Mean Creek

It’s hard to sum up Boston-based Mean Creek concisely because their songs span so many styles: from upbeat high energy feel-good rockers, to darker blues and jazz jams. But whatever avenue they venture down, the result is always great.

Watch the video for Mean Creek’s new, Arcade Fire-channeling single – ‘The Land Of Hopes And Dreams’ – below:

 

You can also stream/download Mean Creek’s EP, Hemophiliac, via Bandcamp:

Grab Bag Sunday #3

Welcome back to Grab Bag Sunday, round 3. It’s exactly what it sounds like: every Sunday I throw a variety of songs I’ve been digging lately into a post. Try them out, and chances are you’ll find something great.

1. ‘Cannons‘ by Youth Lagoon

2. ‘Snowden‘ by Doves

3. ‘Many Moods‘ by Delicate Steve and Zach Hill

4. ‘The Boxer‘ by Black Whales

5. ‘I Don’t Care About Your Blue Wings‘ by East River Pipe

Video: ‘Baby Missiles‘ by The War on Drugs

Admiral Fallow

Admiral Fallow are a Scottish band, formerly known as Brother Louis Collective, and they make some of the most anthemic indie folk/rock music I’ve heard in awhile. Their debut full-length Boots Met My Face reminds me a little of fellow Scots Frightened Rabbit in its honest lyrics and presentation, but stands apart with its own flair of orchestral instruments that fill out the lilting guitars, crashing drums and poignant male/female vocals.

Try out ‘Subbuteo’ from Boots Met My Face here, and get the rest of the album on Admiral Fallow’s Bandcamp. Oh p.s. they are in the midst of recording album no. 2 right now.

Subbuteo by Admiral Fallow

They Say We’re Sinking: EP Release

Earlier this week we blogged about They Say We’re Sinking, a Dover, Delaware post-rock band that caught my attention. Now, the band is about to release their Echoes of the Great War EP next Tuesday, June 28th.

The 4-song EP was recorded in one session, completely live, and without overdubs. It makes for a raw, honest recording that accurately reflects the band’s energy and cohesiveness. The guitars flood your ears with monumental tones as bass riffs kick and bite and drums drive it all from reflective valleys to incendiary peaks.

The opener, ‘Beth (The Declarer)’, starts things off hard and heavy and doesn’t really let up at all in the 4 minutes of the track. It’s followed by the slow-burning ‘Kaph (Invocation)’, which seethes and churns until halfway through the song when everything goes fantastically wild. The third track, ‘Gimel (The Wandering)’ is a faster, brighter tune that sounds more elated and animated than brooding, but still kicks as hard as ever. Finally, ‘Teth (The Keeper)’ closes out the EP on a hopeful note, a 9 minute saga that reigns triumphant and beautiful.

You can get the album starting this Tuesday at They Say We’re Sinking’s Bandcamp or at Noisetrade.com, but until then get a feel for the band’s impressive sound with ‘Gimel’.

Gimel (The Wandering) by They Say We’re Sinking

Celestial Shore

Celestial Shore are from Brooklyn, NYC…kinda. They actually grew up in Boston, lived in West Hollywood for awhile, spent time in Austin, and now are back in the Big Apple. And their various whereabouts show in the music they make: sunny, Beach Boys-esque vocals drift over jaunty guitar licks that scream NYC. The songs are short, sweet and extremely colorful, and they get more interesting with each additional listen.

Check out ‘Place Aux Dames’ from Celestial Shore’s upcoming 7″ – Pals/Place Aux Dames – out July 5 on Double Denim records. Stream more Celestial Shore music here.

Place Aux Dames (mp3)