FrostClick.com » Alternative Rock

Republic of Lights: Go Rococo - energetic indie new wave

Valerie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:01:24 +0000

After receiving a huge amount of praise and positive reviews for their album as well as live performances, Republic of Light seems to have had a good start on their musical journey.

These Chicago natives created quite a bit of noise in the indie music world with their album Go Rococo. The crew is composed of Alan on vocals, Brian on guitars, Greg on keyboards and Rosie on guitars.

Combining a flurry of indie pop, new wave, great lyrics and tons of catchy rhythm; the band is easily likable while the record is a great go-to album if you want something to keep your energy up and bouncing.

I'm not going to deny that I enjoyed the album on first listen. There's a fun and exciting energy that emanates from each track. Even though much of it sounds like a mix of new wave with the melodramatic indie pop of Spoon, it's pretty hard to resist them and keep yourself from enjoying the record.

Kicking things off is title track, Go Rococo. It's actually the shortest cut on the album at only 2 minutes. It combines keyboards, hipster style vocals and some catchy beat. The album then transitions into a full blown dance, hipster track, Lotus. With a mix of guitars and steady beat, you'll find yourself toe tapping to this one. Meanwhile, 22centstamp is a fun lovin' cut that extends with great lyrics and a jaunty rhythm. Alan's vocal work is quite something.

Go Rococo is a great record to grab. Although the band's sound quality isn't as polished yet, they're pretty close. They have all the right elements in place; given a bit more time to evolve, they're sure to blow listeners even more with their sound.

You can grab the download over at BandCamp. And if the band is playing near your area, go ahead and see them. I hear they're mindblowing live. Enjoy!

Stadtmusikantin und Sterntaler (Traveler's Diary): The Traveler and The King

Valerie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:01:28 +0000

Download Album

Don't be fooled by the long and complicated looking name, The Traveler and The King is actually a pretty lovely record for many jazz alternative folk lovers out there.

Originally calling themselves, Stadtmusikantin und Sterntaler, the band now goes by the easier to pronounce name, Traveler's Diary.

This is a debut record for the band. It was released in BandCamp on December 2010 and features a whole range of sounds. You can expect some acoustic percussions, a slight touch of prog, jazz and even folk sprinkled on here.

Title track, The Traveler and The King kick things off. The song has a lounge feel while at the same time adding a hint of alternative rock. Although it's not as catchy as I hoped, it still captures the listeners attention and opens the album nicely.

Showcasing their dynamic capacity, the band follows it off with a more mellow track, Strangers. The song has a nice world music feel to it and incorporates odd bits of sound here and there. The third cut, Lies on the Run begins as an instrumental piece filled with trippy Flamenco style guitar playing. It then elaborates into a midtempo vocals infused cut. Perhaps my favorite off the album, Fools is a jazzy single that has lovely vocals and a sweet lounge club sound.

Overall, the album is worth having. There's good variety to be found here especially if you like to explore different sounds.

The Traveler's Diary is made up of trio The city musician - vocals/ guitar/piano/compositions; Daniel Vargas - double bass and Fiete Wachholtz - drums, percussion. Download the album and enjoy.

The Slizzies: Slizzies Going Steady - raw and unpolished punk rock

Valerie — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:01:44 +0000

Download Album

The Slizzies came about on a whim. When they first got together, only one of the members had actually played an instrument in their lifetime. Despite this complete handicap, that didn't stop the guys from agreeing to form a band.

The succeeding times weren't easy. From gathering for band practice, to actually learning to play for much of the group; it was certainly a joyride. In the end, the succeeding members actually managed to record a couple of original tracks in true diy fashion. These tracks were recorded from various live performances and rough studio sessions. Hence, don't expect awesome quality but do expect some great punk tracks coming your way.

There are 30 tracks to choose from in this record. As mentioned, most of these were done in shady quality so don't expect a polished, ready-for-the-presses album here. It's essentially true blue underground punk that's equipped with shouty vocals, fast drumming and loud guitars with repetitive lyrics.

