REVIEWS FROM DAGGER
7/1/07:
GLOWFRIENDS- A FAREWELL TO FAIR-WEATHER- JAM- Record #3 and their best yet, from siblings Mark and April Morris . 3 other folks are in the band and their dad Jeremy runs their record label. But before you scream “Nepotism ! “ do not…..this is a fantastic record with lovely, gentle sounds and top-notch songwriting. The core of the band is April’s shimmering vocals and Mark’s jangly pop guitar sound and one listen to ace cuts like “All Comes Down”, “Charade” and the rockin’ “Distance One” will (or should) make a believer out of you. If that doesn’t then try their terrific Galaxie 500 cover (“Flowers”) on for size. One of my old bands (Pop Secret) covered this song and lemme tell you, Glowfriend’s version is much better ! The thing about Glowfriends is that they are growing up and evolving ( not sure of their ages but when the band began I believe they were all in high school) in all of the best ways possible and with each new release their songwriting is getting better and more confident. This record truly deserves your hard-earned dough. (3424 Wedgewood Dr, Portage, MI 49024)
LES BREASTFEEDERS- LES MATINS DE GRANDS SOIRS- BLOW THE FUSE- Molten mod garage punk from these French Canadians. They have gobs of energy and the right amount of attitude where needed. I can’t understand a damn word they’re saying and I still had a smile on my ugly mug the whole time this record was playing. You want some song titles ? Well, unless you got an A in French class you won’t know what the hell the mean but here goes: “Viens Avec Moi” , the opener kicks out the jams while cut number two, “Chanson Pour Destinee”, slows things down, if just a bit, and grinds it out like 60’s legends The Sonics on some bad (or good ) cough syrup. On “Funny Funiculaire” a sultry female voice comes into the picture and here is where they add some humming farfisa which equals the guitar for all our raucousness. Plus the whole package is rad, it comes in a digipak sleeve with lyrics (??) and tons of photos. I’ve gotta vacuum our entire house in a few minutes here and this is gonna be my soundtrack, I don’t care if our pet bird likes it or not. I’ll bet live they tear the roof off the sucka ! ( www.blowthefuserecords.ca )
THE RED BUTTON- SHE’S ABOUT TO CROSS MY MIND- SELF-RELEASED- Not really a band per se’ buy a recording project between two Angelinos, Seth Swirsky and Mike Ruekberg (who apparently have been around the music scene for quite some time, though I had never heard of either of them ) . The obvious influence here is the Beatles. In fact, this sounds like they could be a Beatles tribute band but honestly, the songs are so darn good you won’t mind. These 11 songs breeze by in just over a half hour and this is everything a pop record should be and more. The songs are catchy but not sickly sweet (not that I mind that on occasion) and the melodies and harmonies are there. Plus the songs are not overly long (hate that) and most of the songs are about a topic that we can all relate to: girls. Listen to the near-perfect title track, the 12-string soaked “I Could Get Used to You” , the total Fab Four-ish “Hopes Up”, or the quite rockin’ (well, for them) “Gonna Make You Mine.” If you have any interest in pop music at all then do yourself a favor and pick this up. It’s one of the strongest straight-up pop releases I’ve heard in years. ( www.theredbutton.net )
SHAKE SOME ACTION- S/T- SATELLITE 451- Any band that names themselves after a Flamin’ Groovies song (and not just any Groovies song but my all-time favorite one !) has got to be worth , at the very least, checking out. Well, S.S.A. are more than worth simply checking out, in fact these 12 songs deserve repeated listens. S.S.A. is basically the recording project for an Aussie who landed in Seattle named James Hall. Hearkening back to masters like The Beatles and The Byrds all the way up to current heroes like Teenage Fanclub, Hall has his head screwed on tight and his influence perfectly in line. What I dig the most is Hall’s occasionally deep croon , it at times (especially on the opening cut “Sound of Your Mind”) sounding slightly like Dave Vanian of The Damned. Check out the cool, grinding “ I Can See Where this is Going Now” , the mod-beat “Damaged”, the Nick Lowe-ish “Without You” (that even spouts off the lyric, “I was so cruel to be kind….”). Give this a listen folks, Hall is onto something and even though this was recorded by himself he has a band and is ready and willing to play weddings, bar mitzvahs or your local dive. Come on, give him a chance. ( www.shakesomeaction.net )
