thud that left jaws hanging in exuberant disbelief throughout the punk and alt-rock crowds, but didn't come any closer to the mainstream than 120 Minutes. This is an often overlooked gem, and the remastered & extended re-release puts every instrument out front, sonically showcasing how this album is so essential.
- cormac
The Down and Outs - Cacophony
The Down and Outs - Cacophony (JOA Records) [upcoming shows] [audio]
There's a recent resurgence of Providence pop punk bands, music influenced by labels like Fat Wreck Chords and the bands Descendents and All—fast with fist pumping shout-along choruses. The tracks "All Because of You" and "Bridges and Breakdowns" add some ska and there's a surprise hyper-speed cover of a Paula Abdul song and a comical PSA. The catchiness of the choruses carries the pop end of things and with four songs under ninety seconds, they also have the punk end covered.
- mark
Juliana Hatfield - Peace & Love
Juliana Hatfield - Peace & Love (Ye Olde Records) [upcoming shows] [audio]
At this point in her career, Juliana Hatfield doesn't need gimmicks. Her long-established brand of alternative rock is universally known, and varies only in its degree of rockitude and easy-listenability. Juliana's rocked out to the extreme on albums like Total System Failure and Made In China, but it's been some time since she's presented us with such a collection of stripped down, acoustic, heartfelt songs. Peace & Love puts aside the distortion pedal and fancy production techniques to reach a candid girl-with-guitar makes home-recording feeling.
- cormac
Harhay - Swimming Pools and Movie Stars
Harhay - Swimming Pools and Movie Stars (self released) [audio]
Darting between genres with flawless studio production, touches of slide guitars, jingle bells, and ragtime piano, "Yamahauler" borders on ska, while "Without You" goes full-on reggae. "Death by Lily" features a flowing sax solo that would make Sting proud. The vocals fall between Dave Matthews and the singer of the Counting Crows. "Vendelay" is the lone instrumental with samples from cartoons and documentaries. In the end, this is an east coast performer who has mastered the art of creating pastoral pop with a west coast vibe to it.
- mark
Crumwood - Avert Your Eyes
Crumwood - Avert Your Eyes (self released) [audio]
One man, Syd Heap, is behind the Crumwood moniker and he utilizes a some of Rhode Island's renowned indie performers, including Dave Narcizo of Throwing Muses and members of The Masons as a production team. The title track somehow manages to mesh together Bobby McFarren and the Flaming Lips; at other points The Doobie Brothers jamming with Air. With over 70 minutes of music, there are touches of the acoustic strumming of The Grateful Dead, the grandeur of Yes, the eclecticism of Beck as well as some bits of Wilco and Blind Melon.
- mark
Slow Club - Yeah So
Slow Club - Yeah So (Moshi Moshi) [upcoming shows] [audio]
Slow Club brings forth indie folk with boy-girl vocals and a beat you can dance to. For no added cost you get pretty voices and bonus English accents, and those only sweeten the pot. Their extra added charm comes from a bittersweet mix of upbeat melodies and lyrics of heartache. Yeah So is recommended for anyone who likes the poppier side of a Bright Eyes, the folkier side of a Rilo Kiley, or those crazies that wish Tilly and the Wall would quit all that tappa-tappa-tappa'ing.
- cormac
Red Pens - Reasons
Red Pens - Reasons (self released) [upcoming shows]
Red Pens bring 90's guitar rock back with a howling vengeance on their album Reasons. The duo build their tunes up against walls of feedback, via My Bloody Valentine, while bouncing a barrage of guitar squeals off the noise, much like the Daydream Nation Sonic Youth era. The results hark back to the corrosive yet catchy sounds of The Jesus and Mary Chain. Red Pens aren't the most original band in the world but they are certainly one of the loudest.
- corey c
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