According to one of the members, "the songs on this album were recorded with vocal microphones, and a lot of the time recorded as a single mono mixed track of each instrument, leaving little room for modifications. We didn't take any notes while we were doing this, and, more often than not, we had to repeat instrument takes days later since something got screwed up during the recording, which we didn't notice it until it came time to mix a song. We really didn't know what we were doing.

There's a certain rawness to the tracks that translates well to the diy punk mythos. If you enjoy an energy-filled dirty punk rock album once in awhile, you'll have a good time checking this one out. Take a listen and grab the download.

Moongardening Inc.: A Sky Full Of Killer Whales

Valerie — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:01:14 +0000

Download Album

Moongardening Inc. might have an unusual band name as well as an album title, but their music manages to stand out and impress. Creating a solid fusion of pop, jazz, blues and a whole lot in between; A Sky Full of Killer Whales exudes a certain charm.

Only downside is that there's hardly anything about the band online except what's written on their BandCamp page and sparse reviews here and there.

Nevertheless, their music can easily take front and center without much background info about them.

Made up of Sarah van der Meer (voice), Munuera Rodrigo Martin (guitar), Fernando Revuelta (Low), Pablo Oliva (keyboards) and Nano Cañamares (drums); the album mixes folk, indie pop as well as jazz and blues in certain areas. There are even times when progressive rock is introduced courtesy of prolonged guitar riffs and trippy vocals.

Speaking of prog influences, the first cut, The Sky, is a short but chaotic mix of guitars, drums, and distortion. Although you'll hear this trait in some of the songs, majority of the cuts are more folkish pop than anything else. Take for instance the third track, To Have or Have Not; the song is a laid back cut that features Sarah's feminine vocals. With a jaunty tune, it's easy to relax to and perfect for perking up your day.

One of my personal favorites from the album is Big G. It opens with heavy guitars which gorgeously complements the female vocals. Towards the middle part, the boys perform some melodic backup singing and it just brings back so much nostalgia of good old 70s rock. They cap off the entire record with a 10 minute opus titled, The Killer Whale. There's a huge blank sound in the middle with only the first and last parts containing songs. They couldn't have capped the record much better since the song evokes an ethereal feel.

A Sky Full of Killer Whales is one record to watch out for. The fact that the band doesn't really stick to one genre makes it even more interesting. You get one enjoyable track after another; something that's a bit rare to see these days. Go ahead and grab the download. It's available at a pay-what-you-want option.

My Heart To Joy: Seasons In Verse - hardcore plus indie rock goodness

Valerie — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:01:25 +0000

Download Album

Looking for something loud to start the New Year? You should check out My Hear To Joy and their release, Seasons in Verse. This is the first full album for the group and so far things are looking promising.

The crew is a big one with seven people driving the band's core. Together, these Kensington, CT natives create music that is a mix punk, metal and indie. Complete with short punchy rhythm and in-your-face rockin' these guys know how to capture your attention and get their message across.

This album is a follow up to the EP they released last year, Virgins Sail, where the boys were decidedly more aggressive. This time around, they're taking a loud yet more polished rock path with their sound.

Kickstarting everything with a two minute alternative rock instrumental called, Time Spent Breathing; the song gently sweeps and sways as it starts before building up to a rockish pitch. It perfectly sets the mood for the album and prepares the listeners for a loud and complicated 11 tracks to follow.

Title cut, Seasons in Verse, sounds like a half scream with strained vocals blurting out the lyrics. It features a catchy and intricate instrument work that goes from midtempo to fast rock within seconds. It's this combination of hardcore and mellow/indie rock that helps the band gouge a niche for themselves.

Meanwhile, Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory is a cover track from Guided By Voices. One of those unexpected covers you normally wouldn't associate with a group that had its beginnings in screamo. Finally, they finish off the album with a fitting cut, Watch Me Live. It's epic, containing guitar swells, screaming raspy vocals, and a much louder Coldplay-esque vibe.

Personally, I really enjoyed this record. The complex network of instruments and the hodge podge of rock genres work great for the band. One of those albums you put on if you like to dissect the flesh of songs and not settle for the facade.