6/25/07:
LONEY , DEAR- LONEY , NOIR- SUB POP- So this thing sat in a box of promos out in the garage (with the cat) for , I dunno,…a while. I neglected listening to it cos’ that band name….just couldn’t grasp it. Well, when I finally did listen I was blown away. Led by a Swedish dude named Emil Svanagen (I think it’s him and only him) who has a great falsetto and is able to conjure up some of the sweetest melodies since those early-mid 70’s Beach Boy’s records. I’m still always amazed at what ambitious folks (like Emil) can do with the rock/pop genre’. Whether it’s bouncing around on the giggly “I Am John” or the early-Sebadoh-in-a-slightly-happier-mood (with more of a pop influence) “Hard Days 1,2,3,4.” There is more introspective stuff on here like “No One Can Win” and “I am the odd One.” Still though, this is a summer record through and through and there’ too much good stuff here to mention…just buy it. Whomever at Sub Pop discovered this guy, well, give that employee a raise . ( Po Box 20367 Seattle, WA 98102)
PISSED JEANS- HOPE FOR MEN- SUB POP- It’s about time someone decided to take the old metal trashcans out of the shed and start throwing them at cars. This Philly via Allentown bunch, led by Matt Korvette, take the whole ugly ball of wax that fell out of the ears of some 1980’s sludegrockers (Drunks w/ Guns, God Bullies, feedtime, etc.) and decided to do something with it. Umm…make a record. It opens with People Person” , a coupla minutes of grinding mayhem (and who knows, maybe, just maybe, they are all people persons ?). “Secret Admirer” reminds me of Kalamazoo, MI’s great white 80’s/90’s hope, the previously mentioned God Bullies and “A Bad Wind” is the best tune on here for driving in your car (if you wanna run someone over). I’ve only talked about the first 3 cuts and there’s 7 more so get a listening cos’ Pissed jeans don’t like you very much and , hard as this is to admit, I don’t think they like me either. Music for your embarrassing son who sucker punches the refrigerator door daily just cos’ it’s there. ( 2013 4th Ave (3rd fl), Seattle, WA 98121)
SWIVEL CHAIRS- THE SLOW TRANSMISSION- TRANSIT OF VENUS- With a fairly new label that has already released two fine records in The Shimmers and Trolleyvox, Brooklyn’s Swivel Chairs are in darn good company. This amazingly talented duo , who also have a host of friends contributing, consists of Jason Brown and ( longtime DAGGER contributor) Jeremy Grites and this is their boldest and best statement yet. THE SLOW TRANSMISSIION is full of the kind of indie rock that was made in the late 80’s/early 90’s when the two word, “indie” and “rock” really meant something and when the words were joined together meant even more to those of us looking for something new once punk rock had finally been laid to rest. The slow, pensive “Here Out of Reach” opens things up with tender lyrics and some swelling strings while the strummy “Easy Now” reminded me of New Zealand’s The Clean with its laidback vibe. “All at Once” begins with some jarring guitars in the Archers of Loaf vein (I know A.O.L. is a favorite of these guys) and the lovely “Sun Goes Down” channels The Byrds as does the equally terrific “Calloused Hands.” In this day and age when bands are able to get noticed more quickly (thank you my space, etc. ) Swivel Chairs deserve their own slice of the pie and with the quality of songwriting on THE SLOW TRANSMISSION, it oughta be a damn big slice. ( (www.transitofvenusmusic.com www.swivelchairsmusic.com
WALKER KONG- DELIVER US FROM PEOPLE- MAGIC MARKER- The first two records gave us an indication n but how was anyone to know that Walker Kong’s 3rd record was not going to be merely good but simply brilliant. This band is sorely underrated and if DELIVER US FROM PEOPLE doesn’t change that, well, then there’s officially no hope for the human race. Let’s face it, it’s 2007 and main songwriter Jeremy Ackerman can’t even get arrested. The first two songs, “Change Your Mind” and “We are the Falling Stars’ are absolutely jarring and a perfect opening. The next few cuts are more in the whimsical, acoustic Syd Barrett territory. Alex Ackerman (a female, I think ) sings on the dreamy “Cloudy Girl from the Western World”, they crank up a octane, if just a bit, on the garage-er “Metamorphosis Blues” and on “Belmont, 1973” they bring to mind the best songs that The Soft Boys ever did (think UNDERWATER MOONLIGHT). Not sure what else to say here if you like what you’ve read so far then you’ll love DELIVER US FROM PEOPLE. I’m not sure what kind of statue or shrine they have built for Prince in downtown Minneapolis, MN but whatever it is, they should make is twice and big and twice as expensive for Jeremy Ackerman. ( www.magicmarkerrecords.com )
6/4/07:
THE GILLIGANS- SNORING WITH AN ACCENT- MAIZE/EAR THEORY- Had never heard of this bunch before but any band named after one of my favorite tv shows (plus the way they write "Gilligans" is the same way it was written on the show....in that cool, island-esque writing). I do know that Todd from The Ringles (Jam Records) and Dan from The Porcupines are in this band and these 10 tunes gave some bite and kick to em'. Like a long-lost British Invasion band tossed about in a time machine and being spit out somewhere in a cornfield in Illinois. The opener "But I Don't Care" kicks out the jams with some sweet harmonica while smooth riffage is all around on "The Girl in the Band" (which sounds like it be a lost Kinks classic) and "Bubble Pop Bird." They add a bit 'o glammy swagger to the proceedings on the catchy- as -psoriasis "Sneakers and Makeup." This bunch sound like they're doing it for nothing more than a simple and true love of music and for that I applaud them. ( (www.myspace.com/thegilliganspop )
HIGH TENSION WIRES- MIDNIGHT CASHIER- DIRTNAP- Straight outta Denton, TX comes record #2 from the High Tension Wires. One of the guys is the vocalist from the Riverboat Gamblers (vocalist Mike Wiebe) one of the other guys are from The Marked Men (guitarist Mark Ryan) and a 3rd one id from The Reds (bassist Chris Pullian) and this a nice mix of all those bands. They knock it out with lots of energy and plenty of melody as well and most of these songs are memorable. The zippy "Tokyo is Burning Down", the choppy "They Fall Apart" and the anthemic "Old Enough to be Home Alone" are all top rank punk burners in the tradition of all good that has come out of the state of Texas (one of these days I swear I'm gonna buy a "Don't Mess with Texas' shirt and wear it proudly ). Maybe not quite in the same league as their "real" bands but it's close....damn close. ( www.dirtnaprecs.com )
SUBURBAN KIDS WITH BIBLICAL NAMES- S/T- MINTY FRESH- Ya' gotta love Sweden.....so many great bands that are all right up my alley (I think they must have an airplace flying back and forth across the country with one of those banners hanging off the back that says "Make music for Tim Hinely !") . Take, S.K.W.B.N., one of the best band names around and it belongs to two guys, Peter and Johan and they play a ton of instruments and they play them all very well. Aside from the dreary opening song "Marry Me' (not even sure why this is on the record except just to mess with out heads ) but the rest of the record is mostly all aces, a few kings and some queens too. Take "Trees and Squirrels" which skips along like the early Magnetic Fields songs used to before Stephin Merritt got all into showtunes and the flute-soaked "Funeral Face' which stars off with the lyrics, "I love you !?" And even if this wasn't a great record (which it is ) they still have the best song titles ("Rent a Wreck", "A Couple of Instruments", "Little Boys in the Ghetto", etc.). ( www.mintyfresh.com )
THE UGLY BEATS- TAKE A STAND- GET HIP- The Uglies burst upon the scene a few years ago when a previous band, Sir Finks, broke up under a haze of broken dreams, half-smoked Marlboros and cheap beer (Schaefer ?). This record, number two by the band (I never heard the debut) show the band doing a nice mix of 60's flavored proto-garage , some with saucy farfisa organ while others are low-key pop (I'm Gonna Break her Heart") and others are acoustic ("Get in Line"). Apparently on the last record guitarist/vocalist Joe Emery wrote all or most of the songs but on TAKE A STAND the band shares the songwriting credits and they even toss in three covers (The Ventures, Nikki and the Corvettes and The Remains). These cats seem like they've been around long enough to know what the real deal is but are also old enough to know not to drink all night and puke on the stage (or on your shoes). There's 12 tunes on here and not one dog amongst em' so how about that ?