You can grab this one at a name-your-price option over at BandCamp. It might be two years old but this one still has everything you need for a rocking great time.

The District Attorneys: Waiting on the Calm Down, The Basement Sessions EP

Valerie — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:01:07 +0000

Download Album

Laid-back and charming, these two words can best describe the sound of The District Attorneys. Waiting on the Calm Down: The Basement Sessions EP is a short compilation meant to introduce and haul in fans as they wait for the guys to release a full record.

Consisting of a six-piece crew from Athens, GA; they first started back in 2009 playing their form of classic rock. From melodic rock ballads to uptempo indie surf rock affairs, you get a good mix from this little compilation.

These boys know their way around music. From creating catchy hooks, tight lyrics and great instrument work, there's plenty of fun up ahead with this record.

Waiting on the Calm Down couldn't have started on a better track than, California Fire. The song is the epitome of beautiful laid-back rock. There's a nice beat that's makes you want to soak up the sun and just drop everything to enjoy the day. The vocals don't take front and center, but instead merges beautifully with the instruments and melody.

It's followed by a massively catchy, Slowburner; a cut that shines in the record. Again, there's a summer vibe going on; perfect for lifting your spirits if you're going through a dreary winter morning. Meanwhile, Far Past the Point of Resolve continuous on with the relaxing atmosphere while The End, takes the band down a quieter route. They incorporate pianos and twangy guitars in this one along with a very slight country feel.

They then cap off the record with a cover of Gillian Welch's song, Wrecking Ball. Their version isn't my favorite on here, in fact, I think it could have done better without it. Nevertheless, if you listen to the first five tracks, you'll realize that The District Attorneys is one band that's worth noting. Grab the download and take a listen.

Keep Tidy: Basement Mold EP - fast and feel-good hardcore rock'n'roll

Valerie — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:01:20 +0000

Download Album

Keep Tidy is a Vancouver band that will satisfy your craving for hardcore, balls-on rock. With female-led vocals, the band reminds me of a cross between The Distillers and a very loud and uninhibited, Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

They are made up of Brett, Dustin, Kyle and Shmoo; most of the members aren't new in the scene. They actually belonged to various other bands in the local Vancouver rock scene before coming together to create this fast paced, loud record that seems to be made up of nothing but a whirlwind of sound.

The band comes in strong and hard. Blasting through with 7 songs that equal to 8 minutes of play time only. That might seem quite short -okay, that is very short - but it doesn't diminish the energy or likability factor of the songs.

Starting with Goochie Main, the song declares its presence with loud drumming, followed by prominent bass work. Within seconds, you're greeted with the brash female vocals that perfectly harmonize with its surrounding instruments. At 1:54, this is actually the longest song on the EP. It's followed by an equally commanding track, Simpsons Quotes. Each song seamlessly flows into another that it's sometimes hard to know where one ends and the other begins.

In spite of this, they never fail to inject that headstrong sound, which makes you want to jump around and head bang. If you're in for some rockin' good time, then you should take a listen to Keep Tidy. Definitely a band worth checking out.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Fever Sleeves: Soft Pipes, Play On (LP) - complicated and sweet math rock compilation

Valerie — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:01:36 +0000

Download Album

The first time you listen to Fever Sleeves, you might find it hard to put a finger on their brand of music. On one hand, you have this beautiful calculated math rock sound while on the other, it's a noise fest filled with random guitars, hazy vocals and unconventional drumming.

Soft Pipes, Play On is the band's debut record, it might be two years old but with just one listen you can tell that there's something special about it. The band hails from San Diego, CA and have been around since 2004. Their first single, Futuristic Killings, paved the way for the band's much anticipated full length debut back in 2009.

The band credits influences from Radiohead, post hardcore Washington band, Q and not U, No Knife and Refused to name a few. Their sound is littered with offbeat drumming, weird rhythms and interesting vocal melodies which add to their distinctive sound.

It takes a bit of time to actually love the album. When I first listened to it, I wasn't sure whether I liked it but after having it play in loops and taking in much of the unusual sounds emanating from the tracks; it's actually an enjoyable record to have. Tracks like Vampyroteuthis (which is a type of squid for those who are curious) start off the compilation with the band's characteristic ambiguity. Instruments are coming in from every corner with drums and rhythms vying for your attention. It's topped with some melodic chanting/singing right at the middle part.