5/25/07:
SINGLES- START AGAIN- SOUND ARTIFACTS MUSIC- This Detroit trio had a nifty lil' full-length that came out on the Rainbow Quartz label back in 2003 and it's been quite some time but they are back with lp #2 (they have some singles and eps too). The band, that was a quartet on the BETTER THAN BEFORE debut has now been pared down to a power trio and the only person left from that record is vocalist/guitarist/leader Vince Frederick (drummer Brian Thunders and bassist John Hale round out the trio). Not sure why Rainbow Quartz didn't release this but it certainly ain't for a lack of good songs cos' this sizzles ! The opener " I Want You Back Now" busts out of the gate with crashing drum, thumping bass and some choice 6-string madness and a general mayhem like The Who or The Kinks used to create back when pre-British gals would scream and cry in their presence. I also hear a bit of a T-Rex influence on some of these cuts like "Summer." Vince Frederick certainly has quite the pop sensibility and they are all excellent players. A few of my other faves here are the driving title track, the bouncy "The Most Beautiful Girl", and the Beatle-esque, summer fun of "Annette." I do hope this record gets the attention it deserves because this is one disc any pop fan would be proud to call their own. ( www.thesingles.us www.soundartifacts.com )
THE SIRENS- MORE IS MORE- MUSICK- - So much rawk has come outta the Motor City, Detroit, the last several years that you gotta have some kinda schtick to stand out. The Sirens have that schtick and she's blonde and stands about 6 feet tall. Her name is Muffy Kroha and I'm thinking there has to be some connection to the Demolition Doll Rods (ex-Gories ) Dan Kroha (wife ? sister ? cousin ??) I was curious when I began hearing some covers then I read that the band is an ALL COVERS band ...what a concept (plus they all wear gold lame'). You want glammy power pop ? You got it on covers like the Bay City Rollers "Saturday Night", Slade's "Rock n' Roll Preacher", Girlschool's "1-2-3-4 Rock and Roll" and, of course, what glam pop covers record would be complete without a few Sweet covers ?? Here they deliver "Fox on the Run", "Wig Wam Bam" (in which Muffy does a cool little asking-the-band-if-they're-ready-to-rock thang) , and "Hellraiser." There's other covers by The Shangri-La's, The MC5, Bowie and a few others plus a hidden track (Poison's "Talk Dirty to Me"...ok, so no one's perfect ). My only complaint is where Muffy , mainly on the first few tunes, does that obnoxious scream-singing that I could do without but she sounds a lot better on the later songs. Otherwise, this record is a blast and I'd love to see them belt em' out live. ( www.musickrecords.com )
TEARSRUNRINGS- A QUESTION AND AN ANSWER- LAVENDER/ DISASTER CLUB - It's been a while but thankfully Ed Mazucco has resurrected his Shelflife label (this time with a new partner, Matthew Bice) and started a new one too (Disaster Club, which co-released this) . Not only that but Mazucco also has a new band, Tearsrunrings. Both Mazzuco and Bice play in TRR as well as Mazzuco's former bandmate in The Autocollants , Laura Watling (now Laura Middleton) along with drummer Dwayne Palasek (so basically this is ¾ of the Autocollants...a few of them were also in the Evening Lights too) ). TRR, however, have a much different sound than the 'Collants, ...where that band traipsed and jangled TRR add waves of distortion and feedback and where the former band may have worshipped at the altar of Sarah Records , TRR would probably be more than happy to buy Creation Records exec Alan McGee a few bottles of vintage wine. The opening title track is a classic of the shoegaze genre' (sorry if you hate the word but I don't what else to call it ) as is the driving "Blur the Lines' (both feature Middleton's dreamy vocals) . "Tomorrow" has some near-perfect guitar playing while skipping along in a more pop fashion (until that great distorted guitar blast comes in ). The final two songs ("Sense of Time" and "Empty Bottle' are both worthy as well. Since faves like Slowdive and The Pale Saints bit the dust (years ago ) I have been waiting for another band to pick up the distortion pedals and run with them. Tearsrunrings is that band. ( www.disasterclubrecords.com www.lavender.se )
YOUTH GROUP- CASINO TWILIGHT DOGS- ANTI- Sydney, Australia is home to the famed Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and some of the nicest beaches I have ever had the pleasure to visit.....it is also home to Youth Group, a 4-some who have been turning heads lately with their no-nonsense pop style ( apparently the band is best known for their cover of 80's pop idol's Alphaville's oldy moldy, "Forever Young", which was on THE O.C. ) . If you have heard there are some similarities in sound to The Shins then I am here to tell you they are true. I do hear some of the Shins crisp pop sound in some of these 12 songs but I hardly think the band sat down to write songs that sound like The Shins. Right out of the gate "On a String" makes a bold statement of a band that's here and wants you to know they exist. The rhythm section is smooth as a baby's butt while the guitars speak the language of love and Toby Martin's vocals glide across the songs with the greatest of ease. One listen to "Sorry' and you'll hear some new slang right up there with their Portland, Oregon counterparts . The thing is, if THE O.C.'s Seth Cohen mentioned it on the show then I might have run the other way but with this bunch the songs are too good (and they're not afraid to rock either). From "Dead Zoo" to ""Under the Underpass" to "Daisychains" and I could keep on the going. One of these guys (bassist Patrick Matthews ) used to be in the highly-overrated Vines and they still manage to put out a great record so how about that. (www.epitaph.com www.youthgroup.com.au )
home
news
current issues
reviews
short reviews
interviews
top tens
best of 2006