Their original single Futuristic Killings is also part of the record. The song is probably the closest you'll get to "proper" song arrangement compared to the rest of the tracks. It's a typical indie dance rock record with sweet harmonies thrown in for good measure. The whole thing is capped off with Grrraldo. The cut embodies much of what the album is about with incomprehensible lyrics, time signature changes and great drumming.

Overall, those who easily get frustrated at having 10,000 things playing through their ears at once, might want to stay away from this. Sonically though, the album is a great melting pot of sound. It's perfect for a loud blaring party or if you simply want something complicated to listen to.

Big Wilson River: Octopus Album - fresh and loud Americana!

Christie — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:01:57 +0000

Download Album

At first listen Big Wilson River’s Octopus Album packs a jarring punch. After adjusting to a somewhat stylistically predictable album, which is best described as a jerky and frantic folk/rock hybrid, a zealous melody and original narrative begins to merge.

Powerful instrumentals are aided by forceful lead singer Darrin Bradbury who at times dominates the vocals with a strained shout. Despite, he is paired with Emma McLaughlin who has a soft yet strong voice, something similar to the enticing and hypnotic effect of Adele.

The first track, Eighty Dead Armadillos is an action packed jam with a clever character to it – I dare you to not head bang along with catchy tune. A favorite is Gypsy Song, where a mesmerizing waltz features the soothing vocals of McLaughlin, luring the listener to involuntarily sway with the beat. Still, Gypsy Song is interrupted by a repetitious chorus of screaming vocals “God, I’m so tired,” a transition that is in no way smooth are considerate to the listener! The lyrics are strikingly playful and artful; take for example in Hemmingway Had a Cat: “Hemmingway had a cat, Hemmingway blew off his head. I have a cat, but I still have my head.”

Octopus by Big Wilson River

Track 4, Backyard Passout has an almost romantic narrative, that is until the guitar and bass crescendo into a frantic and passionate finale with more screaming. Perhaps “passionate” is the best way to describe Big Wilson River’s Octopus – it certainly does not lack passion; it’s just a matter of toning down a mix of sometimes severe vocals with a raucous accompaniment. The album is certainly energetic and unique – it offers a new approach to Americana, you might call it a sort of urban folk mythology. Give it a listen!

Fine Young Firecrackers: From The Ground Up - catchy and nostalgic pop punk

Valerie — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:01:23 +0000

Download Album

If you're in the mood for some fine music, take a listen to Fine Young Firecrackers. This new band from Liverpool is among the latest group of awesome bands that have come out of the city.

They bring in tons of energy, great beats and plenty of personality with their debut EP, From The Ground Up; making sure that you take notice and enjoy their sound.

Their music is reminiscent of various feel-good punk pop acts that you put on if you just want some good, uncomplicated and enjoyable music to keep you company throughout your day.

The EP starts off with the anthemic, Sound of Moving On. It's one of those tracks that seem like perfect company when you were in your teens, struggling to make sense of your life. Equipped with a catchy beat, charming vocals (well, typical of what you'd hear in feel-good rock like this) as well as great lyrics; the song is a good candidate for your most-played songs list.

It's followed by another upbeat number, We Grew Up Listening to Drive-Thru Bands. Although the title is a bit cheeky, it also rings true of the band's sound, which borrows from various pop punk bands like the Ataris and New Found Glory. It seems like part of the heydays of pop punk when both the lyrics and the beat actually mattered. It's one of my favorites in this mini record.

The remaining tracks Wrong Side of Town and Landslide, continue with the energy from the previous songs. Churning out glorious drumming, chanty vocals and very catchy rhythms.

If you lived through those pop punk phase, then this EP will no doubt be nostalgic. It's a bit short but each track has its charm. There's nothing groundbreaking about it though, but as a record you can listen to without much fuss; this one works great. Grab the download over at their BandCamp. This one's absolutely free.